Category: English

On New Year’s Eve, I took a five-hour sketchy ride to deliver adult toys to Julian Vance. He blocked the door, not letting me in. “This isn’t for you.” “She’s too innocent. She doesn’t trust anyone else to deliver this.” He took the bag, glanced inside: “She was worried you bought the wrong size.” “If it’s too big, I guess you’ll be the one enjoying it.” He thought of something and laughed softly. “The girl inside is too pure. If it’s too big, she won’t let me in.” Chapter 1 The door closed right in front of my face. I stood there, frozen. It took me a while to process what he meant. What did he mean by… I’ll be the one enjoying it? When Julian called me, his voice was husky, urgent. “Come to me… hnnng… fuck.” The call ended. Soon, he sent a location pin. I thought he missed me during his business trip. Carrying the toys he requested, I couldn’t take the train due to security checks, so I squeezed into an illegal cab. Arriving at the hotel. I was shaken to the bone. But he stopped me at the door. “Vivian, give me the bag. Go back tonight. The company needs you.” I was stunned. Through the door. A woman’s soft, sugary voice drifted out. “Ah, is Sister Vivian really here?” “Yes, your idol Vivian delivered it. Now, can I…” “Mmhmm…” Inside the room, the voices of a man and a woman faded away. Only broken whimpers occasionally leaked out. Housekeeping passed by. My heart jumped. I moved my feet in a panic. A numb sensation shot from my soles to my heart. The cleaning lady steadied me. She glanced at the room. “The guest has been at it since check-in. You don’t need to listen at the door, honey.” Chapter 2 Return trip. No trains at this hour. I don’t remember how I found a ride back. When I snapped back to reality. I saw the group chat spamming messages. Everyone was congratulating Bella for signing the Miami contract. Her DM came quickly. [Sister Vivian, I did it! I did it!] Attached was a cute bear emoji clenching its fist. I replied with a “Congratulations.” Alone, staring at the computer. I knew that deal was definitely not her doing. Julian and I were hired by the same company right out of college. Sales Department. We ran neck and neck. Competing for first place. From mutual dislike to a strange mutual appreciation. Until he approached me privately. “Vivian, I want to build something of my own. Will you join me?” The terms were tempting. No capital investment needed. Just my help, and I could get nearly half the equity. We rooted ourselves in the city. Shoulder to shoulder. On his birthday, we drank a little. He held my hand and we lay in his rental apartment. He said: “Vivian, having you is my luck.” I always thought. We were partners in every sense… Ability, methods, even in bed, we were perfectly compatible. But I never expected… today, I couldn’t even enter his hotel room. Chapter 3 When Julian returned. He tossed an exquisite gift box on my desk, raising an eyebrow: “For you. Happy New Year.” I didn’t speak. He picked up my mug, took a sip, and frowned slightly, “It’s cold. What’s wrong? You look unhappy.” I wanted to ask. What have I been to him all these years? But he misunderstood. He raised his hands in surrender, “My bad. Asking our VP Vivian to run errands for my hookup. How much was it? Fare, plus the toys.” He smirked at me. “I’ll pay you back ten times.” A knock on the office door. Bella peeked in. Her gaze landed on my mug, then quickly looked away. She walked awkwardly. Strange. Julian teased, “No need to hide it in front of your Sister Vivian. If it hurts down there, rest here.” Instantly. Bella’s face turned beet red. She glared at him fiercely, “Don’t talk nonsense in front of Sister Vivian!” I suddenly felt very annoyed. The girl clenched her fist at him, holding a pink gift bag with both hands, placing it on my desk. “Sister Vivian, thank you for mentoring me. “This is a gift I brought back specially for you!” Bella ran off after delivering the gift. Julian stared at the door for a long time. He sighed to me, “Little girl, so pure and kind. Vivian, even you should feel ashamed compared to her.” Clusters of anger could no longer be suppressed. I turned cold. “Since Mr. Vance understands human nature so well, you shouldn’t have chosen me as a partner back then.” He paused. “What? Did you eat dynamite? So fierce early in the morning?” Chapter 4 To celebrate the Miami contract signing. Julian decided to treat the entire Sales Department to a team-building retreat. Sales has always been under my command. Since the department was named, I couldn’t refuse. But when the message reached me, my first reaction was still to decline. I replied to Julian that I needed to study the Chicago file. Before clock-out time. The Sales team had already left. Silence. But I couldn’t read a single word. My mind was filled with images of Julian flirting with her. “I have strong business skills, but I always like being the nice guy.” Julian said this about me. He set a rule for me. I can only teach new hires how to close deals, not give them deals directly. But this time, he broke our agreement. Thoughts were messy. Bella suddenly video called me. Upon answering, employees called me over one by one, obviously having fun. I smiled and refused. Bella suddenly pointed the camera at an artisanal tea set sold at the hotel. She asked me: “Sister Vivian, isn’t this pretty?” Before I could answer. Her voice came through. “I’ll buy it for you. This way, you won’t have to use the same tea set as Mr. Vance, right?” In the video. Dead silence. The camera panned slowly, freezing on Julian’s helpless expression. “Bella, stop messing around.” The video cut off. But soon, Bella posted on her Instagram Story. The photo showed Julian paying. Caption: [People without boundaries, no matter how nice they seem, become annoying.]

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I used to scoff at the idea of “love at first sight.” Until the day I registered for college and bumped into Julian. One look, and I finally understood. When a guy is that handsome, he can make thrift store clothes look like Haute Couture. As a certified sucker for a pretty face, I drooled over him for years. Finally, when his family went bankrupt, I didn’t hesitate. I used my money to smash my way into becoming his girlfriend. In the third year of our relationship, his proud head was about to bow to reality. He was even ready to “settle” for me for a lifetime. Our families even sat down to discuss the wedding date. But then, Chloe appeared. Chloe, the junior student. Bright, gentle, soft. She hit every single point of Julian’s “Ideal Type.” So, the look in his eyes changed from indifference to undisguised disgust. That night, the smell of alcohol mixed with his cologne. He kissed me, but whispered another woman’s nickname. My heart felt like it was squeezed to a stop. A dull pain spread through my chest. I turned my head and pushed him away. “You’re drunk.” I lay in bed, pretending to sleep. I didn’t have the courage or the resolve to rip off the band-aid. In the dark, I heard him hiss through his teeth: “Candace, you can really endure anything. How can you be so pathetic?” I knew he regretted it. But what could I do? I was hopeless. The thought of waking up and not seeing that god-like face made me want to die. So I swallowed my pride, played dumb, and wasted another three years like a coward. Until that night. I went to a bar to pick up his drunk ass. But the moment I pushed open the door, I bumped into another face. A face so handsome it crashed my brain. My heart stopped. I even forgot to wipe the tears from my face. I heard myself stammer: “W-what’s your name?” The boy looked obedient, his voice clean enough to kill. “Liam.” At that moment, 1:27 AM. I knew clearly. My obsession with Julian… Had vanished into thin air. Chapter 1 At midnight, Julian was brought home by his junior again. I was woken up once more. I threw on a robe and leaned against the door, watching the girl’s flushed face. “Why didn’t you ask the other students to help? It’s hard for a girl to carry him.” I tried to take Julian from her, but he swatted my hand away. Awkward silence. The junior stammered an explanation. My eyes fell on Julian’s hand, gripping the girl’s purse strap tightly. His knuckles were distinct, as beautiful as ever. But now, he was holding onto another woman like a lifeline. My throat felt dry. I watched the girl soothe the drunk Julian and coax him into my arms. I guessed why she brought him back. When I hugged Julian, the strong smell of alcohol made me nauseous. Wiping his face, changing his clothes, feeding him medicine… After doing all this, I sat by the bed, studying Julian’s elegant face. Thin brows, long eyes, high nose, thin lips. His open collar revealed white, firm skin. I lowered my head, close to him, and whispered: “I like you so much, Julian.” He turned his head, frowning in pain, and mumbled. I tried to distinguish the name on his lips, my cheek almost touching his. “Chlo…” If I remember correctly, the junior who brought him back is named Chloe. A first-year grad student. Very likable. How close do they have to be for a man as restrained as Julian to call a girl by her nickname? I didn’t want to think of Julian as a cheater. He was one of the few “gentlemen” I had met. That was one of the reasons I pursued him so passionately. Of course, the most important thing was his face. I pushed away my emotions and lay down beside him. I wanted to kiss him, but the alcohol smell was too strong, so I retreated. “Goodnight.” I whispered. The next second, Julian pulled me into his arms. Like countless nights before, he buried his head in my neck. I took care of him until dawn. Plus, work was busy. I slept terrible. So when Julian woke up, I woke up too. He let go of me and sat on the edge of the bed for a long time, back to me. I didn’t know what he was thinking. Just as I was about to ask, he took a call. The balcony door was open. Julian’s clear voice drifted to my ears. “Yeah, just woke up. You? Sleep well?” I didn’t know what the other person said, but Julian laughed softly. I hadn’t heard him laugh in a long time. Strangely, their ordinary conversation sounded piercing to me. A sourness clogged my chest. Chapter 2 My boyfriend was cheating. Not physically, but emotionally. He checked his phone more often. When talking to me, he was either distracted or silent. He stopped hugging me, kissing me. His eyes were cold when he looked at me. This was Julian’s usual tactic. In the past three years, whenever he regretted being with me, he used the “Cold Shoulder” treatment to drive me away. But I was too attached to his face. I clung to him shamelessly. Julian was about to compromise. He planned to settle with me. Our families even discussed the wedding date. But Chloe appeared. This sunny, gentle girl was his perfect match. They had endless topics, secrets, and inside jokes. They were soulmates. And me? Shallow, loud. I only embarrassed him. I tried to break up, as he wished. But every time I tried to speak, his narrow eyes looked at me, and I couldn’t say a word. I just wanted to kiss him. The thought of not seeing his face in the morning made me want to cry. So I chose to be a coward until Julian explicitly dumped me. He pulled all-nighters in the lab with Chloe. I sent texts that got no reply. He left early; I laid out his clothes the night before. He partied with colleagues; I picked him up. Every time his friends joked about “Sister-in-law being so sweet,” Julian’s eyes grew colder. He sat in the passenger seat silently. I chatted with his friends before waving goodbye. Naturally, I noticed Chloe’s pale face in the corner. “The temperature dropped recently. Chloe, wear more clothes. Don’t catch a cold.” I said this deliberately before leaving. She mumbled a yes, and soon took off the dark blue scarf around her neck. That scarf took me three months to knit for Julian. When I put it on him, he didn’t even lower his head. He just looked down at me struggling to reach his shoulders. So how did he tie my scarf around another girl’s neck? Did he bend down? Did he smile? I dared not think about it. On the way home, Julian was silent. I adhered to the “Enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move” principle and chatted about daily life. He replied little. Before getting out of the car, Julian suddenly leaned in. His black hair fell down, revealing his high nose, perfect lips, and clean jawline. Eyelashes trembling, his gaze fell lightly on my lips. The sweet smell of alcohol filled the small space. I held my breath, my heart pounding like a drum. We hadn’t kissed in so long. I was nervous and closed my eyes for the first time. Usually, I couldn’t bear to close them. But the next second, Julian said something that froze me to the bone. “Chloe…” He did it on purpose. My heart skipped a beat. A dull pain followed. I turned my head and pushed him away. “You’re drunk.” When we got home, he saw the fresh clothes and hangover soup I prepared. I lay in bed, feigning sleep. I had no courage to break the illusion. Drifting off, I heard Julian gritting his teeth: “Candace, you can really endure. Are you that cheap?” Julian looked like an upright gentleman, but when angry, he had a foul mouth. I was used to it and fell asleep quickly. Chapter 3 Julian’s indifference became blatant. He ghosted me, ignoring my texts and calls. I was anxious without seeing his face. Finally, I saw him in a mutual friend’s Instagram story. He was at a quiet bar, heads together with Chloe, talking. I cropped Chloe out and saved the picture. I got the address and took a taxi there. Julian’s face was sour. Chloe looked uneasy seeing me, only calming down after Julian comforted her. “Evening, Sister-in-law! Come have a drink!” “Yeah, we missed you! Not used to you not checking up on Julian.” Everyone laughed. I ignored Julian’s gaze and mingled quickly. I drank a lot and felt dizzy. Sitting in the seat they made for me, I wanted to lean on Julian’s shoulder. Suddenly, Julian stood up. He was tall, attracting attention. “Liam, switch seats with me.” Everyone froze, looking back and forth between us. “Julian, that’s awkward for her…” a friend whispered. I rubbed my temples, surprised by Julian’s sudden malice. He gave up talking to Chloe just to avoid sitting next to me. “It’s okay…” I tried to smooth things over. Before I could finish, Julian cut in. He looked at me with contempt: “Don’t worry. She has thick skin. She gets along with everyone. She knows this kind of environment well.” Few people knew that after high school, I worked at a seedy bar to save for college tuition. I was almost assaulted several times. I told Julian this when I was most vulnerable. He hugged me tight then. Now, he used it as a blade to hurt me. I looked up in disbelief. He seemed startled for a second, then frowned and looked away. No apology. Julian never apologized. I was tired. I didn’t fight back. My heart felt like it was being hit by a dull axe. A boy in a light blue flannel shirt sat next to me. He handed me tissues and hot water. Halfway through the party, Chloe had a stomach ache. Julian panicked first. Ignoring everyone, he picked her up and rushed out. Including me, no one had seen him this anxious. “I thought Julian only had emotions for Candace. Seems like he really cares about this junior.” Someone sighed. Then realized I was still there. He looked at me carefully. “It’s okay. Chloe is weak. Julian is kind.” I smiled, my eyes curving, but my tone was bitter. “But that’s too much. His girlfriend is right here…” someone whispered. I drank more wine. My head hurt. The person next to me handed me tissues again and replaced my wine with water. I realized I was crying. “Haha, so embarrassing. Looking this messy.” Tears blurred my vision, but I still saw that shocking face immediately. So handsome that my blood rushed, my body relaxed. I opened my mouth and forgot to wipe my tears. I stammered: “W-what’s your name?” The boy was obedient, his voice soft. “Liam.” 1:27 AM. I was sure. I had no more obsession with Julian. Chapter 4 Julian came home the next afternoon. I was eating leftover cake at the table. I was in a good mood, swinging my legs, replying to Liam’s texts. Just simple greetings. Polite, distant, but much warmer than Julian. “Today… is it your birthday?” Julian finally realized something. His hand tightened on his phone. A trace of annoyance and panic flashed in his eyes. Last night, I called him multiple times. He just watched the screen and let me go crazy at home. Now he remembered. This was the day he promised three years ago to always be with me. I ate a mouthful of cream and waved the fork. “Wrong guess. It was yesterday.” I didn’t question or scold him like he expected. I didn’t beg for love like a dog. This was what Julian wanted, but a secret uneasiness gnawed at his heart. He stood at the door, conflicted. I knocked on the table, signaling him to sit. “Let’s talk.” Julian thought this was a peace offering. He sighed in relief and sat down, defenseless. I continued eating cake. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. Wrinkled cuffs. Smell of alcohol and smoke. Hair messy. “I was too busy yesterday. I didn’t mean to forget. Let’s make it up today, okay?” When Julian spoke, the first thing I saw was his dry, peeling lips. His lips, his tongue, his teeth. Dull. Nothing to praise. I interrupted his self-righteous plan. “Let’s break up.” He stood up abruptly, staring at me. Like he was stunned by the good news. “You explain to the parents. You changed your heart and betrayed me. It’s not my fault. If you hide anything, I will show them Chloe’s photos and name. Your parents won’t accept a mistress as a daughter-in-law.” “I lived in this apartment longer. I have feelings for it. Please move out this week.” “Money-wise, we’ll get lawyers. It’s fair.” … I finished calmly. Seeing Julian still dazed, I waved my hand in front of his face. His eyes cleared. He looked at me slowly. I smiled at him: “We broke up, Julian. Are you happy?” Just like three years ago when I finally got him, I smiled and said: “We are finally together, Julian. I’m so happy!”

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The moment Zack Ryder cornered me in that grimy alleyway behind Northwood Prep, the first comments appeared across my vision. I blinked, convinced the stress of Senior Year had finally pushed me into a full-blown hallucination. [The supporting character doesn’t know it yet, but this ‘yellow-haired punk’ is her long-lost older brother.] [The Heroine manipulated him into becoming a delinquent; he’ll later die trying to save her.] [It’s because of today’s incident that he gets a permanent record trying to protect the Heroine.] I stared at the punk—Zack, as I’d named him in my head—with his bleached-out hair and intimidating leather jacket, as he took a threatening step closer. “Hold up!” I shouted, my voice surprisingly steady. “Don’t start yet! Let me call my people!” He snorted, a laugh rumbling in his chest. “Fine. Call ’em.” A few minutes later, Mom and Dad roared up to the alley entrance on our beat-up old Ford Ranger. The four of us stared at each other in a deeply awkward silence. Mom, a woman whose resting face looked like she was about to demand to speak to the manager, was the first one out. She didn’t hesitate. With a sound like a wet towel snapping, a solid, stinging smack landed across Zack’s face. “Zack Ryder!” she bellowed, using his real name from the missing person’s file, not the fake one he probably used. “You’ve got some damn nerve! Bullying your own flesh and blood!” She grabbed a handful of his bleached hair. “Look at you! No self-respect! You look exactly like your deadbeat father did when he was young!” 1. Zack’s head snapped sideways from the force of the blow. He instinctively raised a hand to strike back, but Mom had already twisted his collar, jerking him forward. She delivered a sharp, functional kick to his kneecap. Zack folded, landing right on his knees in front of Dad. Mom pulled his hair back, forcing him to look at my father. “This is the one, right? The one harassing our daughter?” Dad, Mark Reese, a man whose primary mood was weary resignation, raised his fist. It froze mid-air. “Wait a minute… that face…” “‘That face’ what, Mark? This is your favorite son! The exact same idiot you were twenty years ago!” Mom shoved Zack’s head forward. “Look at the state of him, wearing his school uniform under all that leather! School’s not even out yet, is it? It’s all your fault, Mark! If you didn’t have those weak, criminal genes, our son wouldn’t have turned out like this!” Zack squirmed, trying to escape Mom’s iron grip on his ear. “I’m not your son! Let go of me!” he yelled, face burning red. “A guy’s gotta have some dignity!” Dad didn’t hesitate this time. He backhanded Zack across the head. “You rotten little punk! Don’t you talk to your mother that way!” 2. [OMG! What happened? I thought Yellow Hair was supposed to be a total badass?] [Up there, this looks like pure, natural bloodline suppression.] [The Heroine must be flipping out. She sent Yellow Hair to teach the side-character a lesson, and now she’s waiting in class for him to come back and report.] [This side-character’s mom is incredible; she took one look and recognized her son.] [If the side-character hadn’t messed with the Elite Prince, the Heroine wouldn’t have been this mad. But now Yellow Hair is going to be dragged to the police station, isn’t he?] The comments finally pieced together a rough plot for me. The “Elite Prince” they were talking about had to be Elijah Pierce, my new desk partner. He was a moody loner, but smart. I had no idea what I’d done to “mess with him.” I just wanted to borrow his calculus notes—that was it. As for the “Heroine,” I didn’t know her name, but I figured she was some kind of tough-girl delinquent. So she was the one who had groomed my brother into a punk? My eyes scanned the chaotic scene again. Zack was kneeling off to the side, sulking, his glare at me full of pure, homicidal rage. He looked up at my parents, his voice defiant. “You’ve got the wrong guy! I’m not your son! My name is Tony Diaz!” he insisted. “I grew up in foster care! I don’t know either of you!” Mom ignored him entirely. She elbowed Dad. Dad took a long drag from his cigarette and promptly smacked Zack again. “Still talking back to your mother? In this family, her word is gospel!” Dad squinted. “And you say you’re not Zack Ryder? Look at your face! You’re the spitting image of me when I was young! And if you’re not Zack, why are you shaking so damn much?” 3. Zack looked like he was about to explode, but Mom’s death glare shut him down instantly. He fell silent. Mom told me to get in the truck. They shoved a mortified Zack into the backseat, and we drove home. My parents had never hidden the fact that I had an older brother. Mom got pregnant with me soon after my father started working extra shifts to support a larger family. My brother, Zack, was a sweet, self-reliant kid who walked home from school alone. That was the day the traffickers hit our town. He was gone, and for eighteen years, he was just a ghost in our house. I never thought we’d end up at the same high school. During the drive, Zack kept giving me dark, murderous side-eyes. Every time he did, I just piped up, “Mom, he’s glaring at me.” Eventually, his eyes were sore, and my throat was hoarse. As soon as we got home, Mom dragged Zack straight to his old room. She pulled out a stack of faded photographs, pointing to a picture of a twenty-year-old Dad. “I don’t care what you believe, but I am your mother,” she stated flatly. “You look in the mirror. You look at this picture. Those two faces are the same. Even if you were reduced to ash, I’d know you instantly.” She paused, the threat implicit. “After dinner, you dye that hair back to normal. If you don’t listen, I’m shaving that annoying yellow mess right off your head.” Zack stared at the photo, completely speechless. [Wow, the Heroine’s mom is relentless! Her hurricane personality completely blows away any chance of a sappy moment.] [Aww, the Heroine is probably dying of worry! She’s still at school, and hasn’t even eaten because she’s so concerned about Yellow Hair.] Under Mom’s creative coercion—which included a pair of buzzing electric clippers—Zack ultimately dyed his hair back to a dark brown. After lunch, Mom drove both of us back to Northwood Prep. Zack was several years older than me, but because he’d bounced around in foster care and correctional facilities, he was repeating his Senior Year, just like me. 4. The only difference was, I was the undisputed valedictorian, and he was the undisputed bottom-of-the-barrel student. Mom nearly fainted reading Zack’s transcript. Ultimately, Mom’s word was final. Zack, my long-lost brother, became my new desk partner. “Jenna Reese, you keep a close eye on your brother,” Mom ordered, her voice like grinding stone. “If he even looks at another gang member, you call me immediately!” I nodded eagerly. Before she left, Mom gave Zack’s ear another vicious twist. “You study with your sister. If I hear one more word about you bullying her, I’ll have your father break your legs!” She straightened her jacket. “I’m heading straight to the Registrar’s office right now to transfer your enrollment and finalize your custody!” She leaned in. “Zack Ryder, do you hear me?” Zack was hunched over, thoroughly defeated, but he mumbled one final protest. “We’re at school! I’m a guy, I need some dignity.” He looked up. “Whether I’m your son or not, you could at least give me some respect in front of my peers.” Mom didn’t care about dignity. She rolled up her sleeve, revealing a solid, corded forearm. “I asked you a question. Do. You. Hear. Me?” Zack still hesitated. I immediately grabbed his arm. “Bro, our mom’s got a black belt in the freezer section at Costco, selling fish for a decade. She’s got the strength and the tools. I strongly suggest you listen.” A look passed between us—a shared, immediate understanding of Mom’s terrifying competence. Finally, Zack grumbled, sounding constipated, “Fine. Got it.” Satisfied, Mom finally left. But I should have known better. Zack stayed quiet for exactly two class periods. During the third, he went to the restroom and never came back. I sat in the classroom, watching the comments dance in front of me. [Yellow Hair finally couldn’t hold back; he went to find the Heroine.] [The Heroine will find out Yellow Hair failed the mission and will totally beat him up.] [‘Beat up’? No, no. Yellow Hair is the Heroine’s personal dog! A mere pawn. He’ll get his redemption arc, but he has to make way for the main couple.] 5. Dog? Pawn? I shot up out of my seat. Anyone who dared to disrespect my brother was dead to me. The teacher looked startled. I quickly doubled over, feigning a terrible stomach cramp, and contorted my face into a mask of pain. I was granted an emergency pass. I sprinted toward the gym equipment room. I reached the room just as Zack knelt before the “Heroine,” Riley Brooks. Riley looked furious, her cheap hair dye in multiple mismatched colors, not unlike Zack’s earlier look. Even through the window, I could hear her furious screech. “You couldn’t even handle a simple thing like that! And who told you to dye your hair back?” Her voice cracked with genuine rage. “Did you forget what you promised? You’re mine, Zack! You do what I tell you. I just told you to deal with a little bookworm! How hard is that?” Zack, the newly reformed son, actually shuffled closer on his knees, lifting Riley’s foot with embarrassing reverence and placing it squarely on his thigh. I couldn’t watch the rest. I shut my eyes and ran straight for the administration office. [OMG! Yellow Hair is finally smartening up? They’ve been through so much together. It’s totally normal to develop feelings.] [But even if the Side Character and Yellow Hair got together, she wouldn’t be happy. The Side Character has had a miserable life; she deserves the Elite Prince and a lifetime of money.] [What’s the Supporting Character doing? I thought she’d run in and stop them!] I didn’t wait for the comments to finish. I burst through the door of Dean Walker’s office, winded and breathless. “Report! Dean! I need to report! There’s public indecency and possible truancy in the equipment room!” 6. Dean Walker, who knew I was a straight-A student and therefore a reliable source, grabbed his notebook and marched out immediately. Dean Mendez, in charge of discipline, heard the word “indecency” and followed. Adolescent romance? Not on his watch. That meant someone hadn’t been morally supervised enough. A few teachers who lived for drama also trailed behind us. Northwood Prep was a top-tier magnet school—teen romance was strictly forbidden. [I swear! The Heroine just kicked Yellow Hair to the ground!] [The way Yellow Hair looks at the Heroine is totally inappropriate.] [Why is the Side Character bringing all the teachers? I thought she’d call her mom!] [Things are getting weird. I thought this was a high school redemption romance? Why is the cannon fodder side character messing up the script?] I ignored the commentary and kicked open the equipment room door. Riley was sitting on my brother, mid-punch, while he looked up at her with a sick, clearly enjoyable expression—the picture of a dedicated simp. “What in God’s name are you two doing in here?” Dean Walker roared. “Zack Ryder, Class 11! Riley Brooks, Class 15! This is utterly inappropriate!” His face was purple. “Get to the office now! You’re students! What is this, dating? Getting romantic in a school facility?” “We’re calling both your parents! Now!” Dean Walker waved his hand and strode off, the crowd of teachers trailing him. Coach Daniels pried a bewildered Zack and Riley apart. Zack spun around and saw me. A flicker of utter defeat, a sense of having been caught by his parole officer, crossed his face. He marched up to me. “You again?” Riley, seeing me for the first time, rushed over. “You must be the little wannabe who’s trying to hook the Elite Prince, right?” she snarled. “Elijah Pierce is mine! This is your lucky day, but you better not be alone when you walk home from school! If I see you by yourself, I promise you, you’ll regret it!” I wasn’t afraid of her. 7. The three of us stood in a miserable row in the Dean’s office. Mom, Sharon Reese, having just completed the paperwork to formally claim Zack as her son, rushed into the school after the Dean’s call. She saw me first. Without asking any questions, she delivered a solid, stinging smack across my cheek. “How dare you get yourself into trouble!” Zack, beside me, let out a loud “Pfft!” Before he could even fully laugh, Mom delivered the exact same stinging blow to his head. Riley, whose face was still a mottled mix of anger and entitlement, finally spoke up. She jutted her chin out, staring down my mother with pure aggression.

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Married for seven years, Julian Frost spent every Christmas with Layla. That Imposter who occupied my identity for 15 years. On the first Christmas Eve, he took away the Elderberry Syrup I boiled while coughing blood, said Layla was in the North, heating was too dry. I endured high fever and smiled: “Then Mr. Frost, cash it out for me.” That night, my account had an extra $10 Million. At midnight of the second year, he lit up half the city with fireworks for Layla in a no-fireworks zone. I took a picture of him lowering his head to pay the fine at the police station, exchanged for a Hudson River view villa. At the third year’s family dinner, I sat alone at the end of the table, listening to aunts’ ridicule. “The real heiress is not as good as a fake phoenix.” “So what if she’s the biological daughter? After all, she grew up in the Riverdale Lane slums, can be dismissed with money.” I smiled, recorded the audio and sent it to Julian, next day, received the Vintage Emerald Necklace I had eyes on for a long time. Just like this, every year I used his absence, exchanged for abundant real gold and silver. Until this year, Julian unprecedentedly stayed for Christmas. On the way to the family dinner, before I could speak, he actively handed over a share transfer agreement worth hundreds of millions. Presumably, this reunion dinner is a Hongmen Banquet (a trap). But, it doesn’t matter. I calculated the “compensation” I begged for these years, enough to buy down the Riverdale Lane in their mouths. Outside window fireworks exploded, time to leave. From now on, every New Year beats the old year. Chapter 1 Julian Frost sighed in relief after watching me sign the sky-high price agreement. “Layla is back, this home, will have two hostesses in the future.” “Layla is responsible for accompanying me, you are responsible for taking care of home and child.” “You sisters just live peacefully like this, okay?” Right, such big spending was originally for this. I raised my eyes: “Sure, Mr. Frost compensated so generously.” “If I still don’t know my place, I would be insensible.” Julian seemed touched: “Luna, don’t worry. The title of Mrs. Frost is forever yours, the decency you deserve, won’t be a cent less.” I sneered, stepped into the Frost family old mansion. At a glance, saw daughter kneeling alone in front of Layla, forehead still had blood mark. Aunts were surrounding and jeering. “Lily, quick call Little Mom, call then you have good days in future.” “Relying on your biological mom, useless.” Daughter bit her lip, just didn’t open mouth. Layla lost face, reached out and pinched Lily’s chin: “You girl, why don’t know what’s good for you!” Julian beside saw this, said nothing. I rushed forward pushed Layla away, hugged Lily into arms. Looked up, saw the woman wearing a wedding ring same style as mine, just the diamond was a circle bigger. “Layla, you…” My words not finished, Julian already strode forward, blocked in front of Layla. “Luna, speak nicely.” “Didn’t you agree just now? Calling Little Mom is also should be.” I looked at him nervous for Layla, just like when I was made difficult by Layla back then, he defended me. Really, feng shui turns. I smiled: “True.” “However, I agreed, but Little Aunt becomes Little Mom, letting Lily change addressing also needs a fee.” “Right, Mr. Frost?” A trace of impatience flashed in man’s eyes: “Money again!” Then eyelids didn’t lift, signed a check handed to Lily. Exchanged for daughter’s awkward “Little Mom”. Layla’s smile hadn’t unfolded yet, froze after seeing the amount on check. Julian detected, immediately put a jade pendant on Layla’s neck. Full room exclaimed. That was the token Frost family passed to the eldest daughter-in-law. When married back then, mother-in-law wanted to put on me, but stopped by Julian, said he would keep for me. He didn’t give, I then asked myself. So, third year Christmas Eve dinner, after suffering enough ridicule, I named and asked for that set of town-field Emerald jewelry. Heard, can offset ten of this jade pendant. … Christmas dinner started, I was still arranged at the end of table. Layla sat at main seat, welcoming everyone’s compliments. She smilingly echoed then looked at me. “Sister, remember you love eating crab most, I specially let Julian air transport best butter crab, you eat more.” I looked at that plate of tempting crab, fingertips trembled. Yes, fifteen years old taken back to Lin family, liked crab most. That was fresh sweetness never tasted in Riverdale Lane. Until one year, relying on parents’ doting, Layla who always squeezed me suddenly stopped. Even invited me to a private crab restaurant I liked most, said want reconcile. I ate crab meat, listened to her say “sisters deep affection”. Woke up again, was in abandoned warehouse outside city, whole body naked, blue and purple. Since then, crab’s fresh sweetness and pain despair bound dead together. Remember, that time was Julian kicked open door found me. Also him personally sent crying defending Layla away, swore not let her near me again. He even smashed whole table crab feast, hugged me said: “This life not allow you touch that dirty thing again!” And at this moment, this man was peeling crab shell, putting crab meat into my bowl. Movement was patience never had before. “Luna.” His voice low: “Matter passed so many years, should put down.” Full table silence, everyone watching my reaction. I smiled picked up crab meat, sent into mouth. “Yes, should put down, calculating again makes me look petty.” Grease fat choking people. Julian relieved heavy burden. That night, I had high fever. In groggy saw in phone, Layla’s Instagram post. Again full city fireworks, but this time woman said: “Finally back, he said, this life won’t let me leave again.” Photo corner, is Julian’s back hugging her shoulder. Almost simultaneously, phone vibrated, bank account received a huge amount. Really fair. I propped up body, called lawyer: “That last street shop in Riverdale Lane, buy it for me.” “Also, draft a divorce agreement.” Chapter 2 Second day, Christmas Day, Frost family custom to worship ancestors in Family Chapel. When I rushed there with fever, Layla already stood beside Julian, holding the incense stick that should be held by me. She just about to step over threshold, blocked by Frost family uncle. “Frost family rule, non-main wife not enter chapel. Miss Lin, please stay.” Layla steps paused, eye rims looking at Julian red and red. “Julian, I saved your life back then. Now, can’t even enter chapel?” Everyone expression subtle. Julian frowned looked at her, then turned to me. Nodded, counted as default. Then he walked to my side, forcefully held my hand tight. “Layla she, just has a knot in heart, wants go in look. Don’t expose her.” I smiled, back held his hand rolled up my own sleeve. A hideous scar extended from wrist to forearm. “Stomach, leg scars have more, want see?” Man shrank back hand, looked away. He knew clearer than anyone, back then opponent set death trap for him, was me desperate blocked several knives for him, body pierced through. And Layla who kept saying saved him? She ran. Just coincidentally met police I called, everything became her credit? Julian froze in place, stared at that scar long time, said to Layla. “Layla, you go back first.” … Afterwards, ancestor worship hastily ended. Julian dragged me in study, eye bottom was burning anger. “Must mention back then matter in that occasion?” “Luna, how you became calculating like a shrew.” “Use that bit broken thing want bind people not let go?” Looking at his disgusted look. I dazed for long time. Shouldn’t be like this. That year Julian would hold my hand say “very nice to listen” when everyone laughed at my accent. Would when I punished kneeling by Lin family, midnight climb wall pick lock, carry trembling me again and again say “don’t fear”. Just for this bit warmth, I desperately wanted pull him out from despair. Look, back then me how silly. And now, a sigh too late to exit, he threw a document on table. “Title of Mrs. Frost, since you reluctant, then you keep it.” “But human can’t want both.” “Those few old factories and land of your Lin family, I transfer to Layla.” I reacted long time, then understood. He meant Lin family’s last foundation. Back then his company verge of bankruptcy, I gritted teeth sold whole Lin family to fill his hole. That time he held my hand, tone choked: “Luna, believe me. These industries, I will definitely redeem back double give you.” Now, want take to give Layla for support? Also, even my life took for him became “broken thing”. These count what. “Up to you, but things agreed leave for Lily, not allowed move!” His eyes dodged a bit, avoided my sight. I almost sneered out: “You already moved?” Immediately, I received notification message, Lily’s education fund, trust authority all changed. Only heard man impatient said: “These years, gave you already enough.” “Layla pregnant, is a boy.” I subconsciously questioned: “Pregnant, how possible!” Julian face instantly changed: “Why impossible?” “You can’t birth, doesn’t mean she can’t.” I suddenly laughed, remembered that year physical exam report after we two injured. Those few knives, long cut off possibility of us two being parents again. Funny is, that time I actually wanted protect his self-esteem, lied was my own problem. That time he hugged me, voice choked. “No matter, we have Lily enough, she is our only.” Just wanted expose, Layla supported waist walked in. “Sister, don’t think everyone like you.” She changed topic. “Besides my child is Julian brother’s authentic flesh and blood.” “Instead you, back then trampled by so many people, who knows who is Lily’s biological father?” “Maybe even yourself can’t find all right!” I stood in place, brain blank. Turned look Julian: “So, you also think so?” Chapter 3 Man stepped forward hugged Layla. Deep voice said: “No matter what I think, Lily I will raise.” “But if you go against Layla again, I dare not guarantee Lily can still safely stay in Frost family.” Good one “no matter what he thinks.” He forgot how determined he was once right. Back then group of people hired by Layla, eventually timid, although tortured me scene unbearable, but I didn’t really lose virginity. Later I explained to Julian several times, he all red eyes covered my mouth. “Don’t think those painful things anymore, all passed, I believe you”. To prove his trust and deep affection, he quickly married me, not long I pregnant with Lily. I nervously proposed do DNA Test, he angry smashed cup, said I was insulting him and child. But now looks, he never believed me. Looking at this strange yet familiar man in front, suddenly felt all struggles lost meaning. I laughed: “Lily no need you raise, since you don’t believe, then we divorce.” Julian like heard some absurd words. “Divorce? Frost Group just took a government project, now can’t have any negative news, especially divorce.” “Besides, did you fish enough on me these years?” “If Frost family fell, those ‘compensations’ of yours tens of millions hundreds of millions, who can you ask for?” I nodded. Indeed, this marriage, can’t divorce now. Man in anger, really can’t fish last compensation! Just thinking, outside door came nanny voice: “Madam, Lily vomited, whole body burning hot, keep shouting pain!” But during holidays, family doctor went back hometown for New Year. Pretended not seeing Layla holding Julian’s hand. I panic held burning confused daughter, rushed to hospital. Acute pneumonia, hospitalized IV drip. Needle poking crying Lily, mouth noisy want Daddy. Before she sick, Julian even busy, would rush back, personally coax daughter feed medicine, guard by bed all night. But now. I looked up saw Layla holding Julian, walked out from VIP prenatal checkup channel. Julian start to end, didn’t look at us once, look at Lily shouting Daddy. Turns out, love never disappears, just transferred. Another year New Year, I alone guarded Lily in hospital. Wait she discharged, I took her to that villa in South Mountain. That was built by Julian according my childhood memory, inside collected all old things left by adoptive parents, was my first half life only remaining bit warmth. However, walked into yard, I detected wrong. That old plum tree I transplanted in yard was sawed off. Stepped in door, old rattan chair sat in childhood, adoptive mother’s sewing machine, adoptive father’s old bookshelf… all destroyed into pieces. Only heard Layla say: “Julian, these rags look bad luck, how I raise fetus ah?” Man smilingly touched Layla’s head: “You can’t stand looking then throw, up to you handle.” Voice not fell, always expensive man, rolled up sleeves, helped Layla move that red wood dowry chest adoptive mother prepared for me back then, walked to garbage truck outside yard. Layla looked up saw me, proud said: “Sister came? This house old air heavy, bad for fetus, I cleaned up a bit.” Saying, she picked up that only intact family photo on table, in front of me, fiercely smashed to ground. Glass shattered, adoptive parents’ faces scratched broken. My whole body blood rushed to top of head. Looking at panicked Lily, I suppressed trembling voice. “Auntie Zhang, take Lily to car.” Nanny panic held away child. I locked door, step by step walked to Layla. Raised hand, a slap fiercely fanned over. Layla hit on overturned sewing machine, but no trace panic, instead raised chin looking me. “Just angry? This counts what.” “You still don’t know right, your adoptive parents I found people killed.” “Who let them insist go Lin family, seek justice for you? Want send me to jail?” “So ah, I had to send them go forever.” My hand raised in mid-air, instantly froze, then started uncontrollably trembling. Woman appreciated my collapse, continued. “Also ah.” “Julian brother, he knew long ago. So back then rushed send me away.” “Not for you, was protecting me ah, my silly sister.” Instant, brain blank. I grabbed half piece broken wood on ground, smashed at her, then pounced up choke her neck. At this time, door suddenly crashed open.

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Tonight, a box of Swiss chocolate suddenly appeared on my desk, the whole dorm was guessing who sent it. But I was cold all over. Because before my boyfriend died, he often sent me this kind of chocolate. I planned to throw it away, but found a line of small words written on the box: “The water is so cold, when will you come to accompany me?” I was terrified. Because after Julian Hale’s accident, I was once considered the prime suspect. From that day on, strange things happened frequently in the dorm. He seems, to have come for me. Chapter 1 Ten o’clock at night, I came back from washing up, but found a box of chocolate suddenly appeared on the dorm desk. Swiss brand, very rare. But it was my boyfriend’s favorite when he was alive. I was a bit flustered, just about to throw it away. But found a line of small words written on the box: “The water is so cold, when will you come to accompany me?” My boyfriend drowned back then, died miserably, I still remember it vividly. Seeing these words now, my face turned pale, hand holding the chocolate couldn’t stop shaking. “What’s wrong?” Roommate Hailey looked over curiously. I covered the words with my palm, somewhat guilty said: “Nothing, this chocolate expired, I’ll go throw it away.” Best friend Sarah also leaned over to look, teasing: “Packaging so new, doesn’t look like it, your admirer sent it right?” I dared not explain. Grabbed the box and walked to the balcony, threw it into the trash can outside. Then quickly climbed onto the bed, pulled the curtains, covered my head tightly with the quilt. I sleep lightly, especially after my boyfriend died, I was uneasy every night. Don’t know how long passed, just when my consciousness began to blur. “Drip.” A soft sound came. I was immediately awakened. Drip, another sound, seemed like the sound of water dripping, coming from under my bed. Sound slow, regular, carrying a faint smell of earth. I held my breath, after a while, water sound disappeared. A burst of singing, but abruptly entered my ears. That voice gentle and melodious, but made my hair stand on end. I recognized it, this is my boyfriend’s voice. I tremblingly lifted the bed curtain. Singing still floating in the dorm, couldn’t find the source. Only the opposite two bed curtains, revealed some light. I softly called them: “Sarah, Hailey, are you asleep?” Hailey poked her head out: “What’s wrong?” Sarah also lifted the curtain, face scary white. I saw this scene, almost screamed. Next second, Sarah tore off the facial mask, strange said: “What’s wrong at night?” I just breathed a sigh of relief, but heard the singing float over again. Immediately nervous said: “Didn’t you hear any sound?” They looked at each other, face full of doubt. “No.” Sarah scratched her head. Hailey also shook head: “I was wearing headphones just now, heard nothing.” “But he is still singing now!” I was about to collapse. Sarah frowned, “Emily, are you too tired recently, hallucinating?” I sweated cold, didn’t speak again. Because the singing stopped. But from beginning to end, only I heard it. Chapter 2 Boyfriend Julian Hale’s drowning death, although police closed the case as an accident, always had doubts. That day, I was the last person he saw. Police’s first suspect was me. So two months before school started, I was frequently called to the police station, repeatedly accepted interrogation. Constantly recalling details of meeting Julian that day. He was salvaged from the park lake, coroner took photos of the autopsy. When I saw it, almost threw up. Since then, the scene of his death, always lingered in my mind. I didn’t sleep all night. Before dawn confusedly slept, but always felt something pressing on me. Until noon, Sarah and Hailey brought food back to wake me up. After eating, my spirit finally better. Also started to suspect, is it because I was too nervous recently, produced hallucinations. Until I opened the wardrobe preparing to change clothes. A khaki men’s trench coat, impressively hung inside. Wardrobe empty, my clothes scattered at the bottom of the wardrobe unknown when. Only this trench coat, abruptly hung in the middle of the bar. I scared took a step back. Hailey found me wrong, leaned close to look, also frowned. “This seems to be a boy’s clothes right?” Chapter 3 Our girl’s dorm wardrobe size is not big, this trench coat tail has one third dragging at the bottom of the cabinet. Visually, at least need 1.8 meters tall to wear. Sarah aside gasped: “Emily, you still kept his clothes?” Sarah is my high school classmate, same class with me and Julian, when winter cold, often saw him draping this trench coat outside school uniform. So she recognized it at once. But she only said half right. This clothes indeed is Julian’s, but not I specially kept. I associated with what happened last night, scared extremely, so detailed told roommates. Their faces all changed. I looked at them, voice trembling: “You say, is he coming for me?” Roommate Hailey is a firm materialist, quickly shook head. “I think impossible, must be someone playing tricks.” Sarah tightly held my arm. Different from Hailey, her guts always small, especially regarding ghosts and gods. More easily scared than me. I heard her propose: “How about, we install a surveillance camera in the dorm?” I had exactly this intention, Hailey also no objection. “My home has idle camera, I let people send one over from home.” Hailey said. Sarah happy said: “That’s great!” Compared to Sarah’s happiness, I was faintly uneasy. Always felt this matter, not a camera can solve. And the afternoon camera installed, a stranger thing happened. Chapter 4 Afternoon classes few, once bell rang, I went straight to dorm toilet. I have a quirk, can’t poop outside no matter what. So held back returned to dorm. But if knew what would happen later, I would rather die holding back, than use this toilet in dorm. Time came to ten minutes later. I finished, prepared to get up, but found paper in toilet used up. I almost didn’t think much, shouted loudly outside door: “Sarah, Hailey, help me bring a roll of paper in!” I shouted two three times. Half day no one came, sent message also no reply. I could only squat back again, gaze inadvertently swept under toilet door. There usually has a crack, can see bricks on balcony. But today, on floor tiles, appeared an extra pair of grey-brown leather shoe tips. I probably stunned for three seconds. Suddenly remembered. Before Julian’s accident, he was wearing this pair of shoes. My mind tranced, outside door suddenly came a voice: “Emily, need my help?” Chapter 5 My body suddenly tightened, terrified covered mouth. After recognizing the voice outside, I dead pressed against the door, scared tears falling straight. Don’t know how long passed, then heard Hailey and Sarah voice rang outside door. Phone vibrated at same time, is Hailey calling, her voice anxious: “Emily, what happened to you? Open door quick!” I glanced at that crack again, found leather shoe tips gone. Replaced by, two pairs of women’s slippers, exactly Hailey and Sarah’s. I carefully pulled open a crack. Confirmed is them, my legs soft, almost paralyzed. Sarah supported me. Hailey picked up a pack of tissues from balcony floor, face full doubt: “Who threw it?” My heart just put down half lifted up again. Just now, indeed not my hallucination! Heard me finish what happened just now, always afraid of ghosts Sarah also panicked: “Our dorm really haunted?” Hailey frowned: “But we were just in dorm, didn’t see anyone go to balcony ah.” Dorm toilet is on balcony. Balcony outside sealed with iron bars, others can’t come up. And between balcony and dorm, only separated by a glass door. That time I rushed to toilet, glass door pulled open, didn’t close. So if someone appeared on balcony. Hailey and others returned to dorm, impossible not see. Hailey somewhat apologetic said: “Me and Sarah just teaming up playing game, wearing headphones, so didn’t notice message you sent.” I pursed lips. Sarah suddenly thought of something, fierce slapped head, “Right, didn’t our dorm just install surveillance!”

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My boyfriend and I went to a luxury dealership to buy a car. The salesgirl, Stacy, who had been ignoring me, suddenly became very enthusiastic. She deliberately bent over and rubbed against him, circling him like a shark. During my test drive, she grabbed the wheel, nearly causing me to hit a pedestrian. Then she looked innocent and said: “I told you, Miss. You aren’t suitable for this car.” Then she pretended to whisper loudly to my boyfriend: “Didn’t she sit in the passenger seat when she came with that old sugar daddy last time?” Turns out, she wanted to sit in my boyfriend’s passenger seat. I just wonder if she has the ability to make my “trophy boyfriend” buy a Rolls-Royce with my money! Chapter 1 After introducing my boyfriend, Ethan, to my parents, I was in a great mood. Passing by a luxury car dealership, I raised an eyebrow and teased him: “Do you want to drive a Rolls-Royce?” Ethan paused, then smiled gently. “Whatever you say, babe.” We arrived. Ethan went to park my Porsche. I walked in first. There was only one saleswoman inside. She scanned me from head to toe and rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Another broke dreamer coming in here to daydream. Look at yourself. Can you even afford a tire?” I looked at her name tag: Stacy. She glanced at my oversized T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops with disgust. “People like you dirty our floor. If you scratch anything, you couldn’t afford to pay for it even if you sold yourself!” My temple throbbed. Just as I was about to speak, her eyes lit up. She walked straight past me, shoulder-checking me hard. Her smile was warm and genuine as she approached Ethan. She whispered softly, asking about his needs and preferences. When she spotted the Rolex on Ethan’s wrist—the one I bought him—her smile deepened. Ethan saw the sleek Rolls-Royce in the showroom and couldn’t move. He followed Stacy like he was in a trance. Right in front of me, Stacy bent over, sticking her butt out in her tight pencil skirt. She crawled into the driver’s seat to grab some brochures, practically pressing her chest against Ethan’s arm. I looked around. Brochures were everywhere. Did she have to get them from the driver’s seat? Ethan seemed to remember me suddenly and waved. “Penelope, come look! This one is nice.” When Stacy turned to look at me, her expression froze for a second. Chapter 2 Jealousy flashed in her eyes. While Ethan excitedly checked out the car, she lowered her voice and whispered to me: “Nice moves, honey. Being that broke and snagging a man of this level?” This level? Which level? I wanted to laugh. Ethan’s entire outfit today was bought by me. Covered in logos. Very flashy. She turned to Ethan and said, “It’s so hard for girls from humble backgrounds like us. We have to work so hard just to stand in front of someone like you.” Stacy glanced at me. “Unlike some people…” Ethan looked at me, a bit embarrassed. He pulled me toward the passenger side. “Penelope, try the passenger seat.” Usually, I let Ethan drive. But that doesn’t mean I always sit shotgun. I opened the driver’s door. Before I could sit, a hand stopped me. Stacy looked at me with fake concern. “Miss, this car costs $800,000. Regular girls like you don’t understand cars. If you break something, it would be bad.” She invited Ethan to sit in the driver’s seat, then plopped herself into the passenger seat. “This car has a lot of features. I studied for a long time to learn them. I can answer Mr. Miller’s questions from here.” Ethan patted my head. “Penelope, I usually drive anyway. Let me figure it out first, then I’ll teach you.” Stacy chimed in. “Exactly. Mr. Miller looks like a pro. What do girls like you know about specs and performance?” Basically, one thinks I’m dumb, and the other thinks I’m broke. I almost laughed out loud. Since I got my license at eighteen, I’ve driven every car in my family’s garage. I know way more about cars than Ethan. I tapped my fingers on the door and said coolly: “Talking to him is useless. Whether we buy this car depends on my mood.” Chapter 3 I didn’t explicitly say I was paying. I always saved Ethan’s face in public. His parents died when he was young. My dad sponsored his college tuition. After graduation, he joined my family’s company, starting from the bottom. We were college classmates. He didn’t know my identity until we started dating. We thought it was destiny. Hearing my words, Ethan’s smile stiffened. He stayed silent. Stacy looked disdainful. Her jealousy burned brighter. She probably thought Ethan spent millions just to make me happy. She ignored me completely and kept chatting up Ethan. I got tired of this circus. I demanded a test drive. Stacy looked at me with contempt. “A girl driving an SUV? Seriously?” “You broke people just want to joyride in luxury cars, right?” I glanced at her and said calmly: “If you can’t respect the customer, call your manager or the owner.” “I want to see if I can test drive today.” Ethan frowned. “I’ve never heard of a dealership refusing a test drive.” Seeing Ethan speak up, Stacy reluctantly went to get the keys. While she was gone, I went to my car and changed into driving shoes. When we were alone, Ethan hugged my arm and whined: “Babe, I wanted to drive that car too.” He leaned in. His clean scent was now tainted by cheap perfume. I frowned. “Can’t you see she’s a pick-me girl?” Ethan rubbed against me, unbothered. “We won’t see her again after we buy the car. Don’t be petty, babe.” “Don’t be mad. She’s not worth it.” He was still the puppy dog who provided emotional value. My anger subsided. Maybe I was overthinking it. Chapter 4 Stacy took us to the test drive route. It was a quiet road with few people or cars. Both Stacy and Ethan asked repeatedly if I really wanted to drive. I ignored them and buckled up. Ethan sat shotgun. Stacy sat in the back. I adjusted the mirrors and started the engine. Along the way, Stacy kept flirting with Ethan. Praising his success, asking about his job. Ethan was vague. “I work at a corporate firm.” Stacy thought he was being humble. She pulled out a bottle of water, poured it into a cup, and handed it to Ethan from the back. Ethan handed the water to me. I was about to tell him to put it down. Suddenly, Stacy grabbed my arm and screamed: “The driver can’t let go of the wheel!” I was holding the wheel. Her yank jerked the car into the right lane. There was a thick bush on the side of the road. I slammed on the brakes instinctively. The car screeched to a halt. Only then did I see a little girl standing behind the bush! The bumper was a meter away from her. If I hadn’t slammed the brakes, the consequences would have been unimaginable! Cold sweat drenched my back. I turned to Stacy, furious. “You could have killed someone!” Stacy looked innocent. “I told you, Miss. You aren’t suitable for this car.” “I’m so skinny, how much strength do I have? Usually, when I remind male customers, their hands don’t even move.” Wow. Yanking my arm is a “reminder” now? I was too angry to argue. I drove back to the dealership in silence. “Call your manager. Now.” Getting out, Stacy saw the long scratch on the side of the car from the curb. Her face went pale. But she doubled down. “I said you weren’t fit to drive! You scratched the car! Are you trying to get out of paying for it because you’re broke?”

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Liam was my best friend, and I was secretly in love with him. But he hated that kind of thing. To avoid future embarrassment, I decided to confess to him. “I like guys.” He frowned: “What did you say?” As expected, he was angry. Not wanting him to have bad associations, I quickly added: “Don’t worry, I have a boyfriend.” Liam’s face darkened, his voice coldly terrifying: “Say that again.” 1 “See you Saturday then, senior!” The sweet and cute junior girl from the club waved goodbye to me with a smile. I nodded at her: “See you Saturday.” Suddenly, someone hooked my neck from behind and pulled me back. I lightly bumped into a broad chest. The movement was familiar, and I knew who it was without looking back. A low, rich voice sounded: “What Saturday?” His breath hit the sensitive skin beside my ear, causing a slight ticklish heat. I turned my head slightly to avoid this too-close distance: “Don’t you have training today?” Liam rested his chin on my shoulder and reached out to turn my averted face back: “Are you meeting that girl on Saturday? Why haven’t I seen her before? When did you meet her?” He was always like this, putting his arm around my shoulder without any shyness. These were all playful gestures between best friends. But for someone like me with ulterior motives, this was undoubtedly torture. I pushed his hand away and kept my distance: “A junior from the club. There’s a club gathering on Saturday.” Liam straightened up and said earnestly: “I’ve always reminded you, competition is fierce in society now. Focus on your studies. It won’t be too late to date after you find a job.” I dared not hope for love. He didn’t know my true inner thoughts, and I dared not let him know. I nodded absentmindedly. Liam put his arm around my shoulder again and led me in another direction: “Come on, keep me company during training.” 2 There was no lack of audience during the varsity team’s training. Liam was always the center of attention. He was tall, with a long wingspan and sharp movements. Not to mention that face, which made headlines on campus the first day he arrived. My gaze couldn’t help but follow him. Heart racing, could it be that I’m obsessed with looks? Liam walked towards me, wiped his sweat, and said hoarsely: “Water.” I came back to my senses and looked around for his water bottle. Liam, however, snatched the half-drunk mineral water from my hand. Before I could stop him, he had already tilted his head and finished it. I had drunk from that… “Yo, Senior Lian is here.” The one who approached was a junior who had just joined the varsity team this year, very lively. “How was it? My performance on the court just now wasn’t worse than Captain Lu’s, right?” I smiled and praised him a few words. The junior was very pleased and patted his chest: “If Senior Lian wants to play basketball in the future, just find me. I’ll teach you hand in hand…” Liam smashed the empty bottle in his hand over, his voice inexplicably cold: “Get lost.” The junior was pulled away by the teammates behind him, amid ridicule: “You kid want to go over Captain Lu to teach his ‘wife’ basketball? Looking for death, aren’t you…” I had a good relationship with Liam, always together. When he participated in competitions, I often helped him handle some trivial matters. His team members jokingly called me his “little wife”. At first, I blushed too. But Liam also joined in the teasing. Later I understood that these were just jokes between brothers. Taking them seriously would be foolish. Liam smoothed his hair and looked at me seriously: “If you want to play basketball, find me. No one here is better than me.” If it weren’t for him, I should be in the lab right now, instead of wasting time sitting on this basketball court. 3 After training, a group of people rushed into the food stall at the school gate. They ordered a table full of food. At this age, they ate more than animals. I sat next to Liam and barely touched the beer. After eating and drinking enough, someone suggested playing Truth or Dare. After a few rounds, it fell on me. “Truth or Dare?” Seeing their few rounds of bottomless questions, I didn’t have the guts to choose Truth. I had to choose Dare. But Dare wasn’t much better. “Kiss the person closest to you now.” As soon as these words came out, everyone slapped the table, laughing and jeering. Liam sat on my left, and on my right was a classmate from the varsity team. Everyone knew I had a good relationship with Liam, so who to choose was naturally obvious. Even Liam crossed his arms and looked at me with a smile, waiting for my move. But I had a guilty conscience. I was afraid. I didn’t even dare to turn back and look at Liam’s expression. I took a deep breath. Sorry, classmate. Under everyone’s surprised gaze, I leaned towards the person on the right. Before I touched him, my back collar was suddenly grabbed and pulled back with great force. I was forced to lean back and saw Liam’s face, darker than the night. “Lian Youqing, do you know what you’re doing?” 4 Liam’s face wasn’t very good for the second half. After paying the bill, he dragged me away first. I looked at his back and sighed. His inexplicable small gestures had once given me fantasies. Until that incident happened. 5 Liam and I had different majors but were assigned to the same dorm room. Maybe because I have a milder temperament, I got along with him. To outsiders, he seemed cold and unapproachable. But he was always willing to lower his status and soften his temper in front of me. He treated the friends he recognized very well. So when I realized it, my mind was full of his figure. I couldn’t quit even if I wanted to. During the most passionate period, my confession was on the tip of my tongue, ready to come out. Then, Lin Lin appeared. He was Liam’s classmate in the same major, handsome, cheerful, and very proactive. Lin Lin spent a lot of effort to build a relationship and deepen friendship with Liam. Gradually, I also saw his feelings for Liam. I even envied him a little, envied his courage. But Liam was always lukewarm towards him, even a little annoyed by his pestering. Lin Lin took advantage of his drunkenness to confess to Liam. At that moment, Liam’s expression became very terrifying. He scolded hideously: “Get lost.” Then he blocked Lin Lin and never contacted him again. I once tentatively asked him why he was so angry. He looked at me and said: “Not angry, disgusted.”

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My wife of three years kept a diary. In it, she detailed a hundred ways to stage the perfect kidnapping and psychological captivity. But I knew she didn’t want to trap me. She wanted to trap her stepbrother. I played the oblivious husband, secretly taking notes. Because I wanted to trap my stepsister. The day I realized her diary was full, I decided it was time to activate my own captivity plan. I placed the finalized divorce papers in the study, right after preparing the handcuffs. It wasn’t long after that I found myself staring silently at the steel cuffs around my own wrists and ankles. …Why was the world so much more twisted than I ever imagined? 1 I held the leather-bound journal, barely containing the surge of adrenaline. Page after page, I devoured the new entries. Camille Beckett’s “One Hundred Captivity Methods” was updated, and the additions were staggering. My soul sister. Camille and I had an indifferent, purely strategic marriage for three years. I knew her heart belonged to someone else: her innocent, Golden Boy stepbrother, Noah Abbott. I’d always assumed Cami was the cold, reserved type—the kind who kept her deepest desires locked away. Now, I knew the truth. She was a full-blown, beautiful psychopath. The further I read, the more shocked I became. The methodology, the sheer audacity, the level of intensity… Camille hid it well. If her sweet, delicate stepbrother ever saw these fantasies, he’d probably collapse. But I was different. I was a fellow psycho. I studied diligently, copying the key steps and phrases into my phone’s notes app. Just as I was about to turn the last page, my phone buzzed with a video call from Noah. I quickly slipped out of Cami’s bedroom and answered with a practiced, easy smile. “Hey, Noah. What’s up?” “Ash.” The boy’s face, pale and handsome, appeared on screen. He offered a slight, sheepish grin. “Cami won’t be coming home tonight.” My face froze for a split second. Though our marriage was cold, Cami always came home. This was the first time she hadn’t. Was she making her move? But she had to get the divorce first! I frowned. “Where is she? Put her on the phone.” Noah handed the phone over. Cami’s stunning, aloof face filled the screen. Her thin lips barely moved. “What is it?” “Come home tonight,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. Her brow twitched. “Do you need something?” Did I need a reason to ask my wife to come home? Was she that impatient? I wasn’t even this desperate yet! I ran a hand through my hair. “Yeah, I do. We need to talk. Properly.” A silence stretched between us. Noah took the phone back. His clear eyes met mine. “Ash, if my sister doesn’t want to go back, don’t pressure her.” I was frustrated with the oblivious kid. If I didn’t drag Cami home, he was the one who was going to end up in cuffs tonight. I took a deep breath, ready to plead my case, but Cami’s frigid voice cut me off: “If you’re so bored, go find something to occupy yourself.” I paused. Right. She’s playing the disinterested wife while secretly plotting to chain up her stepbrother. She probably can’t wait to check off everything on that diary list. Noah gave me a helpless shrug. “You heard my sister, Ash.” He hung up. I stood silent for a long moment, then sighed. Returning to Cami’s room, I picked up the journal again. Unconsciously, I flipped to the final page, realizing only now that she had completely filled the book. I noticed something starkly different from the earlier, explicit pages. Her last sentence, written in clean, forceful script, read: [Compared to all of this, I only ever wanted to hold you.] I stared at the line. After a while, I slowly closed the diary and returned it to its place. 2 My worst fear hadn’t materialized. Camille returned home the next day. Her demeanor was as distant and detached as ever, even under my probing stare. “Are you attending the gala tonight?” she asked. I was momentarily confused, then remembered the social obligation. It was a major commercial event—practically every notable figure in the city would be there. “Of course,” I answered casually. “Wouldn’t want you to be without a proper date, would I?” She ignored the jab. After smoothing a crease in her sleeve with a long, elegant finger, she walked upstairs toward the study. I watched her back, realizing my mistake. She probably hoped I wouldn’t go. Then her ‘date’ could legitimately be her stepbrother. I sighed in annoyance. But I had to go. My stepsister, Sloane Albright, would definitely be there. It was a rare chance to see her. I couldn’t afford to miss it. … I spent too long selecting the perfect suit. When I arrived, I scanned the room for Camille only to find Noah already standing beside her. The young man was beaming, a perfect picture of youthful sweetness. I nursed a drink in a quiet corner, keeping my distance. My friend, Miles, joined me. He narrowed his eyes at the couple. “They aren’t blood-related, right?” I glanced at him and shook my head. Even Miles could see their intimacy was beyond the norm. Miles smirked, his tone unclear. “Just a heads up, Noah has mentioned more than once that his sister would do anything for him. Including… ditching you when you had a fever.” I paused. Oh. So that rainy night I was burning up, and Camille was nowhere to be found, she was with Noah. “They must just be close,” I mumbled. Miles tipped his chin toward a specific spot in the room. “How come you’re not that close with your stepsister?” I followed his gaze. Sloane Albright was wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal gown. The sophisticated styling couldn’t mask her vibrant, commanding beauty. She was engaged in a relaxed conversation. Then, as if sensing my eyes, she looked up and scanned the room, her gaze finding mine. We held eye contact across the distance. I was the first to look away. “…Every family is different, I guess.” Miles shrugged. “Suit yourself. Just don’t come crying to me for a place to stay when Cami eventually files for divorce.” As if on cue, Noah took Cami’s arm, intertwining his with hers. Cami paused, her cold expression softening as she looked down at his hand. She didn’t stop him. She didn’t pull away. Miles looked at me with open pity. I was taken aback. I was right here, in the same room, yet Camille still indulged him so openly. A dozen curious, scrutinizing eyes were already darting between us. I pressed my fingers to my temple. I remembered the message my father had sent recently: You’ve been married to Camille all this time, and you still haven’t won her over? How useless are you, Albert? It wasn’t my fault. She was already taken. Miles’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “They look utterly infatuated with each other. It’s almost like you were the one who intruded on their romance.” His words made me halt. I looked at him sharply. “Do you think Noah… likes her?” “Are you serious?” he countered. “Can’t you see the puppy-dog eyes and the blush?” I was quiet for a moment. “What if he’s just… really dependent on his stepsister?” “Stop lying to yourself, Ash,” Miles deadpanned. I stood there, rooted to the spot. It wasn’t entirely my denial. Before Cami and I married, Noah and I were close friends. I’d seen that same blush and shyness on his face when we were out together. He just seemed to stop clinging to me after the wedding. … If Miles was right, and Noah liked her, then why did Camille write that psychopathic diary? If they were mutually in love, why didn’t she just divorce me and be with Noah? She was powerful enough now. She could divorce me and marry anyone she wanted without consequence. Did she genuinely prefer the idea of forced love? I drained my glass, trying to push the confusing thoughts away. 3 Eventually, Noah and Camille came over to me. Noah smiled, his cheeks dimpling. “Ash, I’ve been hogging my sister all night. Are you mad?” I waved a hand dismissively. “Whatever makes you happy.” Only then did I notice Cami’s dark eyes fixed on me. I offered what I thought was a thoughtful smile. “It’s fine, Cami. You two enjoy yourselves. Don’t worry about me.” Camille’s tone was cold. “It looks like you’re having a good time yourself.” I blinked. I wasn’t, really. Unless you counted the few furtive glances I’d managed to sneak at Sloane Albright, I wasn’t having fun at all. Thinking of Sloane, I instinctively tried to look in her direction. My view was immediately blocked by Camille’s tall, slender figure. Her expression was completely blank. Seriously? I didn’t care what the two of you were doing, just don’t block my view of Sloane! I cursed under my breath. Noah lightly tugged on Cami’s arm, his voice a soft whine. “Let’s not bother Ash anymore. I have some friends who are dying to meet you, Sis.” Camille gave a slight nod. “Alright.” They turned and walked away. I let out a long, quiet sigh. Camille was cold and dismissive toward me, but immediately soft and yielding toward Noah. The hypocrite. I stood alone, again feeling the pity and derision of the crowd. “Little brother.” The clear, melodic voice made me turn instantly. Sloane Albright was smiling faintly. It took me a second to regain my composure. “Hi.” Sloane gave a sudden, knowing laugh. “I saw you chatting just now, so I didn’t want to interrupt.” I managed a weak smile. “It was nothing.” She asked abruptly, “Is Camille treating you well?” I was stunned. “What?” Sloane’s thin lips pressed together. Before she could say anything else, a man her age walked up. He greeted me politely, then turned to Sloane. “Sloane, your mother sent me to find you.” Sloane replied calmly, “I’ll be there in a minute.” The man gave a teasing smile. “Do you really have so much to talk about with your little brother?” “Come on,” he said, lightly taking her wrist. “Come check in with your mother, then you can come back and chat with your little brother, okay?” He pulled Sloane away. She paused but didn’t resist. She only glanced over her shoulder at me. “Little brother, I’ll find you later.” My gaze dropped from their clasped hands. I responded softly, “Okay.” 4 Sloane never came back for me. The gala ended. Noah had too much to drink and pleaded with Camille to take him to an observatory to see the stars. Camille agreed. I sat quietly alone in the back seat of the car. I stared out at the city streets—the rush of traffic, the blinking neon. My mind was empty. Then Cami’s final diary entry floated back into my thoughts: I only ever wanted to hold you. What did it feel like to be held? I didn’t know. After my mother divorced my father and married into the Albright family, she never once embraced me. As a child, she wanted me to win the affection of Sloane and her mother. After I married, she wanted me to win Camille’s affection. But I never won anyone’s affection. My stepsister, Sloane, was a dazzling, self-possessed princess, always surrounded by adoration. Even when she secretly brought me food after my mother locked me away, her gaze was always polite, detached. Her kindness was universal, shared equally with everyone. An embrace between us was impossible. As for my wife… I lowered my gaze. My marriage to Camille should have ended long ago. As soon as I got home, I contacted my lawyer and asked him to draft the divorce papers immediately. It was late, deep into the night, when Sloane finally called. “Little brother.” There was a silence on the line. She didn’t apologize for disappearing. She simply said: “My parents are picking out a man for me to marry. Do you want to give me your opinion?” I was stunned. “…What?” Her voice was laced with a weary resignation. “I’ve reached the legal age. There’s no avoiding it.” “It doesn’t matter who I marry, anyway.” She sounded careless. “It might be that man you saw tonight.” I struggled to respond. “Is that so… Do you… do you like him?” I hesitated before asking. “Like?” Sloane’s voice was light, airy. Then she dropped to a near-whisper. “I don’t know.” I pressed her. “Do you want to get married?” She let out a soft sigh. “It’s not about wanting or not wanting. I’m sure I’ll grow to love him, living together.” Listening to her speak, I clenched my fists inside my pockets. “If not him, it’ll be someone else. But two people leaning on each other… that seems nice, doesn’t it?” Sloane said, her tone utterly calm. I desperately wanted to speak, but the words choked in my throat. I felt a profound sadness. The simple happiness she described was so far out of my reach. She was so far out of my reach. “Albert,” she used my first name instead of ‘little brother.’ “We’ll both be happy, won’t we?” The question was spoken so softly. Yet it sent a violent ripple through my heart. Will I be happy? I let out a shaky breath, finally making my decision. “We will,” I said. After hanging up, I placed the divorce papers the lawyer had sent into the study. Then, I dug out the handcuffs and ankle restraints I had bought weeks ago and packed them in a bag. Sloane’s last question had been the push I needed. If it didn’t matter who she ended up with, why couldn’t it be me? Perhaps that was the only way I could get closer to happiness. I called Miles. “That safe-house I asked you to prepare, the one with the secure basement. Is it fully ready?” After receiving his confirmation, I immediately texted Sloane: [Where are you? I’ll come to you now. We can discuss this whole marriage thing.] Without a hint of suspicion, she sent me an address. 5 When I arrived, the address led to a private lounge. I immediately asked a waiter for a bottle of high-proof whiskey. Inside the VIP room, Sloane was alone. She was draped across a velvet sofa, long legs crossed, drinking straight from the bottle. That dazzling, commanding face was flushed pink. She squinted when she saw me. “Little brother.” Her voice was low and husky. I murmured an acknowledgment, then subtly opened the bottle I’d brought and began to pour her a drink. When her attention was diverted, I sprinkled in a little something. “I know you’re upset. I’ll keep you company.” Sloane gave a soft, muffled agreement. Just then, the door was pushed open. Noah stood in the doorway, his eyes wide in surprise. “Ash, is that really you? I thought I saw you, but wasn’t sure.” I glanced past him and saw Cami behind him. Her expression was still cold, her eyes sweeping over me and Sloane without a flicker of emotion. I silently cursed. You two go on your date. Don’t ruin my night. Noah walked in, completely at ease. “What a coincidence. Sis and I just finished stargazing and thought we’d grab a drink here. Didn’t expect to run into you guys.” I took a deep breath. “…Yeah. What a coincidence.” I forced a laugh. He spotted the bottle on the table and his eyes lit up. “Ash! This is excellent whiskey. We have such similar taste!” He reached for a glass, about to pour himself a taste. What?! My eyes shot open. With lightning speed, I snatched the bottle from his hand. And promptly downed a huge gulp myself. Noah pouted. “Ash, you’re so stingy. Fine, I’ll just have my sister order me something.” Camille actually sat down next to him. She looked at me, then gave him a curt nod. “Alright.” For the next half-hour, I tried everything to get them to leave. But neither Camille nor Noah would budge. Camille didn’t even lift her eyelids. Noah let out a wounded sigh. “Does me being here with my sister really bother you, Ash?” I gave up. I decided to leave while I could still walk. But Sloane called out my name. Her long, graceful fingers wrapped around my wrist. “Little brother, you said you’d keep me company.” Thirty minutes later. I looked fuzzily at Sloane. She was staring back. Noah was cheerfully pouring himself a drink, chatting with Cami. I couldn’t see Cami’s expression clearly. I sighed heavily in my mind. Then, unable to fight it, my eyes slid shut. My head fell to the side, and I passed out. … When I woke up, I painfully forced my eyelids open. I stared blankly at the ceiling. After a long minute, I instinctively tried to rub my eyes. My hand felt impossibly heavy. I squinted. The moment I made out the object on my wrist, I was instantly, violently awake. …What the hell? I tried to move my foot, and again, felt a crushing weight. It was followed by the clear, sharp clink of a metal chain. I lay rigid on the bed. The door opened. I recognized the person who walked in and my composure shattered. I was barely able to choke out the name: “Why is it you…?”

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Five years into my blindness. My husband, Franklin, brought me our newly taken family portrait. He guided my hand to touch the faces in the frame one by one. His voice whispered gently in my ear: “On the left is your dad, on the right is your mom. This is our daughter Yolanda, and us two in the middle.” “Gwen, it doesn’t matter if you can’t see. I will always be your eyes.” I was about to tell him the surprise that my vision had returned. But the words were swallowed back hard. Because in that photo titled “Family Portrait,” all I saw were strangers. My “Dad,” my “Mom.” I didn’t recognize a single one. Watching my husband introduce them with such care, I couldn’t help clenching my fists, nails digging deep into my palms. An 8-year-old girl ran over and held my husband’s hand. “Daddy, why waste words with this blind woman?” I looked down and saw her face clearly for the first time. She didn’t look like me at all. If the people in the photo weren’t my parents, then whose child was this girl in front of me… And where are my real parents and daughter now? Chapter 1 “Yolanda, don’t talk to Mommy like that! Apologize to Mommy, now!” Franklin pulled Yolanda to his side. Yolanda stiffened her neck, glaring at me with venom. “I did nothing wrong! I won’t apologize to a blind woman!” After she finished, she turned and ran to her room. Passing by me, she deliberately bumped into me. I stumbled a step, stabilizing myself. “Gwen, don’t mind the child. She’s ignorant. We’ll educate her properly later.” I didn’t speak, just reached out, touching the family portrait again. Fingertips slid over the cold, hard faces of the strange man and woman. The day of the shoot. Under my constant urging, my parents finally agreed to fly back from abroad specially to see me, promising a surprise. I remember when I reached out to touch “Dad’s” hand, it felt wrong. The skin was too rough compared to my memory. I remember smelling “Mom’s” perfume. It wasn’t her usual jasmine scent, but a pungent, cheap smell. I asked Franklin then: “Honey, why do I feel… something is wrong?” Franklin held my hand, chuckling in my ear. “Silly, parents are getting old. It’s normal for skin and preferences to change.” “You’re just too sensitive.” Yes, I was too sensitive. He used “you are too sensitive” to wipe away all my doubts. Thinking about it now, that wasn’t sensitivity. That was the alarm of blood ties. “Today is our fifth wedding anniversary. I prepared a gift for you.” He took out a rough perfume bottle and brought it to my face. “Specially customized for you, unique in the world.” I clearly saw the bottle in his hand, printed with a cheap brand logo. My gaze fell on the trash can not far away. There lay a convenience store receipt, amount: $2.99. I looked up, facing him. “Franklin…” “Are you… hiding something from me?” The smile on Franklin’s face froze for a second, but soon, he sighed. “Gwen, why would you think that?” “Did blindness make you suspicious? Don’t be afraid, I’m here. I will never lie to you.” As soon as Franklin finished speaking, the phone in his pocket rang. It was a video call. “It’s Secretary Linda. Should be something urgent at the company.” With that, he answered the call calmly in front of me. Screen lit up. I clearly saw, on the other end. A woman wearing only black lace lingerie, lying lazily on a bed. In her mouth, she held a condom wrapper. “Mr. Sterling, there are… so many documents waiting for you to sign at the company. When are you coming?” Franklin’s Adam’s apple rolled. “I’ll be there right away. Get the materials ready.” He hung up, turned, and grabbed his coat. “Gwen, there’s an emergency meeting at the company. I must go now.” My brain was buzzing. This “Secretary Linda” wasn’t calling at this time for the first time. In the past five years, I heard her coquettish voice calling “Mr. Sterling” countless times. I thought it was business, never cared. Turns out, the truth was so unbearable. I looked up, staring straight at him. “Is the company… really that busy?” Franklin’s body stiffened, then he walked over and patted my head. “Yes, many projects recently, all for our family. Be good and wait for me at home.” Lies. Such practiced lies. His vows from before echoed in my mind. “Gwen, even if the whole world betrays you, I will never deceive you.” It was mocking my stupidity. It was telling me I was a huge joke. I lowered my head, a bitter metallic taste rising from the root of my tongue. Chapter 2 Franklin left home hurriedly with the excuse of “company emergency.” I walked towards the study. That was where Franklin spent most of his time at home. I hadn’t set foot there in five years. I pushed open the study door. On the central desk stood an exquisite silver photo frame. In the frame, it wasn’t a photo of Franklin and me. It was Franklin, Yolanda, and that lingerie-clad Secretary Linda from the video. A “family of three” portrait. So, this is his true family in his heart. Yolanda, that woman, and him. What am I? A raised blind woman? A tool convenient for him to seize my family property? Five years of marriage, turns out to be a complete scam. On the table, a luxuriously made wedding album was spread open. I reached out, fingertips trembling as I flipped through it. Every page was Franklin and that Linda. Every photo was showing off their happiness. I flipped to the last page. On the commemorative card, the date of the wedding photos was printed. I stared dead at that date. Blood all over my body froze instantly at this moment. That day. It was the day I lay alone on the cold hospital bed, giving birth to my daughter via C-section. He said, “Gwen, sorry, I’m stuck at an overseas conference, really can’t make it back.” He said, “When I return, I’ll make it up to you and the baby.” Tears finally filled my eyes. Ridiculous. Laughable. The huge shock made my vision blacken. I stumbled backward. Body hit an unlocked file cabinet nearby. Clang— The top drawer was knocked open. A thick document in a kraft paper bag slid out and fell to the floor. I looked down. The text on the document came into view. Icy chill rushed from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. I was cold all over. Chapter 3 The next day. I dialed a number. It was my family’s driver, Uncle Wang. He had been with my dad for decades, watching me grow up. “Uncle Wang, it’s me, Gwen.” “Miss Gwen?” The voice on the other end was full of surprise. “Uncle Wang, my parents… are they in good health recently?” Long silence on the other end. Just as my heart sank to the bottom, Uncle Wang’s voice came, full of endless grief. “Miss… you… you really don’t know?” “The old master and madam… passed away in a car accident four years ago!” Boom—! My brain went blank. Car accident… passed away… No. Impossible. Franklin clearly told me they went to travel around the world. He even read me the postcards they sent back. Those were all fake? I held the phone, body trembling uncontrollably, unable to say a word. Cold. Bone-piercing cold. I seemed to see the tragic state of my parents lying in a pool of blood. And I, their daughter, was kept in the dark like a fool. “Miss? Are you still listening?” Uncle Wang’s anxious voice pulled me back to reality. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. “Uncle Wang, tell me everything you know.” “Yes… four years ago, on the way home from the company, Master and Madam were hit by an out-of-control truck… died on the spot…” Uncle Wang’s voice choked. “But the truck driver disappeared and was never found.” “Son-in-law Franklin handled all the funeral arrangements. It was him… he fired all of us old staff.” I hung up the phone, body sliding down the cold wall slowly. Tears surged out silently. Four years ago. Fragments of memory flooded into my mind instantly. It was starting from four years ago that my parents, who loved me most, stopped calling me frequently and stopped visiting me often. Franklin said they were getting old and wanted to travel the world while they still could. Since then, I almost lost contact with them. Dad, Mom. Sorry. Your daughter is unfilial. I wiped my tears. Now is not the time to be weak. There is still my daughter. I still have questions in my heart. I immediately contacted my own people. “Get me a DNA test right away!” “Check, all records after my daughter was born, was she switched?” “And find out all details of my parents’ car accident, including that missing driver.” Chapter 4 I changed clothes and sneaked out of the house. Arrived at the Sterling Villa, the home I grew up in. I didn’t go through the front door. Familiarly, I infiltrated the villa’s garden, returning to my own home. I squatted behind the bushes, looking inside through the bright floor-to-ceiling windows of the first-floor living room. Just one glance, my blood curdled. In the living room, that strange couple from the fake family portrait was wearing my parents’ favorite loungewear, sitting on the sofa, watching TV leisurely. Franklin and that female secretary were sitting opposite them. On Franklin’s face was a doting look I had never seen before. The secretary held Franklin’s arm intimately, pointing at the wall with her other hand. Hanging on the wall were photos of my parents. “Frank, these photos are too unlucky. Change them to ours tomorrow, okay?” “Okay, whatever you say. This is our home anyway.” My home… My home was occupied by a group of thieves! Franklin, you beast! My nails dug deep into my palms, but I felt no pain. The phone in my pocket vibrated suddenly. I clicked open the message with trembling hands. Inside were two files. The first one. [According to DNA genetic marker analysis results, sample Gwen Sterling is excluded as the biological mother of Yolanda.] Drops of scalding tears smashed onto the cold screen. Although expected, the word “Excluded” still pierced my last fantasy like a knife. Yolanda, indeed, is not my daughter. Then where is the daughter I carried for ten months and risked my life to give birth to? My child, where is she now? I wiped my tears and opened the second file. It was a photo. A skinny, mud-covered little girl was curling up by the trash can downstairs of my apartment, rummaging for food. I rushed home. Right in the corner of the unit entrance, I saw her. My biological daughter… Turns out, on the second day of birth, she was taken away from me by Franklin. Then given to others to raise. She was being surrounded by a few older kids, pushed and insulted. “Little beggar! Get away! Don’t dirty our place!” She held her head, small body curled into a ball, silent. I looked at her dirty face and those stubborn eyes. Too similar. Exactly like me when I was little. A hot tear dropped onto the back of my hand without warning. I always knew about this child. The little girl mentioned many times by neighbors, picking trash downstairs every day! When I was blind, I heard her faint crying many times. I asked Franklin: “Who is crying?” Franklin said: “A wild child no one wants, crazy. Stay away from her, don’t get hurt.” Turns out, not a wild child, but my daughter. She has always been by my side. Within reach. But I believed the devil’s lies and passed her by again and again. Bang! A boy kicked her in the back. Her small body flew out like a leaf, hitting the wall heavily. “Stop!” I rushed over, hugging her tightly in my arms. I took off my coat, wrapping her cold body. She looked up, looking at me timidly. I wiped the mud off her face with trembling hands. She looked at me, big black and white eyes filled with tears. “Don’t be afraid… Mommy is here.” My voice trembled. After a long time, she used a mosquito-like voice. “M…Mom…” My tears could no longer be held back, pouring out. I held her tightly, tightly in my arms. How I wished to make up for the hugs missed in these five years all at once. Franklin. Listen well. The suffering my daughter endured, I want you to pay back a thousand, ten thousand times over.

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Julian Vance hated “Targeters” the most. Until the heiress of the Lin family entered his world for an arranged marriage. She danced in his private garden rain or shine, her movements captivating. Modern dance, Jazz, Classical Ballet… Julian was captivated by her, rarely not sending her to “The Island” for imprisonment. I took a bite of tiramisu, too sad to speak. The System mocked: “You useless thing! Now look, wait to be erased!” Looking at the Affection Score bar that never moved, actually, I am a Targeter too. Chapter 1 Eight Targeters were already locked up in the private prison on The Island. They preached equality and hoped for a “one life, one couple” love with Julian Vance. Julian hated them. But their business ideas were sometimes useful, though Julian found them annoying. So he locked up every one he met. Kept the useful ones, made the useless ones disappear. Letting the security team’s interrogation squad use threats and promises to make them spit out all business secrets, maximizing their value. I am Julian’s childhood friend. Julian was an illegitimate son ostracized by the family when he was young. Everyone could bully him, tease him. His older cousins often beat him black and blue. When he hid in the dark attic of the family estate to heal, a warm, kind girl would appear. Like an angel, bringing him medicine, stroking his wounds with tears. She said she came to save him. “I will protect you from now on. I won’t let them bully you again.” “Does it hurt? I will always be with you!” She smiled gently at Julian. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to save you. We’ll be best friends.” I thought Julian would be moved and accept the girl glowing with “I’m good for you” light. Unexpectedly, Julian choked her neck, pinning her against the wall. The girl kicked wildly, making suffocated whimpers. Julian said coldly: “Get lost! Don’t let me see you again.” I hid behind a tree and saw everything. The macaron in my hand fell with a soft thud. He turned to look at me, put away his scary expression, and walked over. His aura was terrifying. I dared not speak. Legs weak, I fell to the ground, touching my neck. Begging fawningly: “Don’t choke me. My neck is too thin, it will break. I saw nothing.” “You don’t need saving. I don’t dare.” His face looked even worse. He stared at me darkly. “You’d better stay this way forever.” I shrank my neck, nodding frantically. Chapter 2 My parents were famous business tycoons, but died in a plane crash. Since I lost my parents young, Grandmother often took me to stay at the Vance Estate. And recognized me as her god-granddaughter. To show the Vance family’s kindness. I was present at every moment Julian needed saving. I just stood silently aside. When he was thrown into the combat training ground and beaten all over. When the snobbish servants withheld his dinner. When his mother was critically ill and passed away. That year, he became more steady and grew up. He stood in the dark attic of the old house, quietly looking at his mother’s cold body. His mother’s personal assistant walked up to him, comforting softly: “Young Master Julian, Rou will accompany you instead of Madam.” It seems in every low period when Julian needed comfort, a “flower that understands speech” would appear. Trying to save him, target him, be the only light in his heart. Like this assistant named Rou. She tugged Julian’s shirt, smiling warmly: “Don’t be sad, Young Master. Be happy, smile, okay?” Rou didn’t know Julian was a germaphobe. He couldn’t stand anyone touching him. Every time someone accidentally touched him, he had to change his whole outfit. Sure enough, with a signal from his eyes. The bodyguards standing aside immediately dragged Rou out. Rou was gagged by the bodyguards, whimpering soundlessly. Dragged away. Julian walked to me and hugged me gently. He buried his head in my neck, voice muffled: “Nina, let me hug you. I’ll bring you your favorite Black Forest Cake.” I dared not move. Responded: “Okay.” His voice was light, but terrifyingly calm: “I loathe them. And I loathe myself.” “If I were conquered, would there be fewer hardships? Would my mother not have died?” I didn’t understand what “them” meant. Nor what “conquered” meant. I only knew Julian was very sad that day. Since then, he acted even more ruthlessly. Chapter 3 Today, I dressed up. Preparing to attend my coming-of-age ceremony. The Vance Villa had invited many guests. But suddenly a voice came into my brain: Beep beep beep. Target System energy sufficient. Ready to start. Hello Host. System binding. Target: Julian Vance. I jumped, refusing frantically: “I refuse to target! Refuse! Refuse!” Ding! Cannot refuse. Mission started. Progress query. Progress: 66. Massive information flooded my brain. After a moment of daze, I came back, face pale. No joy. Only infinite panic. I am a Targeter. The Targeter Julian hates the most. Once there was a Targeter discovered by Julian. She was a girl with a voice like a lark, knowing all kinds of pop singing. Julian made her sing and sing. Until her voice was hoarse, coughing blood. Finally locked in the confinement room, beaten bloody. Julian even excitedly took me to watch. He really hates Targeters. If he finds out I am a Targeter too, will I be beaten to death? Moreover, I know nothing but eating. Will he make me eat and eat until I burst? The more I thought, the more scared I was. The System’s voice sounded again with surprise: Unexpectedly, Host already has 66 Affection Score from Julian! Before Host, Targeters used many identities: Mrs. Vance’s cousin, Julian’s mother’s assistant… none exceeded 0 score. So those girls who wanted to save Julian were all Targeters bound with Systems. But they all failed. Tortured by Julian until unrecognizable, then erased by the Main God along with the System. Host, you are very hopeful. Only success, no failure. Or we will die miserably. I shivered, comb falling to the ground. This sneak, when did I target him? Where did the score come from? “Can I not target? Julian will choke me to death. I can’t beat him.” System cold and ruthless: No. System started. Slacking will be punished by electric shock. I was weak and helpless. Can’t beat Julian, can’t beat the System. Attended the banquet with a pale face. The Vance family sent a pile of expensive gifts as usual. Today’s Julian is the esteemed head of the Vance Group. No longer the bullied bastard son. His presence gave enough face to the Gu family. No dignitary in the capital dared not come. Arriving at the banquet hall. He stared at my face for a while: “You look wrong. What happened?” Seeing his dark gaze. I stepped back in terror, waving my hands repeatedly. Julian paused, eyes obscure: “Nina? Did someone say something, hmm?” I paused, shaking my head firmly: “No… no, absolutely not!” He is too smart. Every previous Targeter was accurately found by him. Then caught, tortured, revenged. I was absent-minded throughout the banquet. Grandmother saw me drinking champagne sullenly, glared at me unhappily: “Nina, go toast Mr. Vance!” In Grandmother’s eyes, Julian and I are childhood sweethearts growing up together. A girl of the Gu family is qualified to be Mrs. Vance. In Grandmother’s eyes, I deserve the best. But in my eyes, that’s the King of Hell who takes my life in minutes. I was reluctant. But still raised the glass, toasting Julian meekly: “To Mr. Vance. It’s Nina’s honor to have you here today.” Julian stopped the glass I was about to drink, grabbing my sleeve: “Stop drinking. You drank too much. I’ll have someone send you to rest.” He frowned at me. I remembered Mrs. Vance’s cousin. Julian discovered she was a Targeter. Even her touch was disgusting. Thinking of the scene where he choked her coldly. I shivered in fear. “Don’t… don’t touch me. I am not a Targeter.” He paused for a second, mouth curving into a smile. I was really scared. Chapter 4 System: You are embarrassing! Coward! Me: … Julian shouldn’t have discovered I am a Targeter. Or he would have sent me to The Island. He laughed: “You are drunk. Rest early.” The banquet dispersed. Guests left, he left too. At night, I returned to the bedroom. Lying on the soft big bed. Tears fell. “System! You are not human! Making me target that living King of Hell!” “I have been afraid of him as long as I lived in this world.” “Find someone else!” System sneered: Better to live poorly than die. Understand? If you die, I will be erased too. For our lives, work hard. A soft sound from the balcony. Someone came in. Bringing the smell of roast meat. I got up and wiped my tears. It was Julian. Under the dim wall lamp, he stared at me burning: “Saw you didn’t eat much at the banquet. Brought your favorite BBQ platter.” His skills were getting better, coming and going freely in the Villa. I nodded vigorously. Whatever, eating is the most important. Took the food and ate. He often brought me food I loved. To bribe me, threaten me not to tell about the Targeters. System angry: You only know eating! Dark night, high wind, lone man and woman. Target him! I sighed in my heart: “No, I can’t do that.” System: Mission complete, I can grant you a wish. Any wish. “I have no wish.” System mourned its misfortune. Stuck with such a slacker host. Luckily there was some Affection Score, not to be erased. Julian reached out to touch my head. I was still afraid, tilted my head to avoid. His expression became suppressed. I was really afraid of death. “Julian, do you hate Targeters very much?” He looked at me steadily, voice hoarse: “Yes. I hate, hate Targeters very much. Want to dispose of them all.” I nodded with a bitter smile: “Mm, I also… hate, hate Targeters very much.” “If, I say if, I am also a Targeter, will you dispose of me too?” “Can you, let me go?” In the dark, Julian’s voice was exceptionally clear: “No. I will never let you go!” System: Detected score fluctuation. Current score 50, 20, 0… My hands shook with fear. Did he find out?

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