Category: English

As the holidays approached, a group of “wildlife enthusiasts” sued me. They claimed that keeping animals in captivity was a form of abuse and, in the middle of the night, they “liberated” every animal in my zoo. A scream tore from my throat. That pack of morons will die out there! Later, a video popped up on my feed: a full-grown snow leopard, wailing miserably at a little calf. “Do you know where Mama Keeper is?” The calf trembled, backing away, which only made the snow leopard cry harder. “Mama Keeper, where are you? I’m starving to death.” 1 After graduation, I took over a small zoo. I’d just finished shooting a few promotional videos, hoping to drum up some business for the holiday season, when a court summons arrived. A group of self-proclaimed wildlife enthusiasts was taking me to court, arguing that by keeping wild animals in enclosures, I was suppressing their natural instincts. I was baffled. I run a zoo. If I’m not keeping animals, am I supposed to start keeping people? Thankfully, the judge was a reasonable person. My zoo’s paperwork was all in order, and the plaintiffs quickly lost their case. When I got back, I threw a small celebration. Leo, my snow leopard, circled my legs excitedly. “Mama, Mama, you’re the best! You didn’t let them take me away!” I buried my face in his thick fur. “Don’t you worry, I’ll always protect you. But seriously, I’m not your mom. I’m a single human woman. I couldn’t possibly give birth to a snow leopard your size.” “I don’t care. You were the first person I saw when I opened my eyes. You have to be my mom.” It was impossible to reason with a leopard cub who’d never known his own mother. And since I’ve been able to understand animals since I was a child, Leo was thoroughly convinced. Fine. He was a pathetic, fluffy orphan, so I let it slide. That night, after my rounds—tucking in the black bear who hated the cold, cuddling the clingy snow leopard, and consoling a Pallas’s cat nursing a broken heart—I finally collapsed into my own cozy bed. I woke up to armageddon. Where was my giant black bear? Gone! Kevin, who was supposed to be on night watch, was crying so hard his nose was running. “Some monsters… I only dozed off for a minute… They climbed the wall and opened all the cages!” The zoo was now a chaotic free-for-all, with animals wandering everywhere. The moment I stepped outside my door, Grandpa Sheldon, the seventy-year-old, six-hundred-pound Aldabra tortoise, lumbered past with a red panda clinging to his shell. “Little Keeper, this one’s a real handful. My ears are ringing.” I quickly scooped the red panda off his back and handed him to a keeper. “I’m so sorry, Grandpa Sheldon. I’ll get you right back to your enclosure.” The tortoise took a slow, deliberate step. “No need. It’s been ages since I had a good stroll. I think I’ll go see if that alligator who bit me is dead yet.” My eye twitched. “That was almost twenty years ago. You’re still holding a grudge?” I stepped aside just in time to lunge, grabbing a pelican that was trying to swallow a capybara whole. “How many times have I told you? You can’t eat your coworkers!” He refused to let go. “You only live once. A little taste of a coworker can’t hurt.” After rescuing the placid capybara, two white-faced sakis swung past overhead. “Good morning, Keeper! Another day, another joy!” Two freshly-made turds dropped from above, landing squarely on the head of a charging lion. “Catch us if you can, silly kitty!” The enraged lion roared, charging blindly. “You stinking monkeys! I’m going to eat you!” Grandpa Sheldon couldn’t dodge in time and was knocked onto his back, his legs flailing. He let out a weary sigh. “Oh, my old back. These young’uns have no respect these days.” It took the entire day to wrangle the frolicking animals back into their homes. Just as we thought it was over, Kevin screamed again. “The black bear, the snow leopard, and the Pallas’s cat are gone!” We pulled up last night’s security footage and saw her: Diane, the lead “wildlife enthusiast” from the lawsuit. She and a few others were sneaking up to Leo’s enclosure. Leo’s eyes shot open. He covered his head with his paws in terror. “Someone’s here to eat the leopard! Mama, help me!” 2 Diane cooed softly, “Don’t be afraid. Soon, you’ll be free.” A tranquilizer dart hissed through the air, embedding itself in Leo’s fluffy backside. They loaded him onto a waiting truck. Leo let out a pained cry. “Mama, tonight, I sail on my final voyage.” A mournful wail escaped my lips. “Leo! My sweet baby Leo, whom I raised from a bottle!” Kevin sent me the other videos. The black bear was sleeping so soundly that the tranquilizer dart didn’t even wake her. She just rolled over and kept snoring. The group had also tried to nab a giant panda, but our pandas have a habit of digging their own sleeping burrows, so the thieves came up empty-handed. The Pallas’s cat, Pip, had boarded the truck willingly. He’d been suffering from insomnia ever since his latest breakup and probably tagged along out of concern for his friends. I called the police immediately. The security cameras had caught the license plate. The police found Diane quickly. She showed no remorse. “It’s a bear’s nature to hunt. By caging them, you’re suppressing their instincts. And officer, look at what she feeds that snow leopard every day. There’s no nutritional balance. If that’s not abuse, what is?” She held up a video of a keeper feeding Leo, her voice ringing with conviction. I glanced at the video, confused. It was all fresh, high-quality meat. What was the problem? Diane’s voice rose with indignation. “You feed yourself fruits and vegetables, so why don’t you give any to the snow leopard? It’s obvious you’re just fattening him up to make a profit!” If Leo had heard that, he would have clawed her face off. He was a carnivore. “Besides,” she added smugly, “releasing animals is a good deed. I’m helping you atone for your sins.” I resisted the urge to slap her and turned to the reporters who had arrived. “The animals she stole have all been evaluated for release in the past,” I explained. “We only kept them in the zoo after determining they couldn’t survive in the wild.” Diane sneered. “They’re predators. Of course they can survive. They need to be free. Keeping them in a zoo will give them depression.” I shoved my phone in her face, playing the video that was now trending number one. In it, a grown snow leopard was wailing miserably at a little calf. He tried to pounce, but the calf kicked him twice, sending him tumbling. “Do you know where my Mama is? I’m so hungry. I miss my Mama.” Hearing his voice, tears of heartache streamed down my face. My poor Leo had never suffered a day in his life. He was so spoiled, his keepers had to cut his meat into tiny, bite-sized pieces. Chloe, a young reporter, handed me a tissue. “Don’t worry, Zoo Director. We just got a tip. The video was shot on nearby Mount Sterling.” I dried my tears, notified the Animal Protection Bureau, and rushed to the mountain. Following a tip from a local herdsman, we spent three grueling hours climbing to a midway point on the slope. Chloe had started a live stream of the rescue operation. Thanks to the viral video, her stream was flooded with viewers. 【That snow leopard really isn’t cut out for the wild. It’s being bullied by a calf!】 【What on earth does the keeper feed it? It’s so chubby.】 【So cute! Where is this zoo? I want to visit.】 An idea sparked. I jumped into the frame. “Our Crestview Zoo has been open for over forty years! We have all sorts of predators and cute critters you can see up close. And if you follow my account, tickets are only $9.99!” 【Is the director running a charity?】 【That’s so cheap! I have to go!】 In an instant, we sold over two thousand advance tickets. Chloe gave an awkward laugh and whispered, “Director, we haven’t even run our own ads yet.” I flushed, rubbing my nose. “Sorry, you go ahead.” Ever since I’d taken over the zoo, it had been a money pit. This was my first real chance to turn things around, and I got a little carried up. We soon reached the location from the video. The grass was trampled, covered in the hoofprints of cattle and the paw prints of a snow leopard. I raised a megaphone. “Leo! Leo, where are you? Mama’s here!” I shouted until my voice was hoarse, but there was no response. Then, one of the officers from the bureau called out. They had found snow leopard fur near a steep, rocky cliff. Their initial assessment was that he had fallen. 3 My heart plummeted into an abyss. I collapsed at the edge of the cliff, sobbing. “My poor Leo! An orphan since birth, never even had a girlfriend! Please come back! Mama won’t stop you from visiting Penelope next door anymore! You can have all the ice cream you want!” As I was crying my eyes out, a small calf peeked out from behind a tree. “Are you really Leo’s mom? Can you give me the secret password?” Without thinking, I replied, “Open Sesame.” The next moment, an agile snow leopard leaped out and pounced on me. “Mama, Mama, Mama! I knew it was you! I knew you’d come save me!” He tried to shove his entire head into my arms, his big, rough tongue licking away my tears. “Mama, Mama, Mama! Can I really go play with Penelope? And I want ten ice creams!” I grabbed his tongue. “Why didn’t you answer when I called?” Leo puffed out his chest proudly. “You always taught me, Mama. Never answer when a stranger calls your name, and never go with a stranger. You have to get the password right.” I was so exasperated I could have throttled him. I pounded on his back a few times. The little calf trotted over and kicked Leo with its hoof. “You said your mom was super tall and strong, and could take out my mom with one punch.” I silently handed the calf two beef jerky sticks and shooed it down the mountain to find its mother. The calf’s eyes lit up. “What is this? It’s delicious!” Leo started meowing with envy. “Mama, I want some too! A big piece!” The live stream chat was going wild. 【What an adorable snow leopard! He’s so cuddly.】 【Feeding beef jerky to a calf? The director is one of a kind.】 【Finally found one! That was tough. Now just the black bear left, that’s the dangerous one.】 Chloe stared at Leo’s sleek, glossy coat, her eyes full of envy. With my permission, she started petting him with both hands. Leo looked utterly resigned. “Mama, can I suddenly turn and scare her?” Just then, a breathless officer from the Animal Protection Bureau ran up, asking about the size of the missing black bear. When he learned that the bear, Honey, was seven feet tall, weighed eight hundred pounds, and was currently in heat, his face grew grave. “We found scraps of clothing and bear tracks nearby.” “We suspect,” he said grimly, “that this bear has killed someone.” I quickly waved my hands. Honey had been raised by a young female keeper since she was a cub. She was so gentle, you could hit her three times and she wouldn’t even make a peep. Even in heat, she wouldn’t attack a person without provocation. The officer held up a plaster cast of a paw print. “Are you sure the bear from your zoo weighs eight hundred pounds?” “Of course,” I said. “Honey just had a check-up a few days ago.” “Well,” he said, “the tracks we’re measuring suggest a bear weighing at least twelve hundred pounds.” 4 Leo’s fur instantly stood on end. He pressed himself against my leg, trembling. “Mama, I told you Honey would eat people! It has to be her! She’s always so mean! She’s not going to eat me, is she? Mama, save me!” I couldn’t take it anymore. I gave Leo a firm slap on the snout. “She was ‘mean’ to you because you were constipated and your poop smelled so bad you nearly made her pass out. And for your information, Honey couldn’t eat four hundred pounds of anything in one sitting.” But Leo’s simple brain wasn’t processing. He tugged at my clothes, wailing. “Honey must have eaten several people! It’s over! We’re all going to die today! And I haven’t even had a date with Penelope!” I clamped my hand over his mouth and looked at the officer. “We can’t be sure if there are any casualties yet,” the officer said. “We haven’t received any reports of missing people from the nearby villages. But one thing is certain: Honey isn’t the only black bear on this mountain.” Facing one zoo-raised black bear was one thing. Adding a much larger wild one to the mix escalated the danger exponentially. Especially since Honey had grown up in captivity, the bureau’s team had only brought tranquilizer guns. The atmosphere grew tense. The number of viewers on the live stream skyrocketed. 【Black bears really eat people!】 【I’m an expert: if you see a black bear, don’t run. Lie on the ground and play dead. That way you can die with some dignity.】 【This is no time for jokes. I saw a post saying two kids from the village went missing. I think they came up this mountain.】 My heart sank when I saw that comment. An adult would know to stay away from a bear, but a child? A curious kid might not recognize the danger. Seeing a gentle bear like Honey, they might even try to play with her. And out of instinct, Honey might attack to defend herself. Just then, an officer’s phone rang. It was confirmed: two children had wandered into the mountains. On the other end of the line, their parents were crying hysterically. The bureau team, which had been hesitating, made a decision. They were going up. “We’ve requested firearms from headquarters, but lives are at stake. Two children on this mountain is too dangerous. We’re continuing the search.” He then turned to me. “Director, for safety, we’ll need you to come with us.” I nodded. At the very least, I could try to control Honey if we found her. With a plan in place, our group assembled and followed the bear tracks deeper into the mountain.

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My stepdaughter, usually so sweet and sensible, suddenly did a complete 180. Fighting, skipping class, drinking… At first, I just brushed it off as a delayed teenage rebellion. But then, one night, I came home late and opened the door to find: In the middle of the living room, my daughter, dressed provocatively, was fooling around with a couple of rough-looking guys! 1. “Mike, can you make that pot roast tonight? I’ve been craving it like crazy.” Abby, my stepdaughter, dropped her backpack by the door and immediately started buttering me up. I grinned and nodded right away. She was a senior in high school, neck-deep in college applications; anything she wanted, within reason, she got. Seven years ago, the first time I met Abby’s mom, Laura, I was hooked by her unique charm. I pursued her relentlessly, and eventually, we managed to build a new family together. Since I never had kids of my own, I poured all that pent-up “fatherly love” onto Abby. I treated her like she was my own flesh and blood. Abby was a great kid – really sweet, cute, and always listened. After all this time, she’d definitely accepted me as her stepdad. She just called me “Mike” instead of “Dad,” you know, to keep that line clear. Later that night, I brought Abby a glass of warm milk, told her to focus on her homework, and then beat a hasty retreat to find some “comfort” from my wife, Laura. “Honey, it’s been driving me crazy these past few days… Can we try tonight?” I murmured, burying my face in her neck. Ever since Abby hit senior year, Laura and I had both been wound tighter than drums. Our sex life had pretty much evaporated. “Ugh, I’m not in the mood. Abby’s still awake. How awkward would that be if she heard?” Laura pushed me away, annoyance written all over her face, then rolled over, turning her back to me. Her attitude killed the mood instantly. Whatever hopeful stirring I’d managed vanished completely. A strange frustration started bubbling up inside me. I turned my back to her too, my mind racing. Laura used to be so passionate, practically jumping me whenever she got the chance. Why the cold shoulder lately? Could she… could she be seeing someone else? No, impossible! I cut that thought off immediately. It had to be the stress, I told myself. Abby’s college stuff was intense. Things would get back to normal later. Finally, June arrived. The day Abby finished her last exam, you could feel the tension lift in the house. Laura was so relieved, so excited, that we went at it like rabbits – seven times in one night. Okay, maybe my earlier suspicion was just paranoia. I let it go. But then Abby started acting… weird. Her grades were top-notch; she could get into almost any good university. It should have been great news, but after a few days of excitement, her mood plummeted. She started locking herself in her room all day. At the dinner table, “Here, have a piece of chicken,” Laura said, trying to put some on Abby’s plate. Abby slammed her hand on the table, knocking her bowl aside. “Leave it! I can get it myself!” she yelled. I quickly tried to smooth things over with Laura, grabbing Abby a clean bowl and chopsticks, quietly urging her to calm down and eat. “Mike,” Abby suddenly asked, looking straight at me. “What is it you even see in my mom?” The question stunned me. Before I could even process it, Abby stormed off, slamming her bedroom door behind her. All that was left was the sound of Laura muttering curses under her breath. Laura claimed Abby was mad because she didn’t want her applying to out-of-state colleges. Ah, okay. That made sense. No wonder Abby had seemed so down lately. I figured I’d find a chance to talk to her about it soon. In the end, though, Abby chose a university right here in the city. On orientation day, Laura had a work thing she couldn’t get out of, so I was the one who drove Abby to campus. “Your mom’s busy, she said not to be mad at her. She promised she’d make you something special when you come home after orientation week.” “I don’t care!” Looks like she still hadn’t forgiven Laura. I just shook my head, figuring it would blow over eventually. But just as I turned to leave, Abby grabbed my arm. “Mike,” she said, her voice low. “Have you ever thought that maybe… maybe Mom isn’t worth you loving her so much?” Her words baffled me, but I just patted her head gently and gave her a small smile. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling… it was like Abby was trying to tell me something… 2 Back home, I headed straight for the fridge to grab a bottle of water. As I was drinking, I suddenly heard noises coming from the master bedroom. It sounded like… like a woman, maybe in pleasure… My brow furrowed. I tiptoed towards the door, trying to figure out what was going on. I was about to throw the door open, catch whatever was happening red-handed, but just as I reached for the knob, the door swung open from the inside. It was Laura. Her breathing was heavy, her hair was a mess, and her face was slightly flushed. “Thought you were busy at the office?” Seeing her like that, a knot of panic tightened in my gut. I pushed past her into the room, scanning for any sign of someone else. Nothing. Not a single clue. “Oh! I just dropped a file somewhere in here. I’ve been tearing the room apart looking for it. Totally exhausting,” she said, panting slightly. After a few hesitant seconds, the tightness in my chest finally eased. “Okay, okay, let me help you look. I’ll drive you back to the office afterward.” But as I walked past her, I noticed her let out a quiet sigh of relief. Half a month flew by, and it was the day Abby was supposed to come home from orientation. Laura was busy in the kitchen first thing in the morning, telling me to go pick Abby up from campus. I got to her dorm building and gave her a call. No answer. It went straight to voicemail. Suddenly, a girl with bright red hair and revealing clothes walked past. From the back, she looked a bit like Abby. She was with two or three rough-looking guys with bleached blonde hair, trying way too hard to look tough. I rushed over, got a closer look, and sure enough, it was Abby! “What are you doing dressed like this? Weren’t you supposed to be at orientation?” I tried to keep my anger in check, but I could feel my forehead creasing into a knot. “What’s it to you? Who do you think you are?” she snapped back, then muttered under her breath, “You’re not my real dad, anyway.” Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I was speechless, a lump forming in my throat. In all these years, she’d never spoken to me like that. Calling me out like this, in front of everyone, this middle-aged guy who was just her stepdad. “Let’s go. You’re coming home with me!” Without another word, I grabbed her arm, pulled her into the car, and drove off. On the way home, I clenched my jaw and didn’t say anything. I really thought I’d finally broken through her defenses, earned her trust. But what she said back there… it was clear she still saw me as some interfering outsider. My heart ached. “There’s a bar at the next corner. Just drop me off there,” she said, casually chewing gum, lounging in her seat. The exaggerated makeup, the heavy perfume, the lazy tone… she was obviously trying to play the “bad girl.” I just didn’t understand why. “What are you doing? I told you to let me out!” “Are you crazy? I don’t want to go home!” “Let me out! Now! I don’t need you telling me what to do!” The more hysterical she got, the calmer I forced myself to be. I ignored her screaming and crying, drove straight home, and practically dragged her upstairs. 3 The second the door closed behind us, I finally lost it. “Abby, I put up with your crap the entire ride home! What the hell is wrong with you?!” The force of my voice seemed to stun her. She stood there, silent for a long moment. Then her lip started to tremble, and tears welled up in her eyes. “Fine! You’ve had enough of me, haven’t you? You think I’m just baggage that came with Mom! All these years, you’ve probably been wishing I’d just disappear, so you two could have your perfect little life, maybe even have your own kid!” Before I could even begin to deny it, Laura burst into the room and slapped Abby hard across the face. “What is your problem now?” “You hit me? What right do you have to hit me?! Yeah, you’re my real mom, but honestly, he’s been more of a parent to me than you ever were! How much have you actually cared about me, growing up?!” Listening to the two of them tear into each other, endlessly, I just slumped onto the sofa, rubbing my forehead, exhausted. The fight ended with Abby storming out of the house. That evening, Laura and I sat in silence at the dinner table, a huge spread of food untouched between us. Laura looked terrible, her usual energy completely gone, replaced by a dull sadness. “Mike,” she said quietly. “Do you think… do you think Abby hates me?” I paused, thinking it over. When Laura divorced her ex-husband, she fought tooth and nail for custody of Abby. Abby once told me she hadn’t initially wanted to live with her mom, but she never explained why. Laura definitely had a short fuse. Her work and her own life always seemed to come before family. That’s why I’d been the one holding things together at home all these years, for her sake. Compared to me, Abby’s relationship with Laura was… functional, maybe? Certainly not close. But hate? I didn’t think it went that far. I put a piece of chicken in Laura’s bowl, trying my best to comfort her. “Come on, you’re her mother. How could she hate you? It’s probably just teenage rebellion kicking in. Remember how sweet Abby always was? Starting college, everything’s new and exciting. As long as she doesn’t get into any real trouble, we should cut her some slack, right?” My reassurances seemed to work. Laura started to relax a bit, deciding not to dwell on it. But later, after I got Laura settled into bed, I went out onto the balcony for a smoke. My phone buzzed. It was a message from a coworker, Dave. “Hey Mike, check this out. Isn’t this your daughter?” Attached was a short video clip. I opened it. Under the flashing lights of some club, there was Abby, drinking with a few guys – the same type of guys I’d seen her with earlier. One of them even had his hand on her, casually sliding it around her waist, his eyes glued to her chest.

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This time around. Ethan Vance decided to stay in the countryside to be with his childhood sweetheart. Without a moment’s hesitation, I packed my bags and headed back to the city. He said he wanted to establish his career before settling down. I turned around and agreed to my parents’ arrangements, marrying the man they set me up with. Later, He proposed that if I helped his childhood sweetheart find a job, he would marry me. And I, pregnant with my child, happened to run into him while accompanying my fiancé on an inspection trip to that same countryside. In that moment, His eyes reddened again, and he repeatedly demanded, “Didn’t you say you’d wait for me?” Wait? How absurd. A legacy kid like me, why on earth should I wait for a man who was a nobody? 1. “Mom, Dad, I plan to return to the city in a week, and I’m willing to marry David Sherman.” There was a distinct pause on the other end of the line. Then came a cheer filled with surprised joy. “Chloe, honey, is it true? Did you really change your mind, no longer having anything to do with that broke kid Ethan Vance? Are you really willing to come back to the city, back to your parents, and build a relationship with David?” I nodded affirmatively. And emphasized, “David is an outstanding man. There’s no need to consider anyone else. I’ve decided to marry him.” In my past life. When I was framed and left for dead by Ethan Vance and his childhood sweetheart. It was David Sherman who comforted my parents. It was he who handled my affairs and cleared my name. And it was he who took care of my parents for the rest of their lives. Such kindness, even bearing his children, could hardly repay it fully. Besides, we shared a deep bond cultivated since childhood. Choosing to marry him, I was completely willing. “Wonderful, just wonderful! I’ll book your bus ticket right away, inform the Shermans immediately, and start preparing for your wedding…” Mom’s voice was filled with unconcealable excitement and emotion. Dad’s heartfelt sighs also reached my ears. I understood. They had always been worried about me. Worried I’d suffer from unrequited love, worried I’d be mistreated by Ethan, worried I couldn’t endure the hardships of country life. I was the one who had been wrong. In my past life, I had neglected my loving parents for a man. “Mom, Dad, from now on, I’ll listen to your guidance, stay by your side, and be a good daughter! This life, I will definitely be happy!” I definitely will! 2. “I’ve already made it clear to Chloe Miller. If she can’t get you a transfer to the city, I won’t go back with her either. She should be trying to pull some strings for you right now.” I had just returned to the teacher’s housing from the payphone. And I overheard Ethan Vance speaking softly to Jenny Carter in their quarters. “Ethan, you’ve really gone through a lot. Chloe might argue with you again over this, and you two just made up…” Jenny’s eyes were slightly red, looking pitifully delicate. Ethan shook his head, comforting her, “Your parents passed away early. We grew up together. I’ve long considered you my own sister. It’s only natural for a brother to do these things for his sister. Chloe should be more understanding.” Hearing the word “sister,” a flicker of disappointment inevitably crossed Jenny’s eyes. But she quickly regained her usual cheerfulness. “If everything goes smoothly, we should be able to return to the city with the other young teachers in about a week. These next few days, we should say goodbye to my students and colleagues.” “Yeah, Chloe’s parents are influential. If Chloe speaks up, getting back to the city shouldn’t be too difficult. We’ve received a lot of support from everyone here these three years; we really should bid them farewell, or it’ll seem like we’re ungrateful.” Jenny Carter proposed an idea. She planned to host a small dinner on her birthday to treat the teachers from the office, as a farewell. Ethan Vance was very supportive of this idea. “It’s just that I’m a bit tight on cash right now. Ethan, could you lend me some money first?” Before Ethan could answer. Jenny tapped her forehead lightly. “Oh dear, I almost forgot, Ethan, you used all of last month’s paycheck to help those students from low-income families. This is really embarrassing…” Ethan thought for a moment, then said, “It’s okay, Chloe should still have some. I’ll ask her for a bit to give to you.” Jenny smiled gratefully, “Okay, thank you so much, Ethan. Sorry to trouble you and Chloe again.” Ethan gently patted Jenny’s head, his eyes full of affection. And it was at this inopportune moment that I walked into the women’s staff dormitory. “Chloe, you’re back.” Jenny Carter greeted me, but I didn’t respond. Ethan frowned. Unlike usual, he didn’t scold me for my rudeness but extended his hand and said, “Chloe, it’s Jenny’s birthday in a few days. We want to throw a birthday dinner and also say goodbye to the school administrators and teachers. We’re a little short on cash. Do you have any extra money?” As I packed my luggage, I replied coldly, “No.” Ethan’s mouth twitched. “How can you not have any? Didn’t you just get paid?” I looked up at him. “Already spent it. Just like you two, spent it however I wanted.” Ethan pressed his lips together tightly. Jenny’s eyes darted. She walked over to me, took my arm, and wheedled, “Chloe, aren’t the three of us about to go back to the city? So we wanted to use my birthday as an excuse for a farewell dinner, a way to show appreciation to colleagues we’ve worked with for three years. Ethan and I used our paychecks to help those needy students, so we had to come to you…” How ridiculous. Why use Jenny Carter’s birthday as an excuse for a farewell dinner? A farewell dinner is just a farewell dinner; why tie it to her birthday? If you don’t have the funds, don’t sponsor needy students. No funds, yet you want to throw a lavish banquet to show off. I responded calmly, “Actually, it’s not a bother.” Seeing me relent, Jenny’s face lit up with obvious joy. “Since you say so, Chloe, then our return to the city should be settled.” Ethan breathed a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll go to Rosie’s Diner later to book a private room. This afternoon, I’ll go to the office and let the principal and colleagues know. Including the three of us, about twenty people in total, thirty bucks should be enough.” Ethan specifically looked at me when he said this, as if asking if I could produce thirty dollars. Seeing no particular reaction from me, Jenny added, “Most of the twenty people are male colleagues, so there will inevitably be drinking. Thirty bucks might not be enough. Chloe, with sixty, everyone could eat much better…” I nodded along with her words. The smile on her face grew even brighter. Ethan felt something was off but didn’t comment. I added, “Since it’s a birthday celebration, it’s best to have a cake, don’t you think…” Ethan immediately objected, “A cake is too expensive, forget it. Besides, they don’t sell cakes in this backwater town.” Jenny’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Don’t be like that, Ethan. I’ve never tasted cake in my life. Since Chloe said she can get me a cake, she must have a way. I want to try it…” Ethan looked at me, troubled again. I said calmly, “Of course, there’s a way. I have the contact information for a cake baker in the city. One call, and he should be able to deliver it.” Jenny was so excited she almost jumped. Seeing her so happy, Ethan no longer considered the price of a cake or the cost of delivering it from the city to the countryside. Finally. When Ethan left the women’s staff dormitory, he even said to me gently, “Chloe, it feels like you’ve matured a lot overnight. I’m very happy you can treat Jenny this way. I’ll talk to my mom later and arrange for our parents to meet as soon as possible.” I shook my head. “No need.” He said earnestly, “Although my mom doesn’t think highly of you, I hope you can change her opinion. I’ll work hard with you.” I chuckled, truly not understanding how Ethan’s chronically ill, illiterate mother had any right to look down on me! “You go back and talk to your parents too. Try to be as humble as possible in front of my mom, so our two families can sit down and discuss our marriage properly.” My parents were principled people who had stood tall their whole lives; why should they bow down to Ethan Vance’s mother! 3. When I arrived at the office in the afternoon, Ethan had already announced the party to be held in two days to everyone. Everyone’s faces were beaming with joy. Jenny also eagerly urged me to use the school’s communal phone to call the cake baker in the city. I did not disappoint her. During a class break, I contacted the baker. “The biggest size you have, enough for twenty people. The decorations should be as elaborate as possible. We need candles and plates. Write ‘Happy 23rd Birthday Jenny Carter’ on it. And also get one of those little music boxes that plays ‘Happy Birthday.’ Deliver it to Rosie’s Diner on Main Street in Redwater Creek, at 6:30 PM. Tell the hostess, someone will come to pick up the cake.” Jenny listened beside me to the requests I made to the baker, her eyes filled with excitement. After the call. Jenny held my hand, her eyes a little moist. “Chloe, you’re so wonderful! This birthday dinner will surely be perfect!” I said nothing. I let her be moved by her own emotions there. “Chloe, after you and Ethan get married, can you also introduce me to a good match? Does that Mr. Sherman who visited your house last time have a girlfriend? I heard his family is also a military family. If there’s a chance… I’d love to see you every day, Chloe.” I smiled faintly. I truly didn’t know where she got such confidence. Just then, the school bell rang. Jenny and I went to our respective classrooms. Two days later, it was Jenny Carter’s birthday. Disregarding the critical time when her students were about to face mid-term exams, she took leave from the school administration. She made a special trip to the county town to buy a new dress, got her hair done, and put on exquisite makeup. At six-thirty, our group set off from the school and saw her standing at the restaurant entrance to greet us. Seeing the school principal, she greeted him enthusiastically. “You look so beautiful today, happy birthday.” Some thoughtful female colleagues had even prepared small gifts for Jenny. Jenny accepted the gifts, smiling very happily. Everyone entered the restaurant in a lively mood. Ethan acted like the host of the banquet, calling the waiter to start serving the dishes. Platters of chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Bowls of steaming hot soup. Everyone ate with great relish. Jenny and Ethan controlled the rhythm of the entire gathering, and others chimed in, creating a warm atmosphere. While celebrating Jenny’s birthday, they also announced their decision to leave the school soon. In the small private room, voices clamored. I sat among them, silently eating my food, quietly waiting for things to unfold. Ms. Peterson, sitting next to me, felt indignant on my behalf. “You and Ethan have argued so many times, yet he’s still so close to Jenny. Have you given up now? Are you planning to just live with the two of them like this?” I shook my head. Ms. Peterson expressed her doubt. “This meal must cost at least over a hundred dollars. Jenny dresses so flashily every day; her meager salary is all spent on clothes. She definitely can’t afford this. Ethan also has a sick old mother at home. Even if he helps Jenny out, over a hundred dollars is no small sum for him. So, I’ve been thinking, it can only be you paying. Can you really tolerate this?” Ms. Peterson was a bit older than me. She had divorced early in life due to her husband’s infidelity. She always had a keen insight into the entanglements between men and women. Perhaps she didn’t want me to follow in her footsteps, to fall into an emotional predicament, which is why she said these things to me. I smiled and replied, “Don’t worry, it’s not like I don’t understand things.” Ms. Peterson raised her eyebrows. “You still don’t understand? Bringing one Ethan Vance back to the city is already very difficult, and now there’s Jenny Carter too. Who knows if your parents have had to go groveling to the relevant departments for your sake!” I said softly, “They won’t have to. I won’t be that thoughtless. Jenny can’t go to the city, and of course, Ethan can’t either!” Ms. Peterson was stunned for a moment. Just then, the waiter pushed open the door and came in. “Excuse me, who ordered the cake from the city? The delivery guy is waiting outside.” Hearing this, Jenny jumped up excitedly. “I ordered it! I’ll go get the cake and share it with everyone!” Cake was a rarity here. Among those present, few had ever tasted it. Now, hearing there was cake, everyone’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “What a treat, I actually get to taste cake today.” “I’ve never seen a real cake in my life, I’m so lucky!” “I’ll eat a little less later and bring a piece back for my kid, he’s been clamoring for it…” The waiter hadn’t seen a cake in person either. Hearing these comments, he chimed in, “The cake is huge! Not only will you not be able to finish it, even if you do, there’ll be enough for everyone to take a piece home.” “Such a big cake!” “It must be very expensive, right?” “Jenny’s birthday is really something special!” Jenny Carter walked out of the private room, elated. Ethan followed closely behind. “The cake is too big, I’m afraid Jenny can’t carry it alone, I’ll go lend a hand.” The two main characters left. The atmosphere in the private room relaxed. Ms. Peterson looked at me, seemingly with more to say. After a short while, Ethan returned and walked over to me, whispering, “Chloe, come out for a second. The cake delivery guy says the person who ordered the cake needs to sign for it.” I sat in my seat, motionless. “Didn’t Jenny order the cake? Let her sign for it.” Ethan’s face turned a little ugly. “Didn’t you order that cake over the phone? The delivery guy is still waiting outside. Don’t waste time, hurry up and go out.” I snorted contemptuously. “Although I made the call, Jenny was the one who wanted the cake. Isn’t it inappropriate for me to sign?” Ethan pressed his lips together tightly, saying nothing. Jenny also returned to the private room, her face a bit pale. “Chloe, hurry up and go out, sign for the cake and bring it in for everyone to share. It’s rare for us to gather like this.” I sat firmly in my chair and replied, “That’s right, you hurry up and bring the cake in for everyone. Nobody here has tasted cake before, they can’t wait.” Ms. Peterson was a sharp woman. She immediately understood what was happening. She said bluntly, “Jenny, you’re not thinking of making Chloe go out and pay for you, are you? Usually, you pay when the cake is delivered. But today is your birthday, why should Chloe pay?” Jenny’s face instantly became very awkward. “No, I just wanted to…” Ethan defended Jenny, “Chloe Miller, didn’t you promise Jenny a birthday cake? Now the cake is here, how can you go back on your word?” I feigned surprise. “Oh, did I promise to buy Jenny a cake? A cake costs at least two hundred dollars, and my monthly salary is less than thirty… How can I afford such an expensive cake!” Ms. Peterson sneered, “How amusing! Inviting people for cake, only to have someone else foot the bill in the end.” The faces of the others also turned sour. The cake delivery guy waiting outside grew impatient and walked in. He looked annoyed. “Who ordered the cake? Is anyone going to pay? The total is two hundred and thirty-one dollars. I drove two hours from the city. Don’t make me run this errand for nothing!” 4. Jenny was on the verge of tears, pulling my hand, pleading, “Chloe, didn’t we agree? Why are you only now saying you don’t have money…” I also put on a troubled expression. “I always thought you had the money to buy it yourself. I didn’t expect you wanted me to buy it for you…” I quickly checked my wallet. I emptied out all my change and then counted it carefully. “I only have three dollars and sixty-five cents here…” I turned to the others, “Why don’t we all chip in, pay for the cake first, and not embarrass Jenny? After all, it’s her birthday, she definitely wants to be happy…” Before I could finish my sentence.

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The day of my daughter’s engagement, a city-wide procession of luxury vehicles cleared the way, proclaiming her the happiest bride of 2025. But the trending topic wasn’t about her. Confused, I tapped on the video. It showed a complete stranger, in a painfully familiar wedding gown, sitting in a flower car. The diamond ring on her hand seemed to be the custom-made one I’d given my daughter. My face contorted with disbelief as I rushed to the venue. There, the stranger was graciously greeting the elders with my daughter’s fiancé at her side, formally introducing him to the family. “This is my mother, Eleanor Vance,” she announced proudly. “The billionaire, an international asset magnate with countless resources at her fingertips.” Meanwhile, my own daughter was tossed aside like roadkill, left for dead. Rage boiled within me, my knuckles white as I clenched my phone. “She’s Eleanor Vance, the asset magnate? Then who the hell am I?!” “Well, well, never seen a stray as pretty as you. Looking for a good time, sweetheart, or just want to snuggle up to a real man?” A man whistled, his gaze raking over the girl. Following his leering stare, I instantly roared, cutting him off. In the corner, filthy and disheveled, was my daughter. My bodyguard stepped forward, kicking the man away. “You dare mess with Ms. Vance’s daughter? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!” The man’s eyes widened, his voice trembling instantly. “I… I didn’t know she was Ms. Vance’s daughter. I’m blind, I’m getting out of here.” I stared, aghast, at my daughter, huddled and trembling on the ground. She’d only been abroad for half a year. How could she have ended up like this? I moved to embrace her, but then the huge LED screen behind me suddenly lit up. My daughter’s head snapped up, letting out a deafening scream, and she bolted. “Chloe!” I tried to chase her but tripped on my heels. “What are you standing around for? Go after her!” I looked up at the screen. It was my daughter’s engagement announcement. But my daughter’s fiancé was arm-in-arm with another woman. My assistant opened her phone, and that’s when I saw the top trending headline. Today was supposed to be the engagement party for my daughter, Chloe Vance, and her fiancé, Tyler Reed. Instead, Tyler was walking hand-in-hand with another woman, declaring her to be the true Vance heiress. In the video, no one listened to Chloe’s desperate explanations. Shameless tabloids focused their cameras on her, their lenses lingering with predatory intent, violating her privacy and dignity, even suggesting she was mentally unstable. My heart shattered watching my daughter being driven out of her own engagement party like a lunatic. The camera panned, showing the engagement party continuing happily, utterly oblivious to my daughter’s pleas. The stranger, Brittany, still clinging to Tyler Reed, introduced another woman to the guests. “This is my mother, Eleanor Vance, the international asset magnate.” The unfamiliar mother and daughter reveled in the spotlight, triumphant. My brows furrowed. “How interesting. She’s Eleanor Vance? Then who the hell am I?” I scrolled through the various trending videos. On one side, lavish celebrations for the fake Vance heiress’s engagement; on the other, vicious slander and abuse aimed at the real heiress. They even spread death rumors and fabricated vulgar lies about my daughter. My knuckles were white as I squeezed my phone. “Take them down!” “Pull all these videos! Are these media outlets trying to go out of business?!” I sent the message, but those media outlets actually blocked me. “Are you crazy? Another one pretending to be the CEO of Vance Corp. If you’re Eleanor Vance, I’m Eleanor Vance’s mother.” My pupils dilated at the media’s reply. A sudden fire surged within me. Oh, they were good. If they wouldn’t take down the videos, then I’d just shut them down entirely. I coldly instructed my assistant. But it didn’t end there. To ensure my daughter’s engagement party went off without a hitch, I had specifically hired the country’s most renowned emcee. For him to get the bride-to-be wrong was a professional failure. I called him, ready to demand an explanation, but he spoke first. “You’re the cleaning lady from Vance Corp, right? Seriously, what’s the point of pretending to be the CEO?” I asked, bewildered. “What do you mean?” He scoffed, clearly exasperated. “That dog you let loose at the engagement party bit me! You haven’t paid my medical bills yet. If I don’t see that money in my account within half an hour, I’m suing you!” The call disconnected with a beep. I stood there, dumbfounded. Then my assistant handed me a video. After being thrown out like a mental patient, my daughter was in utter despair. And the emcee, desperate not to disrupt the party, had brutally kicked my daughter twice in the stomach. That’s when my daughter, maddened, suddenly bit his hand. My voice tightened, my face turning grim at the sight. I sent the video evidence to the emcee, but he had already blocked me. My body trembled uncontrollably as I stared at the red exclamation mark on the screen, consumed by fury. My hands balled into fists. Fine. Unbelievable. In just half a year, my daughter, the heir of international asset magnate Eleanor Vance, had become a public pariah, branded as mentally ill. How utterly wonderful. If I hadn’t made such an effort to return for her engagement party, I might never have seen this whole charade. I intended to find out exactly what had happened to the Vance family during these past six months!

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My name is Ethan. A few years ago, by sheer chance, I connected with a major player in the high-stakes world, someone who specialized in offshore ventures. My boats, however, weren’t ordinary fishing vessels. They were exclusive party yachts, designed solely for the pleasure of the ultra-rich and powerful. These big shots loved their games, but they were also incredibly cautious. They demanded not just beautiful women, but also absolute security in their venues. The open sea was the perfect stage, and that’s how these pleasure boats came into being. 1 Each charter cost a hundred grand. My only job was to verify the “merchandise,” keep watch, and ensure safety. Everything else, I stayed out of. Over the years, I’d seen A-list actresses tied up like crabs with red ropes. I’d seen others frothing at the mouth and rushed to the hospital. Some even died on the boat during one of these sessions. In short, their methods of torture were endless, and no woman who came off one of those party yachts left intact. But I never expected Jade to show up on my boat. Jade was my college classmate, my goddess whom I’d secretly admired for years. I never even got the chance to confess before a talent scout discovered her, launching her into the entertainment industry. She burst onto the scene, instantly becoming a sensation, nicknamed the “Pure Temptress” for her mature body, doll-like face, and sweet, syrupy voice. It wasn’t long before she was caught on camera, disheveled and rushed to the emergency room late at night. They’d actually removed a golf ball from inside her. After that, her career was dead in the water. In the private inspection cubicle, a woman with a stunning figure and alluring face smiled at me, her eyes seemingly capable of stealing a soul. Before each cruise, we had to double-check that none of these women were carrying recording devices – it was a non-negotiable rule from the big shot. One, for security. Two, their physical requirements for the women were incredibly strict; any noticeable scars could ruin their mood. “Ethan, long time no see.” Her voice was soft and sweet, like a gentle feather stroking my heart. I instantly went weak, staring at her in surprise. “Jade, it’s really you! Weren’t you blacklisted? How…?” “Yeah, this is my chance to make a comeback. I specifically chose your boat,” she purred, twisting her lithe body and deliberately pushing herself into my embrace for the inspection. “Rather than letting those bastards have their way with me, I’d rather it be you.” Her upper body pressed against mine, rubbing gently, her hot breath fanning my neck. My mind reeled. I wrapped an arm around her waist and looked down. After a few years, her figure had become even better. Beneath her thin robe, a peachy-pink, tight yoga outfit hugged her luscious curves, hinting at a cleavage that made you want to explore further. Her whole aura exuded a newfound mature allure; she could beckon with a finger and leave a man utterly lost. At that moment, she raised her leg, her robe falling open. I looked down, and her yoga pants were actually open at the crotch, with nothing worn underneath! And then she took my hand, pulling at her robe… My mind raced, my body immediately responding. I wanted nothing more than to devour her right then and there! But just as I was about to go deeper, she suddenly slapped my hand away, giggling. “Just kidding. In my current situation, what else can I do but try my best to please the big shot?” Her expression turned somber, making my heart ache. “I’ll take care of you,” nearly slipped out. “This is my last chance to restart my career, and I have to seize it,” she said, looking at me with those mesmerizing, soulful eyes. “Ethan, if something really happens to me, you’ll help me, right?” I turned my head to look at her, understanding dawned on me. “Of course!” My gaze was heated as I watched her slowly expose her shoulder, nearly drooling. “Heh,” Jade giggled, her cherry-red lips curving. “Do I look good?” Like a man possessed, I nodded. Once, she had been the fantasy of countless men, and I was no exception. But as far as I knew, her family wasn’t poor. Even if she was blacklisted, it shouldn’t have affected her livelihood. What’s more, those big shots in the industry really did play some twisted games. Especially this one today; I’d never seen anyone walk off his boat under their own power. I couldn’t help but worry about her. “Jade, have you really thought this through? Their methods of torment are not something you can endure.” “I know. He’s the one I crossed before,” Jade said with a bitter smile, her memories seemingly still haunting her. “Three years ago, also on a boat, he tried to shove a golf ball inside me. It hurt so much, I couldn’t help but cry out, ruining his mood. He beat me half to death and then blacklisted me.” “Then why are you still…?” “I have my reasons,” her eyes were shadowed, but then filled with hope as she looked at me. “I know this time I can’t escape, which is why I came to you. If anything truly happens, I hope you’ll help me.” 2 I didn’t know what her unspoken hardship was, but I truly didn’t want her getting tangled up in this mess again. “Even if you approach that magnate, he might not help you.” “I understand, but I have no other path left. Ethan, you’re the only person I can trust now.” Her eyes pleaded as she grasped my wrist eagerly. Since her mind was made up, there was nothing more I could say. Seeing my nod, Jade instantly bloomed into a smile and signaled for me to begin the inspection. She slowly untied her robe and shed her yoga attire. Beneath, she wore nothing but a nearly transparent lace string bikini, the thin straps looking as though they might snap under the weight of her breasts at any moment. My gaze drifted lower. Her long, pale legs were especially striking. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be entangled by them… The cubicle was already small and stifling, and she had now shed all her clothes. A pale expanse of skin shimmered before me, rising and falling with her breath, an almost criminal temptation! I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry, my whole body growing hot. As if possessed, I found myself wanting to use the inspection as an excuse to satisfy my urge to touch her. She chuckled softly, then took my hand and guided it onto her. It felt like holding the softest silk, sending a wave of pleasure through me that nearly took my breath away. “Ethan, I know you care for me. After tonight, I’ll give myself to you.” Jade looked at me with eyes full of promise. Before I could react, she pressed herself into my embrace and kissed my lips. Her faint scent burrowed into my nostrils, and my mind buzzed. Blood rushed to my head, and I yearned to take her fiercely, right then. But at this moment, she was someone else’s property. I couldn’t! A jumble of emotions surged, a fire burning within me with nowhere to go, leaving my eyes red and suffocated. She seemed to sense my shift, giggling and twisting her slender body in my arms. “Not tonight. But I have other ways. Consider it… a down payment for your help.” With a roll of my throat, my mind went blank as Jade slowly knelt down… Thankfully, there was water in the cubicle, and I didn’t dare delay too long, ensuring she was clean before sending her and the others down to the lower deck. By dawn, I’d bring the boat back to shore, and my job would be done. Whatever happened in the cabin was none of my business. But I spent that night sleepless. Occasional wails from the cabin pierced my eardrums, striking directly at my heart. I sat on the deck, chain-smoking, my eyes bloodshot, until dawn finally broke. As I watched the women emerge, bruised and limping one after another, Jade was nowhere to be seen. I panicked, extinguished my cigarette, and stormed into the cabin. The big shot had already left on another boat at sea. The cabin was empty, but torn clothing, blood-stained props, and various enhancers were strewn everywhere. The bedroom door was ajar, and agonizing groans pierced my ears. My heart felt squeezed, I could barely breathe, and I stumbled closer to the bedroom. Jade’s weak, pained gasps grew clearer. I rushed over and shoved the door open. A mixture of putrid odors assaulted me, sickeningly rotten. Even though I’d witnessed the big shots’ tormenting methods countless times and thought I was prepared, the horrifying scene before me still made my stomach churn. I wished I could rip my eyes out! I had guessed that if that magnate recognized Jade, he wouldn’t let her off easy. But this… this was beyond cruel! Naked, she lay on the round bed, her legs spread wide and hoisted high, rough ropes chafing her skin and wrapped around her ample curves. 3 Her formerly fair skin was covered in red welts from the ropes, along with bite marks and even dried wax. The bed itself was a messy canvas of red and black. She wore a spiked collar like an animal, a gag stuffed in her mouth, her body convulsing, eyes rolled back. My heart ached beyond measure. I quickly removed the gag from her mouth and carefully began untying her. Immediately after, she started dry heaving, spitting out a vile, reddish-white mess that, upon closer inspection, even contained tiny black particles. “Jade, what is this…?” My chest tightened. She shook her head, her voice a mere whisper. “It’s nothing, just some strawberry sauce.” “Strawberry sauce?” I was bewildered. There was no strawberry sauce in the cabin, just some fresh fruit. Wait, could it be…? A terrible possibility dawned on me, and I looked at her lower half. Sure enough, red liquid flowed from between her legs, and I could vaguely make out a small clear straw. The fruit platter on the table was empty, and there were several empty cola bottles scattered around. Jade looked at me, a bitter smile on her face. “It’s exactly what you’re thinking. They used my body as a… container to mash up strawberries and poured cola inside, making them drink from it, one after another. Ethan, there’s still something inside, but I don’t have the strength.” “Don’t move. I’ll do it.” I helped her lie down and spread her legs. Inside, amidst the messy chaos, was a golf ball! The moment I touched her, she trembled violently from the pain. I tried several times, my clothes soaked with sweat, but it was no use. She was growing paler and paler, on the verge of passing out. I couldn’t bear it. “No, you can’t stay like this. You have to go to the hospital.” “No, not the hospital,” she grabbed my wrist with surprising force, her nails digging into my flesh. “Ethan…” Her eyes held a desperate plea. I knew what she was worried about. She was once the industry’s renowned pure ingenue. Even if she’d been blacklisted for years, if someone saw her like this, all her sacrifices tonight would have been for nothing. I clasped her hand, wiping away her tears, and forced a light tone. “Since I took the down payment, I’ll see this through. Don’t worry, I have a buddy who runs a private hospital. He’s trustworthy.” Jade lowered her gaze, biting her lip. The physical pain ultimately made her compromise. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.” I let out a long breath of relief. Without a moment’s delay, I found some clothes to wrap her up completely and rushed her to the hospital. The hospital was outside the city, catering exclusively to wealthy clients, ensuring complete privacy. Since I’d called ahead, Jade was swiftly admitted to surgery. But the situation was far more severe than I’d imagined. In his office, my good friend Marcus stared at me like I was a freak for a long time, then inexplicably said, “Hey, Ethan, haven’t seen you in a few days. You’ve been getting into some wild stuff behind the scenes, huh?” “Get out of here, what nonsense are you talking about? It wasn’t me… Just look at her injuries, don’t ask questions.” I rolled my eyes at him, feeling oddly uncomfortable. He and I were childhood friends, grew up together, and he knew all my business better than anyone. As soon as I said that, his gaze indeed turned to one of pity.

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Back from a business trip, I held the designer bag Olivia had been coveting, ready to give her a surprise. But before I even got home, I received an emergency call from the hospital: Olivia was hospitalized due to acute bleeding. I rushed over, my heart pounding, only for the attending physician to discreetly usher me into his office. “Young man, I know you youngsters have boundless energy, but you can’t be too forceful.” He continued, “The patient has a cervical laceration. She needs plenty of rest, and no marital activity for at least a month.” My vision blurred. A chilling prickle went up my spine. I’d been away on a business trip for nearly a month. Could Olivia be cheating on me? 1 The doctor kept droning on about precautions and medication, but my brain had completely crashed. I couldn’t process a word. “Doctor, are you sure it’s a cervical laceration? Could there be a mistake?” My eyes were wide with disbelief. The doctor pushed up his glasses. “Young man, you need to own up to your actions. There are no outsiders here, no need to be embarrassed.” He added, “You can question me, but instruments don’t lie. Look, the report clearly states it.” With that, he handed me the detailed report. My insides twisted, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead. My mind raced. Then, I stammered, “Doctor, is it possible… that my wife, uh… that she was, you know, just relieving loneliness by herself and accidentally did it?” The doctor furrowed his brow, about to say something, but then he noticed the designer bag in my left hand and my suitcase in my right. He paused for a long moment. “Well… that’s not entirely impossible. You could ask your wife about it.” He handed me the prescriptions, giving me a complicated look that sent a searing pain through my chest. Even an idiot like me understood what the doctor was implying. My legs felt like lead, each step impossibly heavy. Olivia showed no unusual reaction when she saw me. Her face was pale from blood loss, but she still said, in a playful, almost childlike voice, “Honey, I missed you so much while you were away.” She reached out to hug me, but just as her hands were about to touch me, I flinched away as if dodging something repulsive. Olivia’s outstretched hands froze in mid-air. She looked at me with confusion. “Honey, what’s wrong?” The doctor’s words echoed in my mind, but I couldn’t find the courage to ask. I just blurted out an excuse. “Ah… you must be hungry. I’ll go grab you some food and pick up some fresh clothes from home.” She smiled at me. “Okay, thanks, honey.” Leaving the hospital, I felt disoriented the whole way home. Olivia and I had been together for three years. It wasn’t a long time, but our relationship had always been strong. She’d even moved across the country for me, and she didn’t demand a huge dowry. I never imagined she would betray me. This year, due to my company’s expansion, I’d been traveling a lot. But whenever I video-called her, Olivia always picked up immediately, showing no signs of anything amiss. Was she cheating? I kept asking myself, then immediately tried to reassure myself that she loved me and wouldn’t cheat. But the doctor’s words clung to me, making it impossible to stop overthinking. Desperate, I started searching online. The answers on Google were wild. I found a popular video that said, “In non-marital circumstances, severe impact to the abdomen or high-intensity exercise can also, to some extent, cause cervical bleeding.” My heart calmed down a little. 2 When I got home, I was greeted by a complete mess. Olivia’s clothes were piled haphazardly on the sofa, and the coffee table was littered with leftover takeout containers and beer cans. It looked like she’d really let loose while I was away. I stepped around the clutter and headed to the bedroom to find her some fresh clothes. As I opened the door, I noticed a newly opened box of condoms and our special little toys on the bedside table. The heavy stone in my heart finally lifted. It wasn’t cheating after all. I truly had been away too long. She must have missed me, otherwise she wouldn’t have resorted to those things to relieve herself. With the alarm bells in my head silenced, my tense shoulders immediately relaxed. I hummed a little tune as I tidied the house and even took out the trash. That’s when I noticed a cigarette butt by the front door, and a small burn mark on the carpet. My heart instantly leaped into my throat. Olivia absolutely hated smoking. I’d quit years ago when we started dating because of her. Someone had definitely been here! Just as my blood pressure shot to my temples, my phone rang. It was Olivia. I answered, and her sweet, almost sugary voice came through. “Honey, where are you? Why aren’t you back yet?” My irritation flared. I replied curtly, “I’m home. I’ll be back as soon as I finish cleaning up.” “Oh, honey, my mom came a few days ago. She even bought a fresh fish. If you’re hungry, you can cook it.” It was my mother-in-law! That made sense. My mother-in-law had a strong smoking habit. Olivia had tried to get her to quit countless times over the years, but she never succeeded. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I had such a good wife; anyone would be lucky to have her. I quickly cleaned the fish, made a savory fish soup, and prepared two of Olivia’s favorite dishes: shrimp and savory scrambled eggs. Under my careful nursing, Olivia recovered quickly and was discharged in less than half a month. Our interactions went back to normal, with no visible signs of anything amiss. But once a seed of doubt is planted, a person inevitably becomes suspicious. Even though thoughts of Olivia cheating would occasionally surface in my mind, every investigation turned up nothing. Then, one day, a glitch in a company project meant the client couldn’t sign immediately. My work was unexpectedly interrupted, so I headed home early. But there, on the shoe rack outside our door, sat a pair of men’s dress shoes. My internal alarm blared. As I opened the door and stepped inside, I heard Olivia’s high-pitched, resonant cries coming from the bedroom. All the suppressed emotions I’d held back for so long erupted. I strode quickly forward, but the bedroom door was locked from the inside. This “other man” was clearly prepared. I pounded on the door, rattling the doorknob violently. Inside, Olivia’s panicked voice cried, “Honey, why are you suddenly back?” I was too furious to waste words. I prepared to kick the door open and catch them red-handed. Just then, Olivia suddenly opened the door. Her face was flushed, and she was wrapped only in a bath towel. The entire room was thick with the scent of passion. I scanned the room. No one. A flicker of awkwardness crossed Olivia’s face. She asked tentatively, “Honey, what are you looking for?” I gritted my teeth, spitting out each word, “I’m looking for the scumbag who left his dress shoes at our door!” With that, I began tearing through the bedroom, checking under the bed, inside the closet – every possible hiding spot. But there was no one. 3 Just as confusion washed over me, Olivia’s sobbing broke through my thoughts. “Ethan, I knew you suspected me. Ever since I was hospitalized for the cervical bleeding, you’ve been acting strangely, always looking at me like I have two heads.” “Have we been together all these years for nothing? Is there no basic trust between us?” Seeing Olivia’s eyes red and swollen from crying, I felt guilty for my impulsiveness. After all, there really was no one else in the house. I picked up a tissue to wipe her tears. She sniffled tearfully, “Ever since I got out of the hospital, you’ve been so preoccupied. And every time I ask you, you just say ‘nothing’.” “Would you rather overthink everything on your own than just ask me directly?” I was speechless. I wanted to hug and comfort her, but she simply pushed me away. “Ethan, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’re always finding excuses to sneak a peek at my phone. Last time, after the company dinner, you even tailed me in your car.” “Can you please stop monitoring me like I’m a criminal? You’re really breaking my heart,” Olivia’s voice grew more agitated. She stomped back into the bedroom, packed a suitcase, and declared she was moving out. I stepped forward to block her, but she glared at me fiercely, spitting, “What, I can’t even go clear my head? I’ve had enough of your suspicions. You stay here and do some serious self-reflection!” Her words plunged me into deep self-reproach. I ran my hands through my hair, feeling utterly suffocated. Then, suddenly, it hit me: our apartment was on the first floor! I had clearly heard Olivia’s moans just moments ago. The jerk inside must have simply escaped through the window! I immediately rushed back into the bedroom and yanked open the curtains. Sure enough, the window was wide open. Because it had rained that morning, there was a distinct set of five-toed footprints in the muddy grass outside. I immediately called Olivia, wanting a clear explanation, but she seemed to have blocked me. Calls and texts went straight to voicemail, no reply. I dug out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer – the ones I got at a colleague’s wedding. The nicotine might temporarily numb my brain. Since I hadn’t caught him this time, Olivia would never admit it. I might as well use her absence to dig up clues. My company messaged me: the unsigned project from before was back on. I needed to meet the client at the Grand Gardens Restaurant today and prepare for the signing. To avoid any issues, I arrived an hour early to prepare. As I followed the signs to private room 422, I heard a familiar name. I stopped dead in my tracks. From private room 420, a man’s voice declared, “Olivia, no backing out! Either you drink a bottle of wine, or you kiss Blake as per the dare rules!” Another woman chimed in, “Exactly! Olivia, you and Blake were the campus’s golden couple back in the day. What’s there to be shy about?” “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Olivia’s sweet voice drifted out. “Okay, okay, stop teasing! Blake’s a married man now, he can’t just kiss anyone. Besides, I’m married too. I’ll drink the wine instead.” Another man spoke up. “Olivia, if I hadn’t gone abroad for studies, maybe we would have married years ago. You just got out of the hospital, you can’t drink that much. I’ll do it with you.” The other two chimed in, “Yeah, yeah, it’s fine if you’re married, it’s just a game!” Rage flared in my chest. Standing outside the door, my hands slowly clenched into fists, my nails digging into my flesh, sending sharp pains through me. Just then, a waiter approached, pushed the door open to deliver dishes. I stood to the side, peering in. Olivia was wrapping her arms around a stranger’s neck, straddling him completely, her body facing him. The man’s hands were helpfully cupping her butt, and both of them had their eyes closed, passionately making out. As all the previous details clicked into place – Olivia’s cervical laceration, the footprints outside the window – I stormed directly into the private room…

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To Save My Dad, I Became a Delivery Doll I had to personally experience what he bought, right in front of him! It could be a mineral water bottle as thick as a forearm, or fruit covered in menacing barbs. But what truly broke me, what I couldn’t accept, was that fascia gun delivery… I was a Product Experience Provider for Deliveries. To put it plainly, beyond just dropping off the order, I also had to personally use the items as per the client’s request. Clients, though, preferred to call us ‘The Curios’! My first order was to deliver a pack of sanitary pads to Willow Creek Apartments, Building A, Unit 706. That meant I’d have to demonstrate using them right in front of the client! I don’t know how long I stood at the base of Building A’s stairwell before I finally mustered the courage to step onto the landing. By the time I came to, Unit 706’s door was slowly opening. The client looked about forty, balding, with a bloated, pasty face stubbled with dark hairs. His thick-rimmed glasses completed the picture of a stereotypical creep from a movie. I instinctively recoiled a step, my knuckles tightening around the package of sanitary pads until they turned white. My best friend, Lily, had warned me not to take it. Willow Creek was a run-down complex on the city’s outskirts, mostly home to transient workers. That instability, she’d explained, meant they might do things well outside the order’s explicit terms! But I had no choice. My dad had been working construction recently and was in an accident; a steel rebar had pierced his kidney. Emergency surgery only pulled him from immediate danger. I had three months to scrounge up the funds for a kidney transplant. “Excuse me, is this for order number 5689, for…” My voice trailed off. Because his eyes, magnified behind the lenses, felt like twin headlights suddenly switched on in the dark, blinding and disorienting. That kind of gaze made sense. I was only wearing a flimsy, white floral slip dress, barely long enough to cover my upper thighs, giving the impression that one wrong move, and he’d get quite the view. Even though I’d braced myself countless times, having a strange man undress me with his eyes like that still made terror bloom in my chest. “That’s me. Get in here, quickly.” The client’s voice held a desperate, excited edge. The apartment reeked of stale cigarette smoke and an unidentifiable, musky odor. The whole place was a pigsty, but what really stood out were the crumpled wads of tissue paper piled high on the living room sofa. He snatched the sanitary pads from my hand as if claiming a prize. “Bathroom’s over there. Put it on, then come out and show me.” He tore open the packaging with precise speed, clearly not his first time. A repeat customer? The thought flashed through my mind, and my stomach clenched. In our line of work, repeat customers were the most frightening. New clients were usually reserved; even if they had a particular interest, they rarely dared to cross the line during the product experience. But repeat customers were different. They knew the platform’s nature all too well. The client was king. As long as they didn’t do anything that explicitly crossed the bottom line, we had to obey their instructions. Otherwise, one bad review, and we’d lose 80% of our commission! I took a deep breath, forcing an official, polite smile, and pulled an overnight pad from the pack. “Of course.” I chose the overnight pad because it was larger, less likely to reveal too much. “When you come out, just your underwear, got it?” My foot, already mid-step towards the bathroom door, froze in mid-air. 2 Gritting my teeth, I mumbled an acknowledgment and stepped inside. I stared at my reflection, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within me. I was beautiful. Long hair, an oval face, D-cup bust, and stood at a statuesque 5’7”. Thanks to my yoga practice, the rest of my figure was perfectly toned and proportionate. More importantly, my skin was porcelain-smooth and fair. Lily always said it was like tender tofu, begging to be bitten. Once, I’d felt privileged by my looks. Now, I wished I were ugly. Because I couldn’t guarantee that this almost flawless body, laid bare before a stranger, might tempt him to cross the line into something criminal! “Ready yet?” “Y-yes, almost!” No sooner had I changed than the bathroom door was pushed open. I jumped. Only then did I realize the lock on the bathroom door was broken! A loud gulp echoed in the small space, booming in my mind long after the sound faded. I kept my head down, not daring to meet his eyes. The burning sensation on every inch of my exposed skin told me he was staring at me like a wolf starving for three days, his eyes devouring me with raw desire. I was terrified that meeting his gaze would ignite the fuse of his desires. He directed me to the living room, telling me to sit right there, on top of those wads of tissue. “Spread your legs. I need to see the fit.” In that instant, my gut screamed in protest. For a second, I thought about walking out. But if I pushed aside the dirtiest thoughts, his request was perfectly reasonable. He needed to check the pad’s coverage to ensure the product met his expectations. “Wonder what the material feels like?” I thought he was asking me, and was about to reply, when I suddenly felt something alien brush against the pad! I looked down to see his finger. He was crouched right between my legs, and as if noticing my gaze, he looked up at me, his eyes narrowed behind the frames, revealing two nicotine-stained front teeth. Even more humiliating, his finger began stroking back and forth on the sanitary pad… An electric jolt shot through me. Perhaps it was the sheer terror, but my body’s response was disturbingly strong. My breathing hitched, and my fingers involuntarily dug into the leather sofa. Suddenly, my entire body stiffened! His finger left the pad and brushed against my bare thigh, moving directly towards me! “Mr. Miller, that’s not part of the product experience scope!” I blurted out. His hand froze. He could have continued, of course, but the cost of the order would change dramatically. That was a rule established by the platform when I started. He finally didn’t continue, pulling his hand back with a deflated sigh. “Take the pad off. I need to check its leak-proof effectiveness.” I went back into the bathroom. Knowing the lock was broken, I moved quickly. When I came out, I placed the pad on the coffee table. The inside of the pad was now visibly damp. “Mr. Miller, please sign off on the order on the platform.” My cheeks stiff, I offered a practiced, polite smile. He complied, signed off, gave a five-star rating, and even added a fifty-dollar tip. After the tip, he lifted the pad to his nose and took a long, deep inhale. Then he squinted, tilted his head back, a look of absolute ecstasy on his face! A wave of goosebumps erupted all over my skin. I spun around and hurried towards the door. As I pulled it shut, our eyes met through the narrowing gap. He stared back, a slow, predatory grin spreading across his face as he deliberately, slowly, licked the pad.

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After Jenna postponed our wedding for the tenth time, I decided to give her back her freedom. My friend’s second baby was having his one-month party; I sent my congratulations early and skipped it. My buddies invited me on a camping trip; if she showed up, I was prepared to leave immediately. My company wanted to assign me to her company to oversee a project; I resigned on the spot. Even when her parents came to my door, begging, I refused to see them. I destroyed every photo I had of her, severed all social media ties. I deleted the social media account where I’d documented our relationship, completely erasing every trace of her from my life. We’d known each other for twenty-five years, been in love for five. I used to believe we were destined to be together. Until the tenth wedding plan fell through, and I finally woke up— Love yourself before you love others. “Ethan, give me ten minutes, I’m almost there.” Jenna hung up before I could reply. I looked sheepishly at the hotel staff. “My fiancée will be here any minute. Could you give us a little more time? Once she’s here, we’ll run through the rehearsal değişiklikler.” The staffer offered a professional smile but looked troubled. “I’m sorry, sir, but your booked time slot for the venue is already fifteen minutes over. The next couple is waiting for their rehearsal.” Over his shoulder, I saw the anxious faces of the other couple. I forced a grim smile. “Our apologies for the delay. We’ll leave now.” The wedding planner walked out of the hotel with me. “Mr. Hudson, even though the rehearsal wasn’t completed, the deposit is still non-refundable.” I managed a bitter smile. “It’s fine. I’m the one who broke the contract.” This wedding planning company was top-tier in Bay City, their schedule always packed. I’d paid double the deposit just to get them to work with us ten times. “You’re already one of our VIP clients, sir. Feel free to contact us anytime for your next rehearsal.” His words made my face burn. I practically fled the scene. This was the tenth time Jenna had missed a wedding rehearsal. The previous nine times, she’d used “emergency business trip” as an excuse to postpone the wedding. Even though the invitations had to be reprinted nine times, I’d caved every single time. But this time, I was curious to hear what new excuse she could possibly come up with. I leaned against a birch tree across from the hotel, waiting from dusk until nightfall before she finally sauntered over. “The company called an emergency board meeting. I floored it to get here. Can we still make the rehearsal?” She was still catching her breath, her form-fitting denim skirt carrying the fresh scent of shower gel. “It’s too late.” Jenna, who had started to pull me towards the hotel, stopped dead in her tracks. She put on an apologetic look. “The company’s huge, and as CEO, I’m just spread too thin. We’ll make up the rehearsal next time, okay?” I stared at her in silence, waiting for the familiar lines. Sure enough, she frowned and sighed. “I have business talks in Europe next week. Can we postpone the wedding again?” Seeing the pain in my eyes, she cooed softly, “Don’t be sad. Next time, it’ll definitely happen. I’ll even get a psychic to pick a lucky day.” “First, come with me to try on suits. I had a new Savile Row suit custom-made for you.” Every time she postponed the wedding, she’d try to smooth things over with an expensive suit. Ten such custom suits were already gathering dust in my closet. I wasn’t about to accept an eleventh. I pulled up a photo of an order on my phone. “You should remind Leo to pick up his custom suit.” Jenna’s expression flickered, then she quickly composed herself. “It’s for the company anniversary, to reward outstanding employees. Leo, my assistant, has worked incredibly hard…” I nodded, then opened a social media post she’d accidentally shared half an hour earlier—a photo from a candlelight dinner, her fingers intertwined with Leo’s. “Does Ms. Yang care to explain?” Her face turned livid. “Ethan Hudson, are you actually accusing me of cheating? I was wining and dining a client to close a deal! You think everyone can just bum around like you? If I miss one day of work, the company loses millions!” I let out a short laugh. “We’re childhood sweethearts, Jenna. Both our families are well-off. If you hadn’t said that me taking over my family’s company would mean neglecting you, why would I be stuck in a dead-end job at some small firm?” Her face turned a ghastly mix of pale and red. “Fine! So I’m the one holding you back from your grand ambitions! Let’s just go our separate ways then!” I smiled and turned away, but my chest felt like a knife was twisting inside. My phone vibrated. A text from Leo popped up: [Sorry to have delayed your rehearsal, Mr. Hudson. Next time, I’ll be sure to steer clear of your eleventh wedding attempt.] Every word was a poisoned barb, making it hard to breathe. She was on a date with her assistant, and she told me she was with a client. What a joke! Jenna and I were childhood sweethearts. Our parents were old friends too. Ever since we were little, our parents would tease us: “You two are the same age, practically grew up together, and you’re always stuck to each other. Why don’t you just get married when you grow up?” Back then, I was little and didn’t know what marriage really meant. All I knew was that if we got married, Jenna would always be around to play games with me. So I’d clap my hands and cheer, “Yes, yes! I want to marry Jenna!” I even mimicked what I saw on TV and wrote her a promise note, saying I’d definitely marry her when I grew up. So, naturally, after I actually understood the meaning of marriage, my parents always used that promise note to tease me. I was thin-skinned back then, and the teasing made me flustered and a bit angry, so I started intentionally avoiding Jenna. When she noticed, she cornered me and burst into tears, demanding to know what she’d done to make me give her the cold shoulder. Those tears melted my heart, and for the first time, I felt a stir of romance. That was the day I realized I was in love with her. We finally broke through the “just friends” barrier when we were twenty and started dating. In the years that followed, I proposed, she accepted, and then she postponed the wedding ten times. By then, her star assistant, Leo, was already a fixture by her side. They spent far more time together day in and day out than she and I did. I kept telling myself their closeness was just for work. But today, I wasn’t willing to lie to myself anymore. The constant buzzing of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I composed myself and answered, “Hello? Mike, what’s up?” “Good news! My second kid’s one-month party is this Saturday. Bring your fiancée and come grab some food.” I was about to say I’d go alone, but then I remembered: Mike was my boy, but his wife, Emily, was Jenna’s best friend. “Has Emily told Jenna yet?” “They’re on the phone right now. What, you and Jenna aren’t together? You finished rehearsal and went your separate ways? You’d pass up a perfect chance to get close, buddy?” Mike sounded puzzled. I gave a bitter smile. Everyone knew I was whipped for Jenna; that’s why they’d assume that. I mumbled an affirmation, said I’d be there, and hung up. To “celebrate” tonight, I’d arranged for a bottle of rare vintage wine through a friend. I went to the wine shop, picked it up, and drank the entire bottle by myself. The live feed from the security camera on my phone showed Jenna. She’d hired movers and was in the process of moving her things out of our place. Maybe she realized I was watching, because she looked right at the camera and said, “What, spying on me? Afraid I’ll steal your stuff?” I chuckled and switched to voice. “You misunderstood. I just wanted to remind you to take those suits you got me, the ones in the bedroom, with you too.” Jenna gritted her teeth, furious. I closed the video feed and answered Mike’s call. Before I could say anything, he asked coldly, “Did Jenna postpone the wedding again? She didn’t show up for the rehearsal today either, did she!” When I stayed silent, he got even more agitated. “You’re getting screwed over and you don’t even fight back! Just wait, I’m gonna go teach Leo a lesson!” It wasn’t that I didn’t know how to fight back; I’d just completely given up on her and didn’t want to get dragged into any more drama. It took a lot of convincing and reassurance before Mike finally calmed down. “It’s probably for the best that you and Jenna are done. I’ve seen for a while that her heart wasn’t in it with you. I just didn’t say anything because we’re all so close.” I chuckled. “Just don’t let our mess affect your relationship with Emily.” “No way. Me and my wife? We’re solid.” After hanging up, I stumbled home. Looking at the empty apartment, the weight in my chest finally lifted a little. I did a walkthrough, found a photo album and a bottle of perfume she’d left behind, and tossed them out the window. Then I collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep. To avoid Jenna at the one-month party, I took Friday off and went over to Mike’s place early. Mike opened the door, put a finger to his lips for silence, and pulled me into his small backyard. Jenna was there, dangling a toy for the baby, chatting with Emily. “I moved all my stuff out this time. I dare Ethan Hudson to yell at me again after this. He really needs a reality check, acting like he’s hot stuff! He’s gotten way too big for his britches!” For years, I’d been submissive and coddled Jenna’s princess tantrums. I never thought it would give her the mistaken impression that I was naturally timid. Mike frowned, looking even angrier than I felt. I patted his shoulder and gave a helpless smile. Jenna’s phone rang, interrupting their conversation. She answered with a smile, nodded to Emily, and hurried towards the front gate of the house. Mike and I quickly ducked out of sight. Once she was gone, I followed her. “Leo, didn’t I tell you to take the day off? Why aren’t you resting?” Leo, without a care for who might see, pulled her into his arms. “I missed you. Thinking about how you kept postponing your wedding with Ethan for me… it just drives me wild. I can’t stand being away from you.” Jenna playfully tapped his chest. “Well, it was your idea, wasn’t it? You’re so naughty.” My blood ran cold. Even though I’d suspected this was the case, hearing it directly from the two of them still sent a pang through my heart. Leo pinched her cheek. “You still like me, even if I’m a little naughty. Besides, you were the one who told me you didn’t want to marry him. I just came up with the plan. You agreed to it.” An intimate vibe flowed between them. If they weren’t right at Mike’s front gate, I swear those two would’ve started an R-rated scene right then and there. It took all my strength to hold Mike back from rushing out. Only when we heard an engine start and the car drive off did he finally explode, cursing me for being a pushover. “Why are you taking this crap! Just go deck him!” I shook my head, my face pale. “There’s no point anymore. It’s over, and that’s good enough.” The next day, Saturday, I didn’t show up for the party. Around lunchtime, Jenna called me. “Ethan Hudson, is this how you treat your friends? Skipping their big celebration? You have no class!” I knew she was just trying to get a rise out of me, so I didn’t say anything. After a moment, she continued. “I forgot a limited-edition perfume. Don’t even think about keeping it to mope over me. Bring it to me right now.” “Threw it out.” I hung up on her. I thought she’d be furious, but a second later, I got a text from her. [Playing hard to get, are we? Pathetic! Fine, throw it out! I don’t want it anymore! And don’t you dare come looking for me again!] Saturday night, Leo, to thank everyone for attending the baby’s party, suggested a group hike for Sunday. Everyone in the group chat was enthusiastic. I was about to decline when I saw Jenna post that she had something on Sunday and couldn’t make it. Only then did I agree to go. The next day was bright and sunny. I was by the stream, grilling skewers, sunglasses on. A few of Jenna’s close friends sidled up to me, their expressions disdainful, and asked slyly, “Valentine’s Day is coming up, Mr. Big Shot Ethan. I bet you’ve got another ridiculously expensive gift for our Jenna, right? What is it? Show us, let us girls take a look.” They didn’t know Jenna and I had broken up. They still thought I was the same old simp, free for them to tease. I ignored them, deliberately fanning the charcoal to make the fire hotter. The smoke got to them, and they ran off, cursing. The skewers were almost done. I was about to sprinkle on some cumin and take them to the table, then I remembered Jenna and I were over. Why should I care about her preferences anymore? I went back and loaded them up with chili powder. I had just put the skewers on the table when I saw Jenna approaching. I took off my apron and turned to leave. At the same time, I heard a friend’s voice behind me, talking to her: “You’re late, so you have to chug one as punishment! Oh right, I forgot you don’t drink beer. Get Ethan over here to drink it for you.” Then my friend called out my name from behind. Without looking back, I said flatly, “I don’t make a habit of drinking for strangers.” Jenna’s hand, reaching for a glass, froze mid-air. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze dark and unreadable as she watched me walk away. I took a personal day on Monday and went back to the office on Tuesday. I’d barely clocked in with the facial recognition scanner when my boss clapped me on the shoulder and led me to his office. Standing in front of his desk, I listened to him spin a fantastic tale of opportunity for me. Goosebumps rose on my skin. I had no idea what scheme this old exploiter was cooking up now, but I was sure it wasn’t anything good. His next words confirmed my suspicions. Somehow, he’d heard that my fiancée was Jenna, and he claimed he wanted to give me an opportunity for an “office romance” by assigning me to her company to oversee a project. Nice words, but this rinky-dink company had no collaborative projects with Yang Corp. The Yang Corporation was a major player in Bay City, a real heavyweight. They wouldn’t even look twice at a small enterprise like mine. He was just saying that because he wanted me to use my connections to bring in a project for him. I refused. The boss, still not giving up, kept trying to brainwash me. I was about to tell him off when Jenna’s call, unbelievably, came through to his phone. The boss answered, all smiles and bows. After hanging up, he said to me, “Ms. Yang says there’s a small project she wants to collaborate with our company on, and she specifically requested you to be the liaison.” I let out a cold laugh, ripped off my ID badge, and slammed it on his desk. “I’m done! I quit!” I turned off my phone and went out of state to clear my head. I only turned it back on a week later. The sheer volume of text messages almost crashed it. A quick glance showed they were all from Jenna. I opened the most recent one: [Ethan Hudson, I give up, okay? Turn on your phone and call me back!] I hit “delete all.” The next second, her call came through again. “Ethan Hudson, you finally decided to turn on your phone! Do you have any idea I’ve been going crazy trying to find you these past few days?!” “Where are you right now? Send me your address immediately!”

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1 The last time I confessed my feelings to Liam Blackwood, It ended in total humiliation. The private room was packed. But an eerie silence had fallen, not a single soul uttered a word. Minutes stretched, thick with unspoken tension. Then, Sierra Finch, who sat beside him, finally broke the spell with a forced laugh. “Alright, Liam, don’t be like that. It’s so awkward for Rory.” “She’s just a kid.” From a dark corner, someone scoffed, “A twenty-one-year-old kid, huh.” Scattered chuckles rippled through the room, then blended into a chorus of mocking laughter. I stood my ground, stubborn, refusing to flee in disgrace. Only, my vision of Liam blurred, tears welling. “Rory, how much harsher do I need to make this?” Liam flicked cigarette ash, then stood up. “I made it clear I wasn’t interested the moment you turned sixteen.” I choked back a sob. “But you were so angry when I had that crush back then.” “That’s because you were an adopted daughter of the Blackwood family.” “One wrong step from you would only bring shame to the Blackwood name.” “What about that kiss on my eighteenth birthday?” Liam’s eyes, as he looked at me, flashed with the faintest hint of distaste. “Rory, you were drunk that night, making a complete scene.” “I just wanted to end the chaos as quickly as possible.” A bitter laugh bubbled up. But as I laughed, the tears fell even harder. “Liam Blackwood, you’ve had four girlfriends.” “But every single time, all I had to do was throw a fit, and you’d break up with them.” “All these years, can you honestly say you didn’t feel anything for me?” “That’s because I hadn’t met a woman I truly loved.” Liam reached out, pulling Sierra into his embrace. “Rory, listen closely. I’m only saying this one last time.” “I love Sierra. I’m going to marry her.” “All your little tricks from before? They won’t work this time. Not even a little.” Sierra’s face flushed with shy delight, her eyes adoringly fixed on him. “Liam…” Without a moment’s hesitation, Liam lowered his head and kissed her. Sierra wrapped her arms around his neck, rising on her tiptoes to meet him. They kissed, long and passionate, completely oblivious to anyone else. But in that instant, my mind replayed the kiss from my eighteenth birthday. Just as entangled, just as lingering. A dream I’d lived in for four years, unable to wake up. Foolishly believing that deep down, he actually liked me. Liam moved out of the Blackwood family’s ancestral home. He moved in with Sierra. The day he moved, I was at school, buried in my final thesis defense. Choosing that specific day was probably his way of keeping me from making a scene. But this time, I didn’t react like before. I didn’t immediately rush to Liam, crying and causing a fuss. After a faint ripple in my heart, I shook my head, immediately pushing it all out of my mind. That evening, I had a graduation dinner with a few close friends. On my way to the restroom, I bumped into Sierra. “Rory, Liam’s here too. Want to come over?” I shook my head. “I made plans with classmates. I’ll skip it.” Sierra’s eyes suddenly welled up. “Rory, my family isn’t well-off. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood don’t really like me.” “Could you please stop speaking ill of me to them?” I was taken aback, shocked. “Ms. Finch, I’ve never once mentioned you to the elders.” Sierra smiled sadly. “I know you’ve loved Liam for many years.” “I understand it’s hard for you to accept me and him together right now.” “But Rory, we’re both women. It’s best to be kind in how we act, don’t you think?” My temperament is like my mother’s—straightforward and incapable of deceit. Hearing her words, I immediately bristled. “Sierra, don’t you dare slander me with your nonsense…” Before I could finish, Sierra’s legs buckled, and she fell directly to her knees. “Rory, I’m begging you.” I jumped, startled, stepping forward to help her up. But before I could even touch her, she collapsed heavily to the ground. “Rory, what are you doing?!” Liam’s furious voice roared as A tremendous force slammed into me. I was violently shoved, my knee hitting the edge of a wall. The pain was excruciating. “Liam, don’t misunderstand, Rory didn’t mean to…” “You’re still defending her!” “I’ve seen enough of her little tricks, ever since she was a child!” Liam bent down and scooped Sierra into his arms. He stared at me, his eyes blazing with fury. “Rory, apologize.” “Liam Blackwood…” “Shut up. Apologize!” Sierra nestled in his arms, her sobs tiny, pitiable. My knee was bleeding. Bright red blood snaked down my calf to my ankle. Two stark, crimson lines. But Liam seemed to not see them at all. His gaze, fixed on me, made me feel like the most wicked person alive. Suddenly, I let out a self-deprecating laugh, unwilling to argue another word. “I apologize.” Liam seemed to flinch slightly. But then his eyes darkened with even deeper fury. “Not enough.” I straightened up, bowing deeply. “Is this sufficient?” Sierra looked at me, a faint smirk playing on her lips. But quickly, she turned, sniffling, to Liam, gently coaxing, “It’s alright, Liam.” “I don’t deserve such a gesture.” Liam’s heart instantly swelled with tenderness. “Rory, I told you, Sierra is different from the others.” “Bullying her won’t make me break up with her.” “It’ll only make me care for her more and despise you more.” He held Sierra close, turning and walking away. I stood there alone for a long, long time. The pain in my knee was throbbing, relentless. But my heart felt strangely empty, strangely light. I knew it. In that very moment, all those so-called obsessions, that infatuation, Had turned to dust. Vanished without a trace. That night, Sierra posted three times on social media. All of them were screen-shotted by busybodies in our circle and sent to me. Liam’s replies, in particular, were heavily circled. I knew they secretly wanted to see me make a fool of myself. Usually, I’d just act on impulse and rush to Liam, crying and causing a scene. He’d be annoyed, but he’d always give in. This undoubtedly gave me the false impression that he cared. It also made me more persistent. But this time, I ignored it all. Instead, I dialed a number I’d called seven days ago. “Aunt Carol, it’s Rory.” “That matter you mentioned the other day, I’ve thought it over.” My parents died in an accident when I was seven. Mr. Blackwood, who was good friends with my dad, stepped in and took me in. Aunt Carol was my mother’s best friend when they were young. But later, she eloped with her lover and lost touch. By the time she’d wandered half her life and finally settled in San Francisco, My parents were no longer alive. Aunt Carol wanted me to live in San Francisco. She also wanted to fulfill the promise she and my mother made when they were young: For me to marry into the Vance family in San Francisco, to become her daughter-in-law. Seven days ago, I hadn’t agreed. But I was afraid of hurting her feelings, so I just said I’d think about it. But tonight, I suddenly let go of years of obsession. One-sided love is so foolish, so laughable. I didn’t want to be the joke of the social circle anymore. Six months ago, Liam had arranged for me to continue my studies in San Francisco. At the time, I was unwilling and cried bitterly several times. But he never relented. Now, though, I felt it was a good opportunity. Perhaps, in some mysterious way, it was destiny. On the other end of the phone, Aunt Carol’s voice was full of joyous laughter: “Rory, your Ethan is just waiting for your ‘yes’.” “He’s ready to fly to New York and propose to you.” I clutched my phone, my cheeks inexplicably warm. But the joyful laughter in my ear left me feeling strangely dazed. Fifteen years of living together, seven years of loving him. To truly let go, it only took a mere seven days. Liam and Sierra’s engagement day. They specifically chose the day I left for San Francisco. Because of this, not many people came to see me off. When I landed, I turned on my phone. Messages poured in, non-stop. More than half were related to Liam and Sierra’s engagement. I brushed it off with a smile. And promptly deleted and blocked those few contacts. Before coming to San Francisco, I met with Ethan Vance. I didn’t want to create any fuss, nor did I want to draw attention. Ethan respected my wishes. He proposed, and we exchanged rings. We got engaged quietly, without fanfare. Only, my account now had a hundred million dollars in dowry. And on my middle finger, a simple band. As I prepared to get into the Vance family car that came to pick me up, my phone suddenly rang. It was Liam’s cousin, Cassidy Blackwood. “Rory, my cousin’s engagement ceremony is about to start. Where are you?” “I just got to San Francisco.” “Then hurry back! If you leave now, you can still make it!” “Go back for what?” I asked calmly. Cassidy paused. “Rory, have you gone crazy with grief?” “If you don’t come back and make a scene, my cousin will really be someone else’s.” “Why would I go back and make a scene? Isn’t this your cousin’s happy occasion?” “Rory?” Cassidy’s voice suddenly rose. “Are you out of your mind?” I was about to hang up, but the voice on the other end switched to Sierra’s. “Rory, aren’t you coming to my and Liam’s engagement party?” “After all, Liam sees you as a sister, so I’ll be your sister-in-law. I’d really love to have your blessing.” I glanced at Ethan, who was standing not far away. He stood by the car, tall and elegant, his eyes gentle. My heart suddenly felt calm. “Alright then, I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, tied together forever.” Liam stood in the garden smoking with a few friends. Occasionally, he would glance at Cassidy and the others not far away. He knew they were tipping Rory off again. Just like countless times before. Whenever a woman appeared by his side, Those women would immediately tell Rory. Then Rory would come running to him, crying and making a fuss. He hated women acting like that; he found it annoying. So, he would simply ditch those companions. This time, it would probably be the same. That’s why he specifically chose the day Rory left for San Francisco. It was just unlucky that the auspicious time for the engagement ceremony was calculated to be six in the evening. Liam was quite frustrated. After all, if Rory got the news, she could just take a plane back. She’d arrive just in time for the start of the engagement. “Liam, what if Rory comes back and makes a scene?” “Yeah, you’re getting engaged to someone else. I bet she’ll go crazy.” “But she’s been pretty quiet lately.” “You and Sierra have been all over each other, and she hasn’t made a peep.” “If this were before, she’d have cried a river by now.” The cigarette between Liam’s fingers had a long column of ash. He forgot to flick it. His mind was consumed by his friends’ last two remarks. Rory had indeed been quiet lately, unnervingly so. But based on his understanding of her, she was never this kind of person. Since childhood, he had rejected her countless times. But she always persevered, never considering backing down. Now that she was a bit older, she seemed to have more self-control than when she was a child. Liam suddenly thought of something. He scoffed lightly, pressing out his cigarette. “Just wait and see. She’s not the type to stay quiet.” “Liam, you mean Rory will come back and cause trouble?” Liam didn’t answer. But in his heart, he was absolutely certain. The girl had been a hopeless romantic since she was little. She’d devoured romance novels during her teenage years. And those absurd tricks were constantly played out on him. He knew, of course. Her quietness these past few days was merely a strategic retreat. He’d bet anything that by the start of the engagement ceremony, at the latest, Rory would appear. “You guys tell security later, keep a close watch.” Liam raised his wrist, checking the time. “Don’t let any unauthorized people in to cause trouble.” No sooner had he spoken than Cassidy Blackwood came running, pulling up her skirt. “Cousin, it’s Rory! Rory’s here! Her car just pulled up outside…” Liam’s heart inexplicably swelled with a strange joy, then his face darkened. “Nonsense! I knew she was incorrigible!” “Cousin, what do we do now? If she makes a scene, the Blackwood family will be humiliated.” Liam’s face was cold and rigid. He turned and strode out. “I’ll go see what tricks she’s planning!” The entire group followed Liam out. But just as they left the garden, Sierra softly called out to him. “Liam.” Sierra wore a beautiful, shimmering satin gown. Her hair was styled in an intricate braid, and her makeup was subtle. The engagement ceremony was at six o’clock. Still a few hours away. Sierra was anxious inside, but outwardly, she showed no hint of it. “What are you doing here?” Liam stopped. His gaze fell on Sierra’s face. Sierra was beautiful. It was the kind of beauty that easily made men feel protective and tender. Unlike Rory’s rebellious nature. Due to her humble background, Sierra’s personality was somewhat timid. She always spoke softly. Around the time he met Sierra, He was constantly annoyed by Rory’s antics. He was easily drawn to Sierra’s gentle calmness. Moreover, unlike his previous girlfriends who had actively pursued him, His acquaintance with Sierra stemmed from a classic damsel-in-distress scenario. Men always have that hero complex. So his feelings for Sierra were very different from the casual flings he’d had before. “I heard Rory’s back…” Sierra’s words trailed off, her eyes already red-rimmed. “I’m a little worried.” Sierra bit her lip, lowering her head. “Liam, will we… will we not be able to have our engagement ceremony today?” “What are you thinking?” Liam raised a hand and gently squeezed Sierra’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll go handle it now.” But Sierra reached out, pulling on Liam’s sleeve. “Liam, I’m scared.” “I’m scared you’ll leave with her…” Tears streamed down Sierra’s face. Fragile and delicate, she stood there, looking as if she might shatter. “How could that happen, Sierra? My cousin doesn’t even like Rory.” Cassidy’s eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction: “She’s bossy and spoiled, always crying and throwing tantrums. My cousin is utterly sick of her. How could he possibly leave with her?” She genuinely disliked Rory. Ever since Rory was adopted by the Blackwood family, Her uncle and aunt, who had doted on her, started prioritizing Rory. Though they always said that Rory, being an adopted daughter, needed extra care for the sake of the Blackwood name and reputation, Cassidy still detested Rory. So, for years, her favorite thing to do was watch Rory humiliate herself, making a fool of herself. Now, Rory was sent off to study in San Francisco, and hardly anyone from the Blackwood family came to see her off. In fact, half a month ago, all her belongings were already packed and sent to San Francisco. As if they were afraid Rory would cling on and refuse to leave. Cassidy felt utterly delighted now. She’d support anyone as her cousin-in-law, as long as it wasn’t Rory.

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At the wedding rehearsal, my fiancée, Aurora, suddenly retched. Her adoptive brother, Julian, frantic, swept her into his arms and rushed her to the hospital. Half an hour later, my phone rang. Her voice, chillingly calm, spoke through the receiver: “I’m pregnant.” My heart soared with a surge of unexpected hope, only to shatter as she continued, “It’s Julian’s… after his breakup, he was drenched and heartbroken, and I simply offered comfort. I never imagined it would lead to this…” “We have to keep this from Mom and Dad. Julian will stay here to help me, and we’ll tell them after the baby arrives.” “The wedding will be postponed for a year. You go explain and apologize to the guests.” My throat tightened, no words surfacing for a long moment. She pressed on, “You need to quit your job immediately. I don’t want any accidents these next few months. Julian’s career is on the rise; he can’t be distracted caring for me.” A bitter laugh escaped me. “Fine,” I heard myself say. She sounded satisfied as she hung up, unaware I had a wager with someone else: if I wasn’t married by my thirtieth birthday, I’d marry her. And today, was my thirtieth birthday. Perhaps my calm was too unsettling. Three seconds after she hung up, Aurora called again. “Ethan, I’m so sorry. I know I made a mistake first. But believe me, I only see him as my brother. The baby really was an accident.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Right. Such profound sibling affection, warming each other right into bed. Truly touching.” The line was silent for a beat. She sighed, a weary sound. “I understand if you’re angry, but Julian is an orphan. The Hayes family would disown him if they knew.” “So I hope you’ll claim the child. If you quit your job and stay home, no one will suspect it’s not yours.” I tilted my head back, forcing back the burning in my eyes. “Aurora,” I said, my voice dry, “let’s not get married.” “Not get married?” She was silent for a few seconds, then roared, “Ethan Vance, are you insane?! Didn’t you say we’d been together for five years and needed to get married soon?” “The entire social circle knows you’re my fiancé! Are you treating marriage like a game? Since when have you been so reckless?” I could picture her brows furrowing. Sure enough, her next words were a threat: “Mr. Thorne, I’m asking you one last time! Are you really not going through with this wedding?!” I clutched my phone, a bitter smile twisting my lips. “Yes, I don’t want you anymore, Aurora.” She scoffed. “I don’t have time for your childish tantrums. Do whatever you want!” The call was violently disconnected. I stood in the center of the banquet hall. Under the astonished gazes of the guests, I ripped off my boutonnière and bolted out. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes quickly intercepted me. Mr. Hayes preempted me, “Ethan Vance, what’s gotten into you? Just because her brother took her to the hospital, you’re going to ruin the wedding? Make the hundreds of guests laugh at the Hayes family?” Mrs. Hayes sneered, “I always said it wasn’t a good match. Our family, with its distinguished academic lineage, and your family, nothing but new money. It was never a proper pairing.” She added with a huff, “My daughter insisted, so I couldn’t do anything. See, now everyone’s laughing at us!” Mr. Hayes chuckled coldly, “Good! It’s better he doesn’t marry her. Saves us from his temper offending people and ruining the Hayes name.” They blamed me, despite Aurora being the one in the wrong. I clutched the crumpled boutonnière, my fingertips trembling. “Your daughter canceled the wedding. As for the reason… you two should ask her. I’m too embarrassed to say.” Hearing it was Aurora’s decision, they actually became more indignant. “Even if my daughter canceled, you, as the groom, just run off without a word? Shouldn’t you apologize face-to-face?” Mrs. Hayes scoffed, “How were your parents raising you? You don’t even understand basic social graces. How could you be a Hayes son-in-law?” I took a deep breath. “I will not marry Aurora. If you two are done, please move.” “You!” Their faces contorted in shock, clearly not expecting such defiance from the usually docile me. I ignored them, striding directly to the dressing room. A bespoke gown draped her familiar silhouette. Under the lights, the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. Seeing me, she approached gracefully, that sweet, practiced smile on her lips. I turned my face away. “Didn’t someone swear they’d never attend my wedding?” She suddenly leaned closer, her warm breath brushing my ear. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw the stubborn girl from ten years ago. “Ethan Vance, a bet’s a bet.” My lips thinned, unspoken. She grew anxious. “You forgot?!” “I don’t care. We’re getting married in three days. If you don’t show up…” She paused, “I’ll come to the Thorne family and claim you!” With that, as if afraid to hear a refusal, she swiftly slipped out the door. I suddenly laughed aloud. That fool. Of course, I remembered the bet. Our families were old friends, and we grew up together. Too familiar, perhaps, to become lovers. Ten years ago, she confessed her feelings for me, but I only saw her as a friend. She was hurt, and insisted on a wager. Now, it seemed, I had finally lost. 2 The moment I changed out of my wedding attire, Aurora sent me a photo. All my belongings were piled outside the villa gate like trash. The wedding quilt my mom had painstakingly sewn was the most glaring, stuffed carelessly into a clear plastic bag, its vivid crimson silk hurting my eyes in the sunlight. “Come pick it up immediately!” “If you don’t, I’ll tell Mrs. Davis to throw it away.” I stared at the screen, my fingertips growing cold. She knew exactly how to manipulate me. Other things I could discard, but that quilt had to come back. “Fine. I’m coming.” That quilt, my mom had spent three months on it. A woman who never touched a needle and thread, her fingers had been pricked and dotted with blood. On the night before the wedding, she had smiled, handing me the quilt. “My son, may you be happy your whole life.” But when I arrived, the doorway was empty. Just half an hour. I’d told her I was coming. Was she really that eager to kick me out? Fury surged. I shoved open the villa gate and stormed inside. The next second, I was plunged into ice. Aurora sat on the edge of the dining table, Julian’s hands resting on her waist, his cheek pressed to her slightly rounded belly, his eyes impossibly tender, blindingly so. “Aurora,” Julian suddenly whispered, “the baby kicked me.” Aurora’s lips curved into a smile I had never seen, her gaze so soft it seemed to drip with emotion. “So mischievous, just like you were when you were little. If only his eyes could be like yours too.” Julian smiled, his lips pressed together. Aurora leaned in, placing a familiar kiss on his lips. Her voice suddenly filled with remorse. “Are you really sure you want to leave once the baby is born? Actually… you could stay and help me care for the baby. A child so young, how could he not have his birth father?” Julian raised his index finger, pressing it gently to her lips, and shook his head. “Aurora, if I don’t leave, what about your husband?” At the mention of “husband,” Aurora visibly stiffened, then her expression darkened. “Him? He’s just throwing a tantrum saying he wants to break up. Once the baby’s born, won’t he come begging me to help with childcare? A man from a merchant family like that, all he cares about is profit, what dignity does he have?” “Have you forgotten how desperate he was to be my boyfriend? That sickening, eager look… even now, thinking about it makes me sick.” My tears fell silently. So, my confession, offered with such courage all those years ago, had sickened her for so long. The Hayes family was the premier family of calligraphers in Maplewood City. Aurora was its youngest renowned master calligrapher. Five years ago, she came to my father with a handwritten proposal, seeking investment for the Hayes Calligraphy Institute. My father praised her endlessly, specifically introducing her to me. I fell for her instantly, shamelessly insisting she teach me calligraphy. She was furious, pointing at me and scolding, “You’re clumsy! No talent at all!” I, ever the charmer, grinned, “Then be my girlfriend, we’d balance each other out perfectly, wouldn’t we?” She glanced at Julian, who was hunched over his writing, then suddenly clasped my hand, a self-deprecating laugh escaping her. “Fine.” I was so thrilled I hugged her, completely missing Julian’s hurried exit, and her momentary rigidity. Now I understood. Her heart had always belonged to Julian. No wonder she later refused to teach me calligraphy, or even let me into her study. My chest ached. I wanted to turn and leave, but then I remembered the wedding quilt my mom had sewn – it couldn’t be left behind. “Ethan Vance!” Aurora suddenly spun around, a sneer twisting her lips. “What are you doing, lurking at the door? I told you, all your things were thrown out. Regretting it now?” I dug my nails into my palms. “Where’s my wedding quilt? Give it back.” She paused, her face growing colder. “A tattered old quilt, why would I care about that?” “My mom sewed it herself,” my voice began to tremble. “Give it back, and I’ll leave immediately.” Seeing I was on the verge of tears, she frowned. “You’re crying? Are you insane? Is it really that big of a deal?” “Yes! It is!” I roared, and the tears finally broke free. 3 Aurora ran a frustrated hand through her hair, looking as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t. Julian, by her side, suddenly seemed to remember something, speaking quickly. “Ethan, don’t yell at Aurora. I told the staff to put your things in the guest room.” He said, gently caressing Aurora’s slightly swollen belly, his eyes instantly turning red. “Ethan, please don’t move out. If it’s because of this child… I… I can convince Aurora to terminate the pregnancy. His arrival was a mistake anyway. None of you welcome him…” He broke off, dissolving into choked sobs before finishing his sentence. “I forbid it!” Aurora’s voice was almost out of control, as she trembled and leaned into Julian’s embrace, glaring fiercely at me. “He can leave if he wants, but he won’t touch my child! You and the baby are my everything now!” “Ethan Vance, if that’s why you came here, then get out!” I scoffed, walking directly to the guest room. The wedding quilt lay carelessly on the floor, stained with grime and cigarette burns. The intricate phoenix and dragon embroidery was now disgustingly soiled. My fingers trembled as I pointed to the quilt. “Julian, explain this!” He cringed, shrinking his neck. “I didn’t mean to. I just thought it was unwanted trash.” He made to bend down to pick it up. “Ethan, please don’t be angry. I’ll help you wash it clean.” As he leaned down, Aurora suddenly lunged forward, shoving me violently to the ground. “Julian, don’t wash it! Don’t dirty your hands!” My head slammed hard against the bed frame. Excruciating pain exploded, and a warm liquid immediately trickled down my temple. I bit my lip, silent, only smiling as I looked at Aurora, trying to see if she had any heart left. She clung to Julian, her eyes cold, filled with extreme disgust. “How much money? I’ll pay! I’m begging you, stop causing trouble. Do you feel a sense of accomplishment by tormenting me and my brother with such insignificant trinkets?” My chest felt like it had been ripped open. She had always been distant with me, but never had she looked at me with such utter contempt. Now, she must truly hate me. Suddenly, it all felt pointless. Why bother to stay and annoy her further? I surrendered. The wedding quilt was dirty. I didn’t want it anymore. This soiled woman, I didn’t want her either. I pushed myself up. “Aurora, I don’t lack money.” As I turned to leave, she suddenly grabbed my arm, a hint of helplessness in her expression. “You’re upset today. Go back to the Thorne family and calm down for a few days. I’ll pick you up in three days.” I shook off her hand and quickly left. This home, which we had built for years, I was ultimately just a passerby.

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