Category: English

Liam had always had Skylar. She wasn’t just his lifelong best female friend; she was a permanent, slightly toxic shadow in our lives. From the first moment I met her, I knew the look in her eye: I was the outsider. The resentment was a cold current beneath her saccharine smile. When we planned a trip with his group, his “Crew,” Skylar was in charge of booking the flights. She somehow forgot to book mine. Just mine. She cried, of course, a delicate, teary apology about being “so scatterbrained.” Liam immediately stepped in, his arm around her, telling me, “Babe, she’s just clumsy. Let it go.” At our wedding, she orchestrated a cruel prank. She and the groomsmen—her acolytes—deliberately smeared cake and God knows what else all over my custom ivory dress during the receiving line. “It’s an old tradition!” she giggled, eyes bright. Liam told me to be the bigger person: “Come on, Anya, it’s just The Guys being The Guys. Don’t let it ruin the day.” After we finished decorating our new home—our marital sanctuary—she threw a “housewarming” party with The Crew that turned it into a disaster zone. Broken art, cigarette burns on the new Persian rug, deep-red wine stains on the white sectional. A violation. I finally snapped. I screamed, years of suppressed rage boiling over. Liam looked bored. He tried to physically soothe me. “She literally overturned a table at a friend’s wedding last month, remember? They get carried away. They’re my blood, Anya. Please, just forgive them.” I felt the familiar, weary weight of my swelling abdomen and bit down on the real fury. My baby. Not worth the stress. But the line had to be drawn. “Next time,” I whispered, the threat heavy and final, “I file for divorce.” After Liam delivered a stern warning to her, Skylar finally backed off. Things were quiet. Too quiet. Until our daughter, Poppy’s, first birthday party. Skylar was staring at Poppy with a calculating look, her brow furrowed in mock concern. “Wow, Liam, she’s getting big. But… she really doesn’t look like you at all, does she?” She tilted her head. “Are you sure she’s yours, bro?” The rest of The Crew quickly chimed in with nervous chuckles and agreement. My face went cold, and Liam was furious. He knew this was too far. He practically shoved them out the door. “That’s it,” he hissed at them. “The cheap shots at Anya I can tolerate. But my daughter? If you ever question my daughter again, you’re not my friends anymore.” That same evening, I stumbled upon a trending post on the Thread. [My daughter just turned one. All my buddies say she doesn’t look like me. I’m afraid my wife cheated. What do I do?] 1 [User 1]: Unless you want to spend the rest of your life raising another man’s kid, go get a DNA test. Stop being a coward. The Original Poster replied: [OP]: I’ve thought about it, but if my wife found out I distrusted her, she’d leave me. I don’t want a divorce. The comments were a mix of insults, calling him a spineless cuck, and others defending him. [User 2]: You call them ‘brothers,’ but do you really think they have your best interest at heart? Toxic friends secretly want to drag you down. [OP]: No way. We grew up together. Why are you all so malicious about my friends? My wife says the same things! Then came the helpful suggestion: [User 3]: Dude, sneak a hair or a toothbrush. Get a quick, private test. If it’s yours, no harm done. If it’s not, you’ve got your exit strategy. Poppy had just had her first birthday. Skylar, Liam’s female friend, had just blatantly suggested Poppy wasn’t his. And now, this post. All the details matched. I looked at Liam, sleeping next to me, already muttering in his sleep. A wave of ice-cold anger and sick betrayal washed over me. I unlocked his phone. I searched, frantically, but there was no trace of The Thread. The last chat records with The Crew were from yesterday, innocuous chatter about fantasy football. Maybe… maybe it wasn’t him. The thought calmed the raging fire in my chest to a mere simmer. I put the phone down, praying for the best. The next morning, Liam woke early, as he always did, to gently care for Poppy. He loved her fiercely; there was no doubt. I started to relax, telling myself the post was a horrible coincidence. But when I came out of the kitchen, holding her warm bowl of mashed fruit purees, I saw him. Liam, bent over the crib, gently, stealthily, pulling a strand of hair from Poppy’s head. “What are you doing!” I lunged forward, shoving him back and snatching my daughter into my arms. Liam looked genuinely startled. “Anya? What the hell?” My voice was shaking. “What were you doing with her hair?” He held up his hand, pinched between his thumb and forefinger was a tiny speck. “You mean this?” “I was grabbing a little fly. It was buzzing around her head.” He looked wounded. “Anya, why would you think I was pulling our baby’s hair? Why are you so aggressive?” The shame hit me instantly. I had wrongly accused him, physically attacked him. “I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I just… I was afraid you’d hurt her.” He dropped the subject, accepting my apology, but his eyes were still hurt. Later, after I’d managed to rock Poppy to sleep, I reopened The Thread. The post had been updated. [OP Update]: Almost got caught pulling a strand of hair this morning. I played it cool and convinced her it was a bug. I don’t think she suspects anything. Help me come up with a better plan. 2 My head exploded. A black curtain dropped over my vision, and I staggered against the wall. It was him. There were too many coincidences, too many agonizing parallels. Every instinct screamed at me to march into the living room, shove the phone in his face, demand the DNA test, and start the divorce. But then I saw a new comment on the thread. [User 4]: I see you’re in the Tri-State area, friend. Where exactly? I have a guy at a private lab who can rush the results. DM me. Don’t raise another man’s kid. The OP replied: [OP]: I’m in Philadelphia. DMing you now. My relief was so profound it was almost painful. I was in New York. The poster was in Philly. I had almost ruined everything, again, based on a poisonous suspicion. Had I confronted Liam, the distrust would have fractured us permanently. Liam had always stressed that trust was the foundation of our relationship. I remembered the college trip. He and The Crew—Skylar included—had secretly planned an island getaway. He’d only told me about it a week before departure, an afterthought. I already resented how much he shared with Skylar that he kept from me. I felt like the girlfriend was the mistress. I went to the airport with him, only to find Skylar hadn’t bought my ticket. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Anya!” she wailed. “I’m just so used to buying six tickets for The Crew, I completely forgot to include you!” I knew it was malicious, not clumsy. My face was cold stone. Liam’s friends started calling me melodramatic and self-centered. Liam tried to smooth things over. “Don’t be mad. She’s just an airhead. I’ll stay back with you.” The Crew immediately turned on him, calling him whipped and a betrayer. He looked trapped, miserable. I forced a calm smile. “Go. I’m fine.” He checked in on me until he boarded. The moment his plane lifted off, I blocked his number, all The Crew’s numbers, and sent him a single text: Have fun with Skylar. He took the red-eye home that night. He was frantic, begging for forgiveness. I refused to see him. Finally, desperate, he attempted suicide—jumping into a freezing-cold river. I only went to the hospital when his mother called me. He explained the island trip was meant to be a surprise for me. “Skylar told me girls love those spontaneous gifts,” he said. He promised to cut all ties with Skylar. “Whatever happens,” he’d cried, clutching me, “you have to trust me, Anya. The lack of trust is worse than dying.” And he had kept his word. For the most part. Until now. I felt a wash of fresh guilt. I had almost destroyed the faith he had worked so hard to rebuild. To make it up to him, I decided to send Poppy to the nanny and take Liam on a spontaneous date. I messaged him and went to the walk-in closet to pick out clothes for both of us. It was while I was rummaging through his socks drawer for a specific brand that my fingers hit something hard underneath. I pulled it out. It was a phone. A burner. One I had never seen before. 3 The screen lock was the same as his main phone. Click. My fingers instinctively went to The Thread. I found the app. I clicked on the familiar user ID. There was the post. My mind didn’t just buzz; it went silent. The tears started before the shock registered. I choked them back and clicked on the private messages. There it was. The chat with the “Tri-State” user. [OP]: Actually, man, I’m in New York. My ex-wife is in Philadelphia, so I assumed I was close. How fast can you get a rush job done? I’m thinking of bringing in a toothbrush this afternoon. The air rushed out of my lungs. New York. Our city. The Philadelphia comment was just a decoy. A smokescreen for an anonymous forum. I closed the app, the rage returning, but this time, it was icy. I started to dig, to peel back the layers of our life. The hidden phone held so much more. In his secondary messaging app, there was a group chat with The Crew, prominently titled: The Skylar Faithful. Skylar’s frantic messages: Liam, I swear I didn’t mean to say that in front of Anya! You have to tell her I didn’t mean it! She already hates me. Now she’ll think I’m trying to break you two up! The Crew chimed in, defending her. Liam was silent for hours. Then Skylar: But Liam, you know I’m only saying it because I love you, bro. She genuinely doesn’t look like you. I’m just looking out for you, man. I’d hate for you to be a cuck and raise a kid that’s not yours. Liam’s only reply: Shut up. But then, he’d posted to The Thread. Scrolling up, I saw photos of him at bars, women draped over him. All the times he said he was “working late” or “on a sales trip.” He was out playing around with Skylar and The Crew. I let out a single, hysterical laugh. It was a joke. Our marriage was a sick, pathetic joke. I checked his other social media app. Skylar was constantly sending him “suggestive” videos. Skylar: Look at this body, bro. Much hotter than the ice queen at home, right? Skylar: I’m giving you the good stuff, man. Why are you still mad at me? His replies were always just ‘Go to hell’ or ‘Knock it off,’ but every single one of those videos was marked ‘Seen.’ The digital evidence felt like a thousand tiny lashes across my face. I sank to the floor, my legs useless. My face was pale, my chest burning. He’d lied about everything. The avoidance. The trust. The distance from Skylar. It was all a performance for the stupid, trusting wife. He and Skylar had never been apart. They had watched me, the idiot, living in blissful ignorance. A wave of nausea hit me. I forced myself up. I heard the nanny’s voice outside. “Mrs. Hayes is in the bedroom.” Click. The door opened. Liam was smiling, walking toward me, his face bright. “Hey, honey! I took the day off. Nanny is with Poppy. Where are we going on our date?” His smile died as his eyes met mine. “Anya? What’s wrong?” He reached out to wipe a tear. I flinched away from his touch, looking at him with naked disgust. I picked up the hidden phone, opened The Thread, and held the screen up to his face. “So,” I asked, my voice terrifyingly calm. “Is the DNA test done?” 4 Liam’s face went instantly white. “Anya—what test? I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I gave a cold, sharp laugh. “Don’t you? You told your internet friend you’d grab Poppy’s toothbrush this afternoon, Liam. Did you forget?” “I was just… I was having a momentary freak-out! I saw your post, and I got paranoid, so I posted a burner! I never went through with it, I swear!” he babbled, desperate. I ignored his pathetic plea and held out my hand. “Let me see the results, then. Maybe I did cheat. Maybe the baby’s not yours. Wouldn’t that be a shame?” My cold composure terrified him. “Anya, please, you know I would never go through with it. I just needed to vent—” I tossed the phone onto the bed. “Fine. Then let’s go. Right now.” I grabbed Poppy from the crib. “We’re going to the lab. Together. We’ll do a full, legitimate DNA test. Wouldn’t want you to worry yourself sick on an internet forum, would we?” Liam was shaking, his face pasty white. I dragged him toward the garage. “Oh, and you should call your ‘Skylar Faithful’ Crew,” I added, looking back at him. “Let them all come. They’ve earned the right to see whether their friend’s daughter is your seed.” Liam was on the verge of tears. “Anya, please. We don’t have to go. I was wrong. I was stupid. I know I was wrong!” I shoved him into the passenger seat and snatched his main phone. I typed into The Skylar Faithful group chat: DNA Test at the lab in an hour. Come watch. Liam is finally getting peace of mind. Skylar was the first to reply: BRO! FINALLY! Don’t worry, man. The Crew has your back. No woman is worth this trouble! We’re heading there now! When The Crew showed up at the hospital, they froze the moment they saw me holding Poppy. Then Skylar stepped forward, hitting Liam on the shoulder with a triumphant smile. “Good for you, Liam! You finally grew a spine!” She turned to me. “Don’t be mad, Anya. What man wouldn’t want to know the truth? This is for his peace of mind. You understand, right?” “I understand perfectly,” I nodded, my face empty. The nurse led us back. Liam, Poppy, and I all gave blood samples. When the needle pricked my daughter’s tiny vein, she looked at the nurse, confused, then burst into inconsolable tears. The sheer terror in her wail shattered my composure. The cold facade I’d built crumpled. I pulled her into my chest, rocking her, my own tears finally falling. “I’m so sorry, baby,” I whispered. I’m sorry I chose this man to be your father. I’m sorry you have to go through this because of my failure. We waited for hours. Finally, the doctor came out with the report. Skylar snatched it before anyone else could react. She read it quickly, then threw her hand over her mouth, eyes wide with performative shock. “Liam!” she gasped. “It says… it says the baby isn’t yours! Anya cheated on you!” 5 “What the hell are you talking about!” Liam, who had been sitting hunched over in silent misery, jumped to his feet with a roar. He grabbed Skylar by the lapels of her denim jacket. “Say that again, and I swear to God I’ll choke you!” Skylar was genuinely terrified, tears streaming down her face. She held out the report. “Bro, it’s on the paper! Not me! It says the child is Anya’s, but not yours! Why are you screaming at me? She’s the one who cheated!” The rest of The Crew pulled Liam off her, grabbing the report and passing it around. Their faces darkened with a sudden, vindictive solidarity. “It’s true, Liam. She did it! The bitch cheated on you!” Liam wouldn’t believe it. “I already took a test this morning—a quick one with the toothbrush. Poppy is my daughter! You’re trying to set us up!” Ah. So he did lie this morning. A fresh wave of disgust washed over me. Liam grabbed the official report, his eyes scanning every word. When he hit the line stating exclusion of paternity, he swayed. He grabbed the doctor’s arm. “This is wrong! Your lab is wrong! I want a retest!” The doctor frowned, unimpressed. “Sir, this is a state-certified facility. We don’t make mistakes. What lab did you use this morning?” Liam stammered out the name of the lab he’d found on The Thread. The doctor scoffed. “Never heard of it. Probably a private storefront scam. You can do this test a hundred times, and the results will be the same.” The doctor’s certainty hit Liam like a sledgehammer. His eyes turned bloodshot. He seized my shoulders, his grip bruising. “Anya. Tell me. Why? I gave you everything! Didn’t I love you enough? I cut off my friends for you! I was faithful! I almost died for you!” Poppy, startled by the noise, started to cry, reaching for him. “Dada?” He recoiled from her hand as if she were poisonous. “Don’t touch me! You’re dirty!” SLAP! My hand cracked across his cheek. The sound echoed in the sterile hallway. Liam stared at me, his eyes wide with disbelief and a new, terrible hatred. “You hit me? After you cheated? You betrayed me! You raised another man’s kid in my home! You have no right, Anya!” He was spiraling. “Who is it? Tell me the name of the bastard you slept with!” I stepped away, taking Poppy further down the hall. “There’s nothing to explain.” I looked back at him, my voice flat. “Let’s file for divorce.”

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My childhood sweetheart went bankrupt and sold me to the city’s notorious “Crown Prince” billionaire to clear his debt. Later, we met again at a business gala. My ex, trying to sound considerate, told the Prince that I was aloof and proud, asking him to “bear with me.” The Prince scoffed coldly. “Bear with her? If I don’t speak, she doesn’t dare say a word.” Everyone praised the Prince for having me so well-trained. The next moment, I pushed open the door. I sat down; he wiped the chair for me. I licked my lips; he handed me tea. I frowned; he draped his jacket over my shoulders. … Everyone: “???” Indeed, I didn’t have to say a single word! The Prince glanced proudly at my ex, whose face had turned black. “Rookie. If you can’t handle a woman, just say so.” 1 I never expected to run into Liam again at the TV station. Three years had passed, and he was now a rising star in the business world. The desperate, broken man from back then was gone. After the interview, he stopped me. “Sarah, long time no see.” Liam’s hand at his side clenched involuntarily. His voice was hoarse. “Does… does he treat you well?” I paused while organizing my script, not answering. Seeing I didn’t want to talk about it, Liam hurriedly changed the subject. “Sarah, I haven’t congratulated you on becoming a famous anchor.” His gaze lingered on me with a hint of nostalgia. “When we were young, the future we dreamed of was exactly like today…” I looked up, my cool gaze silencing him. Just as he was about to say something else in frustration, my assistant rushed over. “Sarah, are you ready? Mr. Vance is here to pick you up.” “He doesn’t look very happy.” I froze for a second, immediately putting down my things. “I’m coming.” Before I could take two steps, Liam instinctively grabbed my arm. “Sarah, if you’re unhappy, I can find a way to get you out. I…” I cut him off before he could finish. “And then what? Sell me again like you did back then?” I looked at Liam with pure mockery in my eyes. “You were the one who personally delivered me to him, remember?” 2 Liam and I grew up together. We were the high school sweethearts everyone envied. Everything changed the year Liam’s startup failed during our junior year of college. He needed a huge sum of money to balance the books. It was a debt our middle-class families couldn’t pay even if we sold everything we owned. At that time, Christian Vance, the “Crown Prince” of the city’s wealthiest family, posted a job listing. — Ten million dollars for a “Sleep Companion.” Requirements: Same age, same school. Consistent winner of speech contests since elementary school. Currently working at the campus radio station. He even specified height, weight, and hairstyle. It was detailed enough that he might as well have written my name. The campus forum exploded. Someone leaked that the Prince indeed suffered from severe insomnia. But hiring a “sleep companion” instead of seeing a doctor? What was that about? Most people thought it was just his way of pursuing me. Just as I was about to go clarify things with Christian, Liam stopped me. He said, “Sarah, I’ve never asked you for anything growing up.” “This time, only you can save me.” … “What are you standing there thinking about?” Christian grabbed my waist and lifted me into the car with one arm. “Is everyone at your station dead?” He held my cold hands, his face dark enough to drip ink. “Is a small interview like this worth leaving me and standing in the cold wind?” “Don’t tell me it was to see some long-lost childhood brother?” I was about to explain. A spoon was shoved into my mouth. Christian held a thermos of pear soup, looking fierce. “Before you finish this soup, don’t say a word!” By the time I was allowed to speak, the car had arrived at his residence. Christian silently dragged me to the dining table and forced me to eat an extra half bowl of rice. “I’ve fed you for three years and you still lost a pound.” “People will think I’m abusing you!” As he spoke, he pulled out a book from somewhere. “Tonight, I want to hear this one!” It was the fairy tale I read when we first met three years ago. The Little Mermaid. 3 Everyone knew the Prince had a bad temper and was moody. From the night I entered his villa, people placed bets. Betting I would be tortured and broken. But it was different from what they imagined. The moment I walked in, a fairy tale book was thrown in front of me. Christian sat on the sofa, eyes half-closed, beckoning me. “What are you staring at? I want to hear Cinderella… no, Snow White…” Realizing his slip of the tongue, he clicked his tongue impatiently. “Let’s just hear the one about the girl who got tricked by a scumbag and turned into sea foam.” I picked up the book and sat cross-legged in front of the sofa. The Little Mermaid isn’t long. Christian was not a quiet listener. He made faces the whole time. Only when the story ended did he lift his eyelids and look at me coolly. “Any insights?” I closed the book and suddenly leaned forward. My hands covered Christian’s bloodshot eyes. “Little Prince, you need to sleep.” Since then, I never saw that book again. Christian seemed to recall the past too. “You still owe me that book report! Double it! No, triple it! I want a three-thousand-word essay!” I was silent for a moment, then decisively explained to the jealous man. “I only knew the interviewee was Liam when I arrived.” “I have no lingering feelings, no romantic nostalgia…” Seeing Christian’s unmoved expression, I helplessly held up my fingers. “I swear, I’ll never see him again.” … I finally coaxed him back to a good mood. I swore the oath. Unexpectedly, I bumped into Liam again. Only this time, it was at a business dinner accompanying Christian. I didn’t like the atmosphere in the private room, so I went out for air. When I came back, people from the next room were coming in to network. Christian’s temper was notorious. People didn’t expect a response; they just toasted three times to show face. When it was Liam’s turn, his brain short-circuited. He bowed slightly to the man playing on his phone. “Sarah grew up sheltered, so her personality is inevitably aloof and proud.” “If she offends you in any way, please bear with her, Mr. Vance.” Hearing this, Christian put down his phone and leaned back. He glanced at Liam casually. “Bear with her?” He repeated the words and suddenly laughed. “If I don’t speak, she doesn’t dare say a word.” “What do you want me to bear?” 4 Liam’s expression froze instantly. Everyone stared at the floor in silence, expressions awkward. The next person ready to toast froze with his glass in mid-air, wiped sweat from his forehead, and offered a fake compliment. “Mr. Vance has great discipline methods. Admirable.” Others recovered and chimed in. “Exactly. Aloof and proud mean nothing. In front of Mr. Vance, she’s willing to bow down.” Christian frowned. Before he could speak, I pushed the door open. Before I even reached Christian, he kicked away someone blocking the path. He picked up his expensive suit jacket, wiped the chair, wasn’t satisfied, flipped the jacket inside out to expose the soft lining, and spread it on the chair. I sat down without changing my expression. I licked my dry lips. Before I could speak, a cup of hot tea was brought to my lips. Everyone looked at each other. Those who had just flattered him wished they could swallow their words. Christian’s gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on Liam’s darkening face. He grinned, a truly malicious smile. “Rookie. If you can’t handle it, just say so.” After the provocation, he even had a seat added for Liam, right opposite us. At home, Christian liked to supervise my eating. Here, he was serving me excessively. Peeling shrimp, picking out fish bones. If I glanced at a dish, it appeared in my bowl the next second. If I frowned while eating, he naturally took away the dish I didn’t like. Throughout the meal, I didn’t say a word. Christian had enough fun and was in a good mood. “Except for the three who can’t talk, other projects can appear on my desk.” Everyone was overjoyed, stuffing proposals into the hands of the silent assistant. While doing so, they spouted blessings like “hundred years of harmony” and “grow old together.” They were smart enough to see Christian didn’t want to socialize, so they left quickly. The room emptied instantly. However, one tactless person remained. Liam walked up to me, adjusted his glasses, and smiled gently. “Sarah, Auntie Ye just messaged me. She made hangover soup for me.” Ignoring Christian’s expression of wanting to crush his glass, he continued: “She also said she plans to settle our engagement tonight…” My heart skipped a beat. I looked up at Christian abruptly. He was still smiling, but it sent chills down my spine. “Christian, listen to me…” “Childhood sweethearts, and an engagement,” Christian interrupted with a sneer. “People might think I’m despicable, rushing to be a homewrecker.” He dropped those words and stormed out, slamming the door. The room was quiet again. Liam frowned. “Does he always treat you like this?” “Sarah, I’m back. You don’t have to endure his temper anymore…” Bang— Before Liam could finish, the door was kicked hard. A waitress appeared at the door timidly. “The boss wants us to clean the room. Please, please leave immediately.” Needless to say, Christian caused the commotion. I chased after him to explain but was a step too late. Only the roar of a luxury car speeding away remained on the quiet street. Seeing this, Liam suggested, “Let me take you home.” I held my forehead, voice filled with suppressed irritation. “What are you doing? What right do you have to provoke him?” “Are you worried about me, Sarah?” “Liam!” I was thoroughly enraged. He laughed indifferently. “Let’s go, the designated driver is here. We’ll talk when we get back.”

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Everyone thought I was secretly in love with Chase Sterling. So when he lost a round of Truth or Dare, the crowd roared, pressuring me to kiss the star athlete from the rival university in his place. My breath hitched in my throat. “Come on, Elara. It’s just a kiss, it won’t kill you.” “Yeah, don’t worry. Chase will understand.” Chase leaned back, looking at me with that signature lazy, arrogant smirk. “Yeah, Elara. Do me a solid, will you?” He was betting on me refusing. He knew I was conservative, the quiet girl who never stepped out of line. But I lowered my head and whispered, “Fine.” Chase’s smile faltered instantly. His expression darkened. “Fine then. Three seconds. Not a millisecond less.” “See? I told you she’d do anything for Chase.” “Chase has her trained well.” Ignoring their jeers, I stood up and walked slowly toward Liam Thorne. I stood on my tiptoes, leaned in, and pressed my lips against his. 1 Chase Sterling was used to running the show. He’d seen it all. But tonight, in the private VIP room of the restaurant, he lost a game and picked “Truth.” Someone asked him if, in the three years we’d known each other, he had ever felt a spark for me. everyone leaned in, eager for the gossip. Chase paused for a second, then burst out laughing. “Who? Elara?? A spark? You’re kidding, right?” The room erupted in laughter. Only two people at the table remained silent. Me, sitting on the far edge of the booth. And Liam Thorne, sitting right next to Chase. Liam was the captain of the basketball team at the university next door. Tonight’s dinner was organized by Chase after their game. I had practically begged him to let me tag along. I hadn’t said a word all night, feeling completely out of place. Eventually, the group moved on to drinking and games. Chase, lounging in his chair, lost again. This time, he picked “Dare.” The card read: Kiss the person to your left for three seconds. To his left was Liam. Everyone looked at Liam. He didn’t react, just calmly continued eating his appetizers. Chase threw an arm around Liam’s shoulder. “Bro, you don’t mind if I kiss you, right?” Liam, known for being cold and distant, paused his fork. He offered a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Actually, I do mind.” The crowd started hooting. “Chase, man, Liam doesn’t swing that way. Just get a girl to sub in for you.” “Let Elara do it.” “She’d do anything for you, right?” I stayed silent. Chase looked at me, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Elara, help me out?” He was so sure I’d say no. “Fine,” I said softly. The room went quiet. Chase’s face dropped. “Okay. Three seconds.” I walked over to Liam. His face was flawless. It felt like a crime to touch him and ruin that perfection. My gaze drifted from his sharp jawline to his lips. Wait, did Chase specify where to kiss? He didn’t. So, cheek or lips… it didn’t matter, right? I bent down, intending to aim for his cheek, but at the last moment, I turned and pressed my lips firmly against his. I felt Liam’s long lashes flutter against my skin. His Adam’s apple bobbed. The room exploded. “Whoa! Elara!” “Three seconds! Count it!” “3.” “2.” “2.5.” “2.3.” Liam’s lips were incredibly soft. My entire body was trembling with nerves. “2.15…” Chase couldn’t take it anymore. He stood up abruptly, breaking the countdown. “Three seconds are up. Done.” He yanked me back by my arm, putting distance between Liam and me. Sensing Chase’s foul mood, the group quieted down and awkwardly went back to their food. 2 On the drive back, the silence in the car was suffocating. Chase stared straight ahead at the road before suddenly speaking. “Elara, you were getting back at me, weren’t you?” I blinked, pulling myself out of my thoughts. “What?” “You saw me kissing that girl outside the dorms last week, didn’t you? So you used Liam to get revenge? You’re so petty. That was just a fling.” Kissing? I recalled vaguely that I had gone to drop off some notes for Chase a week ago. I did see him making out with a stunning girl by his car. It was loud and public. Very on-brand for Chase Sterling—wild and unattached. But I hadn’t felt a thing. I had told Chase before that I didn’t like him. He just never believed me. 3 When I was ten, my family went bankrupt. My father fled the country to escape debt, and shortly after, my mother went abroad with a friend. My uncle took me in. By then, my uncle had remarried into the wealthy Sterling family. He was Chase’s stepfather. I moved into the Sterling estate. Chase was my age, but he was a terror. He loved to tease me, prank me, and order me around. After six months, I was done putting up with him. Chase sensed my defiance. He threw a stack of cash at me with a sneer. “Elara, you’re broke, right? Be my personal assistant. I’ll pay you a salary.” He wasn’t wrong. I had no one. I couldn’t rely on my uncle forever; he was already walking on eggshells in the Sterling household. I needed money. Money meant freedom. Money meant a safety net. At first, Chase knew I stuck around for the cash. But eventually, he convinced himself I was actually in love with him. It started in our sophomore year of high school. Chase and Liam lived in the same luxury gated community and went to the same private school. I went to the public school on the other side of town. I only came back to the Sterling estate on weekends. When I heard Chase had a game against Liam, I asked if I could come. Chase eyed me suspiciously. “I thought you had to study? You said you weren’t going out.” “I’m not too busy this week,” I lied. Chase leaned in, invading my personal space. “My dad said you’ve been pulling all-nighters studying. You came back just for my game?” His eyes lit up with narcissistic realization. “You like me, don’t you? Wow, Elara, get a grip!” I waved my hands frantically. “No, you misunderstood, I don’t…” Chase ignored me, already dialing his best friend. “Dude, you were right. Elara is totally into me. Her grades dropped three spots this week because she’s distracted, but she still came to watch me play. Dinner’s on me.” I found out later his friends had bet that I wasn’t just doing it for the money. At the court, I didn’t look at Chase once. My eyes were glued to Liam. He wore a light-colored jersey. His hands were strong, his movements graceful. When he jumped for a shot, his jersey lifted, revealing toned abs. I kept my head down, terrified someone would catch me staring. Nobody would ever link someone like me to someone like Liam. Nobody knew about the summer I was fifteen. I used to sneak out at night to go through the recycling bins in the rich neighborhood. Rich people threw away amazing things. Designer bags with tiny scratches, clothes with tags still on, electronics. I could sell them for good money. One night, at the last house on the block—Liam’s house—I saw something glinting in the storm drain near the curb. It was a ring. I spent twenty minutes fishing it out with a stick. Just as I grabbed it, the front door opened. Liam ran out, wearing silk pajamas, looking panicked. He was tall, clean, and smelled like expensive soap. I was holding a trash bag and covered in grime. I turned bright red. He saw the ring in my hand and let out a huge breath. He looked at me without a hint of disgust. “I’m so sorry,” he said, breathing hard. “Could I buy that ring back from you? My parents were fighting and… it got thrown out. I thought it was gone.” That was the first time Liam Thorne really saw me. But I had known him since I moved in. He was the golden boy. Even my aunt, who hated everyone, praised him. He was everything Chase wasn’t—polite, disciplined, brilliant. I handed him the ring. It was grimy from the drain, so I wiped it with a tissue from my pocket. “Here.” “Thank you. Wait here, let me get my phone, I’ll transfer you…” “No need,” I mumbled. I grabbed my bag of “treasures” and ran into the night. I felt ashamed of the difference between us. But that night, I made a promise to myself. One day, I would stand in front of him as an equal. I started secretly following his life. I went to every game he played against Chase. I found out which city he wanted to go to for college. He became my goal. While chasing that goal, I fixed myself. That year, I cracked the top three in my class. For the first time, teachers looked at me with respect. Only Chase thought I was doing it for him. When I nagged him to study (per my uncle’s request), he thought it was love. When I went to games, he thought it was love. When I endured his pranks for my paycheck, he thought it was love. I stopped trying to explain. After graduation, I got into a university in Boston, right next to Liam’s Ivy League school. Surprisingly, Chase followed us to Boston, attending a different college nearby. During freshman year, I didn’t see Chase much. But sophomore year, the inter-collegiate games started up. I went to every single one. Chase told his friends he’d never seen a girl so clingy.

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1 Five years after we broke up, my ex-boyfriend was on a livestream, asking for advice on how to get me to refund the $650 he’d spent on me during our relationship. “Host, my ex is a total gold digger,” he whined into the camera. “She had to have a special bowl of collagen porridge every morning. A hundred bucks a bowl! I could buy enough bread to last me three years with that money.” “My sister had a miscarriage, and when I asked her to help with the hospital bills, she said no. But then she went and bought her own mom a Chanel bag.” “Isn’t my sister’s health more important than some designer purse?” “Then my sister got into a little trouble and just needed a hundred grand to sort things out, and she actually broke up with me over it.” “It’s all her fault I’m still single. Host, you gotta help me. Help me get my $650 back.” If I remembered correctly, Ethan Lowe had never bought me so much as a bottle of water. Where in the hell did he get the figure $650? I immediately requested to join the livestream to confront him. … Listening to Ethan’s litany of lies, I was shaking with rage. I had dated Ethan for five years. In that time, I bought him Air Jordans, a Rolex Submariner, and took his entire family on a vacation to Europe. I gave him a ten-thousand-dollar monthly allowance and paid for his sister’s private maternity nurse and hospital bills when she had her baby. I even paid the breakup fee he owed his previous girlfriend. The real reason I dumped Ethan was because his sister had an affair, got pregnant, and he demanded I pay for her abortion. When I refused, he gave me the silent treatment for a month. Then, on my birthday, he suddenly reached out. I thought he wanted to reconcile. Turns out, he wanted me to give his sister’s much younger boyfriend a hundred thousand dollars in hush money to appease him. That was the moment the fog in my brain finally cleared. Why on earth should I pay off my boyfriend’s sister’s side piece? I might have money, but I wasn’t a fool. After the breakup, I kicked him out of my apartment. I never expected that while I was away on a business trip, Ethan would come back and clean the place out. He took everything. Even the toilet. It was because he’d demanded “emotional distress compensation” and I’d refused. He’d told me if I wouldn’t give it to him, he’d take it himself. I was going to call the police, but his mother got on her knees and begged me, saying her son had just had a moment of confusion and asked me to forgive him. I felt sorry for her, and since I wasn’t short on cash, I let it go. I never dreamed that five years later, he’d be on a livestream demanding reimbursement for dating expenses, doxxing me in the process. In the few minutes I’d been watching, I’d already received over thirty calls from unknown numbers all over the country. I typed in the comments: [Host, this is Scarlett Vance, the ex-girlfriend of “Man_on_the_Rise.” I’d like to join the stream and set the record straight.] The host’s face lit up. “Man on the Rise, your ex is here! Are you willing to go live with her?” Ethan stammered, “Uh, maybe not. Scarlett has a really bad temper. I’m afraid she’ll just yell at me. Can’t you just tell her to send me the money?” The chat immediately filled with messages of support for Ethan. [No wonder he was cheap with her. His ex is a psycho.] [I’d slap a woman like that three times a day and wouldn’t spend a dime on her. $650 over five years is generous.] I responded by dropping ten “Carnivals,” the most expensive gift on the platform. [Host, let me on with Ethan, and I’ll drop ten more.] The chat exploded. [Damn, that’s like three grand in one go! This woman is a queen!] [Someone who drops ten Carnivals without blinking is worried about $650? Yeah, right.] The host practically leaped out of his chair and patched me into the stream. The second my face appeared on screen, I let him have it. “Ethan, have you ever spent a single penny on me? Where did you even come up with the number six-fifty?” “Show me the receipts.” Hearing me deny it, Ethan flew into a rage. “See, Scarlett? I told everyone you were a gold digger! You spend my money, block me, and then pretend it never happened, is that it?” A troll in the chat egged him on. [Bro, post the receipts and shut her up! That’s over six hundred bucks! You could cater a whole table at a wedding with that kind of money!] Ethan, completely missing the sarcasm, immediately sent the “receipt” to the host. “Host, do me a favor and display this for everyone to see.” The host opened the file and burst out laughing. “Sorry, everyone! I’m usually very professional, unless I literally can’t help it!” The moment the receipt appeared on screen, the chat went wild. [You have got to be kidding me. Is this guy for real?] [And he calls that her spending his money? I’d be too embarrassed to even admit this happened.] Ethan’s breathing grew ragged, his voice a little weak. “Well, if Scarlett hadn’t broken up with me without giving me a breakup fee, would I have tripped and fallen while I was at her apartment taking what I was owed?” “I got a huge gash on my leg! It needed three stitches! The pain was excruciating!” “I called Scarlett from the hospital to ask her to pay the bill, but she’d already blocked me.” I laughed out loud. What a shame he didn’t break his neck. “Ethan, let me get this straight. You hired a locksmith to illegally enter my home, stole my furniture and appliances, and then you accidentally hurt yourself during the robbery and you’re blaming me? Does that sound like the logic of a sane person?” “If you’d just given me the hundred grand I asked for, would I have fallen in the first place?” he shot back, completely shameless. “Because you were so stingy, I’ve been living in poverty for years.” “Just pay up. If you don’t, this won’t be about just six hundred and fifty dollars anymore!” That whole incident with the furniture five years ago left a disgusting taste in my mouth. My moment of pity had haunted me. If I gave in to him now, I’d never forgive myself. I snorted. “I’m not giving you a single cent. What are you going to do about it?” Suddenly, a young woman’s voice piped up from Ethan’s side. “Listen here, you old hag! I’m Ethan’s fiancée. You have to give him his money back. How else is he supposed to pay for my dowry?” I frowned, certain I must have misheard. “Honey, how much is Ethan paying for your dowry? How can it possibly come down to a measly six hundred and fifty bucks?” “He’s giving me $1,314,” she said proudly. “It’s to show he’ll love me for life.” I was floored. “$131,400? Ethan is that cheap? He’s actually willing to spend that much on you?” “Not one hundred thirty-one thousand,” Ethan corrected her quickly. “It’s one thousand, three hundred and fourteen dollars. It symbolizes that I’ll love Cindy forever.” I couldn’t help it; I roared with laughter. The chat was on fire. [What century is this? A $1,314 dowry payment? That’s more insulting than giving nothing at all.] [If that was my daughter, I’d drag her home and break her legs if she didn’t listen.] But Cindy was shameless. “What do you people know? You can’t put a price on love. My boyfriend may not have a lot of money, but he’s willing to humble himself and get back all the money he spent on his exes just to marry me. That’s true dedication.” I was laughing so hard tears were streaming down my face. So I wasn’t the first victim? There were others? Trying to stifle my giggles, I asked, “So, Ethan, how much have you managed to raise so far?” “I just need your six hundred and fifty,” he announced proudly. “Once I have that, I can officially go to Cindy’s family and propose.” The host spoke up, his voice full of pity. “Young lady, take some advice from an older brother. Go home. If you marry a man like this, you’re signing up for a lifetime of misery.” From her voice, Cindy sounded about the same age as my younger sister. A wave of sympathy washed over me. “Sweetie, you’re young. You don’t know what real love is. Ethan is not a good person. By not giving him this money, I’m saving you.” Cindy wasn’t having it. “You shameless old witch! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. You don’t want me to marry him because you’re still in love with him! Well, you can forget it! Ethan told me you have that old lady smell, and if it wasn’t for your money, he wouldn’t have looked at you twice!” I was so furious I wanted to reach through the screen and throttle him. Yes, I was three years older than Ethan, but I was in my early thirties. I worked out daily, had a meticulous skincare routine, and could easily pass for someone in their early twenties. Old lady smell? And he was the one who relentlessly pursued me, claiming he loved older women because they made him feel secure. I had made it crystal clear from the start: I was twenty-seven and dating for marriage. If he wasn’t serious, he shouldn’t waste my time. He swore on his entire family’s lives that if he didn’t marry me, they would all suffer a lifetime of misfortune. Only then did I agree to date him. I laid down the law. “Ethan, I’m not giving you a dime. If you want it so badly, sue me.” He shot back with his own threat. “You just wait, Scarlett. I’ll be at your place in ten minutes. I’m gonna beat the crap out of you!” “Fine,” I snarled. “If you don’t show up, you’re not a man.” With that, he disconnected. The host looked worried. “Scarlett, you need to call the police right now. A broke man like that has nothing to lose. He might do something crazy!” I just smiled. He wanted to play tough? I knew people a lot tougher than him. “Host, mind if I run a little ad on your stream?” “Anyone local who can get to my apartment complex within ten minutes, come on down. No limit on numbers. I’m paying a hundred bucks a head for your time. I need people who can curse creatively. The filthier, the better.” “Also looking for some tough-looking guys with neck tattoos, maybe some local heavy-hitters. Name your price.” I dropped my address in the comments, and the host pinned it to the top. The chat was a blur of messages. [Lady, I don’t need the money. I just love drama.] [Sis, me and my dorm mates are three minutes away. We’ll protect you!] [Honey, my mother-in-law has been undefeated in arguments for thirty years, and we live in the same complex. We’re on our way down.] [Damn it, why do I live so far away? I want in on this!] The host was practically vibrating with excitement. “This is killing me! I want to be there so bad! I can’t imagine what that guy and his girlfriend will do when they see a whole crowd waiting for them. Scarlett, please, you have to livestream it.” I’m a businesswoman. I would never pass up an opportunity for this much free publicity. I sent a message to my work group chat: “Team, time for some overtime. Grab the new product samples and promo materials and get to my apartment complex ASAP. Everyone gets a thousand-dollar bonus, plus reimbursed travel. You can take tomorrow morning off.” I shook my husband awake. “Get up! Get the camera! The viral moment of a lifetime is here!” He was groggy. “What’s going on?” “My ex-boyfriend is on his way over to extort me. We’re going to the front gate to meet him.” That woke him up instantly. “I’m calling my buddies. If that punk lays a single finger on you, I’ll break him.” I smiled. “No need. I have reinforcements.” When I got to the front gate of my complex, I was stunned. Did these people teleport? There were already over a hundred people gathered, with dozens of phones set up on tripods, all streaming. A neighbor waved. “Scarlett, we’re all here to protect you!” When the strangers realized I was the main character, they all started cheering and waving. A few huge, muscular guys came over. “Ma’am, we don’t want your money. We just want a word with this little punk.” A dozen older women were cracking their knuckles excitedly. “Honey, just give the signal. We’ll drag his ancestors out of their graves and curse them all over again.” I thanked everyone, gave the building security a heads-up, and immediately got to work hanging up my company’s promotional banners. Within eight minutes, my entire team had arrived. They started handing out samples and brochures to the crowd, setting up ad displays along the sidewalk. Twenty minutes later, Ethan and Cindy pulled up on a single shared rental bike. Ethan was holding a small switch he’d broken off a tree. He saw the sea of people and froze. “It’s midnight,” he muttered. “Why are there so many people here?” Cindy yelled, “Ethan, let’s go! If Scarlett doesn’t pay up today, we’ll do what we did last time and empty her apartment!” I waved. “Ethan! Over here!” He strutted over, twig in hand, a smug look on his face. “Scarlett, did you come out here just to meet me? You miss me that much?” Cindy looked alarmed. “I admit you’re kind of pretty, Scarlett, but if you try to steal Ethan from me, I’ll fight you!” I made a gagging sound. “Please, Ethan, don’t make me sick. I was young and dumb enough to take a few bites of shit, and the memory still turns my stomach. I have no desire to even look at shit anymore.” His face flushed with rage. “How dare you be so vulgar, Scarlett? You’re the shit!” He wanted to curse me out? Fine. Let him face the full might of the nation’s most formidable fighting force: angry grandmas. I temporarily paused my own stream and gave the aunties a subtle nod. They immediately swarmed Ethan and Cindy, unleashing a verbal onslaught. The barrage of profanity was so intense that none of it was broadcastable. I could hear other streamers nearby groaning that their accounts were getting banned. Ethan and Cindy spun around, trying to fire back, but their voices were completely drowned out by the sonic wall of insults. The sheer volume of spittle flying from the aunties’ mouths was enough to give them a shower. Ethan snapped and tried to get physical. But the moment he raised his little switch, one of the tattooed guys grabbed his arm. “You even think about touching one of them, little man, and you won’t see tomorrow’s sunrise.” “There are cameras everywhere!” Ethan shrieked, pointing at the security cameras. “You hit me, and I’ll call the cops! I’ll sue you for everything you’ve got!” “Yeah!” Cindy chimed in. “We’ll sue you blind!” The tattooed guy just picked Ethan up and tossed him into the crowd. A swarm of people immediately closed in. When they parted, Ethan was on the ground, his face bruised and his glasses shattered. Cindy, who had been so aggressive just moments before, was now silent as a mouse. “You just wait,” Ethan whimpered, holding his jaw. “I’m calling the police! I’ll have you all thrown in jail for life!” I held up my phone. “Already did that for you. They’ll be here any second.” When the police arrived, Ethan ran to them like they were his long-lost family. “Officers, you have to arrest Scarlett and all these men! They assaulted me! Execute them!” I calmly explained the situation to the officers, who then reviewed the security footage. I hadn’t touched Ethan. The aunties, while verbally abusive, hadn’t caused any physical harm, which wasn’t illegal. Plus, they were all over sixty-eight. Good luck prosecuting them. “What about the guys who hit me?” Ethan whined. “You have to arrest them!” But the crowd had been packed so tightly that the cameras couldn’t see who had thrown the punches. Ethan couldn’t identify his attackers either, so the matter was dropped. Someone in the crowd yelled, “Get out of here before we give you another round!” Ethan shot me a look of pure hatred. “Fine, Scarlett, I’ll go. But you have to reimburse me for the shared bike fee.” The crowd erupted in laughter. Ethan seemed oblivious, holding his hand out expectantly. One of the guys couldn’t take it anymore, pulled a ten-dollar bill from his wallet, and threw it at him. “I’ll pay it for her. Now get lost before you embarrass yourself any further.” Ethan glared at me one last time, then grabbed Cindy and stormed off. As they left, I faintly heard him say, “Don’t worry, Cindy. I swear I’ll get that thirteen-hundred-and-fourteen-dollar dowry for you.” What a mess. How could any girl be so clueless? I had my team continue handing out gifts and paid the promised appearance fees, spending about three thousand dollars in total. I wasn’t short on money. I just refused to give that parasite the satisfaction. The incident was a marketing miracle. My social media account gained a million followers overnight, and I quickly got it verified. The people who had tried our samples that night flooded the comments with rave reviews. The new product line sold out the moment it launched. Business owners from all over the country started messaging me, asking for exclusive distribution rights. Ethan, of course, showed up in my comments section: [Scarlett, you owe me. All this traffic came from me. You have to give me half of your profits.] I didn’t block him. I just let him rave. The more outrageous his claims, the better my engagement numbers got. When he saw I was ignoring him, he posted one last threat: [You wanna be heartless, Scarlett? Fine. Don’t come crying to me when things go wrong.] I didn’t take him seriously. He was broke and pathetic, all talk and no action. But a week later, my factory was in trouble. Big trouble.

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The day Finnian Blackwood forced the divorce papers on me, I was bound to the Dare-to-Die System. The System’s voice echoed in my head: “Slap him across the face and tell him to get lost.” I trembled. Finn was a ruthless man. If I dared to stand between him and his first love, he would tear me apart without a second thought. But the System’s threat was more immediate: “If you don’t follow the dare, you will die. Now.” I had no choice. I swung my hand back and slapped him. My heart hammered in my chest. I turned and fled the house before he could react. Then the System issued its next command: Vandalize the police car parked on the corner. I was certain the System was trying to get me killed. But it was only after I smashed the cruiser’s side mirror that I understood. The life the System wanted me to risk wasn’t my own. 1 I stared at the police car, my mind reeling. “No way. That’s a crime!” “Take the dare, or you die,” the voice in my head repeated, cold and unyielding. I hadn’t believed it at first. The voice had appeared out of nowhere half an hour ago, informing me that I was the tragic heroine of a novel designed for heartbreak. According to the System, after Finn’s childhood sweetheart, Sienna Vance, returned to the country, I would be kicked to the curb. I was destined for a series of heart-wrenching abuses—forced blood donations, having a kidney stolen—before being left to a gang of thugs and dying a miserable death. A shiver went down my spine. Sienna had returned last month. And this month, Finn had started staying out late. He’d stare right through me, lost in thought. I found a lipstick in his coat pocket that wasn’t mine. He started taking his calls in another room. I knew this sham of a marriage was over. Today, he’d handed me the divorce papers. “Sienna won’t see me,” he’d said, his voice flat. “She says it’s improper now that I’m married. You know her health is fragile. She can’t be left alone.” “Isla, just sign the papers.” I scanned the document. There was no mention of any assets for me. My own savings were long gone, spent during the two years I supported Finn while he rebuilt his empire from scratch. For the past few years, he’d insisted I stay home, embarrassed by my humble origins. If he threw me out now, I wouldn’t have enough money for dinner. I had wanted to reason with him, but the System had commanded me to slap him instead. Everyone knew the new Finn Blackwood was a ruthless shark who’d clawed his way back from bankruptcy. That slap was a literal death wish. “Smash it! Now!” the System urged. Terrified that the System’s predictions would come true, I grabbed a loose brick from the pavement and brought it down hard on the cruiser’s side mirror. With a sickening crunch, the mirror shattered and fell to the ground. An alarm blared. Three officers burst out from around the corner. I immediately raised my hands, ready to surrender. They cuffed me and took me to the precinct. In the interrogation room, an officer held up my blood test results. “No alcohol, no drugs. Mentally stable. So why’d you smash a police car? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” I recited the lines the System fed me. “I know exactly what I was doing. It was deliberate.” A young female officer looked at me, exasperated. “What’s wrong with you? Bad breakup?” “Not a breakup,” I said honestly. “A divorce.” The thought of prison food made my eyes well up with tears. The officer cleared her throat. “Full restitution for damages, a $1,000 fine, and ten days in detention. Call your family. And don’t do it again.” I dutifully handed over my bank cards, but each one was declined. Finn was already teaching me a lesson. The officers told me to call a family member. I tried Finn’s number ten times. No answer. On the eleventh try, I discovered he had blocked me. The female officer used the precinct’s landline. The moment she said my name, Finn cut her off. His voice, which had once been so gentle, was now like ice shards. “Isla? Call me again when she’s dead.” The officers exchanged uneasy glances. The female officer checked my records again. The file read: Orphan. Her expression hardened. “Take her to the holding cells.” The ten days passed faster than I expected. I was too busy with mandatory “re-education” programs to think much about Finn. When I got my phone back, it was flooded with missed calls from Finn and his assistant. I called him back. “Where the hell are you?” he snarled. “The file from my office drawer—where did you hide it?!” 2 I blinked, confused. “What file?” “You have thirty minutes to bring it back,” he seethed. “If you don’t, I’m calling the cops. Isla, don’t you dare test my patience.” I was completely lost. I looked at the female officer beside me. She had heard everything and held out her hand for my phone. She took it and spoke in a stern, official tone. “Mr. Blackwood, your wife was just released from detention and still has an outstanding fine. If you’d like to file a report, you can come directly to the precinct.” To my shock, Finn let out a cold laugh. “Isla, I’m not in the mood for your games.” He hung up. I didn’t know what was going on, but the officers told me to wait while they contacted Finn to come and pay the fine. Half an hour later, Finn stormed in, his face a thundercloud. He was grilling the officer. “Are you telling me she’s been in here for the last ten days? She hasn’t gone anywhere?” “Believe what you want,” the officer snapped. “Just pay the fine.” On the way to his office, I pieced together the story from Finn’s conversation with his assistant. Yesterday, the tender proposal in his drawer had vanished. It was for the company’s biggest and most confidential project of the year. Finn had the only final copy. The bid was due tomorrow. “A file that important has no backup?” I asked. The assistant whispered, “Ms. Vance accidentally spilled water on Mr. Blackwood’s laptop. The hard drive is completely fried.” Finn’s voice was a low warning. “Sienna already feels terrible about it. She’s sensitive. You are not to mention this in front of her.” The entire office was in a state of panic, everyone scrambling. The only person who was relaxed was Sienna, who was sitting in Finn’s chair, casually browsing the internet. When she saw me, she strode over with a bright smile. “Finn, you found Isla! Did you get the file back?” She took his hand and gave it a little swing. “I told you she was just angry and took it to get back at you. You can stop worrying about the bid now.” Finn’s expression was strange. He said nothing. Sienna’s smile faltered. Her gaze shifted to me. “Isla, you didn’t… lose the file, did you?” When I didn’t answer, her brow furrowed. “Isla, I heard Finn asked for a divorce. I know he was wrong, and you must be upset. But you shouldn’t have taken the company’s documents. So many people worked hard on that.” She changed her tone to one of gentle persuasion. “Just give it back. I’ve already talked to Finn. He won’t press charges.” “She didn’t take it,” Finn ground out. Sienna looked stunned. “How is that possible…?” Just then, the System issued a new command. “Slap her. Now!” How could I possibly touch Finn’s precious darling? But then, it clicked. The System had made me smash the police car to create a perfect alibi. It wasn’t trying to hurt me. Understanding dawned. I put every ounce of strength I had into my arm and swung, slapping Sienna hard across the face. “Such an act!” I spat out the lines the System provided. “Who do you think you are, sticking your nose in other people’s business? If you’re so concerned, maybe you should start by keeping your eyes off married men! You knew I couldn’t have the file, so you deliberately fanned the flames. I bet you’re the one who stole it!” The air froze. Sienna clutched her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You…” I slapped her again. “‘You’ what?! Don’t talk to me. I don’t converse with morally bankrupt homewreckers. It’s disgusting.” “Isla, are you insane?” Finn finally reacted, grabbing my wrist. Following the System’s next directive, I snatched the water glass from his desk and threw its contents in his face. The hot liquid drenched him. Finn froze. 3 He stared at me as if I were a complete stranger. “What’s happened to you? If I had known you were this unreasonable, back then I…” “If I had known you were no better than a public toilet,” I cut him off, “I never would have saved you!” Years ago, when the Blackwood family went bankrupt, Finn’s father had jumped from a skyscraper, and his mother had followed. His creditors had broken his leg and thrown him into the sea. I was a girl from a small coastal town, out on my fishing boat, and I pulled him from the water. I thought two lonely people could at least find some warmth in each other. But Sienna’s return had turned our eight-year marriage into a joke. The System’s spoilers and interventions had thrown my world into chaos. For the first time, looking at the drenched, pathetic man before me, I regretted saving him. Suddenly, Sienna shrieked. She stumbled, clutching the desk for support. “Finn, I feel dizzy.” Without even wiping the water from his face, Finn turned and swept her up into his arms. He didn’t spare me a single glance as he carried her to the sofa. I turned to leave, but he stopped me. “She fainted because of you. Don’t you move!” He buzzed his private doctor. After listening to Finn’s instructions, the doctor wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. “Mr. Blackwood, while Mrs. Blackwood and Ms. Vance both have Type A blood, anemia doesn’t necessarily require a transfusion. And even if it did, we could…” “That’s too much trouble,” Finn’s voice was glacial. “Isla laid a hand on her. She can damn well take responsibility. Just draw her blood.” “Don’t just stand there,” the System prompted. “It’s time for a dare.” I pinched my palm, then threw open the office door. “Urgently seeking Type A blood!” I yelled to the stunned employees outside. “Ten thousand dollars a pint!” I turned back to meet Finn’s shocked gaze. “What, you’re not willing to part with a little cash?” People began to gather. “Mr. Blackwood, ma’am, I’m Type A! I even have my donor card. Is it really ten thousand a pint?” I smiled. “Mr. Blackwood is very anxious to save Ms. Vance. The more, the merrier.” With that, I pushed through the crowd and went home. Following the System’s guidance, I spent the afternoon drafting a new divorce agreement. Finn came home at two in the morning. He smelled of lilies. He had forgotten I was allergic. He picked up my version of the agreement and let out a series of derisive snorts. “Isla, are you out of your mind? Demanding I leave with nothing?” He tossed a form on the table in front of me. An organ donation consent form. “No more tricks. Either you sign this, or I’ll have someone sign it for you.” I opened it. It was for my kidney, of course. Finn started scribbling changes on my divorce agreement. “Sienna’s having some health issues. Help her, and consider it helping me. As a thank you, I’ll give you a million dollars.” He stared at me coldly. “Don’t be so greedy. It makes me wonder if you had ulterior motives for saving me all those years ago.” Perhaps he was overconfident. He went into the master bedroom to sleep, leaving me in the living room. A cold wind blew in from the window, chilling me to the bone. Following the System’s instructions, I went into the study and turned on the computer. Finn’s social media password was easy to guess: the date Sienna left the country. He had, after all, once tattooed those numbers on his ankle. I took a picture of the organ donation form and posted it online. The caption read: Seeking a matching kidney. One million dollars. Serious inquiries only. Below, I listed Finn’s personal phone number.

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Chapter 1 In the first year after I was found and brought back home, the fake son proposed a trip to the Golden Isle to bond as brothers. For safety’s sake, my fiancée accompanied us. As a result, they racked up a huge gambling debt at the island’s casino. To escape, she left me on the island as a hostage and fled without a trace with the fake son. The casino goons pinned me down, ready to take their anger out on me. Struggling desperately, I saw a contact saved as “Island Owner” on the leader’s phone screen. Wasn’t that the number of my older sister, who had doted on me for over a decade? …… “Where is that brat? Bring him back to me!” I hid in the room, shivering, as the locked door was being kicked open. A week ago, I never would have imagined that the Golden Isle my fiancée brought me to for a vacation would have an underground casino. She and Julian played recklessly in the casino day and night, and in the end, I was the one who suffered! With a “boom,” the door was kicked open, and several burly men in black swarmed in. I held a table lamp in front of me, looking at them tremblingly. “Don’t come over! Chloe has gone to get the money. She’ll pay off the gambling debt soon!” The leader spat fiercely on the ground in disdain. “Stop lying to me. I fell for your trick last night, thinking that if I kept you, they would obediently get the money. But that bitch ran away with her boyfriend!” “What did you say? They left me and ran away?!” “Stop pretending you don’t know. I think you guys are in cahoots to play me!” Cold sweat ran down my forehead. The bitch the leader referred to was my fiancée, Chloe, and the man who left with her was Julian, the fake son who had occupied my identity for over a decade. They actually conspired to leave me alone on the island? “Boss, stop talking nonsense with him. We have to make this brat suffer a bit.” The leader waved his hand, and instantly three or five burly men surrounded me. With a light lift of their hands, they knocked the lamp out of my hand and pinned me hard onto the table. “Don’t touch me! Get off!” While struggling, I accidentally kicked one of them in the shin, and immediately a slap came towards me. Half of my face swelled up instantly, and blood came out of my mouth. These people were too brutal. If I didn’t think of a way, I might really die here! The leader walked up to me with a whip, patting my face with the handle. “Be honest. I’ll let you taste the consequences of not paying your debts right now!” “Bro, let me go. I have money. I’ll pay off all the gambling debts!” “Do you think I’ll believe your bullshit? If you really had money, why would they leave you here alone!” I was racking my brains for a plan when I accidentally saw the leader’s phone screen. There was a contact saved as “Island Owner” in the address book. My eyes widened instantly after seeing that number. I had memorized this string of numbers by heart. This was clearly my sister Sophia’s phone number! Chapter 2 Sophia was the biological daughter of my adoptive parents. Before I was found by the Thorne family, she pampered me for over a decade. She even filled her bedroom with my photos without my knowledge, loving me but daring not to speak of it. “Your boss is Sophia?” “You’ve done your homework. This entire casino is our boss’s private property. Not many people know about this.” My heart steadied instantly, and I shouted at them: “Sophia is my sister. We’re on the same side! Let me go right now. I can explain the misunderstanding to her!” The leader and his brothers looked at each other, a sneer of unclear meaning appearing on their faces. Then, he raised his foot and kicked me hard. “A discarded piece of trash like you dares to pretend to be the eldest young master? Bah! You really don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth.” “The eldest young master is the boss’s soft spot. Do you know what happened to the last person who tried to involve the eldest young master? It would scare you to death!” “Jack, bring my stick. I’m going to teach this audacious pretty boy a lesson for the boss!” I was kicked dizzy and endured the severe pain to explain to him: “I am your eldest young master. If you don’t believe me, you can call Sophia to confront me!” Coincidentally, the leader’s phone rang at this moment. The caller was Sophia. I struggled to break free from the big guy’s restraint and reached out to grab the leader’s phone. “Give me the phone. Let me talk to Sophia. She’ll recognize me as soon as she hears my voice!” The leader slapped me, pointing at me fiercely and ordering me to shut up. His brothers pinned me down again. The leader gave them a look, then bowed and scraped as he answered the phone and walked out. “Hello, Boss. I was dealing with a brat who owed gambling debts. Do you have any instructions?” I opened my mouth to shout, but before I could make a sound, a rag was stuffed into my mouth. “Told you to shut up. You never learn!” Someone pushed me to the ground, and others began to surround me, punching and kicking. My body curled into a shrimp shape, nearly fainting from the severe pain. But with my mouth gagged, I couldn’t even scream in pain. Sophia had spoiled me since I was little. Even if I got a small cut on my hand, she would worry for days. I was spoiled to be arrogant and domineering by her. Even after being taken back to the Thorne family, I never suffered any grievances because of my personality. I wonder what Sophia’s reaction would be if she saw me in this miserable state. Just when my vision was going black and I couldn’t hold on anymore, the leader came back with his phone, looking nervous. “Stop, stop it immediately!” Chapter 3 The rain of fists finally moved away from me. “What happened, boss?” The leader looked at me contemptuously. “Stop wasting time on this pretty boy. The Boss said the eldest young master is missing, and the last place he appeared was our casino. Gather all the brothers quickly to find the eldest young master.” I was beaten dizzy, but I froze upon hearing this. Sophia had been following my whereabouts even after I left, and she discovered I was missing? I propped up my trembling arms to get up from the ground, making “mmm” sounds. A minion beside me kicked me. “Be quiet!” “Boss, what do we do with this kid?” The leader looked solemn, seeming to be thinking about something. “The Boss is already on the plane, coming to find the eldest young master personally. Just now this kid said he was the eldest young master, this…” A look of excitement immediately appeared on my face. Great, Sophia is coming. She will not only rescue me but also punish these blind guys for me. But the leader changed the subject: “We absolutely cannot let the Boss see him. Now the Boss can’t find the eldest young master and is anxious. If this crazy pretty boy jumps out and says he is the eldest young master again, touching the Boss’s bad luck and angering us, it would be bad.” “Boss, you are so thoughtful. So, shall we drive him away?” The leader pinched my chin, looked left and right, tsk-tsking: “Looks passable.” “Lock him in the confinement room first. After the Boss finds the eldest young master and leaves, we’ll train him and make him a junket operator to pay off the debt.” Hearing this, I shook my head desperately. They want me to stay and be a junket operator? Then I’ll never be able to leave this island for the rest of my life! But no one cared about my opinion. They dragged me away like livestock towards the confinement room. No, Sophia is coming soon. I must find a way to see her. This is my last chance. Once locked up, I’m truly done for! Just as these two were throwing me into the confinement room and about to lock the door, I stumbled up and used all my strength to crash open the door that hadn’t been fully closed. Then, I picked up a steel pipe from the ground and swung it hard at one of their heads. He immediately clutched his head and fell to the ground in pain. Before the other person rushed up to subdue me, I smashed the steel pipe hard against her face. After dealing with these two, my adrenaline soared, and I ran forward desperately with amazing speed. The sound of a helicopter came from overhead. It’s Sophia. She’s here! Chapter 4 I ran like crazy towards where the plane landed and saw the cabin door open. Sophia walked slowly down the steps. My heart pounded wildly, but before I could make a sound, my mouth was covered by a rough hand. Then my hair was violently pulled. “Brat, you dare hit me. I think you don’t want to live!” It was the guy I hit on the head just now. He actually caught up! The leader was respectfully waiting to pick up the plane, noticed the commotion here, and looked over with a frown. He shook his head silently at the man. I was immediately controlled by the man and hidden behind a wall. Not far away, Sophia had walked down, travel-worn and full of worry. The leader immediately went up to meet her: “Boss, we have pulled all the surveillance according to your instructions. We will definitely find clues about the eldest young master.” “Go to the monitoring room.” Sophia strode forward. When she passed me, we were separated only by a wall. She suddenly stopped and clenched her fists. As if speaking to me, or to herself: “Liam, you must be okay.” My face was covered with tears and blood. Clearly she was right in front of my eyes, but I couldn’t make a sound. In the end, I was locked into the confinement room. To prevent me from escaping, they dislocated my arms, tied my legs, and gagged my mouth firmly with a rag again. For the next few days, Sophia didn’t come. The underground casino environment was dim, and during the days with Chloe, she left me in the hotel and didn’t let me go out. Presumably, the surveillance definitely didn’t capture my face. My hope faded bit by bit. But this morning, I heard a rush of footsteps and Sophia’s voice. “Boss, how can you confirm that person is the eldest young master just based on a back view? Could you have seen wrong? He’s just a minion left here to pay off debt.” Sophia’s voice was impatient, revealing a trace of panic. “Cut the crap. Where did you lock him up?” “Just… just in the confinement room ahead.” She recognized me! Hope rose in my heart, and I tried to make “mmm” sounds to attract Sophia’s attention. But the footsteps stopped ten steps away from me. “President Thorne, I just confirmed with the eldest young master’s fiancée. She said the eldest young master has returned to the country and is not missing at all.” It was the voice of Sophia’s assistant. “Where is his location?” “Also in the country. It shows he returned three days ago, just synced up due to signal issues.” Before Chloe left with Julian, she also took my phone, which had the tracking app Sophia installed for me. Now she actually wants to use the phone’s location to mislead Sophia! The leader persuaded diligently: “Boss, you must have seen wrong. I thought how could that man be the eldest young master!” Sophia instructed the assistant: “Contact the pilot immediately to prepare to return to the country. I won’t be at ease until I see Liam with my own eyes.” “Yes, President Thorne.” Hearing the sound of Sophia turning to leave, I couldn’t care about anything anymore. I used all my strength to smash my head against the iron door of the confinement room, making a loud “bang.” Sophia’s steps paused, and her tone turned cold: “Who on earth is locked in here?!”

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I have a thing for possessive, controlling relationships. Sebastian Thorne, a master of this game, captured my heart. He was cold, distant, and always got his way. Until the day I told him I wanted to find a good man and settle down. On the surface, he was calm and indifferent. But that night, he tied me to the bed, crying and insisting he was a good man too. He claimed I ruined him. “If you didn’t like it like this, why would I do it? Who would want me now? I’m used goods! You ruined me! You played with my feelings! You’re fickle! It’s you! It’s all you!” Me: “…” 1 I am a classic “gold canary.” On the surface, I look weak and easily bullied. In reality, I am weak and easily bullied. [Clothes sent. Change into them. Driver will pick you up.] I stared at the message on my phone. I rolled around on the bed. That tone of notification, that unquestionable attitude, that cold message. I opened the package he sent. His taste was as extravagant as ever: luxurious dresses and blinding jewelry. I buried my face deep in the clothes and inhaled. So tacky. I love it. I typed back weakly: [Sebastian, I don’t like these.] [Put them on.] My heart pounded. So domineering. I love it even more. 2 Sebastian’s various business banquets couldn’t do without my assistance. Even though everyone said I was just a vase with beauty but no brains, offering no help to Sebastian. Whenever this happened, I would rest my chin on my hand, stare at the person until they were uncomfortable, and then ask cheekily, “So let me ask you, am I beautiful?” The person would look flustered but had to nod reluctantly and admit it. That’s enough then. The number one vase in the entertainment industry, with beauty but no substance, irreplaceable. Sebastian Thorne is lucky to have me. And he’s rich, handsome, and good at being controlling. If any of these conditions were missing, I might not have become his gold canary. 3 Sebastian stood at the entrance waiting for me to get out of the car. I lifted my skirt and walked over cheerfully, braking suddenly to change my expression, almost forgetting to control my face. I frowned slightly, squeezed out two tears, looking sentimental. “Sebastian.” Sebastian didn’t spare me a glance. “Let’s go.” As expected, cold and distant. He extended his hand just now but pulled it back. I assumed he was shocked speechless by my beauty and remembered his identity as my sugar daddy. After all, as a sugar daddy, it would be losing face to personally take care of a canary. I went up and took his arm. Entering the hall, everyone’s expressions varied. Some came over to curry favor with Sebastian, not forgetting to compliment me beside him. “Miss Winters is young and beautiful, gentle and considerate. She looks very compatible with Mr. Thorne.” Maybe they ran out of words. Using the word “compatible” made me fear Sebastian would bankrupt them with a single sentence. The person couldn’t read Sebastian’s expression and could only force themselves to praise my successful career. Successful career… he really knows how to praise. I’m a D-list celebrity, and the two variety show gigs I got were resources Sebastian threw my way. So I pursed my lips and smiled: “You really know how to talk.” Sebastian glanced at me lightly. I understood. This meant shut up. During the break, I hid on the second-floor balcony, bored, looking at the scenery outside the railing. Being rich is nice. A little breeze, a little view, a little coffee. “Willow Winters!” I turned around and saw a cute and playful girl gritting her teeth and staring at me. She said angrily: “You’re very proud, aren’t you?” What do you mean? I gestured for her to continue. “Don’t think just because you’re with Sebastian now, you can be with him forever. Whenever I want, Sebastian can kick you out anytime!” I remembered. It’s said Sebastian had a childhood sweetheart. Their families were close enough to arrange a marriage, but Sebastian wasn’t interested in her. Obviously, he’s more interested in a glamorous vase like me. “You like Sebastian?” Lily Moon blushed. “What nonsense are you talking about!” “You like Sebastian, but you have no chance.” Lily was shy just now, but hearing this, her face darkened. “Who do you think you are? Just a sell-out. Do you really think Sebastian takes you seriously? Believe it or not, I can make him blacklist you right now!” Such ugly words. I slapped her. Slap! She covered her face in disbelief. Why would I need Sebastian to take me seriously? “Your brother cares about looks,” I smiled, pointing to my face. “He likes this face. You can get plastic surgery to look like this. If you have a dirty mouth again, ten slaps.” Besides, being weak and easily bullied presupposes Sebastian is present. Strike the heart. Lily screamed and tried to tear my face. The commotion here attracted people. Sebastian and another young man walked over. Lily cried instantly, throwing herself into Sebastian’s arms saying I bullied her and asking him to kick me out. The innocent rich girl and the cold, domineering CEO standing together indeed had a special flavor. Sebastian pushed her aside. Looked at me. I looked back at him. After a while, a tear fell, and I turned my head away. That tear hit the soft carpet silently. Sebastian stepped forward and took my hand, took off his jacket, and draped it over me. The jacket had his faint scent. “Put it on.” I was surprised and tried to struggle, but Sebastian was too strong. Sebastian frowned: “Don’t move.” I quieted down. My eyes were still red. Sebastian touched my face with his hand. I instinctively dodged. He froze for a second, then unquestioningly turned my face back. The thin calluses on his fingertips hurt my cheek a little. I hissed. Gently stepped on his foot. Sebastian was expressionless, ordered the driver to take me back, and took the screaming Lily downstairs himself. The young man beside him raised an eyebrow slightly. I glanced at him preparing to leave. As we passed each other, a business card fell precisely into my bag. 4 Poaching right in front of Sebastian. Very bold. As soon as Sebastian came back, I crumpled the card and threw it in the trash. He loosened his tie, pulled me from the sofa, and kissed me fiercely and urgently. A messy kiss. “Sebastian.” I was bitten a bit painfully, wanted to push him away, but couldn’t. Sebastian’s eyes were deep. When he stared down, I actually felt my scalp tingle. “You cried today.” I recalled. I did squeeze out two crocodile tears when battling tea skills with Lily today. I opened my mouth to pretend to be pitiful again. Sebastian: “Cry again.” Me: “…” He seemed to find it interesting, his thumb rubbing my face constantly. “Cry.” I blinked desperately, eyes red, forcing out a bit of tears. Sebastian was satisfied. “Beautiful.” A concise psycho.

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My diagnosis turned me into the family’s greatest burden after I had poor coagulation, their Glass Doll. The doctor had given me five years. Because of that sentence, my parents’ entire world revolved around me. They poured every cent, every moment of their lives, into keeping me alive. The one day we had a faint sound of laughter was my fifth birthday. Only my little sister, Willow, was too young to understand the relief. “Aubrey,” she asked, her voice small and bewildered, “is this the last birthday we’ll ever have with you?” That was the first time Dad ever hit her. Mom collapsed onto the floor, weeping and praying for some impossible extension of my time. But on the morning Willow was supposed to start kindergarten, I whispered that my chest hurt a little. Mom’s face shattered. She struck me, the sharp slap echoing in the silence. “Why are you so awful?” she screamed, tears streaming down her face. “Do you have to make your sister miserable just to prove a point? Can’t we have five minutes that aren’t about you?” “Go on! Go die, Aubrey! Just stop torturing us already!” She grabbed the medicine bottles from the counter, sending them crashing onto the tiled floor, then hauled Willow away and slammed the door behind them. I didn’t say a word. I just stared at the small cut on my forearm, watching the blood well up, feeling the cold seep into my body. 1 I’d instinctively raised my arm when the prescription bottles smashed, and a shard of glass had found me. I watched the slow, thick welling of red for a full two seconds before the doctor’s long-ago warning finally surfaced: “Honey, you cannot have any cuts. Even a scratch might not stop bleeding.” In a rush of panic, I fumbled for the first-aid kit. I slapped on a Band-Aid, but half a minute later, the white cotton was saturated. I turned to grab a gauze roll, but the blood was already dripping onto the clean hardwood floor. Mom always kept the house immaculate. I couldn’t stand to give her one more thing to be angry about. Frantically, I ripped at the sleeve of my pajama top, trying to wipe the floor clean. But the blood seemed to be actively spreading, painting a wider, messier smear with every swipe. Finally, I just grabbed a hand towel, wadding it around the wound. A chill began to set in, starting at my fingertips and burrowing deep into my bones. I stumbled into the bathroom and ran the tub, letting the water get almost scalding hot. Only when I slid into the steaming bath did I feel a fraction of relief. The blood was still flowing, instantly clouding the water and staining it a deep, alarming rose. Suddenly, I desperately needed them. I fumbled with my watch and dialed Dad’s number. It rang and rang. No answer. Then, Mom’s. The background noise was deafening—music, kids laughing, a kind of manic energy that felt miles away from my quiet bathroom. “What is it, Aubrey? Make it fast. Willow’s about to go on.” “Mom, I don’t feel well. I’m bleeding a lot…” Her impatience sliced through the line. “Not well again? Seriously?” “Is it physically impossible for you to be okay for twenty minutes when we’re not right there? Aubrey, you’re eight years old. You’re a big girl. Can you please just act like one?” The sharp click of the dial tone was deafening in the empty bathroom. I looked at the water, which was slowly, inevitably turning crimson, and wanted to cry so badly it hurt. Mom was right. I was always a problem. My illness was a problem. My sadness was a problem. Now, my very blood was a problem. Her favorite cashmere-blend sweater, left draped over the side of the tub, still smelled faintly of lavender. I pulled it over my face. For a moment, it was like being little again, back when I had a high fever and she’d stay up all night, her face close to mine. The water cooled. The bleeding seemed to have slowed a bit. Maybe it was almost done. As my head started to feel fuzzy, a thought settled: Maybe if the blood stops, the trouble stops too. Maybe then, I’ll finally be fixed. My parents wouldn’t have to spend every second worrying about their sickly daughter. My sister wouldn’t have to always concede to her fragile older sibling. I wouldn’t have to always be careful, always pretending to be the grown-up girl, biting my tongue to stifle a gasp of pain in the middle of the night. Curled up in the tub, I felt safe—the way I imagined a baby must feel before it’s born. 2 When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was a very pale, very small girl floating in a tub of dark water. Was this it? Was I already gone? The front door opened. Willow’s high, excited laugh rang out. “Aubrey! I’m home!” I rushed out. Mom and Dad walked in, holding Willow’s hands, Dad carrying a box for a strawberry birthday cake. He paused, looking at the mess of the shattered pill bottles on the kitchen floor. “What is this?” Mom’s brow furrowed in exhaustion. “She threw a tantrum at lunchtime.” “She lied about being sick because I had to take Willow to her first day of school.” Dad’s face hardened. “She’s getting completely out of hand.” I tried to explain, waving my hands frantically in front of their faces. “No! It wasn’t on purpose! I wasn’t lying!” My hand passed right through Dad’s shoulder. They didn’t feel a thing. Willow ran to my bedroom door. She knocked gently. “Aubrey, come on out! It’s cake time!” Silence. Utter, complete silence from inside. Willow looked up at Mom. “Is she sleeping?” I floated close to my sister. “Thank you, Willow.” Mom’s voice was cold. “Sleeping? She’s just trying to ignore us. Leave her. We’ll eat first.” Dad set the cake on the kitchen island. Willow peered at it, her small voice soft. “But I want to wait for Aubrey.” Dad ripped open the box and exchanged a look with Mom. “If Aubrey were half as reasonable as you are, we’d both sleep a lot better.” The five candles were pushed into the soft frosting and lit. Mom hoisted Willow onto a stool, and under the spotlight of their gaze, she blew out the flickering flames. It was Willow’s fifth birthday. Mom smiled warmly. “Did you make a wish, sweetie?” Willow’s eyes sparkled. “Yes! I wished that Aubrey—” Dad quickly ruffled her hair. “Shh. Wishes don’t come true if you tell them, kiddo.” I watched them from the edge of the counter. In previous years, my birthdays had always been heavy with the smell of hospital sanitizer and guilt. The candles on my cake were always a countdown. But Willow’s birthday finally looked like a Normal Birthday. When it came time to cut the cake, Willow insisted on the biggest slice. “This is for Aubrey!” She carried the plate to my closed bedroom door and knocked again. “Aubrey, come share the strawberry cake with me!” Still nothing. The tiny smile on Willow’s face faded. She returned to the island and whispered, “Aubrey won’t talk to me.” Dad suddenly reached out, snatching the plate from Willow’s hand. He didn’t just move it; he slammed the perfect slice of strawberry cake and the plate into the garbage can. “Fine,” he growled, hitting the table with his open palm. “Then no one eats it! No one calls her again. If she wants to act like this, she can starve until she decides to be a decent kid.” Willow was terrified, her eyes instantly filling with tears. Mom pulled her close, glaring at Dad. “Don’t yell at her!” Then, she softened for Willow. “It’s okay, sweet girl. We’ll eat ours. When Aubrey figures out she’s being ridiculous, she’ll come out.” I knelt by the trash can, staring at the discarded slice. The strawberry on top was still glistening, but now it was mixed with damp paper towels. What a waste. It was my favorite. Willow ate her small slice in quiet bites, constantly glancing at the closed bedroom door. Mom and Dad ate in silence. The dining table was meant for four, but one seat was empty. I sat in that empty space and quietly wished Willow a happy birthday. 3 That night, Mom was bathing Willow. I hovered in front of the shower curtain, my ghost-heart clenching, terrified that she would pull it back and see the horror of the tub. Steam filled the room. Mom was making soap bubbles for Willow. Willow looked up, her wet hair plastered to her forehead. “Mommy, why hasn’t Aubrey come out yet?” Mom’s hand stilled on the back of Willow’s head. “She’s probably sleeping, honey.” Willow’s voice was small. “But I miss her. I haven’t seen her all day.” Mom turned off the water and wrapped Willow entirely in a massive bath towel, pulling her into a hug. “Willow, do you ever get mad at Daddy and me?” “Mad about what?” Mom squeezed her tighter. “Mad that we always focus on Aubrey, that we give her all the best things, that sometimes we forget to give you enough time.” Willow reached her wet little arms around Mom’s neck. “No. Because Aubrey is sick.” “My teacher said that sick people need the most looking after. Daddy, Mommy, and I have to take care of her.” Mom’s shoulders gave a small, almost imperceptible shake. She buried her face in Willow’s hair, and for a long moment, she didn’t speak. “You are so grown up, sweet girl.” “Aubrey is very fragile.” I stood pressed against the cold tiles, listening as Mom continued. “She was born with a weak heart. The doctors told us she might never grow up.” Mom inhaled sharply, wiping her nose on the towel. “We’ve been so terrified of her hurting, of her being in pain, that we’ve almost smothered her with everything we have.” Her voice dropped to a choked whisper. “But sometimes I get so tired, Willow.” “Sometimes, I just… I wish I could be a normal mother. A mom who didn’t have to be so scared. I wish I didn’t have to be so tired, sweetheart.” Willow, only half-understanding, patted Mom’s back with a small hand. I crouched in the corner, silent, clear tears of the dead falling onto the tiles. “I’m sorry, Mom. I was the one who was selfish…” “If I had never existed, if you only had Willow, how much easier would it all have been?” But they couldn’t hear me. After tucking Willow into bed, Mom walked to the door of my room and stood there for a long time. Finally, she raised a hand and knocked softly. “Aubrey? Are you asleep?” I drifted toward her, trying to reach out, but my ghostly fingers passed through empty air. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you today. That was my mistake.” “It was Willow’s first day of school, and I was so stressed. I didn’t mean to be cruel.” She paused, waiting for a reply that would never come. Mom sighed, defeated. “I left a slice of cake on the counter. It’s strawberry. The one you like. Please eat it.” She stood there for another few seconds before walking back to the master bedroom. The door closed. I went to the kitchen and saw the small slice of cake on a plate. It was just a tiny piece, and the strawberry on top was slightly tilted. I looked back at the small girl submerged in the tub. The water was now freezing cold. My face was white as paper. Mom never pulled back the curtain. She didn’t know the cake was already too late. She didn’t know that I could no longer hear her apology. 4 I followed Mom into the master bedroom. Dad looked up from his book. “Did Aubrey come out?” Mom sat on the bed, folding laundry. She shook her head. “No movement. She’s being stubborn. She’s a big girl now, she has pride.” Dad took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “She’s hurting, too. She’s never been to a real school, never made real friends. Seeing Willow go off must be hard.” “Maybe we could hire a tutor? Get her some lessons at home?” Mom froze, her hands stilling over a shirt. “A tutor? Where will we get the money? We’re already behind on her medication bill from last month.” Dad sighed, turning onto his side. “I’ll start driving for Uber. I can do a few hours every night after the office. We can pull it together.” Mom turned to look at him. The bedside lamp highlighted the deep, dark circles under his eyes. “You’re exhausted enough from your day job. That’s dangerous.” He waved it off. “I’ll be fine. I’m strong.” “But my shoulder is a little tight lately. Could you put a patch on it for me?” Dad turned over. Mom lifted his pajama collar. The skin on his shoulder was angry, red, and swollen. I stood by the bed, staring at the raw irritation on his skin. Ghost-tears fell onto the duvet. I always complained about him coming home late, about him not having time to play with me. I never stopped to think about what he was doing for those missing hours. I threw myself into his empty embrace. “I’m sorry, Daddy. Please forgive my selfishness.” Mom applied the heating patch, and they lay down, turning off the light. I slipped in between them, just as I used to do when I was little. On my left, Mom’s warm, even breath. On my right, Dad’s slow, steady heartbeat. I reached out, my incorporeal arms loosely circling them both. In that quiet moment, I felt an impossible peace. The next morning, Mom called out for breakfast. Passing the island, she saw the strawberry cake—still sitting on the plate, completely untouched. The whipped cream had started to sag, the strawberry shriveled. The faint tenderness on Mom’s face vanished, replaced by a cold fury. She put the plate down and stormed toward my room. She banged twice on the door. “Aubrey, come out now.” No response. Her eyes began to well up. “I apologized yesterday! What do you want from me now?” “You won’t eat the cake? Are you going on a hunger strike to spite us? Who are you trying to punish? Do you want to kill me with stress?” Still no sound. Mom gripped the doorknob and threw the door open. The room was empty. Her face went bone-white. She spun around, terror seizing her. “Jack! She’s gone!” Dad scrambled out of bed. “What? No, Laura, don’t panic. She must be somewhere in the house.” That’s when Willow’s voice came from down the hall. “Mommy, Aubrey’s in the bathroom playing in the water!” I panicked. I screamed at Willow. “Willow! Go! Don’t let them see me!” But Willow couldn’t hear. She marched into the bathroom and pulled the shower curtain all the way back. Mom sighed, relieved, then the air completely emptied from her lungs. “Aubrey! You have crossed the line! I am truly angry now—” The next second, she saw me, submerged in the bloody water.

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The system tasked me with winning the heart of the male lead. Just as I placed a love letter on the male lead’s desk, I was targeted by the crazy female secondary character who had a secret crush on him. To save my life, I lied: “I put it in the wrong place. It’s for his deskmate.” Then I watched her throw the letter to the person behind her: “Brother, this is for you.” … From then on, she stopped pursuing the male lead and taught me how to chase her brother every day. 1 I transmigrated into a book. Into a angst novel I just finished reading. When I woke up in a strange bed, I hadn’t realized the seriousness of the situation. Until a mechanical voice sounded in my head, telling me that my life in the 3D world had ended, and I could live in this world by completing the capture mission. Only then did I suddenly remember that my last memory was indeed being hit by a speeding car. “Liam Song is the male lead of this world. The host’s task is to capture the male lead’s heart and live a happy life with him to support the existence of this world.” The cold mechanical voice announced my mission quickly after telling me some situations of this world. What shocked me was not the existence of such a world, but that this world was exactly the same as the angst novel I just finished reading. The reason for capturing Liam Song is that Liam Song will eventually die for the female lead. If Liam Song dies, this world will cease to exist. But having read the whole book, I know deeply how much Liam Song loves the female lead. The system seemed to know my doubts: “It is currently the first semester of Liam Song’s senior year. The female lead, Grace Gu, has not appeared yet.” That is indeed a bit simpler. And having just finished reading the novel, I knew very well how Grace Gu opened Liam Song’s cold heart. I just need to learn to do it before Grace Gu arrives. Thinking of this, I happily reached a deal with the system. “The host’s current identity is a junior high school student named Hannah Ye, with a happy family and excellent grades…” Hannah Ye seemed to be me in another world. I hardly needed to adapt to this role. After attending classes at school for two days, I decided to start working. When I put a love letter into Liam Song’s desk, I completely forgot that there was also a crazy and vicious female secondary character in this novel. So when Bella Pei blocked me in the alley with that love letter, I was dumbfounded. “Is this the love letter you wrote to Liam Song?” Bella Pei forced me into a corner, looking at me with very unfriendly eyes. I looked at the love letter in her hand and swallowed. If I admit it now, I will definitely be the one suffering from school bullying tomorrow. I shook my head and talked nonsense: “Huh? No! I put it in the wrong place. It was for his deskmate.” Bella Pei obviously didn’t expect me to say this, and froze on the spot. Just when I was about to laugh dryly to end this embarrassment, she suddenly turned around and threw the letter to the person approaching. “Brother, this is for you.” ??? 2 Bella Pei’s brother is named Ryan Pei. Although the author only mentioned this person briefly, I clearly remember that he has a moody personality and is very hard to mess with. Ryan Pei caught the letter thrown at him, and threw it into the trash can next to him without even looking at it. He looked up at me. His eyes were gloomy. They were obviously very beautiful eyes, but they seemed to have no light at all. He and Liam Song seemed to be people from two different worlds. Liam Song looked cold but full of righteousness, while just one look at Ryan Pei would make you understand that he was a person from the abyss. I shivered all over from this look. Ryan Pei sneered, stepped forward to pick up Bella Pei’s schoolbag: “Go home.” Bella Pei pulled the strap of her schoolbag, a bit unconvinced, but still turned around and walked out of the alley following his steps. But she didn’t take two steps before turning back to look at me. “Do you really like my brother?” I looked at Bella Pei walking in front of her and swallowed. Dare not like. But dare not dislike either. I pretended to be shy and neither nodded nor shook my head. Before she could speak again, Ryan Pei pulled her schoolbag and dragged her to disappear at the entrance of the alley. Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief. These two Pei siblings are the villains in the novel, and Bella Pei is the person who directly affects Liam Song’s ending. I lay on the bed, thinking over and over again, but couldn’t think of any way to avoid them. After a sleepless night, I went to school with dark circles under my eyes. What I never expected was that Bella Pei would actually come to my class to find me. She appeared at the window with a large group of people, and shouted loudly to me who was dozing by the window: “Hello, sister-in-law.” Scared me so much that my hand supporting my head slipped, and my whole head hit the table. As soon as I looked up, she leaned over with a grin: “Does it hurt?” I was confused. Seeing no reaction from me, she turned back to the people behind her and said: “Why don’t you call sister-in-law? No manners.” I blinked, unable to believe everything in front of me. And the people behind her also said in unison: “Hello, sister-in-law.” Deafening. I could feel the shock of the classmates in the class without looking back. After all, I was even more shocked than them. 3 Bella Pei is sick. Now the whole world knows that I like Ryan Pei, and Ryan Pei doesn’t like me. Because just this morning, when Bella Pei brought a large group of people to call me sister-in-law, Ryan Pei passed by my window. Hearing Bella Pei call me sister-in-law, he frowned slightly and said coldly: “She doesn’t deserve it.” Heaven knows I was about to explode when I heard these words. What made me explode even more was that Liam Song also heard it. He stood not far away and rarely looked up at me. Thanks to Ryan Pei, before I could even speak to Liam Song, Liam Song knew me. Although the situation is already very ugly. But I still have to continue to complete the task. When I finally found out that Liam Song would go to play basketball in the afternoon, I decided to grit my teeth and move forward again. When I bought water and ran to the basketball court, the basketball game had already started. I hid among all the girls, watching the people on the court. Just when I was about to shout “Go Liam Song” with the girls, I saw Ryan Pei. He raised his hand and threw a ball casually into the basket, scored a three-pointer, and suddenly looked up at me. The words “Liam Song” got stuck in my throat. Wait. Why is someone like Ryan Pei also playing basketball? “Supporting characters also have their own hobbies and lives.” The system, which had disappeared for two days, suddenly answered me coldly. “You finally appeared. You don’t know how miserable I have been these two days.” “Defeating the female secondary character and being with the male lead was originally a part of your mission.” … How to defeat? Even the original female lead died at the hands of these two siblings. How can I defeat them! Just as I was trying to reason with the system, Bella Pei also squeezed in from the crowd. As soon as she saw me, her eyes lit up. Scared. Really scared. “Sister-in-law!” She squeezed to my side and winked at me, “Are you here to cheer for my brother?” I… Before I could speak, a whistle sounded on the court. Halftime break. “Brother, sister-in-law brought you water.” Bella Pei pushed me forward. Oh god! Why is my fate so rough! Holding the water in my hand, I stood stiffly in place. Watching Ryan Pei walk towards me step by step. He walked up to me and looked down at me. Making my scalp numb. So I raised the water in my hand and said to him as if facing death: “For you.” Then the bottle of water that I originally intended to give to Liam Song was neatly thrown into the trash can by Ryan Pei. I thank his ancestors for eight generations. 4 “Sister-in-law, don’t be discouraged. I think my brother will definitely fall in love with you. I recognize you as my sister-in-law.” On the way home from school, Bella Pei walked beside me to comfort me. I looked up at her. Quite a good-looking girl, why is she like this? “I thank you.” I pulled the corner of my mouth, “But can you not call me sister-in-law?” I really can’t bear it. “Why?” “Because the impact is bad. Puppy love will be notified and punished.” I sighed, “Just call me Hannah.” Hearing this, she frowned. Seeing her frown, it was as if I saw my tragic future. But before I could change my words, she said: “Okay.” “Hannah, we will be family from now on.” She held my arm affectionately and leaned into my ear mysteriously, “I’ll tell you a secret.” “I like Liam Song.” Big sister, what kind of secret is this? I pretended to suddenly realize, as if waking up from a dream: “Huh? Really?” “Really. In the future, I help you chase my brother, and you help me chase Liam Song, how about it?” … System, look for yourself, what kind of suggestion is this? “I think it’s pretty good. This way you can openly contact Liam Song.” Hmm? Why didn’t I think of that. “Okay, then I’ll help you chase Liam Song first.” I agreed. From then on, Bella Pei became my best “friend”. We went to school together and left school together. Watching Liam Song receive one love letter after another together. “Calm down, you must calm down.” I held Bella Pei’s fist. Just then, Ryan Pei, who came back from PE class, was also stopped by a girl. The girl blushed and stuffed a love letter into his hand, turned and ran. Ryan Pei is very good-looking. Even though his whole body exudes an aura of “get away from me”, it can’t cover up that kind of good looks. It’s actually not strange for girls to send love letters. Bella Pei put her hand on mine backhand and patted my hand: “Don’t worry, my brother will only be yours.” Because he’s mine, I’m worried! “No, we can’t just wait like this. Come to my house after school today, let’s plan properly.” As soon as the school bell rang, Bella Pei came to take me to her house. Twenty minutes later, I stood outside a large villa, shocked. The novel said they were rich, but I didn’t know they were this rich. The old woman who opened the door was dumbfounded when she saw me. After reacting, she quickly took the schoolbags from Bella Pei and me. She walked behind me, grinning from ear to ear: “This is the first time Miss has brought a friend home.” Why does this sentence sound so familiar…

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My sister is the vicious female antagonist. My brother is the crazy villain. I am the sweet and innocent girl raised by them, one hand each. At a party, my sister was leading her group of mean girls to tear into the heroine. I barged into the hall carrying my backpack. I slapped my failed math test paper into her arms: “Sis, the teacher wants you to go to school.” The malicious smile on my sister’s face couldn’t hold. Pinching my test paper, she broke down: “This is the ninth time this month you’ve been called for a parent-teacher meeting!” In business negotiations, my brother was ambitious and ruthless. He was about to casually sign an unfair contract to swallow the male lead’s industry. I pushed open the door of the lounge and came out, handing the game console to my brother. Ignoring the tense atmosphere in the entire conference room, I said: “I can’t pass this level again, bro, you help me beat this level first.” My brother lifted me onto his lap with one hand, sighed helplessly while holding me: “Baby, this game doesn’t suit you.” He said: “Bro will acquire a new game company tomorrow, specifically to make games for you to play.” 1 Since I became conscious. I knew I lived in a world of torturous romance revolving around the male and female leads. But unfortunately. I wasn’t born well. Less than half a year after I was born. My parents both died tragically. I was raised by my brother and sister. When I was ten years old and literate. I learned that the sister who went crazy every day tutoring me with my homework. Was the primary vicious female antagonist in this world. And the brother who indulged and spoiled me without any bottom line. Was the biggest villain boss in this world. 2 The male and female leads are the center of the world. Anything against the male and female leads is doomed to have no good end. My 10th birthday was spent with my brother and sister. When making a birthday wish. I looked at my gentle and beautiful sister on the left, and then at my young and handsome brother on the right. They surrounded me holding the cake. In their eyes, there was only me. No matter how vicious and ruthless my brother and sister were outside. But in front of me, they were the people who loved me most in this world. —I don’t want them to meet their destined tragic ending. I want to do my best. To save them. 3 But I am really stupid. It seems like mom and dad gave all the IQ to my brother and sister. My brother created his own business empire at a young age. Solved the family’s financial problems. Also provided us with a superior life. My sister is especially good at winning people’s hearts. She has a beautiful and bright face. From childhood to adulthood, suitors have been endless, and she is always surrounded by groups of men and women rushing towards her. But the pity is. My brother fell for the heroine who doesn’t belong to him. My sister fell for the hero who doesn’t belong to her. 4 I sat in the passenger seat of my sister’s supercar, propping my face and sighing. My sister was driving and still raised her hand to rub my hair messily. “What’s wrong again? Didn’t understand math class again?” I turned helplessly to look at my sister: “Ethan Stone isn’t even as handsome as my brother, nor as rich as you, what exactly do you see in him?” Ethan Stone is the destined male lead of this world. My sister heard me mention his name. Raised her eyebrows slightly, pinched my face: “Actually worrying about my affairs?” She said: “You take care of your own studies first.” “How many times have I gone to parent-teacher meetings for you, lost face so many times, and got scolded by your teachers so many times.” 5 After speaking, she didn’t even give me a chance to protest. Directly turned the car around: “I have something to do tonight, can’t accompany you with homework.” She said: “I’ll drop you off at brother’s company.” I lowered my eyes and hugged my backpack tightly. —I know what she’s going to do tonight. She has many fox friends and dog friends (bad friends), and easily knew the heroine’s movements as soon as she returned to the country. The white moonlight heroine returned to the country. My sister is going to give someone a display of power tonight. I propped my chin and sighed heavily again. The supercar made a smooth U-turn and had already stopped downstairs at my brother’s company. 6 My sister got out of the car and opened the passenger door, seeing me sitting motionless in the passenger seat, she bent down and smiled at me. “What are you dazing for?” She scratched my chin. Pulled my hand to get me out of the car, and put the backpack on my back. “Let’s go, I’ll walk you upstairs.” She held my shoulders. I paused, said I could find the way myself. “You go,” I looked up at the red suspender long dress on my sister. Such a beautiful person, why did she fall for Ethan Stone. My sister was indeed in a hurry, picking me up from school and sending me here, it was already getting dark. She tidied my wrinkled collar again. Instructed uneasily: “Then I’m leaving, go up quickly to find brother, let him order food for you.” I hummed, standing in place watching her look back every three steps until she finally drove away. As soon as her car drove out of the end of this road. I immediately hailed a taxi and told the driver to follow the car in front. 7 When the taxi carried me away from downstairs of the company. Through the window, I actually saw my brother lazily carrying his suit jacket, coming out from the entrance. Behind him followed several assistants in suits running in small steps. The assistants bowed and scraped behind him. And my brother’s face was cold and stern, brows sharp. Naturally having an aura of strangers keep away. He was really sensitive, perhaps sensing my scrutinizing gaze. Actually about to look up towards me. I immediately lowered my upper body, hiding under the window. At the same time, the phone vibrated lightly in my arms. It was a message from my brother: Baby, where are you guys? Followed by another one: What do you want to eat tonight? Seems my sister told him in advance about dropping me off. I turned off the phone, pretended not to see. Now, I have to find my sister first. 8 My sister’s driving was taught by my brother personally. At 17 or 18, my brother was a regular on the race track. When they weren’t carrying me, they drove with a desperate madness. So even if I urged the taxi driver to chase closely. Also easily thrown off by my sister’s supercar. When I arrived at the star hotel in the city center, the lights inside were bright, it had already started. The security guard at the door stopped me outside. Said I didn’t have an invitation, wouldn’t let me in. I was afraid my sister was already bullying the heroine inside. Really no choice. I could only bring out my brother. Fortunately, my brother often instilled in me the domineering concept that I could walk sideways in the city. Fortunately, my brother also had shares in this hotel. After bringing out my brother, the manager came out specially. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and welcomed me respectfully. But I really had no leisure to deal with him. Carrying my backpack into the hall, I started tiptoeing to find my sister. No way, even for height, I failed to inherit my parents’ genes. My brother’s height is approaching 6’3″ (190cm), my sister was already 5’9″ (175cm) when she just became an adult. And me, still not even 5’5″ (165cm) yet. 9 Where my sister is, is always the center of the crowd. So I scanned the hall. And saw the group of people at the railing on the second floor. My sister in a gorgeous red dress, stepping on stilettos, holding a red wine glass, a cigarette between her fingers. Leaning lazily on the railing. And around her, squeezed a group of men and women. Surrounded in the very center, was a young girl wearing plain white clothes with delicate features. Looking at that temperament. I determined almost at a glance, that was the heroine. I dared not stop, ran up the stairs taking two steps at a time. The closer I got to that place, the more I could hear their mockery and ridicule. And although my sister didn’t speak, the corners of her mouth hooked a malicious smile. Really a vivid image of a domineering villainess. I rushed over, before standing firm, pulled out the failed math test paper from my bag and slapped it on my sister’s chest. “—Sis,” I called her breathlessly. My sister was startled by me. She didn’t hold the wine glass steady, dropped it on the ground. But her reaction was also fast. Almost the moment the wine glass landed, she lifted me by the armpits and hugged me. Avoided the broken glass on the ground. I hugged her neck smoothly, wrapped around her waist, leaning on her. In front of all the young men and women present, said loudly: “Sis, the teacher wants you to go to school.”

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