Category: English

The latest It Girl actress had a major scandal break – caught cheating. Career: imploding. But my mother? She was trying to pressure me into taking the fall. “You’re the older sister. You have to help your little sister out.” I agreed. On one condition: we cut ties. Officially. Done. The day my reputation was trashed and I left Hollywood, my dear sister hired someone to run me down. I ended up a vegetable. Later, my own mother pulled my oxygen plug. “Only the dead can keep secrets forever,” she whispered. Somehow, miraculously, I survived. Now, I’m back. My oh-so-precious baby sister is bragging to me about landing an audition for a movie by the hot new screenwriter. “Candace,” she sneered, “you’ll never be better than me.” I smiled, reached over to the judges’ table, and flipped my nameplate forward. “Hi,” I said. “I’m the screenwriter. Candace Shaw. You might know me as Ashwood.” 1 “Your sister is getting absolutely roasted online, and you actually have the nerve to sit here eating?” I stared blankly from the living room couch as my mother paced, radiating pure, impotent rage. “She’s her, I’m me. Why should I care if she’s getting dragged?” I calmly reached for another potato chip. The crunch seemed to hit a nerve. She lunged, slapping the entire bag out of my hand, scattering chips everywhere. “Stop eating!” I watched her, cold-eyed, as she frantically paced back and forth. “Candace, you have to think of something!” “Like what?” She brought this on herself. I managed to bite back the last part. My phone buzzed twice. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zoey Vance’s name flash on the caller ID. My mother snatched the phone, exchanged a few brief, hushed words, and quickly hung up. She looked at me, hesitation warring with desperation on her face. “Candace, maybe… maybe you could cover for your sister? “Just say… say you were the one meeting that guy!” Her eyes lit up, like a predator spotting easy prey. My first reaction was numbness – I was used to this. Then, I almost laughed out loud from the sheer audacity. No doubt Zoey had called, crying her eyes out, and then “casually” mentioned how her big sister could save the day. She’d pulled this stunt before. “No way.” My mother got frantic, pulling me up from the couch. “You’re her older sister! Sisters are supposed to help each other!” I scoffed. “Let me ask you something. Do you even realize she was messing with someone else’s relationship? If I take the fall, I’ll be labeled a homewrecker.” Her eyes darted away. Of course, she knew. She just didn’t care what happened to me. I closed my eyes. “Oh, right. I forgot. You don’t think ‘homewrecker’ is such a disgusting label.” A humorless smile stretched across my face. “After all, you divorced Dad, and three years later, my ‘half-sister’ was born… somehow only a year younger than me…” My mother flushed, unable to meet my gaze. “You did it, she did it. Guess it runs in the family!” I added, emphasizing every word. SLAP. The sting on my cheek was painfully familiar. “Shut your mouth!” Mom shrieked. “You’re going to help her, whether you want to or not!” I touched the red mark blooming on my face. No surprise there. You get hit enough, your skin thickens up. Did she really think I was still that little kid who’d cave under pressure? Her shadow couldn’t block my light anymore. We stood in a tense stalemate. Finally, Mom fumbled with her phone, her fingers trembling. “Candace, look at what they’re saying online, the things they’re calling her… it’s disgusting. Don’t you feel sorry for her? Remember when you were little…” “Stop! Just stop!” I threw open the front door. “I’m tired, Mom. You should go home. As for Zoey, her agency has a whole PR team to handle this mess.” “Candace!” I turned back. My mother crumpled to the floor, right there on the doorstep. “Please, Mom’s begging you… just save her one more time…” “I said, GET OUT!” I remained unmoved. She actually started crawling towards me, grabbing at my pants leg. “If Zoey makes it big, she won’t forget you, her sister.” “And your husband,” she added desperately, “he’ll remember what you did, too.” I let out a sharp laugh. “Do you actually believe that?” It was morning rush hour. People were walking by, glancing curiously at the unfolding drama on my doorstep. I looked down. This was what I hated most about her. She never left me an escape route when she schemed. Trying to play the sympathy card while simultaneously laying on the guilt trip. She wanted to test my loyalty, my affection for her. But when you test how hard glass is, you’re destined to shatter it. “Candace, you’re not as famous as Zoey. This won’t really hurt you,” my own mother murmured, trying to lure me into the abyss. “Fine,” I said softly. “I’ll do it.” Mom scrambled up from the floor instantly. I pulled out a document. “Sign this. It says I’m severing all ties with you and your family. Then I’ll cover for Zoey.” She snatched the pen and signed immediately, terrified I’d change my mind. I knew this “agreement” wouldn’t hold up legally. But watching her sign it so eagerly, that was the moment the last thread connecting us finally snapped inside me. From the second I saw Zoey’s scandal break, I knew Mom would try to use me. And this document, finally, could come out. I picked up the dropped bag of chips from the floor and sighed. “Well,” I muttered to the crushed chips, “at least you died for a cause.” 2 Zoey Vance’s scandal magically transformed overnight. Suddenly, Candace Shaw was the name splashed across the headlines. The story’s heat started to die down. Only her hardcore fans kept relentlessly attacking me on Twitter, blaming me for “making their queen take the fall.” They even got #CandaceShawGetOut trending for a hot minute. Of course, since I wasn’t nearly as famous, it dropped off pretty quickly. Sigh. Me,(That’s “me, lighting a cigarette melancholically,” for the uninitiated). Good thing I never really liked acting anyway. Getting flamed online? Whatever. I used the bad press and the “favor” I’d done Zoey to pressure her family into paying out my contract termination fees. Finally, I was getting out. I really wanted to reply to those trolls: “I’m getting out! I’m getting out! Stop rushing me!” I thought I was just quitting Hollywood. I didn’t realize Zoey wanted me to quit breathing altogether. 3 Zoey Vance hired someone to hit me with a car. I ended up in a coma, a vegetable. For six long months, I lay in that hospital bed. Not a single visitor. My world was a blank, silent void. Mom not showing up? Didn’t surprise me. Zoey not showing up? Wow, kid’s got patience, I’ll give her that. Until one day, I felt a presence, heard a voice near my ear. It was Mom. “Candace, don’t blame Mom! Lying here like this… it’s costing so much money…” She had dismissed the nurses, her hand gripping mine. I knew what was coming. “Don’t blame Zoey,” she continued, her voice low. “She just lost her head for a moment.” Right. Right. “Zoey says she’ll never feel safe as long as you’re alive,” Mom muttered, almost to herself. She pulled off my oxygen mask. A few crocodile tears splashed onto the sheets. Then, she turned and walked away. If no one came in, I was dead. As my consciousness faded, the last image wasn’t of my childhood, my parents holding my hands walking through autumn leaves. It was the acceptance notification on my phone from six months ago, right before I logged off Twitter for good. My admission to the USC screenwriting program. What a shame… 4 “Star Potential,” the hottest reality talent show, announced its second season. Rumors swirled about two heavyweight judges joining the panel. The show was also pioneering a live-stream format, promising transparency, letting viewers directly choose the next big acting talents. Backstage, I carefully reapplied my lipstick. “I heard Zoey Vance is joining as a judge this season! It’s gonna be epic!” “OMG, really? Zoey just won that big Best Actress award! And she’s still willing to mentor newcomers? She’s amazing!” Amazing? I met my reflection in the mirror, a slow smile spreading across my lips. Too washed up for indie darlings, not bankable enough for blockbusters. Of course, she had to rely on reality TV to stay relevant. I wondered if she’d received the audition script I’d had the director pass along… My screenwriting career had taken off overseas these past few years. The moment I hinted at returning stateside, the “Star Potential” director practically begged me to join. Initially, I just wanted to focus on my writing, stay behind the scenes. But then I saw Zoey Vance’s name on the roster. Some debts just have to be paid. So, I came back.

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Divorced for three years, I ran into my ex-husband and lied, telling him I’d dated six other guys and been married twice. His eyes went bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth, spitting out three words. “You’re so dirty.” I forced back the stab of pain in my chest, continuing to provoke him. “My current husband treats me great. He buys me cars and houses. It’s way easier than when I was with you.” I knew he’d made it big now, no longer the late-night gamer holed up in a rented room like three years ago. And I was the R&D team leader at the company, while he was the game’s spokesperson, brought in by the boss with a hefty paycheck. Later, he told me, “I’m getting married. I want my dowry back.” On the red and gold wedding invitation, the woman nestled beside him smiled, radiating happiness. But on the day of his wedding… He cried himself red-eyed for me… 1. “Starsea” game premiered, hitting a million downloads on the first day. At the celebration banquet, the boss, beaming, toasted the R&D team, and my colleagues excitedly discussed bonuses. My gaze, however, drifted uncontrollably towards the game’s spokesperson, Luke Star, who’d been invited. He was especially mesmerizing tonight, his sharp black suit standing out in the crowd. His manager, Vanessa Shaw, smiled and chatted, fending off a lot of drinks for him. The woman, in a red, fitted dress, naturally linked arms with Luke, looking like a golden couple with every gesture. A colleague nudged me with her elbow, sighing, “Mr. Star is so sweet and considerate.” “I heard he was married before, but his ex cheated on him. Kinda ungrateful, if you ask me!” “Do you think that woman regrets it?” Regret? I thought, no, I don’t regret it. I’m even a little relieved. Because I was a burden. He deserved a better woman. After a few rounds, I hid in a corner, quietly waiting for the banquet to end. Suddenly, the boss walked up to me, smiling. “Sue, you and your team worked hard developing the game.” “Let someone else take over the rest. You should get some rest.” The noisy banquet room went silent. They didn’t expect the boss to be so quick to discard the millstone. Under their surprised gazes, I calmly uttered a single word. “Okay.” The boss smiled wider, handing me a glass of red wine, signaling me to drink. I couldn’t help but look at Luke behind the boss. Before, no matter how much others urged me to drink, he would always take the drinks for me, one after another. He said, drinking wasn’t good for a girl’s body. Even if he had three bottles of hard liquor forced down his throat, leading to a stomach hemorrhage, he never let me touch a drop. But now he wasn’t even interested in giving me a glance. I looked away, gritted my teeth, took the glass, and downed it in one gulp. The clinking of the glass was the sound of my dead love. The boss nodded in satisfaction and left, and I slumped back onto the sofa, drained. A burning sensation spread through my limbs, and the next second, I rushed out of the room. In the restroom, I pulled up my sleeve, only to find red blotches already crawling up my arm. “Didn’t you say your husband was rich? Can he really stand for this kind of treatment?” That familiar voice echoed again. I frantically pulled down my sleeve, hiding my ugliness from him. I thought we’d never meet again, but here he was, invited to the celebration banquet by the boss. “I’ve been a stay-at-home wife for too long, just coming out to play, experiencing life. Nothing serious. I gotta go. My husband will get the wrong idea.” I bristled all over, but still shrugged, pretending to be relaxed. Then, without looking up, I quickly walked past Luke. Suddenly, my wrist tightened. He’d grabbed me. “What’s wrong with your arm?” Luke pulled up my sleeve, exposing the ugly red scars to the naked light. I didn’t dare look into his eyes, still being stubborn: “Eczema.” His eyes darkened, pressing closer. “I didn’t know you had that problem?” “You don’t think you were so concerned about me before, do you? Your kind of love, just enough to move yourself, is laughable.” My back was almost against the wall. I pulled back my arm, raising my eyes to meet his. Luke chuckled, raising a hand to pinch my cheek, questioning me, his eyes bloodshot. “What is concern? Is it like you, cheating on your marriage with a rich guy, betraying your family?!” His chest heaved, the volcano he’d suppressed for three years finally erupting. Three years ago, Luke surprised me with a deed to a house with my name on it, but I humiliated him with the most vicious words. “Luke, you’re so useless. After three years, you only managed to scrape together a down payment? Can you afford diapers and formula in the future? Not to mention the luxury goods I want to buy.” “To be honest, I was just playing around with you. It’s over now. I’m going to be a trophy wife.” Under Luke’s shocked gaze, I forced him to sign the divorce papers, deleting all contact information. Since then, we hadn’t seen each other. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The truth was, I’d been lying to him all along. In the three years after the divorce, I hadn’t looked for any other man. Loving him was deeply ingrained in my bones. I thought about him constantly. Because I loved him, I had to leave him. My silence was taken as tacit agreement. Luke suddenly sneered, helplessly saying my name, “Sue… Sue.” For a moment, I was in a daze. Every night, I’d playfully stick my cold feet against his stomach, and he’d repeatedly say my name, full of affection. The next second, his words plunged me into an ice cave. “I’m getting married.” His expression was calm, not like he was joking, and I panicked. Luke then continued, “Since you’re doing so well, give me back the dowry from before.” The dowry was thirty thousand, and he only made sixty dollars for a whole night of gaming. For three whole years, I’d wake up in the middle of the night to see him still buried in front of the computer, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Even if I said I didn’t need it, he was still firm. “Even if you don’t need it, I have to show my attitude. At least I have to reassure your mom that she can entrust you to me.” He broke more than thirty keyboards to save up enough dowry to kneel in front of my mom, begging to marry me. And now, he wanted the dowry back. I didn’t know how I’d gotten away from the banquet, dazed and confused. At home, I collapsed onto the bed. In my dream, Luke was still hunched over the computer, working tirelessly to make money, saying he would make up for it with the most lavish wedding. This time, I put on the strapless white wedding dress I’d always dreamed of, walking steadily towards Luke. Just as I was about to say, “I do,” large, glaring red blotches suddenly covered my body. I woke up screaming from bed, with the sound of his panicked calls. Sharp, agonizing pain spread across my back. I scratched wildly, trying to carve them off my body. Until the smell of blood filled my nostrils, I finally woke up. We were divorced. I’d pushed him away with my own hands. I resigned myself and called my mother. “Mom, I agree to go on a blind date with the man you introduced me to.” … The next day, I met the man at a coffee shop. He sat with his legs spread, complacent. “After we’re married, I’ll manage your paychecks.” His face made me sick to my stomach. I thought of Luke again. Back then, he transferred every bit of money he made gaming to my account, then shook his head, asking for praise. “Sue!” The man suddenly spoke, arms crossed, displeased. “I don’t even mind that you’re remarried, so what are you picking and choosing for?” I looked around, not seeing Luke. Only then did I say, in a low voice, “Why do you think I have no other choice than you?” “There was once a man who was willing to give me his heart and soul. He worked fifteen hours a day to marry me. I’ve been loved before. You’re just my last resort.” He listened to me with interest, then clapped his hands. “So what? Didn’t you still come to meet me?” I looked at the wedding band on his ring finger and felt insulted. He didn’t avoid my gaze, taking off the ring and examining it. “The world is so big, no matter where you sleep, who you sleep with, you’re just sleeping at night. Does it matter?” “I know your financial situation isn’t good. Isn’t this compensation enough?” As he spoke, he took out five thousand dollars and threw it on the table. My anger ignited instantly, and I splashed the hot coffee on the man’s face. Under his wide eyes, I shouted, “This man is married and still on a blind date! If anyone knows his wife, let her know!” The man fled in a panic, and I took a deep breath, preparing to leave. A familiar hand once again rested on the back of my hand. “Aren’t you married?” 2 Running into Luke again, I didn’t know how much he’d heard. I just wanted to get away. I pulled back my hand, but he pressed it hard on the table. His voice trembled slightly. “Who is that man?” Even though I was flustered, I still raised my chin, provoking Luke, “My husband.” He smirked. “That’s not your taste.” Luke said it as a statement. “What are you hiding from me?!” I sighed silently. He’d realized I was lying to him. But I couldn’t tell him the truth. I clenched my fists, took a deep breath, trying to make my tone sharp, “I have money. So what if I play around a little?” “Besides…” I dragged out the words, staring at Luke. “Getting divorced and finding someone else means another dowry. They all give more than you did.” His eyes stared straight at me, like he wanted to see through my disguise. “Do you want to play with me too??” I had to meet his eyes, my hand slowly climbing onto his chest, leaning close and whispering, “Well, it’s normal that you’re successful now. It’s normal to want to spend some money to get back that feeling of being with your first love.” Luke pushed me away, his face gloomy, his eyes flickering. “Sue, is that what you think of me?” I smiled, beckoning him with my finger, peach blossoms blooming in my eyes. “Otherwise? Why else would you keep pretending to run into me?” “Bang!” He clenched his fists, slamming them hard on the table, blood seeping from his knuckles. I forced back my tears, as if my heart was being slammed against the table. But I still went forward, breathing hot air on his neck. “So, are you going to consider it…” I didn’t remember what Luke said when he left. I only remembered his eyes, so red. Unstoppable tears flowed from those eyes that had once been so full of affection for me. Watching him leave, I laughed, afraid he might suddenly turn back to look for me again, or hide in some corner, secretly watching me. Just like that, I sat in the strange gazes of everyone until dark. Until the phone rang. The police said my mother was in again for theft. Sally Hayes was my mother. Over the years, my salary went to buying medicine for myself and paying her bail. I was used to it. I apologized to the police, repeating meaningless words. My bank account was cleared out again. My mother was finally released. As soon as she saw me, she lunged forward, grabbing my hair, her voice shrill. “Useless thing, the blind date failed again? He was a rich kid!” “You, what’s so good about that poor guy that you keep going back to him! Now I have to go out and make money at my age!” My mother had mocked him, calling him a kept man, more than once, in front of Luke. Back then, he’d smile carefully, vowing he’d make sure I lived a good life. I couldn’t help but roar, “Are you selling your daughter? He’s already married!” “I’m doing this for your own good! Anyway, whether it’s him or you, you have money, and I have money!” She justified herself righteously. She was my own mother, but she treated me like a product, selling me off. At that moment, my vision blurred. A sense of powerlessness washed over me. But she didn’t let up, shouting hysterically, “You’re divorced, living in an attic, and you’ve got lupus. If you don’t get some money, if I die one day, you won’t even have a home, let alone treatment!” I practically cried out in a plea, “Stop it!!” Luke had said more than once that he would give me a home. Unfortunately… I’d torn that home apart with my own hands. A series of changes threatened to wear me down. I kept making mistakes at work. The boss slammed his fist on the table, telling me to quit. I packed my things, carrying the heavy cardboard box home. It was the place where Luke and I had lived together for three years. I hadn’t moved after he left. Because every time I closed my eyes, I felt like I could still feel his presence. But I never expected that as I walked through the old alleyway, into the familiar tenement building… A familiar figure stood in the dark stairwell. Luke turned around, surprised, stunned, confused, then his eyes were burning with heat. “Your house, your car? Why are you still living here?” 3 I wanted to turn and run, but Luke stopped me. The area fell into silence. After a long while, I spoke in a hoarse voice, “You don’t think I still have feelings for you, do you? To tell you the truth, I just bought a mansion. It’s just being renovated.” He looked at me without comment, his deep eyes pressing down, making it hard for me to breathe. My clumsy lies could be seen through at any moment. I pretended to be polite. “Would you like to come in?” Luke nodded, following behind me. “You’re really not polite. Didn’t you realize I was just being polite? If we’re alone together, my husband will misunderstand.” He ignored me, squeezing into the attic with difficulty. The furniture inside was the same as it had been three years ago. But now, he, dressed fashionably, was out of place here. He looked around slowly. I followed his gaze, looking around. The computer he left was spotless. The couple’s slippers and toothbrushes were neatly arranged. These things I’d thrown out ruthlessly when we got divorced. After he left, I’d cried, picking them up one by one from the trash. For three years, I watched Luke rise like a new star, knowing he wouldn’t come back, I used these things to get through the nights. I just didn’t expect he would barge back into my life. He skillfully opened the computer, looking at the updated game version, and raised the corner of his mouth. “Where’s your husband?” I drank water to hide my embarrassment, answering randomly. “Overseas.” He nodded. “Looks like he doesn’t care about you either. Shouldn’t let you live here during the transition.” “You thought you were so good to me. Didn’t I live here for three years anyway?” I blurted out provocatively. Luke was silent. I stood aside, trying to see something in his expression. More long silence. “Why didn’t you throw away your wedding ring?” Following his gaze, I found the wedding ring that had been pressed under the pillow had somehow rolled to the edge of the bed. My palm slowly tightened, the veins on the back of my hand bulging. But I pretended to be playful. “Role-playing, get it?” I gently picked up the ring, continuing to raise my eyebrows. “Speaking of which, you’re considered an old-timer. How many men do you think this ring has seen?” “Mr. Star, are you interested in reliving it? The price from before still counts.” I looked up at the ceiling, forcing myself to say it all in one breath, not letting him see my reddened eyes. The surrounding air froze instantly. After a moment, Luke suddenly chuckled in a low voice, making me want to run out the door. He laughed, then his thin lips uttered three words. “You’re so dirty.” The three words were like a sharp sword, piercing my heart, so painful I couldn’t breathe. My hand subconsciously covered my chest, then lowered again, pretending to be surprised. “You just realized?” Then, I put on the ring like a trophy, putting my hand in front of him, saying each word clearly. “You’re so pitiful. If I hadn’t taken a fancy to you, you’d just be one woman.” As soon as I finished speaking, Luke suddenly stood up, pressing me onto the bed, brewing towering anger in his dark pupils. I closed my eyes, not letting him see my reddened eyes. His hot breath gradually approached, the familiar scent rushing into my nose. Just for a moment, I stopped. It had been three years. I really missed him. I wanted him to hold me again. I raised my eyes to look at him, the surging tears blurring my vision. But the next second, Luke took off my ring, throwing it out the window with a wave of his hand. “Remember to pay me back.” He left a sentence and got up, leaving. I lay on the bed, relieved, savoring the embrace just now, my tears soaking the pillow. I don’t know how long it had been before I finally came back to my senses. I rushed out of the house barefoot, not even putting on my shoes. It was our wedding ring! I kneeled on the lawn, touching the ground inch by inch, my tears falling on the back of my hand. Back then, we were too poor to afford a wedding, not even a decent ring. Although I comforted him, saying everything else didn’t matter as long as I could marry him, he still bought this wedding ring. Later I found out that he secretly went to sell his blood donation certificates. Every time he donated blood, the patient’s family would take his blood donation certificate and give him a hundred dollars. That was how Luke saved up enough money. He took my hand in one hand, clutching a wrinkled stack of bills, buying the ring I’d looked at countless times in the window. And he himself became anemic. How could he just throw away this ring? I cried and groped in the dark until the sky began to turn pale, finally finding the ring lying by the pool. I carefully picked it up, holding it tightly against my chest. But the red spots that had spread to my wrists were all reminding me. Don’t linger. It’s time to end it. The next day, I went through the resignation procedures. As I left the company, I happened to meet Vanessa Shaw eye to eye. I prepared to walk away, but her voice rang out from behind. “Luke and I are getting married tomorrow.” 4 My heart, which had already died, couldn’t help but ache again. I quickened my pace. “I know about you two, but don’t you know how hard it’s been for him?” My feet felt like they were filled with lead. I couldn’t help but listen to her. “He loves you. He still has your wedding photos on his phone.” “But because he loves you, his body collapsed from continuous filming. He was in the hospital for six months.” “After the divorce, he got depression and tried to kill himself every day. If we hadn’t found him in time, he would have…” My heart trembled, and I clenched my fists at my sides. Then, I pretended not to care, squeezing four words out of my throat, “So what? Did I force him to do that? It’s just his wishful thinking!” Vanessa’s red eyes flashed with fierceness. She grabbed my collar tightly. “You really are a heartless beast. I hope you stay away from him. Don’t hurt him again.” The next second, she screamed and fell to the ground. My colleagues came running. Vanessa covered her face and sobbed, “Miss Sue, you were the one who abandoned Luke. Why are you hitting me now?” “You cheated on him with a rich guy and now you’re jealous that I’m marrying Luke!” My colleagues looked surprised, their eyes moving back and forth between me and Vanessa. I was about to argue when Luke had already pushed through the crowd, standing in front of us. He helped Vanessa up, asking softly if she was hurt. I tugged at my sleeve, swallowing the bitterness in my throat. The next second, Luke suddenly spoke. “Sue! Why are you bullying Vanessa! Apologize to her!” I froze on the spot. The sores on my body were stinging, but all I felt was heartache. Before, he could always notice my strangeness right away. Now, I was trembling all over, but he didn’t even look at me. I gave him a deep look, cursing myself. “Sue, how can you be so cheap? You want him to leave, but you also want him to notice you!” My gaze fell back on the two of them. Vanessa looked wronged. Luke was full of anger. Oh, so he didn’t want to believe me anymore. “The dowry from before was thirty thousand. I’ll return it.” This was the severance pay from quitting my job. Luke didn’t take it. I forced the bank card into his hand. “The extra is a reward for you. I found another rich guy and he’s taking me away from the city today.” “So, I won’t attend your wedding tomorrow. Consider the extra money my gift.” Hearing my words, the coldness in his eyes couldn’t be melted away. “Is money that important to you?” My footsteps faltered. I immediately replied, “Of course. Money is security.” “This rich man can buy me a mansion and put my name on it…” After saying those words, I noticed that he looked at me even colder. “You’re disgusting!” I straightened my chest, smiling indifferently. “Everyone for themselves, and the devil take the hindmost. Is it wrong for me to use my capital to live a good life?” Luke’s eyes were burning, grabbing my wrist, hesitating to speak. I pulled my arm back with force, but he grabbed tighter. In the stalemate, Vanessa exclaimed. “Luke, be careful! These red spots are a dirty disease! It’s contagious!” Luke still didn’t move, as if he had thousands of words, until my ears began to ring. He finally let go of my hand, saying each word clearly. “I give up. I don’t love you anymore, Sue.” … I returned to the attic dejectedly. The police station called again. This time, it was… to notify me to sign at the funeral home. My thief mother had died. The police said she stole a sum of money and was caught on the spot. But she refused to return it, saying she wanted to use it to pay for her daughter’s medical treatment. She broke free from the owner, but crashed into a speeding car and died on the spot. Seeing my mother’s body in the morgue, I couldn’t even cry. Mom, haven’t you always been selfish? Haven’t you always hated me, your daughter, since I was a child?! But why… …why like this. Finally, I knelt in front of my mother’s body, crying loudly. I held the urn and returned home. The red spots broke out again, more violently than before. I rolled around, looking for painkillers. But fireworks suddenly went off outside the window. I looked in the direction of the sound. It was the direction of Luke’s wedding hotel. He once said that he would set off fireworks all night when he got married, letting everyone in the city know that Luke deeply loved his wife. The constantly blooming red heart fireworks were really beautiful. I liked them a lot. But the bride wasn’t me. The red spots on my body started hurting again… I suddenly wanted to talk to him, to tell him I saw the fireworks, that I wouldn’t attend the wedding. And… I was really tired. Could he hold me again? I opened Weibo, looking at his long-deleted account. It used to record every meal he made for me, every city we visited, and the sweet photos of each other. Now it was empty. I trembled, sending all the truths, regrets, regrets… and thoughts to this account. Goodbye, Luke. I was very unsuccessful in this life, except for meeting you. The pain swept over me again. I put the ring back on my ring finger, typing the last sentence. “This world is beautiful, but it’s really painful for me.” A few more clusters of fireworks bloomed in the sky. I leaned out the window, reaching out to touch them. Not enough, not close enough… Then, I lost my balance and fell out of the window. I cried and laughed. Luke had finally gotten rid of me, a burden, and started a new life. But I still loved him so much… What I didn’t know was that Luke had never deleted this Weibo account. The special alert tone on his phone rang madly a second before he kneeled in front of Vanessa.

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My sister thought she was the main character in a romance novel. To get the attention of a big-shot CEO, she slapped him across the face. He didn’t retaliate, but she took it as playing hard to get. Then she went and ruined his engagement party. Our whole family was ready to go broke to appease his anger, but instead, she tried to sell us all off to some cartel down in Mexico. After being tortured to death, I woke up again, back on the day my sister slapped that CEO. This time, we weren’t going to repeat our mistakes. 1. When I opened my eyes and saw my sister, I was completely dumbfounded. One second I was in a Mexican prison, violated until I died, and the next, I was back in this glittering banquet hall? I looked over at Mom and Dad, and I couldn’t believe they looked just as lost as I felt. Was I reborn? Was it because our deaths last time were so horrible that God gave us a second chance to make things right? Before I could think about it any further, my sister, Ashley, yanked her arm away from me, pushed through the crowd surrounding Blake Sterling, and slapped him hard across the face. Just like last time, everyone around Blake froze. The banquet hall went silent. Ashley raised an eyebrow at Blake, her voice filled with condescension, though I couldn’t figure out where she got the nerve to be so superior: “Just because you’ve got a few bucks doesn’t mean you can look down on people. Who do you think you are?” That was Blake Sterling, one of the most powerful guys in the city! He could crush you like an ant with one hand, so how did she get the nerve? Last time, my sister slapped Blake like this, but Blake was generous and didn’t hold it against her. My sister, however, thought it was all part of his plan to win her over, and after that, she started harassing him constantly. Eventually, Blake had her thrown down to Mexico, and Mom and Dad spent every dime they had to get her out. But… I couldn’t bear to think about it. I grabbed Mom and Dad and quickly steered them toward the corner of the banquet hall. This time, she could deal with the consequences of her own actions. 2. Blake frowned, and as the woman next to him gasped, he raised a handkerchief to wipe his cheek. You could tell Blake was disgusted. Ashley bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes: “Blake Sterling! You have no manners! Just because you’ve got some money doesn’t give you the right to look at people like that!” Blake scoffed: “Well, Miss, it seems to me like you’re the one lacking manners. People with good manners don’t just walk up to a man they don’t know and slap him.” Ashley looked a little taken aback: “You don’t recognize me?” Blake looked her up and down: “Miss, should I?” Ashley’s face flushed red. Ashley grit her teeth: “Last week at the Town Square, didn’t you look at me? Why would you look at me if you didn’t recognize me?” Even I thought that was ridiculous. People around us started snickering. Blake took a step back, but even with her interrogation, he remained composed: “If my gaze offended you, then I apologize. But last week, I was at the Town Square with my fiancée. I believe I was looking for her, not intentionally focusing on you.” Mom and Dad and I were amazed by the Sterling family’s upbringing. To be able to answer such an absurd question so calmly, and to apologize to a complete stranger in front of everyone. Not just anyone could do that. I thought it was all cleared up, but Ashley suddenly spoke: “Your fiancée is here today too?” Blake smiled, twirling the ring on his finger. His face was warm and gentle, not cold and stern: “Of course.” Ashley nodded as if she had finally figured something out. She looked at Blake with pain and determination: “So your fiancée is here today, so you don’t want to tell me the truth. That’s fine. We’ll be running into each other a lot in the future. I’m going to save you from this business arrangement of a marriage!” With that, she wiped her eyes and walked out of the banquet hall, leaving behind a crowd of speechless guests. Dad stared at Mom with a constipated expression: “…You don’t think we had a dumb kid, do you?” Mom glared at him: “Shut up. You think it would be good for you to have a dumb kid?” 2. Just like Ashley said, her harassment didn’t stop there. I was sorting through gym equipment at school when I got a call from the police. When I got to the station, Ashley was arguing with Blake, her face red. Blake: “I really don’t know her! My fiancée and I were going to go out on a date today, but we parked on the street and were only gone for half an hour, and then this woman smashed my car and started calling my fiancée a… a b*tch.” I could see the anger in Blake’s eyes. His fiancée wasn’t here with him, probably because Ashley drove her away. Ashley yelled: “Your fiancée is already gone, and you’re still telling the cops you don’t know me? Is our relationship so embarrassing you can’t admit it?” The police officer beside them looked like he was enjoying the show. Ashley looked up, and a single tear rolled down her cheek, making everyone feel sorry for her. Blake took a deep breath to calm down, and as all the cops gave him the “jerk” look, he said: “First, I don’t know what relationship you’re talking about. Second, you insulted my fiancée in front of her face and smashed my car. You ruined our date. Aren’t you going to apologize?” Ashley stuck to the principle of “I’m wrong, but I’m right”: “So what? I know that you and your fiancée are just in a business arrangement. Since your fiancée isn’t here, you don’t have to defend her.” Blake almost laughed. He held up a hand to stop Ashley from continuing: “First, it’s true that my fiancée and I are in a business arrangement, but it’s also true that we’re childhood sweethearts. I was the one who asked her to marry me.” As Ashley looked at him in disbelief, Blake continued: “Second, you keep mentioning the relationship between us. Do you mean the relationship where you slapped me for no reason or the one where you smashed my car in front of everyone?” The cops’ expressions changed. Ashley’s eyes filled with tears, and she looked at me for help: “Sis, can you say something to help me out?” Now she wanted to use me as a shield. As Blake glared at me, I looked right at Ashley’s pretty face and said slowly: “What do you want me to say?” 3. Ashley paused. She was always the frail one in our family, so she was always spoiled. We would always do whatever she wanted. But today, my attitude was so strange that it made her uncomfortable. She pointed at me: “You can’t think for yourself? Ashley, are you deaf?” I scoffed and stepped forward, swatting away her finger and slapping her across the face. Ashley was completely stunned. As the police tried to stop me, I grit my teeth: “Do you really think you’re a romance novel heroine, and everyone in the world loves you? Just because Blake looked at you once, you think he likes you, and you even slapped him in the banquet hall to get his attention… Ashley, do you even have a brain?” Ashley was exposed, and with half her face swollen, she yelled at me: “What are you talking about, you little b*tch! What do you mean, ‘I think’? It’s obvious that Blake is playing hard to get! That’s how it always is in novels!” Even if I didn’t understand the twists and turns in romance novels, I knew what manners were. I ignored her. I listened to her threaten to tell Mom and Dad that I was bullying her, and then I turned to Blake: “I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling. My sister caused you trouble.” I bowed deeply to him. Blake’s expression softened a little. I thought quickly, and I was reminded of my life in Mexico being brutalized. When I looked up, my eyes were filled with determination: “Mr. Sterling, since my sister smashed your car, I hope she can pay for her actions. Mom and Dad and I won’t pay a dime. I hope she realizes what she did wrong.” Blake thought for a moment and then nodded: “I can see that your family isn’t well-off. My lawyer will be here soon to discuss payment. I need to go.” With that, his secretary followed him with bags in tow. Ashley, however, was frozen in place, having heard what I said. She always thought that she was a romance novel heroine. Keeping to the innocent characteristics of the female lead in those novels, she was still a moocher at 23. To get her to pay for a Maybach without relying on her parents would be harder than climbing Mount Everest. My family wasn’t rich, but we were well off, and we could afford to pay. But did she really think I was going to give her a cent? No way! I glared at Ashley and walked out of the police station. The police held back the hysterical Ashley, and I called Mom and Dad in the chaos: “Mom and Dad, I need to talk to you…” 4. As expected, Ashley cried when she got home. Young and in debt $200,000. What a bright future. Before Mom and Dad could even ask her what happened, she pointed at me and started blaming me: “Mom! Sis teamed up with outsiders to bully me! She embarrassed me in front of everyone and now I’m $200,000 in debt!” Mom was on the couch watching a soap opera. When she heard this, she put down the remote and looked at Ashley, who was crying: “Aren’t you annoying? You’re saying your sister embarrassed you in front of other people, but if you hadn’t smashed Mr. Sterling’s car and refused to apologize, would your sister have embarrassed you?” I sat nearby, looking at my lesson plans. We spoiled Ashley so much. No one ever said a bad thing to her. So for my mom to criticize her so harshly, she would have thrown a fit. Sure enough, she threw the fruit bowl off the coffee table: “How can you guys be like this? You’d rather side with an outsider than with me! Blake is just playing hard to get. He likes me but he’s afraid to say it! Did my sister have to go in front of him and try to make an impression?” Dad chuckled: “Blake likes you? No one else can see that but you? We have a mirror at home. If you can’t see yourself clearly, then go look in it. Sometimes I wonder if your mom and I had a dumb kid.” I cringed and thought of everything sad that had ever happened to me in the past 3 seconds. Dad coddled Ashley the most. Ashley’s eyes were red, and she whined, giving me the creeps: “Dad, why are you saying that?” Dad rolled his eyes and started to bring up old stories: “The truth hurts. You’re in your twenties and you still think you’re a romance novel heroine. Even I’m handsome, and I don’t think I’m the male lead in a novel. Who are you?” Ashley saw that she couldn’t win against Dad, so she turned her anger on me: “Ashley! Did you say something to Mom and Dad to badmouth me?” I pouted sarcastically: “Did you say something to Mom and Dad to badmouth me?” Ashley was furious. I looked up from my lesson plans: “Tell me, what did I say that badmouthed you? You went and smashed Mr. Sterling’s Maybach on your own. And now you want us to pay for it?” “When you were little, you thought you could hit people to get the school bully’s attention. And now you’re still doing this stuff. Don’t you think you’re stupid?” Ashley was always strange. When she was seven, she brought a homeless man home. When she was nine, she took a forty-year-old to a motel. When she was twelve, she lured a three-year-old to the suburbs. From the time she was little, Mom and Dad and I cleaned up her messes. Once, she thought she was the heroine in a tragic story, so she poured hot tea all over the school bully and slapped him. She almost got killed, and my family had to pay the school bully a lot of money. Ashley looked confused. The people who used to take care of her, love her, and stand by her no matter what had now become her enemies and wouldn’t even say a word of comfort. The more she thought about it, the sadder she got, and she kicked over the coffee table: “Just you wait. I’ll prove it to you. Blake likes me! I’m the romance novel heroine!” She wiped her tears and ran out, leaving behind a mess and Mom, Dad, and I looking at each other. Dad looked at the fruit and the broken coffee table and couldn’t help but swallow nervously. He asked tentatively: “Did we get her checked when she was born?” Mom didn’t follow what Dad was thinking: “What?” Dad pointed at the rotten fruit, his finger and voice trembling: “She’s not… a supermale, is she?”

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My mom was seriously ill and needed money for surgery, but my wife blew it all on scalped tickets to a boy band concert. I frantically called her, but she just sounded annoyed. “You can always make more money! Mom’s illness can wait, but this is their farewell tour! I can’t miss it!” Hearing that, my heart sank. Luckily, I managed to scrape together the surgery money. She finally came home, but all that awaited her was a divorce agreement. … Before I could even ask where the rest of the ticket money went, the line went dead. When I called again, her phone was off. The nurse started pressuring me, “Mr. Johnson, have you paid? Hospital policy requires payment before surgery can proceed.” Mom’s surgery had been delayed too long already. I’d finally scraped together the money, but now it was gone. I could get more money, but Mom couldn’t wait. I pleaded, “Nurse, please, can’t you make an exception? I’ll get the money as soon as I can! Please, just do the surgery!” I was about to drop to my knees when a voice cut in, “Ethan?” The nurse immediately bowed her head, “Dr. Evans.” I looked up. It was Sarah Evans, my high school lab partner. She’d always wanted to be a doctor. What a coincidence to run into her here. Sarah came over and said, “I saw your mom’s name on the patient list. I was hoping it was you. What are the odds? ” She saw how anxious I was and patted my shoulder. “I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry about your mom.” She turned to the nurse and said, “Schedule the surgery right away.” The nurse started to protest, but Sarah cut her off. “Deduct the cost from my personal account.” It wasn’t until Mom was wheeled into surgery that I realized what had happened. The nurse said the lead surgeon for this surgery was brought in from another hospital. Turns out, it was Sarah. Back in high school, I used to tease her that by the time I saw her again, she’d be balding. Turns out she was even more beautiful than she was in high school. I felt ashamed. I owed her big time. I waited anxiously outside the operating room. My phone pinged with a notification. Someone wearing a wedding dress at a concert had gone viral. I recognized her immediately: my wife, Ashley. The concert screens had captured her elaborate makeup and her slightly stiff, overly excited face. The singer asked her, “Are you single?” She nodded enthusiastically, grabbing the mic. “I wore this wedding dress here tonight because I wanted to feel like I married you, even if it’s just for tonight!” The crowd went wild. I smirked and turned off my phone. How messed up was that? My mom was in surgery, and my wife was in a wedding dress at a concert, saying she wanted to marry some pop star. For five years, I’d been telling myself that even if she thought and dreamed about other men, I was her husband. She must love me, right? So, whenever she blew all our savings chasing her favorite band, I never said a word. But now, I couldn’t lie to myself anymore. Three hours later, Sarah came out of surgery. Seeing the faint smile in her eyes, I felt the tension leave my body. We had that unspoken connection from being lab partners in high school. Sure enough, she pulled down her mask and said, “Surgery went great. She’ll be ready for visitors in about an hour.” I smiled genuinely. I was about to thank her when she raised her hand to stop me. “Save the thanks for when your mom’s discharged. I’m starving.” I laughed. “Got it. What do you want? My treat.” “You know my appetite. Same as always.” She shrugged and headed for her office. In high school, I was a day student and she lived on campus. She always made me bring her food. I knew what she liked. I bought the food and headed back, but the nurse stopped me as I was about to knock. “Don’t disturb Dr. Evans. She had two surgeries yesterday. Then she drove out here to do this one. She’s been awake for over 24 hours.” I was surprised how hard she worked. More than that, I was grateful. The nurse said she could’ve refused the surgery or postponed it. Even the head of the hospital told her to rest. But she insisted on coming. She said her patient’s health was more important than her rest. I quietly pushed open the door. She was fast asleep at her desk. Maybe it was because all three surgeries went well, but she had a little smile on her face. She looked innocent, but still with that stubborn streak. I didn’t want to wake her. I put the food on the desk and left. Chapter 2 The day after the surgery, Ashley called. “Send me some money. I’m in L.A. and I’m broke.” Unbelievable. Mom was barely out of danger, and she was calling for money, not to check in. “I don’t have any money. Mom just had surgery.” “What?” she said, shocked. “Didn’t I say it could wait? What’s the rush with that old bag? She can wait a bit, can’t she?” I was getting furious. I rubbed my temples, trying to keep it together. “You took a fortune! And now you’re asking for more?” “It’s all gone! The dress alone cost me a fortune…” She seemed to realize she’d said too much, admitting about the dress, her voice trailing off. I said flatly, “I know everything.” She didn’t explain. “How am I supposed to get home if I don’t have any money?” I scoffed. “Sounds like a personal problem. See you never!” Then I hung up. And blocked her number. Just like she’d done to me countless times before. Only this time, I was the one who’d decided I was done. I used to let everything slide, hoping she would be happy. Instead, she would berate me and hurt me. My mom once said something about Ashley blowing all the money on a cup that the boy band drank from, and she got three years of abuse for it. Even the doctor said her illness was stress-induced. She forgot her own mother begged my mom to agree to the marriage on her deathbed. If it weren’t for their decades-long friendship, I never would have married her. One moment of weakness led to this disaster. I contacted a lawyer to draw up divorce papers. I just wanted it to be over. After my mom moved into a regular room, I hired a home health aide and started juggling work and hospital visits. I needed to pay back the hospital bills. My body couldn’t keep up. I was exhausted. Sarah had gone back to her hospital after the surgery. Out of the blue, she came to see me. She brought a fruit basket and immediately saw how tired I was. “What’s with the dark circles? Haven’t you been sleeping?” I nodded grimly, taking off my glasses to rub my tired eyes. She guessed what was going on. “Don’t worry about the money. The hospital isn’t going anywhere. And, are you married?” “Talking to a lawyer, getting a divorce.” I kept it brief. She looked surprised, but nodded. Then she said, “Have you eaten? I used to make you buy me lunch, so it’s my turn. What do you want? I’ll go get it.” I was a little stunned by her smiling face. I’d never heard those words from Ashley. In five years of marriage, even when she wasn’t working, she never cooked a meal. Either I cooked when I got home from work, or we ordered takeout. I did all the housework too. She took my kindness for granted. But she never thought about me. If I couldn’t give her money for her bands, she would explode. Calling me useless, saying I was jealous, that I was cheap. She belittled me. So I also deserve some kindness. Chapter 3 Sarah came back with tons of food. Since she didn’t know what I liked, she got a lot. I laughed. I wasn’t picky. I just ate whatever Ashley wanted. I never really mattered. Sarah didn’t like hearing that. “That’s not true! Food is super important!” I chuckled. We ate and talked, just like back in high school. I used to laugh at her for never shutting up, even while eating. Then, after I got married, Ashley was always on her phone during meals. Never said a word to me. I tried talking to her. She’d either ignore me or give me some short answer. I realized it was nice to have someone who wanted to talk. At least it meant you had something in common. Before we finished eating, the door slammed open. Ashley’s face was contorted in anger. When she saw us, she exploded. Her eyes bulged. She tried to hit Sarah. “So that’s why you’re not answering me! You’re eating with some tramp!” I stood in front of Sarah. “What are you talking about? Sarah is Mom’s surgeon!” Smack! She slapped me hard. She pointed at me, yelling, “Surgeon? You’re calling her a surgeon? Do you really think I’m that stupid? Surgeons don’t wear normal clothes!” I didn’t want to argue. I just wanted to get Sarah out of there. She blocked my way, still trying to hit us. She was still wearing the wedding dress from the concert. Her makeup was smeared. She looked like a total psycho. She raised her hand. I braced myself, but the blow never came. Sarah had blocked her. She grabbed Ashley’s arm. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I am his mom’s surgeon. And you don’t hit people, no matter what.” When she couldn’t argue her way out of it, she started crying. “Mom was having surgery. I didn’t have money for a plane ticket. It took me hours on the bus to get back here and I came straight here.” “And you’re treating me like crap!” She was so good at twisting things. While she was sitting on the floor, crying, I got Sarah out of there. The nurses finally came and kicked her out. I walked Sarah out of the hospital, feeling embarrassed. “Sorry you had to see that.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have gotten involved, but… I couldn’t stand her hitting you.” Her words hit me hard. The worst thing isn’t being treated badly, but receiving kindness out of nowhere. I looked away, waving goodbye. “Go back in. Thanks for coming.” Back in the hospital room, the nurse got Ashley to calm down. When she saw me come back, she started faking concern. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to hit you, I just saw you with another woman and…” I ignored her and pulled out the divorce papers. “Sign them.”

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I never should have agreed to go camping with my ex-boyfriend! Lying here in this hospital bed, remembering what happened that day makes my eyes well up, and I still tremble with fear. If I hadn’t brought Buddy with me, he wouldn’t have died. I regret it so much! I don’t know what got into him that day, but Alex Thorne, usually the most boring guy on earth, suddenly suggested taking me camping. I thought, is hell freezing over? Since when did he get spontaneous? I happily agreed, not really thinking about why he was acting so out of character. Once we drove deep into the mountains, the cell signal died. I was left stroking my husky Buddy’s head to pass the time. As we neared the summit, Alex looked preoccupied, driving faster and faster. A knot of worry formed in my stomach. He wasn’t usually this reckless. What was he rushing for? “Alex, slow down a little.” Instead of slowing down, he sped up. “There’s a spot up ahead with an amazing view. We’ll miss it if we’re late.” Oh, was that it? I relaxed a bit, teasing him, “Wow, you even scouted it out? That doesn’t sound like you, Alex.” It was just an offhand comment, but Alex flinched, instinctively flooring the gas before slamming on the brakes. If it weren’t for our seatbelts, Buddy and I would’ve smashed into the windshield. “Alex, what the hell are you doing!” “Sorry… guess I stayed up too late gaming last night.” His eyes darted away as he kept driving towards the summit. Five minutes later, Alex pulled over to the side of the road, killed the engine, and said, “Let’s get out and take some pictures.” “Here?” The spot overlooked distant mountains and the harbor below. The view was definitely decent. I looked around. Besides the view, there wasn’t much else here. I shook my head. “I don’t really feel like taking pictures.” “Mia, come on, you’ll see. See that viewpoint marker over there? The ocean and sky behind it… the photos will look incredible!” Following his finger, I saw a narrow, half-overhanging rock ledge next to the marker, maybe only a couple of feet wide. It definitely had that risky, adventurous photo-op vibe, but just walking over there looked terrifying. I was still hesitant. “It looks so high up.” Getting amazing photos was tempting, but not enough to make me risk my neck. While I was hesitating, Alex grabbed my wrist. “Come on, I’m right here. What are you afraid of? Besides, this is probably part of the park, it’s gotta be safe, right?” Even if it was an official spot, I thought, it looked like it hadn’t been maintained in years. Alex, the total homebody, clearly didn’t get out much. But I didn’t want to spoil the mood, so I got out of the car with Buddy. “Okay, fine. Just one picture to remember it.” But who could have guessed? The second I opened my door, before I could even grab Buddy’s leash, he bolted straight for the wildflowers near that rock ledge! Huskies are like that – see something interesting, gotta pounce. “Buddy, no! Stay!” I scrambled after him, but in that split second, Buddy had already leaped onto the rock ledge. Suddenly, everything went wrong. The ledge lurched violently, and there was a loud cracking sound! “Buddy, get off there! Now!” My face drained of color as I rushed forward. But I was too late. With a sickening crash, Buddy and a large chunk of the crumbling ledge plummeted down! A heartbreaking yelp echoed through the mountains, then silence. “Buddy! BUDDY—” In an instant, my blood rushed to my head. I threw myself towards the cliff edge, leaning way over, tears streaming down my face. But I never heard Buddy again. Instead, I saw a sickening smear of red on the cliffside below. 2: Disfigured “Al… Alex! Quick, we have to drive down the mountain!” Panicked, I looked behind me, expecting Alex to reach out and help me up. Instead, he kicked me square in the chest, sending me flying backward! What was he doing?! I didn’t even have time to react before I was airborne. My eyes wide open, I couldn’t make out the expression on his face as I fell like a rag doll, straight down from the mountain… My mind went blank. Agony and darkness swallowed me whole. I don’t know how long I was out. When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital room. Tubes snaked in and out of my body. My face was covered in bandages. Just moving my lips sent searing pain through me. I tried to lift my hand but couldn’t move. A woman I didn’t know, maybe a nurse or an aide, saw I was awake. She gasped excitedly and ran out, calling, “Sir, sir, she’s awake!” Soon, a man appeared beside my bed. His voice was gentle. “How are you feeling now?” He was handsome, with a kind, easygoing vibe. Definitely the gentle type, but I was sure I didn’t know him. I couldn’t speak, so I just blinked at him. He understood, smiling with relief. He politely explained, “My name is Liam Walker. I was driving near the base of the mountain that day and saw you lying unconscious. I brought you to the hospital. You’ve been in a coma for a month.” A month ago… The image of Alex standing on the cliff edge, kicking me down, flashed before my eyes. The wave of pain washed over me again. I pressed my fingers lightly to my temple. After a moment, my thoughts cleared with terrifying clarity. I should have known – when something seems too good or too weird to be true, it usually is! Alex and I had been dating for six months. Besides work, he barely left our neighborhood. But that day, he suddenly wanted to take me camping, specifically to that mountain, to that spot for pictures. Thinking back to how jumpy he was driving, how he slammed on the brakes… all the little details clicked into place. It all felt deliberate! That rock ledge couldn’t have just crumbled on its own. He must have messed with it somehow, then deliberately lured me over there to take pictures. Except, my playful dog accidentally took my place. Seeing no one around and me leaning over the edge, Alex must have decided to finish the job and kicked me off. But why? Why would he want to kill me? I couldn’t figure it out. My head throbbed, and my eyes burned red. The man beside my bed noticed my distress. He quickly took my hand, calming me. “Don’t move too much, and try not to think too hard. The doctor said you need complete rest if you woke up. No stress.” Just as he finished speaking, the aide returned with a doctor. I put my thoughts on hold. The doctor performed a series of checks, gave me an injection, and then said, “Ms. Evans, aside from a few fractures, all your vital organs are functioning well. You should be fine with another month of recovery here. However, the injuries to your face… those will take time to heal. We can discuss options with our hospital’s plastic surgeons later. They’re excellent, Ms. Evans, you can rest assured.” “Okay, thank you,” Liam answered for me. But my attention snagged on the words “plastic surgeons.” My face went pale— Plastic surgery… why would I need plastic surgery? Realization dawned. Frantically, I grabbed the aide’s phone from the bedside table and opened the camera app. I saw it – the face hidden beneath layers of gauze, with a jagged scar running from my eyebrow across the bridge of my nose. That was just the part I could see. What about the rest? In an instant, I understood – I was disfigured. 3: A Woman Who Looks Just Like Me Liam gently took the phone from me, his large hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’re alive, that’s what matters. Your face can be fixed. It’ll be okay.” The doctor, catching on, quickly added, “Ms. Evans, please don’t worry. Plastic surgery techniques are very advanced these days. We can definitely restore your appearance. Falling from that height… waking up this quickly is already a miracle. It shows you have incredible willpower. Try not to be burdened by this. Besides, your husband has been so worried about you, barely leaving your side this past month. You wouldn’t want him to keep worrying, right?” Husband? The doctor must have misunderstood, but right then, I had zero desire to correct him. Tears dripped onto the white sheets I was clutching tightly. All I could picture was Alex’s foot connecting with my chest that day. I couldn’t forget the feeling of tumbling down the mountain, the tearing pain, the utter despair. But what had Alex been doing this past month? My parents were gone, and I had no other relatives. If I had actually died, what would Alex gain? Probably my hefty company shares and my downtown condo. The answer settled grimly in my mind. A fierce hatred bloomed inside me. My lips trembled as I forced the words out, my voice raspy. “Don’t worry. I won’t give up.” In that moment, an unprecedented will to live surged through me. Only by getting better could I stand before Alex again, demand answers, or… get justice for myself. Seeing my determination, Liam nodded, relieved. He then clarified our relationship to the doctor. After the doctor left, the aide went to handle some paperwork. Liam sat beside me, picked up a fruit knife, and started peeling an apple. He had broad shoulders and was undeniably handsome. From my angle, I could see the sharp line of his jaw, his clear, kind eyes. He was infinitely better looking than Alex. I never thought I’d meet someone like him, especially not after my face was ruined. But why did he save me? And take care of me so diligently for so long? Are some people just naturally saints? Or was he after something? My looks? But I was disfigured now, so what could he possibly gain… I couldn’t figure it out, so I decided to just think of him as an angel for now. Liam carefully cut the apple into small slices, placed them within my reach, poured me a glass of water with a straw, and then said, “It’s great that you’re feeling stronger. I was worried about how you’d handle… everything.” I took a few sips of water, my voice finally returning. I had to ask. “You just found me by the road, why did you take care of me for a whole month? You really didn’t have to do all that.” His fingers tightened slightly around the knife. He smiled, “Just wanted to see it through, I guess. Call it paying it forward.” I nodded. So, people like that really did exist. “What do you do, Mr. Walker?” “I work at Apex Holdings.” “That’s a coincidence. My parents used to work with Apex Holdings too.” My expression darkened. “But they passed away a year ago.” The smile on Liam’s lips froze. His eyes flickered with a complex emotion, but it vanished so quickly I thought I’d imagined it. “Everything will get better,” he said softly. “Just focus on healing. I’ll be here to help.” “Thank you.” Liam felt like the only lifeline I had in this abyss. I trusted him and didn’t want to let him down. I cooperated fully with the doctors, kept my spirits up, and my recovery was surprisingly fast. A month later, I was discharged. After leaving the hospital, I sent Liam a text, planning to go home first to sort things out before contacting him again. But I never expected what I saw before I even reached my building— Walking down the street, arm in arm, were two people: Alex, and a woman who looked exactly like me!

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After I was burned and disfigured saving my husband. Julian Astor held me, sobbing, promising he’d always be good to me. But on our wedding anniversary, his secretary showed up with a baby bump and a diamond ring, demanding I step aside. Julian sent the secretary away and voluntarily got a vasectomy. He even took me to do IVF. Everyone in the city praised Julian as a devoted man who had seen the error of his ways and returned to his love. But on the day our child was set to inherit the family business, the secretary ran in, claiming she was the child’s biological mother. I calmly took a sip of my tea, smiling faintly. “Oh, really? I’m curious to hear how you plan to argue that my son is actually yours.” 1. It was the second year after I was burned and disfigured saving my husband. His secretary, Bianca Thorne, chose Valentine’s Day to flaunt her pregnancy and a diamond ring, trying to force me out. Overwhelmed with despair, I stood on the hospital rooftop, ready to jump. Julian grabbed me, holding me tight. “Chloe! I’ll make Bianca get an abortion immediately and fire her. I’ll never see her again, I swear. Please, don’t leave me!” I looked at him, my voice filled with sorrow. “Julian, your love was the only thing keeping me going. But you don’t love me anymore. I can’t hold on.” “Chloe, you’re the only one I’ve ever truly loved!” Julian knelt before me, tears streaming down his face. “I’ll get a vasectomy tomorrow. Please, give me a chance to make it up to you!” Persuaded by everyone around us, I finally decided to give Julian one more chance. He was ecstatic, hugging me tightly, unwilling to let go. “Chloe, I’ll spend the rest of my life making amends, atoning for what I did. I’ll never betray you again!” “If I ever do, you won’t have to lift a finger—I’ll end it myself!” True to his word, Julian had the vasectomy the next day. He also transferred 10% of the Astor Corp. shares to me as compensation. Then, he took me to start the IVF process. He announced that this child would be the heir to the Astor fortune. Eighteen years flew by. Julian spoiled me rotten, making me the envy of the city’s elite social circle. I thought life would continue like this forever. But the unexpected arrived. On the day our son, Ethan, was to inherit the family business, my husband Julian threw a grand succession ceremony for him. The lawyer read out the share transfer agreement from the board of directors. Julian solemnly handed the corporate seal to Ethan, his eyes full of pride. “Son, the Astor family legacy is in your hands now. You are my only child, my greatest pride!” “Do well. Dad believes in you!” Ethan bowed respectfully to Julian, then looked at me. “Mom, thank you for raising me, for all your effort and sacrifice. I’ve decided to transfer 5% of the company’s shares to you as your birthday gift.” “Quick, come up and sign.” The room erupted in applause. Astor relatives praised me for raising such a filial son. Just as I was about to step onto the stage. A figure rushed past me, grabbing Ethan’s hand, crying hysterically. “Ethan, I’m your real mother! The woman beside you, Chloe Fang, she’s an imposter!” “I’m Bianca Thorne, your father’s secretary. Back then…” Her words hung in the air, and Mr. Astor Sr.’s face turned to ice. Julian hurried to my side, his voice trembling. “Chloe, I haven’t seen Bianca since that incident, believe me!” Ethan, standing on the stage, instantly understood who Bianca was. His face flushed with anger, he slapped Bianca hard across the face. “You shameless, despicable homewrecker! Wasn’t it enough that you tried to destroy my parents’ marriage back then? Now you show up claiming to be my mother?” “Who gave you the nerve, huh?” “My mother is Chloe Fang, from the Fang family!” Bianca clutched her swelling cheek, heartbroken. “Ethan, how could you hit your own mother?” “I really am your mom!” Julian strode forward, pulling the woman away from Ethan, his voice furious. “Bianca, if you’ve lost your mind, go see a doctor! Don’t embarrass yourself here!” “Security! Get her out of…” Julian stopped mid-sentence, staring in shock at the documents Bianca held up. “You… how could you be so vicious… You!” He clutched his chest, collapsing to the ground in pain. “Dad!” Ethan’s expression changed drastically. He rushed to perform first aid. “Dad, what’s wrong? Wake up!” “Don’t worry, sweetie. Your father just needs some time to accept that I’m your mother. He’ll come around,” Bianca said, then shot me a provocative smile. “Chloe Fang, how does it feel? Raising my son for eighteen years, only for me to reap the rewards?” “With the son comes the status. I’ll be the rightful Mrs. Astor now!” “And you? Get ready to be kicked out of the Astor family!” Ethan picked up the scattered documents, his lips trembling violently. “How could this be?” “Bianca secretly swapped my mother’s egg during the IVF?” “My mother is Chloe Fang…” I walked up and took my son’s hand, my voice firm. “Ethan, I am absolutely certain you are my son. The documents Bianca provided…” “The proof is right in front of you, and you still don’t believe it?” Bianca glanced at me scornfully, her tone dripping with mockery. “You got burned saving Julian, had to give up your acting career to be a housewife. Then you schemed to have his child to secure the inheritance. Too bad you were just paving the way for me.” “I almost feel sorry for you. Feel like crying yet?” 2. Bianca’s words caused an uproar. Julian’s sister-in-law looked at me sympathetically. “Oh, Chloe, dear, your luck is just terrible. Raised Ethan all these years just for the mistress to benefit. And those company shares you were about to get… gone just like that.” “The dividends alone are worth millions every year. Such a pity!” “Indeed, a pity,” her husband chimed in. “My brother Julian only has this one son. That 5% stake should obviously go to the biological mother. You…” “Ethan,” an elderly relative, Uncle Harrison, spoke up. “Chloe Fang hasn’t given our Astor family any children, and your father had a vasectomy. Logically and emotionally, it’s inappropriate for her to continue living in the Astor mansion. I suggest she move out as soon as possible.” “We don’t want outsiders gossiping about a cuckoo in the nest.” Bianca’s eyes lit up. She nodded at the old man. “I’ve always heard that Uncle Harrison is reasonable and fair. Meeting you today truly impresses me.” “It’s only right,” Uncle Harrison said, turning to Julian, who was slowly coming around. “Julian, since Bianca is Ethan’s biological mother, let’s take care of the family recognition ceremony today while everyone’s here!” With him taking the lead, others quickly agreed. A servant brought a chair for Bianca, practically fawning over her. “Don’t even think about it!” Ethan gripped my wrist tightly, scanning the room. “I only recognize Chloe Fang as my mother. As for Bianca trying to get into the Astor family? Not while I’m here!” “Dad, what about you?” I looked at Julian, waiting for his answer. He avoided my gaze, his eyes settling on Bianca with a complicated expression. After a long pause, he said, “Ethan, don’t be so impulsive…” A sharp pain shot through my heart. Tears welled up. “Julian, you instructed Bianca to switch my egg back then, didn’t you?” “I risked my life, got burned and disfigured for you, and you not only betrayed me, but you also…” “Chloe, absolutely not!” Julian retorted coldly. “I deeply regret cheating back then and causing this mess.” “All these years, I’ve searched for treatments to restore your looks, I reopened a film company for you, supported you until you won Best Actress again. I’ve been doing everything I can to make it up to you. You feel that, don’t you?” “You’re the only one I’ve ever loved!” “Bianca was just… a tool for physical release!” “A tool for physical release?” Bianca looked at Julian, disappointed, her doe eyes filling with tears. “That’s not what you said when you were on your knees proposing to me!” “You said meeting me made you understand what true love was…” “Slap!” Julian struck Bianca across the face, gritting his teeth. “If you keep slandering me, don’t blame me for disregarding your connection to Ethan and sending you to prison!” “You’re so cruel! Just like that, you turn on me and want to send me to prison?” Bianca was utterly devastated, collapsing into tears and lunging at him, hitting him. “I carried a child for you too! Why are you doing this to me?” “It was a boy, four months along, already kicking, sob…” “And you forced me to abort him, sob sob…” People rushed to break up the fight. Ignoring the chaos, I took a report from my purse and handed it to Ethan. “Son, I am 100% certain you are mine. Because I have the DNA test results.” “DNA test results?” Bianca snatched the report from my hand. After reading it, she gasped, “How is this possible? I clearly swapped your egg with mine! Afterwards, I even paid that Dr. Evans $50,000!” “Why wouldn’t it be possible?” I watched her frantic state with a cold smile. “I paid him $100,000. Naturally, he’d do double the work for me.” “What do you mean?” Julian frowned at me. “What else did you have Dr. Evans do?” 3. I took a sip of tea, my voice nonchalant. “Nothing much. I just instructed him to carefully cultivate the embryo, ensuring it would successfully survive.” “The fact that our Ethan turned out so intelligent, capable, and handsome… we really should thank Dr. Evans.” Mentioning his son, Julian’s face filled with pride. “I’ll have someone send Dr. Evans a generous gift later to thank him properly.” “I declare the succession ceremony back on!” “Chloe, come up and sign.” I walked onto the stage, signed the share transfer agreement with a flourish, and gave my son a hug. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bianca being dragged out by security. Her face was ashen as she stared at me, then suddenly, a chilling smile spread across her lips. “Chloe Fang, you think Julian really loves you? What a joke!” “He once tried to…” Before Bianca could finish, security threw her out. Julian blocked my view. “Chloe, don’t listen to Bianca’s attempts to drive us apart. You know how I’ve treated you all these years, right?” I returned his gaze with a faint smile. “Yes, I understand perfectly.” Julian’s tense brow relaxed. He opened his arms to embrace Ethan and me. “Photographer, take a picture of our family of three!” “Mr. Astor, taking a family photo without me wouldn’t be quite right, would it?” A male voice cut in, followed by Julian’s sister-in-law’s surprised gasp. “Isn’t that Liam Hayes? Chloe’s childhood friend?” “He’s always been at odds with our Astor family. Is he here deliberately to cause trouble?” “I have no interest in causing trouble. I’m here to claim my son,” Liam Hayes said, raising a hand in greeting to the crowd. He strode confidently towards Ethan and held out his arms. “Ethan, come to Dad.” A collective gasp went through the room. First, a fake mother claiming the son. Now, a fake father jumping into the fray. This was explosive! “Liam Hayes, what the hell is wrong with you?” Julian grabbed Liam’s collar, teeth clenched. “Ethan is the son I worked hard to raise! What are you doing, showing up and claiming him?” “Mr. Astor, are you sure he’s your son?” Liam gave a wicked smile, turning to the crowd. “Uncles, aunts, take a good look. Whose son does Ethan really look like?” His words ignited the room. Julian’s sister-in-law covered her mouth, exclaiming, “Oh my god! Ethan’s eyes are exactly like Liam Hayes’—those same distinct eyes! And they both have that little skin tag in front of their ears… This… how is this possible?” “Tsk tsk, besides the eyes, their mouths are very similar too. Look, Julian has thin lips, but Ethan’s are fuller. I thought he took after his mother, Chloe, but now…” Mr. Astor Sr. shuffled forward unsteadily, pulling Ethan closer for a detailed look. He shot me a look filled with resentment. “Chloe Fang, quite the schemer! Our Astor family treated you well! How could you do this? Where is your conscience?” “Julian already had a vasectomy, this was his precious only son! You’re twisting a knife in his heart!” “You venomous woman!” “You’re all talking nonsense!” Julian’s face changed drastically. He let go of Liam and cupped Ethan’s face, yelling, “Look! Ethan’s eyebrows are low like mine, he has cavities like me, stomach problems like me! He’s clearly my son!” “Julian, the paternity test is right here. See for yourself.” Liam tossed the document at him, smiling slightly. “Now, your son is mine. And soon, your company will be mine too!” “I don’t believe it!” Julian stumbled towards me, his voice urgent. “Chloe, you love me so much, you would never betray me like this, right?” “Tell everyone! Who is Ethan’s real father?” “Tell that Hayes guy to get lost, now!” I put down my teacup, my voice flat. “Julian, earlier you asked what ‘double the work’ I had Dr. Evans do. Now you see the answer.” “I secretly had him replace your sperm with Liam Hayes’. Surprise, surprise?” “Impossible!” Julian roared. “You were recovering in the hospital from your burns back then, under tight security by my people! You had no chance to see Hayes! You must be lying!”

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Eight months pregnant, and Ethan decided to throw a divorce party for his first love, Chloe. He insisted I personally build a sixteen-tier champagne tower. When the party started, Chloe deliberately knocked over the tower, cutting her finger in the process. “Ethan, where did you hire these workers? They’re as stupid as pigs.” Ethan shot me a dark look. Chloe smirked. “You know, Ava,” she said, turning to me, “now that you mention it, you do kind of resemble a sow.” Shaking with anger, I slapped her across the face and demanded an apology. Ethan stood up and shoved me hard. I crumpled to the ground. “Chloe didn’t even know you built it! Why the hell are you flying off the handle? “And was she wrong? Calling you a pig? Look at you, stomach as big as a damn beach ball!” Later, on a night pouring rain, he made me kneel on the doorstep to ‘reflect on my actions’. Inside, I could hear him laughing with his friends. “That’s how you have to train women to make them behave.” But this time, I didn’t obey him. I stood up, hailed a cab, and went to the hospital to arrange for an induced termination. Eight months? So what? If I didn’t want this baby anymore, I wasn’t going to have it. 1. The doctor on duty looked at me, then at my paperwork, frowning slightly. “Does your husband consent to this procedure?” “I don’t have a husband.” He clearly didn’t believe me, his eyes scanning me up and down. I realized then that when Ethan threw me out to ‘reflect,’ I hadn’t even grabbed a coat. Who in their right mind would be out on a cold fall night dressed so thinly? The doctor probably thought I’d just had a fight with my husband. Finally, seeing my determination, the doctor nodded. The procedure couldn’t be done immediately; it would take three days to schedule. As I was leaving, he tried one more time. “Look, miss, maybe talk things over with your family first? Don’t do anything impulsive.” I managed a bitter smile. I’d seen this doctor a few times before, but he didn’t know Ethan was my partner. Ethan rarely came with me to prenatal appointments. Once, in a rare moment of ‘kindness,’ he walked out with me, holding my hand. The second he saw someone he knew, he dropped my hand like I was toxic. Like he was ashamed to be seen with me. When the doctor asked who he was, Ethan had just said, “A friend.” I took a cab back to the house. The front door was wide open. The party guests were gone, leaving behind a total mess. Ethan sat slumped in the middle of the sofa, his face grim, enveloped in cigarette smoke. “Hah, I was actually considering letting you back in, thinking about the baby and all,” he sneered. “But look at you, out having a good time!” So, he did remember I was pregnant. I didn’t have the energy to argue. All I wanted was a hot shower. He stood up as I walked past. “Where were you?” I gave a vague answer. “My stomach hurt. Went to the hospital.” Ethan’s expression softened instantly. He reached out and touched my belly. “Then why didn’t you call me to go with you? Look at you, not even wearing a coat…” He seemed about to show some concern, but a woman’s voice interrupted him. “Ethan, smell this body wash, doesn’t it smell amazing?” Chloe emerged from the bathroom, wrapped only in a towel, cleavage on full display. Seeing me, she feigned surprise with a little “Oops!” 2. “Oh, Ava,” Chloe said with a coy smile, sidling up next to Ethan. “I thought you had plans tonight, that you wouldn’t be back.” She leaned into Ethan. “Since Ava’s home now, maybe I should leave?” Ethan frowned slightly. “It’s late, not safe. Just stay here tonight. Ava won’t mind.” He often decided for me that I didn’t mind. But this time, I genuinely didn’t. I mumbled some agreement, which seemed to satisfy Ethan. Then I headed to the bedroom to shower. As I walked in, I saw it immediately – an item of lingerie lying on the bed. White lace against the black sheets. Glaringly obvious. Expressionless, I picked it up and tossed it to Ethan, who had followed me. He froze, then awkwardly handed it to Chloe. He opened his mouth to explain, but I had already shut the bathroom door. After washing up, I lay down, wanting only sleep. But Ethan crawled in beside me, pulling me into his arms. “Ava, I told you, you can rely on me for anything. “Why didn’t you knock on my door when your stomach hurt today? Isn’t this my baby too?” I ignored him, pretending to rub my eyes sleepily. He grabbed my hand and leaned in to kiss me. The cloying, sweet scent of roses – Chloe’s perfume – filled the air. “Forgive me, okay?” Nausea rose in my throat. I shut my eyes tight, feigning deep sleep. Ethan finally released me. In the darkness, the glow of a phone screen flickered on. The mattress dipped beside me, then sprang back up. He was gone. I already knew where. I picked up my own phone. Chloe had just updated her social media. The picture was Ethan cradling her bare feet in his hands, warming them. The caption read: [The heat might be late, but your love never is.] Even late at night, people were awake, flooding the comments. [OMG, kill me with the sweetness!] [You two should just get back together already! It’s obvious you both want it.] [Chloe, hold onto a guy like that! Don’t let some other woman snatch him.] I was the “some other woman” they were talking about. My parents died in a car accident years ago. I had no one left to depend on. And in the eyes of Ethan’s friends, if a woman couldn’t help her man succeed, what good was she? I expected Ethan to chime in with agreement. Instead, he replied to that last comment. [Don’t talk nonsense. Ava and I are fine.] 3. The next day, I intentionally slept late and didn’t make breakfast. Normally, Ethan would have chewed me out. But today, surprisingly, he was in the kitchen cooking himself. Chloe watched him expectantly from the side. Caught, Ethan offered her a bite from his fork. They looked, for a moment, like any ordinary couple. So, he could be proactive and thoughtful, just not for me. It didn’t matter anymore. Once the procedure was done, I’d be gone. “Ethan, you’re amazing! This is all my favorite food!” Chloe exclaimed. Ethan smiled, a doting look on his face. “I know you love these dishes, so I practiced making them.” The food on the table consisted of the few simple, home-style dishes Ethan knew how to cook. When we first got together, he used to cook for me sometimes. But it was always these same things. Once, I casually complained, asking him to try something different. He immediately got irritated. “Just eat what’s served. Relationships require compromise.” His reasoning convinced me back then. I actually believed him. Looking back now, it wasn’t mutual compromise; it was me always being the one to compromise. And now, the sight of those dishes made my stomach churn. Clapping a hand over my mouth, I rushed to the bathroom and threw up violently. When I returned after rinsing my mouth, Chloe put down her bowl, pinching her nose. “Ugh, it stinks.” I’d had morning sickness since the early stages, and Ethan was used to it. But Chloe’s comment made him frown too. “Why don’t you take your bowl and eat in the other room?” he said to me. A wave of desolation washed over me. I decided not to eat at all. The clatter of my bowl as I put it down was a bit loud, and Ethan probably thought I was angry. “Ever since you got pregnant, your temper’s gotten worse!” he snapped. He and Chloe finished their meal happily, ignoring me completely. Only after they were done eating did Ethan come into the room where I was. “Come on, let’s go out for a bit.” My feet ached, my back was sore, and I didn’t want to go anywhere. But he practically forced me out the door. “You’ve been cooped up inside too long, that’s why you’re getting so petty.” 4. Once we were outside, it became clear: Chloe wanted to go out, and I was just tagging along. Like that free piece of hard candy you sometimes get with your change at the grocery store. You didn’t ask for it, but you take it anyway, maybe just to toss it out later. I automatically moved to get into the front passenger seat. Ethan saw me and raised an eyebrow. “Sit in the back. Chloe gets carsick.” “But it’s hard for me to get in and out of the back,” I protested weakly. “Alright, stop making a scene. Don’t make me drag you out,” Ethan said, his patience gone. As I squeezed into the back seat, Chloe slid effortlessly into the front. She pointed to a cartoon sticker on the dashboard and giggled. “I stuck that there last time we were out… why didn’t you take it off?” Ethan glanced at me in the rearview mirror. I looked away. “Forgot,” he mumbled. Did he really forget, or did he not want to remove it? I’d seen that sticker the last time he’d accompanied me to a prenatal check-up. Ethan usually hated anything he considered ‘girly’ cluttering up his car. But when I’d reached to peel it off, he’d stopped me immediately. “My buddy’s little girl put it there,” he’d lied. “The kid said she’d check next time she saw the car. If I take it off, she won’t be my friend anymore.” So, it wasn’t a ‘little girl,’ it was a ‘big girl.’ Chloe shot me a look over her shoulder, smugness radiating from her. Throughout the drive, Chloe made thinly veiled jabs about my clothes. Said I dressed frumpy, that I looked like I weighed 400 pounds. I finally snapped back. “Well, I am carrying Ethan’s child. Staying warm is kind of important. Unlike some people, wearing a crop top when it’s practically winter. Aren’t you freezing?” Chloe’s face flushed, but she shut up. When we reached our destination, I realized we were at an amusement park. We walked until we were standing directly beneath the giant Ferris wheel. Chloe put on a show of being considerate. “Ava’s pregnant, so she can’t ride roller coasters. Why don’t we all ride the Ferris wheel together!” I looked up at the towering structure that seemed to pierce the clouds. A roaring filled my ears, and cold sweat instantly beaded on my forehead. I couldn’t ride it. I have acrophobia – a crippling fear of heights. 5. I refused immediately. Chloe pouted, looking wounded. “Ava, are you still mad at me?” Instinctively, I reached for Ethan’s hand. He flinched, surprised by how clammy my palm was. “I… I’m afraid of heights,” I stammered. Ethan hesitated. “Maybe Chloe and I can go, and Ava can wait down here?” he suggested. Chloe fixed her gaze on me, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Fears are meant to be overcome, Ethan,” she said sweetly. “You don’t want to spoil the fun, do you?” Her words solidified Ethan’s decision. Trembling all over, I was pushed into the Ferris wheel cabin. As the machine started moving, the ground fell away, and the horrible sensation of dangling in the air gripped me. The only sounds inside the cabin were my own ragged, panicked breaths. Chloe and Ethan sat across from me. Her eyes darted around, then she smiled. “They say distracting yourself helps you forget your fear. Ava, look, what’s this?” She held out her hand, and dangling from her fingers was a jade pendant. My hand flew to my collarbone. It was empty. That was my pendant. It was the most precious thing my mother owned before she died. Mom told me that the year I was born, she felt this sudden, inexplicable urge to go to a gem show. Among all the dazzling, polished stones, she was drawn to the most overlooked, roughest-looking one. Against all odds, when it was cut, it revealed the most beautiful, pure jade inside. This pendant was crafted from it. Mom always said the pendant had protected her twice from harm. Before she died, she gave it to me. “Ava,” she’d whispered, “it will protect you in my place.” For a moment, I forgot my fear, my eyes locked on the pendant. I reached for it, but Chloe snatched her hand away. “That’s mine! Give it back!” I cried. Chloe laughed, a malicious glint in her eyes. She extended her arm out of the cabin’s small, open window. “See? You were terrified of heights just a second ago, but now you’ve overcome it, haven’t you?” My gaze was fixed on her hand outside the window. I desperately wanted to claw open that window and snatch my pendant back. “Give… it… back… to… me!” I gritted out, my fists clenched. Even Ethan sensed something was wrong. “Chloe, stop messing around,” he said sternly. Chloe looked slightly disappointed but nodded. Then, in the next instant, her fingers loosened their grip. 6. I lunged across the cabin, my hands closing around Chloe’s throat, squeezing hard. Chloe screamed and struggled violently. The commotion rocked the cabin, making it creak ominously. Her face and neck began to turn purple. Ethan pried my hands off her, trapping me in his arms. I was no match for his strength. All I could do was scream and fight, sinking my teeth into his arm. Pain contorted his face, veins popping on his forehead, but he didn’t let go. Chloe rubbed her neck, gasping. “I didn’t mean to drop it,” she wheezed. Whether she meant it or not didn’t matter anymore. All I knew was that I was useless. I couldn’t hold onto anything. I couldn’t hold onto my man. I couldn’t hold onto my child. And now, I couldn’t even hold onto the pendant my mother gave me. I knew Chloe wanted to see me cry, but I refused to give her the satisfaction. I clenched my jaw, holding onto a brittle thread of defiance. Ironically, my acrophobia was completely gone. The moment the cabin door opened, I scrambled out and ran as fast as I could to the area below where the pendant might have fallen. The grass there was thick and overgrown, requiring someone to crouch down and search meticulously. With my large belly, crouching was impossible. So, I got down on my hands and knees, almost on the ground. Ethan pulled me up and moved me aside. “Stop looking.” I couldn’t help but scream at him. “That was my mother’s! The last thing she gave me!” He was silent for a moment. “I’ll find it for you.” He rolled up his sleeves, crouched down, and began searching the grass inch by inch. The lawn was still damp from a recent rain. His pants cuffs were soaked, splattered with mud and grass clippings. I sat nearby, the dampness seeping through my own pants. Chloe sauntered over, looking down at me with amusement. “How does it feel? To lose something precious?” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. “You killed my brother. So I’ll make you lose what’s most important to you!” I didn’t look at her. “I feel terrible about your brother, Chloe, but his death wasn’t my fault.” She opened her mouth to say more, but snapped it shut when she saw Ethan walking back towards us. He was covered in grass stains, sweat beading on his forehead. He had found the pendant. Dropped from that height, it was miraculously unbroken. I traced the familiar carvings with my finger, then carefully put it back around my neck. Suddenly, a piercing scream cut through the air.

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My mom, terminal with cancer, sat in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank, having endured a grueling twenty-hour Greyhound bus ride just to be at my wedding to Ethan. But when it was his time to walk down the aisle, I called his name until I was hoarse, but he was nowhere in sight. Turns out, his childhood sweetheart, Sophia, was having a depressive episode, threatening suicide again: “Ethan, I can’t live without you.” My usually stoic fiancé was holding Sophia tightly, desperately begging me to stop the wedding, to let them leave. Relatives and friends tried to stifle their laughter, watching the absolute train wreck unfold. Right at that moment, as she crossed the hotel threshold, my mom took her last breath. My wedding became her funeral. Seeing my mom dead, Ethan’s eyes reddened slightly as he looked at me, a hint of guilt surfacing. “I promise, as soon as I get her checked into the ER, I’ll rush right back to marry you. I promise we’ll fulfill Mom’s last wish.” But he forgot, this was the 96th time he’d hurt me. And I wasn’t going to marry him anymore. Calmly, I texted him, breaking things off. Ethan, however, just brought his childhood sweetheart back to our home. 1. “The groom ran off with another woman, right at the altar! Any normal person would lose it, but she actually let him go?” “Tsk tsk, mother and daughter both have bad luck with men, can’t even hold onto one. So embarrassing!” Below the stage, guests pointed and whispered about me. My mom, overwhelmed by Ethan’s cruelty, collapsed, unconscious. “Mom!” I screamed, catching her, starting chest compressions, trying desperately to perform CPR. Everyone was startled, but no one stepped forward to help. Panicked, I begged Ethan, “Ethan! Please, can we get my mom to the hospital first?” Ethan, still holding Sophia, saw everything. He shot a cold glance at my mom, his voice dripping with impatience. “You say your mom’s dying every other day. How long are you going to keep up this act?” “Sophia’s depression is life-threatening. Having another person in the car could trigger her even more. Are you trying to kill her?” His entire world revolved around Sophia. He didn’t even care that my mom had collapsed. He’d completely forgotten that his entire successful business was built on the life savings my mom scraped together for him to start it. How could someone be so cold-blooded? I kept doing compressions, but Mom didn’t wake up. Seeing this, the crowd finally panicked, chaos erupted, and someone finally called 911. Amidst the commotion, Ethan tried to leave, but Sophia, fidgeting, stopped him. After Ethan coaxed her gently several times, Sophia spoke, her voice sickeningly sweet and manipulative: “Ethan, I feel really awful. Since Auntie isn’t using her wheelchair right now, could I maybe use it?” Instantly, complex gazes fell upon me. And I just stared, hard, at Ethan. The wedding was ruined. My mother and I were already beyond humiliated. Now he wanted to push it even further, take my dying mother’s wheelchair for Sophia? Feeling the woman in his arms tremble, Ethan’s eyes filled with guilt as he looked at me: “Chloe, your mom isn’t using the wheelchair right now anyway. Letting Sophia use it for a bit… you wouldn’t refuse, right?” A bitter taste filled my mouth. I almost forgot. Sophia was his childhood sweetheart. The one who made Ethan ditch my birthdays, ignore me when I was sick, even when my mom was critically ill. The reason he’d sabotaged our wedding eight times before this. How could I possibly win against that? But I didn’t want to agree. Probably sensing my answer, Ethan spoke again after a moment: “Years ago, you promised you’d grant me ninety-nine requests, unconditionally. Let this be one of those requests, okay?” “You still have dozens left, right?” Hearing Ethan say this, my eyes instantly welled up. Back when my mom first got seriously ill, it was Ethan who knelt by her bedside, begging her to let him marry me. He sold everything he owned to scrape together money for her treatment. Mom was deeply grateful and agreed to the marriage. I asked him then how I could ever repay such kindness. He scratched his head, casually saying: “Your mom already agreed to let us get married.” But I insisted: “My mom is my mom. I am me.” Sensing my sincerity, he said: “Then… just unconditionally grant me 99 requests, or let me hurt you 99 times, and we’d call it even.” In the four years after we got engaged, Ethan never made a single request. Until Sophia reappeared a year ago. Since then, he’d used up 96. But this time, he was wrong. First, there weren’t “dozens” left. Second, this involved my mother’s life. I could never agree. What I didn’t expect was that before I could even answer, Ethan grabbed the wheelchair and put Sophia in it. “Remember, you owe me one less now.” Seeing him act like this, and not wanting to waste time arguing, I had no choice but to lift my mother onto my back myself. But as I passed Sophia, I caught a fleeting, malicious smirk on her face. The next second, she stuck her foot out, tripping me. I crashed hard onto the floor, my chin hitting the tile. Pain shot through my entire body. Mom was thrown from my back. Gasps erupted from the crowd. I scrambled to protect my mom. Beside me, Sophia spat out venomously: “Sister, even if you’re trying to fake a fall to get Ethan’s sympathy, you can’t be heartless enough to use your own mom, can you? Auntie’s still just pretending to be unconscious.” Someone in the crowd chimed in: “Ungrateful daughter! Your mom’s collapsed, and you’re still here fighting over a man? Shameless!” Unable to watch my humiliation, Ethan started to reach out to help me, but hearing the accusation, his hand dropped. “Chloe, get your mom up! Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?” Sophia tugged at Ethan’s sleeve. “Okay, Ethan, don’t be mad about this little thing. Quick, let’s go to the hospital pharmacy.” Seeing that I didn’t argue, just staggered to my feet and struggled to lift Mom onto my back again, limping. Ethan started pushing the wheelchair, following me, a hint of concern in his voice: “Maybe find someone to help you carry her?” Beside him, Sophia chuckled lightly: “Sister, you’re the woman who can carry a fridge up six flights of stairs. Why suddenly can’t you carry a person today?” “You’re not… deliberately blocking my way, are you?” Hearing this, Ethan instantly distanced himself from me, disgust flashing in his eyes: “Chloe, why have you become so petty? You know Sophia’s having an episode, yet you’re deliberately walking so slow. If you can’t walk, get out of the way! Don’t block the path!” Me, petty? He used to praise me for being understanding, saying he appreciated that I never questioned his need to care for Sophia, and he treated me well because of it. But later, after he ditched me countless times for Sophia, the moment I asked even a mild question, he called me small-minded, accusing me of picking on a sick person. And now, because of Sophia, we had become unrecognizable versions of ourselves. His heart had completely tilted away from me. After a long wait, the ambulance finally arrived. I placed Mom on the stretcher. Just as I was about to get in, Sophia grabbed my arm again: “Sister, I’m a patient too, I need to go to the hospital. Give me your spot.” I clenched my teeth so hard they ground together, looking at Ethan. Ethan looked awkward, and for once, he actually stopped her: “They don’t need to take you. I’ll drive you to the hospital. Be good.” Only then did the ambulance doors close. An hour later, I sat outside the emergency room, tears streaming down my face. Mom didn’t make it. She died in the ER. The doctor said the ambulance arrived too late. If it had been just ten minutes earlier, the outcome might have been different. As I stood numbly outside the ER, Ethan finally showed up. The thought that Mom would still be alive if not for him and Sophia consumed me. Overcome with grief, I wanted to slap him across the face. But unexpectedly, the moment I raised my hand, he caught it excitedly. His face lit up with happiness: “Chloe, thank god you were understanding enough to stop the wedding and let us go! Sophia’s episode was really serious. You were so considerate, you saved her life again.” He glanced at the extinguished light above the ER door and said casually: “Looks like Mom’s okay too. Great. You take care of Mom first, I’ll come visit her when I have time.” “Next time, I promise the wedding will go smoothly. Mom will definitely get to see us get married, my beautiful bride…” He finished speaking and ran off. He had no idea. Once the debt was repaid, I was leaving. And my mom would never see me get married. 2 While I arranged for Mom’s cremation, he was still with Sophia. I brought her ashes home, packed up her belongings. The housekeeper watched my strange behavior, looking confused. Just then, Ethan sent a gift via the bridal shop staff: two more wedding dresses. He specifically included a message: one was an apology for the interrupted wedding, the other compensation for taking Mom’s wheelchair. As the dresses were fully displayed, the young employee gushed, practically seeing pink bubbles around me: “Mrs. Jiang— Oh, I mean, soon-to-be Mrs. Evans— your fiancé bought out our entire new collection for you! You are so lucky.” My face was blank. Inside, I just wanted to break down and sob. They didn’t know. This was just Ethan’s routine compensation after hurting me. My eyes were empty as I watched them hang the dresses on hangers number 96 and 97. An entire room filled with wedding dresses, with only the last two hangers in the corner remaining empty. I looked away. I knew I’d be leaving soon. I placed the urn and Mom’s belongings on the table in the sunroom. I quickly packed a suitcase. Just as I put the suitcase by the wall, Ethan returned with Sophia. He was carrying lots of supplements he’d bought for Mom. He was always so thoughtful, so considerate. For a hazy moment, it almost felt like the man who had coldly watched my mother die wasn’t him at all. But the next second, conflict erupted. Sophia’s sharp eyes spotted the urn. She let out a sudden, piercing scream as if terrified. Her “depressive episode” flared up. She reached out and swatted the urn off the table. The ceramic box shattered, scattering ashes all over the floor. My vision turned red. I lunged forward, shoving Sophia away, screaming uncontrollably: “Get away! Don’t touch my mom!” Sophia shrank back into Ethan’s arms, sobbing. “I’m sorry, sister, my depression acted up again… But do you hate me that much? Did you deliberately buy a fake dead person prop and put it here just to scare me?” Ethan, instantly furious and protective of Sophia, unleashed a torrent of accusations at me: “Chloe, you know Sophia has depression! Did you buy this disgusting prop to scare her to death? You’re truly malicious! Apologize right now!” “If you know what’s good for you, I might still agree to reschedule the wedding. Otherwise, forget about your mom ever seeing you get married!” Scrambling on the floor, trying to gather the ashes back into the broken container, I screamed back at him, my voice raw with anguish: “Ethan, these are my mother’s ashes!” Ethan grew up in a single-parent household; he never had a mother. Ever since we got together, my mom treated him like her own son. He used to help out at her little dumpling stand every day. When she was bedridden for long periods, he patiently cared for her. He treated my mom like his own mother. Hearing this, surely he’d react somehow, right? But after a brief pause, a mocking smile twisted his lips: “Sophia said your mom isn’t dead. What are you pretending for? Besides, she’s your mom, not mine. Even if she did die, what’s it got to do with me?” Sophia suddenly clutched her head and started crying dramatically, her words utterly vile: “Sister, why are you lying to frame me? Auntie just called me last night, calling me a bitch and a whore, telling me to stay away from Ethan.” “It’s true, I’m sick, I’m shameless, I’m pathetic for clinging to Ethan. I should just listen to Auntie and go die…” My mom died two days ago. She was blatantly lying, slandering my dead mother! Yet, Ethan believed this outrageous lie. “You’re lying—” I shot back, but my fury was cut short as Ethan kicked me, sending me sprawling. “Chloe, how can you and your mother be so disgusting? If you don’t apologize to Sophia today, don’t even think about getting up!” My head hit the wall. Blood trickled down. I stared at him, my gaze filled with deathly stillness. Seeing the blood, he faltered for a second, then changed his tone slightly: “Forget it. Look at you, bleeding all over. Don’t be an eyesore here, you’ll just upset Sophia.” Sophia, Sophia, his mind was filled with Sophia. Fine. Let him spend the rest of his life with Sophia! Gritting my teeth, I gathered the broken urn and ashes, went upstairs, and back to my room. Behind me, a soft voice drifted up: “Ethan, will sister be upset now that she’s been exposed?” “She brought it on herself. What right does she have to be upset!” I slammed the door shut, finally blocking out the mockery from outside. My dad died young. Mom raised me alone, working tirelessly at her street stall. And I couldn’t even protect her ashes. They were thrown on the ground by someone else. Maybe this was Mom’s way of telling me from heaven that it was time to let go of all this entanglement, that I couldn’t stay here any longer. After crying silently for a long time, I picked up the calendar from the desk. I circled today’s date and marked it with the number 98. The door opened quietly sometime later. Ethan tiptoed over to my side. Before I could close the calendar, he snatched it away. Ethan frowned, looking at the red circle that had nearly torn through the paper. Annoyance flickered in his eyes. “What’s this circle around 98 supposed to mean?” 3 I quickly grabbed the calendar back and closed it. “Nothing, just spacing out.” He seemed surprised by my calmness, then suddenly remembered something: “You should really try to break that spacing-out habit. Last time, you almost got hit by a car.” He was talking about that time in college. I was agonizing over a clothing design, lost in thought, and wandered off the sidewalk into traffic. In that terrifying moment, he was the one who pulled me back. I treated him to dinner to thank him, and one thing led to another, sparking our relationship. Knowing he’d misinterpreted my current state, I didn’t explain, just gave a noncommittal nod. Lost in the memory of our college romance, a rare smile appeared on Ethan’s usually stern face: “Alright, don’t sulk alone. Come see this, I know you’ll love it.” He led me downstairs and snapped his fingers. Several housekeepers wheeled out an exquisite, luxurious wedding dress. “Chloe, you will be my most beautiful bride.” “About what happened with Sophia earlier… I’m sorry I lost my temper with you. This dress is my apology. I promise I’ll give you the grandest wedding ever.” Ethan declared this publicly, professing his feelings in front of everyone. The housekeepers beside us practically swooned with envy. My expression remained flat. “Put it in the closet.” Seeing my lack of enthusiasm, his face darkened slightly: “You don’t have to keep picking fights with Sophia. You were partly wrong in this too.” “Mom obviously isn’t dead. You lied to us, saying that urn was hers. If Mom heard you, she’d definitely scold you too.” I almost laughed out loud in bitterness. He still didn’t believe my mom was dead? If he had even an ounce of trust in my words, a simple call to the hospital would confirm it. But he treated Sophia’s words like gospel. I was truly talking to a brick wall. I scoffed coldly, “I did nothing wrong.” Ethan’s face contorted, finding me utterly unreasonable: “So you think Sophia and I are deliberately trying to make trouble for you?” “What else?” I replied flatly. “You’re unbelievable!” Ethan slammed the door with a deafening crack and stormed out, furious. I knew where he was going. Back to Sophia. Sure enough, Sophia immediately started bombarding me with photos and videos, flaunting their time together. I simply blocked her number and went to sleep. The next day, having few relatives or friends left, I arranged a simple funeral service for Mom. I notified Ethan, wanting some closure, a final conversation before cutting ties completely. His reply was simple: “Okay.” But the service was almost over, and he never showed up. Instead, Sophia arrived, followed by a group of rough-looking thugs. Sophia saw the surprise in my eyes and smirked. “What, surprised to see me?” Seeing their aggressive stance, I sensed trouble. “Why did you bring these people here?” “To trash the place, of course! Go on, smash it all!” At her command, the thugs stormed into Mom’s memorial setup, smashing everything in sight. Countless flowers were scattered, wreaths trampled, even Mom’s portrait was shattered. Chaos reigned. “Stop! Don’t touch anything! One more move and I’m calling the cops!” I shielded the urn with my body, shoving them away furiously, screaming until my voice was raw. Their fists and makeshift clubs rained down on me. My head bleeding, pain overwhelming me, I collapsed. Sophia grabbed my hair, yanking my head back, forcing me to look at her. “That old bitch mother of yours. If she didn’t die, was she just going to keep leeching off Ethan?” “Ethan says you’re just a boring housewife. He’s tired of you, can’t get rid of you, so I had to help him out.” A housewife? Is that how Ethan described me to her? Before we were engaged, I was a well-known fashion designer. It was only after his business took off that he begged me to quit my demanding job, saying he didn’t want me running back and forth, exhausted, that he would take care of me. But now, my mother and I were just burdens in his eyes. Fine. I really was leaving. But I wasn’t going to let her get away with this. Seeing me dazed, Sophia sneered dismissively, then turned to the thugs: “Throw her in the coffin, nail it shut with her mom—” Before she could finish, I grabbed a sharp piece of broken wood from the floor and stabbed it hard into her shoulder. Then, I lunged, wrapping my hands fiercely around her neck. A desperate counterattack! Sophia let out a bloodcurdling scream, cut short as my grip tightened. The thugs froze, startled, about to move. I snarled viciously, “Get lost! All of you! Or I snap her neck right now, and you won’t get paid a dime!” Sophia shook her head frantically, pleading with them for help, but the thugs scattered and ran. Relief washed over me. I released my grip, shoving Sophia to the ground. Before I could react, a stinging slap landed hard across my face. My head snapped sideways, ears ringing, as I heard Ethan’s furious roar: “Chloe, how dare you provoke Sophia again? Did you think my warnings were just hot air?” My eyes, blazing red, fixed on Ethan. “She was going to bury me alive!” Ethan seemed momentarily flustered by my shout, turning to look at Sophia. Sophia clung to him like a lifeline, sobbing pitifully: “Ethan, I was just joking! But sister took it seriously, she tried to kill me!” He pulled Sophia protectively into his arms, then turned on me, his voice harsh, as if I’d committed some heinous crime. “She’s sick, Chloe! She was just joking with you! How could you take it seriously and attack her?” This same transparent act had played out countless times. And yet, Ethan still blindly believed Sophia every single time. Tired of his lectures, I stated numbly, “Ethan. This is the last time.” Seeing the utter coldness in my expression, Ethan felt a jolt of fear, a sense that he was losing something vital. Noticing the injuries covering my head, he loosened his hold on Sophia. “Forget it. Let me take you to the hospital first.” He reached for me, but Sophia suddenly clutched her back, crying out: “It hurts, it hurts so bad! Ethan, my shoulder! Sister stabbed me right through! I’m going to die from the pain!” Seeing the blood soaking through Sophia’s clothes, Ethan panicked. Any concern for me instantly evaporated. He scooped Sophia up and ran towards the door, tossing back one sentence: “I’m taking her to the hospital first. Call yourself an ambulance. Text me when you get there, I’ll come meet you.” I watched his figure disappear through the main entrance. Then I called 911 myself and was eventually loaded onto the ambulance. Just as the ambulance pulled up to the hospital entrance. My phone buzzed with an anonymous text: “I won’t let him come get you.” Immediately after, Ethan’s call came through: “Sophia’s injury is too serious, she needs someone with her. I can’t pick you up right now. Later, I’ll definitely find time to check on you later, I promise!” I could hear Sophia’s coquettish voice in the background before Ethan abruptly hung up. He never asked about me again. So I was alone. Surgery, paying bills, recovering, staring blankly. During that time, Ethan never visited me once. But I’d occasionally catch glimpses of the two of them, acting lovey-dovey, in various corners of the hospital. What a perfect couple. I contacted a real estate agent and put the house up for sale. This was the house Ethan bought with the first big profit he made after starting his business with Mom’s money. That was when Ethan loved me the most. The deed was solely in my name. I thought we would build a happy home there. I never imagined I’d be the one selling it off in the end. I signed the contracts quickly, finalizing the transfer. The agent assured me they would handle the moving arrangements completely. Only then did I leave. Back home, the housekeeper presented me with the 99th wedding dress Ethan had sent. I hung it on the last empty hanger in the closet. After paying the staff their final wages and letting them go, I circled the date on the calendar, marking the final number: 99. In the blank space on the calendar page, I wrote my farewell letter to Ethan. “Family gone, debt repaid. Ethan, we’re done.” I placed Mom’s death certificate and the calendar page together on the coffee table. Then, I picked up my suitcase, went to the airport, chose a random flight, checked in, and boarded. As the plane soared into the sky, an exhausted Ethan finally returned home. The villa was eerily silent. Confused, he tried calling me. His eyes fell on the note on the coffee table. Just as he reached for it, the cold, robotic voice came through his phone: “Sorry, the number you have dialed is not reachable…” And the next second, he saw my mother’s death certificate. As if realizing something, his hand trembled as he snatched up the calendar page. When he saw the large, stark words written there… Ethan’s pupils constricted instantly.

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The first day after I died, my wife went on a date with her old flame. I once told her, “If I die… I swear, in the next life, I won’t make the mistake of loving you again.” But she just scoffed back, “Wouldn’t bother me one bit. Besides, only the good die young, right?” Later, she got her wish. I died. But clutching my urn, she murmured, “Still mad at me?” 1 The clock struck midnight. I stared at the sky-blue cake on the table, the frosting slowly starting to sweat. The single candle stuck in it had already burned out. My birthday. Ended in silence. I slowly walked over to the table, looked at the forgotten cake, picked it up, and took a bite. “Happy birthday,” I told myself. Then, without hesitation, I threw the whole thing into the trash can… Late that night, she came back. I looked at the woman walking in through the doorway. “You’re home.” Chloe’s indifferent gaze swept over to me, her brow furrowing in annoyance. “Can you do anything besides drink?” I swirled the wine in my glass and gave a slight smile. “Drinking is serious business.” Then, I swayed unsteadily towards her. “Wine’s good stuff. Here, have a sip…” I lifted the glass to her lips. She narrowed her eyes and slapped my hand away. “You need to sleep it off.” The force knocked most of the red wine out of the glass. That jolt actually sobered me up a bit. I put the glass down and turned back to face her properly. “It was my birthday today.” Hearing this, Chloe’s eyes flickered for just a second, then returned to their usual cool indifference. “Since it’s my birthday, there should obviously be a gift,” I sighed. “You’re not giving me one, so I’ll give you one instead.” Saying that, I pulled a file out of the drawer by the sofa and tossed it onto the table. “This is my gift to you.” Her eyes scanned the cover. The words “Divorce Agreement” caught her eye. Her brow furrowed then, and she asked quietly, “What kind of game are you playing now?” “Our families practically pushed us together for business reasons all those years ago, tying you to me. I know it’s been hard on you. You’ve always been thinking about your old flame, haven’t you? Go find him.” I pushed the divorce papers into her hands, and before she could react, I gently kissed her forehead. 2 Just a few seconds later, she shoved me away forcefully. I almost stumbled. Keeping my eyes lowered, I said, “For a marriage to end up like ours… it’s pretty pathetic. Looks like we really weren’t meant to spend our lives together.” Chloe’s voice was still cold. “If you’d thought that way back then, we wouldn’t have had to be tangled up like this until now.” “It’s my fault.” I managed a weak smile. “Looks like the only way to pay for this sin is with my life.” A cruel smile touched Chloe’s lips. “You think you actually have the guts to die?” I paused, my voice dropping slightly. “If I die… I swear, in the next life, I won’t make the mistake of loving you again.” “We’ll talk when you’re actually dead.” Chloe looked away, turned directly around, and left. The door slammed shut with a bang. She was gone again. The smile faded from my lips. She still hated me that much. I gave a bitter laugh. Sitting down on the sofa, I pulled another document out of the drawer – a medical report. Late-stage cancer. Those suffocating words were written on the last page. I closed my eyes, opened them after a long moment, and then tore the report to shreds. Pieces of paper scattered on the floor. I looked at the wedding ring on my ring finger, rubbing it gently back and forth with my fingertip, then slowly slid it off and placed it on the table… The next morning. I gathered all my things and threw them into the car. Without even eating breakfast, I drove away from the villa. I drove straight ahead, gradually leaving the city behind, getting onto the coastal highway. I rolled down the window. The wind blowing in was cool and crisp, ruffling my hair. “Goodbye forever, Chloe.” I jerked the steering wheel to the right, let go of the wheel, and slammed the gas pedal to the floor. CRUNCH! The car smashed head-on into the cliff face on the right. The front end crumpled severely. From the driver’s seat, bright red blood snaked out from under the car… 3 Even though I died, my soul just kept drifting. I thought death would finally get me away from Chloe, but for some reason, my spirit stayed tethered to her. Apex Global, sixtieth floor. I floated into her company building. Ever since her parents died in that car crash, she’d taken over the company. Her secretary brought her a strong cup of coffee. I followed her into the office. “Ms. Bellweather, the video conference with Weston Corp starts at 9:30. The meeting materials are already compiled and on your desk.” Chloe nodded slightly. But I noticed something missing from her finger. Right, the wedding ring. Even though Chloe usually treated me coldly, she never took off her wedding ring. But today, the ring on her left ring finger was gone, leaving only a faint pale mark. Well, we were divorced now, no need to wear it anymore. I felt a suffocating sensation for a moment; I didn’t expect to still have feelings after death. Around noon, I habitually checked the time. For five years, like clockwork, I’d gone to her office to bring her lunch. Today, I didn’t show up. Her secretary, Jessica, seemed to guess something was up and quickly ordered takeout for Chloe. Thirty minutes later, the food arrived. “Ms. Bellweather, maybe have some lunch first.” Jessica put down the takeout and left. Chloe finished the work she was doing, opened the container, and took just one bite before frowning slightly. She seemed to notice the taste was different. She picked at it for a few more bites, then pushed it aside. Her phone on the desk vibrated. I glanced at it and saw a familiar name. Her gaze remained fixed on the document in front of her; she just casually picked up the phone and answered. “Chloe, are you done with work yet?” Chloe glanced down at the phone screen, a small smile touching her lips. “Yeah, almost.” “Let’s get dinner tonight then.” Chloe looked at the files on her desk and replied softly, “Okay.” Chloe picked up her pace, finished the documents she was holding, and left the office. The Grand Plaza Hotel. As Chloe’s car pulled up, Ethan straightened his shirt, waiting with a smile for her to get out. “Chloe.” Chloe walked towards him. “Been waiting long?” Ethan casually put his arm around her shoulder. “Nope, I just got here too.” Chloe’s body stiffened noticeably for a second, then relaxed. They walked into the French restaurant on the third floor of the Grand Plaza Hotel. Ethan gallantly pulled out Chloe’s chair for her and ordered several dishes she liked. It struck me as funny, thinking back. Chloe had never once served me food from a shared dish. Every time I eagerly put food on her plate, looking at her with hopeful eyes, she would always say coldly, “Alex, don’t you have any pride? Just save your energy.” 4 Ethan seemed to be in a great mood, a constant smile on his face. Exquisite dishes arrived one by one. Ethan maintained his gentlemanly manners, occasionally putting some food onto her plate. Chloe looked up at him, asking with concern, “Are you feeling better?” So, she could show concern for people, just not for me. Ethan continued cutting his steak. “Much better. It was just a stomach thing, same old problem. As long as I eat on time, it doesn’t act up.” “I remember back in college, you didn’t have stomach problems.” Ethan paused his cutting, meeting her eyes. “Well, you took such good care of me back then, I never had a chance to get sick, did I?” Chloe lowered her gaze. “Didn’t she take good care of you?” Ethan put down his knife and fork, his expression darkening slightly. “Alex kept you tied up for five years, and I forced myself to be with someone else for five years too.” “But we both know you can’t force feelings. We loved each other deeply. If Alex hadn’t interfered, we could have been together five years ago.” Yeah, it was all my fault. Now I was finally gone, letting you two be together. Chloe seemed to recall all the unpleasantness she’d endured five years ago, her face showing a hint of guilt. “I’m sorry for what happened to you.” Ethan stood up, walked over to her side, and leaned down. “No, it wasn’t your fault. It was Alex and his family, using their influence to force the issue. We had no power back then, no way to fight back.” He looked into her eyes, his gaze finally settling on her lips, and slowly leaned in. In a flash, Chloe almost instinctively turned her head, dodging his kiss. I was really curious what she was thinking right then, why she reacted like that. Could she possibly be remembering what I once told her? “Chloe, after we’re married, you need to stay away from other men. They’re all after something. I’m the only one who truly loves you.” I shook my head, feeling like I was fooling myself. Why would she care about anything I said? Ethan’s expression stiffened, and he stood up straight. “I forgot myself. Forgive me, you’re a married woman.” “We got divorced.” As she said this, Chloe subconsciously touched the spot on her left ring finger. The ring she’d worn for five years was gone, but the indentation from wearing it so long remained. Ethan looked shocked. “Really? You two got divorced?” But I noticed the corners of his mouth twitch upwards for a split second. Chloe stood up, guided him back to his seat, and said softly, “Yes, we did.” Ethan placed his hands over hers, smiling. “That’s wonderful, Chloe! Finally, you don’t have to force yourself to be with him anymore.” He squeezed her hand tightly. “This is great news! We should really celebrate.” Chloe said nonchalantly, “It’s not that big of a deal, no need to celebrate.” “Of course, we have to celebrate!” Ethan raised his voice. “I’ve waited five years for this day, Chloe! Even if it’s just for my sake, let’s celebrate properly…” Seeing the bright smile on his face, Chloe didn’t want to disappoint him, so she went along with it. 5 The eighth floor of the Grand Plaza Hotel housed an exclusive lounge, a notorious playground for the city’s wealthy elite. After dinner, they headed up there. I didn’t want to watch them flaunt their relationship like this, but my body, or spirit rather, seemed out of my control, following them anyway. When they reached the eighth floor, they happened to run into Chloe’s friends drinking with a group of men. Ethan immediately pulled Chloe into their private room. Thumping music blasted from the room. Ethan kept his arm around Chloe’s shoulder, as if staking his claim. Her friends kept egging them on, glasses filling and emptying constantly. By the end, Chloe was so drunk she could barely stand. Her head swam. She squinted at her watch and mumbled, “It’s midnight. I need to go home.” “That guy Alex… he never let me stay out late.” “Always controlling me. So annoying!” Ethan had stayed by her side the whole time and seemed to hear her muttering. His expression darkened slightly. He put his arm around her waist and coaxed softly, “Chloe, you’re divorced now. There’s no one telling you what to do anymore. You don’t have to stick to any rules about not drinking or coming home early.” “Divorced?” Chloe closed her eyes, then smiled faintly. “Yeah, we’re divorced… divorced…” Right, we were divorced. Look how happy she was. I loved her for so many years, and never got even a shred of affection in return. She stumbled as she took another drink someone handed her, downing it in one gulp. Some of the liquid trickled down from the corner of her mouth, tracing a path down her neck. Ethan stared at her, looking almost bewitching in that moment, and his Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily. “Alright, alright.” He stepped in, blocking others from offering her more drinks. “That’s enough for tonight. Chloe’s drunk, I’m taking her to rest.” With that, he supported Chloe and slowly guided her out of the room. Chloe followed Ethan silently out of the lounge and took the elevator up to the 60th floor. “Okay, Chloe, careful now.” Ethan helped Chloe to one of the room doors and used a key card he’d already procured to open it. “Come on, let’s get you inside.” Was I really supposed to watch them get intimate? This was too cruel. They went inside. Ethan helped her lie down on the bed and was about to help her take off her coat when Chloe suddenly sat up, pushed him away, her bright eyes showing little emotion. Ethan paused, surprised. He asked tentatively, “What’s wrong?” “I’ll get another room.” Chloe got up, her head still fuzzy, swaying a couple of times, almost losing her balance. Chloe stumbled towards the door, bumping right into the floor manager who was walking down the hallway. She had the manager open another room for her, then went into the new room alone, shutting the door behind her. I really didn’t understand Chloe’s move there. Shouldn’t she have been waiting for this day for a long time? Ethan’s misty eyes gradually turned cold, eventually revealing raw resentment. He muttered under his breath, “We’re divorced, and she’s still acting loyal to that bastard…” The next morning. Ethan composed himself, putting on a perfect smile. Looking refreshed, he put his arm around Chloe as they took the elevator down from the 60th floor. As they walked through the hotel lobby, we ran right into an “old friend”… 6 The grand lobby buzzed with people coming and going. Ethan and Chloe smiled as they looked towards someone standing not far away. It was the hotel’s lobby manager – and my best friend since childhood, Mark. I wanted desperately to “run” over, to tell him not to get involved, but my soul just passed right through his body. My spirits sank. I remembered then that I was dead. He stood there ramrod straight in his black uniform, his gaze falling coldly on the couple leaning on each other. Mark sneered, “Well, Ms. Bellweather, you really know how to play the field, don’t you? One at home, a bunch on the side? Having a good time, are we?” Chloe’s eyes darkened slightly, but she didn’t say anything. Ethan’s smile vanished. He stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Chloe. “Mark, this is between the three of us. It’s none of your business.” “Five years ago, Alex used his family’s influence to force Chloe to marry him. If it weren’t for him, Chloe and I wouldn’t have been separated for so long. Besides, Alex is a nobody now, what can he do for Chloe? He was just living off her.” Mark looked pointedly at Chloe. “Living off her? Relying on a woman? I’ve never seen a friend sacrifice as much as Alex did. Gave up his whole career for a woman.” “Shut up!” Ethan glared furiously at Mark. “I know Chloe better than anyone, and I won’t let you slander her like this!” “You won’t allow it? In what capacity? As the other man?” Ethan shot back at Mark, “Chloe and I knew each other first! Alex was the one who came between us!” Mark scoffed. “Funny, I remember you being the one who dumped Chloe because she wasn’t rich enough, ran off overseas with some heiress.” Ethan glanced guiltily at Chloe, quickly trying to explain, “If Alex hadn’t interfered, I never would have left Chloe!” “Got the order wrong there, buddy,” Mark said dismissively. Five years. Even a dog would wag its tail after five years of kindness. And I poured my heart out for Chloe, only to not even get a second glance in the end. Mark stared hard at Chloe. “I hope you really never loved him. Because when you finally realize what you’ve lost, you’ll understand what real regret feels like!” Seeing my friend defend me like this, remembering he was the first to hear I died, how he broke down when he saw my body at the hospital… I wanted to tell him to stop wasting his breath on this woman, she just didn’t care. But right now, Mark was so furious he looked like he wanted to tear them both apart with his bare hands. I knew he was angry – angry at me for being so spineless, angry at her for being so ungrateful. Chloe met his gaze coolly, her voice flat. “I don’t love him.” Mark gave a cold laugh. “I hope you remember saying that today. Just don’t come crying when you regret this for the rest of your life.” Mark threw those words at her coldly, then clenched his fists and turned sharply away. 7 After driving back to the office, Chloe was busy as usual. The hangover from the night before left her with a bit of a headache. After a meeting, during a short break, she asked her secretary again for an extra-strong coffee. While waiting for the coffee, she took out her personal phone, which had been silent all night, and scrolled through it. I looked over her shoulder at the screen. Ethan had texted asking her to dinner tonight. She replied saying she had plans, maybe next time. After replying, she scrolled back and forth through all her messages and call logs. What was she looking for? Waiting for? She lowered her eyes, silent for a moment. Just then, Jessica came in with the coffee. “Ms. Bellweather, your coffee.” “Hmm.” Chloe glanced one last time at her phone, then looked up at Jessica and asked casually, “Did Alex call?” Jessica paused, startled, then replied, “No.” Chloe lowered her eyes again, saying nothing more. Jessica looked confused. I guessed Chloe had probably never actively asked about me before. After all, I was always the one chasing after her. After finishing the hot coffee, Chloe put down her phone and threw herself back into work. At noon, Jessica ordered her a boxed lunch. Chloe took two bites, and her brow furrowed again. “Where is this lunch from?” “City Bistro.” Jessica thought for a moment, then asked hesitantly, “Is the food not to your liking? Should I order something else?” “Is this the same place we used to order from?” “…No.” “From now on, order from the place we used before.” “…” Jessica glanced at her boss, not daring to speak. Chloe shot her a look. “Can’t do it?” Jessica seemed to struggle internally for a moment before confessing, “All those meals before… Mr. Thompson sent them over.” Jessica spoke nervously. “For the past few years, Mr. Thompson always brought your lunch, almost always right on time, rain or shine. He specifically told me not to let you know it was from him because he was afraid you wouldn’t eat it. That’s why I never told you.” “I’m sorry, Ms. Bellweather. I shouldn’t have kept it from you.” Yes, before, no matter how much effort I put into cooking for her, if she knew I made it, she wouldn’t even take a bite. From then on, I was careful, humble, just trying to please her. Not asking her to love me, just asking her to accept my love. She must have gotten used to it, and the sudden change didn’t sit well. Chloe didn’t say anything, just waved her hand dismissively for Jessica to leave. Chloe stared at the lunchbox in front of her, her expression unreadable. I looked at the food; it was decent, standard fare. The meals I used to make were always arranged beautifully, thoughtfully. Maybe not gourmet, but they had that comforting taste of home cooking. She picked up her phone again, scrolled through it once more. Still no messages. She put it down and dove back into work. By the time Chloe finished everything, it was already late. She glanced at the time and drove back to the villa. The house had been empty of its master for two days. The housekeeper and several maids kept the villa immaculate. Seeing Chloe return, the housekeeper was visibly pleased. “Ma’am, you’re back! I’ll go have the kitchen prepare dinner for you.” Chloe took off her coat, handed it casually to a maid, then asked the housekeeper, “Is Alex home?” The housekeeper shook her head, worried. “Mr. Thompson drove out yesterday morning and hasn’t been back yet.” “Hmm,” Chloe said quietly. “Have them prepare dinner.” “Yes, right away.” I hadn’t been home in two days, and she hadn’t even noticed? Chloe went upstairs, back to our room. Walking around the room, she finally noticed how empty it felt. All my things were gone. My side of the closet was bare – all my clothes, shoes, gone. All my personal items had vanished. And the man who had waited for her to come home every day for five years was gone too… She finally realized that I had truly, completely left this place, left her. Chloe looked at the empty bedroom, a strange, unnameable feeling suddenly filling her chest. She sat down on the sofa, her gaze falling on the diamond wedding ring sparkling under the light. This ring was the match to the one she used to wear. She picked up the ring, ripples gently disturbing the deep-sea calm of her eyes. Chloe clenched her hand around the ring, her expression somewhat lost… Maybe she thought I’d finally chosen to leave. 8 The next day, Chloe arrived at the office on time. A morning meeting was still in progress when she saw Ethan rush over looking for her. After the meeting, when Chloe returned to her office, she found Ethan waiting unexpectedly. She was slightly surprised. “What are you doing here?” Ethan put down the coffee he was holding and walked towards her. “Tried to get dinner with a certain busy lady yesterday, but no luck. So today, I had to come find you myself.” Chloe sat back down in her chair, looking at the mountain of files on her desk. “I might be a while,” she said helplessly. Ethan replied thoughtfully, “That’s okay, I’ll wait for you.” Time ticked by. An hour passed without them noticing. Chloe finished processing all the files on her desk. Just as she was about to get up and take Ethan to lunch, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and answered, though with some hesitation. It was her personal number; very few people had it. The voice on the other end was cold. “Chloe Bellweather, this is Mark. You need to come down to the police station right now.” Chloe asked calmly, “What is it?” Between her and Mark, there was no connection other than me. Mark’s voice was like ice. “Alex’s body needs to be cremated. The cremation process requires your signature.” The cremation process required the signature of the deceased’s next of kin. My parents were already gone. Besides Chloe, I had no other relatives. Although we had signed the divorce agreement, the final divorce proceedings hadn’t been completed. Therefore, legally, Chloe was still my only relative. Chloe narrowed her eyes. “What did you say?” Body? Cremation? Mark repeated coldly, “I said Alex’s body needs to be cremated, and it requires your signature.” Chloe clearly didn’t believe it. Her voice grew stern. “Is this some kind of sick joke?” “You’ll know if it’s a joke when you get here.” With that, Mark hung up. A faint, mocking smile touched Chloe’s lips. “Hiding for two days, and now he finally decides to show his face.” Ethan approached Chloe, asking softly, “Chloe, who was that?” Chloe snapped back to reality, her expression apologetic. “Sorry, Ethan, something came up suddenly. I can’t have lunch with you.” Ethan’s expression faltered, but he quickly put on a smile. “That’s okay, work is important. We can get together next time.” “Okay, sure.” She went to the parking garage, got her car, and drove towards the police station. Arriving at the station, she wore an air of nonchalance, clearly thinking this was some scheme cooked up by me and Mark, just a way to get her back. She expected to see me standing there, looking smug about my successful ploy.

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Learning I was pregnant, my husband’s old flame deliberately set a fire, trying to burn me alive. I didn’t scream for help. Instead, I helped my mother-in-law, who had passed out from the smoke, struggling to survive. In my past life, I cried desperately in the inferno. My husband led people to rescue my mother-in-law and me first. To compete with me, his old flame, Chloe, rushed back into the fire and died from severe burns all over her body. After she died, my husband said she deserved it for setting the fire deliberately, and he became incredibly attentive to me after the shock. But after my child was born, my husband used a picture frame with Chloe’s photo to beat our baby to death. “It’s all your fault, you and your daughter, for making me lose my beloved! Go to hell and atone!” In despair, I took him down with me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the inferno. … “Sarah, hang on! Mom will get you out of here!” A familiar voice sent a chill down my spine. Just as I opened my eyes, the burning, warped wooden door crashed down, barely missing my nose. Terrified, I immediately pulled my mother-in-law back into the bedroom. “Mom, don’t open the window! It’ll make the fire worse.” I quickly scanned the room, ripped open a pillowcase, soaked it with bottled water, and handed it to my mother-in-law, motioning for her to cover her nose and mouth. Sirens wailed downstairs. My mother-in-law’s face lit up. “Don’t worry, Ethan’s here with help.” “We’ll be okay.” Seeing her excitement, I lowered my eyes and said nothing. I didn’t know how to tell this elderly woman that her own son would later torture and kill her granddaughter for his old flame. The temperature inside rose rapidly from the fire; the tiles beneath my feet were scorching hot. Just as I helped Mom to a safer spot, Ethan’s voice sounded outside the door. “Chloe! Chloe, are you in there?” “Don’t be scared, I’m here to save you!” With a loud crash, the door was violently broken down. I couldn’t see anything through the crimson flames, but I heard Chloe’s crying: “Ethan! I’m on the balcony!” “Help me, I’m so scared…” “Everyone follow me! Don’t waste time searching, come to the balcony rescue!” Hearing their conversation, my mother-in-law suddenly clutched her chest, gasping violently. “That monster… Ethan, that damn monster, how could he…” Before she could finish, she rolled her eyes back and fainted from sheer anger. Through the thick flames, I saw Ethan carrying Chloe princess-style, his back retreating. The fire consumed everything. Tears welled in my eyes, only to evaporate instantly upon falling. In that moment, I choked back the cry for help that almost escaped my lips. Ethan, this time, I don’t owe you anything. As Ethan carried Chloe away, I covered my nose and mouth, shifted positions several times, and finally managed to get Mom onto my back. The effort caused sharp pains in my abdomen, and it took all my strength just to stand up straight. I carried Ethan’s child in my womb and Ethan’s mother on my back. Standing there in the sea of fire, I listened to their distant voices. “Chloe, is anyone else home?” “No one, Ethan. Sarah said she was pregnant and too delicate… We just argued a little, and she locked me in, set the fire, and ran off herself…” “That damned bitch! When I catch her, I’ll make her pay!” My body went limp, and I nearly collapsed. The next second, another voice rang out: “Ethan, I thought I heard someone talking in the bedroom.” “I have a feeling someone’s still inside. What if Sarah’s still in there…” “Chloe already said Sarah did this to her! Would she stick around waiting to die after doing something like that?” “Let’s go! Chloe’s always been frail; the most important thing now is to get her to the hospital!” 2 The pain in my stomach was unbearable; I nearly ground my teeth to dust, wanting to fight my way out of the fire. My mother-in-law on my back must have been woken by the thick smoke. She gripped me tightly, stopping me, and started screaming desperately. “Ethan, you little bastard! Your wife and child are trapped in here! Who are you taking to the hospital?” I stopped, listening intently for sounds outside. But the footsteps had faded. Ethan was long gone. A wardrobe, warped by the fire, crashed down violently, blocking our only escape route. Trembling, I poured the last bit of water onto the cloth and handed it to Mom. Tears streamed down her aged face as she looked at me. Just as she was about to speak, sirens wailed again downstairs. The sound was just like when they arrived. Ethan had left with his Chloe. The fire grew fiercer. I thought despairingly, We’re probably not getting out this time. Mom coughed a few more times on my back, then went silent. The flames intensified, already licking at the hem of my clothes. In the nick of time, a shout came from outside the door: “Sarah! The security guard said he didn’t see you leave! Are you still in there?” I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer and quickly responded. Soon, a figure burst through the fire with an extinguisher. I finally couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed. When I opened my eyes again, Mom and I were safely downstairs outside the building. The person who saved us was Ethan’s colleague, Mike. His face was blackened with soot. Seeing me awake, he managed a smile. “Sarah, I told him I heard you guys! That Chloe insisted no one was inside…” After saying that, he crumpled to the ground. Onlookers quickly called for ambulances. The three of us weren’t critically injured, but Mom had several underlying health conditions, and Mike had inhaled too much smoke; both were still unconscious. When Ethan got the news, he rushed to the hospital. Seeing me, he ignored the nurses trying to stop him and slapped me furiously across the face. “You bitch! How could you be so cruel? Why would you try to kill Chloe?” “You weren’t even home! Why did you go back into the fire? You almost killed Mike too, do you realize that!” “I can’t believe I married such a venomous woman! If anything happens to either of them, you’re a murderer!” I had just survived a near-death experience, still reeling from the terror, only to be knocked to the floor by him. Meanwhile, Chloe peeked out from behind Ethan. “Sarah, I know you hate me, but did you ever think about how many people you could have hurt?” Then, she leaned weakly against Ethan’s shoulder and started coughing violently. Seeing the flecks of blood Chloe coughed up, Ethan turned and brutally kicked me just as I managed to stand up, sending me sprawling again. “You evil bitch! Why didn’t you die in that fire!” “I should have just dragged Mike away back then and let you burn alive!” He looked down at me, his eyes filled with hatred. The woman he protected in his arms had a look of pure provocation on her face. And I no longer had the strength to argue with them. Blood began to pool beneath me. Tears streamed down my face from the pain. My scorched throat could only manage a few syllables: “Doctor… call a doctor…” Seeing my agony, Ethan smirked cruelly. “Doctor?” “Did you ever stop to think, what if you had killed them? Would they have had the chance to call a doctor?” I stared fixedly at the man before me, my eyes stinging unbearably. Before Chloe showed up, he had been so excited about this baby. He had prepared the nursery early, even chosen a name. Ethan Jr. He said, giving the child his last name and a part of mine was the best gift. But now, seeing the blood spreading beneath me, he turned and covered Chloe’s eyes. “Disgusting. Don’t let it scare you.” 3 When I woke up again, I had been moved to a different room. Seeing me awake, the nurse slammed a medicine bottle into the trash can, her voice dripping with disgust. “Well, look who’s tough.” “Hurt so many people, and all you lost was a baby. Lucky you, huh?” My throat felt like it was on fire, I couldn’t make a sound, only endure the contempt. Seeing my state, the nurse slammed the door open and loudly called out to people outside. “The suspect’s awake! Take her away, don’t dirty our hospital.” “How dare you harm the daughter of a fallen hero? Such bad luck. Why didn’t you burn to death?” Two officers grabbed me without a word. Soon, I was facing Ethan. Across a table, his face was dark. He immediately started accusing me: “Sarah, you venomous snake. Attempted murder.” “Considering you were pregnant, I can request probation for you, but you’re definitely doing time for this!” After saying this, he stiffly turned his head away, as if speaking another word to me would taint his purity. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but my voice was so hoarse I could only cough violently. Just then, Chloe rushed in, crying, and threw herself into Ethan’s arms. “Ethan, I had another nightmare.” “I dreamed I was burning to death in the fire, I was so scared…” Ethan’s barely softened expression turned to stone again. “Sarah, I really don’t know how a sweet girl like Chloe could have possibly offended you.” “Why do you hate her so much? Why do you keep trying to hurt her, again and again!” “Her father died in the line of duty! How could you, how could you do this to the daughter of a hero!” He couldn’t continue, clenching his fists and slamming them hard on the table. Someone handed me warm water. I took several sips before I could finally speak, my voice raspy: “I didn’t start the fire. Chloe did.” “The one who should be in jail isn’t me, it’s her, the arsonist. And you, for failing your duty.” Ethan slammed the table again, jumping to his feet. He leaned forward, his gaze fixed intently on my eyes. “Chloe is innocent and kind! How dare you slander her like that!” “She already told me everything that happened! It was you! You, you venomous woman, set the fire deliberately over a petty argument!” Beside him, Chloe appropriately burst into tears: “Ethan, she’s trying to frame me again.” “I’m so scared… I just wanted to stay by your side like a little sister, is that too much to ask? Sarah, do you really have to want me dead before you’ll stop?” She stepped forward, shaking my arm insistently. As I pulled my arm back in disgust, Chloe screamed and fell backward. “Ethan, help me! She pushed me hard…” Ethan promptly stood up, caught Chloe in his arms, and with his other hand, grabbed me and threw me violently to the floor. “Sarah! You dare hurt her right in front of me?” “Have you got any conscience left!” “If pregnant women couldn’t avoid jail time, I’d throw you in right now to make you reflect!” I looked up at the furious Ethan. His features were still so familiar, just like when he used to make promises to me. But now, I held no more illusions about him. In the last life, Chloe killed herself, and he thought I was the murderer. This life, Chloe is alive and well, and he still thinks I’m the arsonist. This marriage… I didn’t see the point anymore. I opened my mouth, my voice devoid of any emotion: “Ethan, let’s get a divorce. If you want to charge me, go ahead.” “The baby’s gone now. Let’s see if you can actually send me to jail.” Ethan’s brow furrowed suddenly, his voice laced with disbelief: “What nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean, the baby’s gone?”

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