Everyone in our social circle knew how much Ethan Hayes adored me.
For five years, he was considerate, gentle, incredibly attentive.
He ditched all his bad habits for me, transforming himself from a notorious playboy into the perfect boyfriend.
But he didn’t know Iād already seen his chat history.
“I’m just messing around with her. Are you jealous?”
“You’re the only one I’ve ever really loved.”
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I was reborn. In my last life, I died horribly at the hands of my bully.
But fate had other plans, letting me be reborn as that bully’s daughter.
“Tiffany Miller, are you ready?”
“I’ve come back for my revenge.”
1
“Please, Tiffany, don’t! I’ll die!”
I knelt on the floor, begging, just hoping she’d move the already smoking-hot curling iron away from my face.
Hearing my pleas, she just smirked cruelly.
“Who gave you the guts to flirt with Chad? I’m going to ruin that face of yours right now, see if you dare try it again!”
Without hesitation, she pressed the curling iron, heated to 350 degrees, against my cheek.
A sizzling sound, followed by a soul-searing pain.
I struggled, trying to run, but her two admirers pinned me down hard.
I don’t know how long it took, but the smell of burning flesh filled the air. She finally tossed the curling iron aside and looked down at me with a mocking laugh. “Tsk tsk tsk, look at you now, a total freak. Bet you won’t try to hit on Chad anymore.”
“Strip her naked! I want to see what kind of slutty heart is hiding under those clothes!”
Tiffany’s vicious voice rang out, and her two followers grinned wickedly as they reached for me.
I fought back desperately, struggling to escape, but in my panic, I stumbled near the edge.
I clung tightly to the ledge ā eighteen floors below.
I looked at Tiffany with pleading eyes, begging her to pull me up.
Click-clack-click-clack
She walked towards me in her expensive little shoes, ignoring my desperate gaze. She smiled, then extended her foot and slowly, deliberately, ground her heel onto my fingers.
“Sarah, better luck finding a good family next time.”
The intense pain forced my fingers to release their grip, and I fell.
Looking up at Tiffany and her friends’ laughing faces, I realized my life was nothing more than a joke to them.
If there is an afterlife, if I could do it all over againā¦
I would grind Tiffany Miller into dust!
2
“So annoying! What are you crying for, you useless little brat!”
The warmth near my lips made me open my eyes. I saw a familiar face, and my pupils contracted.
It was Tiffany!
She impatiently spoon-fed me some mushy cereal, her movements rough. “What’s the big deal, worthless girl! Hurry up and eat!”
Had I been reborn?
God finally heard my prayers!
I looked at Tiffany’s familiar face and gave her a chilling, slow smile.
Long time no see, Tiffany.
My smile made her jump, and she let out a shriek.
“What are you yelling about! You’ll scare Penny!” an angry female voice snapped.
Hearing the voice, Tiffany froze for a couple of seconds, nervously putting the bowl down and forcing a smile. “Nothing, Mom. Penny’s old enough for solid food now, so I made her some warm cereal.”
Judging by her reaction, Tiffany seemed really scared of this woman?
How ironic. So even she had someone she was afraid of.
Remembering what happened in my past life, I reached out with my tiny hand and knocked the cereal bowl over.
The hot cereal spilled onto me, but compared to the curling iron from my past life, this heat was nothing.
I started wailing at the top of my lungs.
Mrs. Miller hurried over. Seeing the spilled cereal on me, her eyes turned red with anger. She grabbed Tiffany and slapped her hard across the face. “Damn you! How dare you try to hurt my granddaughter!”
Tiffany clutched her stinging cheek, forcing a fawning expression. “Mom, how could I? It was justā¦ Penny wasn’t eating properly, so I scolded her a little. I didn’t expect her to throw a tantrum and spill it herself.”
Mrs. Miller opened my clothes, revealing the red, swollen skin underneath. Her anger flared even more.
I struggled, reaching my arms out to Mrs. Miller, my eyes filled with tears. “Grandma, hold meā¦ scaredā¦”
Mrs. Millerās heart melted. She picked me up gently, cooing softly, then turned and slapped Tiffany again, yelling,
“Don’t think I didn’t hear you call my granddaughter a ‘worthless girl’! You bitch, scalding my granddaughter like this!”
“Wait till Kevin gets home, I’ll make him divorce you! If you hadn’t gotten knocked up before you were married, I would never have let a trashy bitch like you into my family! You rotten-hearted creature, daring to harm my granddaughter!”
I never thought Tiffany would see a day like this.
Thinking this, I raised an eyebrow slightly and giggled at her.
Hearing my giggle, Tiffany looked like sheād seen a ghost and shrieked again. “A ghost! Mom! She’s a ghost! She just raised her eyebrow at me! She’s not my daughter!”
Mrs. Miller’s face turned livid. Holding me with one arm, she grabbed an ashtray with the other and hurled it at Tiffany.
“What nonsense are you talking!”
Hit squarely by the ashtray, Tiffany stared at me, her eyes filled with terror.
I gave her a wicked smile. This was just the beginning.
3
Sure enough, her expression turned even more fearful, and she started shouting hysterically.
I chose that moment to yawn, burying my head in Mrs. Miller’s shoulder and whimpering pitifully, “Grandmaā¦ noisyā¦ can’t sleep.”
Hearing my voice, Mrs. Miller frowned at the screaming Tiffany. “Lock her in her room! Don’t let her disturb my granddaughter’s sleep!”
Watching the maids forcibly drag Tiffany away, I felt a surge of satisfaction.
In the past, whenever she bullied me, sheād make up excuses to lure me to the rooftop. If I refused, sheād send a gang of people to drag me there.
Now, she got a taste of her own medicine.
When I woke up, my nominal father had come home from work.
He walked towards me, beaming.
I instinctively flinched.
It was one of the guys who had held me down on the rooftop ā Kevin Miller.
I couldn’t believe Tiffany had actually married him.
“Penny, did you miss Daddy?” He picked me up and tossed me playfully in the air.
I squeezed my eyes shut instinctively. Because he used to throw me just like that, into dark, disgusting storm drains.
Down there, rats and roaches crawled all over me. I could only hope someone would pass by and rescue me.
Hearing Kevin’s voice from downstairs, Tiffany ignored the maids trying to stop her and ran out, throwing herself into Kevin’s arms, tears streaming down her face. “Kevin! She’s not our daughter! She’s a devil! She smiled at me today!”
Hearing Tiffany’s rambling, Kevin’s face darkened instantly. “Kids smile, it’s normal! Tiffany, how could you call your own daughter a devil!”
“You’ll scare Penny!”
“That’s not all! Today she spilled hot cereal all over Penny, and then blamed Penny for spilling it herself!”
Mrs. Miller took me from him, glaring fiercely at Tiffany.
Speaking of which, I decided to add fuel to the fire. I buried my face in Mrs. Miller’s shoulder and mumbled, “Hurtā¦ Mommy called meā¦ worthless girl.”
Tiffany spun around, staring hard at my face. Then she suddenly lunged, grabbing my throat. “You’re lying! Who are you! Get out of my daughter’s body!”
I immediately started crying loudly.
Kevin violently pulled Tiffany off me, shoving her to the ground. His face was dark and terrifying as he growled through clenched teeth, “Are you insane!”
“Penny is your own daughter!”
Shoved unexpectedly to the floor, Tiffany stared in disbelief. “Kevin, you actually pushed me!”
“You dared to push me!”
“Do you want me to tell everyone what happened back thenā”
Before she could finish, Kevin slapped her hard across the face, knocking her down again.
Hmm? Enjoying the show, my ears perked up.
What happened back then?
4
“Someone get this crazy woman out of here and lock her in her room! Spouting nonsense like that!”
Kevin was clearly afraid Tiffany would spill something important.
The maids swarmed forward, grabbing Tiffany and dragging her towards her room. Seeing her pathetic state, a smirk unconsciously formed on my lips.
She looked up and saw my smirk. She didn’t even need the maids to drag her anymore; she scrambled back to her room on her own.
“Our Penny is the cutest, how could she be a devil?”
Listening to Kevin coo like he was talking to a baby, I smiled, but the smile didn’t reach my eyes.
Of course, I’m a devil. A devil who’s going to take all your lives.
The next morning, Kevin went to work, and Mrs. Miller went off to join her friends for their community dance group.
After everyone left, Tiffany crept downstairs cautiously. She glanced at me warily, then pulled out her phone and made a call.
Soon, a man dressed in yellow robes arrived ā some kind of spiritualist or exorcist.
He went around the entire house, plastering paper charms everywhere, even sticking several onto me.
I watched the “master” dance around a small brazier filled with burning coals while Tiffany knelt beside it, muttering something under her breath.
“Master, I don’t know what demon or ghost has possessed my daughter’s body, but you must drive it out!”
Tiffany stared intently at my face, as if searching for some sign.
The master glanced at me. “There is a malicious spirit inside her.”
I raised an eyebrow slightly. This guy had some nerve, at least.
The next second, the master shook his head. “This is a vengeful spirit you harmed in a past life. I’m afraid it won’t be easy to deal with.”
Me: …Liar.
Hearing it wouldn’t be easy, Tiffany clung to him like a lifeline. “Master, I’ll pay more! Extra!”
Satisfied with her response, the master smoothed his brow and casually tossed a stack of paper charms into the brazier. “Alright, let’s all go outside now. When the fire burns out, the evil entity will naturally be expelled.”
I tilted my head, watching Tiffany look back nervously as she left, and gave her a smile. She stumbled backward in fear and practically crawled out the door.
Once everyone was gone, I crawled over to the sofa. A brightly colored silk scarf lay there.
I pulled it down and tossed it into the brazier, watching the flames leap higher.
It was Mrs. Miller’s favorite scarf; she’d forgotten it when she went out dancing today.
I casually glanced at the living room clock. About time. Mrs. Miller should be back soon.
I placed my hand over the brazier. The tongues of flame licked at my skin, pain shooting through me.
But compared to the pain of falling eighteen stories, this was nothing.
Just then, Mrs. Miller’s confused voice came from the doorway. “What’s everyone doing standing out here?”
“Where’s Penny? Did you leave Penny inside alone?”
Hearing this, I summoned all my strength and burst into tears.
Mrs. Miller rushed in and scooped me into her arms. Seeing the burn on my hand, her eyes reddened with distress. “Penny, sweetie, don’t cry. Tell Grandma what happened.”
Sobbing, I pointed at the fake master. “Said Iā¦ vengeful spiritā¦ burn meā¦ Mommy found himā¦”
Hearing my description, Mrs. Miller flew into a rage. She grabbed Tiffany and started slapping her face furiously.
“You bitch! I think you’re the vengeful spirit! Always scheming to hurt my granddaughter! Today you even conspired with this fraud to try and burn Penny alive!”
Nestled in Mrs. Miller’s arms, I shot Tiffany a gloating smile.
Seeing it, Tiffany ignored the slaps and pointed frantically at me. “She smiled! She smiled! Master! Burn her quickly! I’ll give you more money!”
Hearing Tiffany dare to say such things right in front of her, Mrs. Miller turned purple with rage and slapped her even harder.
In just a few seconds, Tiffany’s face swelled up like a pig’s.
Soon, Kevin came home.
Seeing the burn on my hand, he asked with a pained expression how it happened.
I took his hand and wobbled towards the brazier, mumbling indistinctly, “Grandmaā¦ scarfā¦ fall in fireā¦ I get.”
Without hesitation, I pushed his hand down onto the still-hot coals in the brazier, making it look like I was showing him how I tried to retrieve the scarf.
Although the flames were out, the coals were still scorching.
He screamed in pain, desperately trying to pull his hand away, but I held it down firmly.
Just like he had held me down back then.
The sound of flesh searing on the hot coals sizzled through the air, mixed with Kevin’s agonized cries.
“Mom! Help me!”
Mrs. Miller finally snapped out of it and rushed forward to pull Kevin’s hand away from mine.
“Penny, tell Grandma why you pushed Daddy’s hand down?”
Because your son did the same thing to me.
I turned my head away, and when I looked back, my eyes were filled with tears. “Grandma’s favorite scarfā¦ and Mommy saidā¦ burn meā¦ but it hurt too muchā¦ scared to burn myself.”
After saying this, I clung tightly to Mrs. Miller’s clothes, hiding behind her and staring fearfully in Tiffany’s direction.
“Mom! This little demon is lying! She’s lying!” Tiffany slurred, her face swollen and red.
“You really are insane!” Seeing Tiffany still spouting nonsense, Kevin gritted his teeth and used his good hand to slap her several more times.
“Divorce! I’m divorcing you!”
Tiffany let out a wail, finally unable to take it anymore, and burst out cursing, “You dare divorce me! Kevin Miller, you good-for-nothing bastard!”
“When that little bitch Sarah died, if I hadn’t suggested pinning it all on Rick Quinn, you’d be the one in jail right now!”
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I was knocking on deathās door, but my husband was out painting the town red.
My sister begged me to divorce him.
I just raised an eyebrow. Divorce? Thatās letting him off easy.
I wanted him to pay with his life.
1
When I woke up, the surgical lights were blinding.
My mom and my sister, Ashley, were gripping my hand, sobbing their eyes out.
I tried to move my cracked lips, wanted to speak, but not a sound came out of my throat.
Seeing this, Mom immediately called the doctor.
The doctor took one look at me, disbelief written all over his face.
āMrs. Evans, this is incredible! For your daughter to pull throughā¦ itās nothing short of a miracle!ā
Ha!
I scoffed inwardly. You call this pulling through?
Honestly, I didnāt know.
The only thing I knew for sure was this:
I was back in the world of the living to get revenge for a girl named Summer Evans.
That was our deal. That was my duty now that I was awake.
In a daze, Summerās life flashed through my mind.
Summer Evans.
Sheād been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, heir to a fortune.
But she fell head over heels for a total scumbag, a real piece of work named Mark Riley, whoād clawed his way up from nothing.
Before the wedding, Mark was Prince Charming. After, his true colors bled through ā a cheat, a liar.
Sometimes, he even brought his flings back to their house.
Summer had put up with years of his crap, even had an abortion because of him.
Through it all, she still saw Mark as her soulmate.
It wasn’t until she was on her deathbed that the scales finally fell from her eyes.
Today was the day Summer died.
And, of course, the day she met me in whatever lies beyond.
She told me she’d give up her chance at another life if I would just get revenge for her.
After thinking long and hard, I agreed.
My thoughts snapped back to the present.
The fresh scar on my wrist throbbed, making me wince.
I pulled my sleeve down, hiding the angry red line.
Then, to everyoneās utter astonishment, I got up and walked out of the hospital room.
2
Leaving the hospital, I grabbed a cab home.
I hadn’t even stepped inside yet when, just as I expected, I heard Mark’s loud, unrestrained laughter echoing from within.
A smirk touched my lips as I gently pushed the door open.
The noisy living room fell instantly silent the moment I appeared.
Mark was sprawled lazily on the couch.
Seeing me, a flash of shock crossed his face, quickly replaced by his usual arrogance.
“Summer? What are you doing back here?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be, like, dying?”
I gave a cold smile, saying nothing.
I just grabbed the bottle of red wine off the table and hurled it straight at him.
First, a solid thud, then a crash.
The bottle hit Mark square on the forehead before shattering on the floor.
He clutched his head, yelling furiously, “Summer, how dare youā”
I cut him off. “What wouldn’t I dare?”
“Have you forgotten whose house this is?”
“You think I can’t have you thrown out on your ass with nothing but the clothes on your back with just one word?”
Before, Summer’s dad had always distrusted Mark, constantly urging Summer to divorce him.
But Summer was blinded by love, and it drove a huge wedge between her and her father.
Summer might have tolerated Mark’s behavior, but I wouldn’t.
I pulled out my phone and made a call.
Moments later, several large, well-built security guys filed in through the door.
These guys were hired specifically to keep Mark in line.
It’s just that, in all these years, Summer had never once used them.
I gave the guards a subtle nod.
They understood immediately. One kicked Mark hard in the ribs, yanking him right off the couch and onto the floor.
Then they hauled him up like a stray dog and dumped him at my feet.
I looked down, disgusted, and nudged Mark’s chin up with the toe of my shoe.
“Mark, you’re nothing but a dog I keep on a leash. Seems like you’ve forgotten your place these past few years!”
Mark stared straight at me, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.
He probably never imagined that the usually sweet, gentle Summer could suddenly change so drastically.
Looking at his face, drained of all color, I leaned down close to him, a slight curl to my lip.
“What, did I say something wrong?”
Just then, a gasp came from the edge of the crowd.
A woman clutching a wedding dress rushed forward frantically.
She froze when she saw me, then her eyes darted to Mark lying on the floor.
Suddenly, she collapsed onto the ground, looking at me pleadingly.
“Ms. Evans, please don’t be angry! This was all my idea, it has nothing to do with Mark.”
3
I gotta hand it to her, Jenna played the victim card like a pro.
That seamless performance, paired with her tearful, damsel-in-distress look, was almost convincing.
But I saw right through her little act.
I remembered from Summer’s memories: Jenna came from a broke family, born after her father died. When Mark begged Summer to take her in, she was penniless and drowning in debt.
Hard to believe that in just a few short years, this starving beggar was about to replace Summer as Mark’s bride.
That’s right.
Today was supposed to be the day Mark proposed to Jenna.
They’d counted on Summer being dead today.
Too bad for them, I came back.
I glanced at the wedding dress Jenna was holding, my lips curling slightly.
“Got the dress already, huh?”
“Looks like you two just couldn’t wait?”
Before Jenna could answer, Mark crawled over, clutching his stomach.
“This was my doing. Don’t hurt Jenna!”
I let out a short, harsh laugh.
“Hah! You two lowlifes. Suddenly playing Romeo and Juliet now!”
“I thought Jenna was working at the company to pay off her debts?”
“What, did she get the day off?”
As soon as I said that, both Jenna and Mark’s faces turned deathly pale.
After a long silence, Mark said firmly, “Summer, stop making trouble! I already paid off Jenna’s debt.”
I laughed, furious.
“You paid it off?”
“You live off my money. What exactly did you use to pay her debts?”
Mark was speechless.
I looked around the room, my gaze landing on Mark’s freeloading buddies. I asked coldly, “Who handled the paperwork for Jenna’s debt?”
“Where’s the receipt?”
“If anyone dares to hide anything from me, don’t blame me for what happens next!”
Before I even finished, those spineless idiots were already on their knees.
“Ms. Evans, please, let us explain! Mark made us do it!”
“He said Jenna’s a woman, working on the factory floor was too hard for her, and that he’d cleared it with you!”
“It’s really not our fault! If you want to blame someone, blame Mark! That two-faced bastard! He wanted to screw up, and drag us down with him!”
As soon as the words were out, one of them even rushed forward and kicked Mark.
4
Veins popped on Mark’s forehead; he was furious.
He probably never expected that, when push came to shove, his so-called best friends would be the first to sell him out.
I motioned for the security guys to hold him down firmly.
Then I had his “brothers” brought right in front of him.
Talk about awkward reunions. You could practically see the daggers in Mark’s eyes; they were nearly bulging out of his head.
I had a guard bring me a chair from the side, and I sat down.
“Alright, whoever paid off Jenna’s debt, it doesn’t matter now. Consider it void.”
“You thought working on the factory floor was too hard for Jenna? Fine. Starting tomorrow, transfer her to janitorial services. She can be in charge of cleaning all the company restrooms!”
The guys who took my orders were about to scatter, but then an idea struck me.
“Wait a second. Isn’t today Mr. Mark Riley and Ms. Jenna Whatever-her-name-is’s wedding day?”
“Since it’s a wedding, wouldn’t it be wrong not to have a little fun with the happy couple?”
I pointed at Mark’s buddies.
“You guys, pick up the bride and groom. Take them out to the street, let them soak up some good luck!”
Then, lowering my voice, I added, “And remember, I want them stripped bare. Not a stitch on.”
Hearing this, those losers suddenly perked up.
Before I could even finish, they were already pawing at Jenna.
In an instant, the room dissolved into chaos.
Jenna’s screams echoed through the space.
It wasn’t until half an hour later that the whole messy affair finally wound down.
By the end, Mark and Jenna were unrecognizable messes.
They were tied, stark naked, to a utility pole out on the street.
Afterward, I stood in the room, coolly admiring my handiwork.
A sharp sting flared from the scar on the back of my hand. I covered it with my sleeve. This was just the beginning.
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My brother killed someone. Mom called me, frantic, wanting meāthe best lawyer in the family, his big sisterāto save him.
Instead, I hung up and dialed 911. I used every bit of my professional skill to make sure he ended up behind bars.
My stupid little brother has no idea. Iāve spent eight years planning this, carefully molding him into the kind of person who would commit murder. It’s time to return all the pain he put me through.
01
It was Thanksgiving Eve, supposed to be one of the happiest nights of the year.
Mom was a whirlwind in the kitchen, prepping for the big feast tomorrow. I watched Dad playing video games with my brother, Mike, a familiar ache of envy in my chest.
Suddenly, Mom poked her head out, her voice sharp. “Sarah! Get in here and help! Stop slacking off!”
Dad finally glanced up from the screen, annoyed. “You heard your mother. Go on! What are you spacing out for?”
Then, just like that, he was back to doting on Mike, ruffling his hair. “Alright, buddy, let’s get back to this level.”
Between Mom and me bustling around, a huge dinner finally hit the table tonight too ā a sort of pre-Thanksgiving feast. Momās a great cook, and she’d even made my absolute favorite: buffalo wings.
“Go get your brother!” Mom ordered, heading back for another dish.
I walked over to where Mike was still glued to his game. “Mike, dinner’s ready.” He didn’t even look up.
“Come on, let’s eat!” I nudged him again. Thatās when he kicked out, hard, right into my stomach.
Pain shot through me, and I crumpled to the floor. “Why did you kick me?” I choked back tears, demanding an answer.
“Oh, stop being dramatic,” Dad said dismissively, pulling Mike up and leading him to the table. “He barely tapped you.”
Mom came out of the kitchen then, her face clouded with irritation. “Get up and bring that last bowl. Quit playing the victim!” She sat down, signaling for everyone to start eating.
Tears welled up, hot and stinging. I knew explaining was useless. Mom wouldn’t listen.
But at least there were wings. Thinking about them, I reached out, my heart lifting slightly as I picked up a juicy one, my favorite flat. Just as I was about to put it on my plate, Mike snatched it right off my fork.
“Mine first!” he crowed.
Before I could say anything, Mom cut in. “You’re the older sister, Sarah. Let your brother have first pick.”
Defeated, I pulled my fork back, hoping I could get one later when heād had his fill.
Dinner was almost over. Only two wings were left on the platter. Seeing that no one else was going for them, I reached out again.
But as soon as my fork moved, Mom spoke up again. “Leave those for Mike. You know they’re his favorite.”
“But Mom, I haven’t had a single one,” I protested, the unfairness burning.
“You’re the sister, you should let him have them. Honestly, youāre so selfish!” Dad added impatiently from his end of the table.
“He likes them, but I like them too! I didn’t get any. There are two left, we can each have one.” Defiantly, I speared one wing and put it in my bowl, leaving the last one for Mike.
Maybe because it was the night before Thanksgiving, Mom and Dad didnāt want a bigger scene. They actually let me keep it.
But Mike, used to always getting his way, couldn’t believe it. He threw his fork down onto the table, glaring at me. “You’re a bad sister!” he spat, his voice full of venom. “I’m gonna kill you!”
I ignored him, focusing on the wing in my bowl. I took a big bite. The spicy, tangy sauce exploded in my mouth. It was delicious, and for that one second, totally worth the fight.
2: The Fireplace
Later that night, Dad poked the embers in the fireplace, making them glow brighter, before heading off to bed. Mom had disappeared somewhere. It was just me and Mike left in the living room, the TV droning on.
Suddenly, Mike gasped. “Sarah! Look! What’s that in the fire?”
His sudden shout got my attention. Curious, I leaned forward, peering towards the fireplace grate where he was pointing. All I saw were glowing red embers and white ash.
“What am I supposed to be looking at?” I asked, confused. As I started to turn back, a sudden, immense force slammed into the back of my head, shoving my face towards the fireplace.
It was Mike.
While I was leaning down, heād pushed my head with all his might, right towards the scorching heat.
Flames seemed to leap towards me. An instant, searing pain overwhelmed me as the heat hit my face. I could smell burning hair, feel the skin on my cheek tighten and scorch. Panic surged. I slammed my hands onto the hearth, pushing back with every ounce of strength I had. My survival instinct screamed ā push away or youāll die.
The heat intensified, my nostrils filling with the acrid smell of smoke and burnt flesh. Choking, gasping, I finally managed to use my leverage, shoving hard enough to knock Mike off balance. He stumbled back and fell to the floor.
I sucked in cool, blessed air, but the relief was immediately swamped by agonizing pain. I knew, instinctively, my face was badly burned. I was disfigured.
Hysterical, I screamed at him, “What were you trying to do? You almost killed me!”
“Yeah! I wanted to kill you!” His reply was instant, cold, and full of contempt.
He scrambled up from the floor, grabbed a handful of my singed hair, and yanked my head back, his face twisted with rage. “You dared to take that wing from me today? You’re just the family slave! You don’t obey, I kill you!”
“What’s going on? What happened?!” Mom and Dad rushed back into the room, alerted by the commotion.
All my hurt and terror flooded me at once, tears streaming down my burning cheeks. Through the blur, I saw their anxious faces. For a split second, I thought they’d rush me to the hospital, see how badly I was hurt. But then, like a gust of wind, they blew past me. Two dark shapes moving quickly. I froze.
3: The Lie
“Mikey! Son! Are you okay? Are you hurt?!” Mom and Dad were hovering over him, examining him frantically as if the sky had fallen.
“His hand brushed the hot grate, itās burned! We need to get him to the ER, what if it scars?” Mom fretted, her voice tight with panic.
“Okay, okay, I’ll get the car!” Dad grabbed his keys and practically sprinted out the door, stumbling over a shoe near the entrance in his haste.
Mom rounded on me then, her eyes blazing. “How could you let this happen? We were gone for two minutes, and you let him get hurt like this!”
It was like she couldn’t see my face, blistered and raw. Like she couldnāt smell the burnt hair still clinging to me. All she saw was the red mark on the back of Mikeās hand where he must have touched the hot metal grate.
She didn’t even ask what happened. She didn’t ask if I was in pain.
“Got the car! Let’s go!” Dad yelled from outside.
“You just wait ’til I get back, young lady!” Mom snapped, pulling Mike towards the door. Then they were gone.
Somewhere outside, maybe a neighbor setting off early fireworks, a bang echoed. The holiday spirit felt like a cruel joke.
I stood alone in the silent living room, the throbbing pain in my face a burning reminder. I was abandoned.
Fighting back the escalating pain, I found a pair of scissors and hacked off the burnt strands of my long hair. There was some antiseptic left from Mom dabbing Mike’s hand earlier. Staring into the hallway mirror at the horrifying reflection, I clumsily cleaned my wounds as best I could. Then I went to my room and collapsed onto the bed.
My face is destroyed, and they didn’t even care! Why? Why don’t they care about me? The grotesque image in the mirror shattered me, but their cold indifference cut even deeper.
It was crystal clear now. In my parents’ eyes, Mike and I were not equal. I would never, ever be as important as him.
I didn’t sleep at all. Just as dawn was breaking, exhaustion finally claimed me. I’d barely drifted off when BAM! My bedroom door flew open.
“Your brother told me what happened on the way to the hospital,” Mom said, her voice low as she approached my bed. “He didn’t mean it. Don’t hold a grudge.”
“Don’t hold a grudge?” I shot up, incredulous. “Do you have any idea what he did? He shoved my face towards the fire! I’m disfigured! And you want me to just forgive him?!” My voice rose, thick with tears and outrage.
“Keep your voice down, your brother’s sleeping,” Dad hissed, appearing in the doorway, frowning.
“We know you’re hurting,” Mom said, her eyes welling up (whether with real tears or manipulative ones, I couldn’t tell). “But Mikey’s still young. If people find out about this, how can he face his friends at school? How will he get along?”
“Exactly,” Dad chimed in, his tone softening slightly. “If anyone asks about your face, just say you tripped and fell near the fireplace. It was an accident. Itās better for the family’s reputation.”
A part of me had sworn never to be swayed by them again, but hearing them, seeing their apparent concern (even if it was for the family image), I wavered. He was my brother, after all. My only sibling. Maybe if I sacrificed more, theyād finally appreciate me, give me some of the love they showered on Mike.
“Okay,” I whispered, the fight draining out of me. “Okay, Mom, Dad. I’ll tell people what you said. You guys should get some sleep. I’m tired.” I saw the relief wash over their faces, and my stomach twisted.
I had caved. Again.
After staying home for a while, letting the worst of the burns heal into angry scars, I knew I had to go back to school. Finishing my education was my only way out.
I put on a baseball cap pulled low and a scarf wrapped high around my neck and face, and headed out. Walking past the neighbors’ houses, I caught their strange looks, saw their mouths moving, whispering.
Was my face that hideous? A wave of shame washed over me. I ducked my head and practically ran the rest of the way to school.
When I got to my classroom, my desk had been moved to the very back corner, isolated.
“Look at her face. Serves her right.”
“Yeah, totally.”
I heard the whispers behind me, classmates talking about me.
“What are you talking about?” I finally spun around, unable to take it anymore.
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My boyfriend of a year suddenly told me I was just a stand-in for his ex-girlfriend.
Now that his ex was back, he wanted to break up.
Of course, I agreed immediately. Thank God, I could finally stop pretending!
1.
Today was my weekly date with Ethan Vance.
As usual, I got all dressed up and arrived at the restaurant right on time, only to find, surprisingly, that he was already there.
I mean, weād been together a year, and I was always the one waiting for him.
I felt a little uneasy, worried he might chew me out for being late.
“Sorry, looks like I’m a bit late. Traffic was just awful,” I offered, making up a lame excuse.
Ethan, usually cool and impatient with me, actually smiled gently. “No problem, you’re right on time. You’re not late.”
Not only that, but he pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift box and handed it to me. “See if you like it.”
This guy suddenly being so nice to me? Who knew what the catch was.
“Uh, I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?” I asked cautiously.
Ethan paused, then chuckled. “Why so nervous? You’re my girlfriend. Isn’t it normal for me to give you a gift?”
Giving your girlfriend a gift is normal, sure, but heād never really treated me like a girlfriend, and he certainly had never put any thought into getting me a present before.
Ethan was suspicious by nature, always thinking women who got close to him were after his money, including me.
So he was constantly testing me. Iād managed to stay strong and not get tempted, earning just enough trust to stick around.
“Go on, take it. It’s really for you. After all, today’s our one-year anniversary.”
I froze. I couldn’t believe he actually remembered our anniversary! I’d completely forgotten!
I reacted quickly, glancing at him shyly. “I didn’t think you remembered. I thought you didn’t really care about celebrating things like this, so I didn’t get you anythingā¦”
Ethan waved it off. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it. Let’s eat.”
The meal was incredibly pleasant. Ethan kept serving me food himself, refilling my water, even wiping the corner of my mouth ā playing the perfect role of a gentle, loving boyfriend.
My mind was racing with suspicion. What was this guy up to? Don’t tell me he actually wanted to sleep with me?!
The thought sent a jolt of panic through me, and my brain instantly started scrambling for an escape plan.
After dinner, I put down my utensils, just about to make an excuse to bolt, when Ethan spoke, his voice gentle yet serious. “Chloe, let’s break up.”
I completely forgot to control my expression, my mouth hanging open as I let out a comical, “Huh?”
A flicker of guilt crossed Ethanās eyes. “Actually, the reason I got together with you in the first place was because you look a lot like my ex-girlfriend.”
“Later on, it was because you have a great personality ā easygoing, no drama. Being with you was comfortable, relaxing. Butā¦ she came back recently. I thought about it carefully, and I think I might still be in love with her. So, I’m sorry.”
2
I didn’t say anything.
I blinked hard, managing to squeeze out a couple of tears before looking up at him, all pitiful and heartbroken.
A bitter smile touched my lips. “It’s okay,” I said sadly. “I always knew you didn’t really love me. All this time, I just hoped I could stay by your side a little longer, just a little bit longer. That would have been enough.”
“I was always prepared for you to leave me, butā¦ this still feels pretty sudden.” I sniffled, getting into character, my voice starting to choke up. “Since you’ve made up your mind, I wish you happiness.”
No anger, no resentment, no making a scene. My reaction clearly surprised Ethan, but it successfully made him feel guilty and sorry for me.
He moved closer, wanting to hug me, offer some comfort, but I sidestepped him.
“Since you know where your heart lies, please don’t get close to me anymore. It wouldn’t be fair toā¦ her.”
Ethan’s hand froze mid-air, then slowly dropped to his side.
“I’m the one who wronged you. I’ll transfer some money to your account, as compensation.”
Before I could respond, he added quickly, “I know you don’t care about money, but it’s the only thing I can give you.”
With my back to him, a delighted smile spread across my face.
When I turned back around, my expression quickly shifted back to grief.
I dabbed at the already dry tear tracks on my cheeks and managed a choked, difficult “Okay.”
Then I grabbed my purse and walked away with unsteady steps, looking completely devastated.
The driver worked for Ethan, so I had to keep the act up in the car.
I held a tissue to my face, sobbing quietly the whole way. Even the driver felt bad for me and kept trying to console me.
“Miss Chloe, please don’t be too upset. Besides Miss Olivia, you’re the only woman who’s stayed by Mr. Vance’s side this long. It shows you were different in his eyes.”
I wailed dramatically, “What good does that do?! The second she comes back, he just throws me away like trash!”
The driver chuckled awkwardly and fell silent.
Back home, finally, I could let my pent-up emotions out.
I collapsed onto the bed, checked my bank account ā a nice chunk of change had just landed ā and started laughing, louder and louder.
3
Once Iād laughed myself out, I went to the bathroom to take off my makeup, revealing a face quite different from the one I presented when made up.
Ethan thought I was deeply in love with him, which was why I was so obedient, considerate, understanding, patient, and never caused any drama.
But what he didn’t know was that he was basically just a client.
A year ago, I got an order from his mother. She told me her son, Ethan Vance, had fallen apart after a breakup, spending his days smoking and drinking himself sick, ending up in the hospital several times with bleeding ulcers.
His mom’s heart ached for him, so she wanted to find someone new to help him heal and move on.
But Ethan, back then, only had eyes for his ex. No other woman, no matter how great or beautiful, could catch his attention.
I’m a makeup artist. I used to run my own social media account showcasing makeup transformations. That’s how Ethan’s mom found me.
She showed me pictures of Ethan’s ex-girlfriend and asked if I could recreate a similar look.
It wasn’t hard for me. After applying the makeup, I looked about 70-80% like the other girl.
Ethan’s mom was very satisfied and proposed a deal: use the makeup look to get close to her son. If I could become his girlfriend and pull him out of the past to start a new life, she’d pay me a hefty sum.
The amount was dozens of times my current annual income. Only a fool would turn that down.
So, I signed the contract immediately and deleted my old social media account to avoid Ethan finding out.
With a face resembling the girl he loved, getting close to Ethan wasn’t difficult.
Besides, this was always just a business transaction. I had zero emotional investment in Ethan, which meant my tolerance level was extremely high. That’s why Ethan could never find fault with me or a reason to break up.
The contract I signed with his mother was for one year, but it had a clause: if she wanted to renew at the end of the term, I had to agree to another year unconditionally.
Honestly, I really didn’t want to do it anymore. If I continued, I couldn’t guarantee I could keep things from getting physical. If Ethan wanted to keep dating me, he probably wouldn’t keep his hands off me forever.
But most importantly, the person I actually liked was back.
So, I was genuinely relieved that Ethan broke up with me today. And I even got a substantial compensation payment unexpectedly. This was truly a fantastic turn of events.
4
Recently, the group chat for my old class has been buzzing about organizing a reunion. They asked everyone for their availability.
I also knew that the person I’d liked for so long, Liam, was flying back home today.
I got up early and spent a long time getting ready.
Not imitating anyone, just making myself look good, my kind of pretty.
With a heart full of excitement, I went to the airport arrivals area. I scanned the crowd eagerly for what felt like ages until finally, I saw him appear.
Liam Carter, you’re finally back.
In that instant, my eyes filled with tears. My lips trembled, but I couldn’t manage to call out his name.
He seemed to sense my intense gaze, stopped, and turned his head to look my way. I quickly ducked down, letting the bustling crowd hide me.
After a moment, I hesitantly stood up again. All I could see was Liam’s back, already walking away into the distance.
Another crucial reason I’d agreed to the Ethan job was that he bore a striking resemblance to Liam.
I missed Liam so much. But he was halfway across the world, and I couldn’t even sneak a peek at him.
Ethan’s face significantly eased my longing for Liam.
But their personalities were completely different, so Ethan could never replace my real crush, the one that got away.
Maybe, for him, I was the same way.
All that effort getting dolled up today, and my crush didn’t even see me. I stamped my foot in frustration. How, after all these years, was I still such a coward?!
I’d had a crush on Liam since high school. Even though his family wasn’t well-off, and he always wore clothes and shoes that were faded from washing, he always stood tall and straight, proud like a young tree.
He had dignity but wasn’t cold; he was kind and gentle, making people feel comfortable and warm around him. He was brilliant, always top of the class, but remained humble.
He had so many wonderful qualities; I couldn’t help but be drawn to him.
But on graduation day, I mustered the courage to confess, only to stumble upon him rejecting another girl.
He said gently, “I’m sorry, but my current situation doesn’t really allow for dating. My future and earning money are more important right now.”
That girl got her heart broken, and so did I, simultaneously.
I knew my place. I understood I wouldn’t be the exception that mattered more than his future and money. So, that confession never left my lips.
But I never stopped paying attention to Liam. I knew he got a full scholarship to a top university, then went straight to grad school abroad.
Later, he landed a good job offer. He was supposed to be assigned to London, but because he lacked connections, someone with influence snatched the spot, and he was sent to a tougher, less desirable overseas post.
I felt so bad for him, and miserable that I couldn’t help him in any way.
After that, I gradually lost track of him.
Oh well, at least I saw him today.
Anyway, we’d see each other again soon at the reunion.
5
On the day of the reunion, I spent too much time deciding what to wear and ended up being a little late.
I didn’t expect Liam to arrive at the exact same time. There were exactly two empty seats left, right next to each other, meant for us.
Sitting beside Liam, my heart pounded like crazy. I was a nervous wreck.
This led to a series of blunders: my hand trembled so much I couldn’t pick up food properly, I dropped my chopsticks, I knocked over my water glass. The more mistakes I made, the more flustered I got, and the cycle continuedā¦
Liam had impeccable manners. Even when I spilled water on his pants, he didn’t get angry.
He helped me get new chopsticks from the server, wiped the table, poured me fresh water, and even put food I wanted onto my plate.
Andā¦ he didn’t use the serving utensilsā¦
I stared blankly at the food in my bowl. Suddenly, I heard Liam’s clear voice, “Sorry, I forgot to use the serving spoon. If you mind, I can get you a new bowl.”
I shook my head quickly, popped a piece of rib into my mouth. “Don’t mind, don’t mind at all! No need to be so formal.”
It was basically an indirect kiss! How could I possibly mind?
I thought I saw Liam’s lips curve into a slight smile. My heart beat even faster.
Yep, this feeling was something that no one else, no matter how much they looked like him, could ever give me.
I deliberately drank a few extra glasses of wine. Then, using the excuse of needing the restroom, I asked Liam to come with me. He readily agreed.
Fueled by liquid courage, I cornered Liam at the end of the hallway. Red-faced but serious, I said, “Liam Carter, I’ve liked you for a long time. If you don’t have a girlfriend or anyone you like right now, would you consider me?”
“I actually have a lot of good qualities. I’m loyal, I can cook, I make great soup, I’m good-tempered, I don’t throw tantrums. Oh, and I’m actually pretty well-off now, so I definitely won’t drag you down financiallyā¦”
I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, staring at him nervously.
If he rejected me this time, Liam and I would probably never cross paths againā¦
“Okay.”
I thought I’d misheard. I tilted my head. “What?”
Liam gently took my hand, his gaze incredibly soft. “I said okay.”
“I’m sorry, you beat me to it.”
His words left me completely dazed. All I could manage was a dumb, “What?”
“I came here planning to ask you out too,” Liam said, leaning down slightly to meet my eyes. “My job is stable now, I have some savings, I know how to cook and make soup too, you wouldn’t have to. My relationship history is clean, my social circle is good. Chloe, will you go out with me?”
Tears streamed down my face as I nodded vigorously. “Yes! Yes, I will!”
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Ever since she got pregnant, Sarah’s been obsessed with doing good deeds. She even put up a Virgin Mary statue at home, praying every single day, saying she wants to earn good karma for the baby.
While volunteering at a nursing home, she suddenly wanted to adopt a kid the old lady there found.
But this kid’s got dark skin and curly hair, obviously a mixed-race kid.
Seeing me hesitate, Sarah threatened me with divorce.
After a little digging, no surprise, the kid’s hers.
What can I do?
Of course, I’ll take her and the kid to meet the dad.
A family should be complete, right?
…
After I refused Sarah’s request to adopt “Little Blackie,” she glared at me in front of everyone, like I’d committed some unspeakable sin.
“If you don’t agree to adopt him, we’re getting divorced!”
Divorce?
Hearing that word, I frowned.
But seeing her pregnant belly, I grabbed her hand and whispered, “Hold on, don’t get upset and hurt the baby. This isn’t something to joke about. We should talk about it.”
“What’s there to talk about? You’re just heartless!”
Sarah yanked her hand away. “Old Mrs. Johnson is so old and lonely, living off scraps. What if she kicks the bucket one day? Little Blackie will be a complete orphan! Can’t we just do a good deed?”
I glanced around.
Mrs. Johnson was hugging Little Blackie, sighing heavily but not saying a word.
Little Blackie just stood there, his big, clear eyes staring at us.
I had to keep trying to reason with her. “Adopting a kid isn’t as easy as you think. We need to go through proper channels.”
“Don’t make excuses, Tom! I don’t care about channels, I just know we can make it happen if we want to. What’s the point of just talking? You don’t care about me or the baby!
“You always say you’ll do anything for me and the baby, and now there’s a great opportunity to earn good karma for the baby, but you won’t agree.
“I see you now! It must be exhausting pretending to be so nice all the time, huh? I’m telling you right now, if you don’t agree to adopt Little Blackie, we’re through!”
Sarah’s words were like knives stabbing me.
Thinking about everything lately, my heart sank. I said coldly, “If you come home with me today, we can talk about it. Otherwise, I’ll do as you wish, even if people point fingers at me.”
Sitting in the car, I shakily pulled out a pack of cigarettes, but put it back.
After a few deep breaths, the turmoil in my chest slowly calmed down.
Sarah loves kids.
Every time she saw a kid on the street, she’d slow down, her eyes full of envy. Later, she secretly went to the hospital for a checkup.
The report said she had a thin uterine lining and it would be hard for her to conceive naturally.
Even with IVF, the chances of miscarriage were high.
I didn’t want Sarah to suffer needlessly, so I told her to take it easy and we could adopt if we couldn’t have our own.
But I didn’t mean adopting some mixed-race kid with a shady background.
Besides, we have our own kid now, which is a blessing. And she’s threatening me with divorce!
Ten minutes later, the car door opened.
Sarah seemed to have calmed down. She said softly,
“I’m sorry, honey, I got too worked up just now.”
I just hummed, feeling a little warmer inside.
On the way home, I saw Sarah looking conflicted in the rearview mirror, wanting to say something but hesitating.
I used to ask her what was wrong, but this time I held back.
Sure enough, as soon as we got home, she said, “Honey, you know I’m a softie. I can’t help but tear up when I think about Mrs. Johnson and Little Blackie. Buddhists say saving a life is more rewarding than building a seven-story pagoda. What goes around comes around. Adopting Little Blackie can save a life and earn good karma for our baby.”
Karma, karma, all she talks about is karma.
Ever since she got pregnant, Sarah’s been saying that word all the time, it’s driving me crazy.
Looking at her red eyes, I sighed. “How about we send Little Blackie to an orphanage? We can visit him often.”
“No way!”
Sarah refused sharply.
“Look at those kids in orphanages, they don’t have any spark. Sending Little Blackie there would ruin him.”
I had no response to Sarah’s reasoning.
When we volunteered at the orphanage, most of the kids were quiet and withdrawn.
Compared to kids who grow up in normal families, they lack security and become very insecure.
I looked at Sarah. “There are so many orphans in the world, why do you have to adopt Little Blackie?”
“I just feel like this kid and I have a connection.”
Sarah countered, “Then why don’t you want to adopt him?”
2
“Don’t give me that money crap. The rich raise kids in one way, the poor in another. I don’t have high expectations for the kids, I just want them to grow up safe and sound. Besides, you’re a man, it’s your job to make money. Complaining about it just makes you look bad!”
“Pressure creates motivation. It’s good for you. If you really think I don’t make money at home, I can go out and get a job to support them!”
I paused for a moment and decided to be honest. “But that kid is mixed-race!”
Sarah folded her arms and stared at me, her voice scornful. “Wow, Tom, I didn’t know you were a racist.”
“It’s not about racism. Haven’t you seen all the news reports?”
“The media loves to take things out of context. How do you know they’re not making things up? Even if some of it’s true, are you going to condemn an entire group of people?
“Besides, Little Blackie is just a kid. Children are born innocent. If we teach him well, he won’t go down the wrong path!”
Sarah rattled off a bunch of stuff like a machine gun, leaving me speechless.
She wasn’t completely wrong, but I couldn’t gamble with my own child’s future.
I don’t know if children are born innocent or not.
I don’t want to demonize any particular group.
Everyone has flaws in their genes, but some people are more likely to expose them and do bad things.
Thinking about the stories about black people in the news, I shuddered.
I wouldn’t put a ticking time bomb next to my family.
Seeing me stay silent, Sarah thought I agreed, and a gleam of triumph flashed in her eyes.
“Honey, I knew you were the best. Take a day off next week and let’s get this done. The sooner we do it, the sooner we can earn good fortune for the baby.”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t agree.”
Sarah flared up. “You said we’d talk about it when we got back, and now you say no? Are you messing with me? I see, you just don’t want to earn good fortune for the baby. You don’t want good things to happen to our child! If anything bad happens to the baby, it’s your fault as a dad!
“Since you’re starting this, don’t blame me for finishing it. I’m telling you again, if you don’t agree, we’re getting divorced!”
Sarah slammed the bedroom door shut.
“You’re sick!”
I slumped down, feeling lost.
The old Sarah was gentle and considerate, able to handle any situation.
But in the last three months of her pregnancy, she’s completely changed. She throws a tantrum over the smallest things.
If the food’s too bland or too salty, she throws down her chopsticks.
If she doesn’t get the fruit she wants late at night, she can sit up all night.
Even when I’m working overtime, she’ll cry if I don’t get home by the time she sets.
She also wants to earn good karma and show love everywhere, even to an excessive degree.
She used to feed stray cats and dogs in the neighborhood, which caused them to gather more and more, and people were often scared or scratched.
Everyone complained.
The property management company talked to her several times, but she ignored them and even argued in the homeowners’ group.
I had to secretly contact the city management to gradually calm things down.
I used to understand her efforts to escape her family, knowing it wasn’t easy for her to come out of a patriarchal family in a mountain village, so I felt sorry for her.
Plus, pregnancy hormones are unstable, and emotions are easily affected. No matter what she did, I silently accepted it.
But this time, it really made me feel cold.
Feeling lost, I called my buddy, Kevin.
“Let’s grab a couple of beers.”
Sarah rarely lets me go out with friends.
But today, I couldn’t care less. The anger and gloom in my chest were about to drive me crazy.
At the barbecue stand, two glasses clinked together.
Kevin grinned. “How come your little wife let you out today? I heard she’s been in a bad mood lately.”
I shook my head and smiled bitterly, then told him what happened today.
Kevin’s smile faded, and he pondered for a while before saying, “Dude, that’s not right.”
That’s why I called him.
He’s always been sharp, and now he’s a therapist. He knows more about human nature than most people.
“Not to be a downer, but if your wife’s really like that, you should take her to see someone.”
“Seriously? But… she definitely won’t go.”
My eyebrows twitched.
If I say anything to Sarah now, she’ll definitely make a scene. If it affects the baby, I’ll regret it.
Kevin clicked his tongue. “That’s not serious? Who gets divorced over something like that?”
“Maybe she’s just trying to scare me.”
“Just spend some money to put your mind at ease. As a brother for over ten years, let me say something I shouldn’t. Maybe you’re too close to the situation, but is there something else going on between that kid and your wife?”
Kevin’s words were subtle, but I wasn’t stupid.
“No way!”
Some bad thoughts flashed through my mind, and my face changed drastically. I stood up abruptly, almost knocking over the table.
“I’m telling you again, spend some money to put your mind at ease.”
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“Jake, did you hear a word I just said?”
I snapped back to reality, still groggy. Iād pulled an all-nighter gaming, got my ass handed to me repeatedly, and then got dragged out of bed before eight.
Stumbling downstairs in my pajamas and slippers, I saw a woman about my ageācurvy, poured into tight clothes, heavy makeup plastered on.
She saw me, smirked, and tossed her hair back.
I blinked. “Is this the blind date you set up for me?” Dad had been nagging me about finding a girlfriend again.
“Don’t be stupid, Jake. This is your mother!” Dad snapped, yanking at his tie, clearly pissed.
The woman actually looked a little awkward for a second, fussing with her hair again.
Mom? My brain finally kicked into gear. I rubbed my eyes. My mom was dead.
“Chloe, honey, come over here. Say hi to your brother.”
Just then, a pretty girl with a dark bob haircut, maybe sixteen, dressed in what looked like a prep school uniform, shuffled forward, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. “Hi… uh… Jake,” she mumbled.
I frowned, looking her up and down. Pale skin, cute features.
Okay, I got it. The old bastard found himself a replacement wife, and she came with a kid.
I scoffed. Mom died of cancer just last year. Back then, he was drowning himself in booze and cigarettes, swearing heād never remarry. And now? Less than a year later, he brings home this dolled-up tramp to replace Mom.
Was he seriously asking for my blessing? The three of them were looking at me with these hopeful, expectant eyes. It made me want to puke.
“Married already? Don’t call her ‘Mom’,” I snapped.
Dad sucked in a sharp breath. Looked like he was about to blow. Yep, same old control freak. Never gave a damn about how I felt. What a selfish prick.
My ‘stepmother’ ā Heather, I guess her name was ā saw things were going south and quickly put on a fake smile. “Rick, honey, he’s just a kid. Don’t get mad.”
“Who the hell are you calling kid? Take a look in the mirror. You think you could pop out a son my age?” I sneered.
The little girl, Chloe, immediately ducked behind her mom. Dad waved for Maria, our housekeeper, to take her upstairs.
“Wow, Rick,” I kept going, “real protective of the new daughter, huh? What, you like the freebie that came with the package? Getting too old to get it up anymore?”
Heather’s face went white. Dad rubbed his temples, looking like he wanted to deck me again. Lucky for him, he’s getting old.
I shot the woman a look. “Okay, you can leave. We need to talk.”
“Rickā¦” Heather started, trying to grab Dadās arm. Looked like she knew what was coming.
“Get lost,” I spat, turning my back and heading towards the study with Dad.
The second the door clicked shut behind us, Dad slapped me. Hard. My cheek stung. Yeah, take off the suit, and he’s just an animal underneath.
I felt numb. “What’s her magic trick, huh? What potion did she give you? You hitting me over her?”
He actually looked a little guilty hearing that. “You don’t leave me any dignity in front of people.”
Ah, there it was. I nodded slowly. Still the most selfish person I knew. For a second there, I almost thought he was actually falling for this woman.
I fiddled with my phone, acting bored. “When did you meet her? How long has this been going on?”
“Last year,” Dad mumbled, lighting a cigarette and blowing smoke rings. “She listens, doesn’t mess around. Having a daughter doesn’t matter.”
“You mean you’re just scared if she had a son, it wouldn’t be yours, right?” I smirked.
He glared. “You little asshole. Stop grilling me. What about you? Still planning on taking that gap year instead of reapplying to grad school?”
School, school, school. Thatās all he ever cared about. Man barely finished college himself, and here he was lecturing me, a grad studentāor supposed to be one. The only thing he ever gave a damn about was my grades.
Last year, Mom was in the final stages of cancer. They hid it from me until she only had days left. Bringing this woman home without a word was the same damn thing. I hated it. He never treated me like family.
As soon as I got the news about Mom, I booked the first flight back from Europe and hadnāt gone back since. If I had, who knows what kind of crap this woman would have pulled? Probably would’ve been married with a new family photo on the mantle by the time I got back two years later.
“Weren’t you talking about me interning at your company?”
“You need the degree for that. Finish your Master’s.”
“Why don’t you just pull some strings and get me in?” I said, shrugging. I knew he was planning on it anyway; making me wait was just another power play.
“You…” His face darkened. Looked like he was about to explode again.
I was dead tired and didn’t have the energy for another fight. “I’m not okay with you and that woman,” I said, turning to leave. “It’s not happening.”
Walking out, I saw Heather posing for selfies in the living room, chatting loudly on the phone with some friend. Looked trashy and desperate. I threw a couple of sarcastic comments her way. She looked like she was about to cry.
Felt good. Yawning, I headed back upstairs to crash.
ć02ć
I woke up to the sound of furniture scraping against the floor. A bad feeling crept over me.
Rubbing my eyes, I saw herāHeatherāacting like she owned the place, directing movers to haul stuff into a room down the hall. Chloe stood nearby, looking lost.
My blood started boiling. What the hell did she think she was doing?
“STOP!” I yelled. The movers froze. Heather and Chloe jumped, looking scared.
Then I saw it clearly. They were moving her stuff into Mom’s room.
Dad actually agreed to let them stay here? In Mom’s room? This was beyond messed up.
Heather took a step back as I glared daggers at her. I stormed into the room.
Momās things… her personal belongings… Heather had already started putting her own crap everywhere. Mom worked her ass off helping Dad build his business; she barely had time for herself later on. And this woman had taken the makeup, the designer bags, the jewelry Dad and I had given Mom over the years and arranged them on the vanity like they were hers now.
“GET OUT!” I roared.
My shouting obviously reached Dad. He came out, looking groggy from his nap.
Seeing Dad gave Heather some courage. She practically draped herself over him, tears welling up. “Rick…”
“Rick my ass! Look what your little girlfriend is doing!” I sneered, staring Dad down.
He looked at the helpless movers, then at me. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “What? Whatās all the fuss about? Itās just a room.”
My vision went red. Just a room? Did he even remember this was where his dead wife lived? Iād spent the last year making sure nothing was touched, keeping it exactly as Mom left it. Even Maria wasnāt allowed in without permission.
And now? He dismisses it all with a few words. He wasn’t just disrespecting Mom’s memory; he was spitting on everything I’d tried to preserve. Right. This selfish bastard only cared about himself. He never gave a damn what anyone else thought or felt.
Fine. Whatever. I looked at Heather’s slightly smug expression and felt a cold calm wash over me.
I smirked. While they stared, confused, I grabbed an armful of her clothes and shoes from the pile and stalked towards the master bathroom. I started stuffing them into the toilet bowl.
“Stop! What are you doing?!” Heather shrieked.
I wasnāt going to let Mom be disrespected like this. What wouldnāt flush, Iād smash. I grabbed a heavy glass paperweight off the vanity.
They just watched me, frozen.
“You’re crazy, Jake!” Dad yelled, his face a mask of disbelief.
“You’re the crazy one! How long has Mom been gone? And you’re already moving your mistress into her room? Whereās your conscience? She was your wife!”
Dad flinched, but his pride kicked in. “Is this necessary? Hurting the living over the dead? Whatās past is past.”
Past. Dead. Typical him. I threw a punch.
He exploded. We started fighting, really going at it, neither of us backing down. He kicked me hard in the side, knocking the wind out of me. As I looked up, I saw Heather filming the whole thing on her phone.
Rage surged through me. I scrambled up, snatched the phone out of her hand, and smashed it on the tile floor. It shattered into pieces.
Heather screamed and burst into tears.
Dad seemed to cool down a bit then. He pointed a shaking finger at me. “Get out. This house is in my name. Iāll do whatever I want.”
I spat on the floor. “Fine by me.”
Grabbing some clothes, I walked out the front door without looking back.
I crashed at my buddy Ryan’s place that night. We drank way too much. I ended up crying, telling him everything.
“Damn, man. That’s rough,” Ryan said, shaking his head.
“Seriously,” I mumbled, feeling sorry for myself. “How much is this condo worth? Now that I think about it, I’ve been blowing money like crazy, haven’t even bought my own place yet.” The thought of moving out was tempting, but right now, I just didn’t want that woman to win, to get her hands on anything that should have been Mom’s.
He lit a cigarette. “Honestly, man, I didn’t even finish college before my dad put me in charge of the company branch. Making decent money now. You going for a Master’s… that’s years you could be using.”
He had a point. Starting a business takes time, trial and error.
Ever since Mom died, Dad and I had been constantly at each other’s throats. I started thinking hard.
Just then, my phone buzzed. A text from Dad. I opened it immediately.
‘Apologize to Heather…’
Apologize my ass. She’s like five years older than me, and he wants me to call her ‘Heather’? Like she’s some respected elder? Please.
Whatever hope I had fizzled out. I tossed the phone aside.
A minute later, it rang. Dad again.
“Heather’s worried about you. She wants you to come home. Says she feels really bad about everything.”
I saw red. “Bullshit! I met her once! Worried about me? Give me a break!”
“Jake!” he yelled. “If you keep this up, I’m cutting off all your cards!”
“Go ahead! See if I care!” I yelled back and hung up forcefully.
ć03ć
I spent the next day zoned out, playing video games at Ryan’s. Total zombie mode. That evening, I checked my accounts. Sure enough, every single card was declined. All I had left was maybe two hundred bucks in my wallet.
My eyelid started twitching. “Hey Ryan, you think your company could, uh… find a spot for me? You know, pull some strings?”
Ryan, looking sharp in his work suit, chuckled. “Just hiring you as a regular employee? Where’s the fun in that? Look, I’ve got this subsidiary, about to go public. We’re still negotiating the last twenty percent stake. How about I cut you in? You come on board as a manager?”
It sounded amazing. Almost too good to be true.
“Seed money is ten million.”
Okay, reality check. That meant I needed to come up with at least two million myself.
If I were still back in Edinburgh, I could just sell my car, maybe hit Dad up for the rest, and boom, two million. But I was stuck here, stateside.
“We actually need someone with international experience, back from overseas,” Ryan continued. “You studied management, right? And you’re my boy.”
I hesitated. “How soon do you need the investment money?”
“ASAP. Everyone else’s capital is already in. If you can’t swing it soon, I’ll have to cover it, but… it messes up the structure we agreed on with the other partners. Ideally, within two weeks.”
Heād laid it all out. Opportunities like this didn’t just fall into your lap every day.
I clenched my jaw. “Okay. Give me some time.”
I packed my stuff, ready to go home and get the money. If this deal worked out, I could finally tell Dad to shove it, ditch the grad school plans for good. More importantly, I could deal with my dear ‘stepmother.’
Maria opened the door when I got back. She was holding some kind of fancy health smoothie. Seeing me, she muttered, “About time you came back.”
Her tone set off alarm bells. I didn’t even bother taking off my shoes, just bolted upstairs.
Mom’s room was safe, thank God. But Heather had moved into the room right next to mine. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Was she doing it on purpose?
But that wasn’t why I was back. I swallowed my anger. “Where’s Dad?”
“In his study. Working,” Maria said.
I saw Heather in the kitchen, ‘helping’ Maria with chores. Rolling my eyes, I muttered, “Fake.” I ignored the look on her face and went straight to the study.
Pushing the door open, I saw Dad wearing reading glasses, sipping some kind of green health drink, and coughing. My anger instantly softened.
I lowered my voice. “Dad, I’m home.”
He glanced at me. The first words out of his mouth? “Did you apologize to Heather?”
Heather, Heather, Heather. Was he completely under her spell?
My face hardened. I changed the subject. “Dad, I’m going into business. With Ryan.”
He slammed his hand on the desk. “You’re not going back to school? Why would you go begging for scraps from someone else when you have your own family’s company?”
Begging? What the hell? I gritted my teeth. “You won’t let me run the company.”
“I told you to finish your Master’s first!”
We were at a standstill again.
I laughed coldly. “You just want your precious Heather to pop out a perfect little son to replace me, right? You’ve wanted me gone for ages, haven’t you? That’s why you keep pushing me away?”
Dad looked like he was struggling to breathe. “You… you damn…”
And then, right in front of me, his eyes rolled back, and he just… collapsed.
For a second, I froze, completely stunned. Did I push him too far? Did my words do that?
“Maria! Maria! Call 911!”
…….
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My new roommate, Tiffany, took one look at my custom-ordered sunscreen and sneered that it looked like something cheap off Wish.com, nine ninety-nine with free shipping. Then she immediately started bragging about her own ālimited editionā designer bag. Funny thing is, staring at that familiar purse, I couldn’t help but thinkā¦ didn’t I toss that exact one in the trash last week?
One
My name is Chloe Stratton. Daughter of the CEO of Stratton Corp. Iām one of those trust-fund kids trying desperately to fly under the radar. Nobody at college knows who I really am.
Today was move-in day. Freshman orientation chaos. Iād politely declined my parentsā and my boyfriendās offer to hire a moving crew, determined to blend in. Handle everything myself. Haul my own stuff up three flights of stairs.
Half an hour later, dripping sweat and gasping for air, I finally got the last box into my dorm room and collapsed onto the floor.
“Hey! You! Give me a hand with my luggage. Can’t you see I need help?”
A girl dressed head-to-toe in designer labels stood over me, pointing imperiously.
I bit back my irritation. “Are you talking to me?”
She shoved a massive suitcase towards me, her tone sharp. “Who else? Take this up to 303.”
303? That wasā¦ my room number. Was she my roommate? My annoyance cooled slightly. Okay, fine. Helping a roommate was better than starting a fight before classes even began. I grabbed the handle and hauled it upstairs.
When I got to the room, the girl was already perched delicately on her chair, watching an older woman unpack her things. Seeing me stagger in, she complained loudly, “What took you so long? I paid you, didn’t I? Is this how you work?”
“Uh, I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” I said, catching my breath. “I live here too. I’m your roommate.”
She wrinkled her nose, looking me up and down with distaste. “You live here?”
Seriously? Could this girl be any more judgmental? So I was sweaty and my t-shirt was a little grubby from moving boxes. Big deal.
I dropped her suitcase with a thud. “Yeah. Problem?”
I turned to start unpacking my own stuff. She stomped her foot and muttered under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear, “Ugh, this school lets anyone in.”
Okay, that did it. I spun around, ready to let her have it, but she immediately redirected her anger towards the older woman.
“Didn’t I tell you to find someone else to help carry my bags? Where are they?”
The woman clenched her fists, her voice carrying a faint, out-of-place accent. “I can manage just fine by myself, dearie. No need to spend extra moneyā¦”
Dearie? Was this her mom? They didnāt look alike at all.
The girl shot me a sideways glance, cutting the woman off. “Fine, whatever. You’re done here, you can go now!”
After the woman left, the girl announced loudly towards my side of the room, as if explaining herself to the air, “Ugh, dealing with people like that is such a hassle. Never hiring help from the sticks again.”
ā¦Right. Trying way too hard to cover something up.
Two
That evening, all four roommates were finally settled in. Time for the awkward get-to-know-you introductions. The bossy girl, naturally, went last, clearly wanting the final word.
“I’m Tiffany,” she announced, like she was presenting royalty. “My family’s in business. Oh, and I got you guys little welcome gifts! It’s a super high-end brand, really exclusive stuff.”
She handed each of us a small bottle of sunscreen. I glanced at it. Never heard of the brand. Looked sketchy.
One of the other roommates immediately started gushing, “Wow, Tiffany, thank you! This must have cost a fortune! You shouldn’t have!”
I mumbled a quick “Thanks.” Tiffany’s eyes flickered to the plain, unlabeled bottle on my desk. She put on a fake concerned voice.
“Chloe, you really shouldn’t use cheap sunscreen, you know? Especially stuff like that, without even a brand name. It’s not like, from Wish or something, nine ninety-nine with free shipping, is it?”
Cheap? My skin is super sensitive. This stuff was custom-formulated for me by a specialist dermatologist overseas. Thatās why there was no label.
“Oh,” I said, deciding she wasn’t worth the explanation. I pushed the bottle she gave me aside.
That seemed to fuel her. “Seriously, Chloe, you should listen! Skincare is just as important as having the right bag. Speaking of bags, oh my god, you guys have to see my new limited edition purse! Itāll blow your minds!”
So transparent. She just wanted an excuse to show off. Made me think of my own closet full of designer bags, most barely used. Iād actually cleared out a bunch with minor scratches just the other day.
Tiffany pulled out the bag like it was the crown jewels. “This is super limited edition. Practically none in the whole world! You can look, but absolutely no touching.”
“Wow, Tiffany, you must be loaded! Buying limited editions just like that!” the other roommate fawned.
Tiffany beamed, pushing the bag practically into my face. “Chloe, take a look. You’ll probably never see a bag like this again in your life.”
Weird. Why did it look so familiar? The nagging feeling grew stronger. Without thinking, I blurted out, “Huh. That looks a lot like one I threw out last week. It wasn’t really limited edition, though. Just, you know, a few thousand bucks.”
Tiffanyās face instantly changed. “What are you talking about? Chloe, are you just jealous or something?”
Still denying it? “There’s a tiny scratch on the little outer pocket,” I pointed. “And a small tear on the inside lining.”
She snatched the bag back, clutching it protectively. “I told you not to touch! It’s my bag, I know what’s on it! It must have gotten bumped during the move today!”
The roommate who’d been praising Tiffany suddenly looked awkward.
Tiffany stamped her foot again, glaring at me. “Chloe Stratton, you just watch yourself!”
Fine by me. She started it. Bring it on.
Three
Later that week, the university held a freshman mixer event. Tiffany eagerly signed up to perform. She sang some Top 40 hit and got a decent round of applause.
“Tiffany, you sing so well! Have you had lessons?” someone asked.
Tiffany nonchalantly flipped her hair. “Oh no, I just mess around sometimes. Actually, Chloe is way better!”
I nearly choked on my water. Sheād been glancing my way the whole time, and this was why. Great. Now everyone was staring at me.
My other roommate whispered, “Didn’t you say you didn’t have any talents? Why is she doing this?”
I smirked. “Isn’t it obvious? She wants me to make a fool of myself so she looks better.”
“So what are you going to do?”
I stretched my legs and stood up. “I said I didn’t have any talents because I wanted to keep a low profile. But apparently, someone’s forcing my hand.”
Ignoring Tiffany’s smug look, I walked to the center of the circle and gave a little bow. “Okay, don’t laugh.”
The music started ā a piece I knew well. I let the rhythm take over and started dancing. Slowly, the crowd’s attention shifted. Soon, there were cheers and shouts. Tiffany looked like she couldn’t believe her eyes, gripping her water bottle so hard her knuckles were white. A wave of satisfaction washed over me, and I started singing along with the track. More applause erupted.
“Damn, she’s amazing!”
“Total queen! Sings, dances, and she’s gorgeous? She’s gotta be our new campus crush!”
“Whoa, those movesā¦ you don’t get that fluid without years of practice. We’ve got a pro hiding among us!”
They werenāt wrong. Thirteen years of dance. Plus voice lessons, piano, violin, even painting. My mom used to joke we had too much money and time on our hands. But mostly, I did it because I loved it. It was my stress relief. Whenever I felt down, picking up one of my hobbies always helped clear my head.
When I finished, the applause was deafening. Even people from other groups had gathered around to watch. Tiffany was left standing awkwardly to the side.
She pushed her way through the crowd, putting on a pitiful expression. “Chloe, you were incredible. I guess my singing wasn’t that great after all.”
Her damsel-in-distress act immediately caught the attention of a couple of guys. “Hey, you were pretty good too,” one offered.
Tiffany’s eyes lit up, clearly hoping for more praise.
“But yeah,” the guy continued cluelessly, “compared to Chloe, you’ve got a ways to go. Don’t worry, maybe after practicing for like, ten years, you’ll catch up!”
Tiffany’s lip trembled. She glared at him. “You are such an idiot!” she snapped, stalking off.
The guy scratched his head, bewildered. “What’s her problem? Was I wrong? It’s the truth! God, some people are so sensitive!”
Four
My performance kind of blew up. Pictures of me were all over the campus gossip forums overnight. Now I felt like I couldn’t leave my room except to grab food.
“Hey, Chloe, is this your boyfriend? The back of his head looks super hot!” My roommate showed me her phone. It was a picture someone had snapped on move-in day of Ethan carrying my bags. Even just from behind, you could tell he had that effortless rich-guy vibe ā perfect posture, expensive casual clothes.
“Yeah, that’s Ethan,” I admitted, suddenly missing him. Having a boyfriend that good-looking and not being able to kiss him every day felt like a waste.
“You guys look great together!”
Tiffany snorted from her side of the room, dripping sarcasm. “Guys who look good from the back are usually ugly from the front. Plus, he looks old. And driving a Cayenne? Chloe, honey, are you sure you’re not beingā¦ you knowā¦ sponsored?”
She smirked. “Suddenly makes sense how you’d recognize that bag I have. Old rich guys love spoiling their little playthings.”
“Sweetheart, did you hear that?” I was already dialing Ethan’s number, holding the phone out so Tiffanyās voice carried clearly. “My roommate thinks you’re an old man.”
Ethan’s indignant, slightly wounded voice came through the speaker. “What? Old? I’m only four years older than you! Who’s the blind idiot calling me old? Baby, that hurts my feelings…”
I watched Tiffany’s face flush, enjoying her discomfort. She glared at me, then doubled down. “Well, he is old! An old man with a broke girlfriend ā you two are a perfect match!”
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I never thought the next time Iād hear about Mark Hughes would be like this.
My best friend forwarded me a photo. There was Mark, looking all gentle and patient, accompanying some woman at a prenatal appointment.
The sick joke? The woman in the picture wasn’t me.
“Claire, is this Mark? Did something happen between you two?”
Jess texted me, but I couldnāt bring myself to reply.
A week ago, my period was over ten days late. The pregnancy test showed two solid lines.
Mark had gone with me to the clinic. Confirmed: three weeks pregnant.
And since that day, I hadn’t seen my boyfriend. Calls went straight to voicemail, texts unanswered.
It was like heād vanished off the face of the earth. I was running around like a headless chicken trying to find him, but nothing.
My heart sank, lower and lower. A chilling cold seeped into my bones, an icy ache spreading through me.
It felt like a thousand-pound weight was crushing my chest, making it hard to breathe.
I took a deep breath, let it out slowly, trying to piece my shattered self back together.
Weād been together two years. Met the parents. All our friends knew.
This couldn’t be happening. Not like this.
I forwarded the picture to Mark. “Who is this woman? How long were you planning to hide this from me?”
A moment later, my phone buzzed. Caller ID: “Mark (Older Guy).”
After a big family get-together, I got into a car crash and was inexplicably kidnapped, dumped somewhere out in the sticks.
When they found me, my hand was shattered, my legs were mangled messes, bone sticking out.
Chloe and Olivia, the two girls I grew up with, were furious. They swore theyād bring those guys to justice.
They cried, gripping my hands tight, promising they’d take me traveling all over the world someday.
But while I was out cold after surgery, I heard Chloeās panicked voice.
“What do we do? I know Ethan supposedly stole Julianās breakthrough research data, but doing this to him… isn’t it too much?”
Olivia wiped her tears, glanced coldly at me, and said dismissively,
“He brought this on himself. Ethan had it all, spoiled by the Reed family for over twenty years, while Julian suffered all that time. And Ethan still wasn’t satisfiedāhe had to steal Julianās research?”
“So he’s disabled now. Big deal. We can just be extra nice to him from now on to make up for it.”
Tears streamed down my face in despair. Could any amount of ‘making up for it’ give me back my legs?
Childhood friends like these? They weren’t worth anything I’d ever given them.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my arms trembling as I clenched my fists, gripping the bedsheet underneath me.
Just then, the attending physician in charge of my case came into the room. He spoke earnestly.
“Miss,” he started, looking at them, “Mr. Reedās legs are severely injured, but not necessarily beyond saving. We just need one more surgery to repair the torn ligaments and tendons. With intensive physical therapy afterward, there’s a good chance he could walk again.”
At that moment, Olivia impatiently turned up the volume on her phone, shot the doctor an annoyed look, and cut him off nonchalantly.
“We’re Ethan’s friends. Everything we decide is for his own good. If we say amputate, you amputate. What’s with all the talk?”
The doctor just shook his head, sighed, and left the room, defeated.
Chloe, also annoyed by the doctorās interruption, stormed over to me. Thinking I was still unconscious, she slapped me right across the face.
“Only if Ethan is crippled will Julian become the sole heir of the Reed family. He deserves this. Losing his legs is just him paying Julian back. He should be grateful it’s only that.”
“Exactly,” Olivia chimed in. “After all the years we were supposedly friends with him? Turns out Ethan is just disgusting.”
Hearing them, my heart sank completely. And I used to think they were the closest people to me.
Olivia had crushed on me since we were kids. I was actually planning to tell her how I felt after this family trip. But instead, twenty-plus years of pouring my heart out to them got me betrayal.
To get rid of me, the obstacle in Julian’s way, they plotted to have me brutally injured, maybe even killed.
They heard Julianās side of the story and immediately decided to punish me for him, maybe even eliminate me.
My heart felt like it was being ripped apart. Pain washed over me, and I struggled to hold back my emotions, feeling like I was about to break.
My parents rushed back from overseas when they heard I was injured. As they were prepping me for the second surgery, my mother held my hand, tears streaming down her face.
“Ethan, honey, don’t worry. Mom’s taken care of everything. It won’t hurt. Even if you lose your legs, you’re still my son. Mommy will always love you.”
I looked despairingly at her kind face, but couldn’t feel any comfort. Just moments before, no matter how much I fought it, she had personally pushed the needle of the sedative into my arm.
“Ethan, you have to be strong. Julian is your brother. He’ll take care of you later on.”
2
Chloe and Olivia dabbed at their eyes, holding my hand and trying to cheer me on.
“Ethan, don’t worry,” Chloe said. “Olivia and I won’t let the people who hurt you get away with it. They took your legs, we’ll make them regret ever being born.”
Olivia leaned down and kissed my cheek, her face flushed, offering shy words of comfort.
“Ethan, we’ll always be here for you. Even if you can never stand again, we won’t abandon you.”
I stared hopelessly at the phony performance put on by the four people closest to me, my heart dead inside.
I had a fraternal twin brother, born at the same time as me, but he went missing when I was three.
Three years ago, Julian showed up with the family heirloom gold locket my brother had worn. The moment my parents saw that locket, they hugged him, sobbing uncontrollably.
When I suggested a DNA test, my father slapped me hard and made me kneel in the living room for a day and a night.
And my two childhood friends gradually drifted away from me, showering the suddenly appeared Julian with attention instead.
These four people, they pushed me into hell with their own hands, all while flashing fake smiles and claiming it was for my own good.
All for Julian, who soaked up their affection, this supposed brother whose identity was never even confirmed.
Tears blurred my vision. I was their biological son too, but they ignored me, condemned me based solely on Julianās one-sided story.
Several doctors approached with surgical tools, ready to begin the amputation on my already anesthetized body.
The agonizing pain when the anesthesia wore off finally woke me. I opened my eyes blearily, staring at my missing lower legs. My mind went blank, then tears started flowing uncontrollably.
I glared at my parents and my two former friends standing there.
My voice was so choked I could barely speak, but I made one last desperate attempt to explain.
“I didn’t steal Julian’s research data! Why won’t you believe me?!”
Seeing me so agitated, trembling all over, Olivia rushed forward to hold me.
“It’s all in the past now,” she said softly. “We don’t blame you. What’s important now is your health. We just want you to be okay.”
Chloe quickly grabbed my hand, her eyes filled with pity.
“Luckily, you’re strong, Ethan. The most important thing now is to recover. Even without your lower legs, you can get prosthetics. We’ll all be by your side.”
Chloe finished, looking at me with slightly reddened eyes.
My parents, who’d raised me my whole life, wiped away their own tears.
“Ethan, just focus on getting better,” my mother said. “Dad and Julian are handling the company, so don’t worry about it.”
I gripped the sheets painfully, they just didn’t believe me.
Tears streamed down my face as I lowered my head, silent.
Later, as I was wheeling myself back to my room after getting some sun, I heard an angry voice from inside. It was my mother.
“Heās still our son! How can you let Julian marry Olivia? How devastated will Ethan be when he finds out? He likes Olivia too, you know.”
“Mrs. Reed,” Oliviaās voice cut in, “love is between two people. Julian and I love each other. Chloe and I grew up with Ethan, sure, but when it comes to character and talent, Julian is leagues ahead. I don’t want to be friends with that plagiarizing lowlife.”
3
After Olivia said that, she deliberately brought up the plagiarism accusation again.
My father slammed his hand on the table and declared,
“Ethan Reed is just useless. Always causing trouble since he was a kid. Now, stealing Julian’s research dataā¦ I think he needs to learn his lesson!”
“You know, we don’t need to spend a lot on his prosthetics. Honestly, maybe just let him stay bedridden for life. Itād be less hassle for us.”
Chloe eagerly agreed, sucking up to my dad.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Reed. About Ethan stealing Julian’s research dataāI already told everyone on my live stream. His professor is going to make a public announcement at the university too. If we let him off easy now, it’ll just encourage him.”
“Good point,” my father said. “Then let’s postpone the surgery on his hand tomorrow. Let him suffer a bit; maybe he’ll learn something.”
I looked down at my bandaged hand, already oozing blood slightly. Tears welled up again.
My chest felt crushed by a giant stone, making it hard to breathe.
The day I was discharged, Julian and my two former friends took me straight to the university awards ceremony.
The moment I appeared, students all over the auditorium were craning their necks to stare at me.
After handing out awards, my professor looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment and disgust.
“Research is the lifeblood of a scholar. Stealing someone else’s hard work is despicable. Let’s have Ethan Reed come up on stage.”
Julian pushed my wheelchair onto the stage. My face was deathly pale as I listened to my professor start tearing into me in front of the entire university.
“Ethan Reed, today I’m giving you a chance. Tell us, what was going through your mind when you stole Julian Reedās work? Now, facing ridicule from people in our field, online, your family, and even your fellow students, do you regret it?”
Just then, a student in the audience, bolder than the rest, shouted angrily.
“You guys probably don’t know, but Julian is Ethan’s brother who was missing for over twenty years! Ethan Reed has no shame, stealing his own brother’s research! Just trying to grab the family inheritance, probably. Using dirty tricks against his own brotherādisgusting!”
The student shouting was Julianās roommate. His words stunned the entire auditorium.
Then came the wave of accusations and curses directed at me.
Sitting in my wheelchair, I listened helplessly to the vile insults, experiencing the shame of public humiliation.
My eyes reddened, my lips trembled as I tried to speak.
“I didn’t…”
Hearing me deny it, the professorās chest heaved with fury and disappointment. He grabbed the microphone again.
“Stealing someone else’s work and still refusing to admit it! Still lying! A student like this is a disgrace to this university! Let this be a warning to everyoneānever become an academic thief!”
As soon as the professor finished, Julian stepped in front of me, facing the crowd.
His eyes were red.
“My brother has already paid a price for this,” he said to everyone. “He made a mistake in a moment of weakness, stealing my research, but he’s my brother. We were separated for over twenty years before we found each other again. I don’t want him to hate me because of this.”
4
Saying this, he slowly knelt in front of me.
“Brother,” he said, looking up at me, “if you wanted my research, I would have given it to you. Just acknowledge me as your real brother, that’s all I ask. Please don’t resent Mom and Dad, or Olivia and Chloe.”
“It was my sudden appearance that took away the love that was solely yours for over twenty years. I didn’t want that, but I missed you all so much. Before I found my family, I never had enough to eat or warm clothes, sometimes I slept in barns… It was so cold.”
“Brother, here, take my award today. I’m begging you, please don’t do anything foolish, okay?”
Tears streamed down Julianās face. He bowed his head slightly, looking like a bullied child.
Olivia and Chloe immediately went onto the stage, helping the kneeling Julian up with concerned looks.
Then they glared fiercely at me.
I trembled with rage, tasting blood in my mouth. I let out a strangled cry.
“That research data on the cureāit was mine!”
Olivia turned and slapped me hard across the face. “Ethan!” she spat, full of disappointment. “All we want is an honest guy who takes responsibility, not someone full of lies! You’ve disappointed us so much!”
Chloe echoed her, her eyes also filled with disappointment.
“Yeah, Ethan. Even now, you’re still making excuses. Everyone saw what happened. Acting like this just makes us lose even more respect for you.”
“Brother, why are you still so stubborn?” Julian cried, his voice rising, acting like he was completely devoted to protecting me. “The professor said if you keep this up, he’ll have to show the security footage! I don’t want everyone laughing at you! If that video comes out, your life will be ruined!”
Julian sobbed uncontrollably.
“It seems Mr. Reed still won’t admit it,” the professor said gravely. “As your advisor, I truly regret mentoring a student like you. Julian, show everyone the video. From today on, this behavior will also be reported online. You brought this upon yourself, Ethan.”
Julian slowly stood up, took out his phone, and connected it to the large screen on the stage.
When I saw the video playing on the screen, I was completely dumbfounded.
The person in the video wore my usual clothes, but with a baseball cap and face mask obscuring their face. During the lunch break, this person snuck into the research lab and stole Julian’s data report.
But at that exact time that day, I was feeding stray cats behind the campus buildings during my lunch break. I had no alibi.
My eyes widened in panic as I tried to explain, but my injured hand couldn’t support me.
“That person isn’t me!”
“If it’s not you, who is it?” Olivia shot back. “Chloe and I grew up with you! You think we don’t recognize that jade bracelet on your wrist?”
In the security footage, the person wore a jade bracelet identical to mine. I stared at the screen in despair.
A deep sense of helplessness washed over me, and tears streamed down my face.
The accusations from the crowd, the disappointment in everyone’s eyesāit all crashed down on me, suffocating me.
Like a bottomless abyss swallowing all my hope.
Just when I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like I might actually die, Julian quickly wheeled me off the stage.
My mother rushed over just then. Seeing my vacant eyes, looking like a broken, soulless doll, she stroked my face, her eyes filled with pain.
“My poor child,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have pushed you like this to admit your mistake. It’s Mom’s fault. Even if you made a mistake, it’s my failure as a parent. No matter what, you’re my child. Your brother won’t blame you for taking his work. We’re all family.”
Hearing this, I passed out. When I woke up again, my phone was gone.
My mother brought a bowl of broth, trying to feed me. I turned my head away in silent protest.
“I took your phone,” she said. “Your hand isn’t healed yet, you can’t use it. When you’re better, I’ll give it back.”
I remained silent, mechanically drinking the broth. After my mother left, Chloe and Olivia came to see me.
They could barely hide their excitement as they showed me a live stream on their phone.
“It’s Julian’s press conference for his research findings!” Chloe exclaimed. “From today on, he’s the hero who found the cure! Helping thousands of people suffering from this terrible disease. And he’s filed for a patent! Now no one can steal his research.”
“Julian is amazing,” Olivia added. “Remember that time Chloe and I drank those spiked drinks at the bar and passed out? Luckily, he showed up just in time. I hate to think what might have happened otherwise.”
“Ethan,” Chloe said, turning to me, “just apologize to Julian, and this whole thing can be over.”
I scoffed silently in despair, my eyes burning. I didn’t say a word.
Seeing the adoration in Chloe’s and Olivia’s eyes, I felt a complex mix of emotions.
“He’s quite the actor,” I thought bitterly. “Apologize to him? Never.”
I had nothing to apologize for.
And I was the one who saved them that night.
While they were chatting, my old, spare phone, hidden under the pillow, started vibrating wildly.
Chloe grabbed it first, her eyes widening in disbelief as she looked at the screen displaying an international call.
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