Category: English

1 My roommate, Delilah, kept a vividly patterned pet snake in our dorm. Out of kindness, I bought a terrarium and explained to her that many girls in the dorm were terrified of snakes. If it got out, it would scare people. Instead, she lashed out, “Ophelia! Can you not be so disgusting? This is a living creature, and you want to lock it in such a tiny box?” “It’s just a pet snake; it won’t bite anyone. Even if it did, it’s just a small scratch, not poisonous. I don’t know what you’re so scared of.” In the middle of the night, her so-called pet snake slithered into the adjacent room and bit the girlfriend of a wealthy young man. By the time we arrived, the girl had already passed out. Luckily, I managed to suck the venom from her arm, saving her life. The incident sparked endless online condemnation. Delilah and two other roommates colluded, claiming I was the snake’s owner. The young man, consumed by rage, simply waved his hand, and my family was ruined. When I woke up again, I was back to the moment Delilah brought the snake into the dorm. I pulled out the glass terrarium I was holding, which I’d repurposed into an aquarium teeming with Water bead figures. “Don’t worry, this is just for my Water beads.” … I pulled a package from under my desk and began to open it. Delilah, sitting nearby, immediately peered over. “Ophelia, what did you buy? It’s so huge!” That familiar tone, those exact words, brought a cynical smirk to my lips. Still as irritating as ever, I thought. Tearing open the box, I replied, “I saw someone online with Hello Kitty-shaped Water beads the other day and just loved them, so I bought a small glass cabinet to keep some.” Hearing this, Delilah visibly relaxed, patting her chest with a sigh of relief. “Oh, that. I thought you bought it specifically to lock up ‘Noodle’.” Noodle, as in her pet snake, which was, in fact, highly venomous. “Don’t worry,” I assured her, “this is just for my Water beads.” She seemed relieved but still looked unconvinced. She walked over, watching my movements closely. “Do Water beads need heating?” Then, picking up the nearby shipping box in a huff, she demanded, “You’re not lying to me, are you? You still want to lock up my Noodle?” Lily, who was close with Delilah, poked her head around, looking suspicious. “Ophelia, you wouldn’t actually try to lock Noodle up, would you?” “Even though it’s a snake, it’s been in the dorm for half a month. You’ve seen it; it doesn’t bite. Why are you still so fixated on this?” Lily’s challenge bolstered Delilah’s confidence. She glared at me, demanding an explanation. “Noodle isn’t a caged animal by nature; it has a right to freedom! Don’t you think what you’re doing is disgusting, Ophelia?” A right to freedom? Then why don’t you release it into the wild? So ridiculous. Though I scoffed inwardly, my face remained impassive. I swiftly picked up another package at my feet and opened it. Right in front of them, I poured water inside, then dumped a whole bag of Water beads in. The already small glass cabinet was instantly packed. “See? It really is just for my Water beads. There’s no room for Noodle, right?” “Besides, it’s such a gentle, adorable creature. I’d sooner lock myself in than lock it up, wouldn’t I?” Only then did the two back down. Delilah watched my every move as she returned to her spot. It was tonight, in my previous life, that the snake had slithered into the adjacent room and bitten someone. I carefully placed the glass cabinet, snapped a photo, and updated my status on various social media platforms, asking when my Hello Kitty Water beads would grow bigger. Content, I climbed into bed. When we started freshman year, Delilah cultivated an image of an animal lover. Initially, she and Lily, who also loved animals, would discuss them in the dorm. I wasn’t very interested and never joined in, which led them to label me as cold-hearted. By sophomore year, our dorm was a constant chaos of stray cats Delilah brought back out of “kindness,” dirty puppies leaping onto beds, leaving muddy paw prints. There were even chirping sparrows, rescued and flying wildly around the dorm, leaving droppings everywhere. She claimed she loved animals more than anything; they were so much easier than dealing with people. Lily echoed her, saying she wished to be a carefree kitten in her next life, mentioning her own incredibly cute Ragdoll cat at home. They hit it off instantly. In the second semester of sophomore year, Delilah mentioned her pet snake, and the two immediately agreed it was quiet, wouldn’t attract the resident advisor, and wouldn’t leave messes, making it easy to keep in the dorm. I initially thought she was just bringing it to show us, figuring such a rare and valuable small snake wouldn’t be easy to keep in a dorm, and she’d take it away in a couple of days. But the next day, Delilah brought frozen mice for the snake and even laid a pad by her bed to sleep with it. Noodle seemed to become a permanent resident, always appearing in unexpected places around the dorm, startling us. Delilah and Lily, however, didn’t care. They constantly played with the little snake, even mocking our other roommate, Scarlett, who was so scared she barely came back to the dorm. I spoke with Delilah once, suggesting she get a terrarium to keep Noodle contained, preventing harm and making Scarlett less afraid. She immediately flipped out, yelling at me, calling me disgusting, heartless, someone who disliked animals, and a cold person. She spent days in the dorm, cradling Noodle, making snide remarks about me being unable to tolerate them. Anyone who dared to say anything negative about Noodle would be met with a barrage, as if she wanted to dig up their ancestors to prove they were cold-blooded. It wasn’t until the snake started appearing everywhere near my bed, even on it, that I really started to worry. I wanted to discuss buying a terrarium with her, at least to keep it somewhat managed. Instead, I was met with Delilah’s verbal abuse and ostracization. And because of that very terrarium, they later accused me of being the snake’s owner. This led to me suffering cyberbullying and being tormented half to death by that rich young man. Not only was my good deed repaid with malice, but I was maliciously slandered, ultimately leading to a tragic end where my family was destroyed. This time, I wasn’t getting involved in their mess. 2 It was that very night, in my past life, that Lily, feeling hot, left the balcony door open. Delilah’s snake slithered out and bit Anastasia, a beautiful girl in the adjacent room, who was on the phone with her wealthy boyfriend. Anastasia’s piercing scream echoed through the hall, and Delilah immediately realized her snake was gone. The neighbors knocked on our door, asking if the snake had come from our room. Anastasia lay unconscious on the floor, her phone still buzzing with her worried boyfriend’s calls. Her roommates were frozen in shock. Delilah was utterly terrified, muttering, “This can’t be… Noodle is just a pet snake…” Lily frowned deeply at the scene, while Scarlett shrieked and ran back into our room. Anastasia’s arm was visibly bleeding black. I rushed forward and used my mouth to suck the venom from Anastasia’s arm. The thick black blood made Delilah’s eyes widen in horror. Students from the neighboring rooms gathered, filming snippets on their phones. These videos were uploaded online, and rumors spread like wildfire. Delilah was too scared to respond. That night, our dorm was as silent as a tomb. The snake was immediately killed by Anastasia’s wealthy boyfriend when he arrived. The next day after classes, the four of us were taken by the young man. To my shock, all three of them stood united, and under their combined accusation, I was mistakenly identified as the snake’s owner. My explanations were weak and useless. The young man, furious, yelled at me: “I’m not stupid! You were the only one who dared to suck the venom from Anastasia; if not you, then who else?” “Still trying to argue! They all say it was you; are they all against you?” “You hurt Anastasia; I’ll make you pay!” The young man locked me up, unleashing various snakes on me daily. When I was finally released, barely clinging to life, I discovered that Delilah and the others had jointly reported me for keeping a snake in the dorm and harming someone. I received a disciplinary warning, and all my chances for academic honors were gone. Online opinion, manipulated by Delilah’s deliberate explanations and smears, turned entirely against me. I became the snake’s owner, subjected to personal attacks and insults. They even specifically posted photos of the terrarium I had bought, leaving me speechless, unable to explain, and with no one believing me. My father lost his job at the young man’s behest, my mother fell gravely ill with no money for medicine, and soon after, both passed away. The pain and hatred from my previous life felt like a gaping, bleeding wound in my heart. This time, I was prepared with recording and audio devices. We’d see how they tried to pin this on me now. That evening, I was interacting with friends online when I suddenly heard a scream. It was Anastasia’s voice. Delilah, who was playing a game, jumped in fright and immediately cursed, “What’s her problem, screaming so late at night? Does she really think she’s a princess just because she snagged some rich guy?” Then she shrieked, “Ah! Where’s my Noodle? Lily, is Noodle with you?” Lily and Scarlett both said no. Delilah immediately called out to me, “Ophelia, did you take my Noodle?” “No,” I replied. Just then, there was a frantic knocking at our dorm door. Delilah opened it to a neighbor, whose face was pale. “Is that snake from your room? Get over here, now!” Delilah hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. Anastasia lay motionless on the ground, her brow furrowed, lips blackened. And biting her arm, refusing to let go, was Delilah’s Noodle. “Call an ambulance, quickly!” I urged. Delilah’s face instantly went white; her feet seemed rooted to the spot. Lily snapped out of it and pulled Delilah. “Delilah, grab the snake! It’s your snake!” Delilah glared at Lily, shaking her head in terror and backing away. “How could it bite someone? I don’t know what to do!” The wound was black, clearly indicating potent venom. I stepped forward, grabbed the snake, and then sucked the venom from Anastasia’s arm. Delilah claimed to be a kind-hearted girl who loved animals, insisting her Noodle was just a pet snake that couldn’t possibly bite, and even if it did, it wouldn’t be venomous. But Anastasia’s condition hardly looked like a non-venomous bite. Soon, a commotion erupted outside the dorm. It was the young man. He stormed into the room, first glancing at me, then swept Anastasia into his arms and left. More and more students gathered, filming videos and posting them on various social media platforms. The dorm snake bite incident went viral overnight. Students at our university were shocked, and the school administration was furious, vowing to severely punish the snake’s owner. Online, netizens were equally outraged: “Keeping a snake in the dorm? Oh my god, how disgusting! Glad I never had roommates like that.” “Keeping a snake secretly is bad enough, but not keeping it contained, and it turns out to be venomous? Now what? Going to have to pay millions?” “Just seeing a snake makes me scared. How could they bring it into the dorm? Aren’t their roommates scared?” A blizzard of insults and attacks flew online. Seeing the endless negative comments searching for the snake’s owner, Delilah finally grew afraid.

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My husband’s secretary was trapped in a locked car for half an hour. In a fit of blind rage, he locked me inside the storage room. I knelt on the floor, desperately gripping the hem of his shirt, confessing to a crime I didn’t commit. But he impatiently pried my fingers away and stomped hard on my hand. His eyes held not a single shred of warmth. “Who do you think you are, daring to hurt Chloe?” Suffering from severe claustrophobia, I curled up in the pitch-black, cramped space, gasping violently for air. My palms were torn and bloody from clawing at the door, yet it did nothing to fend off the suffocating, impending grip of death. A week later, he finally remembered me after returning from an overseas vacation with his secretary. But little did he know, I had long died in a pool of terror and hatred. Chapter 1 1 When Ethan Carter walked into the villa with his arm wrapped tightly around Chloe Davis’s waist, the maids had already decorated the house perfectly. Rose petals scattered across the floor, a dazzling diamond necklace resting on the dining table, and beside it, a three-tier cake featuring a custom cartoon caricature of a girl. Everything screamed of just how much Ethan valued Chloe. Leaning against Ethan’s chest, Chloe saw the surprise. She covered her mouth in shock, her eyes shimmering with tears as she looked up at him. “Ethan, you treat me so well!” Ethan affectionately tapped the tip of her nose, his tone incredibly gentle. “I have one more gift for you.” He turned to his personal assistant and ordered coldly: “Go upstairs and tell Mia to come down. I’m going to make that vicious bitch kneel and apologize to Chloe in front of everyone.” I watched the man I had loved for ten years with cold, dead eyes. My heart was utterly numb. “Ethan, please don’t blame Mia. I believe she didn’t mean to hurt me on purpose. We are half-sisters, after all. If you punish her, it’ll break my heart.” Chloe’s voice took on a tearful edge, but with my omniscient view, I caught the fleeting gleam of pure malice in her eyes. Yes, I was already dead. A week ago, an infuriated Ethan decided to “teach me a lesson” by locking me inside a storage room that was barely ten square feet. I had desperately clawed at the doorframe, admitting to every fabricated sin he accused me of, just begging him not to lock me in that dark, suffocating box. But all he left me was his back and a vicious promise: “I will make you suffer a hundred times over for the pain you caused Chloe. This is what you owe her!” He seemed to have completely forgotten that I suffered from severe claustrophobia. While he held Chloe’s hand and flew to Iceland to watch the Northern Lights, I was curled into a tight ball, suffocating. I had pinched and clawed at my own arms and thighs until they were a bloody mess, desperately trying to anchor my fading consciousness. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. In my final moment, my soul violently tore itself away from that terrifying room. Hearing Chloe plead for me, Ethan’s heart melted. He reached out and gently cupped her cheek. “You’re just too kind for your own good. That’s why she keeps bullying you. I won’t let her hurt you ever again!” I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. So, in his eyes, I had always been this evil, venomous woman. Everything I had ever sacrificed for him had become nothing more than a colossal joke. Just then, his assistant came running down the stairs in an absolute panic. 2 “Mr. Carter, there’s no response from the storage room. Mrs. Carter… she doesn’t seem to be breathing.” A flicker of panic flashed across Ethan’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a knowing, cynical smirk. “Liam, has Mia bought you out too?” “I let it slide when you helped her trap Chloe in the car, but now you’re helping her fake her own death?” “It seems you’ve forgotten who signs your paychecks. Pack your things. You’re fired.” Before Liam could even utter a word of defense, Ethan took Chloe’s hand and led her up to the master bedroom. Liam stood frozen in the foyer. He opened his mouth, but ultimately, no words came out. I genuinely couldn’t fathom how Ethan had morphed into this monster. We used to be so deeply in love. I had known Ethan for ten years. I stayed by his side when he built his startup from the ground up, all the way until he became a rising corporate magnate. But it wasn’t until I died that I finally understood: the scale in Ethan’s heart had tipped the very second Chloe walked into his life. Chloe Davis was Ethan’s personal secretary. She was also my half-sister. A week ago, Ethan took Chloe and Liam on a business trip to visit a supplier. That same day, my mother—who was in the final stages of terminal cancer—had a rare moment of clarity. She held my hand, softly asking about my marriage with Ethan. But the very next second, the numbers on her monitor plummeted. Staring at the closed doors of the resuscitation room, I helplessly dialed Ethan’s number. He rushed over and sat silently beside me in the waiting area. That is, until his phone rang. It was Chloe, and his face instantly drained of color. Over the phone, Chloe weakly sobbed about how scared she was, even having the nerve to tell Ethan to “take good care of your legal wife.” Panic consumed Ethan. Ignoring my tearful pleas, he didn’t even grab his coat before sprinting out of the hospital to save her. What he didn’t know was that just ten minutes after he walked away, my mother left this world forever. The pathetic part was that even then, I still hadn’t grasped how much Chloe meant to him. Not until he shoved me into that storage room with a deadpan expression, crouched down, pinched my jaw hard, and said with ice in his voice: “Mia, I used to think you were just a bit jealous, but I never realized you were this venomous. Chloe is your own sister, and you actually tried to kill her.” “If it weren’t for you and your short-lived mother, I wouldn’t have left Chloe’s side when she was in danger!” “Stay in here and reflect on what you’ve done. You can come out when you finally figure out exactly what you did wrong.” My fingers were crushed beneath his expensive shoes, and my heart was left numb with agony. And now, he was still waiting for me to lower my head and obediently apologize. Too bad for him, this was one expectation I would never meet. Ethan stood outside the storage room door, his face radiating icy disdain. “Mia, it’s time to drop this little temper tantrum of yours. You know my patience is limited.” “Crawl out here right now and give Chloe a proper apology, and I might just consider forgiving you.” He was met with dead silence. Growing impatient, Ethan pounded heavily on the storage room door, his voice turning malicious. “Fine. If you don’t want to come out, then rot in there.” Watching his retreating figure, a profound sorrow welled up inside me. I had no choice but to admit that the man I once loved so fiercely had rotten away from the inside out a long time ago. Chapter 2 3 For the next few days, Ethan stayed by Chloe’s side. He didn’t come home once. I watched him diligently care for another woman—taking her out to dinner, watching movies with her, doing every romantic thing couples do. All I could do was laugh at my own pathetic life. Today was my father’s birthday. Bright and early, Ethan showed up at the Davis residence with bags of expensive gifts, Chloe right by his side. My father, who was watering the plants in the front yard, beamed with joy as he ushered them inside. Chloe skipped over and intimately hooked her arm through my father’s, acting spoiled and sweet. Ethan just watched her with a fond smile, carrying the gifts behind them. It was so natural. It looked like the three of them were the real family. At the dinner table, Chloe’s sweet-talking had my father laughing non-stop. Ethan routinely picked up Chloe’s favorite dishes and placed them in her bowl. From beginning to end, not a single person mentioned me. It was Ethan’s ringing phone that shattered the domestic bliss. He answered it, and the voice on the other end made his expression freeze. “Hello, Mr. Carter. I am a doctor at City General Hospital. We received a female corpse today. Based on DNA matching, we have confirmed that the deceased is your wife, Mrs. Mia Carter.” “Would it be convenient for you to come to the hospital now to process the paperwork?” Ethan furrowed his brow, listening to the caller. Then he scoffed, his tone dripping with mockery. “Oh? Let me guess, Mia hired you to put on this little show? Do me a favor and tell her that playing dead won’t earn my forgiveness.” “Also, tell her this trick is incredibly boring.” Without waiting for a response, Ethan hung up the phone. Seeing him put the phone down, Chloe asked with a face full of concern: “Ethan, did something happen to my sister?” Ethan reached out, affectionately patted the top of her head, and shook his head. But for the rest of the dinner, he was completely distracted. He even accidentally served Chloe celery several times, knowing it was the vegetable she hated most. Even my father noticed something was off, so he didn’t insist Ethan stay late. To my surprise, after Ethan drove Chloe home that night, he didn’t stay over at her place like he usually did. Instead, he drove straight to City General Hospital. I followed him to the chilly hallway outside the morgue. His hand rested on the door handle, but he hesitated to press it down. I saw his lips moving. It wasn’t until I drifted closer that I heard what he was whispering. “Mia, if I find out you’re playing another prank on me, I’m going to flay you alive!” Hah! Even now, he was still threatening a dead woman. If I had a physical body, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from slapping him across the face. As if he finally braced himself, Ethan pushed the door open and walked into the morgue. The medical examiner on the night shift was dozing off at his desk. Seeing Ethan’s dark figure, he jumped up in alarm. “Who are you?!” Acting as if he heard nothing, Ethan walked slowly toward a steel gurney a few feet away, where a body lay covered by a white sheet. “Mia, get the hell up! Stop pretending!” Ethan stood before the corpse, his fists clenched tight, shouting as if he were trying to suppress a massive surge of anger. But it was a corpse. How could a corpse answer him? Suddenly, Ethan lost his mind. He grabbed my lifeless body through the sheet and began shaking it violently. Somehow, even floating in the air, I felt a phantom wave of severe dizziness. The doctor finally snapped out of his shock, rushed over, and tackled Ethan in a bear hug to stop his manic shaking. “Mr. Carter, please calm down!” Ethan shoved the doctor away roughly, screaming: “This can’t be Mia! You’re all liars! You’re all lying to me!” Honestly, it had been a very, very long time since I had seen Ethan lose control like this. Yet, at this moment, I only felt an overwhelming urge to laugh. The doctor shook his head at Ethan’s hysterics. He walked back to his desk, picked up a piece of paper, and handed it to Ethan. Chapter 3 4 I floated closer and saw that it was my official death certificate. “Mr. Carter, it was your housemaid who noticed a foul odor coming from the storage room. That’s how your wife’s body was found.” “My condolences.” The doctor patted Ethan’s shoulder and quietly left the room, giving him space. Ethan was left entirely alone. He crouched on the floor, his head bowed, staring blankly at the death certificate in his hands. “How is this possible? Mia, how could you be dead?” “You’re lying to me, aren’t you?” “Yes, that has to be it! I’m going to expose your lie right now!” When Ethan tried to stand, he stumbled, staggering awkwardly toward the covered corpse. “Mia, I’m giving you one last chance. Get up right now, and we can pretend none of this ever happened.” The room was dead silent. Ethan pinched the corner of the white sheet but couldn’t bring himself to lift it. I saw his fingers trembling uncontrollably. A sudden, wicked urge flared within me—I wanted to scare him. I wanted him to taste true terror and despair. Summoning all the spectral energy I had, I blew a gust of cold air directly at the sheet. It slipped off the body and drifted to the floor. My corpse was entirely exposed to his eyes. Due to suffocation, my face was a bruised, mottled purple. It was so grotesque that even I found it horrifying to look at. My eyes, which had never closed even in death, bulged out grotesquely. Under the eerie fluorescent lights of the morgue, it was a nightmarish sight. “Ahhhhh!” Ethan screamed, stumbling backward until he fell hard onto his rear. He kept scrambling backward, shouting: “Stay away from me! Don’t come closer! I was wrong!” Seeing his pathetic, comedic reaction, the heavy knot of resentment in my chest finally loosened just a bit. Ethan sat paralyzed on the floor for a long time before he finally caught his breath. When he stood up, his legs were still shaking violently. He slowly inched his way back to the corpse. Staring down at the lifeless, horrifying shell that used to be his wife, his eyes turned bloodshot. “How is this possible?” “Nothing happened between me and Chloe! Please, don’t be mad at me anymore, okay? Just come back!” A massive tear fell from his eye. Then a second, and a third. I truly didn’t understand this man anymore. When I was alive, he ruthlessly trampled all over my devoted heart. Now that I was dead, he was putting on this grand, tragic performance. Who was he acting for? 5 I had known Ethan for ten years, and I had loved him for ten years. When we first met, he was the untouchable, brilliant golden boy of our university, while I was quiet and gloomy due to my broken family. I never expected our paths to cross, but I couldn’t stop myself from watching his every move from afar. I was like a rat hiding in the dark, desperate for the light but too terrified to touch it, only able to admire it from a distance. In our senior year, I heard he was starting his own tech company. Without hesitation, I threw away a lucrative offer from a Fortune 500 company to join his scrappy startup. In the early days, it was just the two of us. I lived with him in a damp, moldy basement apartment. I ate stale leftovers and even ended up in the hospital with food poisoning just to save a few bucks. Even the claustrophobia that eventually killed me was entirely because of Ethan. Back then, we were desperately searching for a decent office space on a shoestring budget. We toured building after building. The accident happened on one of those tours. We found a newly built high-rise in the suburbs. Little did we know, the developers had cut corners and installed an elevator that didn’t meet safety standards. That day, Ethan and I were trapped in that pitch-black elevator for five excruciating hours. I genuinely thought I was going to die in there. Ever since that day, I suffered from paralyzing claustrophobia. But I never imagined that the man who survived that brush with death alongside me would eventually use an almost identical method to push me into my grave. Chapter 4 When the company finally stabilized, we threw a celebration party for landing our first million-dollar contract. That night, I confessed my feelings to him. I will always remember how we held each other tightly under the cheering of our colleagues. At that moment, I truly believed we were going to be together forever. The turning point came in our second year of dating. We were preparing for our wedding, but my parents suddenly announced their divorce. My normally elegant, composed mother went absolutely hysterical. That was when I learned my father had been cheating on her for years, and he had an illegitimate daughter born two months before me. That daughter was Chloe Davis. How hilarious was it? Just a few months prior, my father had pressured me into making Ethan bend the hiring rules to give Chloe a job at our company. The night before the wedding, my mother sat next to me, holding my hand. She told me all men were garbage and asked if I was really sure about this. At that time, I was naive but firmly convinced that Ethan would be the exception. Looking back now, my innocence was laughable. After leaving the hospital, Ethan drove back to our house. Seeing him enter, the maids rushed forward to greet him, but he just waved them off, his face deathly pale. He walked straight up to the storage room in the attic. Even though the maids had thoroughly cleaned it, a faint, foul odor of death still lingered. Returning to this terrifying place made my ghostly stomach churn. The despair and suffocation I felt right before I died crashed over me like a tidal wave. But Ethan acted as if he didn’t smell a thing. He walked right in. He suddenly pulled his arm back and punched the wall with everything he had, muttering like a madman: “Fine! You dare run away from me, Mia? Faking your death to trick me? When I catch you, you’re dead meat.” I didn’t even know how to react anymore. My literal corpse had been laid out right in front of his eyes, and he was still lying to himself. It was beyond pathetic. 6 Ethan locked himself in the master bedroom for two whole days, drinking bottle after bottle of whiskey. It wasn’t until the third day that a heavily dressed-up Chloe came to the house with a new assistant to pick him up. Today was the company’s annual gala. It sounds absurd, but as the CEO’s wife, I had never once attended an annual gala. After we got married, Ethan told me that a house needed someone to manage it, and he couldn’t bear to see me exhausted from the corporate grind. Like a fool, I believed him. I left the company and became a full-time housewife. Fast forward to today, and aside from a few founding members, almost no one at the company even knew Ethan was married. At the gala, Chloe hooked her arm through Ethan’s, flashing a radiant smile and never leaving his side. As the banquet neared its end, Ethan went on stage to give the CEO’s address. Towards the end, his tone shifted: “Tonight, I want to thank a very special someone. She has walked this long road with me, staying quietly by my side.” “Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today, and this company wouldn’t exist.” … Before Ethan could finish, a commotion broke out near the front tables. Chloe had somehow collapsed onto the floor. The man who was just giving a speech instantly dropped his champagne glass, bolted off the stage, pushed through the crowd, and helped her up. Ethan’s face was fraught with tension. “Chloe, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?” Chloe looked up, her eyes wide and tearful as she stared at his face. “I think I sprained my ankle. I’m so sorry, Mr. Carter, I interrupted your speech.” Without another word, Ethan scooped her up into his arms in a bridal carry. Chloe buried her flushed face into his chest, looking like a shy, delicate flower. Hah. Chloe was just using her old tricks to prove she held more weight in his heart than I did. Back when my parents first divorced, I only hated Chloe’s mother for destroying our perfect family. I had genuinely thought Chloe was innocent. I even entertained the delusion of being friends with her. But what did she do? At my father’s 60th birthday banquet, she pulled me aside near the staircase. Dropping the innocent facade she wore in front of the elders, she glared at me with pure venom. “I want you to watch very closely as I take everything that belongs to you. Not just our dad. Your man, too.” Then, she intentionally threw herself backward, tumbling down the stairs. I stood at the top, frozen in shock. By the time I snapped out of it, I was met with my father’s explosive fury: “How did I raise such a vicious daughter?! You’re exactly like your psychotic mother!” I stared numbly as the father I had always respected held Chloe with agonizing tenderness, while Ethan stood behind them, looking up at me with a complicated, dark expression. I tried to explain, but absolutely no one believed me. Although Ethan never said it out loud, I knew deep down he believed I was the one who pushed her. And from that day onward, Ethan and Chloe grew closer and closer. Chapter 5 Whenever Ethan went on business trips, he always remembered to bring her a gift. He reasoned, “She’s your sister and my subordinate. It’s only polite.” Whenever Chloe felt the slightest bit sick, Ethan was the first person she called. He would rush out in the dead of night to take her to the ER. To him, my complaints were just signs of a jealous, unsympathetic shrew. I watched Chloe slowly infiltrate my life and Ethan’s life, and I couldn’t do a thing to stop it. Because Ethan looked me dead in the eye and said, “I despise jealous women.” Just like tonight. Chloe clearly realized the “special someone” in his speech wasn’t her, so she deliberately bumped into a waiter and faked a sprained ankle. But I no longer had the right—or the desire—to intervene. 7 The gala ended abruptly due to Chloe’s “injury” and Ethan’s hasty exit. He carried her straight to his car and drove to the hospital. I couldn’t help but remember last winter. A nasty flu was going around, and I caught it. I laid in bed all day, burning up with a high fever, drifting in and out of consciousness. That night, unable to endure the pain, I called Ethan and begged him to come home and take me to the clinic. And what was his response? He said he was incredibly busy and told me not to bother him with such trivial things. He added that even if he rushed home, he wasn’t a doctor, so it wouldn’t make a difference anyway. You see, when it came to me, he was always so rational, so detached. But now, over Chloe’s minor ankle sprain, he dropped his entire company of employees just to rush her to the doctor. Strangely, though, when they arrived at the examination room, Ethan didn’t follow her inside. Chloe grabbed his sleeve, looking up with a confused, cautious expression. “Ethan, aren’t you coming in with me? Did I… did I make you mad?” Her voice grew quieter and quieter until she lowered her head, playing the role of the fragile victim perfectly. I had to admit, her acting was getting professional. It was a pitiable sight. But oddly enough, this time, Ethan wasn’t swayed by her routine. He stared blankly at the top of her head before finally speaking. “Be a good girl. I’ll have Liam’s replacement go in with you. I’m going to grab a smoke. I’ll be right back.” With that, he turned sharply and walked away. I followed him, only to find ourselves back in a very familiar place: the morgue. The night-shift doctor was the same as before. Seeing Ethan, he didn’t try to stop him. He just patted Ethan’s shoulder in sympathy and stepped outside. My corpse was still in the exact same spot. Ethan walked straight over to it, pulled back the white sheet, and stared with bloodshot eyes. “Mia, you’re just punishing me, right?” “Well, I’m telling you, it worked. You won. So please, just get up now.” He sat on the cold floor, his back leaning against the steel table, staring hollowly at the opposite wall. “Are you mad because I got too close to Chloe? As long as you come back, I’ll fire her immediately. I swear I’ll stay far away from her.” “I refuse to believe you’re dead. You loved me so much. How could you bear to leave me?” Ethan’s voice was hoarse, as if the words were being forcefully squeezed from his throat. By the end, he was choking back sobs. In the past, whenever he did something to upset me, all he had to do was lower his head and act slightly apologetic, and I would throw away all my boundaries and forgive him unconditionally. But that was in the past. Now, watching him play the victim and beg, I only felt nauseated. “That’s right. How could you bear to leave me? There has to be more to this. I’m going to find out the truth!” Ethan wiped away his tears, completely discarding his melancholic breakdown, and suddenly looked intensely driven. Seriously, I really wanted to ask him where he got the sheer audacity to assume I still harbored any lingering affection for him. He sprang up from the floor and marched out of the hospital with wide strides. He completely forgot about Chloe, who was still waiting for him in the examination room.

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My sister and I were adopted from the orphanage. My sister chose the Sterlings, a family with unmatched wealth and power. But the heir of the Sterling family had a twisted personality and tortured her every day. Meanwhile, I chose the ordinary Mercer family. Although their wealth couldn’t compare to the Sterlings, they treated me incredibly well. The young master of the Mercer family later became a business magnate and married me, giving me a life of absolute bliss. Driven mad by jealousy, my sister secretly strangled me to death. When I opened my eyes again, my sister didn’t hesitate to steal the life I had lived. She chose the Mercer family. “It’s your turn to be tortured this time, little sister.” I almost laughed out loud. Did she really think the young master of the Mercer family was a good person? 1. I was reborn, back to the day my sister Chloe and I were being adopted. “Sir, I’m obedient and I can do chores. Please adopt me.” Beside me, Chloe grabbed the hand of Vincent, the young master of the Mercer family. So, she had been reborn too. “Little girl, didn’t you just say you liked our family?” a wealthy woman spoke up. She was Mrs. Sterling, mother to Arthur Sterling, the heir to a New York real estate empire. Arthur himself wasn’t present. “I suddenly don’t like your family anymore. Is that a problem?” Chloe said, shrinking behind Vincent. Mrs. Sterling looked a bit annoyed. “Someone as fickle as you isn’t fit to enter the Sterling family anyway!” Then, she looked at me gently. “Sweetheart, come with me. We have a big brother at home for you, too.” I nodded and reached out my hand. Chloe’s eyes were full of triumph. She seemed very satisfied with my reaction. But what she didn’t know was that compared to the eccentric billionaire heir, I was far more terrified of the venomous snake that was Vincent Mercer. In my past life, I desperately tried to escape him. This time, she actually did me a huge favor. As I walked to the door with Mrs. Sterling, she went to pull the car around. Chloe suddenly walked up to me, her eyes brimming with contempt. “It’s your turn to be tortured this time, little sister.” I ignored her. Because to me, she was acting like an absolute clown right now! She thought this was a new beginning. But she had no idea she was jumping from one fire pit into an even deadlier inferno. 2. After being taken to the Sterling estate in the Hamptons, Mrs. Sterling gave me my own suite and hired private tutors for piano, dance, and etiquette. She told me, “Sweetheart, to be honest, I adopted a daughter because I wanted to raise the perfect daughter-in-law.” “You need to work hard now. Arthur is coming back from studying abroad in a month. As long as he takes a liking to you, your life will be perfect. After all, the entire Sterling empire will be his.” In our past life, Arthur didn’t like Chloe, which made her life miserable. I didn’t dare to hope that the aloof, aristocratic heir would fall for me. I had to rely on other methods to secure my future. A month later, the Sterlings hosted a grand banquet. It was to celebrate Arthur’s return to New York. Many elite families were invited, including the Mercers, who had business ties with the Sterlings. Chloe spotted me immediately and walked toward me in a white princess dress. “Little sister, today is going to be the most humiliating moment of your life.” In our past life, this banquet was where she first met Arthur. The moment Arthur saw her, he frowned. Then he told her to get lost in front of everyone. When she shamelessly clung to him, claiming to be his future wife, Arthur literally kicked her away. 3. Since I was also reborn, I already knew how this would play out and had prepared a backup plan. Chloe thought I would share her past-life fate. But I was about to disappoint her. Before Arthur could enter the banquet hall, I cornered him in a private lounge. It was our first time meeting. He was a full head taller than me, his handsome face utterly indifferent. Tsk, he really is unapproachable. I handed him a business proposal. “I know you have a new project and aren’t sure how to operate it. This is my plan. I guarantee it will turn a massive profit.” Growing up in the foster system, I only had a high school diploma, but I had a brilliant mind for business. In my past life, Vincent only became a business magnate because I was the mastermind behind his success. “How do you know about my new project?” Arthur took the folder, his long fingers flipping through a few pages. In my past life, this project belonged to Vincent. Back then, when I first moved into his house, he treated me well. So I used my own proposal to win this contract for him. But without me in this life, I discovered the project had landed in Arthur’s lap. “I did my research,” I smiled. “Mr. Sterling, I can draft project proposals for you from now on.” “But on one condition: we play nice in front of your family, but privately, we mind our own business.” Arthur was a businessman; he valued profit above all. If I could bring him value, he would surely be tempted. Just as I thought he would agree, he raised an eyebrow at me. “I get it. You want to trade your cooperation for a peaceful life here. Right?” “But didn’t my mother tell you she didn’t adopt a daughter, she adopted a bride?” “I know. So what’s your point?” I looked at him in confusion. He smirked and closed the folder. “Your proposal is excellent. But once you marry me, your proposals will belong to me anyway.” With that, he walked out. I stood there, still processing his words. What did he mean? Did he actually like me? No! He definitely just wanted to trap me into writing business plans for him forever. That had to be it. 4. When we entered the main hall, Mrs. Sterling pulled me along, introducing me to the elders. “This is my future daughter-in-law. She has a wonderful personality and is absolutely gorgeous.” Everyone showered me with praise. Nearby, Chloe stood next to Vincent, glaring at me with dark, brooding eyes. She walked over with a champagne glass and looked at Mrs. Sterling. “Mrs. Sterling, I heard Arthur just returned from abroad. Have he and my sister met yet?” “Does he actually approve of this ‘future wife’?” During the adoption, Chloe had already left a terrible impression on Mrs. Sterling. Hearing her speak now, Mrs. Sterling’s eyes flashed with displeasure. “Mind your own business!” “Our family matters are none of your concern. Who do you think you are?” Vincent’s face went pale. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Sterling. My sister doesn’t know her place.” As he said that, no one noticed the brief flash of malice in his eyes. But I had seen that look countless times in my past life. Every time, it signaled the start of a nightmare. Terrified, I took a step back and accidentally bumped into a warm chest. I turned around and saw Arthur. “Careful.” His eyes were filled with amusement, and his voice was as gentle as water. Chloe looked like she was about to explode. She was definitely wondering why Arthur was treating me so well. “Mr. Sterling, do you really like my sister?” “Do you know she’s an orphan? And that she was almost sexually assaulted?!” Chloe’s words plunged the entire hall into dead silence. Back at the foster home, an older man had snuck into my room and ripped my clothes. He tried to assault me, but I fought him off by smashing a vase over his head. Afterward, Chloe spread rumors that I had been violated. Later, she whispered to me, “Sister, guess who paid that man to do it?” That was when I realized she had set me up. Thinking of this, my fists clenched tightly. I was about to speak, but Arthur beat me to it. “Is that so?” He looked at Chloe. Chloe looked incredibly smug. “Yes! Lily was used by an old man—” Before she could finish, Arthur delivered a vicious kick, sending her flying backward. Instantly, all eyes in the room snapped toward them. Vincent looked humiliated. “Mr. Sterling, please calm down. It’s my fault for not disciplining my sister properly.” “If I ever hear her slandering my fiancée again, I’ll make sure she can’t survive in New York.” “Actually, no. Your entire Mercer family will be banished from this city.” “You really need to teach this sister of yours a lesson.” Arthur’s voice was frighteningly cold. Vincent quickly bowed. “You are absolutely right, Mr. Sterling. I’ll teach her a lesson right now.” Smack! Smack! Smack! Vincent marched over and slapped Chloe across the face, left and right. “Ah! Stop hitting me! It hurts…” Chloe’s screams echoed through the grand hall. Mrs. Sterling also spoke up. “I have officially acknowledged her as my daughter-in-law. From now on, remember her name is Lily Sterling. If I hear anyone bullying her, I will pay them back tenfold!” “Feel better?” Arthur whispered, pulling me close. “That was incredibly satisfying!” I felt like I could finally breathe freely. 5. Thanks to the scene Chloe caused, Arthur and I grew much closer. Plus, everyone now knew I was the future Mrs. Sterling and treated me with utmost respect. As for Chloe, she was dragged away by a furious Vincent. In our past life, Vincent hadn’t revealed his true nature this early. But because of today’s humiliation, his mask slipped prematurely. I knew Chloe’s nightmare was about to begin. I wondered if she could handle it. Over the following weeks, Chloe didn’t bother me once. I used the time to look for ways to make money, planning to eventually leave the city. Because having been reborn, I learned one crucial truth. Relying on yourself is the only way to survive! But while I was job hunting, Arthur reached out to me. He texted: Come work at my company. I’ll pay you $10,000 a month, plus a year-end bonus. This was perfect. I needed a high-paying job. I gladly accepted. However, on my way there, someone suddenly clamped a hand over my mouth. When I woke up, I was in a filthy public restroom. The floor was covered in slippery grime and reeked of sewage. Standing in front of me was the same man who had tried to assault me at the foster home. He bared his yellow teeth in a vulgar grin: “Once I’m done with you, you won’t be fit to be the Sterling family’s wife.” “Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you. I already notified the Sterlings to come here.” I smiled: “Looks like that vase to the head didn’t hurt enough last time.” “What do you mean?” I pushed myself off the floor and pulled a gleaming, razor-sharp knife from my pocket. “Did you really think I’d fall for the same trick twice?” With that, I ruthlessly slashed my own arm. Blood poured out instantly. I even smeared it all over my clothes and body. Just then, the door was pushed open. “Mr. Sterling, please don’t be mad at my sister. She was just lonely and looking for a man—” Chloe froze mid-sentence when she saw me covered in blood. 6. “Arthur, he stabbed me! Am I going to die…?” Tears instantly spilled from my eyes as I looked pitifully at Arthur. His face drastically changed. He rushed over and scooped me into his arms. Mrs. Sterling, standing nearby, burst into tears of panic. “Lily, don’t be scared! We’re taking you to the hospital!” Chloe stood frozen in place. As Arthur carried me past her, he delivered a lethal threat: “You arranged this, didn’t you? Just wait.” “No… Mr. Sterling, it wasn’t me.” Chloe instantly dropped to her knees, begging for mercy. But Arthur had already carried me away. After my wound was bandaged at the hospital, Arthur gripped my hand tightly. “Don’t ever take a risk like that again.” “Whatever revenge you want, I can do it for you.” My heart skipped a beat. He knew I did it on purpose. “How did you know?” “I know you too well.” “You clearly had the ability to fight back, but you didn’t. That means you injured yourself intentionally.” I had taken self-defense classes in my past life and had the ability to fight back. But we had only met a handful of times. How did he know me so well? “Don’t worry. No matter who hurt you, I’ll make them pay.” I nodded, staying silent. Last time, when Vincent dragged Chloe away, I knew she wouldn’t be able to resist seeking revenge. So, I had someone tail her. I discovered she was in contact with that man, plotting against me. So, I decided to beat her at her own game. The Sterlings were an elite family. They would never stand by and do nothing if their future daughter-in-law was harmed. That was why I injured myself. I wanted to use the Sterlings’ power to crush Chloe and the Mercers. After all, I clearly remembered every single thing they did to me in my past life. 7. Vincent brought Chloe to apologize to me. They carried stacks of expensive gifts and knelt at the entrance of the Sterling estate. Chloe wore a face mask, her eyes filled with defiance. Vincent slapped her hard across the face. “Stop glaring! All you do is glare. Believe me, I’ll gouge your eyes out!” “If I knew you were like this, my family would have never adopted you!” Chloe trembled in fear. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I won’t glare anymore.” Watching this from the second-floor balcony, I burst out laughing. Chloe surely hadn’t expected that stealing my life would still result in her being tortured. Because she didn’t know that Vincent was a venomous snake. And the Mercer parents only adopted a daughter to give their twisted son a new toy to play with. I remembered it all too well. I remembered exactly how brutally I was tortured in my past life. Chloe was wearing long sleeves, pants, and a mask. She was definitely hiding bruises. I went downstairs and opened the door. “Sister, what brings you here?” “Lily, your sister and I came to apologize. Please be the bigger person and forgive him. Ask Mr. Sterling to continue his partnership with us. My family’s company is on the verge of bankruptcy.” Vincent looked at me with a pathetic expression. Seeing his face made me sick to my stomach! How could I ever accept their apology? “I don’t accept.” “Lily, don’t push your luck—” Chloe swallowed the rest of her words when she saw Arthur walk out. “Mr. Sterling, I really didn’t hire that man the other day.” “That man already confessed at the police station. Are you sure you want to keep lying?” Arthur raised an eyebrow at her. She hurriedly apologized: “I… I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling. I had a moment of foolishness.” Then she looked at me, crying: “Sister, we grew up together. Please, be the bigger person and let me go.” I reached out and ripped her mask off. Her face was covered in bruises and cuts. I smiled softly: “Sister, seeing you so miserable puts my mind at ease.” Hearing this, the fury in her eyes flared up instantly. But with Arthur standing right there, she didn’t dare lash out. I told her I wouldn’t be soft-hearted. She hurt me, and I couldn’t just let it go. 8. A week later, the Mercer family’s company declared bankruptcy. In my past life, their company flourished because of me. But in this life, Chloe’s “brilliant” moves drove them straight into the ground. I heard that Vincent had fully unleashed his true nature. He beat Chloe daily and locked her inside the house. Meanwhile, I worked peacefully every day, making a lot of money working for Arthur. I assumed Arthur treated me well simply because he appreciated my business talents. He couldn’t possibly have real feelings for me. So, my plan was still to save enough money and leave. But Arthur seemed to be completely serious about me. One day, while I was handing him some documents, he suddenly pulled me into his arms. “The wedding is set for next month. Do you want to go try on wedding dresses?” I was stunned. “You’re serious?” “Of course.” He took my hand, gently tracing my fingers. “I made up my mind the first time I saw you.” “Lily, I promise to treat you well.” Why was this Arthur so different from the one in my past life? Still, needing his protection to ensure my peaceful life at the Sterling estate, I agreed.

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At the end of the year, my wife dragged me to her high school reunion. While she was busy playing the part of the successful CEO, I found myself scrolling through a viral thread on a popular forum. [My first love’s husband is terminally ill. What should I do?] The top comment read: [What does her husband being sick have to do with you?] The original poster (OP) replied: [Because I’m planning on taking his place.] The comments section exploded. [What kind of homewrecker logic is this?] [Wait, I just checked OP’s profile… are you the designer behind ‘The Dying Star’?!] My fingers trembled against the screen. The Dying Star. It was a piece I had sculpted when I was eighteen. The OP replied below: [Oops, caught me. I designed it for my first love, but she got married while I was studying abroad.] The tone of the thread shifted instantly to one of tragic romance. [I’m at her reunion today. Her husband is here, but I managed to text her and get her alone. She’s had a little to drink and she’s crying in my arms right now.] Attached was a photo. A woman was clinging to a man’s waist, her face buried in his chest. She was wearing a custom-tailored suit—the exact one my wife, Victoria, had put on this morning. … I reached for a glass of red wine on the table and drained it in one gulp. A former classmate sitting next to me noticed my sudden pallor and waved a hand in front of my face. “You okay, Miles? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I exhaled slowly, forcing my heart to stop its frantic hammering. “I’m fine. Just need some air.” Once I stepped out into the hallway, I opened the app again. The sentiment had done a total 180. [Such a tragedy. OP and his first love were clearly meant to be.] [I’ve seen ‘The Dying Star’ in person. I never knew jewelry could hold that much pain.] [I heard that design won a dozen international awards. OP is a literal genius.] When I was in school, I had designed The Dying Star for my secret crush, Victoria Beaumont. Now my wife. She told me she had locked it away in a private vault, too precious to wear. Aside from her, no one knew it was my work. Who was this “genius designer” claiming my life? I walked toward the stairwell, and as I rounded the corner, I heard voices coming from behind the heavy fire door. I hesitated, then pushed it open just a crack. “Her husband is dying,” a man’s voice whispered, thick with a smug sort of pity. “What are you going to do about him, Victoria?” “Why? Are you looking for a promotion to ‘husband’ already?” Victoria’s voice followed, light and teasing. “Don’t be mean. You were literally crying two minutes ago because you missed me so much. Now you’re picking on me?” “I’m picking on you? Fine. I’ll show you what picking on you really looks like.” The man let out a small, playful gasp. Then came Victoria’s low, melodic laugh. The sound made the blood in my veins turn to ice. After ten years of marriage, I knew that laugh better than my own name. I pulled my hand back and walked blindly down the hall. I clicked on the OP’s profile. Most of his posts were from international IP addresses, and every single one was about his “first love.” [Year one apart: She told me she’d never love anyone else.] [My Victoria got married today. But she came to see me on her wedding night. She flew ten thousand miles just to spend it in my arms. She brought me a five-carat ring. How is this not our wedding night?] So that was it. That night ten years ago, Victoria had claimed there was a “corporate emergency” right after the reception. She had left in such a hurry she hadn’t even taken off her veil. My vision blurred. [She came to see me again. She brought lilies her husband grew in his garden and put them on our nightstand. Victoria, is this our version of ‘happily ever after’?] The comments were a sea of heart-eye emojis. [The way he writes about her… you can feel the soul in every word.] [First loves always win.] She told me she loved lilies. I had spent months tending to our greenhouse, hand-picking the best blooms for her to take to her office. I never imagined they were being used as decor for her trysts. I scrolled through years of his updates. Inside the ballroom, the old class was laughing and drinking. I stepped into a quiet corner and FaceTimed my best friend, Jordan. “I thought you were at the reunion with the Ice Queen?” Jordan said, his brow furrowing at my expression. “Miles, what happened?” I let out a ragged laugh. “Jordan, I’m done. I want a divorce.” Jordan slammed his fist onto a table. “Finally! Thank God. I’ll have the papers ready by morning. You’re finally coming to your senses.” “And… I’m going back,” I whispered. “I’m going back to the St. James estate.” The door to the lounge swung open. Victoria and a man named Sebastian Cole walked in, one after the other. I hung up the phone. The room went quiet for a second before a few women started giggling. “Look at that. Sebastian still has a thing for the Queen Bee.” “Can you blame him? They were the ‘it’ couple back then. No one expected Victoria to end up with someone as… unremarkable as Miles.” Victoria walked over and sat beside me. Noticing my red eyes, she reached out and cupped my face with practiced concern. “What’s wrong, honey? Did someone say something to you?” I thought of the “picking on” I had just heard in the stairwell. My heart felt like it was being shredded. “Victoria,” I said quietly. “Do you remember The Dying Star?” She stiffened. Her eyes instinctively darted toward Sebastian. “It’s in the family vault, Miles. It’s too special to wear out. Why are you bringing that up now?” “I designed it specifically for you,” I said. “It’s a brooch. I’ve never once seen you wear it.” Her smile faltered. She looked away, smoothing her skirt. “You know I don’t like flashy things. It’s too loud for my style.” “Besides,” she added, “it’s your masterpiece. It belongs in a safe where it can be preserved forever.” Not your style? Then why was it pinned to her lapel in the photos Sebastian posted on his profile? In our home, Victoria’s wardrobe was a desert of black, white, and grey. But on Sebastian’s feed, she wore vibrant colors. She went deep-sea fishing with him, caught crabs, and stayed out until dawn laughing under the sun. Victoria and I had traveled together exactly once. Our honeymoon. It had been a miserable, lonely month. “Do you remember,” I asked softly, “when I asked to go see the Northern Lights for our honeymoon?” Sebastian, who was clinking glasses with a guy next to me, suddenly slid into the seat across from us. “Did you guys go to see the Aurora? What a coincidence! I went with my girlfriend too!” “She chartered a private yacht. We huddled together on the deck under the lights. It was the most romantic thing I’ve ever experienced.” I forced a smile. “What a shame. We never went.” “My wife said she hates the cold. Said high latitudes were depressing.” Sebastian’s eyes locked onto Victoria, his grin widening. “That’s too bad. You really should go. Legend says couples who see the lights together stay together forever.” “My girl is terrified of the cold too, but the second I told her about the legend, she was the one who planned the whole itinerary.” “She took care of everything—the food, the drinks, the gear. Me? I’m lazy. I like the fun, but I hate the logistics.” The men around us cheered. “Man, your girl sounds like a saint.” “How do you get this lucky, Sebastian? When is it my turn?” Sebastian’s cheeks were flushed with wine and triumph. “I’ve got a weak constitution,” he bragged. “I get sick easily, so she had every possible medication ready for me. If I even leaned too close to the railing, she’d grab me, terrified I’d fall in.” The table erupted in laughter. “But I’m stubborn,” he continued, glancing at Victoria. “I wanted to see the ocean. So she just kept one arm around me the whole time while she took photos with the other. She’s clingy like that.” Beside me, Victoria looked down and chuckled softly. I remembered our honeymoon. She spent every day on “conference calls.” We barely spent two hours together. When I wanted to take a photo, she said she wasn’t good with cameras. When I wanted to walk on the beach, she said the tide was dangerous. Our one-month honeymoon ended ten days early. I ended up in a hospital with acute gastritis from a bad meal, lying in a sterile bed for a week. She told me she had an “emergency board meeting” and flew home two days before I was even discharged. A few classmates noticed the tension and shouted, “Sebastian, you were the star of the school. How did we not know you were seeing someone?” “Come on, spill. How did you two meet?” Victoria leaned back against the leather booth, casually draping an arm over my shoulder, watching Sebastian with an indulgent smile. Sebastian twirled a strand of his hair. “We’ve known each other forever. Longer than I’ve known any of you.” “She was my first love. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we always find our way back.” Ooh— The crowd started whistling and catcalling. Several meaningful glances were thrown Victoria’s way. People started sizing me up, whispering. “His first love? That’s definitely Victoria.” “Miles wasn’t even in our social circle back then. Marrying her was the ultimate social climb.” “He’s nothing compared to Sebastian. Sebastian has the pedigree. He actually fits her world.” I thought about the year I spent carving The Dying Star. My mother had given me a raw blue diamond. I spent months in the studio, my hands covered in nicks and cuts. That brooch was literally stained with my blood. And she had handed it to a charlatan so he could play the part of a tortured artist. I shrugged Victoria’s arm off my shoulder and stood up. “I don’t feel well. I’m going home.” Victoria reached for my hand. “Honey, I’ll drive you.” Sebastian pulled her back by the arm. “Don’t go yet, Victoria. Let Miles take an Uber. He’s a big boy; he won’t get lost.” Someone else chimed in, “Yeah, we missed you, Vic! Sit down, let’s catch up properly.” Victoria looked at me with a performative sigh of helplessness. “Fine. Be careful on the way home, Miles.” The second I got into the car, I sent her a text: Victoria, I want a divorce.

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I lived my entire life as my older sister’s shadow. I endured my parents’ emotional abuse and brutal school bullying. If it had been my sister getting bullied, my parents would have believed her without hesitation and fought for her like lions. But none of it matters now. In my next life, I’m going to choose parents who actually love me… 1 After writing that final sentence, I felt absolutely no regret as I jumped from the sixth floor. Smash! It hurt so much. Floating in mid-air, I looked down at my own body lying in a hospital bed. I was covered in tubes. My heart monitor beeped weakly. My face was as white as a sheet. My parents stood by the bed, looking exhausted. My mother immediately started complaining. “I just scolded her a little, and she goes and jumps off a building! Did I say anything wrong? She’ll never compare to Chloe.” She was right. I could never measure up to my older sister, Chloe. Even when I tried to die, I couldn’t do it cleanly, wasting medical resources. My father shushed her, keeping his voice low. “Enough, stop talking. Look at the state she’s in. Is this really the time to complain? We already lost Chloe. Are we going to lose Mia too?! We’re getting old. Having another child is nearly impossible. You don’t want to end up with no one to take care of you when you’re elderly, do you?” So that’s all I was. A replacement and an insurance policy for their old age. They never believed anything I said. And they didn’t even care why I jumped. In that case, I just wanted to die quickly. I watched them get called into the doctor’s office. I drifted after them. The doctor looked incredibly grim. “Professor Sterling, the patient’s condition is extremely critical. She has suffered massive internal trauma, and her will to live is practically non-existent. You need to find something to stimulate her—talk to her, remind her of good memories. If this continues, she’s not going to make it.” They nodded frantically and hurried home. When they returned, they were carrying several of my old diaries. 2 My mother impatiently flipped open a diary from my elementary school years and began reading aloud. June 1st, 2010 My name is Mia Sterling. My aunts told me that before my older sister, Chloe, died, her last words were: “I want to be Mommy’s child again in my next life.” And because of that, I was born. Aside from the beauty mark under my eye, I was completely different from my sister. Chloe loved pink. I loved blue. But to honor my dead sister, and in the desperate hope that my parents might love me a little more, I silently wore nothing but pink clothes. Even if the love they gave me was actually meant for Chloe, I was still happy. Because Mommy and Daddy were all I had. Until today, Children’s Day. My desk-mate Lily had this beautiful blue dress. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. Lily saw how much I loved it, and offered to trade outfits with me for a little while after the school talent show. I didn’t dare wear it outside. I hid in the bathroom stalls to try it on. Lily told me I looked so pretty, and that blue was my color. She said she wanted to take a few pictures of me. Just as I posed for the camera, my mother burst in. When she saw the dress, she lost her mind. She violently ripped the dress off my body, then slapped me across the face, over and over, screaming curses at me. It hurt so much, and I felt so humiliated. I cried hysterically. Lily jumped in front of me, trying to stop my mother from hitting me. But my mother, completely blind with rage, beat her too. She hit Lily so hard her ear started bleeding. When Lily’s mother found out, she came to our house demanding an explanation. But my mother just screamed back, “Your daughter deserved to be hit! Who told her to swap clothes with my daughter?! And she tried to stop me from disciplining my own child! Sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong! If she hadn’t gotten in my way, do you think I would have touched her?! My daughter is forbidden to wear blue!” After that, Lily never spoke to me again. The beating left her partially deaf in one ear. I lost the only real friend I had. When the other kids in my class found out what happened, they avoided me like the plague. My father sighed heavily after hearing that. My mother stubbornly defended herself. “Whenever I see the color blue, all I can think about is the day Chloe died in that car crash. She was wearing blue! Our precious Chloe was only seventeen. She hadn’t even lived her life yet, and she was taken from us. The color blue terrifies me!” Terrified of blue? What a joke. It was just because my sister didn’t like blue. But even though I wore the same colors as her… I was still never as smart as my sister. 3 The next day, it was my father’s turn to read. April 25th, 2010 We got our math tests back today. I only scored an 87. My teacher looked at me with deep disappointment and sighed, “If this were Chloe, she definitely would have gotten a perfect score.” But I really did try my best. After school, I was terrified to go home. If I didn’t get a 100, I wasn’t allowed to eat dinner, and I would be beaten. I wandered the streets, hoping to delay going back until it was completely dark. Suddenly, a strange man started talking to me. I ignored him. My teachers always said never to talk to strangers. When I kept ignoring him, he got angry. He grabbed me, picked me up, and started carrying me toward a dark alley. I was terrified. I screamed and thrashed as hard as I could. Suddenly, an older boy yelled at him, “Where are you taking my sister?! If you don’t put her down right now, I’m calling my dad!” The boy pointed toward a random man walking down the street. The stranger panicked, dropped me, and ran away. The boy told me not to be scared. He asked why I wasn’t going home even though it was getting dark. I ended up telling him everything. He comforted me. “You did a great job on your test! Your parents must be so worried about you since you’re out this late. Even if they prefer your older sister, it’s impossible that they don’t love you at all. Maybe they just don’t know how to show it. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you home.” Hearing his words gave me hope. He was right—how could they not love me at all? The boy walked me to my front door. I felt anxious, but also hopeful. 4 The moment I walked in, I saw my mother standing there. When she saw I had been brought home, she looked panicked and pulled me into a tight hug. “Mia! Where have you been? Mommy was worried sick!” Was I dreaming? My mother actually worried about me. The boy was right—she did love me! Tears welled up in my eyes. Her hug felt so warm. “This boy walked me home.” As I told her what happened, her expression shifted between fear and anger. But whenever she looked at me, her eyes were full of love! My mother thanked the boy profusely, and he left. I gently closed the front door and turned around. My mother’s face was completely dark. The hopeful light in my eyes instantly died. Because in her hand, she was holding the wooden ruler. She yanked me toward her by the arm and ripped my test paper out of my backpack. When she saw the score, pure rage twisted her face. She grabbed me by the ear and screamed: “Eighty-seven! How many times have I told you?! You need to get a hundred! A hundred! You worthless piece of trash! What is wrong with your brain that you can’t even get a perfect score?! Is it really that hard?! When are you going to be like your sister?! You’re nothing like my child!” It was all fake. It was all a lie. She only hugged me to put on a show for the boy. She didn’t love me at all. The wooden ruler came down on me, each strike harder than the last. My screams and crying were so loud that our neighbor came over and knocked on the door, demanding to know what was going on. I thought my mother would finally stop. But after she dismissed the neighbor, the beating continued. My instinct to cry and dodge only made her hit me harder. “Shut up, you little brat! Stop crying! Do you want the whole building to know I’m hitting you?! Do you think crying is going to make me stop?!” She bound my hands and feet and slapped a piece of duct tape over my mouth. She swapped the wooden ruler for a bamboo cane. Thwack after thwack. The agonizing pain made me writhe on the floor like a maggot. She didn’t stop until she was completely exhausted and my nose was bleeding heavily. Cursing me, she finally untied my hands. I limped to my room and curled up in the corner, licking my wounds like a stray animal. My tears mixed with the blood from my nose. My entire body felt like it was on fire, covered in angry red welts. I hugged my knees and stared blankly at the floor. I’m so stupid. Maybe I really wasn’t her child. That’s why I couldn’t get a perfect score, and why she didn’t love me and hit me so viciously. Yes, that had to be it. How could a mother in this world not love her own child? If she loved me, she wouldn’t treat me like this. Where was my real mother? When was she going to come find me? 5 My father finished reading and fell silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke: “Even though Mia isn’t as smart as Chloe, you promised me you wouldn’t hit her anymore! When the neighbor asked me about it, I had to spend an hour making excuses! We are highly educated academics! Do you know how humiliating it is for people to think we beat our kids?!” Humiliating. How laughable. Is his pride more important than his own daughter? My mother scoffed coldly, her tone entirely justified: “I hit her for her own good! Spare the rod, spoil the child! What parent hasn’t disciplined their kids? Chloe got perfect scores, so she had to get perfect scores too! That’s the only way she can be like Chloe. Besides, her grades went up after I hit her, didn’t they?! And after that incident, I never laid a hand on her again!” Never laid a hand on me again? She hit me so often she probably lost count. 6 My father didn’t argue. He essentially agreed with her. It was true. I wasn’t as exceptional as my sister. I couldn’t bring him glory or prestige. No one ever complimented him anymore, saying, “As expected of a Professor, you raised such a brilliant daughter!” Whenever his colleagues or friends met me, they would shake their heads and sigh with pity. “It’s such a tragedy about Chloe. What a brilliant, outstanding girl!” “Mia just doesn’t have her sister’s spark. Such a shame.” “Chloe got a full ride to Princeton. She had so much potential, and she was so beautiful.” I began to grow curious about my sister’s legendary legacy. I tried to piece together an image of her from the fragmented comments of the adults around me. That curiosity only grew stronger. I desperately wanted to go into her bedroom to see for myself. But my mother forbade anyone from entering Chloe’s room. She cleaned it personally every single week. Curiosity killed the cat. One afternoon, driven by some inexplicable urge, I sneaked into that room. 7 My father’s throat was dry from reading. He chugged a glass of water and tossed the diary to my mother. She flipped casually to a page and started reading. September 27th, 2013 My mother forgot to lock my sister’s room today. I finally got the chance to go inside. My sister’s room was pink, just like mine. The room was immaculate. There wasn’t a speck of dust on the desk. In the corner, there was a beautiful ballet tutu displayed on a mannequin. The largest wall was completely covered in academic awards and certificates. Her desk was crowded with trophies of all sizes and stacks of honors. My sister was so amazing. I hadn’t earned even a fraction of the honors she had in her entire life. There were also many carefully framed photos on her desk. Photos of my sister alone, photos of her and my mother, photos of her and my father, and photos of the three of them together. Their smiles were so bright and radiant. They had never smiled at me like that. I didn’t have any solo portraits displayed in the house, and I definitely didn’t have any family photos like that. Suddenly, my mother came home. She caught me in my sister’s room.

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When I finally got pregnant and was preparing to dump the father and keep the baby, I accidentally discovered my boyfriend was the heir to a massive corporate empire. I patted the one-million-dollar check in my pocket, ready to toss it at him as a breakup fee, and then caught a glimpse of the Patek Philippe watch on his wrist that I had always assumed was a fake. God damn it, he’s actually filthy rich! Terrified he would fight me for custody, I hid my pregnancy and skipped town overnight. [I’m tired of paying for your life! We’re done, you broke loser!] Two days later, I was dropping serious cash in a high-end maternity boutique. Suddenly, someone yanked the hood of my sweatshirt backward. “Baby, care to explain why you’re stocking up on prenatal vitamins?” 1 My family owned a plot of land out in the suburbs. After three generations of hard work, my grandfather had built a massive, sprawling farmhouse on it. It wasn’t pretty. It was just big. So big I could literally ride a Razor scooter laps around the living room. Even though the house was huge, it wasn’t worth much. Because everything surrounding it was just farmland and dirt roads. Until one day, the city council rezoned our area for a massive new sports stadium complex. My childhood home, that big, ugly farmhouse… was demolished. A bright red circle with an ‘X’ was spray-painted on our exterior wall, and the warm home I grew up in vanished. It transformed into a freezing, hard sixty million dollars sitting in our bank account. With a heavy heart, I walked away from my home without looking back, officially becoming a newly minted member of the nouveau riche. 2 I’m an only child. My parents’ expectations for me were incredibly low: just be happy and stay alive. When we were poor, my parents were extremely relaxed about the concept of marriage. “Luna, sweetie, if you find someone you like, get married. If not, don’t worry about it. It’s not like we have a throne to pass down. As long as you’re happy.” Once we became millionaires overnight, their tune changed drastically. “Luna Sterling. You don’t have to get married, but you absolutely must have a child. We actually do have a throne to pass down now.” Look at that. They even started using my full legal name. They were getting formal. I completely agreed with their logic and began my hunt for an outstanding specimen of a man. As everyone knows, truly excellent men rarely circulate on the open market. After five rounds of blind dates, the guys were either gold-diggers drooling over my family’s new fortune, or arrogant heirs from established corporate families who looked down on my “new money” status but still wanted to bleed me dry. Summary: Not a single usable candidate. I gave up on blind dating entirely and decided to source my own material. I looked high and low until my sights landed on an exclusive, high-end private club downtown. I paid a hefty premium just to get my hands on a membership card. Rumor had it their male hosts were top-tier gorgeous, and they strictly sold companionship, not their bodies. Hilarious. I didn’t need them to sell their bodies. If I saw one I liked, wouldn’t a little wave of my finger be enough to hook him? A young, rich, beautiful woman like me is practically impossible to find. A lowly club host? He’d be eating out of the palm of my hand. 3 My master plan failed immediately. I hit a massive roadblock on my very first deployment. I booked a private VIP room and requested the club’s newest, most handsome host to keep me company. The club was massive. Hoping to catch a glimpse of some other eye candy along the way, I refused the hostess’s offer to escort me, just asking for directions instead. I wandered through a maze of hallways, currently standing in front of two doors, deep in thought. Was it room “886” or “668”? Instant amnesia. I pulled out my phone to double-check when the slightly ajar door of room 886 was pushed open by a draft. A deep, raspy male voice drifted out. “Come in.” Oh, sweet Lord. That has to be my guy. His voice was incredible. This was an ultra-exclusive club. “886” was exactly the kind of tacky, uncultured room number a newly rich person like me would pick. I didn’t hesitate. I pushed the door open. Sure enough, a man was leaning back on the leather sofa. His suit jacket was draped over the backrest. The sleeves of his black dress shirt were rolled up halfway, revealing lean, muscular forearms. You didn’t even have to look closely to see the prominent veins. His collar wasn’t unbuttoned, but his tie was slightly loosened. That half-undressed, effortless vibe? Who wouldn’t fold instantly? Well, I definitely did. But what stood out even more than his body was his face. If he debuted in Hollywood right now, he’d be an A-list star in minutes. He was on a completely different level than the usual guys you see around. He seemed to have had a few drinks and was resting with his eyes closed. I made a decent amount of noise walking into the room, but he didn’t even twitch an eyelid. I swallowed hard and slowly crept toward him. No wonder his base rate was three thousand dollars just for drinks. For this kind of premium quality, I’d gladly pay ten grand! The man spoke without opening his eyes: “Clean yourself up. We’re going to my room.” Huh? Clean what up? Me? Or him? Go to his room? To do what?! Didn’t they say these guys didn’t sell their bodies?! Coming on this strong right out of the gate… even if he was gorgeous, I had standards! I asked completely seriously, “Can you show me your most recent STD panel first? I’m a little paranoid.” I wasn’t about to catch something and bring it home! The man finally opened his eyes. His brows furrowed tightly. He didn’t say a word. I tried to be accommodating. “I can pay extra.” His face remained a blank, freezing mask. Damn it. Nobody told me these club hosts had such fragile egos! He wouldn’t even show me his medical records! I was physically thrown out of the room by him. I was furious. I was definitely not requesting him next time. No, wait… I probably will. He was seriously, objectively hot. 4 I ran into the hot host again. This time, on my university campus. Hard to believe, but even after five rounds of blind dates, I still hadn’t graduated college. It wasn’t my fault. The decent guys on campus were all taken. The single ones either weren’t interested in dating, or they were total players. Twenty-two is the prime age for everything, including having kids. Have them early, recover early, and they grow up early. My family has money. I didn’t need to stress over education funds. My grand master plan: Get the baby-making done before I turned twenty-five. I still had three years. Spotting the host, I very “casually” shifted my designer bag so the massive ‘LV’ logo was practically flashing in his face. Just a little subtle flexing. He walked right past me without a single reaction. Excellent. You’ve officially secured my attention, sir. I sprinted in front of him and blocked his path. “Hold on! You’re one of the low-income scholarship students here, right?” I saw him with my own two eyes. He just walked out of Room 306 in Building A. The campus PA system had been blasting all morning, announcing a mandatory meeting for all low-income students in that exact room. No wonder he had to moonlight at that shady club. I flashed my most confident smile. “How about this? You become my guy. I’ll give you twenty grand a month, and you never have to do that kind of dirty work again.” He raised an eyebrow. “Twenty grand?” Not enough? Makes sense. His base rate for one night was three grand. I gritted my teeth. “Fifty grand.” He looked at me, an amused, unreadable expression on his face. “Which ‘dirty work’ exactly?” See? I knew there was no problem that throwing more money at couldn’t solve. Since he had accepted my arrangement, he belonged to me now. “You don’t need to go back to that club. I’m taking care of you now.” I laid down my very reasonable terms: “Of course, I still need to see your medical records. I can go with you to the clinic tomorrow.” He narrowed his eyes, clearly calculating something. Suddenly, he smirked. “Deal.” I was incredibly pleased with myself. I had officially secured myself a hot, broke college boy. 5 My broke college boy’s name was Oliver Vance. He wouldn’t tell me anything else about himself. I figured he was probably worried that if news of our arrangement leaked, it would ruin his reputation on campus. As a generous, forgiving sugar mommy, I completely understood. Oliver was in perfect health. Not a single red flag on his medical panel. The only slight issue was… he was incredibly, painfully pure. He wouldn’t even let me hold his hand. It took until month two for hand-holding, and month three for a quick peck on the lips. And then… total stagnation. No further progress. Until the day I graduated. On graduation day, I was buzzing with excitement. By then, I had been paying his allowance for six months. To maximize our time together, I had rented an apartment near campus, and we had been living together for three months. Living together for three months and not crossing the final line? If I told anyone, I wouldn’t even believe it myself. Using my graduation as the perfect excuse, I demanded a gift. Oliver was in the kitchen washing vegetables, prepping dinner. I wrapped my arms around him from behind. “Mr. Vance, I graduated today! Where is my present?” He turned off the faucet. “It’s in my room. I’ll give it to you after dinner.” I shook my head against his back. “No. I don’t want that present.” He chuckled softly. “You haven’t even seen it yet, and you already don’t want it?” I nodded emphatically. “There is only one present I want today.” I wrapped my arms tighter around his neck. “I’ve been paying your bills for six months. It’s time you made a substantial contribution.” “Tonight, your only job is to please your sugar mommy.”

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“Buy one, get the second half price!” the barista chirped, referring to the coffee. My high-strung boyfriend, Robert Vance, and I were debating flavors when the barista suddenly turned snarky: “Only for couples, sweetie. Mistresses aren’t eligible.” Before I could even process it, Robert had already paid for two coffees. He took my hand and led me out. Seeing my frown, he offered a wry, resigned smile. “It’s just five extra bucks, is it really that big a deal?” I was about to argue when his neighbor gasped: “Robert! Your girlfriend’s been home all afternoon, cooking dinner for you… How could you do this to her?” 1 The moment the words left her mouth, Robert’s apartment door swung open from the inside. A fair-skinned, simply dressed woman, clutching a trash bag, met my gaze. She showed no panic. Casually, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiled warmly. “You must be Rachel, right? I’m Cathy.” Then, Cathy shot Robert a playfully chiding look. “You didn’t tell me Rachel was coming to Northwood… Take her inside first. I’ll just take out the trash; I still haven’t made your favorite sweet and sour ribs.” I stared at the scene, feeling utterly bewildered. For a moment, I truly didn’t know who Robert’s girlfriend was supposed to be. I instinctively tugged on Robert’s hand, about to question him. But he let go of my hand. Frowning, his expression grave, he stepped forward and said to Cathy: “Your wrist has been bothering you. Didn’t the doctor say no housework?” Robert didn’t wait for an argument. He took the trash bag from Cathy’s hand and strode into the elevator, leaving me standing there, utterly confused. After a long silence, the neighbor lady offered an awkward laugh. “Oh, so she’s a relative from back home… Heh, I knew it. Cathy, you two are so in love… Robert is such a respectable, upright man, he would never bring a mistress home. My apologies, I misunderstood. I was actually about to defend you.” With that, the neighbor lady hurried off with her groceries into the apartment next door. Cathy made no move to explain. She simply pushed up her glasses, smiled, and opened the door. “It’s quite cold out, come in quickly. You can sit wherever you like for now. I’ll call Robert and tell him to pick up a package at the downstairs post office. Otherwise, he won’t have any soft tissues left.” I stood in the living room, watching Cathy busy herself, clearly acting as the lady of the house. My face set in a cold mask, I spoke: “You know I’m Robert Vance’s girlfriend, right?” 2 Honestly, ever since we were buying coffee, I’d felt a subtle unease. But Robert had remained as aloof and restrained as ever, his expression indifferent, not at all like someone with something to hide. Besides, I didn’t want to cause a public scene. But now, looking at the matching couple’s slippers in Robert’s rental apartment, and the abundance of pink items throughout the room, I couldn’t maintain my composure any longer. “Robert and I have been together for four years, with one year of long-distance. And you, so shamelessly, interjected—” “What are you talking about?” Robert suddenly appeared, cutting me off with a sharp tone. He stood tall and handsome, looking down at me. “Cathy is the ‘study partner’ I told you about, the one I’m preparing for graduate school with. The ‘girlfriend’ story was just a lie we used to fend off unwanted attention for each other. I also benefited from this fake relationship, so how can you be so malicious towards Cathy?” I gripped my palms tightly, trying not to let the tears fall. Cathy offered a helpless smile, gracefully and understandingly diffusing the situation. “Robert, don’t be so harsh on Rachel. She doesn’t know the truth, so it’s natural for her to think that way. Young women, you know, it’s quite normal for them to be a bit emotionally driven in relationships and unconsciously compete. That’s why I told you not to tell her about it. See, she’s upset, isn’t she?” I laughed, a bitter sound. “Aren’t you a woman?” Cathy let out an “Oh?” a flicker of mockery in her eyes. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just, Robert mentioned you went to a regular university and drifted into a typical company right after graduation—” “I just felt that your values aren’t quite the same as ours, you know, those of us who are striving for the top.” She smiled sweetly, offering me a glass of warm water. “Besides, you’re so beautiful and you wear makeup, unlike me, who has no sense of style and only studies. Don’t worry, I’m not interested in marriage; men aren’t part of my life plan. So you don’t need to see me as an imaginary rival.” The glass hung in mid-air. I didn’t take it. After a long moment, the smile on Cathy’s face began to falter. It wasn’t until Robert chuckled, took the glass, and intimately pulled me into his embrace, murmuring tenderly, “There, there, we haven’t seen each other in months, and you’re already a little jealous, huh? The coffee will get cold if you don’t drink it; you can have mine too, okay?” Cathy turned away, a knowing smile on her face, and discreetly entered the kitchen. Robert, meanwhile, slipped his hand under the hem of my white top. “Your favorite six-pack, want to check if it’s up to par?” A firm, warm sensation instantly met my touch. My face flushed. I quickly pulled my hand away, looking up at Robert’s restrained, handsome face. I suddenly remembered that when I first met him, he was as cold as ice to every other woman. Only with me would Robert reveal a different side. He said solemnly, “It’s truly just to ward off unwanted attention, nothing more. We’re long-distance; don’t you have that much trust in me? If you really can’t accept it, then quit that job quickly and come to Northwood to end the long-distance relationship—” “Oh!” I almost forgot the real reason I came to see Robert. I hesitated, “My boss thinks highly of me and plans to—” She planned to transfer me to headquarters, but before I could finish, a scream came from the kitchen. Robert’s expression changed abruptly. “Cathy, what happened?” I watched his tall, broad back as he hurried into the kitchen. Then I looked down at my phone, where my boss’s message read, “What have you decided?” I fell into a contemplative silence. 3 Honestly, the chance to transfer to headquarters was offered to only me and one other male intern from this batch. It was a rare opportunity. But if I transferred, my relationship with Robert would face an even tougher challenge. I couldn’t bear the thought. After all, I had put in a lot of effort to win over this aloof man. As I was agonizing over the decision, my boss sent another message: “I’ll give you three days to think about it.” I sighed in relief, put away my phone, and called out to the kitchen: “What happened? Is everything alright?” 4 I’d heard Robert talk about his “study partner” before. A small-town girl who had only made it this far because of her family’s collective support. Determined, unafraid of hardship or fatigue. So, despite not having a particular fondness for Cathy, seeing her pale and in pain, my heart sank. “Do you need to go to the hospital?” “What else?” Robert’s eyes were cold and merciless. He scooped up the frail Cathy and said indifferently, “Cathy knew you loved sweet and sour pork, so she wanted to make some for you—that’s why she got burned when frying the meat.” “Rachel—” He looked at me, speaking each word distinctly, “Do you know that her dream is to be a doctor? If something happens to Cathy’s hand, then her dream will never be realized.” I stared at Robert in surprise, unable to believe these were words from his usually rational and calm self. “Rachel, I’m so sorry my presence has caused you trouble,” Cathy’s voice trembled, tinged with a cry. “But right now, I need your boyfriend to take me to the hospital. Don’t worry, we only pretend to be a couple in front of outsiders; there’s nothing inappropriate going on. Today is a special circumstance. I never expected the hot oil to splatter when frying the meat… My intention was to…” “It’s not your fault, there’s no need to be so servile.” Robert said, grabbing his phone. “Even if she were a stranger, I’d still take her to the hospital.” He held Cathy in his arms. His face devoid of expression, he looked at me. “Open the door.” I mulled over Robert’s words, feeling a little confused. “It’s not her fault” was implying—was it my fault? 5 After Robert and Cathy left, I stood alone at the door, stunned for a long time. I replied to my boss’s message: “No need to consider. I’m taking the transfer.” When Mrs. Vance called, I was discussing the details with my boss. Her voice was as kind as ever. “Rachel, have you seen Robert?” I mumbled a dull “Mhm,” “Yes, I did.” My heart was heavy with grievances, and for a moment, I didn’t know where to begin. Just as I was about to speak, I heard Mrs. Vance say earnestly: “A few days ago, Robert called me, and he sounded like he had something to say but couldn’t. I knew he had something difficult to talk about. After I pressed him, he finally said he wanted your uncle, Mr. Vance, to pull some strings and get you an introduction to a big company in Northwood…” She sighed, “He sounded quite distressed to me. After all, you’re his first love, and your personalities complement each other so well. Only with you can Robert truly relax and be himself. They’ve been long-distance for so long, I guess he can’t bear it anymore, but he didn’t want to bring it up directly…” My dormant heart instantly rekindled. I nervously confirmed, “Really? I thought—” “Of course! When I said it was no problem, Robert was as happy as could be.” Mrs. Vance was emphatic. “He’s never shown his emotions much since he was a child. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him like that. So, Rachel, when are you going to resign—” I took a deep breath. “Thank you for Mr. and Mrs. Vance’s kindness, but I don’t have plans to resign for now.” I gently cut her off, my voice soft. “I really like this job. My boss values me highly. I can’t give all of this up for Robert. A big company is great, but it might not suit me.” She seemed surprised that I would refuse. After a long silence on the other end, Mrs. Vance gave an awkward laugh. “You pursued Robert for so long; this is a good opportunity… It’s alright, Rachel, just think about it some more…” I wanted to say “no need to think about it,” but I felt Mrs. Vance was well-meaning. I could only slowly hum a “Mhm.” 6 After the call ended, I stood in the empty room and let out a long breath, preparing to leave. But then I noticed a small gift box on the floor—it must have fallen out of Robert’s pocket in his haste. As if possessed, I stopped and picked it up. Inside were two dazzling diamond rings. DR. Only one can be custom-made in a lifetime. And the buyer was Robert Vance. Connecting this with what Mrs. Vance had just said, a wave of guilt washed over me. So Robert had been thinking about our future. And here I was, about to leave in a huff, without even communicating with him. I calmed down, put on a ring, and prepared to call Robert. But his name popped up on my screen first. I answered, eager to speak. “Robert, you dropped something, didn’t you?” “Mhm.” Robert hadn’t expected me to answer so quickly; he sounded a little surprised, then quickly composed himself. “Cathy’s wound has been treated; it’s not serious. She just needs another dressing change in the morning, then she can leave. I’m sorry, I was too rushed just now.” He paused, his voice hoarse. “Do you have time now to help me—” I looked at the sparkling diamond ring on my ring finger, remembering the happy times with Robert. I answered preemptively, “Yes, I do. I can.” Robert sounded much relieved, chuckling, “That’s good. Cathy’s period started early, and her usual feminine pads are in the bathroom cabinet’s hidden compartment. I didn’t want to trouble you, but Cathy’s alone at the hospital, and I can’t leave her. She also has a weak constitution, so she can’t use just any brand—” Cathy’s voice echoed from the other end. Robert tersely sent me a location, then hung up. My smile was still frozen on my face. My hand remained suspended in mid-air. Only the steady beeping of the dial tone remained in my ear, as if to remind me: The dream is over. 7 After much thought: We are all adults. Ending a relationship should be done face-to-face, out of respect for our four years together. Thirty minutes later, I stood in the emergency room. I spotted Robert and Cathy at once. In the chaotic, bustling environment, they alone seemed untouched by time, serene and out of place. As if sensing something, Robert happened to turn his head, and our eyes met. He looked at me, then at the bag in my hand. With a casual, almost languid gesture, like a mythical seducing sprite, he beckoned to me, his voice soft: “Rachel, how can you be so adorable?” Saying this, Robert raised an eyebrow at Cathy and chuckled. “I told you my girlfriend isn’t petty-minded. See?” Cathy’s face soured for a moment. She offered a perfunctory laugh. As she lowered her gaze, a flicker of malevolence flashed in her eyes. Robert didn’t notice. He was only concerned with taking the items from my hand. The next second, he suddenly noticed the diamond ring on my hand. His expression changed dramatically. “Why did you just take someone else’s things?” Before I could react, he coldly slipped the ring off my finger. “Cathy recently got entangled with a senior, so she spent a long time saving up to buy these rings. It was just to make people believe she had a boyfriend and that they were very much in love. It was to ward off unwanted attention—” Robert’s eyes were cold; he seemed to be forcing himself to calm down, lowering his voice. “I know you’re anxious about the progress of our relationship. But you can’t just take other people’s things.” I looked down, seeing my slightly red finger, and felt my eyes well up. No wonder it had been so hard to put on. I thought I had gained weight, but it turned out… Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Adrian Miller, the male colleague I was being transferred with, called on video. On the other end, he laughed openly and uninhibitedly: “Just two more weeks until we leave. Ms. Davies, when will you be back to hand over your work?” … Thud. The things in Robert’s hand fell to the floor. His eyes darkened, and his voice was hoarse: “Hand over work? Rachel, where are you going?”

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My husband received a text message late one night. [They say you’re married. If you’re happy, don’t reply to this message.] My husband didn’t move. He only smiled after I’d finished reading it. “Learning to check up on me now, are we?” His open demeanor showed no hint of guilt. I calmly put the phone back down. Not a word was said. It wasn’t until past midnight that I saw him meticulously composing a reply to that number. [How have you been all these years?] 1 When Leo met my clear, wakeful gaze, there was a momentary flicker of guilt. “Why are you awake? Did I wake you?” My eyes fell on his screen, lit up once more. Suddenly, I felt weary. “No, go back to sleep.” Leo visibly relaxed, exhaling softly. He carefully lifted the covers, his breathing hushed. My face was turned the other way, but I could clearly see the light from his phone flickering on his side of the bed. We didn’t need to say it out loud. We both knew the owner of that number: Kitty Kingsley. She was finally… back. Everyone knew. Kitty Kingsley had pursued Leo for three years. Leo, usually so reserved, was gradually moved by her persistence. On her birthday, he promised to grant her one wish. Everyone silently knew what Kitty’s wish would be. But as fireworks erupted, Kitty was nowhere to be found. Until someone pushed open the private room door. She was entangled with Leo’s best friend. Seeing Leo, her eyes widened in terror. “How are you here?! Then who is he?! You shouldn’t have…” She pointed at the man on the sofa, belatedly trying to shield her body. Fate had played a cruel trick on them. Kitty’s spiked drink had gone to the wrong person. The wind was strong that day. She dressed, tears streaming down her face. “Leo… Can we still be together…?” Leo stared at her, his voice hoarse as he looked away. “It’s already past midnight. The wish… it doesn’t count anymore…” She left the country in tears. Even today. I glanced at the calendar. In three days, it would be her birthday again. Her birthday. Another chance for wishes. Before the storm, everything was calm, like any other day. Leo was adjusting his tie again, glancing at me as if by accident. “I’ll be going on a business trip in a few days.” My hand, brushing my hair, paused. I only asked, “A few days?” He didn’t look at me, just turned his face away. “Three days from now, to Seattle. Is there anything you like? I’ll bring it back for you.” What else could I want? I put down my comb, gently straightening his tie. “When you come back, I’ll tell you what gift I want.” Leo chuckled. “Another riddle? What if you don’t like what I bring back?” I never answered his question. I thought. No matter what he brought back, I wouldn’t be satisfied. I didn’t need to deliberately inquire to know Kitty Kingsley’s activities. Among our mutual friends, everyone was posting photos on social media of the souvenirs she’d brought back. Only Leo and I hadn’t received any. A friend said, “But she clearly said she had big gifts for everyone, especially Leo—” The friend stopped talking. The entire room fell silent. We all imagined what that ‘big gift’ might be. The friend awkwardly added, “Maybe it’s a private gift she gave him, not for public display, haha…” Someone coughed as a reminder. The friend immediately tried to backtrack, “I mean, a tangible gift, not something… intimate…” The friend clapped a hand over their mouth. I smiled, finished the remaining half-glass of wine. “Next time, I have other plans.” I didn’t walk far, still able to hear my friend’s frustrated voice. “Oh, my big mouth!” Leo and I should never have ended up together. His and Kitty’s convoluted fate was too dramatic. No one would willingly be a mere backdrop to such a story. Yet, unexpectedly, I met Leo during a blind date. I treated the meal like a casual gathering with an old friend. As I was leaving, he stopped me. “Should I go home and wait for your call?” I froze. He shrugged. “This isn’t just a formality for me. I’m serious. I’m very pleased with you, Lena.” I had only one month left until my thirtieth birthday. Leo appeared. Limited relationship history. Emotionally stable, no bad habits. Our social circles overlapped, and his assets easily surpassed mine by a digit. I had to admit. He was the pinnacle of the dating market. And so, Leo and I had our second meeting—at my home. He brought expensive gifts, even a sincere proposal. He skipped all the usual dating steps. Yet, no wedding custom was missed. And so we ended up together… I wasn’t without attempts to change this life. During one of Leo’s drunken nights, I asked him, “Are you content with a life like this, unchanging, forever?” Leo looked at me then, his eyes veiled with a smile. “Being rebellious, having unforgettable experiences—those are things for youth.” Leo fell asleep. In the soft hum of his slumber, I couldn’t help but wonder. Whose unforgettable experience… was he thinking of? Just like in many novels. At this stage, Kitty Kingsley was bound to come and provoke me, his legal partner. But she was smart. She added me on a dummy account. And in every single picture, Leo himself wasn’t visible. But I knew him too well. The silhouette reflected on the snow. The hands intertwined with Kitty’s. He had meticulously removed his wedding ring, leaving only the faint mark on his ring finger. I stared at the snowy landscape and laughed out loud. So it wasn’t Seattle. It was Aspen. When he returned, a familiar smile played on his lips. “Didn’t tell you beforehand, wanted to surprise you!” I didn’t reach for the beautifully wrapped gift box. Leo keenly sensed something was wrong, his brow furrowing slightly. “What’s wrong? Not happy?” I glanced at his gift box, speaking calmly. “That brand has a boutique here. No need to trouble yourself with a trip to Aspen.” Leo’s expression froze. He silently put down the gift bag. “I was careless. I forgot to tell you I rerouted from Seattle to Aspen. If you don’t like this gift, what do you like? Or should I have someone buy something from Seattle?” His eyes were downcast as he untied his tie. His wedding ring was still securely on his finger, as if he truly had just returned from a business trip. If only I hadn’t seen that small red mark on his neck. He came over and gently hugged me, his voice soft. “Wife, don’t be upset.” As if desperate to prove something, Leo was exceptionally attentive. I avoided his lips and, with a heavy heart, stated, “You have something on your neck.” Leo looked at me strangely. When he emerged from the bathroom, he stiffly explained, “Maybe I ate something bad while I was away. I’m allergic.” Meticulous as he was, when he consciously made a mistake, his lies were impeccable. I didn’t press further. Catching a thief red-handed. Ding— Both our phones chimed simultaneously. Kitty Kingsley’s group message. [I’m going abroad next week. Before I leave, let’s all have a farewell get-together!] At the end, it was the hotel location she had booked. Leo frowned slightly, looking at me. “We shouldn’t go…” He didn’t finish his sentence. Our gazes met. “Go.” He stared at me silently, finally defeated, a blend of helplessness and indulgence in his voice: “Alright, anything to make my wife happy.” After so many years, I finally saw her in person, after her encounter with my husband. At the door of the private room, she wore a qipao with a daring slit, her eyes curved into a smile as she linked her arm through mine. “Lena, so slow. I waited especially for you.” Our eyes met. We both understood the meaning of ‘waited especially.’ Leo suddenly grabbed my arm from behind. Kitty turned around. From my angle, I could almost see her eyes redden slightly. “Leo is so protective of his wife. Can’t even be apart for a moment.” Leo’s expression was natural. He simply put his arm around my shoulders. “Of course, my wife is more important than anything.” The other friends chuckled. Only Kitty, with downcast eyes, then looked up, released me, and gracefully spun around in front of me with a dazzling smile. “Lena, tell me if what I’m wearing today suits the local aesthetic.” I didn’t have time to speak. She then added, “Someone once told me that I would look especially good in a qipao.” I looked up, glanced at Leo. “Qipaos are beautiful. And Leo, for example, really likes women in them.” In the private room, all laughter ceased. Everyone’s gaze turned to us. Leo didn’t speak, taking a sip of his drink, then took my hand and placed it on the table. “Yes, I like my wife in them the most.” Someone tried to smooth things over, arranging the food and drinks. Kitty had clearly drunk a little too much; her smile was distinctly bitter. “Lena, if only I hadn’t made that mistake back then…” I didn’t drink the wine. Instead, I chuckled softly. “Old wine is sweet, and it’s a good thing you two made up for the love you missed out on back then.” Those closest to us widened their eyes. “Enough!” a sharp voice roared. My words were abruptly cut off. Leo’s hand, clasping his glass, trembled slightly, betraying his emotions. He let out a breath, his gaze shifting to Kitty. “Are you drunk, or what? What nonsense are you telling my wife?!” She gasped, her eyes immediately welling up, tears pattering onto the table. Others awkwardly offered tissues, urging Leo to show her some compassion. Across the crowd, I looked at Leo. “You’re scolding me, but you’re insulting your mistress to maintain peace. Doesn’t that hurt?” Their movements all stopped. I stood up, giving my most sincere smile. “After all, you just slept together in Aspen. To turn on her so quickly, Leo, how heartbroken must Kitty be? Stop the act. Go comfort her.” In the chaotic private room, Leo remained frozen. Kitty even forgot to cry, covering her mouth in a panic. “Leo, I didn’t say anything…” I smiled, not missing the fleeting triumph in Kitty’s eyes. “I never thought one man, Leo, could make you obsess for so many years. I didn’t send you anything for your birthday a few days ago. Today, consider this my belated gift.” Before everyone’s eyes, I pulled out the divorce papers I had long prepared. In the hushed room, I could clearly hear Kitty’s breathing quicken. As I opened the cover, my wrist was suddenly grabbed fiercely. Leo’s eyes were dark. “Lena, it’s not what you think.” Our friends discreetly cleared out, leaving just Leo and me. His Adam’s apple bobbed violently. After a long moment, he finally managed to say, “I… I did have contact with Kitty.” I looked at him, not replying. A few minutes later, his voice was strained: “But I never had any intention of abandoning our family.” I waited a long time but heard nothing further. Impatient, I grabbed my bag to leave. But he instantly blocked my way. “Lena! Let me explain! If it weren’t for me back then, Kitty’s first time… wouldn’t have been with someone else…” He spoke rapidly. I scoffed. “So you regret it, and now you finally have a chance to make amends?” He frowned. “You’re too extreme. I only took her to Aspen once… Even if you didn’t expose us, after she leaves, we wouldn’t contact each other anymore.” “So you think what you did was right? The only mistake was that I shouldn’t have exposed it?” Faced with my questions, Leo remained silent. Before I could pull away and leave, he suddenly said, “Before we got married, you weren’t unaware of what was going on between her and me…” The main door was pulled open. I stood still. Everyone hadn’t left. Kitty Kingsley was surrounded by friends, looking pitiful. “These years, I’ve had it so hard abroad. But if there were any other way, who would want to leave their home and country…” I walked closer to her. Kitty couldn’t keep up the act, her expression defensive as she backed away. “Lena, you…” My hand raised high. Before it could fall, she yelped and cowered. Behind me, I heard the rapid sound of leather shoes. I smiled, leaning close to Kitty. “Don’t worry, I won’t hit you.” Behind me, Leo approached. The slap that never reached Kitty landed squarely on his face. CRACK! Everyone gasped. Kitty’s eyes immediately reddened. “Leo—” My palm tingled slightly. I shook my arm. My gaze fell on Leo’s astonished eyes. “Hitting her is illegal. Hitting you isn’t.” The pent-up frustration in my chest finally dissipated a little with that slap. I left alone. The mess, I left for Leo to clean up.

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On the day I was officially recognized by my biological family, I reclaimed my room from the fake heiress, tore her favorite dress to shreds, and called her a “country bumpkin” who could never truly belong in high society. The fake heiress, Chloe, screamed like a banshee, “Mia! You bitch!” Before I could even respond, my father delivered a resounding slap across her face. “Chloe! When will you learn to be as sensible and well-behaved as Mia? You are a profound disappointment!” My mother looked at her with pure ice in her eyes. “What an ungrateful little wretch.” Looking down at Chloe crumpled on the floor, the corners of my mouth curled into a smile. “Chloe, this time around, it’s your turn to taste what it feels like to be abandoned by everyone you love.” 1. When my mother finally regained consciousness, I was sitting quietly in the hospital chair next to her bed, diligently working on some math problems. Seeing her eyes open, I immediately stood up, my voice full of concern. “Ma’am, you’re awake! Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?” My mother offered a weak, pale smile. “Such a good girl. Thank you for everything.” She had fainted from a sudden drop in blood sugar on the street, and I had been the one to rush her to the hospital. Looking at the gentle, smiling woman in front of me… I couldn’t help but remember the look of utter disgust on her face in my past life as she screamed at me: “How could I have given birth to such an ignorant, classless daughter! If I had known, I would have just let the mistake remain a mistake!” Yes, the elegant socialite lying in the hospital bed was my biological mother. Only, she didn’t know it yet. I am the true heiress of the Sterling family, switched at birth. In my past life, I returned to the Sterling family with a heart full of desperate hope and joy, only to be met with cold stares and deep dissatisfaction from everyone. My father took one look at me, his brow furrowed in distaste. “Teach her some manners,” he ordered the staff, before immediately leaving for the office. My mother was polite but incredibly distant. “If you need anything, just tell Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper.” From the very beginning, their eyes only held affection for Chloe. And Chloe? She stood there wearing a limited-edition designer knit dress and custom Mary Janes, making her displeasure blatantly obvious. My mother even stroked her hair to comfort her. I pushed the cold memory away and poured a glass of warm water for the woman in the bed. My mother looked at me with overwhelming gratitude. Heh. How hilarious. In my past life, I spent every single day cooking and making elaborate soups, desperately trying to win my parents’ approval, and I never even got a smile in return. Now, a simple glass of water had my mother looking at me like I was a saint. I guess being their actual daughter was just a curse. Hearing my mother call the family chauffeur, I politely stood up to say goodbye. It was too early for me to meet anyone else from the Sterling family. My mother insisted on rewarding me, but I repeatedly declined. I only relented enough to leave her my contact information. Of course, the whole incident today was orchestrated. I “coincidentally” walked past her and “coincidentally” saved her life. In my past life, I remembered the housekeeper mentioning a time when my mother had a severe hypoglycemic episode on the street. It was a highly dangerous situation, but she was saved by a passing college student. That student eventually became my mother’s godson and was fast-tracked into an executive position at the Sterling Corporation. That godson’s name was Liam Vance, and he was also one of Chloe’s most devoted orbiters. In my past life, he had helped Chloe frame and torment me countless times. This time, I calculated the exact timing and stole his golden opportunity. Let’s see if he ever manages to set foot in the Sterling household now. 2. That evening, I returned to the home of my adoptive parents. My adoptive father, Arthur, was blackout drunk. The moment he saw me, he started screaming curses: “You worthless little money-pit! All you do all day is run around trying to seduce men! I’ll beat the life out of you!” My adoptive mother gave a half-hearted, token protest. “Alright, alright. You come home and throw a drunken tantrum every single day.” With that, she immediately ordered me to go wash the dishes. I obediently walked toward the kitchen, but Arthur wasn’t done. “You little bitch! Who told you to walk away?! You don’t even listen to your own father anymore?! Do you think you’re special?!” He whipped off his leather belt and started lashing it across my back. I didn’t dodge. I took every single brutal strike without making a sound. Let him hit me. If I didn’t have these welts and bruises, how was I going to play the sympathy card with my biological mother? Seeing that I wasn’t fighting back, Arthur got bored. He muttered “jinx” under his breath and stumbled back to his room to pass out. The next day, my biological mother arranged to meet me. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail and deliberately wore a faded, patched-up shirt and a pair of worn-out jeans. My facial features were strikingly similar to my mother’s—we both had bold, striking, and glamorous looks. Even though I was dressed in rags, it couldn’t hide my natural beauty. My mother was delighted to see me. She handed me a beautifully wrapped gift box. Inside was an exquisite, clearly expensive brooch. I pressed my lips together tightly. “Mrs. Sterling, you really shouldn’t have spent money on this. I… I have no use for something like this.” My mother finally took a close look at me, noticing my worn, patched clothing. A look of uncontrollable pity flooded her eyes. “It was very thoughtless of me. Let me take you to buy some clothes, okay?” I continued to refuse, working hard to project the image of a strong, resilient, but pure-hearted ‘white flower’. “Mrs. Sterling, I only did what anyone should do. You really don’t have to do this. If you really want to thank me, could you… could you buy me a set of advanced math workbooks instead?” Looking into my timid, careful eyes, my mother’s heart completely melted. She immediately ordered her driver to take us to the largest bookstore in the city. In the car, my mother accidentally brushed against my arm. I sharply sucked in a breath of air. “Hiss.” When my mother looked at me in alarm, I quickly pulled my arm away and hid it behind my back. Her face filled with suspicion. Ignoring my protests, she gently pulled my arm forward and rolled up the sleeve. When she saw the angry red welts and deep purple bruises crisscrossing my pale skin, she almost gasped out loud. “Mia, who did this to you? Is someone bullying you at school?!” I lowered my head, acting terrified to speak. “Have you told your parents? Is the school doing anything about this? I’m calling your principal right now!” I hurriedly grabbed her hand to stop her. “No, Mrs. Sterling! No one at school is bullying me. I promise.” My mother hesitated for a moment. “Was it your parents?” I bit my lip hard and gave a slow, barely perceptible nod. My mother looked absolutely horrified. “How could anyone treat their own biological daughter like this?” Watching her dramatic reaction, I sneered internally. Yeah, I wanted to ask the exact same question. How could anyone treat their biological daughter like that? In my past life, neither of my biological parents ever bothered to ask about the life I had lived before returning to them. Of course, they didn’t actually want to know. Even when I came home covered in scars, they pretended they were blind. And now? Seeing her express such profound concern made me feel nothing but absolute disgust. My mother insisted on taking me to a private clinic to get my injuries treated and bandaged. On the way there, her phone rang. Judging by her tone, it was definitely Chloe. “Didn’t you just buy a dozen designer bags last week? Why do you need another one so soon?” “Buy it, buy it. My daughter is being so sweet, how can I say no?” “The dessert shop on Lakeview Street? Okay, Mom will pick some up for you in a bit.” My mother hung up the phone, her face glowing with unconditional adoration. She even laughed and complained to me, “My daughter is an absolute menace. If only she could be as sensible and mature as you are.” I lowered my eyes and offered a small, self-deprecating smile. “I wish I had a mother like you.” Seeing the deep sense of loss on my pale face, my mother’s heart took a massive, painful hit. To cheer me up, she stopped at that same dessert shop and bought me the exact same pastries she got for Chloe. As soon as the Sterling family’s Maybach pulled away, my expression instantly reverted to total apathy. I casually tossed the expensive desserts straight into the nearest trash can. 3. On Monday, I was back in class. I overheard the teachers mentioning that several executives from local corporations would be touring the campus later that week. My mind started working immediately. I attended the most prestigious academic high school in the city. If my guess was correct, the Sterling Group would definitely be part of that delegation. I thought about it for a minute, then headed straight to the faculty office. Throughout the week, my mother frequently messaged me on WeChat, checking in on me, and had her driver randomly drop off expensive meals for me. I flawlessly maintained my persona: the fragile, resilient, tragically misunderstood girl. So incredibly sensible and mature that it broke your heart. The new week arrived, and the corporate delegation arrived on campus for their inspection tour. As Mr. Sterling and his entourage were guided past the main athletic field, my voice echoed clearly over the PA system: “Hello everyone, I am Mia, from the AP Junior Class…” The clear, confident voice of a young girl instantly drew the attention of the crowd. I stood at the podium, dressed in a spotless uniform, my hair pulled into a crisp high ponytail, sharing my academic strategies as the top-ranked student in the entire grade. The principal proactively introduced me to the delegation. “This is our valedictorian, Mia. She is a constant presence at national academic competitions. She is an exceptionally brilliant student with an incredibly bright future.” My father, who had naturally already heard about my heroic rescue of his wife, recognized my name immediately. Hearing the principal’s high praise, he nodded in strong approval. “We have that major charity initiative launching next week, and we need a few outstanding student volunteers as ambassadors. I think this Mia would be perfect for the role.” The principal readily agreed. It was a massive PR win for the school. When my homeroom teacher brought it up with me, I accepted enthusiastically. A few days later, I arrived at the designated location alongside several other top students. The charity initiative was focused on supporting underprivileged children, and the corporate coalition was funding the construction of a new school in a rural area. My father and several other powerful executives arrived shortly after. Wearing a bright red volunteer vest, I flashed a brilliant, sweet smile as I distributed supplies to the children. During the media interviews, I was poised, articulate, and completely unflappable. Even the principal nodded continuously, visibly astounded by my performance. When the news aired that evening, fueled by my striking looks and eloquent speech, the hashtag “#MostBeautifulVolunteer” skyrocketed to the top of the trending charts. The Sterling Group and the other corporations involved happily fanned the flames, injecting money to boost the algorithm. I leveraged the moment and created my own public social media accounts. Knowing that overexposure could backfire, I kept my content strictly focused on sharing high-level study tips and academic advice. When my mother heard about all this, she was utterly amazed. “Mia, you are so incredible! What kind of reward can Auntie give you for doing so well?” I smiled demurely, once again refusing any material gifts. “Mrs. Sterling, I really just enjoy your company. If you have time in the future, just coming to visit me is the best reward I could ask for.” Hearing my thoughtful, emotionally intelligent response, my mother was deeply moved. She pulled me into a hug, looking down as she pondered something. “Mia, Auntie knows you don’t care about material things. But what about the elite summer academic camp at Princeton? Would you want to go?” I smiled internally. Hook, line, and sinker. After all, once I officially returned to the Sterling family, I would have unlimited access to designer clothes and jewelry. Right now, utilizing their resources to elevate my own status and resume was the much smarter play. I immediately put on a mask of pure, absolute shock. “Really? Mrs. Sterling, is that really possible?!” Seeing the stars shining in my eyes, my mother couldn’t resist gently tapping my nose. “Of course it is! You are so incredibly driven; Auntie absolutely supports you.” I gasped in delight. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Sterling!” Soon enough, I attended the elite summer camp exactly as planned. I networked with some incredibly brilliant people and made a few very useful connections. On the day I returned, as I stepped off the chartered bus, a girl named Sarah called out to me. “Mia! Don’t forget to message me on WeChat when you get home!” I smiled and nodded, watching her skip happily away. But before I could even turn my head, I saw Sarah running directly toward someone. Chloe. Sarah and Chloe both attended the city’s most elite private prep school. It wasn’t surprising that they knew each other. Chloe was dressed in an expensive, preppy designer set. Her meticulous, full-face makeup made her stand out sharply among the crowd of tired students. The corners of my mouth slowly curled upward. Even if I was an exceptionally brilliant student, that wasn’t nearly enough to shake Chloe’s unassailable position in my parents’ hearts. But what if Chloe repeatedly, spectacularly disappointed them? I remembered something very specific. In my past life, Chloe and her little clique of mean girls relentlessly bullied a girl at their prep school for over a year. That girl was incredibly stubborn and nearly attempted suicide over it. Ultimately, Liam Vance stepped in and used his connections to make the problem quietly disappear for Chloe. But what if Liam Vance wasn’t there this time? Would Chloe still be so lucky? 4. I just didn’t expect my first face-to-face encounter with Chloe to happen so soon. That weekend, my mother invited me out. I assumed it would just be the two of us, like usual. Until Chloe stepped out of the luxury SUV. “Mia, I’ve been meaning to introduce you two! Chloe insisted on tagging along today, so I figured it was a great chance for you girls to get to know each other.” Chloe was wearing a black and white tweed Chanel suit, stepping out of the car with an aura of bored entitlement. One look, and you knew she was a stereotypical, spoiled rich girl. She frowned, looking me up and down. The disdain and intense defensive hostility in her eyes were glaringly obvious. “Mom, is this the Mia you never shut up about?” Chloe asked, deliberately clinging tightly to my mother’s arm. “Yes, this is Mia,” my mother said, looking at me with immense satisfaction. Chloe let out a mocking, playful smirk. “She definitely looks like she came from the country.” “Chloe! Watch your mouth! Where are your manners?!” My mother’s smile instantly vanished. She glared at Chloe, then turned to me, desperately trying to apologize. “Mia, please don’t take it to heart. Chloe doesn’t mean any harm. I’ve just spoiled her completely rotten.” I bit my lip hard, my eyes filling with a profound, lonely sadness. “It’s okay, Mrs. Sterling. Chloe is so incredibly lucky to have a mother as wonderful as you.” “Tsk. So fake,” Chloe sneered. Hearing Chloe’s cruel remark, my head dropped even lower, the corners of my mouth turning down in absolute defeat. This time, my mother was genuinely furious. “Chloe, your allowance is cut off for the rest of the week! Get back in the car and go home. Right now.” “Mom! You’re punishing me over this country bumpkin?! Are you my mother or hers?!” Chloe screamed, shot me a venomous, hateful glare, turned around, and stormed away. My mother apologized to me profusely, over and over. I played the understanding, mature friend, offering her gentle comfort. Seeing that she was in a terrible mood, I suggested we go to an art exhibition nearby. My mother immediately agreed. Upon entering the gallery, my mother was instantly captivated by a painting displayed prominently in the center of the hall. It was an abstract piece depicting a gentle, elegant woman looking down at an infant in her arms with profound, unconditional love. Even though the style was abstract, upon closer inspection, the woman in the painting bore a striking resemblance to my mother. “What is this?” my mother asked, astonished. “Mrs. Sterling, this is a gift from the young lady beside you,” the gallery attendant explained smoothly. “Mia, you did this?” I offered a sweet, innocent smile. “Mrs. Sterling, you’ve taken such incredible care of me, and I have nothing of value to offer you in return. I’ve been working part-time at this gallery, and I painted this myself. It’s for you. I hope you like it.” My mother looked absolutely astounded, moved entirely beyond words. In high society, they lack absolutely nothing material. What they value most is “genuine sincerity.” After this incident, my status in my mother’s heart skyrocketed. She became even more dedicated to me. She visited me every weekend, or whenever she had a spare moment. When she discovered my natural talent for art, she personally hired a renowned master painter to give me private tutoring. I comfortably, unapologetically absorbed every single benefit and resource my mother provided. Are you kidding? All of this belonged to me in the first place. I accepted it all without a shred of guilt. Meanwhile, I began communicating much more frequently with Sarah. Through her, I confirmed that Chloe was, exactly as in my past life, actively bullying other students at her prep school. I smirked. Well then, it’s time to send her a spectacular gift.

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After the fake daughter died. The diary she kept at the shelter was exposed. It chronicled her grievances, her resilience, and her selfless love for her family. In an instant. The entire internet was in tears. Our whole family was drowning in regret. And I, the one who had hidden the fact that she had cancer, became the target of universal hatred. My brother cursed me: “I’d rather live in poverty for the rest of my life if it meant Chloe could live!” My parents raged at me: “Who gave you the right to make choices for us?! We don’t want wealth and status, we just want Chloe!” I was isolated, cyberbullied, and kicked out of the house. I eventually died on the streets. When I opened my eyes again. I was back on the day the fake daughter, Chloe, received her terminal cancer diagnosis. 1 “Sis, promise me, don’t tell anyone I’m sick, okay?” Chloe was gripping my hand, her eyes swimming with tears. Her voice trembled, and her entire body radiated a pathetic, almost begging vulnerability. Even though I had been reborn, seeing her like this still tugged slightly at my heartstrings. “Dad lost everything in that gamble. The company is gone. Mom is so sick she can barely get out of bed. And Liam has been running himself ragged trying to keep Dad out of jail. If they find out I’m sick, it’ll just make everything worse. I don’t want to be a burden to you guys, I really don’t…” What a perfect sob story! A gambling father, a severely ill mother, an exhausted brother, and her—the cancer-stricken girl about to shatter! In my previous life. Not long after Chloe said these exact words to me, she chose to run away from home. To stop our parents and brother from looking for her, she intentionally painted herself as a gold-digging material girl. She partied wildly with thugs at clubs, publicly threatening to cut ties with Liam. She escorted wealthy older men to high-end events, outright declaring that our parents were unfit to be parents. She completely shattered the hearts of our parents and Liam. All to establish her own glorious martyrdom. And every bit of it. Was recorded in her diary. Three years after Chloe died. Liam went from being penniless to becoming a rising star in the business world. With new investments, my parents also got back on their feet. And I, who had been silently working multiple jobs to support the entire family, finally officially became the eldest daughter of the Vance family. But the good days only lasted a few days. Before Chloe’s diary sent me crashing back to the bottom. An influencer with millions of followers, known for reuniting families, showcased Chloe’s final diary on a livestream. Overnight, Chloe’s diary went viral. Her act of self-sacrifice for the sake of her family moved countless netizens to tears. It also plunged my parents and Liam, who finally knew the truth, into an endless abyss of remorse. With nowhere to vent their emotions. They pointed all their blame at me. It was as if I was the true culprit who killed Chloe. “Why did you hide the fact that Chloe was sick?! Let me tell you, even if Chloe is gone, you can never replace her as my sister! I only have one sister, and that’s Chloe Vance!” Liam held a hysterical press conference. Publicly announcing he was severing all ties with me. I fought back hard: “Chloe begged me to keep it a secret! She didn’t want to be a burden! I wanted you and Mom and Dad to succeed too! We only had that tiny bit of startup capital left! I was just respecting her choice, I didn’t do anything wrong…” Liam shoved me away, pointing at me and roaring: “But did you respect my choice?! Do you have any idea how much I cared about Chloe?! Stop using ‘for my own good’ as an excuse! Nobody asked you to do it for my own good! You’re just a ruthless, money-hungry bitch! That money could have saved Chloe’s life! Who the hell cared about starting a business?!” In a panic. I turned to my parents for help. But the locks on the house had already been changed. My luggage was tossed out like trash. “If it weren’t for Chloe, we never would have brought you out of that orphanage.” “You’re Chloe’s jinx! If it weren’t for you, Chloe wouldn’t have died!” “Get away from the Vance family, and don’t force us to do something even more cruel.” The hateful glares from my parents were deeply etched into my heart. In that moment. I finally understood. No matter how hard I tried, I could never integrate into this family. People who achieve success easily forget the hardships they endured, and they easily believe their current status stems from their own abilities rather than luck and opportunity. But, in this life. Often. Choices matter more than hard work. Opportunities matter more than abilities. Given a second chance. I will make absolutely sure my parents and Liam regret this for the rest of their lives! 2 “What are you guys doing?” Liam suddenly pushed the door open and walked toward us. Chloe furrowed her brow, continuing to plead with me in a low voice: “Please, Sis…” But before Chloe could finish her sentence. I cut her off: “I’m sorry, but I can’t promise you that.” I shook off Chloe’s hand. Chloe froze, looking bewildered: “Sis, why…” Because you’re going to write a diary. And make me public enemy number one. I turned to face Liam, blurting out: “Liam, Chloe is sick. Terminal cancer.” Liam stopped dead in his tracks, a look of sheer terror suddenly appearing on his exhausted face. Chloe immediately shook her head: “No, I’m not sick! Sis is just joking with you…” I calmly and methodically continued: “Chloe still has the diagnosis report in her pocket. You can see for yourself. I think we need to tell Mom and Dad as soon as possible. We can’t delay Chloe’s treatment.” Chloe instantly clamped her hands over her pockets. Liam reached out and snatched the crumpled diagnosis report from her hand. Seeing the words “Terminal Cancer” clearly printed on the paper. Liam’s body visibly swayed: “It really is cancer…” Tears immediately spilled from Chloe’s eyes. “No, you can’t tell Mom and Dad! Mom’s health is terrible, and Dad’s body is already failing because of the company… If they find out, they won’t be able to handle it… Liam, please don’t! Sis, please don’t…” She cried, looking weak and pitiful, completely out of breath. Followed by a soft cough. A pool of blood gushed from her nose. It scared all the color out of Liam’s handsome face. But Chloe still tried to hold it together, insisting she was fine. “Let’s go to the hospital,” I suggested. Chloe shook her head and waved her hands: “No, no, I just need to rest a bit. Going to the hospital is just a waste of money…” Liam grabbed Chloe, pulling her domineeringly into his arms, and gave an order: “Chloe, listen to me.” And so. Refusing to let Chloe resist. Liam took her straight to the hospital. They ran a comprehensive set of tests. The result. Was exactly the same as the diagnosis report. “It is indeed terminal cancer. It has already metastasized to multiple areas. After removing the larger tumors, we’ll need to follow up with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. Given how young the patient is, it’s hard to say exactly how effective the treatment will be, and the costs… well, they won’t be small…” Before the doctor could finish, Liam interrupted: “No matter what it takes, we’ll treat her.” The doctor nodded, then printed out the admission forms. “Go to the admissions department and get her checked in as soon as possible. She may need multiple surgeries in a short period of time, so she’ll need a family member with her 24/7. Here’s a list of things you’ll need for her stay.” Liam took the stack of documents. He held Chloe’s hand and headed to the admissions department. “The deposit is $5,000. Cash or card?” The nurse asked Liam politely. Liam frowned deeply, looking troubled. “Wait here for a minute. I need to make a phone call.” I sat with Chloe on the bench in the admissions area, watching Liam make calls outside. He looked anxious one minute, forcing a smile the next, and then stomping his feet in frustration and cursing at the sky. It wasn’t until the hospital was about to close that Liam finally managed to scrape together the $5,000 deposit. God only knows how he had to bend his pride to ask those trust-fund kids he used to party with for money. In my previous life, even if he went a week without eating, he never asked those kids for a dime. In this life, it had only just begun, and his pride was already gone. You can imagine how the rest of his days would go… “Don’t worry, money isn’t an issue. As long as you can get better, Liam will take care of everything.” Looking at Liam’s passionate promise, Chloe’s eyes filled with tears. And I remained completely expressionless. I just took in the hospital, reeking of disinfectant. Oh, this wasn’t just a hospital. It was a money pit for the poor. 3 Hospital beds require joining a waitlist. Paying the $5,000 deposit just secured a spot in line. Once admitted, money would be silently drained away with every breath. A night in a bed, an IV line, a bag of saline, oxygen… accumulating bit by bit, tens and hundreds of dollars at a time, it would become an insurmountable mountain of debt for a poor family. When the three of us came to the hospital, we were in a frantic rush and took a taxi. Now leaving the hospital, less hurried, we unconsciously found ourselves at the bus stop, waiting for the bus home. It was rush hour. The crowd was surging. We were squeezed onto the bus. In the cramped, stifling space. Chloe cried several times, trying to convince Liam to give up on treatment. But Liam’s eyes were resolute, his gaze unwavering, driving his words of absolute commitment deep into Chloe’s mind. “We’re a family! No matter how hard it gets, we will never give up on you! Just listen to the doctors and get your treatment. Liam will handle everything else!” “Liam, how did I get so lucky to have a brother like you…” They hugged. Pouring their hearts out to each other. If the bus hadn’t smelled so bad, it would have been a perfectly dreamy scene straight out of a romance drama. When we got back to our rented apartment. My parents were sitting on the small bed, a stack of cash resting beside them. This was the money from Dad selling his prized gold watch and Mom selling an entire closet of designer heels. No more, no less. Exactly $300,000. In my previous life, Liam relied on this exact $300,000 to build his business from scratch, single-handedly saving the Vance family from total ruin and becoming a rising star in the business world. Seeing us return, my parents frowned deeply. “Liam, we got the $300,000 you needed. Invest it in Chris’s ‘Rice Tech’ startup just like you planned. Let’s hope Chris doesn’t let us down and takes ‘Rice Tech’ all the way to an IPO.” “Rice” was the smart tech brand founded by Chris. Chris was Liam’s college classmate. They were very close, and Liam had invested a lot of time and effort in the early and late stages to help take “Rice” public. Now, they were just short $300,000. Filling this gap would allow Rice Tech to take off, driven by Chris’s marketing genius. And soaring right alongside it would be Liam, my parents, and… the entire Vance Group. However. Now. It probably wasn’t going to take off. Looking torn, Liam walked over to my parents and handed them Chloe’s medical reports. “What’s this?” Dad frowned in confusion. Mom also leaned in to look at the report. When they clearly saw the words “Terminal Cancer” on the paper, their eyes instantly turned red. Dad pressed his lips tightly together. Mom burst into tears. Chloe couldn’t hold back her tears either, sobbing uncontrollably. “Mom, Dad, we can always make money later. But Chloe’s illness can’t wait.” Liam choked on his words, completely helpless. Mom and Dad wiped away their tears and nodded heavily. “We treat her. We absolutely have to treat Chloe’s illness.” 4 After Mom and Dad made the final call. The entire family completely shelved the “Vance Revival” plan. The new goal was the “Save Chloe” plan. Dad chose to work construction at a building site. Mom took a job as a waitress at a restaurant. Liam hustled at “Rice Tech.” Although he couldn’t be a boss, his relationship with the founder got him a spot in the sales department. As for me. Unlike my past life, where I dropped out of school to work and provide a financial safety net for the family. I took a leave of absence from school. To stay at the hospital and care for Chloe 24/7. “Sis, ever since I got sick, Mom, Dad, and Liam have all cried. But you’re the only one who hasn’t. Why?” Chloe, who was now officially admitted, asked me with wide, pitiful, innocent eyes. I had just finished organizing her hospital bed and putting her toiletries in the cabinet. Hearing her voice, I slowly turned around. I looked at her: “Crying doesn’t solve any problems. Why should I waste my time and energy crying?” Chloe offered a bitter smile: “From the very first day you came back, I knew you didn’t like me. But I just don’t understand why you told the family I was sick. If I had just left, Mom, Dad, Liam, and you would be living much better lives right now…” I used to think that too. That without the burden of Chloe, I would live a great life. But reality proved otherwise. People who aren’t loved will never live a good life, no matter what. So what about those who are loved? Do they inevitably live a good life? Will this tragic girl, Chloe, have a different fate in this life compared to the last? “Stop overthinking it. Just focus on your treatment and believe that you can beat this disease!” I settled her into bed. While I lay on the cramped cot, awake all night. Because I had to be constantly vigilant in case Chloe tried to escape the hospital room. The next morning. With heavy dark circles under my eyes, I accompanied the nurses as they wheeled Chloe into the operating room. Before going in, Chloe shook her head and sighed. “Sis, what’s the point? My disease is incurable. Spending all this money is just a waste… Sis, help me. Please convince Mom, Dad, and Liam to stop the treatment, okay?” Last night, Chloe tried to get out of bed five times to run away. And every single time, I pulled her back. “Yeah, the doctors say you can’t be cured, but Mom, Dad, and Liam won’t listen. You tell them you can’t be cured, and they still won’t listen. If I go tell them you can’t be cured… do you really think they’ll listen to me? You know exactly how much they love you. Why are you putting me in this position, making me play the bad guy?” Chloe frowned slightly: “I didn’t want to make you the bad guy. I just…” I looked at her intently: “Then stay alive. Stay alive and watch with me… Let’s see just how long the people who claim to love you so much can actually keep loving you.” Chloe looked shocked: “Sis, what do you mean?” “A long illness wears out a dutiful son. And prolonged poverty destroys a harmonious home.” I said softly. Chloe was wheeled into the operating room by the nurses. The red light above the door clicked on. The lead surgeon worked meticulously. The massive tumor was removed, and after testing, it was unequivocally confirmed as malignant. When Chloe was wheeled out, her frail body was covered in tubes. A massive oxygen mask almost covered her entire face. Her breath was weak as a thread. When Mom, Dad, and Liam came to visit after work and saw Chloe looking so lifeless, they trembled with heartbreak. Their care was genuine. Their concern was real. Even when the nurse reminded them about the upcoming bills for chemotherapy and radiation, they all remained fiercely committed to the treatment. Day one, surgery. After insurance, it cost $100,000. Day two, radiation. Day three, chemotherapy… Behind the seemingly smooth process, the disease was secretly raging. On the fourth night. Chloe experienced organ failure and urgently needed a kidney transplant. Mom and I were automatically ruled out due to incompatible blood types. After testing, both Dad and Liam were found to be matches. Dad immediately volunteered to donate his kidney to Chloe. But Liam stopped him, citing Dad’s age, and took the burden upon himself. While unconscious, Chloe received Liam’s kidney. Afterward, when Chloe learned the truth, she was deeply moved to tears again. Everyone was immersed in the feeling of “family unity.” I was probably the only one who actually heard what the doctor said. “Kidney failure is usually just the mildest of the complications. Next, it will be liver failure, heart failure… If you keep doing transplant surgeries, not only will the financial burden be astronomical, but you’ll be taking turns destroying healthy bodies. It’s truly not worth it. I advise you to give up treatment…”

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