Category: English

My boyfriend was heavily in debt. Out of pure love, I willingly became a VIP club hostess to support him. For three years, I threw away my dignity to pour drinks for rich men. Yet, even when I was pregnant, my boyfriend’s loan shark set his eyes on me. The loan shark wanted me to sleep with him to clear the debt. He dragged me toward a back room. Thinking of the baby in my belly, I struggled with everything I had. In the chaos, my boyfriend blocked a knife for me. Blood poured from his wound. I broke down, crying hysterically. He comforted me, whispering, “I’ll never let anyone hurt you or our baby again.” At the hospital, the doctor told me his kidney was ruptured. He needed an immediate transplant, or he would die. Still blinded by love, I donated one of my kidneys to him. But right after the surgery, while I was still weak, I overheard a conversation between my boyfriend and his loan shark outside my door. “That was a brilliant move, Mr. Vance! It was so easy to get that club girl to willingly give up her kidney.” “It’s an honor for her to save Blair’s life,” my boyfriend’s cold voice replied. “But Mr. Vance, she’s still pregnant. What if it hurts the baby? It’s your blood, after all. Is that really okay?” “A woman who works in a place like that… the kid wouldn’t be clean anyway.”

Hearing those words, my heart shattered. My body couldn’t stop shaking. Just then, the doctor walked up to Tristan Vance respectfully and reported: “Mr. Vance, as you requested, we have successfully transplanted Clara Davis’s kidney to Miss Blair Montgomery. The surgery was a complete success.” Tristan couldn’t hide his joy. This man, usually so composed, actually ran down the hallway toward Blair’s private room. The loan shark watched him leave, cast a contemptuous glance at my ward, and spoke to his thug. “Mr. Vance really loves Miss Montgomery. Normally, if she just gets a scratch, he loses his mind. A major surgery like a kidney transplant must have worried him sick. But his little hostess girlfriend is miserable. She gave up a kidney for absolutely nothing.” “Exactly, Leo. The girl is pregnant. But Mr. Vance was so cold. He ordered us to make sure she didn’t die before the surgery, but that was it. No mercy at all.” “For a rich heir like Mr. Vance, women are disposable. Why would he care about a club hostess?” Their words pierced through the thin wall, entering my ears with brutal clarity. I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. I forced myself to stay conscious through the searing pain. Once the hallway went quiet, I dragged my weak, aching body toward the room Tristan had run into. A small, pathetic part of me was still hoping. Hoping that what I just heard was a nightmare. I peered through the small window of the private suite. The reality slapped me in the face. We had the surgery on the same day. Blair was in a luxurious, private suite. I was in a crowded, noisy six-person ward. It was painfully clear who mattered to him. Inside, Tristan was holding Blair, who was whimpering about the pain. He gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, his eyes filled with pure heartache. “What are those doctors doing? I told them to use the best painkillers. Useless bastards. Don’t worry, Blair. I know how much you care about your looks. I won’t let this surgery leave a scar. Come on, let’s eat something first, okay?” I subconsciously touched my own face. All I felt were thick, rough bandages covering my wounds. Since childhood, everyone had praised my beauty. When Tristan first met me, he said I was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Did he still remember that? Did he remember that I also cared about my looks? Tristan gently blew on a spoonful of warm oatmeal, coaxing the picky Blair to eat, carefully wiping her lips. I suddenly remembered a time when I had a high fever. I hadn’t had a drop of water all day. When I called Tristan, he simply said he was working late and ordered me takeout. Back then, I felt so bad for making him worry during his busy work hours. I was so happy just to get that cheap takeout. It turned out he knew how to take care of someone. He just didn’t want to waste it on me. Their intimacy burned my eyes. As I turned to leave, the door suddenly swung open.

I froze, bumping right into Tristan. I thought he would recognize me, but his eyes held nothing but raw disgust. “This is a private wing. What are you sneaking around here for? The hospital security needs to be fired. Letting random trash wander up here.” I gasped. Then I realized my face was completely wrapped in bandages due to the injuries from the loan shark attack. Tristan didn’t recognize me. But this also meant he hadn’t visited my room even once since the surgery. I had wondered if he would panic if I caught him. Now, his cold gaze gave me the ultimate answer. The hospital security guards arrived and escorted me back to my crowded ward. Tristan didn’t give me another glance. He turned back to comfort Blair, promising her that this “annoyance” wouldn’t happen again. Back in my bed, the nurse gasped. She realized that my sudden movement had ripped my surgical stitches, and blood was soaking through my gown. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the agony in my chest. It wasn’t until evening, when it was time to change my dressings, that Tristan finally showed up. He had changed into patient scrubs. Seeing my bandaged face, he frowned and asked with feigned concern: “Clara, you’ve been through so much, and you gave your kidney to save me. How is your body? Is the baby okay?” I instinctively placed my hand over my stomach and shook my head. “The baby is fine.” “You haven’t eaten all day, right? I scraped together the last of my savings and bought you something from a nice restaurant.” He opened a bag with an air of sacrifice, showing me steak and lobster. These were luxuries I could never afford during our three years together. I looked down. “These are so expensive. Why did you spend so much money?” “You sacrificed your kidney for me. Of course I need to feed you the best to help you recover. Besides, I promised you we’d eat like this every day in the future. You won’t have to suffer anymore.” His lies were still so smooth, so convincing. If this were the old me, I would have been so moved that I wouldn’t eat a single bite. I would have begged him to return it just to save a few dollars. But now, I just stared at the food in silence. Because on the steak, there was a visible bite mark. Blair’s bite mark. I touched my stomach. Driven by a mix of rage and despair, I grabbed a piece of the untouched meat with my bare hands and stuffed it into my mouth. To pay off his fake debts, I hadn’t had a proper meal in years. I lived on cheap crackers and tap water. I had forgotten how good real food tasted. As I swallowed, I sucked the grease off my fingers, and tears finally spilled over. Tristan looked at me, a flash of annoyance crossing his face. He reached out to grab the box away. “Stop eating!” I let out a bitter laugh. “Why? Didn’t you buy this for me?” Tristan lowered his eyes, suddenly pulling me into a tight hug. “I… I just feel guilty that I couldn’t provide this for you sooner.” But I didn’t miss the disgust that flashed in his eyes before he hugged me. Once the veil of lies was lifted, every ugly detail became blindingly obvious. After the meal, the nurse walked in to remind Tristan to pay the hospital bills. Tristan went quiet for a moment. “Clara, I’m so sorry. I… I can’t afford the ward fees right now…” I kept my head down, staring at his polished leather shoes. I had searched them online. Those handmade shoes cost tens of thousands of dollars. Blair had gifted them to him in her room earlier. He noticed where I was looking and quickly pulled me closer, gripping my shoulders so hard it hurt. He realized his reaction was too defensive and tried to soften his tone. “Sorry, Clara. I didn’t mean to squeeze so hard. Oh, these shoes? The guy sharing my ward didn’t want them anymore. They looked brand new, so I took them. Do they look alright?” Did he really think I was stupid enough to believe such a pathetic lie? “They look great,” I whispered. “Just like brand new.”

After we were discharged and went back to our rented apartment, Tristan’s impatience grew day by day because he had to “take care” of me. Remembering how he once promised to cherish me forever, I wanted to laugh. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Tristan opened it, and Blair, who had somehow found our address, skipped inside and threw herself into Tristan’s arms. Tristan’s face softened instantly into pure adoration. He held her tightly, terrified she might fall. “Oh! You must be Tristan’s girlfriend. I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there!” “Tristan and I grew up together. I heard he was hurt, and I was so worried that I just had to come. You don’t mind, do you?” Seeing my silence, Blair’s eyes welled with tears. “Did I ruin things? If you don’t like me here, I’ll just leave…” Tristan immediately shielded her behind his back, snapping at me for the first time in public. “Why are you throwing a tantrum? Do you have any idea how much you’re hurting Blair’s feelings?” “It’s okay, Tristan. Maybe she’s just in a bad mood. Tristan, I’m hungry. Can you make me that warm sweet oatmeal you always make?” Blair cooed. They played their roles perfectly, painting me as the bitter villain without me saying a single word. Tristan tapped Blair’s nose gently. “Alright, my little princess. Go sit down. I’ll make your favorite.” Tristan went into the kitchen. This man, who had always claimed he didn’t know how to cook to get out of doing chores, prepared the oatmeal with practiced ease. He had clearly done it hundreds of times. I had loved him so much that I never let him touch a frying pan after his long workdays. Once, when I playfully asked him to cook for me, he made excuses and dumped a cup of instant noodles in front of me. I had laughed it off back then. Now, I couldn’t even force a smile. Blair smirked and walked over to me. She suddenly grabbed my hand. I frowned and tried to pull away, but she used the momentum to throw herself onto the floor. Hearing the crash, Tristan rushed out of the kitchen. His face darkened instantly, and he violently shoved me aside. He used all his strength. My body was still incredibly weak from the surgery. I lost my balance and crashed hard into the glass coffee table. A sharp, agonizing pain shot through my abdomen. My lips trembled, but I couldn’t make a sound. “Clara! Even if you hate me, you shouldn’t have pushed me! I would have left if you just asked…” Blair sobbed on the floor. “You’ve gone too far! Do you know Blair just had major surgery?!” Tristan roared. The mask of the loving boyfriend was completely gone, replaced by raw disgust. I lay collapsed against the broken glass. A warm, terrifying wetness began to seep between my thighs. “Call 911… the baby…” I gasped. But before I could finish, Tristan had already scooped Blair up in his arms and was rushing out the door to the hospital. Blair looked over his shoulder, flashing me a victorious, wicked grin. She mouthed three words: “Go. Die. Now.”

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On our third wedding anniversary, Ethan and I got into a car crash. When the truck lost control and slammed into us, Ethan’s first instinct was to shield the passenger seat. He held Chloe tightly in his arms, protecting her with his life. I was in the back seat, my lower abdomen pinned by the deformed metal. The pain was so agonizing that my breath shook. When the rescue team arrived, Ethan had already smashed the passenger door open, carrying Chloe out. A firefighter shone a flashlight into the car and yelled, “Is there anyone else inside?” Ten minutes before the crash, Ethan had personally closed the back door for me. I tried my best to raise my hand, wanting to tap on the window. But through the shattered glass, I heard his hoarse voice reply, “No. No one else.” “Take her to the hospital first. She’s always been terrified of pain. She can’t handle any shock.” My hand froze in mid-air. When Chloe was lifted onto the stretcher, she only had a shallow scratch on her wrist from the glass. Yet Ethan held her hand tightly, looking like he had just recovered his most precious treasure. “Don’t be scared. I’m here.” From beginning to end, he never once looked back at the smoking car. Later, when the firefighters dragged me out of the back seat, my skirt was already soaked in blood. The doctor looked at my chart, his face darkening instantly. “Why did you bring her in so late?” “Her abdomen suffered severe trauma. We need to operate immediately.” The nurse held the consent form and asked me, “Where is your family?” I looked toward the ward not far away. Chloe’s scratch was so shallow it didn’t even need stitches. But Ethan was guarding her bedside, his eyes red as he forced the doctor to examine her for the third time. I suddenly let out a soft laugh. “I don’t have any family here. I’ll sign it myself.”

After the surgery, I was wheeled back to the ward. The anesthesia wore off slowly. But the pain came back fast. My abdomen felt like it was being sliced open repeatedly with a knife. I didn’t even dare to breathe too hard. The doctor stood by my bed, his voice very gentle. “We couldn’t save the baby.” “It will be very difficult for you to get pregnant again in the future.” I stared at the medical report. The words on it were clear. But I stared at them for a long time, unable to process what they meant. So I had been pregnant. And that child never even got a chance to be known by their father. In the next ward, Ethan’s voice was more frantic than the doctor’s. “Will her wrist scar? Did it damage her tendons? Check it again!” The doctor explained patiently, “Mr. Vance, it’s just a scratch. It doesn’t even need stitches.” But Ethan wouldn’t let it go. “She’s been sensitive to pain since she was a kid. Don’t be careless.” I turned my head away. Through the half-open door, I saw Chloe sitting on the hospital bed. She had a small Band-Aid on her wrist. Ethan was bending over, holding her hand, his eyes filled with intense worry. The nurse came over to change my dressing. The moment she peeled off the gauze, my fingers trembled from the pain. She stopped. “Where is your husband? Have him come in and support you.” I looked at the room next door. Ethan was softly coaxing Chloe to drink some water. “He’s not here.” The nurse was stunned. She looked at the wedding ring on my finger, then at Ethan in the next room. “Isn’t that man your husband?” I pulled my hand back under the blanket. The edge of the ring dug painfully into my palm. It hurt. “No. He’s the family member of the patient next door.” The nurse didn’t ask further. She just made her movements much gentler. After a long time, Ethan finally came out of the room. He stood by my bed. Seeing how pale I was, he frowned slightly. “How are you feeling?” I was about to hand him the medical report. But Chloe called out from next door. “Ethan!” His gaze shifted instantly. That belated bit of concern was pulled back before it could even reach me. “Get some rest first,” he said. He turned and went right back to her. I crumpled the report in my hand. I suddenly remembered the day we got married three years ago. Chloe had just rejected Ethan. She told him she only saw him as a brother. Ethan stood in the pouring rain all night. The next day, he came to see me. His voice was incredibly hoarse. “Don’t you like me? Let’s give it a try.” Back then, I thought I had finally waited long enough. I even secretly bought a bouquet of flowers. A small bouquet of baby’s breath. I held it tightly as we went to the courthouse. But Ethan never looked at those flowers. When we took our marriage photo, he didn’t smile either. The photographer had to remind him three times. Only then did he force a faint tug at the corner of his lips. I comforted myself back then. He was just hurt. People can slowly learn to love someone else. But three years had passed. Did he move on? No. The only one trapped in this marriage was me. Late at night, the lights in the next ward were still on. Ethan stayed by Chloe’s side while she slept. He tucked her in, adjusted the AC, and placed a cup of water right by her hand. I had post-surgery bleeding. I had to press the call button to get the nurse myself. While the nurse was changing my sheets, my phone buzzed with a payment notification. Chloe’s full checkups, the VIP suite, and her meals were all paid for by Ethan. My surgery fee, however, was paid with my own card. I looked at the payment screen. Suddenly, I felt so tired. It turned out a marriage could be split so cleanly. Where his heart was, that was where his money went. I folded the abortion report and stuffed it into my bag. Then I opened my phone. I logged into our company’s relocation system. In the relocation application reason, I wrote only four words: *Will follow any transfer.*

I was discharged the next day. Ethan personally wheeled Chloe downstairs. Chloe looked glowing. She sat in the wheelchair, wearing his jacket. A thin layer of gauze was wrapped around her wrist. She looked more like a delicate piece of porcelain than a patient. I held onto the wall, slowly following behind them. Every step sent a sharp pain through my abdomen, making my vision go dark. The nurse ran out and called after us. “Mrs. Vance, you just had surgery. It’s best if your husband supports you.” Ethan paused. He looked back at me. I looked at him too. Chloe cleared her throat softly. Ethan immediately looked down at her. “Are you cold? Do you want another jacket?” In the end, his glance only brushed past me. In the parking lot, the driver opened the door. The back seat was piled high with Chloe’s flower baskets, supplements, and medical bags. A soft cushion was laid out on the passenger seat. Ethan had put it there himself for Chloe. I stood by the car, the cold wind blowing into my collar. The gauze on my stomach throbbed. I asked him, “Where do I sit?” Ethan buckled Chloe’s seatbelt without looking up. “Take an Uber back.” My phone vibrated. He had sent me two hundred dollars. The note read: *Stop making a scene.* Chloe sat in the front seat and said softly, “Maybe Elena should sit here? She doesn’t look well.” Ethan shut her door. “She’s always been tough.” *Always been tough.* So I could handle the pain. I could handle the bleeding. And I could handle losing our child. I suddenly remembered when we first started dating. Ethan held the steering wheel and told me, “This passenger seat is yours. Only you can sit here.” I was so happy that day that I posted a picture of the car window on Snapchat. The caption read: *My exclusive spot.* Later, Chloe came back to the country. The first time she got into the car, she sat in the front. I asked Ethan why. He said she got car sick. He told me not to be petty. It turned out my “exclusive spot” was just a temporary loan while Chloe was away. And now. The passenger seat wasn’t mine. There was no room for me in the back either. Just like the day of the crash. I was always put last. And I was always the one who could be forgotten. I took an Uber back to our house alone. The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror several times. “Miss, do you need me to take you to the ER?” I said no. There was no one waiting for me at the hospital anyway. When I got home, there was soup simmering in the kitchen. Wild mushroom chicken soup. Chloe’s favorite. On the coffee table, her anxiety meds, heating pad, and pain patches were laid out neatly. Everything was perfectly prepared. My anti-inflammatory meds were still crumpled inside the hospital plastic bag. No one opened them. No one asked. No one even remembered I had just had surgery. That evening, Ethan came back. He brought a container of porridge. He set it in front of me. “Your sister couldn’t finish it. Don’t let it go to waste.” The porridge was already lukewarm. I looked at the thin layer of skin forming on top and didn’t touch it. Ethan frowned. “Your stomach is weak. Eat a little.” I suddenly smiled. He actually remembered my stomach was weak. But remembering didn’t stop him from handing me someone else’s leftovers. Chloe’s call came right at that moment. Ethan answered almost instantly. Her voice was soft and crying on the other end. “Ethan, I’m scared to sleep alone.” Ethan had already picked up his car keys. “I’m coming over.” I looked up at him. “Ethan.” He stopped. I asked, “If I were the one scared tonight, would you rush over like this too?” He frowned. “Chloe just survived a car crash. Don’t compare yourself to her at a time like this.” The door shut. Only the cold porridge was left in the quiet house. I stared at it for a while. Then I opened my laptop and went to the relocation system. The button to confirm the transfer was glowing. I clicked it. *Transfer Confirmed.* The words on the screen were small. But they felt like a door opening right in front of me.

Three days after the crash, Ethan took me to the Vance family estate for dinner. He said Chloe was shaken up, and the family wanted to check on her. I had just finished surgery, and I still had to hold the walls to walk. Before we left, he looked at me. It wasn’t out of concern. It was a warning. “Don’t let the elders see you looking miserable.” I lowered my head and wrapped my scarf. I didn’t answer. The dinner table at the Vance estate was lively. Every dish was Chloe’s favorite. Honey-glazed ribs. Sweet potato casserole. Sweet butternut squash soup. I couldn’t eat sweet foods due to my stomach condition. Ethan knew this. In the past, when my stomach flared up, he would push all the sweet dishes away. He used to say, “My girl isn’t going to the hospital over a plate of food.” Back then, I really thought he loved me. But today, Chloe placed a honey-glazed rib into my bowl. “Elena, eat more.” I looked at the sticky, sweet rib. I slowly put down my forks. Ethan’s face darkened instantly. “She’s just being nice. Don’t ruin the mood.” The relatives fell silent for a second. Soon, someone laughed to break the tension. “These two sisters are just like when they were kids. One is delicate, the other is stubborn.” “Back then, we all thought Ethan would marry Chloe.” “But Elena is lucky. She got a great husband in the end.” Chloe lowered her head. Her voice was soft. “Don’t say that. It will make Elena sad.” Ethan didn’t defend me. He only said, “Let’s not talk about the past.” *The past.* Those words fell so lightly. Sitting there, I suddenly felt like an outsider. I was the one who was legally Ethan’s wife. Yet the way they looked at me. It was like I was a thief who had stolen Chloe’s rightful place. My mother-in-law pulled out a brochure. “Chloe is psychologically fragile right now. The doctor suggests she spend three months at a coastal recovery retreat.” “The retreat has a great environment, and Ethan has already paid half.” She pushed the brochure in front of me. “For the rest of the bill, you should take out your fertility savings.” “You’re still young anyway. You can always have kids later.” My fingers froze. That savings. I had saved it dollar by dollar. I had dreamed of buying a crib, baby clothes, and a stroller once the baby was born. But now the baby was gone. And they wanted to take that money to pay for Chloe’s luxury retreat. I looked at Ethan. He didn’t look away. He only said, “We need to prioritize her right now.” I asked, “What if I told you the baby is already gone?” The table fell dead silent. Chloe’s tears instantly started flowing. “Elena, are you still blaming me for sitting in the front seat?” “Please don’t use a baby to scare me. I’ll die of guilt.” Ethan’s brow furrowed deeply. “That’s enough.” I looked at him. His voice was extremely low. “Don’t use a child to fight for my attention.” “You know how easily she blames herself. Why do you have to trigger her?” At that moment. I suddenly lost all energy to explain. Even when I admitted to losing our child. In his eyes, it was just a cheap trick to make him jealous. Chloe clutched her chest, saying she couldn’t breathe. Ethan immediately stood up to support her. He brushed past me, yelling for the family doctor. I looked down and opened my phone. I searched for a divorce agreement template. And I typed Ethan’s name in, letter by letter. I had written his name so many times before. On our wedding invitations. On our house deed. On my pregnancy checkup forms. But it had never felt as smooth and effortless as it did now.

Back at our house, for the first time, Ethan didn’t immediately run off to Chloe. He placed a bowl of warm soup in front of me. His voice was softer. “I’ll take you to the hospital for a checkup tomorrow.” “I haven’t paid enough attention to you these past few days.” “Once Chloe stabilizes, we’ll focus on us.” I looked at him. This felt exactly like every other late compensation he had offered before. Once Chloe stabilizes. Once Chloe is fine. Once Chloe stops crying. In the end. I was always the one left waiting. Ethan reached out to touch my face. I turned away. His hand froze in the air. I asked him, “Ethan, if she and I both needed you tomorrow, who would you choose first?” He frowned slightly. “That’s a pointless question.” The next second, his phone rang. It was a voice message from Chloe. She was sobbing hysterically. “Ethan, I shouldn’t be alive. I’m just getting in the way of your marriage.” “If it weren’t for me, Elena wouldn’t hate you so much.” Ethan’s face changed instantly. I looked at him. “Didn’t you say you’d take me to the hospital tomorrow?” He gripped his phone. He was silent for a long time. Then he said, “I just need to make sure she’s safe. I’ll be right back.” I smiled. “Right back.” On the day of the crash, he should have remembered me “right back” too. But he told the firefighters. There was no one else inside. Ethan grabbed his coat. Before opening the door, he looked back at me. “Wait for me.” Once the door closed, the house became completely quiet. I sat there for a while. Then I stood up and placed the signed divorce papers on the coffee table. The abortion report. The post-surgery diagnosis. The ultrasound picture. And my wedding ring. I pressed them all down under the papers. I transferred the fertility savings back to my personal account. That was my money for my baby. Now that the baby was gone. Not a single cent of it was going to Chloe’s wellness retreat. My suitcase had been packed long ago. I deactivated my phone number. I deleted all my social media accounts. No notes. No goodbyes. I went straight to the airport. It was past midnight when Ethan finally came home. Chloe had only taken two sleeping pills. The doctor said she just needed some sleep. When he opened the door, the house was dark. He instinctively called my name. No one answered. Half the master closet was empty. My usual skincare products on the vanity were gone. My toothbrush in the bathroom was gone too. Ethan’s face turned pale. He rushed to the living room. There, he saw the divorce papers on the coffee table. He saw the medical report that read: *Miscarriage, uterine trauma, future conception will be difficult.* And he saw the ultrasound picture pressed beneath them. In the photo, the tiny gestational sac was just a blurry dot. It was the surprise I had wanted to give him. Ethan stood frozen. His fingers shook so badly he could barely hold the paper. He desperately started dialing my number. But only a cold automated voice answered. “The number you have dialed is no longer in service.”

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I’ve had severe claustrophobia since I was a child. Yet, Carter locked me inside a Ferris wheel cabin and left me there for an entire night. The temperature plummeted between day and night. I almost went into shock from severe hypothermia. It was only the next morning that Carter finally showed up, dragging Jasmine along to offer a half-hearted apology. “I’m so sorry, Stella. Jasmine had a sudden car accident last night. I couldn’t just leave her alone.” Jasmine stepped forward, grabbing my hand with a fake, childish pout. “Please don’t be mad at Carter, Stella. The sports car he bought me had a sudden brake failure. I accidentally hit someone and killed them. That’s why we got delayed and couldn’t make it back to get you down.” My phone vibrated. I unlocked it. The top text preview read: *“Stella, my sweet girl… I don’t think Mom will ever see you again.”* My heart seized violently. A dark, terrifying realization washed over me. I dialed her number back immediately, but no one answered. In my sheer panic, my phone’s battery died and the screen went black. At that moment, I forgot all about my anger toward Carter. I grabbed his arm, begging to use his phone. “Carter, let me use your phone. I need to call my mom!” To my disbelief, he yanked his arm back and refused. “Your mom isn’t glued to her phone 24/7 waiting for your call, Stella. Stop being so dramatic.” “Let’s go home. We need to have a serious talk about us.” With that, Carter turned around and walked away, side-by-side with Jasmine. It was as if I didn’t even exist. As they walked, Jasmine turned her head and flashed me a cold, mocking smirk. A shiver ran down my spine. The dread in my chest grew heavier. Did something really happen to my mom? What did that text message mean? Jasmine claimed she was suffering from “post-traumatic stress” from the accident and was too terrified to go back to her own place. Of course, Carter was the perfect gentleman. He brought Jasmine right into the apartment we shared and let her stay. Over the years, Jasmine had always been a constant shadow in our relationship. She was the heiress of a wealthy family, yet she insisted on chasing a middle-class guy like Carter. And Carter did everything to please her. Even though he knew she was filthy rich, he drained his savings to buy her a sports car. Meanwhile, I didn’t even have a decent scooter. Jasmine casually threw my belongings out of the guest room onto the floor. “Stella, babe, I’m a total germaphobe. Do you mind moving your stuff somewhere else?” My anxiety was already at its peak, and her attitude made me snap. “If you’re such a germaphobe, why are you still drooling over Carter? I’ve touched every single inch of his body.” “Don’t you find him dirty?” Jasmine’s face turned red with anger. She stomped her foot and ran straight into the study to cry to Carter. I didn’t care. I rushed to plug my phone into the charger. The moment it powered on, I called my mom again and again. Just like this morning, it went straight to voicemail. I couldn’t stay here for another second. I had to go home. I pulled out a suitcase and began packing the clothes Jasmine had thrown onto the floor. Since she wanted Carter so badly, I was done. I was letting him go. Carter walked out of the study just as I was zipping up my bag. His face darkened, and he aggressively snatched the suitcase from my hands. “Can you have some self-respect for once? Packing up and threatening to leave every time we have a fight—do you really think I’ll keep begging you to stay?” “Stop throwing tantrums, Stella.” “And I heard what you said to Jasmine. You know she’s sensitive. Why do you have to pick on a younger girl?” He unzipped the suitcase and dumped my clothes back onto the floor. I looked at him, completely lost. If he loved Jasmine so much, why wouldn’t he just let me go? “Carter, look at yourself. You care about Jasmine way more than you care about me.” “Let’s just call it quits before we make the mistake of getting married.” “I need to go home and check on my mom. I don’t have time for your games.” But I didn’t manage to leave. Carter took my ID and my phone, lock, stock, and barrel. Then, he began his usual routine—apologizing, begging for forgiveness. Every time he hurt me because of Jasmine, he would beg. And if I didn’t forgive him, he would always find a way to make me pay. Feeling completely defeated, I collapsed onto the couch. Jasmine made two cups of coffee. She handed one to Carter, sipping the other. The two of them sat on the balcony, chatting as if I weren’t even in the room. Jasmine chuckled. “The person I ran over last night was so fragile. Just a tiny bump and bam—dead.” “Fortunately, my dad’s lawyers found out she was some distant relative from the countryside. We paid off her family with some cash, and the police wrapped it up.” Carter took a sip of his coffee, looking at Jasmine with pure adoration. “She was in her late fifties anyway. It was her time. It wasn’t your fault, Jasmine. She probably wasn’t looking where she was going.” My blood ran cold. A human life meant absolutely nothing to them. Carter, have you forgotten who you used to be? You used to cry over a stray dog on the street and bring it home. While I was lost in my thoughts, Jasmine spoke again. “But get this—isn’t it crazy? The dead woman’s heart was a perfect match for my dad’s.” “So they did an emergency transplant. My dad got her heart.” “Honestly, though, it’s kind of gross. She was so poor and dirty. I hope my dad’s body doesn’t reject her cheap heart.” I couldn’t listen to another word. I got up and locked myself in the bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I used an iPad to send Carter a Snapchat message. *”We’re done. Whether you agree to it or not, there’s nothing left between us.”* Carter didn’t reply. He and Jasmine kept laughing on the balcony, talking about how “thrilling” their night had been. A few minutes later, my iPad buzzed. I thought it was my mom, but it was a message from Jasmine. *”You’ve been listening this whole time, Stella. Aren’t you sad?”* *”The woman who died… was your precious mom.”* *”You really are heartless.”*

My brain went entirely blank. My first instinct was to run out and scream at Jasmine. But when I opened the door, she was already in bed. Carter was just coming out of the guest room. I tried to push past him, but he grabbed me tightly, shoving me back. “What is wrong with you now? I just got Jasmine to sleep. Don’t go in there and wake her up!” That night, we had the biggest fight of our lives. I screamed, asking him why he always put Jasmine first. He yelled back, accusing me of being insecure and insanely jealous. Finally, he sneered, “Jasmine is sweet and innocent. Unlike you, Stella. You’re calculated, bitter, and exhausting.” I stopped fighting. A sickening thought hit me. Carter knew. He knew about my mom, and he was helping Jasmine cover it up. After the screaming died down, Carter threw my ID back at me. “Stella, realistically, do you think you can find anyone better than me?” “I’ve never judged you for your poor background. You should be grateful.” I burst into a laugh—a laugh that quickly turned into tears. Standing a few feet away from him, I whispered, “My mom is dead, isn’t she? And you knew about it all along.” He turned to look at me, his expression suddenly blank. “What did you say? I was on my phone. I didn’t hear you.” “Anyway, have you calmed down? Are you staying?” I spent the rest of the night on the couch. From the bedroom, I could hear Carter and Jasmine giggling. They slept in the same bed right in front of me, all because Jasmine was “scared of the dark” and Carter “had to comfort her.” I realized then that being strong gets a woman nowhere. It only gives men an excuse not to care. At dawn, I got on a Greyhound bus back to my hometown. But the house was empty. My mom’s wardrobe was completely cleaned out. Desperate, I checked our Ring camera footage on my phone. The footage showed my mom leaving with her suitcase two days ago. I remembered her calling me a few weeks ago, saying she wanted to come to the city to visit me. I had told her no, saying I would come pick her up during my next vacation. She must have decided to surprise me. Was the woman Jasmine hit really my mom? How could it be such a coincidence? My mom had never met Jasmine. How did Jasmine know she was my mother?

Back in the city, I ran to every single hospital. Finally, at a high-end private medical center, I found a lead. A woman victims of a severe car accident had indeed been brought in two nights ago. But her body had been quickly taken away by the Qiao Group. The hospital itself was owned by Jasmine’s family. I collapsed onto the steps outside the hospital, watching the busy streets. The crushing weight of helplessness suffocated me. My mom died without getting to see me one last time. She died with me on her mind. And I had missed her. When I got back to the apartment, only Jasmine was there. I marched up to her, demanding answers. “Jasmine, you knew she was my mom from the very beginning, didn’t you?” “Why did you do it? Where is her body?!” Jasmine was painting her nails, her usual sweet, innocent act completely gone. “Where do you think? Probably in some stray dog’s stomach by now.” I clenched my fists, my body shaking with rage. “Murderers go to jail, Jasmine. Aren’t you afraid of karma?” Jasmine looked up, meeting my eyes with a smirk. “Lower your voice, babe. We wouldn’t want Carter to hear you. In his eyes, I’m just a harmless little bunny.” “Look, don’t be so dramatic. I can write you a check for five million dollars. I know you poor people love money.” “But on one condition—take the money and leave Carter forever, okay?” The rage that had been building up inside me for days exploded. Looking at her smug, disgusting face, I raised my hand and slapped her across the face as hard as I could. *SLAP!* A bright red handprint appeared on her cheek. Jasmine’s eyes flared with anger, but in the next second, she forced tears into her eyes and threw herself onto the floor. Because the front door was opening. Carter was home. Jasmine sobbed hysterically on the floor. “Carter! Stella slapped me! She called me a homewrecker and a whore!” “Nobody has ever treated me like this…” Carter’s eyes turned bloodshot. He didn’t even take off his shoes before rushing over to me. “Don’t worry, Jasmine. I’ll handle this.” He glared at me with absolute hatred. “Stella, are you actively trying to test my limits?” *SMACK!* A brutal slap landed on my face. Carter’s blow was ten times harder than the one I gave Jasmine. I lost my balance and crashed hard onto the floor. The back of my head struck the sharp corner of the coffee table. A sharp, blinding pain shot through my skull. Tears streamed down my face. “Carter… you idiot… Jasmine is a murderer! She killed my—” Before I could finish, Carter kicked me hard in the stomach. I doubled over, the pain forcing the rest of my words back down my throat. Carter seemed to realize he had gone too far. Seeing me curled up on the floor in agony, a flicker of guilt crossed his face. He knelt down to help me up. But Jasmine let out a dramatic groan. “Oh, Carter… my stomach hurts so bad…” “Take me to the ER, please!” Without a second thought, Carter left me on the floor and carried Jasmine out. The disappointment was crippling. Even after everything, my heart still ached. Ultimately, it was a kind neighbor passing by who found me and called an ambulance. At the hospital, the doctor gave me the news: I was pregnant. With triplets. I didn’t hesitate. “I want to schedule an abortion.” In the office, the doctor stopped typing on his keyboard. He looked up at me. “Triplets, Stella. Are you sure you want to do this?” My voice was flat. “They’re coming at the worst possible time.” “Just get rid of them.” The doctor’s hands froze over the keyboard. “What if I told you… I want them?” I froze. When I first walked into the clinic, I hadn’t realized the doctor on duty was Julian Vance. If I had known, I would have canceled the appointment. But he was the only specialist available. Julian was my childhood friend. After I started dating Carter, I had cut off all contact with him. Even though he used to text me to check on me, I had never replied. “Keep them, Stella. An abortion will ruin your body,” he said softly, his eyes filled with concern. … For the next week, Carter never came back to the apartment. He only sent a text saying Jasmine was traumatized by the “incident” and he was taking her on a trip to Hawaii to recover. I didn’t waste any time. During that week, Julian and I made a decision. We set a date to get married. The day before Carter was scheduled to return, I moved all my things out. The evening before my wedding, Carter finally called me. “Stella, it’s time to come home. I’ll take you to the Ferris wheel tonight. Just you and me.” How pathetic, Carter. I’m about to get married, and only now do you remember me? “Sorry, Carter. I’m getting married tomorrow. My fiancé wouldn’t appreciate me meeting up with my ex.” Carter’s mind went blank. He yelled into the phone, “Stella! What the hell are you talking about?! I’m not even there! Who are you marrying?!” I hung up on him. Since I was already breaking his heart, I figured I might as well shatter it completely. I sent him the audio recordings of Jasmine boasting about the murder, along with screenshots of her text messages. Within minutes, my phone blew up with dozens of Snapchats. *“Stella, please! Wait for me! You can’t marry him!”* *“Stella, there must be a misunderstanding. Please, just wait for me. I’m begging you…”*

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For five years, every time I passed the bakery on the corner, I bought a donut. I did it solely out of pity for the family who ran the place. But today, my apartment had a power outage. It was the first time I actually sat down inside the shop to eat. That was when I noticed the customer sitting across from me. He had only ordered one single donut, yet his box contained two. With good intentions, I leaned over to remind the owner. “Excuse me, did you accidentally put an extra one in there?” The customer looked at me, completely baffled. “This shop has always served two donuts per order.” My smile vanished. Something was wrong. I had been buying from them for five years, and a single order had always been just one donut. Did they really shortchange me by half all these years? I looked around at the other customers. Sure enough, everyone else had two donuts in their boxes. Just then, the owner’s chubby son came skipping toward me, holding a plastic bag. Toby, the owner’s son, saw me and handed over the packed bag out of habit. “Fiona, yours,” he mumbled, his voice slurred. I took the bag, opened it, and counted the donuts one by one right in front of him. “Toby, I ordered two portions. Is this really all of it?” Toby turned his head to look at his mother, Rachel, who was still standing behind the cash register. Then he turned back to me. “Yeah. That’s exactly what you ordered.” Looking at Toby, I felt a heavy ache in my chest. The only reason I had patronized their shop rain or shine for five years wasn’t because I loved donuts, nor was it because their baking was spectacular. It was pure sympathy. Five years ago, when I first met Toby, he was being bullied by a bunch of neighborhood kids. Later, I found out that a high fever in his childhood had left him with severe cognitive disabilities. I was kind enough to take him home that day, only to discover his father, Robert, was an amputee missing his right arm, while his mother, Rachel, was a dwarf with a severe limp. The family of three was crammed into a tiny studio apartment of barely two hundred square feet. The parents worked all day running the bakery while trying to care for Toby, who couldn’t attend a regular school. I felt so sorry for them. Without a second thought, I used my social media account, which had millions of followers, to promote their shop. Once my followers found out, they flocked to support them. Their business skyrocketed overnight. Coincidentally, the commercial space they rented belonged to my Mike. Every month, I secretly paid half of their rent out of my own pocket. I thought this would help them save up some money and live a better life. Toby tugged at my sleeve, pulling me back from my thoughts. He stared at me with wide, eager eyes. “Fiona, that’s twenty dollars.” I frowned. At that moment, I still hoped it was just some misunderstanding. I kept my voice as soft and gentle as possible. “Toby, I only have two donuts here. Why don’t you ask your mom if there’s a mistake?” Hearing this, Rachel hobbled over. “Eating in the shop today, Fiona?” I wasn’t in the mood to chat. I just wanted to know if this was a mistake, or… I glanced at the customer’s donuts across from me and asked, “Rachel, I have two donuts here. How much does it cost?” Rachel glanced at the plastic bag in my hand. Suddenly, she pulled me aside, a fake, flattering smile plastered on her face. “You ordered the same as usual, didn’t you?” Then, acting all mysterious, she lowered her voice and whispered in my ear, “Since you come every day, of course I give you a discount. Usually, it’s ten dollars a portion, but today I’ll charge you eight. Sixteen dollars total, okay?” “Just… don’t tell the other customers. You know how hard it is for us to make a living!” I took a deep breath. I looked away from the other customer’s double-sized portions, scanned my Apple Pay to make the payment, and walked out in a hurry. The shop was right beneath my apartment building, just a few steps from the community entrance. I decided right then that I would simply never shop there again. But before I could walk very far, Toby came chasing after me. His chubby face was red, and he blocked my path, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Fiona! Why are you leaving without paying?!”

“Without paying?” I stopped in my tracks, staring at the panting boy in utter disbelief. “Toby, I already paid. Think about it again.” Toby’s face turned bright red. His chubby little hands gripped my coat tightly, and he cried out, “Fiona, it’s twenty dollars! You only paid ten! You shortchanged us by half!” I glanced back at the bakery. Rachel saw me looking and immediately lowered her head, her eyes shifting guiltily. It was obvious she was the one who sent Toby after me. A surge of anger flared up inside me. But Toby… he was just a kid with special needs. His parents’ greed wasn’t his fault, and he probably didn’t understand. I knelt down to his eye level, keeping my tone as calm as possible. “Toby, I only have two donuts. That costs ten dollars. I didn’t shortchange you, and I definitely paid.” As I spoke, I pulled out my phone and showed him the Apple Pay transaction screen. But Toby only cried louder, screaming, “My mom said yours costs twenty! You didn’t pay enough!” While yelling, he began violently grabbing at my designer purse. I froze. Along with the anger, a deep, bitter sadness washed over me. Over the years, because I pitied him, I had bought him countless toys and snacks. I even gave him pocket money, a hundred dollars at a time. I thought if I reasoned with him, he would let go. I never expected him to be so viciously persistent over twenty dollars. And then, it hit me. Only my order was “twenty dollars.” But why? For five years, I had done so much for them. And this was how they repaid me? By charging me double? My face went cold as I snatched my bag back, refusing to argue with this unreasonable child any longer. “Toby, go back and tell your mother that I only have two donuts. She knows exactly what that means.” Toby didn’t care about my explanation. He threw himself onto the pavement, kicking and screaming in a full-blown tantrum. “My mom is right! You rich people look down on us! You’re stealing money from disabled people!” “My dad said you always take extra bags too! You’re deliberately bullying us!” “Our family has no money! Give it back!” Passersby began to stop, casting judgmental glances at us and whispering among themselves. I felt my face burning with embarrassment. In the eyes of the crowd, Toby was clearly the vulnerable one. It looked like a wealthy girl was bullying a disabled kid. My neighbor, Marisa, saw the commotion and rushed over. She pulled Toby up, her face twisted in exaggerated sympathy. “Oh, poor thing! Aren’t you the sweet boy from the bakery? How awful.” She then glared up at me. “You’re dressed in head-to-toe designer clothes, yet you’re out here bullying a disabled child? Have you no shame?!” I let out a cold laugh. Ever since I filed a noise complaint against her with the HOA, Marisa had been looking for any excuse to stab me in the back. I unzipped my plastic bag and pointed it toward the bakery. “Look closely, Marisa. There are only two donuts here. I paid ten dollars, which is the exact price. Not a penny less!” “You’d better open your eyes before you start twisting the truth!” Marisa peeked into the bag and hesitated for a second, but quickly recovered her smirk. “Who knows how many you actually took when you bought them? A kid wouldn’t lie about this!” “Honestly, with all those luxury brands you wear, I bet you scammed your way into them anyway!” The moment she said that, the surrounding crowd started pointing fingers at me. “Oh, come on, just give them the money. That family has it so hard. Just consider it charity.” “The kid is practically begging you. It’s just ten bucks, it’s nothing to you.” “Yeah, you live in this luxury high-rise. Ten dollars is pocket change for you.” Hearing the crowd turn on me, Marisa raised her chin in triumph. I was so angry I wanted to laugh. Since she wanted to play dirty, I wasn’t going to hold back. I looked her dead in the eye and said slowly, “Whether I lied or stole, the owner knows the truth. But as for you, Marisa, where did those expensive boots of yours come from? Were they a gift from the guy who snuck out of your apartment yesterday morning? Or the different one from the night before?”

“You! What lies are you spreading?!” Marisa’s voice dropped instantly, her face turning pale. As a beauty influencer, streaming late into the night was part of my routine. That was how I constantly saw different men coming and going from Marisa’s place at ungodly hours. I pulled out my phone and opened the app for my smart doorbell. “You might not know this, but I bought both penthouse units on the twelfth floor and knocked the wall down to make a massive loft. So, I had high-res security cameras installed all over the hallway.” “I wonder if those older gentlemen take the stairs instead of the elevator just to avoid being seen?” Marisa’s face turned from pale to crimson. She lunged forward to grab my phone, but I easily stepped aside. I didn’t hold back my anger anymore, raising my voice so the whole street could hear. “If you dare spread rumors about me again, I will make sure your ‘sugar daddies’ go viral on TikTok!” Marisa swallowed hard, let go of Toby, and scurried away, muttering curses under her breath. Toby finally remembered why he was there. While I was distracted, he suddenly shoved me hard from behind. I fell to the ground, and my purse flew open. A diamond bracelet, a limited-edition birthday gift from my parents, slid out onto the concrete. Toby’s eyes lit up. He immediately snatched it and hugged it to his chest. “Fiona, I want this!” Before I could grab it back, his parents pushed through the crowd. Seeing Toby on the ground, Rachel instantly wailed, “Oh, my sweet Toby! Bullying you again! I’m such a useless mother, I can’t even protect my own boy!” Robert, the father, glared at me with his one good arm resting on his hip. “Look, miss, you’re a regular customer. I won’t hold this against you this time, but I expect you to pay what you owe next time.” I pointed at the bracelet in Toby’s arms. “That is my bracelet. Give it back to me right now!” Rachel took a closer look at what Toby was holding. Instantly, she shielded him behind her back. “What bracelet? I don’t see anything!” Furious, I unlocked my phone. “I’m calling 911. Let’s see what the police have to say!” Robert lunged and snatched my phone. Despite his physical condition, he was surprisingly strong and aggressive. He roared in my face, “What do you think you’re doing?! You’re the one trying to steal from us, and now you’re calling the cops?!” I crossed my arms and looked coldly at Toby, who was hiding behind his mother. “That bracelet is a limited-edition piece worth eighty thousand dollars. If there is a single scratch on it, your family won’t be able to pay for it even if you sell your entire shop.” Rachel’s eyes widened. She stared at the shiny object in Toby’s hands. Suddenly, Toby shoved the diamond bracelet into his mouth, slobbering all over it, and mumbled, “You always give me toys! I just want this one! Why are you so greedy?! It’s mine!” Watching my pristine, unworn bracelet get covered in drool made my stomach turn. Seeing my disgust, Robert snatched the bracelet out of Toby’s mouth and threw it onto the dirty pavement. “What is this cheap glass trash?! Trying to scam us?!” “Pay us for the donuts!” Rachel seized the opportunity to drop to her knees. She grabbed my legs tightly, wailing even louder, “Everyone, look! She lives in a luxury penthouse, but she’s robbing disabled people of their hard-earned money!” The crowd of onlookers grew larger. As a public figure online, I couldn’t afford a massive public scandal. I clenched my jaw, pulled out my spare phone, and scanned their Venmo QR code. The amount of money was nothing to me, and it certainly wouldn’t make them rich. But from this moment on, they were dead to me. I shoved the payment confirmation screen in Rachel’s face. “Are you happy now?!” Seeing that I had given in, Rachel thought she had successfully manipulated me. Her crying stopped instantly. “Only ten dollars, miss? Is our dignity as disabled people worth so little to you?” “You always order takeout, and we never charged you a packaging fee over the last five years. How are you going to pay for that?” “The boxes we use are food-grade eco-friendly paper. They are very expensive!” It turned out that when you reach a certain level of anger, you actually start to laugh. I looked at this greedy family of three. Controlling my rage, I asked, “So, what exactly do you want?” Rachel jumped to her feet and yelled, “One dollar per bag! I don’t care to count the past five years. Just give us five hundred dollars!” Five hundred dollars? I turned to the surrounding neighbors. “I have supported their business for five years. I came almost every day, and they shorted me half of my order every single time. That means I overpaid by ten dollars every single day. Tell me, how are they going to compensate me for that?” Robert stomped his dirty shoe right onto my diamond bracelet, crushing it against the concrete. “How can you prove we shorted you?!” “Maybe we made a mistake today, but you can’t just accuse us of doing it every day just because we are easy targets!” “Missing a donut won’t kill you anyway!” Seeing that I didn’t back down, the three of them sat back on the ground and began crying again. “The rich are abusing the poor!” “Have mercy on us disabled folks! Life is too hard!” I took a deep breath, refusing to waste another second arguing with them. I scanned the code, transferred the five hundred dollars, used a thick layer of tissues to pick up my ruined bracelet from the ground, and walked away without looking back. As soon as I got up to my loft, I called my uncle, Mike. “Mike, that bakery under my building, I won’t be covering part of their rent anymore. Also, don’t give them any more discounts. Charge them the full rate.” “And please contact Attorney Davis for me. I need an official appraisal of the damage to my diamond bracelet.” That five hundred dollars, and everything else they took from me, I was going to make sure they paid it back tenfold.

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My husband didn’t love me, and he loved our child even less. The day our son was born, he didn’t even spare him a glance before coldly tossing him into my arms. Later, his first love, the woman who broke his heart, returned to the country. For the first time, this notoriously cold man got completely wasted. With a rare, warm smile, he pulled our son into a tight embrace. My son, surprised and thrilled, wrapped his tiny arms around the man’s neck. Then, he turned to me and whispered: “Mom, what’s wrong with Uncle?” Yes. Because my husband didn’t love our son, he never allowed him to call him “Dad.” For seven years, our son could only call him Uncle. I knelt down, pulling my boy into my arms, my eyes burning with tears. “Uncle’s favorite person came back, so we shouldn’t keep bothering him. We’re going to move out, sweetie.” After tucking my son into bed, I went to the guest bedroom, opened my laptop, and started drafting a divorce agreement. This year was the seventh anniversary of my marriage to Ethan Vance. It was also the seventh year we had slept in separate rooms. Now, I was finally ready to let him go. Knock, knock. The door creaked open, and my seven-year-old son, Leo, walked in, clutching a model airplane. “Mom, are we really leaving?” He looked up at me, his eyes filled with reluctance. “But daddy hugged me tonight. Does that mean… he’s finally starting to like me?” I froze, my mind drifting back in a daze. In our seven years of marriage, Ethan had never allowed Leo to call him “Dad.” When Leo was two, Ethan took him to the supermarket. On the way back, they ran into an acquaintance. Because Leo accidentally babbled the word “Daddy,” Ethan immediately set the toddler down on the sidewalk and walked ahead, forcing the barely walking boy to follow him all the way home. By the time they reached the house, Leo had fallen countless times. His knees and palms were completely scraped and bleeding. When Leo was four, he begged for months until Ethan finally agreed to take him to an amusement park. But again, because Leo let slip a careless “Daddy,” Ethan let go of his small hand. He left a four-year-old child to get lost in the massive crowd. By the time I found him, Leo was hiding inside a thorny bush, sobbing so hard he could barely breathe from the lack of oxygen. Since then, Leo learned to call him Ethan. And our “family” became a complete joke. The memory made my throat tight. I couldn’t help but pull my son into a tight hug. “Leo, the person Ethan loves is back. We can’t stay in this house anymore.” Leo’s eyes dimmed. But then, he quickly lifted the model airplane, holding it out to me. “But Mom, daddy gave me this gift tonight. If he doesn’t like me, why would he buy me a toy?” His voice was so desperate, so eager to prove that he was a child loved by his father. My mouth opened, but no words came out. How could I tell him? What was I supposed to say? Should I tell him that Ethan was only happy because his ex-fiancée was coming back? Or should I tell him that this toy was just a leftover piece of affection meant for another woman? I couldn’t say it. I could only swallow the bitterness in my throat. Just like before, I chose to paint a beautiful lie to protect my child’s fragile heart. I kissed Leo’s forehead, secretly wiping away the tear that slipped down my cheek. This was a mother’s instinct—to protect her child’s dreams, even when her own heart was shattering. Suppressing a sob, I forced a smile. “Leo, if Mom wants to take you far away from daddy, would you come with me?” My son’s body went rigid. He whispered, “Do we have to go?” “I still haven’t… I still haven’t called him Dad in front of everyone…” My tears finally spilled over. I bit my lip hard. “Leo, Ethan… he doesn’t want us in his house anymore.” “Let Mom take you away, okay?” Leo pulled his hand back, hugging the model airplane tightly to his chest. After a long silence, he spoke. “I want to give uncle three more chances. If… if he really doesn’t like us, we will leave him forever.” Closing my eyes, I agreed to my son’s request. “Okay.” Ethan Vance, my son and I will give you three more chances. After that. There will never be a place for you in our lives again.

It was Friday, the day Ethan’s first love, Evelyn Ward, returned to the country. They were college sweethearts and had gotten engaged right after graduation. But just a month before their wedding, Evelyn fell head over heels for a French man she met at an art gallery. She abandoned Ethan without a second thought, flying to France to pursue her “true love.” And just like that, they parted ways. Ethan was devastated and fell into a deep depression for a long time. It was during that dark period that I became his executive assistant. One night, after too many drinks, we ended up in bed. I got pregnant. I became his secret wife, and because of that, both I and my child were deeply resented by him. After printing out the divorce agreement I had drafted yesterday, I started writing my resignation letter. Unlike my son, I was used to Ethan’s coldness. I was no longer foolish enough to wait for a heartless man to suddenly change his mind. Seven years was more than enough to crush all my fairy-tale illusions. “Chloe, are you really resigning?” My coworker, Sarah, glanced at my screen and whispered in shock. I smiled faintly, using the excuse I had prepared beforehand. “Yeah. My husband is working abroad. I’m planning to take Leo and join him. It’s time for our family to be together.” Sarah nodded understandingly. “That makes sense. It’s been so hard on you raising a kid alone here.” “To be honest, we all secretly thought you were a single mom.” Hearing that, I couldn’t help but chuckle. But the laugh was bitter. I wasn’t a single mom, yet my life was worse than one. My eyes started to sting, but I quickly put on my practiced, professional smile, refusing to let anyone see my pain. Right after I submitted my resignation, Ethan walked into the office, accompanied by Evelyn. The woman walked ahead, a sweet, elegant smile on her face. Ethan followed closely behind her, his eyes locked onto her, unable to look away for even a second. Sarah nudged me, whispering, “Chloe, look at that. Our cold boss is finally showing some emotion. The ice king has melted.” I forced a tight smile, though a storm was raging in my chest. Even the coldest winter eventually turns to spring. But for Ethan… Even if I waited a lifetime, I would never get him to look at me that way. As they walked past my desk, I couldn’t stop myself from calling out. “Eth—” Just as the first syllable left my lips, Ethan shot me a freezing glare. “Ms. Carter, is there something you need?” His tone was detached and carried a sharp warning. He was warning me to shut my mouth. Warning me to remember my place as a mere assistant. I lowered my eyes, using every ounce of strength to hold back my tears. “My apologies, Mr. Vance.” Ethan gave a curt nod and immediately turned his attention back to Evelyn, as if she were his entire world. He was my husband. The father of my child. Yet, right in front of me, he made no effort to hide his deep devotion to another woman. It was humiliating, but it was also a wake-up call. I laughed at myself. Originally, I wanted to tell him in person that I was resigning. Now, it seemed there was no need. After all, he never cared. He didn’t care about my feelings, he didn’t care about our son. And he certainly didn’t care about this marriage, which existed only on paper. Back at my desk, my phone buzzed. It was a FaceTime call from my son’s smartwatch. “Mom, there’s a parent-teacher conference tonight, so we’re getting dismissed early.” “Marcus is driving me to your office now.” I blinked, instinctively getting up to walk to the lobby. But as I stepped out, I saw Ethan gently reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Evelyn’s ear. And not far from them stood my son, carrying his heavy backpack. The tiny boy stood by the elevator doors, staring blankly as his father tenderly interacted with a strange woman. That gentleness, that patience… Neither I nor my son had ever received it. Just as I was about to rush over and pull Leo away, Ethan noticed him. Ethan’s body went stiff, and he quickly pulled his hand back. But in the next second, he shielded Evelyn and walked right past Leo with steady, cold steps. He acted as if he didn’t even know his own son. My heart ached fiercely. I rushed over, grabbed Leo’s hand, and led him back to my desk. Before I could even think of an explanation, Leo’s eyes filled with tears. He looked up at me. “Mom, is that the woman uncle Ethan loves?” At that moment, I lost all strength to speak. I could only nod through my tears. Leo didn’t ask anything else. He quietly sat down and pulled out his homework to write. But his tears kept falling, soaking the paper. I held him tight. He was my entire world. Ethan, you have two chances left before we walk away.

After packing my things, Leo and I headed home. On the way, Leo asked me quietly, “Mom, can uncle come to the parent-teacher conference tonight?” In seven years, Ethan had never attended a single school event for Leo. Looking at my son’s hopeful eyes, I didn’t have the heart to refuse. I pulled out my phone and sent Ethan a Snapchat message. [Leo has a parent-teacher conference tonight. Are you free?] The message was sent. And just like always, it was met with silence. Leo lowered his head, clutching his backpack. “He’s not coming, is he?” Then, he forced a mature, understanding smile. “It’s okay. He is a busy CEO. I understand.” Hearing his polite, too-mature words, I felt as if a heavy boulder was crushing my chest. The pain made it hard to breathe. Just as I was about to comfort him, my phone buzzed. It was a reply from Ethan. [I’m free. I’ll be there.] A surge of joy rushed through me. I instantly shoved the phone in front of Leo’s face. “Leo, look! Your dad said he’s coming!” Leo gasped, and a brilliant, radiant smile lit up his face. This was the first time in seven years that Ethan had agreed to show up for him. With Ethan’s promise, Leo was ecstatic the entire way home. He chirped happily, telling me how many times the teacher had praised him this semester, how many straight A’s he got, and how many certificates he had won. He even told me he had been elected class president, and the teacher was going to officially announce it tonight. At that, Leo looked up at me eagerly. “Mom, once uncle knows how good I am at school, he’ll like me more, right?” I froze, my heart aching even more. I silently prayed that Ethan wouldn’t break his promise. Before we left this place, I wanted my son to have his wish fulfilled, even if it was just a temporary illusion. The clock ticked away, and the time for the meeting drew closer. But Ethan still hadn’t shown up. Meanwhile, Evelyn’s Instagram updated. In the photo, Ethan was sitting next to a young boy, patiently teaching him how to build a Lego set. The caption read: [The perfect future dad. ] I turned my head to look at the living room. My seven-year-old son was sitting quietly on the carpet, playing with his toys. It was the exact same Lego set, with a boy of the exact same age who also needed his father’s company. But Leo had never had Ethan by his side. Sensing my gaze, Leo seemed to realize something. He asked cautiously, “Mom, is Ethan busy again?” I stared into my son’s innocent eyes, unable to bring myself to tell him the truth. Your father isn’t busy. He’s just busy being a dad to another woman’s child. I couldn’t say it. I could only pull him into my arms and whisper, “It’s okay, baby. You have Mom. Mom will always be with you.” Leo didn’t ask further, but his eyes turned red. On the way to school, we both tacitly avoided mentioning Ethan’s name. It was as if he had never promised to come, and as if our family had always consisted of just the two of us. Ethan, you have one last chance.

After parking the car, I walked into the school holding Leo’s hand. But the moment we stepped into the classroom, I froze. “Uncle?” “Dad?” Ethan was sitting by the window. Hearing our voices, he looked up, his eyes widening in shock. “What are you guys doing here?” His genuine surprise made my heart sink. A terrible dread washed over me. Leo had been at this school for six months, but Ethan didn’t even know which grade or classroom he was in. Leo, however, didn’t notice the coldness. He ran over excitedly. “Dad, you—” Ethan frowned. “What did you just call me?” Leo’s smile instantly vanished. He quickly corrected himself, a practiced numbness on his face. “Uncle Ethan. You’re sitting in the wrong seat. My desk is in the front row.” He still looked at Ethan with hope. This was the first time Ethan had ever come to his school. He thought Ethan had kept his promise to him. But before his excitement could last, Ethan looked away, avoiding his gaze. “I’m not in the wrong seat. This is where I’m supposed to sit.” Leo was stunned. Before he could speak, a small figure rushed over and shoved Leo aside. “Get away from him! He’s my dad!” Out of pure motherly instinct, I rushed forward and pulled Leo into my arms. Ethan stood up quickly, but when his eyes met Evelyn’s surprised gaze, he froze. Pulling his hands back, he shielded the other boy, Toby, behind him and said stiffly, “Toby didn’t mean it. I apologize on his behalf.” Both Leo and I were stunned. That kind of protection, that kind of care… Leo had never received a single ounce of it. “Who is he?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Ethan looked at me, a brief flash of guilt crossing his eyes. “A friend’s kid.” “Is that so?” I murmured, though my heart already knew the truth. This was the boy from Evelyn’s Instagram post. The boy Ethan was willing to spend his precious time with. Sure enough, Evelyn walked in holding a bottle of water. She gasped when she saw us. “Chloe? You’re here for the school open house too?” “Where’s your husband? Why isn’t he with you?” Hearing her question, I instinctively looked at Ethan. He quickly shifted his gaze, refusing to make eye contact. I understood. He was terrified I would expose our marriage in front of Evelyn. In a daze, my mind drifted back to the night Evelyn returned. That night, the cold, emotionless billionaire got drunk for the first time. And for the first time, when Leo called him “Daddy,” Ethan had smiled. Leo and I thought we were finally going to have a happy family. But in the next second, Ethan mumbled Evelyn’s name in his sleep. He had only hugged Leo because he mistook him for someone else. My grip on Leo’s hand tightened. Just as I was about to speak, Leo beat me to it. “My dad is working in another country. He’s very busy, and I don’t want to bother him.” His words left both Ethan and Evelyn speechless. I looked down in disbelief, only to see Leo’s eyes pooling with tears. He looked at Ethan and forced a polite, distant smile. “We should go, sir. Have a good night.” An overwhelming sadness blocked my chest. As we turned to leave, Ethan suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. “What did Leo just say?” Ethan asked, his voice trembling as if he was trying to confirm what he just heard. Was he shocked because the child who used to cling to him desperately was now actively pushing him away? I pulled my hand back, feeling nothing but cold irony. “Nothing, Mr. Vance. The meeting is about to start.” I broke free from his grip and led Leo to our seats in the front row. Even after sitting down, I could feel his burning gaze on our backs. But no matter how intense that gaze was, it could never warm a heart that had already turned to ice.

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I took on the school’s notorious playboy, Ashton Sterling. Everyone in high school thought I was head over heels in love with him. When he skipped classes and got into street fights, I was the one who took perfect notes and covered for his absences. When he flirted with other girls, I acted as his alibi. For three long years, I was his ultimate doormat. I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into tutoring that lazy rich kid, eventually getting him accepted into Yale. But right before college started, he dumped me. He looked down at me from his pedestal and said, “Chloe, I know you’ve liked me for a long time. But your entire life is just studying. Compared to Hailey, you’re just too boring and rigid. Let’s break up. I’m with Hailey now.” Everyone was waiting to see me break down and cry. I glanced at my phone screen, looking at the notification of the extra $5 million that had just been wired to my bank account. With absolute sincerity, I replied, “Okay. Congratulations.” Nobody knew that the only reason I had tolerated being his loyal puppy was because his mother, Victoria Sterling, simply paid too much. Now that the money was safely in my account, it was time for me to disappear. 1 “She actually just said ‘congratulations’ after being dumped by the hottest guy in school?!” “She hung up the phone in less than a minute. So cold. Did she lose her mind from heartbreak?” “Doesn’t look like it. She was too calm. Honestly, it looked more like she’d been waiting for this breakup forever.” At those words, someone carefully glanced at Ashton. He was holding his new girlfriend, Hailey, but his handsome face was incredibly dark and furious. The classmate quickly changed his tune. “Come on, we all saw how much Chloe worshipped Ashton over the years. There’s no way she doesn’t care. She must be crying her eyes out in private!” “I bet you within three days, she’ll come crawling back, begging Ashton not to leave her!” Ashton’s expression softened slightly at that. “If she comes back and begs, I might consider forgiving her. Let’s see what she does.” I knew nothing about their gossip as I dragged my suitcase toward the train station. Even if I had heard their mockery, I would have only given them a cold, indifferent smile. If it weren’t for my abusive, debt-ridden parents who believed a girl’s education was useless and tried to force me to marry a fifty-year-old local creditor to clear their gambling debts… If it weren’t for the fact that my drunken father had torn my college acceptance letter to shreds and beaten me half to death, right before Ashton’s wealthy mother found me and offered me a deal— As long as I could get her rebellious, failing son into an Ivy League school, she would not only cover my high school tuition but also give me five million dollars upon his acceptance… I would have never chased after a toxic bad boy like Ashton, acting like a loyal, tireless dog at his beck and call. For three whole years. I used every method possible to turn this arrogant slacker into a straight-A student, successfully securing his spot at Yale. Now that the mission was accomplished, I finally had the money to escape. I was too busy celebrating. Why on earth would I waste a single tear over him getting a new girlfriend? From beginning to end, all I wanted was to crawl out of the hellish environment of my childhood and claim a life of my own. Love was never part of the equation. When the college semester started, I didn’t show up at the local university. My parents would have hunted me down there. After all, a daughter with a bright future was a valuable asset they could still sell. If I wanted to leave, I had to make a clean break. During the three months of summer break, I passed my advanced French exams with flying colors. I successfully secured my student visa and admission to a top design school in Paris. Just as I was about to board my flight to Paris, a text from Ashton popped up on my phone. “Why did you block me on Snapchat?” “Chloe, have you not thrown your tantrum long enough this summer? Even if Hailey and I are dating, we can still be friends. Stop being dramatic and unblock me.” Every word still carried that same insufferable, condescending tone. He was entirely convinced that, just like the past three years, no matter how much he trampled on my feelings, I would eventually wag my tail and run back to him. I pulled the SIM card out of my phone, snapped it in half, and casually tossed it into the airport trash can. Along with that card, I threw away all the humility, calculation, and painful memories of my past. The plane pierced through the clouds, leaving my old life far behind. 2 Later, a high school friend told me that Ashton had been spamming my old social media accounts with comments. They were all variations of: “Are you done throwing a fit yet?” “It’s just a relationship. Is it really worth being this angry?” “Add me back right now!” She said, “At first, Ashton was so sure you’d come crawling back. When you didn’t, he started losing his mind. Now, his face turns pitch black whenever someone even mentions your name.” Listening to this was like hearing a story about a stranger. It didn’t trigger a single emotion in me. Using the five million dollars from Mrs. Sterling, I started fresh in Paris. I enrolled in the prestigious Paris College of Art. The language barrier, the cultural adjustments, the intense coursework… Everything was a challenge. But there was no Ashton to please, no suffocating family to escape. There were only sketchbooks, blue-prints, and an endless horizon of hope. A few years passed in the blink of an eye. With hard work and a bit of talent, my jewelry designs began making waves at major fashion weeks, landing me several prestigious international awards. Eventually, I was appointed as the Chief Designer for Lumina, a rising luxury brand, and was sent back to the States to lead our expansion in the North American market. On my first day back in New York. I was grabbing lunch at a café downstairs from our corporate office when a hesitant voice sounded behind me. “Chloe? Is that you?” I turned around and saw a vaguely familiar face. It was Maya Taylor, a girl who used to sit in front of me in high school. Her eyes widened as she took me in, her face a mix of awe and sheer disbelief. “Oh my god! It really is you! You’ve changed so much!” The timid, insecure girl who used to try too hard to please everyone was gone. Time and experience had given me a quiet, elegant confidence. “Hey, Maya. Long time no see.” “I can’t believe it! What a coincidence!” Maya was ecstatic. “We actually have a high school reunion tonight! It’s right upstairs at the Penthouse Lounge. A bunch of people from our year are coming, including Ashton! You have to come! Nobody is going to recognize you!” Ashton? That name felt like a distant echo from another lifetime. It hadn’t crossed my mind in years. I wanted to decline, but then I thought—there was really no need to hide. “Sure,” I replied. I spent the rest of the day buried in corporate meetings and market reports, completely losing track of time. By the time I remembered the reunion, it was already late. Too lazy to go back to my hotel to change, I went straight up to the Penthouse Lounge in my casual business clothes. When I pushed open the heavy glass doors, the loud chatter and laughter of the party washed over me. The private lounge was spacious, and a large group was gathered around a lavish table. My eyes instinctively swept across the room and instantly locked onto the man sitting at the center of the crowd. Ashton Sterling. He looked more mature than he did in high school. His jawline was sharper, and he wore an expensive designer blazer, leaning back in his seat with that same lazy, arrogant posture. He was always the center of attention. Sitting close next to him was a beautiful young woman with heavy makeup and flashy clothes. But she wasn’t Hailey. I guess his taste in girls hadn’t changed, only the faces had. After a brief moment of silence, a guy who had clearly had too much to drink recognized me. “Holy crap! Look! Ashton! Your old simp, Chloe, is here!” That shout instantly turned every eye in the room toward me. The mocking chatter stopped, and a wave of judgmental, amused stares locked onto me. Ashton snapped his head up. When he saw me standing at the door, his pupils dilated in shock. His smug, relaxed expression instantly froze, replaced by raw shock and a wave of complicated emotions. The girl beside him immediately sensed his tension. She tightened her grip on his arm, throwing me a hostile, calculating look. “Chloe?” 3 I completely ignored the whispers and the stares. Walking straight over to an empty seat next to Maya, I sat down and calmly poured myself a glass of water. “Well, Chloe, it’s been a while,” Vanessa Jenkins, a girl dressed in a flashy designer dress, spoke up first. “I heard you dropped out of college back then? Honestly, it makes sense. With your family background, how could they ever afford tuition?” “Where have you been working all these years? Please don’t tell me you ended up marrying some old sugar daddy like people rumored. I mean, looking at your outfit today… it’s pretty casual.” She put a nasty emphasis on “sugar daddy,” causing a few girls around her to giggle behind their hands. “I’ve been living abroad for a few years. Just got back,” I replied smoothly, keeping my tone indifferent. “Ah, living abroad!” Hunter Miller, another classmate, chimed in with a mockingly sympathetic tone. “But it’s tough for expats these days, right? You might get away with some sketchy jobs over there, but that stuff is illegal here. Since we were classmates, let us know if you need help. Do you have a job yet? We could hook you up.” “My uncle’s firm is looking for a receptionist. No experience needed, just basic computer skills. The pay isn’t great, but hey, it’s honest work. Better than whatever you were doing…” He trailed off, his implication crystal clear. “Exactly,” Vanessa chimed in with a fake, sweet smile. “Western guys might love exotic girls, but let’s be real, they only use them for fun.” “Chloe, we’re your old friends. If you’re struggling, just say the word.” “With your background… I mean, since you never went to college and clearly don’t own any nice clothes, you’ll never pass a decent interview. How about I take you shopping sometime? I can lend you some cash. You used to be the top student, it’s honestly a pity to see you end up like this.” Ashton remained silent. But his hand clenched tightly around his whiskey glass, his dark eyes burning into me. The new girlfriend next to him, Tiffany Thorne, finally couldn’t take it anymore. With a patronizing sneer, she leaned forward, looking down at me with pure disdain. “So you’re Chloe? Yeah, I’ve heard of you.” “Weren’t you the pathetic little doormat who used to chase my Ashton around?” “Doing his homework, taking his notes, lying to his teachers?” “Must have been exhausting.” She paused, clearly enjoying the amused looks of the crowd. “But at least you had some self-awareness. You knew someone like you could never match a Sterling, so you ran away. But it looks like life hasn’t been kind to you since.” “Just so you know, Ashton is now the vice president of Sterling Enterprises. And me? I just took over my family’s fashion line, and we’re currently in talks for a major collaboration with a top global luxury brand. If you’re really desperate, maybe we can find some crumbs for you.” I took a sip of my water. “No, thank you.” Tiffany rolled her eyes at my response, her tone turning even more boastful. “You probably don’t even know what kind of level I’m talking about. Have you heard of Lumina? The French high-end jewelry brand?” “Their Chief Designer is an absolute genius who won multiple international awards in Paris. She’s incredibly exclusive. I had to pull a million strings just to get an introductory meeting with her. If she agrees to design a capsule collection for my brand, it will completely shake up the fashion industry.” “Once that deal goes through, a single word from me could change your entire life.” The table erupted into gasps and flattery. “Oh my god, Lumina! Their designs are stunning!” “I heard their chief designer is extremely picky. Ordinary brands don’t even get a reply!” “Tiffany, your connections are insane! To be able to book someone of that caliber… Only a woman like you is fit to stand next to Ashton!” Tiffany lifted her chin proudly, soaking in the praise. I looked at her, unable to hold back a soft chuckle. 4 She was putting on quite a show. “What’s the designer’s name? She sounds legendary,” someone asked curiously. “She goes by the name Eileen,” Tiffany said, continuing to oversell her connection. “She’s young but incredibly talented, and she has massive influence in Europe. It’s not easy for a brand of our size to get her attention, but I’m confident I can make it happen.” She leaned affectionately against Ashton. “Right, babe?” Ashton gave a distracted, “Yeah.” His eyes were still glued to my face, filled with a mix of resentment and pride, refusing to speak a word directly to me. Seeing this, the others continued to tear me down to boost Tiffany’s ego. But I simply held my glass, completely unbothered. Just then, the glass door of the lounge was gently knocked open. A young woman in a smart business suit, holding a thick stack of folders, stepped in with an anxious but respectful expression. “Ms. Thorne, I’m so sorry to interrupt.” “I brought the urgent files you requested for the Lumina project. Also, about the designer…” Hearing this, Tiffany immediately stood up. “What about her? Did she reply? Did she agree to meet me?” Her voice was trembling with excitement. The young assistant nodded. “I actually met her today. But her schedule was packed tonight, so she scheduled a meeting with us for tomorrow morning.” Hearing her assistant confirm the meeting with the mysterious designer, Tiffany’s face lit up with a victorious smile. “Perfect!” She turned to Ashton, her eyes sparkling with pride. “See, Ashton? I told you I could do it! I’ll seal the deal tomorrow!” The classmates immediately showered her with more praise. “Tiffany, you are truly amazing!” “We’ll all be looking up to you from now on, Ms. Thorne!” “Ashton is so lucky to have such a powerful partner!” Amidst the endless flattery, Tiffany’s vanity reached its peak. She cast a dismissive glance toward me, sitting quietly in the corner. “By the way, Amy, do we have any entry-level openings in our company? Like… janitorial staff?” She paused, pointing her gaze directly at me. “This classmate here, Chloe, used to help my boyfriend a lot in high school.” “I heard she’s currently unemployed. Since we’re all old friends, I’d love to help her secure a stable job. Think of it as charity.” The room went dead silent for a second before erupting into even louder laughter. “Oh, Tiffany, you’re too kind! But honestly, you shouldn’t get involved with someone like her, especially with her family. They’re toxic!” “Seriously! You guys don’t know, but after she vanished back then, her parents came to the school and caused a massive scene! They were screaming, crying, and rolling on the floor of the dean’s office, claiming the school kidnapped their daughter! They even brought local reporters! It was so embarrassing!” “Exactly! Her entire family is insane. Tiffany, your company is just starting to take off. If her crazy parents start showing up at your office to demand money, you’ll be ruined!” Hearing this, Tiffany put on a look of dramatic horror. “Oh, really? Then I’m so sorry, Chloe. You see, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but my brand is in a critical stage. I really can’t afford to deal with the kind of drama your family brings.” She shifted closer to Ashton, as if standing near me would somehow contaminate her. Ashton just stared at me. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but he quickly suppressed it with a bitter scowl. Everyone looked at me with smug satisfaction, expecting me to be humiliated. I really didn’t understand why she was so obsessed with finding me a job. Calmly, I repeated what I had said earlier. “No need. I already have a job, thank you.” Tiffany sighed. “Whatever job you have, you should probably quit. Being pretty might pay the bills for now, but… that kind of lifestyle will get you sick eventually.” A wave of dirty snickers went around the table. Amy, the assistant, smiled politely at first, but as she looked closer at me, her professional expression suddenly froze. The thick stack of Lumina project files she was holding slipped from her hands, crashing loudly onto the floor. White papers scattered everywhere. The lounge went dead silent. Tiffany frowned in annoyance. “What is wrong with you? Can’t even hold a few folders?” But Amy completely ignored her boss’s anger. She pointed at me, her voice trembling with shock and terror. “Designer Vance?! What… what are you doing here?!”

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Seven pregnancies. Seven miscarriages. For fifteen years, I thought my body was the problem. Until Megan told me the truth on her deathbed. “It was a bet, Serena. I bet Garrett and Dylan that you’d never have Garrett’s baby. I won. And they actually did it. Every single time.” “Your brother performed all seven. Garrett told you it was your body. It was never your body.” I stare at her. Blood floods the back of my throat. Fifteen years of guilt. Fifteen years of blaming myself. And it all started with a bet she made for fun. Blood sprays from my lips onto the bed. My vision goes black. When I open my eyes again, I’m standing in a wedding venue. Megan is right in front of me in a bridesmaid dress, her eyes slightly red as she glances at my stomach. “Serena, congratulations. A wedding and a baby. Lucky you.” I stare at her for a few seconds. Then I rip off my veil, turn around, and walk out. I don’t know where I’m going. I just need to get away from here. Away from him, away from her, away from all of it. I’m halfway down the block when the cramp hits. It tears through my lower body so hard my knees almost buckle. I grab the nearest wall and look down. Blood. Soaking through my white dress. I flag down a cab with shaking hands. “Hospital,” I choke out. “Please hurry.” By the time the doctors get me into a room, it’s already too late. Garrett finds me in the recovery room. He rushes in, eyes wide, scanning the IV in my arm. “Serena, what happened?” He cups my face in his hands, his voice breaking. “Why didn’t you call me?” This man. In this life, same as the last one. Gentle, attentive, devoted. The kind of husband who hands over his paycheck without being asked, does all the housework, and promises never to lie to me. I never could have dreamed that he would destroy seven of our children for my best friend’s entertainment. Before I can answer, my brother’s voice cuts in from the doorway, sharp with irritation. “Serena, every important friend Mom and Dad ever had is sitting in that hall right now. This is not the time for your drama.” “Mom and Dad would be ashamed of you right now.” I look at Dylan. He’s my older brother. My only family in this world. And he took a scalpel to my children seven times because Megan told him to. I almost ask him how he could do what he did. But I swallow it down. I turn to Garrett instead and keep my voice steady. “Garrett, I’m only going to ask you once. About the baby I was carrying. Is there anything you’re keeping from me?” His eyes flick to Megan standing behind Dylan in the doorway. Panic flashes across his face for just a second. “Of course not. Serena, are your hormones making you overthink things?” The moment he finishes that sentence, Megan’s eyes turn even redder. Dylan sees her tears and his jaw tightens with worry. “Serena, being pregnant doesn’t give you the right to act like this. How are you going to be a good mother with this attitude? Maybe you shouldn’t be having a baby at all.” I look at both of them. These two men with their very different expressions, playing their very different roles. I almost want to laugh. Then Dylan checks his phone and his face shifts. “The guests are asking where the bride is. I need to get back.” He pulls Megan toward the door. “Let’s go.” I look down. I slide the ring off my finger and press it into Garrett’s palm. “Garrett, we’re done.” His face goes white. He opens his mouth, but Dylan calls from the hallway, voice impatient. “Garrett, come on. We’ll deal with her later. She’s not going anywhere.” Garrett backs out of the room slowly while looking at me, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear. But he still leaves. The ward goes quiet. I lie there staring at the ceiling, and the tears finally come. My hand drifts to my stomach. Flat. Empty. “I’m sorry, baby,” I whisper. “Mommy is so sorry.” Hours later, when my breathing finally steadies, I pull out my phone. 99+ missed calls. The last message is from Garrett. [Serena, we’re home waiting for you. Whatever happened, just talk to me, okay? Please.] Something makes me open the home camera app. The moment the feed loads, I hear Garrett’s voice. He’s screaming. “Megan, did you say something to Serena behind my back?”

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“Another slut trying to spread your legs for my husband? I’m carrying the next Sterling heir!” Me? A slut? I’m Avery Sterling. The only blood heir to this family. Looks like nobody told her. I came home today to surprise my parents, only to find the stranger already in my house. Guess the surprise is on me. She’s wearing my robe and my mother’s jewelry, pointing in my face, cussing me out. “Have you been sanitized? I’m carrying the Don’s grandchild—trash like you isn’t worthy of breathing near me!” “Someone get the disinfectant—spray this bitch and whatever she dragged in with her!” I stare at her. It takes me a while to find my voice. “This is the Sterling compound. The Don’s house. Am I wrong?” Her eyes bulge. She cracks me across the face. “Another whore who heard the name and came sniffing around my husband. Throw her out!” They throw me out onto the street. I almost laugh from how insane this woman is. On a normal day? These fuckers would be bleeding out on the marble. But I discharged myself early—still healing from two bullets I ate last month taking down a rival capo. Without a word, I pull out my phone and call my mother. “Mom. Get home now. Dad’s been cheating. He’s got a secret son—and that son just knocked someone up. You’re about to be a fucking grandma.” I hang up. Walk back through those gates. Grab that woman by her hair, and despite her thrashing, kick her out the front door. “You keep saying you’re carrying the next Sterling heir? Let me make this clear.” “The Don, Richard Sterling has no son. Only me—Avery Sterling. His one and only daughter.” “And last I checked, I don’t have a dick to knock you up, sweetheart.” She swings at me. “Bullshit!” “Everyone knows the Don and his wife have been solid for years. And he swore everything to his one and only son—my darling husband, Caleb Sterling.” “The Don even got a vasectomy to prove it!” “The heir has to be a man. That’s how it’s always been. The heir is my sweet Caleb. You? You’re nothing.” I roll my eyes at this lunatic. Funny. The heir has to be a man? Even Richard didn’t earn his seat as Don—my mother put him there. Every ounce of power he has, my mother gave him. “Fine. Call him. Call your husband and tell him to face me. I want to see who the hell has the balls to take my place.” “And upstairs, second floor, sunroom—my bedroom. Walk-in closet, hidden vault. Code’s ten-eleven. My birthday. You’ll find every record of me since the day I was born.” “Still don’t buy it? Bring out every person in this house—let’s see who they recognize. The real Sterling heir, or the fool who got scammed into a fake marriage.”

Tiffany looks shaken for half a second. Then she pulls herself together. “Caleb and I had our engagement with both parents present. The wedding’s today. Papa Richard personally handed me a black card with eight million on it. How could that be fake?” She snaps her fingers. “Everyone—out here! Does anyone know this woman?” The soldiers file out. Look at me. Every one shakes their head. “Sorry, ma’am. Never seen her.” I look at each face. Every soldier, every housekeeper, every driver who watched me grow up—gone. All strangers. Only one person could pull that off. Tiffany lights up. “Nobody knows you. Breaking and entering plus slander. Get her!” They swarm me. Fists, boots—everywhere. Too many. Blood runs into my eyes. The front door swings open. A panicked voice. “I heard there’s an intruder—Tiffany, baby, you okay?” I look at the man. Never seen him in my life. His face twists in fury. “You’ve got a fucking death wish. I’m Richard Sterling’s only son. You attacked my pregnant wife in my father’s house. You’re done.” I stay calm. “You say you’re his son. Prove it. This is my house. You broke in and stole my place—” “I’m the one who should be asking, who the hell gave you the nerve?” That throws him for a second. Then he laughs in my face. “Lady, is there a limit to your delusions? You? Richard’s daughter?” “I get it—you’re desperate for me to fuck you. But these cheap stunts to get my attention? End here.” “My wife has gone through hell to carry the future heir. No one’s taking her place.” Tiffany clings to him. “Baby, you’re so good to me.” I watch these two putting on their little love show. My blood boils. “I said—I’m the only Sterling heir.” Caleb shoves her aside and smacks me across the face. “My father kept me hidden to protect me—not so some rabid bitch could steal my name!” “I’m calling him. Right now.” Caleb pulls out his phone. Puts it on speaker. Dials. I see the familiar number on the screen. My stomach drops. The next second, Richard’s voice fills the room. “My boy! I’m at the venue setting up for your wedding—what’s up?” Caleb smirks at me. “Dad. Do I have any siblings?” Richard chuckles, half-scolding. “What kind of nonsense is that, kid? I got the vasectomy for you. No one else. Relax, son. When I’m gone, all of this is yours.” Something in me snaps. Hatred crashes over me. I open my mouth to scream his name— Caleb already hung up. Backhands me across the jaw. “Oh, I see it now. You’re not here trying to ride me. You want my old man’s cock” “My parents—twenty years together. Some slut like you thinks she can get between them?” “She’s been spewing lies and slander. Hold her down. Cut out her tongue.” No point dying stupid. I run. But Tiffany grabs my hair from behind and yanks me back. Everyone pile on. Someone smacks my face. Hands around my throat forcing my mouth open. They’re really going to do it. I push back—boots slam into my gut. “Mess with the only Sterling heir? Let’s see how many lives you got.” Tears burn my eyes. Someone’s got my tongue pinched tight—then agony rips through my mouth. Blood floods my throat. Choking. Almost gone. Then—the doorbell rings.

It has to be Mom! She’s coming to save me. I shove them off and lunge for the door. Caleb goes pale. “Who shows up now? Everyone’s at the venue.” My tongue is split open. I glare at the two of them through the blood. They look stunned. “Someone who’s going to end you!” I yank the door open— My heart drops. Not my mother. He takes one look at my bloody face and flinches.Then, cautiously, testing the water: “Miss Avery? What happened to you?” I grab his arm and drag him inside, facing Caleb and Tiffany. My tongue is on fire but I force the words out through the pain: “You don’t know me? Fine. But you know him—he’s the Family’s Consigliere.” “Arthur—tell them who I am.” Caleb rolls his eyes, arms crossed, and steps forward. “Well, Arthur? You know her?” Arthur glances at me. Then at the giant wedding portrait in the middle of the living room. Then he smiles. “Nope. Who’s this supposed to be?” Tiffany shrieks. “I knew it—you’re a liar!” Caleb smirks. “My parents have been by my side since day one. Never missed a thing—not one moment of my life. He loves me so much. You? Claiming to be his kid? The joke of the century.” I stare at Arthur, too shocked to feel the pain. “You watched me grow up. How can you not know me? I’m Avery Sterling. Richard’s daughter.” He looks me up and down. The corner of his mouth curls up. “Shame. Don’t recognize you. What are we gonna do?” His voice is ice-cold. A chill hits my spine. And I remember. Three years back, we caught him skimming from Family operations to cover his gambling debts. He was one of ours—my parents wanted him buried. I stopped them. Vouched for him. But this is how he pays me back? He’s teaming up with Caleb to bury me. I’m done with this. I run. He kicks my legs out. I hit the floor. “Young Boss” he says to Caleb, “this woman is deranged. She’ll mess up your wedding. Deal with her first?” I look up from the floor, shaking with rage, glaring at him. “Playing dumb? You just wait till my mother gets back—she’ll deal with you.” He smirks, raises an eyebrow, and mouths the words just for me. You won’t last that long. That’s all Tiffany and Caleb needed to hear. Tiffany kicks me down. They both lay into me again. Caleb’s phone cuts through the noise. He checks the time, frowning like it’s ruined his fun. “Baby, it’s almost time for the ceremony.” Tiffany presses her lips together. Gives me one last kick. Cut her open. Let her bleed out slow. I want her watching herself die drop by drop. So in her next life she’ll know better than to come for me.”

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I was the female CEO who made Wall Street flinch. But I went blind pulling my daughter out of a kidnapping. Her thank-you? “Can Daddy’s girlfriend be my new mommy?” How did it come to this? Chloe, my little girl who used to hide behind my legs around strangers, became my eyes outside—guiding me through crowds, never letting go of my hand. My husband Adrian stepped into my position and carried that weight for six grueling years. Then comes the day Thorne Group goes public. Our driver brings me to the office, saying Adrian wants me there for the bell-ringing ceremony. But the moment I’m walked out, I don’t hear applause or champagne. Just wind. And then a gasp ripples through the crowd below: “God—look, Adrian’s blind wife is trying to jump off the roof!” “Everyone knows Adrian and Vivienne Sterling are the real power couple—not him and that blind freak.” The wind whips past my ears. Sirens wail in the distance. That’s when I realize—someone lured me up rooftop on purpose. They wanted a show. “Evelyn!” Adrian rushes over and grabs me, yanking me to the ground. His voice is sharp with resentment. “You’re blind—why the hell did you come out here? Haven’t you dragged me and Chloe down enough?” I open my mouth to explain, but my daughter’s tiny voice cuts through first: “Daddy, don’t save Mommy next time, okay? I wanna get a new mommy…” “Can your girlfriend be my new mommy?” I collapse onto the ground. And then—right as the tears are about to fall—I see light. Faint at first, then brighter. Shapes bleed through the darkness. I can see. I see Adrian’s lips move. No sound. But I read them clearly: “Sounds good.” “Yay! I’m finally getting a new mommy!” I can’t breathe. “Even her own kid thinks she’s pathetic!” “Six years with a blind wife? That man’s a saint! I would’ve been gone day one.” The crowd starts sneering. The face I’d imagined a thousand times in the dark—my daughter’s face—is now staring at me with disgust. “Chloe…” I reach out, the way I always used to, wanting to hold her. “Get away from me! Don’t touch me, you blind!” Chloe jerks backward, jumping back like I’m disgusting. “It’s all your fault! My classmates all laugh at me for having a blind mom! Nobody wants to play with me!” Her words hit me like a knife to the gut. Six years ago, she was taken by kidnappers. I showed up with ten million dollars in ransom to get her back. But the moment the money hit their account, they detonated the bomb. I threw my body over hers. That’s the only reason she’s alive. The price was my eyes. I never saw anything again. “Chloe.” Adrian finally speaks up, pinching the space between his brows. “That’s enough. Mommy lost her eyes because of—” “She’s NOT blind because of me! She totally did it on purpose!” My daughter points toward the edge of the rooftop. “Why else would she be standing over there? She just wants people to feel sorry for her!” I try to speak. Nothing comes out. Right then, the media cameras swing toward me like wolves. “Ma’am—are you up here because you’ve lost it? Is this your way of guilting your husband and daughter? Some kind of sick revenge?” The camera flashes sting my eyes. The whispers around me grow uglier and uglier. People shove me from every direction. I fumble helplessly, hoping Adrian will step in. But Adrian is standing right next to me. His lips part slightly—then he looks away. “Adrian, you can’t even handle something this small? And you think you can compete with me?” Vivienne Sterling strolls over, flanked by a wall of bodyguards. The words are a dig at Adrian, but she steps in front of him, blocking every camera with her body. “Everyone.” She turns to face the press, her smile perfectly composed. “Today is a partnership celebration between Sterling Group and Thorne Group. I trust you’ll all know when to put the cameras down.” One sentence. The same reporters suddenly bow and start packing up their gear. She doesn’t even raise her voice. One wave of her hand, and she solves the mess I can’t. I used to be that person. I used to be the one who showed up and made people fall in line. But now— “Miss Viv!” Chloe doesn’t hesitate. She steps right on my hand and throws herself into Vivienne’s arms. “What took you so long?” The same daughter who just looked at me with disgust is now giggling in another woman’s embrace. The pain in my hand is nothing compared to the one in my chest. Adrian watches the scene, something I can’t read on his face. Finally, he says quietly: “Vivienne, thanks again for bailing out Thorne Group. Let me walk you out.” Vivienne scoops up Chloe like it’s second nature, then shoots me a look of contempt. “Adrian, I helped Thorne Group because of you.” She pauses, her fingers hooking under Adrian’s tie, giving it a slow tug. “As for how you’ll repay me—you know exactly what I want.” He catches her hand on his tie, but his thumb strokes slowly across her knuckles. “Behave. We’re just business partners.” But his thumb lingers on her jawline a beat too long. Soft, knowing laughter ripples through the crowd. The three of them walk away together like a family, carried along by whistles and teasing. And I’m still on the ground, eyes stinging, unable to move. “I don’t get Adrian. Why keep that burden around? Just divorce her already.” “Exactly! Vivienne’s been waiting for him for six whole years! And he’s stuck babysitting that burden!” Their words drift into my ears again. Before, I would’ve lost my mind arguing with them. I would’ve clung to Adrian, begging him not to leave. But this time—they’re half-right. It’s time to end this.

After we come down from the rooftop, Adrian insists on taking me to the hospital for a checkup. Dr. Harris examines my eyes carefully. Slowly, excitement creeps across his face. “Mr. Thorne, your wife’s vision—” “Sorry, I need to take this.” Adrian’s phone buzzes. He glances at the caller ID and walks briskly out of the room. The movement is subtle, but I catch it—the name on his screen: Vivienne Sterling. The second he turns away, I raise my hand to stop Dr. Harris. “Dr. Harris, please keep this between us.” I lower my voice. “I want to… tell him the surprise myself.” The lie sits heavy in my throat. Thankfully, Dr. Harris doesn’t notice anything off. He catches on quickly and claps me on the shoulder. “Almost forgot! News this big—of course you should be the one to tell him.” After six years, I’d gotten good with a cane. But now that I can see again, every step feels impossibly heavy. Before I know it, I wander into the middle of the road. A screech of tires—a black sedan speeding straight at me. I see it clearly. Vivienne Sterling behind the wheel. And Adrian sitting right beside her. I stumble and fall. At the last second, brakes scream. The bumper stops inches from my face. “Do you have a death wish?!” Adrian jumps out of the car. His hands won’t stop shaking as he grabs my arms, his grip so tight it bruises. “What happens to me if you die? What happens to Chloe?” He checks me over with bloodshot eyes, searching for injuries. For one second—just one—I almost let myself believe he still cares about me. “Don’t worry.” His jaw clenches. That’s when I notice it—something reddish smeared at the corner of his mouth. “I will find whoever did this to you.” He says it firmly. But his eyes drift involuntarily toward the driver’s seat. Vivienne is still behind the wheel, inspecting her nails without a care in the world. Through the windshield, I see Vivienne press her lips together—the exact same shade that is smeared on Adrian’s mouth. Adrian helps me into the back seat, then pulls out his phone and starts scrolling through work emails. Vivienne leans over, pressing herself against his arm. Her fingers trace slow circles on his thigh. “You’re so boring when you work.” “Cut it out.” He doesn’t look up. But he doesn’t push her away either. She tilts his chin toward her and kisses him. Slow, deep. Her fingers sliding into his hair. Adrian’s hand finds her waist, then her hip, pulling her closer across the center console. They break apart just long enough for him to murmur against her lips: “Tonight. You’ll pay for this.” Vivienne bites her bottom lip and smiles, settling back into her seat like nothing happened. I sit exactly the way I always have. Eyes blank. Staring straight ahead at nothing. “Is there anyone else in the car?” I ask softly. Adrian wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and shifts away from Vivienne. “…No. Just the two of us.” I watch the streets blur past the window. For the first time in six years, one thing is perfectly, painfully clear: The family I almost died for doesn’t have room for me anymore.

Back home, I call out for her. “Nana Ruth?” She’s been with me since I was three years old—more mother to me than anyone. After I went blind, she never left my side. She fed me, dressed me, walked me through the house with her arm locked in mine. No answer. I feel along the wall down the hall. Her slippers aren’t by the door. Her reading glasses aren’t on the side table. Her knitting basket is gone. “Looking for that old woman?” One of the maids side-eyes me, voice dripping with amusement. “Think I saw her near the storage room this morning. Maybe check for yourself?” A bad feeling rises in my gut. I make my way toward the storage room. I’m halfway there when I hear it— “Mommy!” Chloe’s voice echoes from the doorway. She’s standing there, clutching her stuffed bunny. “My bunny fell in there. Can you get it for me?” The moment I push open the door, I see it—hundreds of thumbtacks scattered across the floor, glinting under the dim light. I instinctively step back. “Chloe?” “Please, Mommy! Daddy gave it to me for my birthday last year!” Her eyes go wide. Her lip trembles in that perfect little pout. I take a deep breath and say quietly: “Okay.” I grit my teeth and step forward, one agonizing step at a time. The tacks puncture the soles of my feet instantly. Pain shoots up my legs so hard I nearly collapse. I pick up the stuffed bunny. Turn around. Hand it to her. She takes it, looks down at the blood beneath my feet, and bursts out laughing. “Blind Mommy can’t even see thumbtacks on the floor! So stupid!!” Adrian shows up in the doorway. He looks at the mess and frowns. “You’ve been out all day, you must be tired. Come downstairs. Dinner’s ready.” He doesn’t ask a single question about my feet. At the dinner table, Vivienne sits beside Adrian like she belongs there more than I ever did. “Evelyn, I found a traditional remedy. Bone broth from high-quality meat. Supposed to help with nerve regeneration.” Vivienne pushes a bowl of dark, thick broth across the table toward me. Adrian picks up the spoon and brings it to my lips. “Drink up. Vivienne went through a lot of trouble to get this.” The moment the spoon touches my lips, my blood runs cold. In the broth, half-submerged in the dark liquid, a chunk of meat. And embedded in it—a small, curved piece of titanium. I’ve felt that shape a hundred times. Every night for six years, I massaged Nana Ruth’s bad knee. The titanium plate from her surgery pressed against her skin in a ridge I traced with my fingers so many times I could draw it from memory. I shove the bowl away. It crashes to the floor. My stomach turns inside out. “What the hell is wrong with you now?” Adrian glares at me, annoyed. I point at the bowl. My fingers tremble. The words won’t come. Adrian looks at the soup splattered across the floor, then his jaw sets. “It’s just a high-end remedy! Vivienne went out of her way to find this for you. What are you throwing a fit about?” When I still refuse, his voice turns cold. “Six years! Your eyes are still useless. Are you planning to be a burden to me and Chloe for the rest of our lives?!” He picks up another spoonful and forces it to my lips. I clamp my jaw shut. The broth runs down my chin. The moment a drop hits the back of my throat, I double over and throw up. “Gross! She can’t even eat without making a mess!” Chloe wrinkles her nose. Vivienne dabs her mouth with a napkin, cool and unbothered. She takes Chloe’s hand and stands. “If Evelyn doesn’t appreciate the help, don’t force her.” “Come on, sweetie. Let Miss Viv take you and Daddy out for something nice.” The staff crowd in, cursing under their breath as they clean up. “It’s just soup! Was all that really necessary?!” “How does someone like you even deserve Adrian?” Another one kicks me hard in the side. “Thorne Group is where it is today because of Adrian. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get lost!” I curl up on the floor, absorbing every blow, every insult. And I laugh. “Thorne Group is where it is today because of Adrian?” I almost choke on the words. “That’s not even close.” The staff look at me like I’ve lost my mind. “If not Adrian, then who? You? The blind freak?!” “Trust me—Adrian could keep Thorne Group running just fine without you!” I close my eyes. Fine then. Let’s put that to the test.

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I left the pack after my Alpha and my best friend betrayed me. My best friend, Sophia, had been set up by her horrible ex-mate. Stripped of everything and exiled from her Pack, I didn’t hesitate to bring her into my home. I took her out to clear her head, drank with her until we were wasted, and even handed her my credit card so she could buy whatever she wanted. My boyfriend—who also happened to be my Alpha, Alexander—constantly frowned at this. “Emily, you’re my Beta, not Sophia’s personal bodyguard. She’s weak and useless. She deserved to be kicked out.” For the first time, I snapped at my Alpha: “She is my best friend. Back at the Werewolf Academy, when everyone laughed at me for being a wolf-less freak, she was the only one who stood by me. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today. So please, show her some respect.” Later, I went away on a long-term mission. I FaceTimed Sophia every day, watching her slowly step out of the shadows and start a new job and life. Until three months later, when I walked through the front door carrying my luggage, only to see Sophia lying on my sofa, while Alexander was smoothly feeding her strawberries.

For a moment, there was a deathly silence in the room. My inner wolf howled, wanting to lung forward and tear the scene in front of me to shreds. But I just gripped the strap of my travel bag tightly, standing frozen in place. The only sound was the laughter from a reality show playing on the TV. Sophia was the first to react. She scrambled off the sofa and walked toward me, her face pale. “Emily… when did you get back? Why didn’t you tell us? We… I could have picked you up.” Alexander stood quietly behind her, saying nothing. Sophia forced a tense smile. “You must be tired. Let me get you some water.” With that, she turned in a panic and grabbed a glass from the coffee table. In her clumsiness, she knocked over the pitcher, spilling water all over the floor. Alexander frowned and pulled out some paper towels to clean it up. “Stop messing around. You don’t know how to do this kind of work.” Though his voice was scolding, the tenderness in his tone was undeniable. The last shred of hope in my heart vanished. My grip on my bag tightened, leaving deep red marks on my palm. “When did this start?” Sophia gasped, reflexively turning her head to look at Alexander. But he remained perfectly calm, stepping in front of her to shield her with his broad shoulders. “It has nothing to do with her. It’s my fault.” His tone was flat, as if he were simply talking about the weather. With every word he spoke, the pain in my chest deepened. My fated mate—the one who was supposed to have the deepest bond with me—was now standing in front of me, protecting another woman. And that woman was my best friend. I stood there, stiff as a board, listening to his humiliating excuses. Alexander had always been cold and detached. He made decisions for the Pack with ruthless efficiency. Outsiders always said he was hard to approach, and that I was the only one who could ever bring out his emotions. I used to think I was his only exception. Until this moment, when he stood on the opposite side of me, using the coldest words to completely shut me out. Sophia panicked. “No… Emily, let me explain, it’s not what you think…” I stood there in silence. She stammered for a long time but couldn’t come up with a single logical explanation. I couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Can’t you at least make up a decent lie?” Sophia’s face grew even paler. Alexander took her shaking hands in his and said in a deep voice, “It’s fine. I’ll handle this, okay?” He stepped forward and took my luggage. “Emily, let’s talk outside.” I looked at his face. In just three months, he had become so foreign to me. Suppressing the burning tears in my eyes, my voice trembled slightly. “Alexander, this is my house. And you’re asking me to leave?” He fell silent for a brief second, then spoke with a hint of pleading in his voice. “Emily, I’m begging you. She caught a cold yesterday. Let her get some rest, okay?” I clutched my chest. There was no physical wound, yet the pain was so intense I felt like I was dying. Alexander grabbed his coat from the back of the chair and whispered gently to Sophia, “Go to sleep. I’ll handle the rest. I’ll bring you back some seafood chowder from downtown later.” I slammed the door and ran out, refusing to let them see my face covered in tears. In the hotel suite, Alexander sat on a distant sofa, keeping a polite, cold distance. After a quiet moment, he spoke in a low voice. “It’s my fault. You can have whatever compensation you want.” “I fell for her first. Don’t blame her.” I dug my fingernails into my palms and took a deep breath. “Why?” Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. “Emily, you’re smart, calm, and strong. But Sophia is different. Without me, she won’t survive.” Looking at his face through the dim light, I found it utterly hilarious. Before, when Sophia was just my best friend, Alexander looked down on her completely. He used to say she was weak, useless, a spoiled Beta’s daughter who had no connection to the real world—a parasite who could only live off others. Three months ago, when I had to leave as a Beta to handle a major negotiation at the Werewolf Summit, I had begged him to occasionally help her if she needed anything. Back then, he had playfully kissed my cheek. “Emily, you haven’t even let me mark you yet, and you’re already making me do your family chores. You’re leaving me with such a mess, you’ll have to make it up to me.” I had stood on my tiptoes to kiss him back, promising him that as soon as the territory negotiations were over, we would hold our formal mate ceremony. Now, just three months later, everything had changed.

Alexander stood up, pursing his lips with a complicated expression. “I’m sorry. I can compensate you. You can still remain the Beta of the pack. I’ll give you full authority over the guard units and the pack’s funds.” “I only have one request. You’re very important to Sophia. She doesn’t want to lose you as a friend.” I looked up at him, as if I had just heard the biggest joke in the world. Laughter bubbled up through my tears. Three months ago, I was the one asking him to take care of my best friend. Three months later, I was the one being asked to play nice. My voice shook slightly. “Alexander, do you two really not realize how disgusting you are?” “What makes you think Emily Carter is just going to let you walk all over her? I will expose what you did to the entire Pack. If you’re bold enough to do it, you should be bold enough to face the consequences.” Alexander stepped back, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Emily, don’t throw a tantrum. You started as the daughter of an ordinary werewolf and worked your way up to where you are today. It wasn’t easy. Don’t ruin your life over a moment of impulse.” Hearing his warning tone, I couldn’t help but shiver. Alexander looked down at me, completely adopting the posture of a superior Alpha. People always said Alexander was cold and ruthless. I used to disagree. But now, I finally realized the rumors were true. He had only given his warmth to me in the past. Now, he was giving it to someone else. “I’m going back. She won’t sleep well if I’m not there.” “I’ll move her out tomorrow. I’m sorry you have to stay here tonight.” The door clicked shut. I finally collapsed onto the pillows and sobbed. Outside the window was the bustling city skyline. I had rushed home after a long journey, only to be tossed into a cold hotel room. A few hundred yards away, the two most important people in my life were sleeping together in my house, in my bed. How pathetic. The next day, I hid my swollen eyes behind sunglasses and parked my car outside a local bakery. Sophia, wearing her uniform, looked up. Her eyes lit up for a second before she cast them down in shame. She brought me a cup of coffee and sat down across from me. With a strained smile, she spoke cautiously. “Emily, I know you’re mad at me. I’m so sorry. I know how good you’ve been to me. I owe you so much over the years…” “Look, I have a job now. I will pay you back everything I owe you…” I couldn’t help but sneer, looking at her. She was just a pastry chef, yet she was wearing designer jewelry worth tens of thousands of dollars. “Pay me back? With this job?” Sophia froze. After graduation, she had married early and became a housewife. Her ex-husband had treated her well and tolerated all her tantrums. Combined with my unconditional indulgence, Sophia’s life had been smooth sailing. Until six months ago, when her husband cheated on her with another Alpha’s daughter. She was quickly rejected and thrown out of the house. If I hadn’t gotten there in time, she would have ended up on the streets. She wanted to start a new life, but having spent years as a spoiled Luna, she had never handled a single pack affair. She was completely out of touch with society. She couldn’t serve as a pack warrior, and she couldn’t even handle a normal job. Luckily, she liked baking, so she applied to be a pastry chef here. I didn’t say anything. I just waved my hand. The store manager walked over respectfully and stood before me. “Beta Carter, welcome.” Sophia’s face turned pale, her eyes widening. I took off my sunglasses and said flatly, “After your rejection, you had a breakdown until you said you wanted a job to start over.” “Sophia, you’re not an idiot. Did you seriously never wonder why, after failing so many interviews, you suddenly landed a job at this exact bakery? Why would they hire a pastry chef with zero experience?” “I gave you my whole heart, and this is how you repay me?” Sophia’s eyelashes fluttered as tears began to stream down her face. Her voice shook violently. “I didn’t know… I didn’t know…” She suddenly grabbed my hand. “But he is good to me. He loves me. Emily, you’re so strong. You can survive without anyone, but I can’t.” “You said it yourself—everything you have can be shared with me. I don’t want anything else. I just want him. Please?” I stared at her quietly. We had known each other since we were three. Twenty-five years of friendship, completely distorted in an instant. “Since we were kids, I would give you whatever you asked for.” “But Sophia, taking things without asking is called stealing.”

By the time Alexander arrived, Sophia was practically on her knees at my feet, crying hysterically. His face darkened instantly. He stormed over, pulled her up, and shielded her behind him. He glared at me, his jaw clenched. “Emily, I told you to come at me if you have a problem. Don’t take it out on her.” “Just name a price for how much she spent of yours over the years. I’ll write you a check right now.” I let out a cold laugh. “Alpha Blake is indeed generous. Too bad what you two owe me can never be paid back in this lifetime.” Alexander’s expression soured, and he was about to retort when Sophia suddenly screamed, “Enough!” Her body shook, but she forced herself to look at me. “Emily, I don’t care if you hate me. I’m not giving him up. From now on, we are even.” She ripped off her apron, grabbed Alexander’s hand, and the two of them walked out without looking back. I sat by the window. Outside, two high school girls in uniforms were sharing an ice cream, laughing and chatting. Suddenly, I felt a cold wetness on my cheek. I reached up and realized I was crying. Sophia and I had met at the Werewolf Academy. We were young werewolves, sharing a dorm room. I was the latest bloomer in the entire academy. While others completed their first shift in their early teens, I couldn’t summon my wolf. If my father hadn’t died saving the Elder Alpha, I wouldn’t have even had the chance to study there. I was a joke to everyone. “The late bloomer,” “the wolf-less freak,” “the dead weight”—they said it to my face and behind my back. They tripped me during training, knocked my tray over at lunch, and threw my belongings out the window at night. I learned not to cry, because crying never brought help. Only Sophia was different. She was a Beta’s daughter, from a high-ranking family, and one of the earliest to shift. She always had plenty of followers, but she chose me. The first time she stood up for me was when a senior Alpha’s son threw my backpack into a mud pit. Sophia walked right up, picked up the bag, wiped it clean, shoved it into my arms, and glared at the boy. “She’s my friend. Touch her again and see what happens.” From then on, she dragged me to train with her, eat with her, and complete missions together. She always said, “You’re just a little slower than the others, but you’ll end up stronger than all of them. I know it.” She would lick her ice cream and pat my shoulder carelessly. “Don’t cry, Emily. I can tell you have the potential to be a warrior. When you become the strongest warrior in the Pack, just remember to buy me the best BBQ.” In my teenage years, Sophia was my first hero. She was the most important person in my life. When I got home, all traces of them were gone. I stared at the empty house, feeling dazed. When I first bought this place, I had set aside a bedroom specifically for Sophia. Alexander had been annoyed back then. I had just smiled and said it was my promise to her. At her wedding, I was her maid of honor. After catching her bouquet, I promised her that as long as I was alive, she would always have a home to return to. But now, the one without a home was me. There were still things Alexander hadn’t packed yet. The medals we won at the academy tournament, Our vacation photos, Our matching toothbrushes in the bathroom, The blanket left on the couch, and the book on the coffee table. Every time I closed my eyes, I could picture them fooling around on this very sofa. I covered my mouth and ran to the bathroom, dry-heaving until my stomach burned. I looked up at my reflection in the mirror—pale, exhausted, and barely recognizable. Alexander was the previous Alpha’s son, and I had once sworn to serve him forever. I had also successfully been chosen by the Elder Alpha to be the next Beta. The day Alexander became Alpha, he confessed his love to me. The usually stoic guy had actually blushed. “Emily, you’re the smartest, toughest girl I’ve ever met. Give me a chance to take care of you.” So, Alexander became both my Alpha and my boyfriend. We carried the Pack’s responsibilities together, learning how to be leaders. He was my partner in battle, my fated mate. Because of him, I had once thought about giving up my dream of becoming the strongest warrior just to be his Luna, helping him manage the pack. I had truly planned to spend the rest of my life with him. I stared at my reflection and clenched my fists. They were once my reason for living, the motivation behind my hard work. Yet, they had dealt me the most fatal blow. Why should I let them get away with it? I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called in a long time.

Three days after I made that call, Alexander stormed into my office, furious. He slammed the door so hard the walls shook. “Emily, did you go to Sophia’s parents?” “Her mother called her last night and yelled at her for an hour, calling her ungrateful and saying she betrayed you. Sophia cried until she almost fainted. Are you happy now?” I let out a soft chuckle. “If you two were brave enough to do it, why are you scared of people finding out?” Yet, my heart twinged with a bitter ache. I had always remembered how kind Mrs. Evans and her family were to me. Over the years, as I started earning money, I had repaid them tenfold. Mrs. Evans had apologized to me on the phone, sounding incredibly guilty. But the person who actually needed to apologize hadn’t said a word. Alexander took a deep breath, suddenly calming down. “Emily, I’ll give you one last chance. Go apologize to Sophia right now, and I can pretend none of this happened.” I looked at him as if he had lost his mind. “Apologize? I’m not the one who needs to apologize here.” His face darkened. “As of today, you are stripped of your title as Pack Beta.” “I’ll give you three days to think about it. Emily, you’ve always been smart. Don’t make a stupid mistake now.” I watched him walk away, the last ounce of affection in my heart evaporating. When Alexander was good to you, he would give you the entire Pack’s resources. But once he turned on you, he was utterly heartless. He kept his word. My territory duties were reassigned, my security clearance was frozen, and even my house was reclaimed by the pack. But I didn’t beg for mercy. Ten years ago, I was just a wolf-less girl whom everyone called useless, but I fought my way up with my own grit. Ten years later, I could easily do it again. A month later, I received a text from Sophia. [Emily, Alexander and I are holding our formal mate ceremony next month. You are the most important person in my life. I hope to have your blessings. I know I wronged you, but please, just this last time, okay?] I glanced at the screen, put my phone down, and continued packing my bags. I didn’t reply. On the day of the ceremony, I showed up on time. Sophia stood beside Alexander, looking radiant and happy. But when they saw me, both of their faces went pale. The crowded hall fell dead silent. My relationship with Alexander had never been a secret. In just half a year, the future Luna had been replaced. Alexander instinctively stepped in front of Sophia, his eyes guarded. Sophia looked at me, tears welling in her eyes. “Emily… I…” I looked at them and smiled softly. “Don’t be nervous. I promised I wouldn’t miss the most important moment of your lives.” “So today, I brought a gift.” Behind them, the giant screen displaying their sweet pre-wedding video suddenly went black.

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