Category: English

“Sign it. You walk away with nothing.” Jocelyn Pierce slid the divorce settlement across the conference table, her tone as detached as if she were discussing quarterly earnings. Next to her sat her attorney, Mr. Stone. Next to him sat her new partner—her young, handsome former executive assistant, Andre Blake. Andre looked at me with a faint air of pity. “Nolan, Jo’s been more than fair. You get to keep the condo and the car. Just sign the papers.” I picked up the pen. Jocelyn frowned. “Aren’t you going to look at the terms?” “No need.” I signed my name: Nolan George. Then I smiled. Jocelyn’s composure faltered. 1. Jocelyn said that line at exactly three in the afternoon. The conference room was quiet, the late-day sun slanting through the floor-to-ceiling windows and illuminating the cold, white paper of the divorce agreement. I stared at my name on the page, feeling a complete stranger to it. Nolan George. Thirty-two years of my life condensed into two words. Five of those years belonged to Jocelyn. When we married five years ago, she wasn’t “Jo, the CEO.” She was just a market director who’d just been fired by her company, with nothing but three months of severance pay in her bank account. I remember her telling me she wanted to start a business. I asked what she wanted to build. She said an enterprise SaaS platform. I told her the market was already saturated. She dismissed it with a wave of her hand. She had the network, she had the vision, she just needed a technical co-founder who could write the code. At the time, I was a Lead Engineer at a major tech player, pulling down a solid six-figure salary. I said, “I’ll do it.” She froze for a second, then broke into a smile. It was the most honest, unfiltered happiness I’d ever seen from her. “Seriously? You’d actually quit your job for this?” I told her I would. That’s how it started. I resigned. She cashed out her severance. We wrote the first line of code in our tiny, rented apartment. There were only two people in the company: her and me. Jocelyn handled the sales, the partnerships, and the investor pitches. I handled all the technology. All of it. I built the server architecture. I designed the database. I wrote the front-end and the back-end. I optimized the core algorithms. The day the first version of the product went live, Jocelyn posted an update on her feed. “Day 127 of the startup journey. Product launch is a go! Grateful for everyone who supported me.” The photo was her, shot from the back, sitting at her laptop—resilient, focused, and utterly beautiful. It was the perfect CEO origin story. I saw the post at two in the morning, right after I’d finally deployed a fix for a critical live bug. I’d had three cups of coffee, and my eyes felt like they were packed with sand. I just smiled to myself. I didn’t say anything. That post was just the beginning. The day we signed our first client, Jocelyn took them out to dinner. She didn’t invite me. The day the first round of seed money hit the bank, Jocelyn posted, “Thank you to our investors for believing in us, and thank you to my incredible team.” The photo was her and the lead investor. Team? The entire tech department was one guy: me. I brought it up once. “When you post things, could you maybe just mention me?” Jocelyn was on a call, but she looked up at me. “You’re my husband, Nolan. Why would I tag you? People would think I lack professional boundaries.” “I’m the company’s Head of Technology.” “You’re my husband,” she insisted. “What you build is what we build. What’s the difference?” I told her there wasn’t one. I thought she meant it. The company grew from two people to twenty, and then from twenty to eighty. Jocelyn hired sales reps, operations managers, finance directors, and administrative staff. The one thing she avoided hiring was more senior tech staff. It wasn’t that she didn’t try. She hired three people over the years. They all quit. Because she couldn’t keep them. Only I truly understood the core code. Only I could maintain the central system. The new hires couldn’t take over, or they’d inevitably screw it up. Jocelyn told me to just keep doing it. “You’re used to it, anyway.” I said fine. I did it alone for five years. Five years. Over eighteen hundred days. More than fifty thousand hours. The logged overtime alone exceeded eight thousand hours. That’s four and a half extra hours of work every single day, practically zero weekends off. The only time I ever took off was when I landed in the emergency room with acute gastroenteritis. She visited me on the first day. She came in with a bouquet, stayed for three minutes of small talk. Then she asked: “What’s the root password for the main server?” I was lying in the hospital bed, IV drip running. I gave her the password. She said thank you and left. She didn’t come back on the second day. Or the third. On the fourth day, she sent a driver to pick me up. In the car, I asked her what the server problem was. She said it was nothing major, just a small bug. Fixed now. I told her to let me look at it. “Don’t worry about it, Nolan, it’s been handled.” I asked her who fixed it. “An external contractor.” A faint flicker of alarm went off in my mind right then, but I couldn’t quite catch it. I should have. In the company’s third year, we closed our Series A, valuing the company at thirty million. Jocelyn posted again. “Grateful for the team, the investors, and everyone who believed in me. Three years. We finally made it to this stage.” The photo was her and the investors, with the sales team standing dutifully behind them. The comments section was full of congratulations. I typed three words: Congrats. Jocelyn replied with a hugging emoji. That evening, I asked her about the equity split. She said it was finalized. I asked how much I received. “Five percent,” she said. I stopped typing. Five percent? I wrote the entire system. Front-end, back-end, architecture, algorithms, and maintenance. I did the work of three people for three years. Five percent? Jocelyn saw the displeasure on my face and sighed. “I know you worked hard, but equity isn’t about hours clocked, Nolan. The Head of Sales got five percent, the CFO got five percent. You can’t think you’re special.” “I was the only person with you from Day One.” “And you’re my husband,” she emphasized. “What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine. Why worry about splitting hairs?” She used that line again. She always used that line. I said fine. Five percent it was. At a thirty-million valuation, five percent was one and a half million dollars. One and a half million for three years of my life. That’s five hundred thousand a year. I’d been making a million dollars a year at my old Big Tech job. I was operating at a loss. But I didn’t say it. She was my wife. We were family. And family doesn’t count the cost. Series A led to Series B. Series B led to Series C. The company’s valuation climbed from thirty million to a hundred million, and then to three hundred million. My equity remained five percent. Jocelyn’s equity was forty-two percent. I didn’t ask her why mine hadn’t increased. I was afraid of hearing, “You’re my husband,” again. In the company’s fourth year, we held the annual gala. Jocelyn stood on stage in a custom-tailored suit—sharp, elegant, and radiating success. More than a hundred employees sat below, illuminated by the spotlights. “This year, our revenue surpassed twenty million dollars, and we are finally profitable. This is all thanks to your dedication.” Applause. “Thank you to the Sales Team—you are the company’s vanguard!” Applause. “Thank you to the Operations Team—you are the company’s foundation!” Applause. “Thank you to the Finance Team—you are the company’s guardians!” Applause. I sat there, waiting for her to mention the Technology Team. She never did. After the gala, a new sales rep came over. “Nolan, what exactly is your role here? Are you the CEO’s partner?” I told him I was the Head of Technology. He looked surprised. “Oh. I thought you were Jocelyn’s driver.” When we got home that night, I asked her why she hadn’t mentioned me. She was taking off her makeup and paused. “Why would I mention you? Everyone knows you’re my husband. If I mention you, they’ll say I lack professional boundaries.” “You could have just said, ‘the Technology Team.’” “The Technology Team is just you. Mentioning them is mentioning you. It’s the same thing.” I didn’t argue. Jocelyn came over and patted my shoulder. “Don’t overthink it, honey. I keep track of everything you do. Once the company grows bigger, I’ll increase your equity. I promise.” I said fine. I waited. The fifth year came and went. The equity never increased. But Andre Blake arrived. 2. Andre was hired as Jocelyn’s executive assistant. I met him when he started. Top-tier university, young, good-looking, and very composed. I didn’t think much of it. The company had over a hundred employees, half of them male. He wasn’t the only sharp, attractive person in the office. But I should have thought more of it. After Andre arrived, Jocelyn got busier. She used to be home before ten. Then it was eleven. Then midnight. I asked her why she was so busy. She said we were pushing for Series D, and the workload was intense. I asked if I could help. She said no, just focus on the technical side of things. I believed her. Three months after Andre started, the executive office held a team event. Jocelyn attended. I asked her, “Since when do you join your assistant’s team happy hours?” She said it wasn’t a party, it was employee retention. As the boss, she should make an appearance. I said fine. Six months after Andre started, it was the annual gala. Jocelyn personally managed the planning. I had no part in it. During the raffle, Andre won the grand prize—a ridiculously expensive Swiss chronograph. Jocelyn personally clasped it onto his wrist, and they posed for a picture. She posted the photo of them together, Andre’s smile dazzling under the spotlight. The caption: “Our annual grand prize winner! Some people have all the luck!” I sat in the audience, looking at the screen, a small, cold knot tightening in my stomach. But I didn’t say anything. I had too much I wanted to say, and I was afraid she would accuse me of being paranoid. Eight months after Andre started, I found the evidence. Jocelyn came home late that night and went straight into the shower. She left her phone on the coffee table. I didn’t mean to look. I really didn’t. One unread text. From Andre. Miss you. I stared at the screen for three seconds. Then I put the phone back exactly where it was. Jocelyn came out of the bathroom, picked up the phone, and glanced at it. I asked her, “Who was that?” “Work stuff,” she said. “Oh.” I didn’t sleep that night. The next morning, after Jocelyn left for the office, I opened the company’s login system. As the Head of Technology, I had administrator access. I pulled up Jocelyn’s and Andre’s access logs for the last three months. Their attendance was perfectly synchronized. Jocelyn worked until midnight; Andre worked until midnight. Jocelyn worked on Saturday; Andre worked on Saturday. Then I pulled the building’s key card entry system logs. They often entered and left the building at the same time. On multiple occasions, the logs showed Andre swiping his card to enter her private office. At eleven p.m. I put the phone down and took a deep breath. I told myself it was for work. I told myself not to be paranoid. I told myself Jocelyn wasn’t that person. I told myself she was my wife. We were family. And family doesn’t count the cost. I kept silent. One year after Andre started, I knew the truth. That night, Jocelyn didn’t come home, claiming she had a client dinner. I opened the in-car GPS app. Her car was parked outside a luxury high-rise on the West Side. I’d been to that building once. Last year, Andre had invited some of the exec team to his place for a housewarming. I didn’t go inside. I drove to the entrance and sat there for an hour. Just sat. At one a.m., Jocelyn’s car pulled out. Andre was driving. They were talking, and Jocelyn was laughing. I watched from a distance, never getting out of my car. The next morning, Jocelyn came home. She said she’d had too much to drink at the client dinner and slept at the office to avoid a DUI. I said, “Oh.” She asked why I looked so tired. I said I hadn’t slept well. She said, “We’ll go on a trip once the Series D is done. You need a break.” I said fine. After she left, I didn’t cry. I sat on the sofa for a long time. Then I opened my laptop and started working. Code doesn’t betray you. Code doesn’t lie. The code was written by me. It was mine. For the next two months, I didn’t mention the text or the apartment. Jocelyn went on with her life—going to work, attending dinners, and not coming home. I went on with mine—writing code, patching bugs, and optimizing the system. We were pushing hard for Series D, and the workload was genuinely overwhelming. I worked thirty days straight on the system overhaul, sleeping four or five hours a night. Jocelyn never once asked me if I was tired. One night, at two a.m., a server failure threatened data loss. I spent three hours scrambling alone until five a.m., when I finally fixed it. Jocelyn saw me asleep at my desk when she arrived that morning. She nudged my shoulder. “Server fixed?” I said yes. “Good. I have an investor meeting soon. Can you pull together the updated technical performance metrics for me?” I said fine. She walked away. She didn’t ask if I’d eaten breakfast. She didn’t ask if I was okay. I was just a machine. Use me, then keep using me. The Series D funding round closed after three months. A three-hundred-million-dollar valuation, with eighty million raised. Jocelyn was ecstatic, doing three full turns in her office. That evening, she surprisingly came home early and brought a bottle of expensive red wine. I thought she had come to thank me. She sat down, her expression serious. “Nolan, I have something I need to tell you.” I braced myself. Was she finally going to talk about the equity? She said, “I’m pregnant.” I paused for three seconds. Then I laughed. “Congratulations.” Jocelyn looked surprised by my reaction. “You’re not angry?” “Should I be?” “I thought you would….” “Cry? Cause a scene?” I stood up. “Jocelyn, you give yourself too much credit.” She just stared at me. I walked into the home office and locked the door. I slept very well that night. The next morning, I went to the office as usual. Jocelyn didn’t come in; Andre reportedly took her to her first OB-GYN appointment. I sat at my desk, opened my laptop, and started compiling files. Every line of code I’d written over the past five years. Every technical document. Every system architecture diagram. Every algorithm model. I reviewed them one by one. Then I navigated to the U.S. Copyright Office website. Software copyright registration. The applicant can be an individual or a company. I had never paid attention to this before. But I was paying attention now. I found the date I wrote the very first line of code: March 12, 2018. The company was incorporated on April 5, 2018. The core architecture, the core algorithms, and the core modules were all finished before the company was legally created. Whose copyright did that code belong to? Mine. Because I had developed it as an individual, before I was an employee. Jocelyn had only made a verbal request: “Help me write this.” She hadn’t presented any contract. I was her husband, not her employee. I wrote the code as a favor, not as a job. The copyright for that code was legally mine. I stayed in the office all day. Jocelyn returned in the early evening. She looked surprised to see me at my desk. “You’re still here?” “Yeah, organizing some files.” “What files?” “Five years of my work product.” She didn’t press. She walked into her private office and shut the door. An hour later, she summoned me. Inside, along with Jocelyn, were the company’s lawyer and Andre. Jocelyn pushed a document toward me. “Nolan George, we’re getting a divorce. Here’s the settlement agreement.” I picked it up. It was thick, seven or eight pages long. I flipped through it. The gist was: Irreconcilable differences, voluntary divorce. All company equity goes to the wife. All bank accounts go to the wife. Debts are assumed separately. The husband voluntarily waives all claims to marital property. I was walking away with nothing. It was written in black and white. Andre looked on, his eyes holding pity mixed with a hint of undeniable smugness. “Nolan, Jo’s been more than fair. You get to keep the condo and the car. Just sign the papers.” I looked at him, then at Jocelyn. She was sitting in her CEO chair, her expression cool and distant. Five years. From nothing to a three-hundred-million-dollar valuation. I was the one who built the infrastructure. And now she wanted me to walk away empty-handed. I laughed. “Fine. I’ll sign.” I picked up the pen and wrote my name. Jocelyn looked surprised. “Aren’t you going to look at the terms?” “No need.” I pushed the agreement back to her. “When are we filing the paperwork?” “Tomorrow.” “Fine.” I stood up, picked up my bag, and walked out of the office. Andre called out behind me, “Nolan, you still have stuff on your desk!” I didn’t turn back. “Keep it.”

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I met Gordon Chase at my son’s celebration gala. He gently held the noble lady in his arms, receiving everyone’s flattery. Looked exactly like my husband who had been missing for twenty years. Before I could react, I was pulled over by my son for introduction: “Mom, this is Mr. Chase who invested in my company, my great benefactor.” The other party’s pupils trembled slightly, a moment later, calmly said: “Madam Grace, you taught your son well, raising such an excellent CEO like Noah, really hard work.” I was stunned for a moment, then calmly said a sentence: “Not hard.” I lowered my eyes, didn’t speak again. Turns out, he is still alive. Just changed name, changed identity, also changed person beside him. Also good, confirm he not dead, I also no longer need worry. … Chapter 1 AC in banquet hall blew me a burst of cold. Surrounding sounds became blurred, everyone and everything seemed no relation with me. I completely lost interest. I can confirm person opposite is my husband Julian Vance. That handsome face like carved by knife exactly same as twenty years ago Julian. And precipitation of years, made him more calm and restrained. He didn’t look at me again, chatted with surrounding entrepreneurs. As if didn’t know me at all. I thought, he maybe really amnesia, he simply don’t remember me, so didn’t come back find me after shipwreck twenty years ago. He forgot his newlywed wife. Forgot his just born child. Forgot who he is, where is home, where should go back. I shouldn’t give birth to resentment heart. Even if I raised son alone for twenty years, experienced cold eyes and secret mockery, suffered double devastation of material and spirit. I all shouldn’t blame him. Want blame, can only blame heaven tease people. I turned want go, overhead crystal chandelier suddenly shook, surrounding people screamed: “Light falling! Quick leave!” Crowd embraced Gordon Chase couple leave, son also surrounded squeezed into crowd. I too late react, rawly watched crystal chandelier smash towards me. Bang a sound. Expected pain however didn’t strike. I opened eyes, saw Gordon blocked in front of me, arm blood dripping. My heart a burst startle jump. Gordon look full of worry, he subconsciously called me: “Grace…” My name. Heart fierce suffocate. He recognizes me, he remembers all, he simply didn’t amnesia! Crowd reacted after immediately surrounded up concern Gordon injury. Squeezed me to one side. Everyone didn’t understand, Gordon and I strangers, that time distance me also not near, why he want save me. Even someone direct said: “Mr. Chase, you also too kind heart, how can disregard own life danger go save a stranger ne.” Gaze they look me, carried thick blame. “Yes ah, if you hurt, financial circle all have to big earthquake, this not random anyone can bear grace.” I blankly pulled a self-mocking bitter smile. I am stranger, is random anyone? But back then, was me this stranger saved him who parents both died in Vance family internal fight, chased by biological uncle assassination. Is me picked back him who about to bleed to death, is me gave him a home can survive. More is me sold only property left by parents, fight all strength support him study abroad. In the end, I became in everyone’s eyes, old yellow pearl, identity low cheap. Even life not compare his a finger—— Stranger. I laughed out sound. Laughing laughing, tears splash. Crowd shocked, discussion sound bigger. “This old woman afraid not got lost heart madness, delusion disorder, thought self can climb up Mr. Chase.” Son hurry rushed over comfort me. Gordon fierce picked up wine glass fierce smash, voice cold make people tremble: “You guys, too much business.” Crowd scared immediately silence. Gordon deeply looked me once. Then embraced delicate wife scared by accident not recover spirit, turned leave. Everyone praised Gordon is good husband, praise Chase couple love incomparable. “Heard Mr. Chase special love Mrs. Chase, for Mrs. Chase happy, in every game project bottom code, all wrote a sentence——Wife, I love you.” “God ah, Mr. Chase so high cold person actually can be so romantic!” I only felt a mouthful blood phlegm surge up, straight stifled me can’t come up breath. Even if he changed heart, even if he want abandon wife abandon son. Direct come tell me fine, even just notify me a sound, he don’t want me and child. If he tell me, I also will still raise son well, I also won’t go pester him, also won’t go annoy him. I also won’t carry endless guilt and regret, carry endless miss live human not like human, ghost not like ghost. Whole life all no self. Why exactly he want fake death lie me! A burst darkness hit, I straight fainted dead. I trance between dreamed a dream. Dream inside is 17 years old Julian. Cold and stubborn teenager, pale face, full body wound, unconscious lie beside trash can. I recognize him, he is wind cloud figure in campus, is power heaven Vance family eldest grandson. Two days ago, school all rumors, he and parents together died in car accident. Think of Vance family internal fight rumor, I still didn’t bear abandon him not care, big guts picked him back home. Later, Vance family old man before die don’t know use what reached agreement with Julian uncle. As long as Julian not return Vance family, Vance family also won’t chase kill him again. Julian just like this became orphan. And me, also orphan. Injury good after, I didn’t drive him, he also didn’t go. He start to end didn’t go school, only kept student status, self review. We together review book, together cook, together live. He from start cold, reject people thousand miles outside character, became somewhat rely on me, became full heart full eyes all is me. Rely on savings parents left me, supported us two finish university. He talent surpassing, IQ extraordinary, not only tested into top 2 university, near graduation time, also got Ivy League offer. But that time, we already no money. He do design, do model very spend money, my savings plus school scholarship, financial aid, also only barely enough him graduate. Is me, gave him determination, must want him go abroad study. He originally is heaven proud son, how I bear watch him because no money, then lose further study chance ne? I analyze pros cons with him, move him with emotion, reason with him, persuade him agree sell house go abroad. That time he looking my eyes, tightly held my hand, hoarse said: “Grace, I this life definitely won’t fail you.” That day snowed very big. He went out very long didn’t come back, wait come back again time, hand carrying Red Velvet Cake I always want eat but not bear buy. Turns out he wore thin work clothes in sky full big snow, handed out flyers one day one night. Then earned enough money buy a piece cake. I looked his frozen red hands, heart ache weep not become sound. That time he said to me: “Grace, I later definitely want let you become world most rich, most happy Mrs. Vance.” “Grace, you wait me come back.” But blink eye, person in dream became Gordon look. He said to me: “I already exhausted mind threw off you, how you appear again.” “Grace, you from start to end, originally not worthy me.” I fierce wake up. Son lying beside me, see me wake hurry comfort me. “Mom, are you dreamed Dad again, all passed, you also let go ba.” Yes ah, all passed. I not let go again can how? I hate him, blame him, again can how? Just drag my life from one abyss into another abyss. I don’t want stay in abyss again. Phone rang, I open, is Xavier message. He said: “Grace, mountain peach blossom bloomed, you want not want come play?” He again send: “Grace, twenty years, you still not willing marry me ma?” I trapped in guilt and miss to Julian twenty years. Xavier then alone waited me twenty years. This moment, don’t know why, I just want leave here, go live life belong myself. I looked once son, twenty years old not university graduate age, just founded own tech company. Already grew up adult, later no need let me worry hang. I lower head, click open phone, replied a sentence: “I willing.” Rest of life, I all don’t want with Julian again have half bit relation. Chapter 2 Knock door sound rang, son open door. Once Julian, now Gordon, suddenly appear. People behind him holding many supplements placed into room. He said he came apologize, apologize for yesterday chose wrong banquet hall almost let me injured. He entered my bedroom, saw furnishings in bedroom exactly same as his memory, slight not change. Eye color slight move. His Adam’s apple rolled once, exit said a sentence: “Madam Grace, yesterday matter sorry.” Sorry these three words he bite very heavy, very heavy. He still want say what, behind suddenly rang gentle like water female voice: “Gordon, all blame I fell asleep in car, arrived place all don’t know, Madam Grace, you don’t blame ah.” “We couple two people, but a moment also can’t leave each other, this not, he want come apologize to you, I ya also followed came, isn’t it ah hubby.” Gordon smilingly hug person in arms, voice doting: “Wife say is what then is what, why not sleep a while more?” I put down phone, pulled mouth corner said: “Mrs. Chase is world most rich, most happy woman, with Mr. Chase talented man beautiful woman, most match, really make people envy ah.” Gordon seem suddenly thought what, suddenly stunned. I lift eyes, again ask: “Really curious Mr. Chase and Mrs. Chase is how met ya?” Giselle very happy, open mouth just want say, but by Gordon suddenly interrupt. “Madam Grace still need rest, we not disturb.” Voice faintly trembling. Before leave, Giselle insist added my WeChat. I indifferent watch two people disappear in front eyes, get up start pack things. I threw all things related to past in bedroom into trash can. I incomparable rejoice, back then for let son not like me excessive miss Julian, I didn’t put a Julian photo at home. Rejoice my son won’t know, his father simply not died in shipwreck, but since he born abandoned him. Threw finish all old things, I long exhale a breath. Son confused: “Mom, these all are things you used decades not bear change, how suddenly threw?” I looked him, faint smiled: “Long should threw, now is I threw too late.” Too late, too late. Looking empty bedroom. My heart no compare this moment more light. Ding dong, phone rang, I subconscious open look. A century wedding photo. Bride is Giselle, groom is Gordon. Is Giselle sent message: “Grace, you wouldn’t really think I don’t know who you are right?” “How about it, watching own husband change name change surname, fake death lie you, behind back married other woman not feel good right?” Hand subconscious clench tight. My attention however completely attracted by wedding background board on photo. On background board, date actually not conspicuous, October 11, 2007, a very ordinary day. But I this life can’t forget. Can’t forget son high fever not retreat, I however because no money pay rent driven out home by landlord. Dragging luggage braving heavy rain, taking pocket only left two hundred dollars, hike ten kilometers to hospital beg doctor save my child. That time I thought, I already no Julian, I must must protect our only child. This is my life last bit thought. If child not here, I also don’t want live. I suddenly laugh out sound. But turns out ah… When I full despair, holding child embarrassed unbearable, seek help no door time. Julian at earth other end, holding century wedding with other woman. Is me know people not clear, blind eyes. I turn off phone, alone downstairs walked very long. Although I already decided completely goodbye to past, but when these details exposed in front of me. I still no way maintain calm. “Grace?” “Grace!” I turn body, saw Xavier not far away. He wind dust servant servant, big steps meteor open embrace walk towards me. He tightly hug me: “Grace, you finally agreed marry me, you don’t know I how happy.” I silently wipe away tear corner eye, light smile: “How you came, didn’t say wait I go find you ma?” Although already near half hundred, Xavier face still bright good looking. He smiled eyes all fast can’t see: “I too happy, really can’t wait want see you.” I gently mm a sound. Me and Julian, this life also just here. I have son, have Xavier, also have our future, I still own many many, I won’t let myself forever by a person called Julian imprisoned own life. Consecutive few days, Giselle sent me several times she and Julian intimate photos. My mood no longer had once fluctuation. Finally, I reply her: “Mrs. Chase, I soon want marry, as long as you watch good Mr. Chase not disturb me and my son, you don’t need have any worry.” Giselle separated very long then reply me: “Hope you say do do.” I again reply a sentence: “Wish you and Mr. Chase early day leave China.” She didn’t reply me again. Thing shelved in my heart almost half life finally had end. I whole person all thoroughly relax down. Son in living room exclaim a sound, he hold phone show me: “Mom! You quick look, internet all exploded, Mr. Chase actually is Vance family that missing heir!” I only feel throat eye tight pain, shocked said: “What you said? You say again?” Son continue said: “Mr. Chase Gordon, turns out is twenty years ago Vance family missing heir Julian!” “Vance family power holder Lu Heng sudden death, Gordon strong return.” “Holy cow, still have new expose, Mom you quick look, Julian early years actually married, also had a child!” Slap! I subconscious hit away phone in son hand. Whole body tremble. “Not allowed look!” Son shocked in place, careful ask me what happened. I only feel dizzy dazzling, blood surge up. Julian this is want do what! He this is want do what! He return Vance family fine, he revenge fine, he want recognize ancestor return clan fine. He based on what want drag me and Noah in. He based on what expose me and Noah! Did he consider this will bring Noah how big disaster. I subconscious just pick up phone send message to Giselle. “How you watch Gordon? This is Gordon you watched?” “He crazy, you also follow crazy?” Giselle already completely can’t care reply me. She right question Julian: “You return Vance family I can understand, but why you want self expose that woman and child?” Julian legs crossed, indifferent sit on sofa, cool said: “You wouldn’t really think, I am love you then marry you right?” “Our marriage isn’t a transaction ma?” “I help you fight inheritance right, you help me plan take back Vance family.” Giselle pout, “All twenty years, we still have a daughter, I thought you at least to me have point feeling.” Julian light ha out sound: “Daughter? Really is mine ma?” Giselle dumb lost laugh. She suddenly thought what, smiled: “You even divorce with me so what, people Grace already another love, people all want marry oh.” Julian immediately said: “Impossible.” Giselle throw phone to him, “Not believe yourself look.” Julian finish look, immediately pick up coat go out. He drive all way crazy run to my downstairs, stop car after, he again don’t know want how face me. He and me between separated not two years, not five years, ten years, but whole twenty years. He have what qualification block me marry others? But I not ten years ago marry, not one year ago, bias again is now. Julian walk off car, lean on car door lit a cigarette. He no way put down me. Don’t know smoked how long cigarette, he then get on car step gas leave. He want think a way confess with me, think a way let me forgive him. He touch my photo on key chain. Heart think, Grace waited me so long, definitely will forgive me. Chapter 3 I sat withered at home very long, until Xavier rushed come comfort me. I then decide tell everything to son. Son first time just ask me: “Mom, then you now forgive him ma?” Forgive? Twenty years deception, how forgive ne? I forgive not. I also won’t again go think want or not forgive. What I want do is with him never see again, no relation. Julian always waiting. He wait me or son Noah see online news, will go find him, probe fine, question fine. As long as we go find him, he always can give us a satisfied reply. He will use everything go make up this twenty years lack. He draft divorce agreement hand to Giselle, voice indifferent: “Sign.” Giselle not willing, “Just so anxious divorce with me? You all don’t know people Grace willing or not marry you.” Julian raise eyebrow, “I originally didn’t divorce with Grace, now just correct death info then can restore husband wife identity, she why need again marry me?” Giselle mock said: “That also have to see people willing or not be with you, maybe people know you actually can restore husband wife relation with her, first time just want divorce with you.” Julian eye color sink, heart tight. Impossible, Grace waited him so long, impossible will want divorce with him. Sign finish divorce agreement, he again call assistant, asked: “Madam Grace and Little President Lu, have come find me ma?” Assistant look Julian face color, careful said: “No.” Julian face instant black. Assistant scared hurry said: “Maybe is I looked miss, I go look again.” Julian wait not, he instruct assistant go take he long custom made North America square diamond ring, and various high definition dress, high luxury gifts. And huge three layer Red Velvet Cake. Is flavor I most liked back then. And me this time, right with Xavier discuss at which day get license. Son very support us, he said: “Mom, Uncle Xu, I feel you guys earlier get license better, anyway now get license neither need appointment nor need queue, pick day not as hit day, just today ba.” I somewhat nervous, “Will too rush le? I haven’t prepare suitable clothes.” Xavier excited extreme, he take out a gift box, “I long prepared.” He full eyes all me, “Grace, you don’t know I wait this day waited how long.” Son happy for me, pull us downstairs, want drive take us go Civil Affairs Bureau. Julian right drive fast speed towards us come. He full heart joy. After control Vance family get rid of Chase family, he finally can do back Grace’s Julian. He finally can return his small home. Haven’t wait him drive car to my downstairs, far far just see downstairs someone propose. Someone dance, someone clap, crowd surround downstairs water leak not pass. He had to park car not far away. He put diamond ring into most convenient take pocket, hand hold fresh flower get off car. Heart stop not thump thump jump, he subconscious gather gather hair. He step by step walk forward, slowly hear clear crowd mouth shout sound: “Auntie Grace marry Uncle Xu! Auntie Grace marry Uncle Xu!” “Agree him! Agree him!” He whole person dumb stunned in place. He stand behind bustling crowd, look towards crowd surround person. Is wife he dream think, Grace. And I right excited extend hand wear Xavier diamond ring, eyes contain hot tears, just like twenty more years ago he propose to me that day. His heart seem hit by a heavy punch. He stop not shake head. No, impossible. I so love him, I for him alone raise child twenty years, I one person waited so many years. How would just at he finally revenge success, finally return my side time, suddenly agree marry another le ne? Julian subconscious shout: “No!” “Don’t.” “Grace, you look me, I came back.” Crowd stunned, together look towards sound source. Hear familiar and strange voice after, I a moment somewhat trance. Except last time accident, I already very long very long not hear this voice call my name. Xavier nervous embrace me. My ear stick on Xavier chest, hear his heart like drum beat. He panic extreme. I hold his hand, signal him ease. Julian hand fresh flower already drop on ground, he push open crowd, action close rude. He fierce drag me away from Xavier arms, dead buckle my wrist, eye rims red extreme: “Grace, you now want marry others, is deliberate anger me right?” Everyone watching us, like watching a grand gossip scene. Always social phobia me, suddenly have a absurd calm feeling. I didn’t draw back own hand, just cold said: “Can find a quiet place say?” Julian then put down my hand, “Sorry, I somewhat anxious.” I ignore him, turn upstairs. He follow me upstairs, moment close door, he want step forward hug me. I turn body, first open mouth said: “Mr. Chase, congrats you big revenge got, re-control Vance family.” I walk to his behind, embrace Xavier, “This is my fiancé, Xavier.” Julian pupil shrink. He astringent said: “Grace, you are gambling anger with me.” I reply very firm: “This not gambling anger, this is my heart intent.” Julian still completely ignore Xavier, only stare me said: “Grace, I have words say with you, just now, just us two.” Xavier frown, step forward half step said: “Mr. Chase, you excessive.” Julian sudden just angry: “You count what thing! Grace is my wife, we couple matter when turn to you this outsider intervene le?” I angry laugh, shout: “Gordon! Who with you is couple! My husband early died twenty years ago!” “He died! You hear not?” Son also chest heave: “Mr. Chase, if you no other matter, then please leave, my Mom and Uncle Xu matter still not turn you come beak.” Julian look son Noah, face color flash a trace pain. His son, now actually want defend other man be with his mother. Julian deep breath. “Noah, I have difficulties.” He turn look me, eyes color deep. “Grace, give me a chance say clear with you okay?” Xavier look me, encourage me said: “Go ba, always should have an end isn’t it?” I nod, follow Julian come balcony. “You say ba, just from July 2006, that shipwreck start.” Julian full cavity tender words all blocked by me in throat. He didn’t expect I would so direct. “Grace, you and before different.” I gently laugh: “Twenty years, I all old, could it be you still expect me and young time same ma?” Julian bitter said: “Grace, I not this meaning.” He sigh: “Grace, back then shipwreck… not accident, is uncle a chase kill to me.” “Abroad boat moved hands feet, I jump sea swim to desert island, saved by a smuggling boat… they recognized me, again want take me go Vance family exchange bounty.” “Is Giselle father saved me, he that time need a person help him balance family other branches, then proposed transaction——let me live as Gordon identity, help his daughter power Chase family, as exchange, he will give me resources, also will guarantee you mother son ‘Absolute Safety’——meaning is, let me completely disappear, they then won’t move you guys.” “I thought only need four five years I can complete my revenge plan, can control Vance family break away Chase family, but didn’t expect Chase old man calculate me dead dead, until last year he died, I then have chance break away Chase family control.” He eyes contain expectation looking me. Seem hope I can after understand truth, immediately forgive him. Immediately throw into his arms, reach he expect century big reconciliation like that. But I only calm look him, a trace emotion fluctuation no have. See he stop down, calm ask: “Still have ma?” He bitter smile: “Grace, I really is for protect you and Noah then disappear.” I also smile, smile but cold: “Good a ‘for our good’ disappear. Then you and Giselle marriage ne? Also transaction?” “Yes, we signed prenup, each has each room, she need ‘married’ identity block family marriage alliance, I need ‘Chase family son-in-law’ identity accumulate capital, we also… no couple reality.” I take out phone, take out Giselle sent me photos, point wedding photo date said: “October 11, 2007, you holding century wedding, and same day, my son high fever 106 degree, I because no money pay rent driven out, holding him in rain walked ten kilometers, kneel in hospital corridor beg doctor first save person…” “Julian you tell me, looking this photo, your ‘last resort’, my ‘twenty years’, which more real?” Julian face color instant pale, he lips tremble. “Grace, I don’t know that day you and Noah actually so difficult…” I look his eyes: “Yes ah you don’t know, but don’t know three words, not enough offset me and Noah suffered bitter.” Think past kinds, I couldn’t help nose cavity sour, tears sudden slide down. “You anything can push to don’t know. Me and Noah live difficult hard you don’t know, your plan want spend twenty years you don’t know…” “Julian ah, don’t know three words too heavy, heavy to not worth me and Noah twenty years time.” “Originally I thought you died time, only expect you as long as alive just good, even you cheated, also better than no life.” “But now see so-called truth…” I pause a bit, voice cold: “I instead rather you are died.” My voice clearly very light very light, but seem like heavy hammers, time and time hit on his heart. He seem breathe not up, pant several times then can say words: “Grace, I wrong.” His voice unusually choke: “I know wrong.” “Grace…” “You forgive me okay?” Actually I have thought. If we separate only two years, three years, or five years. Will I forgive him? I asked myself, got answer is—— Will. But very pity ah. This is twenty years, not two years. Our feeling early under years ravage, become face unrecognizable. I stare his eyes word by word said: “Julian, I long not love you.” “We between, at moment you choose revenge, choose abandon us mother son, just completely ended.” I didn’t look him again, turn leave balcony. Hook Xavier arm, brows eyes bend bend said: “Go, we go get license.” Noah also didn’t look Julian once, follow us two then left.

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On set, the little assistant ordered the wrong meal again. I looked down, it was a bowl of Lobster Bisque. Just lifted the lid, a faint fishy smell rushed out. I just finished filming an Underwater Scene, body cold, stomach empty pain, but recognized it at a glance. “There is shellfish in this soup.” I looked up at her, “I’m allergic to shellfish.” She obviously stunned, then face turned pale. “Sorry, Winter, I forgot in a hurry.” This is the seventh time. … Chapter 1 First time, among a pile of sunglasses, picked a competitor’s brand for me, discovered by me urgently before event, almost flipped over. Second time, before walking Red Carpet, suddenly rushed out to adjust my dress, result low blood sugar fainted, hyped by media saying I mistreat employees. Third time, spilled coffee on a senior’s dress, while crying apologizing, while red eyes looking at me, senior face ugly, I apologized many times finally still carried “disrespect senior” black material. And like this time. She stood in place hesitated few seconds, eye rims slowly red. “Then you don’t eat, I eat this myself… deduct money from my salary.” I didn’t speak. $3,000 a month assistant salary, not enough to cover trouble she made. Seeing me silent, she anxious, head down fast typing phone. Few seconds later, she sighed relief, looked up showed me a fawning smile. “Sister, rest assured, Gavin said he come later, bring you food again.” I originally already turned, stopped steps after this sentence. Phone in pocket gently vibrated. [Gavin: My little princess angry?] [Gavin: I bring you your favorite Pumpkin Soup, don’t calculate with little girl, who haven’t made mistake.] [Gavin: Wait for hubby.] Tone familiar. Seems this kind of “cleanup”, he already very skilled. Summer, is Gavin’s early dead White Moonlight’s sister. Family average, education average, has some beauty. Graduation can’t find job, family want marry her to an old bachelor, exchange money for brother marry wife. Later, she found Gavin Chase. Then later, sent to my side by him, beautiful name “follow do chores”. But I know, little girl mind many, one heart want walk into “Hollywood”. Seeing me not speak, she hugged that box soup, small voice mumbled: “Waste food shameful, then only I solve myself.” I didn’t respond again, turned got on RV. Half hour later, Gavin finally arrived. I already took shower, drinking a cup ginseng tea. He saw me, no apology, open mouth actually help little girl fight injustice. “You ah, just bought wrong a meal, difficult a small assistant for what?” My throat tight: “I today for camera, didn’t eat whole day, just finished three underwater scenes, cold and hungry.” I looked at him. “Also, day after tomorrow I attend Golden Globe, if just ate that soup, face rash, edema, you think I still can attend event?” “Don’t you know this award meaning to me?” “That is first role I got after lying in bed one year rehab, is milestone I stand up again.” Gavin silent two seconds, tone finally soft down, he pinched my face. “Okay, my little princess, don’t angry.” He put food in front of me, handed spoon, stood behind me rub shoulder. Back then I for block falling steel frame for him smashed broken legs, he also so gentle took care me one year, wipe wash change clothes for me. Now, look like as usual considerate. I ate a mouthful rice, raised hand pointed coat on sofa. “This Haute Couture, didn’t you say help me pick from Paris? Why on her body?” His movement paused, subconsciously looked outside RV. “Why you took her clothes?” “Weather so cold, what if she sick? She birthday want a gift, I see she like this one very much, so gave her.” His tone matter of course. “You clothes so many, also can’t wear finish, reward little girl what problem?” I looked up at him. “Gavin Chase, I am your fiancée, not your private property.” “Take my things, shouldn’t you ask my opinion first?” She poor, is her business. Based on what I bear her life. Moreover, she has what worthy reward thing? He didn’t coax me, instead frowned, face full disapproval. “Winter, this clothes I bought.” “Even give you, that is also money I spent, who I want give, is my freedom.” That moment, my throat like blocked by something. Clearly when engaged, was him said, every day he is here, don’t want me spend a cent myself, expensive to jewelry, cheap to a pair socks, all want him pay. Now only how long, start divide so clear. He saw my eye rims red, finally still soft hearted, hugged me. “Winter, blame me.” “Don’t calculate with Summer, her sister back in school, was only one didn’t bully me, I just want repay kindness.” This words hearing ears grow callus. “You want repay kindness, take her to your company, be assistant for you, I here can’t afford!” Half hour ago, I already notified agent, fire Summer. Now, she should already know. Sure enough, outside RV came her out of control crying sound. Gavin went out a trip, came back face worse. “She just want a job, live well!” “You use ‘incompetent’ this reason fire her, isn’t want cut her road? This bit tea pouring water work, what incompetent!” This is second time, for this assistant, fire at me. I like pushed into ice water again, trembling all over. “Gavin Chase, you for an outsider, quarrel with me?” He didn’t answer. Just grabbed that coat, head not back rushed out. Chapter 2 Summer was coaxed well. Not only that, Gavin even used resources, directly arranged a female number five role for her in my drama. When he settled all this, I was lying in hotel alone with fever, legs suffered cold move a bit like needle pricking pain. Past broken leg fear surged heart. I put down all pride, called him three times, but all stone sink ocean. Later, I muddle headed lay on bed, couldn’t figure out where we exactly went wrong. 2 AM, door pushed open. Gavin came back, body carrying faint flower scent, mood obviously very good. He haven’t time walk to my side, outside rang gentle knock door sound again. “Gavin brother, I think still want say clear with you, I really don’t need you special care, I can self reliance, I not afraid eat bitter.” “Also, this clothes… I really can’t want.” In tone, hide not住 (can’t hide) grievance. “You said as birthday gift give me before, I really very happy, just didn’t expect provoke Sister unhappy, she angry fired me… I suffer bit grievance okay, but I don’t want implicate you scolded.” Gavin voice obviously soft down, carrying unabashed heartache. “Things sent out, where have reason take back.” “Just now didn’t agree well? Since she not let you be assistant, you also like acting, then go be actor, I invest for you, pave road for you, you peace mind act, don’t think much.” Summer lifted head, eye rims red, but still stubbornly stiff neck. “Thank you Gavin brother, career I will hard work, but this clothes since is Sister’s, better return her… later still in one crew, I don’t want be targeted again.” Gavin silent few seconds. “Summer, don’t be silly.” “True climb up, is learn borrow force, not guard useless backbone, Winter seniority deep, acting good, you learn more from her, accumulate more resources.” “As for these clothes, she has plenty, just angry with me, you rest assured wear.” He paused, added a sentence: “Actor needs packaging, that card I gave you, rest assured swipe, buy more decent clothes.” Voice fell, he pulled that coat from her arms, gently draped on her. “Wear it, don’t catch cold.” I closed eyes, but heard clear clear. That clothes, should be Red Carpet dress prepared for me. Door closed. Gavin turned, met my gaze, obviously stunned. “Awake?” I didn’t speak, just quietly looked at him. He like realized something, explained matter of course. “Little girl condition not bad, eat this bowl rice not loss, later you bring her more, also count repay kindness for me.” Tone gentle like discussing a most ordinary small matter. “I explained clear with you, later don’t random jealous, I am innocent.” I suddenly felt bit absurd. “I never heard want repay kindness like this, don’t know thought she saved your life.” “Enough, Winter! You now already jealous to can’t tolerate a person long died?” I roared bit dumb. Although long knew that girl is taboo, but him so angry never had. This period he unusually busy. We haven’t seen for half month, this time if not Summer, I even may not see his face. I wanted say something, but itch surging in throat let me finally closed mouth. Three days later, I finished event, back to crew again. Just arrived set, saw Summer. She wearing a set red tight dress, standing there, expression public. I looked down at Flying Pages (last minute script) sent, only felt absurd, drama about to finish, actually added dozens scenes for a zero experience newcomer alone. “Congrats Sister winning award.” She looked at me smiled obedient, “Later still need guide me more ya.” I already changed costume, feet wearing props high heels poked with nails, stood long feet bottom pain. “I can’t teach you, change person.” I sideways want go, but grabbed by her. “Sister, do you look down on us non-professional background people?” I looked up at her. She like long prepared this set rhetoric, word by word, said extra loud. “I don’t want be misunderstood.” “Don’t want be said rely on man canary.” “Me and Gavin brother are innocent, you no need use fire, report this way deal with me.” “Since you so mind, better we fair compete once, see who more brilliant in this drama.” I almost unstable. “Your business irrelevant to me, I also don’t want participate this childish game.” Summer gently laughed once. “Sister, always like this high above?” “You never lived bitter days, simply don’t know what called true embarrassed.” “Distress in drama, you can’t act out.” “But I can.” “This time, I definitely will shine.” Chapter 3 Before official shooting, director found me. “Today this scene heavier.” He said vague, eyes full helpless, “Investor named, hard work you cooperate.” I swept a glance. [Heroine forced to desperate situation, hysterical quarrel with villain, in panic slapped by villain.] Scene not long, all Summer highlight scene. I haven’t opened mouth, she already stood opposite me, smiled obedient and docile. “Sister, I first time shoot this emotion scene, maybe want more takes, you bear more.” She said so mouth, eyes however no half apology. Take One. “Action.” She raised hand, slap fell. Slap. Sound crisp. I stunned a moment. This hit, usually is borrow force plus position, simply won’t really hand on. Director didn’t shout cut. She however low voice sucked breath, eye rims rapidly red, then interrupted shooting. “Sorry director, I just didn’t find right state.” Take Two. This time, she hand heavier. Slap. My tongue tip hit teeth, blood taste spread in mouth. Director frowned, but still didn’t call stop. “Another one.” Take Three, Take Four. She every time said self “emotion not in place”, or not walk down scene. Every time, hand fell harder than previous. My cheek start numb, ear buzz ringing. People around start exchange eyes, whole set incomparable quiet, but no one speak. She is “Newcomer”, is “One being taken care”. And I, am “Senior”, am “Should endure” that one. Take Five. Moment she raised hand, I finally couldn’t hold. A grab her wrist, backhand! Slap. This slap, solid solid. Someone on set emit a exclaim. She whole person trend fell back, arm heavy hit metal edge of prop cabinet. “Ah!” Blood, immediately gushed out. Summer fell sit on ground, only stunned a second, immediately burst cry. “Sister… you no need so target me right…” “I just newcomer, those all script arrangement, I just want good act that’s all…” “You even dislike me, also no need down so heavy hand ah…” Crying sound echoed in studio. I stood in place, palm still numb. Director finally reacted, shouted cut. Someone rushed over help her, someone call medic. That night, this video cut head cut tail sent on Trending. [Post-award Set Out of Control, Violent Beating Newcomer Actor] Video no background sound. Only my that slap, and picture she fell crying. Comment section one side fall. [Winter Leigh just got few awards what so cow, just bully people like this?] [Heard that newcomer was her assistant before, long term bullied by her, this time chance appear same scene, must be provoked Winter unhappy, so take chance suppress!] [Last time exposed Winter mistreat assistant, let people faint on red carpet! Turns out previous bad person acted so good, all true color act ah!] All old debts, dug out in a brain. I just prepared post statement, agent haven’t finished typing, door pushed open. Gavin face ugly. “Winter are you crazy?” He grabbed my arm, hand strength big, pinched me very pain. “Filming only, you as to down so ruthless hand? Little girl arm almost disfigured, do you know?” I didn’t speak. Just slowly moved ice bag on face away. Swollen cheek exposed under light. He stunned a bit. Tone finally slow down. “…She is newcomer, don’t know measure.” “You are senior, can’t you let a bit?” I laughed once. “I still want how let, send this side face up let her slap happy?” I put tablet on table, click open a folder. “This is set complete surveillance.” “I long let people backup.” Picture clear, timeline complete. Gavin face changed. “Can’t post!” He immediately reach hand press screen. “She just entered industry, you release this, her whole life ruined.” “Not debut yet bully senior, to a newcomer is fatal.” I looked at him, suddenly felt very strange. “Then me?” He opened mouth. I continue say: “I deserve be beaten, be scolded, be buckled all dirty water?” I took back tablet. “I not only want post, also want break up with you, since I already not your first choice, we no need together.” “What nonsense you talking?” He anxious, come up want grab my hand again, slapped away by me. “You now eyes, heart simply no me, I injured bullied, you actually still stand on side hurting me, I not masochist.” He just about say more what, exclusive Summer phone ringtone, however suddenly rang. He picked up phone. Only listened two sentences, face instantly changed. “What you said?” “…Summer pregnant?”

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I pretended to be ugly since childhood, known as the “Ugliest Girl in the Trailer Park”. But at eighteen, I was chosen by the biggest wealthy family in Beverly Hills and engaged. I thought I found a home. Didn’t expect, my fiancé used me, this ugly girl, to spite his first love who rejected him. Before the engagement party, his big star first love exposed my ugly photos, trending on Twitter. Everyone was waiting to see the trailer park ugly duckling humiliate herself. But didn’t expect, the moment I stepped on the red carpet at the banquet. My fiancé stared at me wide-eyed as if he couldn’t believe it. His big star first love looked at me pale-faced, before she could speak. She was pushed away by her own agent: “Goddess! Are you interested in signing with our agency?” “I swear your peerless beauty can be made into a top star by us!” … Chapter 1 My mom said, pretending to be ugly can save life. I looked at half of her face corroded by acid, believed it firmly. So dark painted face, protruding buckteeth, hunched waist and three layers of fat suit. Accompanied my entire adolescence. Of course, being ugly and poor gets bullied. I went home every day with footprints all over my school uniform. Hair occasionally stuck with chewing gum. School bag always stuffed with trash. Mom saw it and only filled with tears, helplessly said to me: “Penelope, just keep your life.” Until eighteen, a stretch limousine came to the trailer park. That person told me, he came to take me home to get married. At that time, I was just beaten at the public toilet door. Covered in injuries, urine smell on body hadn’t dissipated. So didn’t even think, lifted foot and got on the luxury car. I don’t want to live days being beaten as soon as I open eyes! But just stepped into the thousand-square-meter manor, I was blocked at the door. Red-haired young master looked at me with disgust: “No way, Bro?” “Are you crazy? Leave piles of rich beauties not marry.” “Bring a trailer park ugly monster home?” Because of long-term habit of hunching and lowering head. I looked like a shrinking ostrich. That voice full of disdain smashed into eardrums from above my head. “You… to spite Giselle no need to try so hard right?” That voice suddenly lowered close to the noble cold man beside: “Look like this, can you really kiss her?” “Will you vomit ah…” “Yuck… what smell on her! So disgusting.” Man beside rarely opened mouth. “Xavier, don’t be so rude to my fiancée.” That moment, somewhere in bottom of heart was fiercely hit. This life, no one ever defended me like this. “Since Grandpa made the Arranged Marriage Pact, I must keep promise.” “Doesn’t exist spite who or not.” Finished, signaled butler to take me away to settle. I shrank neck, hunched body, timidly followed butler away. Behind that person named Xavier was still chattering complaining: “Then at least lock her in basement, I really can’t stand ugly thing.” “Besides, Giselle finally willing to come home for dinner, do you really want to anger her away!” Man behind imperceptibly sighed. Then called butler instructed: “Arrange her in basement, meal and activity time stagger with us.” Then hugged clamoring boy walked away. Start to end, didn’t look at me once, didn’t say a word to me. Evening, I was really hungry dizzy. Considered long time, finally made up mind, pushed open basement door plan find something to eat. Just pushed door a crack, butler’s ice block face appeared in front of my eyes. “Sorry, Miss Giselle and young masters are dining, you can’t come out.” Finished, even disgustingly rolled eyes at me: “Three are all people with status, your this appearance will dirty their eyes.” My stomach untimely growled loud, making my ears red with shame: “I am really too hungry, can you… give me something to eat…” In butler’s disdainful scrutiny, my voice smaller and smaller. Only heard him sneer: “Big sister, your body size can’t starve to death, don’t think I don’t know…” A gentle voice aside interrupted butler’s sarcasm: “Alfred, give her something to eat.” Finished Giselle turned to look at me, a hostess posture: “Don’t starve guest at home.” Fiancé rushed over, somewhat proudly said to Giselle: “Do you know she is my fiancée? So generous?” “Or say, you basically don’t care who I marry?” Giselle smiled gently, like spring breeze in April: “I just thought of that Pekingese you gave me.” “Locked in dog cage by me every day, eat drink all depend on my face, quite pitiful.” Only saw Caleb face change, voice cold few degrees. “So you think, the dog I gave you looks so disgusting?” “Giselle, after rejecting my proposal, no need to humiliate me like this.” Chapter 2 Locked in basement for three days. Was Caleb’s grandfather rushed home from abroad, I then released. Xavier rushed to me pinching nose warned: “Ugly monster! I warn you, don’t randomly complain to my grandpa!” “Otherwise I…” Saying, made a throat slit gesture threat. I suddenly felt funny, compare to those physical hurts in trailer park. This truly seemed a bit childish. “Xavier, come here!” Again that familiar female voice. “Limited edition Lego sister-in-law brought you from abroad, like it?” “Like it too much! Sister Giselle you are really my biological sister-in-law!” “Compare to some wishful thinking ugly monster.” “Sister Giselle is the person truly worthy to be my sister-in-law!” Arrogant teenager in front of gentle beautiful female star, like a coquettish giant dog. Not far away Caleb watched two interact with eyes like water. Full eyes warmth and satisfaction. Noticed my dazed sight, he didn’t even turn head. Frowned disgustingly turned back to block my gaze for them. As if I am some filth, touch me will become dirty. “Saw it?” “If not Princess Giselle career heart too strong not want marry, you think you are what thing can step into Vance family?” “Call you this ugly monster over, just Eldest Young Master want spite Princess Giselle.” “Less wishful thinking there can marry our Eldest Young Master!” “You, not worthy!” Butler crossed arms stood beside me gritting teeth cursing. Speaking to excitement even raised hand pinched my back. Pain made me grin teeth, tears飆 (spurted) out. Just this time, a low-key yet luxurious car slowly drove into manor. Stopped silently in front of three people. From car walked down a white-haired old man with cane, wearing Tang suit. Giselle immediately diligent walked up, sweetly presented gift to old man: “Grandpa, this is gift Giselle brought you from abroad.” “So long no see, I missed you.” Only saw old man didn’t look her straight eye, cold snort dropped a sentence: “I didn’t miss you!” Left Giselle froze in place, holding gift box awkward helpless. Then walked straight to me, held my hand: “Is it my granddaughter-in-law Little P!” I cramped shrank back a bit, voice small like mosquito buzzing: “Hel… hello, I am Penelope… trouble you…” Old man in front hearty laugh, patted my shoulder: “Little P looks polite and educated! Come! Grandpa give you meeting gift.” Saying, slapped me a Check, on it brightly wrote: [Five Million Dollars] I widened eyes, some dare not believe this is true. Only saw Grandpa looked down at my left hand. Instant face sink, low voice called: “Caleb Vance, roll over here for me!” Comer just stood still, Grandpa Vance a slap fan up: “Bastard! Where is my granddaughter-in-law’s engagement diamond ring?” “You look, people entered our home how long! Body still ragged clothes!” “You want whole New York think we Vance family can’t afford decent granddaughter-in-law.” “Money all gave outside those shady women right!” I saw whole body haute couture wearing jewelry Giselle face shame red. Caleb just want open mouth argue something, interrupted by Grandpa Vance stern voice: “Now immediately right now take my granddaughter-in-law buy clothes buy diamond ring!” “Not serve my granddaughter-in-law happy, you this little beast also don’t come back!” Saying, Grandpa called assistant forcefully stuff me and Caleb into a car. I haven’t reacted, car already drove to city biggest mall Rodeo Drive. Through glass door reflection, I saw myself reflected oily face. Pustule pimples, hairy moles and mud stained clothes pants. I suddenly felt incomparable inferiority. Especially sales whole process only enthusiastic promote to Caleb. Even didn’t welcome me in door. Glass door slapped on my face, Caleb heard my exclamation didn’t turn head. Behind came exaggerated laughter: “Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!” “Giselle, this is your that love rival?” “God, Vance family old man senile right, this kind person also can marry in.” “I if look like this really might as well hit head die.” Giselle smiling walked to me: “Here threshold indeed a bit high, not anyone can receive.” “My taste similar to Caleb, wedding ring let me pick ba.” “After all…” That forever gentle face seemed cracked a seam. A trace sinister and disdain straight shot into my eyes: “Finally who wear this ring, also not that old man say count.” She passed me walked into store. Sweet smiling sat in Caleb arms, put on a pigeon egg big ring. Those rich girls assistants seven hands eight feet stripped my whole body clothes, three layers fat bounced out time. I heard someone exaggerated dry heave: “Vomit! Too disgusting a person how can have so much meat!” “Is pig right!” “A pig also worthy shop same mall with us?” “Stuff her into trash can, don’t disturb our Princess Giselle date!” Push and shove, Locket on my neck fell out, slid to these rich kids feet. Original honest let slaughter me suddenly excited: “My locket! My locket!” “Return my locket to me! That is my dad left me relic!” Not sound fine, I one remind just now hugging Giselle girl eyes instant light: “Locket? You a trailer park come dead pig afford wear locket?” “I want see see exactly is real or not!” Saying one lift foot, in my exclaim sound high heels fierce step down, green fragments paved a ground. “Che~ all impurities, this kind trash stuff free give. I all don’t want!” My heart also followed locket broken into pieces, couldn’t help cried out sound. That is my dad before death left me only one thing. Didn’t want but let these devils more excited. “You quick look! Ugly pig cried!” “Mom ah, she cry how more disgusting!” “Really world wonder, quick take picture show Giselle!” Camera flashing flash light stick me desperate shoot. Through gap, I saw Caleb hugging Giselle sit on car, peripheral vision glanced me one eye. No a trace sympathy and bear not. Full eyes are disgust and disdain. He hugged Giselle sat on sedan car drove away. Few rich kids played enough, kicked me few feet teasing walked away. Aside secretary from my head sprinkle few bills. A word no have then left naked squatting in trash can me. Broken locket, disgust eyes. And real beat on body pain, let my chest constant surge. Suddenly, phone vibrate a hot search topped headline. Fat naked body and shocking world ugly face shove to screen. Beside impressive few big words: [Beverly Hills Tycoon forced marry by Trailer Park Ugly Monster, only because patriarch casual set Arranged Marriage Pact?] I trembling hands flip down, all are curse and abuse to me. Life first time, I produced hatred to this world. I called mom, dropped a sentence: “Mom, pretend ugly simply can’t save life!” Then disappeared without trace. Chapter 3 Time fast came to engagement banquet day. Giselle long spread news, Caleb will announce regret marriage on engagement day. Banquet hall crowded with holding long gun short cannon reporters. All come shoot this invincible ugly girl returned goods famous scene. Giselle, wearing bright red dress a main wife style up down manage. Caleb frowned tight sit beside Grandpa Vance. Engagement banquet already start two hours everyone waiting me appearance. Reporters already dissatisfied, complain sound more and more big. Giselle expression also more proud. Caleb finally couldn’t help, stood on stage say to reporters below: “Everyone, delayed everyone time, I announce, Vance family set this Arranged Marriage Pact…” “Wait!” Finally, I wearing snow white gown pushed open big door, step on red carpet. Throw ground have sound threw out this sentence. Everyone sight all gathered on me. Brew long time ridicule and disdain freeze in air. Replace are shock inhale sound. Someone couldn’t help praise out sound: “So beautiful ah~” “Did I see fairy?” “I want be faint by fragrance~” “Nuwa based on what so unfair!” Giselle jealousy and anger bright hang on face, angry corrupt said: “Who are you! How dare casual break in! You know here is whose territory!” Only saw, I slowly walked under spotlight, look straight all sizing gaze: “I am Penelope, what? Aren’t you guys waiting me?” Always self-claim noble arrogant Caleb all stammered: “You… you are…” Xavier aside broke sound shout: “Penelope?” “You actually are Penelope?!” Caleb amazed gaze gather on my face move not open. “You… you not…” He words haven’t finish, just by person a push away. A eyes emit essence light man diligent hand up business card, say to me: “Beauty beauty! You have interest enter entertainment circle?” “Can consider our company!” “Your such peerless beauty, I swear can make you into top star!” Never proud yet fake gentle Giselle rare lose manner a stomp foot: “Leo! You are my agent!” “How in front my face poach others!” “I am the top star you made out!” Agent naked eye visible irritable a scratch head, also not care full field long gun short cannon: “Big Sister!” “You what top star?” “You f*cking everyday buy press release step other artist, drama not act, variety show not go!” “Everyday circle a rich second generation not do proper business, still handle not people old man get returned!” “You know not know Grandpa Vance not like you news whole world knew!” “I now not find new person, company all want lose on you!” Reporters below originally Giselle find come see my joke. Now uniform aim Giselle, a look of dig to fierce material expression. Giselle face eat sh*t, face swell red angry drum stare agent. Stammer a word say not out. I light laugh, handily take business card sweet smile to agent: “Thank your favor, I will consider.” Original blow beard stare eye to Giselle agent, this moment a look of soul upside down appearance. Below stage someone gently said: “This kid good fortune, I also want speak with big beauty.” Giselle fist dead grip, joints creak ring. She walk to Caleb side, tight hug Caleb coquettish voice said: “Caleb, you forgot promised me what?” “As long as you now just withdraw marriage with her, I agree marry you!” “I no longer obsessed career, we together build a happy family!” But always reserved self-respect Caleb head didn’t turn. Straight stare spotlight under me. Obviously, Giselle said words, he a word didn’t listen in. “Caleb! You speak ah! Not you promised me ma!” Aside Xavier first react. At once pulled Giselle down, tone unkind said: “You don’t disturb my brother sister-in-law engagement again!” “What obsessed career, you have career ma?” “Not all my brother spend money support you!” Giselle wide eyes, face full disbelief. I in Caleb stunned gaze walk to his front: “So… I today is want be withdrawn marriage right?” “Also good, force twisted melon…” Caleb immediately react, immediately open mouth interrupt: “Who said I want withdraw marriage?” Chapter 4 Below stage instant a piece uproar, everyone whisper discuss something. Caleb also realized self some lose manner, dry cough few times said: “Your father back then sacrifice body save my grandpa, our family have today!” “Back then engagement Locket all exchanged, how I will violate grandpa meaning.” Giselle below stage instant scream want pounce on stage. Let Grandpa Vance call people hold. Only saw that white hair old man smiling walk to stage front, take out our engagement locket. Saw my locket broken pieces, face stiff a moment. “Miss Giselle friend opened a joke with me, broke, sorry grandpa.” Old man face unkind aim below stage one eye. Assistant immediately understand, escort Giselle just go. That night, whole city news all broadcast this full drama engagement banquet. Vance Group shares rise with water. Curse to Giselle also sky cover earth. I follow trend open social platform, one night just rose one million more fans. Giselle agent 10086th time call me time. I agreed their agent contract. Premise is, he can give me wanted thing. Turn day, Giselle rushed into Vance Manor. “You this dead scheme bitch give me roll out!” Table side, Caleb right peeling shrimp for me, Xavier help me pick dish. Hear Giselle shout all unconscious frown. Giselle red eyes run into dining room. See once full heart full eyes all her Vance brothers sit around my side. Lose control step forward just want flip table, by Caleb dead clamp hands. “Caleb Vance! You crazy right!” “I am this life only woman you deep love!” “How can you because a trailer park born scheme bitch just so treat me?” “You know not know, because her my notices all gone!” “She play scheme! Don’t know used what method change head change face!” “Not only rob my man also rob my job!” “You not help me, still by her coax live!” Giselle only care blind vent, completely not see Caleb face already black into pot bottom. “Turns out you Caleb Vance is a only look face low life!” “You still pretend what noble! Pretend what old money!” “You with outside those see pretty girl just love at first sight pervert men have what difference!” Giselle already mouth not choose words, use most ugly words insult Caleb. Slap! Only saw Caleb take out a bag file fling on Giselle face. “You still embarrassed come find me?” “Private all by people played rotten, still want find me take pan (be stepdad).” “Giselle you really play me round turn!” File bag corner expose a stack photos on is overlapped many legs. Giselle expression big change reach hand want tear destroy photo. By Xavier quick eye quick hand snatch over. “Now know hide?” “Back then hang my brother time why not think have today ne?” “If not sister-in-law zero pay act TV series, from your agent hand get these!” “We Vance family almost let you this dirty woman enter door!” Saying, Xavier not hold a punch hit on Giselle face. Right, these black materials all I found. Before I just feel strange, Giselle clearly try every way want loop Vance family. Why still want pretend reserved push three block four. Later bought agent then know. Turns out she still by sugar daddy kept, belly inside still pregnant her sugar daddy illegitimate child. She want while coax sugar daddy, keep job. While hang Caleb, find good back road for self. Just pity in the end, bamboo basket draw water one void. Caleb engaged with me, her agency also sign exclusive contract with me. My all work notices, all originally want contact give Giselle. Plus Grandpa Vance escort, My future more bright simply sleep not!

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That year, the earthquake hit, burying my sister and me under tons of concrete. The rescue captain shouted, “The structure is unstable! If we pull one out, the rest might collapse. We can only guarantee one safe extraction right now.” Without a second of hesitation, Mom and Dad screamed, “Save Bella! Save our oldest!” Bella, my sister, screamed from the darkness, “Save me first! Get me out!” During the rescue, the firefighters repeatedly emphasized, “Do not move. Stay perfectly still.” But Bella didn’t listen. In her panic, she thrashed around, pushing against the debris surrounding her to clear her own path. Her movements triggered a secondary collapse. I was crushed to death by a falling beam while she was pulled to safety. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my bed. It was the day of the earthquake. Chapter 1 I jolted awake, gasping for air. The date on my phone glared back at me. It was today. The earthquake would strike at 2:00 AM. It was currently midnight. I didn’t waste a second thinking. I shoved my feet into sneakers and bolted out the door. In my past life, too many people died in our apartment complex. Since I had been given a second chance, I couldn’t just let them die. I started from the first floor, pounding on doors like a maniac. “Fire! Gas leak! Everyone out!” I screamed, using whatever excuse would get them moving fast. I waited until I saw lights flicker on before moving to the next unit. By the time I had woken up the residents of all seven floors, I had five minutes left. I sprinted back into our unit. Two minutes. In my previous life, I wasted my escape window trying to wake Bella. She was a heavy sleeper, and that delay cost me my life. This time, I’d leave that “honor” to Mom, who loved Bella more than life itself. I burst into my parents’ room. “Mom! Dad! Wake up! The ground is shaking!” They groggily sat up. Forty seconds left. “I tried to wake Bella, but she won’t budge! What do we do?” I yelled, feigning panic. Dad frowned, confused. “What earthquake? What are you talking about in the middle of the…” Before he could finish, the floor lurched violently beneath us. “Bella is still asleep!” I screamed over the rumbling. Terror washed over Mom’s face. She scrambled toward Bella’s room, shrieking, “Bella! Bella, baby, get up! Run! It’s an earthquake!” Dad grabbed my arm. “Run! Now!” The quake was violent and immediate. It gave no quarter. Just as Dad and I stumbled out of the building entrance, the world roared. Boom. The building collapsed behind us. Mom and Bella were trapped inside. Screams and sirens filled the air. My ears rang, vision blurring as the dust settled. The memories of my death flooded back. Last time, I had shaken Bella until my arms ached, but she wouldn’t wake up. Mom and Dad had escaped, leaving us behind. When the rescuers found us hours later, Mom’s voice had pierced through the rubble. “Bella! Hang in there, baby! Mommy is here! You have to survive!” She never called my name. Not once. When the rescue team explained the unstable structure—that saving one might crush the other—I knew my fate before they even spoke. “Save the one on the right! Save Bella! The one in the white pajamas!” Mom had screamed. And Bella, hearing this, had cried out, “Mommy, save me! My leg hurts! Me first!” I lay there in the cold dark, watching the light shine on Bella. “Don’t move,” the firefighter had warned her. “If you move, the debris will shift onto your sister.” She didn’t care. She kicked and pushed, desperate to get out. As she was pulled free, the weight of the building came down on me. “Mom, help me! It hurts!” I had screamed. The rescuers wanted to dig for me, but I heard Mom’s voice from above, cold and final. “Don’t bother. Even if you get her out, she’ll be crippled. I don’t have the energy to raise a vegetable.” I watched the sliver of light vanish as the rubble sealed my tomb. I waited in the dark for death. Now, I stood in the dust of a new timeline. This time, you get to feel what it’s like to be chosen last. Chapter 2 “Ava! Are you okay?” Dad’s voice snapped me back to reality. I pulled him backward. “Dad, watch out for aftershocks! We need open ground. Rescue is coming. Mom and Bella will be fine.” Dad was in shock, staring blankly at the ruin of our home. Anyone experiencing this for the first time would be broken. But I had already died here. Every breath I took now was profit. The first responders arrived quickly. Dad rushed over, begging them to dig. The building was a mess of concrete and rebar. They couldn’t locate them. But I knew where they were. I intentionally led a team in the opposite direction first, “saving” an elderly neighbor who was calling for help. By the time I “found” Mom and Bella, six hours had passed. “Dad! I hear Mom!” I shouted. The rescue captain assessed the situation. He looked at Dad with a grim expression. “It’s unstable. The structure is like a house of cards. If we extract one, the shift will likely collapse the pocket holding the other.” The words were identical. Through a gap in the concrete, I saw Bella’s pale face and Mom’s terrified eyes. Dad hesitated. Both were his family. Unlike Mom in my past life, he struggled with the choice. Then Bella started screaming. “Daddy, save me! I don’t want to die! Daddy, I can work, I can marry rich, I can take care of you when you’re old! Mom is just a housewife! You can get another wife! I have more value than her!” I watched Mom’s face contort in shock. I lowered my head to hide my smirk. Surprise, Mom. The daughter you worship sees you as a disposable servant. Dad made his choice. “Save my daughter.” Mom went feral. “David! If you let me die, I will haunt you forever! And you, Bella! You ungrateful brat! I can’t believe you’re so selfish!” Bella, trapped and in pain, screamed back, “I’m just being realistic! I have a future! Dad is making the smart choice!” Mom’s eyes were full of venomous hatred. But I couldn’t let Mom die just yet. That would be too easy. I leaned into the gap and sobbed, “Mom! Mom, don’t be scared! I’ll find a way! Hang on, Mom! I won’t give up on you!” Compared to Bella, I sounded like an angel. I just wanted to make sure she survived long enough to hate Bella properly. The rescue took hours. When Bella was finally pulled out, her legs were purple and crushed. “Those legs are gone,” a medic muttered. Surprisingly, the secondary collapse didn’t happen this time. Maybe because I wasn’t the one trapped, or maybe Bella was too injured to thrash around. Mom was pulled out alive. They were rushed to the hospital. Dad went with Bella. I went with Mom. I couldn’t wait for Mom to wake up. Chapter 3 I sat by Mom’s hospital bed, staring at her sleeping face. It was the first time I’d really looked at her. Mom never wanted me. Grandma told me that Mom paid a hefty fine to try for a second child, hoping for a boy. When I popped out—another girl—she was furious. I was dumped at my grandma’s farm immediately. I survived on scraps and the kindness of neighbors. When I was eight, Dad brought me back to the city for school. Bella was two years older, the princess of the house. I was the Cinderella. Cleaning, cooking, laundry. My grades suffered because I had no time to study, while Bella was tutored and pampered. I never had a birthday party. I wasn’t even allowed to eat Bella’s birthday cake because Mom said I would “steal her luck.” Now, Bella was a double amputee with a face scarred by rebar. Would they still love her? Mom’s eyes fluttered open. She looked at me, confused, then relieved. “Mom? You’re awake? Are you okay?” I asked, feigning deep concern. She grabbed my wrist. “Where is your sister?” I put on my best tragic face. “Bella… it’s bad. They had to amputate both legs. Her face is ruined. She hasn’t woken up yet.” Mom went silent. She lay back, staring at the ceiling. She wasn’t crying. She was calculating. When Mom was discharged, Bella finally woke up. Dad wasn’t there; he was out trying to find us a place to live. Bella lay in bed, groggy. She didn’t know about her legs yet. When she saw Mom, she flinched. “Mom… you’re alive. That’s… good. We’re both alive. Don’t blame me for what I said, I was just scared.” Mom looked at her coldly. I walked up and hugged Mom’s arm. “Mom, you just woke up, sit down. Thank god you survived. If you hadn’t…” I trailed off. Mom looked at Bella with disgust. Bella glared at me. “Ava, stop trying to drive a wedge between us. Mom will never love you.” That sentence seemed to snap something in Mom. She turned, grabbed my hand, and teared up. “I haven’t wasted my time on you, Ava. I was wrong before. I treated you poorly. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you. Double.” I smiled and squeezed her hand, shooting a triumphant look at Bella. But internally, I was skeptical. Would she really change? Or was I just the new investment vehicle? Chapter 4 Dad returned with three takeout boxes. Me, Mom, and Dad. None for Bella. “Where’s mine?” Bella demanded. “You just had surgery,” Dad said, stuffing his face. “Doctor said liquids only. I’ll get you some porridge later.” “Surgery? What surgery?” Silence fell over the room. She didn’t know. “Answer me! What surgery?!” Her voice rose to a shriek. Mom, losing patience, walked over and ripped the blanket off. The bedsheet was flat where her calves should have been. Bella opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Tears streamed down her face. Mom wasn’t done. She took out her phone, snapped a picture of Bella’s scarred face, and shoved the screen in front of her. Bella screamed. It was a primal, horrific sound. “Shut up!” A nurse yelled from the hallway. “This is a hospital!” Bella shook her head violently. “No! Impossible! I was saved! How is this possible?!” I quietly ate my chicken leg, watching the show. Mom sneered. “You thought you’d be saved and live happily ever after? You told your father to get a new wife? Look at you now. If he gets a new wife, do you think he’ll want a burden like you?” “I can’t believe I pampered you for eighteen years just for you to wish me dead. I was blind.” Dad chimed in, eager to please Mom. “Honey, I never wanted to leave you. Bella begged me. I was heartbroken.” Mom glared at him. “I only heard Ava telling me not to give up. I only heard Ava promising to save me. Don’t take me for a fool, David.” They argued. I finished my meal. We moved into temporary government housing. Bella needed constant care. Mom refused to touch her. Dad said it was inappropriate for him. So, naturally, they looked at me. Bella seemed to enjoy bossing me around again. I wasn’t having it. One afternoon, Bella yelled that she needed the bathroom. I was outside washing dishes and pretended not to hear. Dad and Mom were out. I finished the dishes, hung the laundry, and hummed a tune. When Mom came back, she saw me working hard. “Good girl, let me help.” Thump. A loud crash from inside. We ran in. Bella had tried to crawl to the commode and fallen. She was covered in her own filth. Mom gagged and walked out. Dad came home right then. He pulled me aside. “Ava, I found a school in New York City that will take you. Pack your things.” I packed immediately. That left Mom and Bella alone in the stench. Bella screamed in shame as Mom dragged her into a plastic tub to hose her down. Mom was cursing the whole time, but she did it. A mother never truly abandons her favorite, I guess. But me? Why was I so easy to discard? Chapter 5 We moved to New York City. Dad rented a small two-bedroom apartment in Queens. Mom and Dad took the master. I got the small room. Bella slept on a cot in the living room. Bella threw tantrums daily. At first, they reasoned with her. Then, they started hitting her. I watched Bella become quiet and fearful. It felt familiar. That was my childhood. Why did she look so pained? It was just normal life for me. The new school was great. Teachers were kind, knowing I was a survivor. Without chores weighing me down, I studied voraciously. My grades skyrocketed. Every time I brought home an ‘A’, Mom praised me. So this is what being the Golden Child feels like. Bella grew silent, staring at us with dead eyes. Dad bought Bella cheap prosthetics. She cried that they hurt. “It hurts to walk,” Dad said coldly. “Deal with it or crawl.” Surprisingly, the harshness worked. Bella learned to walk again, albeit with a heavy limp. The day Bella walked across the living room, my parents’ attitude shifted. They looked at her with that old, familiar warmth. “She was always the smart one,” Dad whispered to Mom. “If she can walk, she can go to school.” I felt a chill. They were already planning to reinstate the Queen. I ignored them and focused on my books. I needed a scholarship. I needed out. Dad pulled strings and got Bella into my high school. She was a senior, I was a sophomore. But because she missed so much time, they put her in my grade. “Take care of your sister,” Mom told me. “She has special needs. Carry her bag. Get her water.” I smiled and agreed. Mom patted my head. I looked at Bella’s cot in the living room. Did she really think she could take her crown back? 6 Bella played the victim card perfectly on her first day. The tragic survivor. The brave girl. By lunch, she had a circle of friends. She told them how terrible her life was at home. How I was the spoiled favorite who ignored her suffering. People started glaring at me. Trash appeared in my desk. My textbooks were vandalized. My homework was stolen. The teacher called me in. “Ava, you’ve missed three assignments. What’s going on?” I lowered my head, saying nothing. I walked back to class. Bella was standing at the door, smirking. I walked past her to the podium. The class went silent. I picked up a piece of chalk and wrote five names on the board. “The teacher just asked why my homework is missing. Guess if I told her?” “The cameras in here work. If I report this, they’ll check the tapes.” “You think you’re justice warriors? Bullying me because of her sob stories?” “If you want to be heroes, go catch real criminals. This isn’t justice. It’s assault.” The bell rang. I erased the names slowly, making eye contact with each bully. I went to my desk. My neighbor whispered, “There’s glue on your chair.” I looked. Superglue. Bella hadn’t come back to her seat yet. I swapped our chairs. The teacher walked in with Bella. “Tests are back,” the teacher announced. “Ava Zhang. 100%. Highest in the grade.” I walked up and took my paper. “Bella Zhang.” Bella stood up, acting weak and fragile. The paper was passed back. Everyone gasped. 12%. The former small-town genius had scored a 12 in a New York City math exam. The bell rang. Everyone packed up. Except Bella. She tried to stand, but her pants were fused to the chair. I packed my bag. “Ava!” she hissed. “Help me up! Fix this!” I walked out the door. I waited in the hall to watch the show. She struggled, realized what happened, and burst into humiliated tears. The teacher had to call Mom. 7 “I entrusted my daughter to this school!” Mom screamed at the principal. “She’s disabled! She’s being bullied! Where were the teachers?!” “If my younger daughter hadn’t noticed, she would have sat there all night!” Bella tried to speak. I grabbed her arm. “Sis, let’s go to the bathroom and change.” She shoved me away. “Get off me! You did this!” The teacher had had enough. “Mrs. Zhang, let’s be real. Bella requires constant care. Ava was a straight-A student before Bella arrived. Now she’s missing assignments because she’s playing nursemaid.” “If this continues, you ruin both of them.” Mom glared at me. “Ava was always stupid. Bella is the smart one. She just needs time.” The teacher slammed the test scores on the table. “Look at the data. Ava is top 10. Bella is bottom 5.” “We suggest transferring Bella to a special education program where her needs can be met.” Mom hesitated. Bella screamed, tearing up the test paper. “No! I’m not retarded! I can do it! Give me time!” That night, I heard them arguing. Dad wanted to send her away. Mom was wavering. Bella was in the bathroom, disinfecting the bloody stumps of her legs. Mom saw her and started crying. “My poor baby. Why did this happen to you?” I sat in my room, solving calculus problems. I had to climb. Higher. Away from this sinkhole. They kept Bella in school. Mom gave her one semester to catch up. “I’ll beat her in a month,” Bella promised. She didn’t. At the end of the semester, I was ranked 5th in the grade. Bella was ranked 92nd. Mom and Dad made the call. Bella was sent to a boarding school for students with disabilities. She screamed and fought, but they dragged her away. I stood there watching as she was led through the gates. She looked back, saw me, and went feral, trying to attack me. But the orderlies held her back.

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The argument with my sister, Morgan, started on the drive to Grandma’s upstate home for the New Year holiday. It ended when she abandoned me at a highway rest stop and drove back to Harbor City alone. By the time I stumbled through the front door of the cabin, New Year’s Eve had long passed. Seeing me alone, Grandma gasped, her eyes wide with shock. “You walked all the way back? Where’s your sister?” My mind went blank. I realized, with a sickening jolt, that I had completely forgotten about the argument. Grandma’s face darkened with dread. She immediately drove me to the small clinic in town for a checkup. When the results came back, she collapsed into a chair, sobbing as she called Morgan. “You little monster! Didn’t you know your brother has brain cancer?” she choked out. “How could you leave him stranded on the highway? He walked for over twelve hours—his feet are raw!” I could hear Morgan’s cold laugh through the phone. “You two are in this together, aren’t you? Trying to con me. It’s Kai’s birthday today. There’s no way I’m driving back there.” She hung up. Grandma wailed, then slumped over, unconscious. In the ensuing chaos, I heard the doctor call my name. “Jamie,” the doctor said, his voice flat. “For your condition, surgery is useless now.” “Notify the family. You need to start making preparations.” … My breath hitched for several seconds. I stared at the doctor in a daze. I had a strange, overwhelming feeling that I’d heard those exact words not long ago. But the memory was just out of reach, frustratingly buried deep in my mind. The doctor sighed. “The brain tumor is pressing on your nerves. It’s completely normal for your memory to be unreliable.” “You have a sister, right? Call her now. From this moment on, you can’t be left alone.” My heart plummeted. A chill swept through my entire body. Grandma stirred slightly on the hospital bed, as if she sensed my panic. I quickly gripped her hand and asked the doctor, “Is Grandma really okay?” The doctor patted my shoulder in a calming gesture. “Don’t worry. Your grandmother simply passed out from emotional shock. She’ll wake up soon.” He paused, his expression solemn. “Young man, your situation is the one that’s truly serious.” I nodded numbly. As he left, I pulled my phone from my pocket. It was dead. I charged it and powered it on. A torrent of unread notifications flooded the screen—nearly a hundred missed calls. All from Grandma. She had been desperately calling for me during the twelve agonizing hours I was walking back home. My eyes welled up instantly. I scrolled through my messages, finding only a single text from Morgan. I ignored Grandma’s calls. Let me know when you actually get there. I dialed her number. The phone rang for a long time before she finally answered, her voice tight with impatience. “What is it?” I couldn’t help but shout, “You drove Grandma to collapse! Does Kai mean more to you than your own grandmother? You need to get—” Beep, beep, beep. She had hung up before I could finish my sentence. I stared at the screen in disbelief. Another text popped up from her: It’s the holidays. I don’t have time for this drama. I’ll come collect you on the sixth. My heart hammered in my chest. I called her again. The line was instantly busy. I kept trying for several frantic minutes until the truth sank in: I had been blocked. A knot of fury and despair tightened in my chest, making me tremble. Beyond angry, I snatched Grandma’s phone and tried calling. This time, it rang. She didn’t answer. I tried a second time. Grandma’s number was now blocked too. “Morgan, you monster!” I screamed, my voice cracking as tears streamed down my face. The door flew open. A nurse frowned, stepping into the room. “This is a hospital. Keep your voice down.” I wiped my face haphazardly and opened Kai’s social media. That night, he’d posted three updates. Thanks, Morgan, for coming back to celebrate with me. Everyone else is celebrating New Year’s, but I get to celebrate my birthday first! The necklace Morgan commissioned, captured by a private photographer—only two of these exist in the world. I love it! Have you ever seen a ten-tier birthday cake? My fingers clenched around the phone. My heart felt like it was being flayed alive. Tears hit the screen, blurring the text. Suddenly, Morgan’s furious voice echoed in my head: “Jamie, if you can’t manage to be civil, then just walk back to the cabin yourself!” The extreme emotion triggered a break in the fog. I finally remembered why Morgan and I had argued that morning. Days earlier, Kai had been crying, begging Morgan to stay in Harbor City to celebrate with him. Morgan was torn. Kai was an orphan, and his birthday falling on New Year’s Eve meant he never got a proper celebration. But Grandma was getting older, and the New Year was the only thing she truly looked forward to all year. Seeing her struggle, I suggested Kai join us. He refused. “That’s your family home. I would feel awkward there.” He sighed dramatically. “Besides, you and Grandma don’t like me… I can tell.” As soon as he finished speaking, Morgan glared at me, a flicker of profound displeasure in her eyes. She announced that day she wasn’t coming home; she was staying with Kai. I was shocked and spent days pleading with her. I used every argument, kind or desperate, but she held firm. Finally, Grandma blew up, and Morgan reluctantly agreed to come. But the entire drive, she wore a dark expression. I noticed her mood and cautiously tried to lighten the atmosphere. She irritably knit her brow. “Stop talking. I promised I’d go home for Grandma, and I will. Don’t worry about me leaving halfway.” I fell silent, afraid to say another word. Then Kai called, crying that he was sick and needed her. I couldn’t help myself. I snatched the phone and shouted at him, “Who are you to demand Morgan abandon Grandma for you?” The call dropped. Morgan furiously backhanded me. The slap cracked across my face. “What has Kai ever done to you that makes you despise him so much?” Stunned, my mind went blank. She didn’t spare me a single glance. She slammed the accelerator, driving to the nearest rest stop and screeching to a halt. When she spoke, her voice was hard and absolute. “This is a rest stop. You can catch a bus home from here. Get out.” Tears of betrayal and hurt streamed down my face, but I refused to move. I thought, She’s just angry. She won’t really leave me. But she saw my inaction and, without a word, got out, walked around, opened my door, and physically dragged me out of the car. “Call Grandma and tell her I’m not coming back. Don’t worry her with the details.” She released me, got back into the car, and sped off. I stood there, watching her taillights disappear, the tears falling harder and faster. For a long, long time, I stood frozen. Then, the memory vanished. I wiped my face and began the long walk home. If I hadn’t been under extreme stress, I might never have remembered. Because in my mind, the only thing I remembered was Morgan’s kindness. When I was little, a simple wish for ice cream meant she would run all over the city to find the flavor I liked. When our parents died, she held me and promised she would protect me, that I would never suffer. I still didn’t understand how we had come to this point. “Jamie…” Grandma’s raspy voice pulled me back. She was awake. Her clouded eyes searched mine, a hint of hopeful anticipation in their depths. “Your sister? Did she come?” I lowered my gaze. “Morgan didn’t answer. She must be busy.” Grandma’s face paled further. After a long silence, she asked, “When did this illness start? Why didn’t you tell me?” I gripped her hand, forcing a comforting smile. “I forgot. It’s okay, Grandma. I’ll take care of myself.” She closed her eyes, seemingly aging years in that single moment. She didn’t mention Morgan or my illness again that night. The next morning, she brought me home. She cooked a quick pot of pasta, then immediately started packing. She insisted we needed to go find Morgan. I didn’t want to go back to Harbor City. I held onto her, begging her to stay. Grandma’s expression hardened. “I have to ask Morgan what she’s thinking.” She put her hand on my shoulder. “And your illness—you need treatment in the city. The facilities here are not good enough!” So, we drove back to Harbor City. We opened the door to the high-end condo. Morgan wasn’t home. Kai was standing in front of a mirror, admiring the vibrant jade pendant around his neck. When he saw us, he immediately crossed his arms. “What, you can’t manage a holiday without Morgan, so you came crawling back?” I bristled. “Kai, show some respect to my grandmother!” “Respect? Why? If this old woman hadn’t forced Morgan to come back in the first place, I wouldn’t have had to fake being sick to get her back.” Kai sneered. “Are you here to start a fight?” “Too bad. Morgan is out buying me clothes. Come back later.” His arrogant, entitled attitude ignited Grandma’s temper. She pointed a trembling finger at him. “This is Morgan and Jamie’s home. Get out!” “You get out, you old woman!” Kai’s eyes narrowed, his gaze predatory and cruel. “You chose to stay in that dusty old cabin, and now you’re back. What, decided city life is better? You don’t want the ‘hard life’ anymore?” He laughed, a sharp, unpleasant sound. “Morgan works so hard to earn money, and she still has to send you money every year. Why should she?” My pupils constricted. I clenched my fists, shaking with disbelief. Grandma was panting, her chest rising and falling rapidly. None of us expected Kai to be this brazenly awful. Seeing Grandma getting hysterical, I quickly ushered her to a chair. I then stormed over to Kai and swung my hand, landing a solid slap on his cheek. CRACK! Kai staggered back, stunned. “This is my house. You’re nothing but a charity case Morgan decided to fund. You call her ‘sister,’ but you are not a part of this family.” I yelled, ready to hit him again. He wasn’t going to just stand there. He grabbed my wrist, and we lunged at each other. “You little bastard! Don’t think being blood relatives means anything! Morgan likes me better!” Kai bit out, grabbing a handful of my hair. I kicked him in the kidney. He grabbed a heavy water glass from the counter and smashed it down on my head. BANG! “Jamie!” Grandma’s scream sliced through the air at the same time as the glass shattering. Dazed, a warm liquid streamed down my forehead, blurring my vision. My head spun, and I collapsed to the floor. Glass fragments dug into my palm. Strangely, I felt no pain in my hand, only a searing, piercing pressure, like steel needles being driven into my skull. Through the haze, I saw Grandma and Kai grappling. Grandma managed to land a few desperate slaps on him, and he finally shoved her hard. THUD! The sound was sickeningly loud. Grandma’s body hit the floor, her limbs twitching once, then going completely still. My body was numb. I wiped the blood from my eyes with my sleeve and struggled to focus. A slow, crimson pool was spreading beneath Grandma’s white hair. “I didn’t mean to!” “You old hag, why are you faking it? You attacked me first!” Kai’s voice was suddenly frantic. I gasped, crawling on my hands and knees toward Grandma. I touched her head. A jagged piece of glass was buried deep in the back of her skull. It scraped my finger, but I barely registered the pain. I drew a ragged, desperate breath, then let out a horrifying, agonizing scream. “Grandma—!” The front door opened. Morgan, loaded down with luxury shopping bags, froze at the sight. Her face went slack, her smile instantly vanishing. “Grandma!” Morgan shrieked, dropping her bags and stumbling toward us. When she saw the glass shard in Grandma’s head, her pupils shrank to pinpricks. She grabbed my wrist and screamed at me. “What is going on? Why did you bring Grandma back without telling me?” My vision was swimming. My mind went blank again—the familiar, terrifying feeling of weightlessness. More blood dripped down my temple. Morgan’s face went white. Her eyelashes fluttered. “Jamie, what did you do to yourself?” She released my hand and cupped my head, checking my wound. Kai, tears streaming down his face, sounded utterly pitiful. “Morgan, he’s gone crazy! I tried to hand him a glass of water, and he smashed it into his own head, and he hit me! Grandma tried to stop him, but she slipped on the broken glass…” Morgan’s hands stilled. Her face turned to stone. “Jamie, is that the truth?” “I don’t remember…” My voice was a choked sob. I was hyperventilating, desperately trying to catch my breath. I didn’t remember. I didn’t know what had happened moments ago. How could this be? Why was this happening? “It’s the holidays! Why are you always making a scene!” Morgan roared, her face iron-hard. “If anything happens to Grandma, I will never forgive you!” Before I could react, she shoved me aside. She picked up Grandma and rushed out the door toward the hospital. Kai stood over me, looking down. “See? No matter what I say, Morgan believes me.” He flashed me a chilling, triumphant smile. “Jamie, I think your grandmother is already dead.” “You killed her!” I looked up sharply, a cold terror shooting through me. “No, that’s not right. How could I have killed Grandma?” I mumbled, shaking my head mechanically. Kai scoffed and walked out the door. After he left, the house felt terrifyingly empty. The silence was absolute. My mind fixated on a single thought: I did not kill Grandma. After what felt like an eternity, a thought flashed into my mind. I scrambled up, shaking, and found a chair. I climbed up and ran my hand along the top of the living room pendant light. A moment later, my breath caught. A small pinhole camera was now clenched in my fist. I had installed it two months ago. When I was diagnosed with the brain tumor, the doctor warned me about the memory loss and suggested I install a camera at home. I followed his advice, then immediately forgot about it. I never imagined it would be needed today. Clutching the camera, I headed to the hospital. In the corridor, I saw Morgan hunched over, weeping hysterically. Kai was beside her, murmuring comforting words. “Morgan, don’t cry. Grandma is gone, but you still have me…” BOOM— My head went blank again. The familiar, crushing sense of void washed over me. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor. Morgan heard the sound. Her eyes, bloodshot and swollen, fixed on me with raw, surging hatred. She got up and walked over, slapping me without hesitation. “This is all your fault! Why did you bring Grandma back? Why did you argue with Kai?” Her voice was choked with fury. “It was just a few days! Why couldn’t you be sensible?” “Grandma is dead. Are you happy now?” The slap burned. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. I tried to speak, but no sound came out. What was I here for? And how could Grandma be dead? Tears of confusion and helplessness poured down my face. I vaguely knew I had forgotten something crucial, but I couldn’t grasp it. The harder I tried, the worse the headache got, and the more I cried. “You have the nerve to cry?” Morgan’s voice trembled with rage. She pulled a small gift box from her pocket and threw it at me. “I was thinking of you. When I bought Kai’s birthday present, I bought one for you too.” “Jamie, you don’t deserve my kindness!” The box hit the floor and shattered, revealing a delicate jade pendant identical to Kai’s. Just as I reached for it, Morgan stomped her foot down on the pendant. “You are forbidden from attending the funeral!” “Jamie, you are no longer my brother!” I looked up in shock, but she had already turned and walked away. Kai stood over me, a smug, cruel smile on his face. “You deserve it.” He bent down, scooped up the broken pendant from the floor, pocketed it, and hurried after Morgan. A sudden, sharp pain flared in my palm. I looked down. I had crushed the corner of the small pinhole camera. I realized with a jolt that I had, once again, forgotten what I was supposed to do. People passed in the corridor, their eyes full of judgment and pity. I buried my face in my hands, sobbing in utter despair. Why did I have this disease? Why did it steal my memories, denying me even a chance to explain? A desperate voice inside me screamed that I couldn’t wait. The funeral could wait. The truth couldn’t. To prevent myself from forgetting again, I prepared two ways to get the video out. First, I pulled out my phone and emailed the security camera footage of Kai pushing Grandma to the Harbor City Police Department’s official email address. Then, I slowly got up and started walking toward the police station. The truth, however, proved my fears right. After leaving the hospital, I didn’t go to the police station. Instead, I got on the bus going back to the old cabin. I was fixated on the belief that Grandma was waiting for me there. If I just went back, I would see her again. The bus slowly pulled away from Harbor City. By the time I opened the front door of the cabin, it was evening again. The house was cold and empty. A single plate of cold, congealed pastas sat on the table. I vaguely remembered those were the ones Grandma had left for Morgan. Suddenly, I felt my soul draining away. My vision went black. As I collapsed, my exclusive ringtone for Morgan started blaring from my phone. It was a warm melody, but now it sounded frantic and jarring. I didn’t even have the strength to answer. I closed my eyes.

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After my boyfriend bought a new car, he suddenly got a “commuter buddy.” He drove her to work and back, rain or shine. This “buddy” also started decorating the car interior like she owned it. She put her favorite air fresheners in the car, threw away the flats I kept in the passenger seat, and replaced them with her size. One stormy day, I waited alone at my office entrance for an hour before my boyfriend leisurely drove up with his “buddy.” The girl sat in the passenger seat, smiling as she apologized to me: “Sorry, sis, I eat slowly and delayed your boyfriend from picking you up. Please don’t be mad.” Before I could speak, my boyfriend affectionately flicked her forehead: “Sarah is very mature, unlike you, needing to be coaxed just to eat. You’re like a child who won’t grow up.” 1 It was storming, lightning and thunder crashing outside. I stood at the entrance of my office building, anxiously waiting for my boyfriend, Ethan, to pick me up. In this extreme weather, Uber and Lyft were impossible to get. Colleagues around me were complaining about wait times of at least half an hour. With my car in the shop for maintenance, I suddenly felt grateful that I had bought a car for Ethan last month. At least in this moment, it was coming in handy. I waited and waited. Colleagues around me left one after another until I was the only one left. Finally, Ethan’s car leisurely approached from the distance. The window rolled down, and Ethan said to me, “Sarah, sorry for the wait.” Saying that, he unlocked the back door for me. “Hop in.” I leaned forward and realized there was already a girl with long hair and a round face sitting in the passenger seat. The rain was getting heavier, so I had to bend down and sit in the back, closing my umbrella as I got in. “Hey, water, water, water,” the girl in the passenger seat turned around, pointing at my closed umbrella, frowning as she reminded me, “Please put the umbrella directly by the door when you close it, otherwise the rain will get everywhere. This car was just bought a month ago, the seats are real leather.” Her tone, as if she were the owner, annoyed me. I’ve always been straightforward, so I looked at her with amusement. “Miss, this is my boyfriend’s car. Even if it gets soaked, it’s our business. What are you worried about?” The girl looked a bit embarrassed. Ethan quickly got in the car and admonished me, “She just cherishes our car and gave a kind reminder. Don’t be so fierce to her.” I looked at him. “So she is?” “Oh, her,” Ethan unbuckled his seatbelt. “I mentioned her to you. My commuter buddy, Zoe. Zoe works at my company and happens to live in our complex. Since it’s on the way, I give her a ride. Just doing a good deed.” Cars behind us were honking like crazy. Ethan was a bit rushed, but his seatbelt wouldn’t click in. Zoe leaned over and thoughtfully helped him buckle it. Only then did she turn sideways, smiling as she apologized to me, “I’m so sorry, Sarah. I shouldn’t have been this late. It’s all my fault for eating slowly and delaying your boyfriend from picking you up. Please don’t be mad.” “What are you thinking?” Ethan controlled the steering wheel with one hand and knocked her forehead with the other. “Sarah is much more mature than you. Unlike a certain ‘Little Chubby Zoe,’ who needs to be coaxed just to eat.” “I just didn’t have an appetite because of my period today,” Zoe retorted, reaching out to ruffle Ethan’s hair. “And I’ve told you so many times, don’t call me that in front of outsiders. I’m not chubby!” 2 Zoe indeed wasn’t fat. Just a bit of baby fat, making her look very naive and cute. When she puffed up her cheeks, Ethan even took the opportunity to pinch her face. The two of them flirted like no one else was there. I zoned out for a moment, savoring Zoe’s word “outsider.” Yes, right now I truly felt like an outsider. Oh no, “clown” would be more accurate. After Ethan got the car, I heard him mention his commuter buddy. “Sarah, no time for breakfast, I’m leaving first. Little Chubby Zoe is waiting for me at the gate.” “Little Chubby is getting off work late today, I’ll wait for her a bit, so I’ll be home late.” “Babe, Little Chubby Zoe from our company praised your sandwiches today, said she wants to taste your cooking again. Can you make an extra portion tomorrow?” Little Chubby, Little Chubby Zoe. I never thought this nickname would belong to a girl. For the past month, Ethan willingly acted as her free chauffeur. Picking up and dropping off Zoe every day, more punctual than Uber. Even in such terrible weather today, knowing I was waiting for him in the cold wind, he waited for Zoe to finish eating in the cafeteria before leisurely driving his commuter buddy to pick up me, his girlfriend. 3 Seeing my silence, Ethan asked with concern, “Sarah, why aren’t you talking?” “Sarah, are you frozen speechless?” Zoe also tilted her head, looking at me innocently. “On the way here, I checked the weather. It’s freezing today, and raining. In such cold weather, please don’t catch a cold, or I’ll feel guilty to death.” As soon as she finished speaking, I sneezed. “Really frozen?” Ethan observed my face through the rearview mirror, nagging incessantly. “You, your health is getting worse and worse. Just a little wind and you’re like this. I tell you to run with me every morning, but you’re never willing.” “I have Vitamin C here.” Zoe quickly took out a box of Vitamin C from her bag and handed it back to me. “Here, Ethan bought this for me. He said it boosts immunity. Sarah, take two quickly.” Ethan was a health nut and did have a habit of morning runs. When we first moved to this complex, Ethan was enthusiastic about asking me to run in the morning, but I refused every time with the excuse of sleeping in. Later, he just gave up. Every change of season, I caught colds easily, so Ethan would often stock up on Vitamin C for me. A few days ago, the vitamins at home ran out. I stared expressionlessly at the exquisitely packaged vitamins Zoe handed me. The Vitamin C Ethan bought for me was always the cheapest generic bottle from the pharmacy, two dollars a pop. I once complained it was too cheap, but he said cheap was enough, and expensive ones were just overpriced scams for fools. But what he bought for Zoe was imported stuff costing nearly a hundred dollars a bottle. Hmm, so my boyfriend is willing to be someone else’s fool? 4 I didn’t take the vitamins, but looked around. My gaze fell on the cushions. I like minimalist style. The solid-colored cushions originally in the car had all been replaced with blue Stitch cushions. I frowned and asked, “Where are the solid-colored cushions I bought?” “Those…” Ethan coughed lightly. “They’re all in the trunk.” Zoe said in surprise, “Huh? Were those cushions bought by you, Sarah? They were so ugly, I thought the dealership gave them away. I just threw them in the trash yesterday.” …Turns out people really laugh when they are speechless. I had been busy with work lately and hadn’t used this car. Until this moment, I didn’t realize the car’s interior had completely changed. In front of the passenger seat that originally belonged to me, Zoe had stuck a cartoon air freshener, emitting a cheap perfume smell. The charm I hung on the rearview mirror was wrapped with a colorful hair tie that didn’t belong to me. Even the nickname of the car system was changed from “Sarah’s Car” to “Ethan & Zoe’s Car.” The interior, changed beyond recognition, displayed the taste of Ethan’s commuter buddy everywhere. And I looked like an outsider hitching a ride. 5 Just then, Zoe looked at the GPS and pouted, complaining, “Traffic jams on rainy days are so annoying, especially detouring to pick someone up. Sitting in the car makes me want to change out of my heels.” Ethan naturally replied, “Then change. Aren’t your flats in the back?” Zoe nodded, pointing behind her seat and saying to me, “Sarah, pass me the flats behind this seat.” Following her direction, I saw a pair of white flats. My face instantly turned colder. “Where are the black flats I originally put here?” “Oh my, were those shoes yours, Sarah?” Zoe was surprised again. “I was wondering when a pair of such big and old-fashioned shoes appeared here. So sorry, Sarah, I accidentally threw those away too. How about I ask Ethan to buy you an identical pair?” Good, very good. I wanted to endure until we got home and then settle accounts with Ethan. But I never expected someone could be this shameless! If I could tolerate this, I’d change my last name to hers! “Change shoes, right?” I snatched two tissues from the box, bent down, and picked up those shoes as if picking up trash. Then I smashed them hard onto Zoe. “Fine, change! Change them!” “Ah—” Zoe screamed. Dodging, her face was scratched by the pointed toe of the shoe. Zoe immediately covered her wound in a panic. “Zoe!” Seeing this, Ethan stopped the car abruptly and leaned over to Zoe anxiously. “Are you hurt? Let me see.” Zoe moved her hand away from her face tearfully. “Ethan, am I disfigured? Boohoo, it hurts.” Seeing the scratch on Zoe’s chin, Ethan turned his head furiously to look at me. “Sarah, what do you want? Zoe just asked you to pass her shoes, why did you go crazy for no reason!” 5 (Continued) Without a word, I grabbed everything within reach and smashed it at Ethan, one after another. “Pass shoes, right? I’ve grown this big and haven’t even passed shoes to my own mother. What is she to deserve me passing her shoes? “I really gave you too much face, letting you two dance around in my car!” I paid for this car for Ethan. Last month, Ethan found a new job. Because he was still on probation, working 996 (9am-9pm, 6 days/week) was very hard. I felt sorry for him, so I paid for a new electric vehicle for him. New EVs have city driving assist and camping modes. Originally, I thought having this car would make his commute easier. And during lunch breaks, he could have a private space to rest. But I never expected he would turn around and find a commuter buddy, not only being inseparable every day but also letting this buddy play the green tea bitch (act innocent but manipulative) in front of me and show off. Seeing I was still relentless, Ethan raised an arm to shield Zoe, raising his voice. “Are you done yet? In the end, we are just commuting together, that’s all. “And I met her on the road twenty days ago. Seeing a little girl looking pitiful, I invited her to commute with me. She didn’t even ask for it!” Hearing this, I stopped and calmly picked up my bag that had fallen by the seat. “Oh, so just commuting together. Then make her get the hell out of the car now. She’s an eyesore.” “It’s raining outside. Do you have to make it difficult for a little girl?” Ethan said calmly. “Starting tomorrow, I promise she won’t be on my commute anymore.” “It’s raining outside, so what?” I chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “This is my car. Do I need to pick a lucky day to make an outsider get the hell out of my car?” Zoe, shielded behind Ethan, seemed angry. “Sarah, I heard from Ethan that you are five or six years older than us, almost thirty. “I don’t know if your menopause came early. “But if it really came early, take your meds. I’m not your punching bag.”

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On the twentieth day of Bella Sterling’s silent treatment, she posted an Instagram story holding hands with the school’s star quarterback, fingers interlaced. I silently changed my college application from our hometown university to one in Seattle, thousands of miles away. At a party, her friend teased, “Leo, if you don’t start groveling, Bella’s really going to date someone else.” I whispered a small apology. Bella smirked. “Whatever. Go back and pack your bags. We’re heading to campus together tomorrow for orientation.” I mumbled an agreement. Bella didn’t know I had already bought a train ticket to Seattle for tonight. 1 I am the son of the Sterling family’s housekeeper. When I was seven, I moved into the small room on the first floor of their estate. My job was to take care of Bella Sterling’s every need. For ten whole years, she became a mission carved into my bones. I was obedient and docile. Mrs. Sterling often praised me. But Bella hated me. The first time we met, she stood on the grand staircase in a white princess dress, looking like a porcelain doll. I wore dusty jeans with holes in the knees, staring blankly at everything. The disgust in her eyes was unmistakable. Mrs. Sterling introduced me. “This is Leo Hart, Mrs. Hart’s son. His father ran off, and they have nowhere to go, so they’re staying with us.” She turned and went upstairs without a word. Mrs. Sterling told me my job was to look after Bella. My mom also warned me that the Sterling family was special and it wasn’t easy for us to stay. “Speak less, do more, and never make Bella angry.” I knew Bella didn’t like me, so to survive here, I tried to make myself invisible. Every day, I quietly organized her clothes and cleaned her room. For the first three months, Bella didn’t say a word to me. That year, she got sick. Mrs. Sterling was in a bad mood and traveling abroad. The family doctor prescribed medicine, but she still coughed all night. I remembered the pear and peppercorn soup my grandma used to make me. When I brought it to her, Bella looked at it with utter disdain. “Leo Hart, are you trying to poison me with some weird country remedy?” I said timidly, “It’s not poison. This pear soup is good for coughing.” Bella looked annoyed. “If it doesn’t work, will you get the hell out of my house?” I froze, standing aside, afraid to breathe. Bella scoffed and drank it. The next morning, her cough was better. 2 Before elementary school registration, my mom found me a boarding school. It was far away, meaning I could only come back on weekends. I was relieved. Away from the Sterling house, my mom wouldn’t be in a difficult position, and I wouldn’t have to face Bella’s moods. But while I was packing, my mom ran to me, out of breath. Mrs. Sterling wanted me to go to the same private elementary school as Bella. So I could take care of her at school. I whispered, “Can I not go?” My mom grabbed my shoulders. “Leo, are you stupid? Bella’s school is the best in the city. People would kill to get in.” I looked down and said nothing. 3 From then on, I became Bella’s shadow. I followed Bella from elementary school through high school. Getting her lunch, carrying her backpack, doing her homework. Everyone knew I was the tail she couldn’t shake. In middle school, she made a bunch of friends. I was the tail lagging far behind the group. Always monitoring Bella’s mood, Bella’s needs. Her friends said I was her loyal admirer. If Bella told me to go North, I wouldn’t dare go South. The only constant was Bella’s disdain for me. In ninth grade, Bella went out and stained her favorite dress. She dragged me out of bed in the middle of the night to hand-wash it. I was wearing only boxers, blushing furiously. Bella scoffed unnaturally, “With a body like that, who’d want to look?” Teenage insecurity quietly took root. Junior year of high school, the academic pressure was immense. I was drowning in practice exams day and night. On a whim, Bella wanted to eat my cooking. She made me cook dinner every night and pack it for her lunch the next day. I would finish my homework, cook for her until midnight, and wake up early to wait for her to go to school. At noon, I would heat the food and bring it to her. Her friend hugged her and said, “Nice, Bella. Your little house-husband cooks for you.” Bella’s face turned cold instantly. She tossed the food I heated to her desk mate like it was garbage. I said nothing, waited for them to finish, washed the lunch box, and went back to my practice exams. That year, I hit a growth spurt. My gym shorts became too tight. But I couldn’t skip class. I wasn’t Bella. During gym, she rested on the other side of the court, and the teacher said nothing. When I ran, my tight shorts attracted whistles. I slowed down involuntarily. Chloe Vance from the next class passed by and handed me her uniform jacket. It caused a stir. I had seen her at the opening ceremony. Her family’s business was famous. She was gentle, polite, and top of the class in both looks and grades. “Wear it. You still have half a mile to run.” I hesitated but took it. Later, a rumor spread that I was shameless, trying to seduce Chloe by wearing her jacket. In the front row, Bella kicked her desk hard. Bang. Everyone shut up. That night, Bella didn’t wait for me. She said since I was so capable, I should ask Chloe to drive me home. I sighed and took out change for the bus. Unexpectedly, Chloe was on the bus too. She was quietly listening to vocabulary tapes and waved at me. I sat next to her. Chloe took off her headphones. I knew the jacket incident caused her trouble too, so I whispered an apology. Chloe smiled indifferently. “Leo, ignore the rumors. Just focus on studying. “College entrance exams are in two and a half years. Have you thought about where you want to go?” Chloe had a pure, beautiful look, completely different from Bella’s cold arrogance. I was stunned. Which university did I want to go to? I had never thought about it. I only thought about how to improve my scores. I didn’t have money for cram school. My mom borrowed Bella’s notes for me. I had to admit Bella was smarter than me. She understood things instantly. I needed repeated practice to understand. Her notes were very helpful. My mom told me to apply to wherever Bella applied. Her family had money and resources; her choice wouldn’t be wrong. I didn’t know which university Bella would choose. Chloe smiled faintly. “Think about it. The school you really want to go to.” When I got home, my mom said Bella wouldn’t be back for dinner. She asked where she went. I shook my head and said I didn’t know. Bella came back in the early hours of the morning. Her expression was cold, and there was some blood on her hand. She glanced at me indifferently and went upstairs. I whispered asking if she needed medicine. Bella didn’t answer and went upstairs. I continued researching different universities online. This was the first time. I clearly felt that I could leave Bella and have a place I truly wanted to go. Later, I asked my mom uneasily if she ever thought about leaving the Sterling family. After all, we couldn’t live here forever. She was a bit lost too, saying she had been working for the Sterlings since divorcing my dad. Although Bella had a weird temper sometimes, Mrs. Sterling was easy to get along with. Over the years, I never saw Bella’s father in the villa. I only knew from fragments of information that Bella’s family company was huge, and her father was busy. Her parents had a loveless marriage of convenience. After she was born, her father got a girlfriend. Mrs. Sterling raised Bella, but she traveled often besides working, leaving my mom to look after the house. My mom said she planned to work until I graduated college, then take the money to start a small business. I asked if she considered leaving after I graduated high school. She silently patted my head and said nothing. 4 After the jacket incident, Bella tortured me every night in different ways. Fetching water, organizing her desk. Changing sheets, hand-washing new clothes. I could only be thankful that my room was far from my mom’s, so she wouldn’t worry. If Bella didn’t sleep, I couldn’t sleep. I had to keep moving in front of her. A few times, I fell asleep from exhaustion. I woke up on the sofa in Bella’s room. By the time I got up, Bella was gone. I took the bus back and forth, which took longer, but I felt lighter. I wished I could offend Bella completely so she would ignore me forever. Currently impossible, of course. I could only use studying as an excuse to stop spending time pleasing her. A week later, Bella had an aerobics competition. Usually, I would buy drinks and prepare her clothes. This time I didn’t go. I memorized vocabulary in the classroom. My mom called, saying Bella was in a bad mood. Mrs. Sterling asked me to take care of her and ordered boba tea to the basketball court for me to pick up. I took the boba and sat on the sidelines. Some classmates were laughing and discussing. “See? I told you he couldn’t resist. Bella ignores him, and he panics.” “A simp has to know his place. He pretended for a few days but couldn’t hold it.” I said nothing. On the court, Bella moved gracefully, drawing cheers. After finishing, she gave me a deep look, signaling me to distribute the boba. I gave it to the others first. The last cup was for Bella. She leaned back on her hands, looking at me with a nasty gaze. I handed her the boba, facing everyone’s mockery. I whispered, “Bella, your boba.” Bella didn’t look at me, her tone casual. “Bring it here. I sprained my hand. It hurts.” I put the straw in and handed it to her. Bella lowered her head and took two sips. Her friends whistled at her. She smiled indifferently. I really didn’t understand why she did this. Until I turned around and saw Chloe sitting opposite us. Was she competing with Chloe? Both had good family backgrounds. Both were top tier in looks and grades. Comparison was inevitable. I didn’t expect Bella, who never paid attention to others, to start noticing Chloe. I didn’t think too much and, following Bella’s instructions, held the boba to her lips. At least if Bella was in a good mood, she wouldn’t torment me, and I could sleep.

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I sat in the corner of the bar, staring at the blurred faces under the dim, smoky light, and felt like the biggest fool in Veridian City. All it took was one hushed line: “The real reason the Pete-Davies wedding was postponed? Pete’s ex got kidnapped. He dropped everything—even his wedding—to save her.” And I actually flew here, to this grimy, neon-lit corner of New Orleans, just to see if it was true. Pete Hawthorne. The city’s golden boy. The kind of man who belonged on the cover of Forbes, the kind of philanthropist who gave measured, eloquent speeches at charity galas. How could he possibly be found in a place like this? I was preparing to leave, my glass half-empty, when— “Bang!” A gunshot ripped through the music. … The bar door slammed open. Two men covered in blood stumbled in, collapsing onto the sticky floor. “Pete!” one of them yelled, clutching his arm. “You went clean a decade ago! You break your vow for a woman today? Don’t you fear divine retribution?” Pete stood in the doorway. He looked down at the mess, his voice low and utterly cold. “I do fear it,” he admitted. “I swore I’d stay out of the blood and shadows. I was going to be a legitimate businessman.” He took a step into the light. “But you knew Quinn was mine, and you still touched her. Did you really think I wouldn’t come for you?” The man standing there was utterly foreign to me. The bar had gone silent, yet a ringing started in my ears, drowning out the sudden, dreadful quiet. “Quinn doesn’t play by the rules! She shut down three of our operations!” The leader spat the words out, fierce with pain. “Pete, you’re helping a criminal! Causing all this chaos for that woman! Aren’t you afraid your journalist fiancée will hear about this?” Pete gave no answer. He simply raised a hand. His security detail surged forward. A few dull thuds, and the confrontation was over. “Send these three to Quinn,” he ordered to the man beside him. As he turned to leave, his gaze swept across the room and paused momentarily near my dark corner. I thought, for a desperate second, that he saw me. But then a man rushed up to him, reporting urgently: “Quinn’s awake, sir, but she’s hysterical. She’s got a piece of broken glass and is threatening to hurt herself.” Pete’s eyes instantly moved away. He didn’t look back as he strode quickly out the door. The music stuttered back on. The dancers in the center of the room began to sway again. Only I remained rooted to my spot, watching the doorway where Pete had vanished, an absolute chill settling over me. “Miss, are you alright?” the bartender asked kindly. I shook my head silently. The bartender chuckled, wiping down a glass. “First time here? It’s normal to be shocked. Haven’t seen the boss—Pete, I mean—make that kind of entrance in years. We all thought the story was over between him and Quinn. Guess not.” My fingers tightened around my empty glass. “The story?” “Yeah, them.” He sighed. “Quinn and Pete. They were practically inseparable in the old days, fought their way through the worst of the city’s underworld together. He went straight because of her, they shared the whole territory. Only problem is, they were too damn proud. Had a huge fight, nobody backed down, and he left and never came back. Now she’s in trouble, and he blows off his society wedding to come save her.” My throat felt constricted. The bartender leaned down, rummaging under the counter, and pulled out a faded, dog-eared photo. “See? We still have this. It was taken the night he proposed. Perfect match, right?” In the center of the photograph, Pete knelt on one knee. He wore a simple black T-shirt, but the confidence and recklessness of his youth still radiated from the image. He was looking up at Quinn, his smile wide, untamed, and utterly defiant. He was a world away from the “Mr. Hawthorne” I knew—the one whose shirt buttons were always secured to the top, whose cuffs were never wrinkled, whose smile was measured and brief. I looked at the woman’s face… I snatched my gaze away, my hand trembling as I held the glass. The bartender’s eyes flickered between my face and the photo. “You know, you and Quinn look a little alike, actually. But the vibe is completely different. She’s all edge and fire. You look like a professor.” I sat there all night, nearly self-destructively, listening to the bartender recount the legendary history of Pete and Quinn. Only then did the awful realization hit me: this is how he loves. Wildly, possessively, all in. Not like he loved me—politely, gently, and never, ever from the heart. Daylight was just breaking as I left the back alley. My phone vibrated. It was my father, Mr. Davies. The instant I answered, his furious interrogation assaulted me. “How could you be so useless?! You chase a man for three years, and on the day of your wedding, you let him abandon you? You’ve made a fool of the Davies name!” “Get Pete back and complete this wedding, or I swear, I’ll disown you!” “I’m not doing it.” I hung up, cutting off his torrent of curses. As I crossed the street, I saw a corner diner. Through the window, Pete and Quinn sat by the glass. Quinn’s dark hair was loose, and she was sipping slowly from a bowl. Pete was meticulously tearing up a beignet—the New Orleans version of you tiao—into small, manageable pieces on her plate, then pushing it toward her. It was the easy, thoughtless intimacy of years. I suddenly remembered when I had a terrible flu last year. I called Pete, miserable, and got only a cool, professional instruction to rest. His assistant brought the soup and medication later. I had defended him then: He’s focused on his career; I should be the understanding one. I landed in Veridian City and went straight to the newspaper’s office. “Al, I’ve finished collating the final draft on the Hawthorne Group’s suspected profit manipulation.” “Calla?” Al looked up from his computer. “Weren’t you on a week’s wedding leave? It’s only day two…” “Work first.” I handed him another document and slid it across his desk. “This is a fellowship application. Headquarters has an exchange program with the LSE in London. I want to go.” Al’s gaze moved from the application to my left hand resting on the table’s edge. My ring finger was bare. The platinum wedding band was gone. He understood instantly, and signed the form without a word. “The company already wanted you to go. With your talent, expanding your horizons will solidify your place in investigative journalism.” I managed a faint smile. “Thank you.” I buried myself in the mountainous pile of documents all day, not surfacing until the ache in my lower back finally broke my concentration. My phone screen was a tapestry of unread messages. A string of increasingly angry texts and missed calls from my father. Worried queries from friends. And one brief message from Pete. I locked the screen and left the building, turning into the familiar alleyway beside the office. The Crescent City Diner’s neon sign glowed a warm yellow. “Miss Davies! You’re here!” The owner, a sweet, middle-aged woman, smiled. “Just you today? Mr. Hawthorne isn’t joining?” “He’s busy.” I walked to our usual booth. “The usual, please.” The diner was quiet. Soon, a large bowl of seafood gumbo was placed before me. The white steam rushed upward, blurring my vision. For a moment, I imagined Pete sitting across from me, just as he had on our first official date. That night, my elaborate plan to impress him had fallen apart. I’d missed our reservation at the city’s fanciest rooftop restaurant because I was chasing a breaking story until midnight. Defeated, I pulled out my phone, and his message popped up first: Done working? Send me your location. He was still waiting. The only place open was this late-night diner. Our perfect first date ended here, imperfectly. Later, it became our spot. I used to think that a man of his stature, sitting on a plastic chair in a late-night diner for me, must have some feeling. Now I knew the truth was written on the menu: the gumbo recipe was an exact duplicate of a legendary, decades-old New Orleans spot—the one he and Quinn used to frequent when they were younger. It was a memory of another person, not a courtesy to me. My stomach turned. I forced myself to eat a few spoonfuls. The wooden door was kicked open. A blast of cold air, followed by a few thuggish-looking men, entered. The one in front had bleached-blond hair. “Old man, you’re the only one on this block who hasn’t paid, right?” The few remaining customers fled. In a blink, I was the only patron left. Seeing the place empty, the blond man smirked. “Smash it up.” Tables flipped, dishes shattered. The owner and the chef were shoved aside, and the men closed in, ready to strike. “Stop.” I stood up and pulled out my press credentials. “I’m a journalist. If you continue, your photos will be on tomorrow’s front page.” “Another brave one, huh?” The blond man narrowed his eyes, walking slowly toward me, his gaze slimy. “Pretty face. But before you get involved, you should worry about saving yourself.” “Stay away from me.” My voice was ice. “Feisty, too.” He reached out to touch me. I violently slapped his hand away. “Crack!” The sharp sound echoed through the wreckage. The shop went silent. The man stood there, his face stinging, a red print blooming on his cheek. “Dammit, you asked for this!” He snarled, raising his hand high, ready to slap me back. “That’s enough.” A deep, measured voice came from the doorway. Simultaneously, the blond man’s arm was seized and twisted behind his back. Two men in suits appeared, flanking a third man in a dark overcoat: Pete. He surveyed the chaos, his gaze finally resting on me, pausing for a brief, unsettling moment. The situation instantly reversed. The blond man and his thugs were handed over to the police. The owners, tearful, thanked Pete and me profusely. Pete’s expression was remote. “Send them to the hospital for a check-up,” he ordered his assistant. The diner fell silent again. The late-night breeze made me shiver, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around myself. An overcoat, still warm, draped gently over my shoulders. Pete stood beside me, his voice softer than before. “Let me take you home.” I stayed still, staring at the shattered ceramic pieces on the floor. “Are you angry?” Pete asked quietly. “The wedding… it was my fault.” “I’m not angry.” I cut him off, finally preparing to say the words that had been churning in my throat. But a cold, sharp female voice intervened. “Pete, you rushed all the way back just to see her?” I turned around. It was the first time I met Quinn. Pete’s brow furrowed. “Why aren’t you resting your injuries?” “Mind your own business.” Quinn scoffed. “You obviously don’t care. You’re too busy playing the hero here.” He walked two steps toward her, speaking gently, persuasively. “Don’t be difficult. You’re not well. I’m having someone take you back.” That gentle, real tenderness was a spark of the man I never knew. I said nothing, turning and walking away alone. The next morning, the wedding planner called. “Miss Davies, I’m sorry to bother you. The valuable items for your and Mr. Hawthorne’s wedding are still in the hotel vault. Do you have a moment to collect them?” I rubbed my temple. “Could you please mail them?” Her tone was difficult. “Miss Davies, the value is quite high. Hotel policy requires the couple to confirm and collect these types of items personally.” I paused. “Fine. I’ll come.” The manager, a young woman, greeted me with a professional, sympathetic smile. “Miss Davies, please follow me.” In the vault, the centerpiece was the pair of diamond rings. They flashed under the light. Pete had bought the pink diamond at auction, saying the color suited my sophisticated elegance. I had secretly rejoiced for weeks over the gesture. Next to them were the two gowns. The train of my dress was hand-embroidered with complex French Lily-of-the-Valley patterns. Pete had them flown in from Paris. I actually preferred Baby’s Breath. The matching jewelry, the veil… everything was immensely valuable. The manager spoke with genuine pity, but I merely stared at the items. “Oh, and this, too.” The manager copied a video file onto a tablet and handed it to me. “This is the ‘How Well Do You Know Your Partner’ video we recorded. The planner said it was wonderful and was going to be played during the warm-up.” I stared blankly, just remembering the segment. The planner had asked us five questions to test our synchronicity, the answers to be revealed at the reception. “Thank you.” I reached for it. But someone bumped the tablet, and the large screen immediately lit up. The video began to play. Pete appeared on the screen. He sat in a warmly decorated interview room, wearing a simple white T-shirt—a rare, casual look for him. The planner’s lively voice filled the room: “Mr. Hawthorne, ready? Question one: When was the very first moment you fell for Miss Davies?” Pete seemed to pause. “That’s a question Calla and I might answer differently. Because she didn’t see me that time.” “Oh?” the planner pressed. “Can you tell us? Was she incredibly beautiful? Love at first sight?” Pete gave a light, dismissive laugh. He shook his head. “No, she didn’t look beautiful at all. She was actually a bit of a mess. Her hair was tangled, and she had a nasty bruise on her face.” The planner was confused. “Then why?” “She’d been ambushed and cornered by the people she was investigating. They were telling her what to write and what not to write. But Calla?” Pete’s smile deepened slightly. “She just looked at them, gave a small, faint smile, and said, ‘If I wrote it, it was worth writing.’” “I just thought… how could a woman in that situation look so utterly scrappy and cool?” The planner gasped. “Wow, Miss Davies seems so gentle, I wouldn’t have guessed she had that spirit.” The video kept playing, but I couldn’t hear it anymore. The ringing in my ears returned, overlaid with another sound, muffled by the bar’s chaotic music: the bartender’s lazy drawl. “Don’t let the sharp suit fool you. When Pete talks about Quinn, he’s poetic. Once, at a game of truth or dare, someone asked why he liked Quinn, since her temper was so explosive.” “Pete said it was because she had a defiant spirit no one else did.” “The time she was tied up, to humiliate Pete, they demanded he kneel. But Quinn wouldn’t let him. She shouted at him, ‘It’s just life or death, who cares?’ and started cutting the ropes herself.” “Pete said then, he realized: when completely isolated and helpless, she could still say the most defiant, coolly contemptuous things.” The two voices, separated by time and context, slammed together in my mind. I finally had to admit the crushing truth: in Pete’s eyes, I was merely a stand-in. Even the memory of our first moment of affection was a cheap, one-to-one copy of his feelings for Quinn. A suffocating feeling filled my chest. I had nowhere to put it. My phone vibrated. It was my mother, Joyce. “Calla, come home for dinner tonight? Come and apologize properly to your father. He’s just worried and his temper got the better of him.” Hearing my mother’s perpetually timid and placating tone, my chest tightened. I thought of the woman who had spent her entire life under my father’s thumb. I sighed. Okay. I could ignore Mr. Davies’s rage, but I couldn’t ignore the one person who had tried her best to give me warmth. I pushed open the door to the house, carrying a gift bag, and immediately heard Mr. Davies’s angry shout: “Who told you you could come back!” My mother, carrying a dish fresh from the kitchen, emerged, giving an anxious, forced smile. “She’s just in time. Wash your hands, dinner’s ready.” The comment redirected my father’s rage. He lashed out, knocking the dish from my mother’s hand. “It’s your fault! I shouldn’t have brought you two back in the first place! All you do is embarrass me!” I watched the hot sauce splatter all over my mother’s clothes. She stood there, head bowed, helpless and ashamed. My breathing seized with rage. I stepped forward, putting myself between them. My mother immediately pulled at my arm, shaking her head in silent plea. “What are you doing? Let her speak!” The veins in my father’s forehead pulsed. “She ruined everything! And she thinks she’s right?!” I met his rage-contorted face. “We are less embarrassing than you are.” “Ignoring your first wife and daughter for over a decade, taking your mistress to Europe to live the high life. Only when she leaves you, do you remember you have a long-suffering family waiting here. So you deign to bring us back as an act of charity!” “The Davies name? You tore that up and threw it away the moment you abandoned us!” “You insolent girl!” My father trembled with fury. He raised his hand, ready to strike my face. The force of his approaching palm rushed toward me. I did not flinch. “Father-in-law.” A familiar, steady baritone cut through the air. I froze. Pete stood in the entryway. His expression was clear and composed, though his eyes were cool. Only when he pulled me securely to his side did his face soften slightly. “The wedding delay was my fault,” he said smoothly. “Calla and I agreed to come back tonight to apologize to you both. I detoured to pick up gifts for you, which is why Calla arrived ahead of me.” He paused, his eyes sweeping over the scattered mess. “Is there a misunderstanding between you and Calla, Father-in-law?” The two mentions of “Father-in-law” made Mr. Davies’s smile bloom. “Misunderstanding? Between family? None at all! Come in, come in.” “That’s good. This is a small gesture of goodwill.” Pete nodded. His assistant stepped forward and handed over a legal folder. Mr. Davies’s eyes lit up when he opened it—it was the title to a highly contested piece of prime downtown real estate, one he had been coveting but couldn’t finance. The Hawthornes, of course, were too rich to care. I lowered my eyes. He had saved me, again. It seemed whenever I was in a difficult situation, he would appear and solve my problems with a flick of his wrist. An inappropriate memory flashed through my mind: Pete said I didn’t see him the first time he fell for me. Actually, I did. When those thugs attacked me, I thought I was finished. Then someone burst in and saved me. As I was rushed out, I saw the retreating back of the man who had done it. A firm hand on my waist pulled me back to the present. Pete whispered in my ear: “Let’s eat.” With Pete there, dinner was smooth and cordial. My father was satisfied. My mother was grateful. For me, the food tasted like ash. Afterward, as we walked out, I stopped. I turned back, examining him under the glow of the streetlamp. This was the Pete Hawthorne I had known for three years, the man I had once believed I would spend my life with. I gave a light, almost imperceptible smile, and took a step back. “Mr. Hawthorne, thank you for rescuing me tonight. But as for the wedding rescheduling we discussed at dinner… Let’s forget it.” Pete frowned, as if he didn’t understand. The news report on the Hawthorne Group’s capital maneuvering caused a massive public outcry. The interest was so high that a mysterious venture capital firm sent me an invitation, requesting a “friendly dialogue about some details in the reporting.” A waiter led me down a carpeted, sound-dampened corridor and stopped before a heavy walnut door. The private room was furnished in a classic, refined style. A woman stood inside. I looked at her face and momentarily lost the ability to think. Quinn. “Ms. Davies, the famous journalist. A pleasure.” Quinn walked forward, extending her hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. Quinn, CEO of Sentry Capital.” I forced myself to raise my hand for a brief, cold clasp. “Why… are you here?” I asked. Quinn was elegant and composed. “Why the pretense of surprise? Didn’t you know all along that Pete was the true owner of Sentry Capital? Approaching him, publicly chasing him, and trying to marry him—wasn’t it all just to investigate him and get your firsthand evidence?” The insulting conjecture made me involuntarily clench my fist, using the pain in my palm to retrieve my senses. “I never had any such intention.” “It doesn’t matter.” Quinn didn’t care. “I just find you slightly pathetic. Giving up all your self-respect to chase a man, only to be tossed aside like trash on your wedding day.” Quinn’s lips curved into a slight smirk. “Girls need to retain some decorum. When Pete realized he loved me, he pursued me. Every confession, every proposal, came from him. Because he said a man should take the lead on such things. He would never let the woman he loves do the chasing.” I had heard countless variations of this sentiment from various people since I began pursuing Pete. I should have been immune, but hearing it from Quinn made the shame and heartbreak sharper than ever. I quickly regained my composure, meeting her gaze steadily. “I never believed that loving someone and bravely pursuing them was anything to be mocked,” I said, my voice steady despite the subtle tremor in it. “As for you,” I met her eyes, “meddling in another couple’s relationship—what position do you have to mock my sincerity?” Quinn’s eyes flashed with anger, then she laughed. “The famous journalist has excellent composure.” She rose, walking toward the other side of the room. “Let’s see if you can keep it up now.” She pressed a button on the wall. A panel of dark wood silently slid open, revealing a much larger private room behind a one-way glass window. The voices from the other room filtered through the glass. “Pete is still Pete. He stays clean for a decade, but when he makes a move, he changes the entire leadership of the underworld. No one here can match that ruthlessness.” A familiar male voice teased. “I heard that Miss Davies sold all the wedding jewelry and gowns secondhand. Your running out on the wedding must have infuriated her. Are you even going through with it?” This was the voice of a socialite. A short silence followed, broken by Pete’s voice. “Yes. We’ll reschedule.” “Still rescheduling?” The socialite’s tone was clearly disapproving. “Pete, honestly, just call it off. You only care about Quinn, anyway. You should just cut ties with the Davies family. Your grandfather might dislike Quinn, but if you’re firm, he’ll relent eventually. Why drag Calla into this? She’s a good girl, a simple journalist. She’s not one of us.” My fingers started to feel numb. I watched Quinn’s cool, composed profile and finally understood the purpose of this trap. “She is a very suitable person to marry,” Pete’s voice came through the panel, cool and rational. “Good family background, gentle, knows boundaries. She can manage the role of Mrs. Hawthorne. She has feelings for me, and besides.” He paused. “I don’t want marriage to restrain Quinn. She should be free.” Boom. A deafening roar filled my ears. My vision tunneled, and I nearly lost my balance. Every illusion I had ever held was crushed by that one careless, rational sentence. I couldn’t stay another moment. I fled, staggering out of the private club. The hallway remained quiet. I didn’t stop until I reached the main exit. My eyes felt burning and swollen, yet I could not shed a single tear. Just then, my phone vibrated madly inside my purse. I answered mechanically. Al’s voice exploded in my ear: “Calla, where are you? Sentry Capital just issued an official statement! They’ve entirely rejected your report, claiming your data sources are false, that your deductions are malicious, and they’re threatening legal action against you personally!” I held the phone, the chilling realization of betrayal consuming me. Sentry Capital was Pete’s. He chose to discredit me publicly, knowing my report was true. But I had no time for despair. I rushed back to the newspaper office, reorganizing and backing up all my data. I couldn’t allow my personal fight to damage the newspaper’s reputation or ruin my colleagues’ work. But when I took the final draft to Al, he wouldn’t meet my eyes. He slid an envelope toward me. It contained a resignation letter, neatly written. “I’m sorry, Calla.” Al’s voice was dry and hoarse. “I mentored you, and I’m proud of the excellent journalist you’ve become.” Al was my boss, my mentor, and my guide. So I only asked one question: “Did someone apply pressure?” Al nodded. “Calla, I hope you understand. I have many people to protect.” I understood. I accepted the resignation letter with both hands. Then, I took a step back and bowed deeply to him. Al’s eyes reddened. He turned his head and steadied his voice. “But I saved your London fellowship application. You can go in a personal capacity. You leave in three days.” “Thank you.” I walked out of the office building and leaned against the railing, silently watching the distance. A commotion and crude shouting broke out nearby. An elderly street vendor selling small trinkets was being shoved and threatened. His wares were scattered across the sidewalk. I instinctively rushed forward, reaching into my pocket, the words “I’m a journalist” almost slipping out— But my fingers only met empty fabric. My press pass was useless now. The man pushing the vendor glanced at me, annoyed. “What are you looking at? Get out of the way!” In that moment, I felt a deep, profound confusion. I did nothing, ultimately. I simply helped the old man silently pick up his scattered items. Then, I went back to the apartment I shared with Pete—my passport and other documents were still there. I assumed Pete would be at his office at this hour. But when I opened the door, I saw him in the open-plan kitchen, wearing a dark gray apron, placing a platter of steamed fish on the island counter. Quinn sat on a high stool, chin propped on her hand, watching him. “Too much salt,” she commented. “Is it?” Pete tasted a bit from her hand. “It’s fine. You just have a bland palate.” “It is too much. You never used to make this mistake,” Quinn complained. “It’s been a while. My hands are rusty,” Pete indulged her. “Oh, really?” Quinn raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping past me, freezing on my figure in the doorway. “You don’t cook for her? You used to make me a different meal every day. Why the double standard now?” The air froze. Pete recovered first, looking at me. “Why are you home so early?” “Uh, not much going on at the paper.” I answered vaguely, heading straight for the bedroom. I just wanted my papers and to leave. “Since you’re here, why don’t you join us?” Pete’s voice came from behind me. I glanced at the counter: four dishes and a soup, perfectly arranged and appetizing. I had known Pete for three years, and this was the first time I realized he could cook so well. “No, thank you.” I found my document pouch in the bedroom drawer and quickly left. Behind me, I heard Quinn’s soft, amused voice and Pete’s low reply. I didn’t care what they were saying. As I walked out, my phone rang. It was my mother. “Calla, have you eaten? When can you and Pete come back? We still need to discuss the wedding…” “Mom,” I interrupted her. “I’m not marrying him.” A few seconds of silence followed. My mother’s voice returned, carrying its usual timidity. “Pete is such a good match. He treats you well, and finding a man like that isn’t easy. Don’t be difficult. If the man is good, you can endure the rest.” Endure it. My mother had endured her whole life, sacrificing her dignity, believing this was the fate of all women. My chest ached fiercely. I took a deep breath. “Mom, would you like to come with me?” “Leave? Why?” My mother hesitated. “Your father has finally been treating me better lately. Where would I go? Calla, don’t be impulsive. If you marry Pete, your father is very satisfied, and our family…” I didn’t listen to the rest. I closed my eyes, forcing down the lump in my throat, and whispered, “I’ll call you back.” Then I hung up. A massive LED screen nearby was showing the business news. The anchor’s voice was crisp and professional: “It is reported that Ms. Quinn, from New Orleans, has officially taken up the role of CEO at Sentry Capital, a move supported by a mysterious backer.” “In related news, investigative journalist Ms. Ji, who previously reported on Sentry Capital’s profit manipulation, resigned today. It is currently unknown if Sentry Capital will continue with its planned litigation.” “Furthermore, this station has learned that the journalist in question has a controversial reputation, having reportedly used her position to pressure others and even threatened to put people she disliked on the front page…” The screen cut to the furious interview clip of the blond thug from the diner. The onlookers started to murmur: “These reporters will write anything for attention!” “Exactly, they’re irresponsible. She should be sued!” “I heard it was a woman. So aggressive.” I stood there, watching the scrolling news and listening to the comments, feeling an overwhelming numbness. I had spent years meticulously fact-checking every article, cross-verifying every piece of data. I had never betrayed my badge, never betrayed my conscience. But now, the truth was easily buried. My hard-won integrity was dismissed as “reckless ambition.” Without warning, large raindrops began to fall. People shrieked and scattered, seeking shelter. Only I remained standing. The rain quickly blurred my vision. Through the haze, I saw a family across the street huddling under an umbrella. The father lifted his daughter onto his shoulders, her laughter clear and bright. I saw a young couple squeezed under one umbrella, the boy holding the girl close. Everyone had a place to go. I felt abandoned, alone in the cold rain. I don’t remember walking back to my apartment. I didn’t change out of my soaking-wet clothes. I stumbled to the sofa and collapsed, all my strength drained. As consciousness drifted away, I felt a deep, piercing cold. I knew I had a fever, but my body wouldn’t move. I couldn’t even lift a finger. My mind drifted between sleep and wakefulness. I felt like I was floating above everything. I saw my mother, whose face lit up with a look of pure contentment after a few placating words from my father, forgetting the recent humiliation. I saw Pete, standing beside Quinn, meticulously instructing her on the points to be aware of in her board meeting. I saw the newspaper office, brightly lit, my former colleagues still busy, my departure leaving no trace. Finally, my ethereal consciousness crashed back into my body. When I opened my eyes again, the window was filled with bright sunlight. My throat was raw and painful. I struggled to sit up, found my phone, and checked the date. Three days had passed. I dragged my weak body to the bathroom. My reflection in the mirror was pale and gaunt. I looked at myself, then turned on the shower. After washing, I went to the living room, retrieved the suitcase I had packed earlier, and left without a second thought. The airport announcement was a soothing voice in the terminal. I passed through security and walked toward the international departure gate. Beyond the massive glass wall, planes landed and took off, slicing into different skies. The boarding announcement for my flight came on. I stood up. The plane roared, soaring into the clouds. Outside the window, the sun pierced the cloud cover, turning the sky a brilliant gold.

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After yet another chilly standoff with Cam, my partner of seven years, I didn’t cave. My friends rallied around me. “She’s just complicated, you know? A little contradictory.” “A woman who battles herself needs a saint for a boyfriend.” “She’s just testing you.” But I was truly exhausted. I had nothing left to give, and no desire left to apologize. All the cold wars, the pointless arguments, the constant emotional dodging over the years had worn me down to the point where I couldn’t tell the difference anymore. Was she genuinely complicated and emotionally unavailable, or was she simply done loving me? So when she tossed “We’re done” at me like a verbal grenade, I simply caught it. “Then let’s be done.” 1 Cathy Riley visibly froze. I kept my head down, my voice low and steady. “I’ll pack my things and take them out as soon as I can. Anything we bought together can stay with you. As for the clothes you left at my place, if you want them back quickly, let me know. Otherwise, I can box them up and ship them to you.” The silence in the room was heavy, broken only by my own clipped speech. Cathy’s expression shifted from stormy anger to a blank, startling composure. She cut me off. “What about Toby? How do we split custody?” Toby was the stray cat I’d found outside our apartment complex. I’d adopted him, paid for his food, vet bills, and toys—everything. Yet, he was utterly indifferent to me. Eight out of ten times, he refused to be held, and a few times, he’d actually clawed my wrist. Cathy, meanwhile, was aloof and rarely interacted with him, but Toby adored her. He’d rub against her legs and purr with an annoying, entitled meow. “He’s yours, too,” I sighed. Even my deep affection for the cat couldn’t withstand that kind of obvious favoritism. It felt like a tiny, final betrayal. “Nolan James,” Cathy hissed, her voice tight with suppressed fury. “You missed Valentine’s Day, and now you’rethrowing a tantrum?” Hadn’t she been the one to say “break up”? Maybe she’d forgotten. She’d used the phrase so often; it was a cheap, effective tool to leverage control, a threat she knew always worked on me. “I told you, the flight was delayed. I got here as fast as I could.” Cathy scoffed. “An excuse. Why couldn’t you have taken an earlier flight?” I’d spent over twelve hours working non-stop to condense my meetings just so I could catch the last flight home that day. But Cathy wouldn’t listen. She was ready with a hundred more reasons to indict me. I fell silent, a deep, weary sense of futility settling in my chest. She turned and walked a few steps toward the door, then paused, turning back with a cold, superior tone. “Until you realize your mistake, I won’t be back.” “We are broken up,” I corrected her. She acted as if she hadn’t heard me, tilting her head. “I’ll give you one more chance. My anger isn’t just about your delay.” This was new. Usually, she just slammed the door and vanished. “Think carefully, Nolan. Then come and apologize.” 2 I sat on the sofa for a long time, trying to summon the energy to clean up the living room. Then, I retrieved the gift from the wastebasket. It was the result of a frantic search across a dozen stores in a foreign city. She hadn’t spared it a glance, hadn’t valued it at all. It lay there, worthless, among the other detritus of the argument. After tidying the living room, I went to the bedroom to pack. This was Cathy’s house, but my life was imprinted everywhere: the matching coffee mugs, the cozy throw blanket, the couple’s cutlery we’d picked out together. I only grabbed a few changes of clothes, then picked up my suitcase to leave. As I reached the front door, a flash of orange-and-white streaked toward me. Toby, the traitorous cat, planted himself squarely in the middle of the carpet, his round eyes fixed on me as if to block my exit. When I’d found him, he was filthy and malnourished. Now, his fur was glossy and thick. He looked the picture of health. I crouched down. Surprisingly, Toby didn’t pull away. I gently stroked his head. “I’m leaving now. She’ll take care of you.” I assumed he’d be happy with that arrangement. He preferred Cathy anyway. Unlike me, he never sought my affection. I peeled Toby’s claws from where they were firmly hooked into my jeans and ignored his sudden, frantic meowing, walking out with my suitcase. 3 I was outside the building when my phone rang. It was one of Cathy’s friends, her voice heavy with accusation. “Nolan, what did you do to Cam this time? She’s out drinking, and no one can stop her. She’s throwing things. Get down here and haul her home before she trashes my bar.” I felt a weariness that went bone-deep. “I don’t know why she’s angry. She walked in and just started smashing glassware.” There was a pause on the other end, followed by surprise. “You don’t know? She found out you had dinner with another woman, and that woman dropped you off at your hotel. Cam’s furious. She’s jealous.” I explained, “That was a client. The dinner was business, strictly professional. She drove me back because it was raining, and I couldn’t get a taxi.” So, that was the real reason. Cathy had always been this way. If I exchanged more than two words with another woman, she’d spiral into a jealous fit. I used to rationalize it, telling myself it was possessiveness born of love. But now, all I felt was exhaustion. “I could have explained everything, easily. But I don’t understand one thing.” My voice was quiet, aimed at the friend, but meant for Cathy. “Why does she tell you everything, but she won’t just ask me?” I once asked a buddy what he did when he fought with his girlfriend. He thought about it and said, “Depends on who’s wrong. We just wait for both of us to cool off, talk it out, and move on.” Cathy never did that. She bottled everything up. I was always left guessing what was wrong, forced to go through her friends for intel. I couldn’t fathom why she refused to communicate directly with me, why she preferred to vent to others instead of seeking clarity from her partner. Later, I learned the term for her behavior: emotionally withholding. Cathy was the most complicated, sensitive, and volatile person I’d ever known. She only knew how to retreat and push back, using veiled barbs and cold silence as her weapons. Everyone warned me people like that weren’t suitable for serious relationships. I didn’t believe them. I rushed in, heart blazing with hope. But now, I was lost. If a relationship always required one person to be the only active participant—the one who pursued, placated, and apologized—could it truly last? 4 I moved back to my own apartment. We might have avoided each other socially, but professionally, we still overlapped. We worked at the same research institute, though in different departments. During a project handover, I saw Cathy with a young man. He had bright, earnest eyes, a new graduate student named Finn O’Connell. Cathy’s eyes lit up the moment she saw me. But I didn’t look at her. I calmly handed over the documents and reports. Just as instantly, her warm expression chilled into aloof indifference. She brushed past me without a word, her gaze fixed straight ahead. I heard Finn, ever the curious gossip, whisper, “How did Professor Riley get that huge scar on her arm? It startled me when I first saw it.” Someone quickly supplied the backstory. “You’re new here. Professor Riley and Professor James—our Nolan—they were the golden couple. That scar is from an emergency drill back in college. She injured her arm carrying him. They say the injury kept her from qualifying for the pilot program she always wanted. That’s why she switched majors and ended up here.” Finn’s eyes widened with admiration. “That’s incredible. They really are a dream couple.” The workplace gossip flared up. Everyone praised Cathy’s sacrifice—giving up her dream for me, following me to the Institute. They lauded her devotion and expressed envy toward me. Our recent cold war was dismissed as playful bickering. “I bet Nolan is the first one to apologize this time.” “Last time, he bought us all lattes. What’s it going to be this time? I want the fancy macarons.” “I don’t agree. You’re cheating. Nolan always caves first. I’ll take that bet only if you back Cam to apologize.” I stood in the corner, listening to their laughter and assumptions. But they were all wrong this time. “Cathy and I have broken up. Please don’t mention it again.” My unexpected statement shut down the conversation instantly. Everyone looked at each other, then quickly dispersed. Our relationship was nowhere near the fairy tale they imagined. The constant arguments and emotional standoffs had left it deeply wounded and fragile without anyone noticing. I wanted to know: If I stopped trying to fix it, stopped fighting to keep it alive—what would Cathy do? Would she notice? Would she fight for me? Would she finally, just this once, apologize first? 5 A whole month passed. Cathy and I were like strangers, locked in a silent, exhausting battle of wills, neither willing to yield. Meanwhile, Finn and Cathy grew noticeably closer. They ate lunch together, left work together, and during the team weekend retreat, Cathy chose him as her hiking partner. Finn looked a little hesitant. “Are you sure this is okay? What about Nolan?” Cathy’s voice was sharp and cold. “We broke up, didn’t we? Why would I care what he does?” She didn’t bother to lower her voice. “Besides, he loves running off and having dinner with other women. I’m sure he’ll do the same on the mountain.” Suddenly, everyone was looking at me differently. I heard the murmurs. “She’s too good for him. He cheated on her, no wonder she broke up with him.” When I walked past, the gossiping cluster scattered. Later, going up the trail, Finn twisted his ankle. Cathy immediately abandoned the climb to tend to him. Finn apologized profusely. “I’m sorry, I ruined our hike. Now we’re last.” Cathy comforted him, her voice soft and gentle. “It’s fine. It was just a casual trip to relax. The ranking doesn’t matter.” I was walking further behind them. Since the number of attendees was odd, I hadn’t wanted to split anyone up, so I was hiking alone. I’ve never had great stamina, and I was already breathing heavily. The two figures ahead of me were cozy and harmonious. I even heard someone praise Cathy for being so responsible and nurturing. 6 Cathy was responsible and nurturing. She was polite and gentle with everyone… except me. Back in college, she was the student-body leader. During that emergency drill, everyone ran outside. She ran to me, hauling me up—my foot was in a cast from an injury a few days prior. The whole campus heralded it as an act of pure devotion. But what they didn’t hear was her spitting words at me. “Do you know how much trouble you are? Why did you even come to class with that foot? Now our whole group is last. Nolan, you are absolutely useless.” I wanted to tell her I had a medical exemption and wasn’t supposed to participate. But listening to her harsh criticism, I kept quiet, unwilling to provoke her further. Her friends later told me she was “speaking backward.” She was genuinely worried about my injury and wanted me to rest at home. They said she specifically tracked down a specialist to prescribe me the expensive herbal medicine. “She only made a hundred dollars a day at her part-time job, but your medicine was eighty dollars a dose. She bought a two-week supply without blinking.” My friend was envious. “She’s just complicated, but she truly loves you. That whole ‘ice queen’ act is the best kind of drama.” But seeing Cathy comfort Finn, I realized the bitter truth: She wasn’t incapable of warmth; she simply chose to reserve her kindness for everyone but me. I could hear about her love for me through the accounts of others, but I never felt it from her attitude. She only hurled cruel words, rolled her eyes, and gave me the cold shoulder. She called me clumsy, she called me shallow. She cut up a scarf a coworker gave me and smashed a gaming console a colleague loaned me. I always told myself she was just jealous, that she cared too much. So, after being repeatedly pushed away, after every refusal to communicate, I’d talk myself down. I would be the patient one, the proactive one, the one who apologized again and again. But even love, even enthusiasm, needs reciprocity. I wasn’t invincible in this relationship. I felt hurt, too. Emotional unavailability and a lack of love look so identical. I was so heartbroken I couldn’t tell the difference anymore. Was Cathy truly just complicated, or had she stopped loving me? 7 I stopped walking and quietly dropped out of the retreat. I texted my boss, claiming I felt ill. Back at my place, I systematically gathered up everything Cathy had left behind, along with all the gifts she’d ever given me. I packed it all up and shipped it to her address. When I was done, I stared blankly at the sofa for a while. Then, I picked up my phone and typed three short words. “We are done.” Last time, it had been a desperate test, a small, fragile hope that she would ask to reconcile. But this time was real. I genuinely wanted to walk away.