Category: English

When Julian Hale asked me to arrange a blind date for him again. I didn’t set him up with any weirdos, nor did I call a divorced woman with two kids. I just professionally opened the tablet, pulled up a photo, and placed it in front of him. “How about the Xu family’s daughter? Beautiful, intelligent, your type.” “Most importantly, she likes you.” But Julian’s gaze didn’t shift, staring tightly at me. His voice tight: “Summer, why aren’t you jealous anymore?” I froze for a moment, then laughed: “Mr. Hale, stop joking, how long have we been divorced?” “Once the debt is paid, I will resign as your Executive Assistant, as you wish.” Disappear from your world. Chapter 1 Julian’s gaze lingered on my smile for a long time. Seemed trying to see something from it. “Dates urged by family, you just arrange anyone to deal with it.” His pinky finger tapped the table twice lightly, his habitual small action to suppress irritability. “Is it Sophie? Decline it. You clearly know I can’t marry her.” “Summer, I explained to you many times, she is just a partner’s daughter, me taking care of her a bit doesn’t mean anything.” “Young girl has thin skin, I can’t reject explicitly, why did you arrange her in front of me? Summer, tricks are not used like this…” Julian hadn’t said so many words to me for a long time. In front of me, he always cherished words like gold. “Mr. Hale, you misunderstood.” I interrupted him, tone neither salty nor bland. “The one dating you is not Miss Sophie, it’s her sister Serena.” “She just flew back to the country the day before yesterday, contacted me actively.” “This date, is her idea. Do you still want to cancel?” Fingers on the table trembled violently twice, Julian lowered his head instantly, gaze falling on the tablet. The girl in the photo pursed her lips and smiled at the camera, smooth hair playfully touching her lips. Making people couldn’t help but want to reach out, organize for her. Julian’s hand fell halfway, then withdrew as if nothing happened. “Since Serena just came back, then should meet.” He opened the file to cover up, added a sentence as if explaining: “Just an old friend haven’t seen for many years.” “Okay then, your schedule this Saturday is relatively relaxed, I will arrange dinner for you and Miss Serena.” I acted professionally, turned to leave. Moment opening the office door, Julian’s voice suddenly sounded: “Summer, you don’t have to address me as ‘Mr.’.” Julian frowned slightly, using a tone close to helpless: “Even if we divorced, it hasn’t reached this point.” “Mr. Hale, we are now superior and subordinate relationship, this is appropriate.” Like a punch hit on cotton, Julian stood up somewhat out of control. “Summer Ling, what are you fussing about today? Just because this date is Serena, you act eccentric for so long?” “Don’t forget, she was forced to go abroad back then because of you!” I haven’t thought of those pasts for a long time. Suddenly mentioned, I realized that damp rain in my heart never dissipated. At that time, I was still the pearl held in the palm of the Ling family, wanton and vivid. Most outrageous time, I sponsored the grade first, that Julian who got into the elite school by grades. Others teased, asked if I fancied him. That time I didn’t care, glanced at the cold and waveless him, laughed: “Just made an investment, don’t you think he looks like a potential stock?” But I didn’t expect, this investment would make me fall in too. I liked his long eyelashes, trembling slightly when looking at me. I also liked him silently pushing over full notes, as return. Staying by his side, smelling the fresh soap scent on him, I could always calm down. I confessed to him, discussed marriage with him. And Julian accepted all. That time I owned too much, so never cared if giving had response. He was quiet, I played various tricks to force him blush. He wanted to climb up, I provided him various resources. Until the day he became the new noble of New York, he took the project he poured all efforts into to the Xu family. Project piled up by countless resources was given away for free by him, just to meet one person, say one sentence. Later I knew, when Xu family did corporate charity, they once donated a batch of books and clothes to Appalachia in Serena’s name. Inside mixed a message from Serena. Formulaically describing the beauty outside, advising people to study hard, walk out of the mountains. But happened to be remembered in heart by a boy, for twenty years. He walked very far very far road, just to come in front of Serena, say a thank you. I made a scene, very big. Whole city knew he used me as a springboard, just to see his sweetheart, the one who got away. But Julian just asked Serena out privately again. He apologized to her for me, sorry for causing her trouble. The more I fussed, the better he treated Serena. Even, during commercial competition between two families, he chose to help Xu family without hesitation. Utilizing my trust, sent my father to Federal Prison. That moment, my sky collapsed. My crying, my begging, only exchanged for Julian’s light sentence: “Ling family accounts would have problems sooner or later, I just accelerated this process.” Even I clamored for divorce, he just silenced for long time, said: “Not now. There are already rumors about Serena outside, us divorcing at this juncture, hinders her reputation.” To Serena, he considered everywhere. To me, he ruthless everywhere. That time, I probably really crazy. I went to find Serena, I humbly knelt in front of her, begged her persuade Julian let go my father, my only relative. Serena leisurely sipped coffee, forming sharp contrast with my embarrassment. She smiled saying: “Summer, don’t be naive. Someone likes me, willing do anything for me, how could I oppose?” But don’t know which paparazzi took photo, set off huge wave online. For a time, “Mistress forces wife kneel” hashtag hung high. That day, Julian holding my hand very painful, smashed bought-out photos on my face, said I shouldn’t act. My explanation, he didn’t listen a sentence. Until news came Serena went abroad to avoid limelight, Julian’s anger suddenly extinguished. He lit cigarette, smoked one after another. In smoke curling, softly spit out a sentence: “Let’s divorce.” I closed door, no response. Some words, listener doesn’t believe, speaker wears out lips useless. Chapter 2 Saturday arrived quickly. Without my reminder, Julian left work early sat in car. In silence, he suddenly spoke: “Your dad’s medical fee for next stage already wired.” “Thank you Mr. Hale, I know.” One sentence, pulled open distance between us again. I sat in passenger seat, looked him through rearview mirror. Suit like usual, just tie changed to Windsor knot, hairstyle also carefully tidied. Dressed up even we didn’t have when married. Young Julian, even dressed simple also very fresh, so I easily forgave him. Thinking now, realized one step wrong, every step wrong. Getting off car, Julian looked back at me once, carrying warning meaning. “Stay in car well.” I really wanted be sensible, pity work matters can’t wait. When I walked into restaurant holding phone, just saw Julian tucking hair falling by Serena’s cheek. Withdrawing hand, yet lingeringly rubbed fingertips. Just divorced time, I still very couldn’t stand his look of clearly liking, but not admitting. He thought he hid well, even deceived himself, thinking this is gratitude. But to me who sponsored him college, he never mentioned thank you. “Mr. Hale…” I just made sound, Julian quickly stood up. He blocked in front of Serena, face unkind. “Summer Ling, Serena is not someone you can make scene with at will.” I stunned, knew he misunderstood. Fairly speaking, from day of divorce, I haven’t made scene. Dare not, also don’t want. Julian always thought I deliberately arranged some weirdos to date him, was jealous. Actually, just a little revenge I could do. Jealousy is fake, destroying blind date adding blockage to him is real. But Serena came back, even actively found me. “Summer, that mud smell on him is gone.” Serena looked at big screen outside high building, live broadcasting video of Julian cutting ribbon for new project. “I once liked someone, but now, I want find someone likes me.” I thought, after Serena, I won’t have chance arrange blind date for Julian again. “Mr. Hale, it’s work call, that project…” “Hang up.” “What?” I paused, throat like pinched by someone. “I said hang up.” Julian angry. Last time like this was when he just entered society, busy for work till slept on desk. Call came during period, I didn’t wake him. I just wanted let him sleep a while more. But didn’t expect, after he woke up, angry eyes red. “That was partner I contacted with difficulty, how could you…” I always thought he treated work serious, looking now, just I not that important. “Okay.” I pressed off call. Serena at this moment suddenly spoke: “Julian, how can you treat your own wife like this? Clearly you are not such person.” Because you don’t need do anything, Julian will arrange everything for you. Even after you went abroad, he loved house and crow, treated your sister Sophie very good too. And me, whatever do is wrong. “Miss Serena, you misunderstood, we already divorced long ago. Mr. Hale is single now, I am just his secretary, superior subordinate relationship.” I tried best clear relationship, explain for Julian. Looked like cared being misunderstood more than him. Clearly before repeatedly difficult to me because of Serena, was him. But when I emphasized workplace relationship, face ugly, also him. This date ended earlier than I imagined. I sat in car, enduring hunger, watching Julian gentlemanly sent Serena on car, watched tail lights leave. Then, he opened driver door, let driver leave. After divorce, this is our first time sitting side by side, narrow space only two breathings, one obviously heavy, other inaudible. “Summer, interesting? I told you how many times, just old friend meeting, you insist come in check post.” “Mr. Hale, I have to remind you again, we already divorced, I can’t afford ‘check post’ two words.” I looked out window, lively extraordinary, but no place belonged to me to stay. “Also, you said old friend, I believe. Whatever you say, I believe.” Julian suddenly slapped steering wheel, emitted harsh horn sound. Like crack between us unable to stitch. “Fine, since you insist clear relationship with me, then your dad’s medical fee I won’t pay anymore.” Finished, he waited my reaction leisurely. Probably thought I would still like few years ago, hesitant, helpless, like a Stockholm patient, drill into cage he set. But I still looked out window, gaze didn’t fall on him a bit. “Up to you.” Chapter 3 I was kicked off car, walked alone on street side road. This day very like day my dad out of prison. Night wind rustling, old man’s legs also trembling slightly. He old, also suffers cardiovascular disease, special permission medical parole. I knew, since mother passed away, he always had phantom heart pain. Said, if not reluctant me, he long went with mother. I spoiled by him, thought all love in world like them. Is me wrong. Treatment needs lot expense, and my family bankrupt, unable bear. Julian just divorced three days found me again, he paid medical fee. Price is be his secretary to pay debt. Actually, debt between us never money. But a human life. Last week doctor gave me vaccination, said old man too old, even use best medicine useless. Ridiculous is, I have to count days of father’s death, waiting for release. Monday, I went company as usual. Entered door sensed atmosphere wrong. Front desk girl eyes uncontrollable excitement, frequently looked at guest sofa corner. Is Serena. She changed into a pink suit today, loose long black hair also tied up. Even actively walked towards me. “Secretary Ling, you know which floor Julian’s office is right? I sent message, he hasn’t replied, trouble you take me up.” Front desk girl secretly leaned to my side, somewhat difficultly whispered ask: “Secretary Ling, entering leaving company need register, look this…” “Follow company system.” I made a please gesture. “Miss Serena, trouble you register at front desk, I will take you up later.” Serena no movement, just half smile. Behind CEO direct elevator “Ding” sound opened, thin sole leather shoes knocked on tile issuing crisp sound. “Serena, I came down just you sent message, just elevator signal bad, message couldn’t send, you didn’t wait long right.” Julian explained while walking, breath not yet steady. “Didn’t wait long either, where need you personally come down pick me.” “This not, met Secretary Ling? Wait finish register I go up with you.” Serena postured to pick up pen, but stopped by Julian. “You enter leave no need register.” He pulled up Serena, walked to direct elevator, didn’t give me a look in process. Elevator door closed, front desk girl dared speak: “Secretary Ling, what background this person? Even you enter leave need register, why she no need?” I pulled corner of mouth, avoided talking. “All listen to Mr. Hale.” Took employee elevator up stairs, I as usual went pantry hand brew a cup coffee for Julian. Pantry crowded with gossiping people. “Omg, did you see woman Mr. Hale personally brought today? Iceberg actually can smile, won’t be CEO wife ba.” “HR colleague told me, our company will parachute a returnee director, won’t be her ba.” Arm suddenly touched, someone leaned close ask: “Secretary Ling, you with Mr. Hale longest, know or not what background that woman ah? Exactly Mr. Hale girlfriend or not ah?” About their matter, I didn’t want talk much. But now if say nothing, harder get away. I had to vaguely reply: “Count as, two quite matching.” “HR has director is good thing, I no need run back forth pass message.” Just coffee filtered finish, I holding turned, turned eye but saw Julian face gloomy standing at door. People in pantry dared not breath loud, actually no one reminded me. I really don’t understand where his anger comes from. That cup coffee finally also poured into sink. Because I was suspended. New official takes office three fires, first one burned on me. Serena found I didn’t sign any labor contract with company. “Secretary Ling, you divorced still play this workplace romance?” “Former big miss how thought come be mistress?” Serena said impolitely, I didn’t want explain to her either. These few years, I long cut off standard big waves, tied ordinary pony tail. “Summer Ling” long fell with Ling family, buried together. Only left a no name no title Secretary Ling. Back then, we one wanted keep person, one couldn’t leave, only became today this awkward situation. Julian didn’t explain either, he wanted give Serena face. Just when I left, sent me a message: “Go home tonight, we re-discuss debt content.” I suddenly felt very funny, Serena back country, he still tying me not let go count what? Full heart grievance nowhere vent. I turned off phone, unknowingly arrived hospital. Before visiting father, I specially went flower shop bought a bunch “Forget-Me-Nots”. Before mother passed away, father disliked fiddling these flowers most. But after mother left, he learned mother raising flowers, among favorite is “Forget-Me-Nots”. Julian didn’t treat father bad, ward lighting very good, through window can see lake not far. But when I holding flowers entered door, felt bad. Sunlight too dazzling, swayed me blinked tears. Just this instant, that hunched figure disappeared from window. Hearing slow a beat, my brain reacted what he said. “Summer, I old, not drag you down.” “Your mom waited me too long underground, I miss her.” I stiffened body, stood on spot. Shackles connecting Julian on body suddenly disappeared, I didn’t have imagined easy relief. I used father’s favorite “Forget-Me-Nots”, buried him. Chapter 4 Came out from cemetery, I then found Julian sent me many messages. Questioning why not go home? Why not reply message? Even, he as always used father threaten me. I thought, my situation also no need specially go back walk resignation process. So, I pulled SIM card, told no one. On a rainy day, crisp and neat left New York. Disappeared from Julian’s world. Day Summer left, New York rained a rare continuous rain. Julian sat in office, face expression uglier than weather outside. After another message got no response, he finally pieced together Summer’s phone number by memory, called. “Hello, number you dialed is off, please try again later…” Dial again, call again, always that mechanical voice. Julian angry smashed phone on table, somewhat powerlessly fell into seat. He pinched brow center, relieve continuous irritability in heart. And that trace undetectable unease. “Ding” sound, phone emitted light noise. Julian reached long hand to take, carrying urgency he didn’t detect himself. But a long string messages still no one respond. Is Serena sent message, ask him small gathering after work. Julian finger stayed in input box for long time. He suddenly remembered Summer’s back when suspended leaving. Isolated helpless. Put on her few years ago, was think dare not think. That time she always vivid beautiful, welcome everywhere, even Julian focused reading heard her name. When did she become current appearance? Julian thought, he might raised a flower to death. “Have matter tonight, another day.” This is his first time rejecting Serena. After sending, he uncomfortably put down phone. A while later, Julian got up took coat, decided leave work early find Summer back. This moment, unease in his heart maybe only seeing Summer can dissolve. … Julian drove aimlessly in city. Night lights on, lights dim. Even stayed in New York for few years, he still felt strange. Otherwise, how could he not think where Summer might go. He went to an apartment. Product of Summer tough moving out home after divorce. Even he repeatedly said she could live at home, he didn’t mind, but other side still went her own way. “But I mind.” Calm in her eyes making heart startle across years suddenly hit Julian. Property opened door, he held handle, paused long time then pressed. Moonlight sprinkled, room cold. That year, he angry, knowing Summer penniless, still cold eye watched her embarrassed rent in slum. Slum not safe, first night moved in, she harassed by drunk. Clearly he anxious rushed over overnight, but first sentence opened mouth was: “Summer Ling, how can you be so stupid.” Stupid to even those few burglar locks can’t lock. But Julian forgot, when Ling family there, Summer never had chance touch burglar lock lifetime. Julian chest causeless annoyed up. He click turned on light. But warm indoor light still didn’t change room coldness, even shone that lingering loneliness more clear. Apartment is fine decoration, bag check in. But Summer lived few years actually didn’t let it dye a trace popularity. Refrigerator empty, only two bottles water. Closet also just few suits, bright dresses Summer once liked most never see again. Opened drawer, miscellaneous daily items only occupy a corner, most, still hospital case sheets. Top one date newest. Last week. Julian picked up look, instant face white. Car start sound more restless in night. Tire issued unbearable friction sound, Julian stared constantly soaring speed, heart only one thought— Faster, faster! He flew to hospital, opened VIP ward. “People?! People inside?!” He lost control ran to nurse station roared. “Mr. Hale, old gentleman inside two days ago… jumped building…” Julian brain buzzing, blankly asked back: “Good good, how could jump building?” “Old gentleman said, didn’t want drag his daughter…” Chest suddenly surged huge sorrow, Julian covered chest dejectedly fell sitting on ground. Surroundings all exclamations, asking his situation. Julian heard nothing clear, even eyes lost focus. Half while passed, he covered eyes with hand. Cheek flowed wet traces. Julian thought, he nothing can keep Summer. So, she left. Back then, she vigorously broke into his world. When left so quiet. Even didn’t say goodbye to him. “Day I left, temperature dropped suddenly. I wandered in station, hesitating where to go. Gust wind blew, I dressed thin, couldn’t help shivered. That moment, I decided. New York too cold, I want go a warm place. Childhood, when mom still there, winter always intolerant cold. Although indoor heating hot I shouted eat popsicle, but mom hands feet still warm cool. This time, dad always lifted coat, hesitation free covered mom feet tight, used body heat warm her. I asked, why mom so afraid cold still come New York. “New York cold, but always has person make me warm.” I bought ticket, looking fog exhaled from mouth. “Mom, New York too cold, also no person make me warm. I left, chance come back see you guys again, don’t blame me.” I came to a small city seasons like spring Savannah, not prosperous as New York, but more fireworks air than New York. Once me, loved shuttle in high-end malls most, famous brand bags countless. And now, I skillfully ask way, rent house, chat with people, no single bit discomfort. Changes those few years, made me completely change a person. I learned how buckle burglar lock, learned bargain with people. Also learned, not think him. I didn’t know do what, simply opened a flower shop myself. Register shop, pick location, buy flower seeds, busy enriched my life. Just like this passed a year. I taking care fresh cut flowers arrived today, serious pick off extra branches leaves. Under flower shop window, I personally planted a large patch “Forget-Me-Nots”. This moment, blooming just bright. Next door is a small bistro, day business few, landlady bored sat front door watch shop. “Little Summer, you now completely different person from year ago ah!” She loud voice sighed, gaze look distance. Seem recalling. “That time you just came, I thought outside end of world, living dead found our small place.” She joked. “Seeing you day by day have living person vitality, really good ah.” Just came, I alone, no concern. Strong world-weary feeling always lingering. But who am I? Back then reckless dashing, dared drive sports car on winding mountain road Summer Ling. Even suffered so many changes, even ground to haggard, but bottom color in bone never change. “Yes ah, really good ah.” I looked distant skylight, tranquil quiet. “Forget-Me-Nots” small, blue purple petals gently swayed with wind. Until speeding car broke calm. “Want die ah, drive so fast! Place not big, sooner or later hit electric pole!” Landlady angry supported notice board blown down at door, stared at car tail. Didn’t expect car really stopped. “Little Summer,” Landlady swallowed, asked me uneasy, “Did you just see clear if window open, won’t really be heard by people right?” “This car looks expensive, people won’t find me trouble right.” I didn’t respond, early when car sped past, I froze on spot. That license plate… seems New York’s. “Won’t, originally their problem.” I comforted landlady two sentences, quickly picked up just tied flower bouquet, closed shop door. “Sister, I go send flowers, not chat with you.” Actually, two hours from guest required time. But I don’t know what panicking, simply send early. I holding flowers turned, that car this moment already backed, stopped at my door. I couldn’t help back step, and car owner step step pressing. “Go where? I send you.” Julian voice seems more deep, tone however gentle much. “No need, not two steps.” I lowered eyes refused, then want bypass him. Crossing, Julian suddenly pulled my hand. “Summer Ling, Summer,” He leaked a trace begging, “Just let me send you a ride.” To me, Julian always called full name, like this intimate “Summer” never called. Suddenly heard, only felt strange. Before everything happened, I also teased him. “Where call wife full name? Julian, you call me Summer, I give you a surprise.” Julian didn’t call, also didn’t want surprise. So he didn’t know, we once had a child. After father prison, before kneeling Serena, I aborted. Month too small, only feel blood clot flow out body. But pain was heart tearing lung splitting. I just, didn’t want let child not born yet, humble like me. Julian not let, next door landlady gaze frequently probing again. I still sat on Julian car. I habitually opened passenger seat, but didn’t pull open. “Summer, sit back.” “We now not superior subordinate relationship.” I put flowers middle, sat in. Julian looked once, but didn’t say much, just bitter laughed once. Way relative silent. Julian several times want open mouth, forced back by my indifference. Until almost destination, he obvious anxious. “Summer, live okay?” I heart sneer. “As you see, very good. If you didn’t appear front me, better.” Roles between us switched. Past always he pulled my joy anger sorrow happiness, now is me. I only have myself, nothing good lose, also nothing good fear. First let go, only have no fear. Until blocking flowers picked up, until car door opened a crack, Julian then sound again. Abrupt, nonsensical, but clear every syllable trembling. “Summer, I regretted.”

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On New Year’s Eve, the Billionaire Heir picked me up, dying, and brought me home. He stroked my smooth, jade-like back, his eyes gentle as if looking at a rare treasure: “From now on, your name is Vivia, meaning full of life.” “This is a lucky name, you must pray for me well.” “In exchange, for every wish you make, you must sacrifice one thing.” I nodded blushing, thinking I met salvation. At that time, I didn’t understand that my name meant exchanging my life, bit by bit, for the woman lying in the ICU. At eighteen, I wished to wear a backless dress. He peeled the skin off my back to patch her burned body. At twenty, I wished to see the Aurora. He dug out my eyes to replace her ulcerated corneas. At twenty-two, I wished to marry him. He drained my bone marrow to extend her failing life. This year, I am twenty-four. He held the critical condition notice, holding my hand trembling: “Vivia, make a wish, she is just one step away from waking up.” In the cold light of the scalpel, I closed my empty eye sockets. My only wish this year is. Please blend my heart into pieces. Chapter 1 The shadowless lamp in the operating room was dazzlingly white. But I couldn’t see. There were only two pitch-black holes in my eye sockets. When I was twenty, I wished to see the Aurora. Lucien Sterling dug out my eyeballs with his own hands. He said Sienna’s corneas were ulcerated, she would be scared if she couldn’t see. “Vivia, be obedient.” Lucien’s fingers rubbed my collarbone, fingertips burning hot. “This is the last time.” “Sienna’s heart has failed to the limit, the doctor said only you can save her.” “Your heart match with hers is perfect, simply a spare part God specially prepared for her.” I lay on the cold operating table, limbs buckled by leather straps. Hearing “spare part”, I pulled the corner of my mouth and smiled. Turns out, I am just a spare part container. “Speak.” Lucien’s fingers tightened, pinching my chin. “About to operate, don’t show me this dead face.” “Aren’t you most obedient? Make a wish.” “As long as Sienna can survive, I’ll give you whatever you want.” “Even the title of Mrs. Sterling you always wanted, I can consider burning it to you.” Burn to me? Really generous. I opened my mouth, throat dry and hoarse, every sound pulled raw pain. “Lucien.” “If I give you my heart, can I be free?” Lucien chuckled lightly. “Of course, I will find the best Private Mausoleum to bury you.” “Every year on Memorial Day and your anniversary, I will bring Sienna to see you.” “We want to thank you, for using your life to fulfill our love.” A wave of nausea in my stomach. I took a deep breath, heart hitting ribs. Thump, thump, thump. It was still beating for this man, really cheap. I endured the tearing pain in my throat, intermittently squeezed out voice: “I don’t want a grave.” “Nor want you to visit me, that would make me sick.” Lucien’s hand stiffened. “Don’t give face not want face, then what do you want?” I lifted my empty eye sockets, facing the direction of his voice. “My only wish this year is.” “Please blend my heart into pieces.” Next second, a big hand choked my neck. “Vivia! You looking for death!” “Blend heart? You’d rather destroy it than give it to Sienna?” “Your life I gave! Your name I bestowed! Which piece of meat on your body didn’t grow for Sienna?” “How dare you be so vicious! Do you want Sienna to die?” I opened my mouth wide to breathe. But only inhaled the smell of disinfectant. “Cough cough…” Lucien let go, wiped his hand on clothes. “Vicious woman, looks like I treated you too well.” “Doctor! Prepare surgery immediately!” Anesthesiologist walked over with syringe. “Mr. Sterling, general anesthesia now?” Lucien looked at me, voice cold. “What anesthesia?” “Didn’t she want to blend her heart?” “Then let her be awake, feel well how the heart is dug out.” “Give her muscle relaxant.” Doctor sucked in a cold breath. “Mr. Sterling, this… this will torture her to death alive…” “Open chest surgery without anesthesia, that is Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts)…” “Do as I say!” Lucien kicked over the instrument tray. Metal tray smashed on floor, making a loud noise. “This is punishment for her vicious curse.” “I want her to remember, even reincarnating in next life, don’t forget who gave her this cut!” Liquid flowed into body. My tongue numb, fingers couldn’t move, eyelids heavy. But I could hear, could feel. Scalpel cutting skin. I heard sound of flesh separating. Pain. Really fucking painful. Scalpel cut open chest skin, heat of blood gushing out scalded me to tremble. I couldn’t move, staring with empty eye sockets. Consciousness trance. I seemed to smell roast meat. Eighteen years old New Year’s Eve. Lucien took me to hospital. That day was my coming-of-age ceremony. I wore the white sweater he gave. “Brother Lucien, can I make a wish?” At that time, my back was smooth and clean. I blushed, pulling his shirt corner. “I saw princesses on TV wear backless dresses, I want one too.” Lucien touched my head, smiling said. “Good, Vivia can have whatever she wants.” “Brother Lucien will satisfy you right now.” Then he called doctor, pressed me on operating table. “Sienna burned her back in fire, she loves beauty most, now breaking mirrors at home all day.” “Your back is most like hers, skin also most tender.” “Since you want to wear backless dress, then give this skin to Sienna.” “Anyway you are orphan, wearing such noble dress on you is waste too.” I struggled desperately, crying begging him. “Brother Lucien! I don’t want! I don’t want to be skinned!” “Hurts so much! Brother Lucien save me!” Lucien stood outside observation window, holding cigarette, looking at me. “Good girl, bear it and it will pass.” “This is your blessing, growing on Sienna, is your life’s greatest glory.” That day, I was peeled a whole piece of back skin. Fainted from pain, woke up from pain again. Later wound scabbed, left winding scars. That red backless dress hung at my bedside. Always reminding me, this is price of wishing. Chest severe pain clearer and clearer, chest retractor stuffed in. Crack, rib broken. I trembled all over from pain, cold sweat mixed with blood water flowed into eye sockets. So painful. Really so painful. Lucien, if you knew back then the one who saved you was me. Would you have a little bit of heartache? Chapter 2 “Mr. Sterling, you go wait next door first.” Alfred’s voice sounded at door. He held ginseng soup. “Blood smell too heavy here, don’t clash with your nobility.” Lucien turned to leave, steps paused. “Feed her some ginseng soup.” Alfred stunned. “Mr. Sterling, this… this soup is for Miss Sienna to nourish body.” “Give her drink.” Lucien said. “Her body too weak, I fear she die on operating table.” “If heart stops beating over three minutes, activity won’t be good.” “Hang this cheap bone with a breath, must last until heart taken out.” Alfred sighed, helped up my head. Ginseng soup poured into mouth, carrying bitterness. Is this last meal before execution? Alfred looked at my full body scars, eye rims red. He leaned to my ear, voice lowered. “Miss Vivia, actually…” “Actually Miss Sienna simply looks down on your organs.” “Last time changing cornea, Miss Sienna threw a big temper.” “She said… she said things from Orphanage are dirty, carrying a poor acid smell.” “If not really can’t find matching source, she wouldn’t want to install this dirty thing on herself.” Dirty? My blood dirty, skin dirty, eyes dirty. But it is these “dirty” things, pieced together current Sienna. That person held in palm by Lucien, is pieced together by me. Lucien, don’t you feel disgusting? That pair of eyes you kiss every day, was what I once cried begging you not to dig. That back you stroke, was what I once rolled on bed in pain exchanged. Who exactly do you love, Sienna, or this shell composed of my flesh and blood? Beep—Beep—Beep— Alarm sounded next door. Lucien face pale. He pushed door rushed out, roaring at walkie-talkie. “What happened!” “What happened to Sienna!” “Wasn’t fine just now! How did these wastes watch!” Shouts came from walkie-talkie. “Mr. Sterling! Bad news!” “Miss Sienna sudden ventricular fibrillation! Blood pressure undetectable!” “Heart function total failure, must transplant immediately! Can’t wait a minute!” Lucien returned, kicked open door. He red eyed, staring at me. And that doctor peeling blood vessels. “Faster! Still dawdling what!” “Didn’t hear Sienna dying! Dig the heart out directly!” Doctor hand shook. “Mr… Mr. Sterling, vessels not fully isolated yet, if cut forcibly will massive hemorrhage…” “And donor vital signs still there, this… this is murder…” “I let you dig!” Lucien rushed over, pushed doctor away. He reached for that dripping blood scalpel. “She lived for this moment originally!” “As long as can save Sienna, what about murder?” “If Sienna dies, I want your whole family buried with her! As for this bitch…” He pointed at me. “What difference dying early or late?” “Her life is to pay debt! If not for Sienna, she would have frozen to death in orphanage long ago!” Heh. Pay debt. What did I owe you? I felt no pain, only cold left. Turns out in his heart, I am not human. I am just a meat lump growing a heart. “Lu… cien…” I squeezed out a bit gas sound from throat. Lucien movement paused, turned look me. I faced him with those two blood holes. I want him look at me. Look at the savior he is killing with his own hands. “That year’s… fire…” I gasping like thread. “You said… Sienna saved you…” “You said she gave you gas mask… carried you down ten floors…” Lucien stunned, sneered out. “What? Want claim credit beg me let you go now?” He leaned down, pasted my face. “Vivia, ever had a truth in this mouth?” “You are just a greedy for life afraid of death orphan, for survival any lie can tell!” “Sienna back burned rotten to save me! That is iron proof!” “You? Where were you then?” “You probably scared hiding in some dog hole stealing life!” No. Not like that. Back burned rotten, was because Sienna greedy for money, smashed when saving bags. Person carried you down was me. Person gave you gas mask was me. Because no mask, person smoked blind eyes, smoked bad throat by thick smoke, also me. My back no burn, because I protected you on back. When you woke up. I already fainted in hospital corner. And Sienna, wearing my clothes, holding my token, lying by your bed. “Is me… saved you…” “I have… token…” I wanted grab his hand. “Shut up!” Lucien grabbed metal tray smashed on my face. Clang sound. Tray smashed my forehead. Blood flowed into empty eye sockets. Became blood tears. “You despicable villain, don’t even deserve mention that night!” “Don’t think use this clumsy lie delay time!” “Doctor! Do it!” “Ignore steps! Cut directly! Dig for me!” He turned, rushed next door. That moment. I completely gave up. What use explain? He believes Sienna, not me. Then die with this secret. Let him use savior’s heart, save a thief who stole everything. Let him live in lies this life. This is most vicious revenge to him. Chapter 3 Zzz— Sound of vessels cutting exceptionally clear. Something draining. That is my life. Chest empty a big piece, cold wind poured in. “Taken out! Heart taken out!” Doctor shouted. “Activity perfect! Beating powerful!” “Quick! Send next door!” Monitor pulled into a straight line. Beep— I died. Died in bell of New Year’s Eve. Died on last day of twenty-four years old (Ben Ming Nian). I floated in mid-air, watching doctor holding heart rush next door. Lucien waiting in corridor. He looked at that heart. That is my heart. Once throbbed for him, humble for him. Now, he finally got it. But couldn’t wait to install it into another woman’s body. “Great! Sienna saved!” He trembled all over, followed doctor next door. Passing door, his foot tripped by sheet. Lucien looked back at corpse. I lay there lonely. Chest is a blood hole. But I didn’t die peacefully. My right hand dead clenched into fist, pressed on chest. Like wanting to protect that heart. “Bad luck.” Lucien frowned. “Dead already, still pose this chaste martyr look for who?” “Still want cover that heart?” “That is daddy gave Sienna, you cheap life worthy take away?” Little nurse cleaning corpse, scared trembling. “Mr… Mr. Sterling, respect dead, we send to morgue…” “Wait.” Lucien walked in. He looked at my clenched right hand, eyes sank. “I see she death nature not change, dying still want steal something from Sterling family take away.” “What hidden in this hand?” Little nurse shook head. “Don’t know… too hard, can’t open…” “Waste.” Lucien snorted, grabbed my stiff wrist. That is hand he once held. Also hand he once whipped. Now, he wants to break this dead person’s hand personally. “Open for me!” He forced break my fingers one by one. “I want see, what treasure hidden in this dirty hand!” Stiff palm opened. No gold silver jewelry. No antique. Only a medallion black from blood soaking. Only half piece. Break sharp, cut my palm flesh rotten. Flesh and medallion stuck together. Lucien froze. He stared dead at that half medallion. That is Heirloom Locket. Sterling family heirloom. But this jade special. Its edge has two deep tooth marks. That was ten years ago, in sky-filling fire. Lucien choked desperate by smoke, mark left biting jade with teeth. He said: “This half for you, if we can live out…” “We be together forever.” Unique in this world. “This… this is…” Lucien’s hand started trembling. He flustered pulled another half medallion from neck. Trembling put two jades together. Click sound. Seamless. Kylin roaring sky, patterns connected. This jade, he looked for ten years. Sienna said lost. Because Sienna knew all details, because Sienna back had burn. He never suspected. But why? Why this token. Would appear in hand of this “substitute” he peeled skin, dug eyes, pumped marrow, finally personally dug heart? And dead clenched in palm by her till death, even bone broken not willing let go? Lucien looked up. Looking at that pale corpse. Looking at those two empty eye sockets, as if crying blood tears accusation. Looking at that empty chest cavity. “Mr. Sterling! Surgery started!” Next door came doctor excited shout. “Heart implantation very smooth! Miss Sienna has reaction!” That moment. Lucien looked at blood stained Heirloom Locket. Again looked at that heart being sewn into Sienna body next door. A scream resounded through operating room. He personally killed savior. And use her heart, save a thief stole everything. What did he do! Lucien rushed into next door operating room, pounced on operating table, stop doctor suturing action. “Take heart out! Take it out!” “That’s not Sienna’s! That’s Vivia’s! Return her! Return her quick!” Chief surgeon protected Sienna chest, shouted: “Mr… Mr. Sterling? Are you crazy?” “Vessels already anastomosed! Heart already restarted!” “Force take out now, Miss Sienna will die! This heart will be wasted too!” Lucien action froze, hand suspended above heaving chest. There, thump, thump, thump. Is Vivia heartbeat sound. Through skin, he seemed see that heart beating, transporting life for another woman. Wasted… Lucien knelt before operating table. He hand clutching pieced Heirloom Locket, edges pierced palm, blood fell on floor. “How could be… how could be you…” He looked up next door, there lay a corpse, chest opened a black hole. Few minutes ago, he still humiliating her, dislike she die not decent, even personally broke her fingers. That is his savior, girl he swore love with life. “Mr. Sterling… Miss Sienna woke up!” Anesthesiologist voice broke silence. On operating table, Sienna opened eyes, face started ruddy. “Lu… Lucien brother…” Sienna reached out, want touch Lucien face. “I had a long dream… dreamed you didn’t want me…” “Luckily… heart still beating… you saved me?” Lucien looked up, eyes full bloodshot, staring dead at Sienna. Sienna fingers shrank. “Lucien brother… what wrong? Too tired?” “That Vivia ne? Surgery… smooth?” Mentioning this name, Lucien stood up fiercely, grabbed Sienna wrist. Sienna screamed: “Lucien brother! You hurt me! I am Sienna!” “What wrong with you? Did that bitch say something bad before dying?” “Don’t believe her! She is a liar full mouth lies…” Slap! A slap on Sienna face. Sienna beaten confused, half face swelled instantly. “Liar?” Lucien raised blood stained Heirloom Locket, shoved to Sienna eyes, voice hoarse: “Sienna, tell me.” “This jade, whose exactly?” Sienna saw that jade, face instantly pale. Her eyes wandering, want shrink hand. “This… this how…” “This… this is mine… didn’t I lose it then…” “Did that bitch pick it up?” “Right! Must be she stole! Lucien brother, she dare steal your money, steal jade what count!” “Till now you still lie!” Lucien choked Sienna neck, wound split, blood seeped. “This has my tooth marks! World only two pieces can puzzle together!” “This jade broke out from Vivia hand!” “Dead can’t break open! You say she stole?” “Sienna, you played me fool ten years!” Lucien hand tighter and tighter. He looked at this face, mind flashed Vivia desperate eyes before death. Is him, for this counterfeit, personally pushed benefactor to hell! “Urgh… Lu…” Sienna rolling eyes, desperately beat Lucien hand. Monitor issued alarm. “Mr. Sterling! Can’t kill her!” Doctors rushed up pull Lucien. “That heart! That is Miss Vivia heart!” “If you choke her dead, Miss Vivia heart also dies!” This sentence made Lucien sober instantly. He let go, watching Sienna panting, watching that violently beating heart. That is only trace Vivia left. If Sienna dies, Vivia really gone. Lucien stepped back two steps, leaned on wall, emitted a laugh. “Ha… haha…” “I not kill you.” “Sienna, I not kill you.” He looked up, eyes gloomy. “You must live well.” “Use Vivia heart, live well for her.” “But this debt, we count slowly.”

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While having Christmas Dinner with the whole family, my ex-boyfriend of five years suddenly sent me a message: “Vera, you can really act! Your family is a Billionaire family, yet when you dated me, you couldn’t even take out a hundred dollars, afraid I would covet your family’s money, right?” I was confused, clicked on the video he sent. In the picture, my parents and sister were walking out of the VIP Lounge of a luxury mall, dressed elegantly, walking calmly, with shop assistants respectfully following behind. Looking up, in front of me was another scene: The dining table was old and peeling, parents wearing old sweaters washed grey, picking the only few pieces of meat in the dish for my sister. Mother noticed my gaze, eyes suddenly red: “Vera, ever since the family business went bankrupt, creditors chase us every day, the family really can’t afford to buy good food…” “Your sister is weak, if she doesn’t eat well, gets sick, the medical bills won’t be small…” And I just quietly looked at Mom, eyes sour. That Rare Jadeite Bangle on her wrist, full of water, rich color, exactly the same as in the video. Wearing it out so grandly, probably thinking I don’t know the goods. However, it doesn’t matter. They also don’t know. Precisely because of poverty, I had to complete system tasks and got a wish opportunity. In that case, let every sentence of their crying poor, come true. Chapter 1 After working hard to finish the family’s Christmas Dinner, I untied my apron, just ready to sit down. Phone suddenly rang. It was a message from my ex-boyfriend Mark, who broke up five years ago. I was a bit strange, our breakup was quite ugly back then, haven’t contacted for a long time. On Christmas, why did he send a message at this time? But I still clicked to see. [Vera, is playing poor fun?] [Back then my parents thought your family was poor, didn’t agree us together, I fought with family for a year for you, and you?] [Billionaire’s daughter, yet pretended couldn’t even take out a hundred dollars, afraid I covet your family’s money right?] [Disgusting!] This words made me confused. [???] Sent three question marks back. Unexpectedly, the other side replied instantly. It was a video. In the video, parents and sister were walking out of the VIP Lounge of a luxury mall, dressed elegantly, walking calmly, shop assistants respectfully following behind. The light of the crystal chandelier in the counter was dazzling. Background could still hear assistants respectfully calling “Mr. Vance”, “Mrs. Vance”. I looked up, in front of me was another scene: Dining table old and peeling, red lacquer on edge peeled off, revealing dull wood color inside. Parents and sister although wearing old clothes washed white, cuffs somewhat worn. But, observe carefully. Dad’s Patek Philippe watch, Mom’s Jadeite Bangle, sister’s jewelry… All luxury goods I only saw on TV. My family really is… Billionaire. Hearing this news, I should be happy, but at this moment it made me somewhat unable to accept. Just wanted to open mouth to ask. Mom put down chopsticks in advance, sighed, eyebrows drooped, just like before: “Vera ah, how much money did you earn this year?” “You also know, ever since family business went bankrupt, life is really tight…” “Your sister’s tuition next year, and your dad’s stomach medicine…” She said, exchanged a look with Dad. Dad immediately cooperated coughing twice, then both looked at me together. That gaze I was very familiar with. Mixed with calculating expectation, waiting for me to show guilt like before, then unhesitatingly take out all money in pocket. Even advance next month’s salary, to fill that “household hole” they said never could be filled. But this time. I only felt a cold irony rushing to my head. Put down chopsticks, I opened mouth: “Mom, Dad, is our family… really this poor?” Chapter 2 Didn’t get the desired reply, parents’ faces froze. But soon, Mom reacted, choked with sobs: “Vera, what do you mean? Don’t you know the family situation? Debts owed from bankruptcy back then, that was…” “I don’t know.” I interrupted her. “Don’t know how much owed.” “Don’t know who we owe.” They only told me bankrupt every time, but I never saw an IOU. They just cried poor year after year, asking me for money. We stalemated, dim light flickering in the room. Suddenly, Dad slammed chopsticks heavily on table with a “Pa”: “Ask ask ask? What qualification do you have to ask?” “If not dragging you this burden these years, me and your mom would have been happy long ago!” “Every penny spent raising you, that was saved from my teeth! Now asking you to take some money out, that is perfectly justified! You owe us! Understand?” “Perfectly justified?” I laughed once, looked at sister eating meat in small bites. “Then what about Violet? She is two years younger than me, also graduated and worked for several years right? Has she given family a penny?” Air suddenly quiet. Sister Violet looked up, face ruddy, neck still wearing that Tiffany necklace in the video. She gently pouted: “Sister, why are you so calculating? My health is not good, what’s wrong with parents taking care of me more? Doctors said I have congenital deficiency, just because Mom hurt her body when giving birth to you…” This sentence again. Since I can remember, this sentence was like a shackle. Because birthing me hurt body, causing sister weak, so I must repay. Good food, fun things, new clothes, spacious room, all sister’s. I was the “debtor” who slept in kitchen partition since childhood, wore relatives’ old clothes, responsible for all housework. “Congenital deficiency?” I couldn’t hold back, directly exposed: “I see you quite healthy.” “At least, healthy enough to buy dozen bags in one breath, max out parents’ Supplementary Card.” I put the video of them walking out from luxury mall VIP Lounge in front of them. Truth of pretending poor revealed by me, parents turned pale in shock. Mom even shocked directly stood up. But I didn’t stop, continued saying: “But me? I live in shadow of debt, dare not buy a new piece of clothes all year round, hands full of chilblains in winter.” “Do you think this is fair?” Long silence. No one answered me. But I understood. They are just partial. I also have to accept the fact that parents don’t love me at all. I turned and walked into kitchen. That “room” I slept for more than ten years. Narrow space still remaining oil smoke smell. Corner folding bed sheet washed white, reluctant to change. I saved money, calculating every penny, thinking parents not easy, sister weak, myself saving a bit worse doesn’t matter. But they are Billionaires! Now think about it, those days suffered white eyes because of “poverty”, really… ridiculous to extreme. Behind came slight footsteps. Violet followed in. “Vera, you know now?” She hugged arms, leaning on door frame. “Correct, family has money, lots of money. But that money, has no relation with you a penny.” “Parents love me, future company, family property, also all mine. You? Just an ATM, plus nanny.” She walked closer two steps, lowered voice, with venom of pleasure: “Do you know why you can only sleep in kitchen?” “Because when I was five I said a sentence, didn’t want to live in same room with person who caused me weak. Parents then moved your things to kitchen overnight.” “Do you know why you obviously tested better in college entrance exam, but could only go to tuition-free State College?” “Because of my one sentence: ‘If sister goes to other place read good university, I will be sad and sick.’” “Vera, we were never the same. Was before, more so in future.” I listened quietly, heart filled by ice dregs slowly, instead no longer painful. Took out paper and pen from canvas bag I carried, on greasy stove, I started writing calculating. Five years, $62,000. This is money I gave family. I listed another list. Is from childhood to now, my tuition, food clothing, medical all money used. Finally got a number: Not exceed $20,000. I pushed open kitchen door, walked out, slapped two papers on Christmas dinner table. “Didn’t you say I owe you?” I said clearly: “I just calculated, not only don’t owe, I also overpaid $42,000.” “These, treat as repaying your birth and raising grace.” “From now on, I only bear legal maintenance obligation, according to local minimum living standard, give you $200 monthly. As for Violet——” I looked at instantly panicked parents and pale faced sister. “She is also your daughter, maintenance obligation, split half.” Chapter 3 “Vera! You rebelled!” Dad raged up, forehead veins jumping. “We raised you for nothing! Raised a white-eyed wolf! Calculating so clear with family, do you still have conscience?” Mom pounced over grabbed my hand, tears came as she said: “Vera ah, Mom knows sorry to you, but family really has difficulties…” “Your sister she is still small, can’t you yield to her? You are older sister! You were most sensible before…” Sensible. This word like a rusty lock, bound me for more than twenty years. I looked at that priceless Jadeite Bangle on Mom’s wrist, looked at Patek Philippe inadvertently revealed on Dad’s wrist, looked at diamond necklace shining on sister’s neck. Then looked down at my own old clothes washed hard, cuffs worn out edges, and thin calluses left on palm due to years of housework. Grievance surged up like tide, broke the last dam. “Difficulties?” I pulled back my hand bit by bit, said: “Your difficulties, is letting me wear rags, eat worst, do most work, then use every penny saved, to buy luxury goods for your precious daughter?” “Your difficulties, is living in mansion, wearing famous watch, while crying poor to me, squeezing my last drop of blood and sweat money, to pay that ‘debt’ simply non-existent?” My voice started trembling, not because of fear, but because of grief and indignation accumulated for so many years. “I washed whole family clothes with cold water in winter, hands cracked bleeding, you said couldn’t afford gloves.” “I starved stomach disease in high school to save lunch money, you said family difficult let me endure.” “I didn’t buy a new piece of clothes in four years of college, wearing old clothes roommates didn’t want, you said wait me work will be fine.” “After I work, every penny wished break into two halves to spend, myself gnaw bun eat pickle, send money to you, thought family really can’t open pot, thought sister really sick heavy need nutrition fee!” “Result?” I pointed at that video, tears finally rolled down, but face was smiling. “Result you are Billionaires!” “Violet one sentence, can let me sleep in kitchen!” “One sentence, can let me give up better future!” “One sentence, can let me like a fool, sucked blood by you for more than twenty years!” Chapter 4 “Slap——!” A loud slap, fiercely fanned on my face. Dad’s hand still raised in mid-air, angry whole body trembling: “Bastard thing! How talk to your mom?” “Without us, can you grow so big?” “Provided you eat provided you wear, still provided hatred out?” “Your life all given by us!” Cheek burning pain. Ears buzzing. This slap, shattered my last trace of extravagant hope. I looked at them. Father’s furious and guilty face, mother’s hypocritical crying face, sister’s proud and contemptuous face. Past twenty something years like silent film flashed in mind: Cold nights in kitchen, ridicule of classmates in school, exhausted figure when working part-time, parents’ short “kindness” after every remittance and following new demands… Enough. Really enough. I slowly raised hand, wiped a bit blood at mouth corner, then, in dead silence, walked to dining table. Looking at that table of Christmas dinner I prepared with heart. Looking at that bowl of crystal clear bird’s nest soup exclusive to sister. I used all strength, hands fiercely overturned the table! “Crash——!!!” Dishes shattered, soup splashed, food scattered all over floor, a mess. “Since feel I not worthy.” My voice ice cold. “Then this meal I made, you guys also don’t eat.” In their shocked, angry, unbelievable gazes. I turned, pushed open that paint peeling door, walked into cold night outside. Door closed, I could still hear Dad’s angry voice: “Go! Gone you don’t come back! I am Billionaire, move a finger can let you can’t live in this city!” Hearing these words, I only felt a burst of chill. Suddenly, I thought of that wish system promised me after completing task. Since they like crying poor so much, then I satisfy them. “System, I wish let their every sentence crying poor, all come true.” System quickly gave me response. [Received, Reality Manifestation System activated, wealth they lose will be transferred to host’s name.] Really? Then I really a bit look forward to it. Outside door cold air piercing bone. I wrapped tight thin old cotton coat, curled up a night on cold bed in cheap motel. Next morning early, motel door suddenly kicked open. Room swarmed in a pile of people. Leading were my parents and sister. Behind followed some distant relatives. “What you come for?” I don’t understand, yesterday already troubled like that, today how they still have face come find me? Seeing my attitude, Dad pushed sister a bit. Sister pouted, said: “Sister, words I said yesterday all lying to you, wasn’t it in anger, words caught words just spoke indiscriminately, actually all fake, our family not Billionaire.” Dad also habitually hung that worried and helpless expression: “Right ah, Vera, you really misunderstood, those in video are all fake…” “Your sister wants be Influencer, that is posing job she took, luxury goods are props! Don’t you know our family real situation?” “Our broken house rent almost can’t pay! Your mom blood pressure medicine no money buy expensive ones, my broken stomach hurts every day… if not for you two, we long couldn’t hold on!” Mom immediately wiped tears echoed: “Mom also not easy ah, reason good things all tight for sister, is because she born weak and sick ah…” “Vera, you have to understand parents, we have to endure together ah.” Endure together? When did we endure together? Always them paper drunk gold confused, I coarse tea bland rice that’s all. But now, they still crying poor! Maybe they feel squeezing me, squeezing not enough yet. Want my rest half life, continue supply them like before. I really don’t understand. Am I their daughter, or enemy? Those relatives pulled over couldn’t see situation clear, unison accused me: “Vera ah, you listen! How hard your parents are?” “Exactly! Now family difficult, you as older sister, have good job again, helping family isn’t should be? Why still show face?” But just when they chattering. An elite dressed assistant suddenly squeezed in: “Mr. Vance! Mrs. Vance! Finished! All finished!” “Bank suddenly fully withdrew loans, all partners collectively breached contract, company accounts frozen, stock price flash crashed… we, we bankrupt! Creditors already downstairs!”

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In my sales department, we had an unwritten rule: if you needed personal time, you didn’t file for leave. You filed an “Out-of-Office” field assignment. It was the only way to bypass the company’s draconian HR policy. Even a one-hour personal leave meant losing a $200 monthly attendance bonus, plus a pro-rated salary deduction. So, when my intern, Chloe Vance, came to my desk asking for time off, I didn’t even look up from my spreadsheets. “Just file a field report,” I said. At the end of the year, we were swamped. I finished my immediate tasks and looked up. To my surprise, Chloe was still standing there. She wasn’t moving, wasn’t speaking—she was just staring at me with a look I couldn’t quite decipher. I rubbed my temples. “Is there something else?” Chloe frowned, her gaze lingering on me, before she shook her head. “No—” I didn’t give it a second thought. But moments later, when I opened our department’s Slack group, my phone erupted with a long series of voice notes from her. I tapped the first one. It was the sound of Chloe’s sharp, hysterical sobbing. “Avery Miller! You’re just a sales manager! Who do you think you are, denying an employee time off for an emergency?!” “Do you really think we’re just robots? Is your own family dead? Do you even have a soul—” My brain buzzed, blood rushing to my head. I immediately replied in the group chat: [Avery]: Didn’t I tell you to just file for a field assignment? 1 Chloe was the youngest girl in our department. With her sweet voice and the way she called everyone “Big Bro” or “Big Sis,” she was seen as the office’s harmless little lamb. Even when she made mistakes, people usually let it slide. I figured she had simply misunderstood. The “Out-of-Office” loophole was a localized secret; other departments didn’t have it. If they took leave, they lost their bonuses. Did she really not get the hint? I thought I had been obvious. But Chloe doubled down. “Field assignment? Who cares about a field assignment?!” “I told you I had a family emergency! Why couldn’t you just grant me leave?” “I’ve been here for a month! Why am I not allowed to have a life?!” “Just because your family tree is a stump doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t have people we love!” “I can’t stand heartless, exploitative capitalists like you!” “You’re violating labor laws, do you even know that?!” The sharp, venomous voice notes exploded in my ears one after another. I was shaking with fury. I couldn’t believe these words were coming from a fresh college graduate. I gritted my teeth and tapped her final message: “Do you think everyone else likes you? You’re just a bitter, thirty-something single woman who can’t stand seeing other people have families, right?” The group chat went dead silent. No one defended me. I walked out of my glass office toward the main floor. Before I could push the door open, I heard the hushed tones of people comforting her amidst her sniffling. “Chloe, don’t take it to heart. This is definitely Avery’s fault.” “Why are you wasting tears on a woman going through a mid-life crisis?” “Exactly. Look at you, you’re a mess.” Chloe’s voice grew bolder. “Just wait. She thinks I’m some soft peach she can just squeeze? She’s got another thing—” I pushed the door open. 2 Everyone shut up instantly. I looked at the group huddling around Chloe. They knew perfectly well that “field assignment” was our code for “paid leave.” They knew that if you filed it, no one asked where you were. Yet here they were, fanning the flames. I scanned their faces. They looked away, guilt written all over them. My gaze landed on Chloe. I was trying my hardest to restrain my rage. “When did I ever say I wouldn’t give you the time off?” “And those things you said in the group chat? That’s more than enough for me to write ‘insubordinate and disrespectful’ on your internship evaluation.” I decided then that I needed to talk to HR. This girl was a liability. I wasn’t going to let her pass her probation. “If you’re so unhappy here,” I added, “you’re free to resign.” Chloe’s eyes widened, instantly filling with tears again. The other colleagues couldn’t help themselves; they started pleading for her. “Manager Miller, isn’t that a bit much?” “Yeah, Chloe is just in her early twenties. She was worried about her family. It’s normal to get emotional.” “She’s not entirely wrong, though…” I shot a look at the speakers, and they went quiet. I pointed at Chloe. “My office. Now.” I was still being too soft-hearted. I intended to explain it to her one last time, face-to-face. She was a kid just out of school; I wanted to help her. “Our company deducts the attendance bonus for leave,” I explained behind closed doors. “That’s why I told you to apply for field work. That way, HR won’t dock your pay.” Chloe bit her lip, saying absolutely nothing. I felt exhausted. I thought the explanation would settle it. I dismissed her. But after work, my best friend sent me a link. [Babe, is this girl at your company?] I froze. 3 I looked at the headline on the trending TikTok post: [Gen-Z Intern Fights Back Against Toxic Boss Who Denied Leave!] “I went to my boss this afternoon to ask for leave for a family emergency. Not only did she refuse, but she told me to fake a field assignment!” “I couldn’t take the abuse, so I stood up for myself in the group chat.” “The boss got scared and tried to backpedal, saying field work meant leave. She’s obviously just afraid of getting reported for labor violations!” “I hate these cold-blooded corporate ghouls!” The comments were a dumpster fire of support for her. Someone mentioned the office location looked familiar. Chloe had “accidentally” leaked our office’s GPS tag in the video. Then, the “insiders” started chiming in: “I know who you’re talking about! Everyone calls her the Dragon Lady!” “Watch out, she’ll try to block your career now.” “She’s in her thirties and a manager? Bet she ‘climbed’ the ladder using more than just talent. Stay safe, OP!” Moments later, Chloe posted a tearful follow-up: “My family worked so hard to put me through college. Jobs are so hard to find. If she blocks my career, what will I do? [Crying face emoji]” She included a selfie of her red, puffy eyes—angled perfectly to show off her figure. 4 That was the spark. The “internet heroes” took over. By midnight, someone had doxxed our CEO’s phone number. He was bombarded with harassment calls demanding he fire the “corporate parasite” (me). He called me in a fury. “Avery! What the hell is going on?!” The next morning, Chloe didn’t show up. My coworkers were looking at me like I was a leper. “Everyone,” I said, trying to clear the air. “Contact Chloe. Tell her the actual policy regarding leave in this department.” No one moved. “What is this?” I asked. Leo, the guy Chloe was rumored to be seeing outside of work, spoke up. “Manager Miller, Chloe isn’t wrong. Why should we help you explain?” The others nodded in agreement. “If you were just honest about the leave, this wouldn’t have happened.” “Chloe is just saying what we’re all thinking.” I nearly choked on my rage. When the attendance policy first came out, who was the loudest one crying? Who complained about how “inhumane” it was to lose $200 for a doctor’s appointment? They had begged me for a solution, citing their mortgages and kids. I had risked my neck to create a loophole for them. And now, I was the villain? Fine. 5 I turned and walked straight to the Legal Department. I began the process of documenting the defamation and preparing a lawsuit. During lunch, my phone rang. It was my mother’s number. But when I answered, it was our neighbor’s voice. “Avery! Someone has piled a bunch of funeral wreaths in front of your apartment door!” “Your mother saw them and fainted. She’s in the hospital—get here now!” The neighbor sent me a video. Our once-quiet hallway was filled with white funeral wreaths. The sashes on them read: In Memory of Avery Miller’s Entire Family. My mother has a heart condition. She just had a bypass surgery a few months ago. The doctor had been very clear: she needed absolute peace and quiet. I rushed toward the exit, but as I passed the breakroom, I heard Leo’s voice on speakerphone. Leo: “Chloe, are you sure this won’t get too big?” Chloe’s voice came through, smug and high-pitched: “What’s there to fear? It’s her fault anyway. Just watch—she’ll be crawling to me, begging me to delete the post. She thinks she can control me because I’m an intern? In her dreams.” “You guys are too timid,” she continued. “If that old hag falls, who do you think is next in line for her job? It’s you, Leo. Everyone will be thanking me later!” Leo sounded excited. “You have a point…” I stopped. The fury rising from my gut was cold and sharp. So, Leo was in on it too? Good. 6 In the taxi to the hospital, I calmed down. Why had this escalated so far? Because everyone hated the company’s rules, and I was the easy target. I had tried to be a “good boss” within the system. Since they didn’t appreciate the convenience, I was done being the nice guy. The company had been looking to “downsize” and cut costs for the end of the year anyway. I had been dragging my feet on the layoff list, trying to save as many people as possible. Not anymore. I opened the department group chat and posted a formal announcement: [Effective immediately, all attendance and leave for the Sales Department will follow strict HR protocols. ‘Field assignments’ must be logged every five minutes with GPS pings. Violations will result in immediate salary deductions and loss of bonuses.] The group exploded. “Every five minutes?! I can’t even talk to a client without my phone buzzing!” “Wait, this was between Chloe and Avery—why are we all being punished?” “Exactly! She’s the one who made the TikTok, why are we suffering?” “If I’d known she was going to be this much trouble, I never would have…” Chloe stayed silent. I didn’t reply. I sent her a private message: [Your internship is terminated. Do not come back.] An unethical employee is a ticking time bomb. It was time to cut the wire. 7 My mother was stable, but the doctor warned me she couldn’t take another shock. Over the next few days, my colleagues started to break. Many of them had families and used to sneak out early to pick up their kids—things I used to overlook. Now, with the five-minute pings, they were trapped. Every one of them came to me begging for “mercy,” claiming they were innocent. Then, Chloe finally showed up at the office. She burst into my room, screaming. “Avery Miller! You have no right to fire me!” “Just because I told the truth? You’re just a cold-blooded bitch who can’t handle being exposed!” Chloe was so worked up she didn’t realize her phone screen was still on—she was livestreaming. I could see the red “Live” dot. “You’re not saying anything? Guilty conscience?” she sneered. I shook my head. “Chloe, you made multiple mistakes during your internship. That alone is enough to fire you. But you also insulted management and disrupted company unity. And—” I pulled up the TikTok post. “You posted this.” She tried to deny it, but I didn’t care. “Sending funeral wreaths to my home, stalking, and defamation. Legal is already collecting evidence. Expect a summons from the court.” Chloe’s face went white. I showed her the door.

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The first thing I noticed when I opened the office door was the junior analyst, Jett Sawyer, beneath the conference table. The kid, barely shaving, was intent on his mischief, and Cassia’s attempt to suppress her pleasure was failing dramatically. I placed the file on the desk without making eye contact. “The Soho Initiative funding request. Just sign here, please.” She was preoccupied with a much more immediate form of gratification. Distracted and humming, she grabbed the pen and signed through the pages without looking. Only then did she lift her slightly hazy eyes. “Wait… wasn’t your flight tomorrow? Why the sudden return?” I retrieved the file. “Came back to handle some urgent business.” Before turning to leave, I glanced under the desk. “Tell him to come out now.” Cassia paused, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She was likely expecting a scene—me throwing a fit, making threats, recording the confrontation as I had done years ago. Instead, I simply added, “He’ll lose the circulation in his legs if he stays down there too long.” Feeling caught and slightly foolish, she deflected. “What urgent business are you here for?” I didn’t answer. I just closed the door and, with a gentle click, flipped the magnetic [Do Not Disturb: In Meeting] sign on the handle. She didn’t realize that my urgent business had already been accomplished. … 1 From inside the office, I heard Jett Sawyer’s voice, a childish hint of laughter threading through it. “Cassia, you scared the hell out of me just now.” Cassia’s low chuckle was intimate and throaty. “Scared of what? He’s not going to eat you.” “But he’s your husband…” “Exactly. And he’s well-trained. See? He just left on his own.” I stood motionless just outside the door. The afternoon light sliced into the hallway, leaving a sharp line by my shoes. Jett lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “So, are you coming home tonight?” “Business is business, but,” Cassia said, her tone utterly natural, “I always go home.” Jett scoffed from his throat. “Boss, you’re so used to being pampered, you miss him after a single day?” “Anything he can do, I can do better. Or did I not satisfy you a moment ago?” “You and him? It’s not the same.” Cassia’s lazy voice cut in. “He’s stubborn as an ox, but he can’t live without me! You know how much trouble he went to with his family just to marry me.” She paused, the implication hanging in the air. “If I don’t go back, do you think any of you little lovers would survive?” She spoke of weighty, painful history as if reciting a bedtime story. Jett’s voice was syrupy, laced with curiosity. “And do you… like that about him? The way he pretends to be the one in charge but is actually just pathetic?” The air went still for a beat. Then I heard Cassia emit a brief, dismissive laugh. She countered, “What do you think?” “I think—” Jett never finished the sentence. Because I opened the door again. Both people in the office froze instantly. Jett was half-perched on the edge of Cassia’s expansive mahogany desk. Cassia leaned back in her chair, the top two buttons of her silk blouse undone. She was startled for only a fraction of a second, then raised a knowing eyebrow. “Forget something?” I ignored the question, walking straight toward the side table where the key bowl was. My car keys were indeed there. I picked them up and turned to leave once more. “Declan.” Cassia stood, walking around the desk to me. Her arms instantly wrapped around my waist. She always did this at the office. Affectionate public displays of ownership—she was never stingy with those. I gently disengaged. After his encounter with her, Jett carried the distinct scent of the men’s cologne she’d given me. The exact same bottle. Last month, when she presented it to me as a birthday gift, she’d called the fragrance “irreplaceable” and uniquely mine. Now, I realized she must have bought them in bulk. “I’ll be home for dinner tonight.” Her voice adopted its usual, soft coaxing tone. “What do you want to eat? I’ll cook it myself, hmm?” Jett let out a small, contemptuous huff beside us. “Don’t bother,” I said. “I have plans tonight.” Her smile faded slightly, though her lips remained curved upward. “What is it? Are you upset?” She leaned closer. “Because of Jett? I told you, he’s nothing but a—” “I know,” I interrupted softly. “He’s an intern analyst. He needs your hands-on guidance.” What sort of skills she chose to instruct him in was entirely up to her. She seemed momentarily stunned. She probably hadn’t expected me to skip the protest, the argument, and even the sarcasm this time. She raised a hand to touch my cheek, but I had already taken a step forward. “Fine,” she shrugged, switching her grip to my forearm. “Whatever it is, be home before nine.” Jett snickered nearby. I looked at him, and he met my gaze. Compared to the other men I had quietly dealt with over the years, he was remarkably protected. His eyes held undisguised triumph and provocation. Youth is a powerful thing. Looking at his arrogant, fresh face, I was transported back to the summer I was twenty, when Cassia pulled me out of the psychiatric clinic. 2 It was the third day my father had sent me there for “treatment.” Treatment for my “pathological love” and my “disease” of wanting to marry a woman from the wrong side of the tracks. Cassia had waited all night, hidden in the air ducts, until the morning nurse change. She pried open my window. We slid down the wall on a rope woven from knotted bedsheets. She landed hard, fracturing her elbow, but never once let go of my hand. When we reached safety, her clothes were soaked with sweat. She shakily grabbed my hand and pressed it against her heart. It was beating fast and heavy. “Declan,” her eyes were bloodshot. “Listen to me. If we can get out of this place today, nothing will ever be able to separate us.” She fumbled in her pocket, then opened her palm. A thin, cheap silver ring, bought from a flea market stand. “Declan, put it on me!” She looked into my eyes, enunciating every word. “I want to tell the world I’m with you because I love you, not for your money.” “From this day on, every step we take—the good and the bad—it counts.” My fingers trembled as I put the ring on her. “When I have money someday, I promise I’ll replace it with the largest diamond ring in the world.” My voice caught. I felt she deserved so much better than the shame my family was putting her through. The sun that day was just like today, bright and blinding, shining on her young face, illuminating the fierce light in her eyes. I thought that was forever. … I didn’t stay in my own office long. My assistant knocked shortly after I got back. “Mr. Holt, this is the summary of the expense reports that were fast-tracked during your week away.” She placed the tablet in front of me. “Specifically… Mr. Sawyer’s spending requires your review.” I scrolled through the screen. Customized Italian personal grooming treatments, an exclusive wellness spa retreat, an extended lease on a Ritz-Carlton suite… Scrolling down further, my finger stopped on the last entry: Private OB-GYN Consultation & Services… The assistant cautiously added, “Finance said… these accounts were routed through the ‘Employee Wellness’ budget, authorized with Ms. Lane’s special approval.” I put down my coffee cup. “Jett Sawyer. How long has he been with us?” “Three months.” I nodded, asking nothing else. “If Ms. Lane approved it, process the expenses as normal.” The assistant hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of her jacket. “Mr. Holt… I’m not sure I should say this.” “Go on.” “The first day you were gone, he… he had Ms. Lane with him on your chair…” The assistant sniffled, her face flushed with discomfort. “I heard the noise when I passed. He was laughing, saying he wanted to take the thrill as far as it could go.” I subconsciously looked over at my executive chair. It was the one Cassia had specially ordered from Milan when we first started the company. She’d said, “You always have lower back pain. This chair is ergonomically designed for spinal support.” I already knew what my assistant was telling me. Jett Sawyer was barely twenty-two. Unlike the men who came before him—the ones who feared Cassia’s temper or losing their jobs—he was brazen, shameless. He wanted every love bite to be a close-up photo. Why wouldn’t he want to immediately send such a stimulating ‘trophy’ to me? Last Wednesday, at two in the morning. I was pulling an all-nighter on a proposal in my hotel room abroad when my phone screen lit up. A photo from an anonymous number. The moment I opened it, I couldn’t immediately process what I was seeing. Until I recognized it—my office. The man, his face obscured, was straddling my chair. Cassia sat on his lap, facing him, in a compromising position. The accompanying text message read: [It really is extra comfortable on this chair, isn’t it!] I didn’t see his face, but I knew exactly who it was. I didn’t reply. But in that moment, the dam I had been holding back for seven years suddenly burst. That was when I decided to return and handle the urgent business of ‘divorce’— And she, lost in her own smugness, had no idea that the divorce papers were hidden beneath the stack of “Soho Initiative funding requests.” 3 “Last Friday afternoon, the moment you left, Jett Sawyer came strutting in wearing your custom-made Italian Chelsea boots. I couldn’t help myself, I asked him why he was wearing your shoes. He had a ready answer…” The assistant paused, then relayed his words with disgust. “‘Ms. Lane said they look good on me. Mr. Holt? He’d never sweat the small stuff.’” She looked up, her expression a mix of sympathy and frustration on my behalf. “Mr. Holt, are you… really not going to sweat the small stuff?” I looked at the earnest, young woman who was standing up for me. I offered a small, bloodless smile, my tone completely level. “They always rubbed my heel a little. If he likes them, he can have them.” Before I left on the trip, I had no idea these two were involved. The company had been focused on a major market expansion, and I hadn’t paid my usual attention to Cassia. Besides, she’d had a seemingly steady lover installed in an apartment near the office complex. Judging by Jett’s audacity, the previous man had clearly been dispatched. “Wipe your eyes,” I handed her a tissue. “I’ll be out of the office next week. Keep an eye on things.” She looked puzzled. “Where are you going?” I didn’t answer. I simply looked out the window. The sunlight was perfect, just like the afternoon seven years ago when we went to the courthouse. Cassia had gone alone to the family estate. She knelt on the cold stone floor of my father’s library for three hours, begging for his approval. “Sir, I know you despise my background, but Declan and I love each other deeply. I swear I will never let him down.” Ultimately, my father had her escorted out. But he stood by the window for a long time that day. Later, he took her poorly constructed business plan, revised it in the library, and secretly mailed it to me. Bringing up these old wounds now feels like demanding payment for kindness, tainting sincerity with calculation. But if I don’t mention it… If I don’t mention it, she will truly believe she is a self-made prodigy. She will believe that all the data, the connections, the seed capital—she earned it all on her own merit. 4 Shortly after the assistant left, Cassia called me from the car. “Jett was completely spooked by your little surprise visit today,” her voice was low, laced with a playful intimacy. “I need to spend some time coaxing him back to normal. I’ll be late. Leave the front door unlocked for me.” I waited three seconds before speaking. “Didn’t we agree that you wouldn’t get pregnant?” Silence on the other end. “What are you talking about?” Her voice remained steady. “The OB-GYN visits Jett made—they can’t be without cause, can they?” A two-second pause. Then, a sudden chuckle. “You looked into him?” “It was on the company ledger,” I replied calmly. “A fifty-thousand-dollar premium prenatal package. Filed under employee benefits. You were very generous with the approval, Cassia.” Perhaps she signed the expense without looking at the details at all. She softened her tone, adopting a persuasive, honeyed sound. “Declan, that was an accident! He’s young, completely naïve. He thought if he got me pregnant, he could somehow force my hand.” “And?” “I’m handling it,” she said decisively. “Don’t worry, no one is going to threaten your position.” “Cassia.” I spoke her name. “Hmm?” “Do you remember,” I said slowly, deliberately, “how we lost our first child?” Her breathing hitched on the other end of the line. “Stop it, Declan. That’s in the past. Bringing it up again and again is pointless.” “You’re right.” I allowed myself a brief, dry laugh. “It’s all in the past.” The child who never made it. The vows she knelt and swore to me. The thing she held against me for so many years… “Get some rest,” she said. “I’ll come home once I’m done with him.” She hung up. I raised my hand and, for the first time, and the last, blocked her number. Then, I replied to the message that had been waiting for my confirmation for an entire week: [It’s handled. I will be on time for the wedding.] 5 When I left the office, all my personal effects had been discreetly packed and taken care of. The elevator descended, the gentle drop of gravity a comforting sensation of loss of control. There was a time, in this very elevator, when she pressed me against the mirrored wall, kissing me passionately, whispering: “Declan, I must have earned so much good karma in this life and the last to marry you.” Her eyes were so bright back then. Bright enough that she almost seemed to believe the lie she was telling. I had planned to meet a friend for a farewell dinner. The restaurant was downtown, overlooking the waterfront. I had barely settled in when I saw Jett Sawyer walk in, his arm draped around Cassia’s waist. He was leaning in to hear what she was saying, a lazy, entitled smile on his face. Cassia saw me first. She stopped for a moment, then her smile widened. Instead of avoiding me, she walked straight to my table. “Your ‘plans’ were to eat dinner by yourself?” She pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down. “The steak here is good,” Cassia said, picking up the bottle of wine on my table. “But this vintage you ordered is too mild. I’m having the server open a proper one.” The server brought the bottle she ordered. Cassia poured two glasses herself. One she pushed toward me, the other she handed to Jett. She looked at me. “How’s the taste?” “It’s fine.” “Just ‘fine’?” Her smile deepened. “I remember you used to love this. You said it had a certain… bittersweet almond note.” “People’s palates change,” I put the glass down. “Things you once thought were good, you look at now and realize they’re just mediocre.” Cassia’s eyes darkened slightly. But she quickly laughed, wrapping her arm around Jett’s shoulder. “Did you hear that?” She gently turned Jett’s face toward me. “Your brother is teaching you a lesson: don’t take women too seriously.” Jett looked at her, his eyes possessive. “What about you? Can I take you seriously?” “Me?” Cassia met my gaze, but her words were for him. “A woman like me is best enjoyed in passing, Jett.” 6 She spoke lightly, flippantly, likely expecting me to do what I always did—rise coldly and leave. To give them their private space. But I refused to be accommodating. I picked up the wine glass and took another sip. Only when I received a text that my friend couldn’t make it did I stand up. “He got held up,” I said. “If you’ll excuse me.” I turned to walk away. Jett suddenly spoke. “Bro, Cassia’s birthday is next week. We’re throwing a yacht party. You should come.” I paused. “You have to come,” Jett added, his voice loaded with suggestion. “Cassia said her most desired gift this year is…” He drew out the pause, looking to Cassia. Cassia lightly squeezed his shoulder, cutting him off. “Stop playing games.” I nodded. “I can be there. As long as you’re not afraid of me making the party even more ‘exciting’.” With that, I walked out. The glass door sealed shut, cutting off their laughter and conversation into a different world. I arrived at the house at seven. Mrs. Gable, the housekeeper, was in the kitchen simmering broth. “Mr. Holt, you’re back?” “Ms. Lane called and said she’ll be late. Should I save the soup for her?” “No,” I set down my bag. “She won’t be coming home.” Mrs. Gable looked uncertain. “Are you… sleeping here tonight, sir?” I paused, halfway through taking off my coat. “What do you mean?” “The days you were traveling,” Mrs. Gable’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Mr. Sawyer… he moved in.” The air was still for two seconds. I continued to unbutton my coat, one, two. “Which room is he in?” “The primary suite… four nights in a row. Ms. Lane… was there too.” I nodded slowly. “Ms. Lane,” Mrs. Gable hesitated. “I didn’t want to tell you, but she said you’d be upset, and she told me to…” “It’s alright. I don’t blame you.” I looked up, surveying the living room. Every piece of furniture here was chosen by me, every painting hung by me. She loved it. She always said, “Declan, this house only feels like a home when you’re in it.” Now, the house was no different from a high-end motel. Anyone could check in for a few nights. “Sir, don’t hold it in. If you want to yell, or even cry, it would be better than this…” Cry? I saw my reflection in the glass of the painting. My eyes were empty. A well that had been dry for years—how could it possibly produce water now? “Mrs. Gable, you can go home for the night.” I headed upstairs. Opening the door to the primary suite, a strange, unfamiliar scent washed over me. The sheets had been changed, and seven or eight boxes of unopened Durex were haphazardly scattered on the nightstand. I pushed the window open, letting the night wind rush in. It blew away the stale, unpleasant air. I pulled open the deepest drawer in the walk-in closet. Seven small journals, arranged by year. They were still there. The cover of the top one was a slightly dated deep-sea blue, the edges worn from use. That was the first year of our marriage. I had diligently recorded everything I did for this ‘home,’ like a student conducting a project: the light fixtures I fixed, the dishes she loved I taught myself to cook, the trips we planned… On the last page, a line of pencil read: [Seven-Year Plan, Completion: 1/7] In the second notebook, the focus shifted abruptly to me. It was filled with workout plans, excerpts from self-help books on maintaining intimacy… From the third book onward, the entries became sparse, the dates increasingly sporadic— Not because life was boring, but because my emotional energy was being spent elsewhere. I had thought seven years of beautiful records could fight off the seven-year itch. But I had stopped updating it four years ago. Those years had been dedicated to more practical matters— Tracking hotel charges on her bank statements, locating the apartments where her assistant delivered the flowers she’d ordered for her lovers… The men I had confronted during those years of escalating conflict were too many to count. I gently dropped the notebooks into the waste bin. Seven years. My plan had only reached one-seventh completion. I was the only one in the marriage striving for salvation. She, meanwhile, had long since opened her own private harem, seeking universal spiritual comfort. My phone chimed with a flight notification: [Mr. Holt, your urgent flight has been confirmed. Departure at midnight.] I replied, “Thank you.” While performing a final check of my luggage, I felt a hard object at the bottom of the suitcase. It was the silver ring Cassia had handed me, the one she made me use to propose to her. I tossed it onto the bed, grabbed the suitcase, and walked out. The rideshare was waiting by the curb. The driver asked, “The airport, sir?” “Yes.” … As expected, Cassia, wrapped up with Jett, didn’t come home. She woke up just after noon the next day, her phone buzzing. An automatic bank alert: [Your account ending in 8818 made a transfer of $1.00 USD to ‘Declan Holt’ at 03:47 AM. Memo: Divorce Settlement Payment.] She frowned, thinking she’d misread it. Just as she was about to scrutinize the screen, a breaking news alert popped up— [Tycoon Tête-à-Tête: The Holt Group Finalizes Strategic Split; Holt and Caldwell Families Announce Formal Union] “What is it?” Jett Sawyer’s voice was close, his chin resting on her shoulder, still thick with sleep. “Who’s being such a buzzkill so early…” Cassia rubbed her temples. The screen lit up again. It was a text from her lawyer: [Ms. Lane, the divorce petition with both signatures, authorized by Mr. Holt, has been filed with the court. You are required to file your response within seven days.]

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On New Year’s Eve, I was just tucking the last of the lucky pennies into the homemade nuggets—our ridiculous, yet fiercely cherished family tradition for a prosperous year. That’s when my wife’s voice cracked from the entryway: “Carlton, this poor woman looks absolutely desperate. She’s been sitting out there all day, and it’s the holiday.” “I want to invite her in to celebrate with us.” I wiped the flour from my hands, smiling as I walked toward the hall. “Sounds good, plenty of food for an extra—” The older woman stood awkwardly in the foyer, her eyes wide with an almost frantic mix of deference and hope. “Carlton.” Just two syllables, and the smile instantly froze on my face. Ignoring Selena’s baffled expression, I walked straight past her and yanked the front door wide open. “Get out.” “Carlton, I just wanted to…” I didn’t understand. Why now? After more than two decades of silence, why come back? “Go. Now.” … The door slammed shut with a deafening, visceral THUD. The sudden shock made the festive garland on the frame shake. My daughter, June, still clutched an unwrapped candy in her hand. She tugged at my sweater, her voice a fragile whisper. “Daddy, that lady was crying, I think.” My face was a stone mask. I strode over and snatched the candy right out of her grasp. “Poison.” I didn’t hesitate. I dropped the candy directly into the kitchen trash, right in front of her small, shocked face. “June, how many times have I told you?” “You are never to take anything from strangers. You are never to talk to them. Do you understand?” My outburst terrified her. Tears pooled in her wide eyes, but she bit her lip hard, not daring to let them fall. She just nodded frantically. Selena was equally stunned by my rage. In our seven years of marriage, she had never seen me lose control like this. She walked over and gently took my hand, which was still shaking. Her eyes were filled with confusion and concern. “Carlton, you feed the stray cats in the neighborhood. What is going on? That woman didn’t look like a threat, she was dressed well, and on New Year’s Eve…” I couldn’t explain it. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I pulled my hand away, avoiding the searching look in her eyes. “Just drop it.” I had to shield her from the storm churning inside me. “I’m going to cook the nuggets.” I practically ran, escaping into the humid sanctuary of the kitchen. The water boiled, the plump dumplings tumbling in the white foam. Through the fogged-up window, I glanced down, a compulsive, self-destructive urge taking over. She hadn’t left. She was standing rigid, staring up at our window. The snow was coming down harder now, a thick white layer quickly accumulating on the shoulders of her expensive wool coat. My phone vibrated incessantly in my pocket. The neighborhood group chat was already blowing up. Mrs. Denton, Third Floor: “OMG, look at this old woman! Isn’t that a designer coat? Looks like an old-school Armani!” Sarah_TX: “Probably a knock-off. Who gets turned away by their family in an Armani coat?” Chad_Finance: “She’s probably some poor relative trying to shake down a homeowner for cash.” Grams_1948: “Her face is turning purple. If she freezes to death on our sidewalk, the insurance rates will be hell.” Reading those words, Selena couldn’t sit still anymore. She stood at the kitchen doorway, an umbrella in her hand, hesitating. “Carlton, maybe I should just go down? I could just give her the umbrella. What if something actually happens…” “Don’t you dare!” I spun around, the large slotted spoon in my hand trailing a spray of scalding water onto the floor. I threw the spoon down and lunged, gripping Selena’s sleeve so tight it must have hurt. My eyes were wild with pleading, even a hint of unspeakable terror. “Don’t go, Selena. Please. Don’t go.” She was visibly startled by the sheer hatred in my eyes. She sighed, set the umbrella back down, and took my trembling hand in hers. “Okay. Okay, I won’t. I’ll listen to you. We’ll stay put.” Dinner was silent, heavy with unspoken tension. June, who usually inhaled the nuggets, only managed two before putting down her chopsticks. She gave me a nervous, sideways look and quietly retreated to her room to draw. Selena silently cleared the plates, careful not to mention the woman downstairs again. After the dishes were done, she came out and found me missing. I was huddled in the corner of the balcony, knees drawn to my chest, my body shaking violently. A pair of warm arms wrapped around me from behind. Selena smelled faintly of lemon dish soap and home. She pressed her body against my ice-cold back, her chin resting gently on the crown of my head. “It’s okay, honey. I’m here. You’re safe.” I turned, burying my face in her shoulder, the tears silently soaking her shirt. We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity. Long after the last fireworks had faded outside. Finally, my voice raw and broken, I managed to speak. “Selena.” “That winter was so much colder than this one.” Her name was Sylvie Hawthorne. She was my biological mother, the golden-child princess of the old-money Hawthorne family. I remembered when I was a kid, she would lift me onto her shoulders so I could see the lights at the town carnival. Sylvie had given up a massive fortune for what she called “true love,” eloping with my father to this tiny, nowhere town. Life was hard, but for a while, we were happy. Dad worked as a technician in a factory. She knitted sweaters for extra money. We lived in a cramped duplex, eating simple meals, but the laughter never stopped. Every New Year’s Eve, she would hide a penny in one of the nuggets. She always marked it and made sure I was the one who got it. When I found it, she’d stroke my hair, her eyes crinkling with a beautiful smile. “Our Carlton is a lucky boy.” “You will live a life of peace and fortune, my son. I’ll make sure you have everything good in the world.” I genuinely believed I was the luckiest kid alive. Even without new clothes, even when we couldn’t afford meat. As long as I had her. But when I turned three, the nightmare began. I was diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect. The doctor handed down the death sentence. The surgery was $100,000. In the early nineties, a time when a gallon of milk was a few bucks, that was an astronomical sum. It was enough to shatter any normal family. Sylvie went mad, selling everything valuable we owned. She even sold her only piece of jewelry, a jade pendant—her wedding gift. It was a drop in the ocean. Dad worked the most back-breaking shifts at construction sites. He even started secretly selling his blood. His arms were riddled with needle marks. But still, we couldn’t even cover the deposit for the operation. Watching me on that hospital bed, my breath shallow and weak, this once-proud woman finally broke. It was a stormy night. She bolted from the room. When she came back, she was a different person. The light had gone out of her eyes, replaced by a dark, volatile rage. She started complaining. She railed against poverty, against fate, against the tragedy of having me—her burden. She smashed things in our tiny apartment, shattering the only glass thermos we had. Dad held me, cowering in a corner, crying silently. And then, one day, she was gone. She left, and she never came back. What arrived instead was a middle-aged estate manager in a sharp, expensive suit. He stood in our cramped, depressing hospital room, holding a handkerchief to his nose in disgust. “Ms. Sylvie has returned to the city.” “She asked me to inform Mr. Tobias that she has realized this marriage was a mistake. A moment of youthful, foolish impulsivity.” The manager took a check from his briefcase and dropped it carelessly onto the nightstand. “This is a certified check for $100,000. It is compensation.” “You are not to contact Ms. Hawthorne ever again.” My father couldn’t believe it. He lunged at the manager’s sleeve, wild with denial. “No! Sylvie wouldn’t leave us! She went to raise the money for Carlton, didn’t she?” “She wouldn’t abandon us! She promised we’d be a whole family!” I, too, thought she was doing it to save me. I secretly rationalized it: Maybe she was forced. Maybe she’d come back for us once I was well. When I recovered. Dad and I stayed in that miserable rental apartment. He was waiting for her. I was waiting for her. Until a few months later. A group of cold-eyed men in black suits stormed our apartment. Their leader said they were acting on Sylvie Hawthorne’s instruction. They were here to sign the divorce papers. Dad refused. He held the one, faded family photo, screaming and pleading to see Sylvie one last time. “You’re making this difficult.” The leader sneered. They broke my father’s leg with a crowbar, right in front of me. The sickening snap of the bone is a sound I will never, ever forget. “Take the little bastard!” “You sign the papers, we release the kid!” I was forcibly dragged into the black sedan. My father, dragging his broken leg, crawled across the muddy ground, his fingernails digging trenches in the dirt. His clothes were soaked with blood. “Carlton! Give me back my son!” “I’ll sign! I’ll sign!” That agonizing scream became the nightmare that woke me up countless nights throughout my childhood. Finally, Dad’s trembling hand smeared a bloody print onto the divorce agreement. That night, he held me, his tears all dried up. He clutched the two halves of a shattered piece of jade—their engagement token. The jade was broken. Our family was broken. Months later, we saw her face on the front page of the paper. A whole spread detailing the upcoming engagement between the Hawthorne Group heiress and Damon Caldwell, the scion of the Caldwell dynasty. In the photo, the woman who once hoisted me onto her shoulders was draped in designer clothes, linked arms with a handsome man, looking radiant. It was a true power match, a merger of two empires. The moment Dad saw the paper. He coughed up a mouthful of blood right onto her smiling black-and-white face. He wouldn’t believe Sylvie had broken her promise. But what could he do? Drained of all savings from my surgery, and needing to care for me, Dad started working three jobs a day. He developed a chronic illness. That broken leg, never properly treated due to lack of money, left him permanently disabled. Every cold, wet day, the pain would be so bad he’d thrash in bed. He began to hallucinate, muttering from his sickbed: “Sylvie, Sylvie… why?” “Sylvie, did you come to see me?” The nurse just shook her head. “He’s fading, son.” I knew Dad wanted to see Sylvie. I heard the news: Sylvie was in town on a project inspection. She was leaving that day. I ran like a maniac to the downtown hotel. I had to bring her back. I had to let my father die without regret. I needed to ask her, was this real? Did she really abandon us? But when I finally reached the hotel entrance, gasping for air. What did I see? Sylvie Hawthorne, holding the hand of that handsome man, cradling a small boy in her other arm. The boy was wearing a pristine blue suit and holding the most expensive, limited-edition action figure of that era. A perfect, happy family of three. Sylvie bent down to kiss the boy’s forehead, her eyes filled with a tenderness that could melt stone. The tenderness that had once belonged only to me. I tried to rush forward, but a guard grabbed me. “Get away, you little tramp! Beat it!” I watched, helpless, as they got into a luxury sedan and sped away. I wouldn’t give up. I chased that car for three city blocks in the snow. My shoes were lost, and the ice was cutting my feet until they were bloody. I was screaming until my throat was raw: “Mom! Mom, look at me! It’s Carlton! Your father is dying! Please turn back!” But the car never stopped, not even for a second. She was sitting inside. Maybe she heard, maybe she didn’t. But she didn’t look back. When I finally limped, bloody and exhausted, back to the hospital. All I saw was a white sheet pulled over my father’s head. The nurse looked at me, her eyes full of pity and helplessness. “Kid, your dad waited for you…” “He kept staring at the door, refusing to close his eyes.” That day, I lost the father who loved me, and the mother who rejected me. I hated her. Reliving those memories, my tears came in a fresh, violent torrent. I grabbed Selena’s shirt, crying like a helpless child. “She killed my dad!” “She left me an orphan!” “Selena, why is she back now? If she was going to leave, why couldn’t she have stayed gone forever?” Selena listened, her eyes red-rimmed. She didn’t try to offer platitudes. She just held me tighter, her arms squeezing me so hard it felt like she was trying to absorb me into her very bones. “Carlton, stop. Don’t cry.” “You have me. You have June. We are your family now.” “You are not alone anymore.” She was right. I wasn’t alone anymore. I had Selena. I had June. But why did my heart still feel so desolate? The next morning, New Year’s Day, Selena had to go to work. June was still quiet and subdued from the night before, so I bundled her up and took her to the park across the street. The park was crowded. I sat on a bench, looking down at my phone to answer a quick holiday text. When I looked up again, June, who had been busy building a snow-fort, was gone! My heart seized in my chest. “June?” “June!” Silence. The horrifying images from two decades ago—the black suits, the forced car ride—flashed in my mind. I screamed her name, asking every person I saw. Until I rushed past a cluster of pine trees behind the playground. And I saw her. Sylvie Hawthorne was holding June’s hand! She was bent over, pushing something into June’s arms. June seemed to be struggling a little. In that instant, all reason evaporated. She was here to take the last remaining piece of my family, just like she took me to terrorize my father! I grabbed a large, hard slab of ice from a snowdrift. I charged. I swung the ice block and slammed it into Sylvie’s back! “Let her go!” A heavy, sickening thud. Sylvie stumbled, collapsing face-first into the snow. She lay there, motionless for a long moment. But whatever she was holding, she shielded fiercely. “Sylvie Hawthorne, you monster!” “You kidnapped me to threaten my father then, and now you’re trying to kidnap my daughter to threaten me?” I was hysterical, grabbing handfuls of snow and hurling them at her prone body. June was terrified by the sudden violence. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around my legs, screaming. “Daddy! Don’t hit the nice lady!” “She was just giving me a snack!” I froze. Sylvie, grimacing in pain, slowly struggled to her feet. She wasn’t angry. She didn’t even bother to brush the snow off her expensive coat. Her first concern was the food scattered on the ground. “It’s dirty… It’s all ruined…” She looked distraught, like a scolded child, frantically trying to salvage the pieces. “Carlton… I saw the child was hungry…” “I saw her staring at the other kids’ fried chicken.” “This is still hot. I ran to the drive-thru just now and kept it tucked inside my coat so it wouldn’t get cold.” “You used to love this when you were little.” My eyes fixed on the familiar red and white cardboard bucket. When I was a kid, only on my birthday would Sylvie scrape together enough money to take me to KFC. She always ordered one meal, watched me eat it, and claimed she didn’t like grease. I stared at the snow-covered chicken, tears burning in my eyes. But I forced them back. “I don’t like it anymore.” Sylvie’s hand trembled as she reached into an inner pocket and pulled out a bank card. It was one of those old, flimsy magnetic strip cards, the edges worn white. “Carlton, it’s all my fault.” “There’s $5 million on this card. It’s the money from the sale of my grandmother’s estate.” “I know money can’t fix anything, but… please, take it.” “I want you and your father to be able to live comfortably.” She looked up at me tentatively. “Carlton, how is your father? Is he well?” “It’s been so long. I… I’d like to see him.” Hearing that, my crying stopped instantly. See my dad? What an outrageous, obscene joke. I stared at Sylvie, my gaze chilling to the core. “You want to see him?” A flicker of desperate hope ignited in Sylvie’s eyes. “Can I? Just from a distance. I won’t bother him.” “Fine. I’ll grant your wish.” I grabbed the collar of her expensive coat and dragged her back to our apartment. Sylvie stumbled behind me, offering no resistance. Once inside, I shoved her hard into the center of the living room. Then, I pointed to the small, simple memorial table in the corner and roared. “He’s right there! He’s looking at you now!” “Did you see him clearly?! This is the man you wanted to see!” Sylvie’s body seized up. She slowly, shakily, raised her head. Hanging in the center of the living room was a black-and-white photo. The man in the picture was young, handsome, with a gentle smile playing on his lips. The man she had supposedly loved all her life. He was staring down at her, cold and stern. Sylvie was struck as if by lightning. She froze, her whole being collapsing inward. Her lips worked frantically, a rasping sound caught in her throat, unable to form a single, coherent word.

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On the long drive to my in-laws’ town, I was scrolling through a toxic, viral social media thread. The post title was: [My brother married an outsider, and she acts like a guest when she visits. She never helps Mom with chores. She’s coming for the holidays—what should I do?] The comments section was predictably explosive. The original poster (OP) was replying to every piece of advice with aggressive details: [She’s from the city and won’t eat our local food. After Mom cooks a huge dinner, she just sits there picking at her plate, looking miserable. It’s so irritating! If she hates it so much, why doesn’t she cook? Does she not have hands?] [This holiday, I’m going to properly discipline her.] [I’m going to make Mom pretend her arm is broken. Let’s see how she can justify sitting around then.] The car was just reaching the town limits. I quickly closed the thread, ready to brace myself for the visit. But before my husband, Bryce, could even pull the SUV to a stop, I got a text from his younger sister. **Maddie: June, Mom broke her arm. Maddie: She’s being discharged today. Can you guys pick us up at the hospital? ** 01 I stared at the screen, then turned to Bryce Harrington, who was maneuvering the car into a parking spot. “Your mom broke her arm? Why didn’t you tell me?” His hands on the steering wheel tensed, and the SUV jerked to a stop. “My mom broke her arm? When? Who told you? I had no idea.” Seeing the genuine shock on his face, I knew he was clueless, too. I showed him the message. He immediately pulled out his phone and called his mother, Beverly. She picked up quickly. “Hello, sweetie, you’re here already?” Bev’s voice was too cheerful for someone in pain. “Your sister, bless her heart, I told her not to bother you two. She just never listens.” “It’s nothing major, just an unfortunate fracture. I saw the doctor, no need to worry.” She sighed theatrically. “It’s just impossible to grab an Uber here. Would you mind having June drive the car to the hospital to get us?” “You don’t need to come. You’ve been driving all day—go home and rest.” Listening to the don’t-overexert-my-son spiel on the speaker, I pursed my lips. It was always this way. Bryce, the precious son, was to be shielded. I, the daughter-in-law, was perfectly disposable. Resigned, I took the keys and drove to the hospital. I saw Bev and Maddie the moment I pulled up. They were standing outside, laughing. As the car stopped, Maddie yanked open the passenger door. She froze when she saw Bryce. “Bryce, what are you doing here? Mom told you to go home and rest!” She looked over at me with a judgmental frown. “June, honestly, you’re so inconsiderate. My brother is exhausted from the drive. Why couldn’t you have just let him go rest?” I almost laughed out loud. We’d driven cross-country from San Francisco to his little town in Idaho. I drove the first twelve hours; he drove the last eight. I was just as exhausted. Before I could fire back, Bev slipped into the backseat. She shot Maddie a warning look. “Madison, don’t talk to June that way. You’re being rude.” Then, she smiled apologetically at me. “June, you must be worn out from the trip.” “I was planning to make a beautiful dinner, but then I slipped and fractured my arm. Now I have to bother you to pick me up.” I forced a smile and shook my head. “It’s no trouble, Bev. We’re family. Is your arm okay?” Bev avoided my gaze, her voice a little too light. “It’s fine. I just can’t do any heavy lifting. I’m afraid the housework is all going to fall on you.” On the way home, I remembered the awful thread I’d been scrolling through. The situation was similar—a broken parent. But the details felt wrong. The OP claimed the sister-in-law wouldn’t cook. When Bev had been sick a couple of years ago, I didn’t cook, but I hired a professional chef. The food was great. Maddie, however, had spent the entire time making snide remarks. “Big city girls are something else. Asking her to help Mom is like asking for her life. She’d rather spend a fortune on a chef than get her hands dirty.” “If you have money to waste, you can just give it to me. I need it.” I’d been so angry that I took her plate right off the table. If you don’t like the food I paid for, don’t eat it. Had she been holding onto that grudge this whole time? That seemed too petty, even for Maddie. While waiting at a red light, I reopened the thread. It was still being updated. [My sister-in-law is picking us up from the hospital right now. We’re on the way home.] [When we get there, I have a HUGE surprise waiting for her.] [Discipline Step Two: Changing the master bedroom she commandeered into my princess suite. We’re going to grind away her arrogance little by little.] Reading that last line, I finally relaxed. I didn’t live with Bryce’s family. 02 When Bryce and I got married, my parents, Laura and George, bought a three-bedroom townhouse in Bryce’s hometown as part of my settlement, knowing we’d return for holidays. We lived here when we visited. Bryce’s family lived in their own house nearby. Sometimes, they’d come over to my house and cook dinner for us before going home. So, when we reached the turn-off, and Maddie called out, “June, take us straight to the new house,” I didn’t think much of it and turned onto the street leading to my townhouse. We soon arrived. When the elevator reached the 18th floor, I stepped out first to open the door. It was the same biometric lock, but my fingerprint failed several times. I tried the old code. That failed too. I frowned, turning to Bryce. “The lock’s broken. Can you call a handyman?” “Broken? No way. I was here on business last month, and it was fine.” When he saw me fail one more time, he reached for his phone. Maddie stopped him. “Bryce, don’t. The lock isn’t broken.” She squeezed past us and placed her finger on the reader. The lock clicked open. Maddie saw my confused look and waved her hand dismissively. “Oops, sorry, I accidentally deleted the old fingerprints a while back. And that old passcode was way too simple, so I changed it.” “You don’t mind, do you, June?” Her face held no trace of apology. I looked at her, my voice low. “What’s the new code?” “My birthday, obviously.” With that, she ushered Bev into the house, leaving me and Bryce standing in the hallway. The old code had been my birthday. Now it was hers. And this was my house. I looked for Bryce, but he was already inside, laughing and chatting with his family. The hallway light timed out, plunging me into darkness while they stood together in the light. I took a deep breath and slowly stepped inside. After a moment of searching, I found my indoor slippers crammed into a corner. One of the white velvet slippers had a dark, muddy footprint on it. I changed my shoes, my lips pressed into a thin line, and headed for the master suite to drop my bags. On the way, I noticed unfamiliar anime figures on the TV stand, and plates of old, uncovered takeout on the dining table. The wall of the open office—my office—was covered with several framed school awards that weren’t mine. A knot tightened in my chest. When I reached the master bedroom door, I saw a pink, beaded curtain hanging on the frame, and a fluffy pink cartoon cover on the doorknob. These were not there before. The word “surprise” from that thread flashed in my mind. The moment I pushed the master bedroom door open, the heart in my chest plummeted. The original charcoal and white furniture—my furniture—was gone. In its place was a monstrous pink canopy bed and a huge white armoire. A fuzzy, deep-pile carpet covered the floor, stopping me from taking another step. The room that belonged to the owners of the house was completely transformed into Madison’s princess suite. The person on that disgusting thread—the arrogant, hated sister-in-law—was me. A sudden, sharp chill pierced through my body, as if I had been plunged into a lake of ice. A sound of hurried footsteps came from behind me, followed by Maddie’s voice, full of manufactured outrage. “June, why did you just open my door without knocking? Bedrooms are private spaces! Didn’t you learn any basic manners in the city? That’s so rude!” She then feigned a look of shocked realization, covering her mouth as she looked at me with faux embarrassment. “Oh, June, I’m so sorry! I forgot to tell you—we changed the master bedroom into my suite. You and Bryce can take the small guest room.” “I mean, you only come back a couple of times a year. This huge room would just sit empty. Why not let me use it?” I looked at her, my voice glacially cold. “No. I mind. Change it back immediately.” Maddie glared, ready to fight. “Why should I?” “Because this is my house.” Maddie let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “Your house? Get it straight, June. This is my brother’s family’s house, not yours. Your home is in San Francisco, Princess.” “If you want to play the mistress of the house, go back to California. Don’t think you can throw your weight around in our family’s home!” She shoved past me, planting her hands on her hips, standing guard at the bedroom door like she was defending a fortress. I looked at her with a bitter smile. Bryce didn’t even have the right to call this his house. How dare she? “My parents bought this house for me, and the title is in my name. Does that make this my house? Does that make me the mistress?” Maddie’s face instantly paled, but then she shrieked. “Mom! Bryce! Come quickly! She’s bullying me!” Bryce and Bev rushed over, standing immediately on either side of Maddie as she spun a tale. “She’s tormenting me!” “I’m in my final year of high school. I need a quiet, spacious place to study! And she’s saying I stole her room and told me to get out!” Bryce frowned, looking at his sister with disapproval. “Maddie, you should have at least asked us before moving into the master. That’s inappropriate.” “Apologize to June!” Maddie pouted, looking at her mother. Bev was instantly defensive. She shielded Maddie and looked at me with a pained expression. “June, this is my fault, not hers. Please don’t blame her.” “The old house’s plumbing failed, and we couldn’t stay there. We had to move into the new house temporarily.” “There are only two bedrooms here, and I didn’t want to affect her studies, so I told her to use the master suite.” “I meant to call you, but I was so busy, and with the accident… I just forgot. If you’re angry, be angry at me. Please don’t blame Maddie, she’s still a child. She doesn’t know any better.” 03 A child? She was eighteen, perfectly capable of running a calculated online smear campaign about me and twisting the narrative about occupying my master suite. Still a child? I laughed without humor. I looked at Bryce. “Your family moved into my house. Why didn’t you tell me?” I’d bought this place specifically to avoid conflict with his family. When we bought it, I made it clear to Bryce: this was my property. They could visit, but they could never move in permanently. He had agreed. But now… Before Bryce could speak, Bev cut in. “Bryce, your sister is at a critical point in her studies. Please just let her stay here.” “The moment she finishes her exams, I promise I’ll make her move back to the old house. We absolutely won’t impose on you anymore.” “As for me and your dad, we’ll move back today. We’ll just manage with the leaking pipes.” Bryce’s face darkened at the thought of his parents suffering. He quickly rushed to prove his filial devotion. “Mom, don’t talk like that. My house is your house. Stay as long as you want. I would never kick you out!” “If you left, what would the rest of the family say? They’d think I’m a terrible son.” He turned to me, his voice pleading and helpless. “Honey, we’re only here for a few days anyway. Let her use the master for now.” “We’re family. There’s no need to make a fuss over something so small.”

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On the day my husband retired, he immediately filed for divorce. In court, his gaze quickly swept over my disabled left leg, saying: “For forty years, I’ve had enough of facing your leg full of scars every day.” “Our marriage was transactional. Marrying you for this job was too heavy a price, crushing me so I could never stand up.” “Meredith, I don’t have a second forty years to waste, please let me go.” But he forgot, back then it was me who crippled a leg to exchange for his Union Job and benefits, which led to his glorious retirement today. I was smashed cold by the cruel reality, suppressed the bloody taste in my throat, only said one sentence. “Divorce is fine, you leave with nothing.” But in the assets publicized by the judge, there was only a measly less than ten thousand dollars. Turns out, for over twenty years, the family assets had long been donated by Jerry to his High School Sweetheart’s son without return. My eyes went black, fell heavily. In the last sight, Jerry didn’t look at me once, red-eyed running towards Scarlett in the gallery. Opening eyes again, I returned to the day I used my leg injury to exchange for Jerry’s job. This time, I unhesitatingly chose the huge Worker’s Comp Settlement, went far to New York to treat my leg. Jerry, I let you fend for yourself. … Chapter 1 In the Finance Office. I sat blankly on the chair, chest still remaining the suffocating despair from previous life. Finance Susan sighed, still constantly persuading me. “Meredith, you really want to give up the settlement, just want a family member spot for Jerry?” “I can’t say much about your decision, just some things, holding in hand is your own.” “Once the Settlement Confirmation is handed up, there is no chance to regret.” I stared fixedly at that Offer Letter, clearly written on it: I, Meredith, voluntarily give up the job at the Auto Plant and all compensation. Only request the factory to solve lover Jerry’s job and insurance. Job, insurance, everything he couldn’t ask for, lightly placed in front of me. My mind flashed back to Jerry’s deep affection kneeling in front of me in previous life. He said: “Meredith, you just lost a leg, but I will use my whole life to take care of you, I swear.” “Beg you give me a chance to stay in the city work, so we can be together forever.” That time I never thought, the lifetime he promised, was like a joke. Just retired, he unhesitatingly drafted the complaint, divorcing me. Before going to court, Jerry said word by word coldly. “Meredith, I hate myself for giving up dignity for the so-called job and benefits back then, violating my heart to marry you, missed out with my beloved.” “I endured you for forty years, the remaining time, I don’t want to waste anymore.” In my mind, masochistically constantly replaying the scene of Jerry running towards Scarlett in relief. Tears caught off guard smashed down. Drop by drop fell on the injured leg, severe pain made me recover from daze. Raised hand wiped tears on face, took the Settlement Confirmation handed by Susan. Then, unhesitatingly tore the confirmation into pieces. “Susan, you are right, I don’t want the family member spot, I want the settlement.” “Also I want to apply for Medical Leave from the factory, go to New York, treat my leg injury.” Coming out of the Finance Office, I saw Jerry standing outside the gate at a glance. And Scarlett hiding behind him. My eyes flashed thick mockery. Jerry, my leg disabled for half a life, will no longer be your stepping stone to return to the city. Don’t know if you guys can still be as loving as previous life. Seeing me come out, Jerry’s eyes flashed urgency, stepped forward few steps, lowered voice asked me. “Meredith, you signed right? Where is my Offer Letter?” I tightly gripped the crutch, difficultly retreated half a step, gaze fell on Scarlett’s face behind Jerry. Coldly said: “What did you bring her here for?” Scarlett mockingly swept me a glance, gaze finally fell on my left leg unable to stand, hooked lip corner. Voice spoken however timid and gentle: “Sister Meredith, heard your leg can’t be cured, can only use crutch for a lifetime?” “Sigh, I was just worried you sad, wanted to come comfort you that’s all.” “If I made you unhappy, I go now.” Jerry frowned, protectively blocked in front of Scarlett. Suppressed impatience in eyes, voice added few points of coldness. “Don’t make it difficult for Scarlett.” “Rest assured, as long as job and insurance are solved, I will marry you, even if you use crutch for a lifetime, I don’t mind.” I pulled lip corner. These two, determined I would give up the settlement, then because no money to treat, become a cripple forever unable to walk normally. But in previous life, just one year after marriage, Jerry used busy work as excuse moved to worker dormitory, separated with me. I even despicably wanted to have a child to keep his heart. But Jerry simply didn’t touch me. Until the day Scarlett got married, he drank drunk, stumbled back home. He disgustedly smashed the wine bottle on my twisted ugly leg, voice cold and vicious. “Do you know how others talk about me behind back? They look down on me, say I rely on a cripple to live!” “But are you a woman? You look like a monster!” “Meredith, I look at you one more glance, all feel disgusting.” Really disgusting. I forcefully closed eyes, suppressed the sourness surging from bottom of heart. Look at him again, eyes no longer a trace of past affection. Voice only left undisguised mockery, word by word clearly said: “Jerry, you just want the Offer Letter so much.” “Exactly want marry me, or want the Auto Plant’s union job and benefits?” Jerry’s face swish became very ugly. He stared at me in disbelief, emotions surging in eyes, embarrassment, anger, also resentment. After all couple once, I know too well where to stab the knife most painful. Dignity, reputation Jerry cared about, at this moment trampled by me under feet, wantonly humiliated. He dead pursed lips, just about to speak. Scarlett caught off guard rushed out, like crazy bumped towards me. Injured leg couldn’t support, I fell on the ground at once. Injured left leg cracked, seeping blood dyed pant leg red, pain made my face pale. Scarlett face full of tears pointing at me, voice shaking unlike shape: “Meredith, based on what you humiliate Jerry so much!” “Could it be in your eyes, we people returned from countryside have no dignity, have to accept your cold mockery hot satire?” “He already promised to marry you, what exactly do you still want?” Scarlett while crying, while blocking in front of Jerry, a look of willing to give up everything for him. I fell on ground embarrassed, struggled long time, how also couldn’t get up. That voided Offer Letter in pocket, fell on ground. Jerry eyes brightened, bent waist picked up the Offer Letter on ground. Short few lines, he carefully read for long time, fingertips even unconsciously trembling. Gaze, finally fell on me. “Tomorrow, I will wait for you at City Hall…” And Scarlett pretended to want to help me up, but toe tip heavily stepped on my injured leg. She leaned close to me, in eyes, was resentment like venomous snake. Anger and severe pain made my whole body uncontrollably tremble, only wanted to use all strength throw off Scarlett. Just haven’t touched her, Scarlett body swayed, whole person suddenly uncontrollably fell backward. She screamed, crying said to me: “Sister Meredith, I wrong, I shouldn’t throw temper at you just now.” “You hit me however doesn’t matter, all my fault.” “Jerry he hard to return from rural, I just too worried he can’t get Offer Letter, worried you intentionally difficult him.” Scarlett this fall, made Jerry instantly anxious face changed big. He quick eye quick hand scooped person back to arms, nervously up down checked, then angrily a grab my arm. Voice like squeezed out from lung ugly: “Meredith, what exactly are you making trouble for!” “Apologize to Scarlett!” I threw off his pull, acute emotion fluctuation made me even breathing rapid few points, voice also shaking. “Based on what I apologize?” Jerry half embracing Scarlett in arms, cold gaze inch by inch swept over my body. Sight collided, I showed no weakness meeting his gaze, red eye bottom, was surging hate. “Jerry, based on what?” His gaze shrank a bit, subconsciously wanted to reach hand help fallen me up. Just hand haven’t touched me, Scarlett in arms low sobbed out sound. “Sister Meredith, you don’t hurt Jerry like this okay?” “He hard to come back from countryside, ate so much bitter.” “Count I beg you, help him, you lost only a leg, but without this chance, Jerry loses future life.” Jerry then recovered spirit, looked down at Scarlett in arms, gaze gentle and complex. “Scarlett… thank you.” How funny. Paid lifetime is me, crippled is me, he however because her light few sentences, full heart full eyes only can hold a Scarlett. I endured pain, mockingly asked back. “You use what identity require me? Scarlett, don’t take yourself too seriously…” Voice not fall, Jerry light laughed once, high above interrupted my words. “Meredith, person don’t take self too seriously, is you.” “Now except me, who else will marry you a cripple without job?” Jerry finished, put away Offer Letter. Holding Scarlett’s hand, didn’t even look at me covered in injuries once, turned strode away. Scarlett tightly snuggling in his arms proudly bent lip corner to me. Until two people’s back disappeared in sight, I then supported wall difficultly climbed up from ground. Bit by bit wiped tears on face, coldly took back sight. Jerry, you really think holding a voided Offer Letter, can get everything you want? Dreaming. Chapter 2 Next day, I finished factory’s Medical Leave and settlement procedures, then met Jerry again. He iron green face, motionless stood at factory gate, gaze coldly following my figure. Eye bottom rolling surging anger. Soon, Scarlett rushed to my front, raised hand fiercely want hit me a slap. Scarlett hysterical roared at me. “Meredith, why you want ruin my reputation! Why you want rumor I married and had kids in countryside!” “Why don’t you go die!” I no defense, rawly took her a slap. Brain boom a sound exploded, raised hand think not think just want fan towards Scarlett. Just haven’t touched her, arm was forcefully grabbed by Jerry. He confined me in place, deep voice warned. “Meredith, you dare touch Scarlett try!” Scarlett stopped crying, hid in Jerry’s arms, silently smiled provocatively at me. Suppressed long time anger burst out at once, I threw off Jerry’s hand, eyes was despair hate wishing tear two people to pieces. During dispute, Jerry threw me to ground, voice full of anger. Things in box heavily smashed on ground. “Enough!” “Meredith, you spread rumors ruined Scarlett’s reputation, caused her lose hard got job.” “As compensation, I won’t marry you, I will marry Scarlett, this is you owe her!” I dead bit lip, mouth filled with a layer of rust taste. So, cheating me sign Settlement Confirmation, get Offer Letter, bully me no one to rely, open and aboveboard break engagement marry Scarlett, is his Jerry’s good calculation? Step by step, harm me waste previous life, despair die miserably. Lucky, this time, won’t. I swallowed blood taste in throat, difficultly climbed up from ground, picked up box walked out. Jerry raised hand wanted stop me, but blocked back by Scarlett calmly. “Jerry, today go factory handle entry first important.” “Sister Meredith she just throw temper gamble with you, wait a period she think through then fine.” Behind, suddenly came Jerry deep voice. “Meredith, you admit mistake to Scarlett, later, I will look at acquainted once affection help you a hand.” “Otherwise, you don’t regret.” I mockingly pulled lip corner, head not back left. Jerry gaze deep stared at my back, eye bottom, emotion obscure nameless. In Plant Manager office, Jerry carefully took out that Offer Letter, voice carried few points anxiety, Scarlett also stood behind him face full expectation, as if already saw future good days in city. “Manager, you look, which workshop I enter?” Manager swept a glance at that thin Offer Letter, light laughed once, laughter meaning unknown. Jerry frowned, suppressed temper, low voice said: “I am Meredith comrade family member, she injured for work, crippled a leg for factory, this is factory give my…” Compensation two words rawly stuck in throat. Jerry’s voice stopped abruptly when seeing that signed and stamped Settlement Confirmation thrown in front of him by Manager. His face stiff, a grab Settlement Confirmation, eye bottom full disbelief, chest violently heaving. Voice hoarse unlike shape. “Give up family member job compensation, receive $200,000 settlement?” “Impossible, Manager, impossible, Meredith she promised me!” “She promised me! I don’t believe, this must be factory forged, I don’t believe!” Manager looked at Jerry in front, face gradually cold down. “Hehe, factory not as to for a job position forge signature.” “Since you say Meredith gave compensation to you, then where is she?” “Also, you have what evidence prove you are Meredith’s family member, according to my knowledge, Little Meredith worked diligently in factory many years, heart on production line, till now not married!” Jerry fiercely fell sitting on ground. Yes, he has no evidence. Even just before entering door, he personally said, want marry Scarlett words. He even, high above threatened let her don’t regret… Jerry finally reacted, these days, he immersed in excitement of can return city, get job, ignored how many details. Turns out from start to end person master leading power, not him Jerry. Now, Meredith who once believed him, loved him directly flipped table not play. His calculation, his greed of want both, became a joke. Jerry chaotic brain at this moment sober up, hand dead clutching that Settlement Confirmation, heart, finally uncontrollably panicked. Next second, Jerry crazy like rushed out of Manager office. Ignore behind Scarlett urgent shout, stumble rush towards station. “Meredith, you promised me, you promised will give me job, you absolutely can’t abandon me.” “I not allow, I absolutely not allow!” And I, already sat on train to New York, carrying full heart expectation, stepping towards my new life. Sight fell on faintly aching leg, heart, floated traces anxiety and fear. But soon, cured by scenery along way again. Even if can’t cure this leg, at least, I worked hard for myself. Jerry that puddle of mud, no longer can trap me. Chapter 3 Five days later, train arrived New York. I used crutch carefully avoided crowd walk out train station, looking at bustling crowd in front, eye rims suddenly wet. Previous life, Jerry’s coldness, neglect, trapped me in family building. Day after day inferiority and pain tortured me unlike shape, even because too care others eyes, decades not dare go downstairs. Until receive Jerry’s divorce complaint, I first time walked out home door. Trapping me not only disabled leg, also my own heart. I deeply breathed a mouthful fresh air, eye bottom, rose hope light. Next day, I settled down, early went to hospital. Took X-ray did a series checks after, doctor wearing white coat voice deep told me. “Comminuted fracture, if treat earlier, would suffer less.” “But now…” Clearly long prepared for worst, but hearing doctor words, my tears still uncontrollably smashed down. So even restart a life, some destined things, still no way change? Young doctor light coughed once, explained: “Now treat, need to re-break already grew crooked misplaced leg bone re-connect, surgery process will be very painful.” “Treatment time will also be relatively long.” I fiercely raised head, tear light in eyes twinkling into hope stars. Reacted after, busy not fall express: “I not afraid pain doctor, as long as can cure my leg, how pain I not afraid.” “Time longer a bit, also no matter.” Doctor behind desk smiled, word by word solemnly said to me: “Believe me, definitely will let your every step later, walk steady steady.” Heart spread a layer soreness. My sight fell on person chest in front, there, pinned a narrow name tag. Dr. Hayes. Full five months, I entered surgery room five times, then transferred to Rehab. After last surgery ended, Dr. Hayes stood by surgery table, taking advantage anesthesia effect time, suddenly asked me. “Leg good after, what you want do?” I blankly looked at surgery light overhead, mind flashed many thoughts. Haven’t time open mouth, then lost all consciousness. Last sentence heard in ear, was a vague sigh. “Stay in New York, okay?” Wake again, I already transferred to Rehab, started long rehab training. Time and time fall again time and time stand up, even body fell blue purple, I never say bitter, also not shout pain. Bite teeth, from start need hold railing slow move, to can walk one two steps. Like child just learned walk, every can forward step a step, can let me excited tear fall. Until three months later, I finally could not use any external force, walked one circle after another. When I steady walked down stairs, under steps, Dr. Hayes stood there. Hands in pocket, eyes with smile looking at me, soft voice said: “I said, believe me, I can let your every step later walk steady steady.” “Look, we all did it, isn’t it?” I stood on steps, heavy nodded. “Yes.” He smiled, always calm eyes, suddenly floated few points anxiety. “Meredith, then do you want walk towards me?” My brain boom a sound exploded. Whole person hand foot no place stand in place. Beside is come come go go people, they time and time walk pass my side, countless voices ring in my ear. “A cripple, just don’t come out affect others okay.” “Meredith, look your current appearance, really disgusting.” “Don’t lose face for me!” “…” But now have a person, he stand there, soft voice ask me “want walk towards him.” I stiff stand, sight blankly condense on that person face under steps. Heart bottom has a seed, break earth, sprout, then in Dr. Hayes eyes, grew into towering tree. He tentative extended hand. I lift foot, step by step, steady walked over. I hear my own voice: “Okay.” Factory approved me three years leave. Now, my leg already cured, I need go back arrange things haven’t handled well. Before leave New York, Dr. Hayes sent me on train. His gaze fell on my face, sighed, said: “Come back write me letter advance, I come pick you.” “Also your leg, don’t long time stand and walk, want more rest.” “Right, don’t forget go get single status certificate.” Chattering all way say non-stop. My heart surged a stream warmth, until sat on train, he stood on platform very long, then slowly turned leave. Just short three years, my state of mind already completely different from when uneasy went far to New York. That time had unease to future, had confusion to own leg injury. Until train arrived station walk out platform, I looked at familiar street view in front, then had reality feeling of self finally back again. Previous life current life, like a dream. I fast walked towards Auto Plant. Just I didn’t expect, I would meet Jerry in factory. Heart flashed a wipe disgust, face expression also instant cold down. Just three years not see, he haggard as if changed a person. Cautious, gaze shrink, standing in corner of guard room, register in out visit personnel. Once high above Engineer Jerry, once enter production line became core Jerry, now, became Auto Plant guard. I secretly light laugh once. Maybe, for love not want future, this is his choice? After all in his eyes, Scarlett is white moonlight he hang one life can’t put down ah. Seeing me, Jerry had a moment stun, pen in hand clatter a sound smashed on table. Jerry gaze condense on my face, long time, then somewhat choke open mouth said: “Meredith?” “You, you these years went where? You…” His sight fell on my leg. No crutch, wheelchair, also not use any external force, I just steady stood there. Jerry tongue tip that sentence you live good or not rawly stuck in throat. Just at this time, behind suddenly came a familiar voice. “Meredith? You still come back do what!” “You harm us harm still not enough miserable right!” “Why you not go die! Are you come back rob Jerry with me?” “I tell you, you dream!” I turn head, saw Scarlett face full twisted hate. All familiar people. Just pity ah, she difference with my memory too big, if meet on road, I not necessarily recognize. Scarlett once start was arranged by Jerry in broadcast station, once rated as factory flower person. Just now, that gentle elegant temperament on her body disappeared without trace, replaced by, is violent and vulgar. See I turn head look her, Scarlett eye bottom burst out acute hate, she fierce pounced towards me, raised hand fierce want fan towards me. “Shameless bitch!” I haven’t moved. Jerry then rapid rushed over, a grab her arm, pushed person fierce back a push. Then caught off guard raised big hand, a slap fanned on Scarlett face. “Enough!” “Scarlett you this shrew, don’t lose face for me okay!” I raised eyebrow. Sight fell on Jerry limp leg, long half section pant leg drag on ground. His leg, when crippled? Detect my sight, Jerry fierce shrank a bit, whole person appear awkward and overwhelmed. He almost choking low voice beg: “Don’t look me, Meredith, beg you, don’t use that kind gaze look me.” I smiled. “Jerry, how you make yourself into this look ah?” “Really, too relieve anger ah.” Jerry’s face, instant pale down. He motionless stood in place, despair closed eyes, ask me. “You still hate me right? Hate I back then allow Scarlett slander, bully you right?” “Meredith, these years separate with you, I every night every night regret. I clearly love is you ah.” “Regret myself blind eyes, regret myself didn’t firmly stand by your side.” “If back then I didn’t be deceived, bewitched by Scarlett, today we is it will be different?” I retreat few steps, use look trash gaze look towards him. “Don’t disgusting people.” “Regret? Hehe, you just regret didn’t get benefit then a kick me away, regret didn’t calculate me to nothing that’s all.” “You never love who, you love, only selfish self.” Finish, I unhesitatingly walked into Auto Plant, walk towards Manager office. Behind came Scarlett hysterical crying shout sound, smash sound, and Jerry heavy fall on ground emit muffled sound. Steps pause, I slightly turn head look towards him. Jerry fell on ground, allow Scarlett tear splash on his body. Several times want climb up but because one leg inconvenient, embarrassed time and time fall on ground. Wind water turn turn, this time embarrassed person, became him. See I turn head, Jerry not move, not struggle. Eye bottom rise crushed light, look towards me. Press in my heart bottom that disperse not go depression, suddenly all dispersed. I didn’t pause, resolutely leave. That wipe light in Jerry eyes, completely annihilate. Replace come, is strong hate.

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The new intern Lexi claimed she was diagnosed with a “Self-Love Personality”, everything must prioritize herself first. I led her to work on a Multi-million Dollar Proposal, she directly deleted the most difficult cost analysis page to save trouble. “Calculating this is too tiring, it will generate negative emotions in me, Self-Care is the first rule.” Meeting a big client, she ordered herself top A5 Wagyu Beef, but ordered a Kids’ Meal for the client. “Client has a bad stomach, Kids’ Meal is just right for nursing the stomach, and I don’t want to wrong my own stomach, any problem?” I endured anger to negotiate the contract, but turned around and found she signed my core proposal with her own name. Facing my questioning, she was self-righteous: “Opportunities are originally meant to be fought for by oneself ah.” I laughed in anger. Fine, then cherish the opportunity you fought for yourself well. … Chapter 1 “Lexi, explain the proposal signature.” I slammed the file on her desk, pages curled instantly. She didn’t even lift her head, slowly filing her newly done nails. “Sarah, is there any problem?” I laughed in anger, pointing at the name Lexi on the cover. “I stayed up three nights for this proposal, how did the signature become you?” She blew off the powder on her nails, lifted her face with full makeup. “Sarah, opportunities are originally meant to be fought for by oneself ah.” She added as a matter of course. “Besides, I also helped you format and correct typos, doesn’t count as doing nothing right.” A fire rushed up my chest. “Your formatting, is deleting the most important cost analysis?” “That page was too hard, gave me a headache reading it.” She frowned. “Sarah, people have to practice Self-Care, internal friction for work is not worth it.” In the office, colleagues’ gazes already drifted over. I was just about to speak, Lexi’s eyes turned red, tears fell just like that. “Sarah, I know I’m an intern, but you can’t suppress newcomers like this.” Her volume was not big or small, just enough for the whole office to hear clearly. “I just wanted to contribute more, prove myself, did I do wrong?” She took out her phone, fingers flying. Screen shoved to my face, was a just posted Instagram Story. Picture was her selfie looking like about to cry, caption stinging. “Love yourself, start from rejecting ruthless PUA from workplace seniors. #WorkplaceBullying” Surrounding discussion sounds, instantly rang. “Sarah is too aggressive right, is it necessary to an intern?” “The little girl just wanted to learn more things that’s all.” “Sigh, credit being stolen definitely feels bad, but making a scene like this, is a bit too much.” I felt like I was stripped naked, exhibited in front of everyone. At this time, the Director’s office door opened. Director Johnson walked out with his beer belly: “What’s the noise? Don’t want to work?” Lexi immediately like finding a savior, crying pounced over. “Director Johnson, I just wanted to share Sarah’s burden, make the proposal better, but she… she insisted I stole credit.” Director Johnson patted her shoulder, a face of smoothing things over. “Sarah, what do you calculate with a newcomer, be more generous.” “Newcomer having enthusiasm is a good thing, you have to mentor.” I anxiously explained: “Director Johnson! She deleted the cost analysis page! This will cause big trouble!” Lexi immediately interrupted me, tone hiding pride. “Sarah, you are too anxious, need to grasp the big and let go of the small, creativity is the core.” She turned to look at Director Johnson, tears on face, but eyes full of pride. “Director Johnson, let me lead the presentation for this proposal, I have a good mindset, can better provide positive emotional value to the client.” Director Johnson actually nodded. “Fine, emotional value is very important, Sarah you assist her.” I froze in place, throat tight, couldn’t say a word. Lexi walked back to her seat, stopped when passing me. She picked up the coffee on my desk, poured it directly into the plant next to it. “Sarah, cold coffee hurts stomach, too un-Self-Care, I helped you pour it.” That was the pour-over I just made to refresh myself. Just seeped into the soil, gone. At night, I prepared to copy the original file, but found computer locked. Password error too many times. Lexi came out from the pantry, seeing me like this, covered mouth laughing. “Ouch Sarah, I wanted to help you change a lucky password, who knew your computer is as stupid as you.” She smiled and turned away, expression full of mockery. I stared at the black screen, fist clenched dead tight, nails almost embedded into flesh. Then, I slowly released my fist. Took out phone, pressed recording. Chapter 2 Night before the bid, I stayed in company, last time checking files. When I clicked open the final PPT uploaded by Lexi, blood almost coagulated. The cost analysis page, was still dazzlingly blank. I immediately dialed Lexi’s phone. Ringtone rang for half a minute, finally picked up, background was Spa water flow and light music. “Hello, Sarah?” Her voice lazy, with heavy nasal sound. “Lexi! Why is the cost analysis page still empty!” My voice trembled with anger. Other end of phone came her extremely dissatisfied mumble. “Sarah, I will handle it myself during work hours tomorrow.” “But now is off-work time, first step of Self-Care, is work and life must be separated.” “I’m doing Spa, don’t disturb me.” “Beep——” She directly hung up. Call again, already busy signal. Next day, bidding site. I stood on one side, watching Lexi under spotlight. She talked eloquently, blowing brand resonance into flowers according to the script prepared by company in advance. Client side person in charge, that rigorous middle-aged man Mr. Williams, actually also nodded frequently. Until PPT turned to financial budget. Blank. Whole venue dead silence. Client person in charge’s face instantly sank. “Miss Lexi, where is your cost analysis?” Lexi only stunned for a second, immediately put on a perfect smile. “Mr. Williams, data is cold, but the feeling we can bring you is priceless.” “We pursue soul collision, not number transaction.” Mr. Williams laughed out loud by these words. He “Snap” closed laptop, stood up. “Director Sarah, this is your company’s professionalism?” “A multi-million dollar project, don’t even have the most basic cost breakdown?” “Cooperation ends here, your company, permanent blacklist.” Every word, was like a slap on my face. Director Johnson’s face swelled into pig liver color. I rushed onto stage, bowed deeply to Mr. Williams. “Mr. Williams, sorry! Please give us another five minutes!” I grabbed whiteboard marker, relying on memory of staying up several nights, quickly wrote core costs. Manpower, materials, channels, risk fund… Numbers poured out like carved in brain. Huge pressure and fatigue of sleepless night, made stomach cramp in waves, eyes black. Finished writing last number, my legs soft, almost fell. Lexi then walked over slowly, stood aside, too lazy to even extend a hand. She not only had no trace of apology, instead said to Mr. Williams who already walked to door: “This gentleman, I think you should manage your emotions, getting angry so easily, is bad for body.” Mr. Williams’ back stiffened, disappeared at door without looking back. Director Johnson finally exploded, grabbed folder on table, fiercely smashed at my feet. “Sarah! How do you lead people! Company face all lost by you!” I haven’t opened mouth, Lexi snatched first step, crying tone came out. “Director Johnson, was Sarah taught me to grasp big let go small, I then deleted those unimportant details.” “I thought she as person in charge, would check at last.” I angry whole body trembling: “You lying!.” “Sarah, I have chat records.” She took out phone, made posture to flip. Director Johnson impatiently waved hand interrupted. “Enough! Sarah, major work mistake, suspended for reflection! This quarter bonus all deducted!” He turned to Lexi, face actually eased down. “Although Lexi lacks experience, but mentality is very stable. Follow up matter of comforting client, you follow up.” I froze in place like drained of all strength. Lexi walked to me, took out a sheet mask from her branded bag, stuffed into my hand. “Sarah, face all yellow, skin management is also part of Self-Care oh.” She leaned to my ear, used voice only we can hear said. “This bonus, just treat as paying tuition, buy a lesson.” Chapter 3 Second day of suspension, Director Johnson’s call smashed over, tone was command. “Sarah, return to company immediately! Mr. Zhao side loosened mouth, willing to meet, you take Lexi to apologize!” Mr. Zhao, the boss of that Mr. Williams, billionaire group owner. Able to make him turn back, presumably company spent big money. I rushed to company, Lexi already dressed up flower branch tremble. “Sarah, I booked the restaurant, absolutely fits our life aesthetics.” She winked at me, full of confidence. I didn’t speak, followed her into car. Restaurant located by river, top tier, every place revealed expensive. Mr. Zhao already arrived, sitting alone by window, face gloomy. I fast stepped forward, just about to open mouth apologize. Lexi however snatched first step, pulled chair sat down, action elegantly poured herself a cup of lemon water. “Waiter, one portion A5 Wagyu Beef, medium rare.” She finished ordering, closed menu, then picked up another menu from table. “Mr. Zhao,” she said with a tone of utmost care. “I can feel, your energy field is very tight, full of anxiety and fatigue.” “Eat this for health, light, good for you.” Saying ordered a cheapest Kids’ Meal. Air solidified. Lexi as if unaware, continue preaching like opening mouth. “Money can’t be earned finish, but a healthy soul is priceless. Today, we don’t talk work, only talk feelings.” Then, she turned menu to me, smile amiable. “Sarah, you also order one, don’t always think about pleasing others wronging yourself, women need to treat themselves better.” Mr. Zhao’s face was already very ugly. My brain buzzed, reason completely disconnected. To save situation, I suddenly stood up, lifted the decanter filled with high degree white liquor on table. “Mr. Zhao, it’s my fault, I didn’t lead subordinate well, let her speak so much nonsense!” “I punish myself three cups, apologize to you!” Voice not fallen, I raised head drank three cups in a row. Strong liquor like fire, burned from throat all way into stomach, severe pain instantly tightened my internal organs. Mr. Zhao’s face slightly eased, but still didn’t open mouth. I gritted teeth, filled three cups again. “Please you, give us another chance!” Six cups down stomach, I felt whole stomach turning rivers and seas. In blurred vision, I saw Lexi not only didn’t stop, instead took out phone, aimed at my embarrassed look. She opened TikTok, edited caption. “Taking senior to see world, she only knows using way of hurting body to talk business, really pathetic.” “New era women, should learn to solve problems elegantly. #WorkplaceWisdom #SelfCare” Mr. Zhao finally stood up. He didn’t even look at Lexi once, just deeply looked at me once. “Sarah, person you brought, today really opened my eyes.” Finished, he left without looking back. I couldn’t hold anymore, fiercely rushed to restroom, knelt before toilet vomiting sky dark earth dark. Stomach spasm one wave more violent than another, I pain cold sweat direct flow, even waist couldn’t straighten. Lexi stepped on high heels walked in, looking down at me high above. She handed a tissue, tone full of coquettish complaint. “This client really no taste, don’t understand energy and magnetic field at all, seriously affected my mood enjoying Wagyu.” I took tissue, wiped dirty stuff on mouth corner, raised head. In mirror, my face pale as paper. All humiliation, pain and anger, congealed at this moment. Back to company, I became everyone’s joke. “Heard? Sarah angered Mr. Zhao away, herself even drank to vomit.” “That intern she led is the god, dared treat Mr. Zhao Kids’ Meal!” Director Johnson called me into office, a suspension notice slammed on my face. “Roll home reflect!” I said nothing, packed things, left in countless eyes watching show. I locked myself at home. Company annual proposal design award review is about to begin. This is my only chance to flip the table. I called out all project data handled in few years, combined latest market trend, stayed up several nights. A brand new proposal formed in my hands. Suspension ended, I returned to company, everyday gray head dirt face sitting in corner. I crazy overtime, office light always lit for me. Same time a pair of eyes spying in darkness. Finally, a late night, I slept on table. Hand side, placed a black USB Drive. Label wrote: Final Proposal (Top Secret). Office surveillance, coincidentally broke few days ago, under repair. I buried in arm bend, peripheral vision glimpsed a figure. Lexi. She tiptoed walked to my desk, quickly pulled out USB Drive, disappeared in darkness. Next day, I collapsed making scene in office. “My USB Drive missing! Proposal I prepared for competition stolen!” Lexi sat aside, slow orderly applying hand cream, tone cool thin. “Sarah, did you forget where put yourself? Age big, memory bad also normal.” I saw pride couldn’t hide in her eyes bottom. Looks like she already found someone cracked password. Chapter 4 Annual Award Review Meeting. Company high levels all present. Host voice just fell, Lexi first raised hand. “Leaders, I have an epoch-making proposal, will bring subversive profit growth to company!” She stepped confident steps up stage, plugged in USB Drive. That was exactly the one I lost. PPT lit up, title was: 《Self-Careism Business —— Detonating Profit New Era》. Signature: Lexi. She talked eloquently, big talk online community pre-sale, member points leverage, consumption capitalization… A series operation sounded flowers falling from sky. Director Johnson watched two eyes shining light, body involuntarily leaned forward. Lexi’s voice echoed in conference room. “This is me practicing Self-Careism, in most relaxed, most self-loving state, researched new business model!” I sat under stage, face pale, body uncontrollably trembling. Surroundings cast countless sympathetic gazes. Lexi finished presentation, whole venue applause thunderous. Director Johnson stood up on spot, excitedly announced: “Lexi, convert to regular immediately! I appoint you as Deputy Director of Creative Department!” He turned to me, face sank: “Sarah, repeatedly make mistakes, thinking rigid, transfer to Admin Department responsible for miscellaneous duties immediately, reflect well!” Whole venue uproar. Lexi walked down stage amidst congratulations, straight came to me. She high above, extended finger painted bright red polish, frivolously patted my face. Action extreme insult. “Sarah, person has to consider for self, opportunity has to fight by self.” “This proposal, I accept with smile.” I raised head staring her. Slowly hooked mouth corner, soft voice opened mouth. “Lexi, you said right, person has to consider for self.” Lexi probably thought I accepted fate, proudly opened mouth: “Now understand my advanced thought?” Voice not fallen. Conference room heavy door fiercely pushed open. Several men wearing uniform, expression serious walked in. Leading person eyes like lightning, scanned whole venue. “Who is Lexi?” “We received report, you suspected Illegal Fundraising and Commercial Fraud.” Smile on Lexi’s face froze. Whole venue applause and congratulation sound, stopped abruptly. Everyone’s gaze, uniform nailed on those few uniformed personnel suddenly broke in. “I… I am Lexi.” Her voice trembling, eyes panicked. “Did you guys mistake? What commercial fraud?” Leading officer didn’t care her, gaze turned to me: “Is you called police?” I stood up from seat, nodded. “Yes, officer.” “I report Lexi, stole my commercial proposal, and attempted use this proposal conduct illegal fundraising.” Lexi instantly screamed: “You blood mouth spray people! Sarah, this is proposal I thought myself!” “You thought yourself?” I sneered, pressed video play button. Lexi sneaky walked into my office, pulled USB Drive while I slept. Lexi’s face, blood color instantly faded clean. Director Johnson completely confused, he pointed PPT on stage. “Then what problem this proposal has? I looked, very creative, profit very high!” I looked at Director Johnson, gaze ice cold. “Director Johnson, did you understand?” “This so-called business closed loop, essence is a Ponzi Scheme.” “Use new member prepayment, to pay old member so-called dividend, once capital chain breaks, company immediately carry huge debt.” “This is a logic trap that once started, will touch criminal law.” Sound of sucking cold air in conference room. Lexi crazy shook head: “No! I don’t know! This has no relation with me!” “Of course you don’t know.” I step by step walked to her, voice not loud, but word word punish heart. “Your eyes only have profit doubling, only thinking reach sky one step.” “For your interest, you didn’t even bother look at most basic legal risk.” “More importantly,” I paused. “To sit solid credit completely, you yesterday afternoon, already took this proposal stamped with your private seal, went tax department did project filing, right?” Lexi’s body violently swayed, almost collapsed. She impatiently walked official procedure, tied herself and this fraud proposal, firmly dead together. Officer stepped forward, showed a document: “Lexi, we have retrieved filing record from relevant department.” “This business plan submitted in your personal name, suspected constitute commercial fraud crime, please follow us back assist investigation.” “No! Is she framed me! Is Sarah!” Lexi completely collapsed, pointing me hysterically roaring. I face expressionless, pressed phone again. Another recording rang. “Opportunity has to fight by self.” “This proposal, I accept with smile.” Her self-righteous voice, in dead silent conference room appeared incomparable ironic. Director Johnson face from red turn white, lips trembling, pointing Lexi, couldn’t say a word. Two officers stepped forward, one left one right held her. Cold handcuffs, cuffed that hand just patted my face. “No! Let go me! I just want love myself! What wrong I have!” She was dragged out conference room, crazy crying shout gradually dissipated in corridor. I looked direction she disappeared, slowly exhaled a mouthful turbid air.

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We were married for six years, and Julian Thorne never loved me. But after I died, he went insane with grief. His devotion moved heaven and earth. On the first anniversary of my death, the King of Hell released me. “I hate to break up such a loving couple,” he said. “Go bring him down here.” 1 Before I died, I called Julian, wanting to see him one last time. He snapped at me impatiently. “Harper, are you done yet?” “Today is Scarlett’s birthday. Do you have to pick today to bring everyone down?” I smiled bitterly. “Julian, I told you many times. The cancer diagnosis isn’t fake. I feel terrible today, I— cough, cough—” “Julian! Come over here! Help me blow out the candles!” Scarlett’s voice rang out in the background. “I’m too lazy to deal with you. If you want to die, just go die.” Before I could finish, the line went dead. Julian hung up without hesitation. If you want to die, just go die. Those were the last words he ever said to me. I stared at the black screen of my phone and pulled the corners of my mouth into a silent smile. I couldn’t say I was heartbroken. Maybe after all these years, I was just numb. We were high school sweethearts, together from prom to the altar. We were supposed to be the couple everyone envied. But last year, I found out that Julian’s love letter back in high school was meant for someone else. He liked my best friend, my deskmate, Scarlett. Scarlett lived up to her name—big eyes, porcelain skin, dimples that popped when she smiled. She was the prom queen everyone wanted. Julian said Scarlett was too beautiful, too hard to get. He didn’t have the confidence. Coincidentally, I received his love letter and nodded yes, blushing. “Harper isn’t bad looking either. Plus, she’s close with Scarlett. If I date her, I can be around Scarlett every day. It’s great.” “I thought I’d just date her for a while and then break up. Who knew… sigh, Harper is kind of dumb.” “You guys saw how much she did for me over the years. I really couldn’t bear to hurt her.” “So I had to marry her. A man’s responsibility, you know?” Julian held his whiskey glass, feigning a look of潇洒 (carefree) melancholy as he said this to his frat buddies. His friends all sighed in admiration. “Julian, you’re a good man!” “Loyal and responsible!” Julian smiled bitterly. “I guess this is my life now. If I could do it over, I wish I had been brave enough.” Someone tried to comfort him, saying that marrying Scarlett might not have been better. At least I helped him build his business empire from scratch. My ability and character were impeccable. The smile faded from Julian’s lips. “Do you know Scarlett?” “Harper can’t compare to her in any way. Don’t let me hear you say that again.” I stood outside the private room, clutching the cancer report I just got. I didn’t know which news hurt more. 2 I’m emotionally slow. In six years of marriage, Julian lacked any sense of romance. He never bought me gifts for holidays. I convinced myself he was just practical, not into flashy things. He was often busy with social engagements, staying out all night. I told myself it was for our business. He had a sharp tongue, often criticizing my outfits, mocking my waist for not being thin enough, my skin for not being pale enough. I laughed it off. Just a typical guy, not good with sweet words. I made countless excuses for him, covering up the fact that he didn’t love me, pretending I was happy. But the body is more honest than the brain. Doctors say cancer, besides genetics, is also an emotional disease. Six years of marriage, day after day of suppression and cold treatment, wore away my feelings for him. And along with it, my body was destroyed. Now that everything was ending, I felt a sense of relief. Julian said if he could do it over, he would be brave. I thought, if I could do it over… I never want to meet Julian Thorne again. I closed my eyes with regret. Unexpectedly, when I opened them again, I saw Julian. He stood there with his arms crossed, watching Scarlett cut the cake with adoration. His phone rang again. Julian’s smile vanished, his brow furrowing. “Harper, you—” “Hello, is this the family of Harper Vance? This is South City General Hospital. Harper Vance passed away at 6:07 PM. Please come handle the paperwork.” Julian froze for a moment, gripped the phone, and sneered. “Did Harper tell you to say that? Hah, she’s getting creative. Hiring people to help her lie now.” “Lie my ass! I’m busy as hell, who has time for this?” “If you don’t come, I’m calling the police. Abandoning a corpse is a crime, you idiot.” The hospital worker hadn’t eaten dinner yet and had more resentment than a ghost. Julian got chewed out, and panic flashed across his face. He turned and fled the hotel in a panic. Scarlett chased after him, calling his name, but he didn’t hear. 3 In the hospital corridor, Julian ran frantically, losing a shoe along the way. When he saw the body under the white sheet, he suddenly recoiled, taking two cowardly steps back. “This is a prank, right?” “Harper, come out!” “You’re crazy!” The orderly whipped off the white sheet. “Family of the deceased, come identify and sign. Hurry up!” Seeing my face. In the next second, the color drained from Julian’s face. He stumbled, collapsed on the floor, crawled forward a few steps, and grabbed my hand. Julian broke down wailing. “Harper! Harper! Wifey! Wifey, wake up—” “Heh—” A disdainful scoff sounded in my ear. I turned to look. A tall man in ancient black robes stood beside me. His features were cold and handsome. He nodded at me indifferently. “Black Impermanence. Just call me Officer Fan.” What the hell? The Grim Reaper is real? I clenched my hands nervously. “Officer, am I dead?” Officer Fan: “Yep.” “Let’s go.” Aloof attitude, not a wasted word. I looked back at Julian with regret. He didn’t love me, so why was he so sad now that I was dead? Did this mean he actually had some feelings for me? Then my six-year marriage wasn’t entirely a joke. Officer Fan saw through my thoughts and sneered. “Normal people feel bad if they lose a chicken.” “Crying for a few days is normal. He’ll forget you in a month.” 4 Officer Fan was wrong. After I died, Julian went crazy. The first day, he held my body all night. No one could pull him away. The second day, he vomited blood from crying. The third day, Scarlett came to see him. His eyes were red. He grabbed a kitchen knife and tried to kill Scarlett, saying she should pay for my life with hers. “It’s all you, you bitch! You kept telling me Harper’s diagnosis was fake! It’s you! You killed her!” Scarlett screamed and ran. “Don’t be impulsive! If you kill me, you’ll go to jail!” “If I kill you, I’ll kill myself. I’ll go with her. It’s what we owe her.” People nearby rushed to stop him, wrestling the knife away. Julian was pinned down, banging his head on the floor, weeping tragically. On the seventh day, he gradually accepted reality. He spent a fortune on a prime burial plot for me. Day ten, day twenty… Every night, Julian slept in front of my tombstone. In the morning, he prepared breakfast for me, patiently wiping the tombstone with a towel. “Wifey, I wanted to buy what you like to eat. But I thought about it, and I realized I don’t know what you like.” In front of the tombstone, a feast was spread out. Soy milk, churros, dumplings, sandwiches, rice balls, bagels. A chaotic mix of East and West. Julian covered his eyes, bright tears slipping through his fingers. “I really wasn’t a good husband.” “If we could do it over, I’d make you breakfast every day, okay?” No one answered. The breeze lifted a dead leaf onto his shoulder. The crowd in Hell… oh wait, the ghosts… watched with sighs. “So devoted. It’s so moving.” “Yeah, I’m about to cry.” 5 Birth rates have dropped significantly in recent years. More people die than are born. The line for reincarnation is huge. My ticket number is for fifty years from now. Hell has a giant screen. If anyone living still thinks about you, your image scrolls on the screen. The deeper the longing, the higher the ranking. The ghosts have nothing to do, so they squat in front of the screen every day, watching it like TV and chatting. Old Man Lin has been dead for twenty years, but his daughter still cried for him this year. Such a filial daughter. “Why isn’t Old Man Lin happy?” “Why should he be? When he was alive, he was sexist. Only cared about his son, sucked his daughter dry. Now that he’s dead, the daughter still handles his memorial. Every time this plays, it’s a slap in his face.” A withered old man squatted on the ground covering his face, sobbing. “I was blind! Sarah, don’t think about Daddy anymore. Daddy doesn’t deserve it.” The screen switched. Julian sat in his office chair, staring at my photo. His secretary stood respectfully. “Mr. Thorne, as per your request, we built a residential complex near the cemetery. It has a kindergarten. The price is 50% off market value. People will definitely buy.” Julian nodded. “Good. She liked kids. She liked lively places.” “Build a park across the street. Plant it full of cherry trees. She loved cherry blossoms.” The secretary hesitated. “Mr. Thorne, aren’t cherry blossoms what you like? You liked them because Miss Scarlett she—” Julian suddenly exploded in rage. “Don’t mention that bitch’s name!” He went mad, sweeping everything off his desk, then carefully touched the photo. “Harper, I’ll get revenge for you. The Scarlett family will go bankrupt soon. Just watch.” The ghosts in Hell applauded emotionally. “Wow! Devoted! A true lover!” “Yeah, it’s been almost a year, and his life is still only about Harper. That’s deep love.” Over the years, Hell’s currency has inflated. But one thing has deflated severely. Human emotion. In ancient times, a man mourning his wife for decades was common. In the modern fast-paced world, let alone years, lasting a few months is considered deep. But after arriving in Hell, I topped the charts for a whole year. As the ghosts marveled, a black wind surged. Everyone stood up respectfully. “Officer Fan.” “Mm. Harper Vance, come here.” Officer Fan kept his eternal poker face, glancing at me. “Let’s go. Come with me to the mortal realm.” I was shocked. “The mortal realm? I can go back?” Officer Fan was concise. “The King of Hell has been watching that screen lately too.” “He’s feeling benevolent. He told me to bring Julian down to keep you company.”

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