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After being stabbed to death by the sponsored student, I was cast into boundless hell for the sin of jealousy. During the day, I knelt on a bed of nails, walked on hot coals, and was whipped by iron lashes until no good flesh remained. At night, I struggled as countless demons pressed me to the ground, abusing me again and again. Just when my uterus was taken out alive due to multiple miscarriages, seeking life impossible and death denied, I suddenly heard a phone ring. “Tsk tsk, Caleb is really ruthless. To vent anger for the little sponsored student, he specially built a movie studio to torture his fiancée.” “His fiancée probably won’t know until death that she’s not in hell at all.” “Yeah, that stupid woman still thinks after suffering two more years, she can return to life and reunite with Caleb and her childhood sweetheart.” “But doesn’t know, this studio is the idea Caleb and her childhood sweetheart came up with together.” I looked up in disbelief, after glimpsing the familiar figure outside the door. Smiled miserably clutching the nails in my hand, turns out the so-called death was just a scam set by them to vent anger for the sponsored student. I let myself fall into the hot coals, next second the long-silent System appeared. “Warning, detected Host is in life danger, does Host choose to detach from the mission world, and take back everything given to them?” … I struggled to raise my hand, wanting to choose yes without hesitation. Just at the moment I was about to press, an earthquake suddenly occurred. The collapsing wall instantly pressed on my festering back. I was pressed under rubble and broken bricks, bones all over body like crushed by machete. In darkness, I heard the panicked voice of the guard. “Quick, get her out, Mr. Sterling said, she can’t have an accident!” Bloody sweetness kept surging in my throat. I wanted to summon the System groggily, leave this world. Next second, a fierce electric current suddenly rushed into limbs and bones. Piercing severe pain pulled me back. Before I could react, a slap with strong wind directly hit my face. I paralyzed softly on the ground, without half bit of vitality. Until Caleb Sterling’s cold reprimand sounded in my ear. “Cora, you really are a disaster.” I looked at Caleb’s disgusted face, only felt this sentence somewhat familiar. Seems two years ago, the day Lila framed me putting steel nails in her dancing shoes. He also said this after breaking my hand. Moment memory overlapped, I suddenly somewhat entranced. Actually before Lila appeared, Caleb wasn’t like this. He was my first mission target. The day I came to this world, he happened to have his legs crushed by parents, thrown outside door. It was me who picked him back, took care with care. And when he gave up on himself because of legs, used life-extending points to exchange with System for his recovery. With my help, he finished studies and took back family property left by grandfather. The day he rose again, Caleb took out all belongings with tears asking me if I willing to marry him. I agreed happily, until Lila appeared. Scale in Caleb’s hand completely tipped to her. From then on greeting me was all suffering. Withdrawing from memory, I opened mouth just want self-mockery, big mouthful black blood gushed from throat. Then I whole body soft, fell into boundless darkness. Opened eyes again, sight was moldy ceiling of servant room. System appeared again. [Host, departure procedure prepared for you, but detected to completely detach from this world, you still need to take back important items once given to them, do you insist on original choice?] I nodded without hesitation, forced myself get up from cold hard bed. Ready to find Caleb ask back the Antique Locket I gave him. But moment I pushed door open, blood all over body suddenly solidified. Chapter 1 My gaze stared dead at that Antique Locket on Caleb’s hand. That was what mom knelt one thousand steps of Buddha ladder in winter to pray for my safety. I gave it to Caleb because he was critically injured dying, I took locket off from body to pray for his safety. But now locket is worn on Lila’s ankle by Caleb. That safety charm exhausted my sincerity, became his sex toy to please others. Tearing feeling constantly came from heart, I closed eyes in pain. A trace of anger suddenly rose, I paced and reached out under Caleb’s dissatisfied eyes. “Since you trample this locket so much, then return it to me!” Voice just fell, Caleb face suddenly became ugly. Lila standing behind him suddenly fell to ground, choked: “Brother, my leg hurts as soon as I see sister.” Caleb picked her up with face full of distress, turned head sternly scolded me. “Cora, what dirty means you want use to harm Lila again!” He clenched fist, approached me: “Haven’t you eaten enough bitterness these two years?” I stepped back, voice difficult. “I didn’t play any means, I just want take back safety charm.” Seeing me stubborn, Caleb eyes more gloomy. Behind constantly came whispering sounds, everyone pointing at my position. Caleb extremely angry, nodded saying good repeatedly. He pointed at Lila’s leg, “Want locket fine, but Lila’s leg still hurts because of you till now, you have to experience her feeling at that time again.” Finished, he signaled servant to put a pair of shoes full of steel nails in front of me. “You wear these shoes dance two songs, I reward you the locket.” I looked at Caleb didn’t move for long time, he clearly knew importance of legs to a dancer. And these two years of torture, he actually still not satisfied. Seeing me not move, Caleb chuckled lightly: “What? Scared, if scared you beg me, I can still spare…” But before he finished, I gritted teeth stepped into dancing shoes. Dense pain instantly spread whole body, moment I raised hand padded toes. Blood instantly soaked thin dancing shoes, slowly seeped out along foot edge. New wound on old wound, blood seeped more and more urgent. Some guests gasped unbearably. Caleb eyes full of astonishment, got up want grab me, but pulled by Lila. “Cora, are you sick, trampling yourself like this.” His tone full of undisguised loss of control. I unaware, dancing on my own. Unhealed wounds tore open with movement. Blood beads slid down fingertips, merged with blood under feet. Steel nails constantly pierced into flesh, I turned faster instead. Hands feet covered with deep shallow scars, clothes full of blood stains. Like countless days and nights stepping on bed of nails in hell, only then I couldn’t be free. Now I finally can be free. One dance ended, ground full of my blood marks. I fell to ground face pale, feet couldn’t use strength, but still want stand up continue. “Enough!” Caleb brows eyes full of hostility, dissatisfied threw locket on my face. Gritted teeth said: “Without locket, our engagement void!” Falling with his words, was System electronic sound notifying half home progress achieved. I fainted smiling. Then woken by family doctor’s sigh. Seeing me get up, he visibly sighed relief. “Ms. Cora, go beg Mr. Sterling, he doesn’t let me use painkillers for you, but taking out steel nails without it you will have big life danger.” I listened to his words numbly, closed eyes. “No need.” Now I only beg for quick release. Before doctor made choice, Caleb appeared at ward door holding Lila. “Lila, haven’t seen scene taking steel nails, just right look also remove shadow in her heart.” His tone indifferent, but carried indulgence for person in arms. Family doctor tried advise, “Mr. Sterling, Miss body full of wounds, pulling steel nails by hand very dangerous…” Caleb interrupted him directly, “Do it.” Doctor helplessly picked up pliers, rip sound steel nail pulled out with flesh. Heart-drilling pain swept whole body, I bit lip dead not willing emit sound. Lila kept emitting scared, hug exclamations. I looked over hearing sound, Caleb bowing head comforting her. But gaze crossed her, dead fell on my bleeding wound. Bottom of eyes full of emotions I couldn’t understand. Steel nails just pulled finish, he took Lila leave. Family doctor tried hard stop bleeding for me. System seeing me inhale less exhale more, also afraid I die, secretly helped. But blood although stopped, I whole person Qi and blood greatly lost. Whole person like a pool of mud, groggily curled in bed corner. Before completely falling into darkness. Room door Bang sound fiercely smashed open. Chapter 2 Several big men choked my neck, dragged directly downstairs. Family doctor want stop, kicked aside. “Roll far, don’t delay Master Jax’s business.” I dragged like trash to childhood sweetheart Jax. This man once abused by adoptive mother, treated me as treasure after saved by me, now fingertips gently pressing Lila’s ankle. But place he pressed unharmed. Jax raised eyes coldly spoke. “Cora, Lila just called me, crying out of breath.” “She said saw you looked like when steel nails pulled, scared bad, fell on ground scratched knee.” He paused, looking at me eyes only coldness left. “Little girl loves beauty, I thought let you graft a piece good skin for her, after all Lila crying said thought of past, when taking steel nails after framed by you, two years her leg still hurts!” I stared at his face, only felt breath carried bloody smell. Really funny, he actually let me a person with disabled legs, whole body no good skin graft skin for skin smooth Lila. I suddenly laughed, absurd and desperate feeling constantly wrapped me. Tight emotion suddenly lost control, I hoarse voice questioned him. “Jax, open your eyes look where I still have a piece good skin, I risked life protect you save you back then, not for exchange you trampling me like this!” My face full tear marks, whole body angry trembling non-stop. But responding me only silence and Lila watching show eyes. I endured choking desperately calmed mood, heart dead spoke. “Let me graft skin right, you return my jade pendant to me, I agree.” I pointed at jade pendant worn on Lila neck, constantly played by her. But next second, Jax forcefully stepped me on ground. “You no qualification make request to Lila, a jade pendant only, your life is owed to her.” Then he waved hand signaled doctor directly start. To teach me lesson, he didn’t let doctor use anesthesia during grafting process. Under various severe pains, I face pale trembled. Few muffled hums spilled from lips, Jax frowned handed gauze. “You bear it, as long as you later don’t bully…” Words not finished, Lila coquettishly cried hand hurts. Jax immediately threw gauze in hand, hugged her a burst of coaxing. And I sweating profusely thrown on corridor at door. Out of breath listening to Lila crying sound, and Jax light coaxing sound. Between various pains mixed, I trance saw seventeen year old Jax anxiously ran towards me. He gently stroked my forehead, asked me hurt not hurt. Then choked patting his own eyes, said he was a waste, treated so long eyes not fully recovered, still only give me trouble. I looked at boy red eyes, raised hand want wipe tears on his face, but found even half strength none. Boy eyes full hostility, asked me who harmed me like this, he want revenge for me. I looked at boy angry face, softly spoke: “Is you.” “Jax, next life don’t appear in front of me.” Finished, I slept heavily in his astonished eyes. Open eyes again from endless darkness, heard System progress broadcast. [Congrats Host, home progress reached 75%] My tight spine suddenly loose, slowly sighed relief. Eyelids just about close, dragged off bed by someone again. Hot water kettle on ward table exploded along, boiling water splashed my hand. Brought a string of burning blisters. Caleb and Jax face dissatisfied looking at me. Caleb suddenly raised foot, fiercely stepped on my hand pressed on broken glass. Jax tone rapid, carrying resentment. “Bitch, all blame your skin repels with Lila, caused her need enter operating room again.” I pain couldn’t even speak words, only saw Lila crying pear blossom rain, “Brothers, all blame her make me injured, caused baby need enter operating room again!” Jax and Caleb distressed endless, apologized repeatedly. “Baby, all brother not good, brother revenge for you okay, whatever you want play her okay?” Lila hooked mouth corner, face full innocence looked up. “Then brothers, you let sister go down hell again okay?” Chapter 3 Without any pause, I heard them readily agreed. Despair woven with shock destroyed me, I scarlet eyes looked up. “You crazy! You can’t treat me like this.” Endured long tears instantly burst. Whip burning pain, knee cut pain on nail bed, and humiliation bound abused every night constantly surged into brain. I uncontrollably whole body trembling, lay on ground instinctively begged. “No, I beg you don’t treat me like this.” Jax expression moved slightly, just want help me up. But Lila crying rose again. Compassion second ago gone, I fiercely kicked over on ground. Long needle instantly pierced into lower back. I groggily sent into new dark room. Open eyes saw, few men disguised as hell demons before stood in front me. I got up just want run, roughly grabbed hair dragged back. “Stinky bitch, death near still not obedient, brothers haven’t slept you obedient yet right!” “Roll, don’t touch me!” I fiercely bit man hand behind. Next second, rusty iron bar straight smashed on my face. Forehead covered by blood, I paralyzed on ground slapped few times again. Then a warm wet腥臭 (fishy stink) smell came from overhead. When I shrank hand screamed, leader forcefully tore open my clothes. His sidekick shook pants, started Livestream. I desperately struggled unwilling submit, blood constantly dripped from my face. Just when I desperate, “Door of Hell” pushed open by someone. Jax appeared outside door. Dying heart hit open a crack, I looked at Jax indifferent eyes loud begged. “Jax, back then I risked life save you, you promised me this saving grace can return me a wish, do you remember?” “I want cash this wish now!” Jax stood at door, looking at my dying appearance, eyes complex asked what my wish is. I weakly pointed at Lila jade pendant. Lila immediately dissatisfied stomped foot, “Brother, didn’t you bring me see joke? And inside here you arranged all, how sister be like this, looks like faking.” Jax movement suddenly paused, face full scrutiny staring me. I light laughed, weak said: “I didn’t fake, I just want you give me jade pendant, after get jade pendant I whatever you dispose.” Jax silent moment, finally loosened mouth, signaled Lila give me jade pendant. Moment fingertip touched jade pendant, I relieved smile. Looked at Jax and late arrived Caleb said a sentence: “See never again.” Big man beside holding whip approached me, warm wet sticky feeling came here again, I however not afraid at all. Just ease wait System start. But until rough hard palm tore open my clothes, expected movement didn’t come. I somewhat blank looked up, crashed into their mocking faces. Lila covered lips laughed, she kissed Caleb and Jax faces. “Still brothers smart, knew sister exhausted mind want jade pendant has weirdness let me change jade pendant fake in advance.” Three people leaving laughter took away my last trace vitality. I dropped hand, no longer struggle like dead fish let people drag to iron bed. Current on, indescribable severe pain exploded from body. I uncontrollably convulsed. Inhuman torture lasted long time, until they saw me have tendency roll eyes white. Rubbing hands planned drag me out inject stimulant, play something more cool. Just moment they relaxed put me down. I used all strength got up, opened arms decisively jumped down from window side. “No!” Moment body weightless falling, I saw Jax and Caleb panicked pounced towards me. Meanwhile, System sounded long lost prompt tone. [Warning, detected Host death, now immediately start return original world procedure.] [Fiancé legs, childhood sweetheart eyes start take back.] ……

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I married a “deaf” man. Every message I sent was like a stone sinking into the sea. Every meal I cooked ended up in the trash can. Last winter, my car broke down in the suburbs. In the freezing night of -4°F, I sent him over a dozen voice messages. My fingers were purple from cold, my throat hoarse from shouting, but there was no response. Finally, a passing truck driver helped me tow the car. That late night he came home, saw me shivering wrapped in a blanket, and just said faintly: “Don’t message me so late next time, I was in a meeting.” My father had a sudden Heart Attack, I was crying calling 911 while dialing his number non-stop. Twenty-seven missed calls, like twenty-seven slaps in the face. Until a month later, Julian Vance finally called back: “Phone was on silent. By the way, where did you put my blue tie?” Chapter 1 My hand holding the phone was trembling, father was still in ICU under observation, but Julian asked about that blue tie. “In the leftmost grid of the closet.” My voice trembled. “Looked, not there.” His tone revealed habitual impatience, “You come back a trip.” Rain was falling outside the window, I glanced at my father covered in tubes in the monitoring room. Mother patted me with red eyes: “Go, I am here.” I gripped the steering wheel, remembering our wedding day, when Julian put the ring on me, his phone vibrated in his pocket, he took it out and looked at it in front of a hall full of guests. The emcee smoothed things over, he said: “What if there is an urgent matter?” That blue tie was bought with my first month’s salary for him. When he first tied it on, he kissed me, said he would cherish it forever. At that time his phone was on silent, only ringing for me alone. Pushing open the long-lost home door, the living room filled with unfamiliar perfume smell. Julian’s suit jacket casually draped on the sofa, next to a small lady’s handbag. Bedroom door ajar, woman’s delicate laughter came: “When will she come back?” “Who cares about her.” It was his voice, carrying indulgence I had never heard. I pushed open the door. Sheets messy, my pillow fell on the floor. He and a young woman snuggled together, that blue tie was tied to the bedhead, tethering a plush toy. Air solidified. The woman reacted first, grabbed clothes to cover her body, but no panic on her face. She was beautiful, that kind of carefully watered beauty. “Who are you?” She raised her chin asking. I looked at my husband. He frowned, not guilt, but displeasure of being disturbed. “Found the tie?” I asked calmly. Woman sneered, turned to him: “This is that Live-in Maid of yours?” Julian didn’t deny, just said: “You shouldn’t have come in directly.” Shouldn’t come in. Shouldn’t disturb his affair when my father is critically ill. Shouldn’t in this bedroom I stayed up late to decorate, bump into him using the tie I sent to tie a toy sent by others. Woman got out of bed, walked straight to me. She was taller than me, perfume smell choking. “Listen,” her red lips moved, “He loves me now. You better be sensible, roll out yourself.” I looked at him. He sat on the edge of the bed, head down lighting a cigarette, as if this was just an irrelevant interlude. “Did you hear?” Woman pushed my shoulder. I still looked at my husband, looked at this person I waited for in the wilderness of -4°F, this person who cared where the tie was when my father was dying. “This tie,” I said, “I bought it.” Woman was enraged, maybe by my calmness, maybe by my attitude of ignoring her. She raised her hand, fiercely slapped my face. Burning pain exploded. I stumbled a step, held the door frame. “Enough!” Julian finally stood up, but walked to her side, put his arm around her shoulder, “Why did you hit her?” This sentence hurt more than that slap. Twenty-seven missed calls didn’t hurt like this, waiting in ice and snow didn’t hurt like this, father’s monitor ticking sound didn’t hurt like this. I looked at his gesture of protecting her, looked at that woman proudly leaning in his arms. “Dad’s heart stopped once this morning.” I said softly. He stunned a bit, brows frowned deeper: “Is it appropriate to say this now?” I bent down, picked up my pillow on the floor, patted off dust. Then walked over, untied that defiled blue tie. Silk ice cold, still remaining unfamiliar perfume smell. “Appropriate.” I folded the tie neatly, put on bedside table, “I came, just for this.” Turning around, I heard woman whispered: “Crazy.” Chapter 2 I stopped steps, back to them, voice very light: “Julian Vance, do you still love me?” Air stagnated few seconds, I heard lighter opening closing sound. “Love.” He spat out a word, so matter of course, yet so absent-minded. I slowly turned around, looking at him. He leaned by window, in smoke curling, expression blurred. “Just,” he paused, like stating a simplest fact, “I love Tiffani more.” He called so intimately. That woman named Tiffani snuggled into his arms, mouth corner hooked victory arc. “But I don’t want divorce.” Julian added, tone calm like discussing weather, “Isn’t it good like this? You are still Mrs. Vance, she will understand.” Tiffani coquettishly punched his chest, but didn’t refute, just looked at me with that kind of pity and provocative eyes. I fell silent. Rain outside window heavier, densely beating glass, like countless fine needles stabbing heart. Father’s pale face in ICU, frozen fingers in snowy night, and those twenty-seven unanswered call tones, at this moment wove into a cold net, tightly entangled me. Julian seemed to misunderstand my silence as some kind of acquiescence, tone even eased a bit: “I know you paid a lot for this family these years, I am also used to having you. We can maintain status quo, you need Mrs. Vance identity, I need you manage this home, take care of my daily life. Tiffani she is rather willful, can’t do these.” Tiffani hummed lightly, with a bit acting spoiled meaning: “People don’t want to learn those.” I raised eyes, swept their faces one by one. Julian’s matter-of-course calmness, Tiffani’s unconcealed pride. This bedroom, this home, was once place I poured countless effort and love, at this moment filled with disgusting hypocrisy and betrayal. “Julian,” my voice dry, but unusually clear, “Do you remember when married, what you said to my father?” He slightly stunned, brows habitually frowned, seemed recalling a distant and unimportant small matter. “You said, you would take care of me, not let me suffer grievance.” I said it for him, voice very light, “Now, do you feel I haven’t suffered grievance?” Tiffani impatiently curled lip: “Is it interesting to say these old stories? Julian loves me, what use you holding an empty title?” I ignored her, just looked at Julian: “So, your so-called love, is letting me live like a shadow between you and her, handle miscellaneous things for you, watch your affection?” Julian put out cigarette, tone brought his habitual impatience: “Then what do you want? Divorce? Your father still in hospital, you need Vance family resources and connections. Leaving me, how do you deal with following things? Be realistic.” Chapter 3 I looked at him, suddenly laughed. “So you are sure I dare not divorce, can’t leave?” Tiffani rolled eyes, voice delicate but with thorns: “Otherwise? You leave Julian, who else can you rely on? Your half-dead dad?” Julian didn’t stop her, instead like found stronger argument, tone even carried a trace of earnestness for my sake: “I know you are angry. But making trouble, no good for anyone.” I took deep breath, that unfamiliar perfume smell in air made my stomach churn. “Julian, do you think, I will always stand in place waiting for you? Like an old furniture, you use smoothly, even covered in dust, reluctant to throw, but absolutely won’t look twice?” He frowned, seemed my ungratefulness finally exhausted his last patience: “What exactly do you want to say?” “I want to say,” I word by word, clearly, “Your resources, your connections, your charitable Mrs. Vance title, I don’t rare anymore.” Tiffani like heard sky big joke, exaggeratedly Ha-ed once, snuggled tighter: “Julian, listen, is she crazy with anger?” I ignored her, continue looking at Julian: “From today, we bridge return bridge, road return road. Divorce agreement, I will let lawyer send to you.” Finished, I turned and left, not looking at them once. Pillow I don’t want, this home, I also don’t want. “Stop!” Julian’s voice came with anger, “Sarah, don’t give face not want face! You think divorce is so easy? How to divide property? Who pays your dad’s medical bills? Think clear consequences!” I didn’t stop, walked straight to door. Behind came Tiffani’s sharp instigation: “Julian, look at her attitude! Really ungrateful! Divorce then divorce, scare who! Without you, what thing is she!” And Julian’s suppressed anger voice: “Sarah, you will regret! Without me, you and your dad, are nothing!” I opened door, cold air surged in, carrying freshness of rain water, flushed away suffocating filth behind. I didn’t turn back, just faintly, didn’t know if they could hear, said a sentence: “At least, I can still be a human.” I went straight back to hospital. Mother saw me back, hurriedly stood up: “Found tie? Where is Julian?” I gently held her hand, that rough palm made my eye sockets sour. “Mom, later we rely on ourselves.” Mother stunned, eventually asked nothing, just held my hand tighter. Third day afternoon, I was getting water in water room, a familiar and ear-piercing voice sounded behind. “Yo, really a filial daughter, guarding here.” Tiffani wearing a set of expensive suit, carrying limited edition handbag, stood there toe high spirit high. Her gaze swept thermal bottle in my hand, full of contempt. “Look at your look, gray head dirt face, no wonder Julian doesn’t want you. He said, seeing your face loses appetite.” I tightened bottle cap, didn’t want argue with her outside father’s ward, turned want go. She however stepped blocking me, lowered voice, tone vicious: “Your dad lying here half dead, is it you angered? Upper beam not straight lower beam crooked, is it your dad also like you, not know measure, then ended up like this?” “Tiffani!” I fiercely clenched fist, “You shut up! Here not welcome you, get out!” “Should get out is you!” She sneered, voice raised again, “Dead skin rely on Mrs. Vance position, also not look if you worthy! Julian said, wait your dad closes eyes, sweep you out door.” I angry trembling all over, pushed away her blocking arm: “You get out!” Just moment my finger touched her arm, Tiffani eyes flashed a trace plot succeeded slyness, she followed momentum stumbled back few steps, high heels happened to twist, emitted an exaggerated scream, heavily fell sitting on cold ground. “Ah! Sarah sister, why you push me?!” She instantly changed face, eye rims red, tears came just come, a look of about to weep, weak helpless. Almost simultaneously, corridor end came hurried footsteps. “Tiffani!” Julian strode over, face obvious anxiety. He didn’t even look at me, straight rushed to Tiffani side, carefully supported her up, tone was tension I never heard: “Fell where? Pain or not?” Tiffani snuggled in his arms, sobbing, adding oil and vinegar: “Julian, I good heart come see Uncle, Sarah sister she indiscriminately scolded me, also moved hand pushed me, my foot so painful.” Julian raised head, gaze filled with disgust and anger. “Sarah! How you became so vicious? Tiffani is good intention, you actually moved hand on her! If she hurt anywhere, I absolutely won’t spare you!” “Julian,” my voice surprisingly calm, carrying a numbness after complete despair, “Are your eyes and your ears same, just decorations?” He stunned a bit, seemed didn’t expect I would have this reaction. I no longer looked at him, nor looked that woman proudly sobbing in his arms, bent down lifted thermal bottle on ground. “Here is hospital, need quiet.” I turned around, facing ward direction, back to them, word by word clearly said, “Want act, roll back to your bed act.” Finished, I straightened spine, step by step walked to father’s ward, no longer cared any voice behind. I knew, from this moment, I and past, completely severed. Chapter 4 Father’s condition temporarily stabilized, but still not out of danger. Mother’s strong held spirit visibly withered, bloodshot eyes and sudden white hair on temples made my heart knife twisted. This afternoon, I was softly comforting mother awakened by nightmare, ward door was gently knocked. I looked up, unexpectedly saw a familiar figure. Jonah carrying a fruit basket and a thermal bucket of soup, standing at door, smile gentle: “Auntie, Sarah.” “Jonah?” Mother somewhat surprised, immediately showed first sincere smile these days, “Why you came?” “Heard about Uncle’s matter, come look.” Jonah walked in, put things on bedside table, very naturally looked at me, “Also see how you guys are.” He and I are Childhood Sweethearts grew up together neighbors, later his family moved, contact gradually less. But that friendship still there, especially in this difficult moment, his appearance like a wisp warm wind. “I boiled some chicken soup, Auntie you drink some, supplement spirit.” Jonah opened thermal bucket, rich aroma diffused. He carefully served soup for my mother, also asked my father’s condition, concern in tone sincere and fitting. Mother held his hand said many words, spirit looked much better. I stood aside, watching Jonah patiently listening look, tight heart strings for many days, also slightly relaxed a bit. Later mother tired, deep slept. Me and Jonah light hand light foot walked to bench in corridor outside ward sat down. “Hard for you, Sarah.” He looked at me, eyes carrying heartache, “Face so bad.” I shook head, wanted squeeze a smile, but somewhat powerless: “Okay, can hold on.” “Have anything, must tell me.” Jonah tone solemn, “Don’t hard carry alone. Childhood you bullied by people, all found me help you beat back.” Thinking of childhood fun things, my face finally had a trace real warmth: “That time you fought very fierce.” “Now same.” He smiled, immediately serious said, “Dealing with bastard, reason useless time, have to use some other methods.” I knew he meant something, heart astringent. Just wanted say something, a bone piercing cold gaze shot from other end of corridor. I subconsciously turned head, saw Julian. He didn’t know came how long, standing there, face gloomy like sky before storm. He hand also carried a fruit basket, probably doing show, didn’t expect bump into this scene. His gaze dead locked on me and Jonah. He strode over. “Who is he?” Chapter 5 Julian’s voice pressed very low, carrying dangerous breath of mountain rain coming. I haven’t had time open mouth, Jonah already stood up. He figure tall straight, not inferior to Julian, at this moment gentle smile on face faded, replaced by a kind steady, not retreating calmness. He stepped forward, trace less blocked me behind him half body position. This protective posture, natural and firm. “Mr. Vance, pleasure.” Jonah opened mouth, tone alienated and polite, “I am Sarah’s friend, Jonah Hill.” Julian sneered, gaze crossed him, still dead staring me, sarcasm in words almost overflowed, “Sarah, I actually didn’t know, when you had such a considerate friend? In place like hospital, can also chat so happy?” He deliberately emphasized considerate and happy two words, as if I did something unforgivable. A chill rushed up from bottom of heart. He can mess with other woman on our wedding bed, can care about his tie when my father critically ill, can indulge his lover come hospital humiliate me, slander me, now, actually because my normal conversation with old friend, put on a pose of catching adultery asking crime? Absurd making people cold heart. I just about refute, Jonah however step ahead me open mouth, his voice still steady, but carrying unquestionable power: “Mr. Vance, please mind your words, also please recognize your current identity.” He paused, clearly spat out following words, “A person about to become ex-husband, seems no position and qualification, to question Sarah’s friend situation.” Julian’s face instantly became ugly to extreme. “Matter between me and her, not turn you an outsider interrupt!” Julian tone grim, stepped forward, seemed want bypass Jonah to grab my arm. Jonah movement faster, he didn’t have intense physical conflict, just again slightly sideways, blocked me completely behind, used own body separated Julian approaching oppression. “Person absent when she needed husband, no qualification call self insider.” Jonah’s voice cold down, “As for now, under circumstance Sarah clearly expressed not welcome you, I as her friend, have responsibility ask Mr. Vance leave, don’t disturb patient rest, also don’t come harass her again.” Julian like heard some joke, but anger in eyes almost spray out, he dead stared me behind Jonah, “Sarah, you just watch like this? Find a wild man give you backing? Grow ability!” Wild man. These three words too ugly. I slowly walked out from behind Jonah, met Julian that pair eyes twisted by jealousy and anger. “Julian,” my voice not loud, but unusually clear, echoing in corridor, “When you and Tiffani lay on our bed, when you let her come hospital insult me, push me, curse my father, you already personally tore up all qualifications as husband.” I watched his suddenly changing face, continued word by word, “Now, here, Jonah is my friend, is guest coming to visit my parents.” I took deep breath, said final decision: “And you are that unwelcome outsider.” “Please leave.” Julian froze in place. He fiercely glared us once, especially gaze like knife scraped over Jonah, then fiercely turned, heavily smashed fruit basket in hand beside trash can, head not back strode away. Footsteps disappeared at corridor end, depressed atmosphere dissipated. Jonah turned, worried looking at me: “Okay right?” I shook head, body somewhat weak, but heart had a kind unprecedented ease, as if unloaded thousand pounds burden. “Okay,” I even smiled to him, “Thank you, Jonah.” He looked at me, eyes gentle and firm: “Later, have me.” “Drink some water.” Jonah didn’t know where got a bottle opened mineral water, handed front me. I took over, small sips drank, slightly cool water slid dry throat, slightly smoothed inner waves. “He always like this?” Jonah voice very light, carrying restraint, “That unreasonable.” I pulled mouth corner, wanted laugh, but felt incomparable bitter. “Before just ignore, like treating air. Now probably feel, even things he don’t want, should cover dust in place, not picked up by others.” “You are not thing, Sarah.” Jonah tone unusually serious, he looked at me, gaze focused and earnest, “You are Sarah, is that Sarah childhood would climb tree help me pick kite, would argue with me face red ears red for a math problem, would secretly share breakfast to stray cat. You never are anyone’s accessory.” His words like a warm current, quietly soaked my dry cracked heart field. We sat side by side on bench, outside window sky color gradually dark, city lights lit up one after another. Silent for moment, I turned head, looked at his distinct outline side face. I took deep breath, mustered courage, softly asked that question hovering in heart long time: “Jonah, do you like me?” Moment asked out, my heart missed a beat, somewhat nervous, also somewhat relieved. Jonah seemed not surprised my straight ball. He slowly turned head, deep eyes under light appeared exceptionally bright, inside no slight dodge, only a piece magnanimous and gentle sincerity. “Yes.” He answered without hesitation, voice deep and clear, like a stone thrown into my heart lake, rippling layer layer ripples. Although had premonition, personally hearing this answer, my heart still fierce trembled. He looked at my slightly widened eyes, continued slowly said: “Not sudden impulse. Maybe earlier than I realized myself. Maybe was childhood when you took that hit for me, maybe was later moving, you secretly cried red eyes but still smiling said goodbye to me, just that time, we were too small, later missed again.” His words carried traces of time and faint regret. “I know now not best timing.” He tone became solemn, body slightly turned to me, forming a focused posture, “You just experienced these, Uncle still in ward, you need time and space to process, to heal. I don’t wish give you any pressure, more don’t want take advantage of emptiness.” He paused, eyes carrying a kind careful earnestness, but also full of unquestionable firmness: “But Sarah, can I request you, give me a chance?” “Give me a chance stand by your side, as a suitor identity, re-know you, take care you, accompany you. Let me prove, you and Uncle not isolated helpless, you worth being cherished, being treated well.” His words simple unadorned, no flowery promises, but every word knocked on softest place in my heart. I didn’t answer immediately, just gently nodded, voice somewhat choked: “Okay.” One word, light light, but seemed used my all strength at this moment, also carried some expectation for future. “Thank you.” He said, voice carrying relieved warmth, “I will work hard, not let you regret giving me this chance.” This time, ward came mother slight cough sound. I immediately stood up, Jonah also followed stand up. “Quick go in see Auntie.” He soft voice said, “I come again tomorrow. Have anything, call me anytime.” Back to ward, mother already woke up, looking out window. She turned head, looking at me, eyes gentle and complex, gently sighed: “Sarah, Jonah is a good child, just, you have to think clear.” I walked to bed side, held mother’s hand, feeling that familiar, callus covered warmth. “Mom, I know.” I soft voice said, heart was unprecedented clear, “I just want give myself a possibility to start over.”

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The day my brother Liam got promoted, he said he would treat the whole family to a Luxury Yacht Cruise on the Hudson River at night. Parents kept praising him in the car for bringing honor to the family. But when boarding, the staff checked the list and stopped me: “Mr. Chen, the reservation is for three people, you are not on the list.” Liam pulled me aside, tone irritable: “What are you mixing in for on this occasion? Go back!” My mom also pulled me: “Don’t embarrass your brother, mom will bring you some snacks back.” I nodded and turned to leave. That night, I used the $200,000 Down Payment I saved for his wedding house, and bought myself a river view apartment in full. Chapter 1 I hailed a taxi, gave the address of my old rented apartment. Neon lights outside the window retreated fast, like a grand and vain dream. I took out my phone, clicked on real estate agent Mike’s profile picture. “Mike, are you asleep? Wanted to ask about that unit we saw before, can we arrange to sign the deposit contract tomorrow morning?” This was the message I prepared to send half an hour ago. Now, I deleted it word by word. Then, I retyped, sent. “Mike, sorry, we don’t want Liam’s wedding house anymore. Plans changed.” Mike’s call came back almost instantly, tone full of shock and confusion: “Hey? Miss Aurora, why suddenly don’t want it? That unit is so popular, the owner agreed to drop another five thousand, I agreed with your brother, tomorrow just…” “Not buying.” My voice was calm. “Let him figure it out himself.” Not waiting for Mike to say anything more, I hung up directly. Immediately after, I clicked on a property link in my favorites that I never dared to dream of. That was a penthouse with a frontline river view, taking in the dazzling river view behind me at this moment. I dialed the sales number left above. “Hello, is this the sales office of Skyline Tower? I want to see a unit, now, is it possible?” The female sales on the other end obviously stunned, but professional quality made her react immediately: “Of course, Miss how should I address you? I’ll be at the sales office waiting for you immediately.” “My surname is Ying.” Hanging up, I said to the driver: “Sir, please turn around, go to Skyline Tower in Manhattan.” The female sales receiving me at Skyline Tower was named Chloe, she saw me get off the taxi, a trace of imperceptible surprise flashed in her eyes, but soon replaced by enthusiastic smile. “Miss Ying, hello, I am Chloe.” I nodded, straight to the point: “No need to introduce the model, take me to see the actual unit directly. 1200 square feet, high floor, can see the river view.” Chloe had no extra nonsense, directly took me to the 32nd floor by exclusive elevator. Door opened, my breathing stopped for a moment. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling window, was that luxury yacht carrying my family away just now. Chloe introduced the layout, materials and design concept softly beside me, I didn’t listen to a word. My gaze greedily swept every corner of the room, imagining my future life here. No quarrels, no partiality, no endless demands and taken-for-granted sacrifices. Only myself, and this exclusive starry sky and river view. “This unit.” I turned around, said to Chloe who was still introducing. She stunned, seemed didn’t react: “Ah? Miss Ying, you mean…” “I said, this unit.” I repeated, tone unquestionable. “Full payment, any discount?” “Full payment?” Chloe’s eyes widened instantly, she looked at me, as if confirming if she heard wrong. This 1200 square feet river view apartment, discounted total price is $1.88 Million. “This is my savings, $880,000, can serve as deposit. Remaining one million, I need a little time, within three days, definitely pay off.” Chapter 2 That $200,000 (part of savings), was my blood and sweat money saved by working hard, scrimping and saving in the past five years. I thought, it would become the red book of my brother’s wedding house, become capital for him to show off to girlfriend Scarlett. But now, I found I was wrong, this money was saved by my own hard work, and should be spent on myself. Signed the intent contract, swiped all balance in the card, it was already 11 PM. Walking out of sales office, I felt whole person collapsed, but had an unprecedented lightness. Phone screen lit up, it was photo my brother Liam posted on Instagram. In photo, he, my dad, my mom, three people intimately snuggled together, background was dazzling night view. His caption was: “Meaning of struggle, is to give family the best. Happy family!” Below, my mom commented first time: “My son is the best! Mom’s pride!” Relatives and friends likes and flattery lined up a long row. “Liam is really young and promising!” “Uncle Auntie good fortune!” “This yacht looks high class, envy!” I looked at that dazzling family photo, no me in photo, as if this family never had my position. I silently clicked on my brother’s avatar, pressed delete contact. Then dad, then mom. Done all this, I looked up, tears finally flowed down uncontrollably. I remembered when very young, family only had one bicycle. My brother rode it to school every day, while I could only get up before dawn, walk an hour. I begged mom let brother carry me, mom said: “Your brother study tired, you as sister, walk few steps what’s wrong? Treat as exercise.” I remembered year of college entrance exam, my brother grades bad, parents spent heavy money hired one-on-one tutor for him, while I could only rely on few sets of mock papers issued by school, stay up late studying. Day results out, I got into Ivy League, he only got into a Community College. At dinner table, parents sighed, didn’t even look at my acceptance letter in hand, only kept comforting my brother: “It’s okay son, heroes don’t ask origin, later you definitely more promising than her.” I remembered four years of college, my brother’s monthly living expense was three times mine. He used latest phone and computer, wore brand name sneakers. And I, except tuition, didn’t ask family for a penny more. I relied on scholarships and part-time jobs, not only fed myself, every month also saved a part money for family. After work, I entered a top financial company in Wall Street, started from lowest analyst. I fought life overtime, stay up late doing proposals, for a project could live in company for a week continuously. My salary higher and higher, position rose faster and faster. But these, parents never asked, they only care my brother in that idle City Job, if rose half grade again, year-end bonus increased few thousand. My money, seemed not my money, but whole family’s reserve fund. My brother want change car, my mom a call came: “Aurora, your brother talks clients, no good car can’t hold scene, you sponsor him $20,000 first.” My brother getting married, woman side required must have wedding house. Parents matter-of-course said to me: “Aurora, your brother’s marriage depends on you. You promising, can earn money, this down payment you have to pay.” Chapter 3 So, I started saving this $200,000 for him. I cancelled all travel plans, rejected all friends gatherings, I brought lunch every day, reluctant to even buy a cup of coffee. I thought, my giving, my sacrifice, could exchange their trace of seeing and heartache. Until tonight, at that splendid pier, I finally understood. So-called family, so-called kinship, just a monologue I moved myself. Next day, I took a day off. I returned to my rental apartment only 400 square feet, opened that laptop followed me five years. Past five years, besides main job, I always used my savings and bonus doing investment in secondary market. From initial cautious, to later ease. This money, is a secret I never told anyone, is last retreat I left for myself. I originally planned, wait brother’s marriage settled, I use this money, change myself a better one-bedroom, buy a small car again. But now, plan advanced. I calmly analyzed the market, cleared few stocks held in batches. Contacted few private equity friends cooperated before, quickly recovered part of funds. Operation lasted whole day, water rice not entered. Evening time, looking at that seven-figure amount in account, I finally sighed relief. Enough. Not only enough pay off house, also enough for my next year living expenses. Handled all this, I then had time pick up phone. Dozens of missed calls, from my brother, my dad, my mom, and some unfamiliar relatives. Messages crowded in WeChat. My brother didn’t know where got my WeChat alt account, sent a string of questions. “Aurora what you mean? Wedding house say not buy not buy? Where you put my face?” “Scarlett troubled with me! Are you intentionally not want let me live good?” “I tell you, this house you buy have to buy, not buy have to buy! Otherwise you are our family’s sinner!” I looked at these messages, only felt funny. My mom’s messages were much milder, but more suffocating. “Aurora, don’t get angry with your brother, he just that stinky temper. Yesterday was mom wrong, shouldn’t let him mess around. You quick tell Mike, house still want, don’t let your brother difficult in front of girlfriend.” “Be obedient, ah? Mom stewed chicken soup for you tonight, you come back drink.” Chapter 4 I can even imagine her kind mother expression thinking for me when sending this message. But she didn’t mention a word about my grievance of being left behind, only cared about her son’s face and marriage. I didn’t reply anyone, directly used alt account blocked them all. Done all this, I stood up, walked to window. Downstairs was noisy market, distance was blurry lights. This place I lived five years, first time made me feel such strong alienation. I opened takeout app, didn’t order those five dollar cheap fast food again. I ordered a portion of most expensive Japanese sashimi, a portion of foie gras, also opened a bottle of sake for myself. Alone, sitting in empty room, I held a late, grand farewell for my lost twenty something years. Three days later, I paid off Skyline Tower full payment. When Chloe handed purchase contract and smart key to my hand, excited face red. She told me, I was the youngest, most straightforward full payment client she met since working. I just smiled. Sadness and resolution behind this, only myself know. First time got key, I called moving company, moved those few luggage in rental room, all into new home. Standing in front of 360 degree dead angle free floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking city vein under foot, I first time had a feeling of feet on solid ground. Here, is my real home. I gave myself a week holiday, whole heart devoted into joy of decorating new home. I replaced furniture uniformly configured by developer, personally went select Italian leather sofa, Nordic solid wood dining table, and a super large soft bed enough for me to roll. I even in living room corner, created a small bar for myself, bought full set of bartending tools. My best friend Jasmine came see me, looking at brand new house and radiant me, shocked half day couldn’t speak. “Aurora, did you rob a bank?” I told her things happened these few days originally. Jasmine heard, angry directly jumped up from sofa. “They also too excessive! What thing is Liam! Holding your money act powerful, also treat you like garbage throw at pier? Uncle Auntie really partial to armpit!” She scolded half day, then heartached hugged me. “But, Aurora, you did right! This house bought too right! Should be like this! Let them see, without you this ATM, they count as fart!” I leaned on her shoulder, laughed. “So, to celebrate me escaping bitter sea, reborn. I decided…” I deliberately prolonged voice. “Go sit that luxury yacht again.” Jasmine eyes lit up: “Yes! Must go! Also want sit most expensive suite, let them see, you alone, live better than their whole family!” Departure day, I specially put on exquisite makeup, wore that most expensive red long dress in my wardrobe. At same pier, same boarding gate. Staff respectfully verified, made a please gesture to me: “Miss Ying, welcome you board, your private butler already waiting you in suite.” Boarded deck, I let Jasmine help me take a photo. Background was Hudson River under sunset afterglow, I raised a glass of champagne, smile brilliant. I posted photo to TikTok, didn’t block anyone. Finished posting, I put away phone, with Jasmine, started enjoy this feast truly belong to me. Time on yacht comfortable and luxurious. Me and Jasmine enjoyed dinner prepared by Michelin chef in top floor restaurant, played in open air pool on deck, watched latest movie in private cinema. This is life. Until next morning, I hangover woke up, then found my phone almost exploded. WeChat, text, call, overwhelming. Click open look, almost all from my brother, he changed a small account to contact me. He didn’t know again from which relative added me back, messages sent full of anger and unreasonable. “Aurora, you really capable ah! Where you got money to live so good suite? Did you long hide private money behind our back?”

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After I caught my wife, Arabella, and her oldest friend, Pierce, in bed together, a single question—why?—was enough for her to have me committed. Five years in a place they called an “asylum.” When I finally got out, I was quiet. Extremely obedient. If someone told me to walk east, I wouldn’t even think about the west. Arabella brought me home, her eyes as cold as the November air. “If you ever speak to Pierce with disrespect again, Cal,” she warned, her voice low and sharp, “I won’t be so lenient next time.” I nodded obediently. Then, I turned and picked up a fruit knife, ramming it into my mouth until my tongue was a mangled mess of flesh and blood. She immediately snatched the knife away, the color draining from her face as she looked at the grotesque wound filling my mouth. Pierce leaned close, his voice a venomous whisper in my ear. “Try another pathetic stunt to win Bella’s attention, and I’ll personally ship you back to the Institute.” Then, with a practiced gasp, he slapped himself hard across the face, stumbled, and fell to the floor. “I’m sorry, Cal. I shouldn’t have gotten in your way. Hit me back. Please, take out your frustration on me.” Arabella walked in just in time to see him on the ground. Her eyes flashed with immediate, furious conviction. She stomped on my hand, grinding her heel into my knuckles. “I brought you home out of the goodness of my heart, and this is how you repay me? Uncaring, ungrateful. Have you completely lost your soul?” I got up, walked to the garage, and obediently laid down on the commercial-grade cutting machine. I found the power switch and pressed it. Bone dust and blood sprayed everywhere. Arabella froze, shaking violently, before finally snapping out of it and shutting the machine off. In the ambulance, I heard Arabella’s voice, trembling as she spoke to the EMT. “I just… I yelled at him. I didn’t tell him to start cutting off his own flesh…” I was convulsing from the pain, but I managed to nod. She hadn’t told me to do it. But five years in that place, five years of endless beatings and torture, had taught me the lesson. Obey the unspoken command. Always. Later, she would ask me to die for Pierce one more time. And when I did as she asked, she would just cry and beg for my forgiveness. … It took three days in surgery just to keep me alive. Arabella looked at me, wrapped head to toe in bandages, and a flicker of something—pity? distress?—crossed her face. Pierce was quick to shift the blame. “Bella, I know Cal wanted me gone, but I never imagined he’d throw himself onto that thing to try and manipulate us,” he whined. “Maybe I should just leave. Who knows what he’ll try to pin on me next!” Arabella instantly pulled him into a hug. “If anyone’s leaving, it’s Callum! Five years hasn’t changed him. Look at him! He’s using self-mutilation as a ploy to get attention!” she spat, her gaze never leaving me. “If he really wanted to die, he would have plunged the knife into his heart. He laid on that machine because he knew we could still save him!” I had just opened my eyes enough to hear the words. A cascade of memories—the grinning faces of my torturers, the sting of the whip—slammed into my mind. I couldn’t stop the full-body tremor. Panicked, I threw myself off the bed. The stitches in my fresh wounds ripped open, and I was instantly a bloody mess. I barely felt the pain. I scrambled, grabbed a discarded scalpel, and plunged it into my chest, aiming for my heart. A sickening thud as the blade met flesh. Blood spurted across the crisp white sheets. Slumped on the floor, my hand resting on my still-beating heart, I felt a deep disappointment. I’d missed the mark. As I struggled to thrust the blade in again, Arabella snatched the scalpel away. “Callum Forrester, what are you doing now!” I coughed up blood. A pool of it gathered beneath me. Pierce started to speak, but Arabella impatiently cut him off. “Just stop it, both of you. Whatever you’re doing, don’t provoke him right now.” Pierce’s eyes widened in disbelief. She was defending me? He immediately turned his outrage into a weapon. His eyes blazing red, he struck himself, hard, twice across the face. “You’re right! It’s all my fault! I was trying to provoke him, I made him hit me, I forced him to hurt himself!” he wailed, dissolving into theatrical, heartbroken sobs. “Bella, every mistake is mine. Punish me however you see fit.” Arabella’s gaze flickered back and forth between us, torn. Finally, she helped Pierce up, deliberately looking away from me. “Callum,” she said, her voice strained. “Pierce is kind-hearted enough not to press charges. Apologize to him. Right now. And we’ll forget this ever happened.” I looked up at her, weak, dizzy. My body reacted before my mind did. If I was to apologize, I needed to show her the appropriate level of conviction. Before either of them could stop me, I smashed the glass flower vase. The shards dug deep into my knees, shredding the muscle as I knelt before Pierce. I began to hit my forehead against the floor, a rhythmic, bone-jarring thud. Each one was done with maximum force. My vision started to tunnel. I heard a crisp, snapping sound, like a dry twig breaking. I felt the raw scrape of bone on the floor. Finally, the crippling pain consumed me, and I collapsed. Pierce, still in Arabella’s arms, stared down at me, utterly stunned. A moment later, the room erupted into panicked shouts. In the last sliver of consciousness, I saw Arabella running to get a doctor, frantic enough that she’d lost one of her high heels. That night, Arabella played the surveillance footage back for Pierce. The malicious threat, the self-inflicted injury, Pierce’s dramatic performance—it was all laid bare. Pierce’s composure shattered. Tears instantly welled up. “I was so terrified, Bella… Cal went to that place because of me. He must hate me enough to kill me.” “I was just trying to test him. I needed to know if I was safe around him,” he stammered, pulling a small pocket knife from his jacket. “I’m sorry, Bella. If you blame me, I’ll pay him back with my life.” He made a show of pressing the blade to his wrist. Arabella’s anger instantly evaporated, replaced by frantic concern. She snatched the knife away and clutched him to her chest. “I don’t blame you! Five years ago, Cal was bullying you. It’s normal that you’d be worried,” she soothed. “Besides,” she added, her eyes hardening as she looked toward my bruised and bloodied body, “what normal human being is so pathologically obedient? No one slices their own tongue or jumps into a grinder just because of a few angry words.” Pierce had completely convinced her. She dug her sharp fingernails into my torn skin. “Callum, is this what you wanted? Was this whole act just a complicated way to plot revenge on Pierce?” she accused. “Your manipulation is so deep, I almost believed you.” The agonizing pain made my lips tremble. “No,” I whispered. “I will be obedient. Even if you told me to die, I would do it.” Arabella didn’t believe me. From that night on, her eyes were filled with a cold, perpetual scrutiny. With Arabella’s tacit approval, Pierce’s torment became even more brazen. He deliberately scalded my face with boiling water. Even as the skin blistered and peeled, I didn’t make a sound. Frustrated by my silence, he snatched the antique pocket watch Arabella had given me—my most treasured possession—and smashed it to pieces. Arabella watched, arms crossed, waiting for the once-proud, arrogant Callum Forrester to finally erupt in fury. I didn’t even flinch. A flicker of irritation crossed Arabella’s face. “Doesn’t it matter to you at all?” I simply nodded in placid compliance. “If that is what you want, then no. It doesn’t matter to me.” Arabella froze. A dark shadow crossed Pierce’s eyes, quickly replaced by a smug smile. He wrapped his arm around Arabella, his tone deliberately intimate. “Since he’s so accommodating, Bella, I have one more test we can try.” He gave me a challenging look, then lowered his head and kissed Arabella. The wet, intimate sounds echoed in the sterile room. Arabella initially looked flustered, trying to push him away while staring at me. But soon, under his aggressive intensity, she began to respond. When my expression remained utterly blank, Pierce upped the ante, brazenly cupping and fondling her breasts. Arabella let out a soft, low moan, her face flushed with passion. They acted as if I were invisible, shifting positions and intensifying the act. I watched the entire obscene process in silence. When her eyes finally met mine, my calmness seemed to infuriate her. She shoved Pierce away. “Callum, how could you have no reaction?” she demanded, her chest heaving. I saw the angry red marks Pierce’s hands had left on her skin. I lowered my eyes submissively. “I said I would be obedient. I wouldn’t interrupt your pleasure.” She must have forgotten. Five years ago, I’d stumbled upon Arabella and Pierce in the throes of their passion. I was consumed by a blinding rage. I attacked Pierce, demanding to know how he could be a homewrecker. Arabella had shielded him, accusing me of being the irrational one. That night, she told everyone I was suffering from a psychotic break and had me locked away for “treatment.” But it wasn’t a hospital. It was the private hell Pierce had meticulously selected for me. I was kept like a dog in a lightless cage. Whips, branding irons, skinning, and even live experiments—I endured every type of torture. Day after day, the relentless cruelty taught me one thing: complete submission. Which is why, no matter the humiliation, I would never resist again. Arabella was red-faced and breathing heavily, a fire in her chest. Pierce saw his opening. His eyes narrowed with malice. “Bella, Cal can endure this? God knows what he’s planning for us. I hired some guys—you know, the kind who ‘train’ guys at underground casinos. Let’s see how long his nerve lasts with them.” Arabella hesitated. She was about to speak, but Pierce gripped her hand and sighed heavily. “Bella, it’s for his own good. If he’s truly compliant, you can trust him to stay at home, right?” With a wave of Pierce’s hand, two menacing thugs instantly grabbed me and dragged me toward the basement door. Arabella, silent, turned and walked away, giving them her silent consent. The moment the door slammed shut, they yanked my hair back and tried to shove my face into a box filled with thousands of tiny steel needles. I beat them to it. I grabbed handfuls of the needles and shoved them into my mouth. I started to swallow them, the pinpoints tearing at my throat and viscera. The agonizing, tearing pain made me convulse, producing only a low, guttural roar. But compared to the five years of nightmares, it was nothing. The thugs stared at me, shocked into inaction. Pierce’s gaze was pure hatred. He shrieked, “Bring in the industrial shredder! There’s no way he can endure this!” He revved the machine to full power, his eyes filled with contempt. He was absolutely sure I would finally break down, either begging for my life or cursing his name. I didn’t hesitate. I launched myself into the rapidly spinning blades. My flesh, bones, and sinews were instantly shredded and atomized. My blood and viscera splattered over Pierce, coating him head to toe. He screamed, a high-pitched sound of pure terror, and scrambled out of the basement. In the throes of my unimaginable agony, I managed a final, blood-drenched smile. This time, surely, they would be satisfied. My latest hospital visit made the local news and brought Arabella’s parents—my in-laws—to the hospital. When I woke up, my mother-in-law, Lydia, slapped me hard across the face. She ignored my mutilated, shattered body. “Callum Forrester! You’re a curse! The minute you came back, you ruined my daughter’s reputation! I regret not forcing Bella to divorce you years ago!” “You should have stayed in that damned asylum forever!” My father-in-law held her back, his voice low and serious. “Cal, if you’re still angry about five years ago, we can resolve it. Why turn yourself into a spectacle?” I looked slowly at them. Five years ago, when I begged them to help me, they’d walked away without a backward glance. Resolve it? They wouldn’t lift a finger. Arabella walked in. For the first time, tears streamed down her face in genuine distress. “Callum,” she choked out. “I believe you now. Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anyone hurt you again…” I looked at her, my face expressionless. My silence only made her sob harder. Lydia suddenly yanked Arabella away, sneering at me. “Bella, don’t fall for his tricks! He’s doing this on purpose to make you feel guilty, to drag you down for the rest of your life!” “I’m filing the divorce papers right now. We’re throwing this garbage out of the Ashworth family for good!” Arabella violently pushed her mother away. “Mom, can’t you see what he’s done to himself? He almost died!” “So what if he did!” Lydia shot back, glaring at me with disgust. “He’s a psychopath! A menace! He doesn’t deserve to be a son-in-law here!” She turned, her face softening instantly as she saw Pierce. “Pierce, honey, don’t worry. We only trust you to be by Bella’s side. No one is going to hurt you.” Pierce offered Lydia a grateful smile, then pulled out a sheet of paper, his face etched with fake concern. “Bella, the doctor sent this. It’s Cal’s psychiatric evaluation.” “The doctor says Cal has XYY Syndrome and Antisocial Personality Disorder.” Lydia’s voice rose to a screech. “Then send him back to that place! Now! Lock him up forever!” She pulled Arabella three feet away from me, as if I were a contagious piece of filth. “If he kills someone, he’ll ruin the family! Why doesn’t he just finish the job and die already!” Arabella’s expression wavered. The words “just die” echoed in my skull. I struggled to rise. While they were distracted, I managed to find a large surgical blade. I raised it to my temple. And as the look of sheer terror flashed across Arabella’s face, I rammed the blade into my own temple. Blood mixed with brain matter instantly coated the room. A piercing shriek tore through the hospital corridor. “Cal!!!”

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My childhood friend, Hank, was home for the holidays, and I overheard his mother trying to set me up on a date. He asked, “Are you that bored?” His mother seemed surprised. “Why are you getting angry?” Everyone knew he was brilliant, a graduate from a top-tier university, while I had only attended an average one – a world of difference. He had no romantic interest in me. But no one knew this was the third year since our unspoken, complicated relationship had ended. Back then, he had simply leaned against the bathroom door and said, “It’s probably better to end things early. It was quite dull.” 1 “Who’s angry?” Hank’s expression was cool and indifferent. “Don’t bother. She won’t agree.” His mother asked, “You’re so sure?” Hank didn’t reply. He took his mother’s phone, scrolled through a few photos of potential suitors, and offered a lazy smile. His mother knew his arrogant demeanor well. Hank was a golden boy, effortlessly excelling in academics and blessed with striking looks. He was always the center of attention. “They can’t compare to you,” his mother conceded, “but what if Willow likes one of them?” “You can try.” His tone was detached, as if it had nothing to do with him. Yet, he paused, halting his movement towards the door. Ten minutes later, I sent my reply. [No need, thank you, Auntie.] He barely glanced at it, a silent “I told you so” expression on his face. He turned and walked out, dismissing the matter from his mind. So, he didn’t notice the second text message that immediately followed. [Auntie, I’m getting engaged next week.] 2 The summer I loved Hank most was the darkest time of my life. On the eve of winter break in my sophomore year of university, there was a high school reunion. I was packing my suitcase, trying to resist checking if Hank had replied to my message. He hadn’t. Instead, he had added someone else to our group chat. [What’s going on?] [Who’s this?] Friends in the chat started teasing. Hank wrote: [My girlfriend.] The word “girlfriend” exploded in my mind. I knew Hank wasn’t short of admirers, but he had always seemed so indifferent. So indifferent that I clung to a foolish hope. I clicked on his girlfriend’s profile picture. She was beautiful. I sat in my dorm room, applying a full face of makeup, then removing it, finding myself looking terrible no matter what. When I arrived at the reunion, the room was buzzing with lively conversation. Seeing me appear, the laughter abruptly stopped. Hank happened to be standing up, making space for his girlfriend. He leaned halfway towards me, his eyebrow slightly raised. “Willow, what kind of awful makeup is that?” It was a perfectly normal, joking tone for a friend, exactly the same as always. It was me who was different. My insecurity overflowed, leaving me flustered. Everyone chuckled. I instinctively laughed along, trying to hide my embarrassment. “What’s so funny?” Hank’s girlfriend pulled me out of the private room and led me to the restroom. She helped me remove my patchy foundation, asking as she did, “Hank is too mean. I’ll give him a talking-to for you later.” Her hands smelled sweet, her skin delicate. She was so gentle that even I couldn’t help but like her. How much more would he like her? That night, I trailed behind the crowd, watching Hank take her hand. They looked perfect together. In the latter half of the party, someone suggested drinking. Hank declined. His girlfriend got into the driver’s seat of his luxury car. I turned to follow the crowd, but Hank grabbed me and pulled me into the back seat. “Don’t pick up bad habits,” he said, his eyes smiling. “If your mother found out, she’d kill me.” “That’s right,” his girlfriend added, “We’ll drop you off at university.” Halfway there, his girlfriend decided she wanted crawfish and asked me, “Want to come eat with us?” Hank looked at me, one hand on the steering wheel, and I understood his expression: Don’t be a third wheel. “You two go ahead,” I said. Hank still dropped me off at university first. Before I got out, I heard his girlfriend quietly ask him, “Am I still coming to your apartment tonight?” The ink-black London night, a cold wind sweeping in, carried that soft but clear question right to my ears. His car sped away. I stood there, remembering high school evenings when Hank would stop his bicycle outside my house, waiting for me. At the time, I thought, If someday he drives a car, how would I feel sitting inside it with him? Now I knew. 3 I heard Hank broke up with his girlfriend after only two weeks. My contact with him had ended long ago. I was busy with exams, lab work, writing papers—busy trying to shed that dark, unremarkable version of myself. It wasn’t until a few years later, before my senior finished university, that she dragged me to a bar. “Do you know that super handsome guy at the next table?” “I heard he’s a tech mogul, his starting salary went straight to six figures.” The speaker gestured a number, and everyone gasped in amazement. I looked at the next table. Hank sat amidst a crowd of handsome men and beautiful women. “I’m going to get his number,” a girl said, standing up and heading excitedly towards their table. She returned ten minutes later. “You didn’t get it, did you?” “That hotshot is notoriously hard to pin down, even at his university.” I got up and went to the restroom. As I came out after washing my hands, I ran into Hank, who was waiting by the door, cutting me off. He wore a black turtleneck, his figure tall and broad. His fair neck looked clean and alluring. He held my coat draped over his arm. He asked, “Did I offend you somehow?” “No.” “Then why did you block me?” His dark eyes stared straight into mine, easily making me feel irritated. “Give me back my coat.” He turned sideways. “No.” The alley outside the bar was filled with the biting cold of falling snow. He asked me again, “Is the guy sitting next to you your boyfriend? Did you learn from him, coming to a bar so late at night?” Seeing my silence, he snorted. “No offense. Just warning you to be careful who you choose. He doesn’t look like a good guy.” My steady gaze met his face. I suddenly understood that some things couldn’t be cured by quitting. They could only be appeased by obtaining them. “Are you angry?” My tone was calm. He chuckled. “Why would I be angry—” “Hank, are you coming home with me?” He froze, as if he didn’t understand the meaning of the words. “If not, then someone else will.” I turned to leave, but he gripped my wrist. On that first snowy night of November, our secret, unspoken relationship began. Honestly, I just wanted to know. What did that arrogant face look like when it was lost in passion? So this was the expression. Even in bed, he was still playing it cool, teasing me. Maliciously, he asked, “Would anyone else do?” No. I looked away, trying desperately not to cry. Month after month, we grew more addicted than the other. I felt I was beyond saving. At one point, I even thought he might genuinely like me. So when he held the hairdryer, his large hand running through my hair, and asked, “Do you like me?” I couldn’t help but say, “Let’s end this kind of relationship—” and then, truly be together. But before I could finish, he let go. The hum of the hairdryer stopped, and the bathroom grew silent, save for the sound of running water. He stared at me for a long time. Leaning against the bathroom door, he gave a faint smile. “It’s probably better to end things early. It was quite dull. Our kind of relationship, you know, it doesn’t even qualify as a breakup.” My soaking wet hair stuck to my back. One moment cold, the next hot. That was the moment I truly wanted to retreat. All these years, I had been so ordinary by his side. But I didn’t want to shortchange this ordinary self of mine anymore. [Auntie, I’m getting engaged next week.] Hank, who hadn’t seen this message, was at his childhood friend’s christening celebration. He knew I would be there today too. We hadn’t seen each other in three years. He casually glanced at my name tag, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Someone at the table mentioned, “Arthur Stone is getting engaged, did you hear?” “No way! He’s always been single, to the point the media questioned his sexuality. How did he find someone so fast?” “Met her through a setup.” Hank’s eyebrow twitched at the word. He was somewhat allergic to it today. Someone asked, “What kind of fiancée is she?” “A bit like Willow.” Hank’s gaze shifted from the door to the person who spoke. “So he likes that type,” the person joked, then asked Hank, “Why didn’t you ever think of introducing Willow to him?” Hank maintained his detached expression. But a cold draft from the half-open window ruffled the hair on his forehead, making his eyes seem a little darker. “I did introduce them,” Hank said. “She wasn’t interested.” Arthur Stone was known for his fierce, untamed nature, always hungry for more. He was a completely different type from Hank. “I was kind enough to have someone drive her home in her first year of university, to create an opportunity for them.” Hank’s voice was very soft as he spoke. “She even complained to me that Arthur was too aggressive.” Just then, Hank’s childhood friend, Patrick, walked over. He was one of the few who knew about Hank and my past relationship. He looked at Hank with interest and asked, “Do you know what ‘blind spot’ means?” Hank looked confused. Patrick didn’t explain further, but narrowed his eyes and smiled, telling the gossiping group at the table, “They say they met through a setup, but Arthur had a crush on her for many years. Too bad the girl was completely devoted to someone else. He finally got his chance.” Everyone was surprised. “No way, he’s got such great qualities, and he’s still poaching someone else’s girl.” “Whose girl is he poaching?” Patrick didn’t answer, just clapped Hank on the shoulder. “Did Arthur invite you to his engagement?” “No.” “That’s odd, you two are so close.” Patrick’s smile grew deeper as he asked Hank, “Want to see a photo of his fiancée?” With that, he pulled out his phone and shoved it in front of Hank. Hank leaned down to look, but someone nearby exclaimed, “Willow, you’re here!” His gaze instantly shifted to me at the entrance. I walked in, wearing a cream-colored knit dress. Patrick meaningfully put away his phone and said to Hank, “She looks good, doesn’t she? Never realized Willow had such a great figure back in university.” Hank’s calm gaze fixed on me, then he looked away. He knew. The first time we shared that snowy night, I wore a similar dress. I wore styles I liked for a long time. I was constant in everything. But he didn’t know that people and clothes were different. Once I hit a brick wall, I would turn back from my misguided path. I pulled out a chair and sat down. A long-lost scent drew near. Hank didn’t speak to me, didn’t even touch me. He was well-liked. People came to toast him, round after round. “When are you two getting married?” A drunken classmate clapped Hank on the shoulder, pointing at him and me. “What nonsense are you talking about?” He was pulled away by others. “Oh, right, it’s Willow.” “I thought she was Hank’s girlfriend.” “You two are dressed in black and white; I thought it was your wedding.” Hank chuckled at the remark, deflecting it, a charming glint in his eye. He raised his glass and drank the toast. This was the first time he had smiled tonight. 4 The banquet ended. Patrick, who hadn’t drunk, offered to drive me home. I opened the back car door, only to see Hank sitting there. When Hank was drunk, he didn’t like to talk; he just liked to stare at people with those dark, cold eyes. “He’s completely out of it. We’re taking him back together. You don’t mind, do you, Willow?” I got into the car and sat down. Hank’s hand remained suspended in the middle, maintaining a distinct separation. It was a long drive back to the city center. I leaned my head against the car window and closed my eyes, trying to sleep. The car would occasionally jolt, causing my head to bump slightly, but I didn’t care. The car window reflected Hank’s face. He stared at the noticeable distance between us, lost in thought. When we arrived at my place, Hank offered to see me upstairs. “No need.” He ignored me, his voice cold. “If anything happened to you, we’d all be responsible.” In the elevator, he leaned against the wall, alcohol-flushed, loosening his tie. “My mother’s setup was quite good. Why didn’t you go for it?” He tilted his chin slightly, looking down, his gaze probing. “Not impressed?” “Then what kind do you like?” He was deliberately provoking me again. “Like me?” I met his gaze in the elevator’s reflection. “Not anymore.” “Then the opposite of me, like Arthur Stone?” My gaze froze. He said, “Too late. He’s getting engaged.” Hank seemed intrigued, asking casually, “Willow, since you’re going on setups anyway, how about we give it a try?” With that, he leaned down, looking into my eyes. “You haven’t been waiting for me to say that, have you?” “No.” I looked up at him earnestly. “The day we ended things, I made it very clear: I wouldn’t like you anymore.” “Really?” He slipped one hand into his pocket, a lazy smile on his face. “Good. Don’t just marry someone to forget me.” Hank’s attitude was indifferent, explicitly a scoundrel but fond of saying pretty words. His tone was remarkably sincere: “More than anyone, I hope you find someone you love and marry them. I’ll definitely wish you well.”

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My engagement to Rhett Prescott, the crowned prince of Atherton’s old money, was decided when we were children. Because of this status, I spent my childhood trying to control his every move. Every time I pushed his limits, Rhett would lash out with the same defiant threat: “Sloan Callahan, mark my words. I am going to blow up this farce of an engagement, and you’ll be the one left holding the pieces.” Then, I discovered I was the fake heiress. I decided to retreat, to make myself small. I stopped asking about Rhett’s business, stopped forcing him to uphold our mandatory couple appearances. After half a month of silence from me, his inner circle threw him a party to celebrate his freedom. But to my surprise, Rhett completely lost it. “Mind your own damn business!” he’d screamed. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it? Now she’s got someone else’s collar to hold.” 1 “Sloan, Rhett’s out stirring up trouble again with Pierce and the usual pack of trust-fund delinquents.” The music in the Atherton club was deafening. My best friend, Harper, was delivering the latest report on Rhett, but my attention was miles away. I took the phone she handed me. In the video, Rhett looked every inch the rebellious heir. He was leaning against a black Aston Martin, looking lazy in a crimson silk button-down, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. He was surrounded by a crowd of hangers-on, all with too-attractive, scantily-dressed women draped over them. I watched it all calmly, then just as calmly handed the phone back to Harper. “It’s fine. Let him.” “What is wrong with you?” Harper pressed her palm to my forehead. “You don’t even have a fever.” She narrowed her eyes, the familiar mischief in them gone. “Are you an alien body snatcher? The real Sloan would be on her way to burn that club down right now.” “Harper,” I gave her a flat look. “Do I need to remind you of the time you accidentally dyed your hair green at your sixth-grade dance? Just to prove I’m me?” I grabbed my clutch and walked toward the exit. It wasn’t surprising that Harper was so alarmed by my change. Since the day Rhett and I were betrothed at age eight, I had taken my role as his handler seriously. I policed his life with an iron fist. Before, I felt I had the right to. Now, I wasn’t so sure. Because I might not be Rhett’s fiancée for much longer. 2 Just three days prior, I’d accidentally discovered that my parents—the Callahans—were not my biological family. I had been switched at birth. It wouldn’t be long before the Callahans’ true daughter was found and brought home. My fate as the discovered fake heiress was brutally clear. For years, I’d leveraged my status as a Callahan daughter and the fiancée of the Prescott heir. In the process, I’d made plenty of enemies in Atherton’s exclusive circles. So many people were waiting to watch me fall from grace. Especially Rhett. Ever since our engagement, I had relied on the authority of the Prescott Chairman, Rhett’s grandfather, to keep him in line. Even after he turned twenty-one, I laid down three unbreakable rules: Rule One: No smoking, no binge drinking, no fighting, and absolutely no reckless benders with his low-life friends. Rule Two: No staying out all night. He had to be home before midnight. Rule Three: We had to maintain appearances, including our fiancée obligations. At least three times a week. Every time I cracked down on him, Rhett would shoot back with his threat: “Sloan Callahan, you wait, I’m going to annul this broken engagement sooner or later.” I never took him seriously. But now, everything was different. In high-society marriages, pedigree and mutual benefit were all that mattered. No matter how fond the Chairman was of me, he would never allow his grandson to marry a woman who couldn’t benefit the Prescott business empire. The engagement was doomed. If I wanted to avoid Rhett’s public scorn and cruelty after my ‘fake’ identity was revealed, I had to cut my losses now. I had to stop controlling him entirely. 3 I didn’t go looking for Rhett. Instead, I went home early. But no sooner had I walked through the door than he returned. Hearing the commotion in the entryway, I instinctively looked up. Our eyes met. Rhett’s face flashed with guilt, but he forcibly held my gaze. He lifted his chin, his voice deliberately loud. “Sloan Callahan, you got it. I was out with Pierce and the guys, and yeah, I was drinking and smoking.” I didn’t engage in our usual sparring match. I merely gave a quiet, neutral “Mhm,” and started to walk toward my bedroom. “Sloan Callahan—” Rhett closed the distance in a few quick strides, grabbing my wrist. His dark eyes were fixed on mine, his tone tight with hidden anxiety. “Did you hear me? I said I was drinking and smoking.” “I know,” I looked at him, my voice flat. “You don’t have to tell me. If you’re happy, I’m happy.” “Alright, Sloan,” his lips curled into a smirk of forced confidence. “I know you’re still pissed.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping slightly. “I was wrong not to escort you to the gala last week. You’ve barely spoken to me for three days.” “No, I’m not—” He cut me off before I could finish. “Fine. Tonight, you can call the shots in bed, too.” With that, Rhett started unbuttoning his shirt. He had a great body—broad shoulders, a lean waist, and solid muscle. It was the kind of body that made me forget my rules. He took my hand and pressed it hard against the sculpted planes of his abdomen. Then he turned his face away, the tips of his ears slowly turning pink. “Consider yourself lucky. You can feel me up however you want tonight.” I glanced at the date on my phone. I’d completely forgotten that tonight was one of our Rule Three nights. Usually, I was the one who had to initiate. Rhett was being terrifyingly proactive. “Rhett, I’m not in the mood tonight.” I dropped the sentence like a grenade and bolted back to my room. 4 I woke up late the next afternoon. Unusually, Rhett hadn’t left the house. He was sprawled on the living room sofa, scrolling through his phone with a casual, bored air. When I walked out of my room, he snapped his phone shut, cleared his throat quietly, and spoke with an indifferent tone. “Sloan Callahan, you complained that all your clothes were out of season. I’ve got some free time today. I’ll take you to the city to get new ones.” “No, thank you. I have plans with Harper.” I rejected him without a moment’s thought. “Wait, Sloan Callahan, how much longer are you going to hold this grudge?” Rhett sprang up and grabbed my wrist, his brow furrowed. He pursed his lips, a slight impatience creeping into his voice. “I’m offering you the olive branch, Sloan! Are you just going to save this up to use against me with my grandfather?” So that was the reason for his strange behavior. He thought I was just laying a trap. I’d certainly done that enough times in the past. “Relax, Rhett. I won’t.” I waved my hand dismissively. “I admit, I was too controlling. All three rules I established? They’re null and void. From now on, you do what you want. I won’t be involved in your life.” “I mean it.” Fearing his disbelief, I raised three fingers in a mock-oath. “I swear.” “Sloan Callahan, you…” Rhett stared at me in disbelief, his eyes clouding with a faint, watery red. His chest rose and fell sharply. Finally, he turned his face away, his voice stiff and hard. “Fine. Whatever you want.” The front door slammed shut with a BAM. Wait!!? What the hell is he angry about? I met Harper at a cafe and told her everything about the identity swap. Harper froze for a long moment before reacting. “So you think the engagement is going to fail, and that’s why you’ve stopped being his warden?” She leaned forward. “But have you ever considered that Rhett might actually like you, and he won’t give up the engagement easily?” “Rhett doesn’t like me.” I managed a thin, self-deprecating smile. “Just last week, he told me so himself.” I sighed. “I only just learned how much he truly loathes our engagement.” 5 After so many years with Rhett, it would be a lie to say I had no feelings for him. The night I learned I was the fake heiress, I desperately wanted to find Rhett and use him to release my pent-up emotion. Instead, I accidentally overheard him talking to his friends: “Prescott, are you really content to be policed by Sloan Callahan for the rest of your life?” “Everyone says you’re whipped, tied up by one woman.” “You haven’t… fallen for Sloan, have you?” “Impossible!” Rhett declared flatly. “I’d fall for anyone but her.” He let out a short, cold laugh. “Sloan Callahan? She’s got pale skin and big eyes, but she is absolutely not my type. If it weren’t for my grandfather forcing me into this, I would never have submitted to her rules.” Standing outside the private room, I felt a tidal wave of unnamable emotions wash over me. The last flickering flame of hope I held for Rhett was extinguished. I left the club quietly and walked alone for a long time on the way home. “Rhett said it himself,” I told Harper, pressing my lips together. “He’s itching to dump me.” Harper opened her mouth to speak, her eyes full of unspoken feeling, but in the end, she said nothing. I explained my worries to her. I’ve always cared deeply about my reputation. When the news breaks that I’m the fake heiress and the Prescott family rejects me, I’ll be the joke of the entire city. So, before the true heiress is found, I intend to break off the engagement myself. 6 Without my restrictions, Rhett didn’t come home for days. Normally, if he wasn’t back by midnight, I’d either bombard him with texts or show up and drag him home. Tonight, just as I was getting ready for bed, Rhett’s lackey texted me a video. [Yo, Mrs. P. The Boss is insisting on hiring a ‘companion’ tonight. You might want to come down and put a stop to this.] I opened the video. Rhett was sitting lazily on a sectional sofa, a saccharine-sweet blonde in a baby-blue dress standing in front of him. A sharp pang hit my chest. He wasted no time taking my words literally. [Got it. Thanks.] I locked my phone, but another video immediately pinged through. Rhett had his arm wrapped around the blonde, and he was stuffing his black card into her hand. “My fiancée doesn’t want to control me anymore. Bring out all your tricks, baby.” My eyes stung. I deleted Rhett’s lackey from my contacts list. Before I broke the engagement, I planned to move out of Rhett’s house. It was originally the luxurious Atherton home the Prescotts intended for our marriage. Since the engagement was ending, there was no need for me to stay. After a few days of searching, I found an apartment I liked and was going today to sign the lease. Stepping out of the elevator, I ran into Nolan Hayes, a friend from college, in the hallway. We were laughing and chatting as we walked toward the exit. But just as we reached the complex gate, I saw a familiar silhouette. Rhett was staring at Nolan and me. His eyes were filled with disbelief, anger, and a flicker of raw instability. He shifted his gaze to my face, his eyes red for some reason, and asked through gritted teeth, “Sloan Callahan, who the hell is he? Don’t forget, you have a fiancé.” “I won’t for much longer,” I murmured, barely a whisper. Rhett’s pupils contracted. He surged forward and gripped my shoulders, his fingertips white with strain. His breathing was ragged, and his eyes were welling up with a thin, angry film of water. “Sloan Callahan, are you throwing me away for this guy?” I parted my lips to speak, but Rhett yanked me violently into his car. His mouth came down on mine, then he bit my earlobe viciously. “Sloan Callahan, we grew up together. We’re us. What the hell is he to you?” “Get off me!” I struggled, pushing him away, but his kisses trailed down my collarbone. “You want me to leave, Sloan Callahan?” He immediately ran his hand up my thigh and pressed his mouth to my neck, threatening me. “If you get out of this car, I will kiss you in front of him.” … That night, Rhett was back in his signature provocative attire, showing off his sculpted abs. “Sloan Callahan, inspect the merchandise.” He grabbed my wrist and forced it against his stomach, then offered an explanation. “I didn’t touch anyone the other night. When you blocked that text from Pierce, I drove straight back.” He leaned in, his voice thick. “Sloan Callahan, you clearly still care.” His words softened something in me. Maybe Rhett did care, just a little. I pushed his chest lightly. “You still smell faintly of liquor. Go wash again.” Rhett looked like he wanted to argue, but he turned and obediently headed to the bathroom. 7 While Rhett was in the shower, the screen of his tablet, which was on the sofa, lit up. I opened it and saw his friends’ group chat messages. [Boss, I tracked down the guy. He’s just Mrs. P’s old college friend, Nolan Hayes.] [The Boss is really fired up about this guy. He must be falling for Mrs. P, right?] Rhett: [Who the hell is falling for Sloan Callahan? I’m just pissed she’s having an emotional affair.] Rhett: [I’d never want a flighty, ungrateful woman like her.] Rhett: [When I’m done training Sloan, when she’s completely obsessed with me, I’m going to drop her like a hot potato!] I gave a bitter, dry laugh. Rhett’s anger and jealousy had all been an act. That was his real plan all along. I closed the tablet, a mix of hurt and fury bubbling up inside me. I was deep in thought when a clean, fresh-smelling Rhett slid next to me. His breath was hot, his kisses trailing down my neck. His voice was husky. “Sloan Callahan, it’s been too long.” I pushed him away, my tone icy. “Rhett, don’t touch me. I don’t want this.” Rhett muttered a low curse and frowned. “Sloan Callahan, you’re not letting me touch you? Are you saving yourself for Nolan Hayes?” Remembering the malicious messages on the group chat, I suddenly saw no reason to explain myself. The engagement was ending anyway. I might as well look like the winner, the one who left with dignity. I pressed my lips together. “Yes. From now on, I won’t concern myself with your family’s business. And you won’t concern yourself with mine. We can both do whatever we want.” “The hell I will!” Rhett’s eyes were bloodshot with anger. “Sloan Callahan, either you cut him off, or we end this engagement now.” “Fine,” I agreed, following his lead. “I’ll call both families tomorrow.” Then, fighting back tears, I slammed the door on my way out. 8 When I returned, the living room looked like a hurricane had passed through it. Rhett was sitting on the sofa, his arms crossed, his gaze a challenge. “Sloan Callahan, you want to break the engagement? Then pack your stuff and get out of my house immediately.” He waved his hand at my belongings. “All these new-season clothes in your room just annoy me now.” He smirked, cruel and calculating. “Once you leave me, do you think Nolan Hayes’s pathetic salary can keep you in clothes like that?” “Even if he can’t, I’d still prefer what he buys me,” I replied, my voice steady. “I’d only worry about him affording it.” I walked straight into the bedroom and dragged out a large suitcase. Then I calmly began folding the scattered clothes, tucking them neatly into the luggage. “Wait, Sloan Callahan, are you serious?” Rhett suddenly rushed over and slammed his hand down on the suitcase, his knuckles white with strain. His breath hitched, and a thin, angry moisture gathered in his eyes. “Are you really breaking up with me for that guy?” He searched my face frantically. “Is he better than me? What did I do wrong?” Rhett stared at me, then suddenly sank to his knees. His face was pale, his body trembling. “Sloan Callahan… I’m sorry. I swear I’ll listen to you from now on.” He clutched the hem of my shirt with one hand, the other clutching his chest, his face contorted in pain. “Sloan Callahan, it hurts. Please. Don’t go.” Rhett’s lips were quivering, and the pain seemed genuine. It was only then that I remembered. He had a serious heart condition. It was the reason the Prescotts indulged him so much. Rhett passed out. I immediately called 911. As he was being rushed into the emergency room and I waited outside, two warring voices fought in my head. Was he really that emotional about me leaving? Did he actually care about me? Rhett had to stay in the hospital for a few days, so I returned home to grab him a change of clothes. “The Boss is pretty clever, huh? Checked into the hospital just to stop his fiancée from leaving.” I heard one of his friends say inside the house. “I only did it because I wanted to wait until Sloan was completely obsessed with me, and then I’d drop her hard!” Rhett’s voice was defiant. “Gotta say, the pity play is working beautifully.” My hand, reaching for the doorknob, froze. I was so grateful I had come back at that exact moment. Otherwise, Rhett would have fooled me again. I should have known. Given Rhett’s arrogant personality, the only one who could end the engagement was him. If I tried to force a breakup now, I had no idea what kind of disaster he would cause. My only option was to play along. I had to continue the performance until the real heiress returned. Then the Prescott family would naturally end the engagement for me. 9 During Rhett’s few days in the hospital, I didn’t mention the breakup again, returning to our old way of interacting. Rhett was ecstatic. It was during this time that Dahlia Song, the real heiress, was found and brought back. The Callahans hosted a lavish welcome banquet for her—it was practically the talk of Atherton. Rhett was discharged from the hospital, and we attended the party together. When he learned I was the fake heiress, Rhett seemed secretly pleased. He grabbed my hand and threatened me. “Sloan Callahan, let’s see you try to break up with me now. Without the Callahans, your only support system is me.” When Dahlia saw Rhett, her eyes lit up. “It’s you. Do you remember me?” Rhett glanced at me triumphantly. “Of course, I do.” From their conversation, I learned Rhett had once saved Dahlia from being harassed by thugs when she was younger. He was her hero. I watched the two of them chatting easily, a knot of deep, unfamiliar bitterness forming in my chest. Back at home, I saw the group chat blinking on the tablet again. [Boss, you and the real Callahan heiress looked really good together today.] Rhett: [Truthfully, a gentle, easy-going type like Dahlia is what I actually like. Sloan is a battle-axe. I hate being bossed around.] [So, why don’t you dump Sloan now and marry Dahlia, Boss?] Rhett: [Not yet. I need to wait until Sloan is totally obsessed with me. Then I’ll drop her.] I closed the tablet, my heart heavy with a dull ache. The day after the banquet, my adoptive parents called me back to the Callahan manor. They felt they owed Dahlia everything. Dahlia had expressed her liking for Rhett and wanted to marry him. They asked me to hand the engagement over to her. I agreed. I had no intention of fighting Dahlia for anything. Everything was rightfully hers, and it was time to give it back. But when the news of Rhett and Dahlia’s engagement broke, I knew I would be subjected to endless ridicule. Atherton would be unbearable. Leaving the Callahan home, I hailed a cab to the private racetrack Rhett frequented. Even though I already knew the answer. To extinguish the final spark of hope, I wanted to hear it from Rhett one last time before I left the city forever. When I arrived, Rhett was leaning against his car, chatting casually with his friends. Someone with sharp eyes spotted me and nudged Rhett’s shoulder. “Yo, Boss, Mrs. P is here.” Rhett looked up, a frown creasing his forehead. “Sloan Callahan, what are you doing here?” He sneered. “I’ve only been gone for a moment, and you’re back to being my warden?” I stared at him, my voice steady. “Rhett, am I just a placeholder? Could any girl from the right family fill this spot?” “Why wouldn’t you be?” Rhett looked at me with bored amusement. “Sloan Callahan, I’m not exactly limited to you.” He put a hand on my hip, pulling me closer in a possessive gesture. “If you stop chasing other men, I won’t break the engagement. Yet.” My nails dug into my palms. I forced my voice to remain perfectly calm. “Good. I needed to know.” Rhett gave a cold snort. “Smart girl. Figured it out, didn’t you, Sloan Callahan?” I left the racetrack, had a quick dinner with Harper, and bought a ticket out of Atherton that afternoon.

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On our 10th wedding anniversary, Forest took me back to the rental apartment we lived in during college to reminisce. “Let’s have another healthy child, right on this bed.” I didn’t answer, endured the nausea and pushed him away. His phone fell out, a text message popped up, from our daughter’s attending doctor. “Mr. Forest, the surgery was very successful! Your little son currently has no rejection reaction to your daughter’s heart.” Tears suddenly burst, phone was fiercely snatched by him and smashed on the floor. “Your daughter has been in a vegetative state for three years.” “She won’t wake up, now the only heart can save people, when can you accept reality!” Before fainting from the shock, Forest’s twisted face double-imaged in front of my eyes. We were together for ten years. He couldn’t help cheating, sleeping with one starlet after another, I slowly became numb. Mistress pregnant gave birth brought to door to provoke, I pretended not to know, kept praising his friend’s child cute. To wait until daughter wakes up, I endured this rotten relationship. Didn’t expect he actually for saving illegitimate son’s life, dug out my daughter’s heart. On the ambulance to the hospital, he held my hand and said hoarsely: “Summer! We still have many ten years.” Luckily, a car accident interrupted his hypocritical deep affection. I woke up from severe pain, returned to the rental apartment when I was eighteen. … Chapter 1 My whole body was soaked in cold sweat, pain like falling apart. Forest lay beside me, dazedly opened eyes, subconsciously hugged me into his arms. “Awake? Still uncomfortable?” I fiercely pushed him away, rushed into the bathroom, crazy vomiting. Yellowed tile walls, rusty faucet, dirty and yellow toilet reflecting smell… This is the apartment Forest rented near my university. Our first home. Last night we had our first time. “Summer! What’s wrong with you? Open the door!” Forest anxiously twisted the handle. I didn’t have time to lock the door, it broke by itself. Same thing happened in previous life. “Sorry baby, I will definitely make money fast, change to a better house.” He did it. But he also changed, the sincerity in his eyes swallowed bit by bit by paper drunk gold fans. Before he smashed the door with a hammer, I opened the door from inside. I stared into his eyes, “Do you remember?” He looked confused, “What?” Only I came back alone. Inside his body is still the twenty-year-old Forest. At night, he went to work at the bar, I dragged my suitcase, sat on the Greyhound Bus home. Bumped and shook for more than twenty hours. Came with joy, returned with heaviness. One day in eighth grade, I came home from school, saw a bruised boy sitting in my seat at the dining table. He was Forest, my dad’s student. His parents divorced when he was three, mom remarried and went south, no news. Dad addicted to gambling, died of drunk driving two years ago. My dad’s earnest advice to study didn’t succeed that day, Forest still continued skipping classes, soon dropped out. Seeing him again was two years later. I rode bike home after evening Study Hall, wind lifted raincoat, blocked vision, crashed with a motorcycle. That day midterm results came out, I slipped more than fifty ranks, didn’t know how to explain to parents. Period came early again, stomach uncomfortable whole day. Also so unlucky, palms and knees burning pain. I sat in the mud and cried. “Summer Xu?” Hearing my name, I then looked up in surprise. Boy’s features sharp, eyes deep and sharp, under dim light, misty drizzle, extraordinarily good looking. Time seemed pressed pause button, only heart beat especially fast. He pulled me up, sent me home, apologizing all the way. My face burned hot, didn’t say a word, even more didn’t dare look at him. Next morning, out of community I saw him. He handed me breakfast, “Are you okay?” My tears like incontinence again, big drops fell down. He panicked, helpless, helpless tsk like annoyed himself provoked a big trouble. “Why is your face so hot? Fever?” I got up said uncomfortable, asked mom if I can skip morning study hall. Got a sentence: “Test so low score still have face ask leave?” But I skipped class. Forest took me to hospital for IV drip. “You are so good already, why your parents still not satisfied?” His one sentence provoked me cry again, raised both hands surrender. “Okay okay, little ancestor, you cry my heart hurts.” After going home that day, naturally got a storm-like scolding. But I seemed not feel so suffocated. I let Forest make amends, buy me breakfast, send me home after evening study hall, for a month. He looked at me smiling, as if saw through all my thoughts. “Okay, deal.” A month later, I asked him if he wanted to be my boyfriend. Voice trembling. His smile faded a bit, “Summer, no.” I cried again. “Wait you finish SATs, get into college, very fast.” He wiped my tears, saw by my dad. My dad’s strict eyes scraped back and forth on us two. Said to me: “Go home!” He confiscated my phone, until Graduation, he and mom took turns pick me up and drop me off. Also begged my homeroom teacher must watch me tight. Not allowed me have a bit freedom and privacy. Senior year second semester, I cut wrist suicide. Forest sneaked into hospital see me, eye rims red. “Silly girl, if you really have accident, how let me live.” “You take SATs well, we go south together, go far far away, they can’t control us.” I choked and nodded. Admission notice arrived, my parents then knew I changed application last minute, all filled schools in the south. My mom slapped me, hysterical. “You guys haven’t broken up right?” I looked at them indifferently, “No, I just want to stay away from you as far as possible, don’t want be arranged by you again.” That door closed, I never went back. Forest made breakfast for me everyday, sent me to class. Night worked as waiter in bar, sang, same time delivered food, modeled, did all odd jobs. Life turning point happened two years later. He was spotted by a music company, participated in American Idol style show, became famous overnight. Released album, held concert. Later transformed to actor, from being mocked to winning Oscar, he only used three years. When scenery most prosperous, he suddenly announced retire behind scenes, do film production company. I was pregnant, he didn’t want me and child receive malicious attacks again. That was the most peaceful, most happy time I lived. But when daughter was two, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I put all energy on her ABA Therapy. Forest’s work also more and more busy, time at home less and less. I knew he was escaping, heart disappointed. But also felt self also responsible, indeed ignored our couple feeling. On his birthday, I dressed up half day, brought flowers and gift to pick him up from work. In trash can saw two just used, still in time to throw condoms. After moment panic, he heavily sat back on chair, tired and impatient. “Wife you count, how long we haven’t shared room, how many times you rejected me?” “Your heart only has daughter, only her treatment, already fast to obsessive degree. You don’t give yourself a bit breath relax time, but I can’t stand it.” “You know what, every time I open home door, have to deep breath. Because inside too suffocating.” “Summer Xu, no longer is that girl I loved, she already completely became a mothering machine.” I stood stiff in place, how went home, consciousness blank. Divorce noise half year, he disagreed, used daughter and property to threaten me. Daughter finally could call “Mom”. I laughed, again cried. Just live like this, I too tired, can’t toss anymore. Daughter grew to seven, can simple communicate with people, self toilet eat. Just in few days of my appendicitis surgery, she fell from second floor. Forest kept small actress want act an autism movie, use my daughter “collect wind” (observe/study). They insisted was accident, was daughter self suddenly throw temper, stepped on toy slipped. But daughter afraid of height, I never let her go up second floor. Forest very guilty, let me beat scold, also always accompany me, comfort me, say daughter definitely will wake up. Passed a period time start persuade me give up, finally grabbing my hand sign give up treatment consent form. I desperately broke free, fiercely slapped him, beat my own wrist to dislocation. “You must want our mother daughter life then willing?” “You want healthy child, so many young pretty girls queuing up, every one willing give birth for you!” His eyes colder, like completely gave up me, turn leave back view indifferent and decisive. “Annie” this name, was he gave daughter, hope she safe whole life, simple pure. Also represent she is our only treasure. But was him personal hand took away daughter’s life. Maybe in his eyes, daughter from diagnosed day, just not count as a complete person. Forest arrived earlier than my Greyhound Bus, waiting at community gate. His eyes dark, beard also grew out, voice very tired. “Summer you tell me exactly what happened? Why leave without goodbye run back yourself?” I lowered eyes, “I wrote on note, I want break up.” “Why?” His voice trembling. Not wait me answer, he himself heavy nodded two times. “Good. I said, respect your every decision. You here with me, forever are free.” I felt funny in heart. When I wanted divorce, he was another set of rhetoric. What I love you, you are my this life only wife, leave me you think don’t think… “I accompany you in, I will tell Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu, is I forced you go with me.” I shook head, “No need.” “Summer…” He grabbed my hand, eyes red scary. “Have matter anytime call me, our home, you anytime can come back. I will always wait you.” I said a “Sorry” to twenty-year-old Forest. “Such big lad, cry what!” An old man voice loud. I turned back, saw Forest squatting on ground, shoulders shrugging. I knelt at home door, told parents already broke with Forest, I repeat study, listen them, study medicine. My mom opened door, obviously still angry. “You still come back for what…” I pounced up hugged her waist. “Mom, sorry, I miss you so much.” Previous life, Forest’s obsessive fans dug out my identity, found my parents home. Smashed door, splashed paint, pointed nose scolded daughter they born is shameless bitch. My dad angry to brain stroke, after he died, my mom also followed suicide. I regret lifelong. Their education way indeed caused me big trauma. But when I most sad, most helpless, let me feel safe, still this home I grew up from small. This year of repeat study, my parents still everyday pick up drop off. But I not repel, will active hold their hands, chat with them. They occasionally careful probe, me and Forest still have contact or not. I smiling shake head, “I won’t be that silly again.” Second year SATs, I was city top scorer, admitted to UCLA Medical School. Very close to home, train three hours can arrive. Graduation party day, I hurried glance, Forest seemed stand opposite road. Ceremony ended, hotel waiter gave me a gift, said left by my classmate. Inside is a set of gray suit, on top placed a brooch. When me and Forest shopping in Beverly Hills, passed a suit custom shop. He said I go college definitely have many activities need wear formal wear, wait he salary again, take me custom make a set. Promises he made, all done. Previous life, my major was adjusted, Business Administration, I not interested. Most energy put on part-time make money, only circle Forest one person, didn’t make what friends in college. Study medicine eight years, I classroom, library, lab three point one line, year year GPA first. Get along very well with classmates roommates, had two special close friends. When choose specialty, I chose Pediatrics. Research direction is Autism. Previous life for daughter, I read all related professional books and academic papers, big small rehab institutions also almost walked all. My mentor, also one of experts I took daughter consult. He shocked by my graduation thesis workload big, ask me why interested in this field so much. I could only vague, said I have a sister is autism, already passed away. Forest still follow previous life track, became big star, big boss. In mall, bus billboard, app splash screen… everywhere can see his photo. Real person suddenly appeared at my door, I still stunned a bit then dare recognize. He wore a suit exactly same as day we got license, hand holding same bouquet. My brain buzzed. He one knee kneel, I scared back a step. “Summer, separated these ten years, I miss you everyday.” “You want restart your life, I respect you. Is me sorry you, hurt you, I really special special regret, I don’t know how redeem to you.” “Wife, except you, I never touched any other woman, moved heart to anyone. I want use time prove to you, my love to you no change.” He also reborn. In rental apartment, he lied to me. Yes ah, people is can win Oscar, acting of course good. That familiar suffocation like pain, spread from heart to whole body. “Summer, give me, give us another chance, we start over, beg you marry me again.” I subconsciously shake head, tears also fall down I then later realize, raise hand wipe two times. “You roll, immediately roll for me!” “We long bridge return bridge road return road, I impossible marry a murderer!” I person shaking. He stood up hug me. “Summer, you believe me, everything different.” I mocking laughed, force push him. “If child we born still sick ne? Won’t repeat mistake?” He shook head, “Not born, we not born, I go do vasectomy! This life just us two people.” Door pushed open from inside. “Wife, food ready. Your this friend, want come in eat together?” Forest looking man wearing home clothes inside door stunned. Pupil vibrate, full eyes disbelief. “Nate?” Nate eyebrow slight raise, eyes immediately become sharp, “You know me? Have we met?” I also very surprised, heart follow jump. Nate is DEA Agent, how Forest know him. In breath, Forest already restrain emotion. Turn head look me. “Summer…” I let Nate go in first, we have words say alone. Door close, Forest pull me to stairwell, silence long time then difficult open mouth. “I survived in car accident, but coma one year.” I listen then happy. He drop head, self-mock bitter smile, “Is my retribution.” “After I wake, have police come find me question, is that Nate. Company few small artists do drugs, Brother Tang always open one eye close one eye, hide from me.” Brother Tang is his partner, also his Bole (talent scout), like biological big brother take care him, trust him. “Summer you don’t look me like this, I really don’t know, I also give Brother Tang vaccine ahead, ordered three times five times, won’t happen that kind thing again.” My brain very messy, many lines, intuition not only these. I nodded, “Nate side I will explain.” “You and him how know? He call you… Wife? You guys together? When matter?” Instant, Forest become jealous man, strong and pitiful. “No… I impossible not know, you guys acting lie me. How possible you so fast fall in love with others?” I stare him, “You monitoring me.” He eyes guilty, didn’t deny. I sneer once, deep breath. “Me with who together, with you no any relation. You also no need keep body like jade for me, we impossible return past.” “Previous life you always let me accept reality, now this sentence I send you.” Enter home, sure enough smell very fragrant chicken soup. Nate sit on shoe change bench at door, look up see me smile, extend hand let me pull him up. “Sent away?” I hug him, warm embrace let my nose sour. He went execute mission, we already almost one year not see. “Back why not tell me?” He arms tighten, unstable breath express his miss. “Surprise how can say ahead.” Nate is my college best friend Nina’s brother. He came school give Nina birthday gift, we ate a meal together, then knew. Back dorm, Nina just excited shout: “My brother definitely interesting to you, a meal looked you twenty eight times!” I smile didn’t take serious, “I to man and dating no interest.” She hate iron not steel, “You just spend life with your thesis ba!” Later together opportunity is, Nate they caught a gang use kids transport drugs. Inside have two autism kids, ask me help communicate. But they small not accept intervention treatment, completely closed, ask nothing out. I emotion somewhat low, Nate send me back school way, get off buy an ice cream. Eyes meet, instant become very uncomfortable. And to Forest love at first sight different, heart didn’t beat how intense, just feel tongue can’t taste ice cream sweet. That day added WeChat, Nate everyday chat with me, start chase me. Half year later, I agreed his confession. He said, always feel my heart press a secret no way say out, eye bottom always reveal sadness. He hope can accompany me, with me protect this secret. Like pressed a switch, I tears flow non-stop. Suddenly realize, since come back, I never cried again. “Okay, go in eat.” Nate hold me up, carry me walk inside. Knock door sound untimely ring. “Summer, I just say last sentence…” Forest stare my lips, smeared lipstick deeply prick pain him. “You as long as live happy, joyful, I will bless you. But you believe me, I this life won’t have others again. You as long as turn back, I always there.” I indifferent look him. “I won’t turn back.” He stubborn show determination: “I will wait, until day I die.” “Up to you.” I close door, he again reach hand block a bit, low voice said: “Your this Officer Nate, not worthy.” I lean behind door, eyelid suddenly jump few times. Forest last glance inside, inexplicably make me feel very uneasy. I instruct Nate, pay more attention to Forest company, also be careful him. Nate serious nod, “Know.” Days calm passed half year. Except my birthday that day a bunch flower, Forest didn’t appear again. Until that day mentor suddenly call me to office. Forest sit on sofa. He pretend accident and surprise look, “Turns out really not same name. Summer, long time no see.” “Professor Meng, Summer father is my high school homeroom teacher, we know.” Forest establish a autism children foundation, among have scientific fund support autism research. Mentor recommended me. Forest sanctimonious face, make me vomit. I direct poke his disguise: “You use public for private interesting ma?” Then explain to mentor, he is culprit harm dead my that autism sister. I won’t accept. Mentor alone chat with me, my attitude very firm. If Forest intervene my research and work, I immediately resign. Mentor angry, “You threaten who? Your professional attitude?” Looks like Forest gave money indeed a lot. Forest waiting me at hospital gate, apologize with me. “I no other meaning, I just want help you, want redeem.” “These years I also always doing charity, I see those kids, think of daughter, heart special uncomfortable.” “Enough!” I fired, hatefully stare him, “Don’t mention daughter with me, you no qualification.” I turn want go. He pull me, “Summer, we together eat meal okay? I want let you see a person.” Leaf four years old, with daughter at least six seven point like. She intelligence healthy, but born no vision, thrown in orphanage. “Summer, we together adopt Leaf okay?” Leaf grab my hand nervous clench tight. My heart sour. This time my phone vibrate. Is Nate captain. Nate died. Shot fall sea. Police team search out drugs and guns in my home. Nate not martyr sacrifice for duty, is country traitor. I completely dumbfounded. Compare me die after reborn this matter still fantasy. Interrogation room. “Summer Xu, have you heard ‘Kingfisher’?” My pupil fierce widen, blood flow back, ears can only hear own violent heartbeat. “Summer Xu!” I horror return spirit, big mouth pant. Female police hand over tissue, I then realize self already full head cold sweat. I consecutive drank several cups water, try hard let self calm. “Heard, not once.” “He always lying me.” …

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After the breakup, my ex still wouldn’t give up: [Let’s meet offline.] [We must meet once before Winter Break, before Christmas.] [I know you have time.] Nursing a drunk head, I subconsciously replied: [Sorry, I don’t reheat old pizza.] At the same time, a sentence popped up in the dialog box. [Your thesis requires more than just online comments to fix.] Holy cow! I scrambled to retract the message. The dialog box showed “Typing…” Pierce Sterling’s message jumped into my eyes again: [Serena Ji, did you forget that I am still your thesis advisor?] I went completely numb. Chapter 1 At the class reunion today, I drank a bit too much. When I received Pierce’s message, I really thought he was begging me to get back together. So much so that I forgot that the youngest Economics Professor at Harvard, my graduation thesis advisor, is actually my ex-boyfriend. My roommate Hannah leaned her head over and saw the lit-up phone screen. “Tsk, does Professor Sterling always speak so gently?” “Reading the first three sentences, I thought he was going to confess his love to you.” “But that last sentence… hey hey, that’s a death plot twist.” Back then, Pierce and I were in a long-distance relationship, so no one had seen what my boyfriend looked like. I asked Hannah: “How do you guys usually reply to an advisor’s text?” Hannah mimicked a serious tone: “Okay, Professor, please set a time.” Fine. I followed Hannah’s tone and replied to the message. Just as I was about to lift my wine glass to continue drinking, Hannah pressed my hand down. “I haven’t finished yet. Is the reason you rejected Leo really because you can’t forget your ex?” Leo is a first-year grad student senior at our school. Excellent grades, talented, and good-looking, but I gave him the “nice guy card” and rejected him. The female classmates were all very surprised. “Was your long-distance ex really that good?” I smiled, “Really too good. Old money family, top scholar, basically the standard male lead in a novel.” Someone spoke too fast: “Then why did you break up?” I downed a mouthful of wine, “He died.” My phone vibrated. The screen displayed Pierce’s message. [Come over anytime, I’m always here.] Damn it, how did the corpse revive? Chapter 2 Pierce and I were childhood sweethearts. He is three years older than me. Since he was small, he was the most shining existence—winning Math Olympiad awards, skipping grades, studying abroad, everything was smooth sailing. The only obstacle in his life was probably me. I knew since I was small that Pierce and I had an engagement. Just as I became an adult, we naturally got together. Although it was long-distance, our feelings were very good. Until my junior year, when I was discovered to be the fake heiress. The true heiress was soon taken back home. I fell into the mud overnight. My biological father is a gambling addict. When my mother resisted his domestic violence, she was beaten by him into a vegetative state. He came out of prison and found my foster parents. He made a scene, saying that because they took the wrong child, they let me and him—flesh and blood—be separated for so many years. My foster parents gave him a sum of money and also pushed me out. The gambling addict took the money and went to the casino even more often, owing even more debt. Debt collectors would come to school to block me, forcing me to repay the money for him. My foster parents no longer cared about me, not even answering the phone. At that time, the only person standing by my side was Pierce. He paid my tuition, found a lawyer to handle my biological father’s lawsuit, and helped me mediate between my foster parents. Gifts drifted across the sea, and punctual “love takeout” meals were delivered to my dorm, just to let me live a little better. When he returned to the country for the holidays, I hugged him and cried, asking him why he treated me so well. But he just kissed me: “Silly melon, if I don’t treat you well, who else would I treat well?” “In another two years, when you graduate from university, we’ll get married.” I was naive back then. I always thought love could withstand ten thousand difficulties. Until Pierce’s mother found me and told me the two families’ engagement wouldn’t change. Except, the bride was changed to the true heiress, Giselle Ji. She said: “Serena, I watched you grow up. You are smart and pretty.” “In the past, I wouldn’t have been willing to break you guys up.” “But in our circle, marriage is an alliance of interests.” “Pierce wants to return to the country soon to take over the company. I can’t let people know he has you as a weakness, a handle for others to pinch.” “Although you are not a Ji family person, the Ji family raised you for so many years. You should always do something for them.” “So, Serena, think it over carefully.” I called Pierce on a cross-ocean phone call. “Pierce, let’s break up?” It was a question, not a statement. I thought, even if I wanted to break up, I should get his consent. In this unequal relationship, he paid more for me. It was me always dragging him down. I was very tired. I don’t know, in his days in a foreign land, did he also feel tired in the silent late nights? Pierce’s anger, which he couldn’t cover, came from the other end of the phone. “Break up? Don’t even think about it.” Chapter 3 The next night, while I was packing my luggage in the apartment, Pierce came back. Having sat on a plane for over ten hours, his face looked terrible. “What did my mom say to you?” Tears blurred my eyes, and my voice was trembling. He looked me in the face. “Don’t care what she said. Wait for me to graduate and return, and we will get married.” I was stunned and opened my mouth: “The engagement is between the Sterling and Ji families. I am no longer…” “I don’t care.” Pierce interrupted me, his voice choking. “You are just you. I like you, I care about you, and I won’t abandon you. Do you understand?” I didn’t dare to speak. “Serena,” he cupped my face, “Do you still love me?” I nodded. “That’s good.” He sighed in relief, “As long as you still love me, we won’t separate, okay?” His kiss fell on the center of my brow. I choked out: “Okay.” Can love withstand ten thousand difficulties? No, it can’t. If it could, the world wouldn’t have suffering. After that day, Pierce stayed in the country and accompanied me for a period of time. We lived together in an apartment near the school. We were like many ordinary couples, snuggled in a not-too-big, not-too-small nest. If there were no accidents, this kind of sweetness would have lasted a very long time. But an accident soon happened. My gambling addict father blocked me at the apartment door again, demanding money. To protect me, Pierce was stabbed by him. When he was lying in the hospital, Pierce’s mother and my foster parents all arrived. My foster mother’s slap hit my face heavily, and my ears buzzed. The eyes they looked at me with were contemptuous and disdainful. They also said many ugly words, so ugly that I don’t want to recall them a bit. Just like the past twenty years, the love they poured on me disappeared in that instant. I couldn’t stand it. If I were the only one bearing this, maybe it wouldn’t be so painful. But, I was tightly bound by self-blame, guilt, and helplessness. Based on what right did I implicate Pierce lying in the hospital? Just because he loves me? Should the person who loves me be dragged into the mud by me to bear pain? I was tired, really very tired. So, when Pierce was sent to Philadelphia to continue treatment, I called him and broke up. This time, he had no way to sit on a plane for more than ten hours to rush over. My tears kept falling, crying until I couldn’t speak words. Pierce nearly begged me: “Can you wait for me another year? Just one year, wait for me to graduate and return.” “Can you wait for me again?” Wait another year, what would change? I wiped my tears. “Pierce.” “I’m tired.” He was silent for a very long time. Finally, he opened his mouth, his voice hoarse: “Based on what right do you get to give up first?” “What qualification do you have to give up on me first?” Even though we were finally speechless, neither of us could bear to hang up the phone. Until the phone battery ran out. Chapter 4 I drank the wine too fast, and I really couldn’t handle it. Thinking about meeting Pierce, ten thousand emotions surged in my heart. I squatted by the side of the main road, crying continuously. Hannah passed me a tissue. “Sigh, if I knew earlier your ex died, I shouldn’t have mentioned this tonight.” My stomach was churning like overturning seas and rivers; I turned my head and vomited. Hannah patted my back, “I’ll go to the nearby pharmacy to buy some hangover medicine for you.” Actually, just after we broke up, Pierce sent me many messages. Gifts drifted across the sea, and holiday “love takeout” didn’t miss a single one. Later I got annoyed and thought of a crude method. I posted an AI-synthesized intimate photo to Instagram, officially announcing a new relationship. He never sent me a message again. Even after Pierce became my advisor, we always communicated via email. I sent the thesis to him, he annotated it and sent it back to me. He looked down on me a bit. This was mainly embodied in the thesis comments he wrote to me: [Where is the innovation point of your thesis? Is this thing from Wish.com? Pieced together.] [Very niche sentence structure, makes zero sense.] [Did I teach you your modeling? Don’t let people know you are my student, it’s quite shameful.] [Rewrite everything according to comments.] Every word was written with dissatisfaction toward me. To meet him alone, I was scared in my heart. Taking advantage of no one being around, I opened my Reddit alter ego account and posted a message: [Help! Broke up with my ex-boyfriend, he should hate me quite a bit. But he is now my graduation thesis advisor, and I still have to take my broken thesis to meet him. What do I do? Online waiting, urgent.] Netizens’ comments were various. [See, the person who hates you will find a thousand ways and a hundred plans to become your advisor, then abuse you to death.] [Is it sadistic deep love or a horror story? Only meeting him will tell. But I guess, high probability it’s a horror story.] [As everyone knows, for undergraduate graduation theses, teachers choose students. He just intentionally chose you. Careful he doesn’t delay your graduation. My words are put here.] [Wish you 99 (forever).] Does Pierce just hate me that much? Does he actually want to make me delay graduation by being my advisor? That’s too vicious! An Anonymous User with a black avatar comforted me: [Don’t listen to their nonsense. He just feels your thesis is written rottenly. Normal work process.] The thesis I wrote is rotten? Those nights I turned over JSTOR and stayed up, the hair lost modeling, the ten thousand words I wrote—are they really so rotten? I am, anyhow, a person who got a first-class scholarship. [Sister, I suggest you act spoiled, act cute, be an academic gold digger. Let your ex-boyfriend fix your thesis well for you, fix it to death. Best if later he publishes in an academic journal, he brings your name as author.] This idea actually wasn’t bad; at least it wouldn’t let me delay graduation. But recalling Pierce, that living monk who sits still and doesn’t mess around… Even if I stripped and stood in front of him, he could put my clothes back on piece by piece. I was still staring at the phone screen in a daze when a car light shone on me. The person in the driver’s seat opened the door, came down, and walked in front of me. A black coat set off his skin color very white. He just looked at me faintly but didn’t open his mouth to speak. Light shone on him. He stood there, doing nothing, just very good-looking. I stood up, took one step, and hugged his waist. Then, with a fawning face, I looked up at him. “Pierce, it’s you.” “Quick, hug me.”

Restarting a life, I actively sent the drunk Prom Queen into my Childhood Sweetheart’s room, Fulfilling his lifetime of unrequited love. In previous life, he treated me as the Prom Queen, After a night of confusion, we got married. Everyone said I climbed up to him, was a scheming woman. Even he said, “I only treated you as a sister, who knew you are so vicious, actually climbed into my bed.” Marriage without love, I endured for seven years, Moment the car sped towards me, what I thought of was actually release. Didn’t expect childhood sweetheart desperately tried to save me, Two people fell in pool of blood, at death’s door, I threw away his hand, “Next life, I don’t want to be with you…” … Chapter 1 I like the school’s Bad Boy Xavier Thorne, only my childhood sweetheart Julian Vance knows. That night at the college graduation party, Lila asked me to send her to rest. I didn’t know that was the Bad Boy’s room. And the Prom Queen’s acting skills were excellent. Once out of everyone’s sight, she instantly sobered up. Even when looking at me, eyes carried mockery. In previous life, I couldn’t understand these. After all, I was the scheming vicious bookworm in everyone’s mouth. Until before death in previous life, hearing that phone call of Julian. I finally thoroughly woke up. Turns out he could sacrifice his whole life for Lila. I actually also foolishly believed, when he proposed saying he loved me was true. Before death, me and Julian fell in pool of blood together. When speeding car hit over, he desperately protected me in arms, used back to block impact for me. However at this time, doing anything was useless. Violent impact, directly knocked me out more than ten meters away. Before consciousness dissipated, I vaguely saw. Not far away Julian, stubbornly top a body of blood and dirt. Even pain made him tremble all over, still desperately crawl to my side. Wounds on his ten fingers deep to bone, voice trembling out of shape: “Scarlett, don’t scare me. “You wake up listen me explain ah! “I wrong Scarlett.” Julian’s heartbroken voice noisy made me want vomit, mouth immediately vomited a big mouthful fresh blood. At last moment of life, I finally also fought once. I used all body strength, moved fingers. Dodged Julian desperately reaching over, want interlock fingers with me hand. Now admit mistake, late. Chapter 2 “Scarlett, what you say late ah? “This also didn’t drink much ah, come, drink more.” Woken up from memory by someone. I then realized, I reborn back to senior year. Bad Boy host, invite us these classmates in his empty villa in Hamptons, celebrate college graduation. Graduation party to others, maybe is beginning of stepping into new life. But to me in previous life, was entrance leading to hell. Just now speaking was Prom Queen Lila. Her voice sweet and charming. Julian always let me learn from her, even angry also like acting spoiled, not many people can refuse. I originally can’t drink, but Prom Queen active toast, I not drink, will be said not know appreciate. Pity my reborn node not right, just now a glass wine already down stomach, I start little dizzy. So no matter how Lila persuade, I drop wine not touch. Just hold glasses, pretend drunk look. After all later I still have things to do, can’t really drunk. Lila see situation, eyes turn. Holding her wine glass say to others on table: “Big Scholar not drink, then remaining, I drink for her.” I lower head hook lip sneer. She drink clearly is wine in her own glass, but say is drink for me. Previous life me, where have such scheme like her? She actually speak better than sing. I poured cup plain water, holding shallow sip, silently watching Lila perform. This time, Julian already helped Lila get Xavier drunk, sent upstairs. And Julian himself also drank too much, nearby rest in room next to Xavier. Lila this time, perform so hard, afraid is have other plot. Soon, Lila drank until cheeks red, eyes misty lean on me. She used voice everyone can hear say: “Scarlett, I help you block wine all drink too much, you send me upstairs rest ba! “My life property, all hand to your hand le. “Scarlett, you must guarantee my safety ah.” Previous life I early by Lila poured drunk. She said these, I just heard clear a sentence, upstairs rest. Then just dizzy taken upstairs by her. However reborn me then found, Lila words and actions at this moment, all extra clever. She mouth saying. Is my reason caused her drink too much. I have obligation safely send her to rest. And her words out. In everyone present consciousness, all buried a seed by her—— Lila tonight no matter happen what accident, all is I harmed. Plus she this moment drunk, need support me, then can walk posture, all show her harmless identity to outside. But no one knows. In angle others can’t see, is Lila rely on taller than me advantage. Hands seem put on my shoulder, a look of soft bone. Actually she right pinching my shoulder, holding me walk out. Pain on shoulder hurt me frown, simply I also pretend drunk. Borrow taking off glasses action, throw off shackles on shoulder. Then, I instantly soft in Lila arms. Shorter than her half head me, top a red baby face, soft voice hug her act spoiled: “Sister Lila, people so dizzy ah! Can’t walk le.” Everyone present didn’t expect I would be this reaction. After all in their eyes, me and Lila are love rivals relation. Because Julian likes her. And I just now Truth or Dare, when asked person like, said also is Julian. Soon, I heard someone exclaim: “Bad! Big Scholar this is really drunk.” Hide in Lila arms me, a word not say, only bury head pretend drunk. In angle crowd can’t see, I pulled mouth corner light laugh. Lila scared by my operation, eyes instant sober. But she tonight need me carry pot for her, can only bite teeth endure, didn’t push me away. And she for fake drama real do, really drank not few wine, now at least have eight points drunk. I top a head messy hair, blink eyes look her. “Sister Lila, tonight we sleep together ba.” Chapter 3 I don’t know Lila thought at this moment, but I indeed plan like this. Tonight Lila only stay with me, can stop confusion happen. And, I live ten years more than current Lila. In my eyes, she just a sister went astray. Maybe she experienced something in college, let her now can’t wait want climb a rich boyfriend. But little girl again for decent, so design me. She want let everyone think, is I jealous Julian like her. So deliberate send drunk her to Bad Boy room. Previous life her plan very successful. Second day after party, I became pronoun of vicious. Everyone said is I harmed her, everyone mention me is abuse. Gradually, I also thought, all blame I drank too much, so sent her wrong room. Is I caused her disappear ten years since then. Also caused Julian therefore lost heart person. So I start try every way redeem, I can’t find Lila, just give all repentance to Julian. I start learn love him, want use true heart warm him, only beg he don’t hate me again. After all I small adopted by Vance family, more than ten years raising grace, I no way repay. But in the end, person cheated most miserable, is me. Julian actually can for Lila, willing risk his whole life, pass marriage to drag me. Not let me have a trace possibility destroy Lila happiness. Actually car accident that day, I go find Julian, is want tell him, Lila whereabouts. Also this day, I then from Xavier there learned, Lila this ten years, exactly went where. I want let him see clear Lila true face. Let him don’t guilt again, party that day why he drank too much, didn’t protect Lila well. But words haven’t time say, we just hit dead. I very grateful heaven give me chance rebirth. Just now on wine table, I always thinking. I should do what, to repay heaven grace. I thought want fierce revenge Lila, let her also taste ruin reputation is what taste. But I look front flower like girl, again can’t harden heart come. So when Lila want me send her go rest. I then public ask her, want not want sleep together. If she choose tonight with me, no longer do wrong thing. Then previous life things, I just let bygones be bygones. After all, separated two time space. Another time space she do things to me, I no reason revenge on this time space her. But if she insist want be stupid, I also respect her choice. Everyone want for own choice responsible. So, when Lila hold me stop between two room doors. I again asked her second time. “Yourself decide. “Tonight sleep here, or follow me go other room.” This time Lila wine strength came up, look my eyes are misty. But hear my ask, she still force shake head. Want keep sober. “I think think. “Aiya, remember not up le. Lila while say while knock few times own head. See situation, I direct open ask her choose who: “Left side is…” I want tell her, left side is Xavier, right side is Julian, I at her hand side. However my words haven’t finish, just interrupted by Lila. “I forgot I gave who Spiked Drink le…” This sentence like thunder explode in my ear, shake me daze. This instant. I again look towards Lila time, only feel she like rotten same. Right blooming fresh flower, just like this from root rotten. She for achieve goal, actually use this kind dirty means. I start recall self have or not hit trick. Subconscious back one step, pull open distance with her. I again asked her once. But got same answer. She said: “Who all can, casual one just fine.” I deep breath, close eyes. Decide put down help people complex, respect her fate. So I cold eye watch her self enter Julian room. Then I turn push open next door room door. Lila remember not clear gave who spiked drink. But I have previous life memory. She one say, I just know hit drug is who. Tonight, still let me come save Bad Boy this little pitiful ba! Chapter 4 One open door, I just by cold air blow a tremble. Room messy scary, everywhere is water stain. Follow water sound look over. Always unruly cool drag Bad Boy, now right miserable sit on ground, back lean sofa. Holding ice water pour on own head. T-shirt by him throw aside. Body just wear a gray sweatpants. Xavier lower head. Black short hair wet stick on face, micro cover brows eyes. Water drop along sharp jaw line slide, drip on pants. One drop, two drops, wet a patch. Look people thirsty. Boy knuckle distinct slender fingers, pinch plastic water bottle creak sound. Xavier look up, see again pour not out a drop water, he actually stick tongue in lick a mouthful. Bright red tongue tip stick into bottle mouth turn a circle, again shrink back. Blocked sight by full lips. Xavier in my memory, still red hair ear stud, whole body write full arrogant and rebel teenager. Now look again, that arrogant face, still is dazzling handsome. Just whole body red skin, and hot panting sound, explain his this moment abnormal. He reaction some slow, then discover room entered person. Head not lift, fierce let people roll. “Who let you in, get out!” But he turn head see clear comer is me time, mouth inside that sentence don’t touch me, hard raw swallow down. Stumble want hide in fridge. Result but because legs feet soft, crooked sit on ground. I took a bottle ice water, twist open hand him. “Xavier, where is your phone, I call doctor for you.” He look up fierce pour few mouthfuls water, too late swallow, all along lip gap flow to neck. Then he dizzy, start fumble pants pocket find phone. I look his pocket bulge, like have phone look. Result half day, he also didn’t find pocket where. Still face full lost look up see me. Red lips tremble, hear not clear saying what. I dislike him too laborious. Direct pull open his in way hand, self go take. But hand reach in moment I just regret. Rely previous life many years male doctor experience. This shape, simply not phone. I haven’t scream, Xavier already in ear pant not shape. Hot air blow past ear tip, I subconscious turn head dodge itch. Just right meet Xavier red eyes. “I, I go call people for you.” I panic get up, but by him a press hold. His hand separate fabric, press on my hand. Again a sound difficult bear pant. Probably stimulus let him find back little consciousness, low hoarse voice blurting out: “Scarlett.” I stunned look towards mind some unclear Xavier. Some shock. Turns out he just now always mumble, is my name. He all like this, still can recognize me. But previous life why Julian will recognize wrong, why treat me as others? Or say in Julian eyes, I just can random play existence? More think more resentful. So I step forward, bend waist lift Xavier chin. Look straight him: “Say again, who am I?” My hand one stick up, just feel a piece hot. Again want take away time, hand by Xavier two hands hold, use cheek light rub. His sight from my lips slide to eyes, until four eyes meet. “Scarlett, help me.”

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After my parents died, I was taken in by my father’s best friend, the Vance family. On my sixteenth birthday, Caleb Vance kissed me while drunk and demanded I only like him. At eighteen, he coaxed me into tasting forbidden fruit, promising we’d be entangled for a lifetime. At twenty-four, I wanted to get married. But he said he wouldn’t marry me. After a month of cold war, our friends organized a party to help us reconcile. That day, Caleb brought a young girl with him. The girl’s shy smile looked exactly like mine at eighteen. My friends stood up for me: “Caleb, what the hell is Elara to you?” Caleb sneered. “Why are you all overreacting?” “I only see Elara as a sister. Just because she lived in my house all these years doesn’t mean I have to marry her, right?” 1 After saying that, he lowered his head and kissed his little girlfriend’s hair. He looked around the room. “Don’t spread rumors about my relationship with Elara Vance. My girlfriend might misunderstand.” “She’s young. Hard to comfort.” Sitting across from him, Liam, who grew up with us, gritted his teeth. “Caleb Vance, are you serious right now?” Everyone knew about my relationship with Caleb. Liam was speaking up for me. Caleb glanced at him lazily, lit a cigarette, and his face turned cold. “Liam, since when are you and Elara so close? Is it your turn to stand up for her?” His gaze swept over me indifferently, then he pinched his girlfriend’s cheek. “Babe, wait for me outside. It’s too noisy here. I’ll take you somewhere else later.” The girl was obedient. She glanced at him timidly and left quietly. Once she was gone, Caleb lifted his eyelids to stare at me. “Elara, we were consenting adults. Is it fun for you to keep putting our friends up to pressure me into marriage?” Before I could answer, he blew a smoke ring and smiled indifferently. “I never said you were my girlfriend, did I?” I looked numbly at the face I had loved for eight years, suddenly feeling like he was a stranger. Liam stood up to punch him. “Caleb, are you even human saying sh*t like that?” I held Liam back tightly. He gritted his teeth. “If you want to break up, do it with some dignity. Why humiliate her like this?” Caleb’s gaze was icy. “Liam, you’re defending her so much. Do you like her?” “Fine, I don’t want her anymore. Go ahead and chase her.” “I’ve slept with her for years anyway. Even if she’s not bored, I am.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Noah, sitting in the corner, smashed his wine glass. Everyone turned to look at him. 2 Noah was the “high mountain flower” of our circle—aloof and untouchable. When I first arrived at the Vance house at twelve, I was most afraid of him. He always acted older than his age, always stern, always sparse with words. Regarding Caleb and me, whether we were being affectionate or fighting, he never showed any extra emotion. His sudden outburst surprised me. He looked coldly at Caleb. “You’ve crossed the line.” “What? You’re going to lecture me too?” Caleb sneered. “I didn’t expect everyone to be more anxious about my family affairs than I am.” “Elara Vance, should I praise you for being so capable?” When I was sixteen, he said the same thing to me. But back then, it was because he found a love letter in my backpack. That day was my birthday. He looked at me with a half-smile. “Top of the class, huh? What he wrote is so cheesy.” That’s what he said. But after everyone left, he barged into my room, pinned me against the door, and kissed me. After a brief taste, he nuzzled my neck intimately. “Elara, you’re not allowed to like anyone else. You can only like me.” Back then, he was like a pitiful puppy, his tone full of grievance. I lowered my eyes, avoiding his gaze now. I just felt it was too disjointed. My heart stung a little. But I knew it was time to end things with him. “Caleb, since everyone is here today, let’s make everything clear once and for all.” He stubbed out his cigarette. “Speak.” Even though my eyes were stinging painfully, I looked up stubbornly. “Just as you said, we have no relationship.” “From now on, we go our separate ways.” Caleb’s fingers gripping the wine glass turned white, veins bulging. “Elara, you want to draw a line with me?” I dug my nails into my palm. “You have a girlfriend. Shouldn’t you keep your distance from other women?” 3 I remembered when I was seventeen, I went to bring him his jersey. But I stumbled upon the school beauty cornering him in the locker room. “Caleb, I’ve chased you from middle school to high school. I like you so much, just be with me.” I quickly retreated to the corner. I heard Caleb’s cold voice. “You like me. What does that have to do with me?” “Move.” She wouldn’t give up, grabbing his hand, tears about to fall. “Don’t be so mean to me. Don’t ignore me. I’ll be sad.” Caleb showed no mercy. He pulled his hand away and looked down at her. “I have someone I like.” “Keeping a distance from other girls, isn’t that what I should do?” She froze. Her tears fell, making her look pitiful. “Leave. If the person I like sees you, she’ll get jealous, and I won’t be able to coax her back.” She wiped her tears and ran off. I watched her retreating figure, thinking Caleb was cruel. But he had walked up behind me and hugged me without me noticing. “Seen enough?” “Aren’t you going to praise me?” “You’re cruel,” I said. He laughed roguishly. “Elara, it’s because I only love you.” “So, you can only love me too. Got it?” His kiss fell. The minty scent of his youth wrapped around me cleanly. It let me understand what it felt like to be someone’s unreserved preference. It turned out to be like this. 4 Caleb might have remembered it too. He pressed his lips together in silence. I stood up, walked over to him, and took off the ring. That was when I was twenty-two. He begged his mother for it, saying it was a family heirloom. He insisted on putting it on my finger. Now that our relationship was over, I naturally didn’t need it anymore. “Caleb, here’s your ring back.” His brows furrowed tightly. He looked up at me, his lips trembling slightly. “I don’t take back things I’ve given out.” “It’s not appropriate.” I placed the ring in front of him. He stood up abruptly, didn’t take it, didn’t look at me. “My girlfriend is still outside.” It looked like he was fleeing in panic. The room fell into a dead silence. Liam comforted me. “Elara, you guys have been together for years.” “Caleb is just spiting you.” Spiting me? A month ago, right here. In the same spot. I had prepared a wedding dress, wanting to propose to Caleb in front of everyone. He lost a game and chose Truth. I asked him, “Have you thought about getting married?” In the dim light, Caleb’s expression was obscure. Then he answered, “I won’t get married. I have a phobia of marriage.” In that instant, I froze. And because I brought it up publicly, he was very unhappy. That day, he left early. My planned proposal died before it began. Looking back now. He didn’t fear marriage. He just didn’t want to marry me. I suddenly thought of a saying. Relationships that start unclearly will end unclearly. Caleb and I, perhaps this was as far as we could go. 5 On the way back, Noah drove. He wasn’t much of a talker, and I wasn’t in the mood to chat. Silence filled the air again, only instrumental music quietly spreading in the confined space. “Elara, if you…” Before he could finish, Liam called. “Elara, Caleb got into a fight!” When we arrived, the conflict was over. Outside the crowd, I watched Caleb from a distance. Maybe it was the adrenaline from the fight, or maybe he was drunk. His face was flushed as he sat in the middle of the sofa, tightly holding his little girlfriend. The girl buried her head shyly, and he lifted her chin to kiss her. There was a roar of teasing from the crowd. Someone who knew me asked him, “Bro, aren’t you marrying Elara?” “Why are you keeping a little lover?” Caleb’s face darkened immediately. “When did I say I was going to marry her?” The person paused, seeming to want to speak up for me. “But the one in your arms looks so much like Elara…” Caleb slammed his glass down. “Don’t mention that name in front of me again. Or get out.” “Starting today, this is your sister-in-law. Say hello to your sister-in-law.” The people present looked at each other, unable to call such a young girl “sister-in-law.” I didn’t want to watch anymore. I turned and left. At the door, I met Liam who had just arrived. “What’s going on with him? Is he hurt? Does he need a hospital?” He looked inside. Just in time to see Caleb pull the girl onto his lap and nuzzle her neck. Just like how he used to love being intimate with me when he loved me so much. Liam backed out. He cursed. 6 I didn’t let them drive me home. I walked alone to the riverbank, involuntarily thinking of the past. At eighteen, after graduation, Caleb coaxed me into intimacy. He said we would be entangled for a lifetime. He was so wild and untamed outside. But because of one worried word from me, he quit all dangerous sports. He stayed by my side obediently. He went to the same university as me, becoming my twenty-four-hour devoted boyfriend. Everyone envied me, saying his love for me was something to show off. At twenty-one, the Vance parents discovered our relationship. Mr. Vance beat him with a cane, calling him a bastard. He held his head high, didn’t shed a tear, and told them he was serious about me, that he would make me happy. Even though his back was bloody and I was crying my eyes out, he smiled and comforted me, saying it didn’t hurt a bit. Later, he went to Mrs. Vance for the ring and put it on me. “You are now part of the Vance family.” Liam once asked him if feelings change, would he have a change of heart. He kicked Liam and said unless he died, he couldn’t stop loving me in this lifetime. Until last year, we survived the seven-year itch. He still hugged me and said his love for me was undying. He was such a fast-burner, wishing the whole world knew when he treated someone well. Loving fiercely and crazily. But I was such a slow-burner, slow to fall in love but loving for a long time. So much so that he has already extricated himself, and I am still reminiscing about the past. Reminiscing about the year he put the ring on me, and I took him to my parents’ grave. He held my hand and made a promise: “Uncle, Auntie, don’t worry. I will treat Elara well for the rest of my life.” It turned out his “lifetime” was only eight years. It turned out the love I believed in was just a friends-with-benefits relationship without a title. I wiped away the cold tears on my face. My phone dinged with a notification. An email came in; my application for Doctors Without Borders had been approved. Departure in one week.

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