Category: English

The female colleague who joined the company with me called me sister all day long. She could always get various weird snacks, and every time insisted I taste the first bite. I thought this was a girlfriend friendship exclusive to me, every time moved to eat clean. Until that day I had a severe cold, tonsillitis inflamed couldn’t even swallow water, first time refused her feeding. Result that afternoon, she along with few colleagues who mooched food, collectively food poisoning entered hospital. She called me, tone fierce: “It’s all you harmed us hospitalized, you have to be responsible for this!” I was confused: “You brought snacks yourself ate into hospital yourself, what does it have to do with me?” Hearing this she was more angry: “If not you didn’t help me taste test this time, how would I dare eat these almost expired stuff!” “Cut the crap, look at our sisterhood sake, I can not call police, but you must compensate money!” Is this human words? Turns out I treat her as workplace bestie, she treats me as lab rat?! … Chapter 1 I just sat at my cubicle, Jessica from next door leaned over, face full of smiles. “Chloe, quick taste! Ghost Pepper Beef Jerky, limited edition!” She excitedly shoved a bag of red to black beef jerky in front of me, that pungent spicy smell choked me to sneeze three times in a row. I covered my throat, apologetically waved hand. “Jessie, I have tonsillitis today, doctor said must avoid spicy food, a bit spice can’t touch, throat like swallowing blades.” Smile on Jessica’s face froze instantly. Tone became somewhat stiff, carrying a bit sarcasm. “Chloe, this is not interesting right? I good heart good intention left first bite for you, you also too not give face? Is it look down on sister?” Surrounding few colleagues who usually love mooching food also gathered around, seven mouths eight tongues helping. “Chloe, this is your wrong. Jessica usually treats you how good, have any good food all think of you, how you so spoiler?” “Exactly, girls don’t be too pretentious, eat a bite won’t die.” They one word I one word, all accusing my fault. Jessica seeing this, directly picked up a piece of beef jerky again want send to my mouth, carrying force. “Quick eat a bite, eat then this matter flip page, we still good sisters.” If usual, I might eat to not let her embarrassed. But today I really uncomfortable, head dizzy brain swollen, really no energy handle her emotional blackmail. I fiercely pushed away her hand, tone tough: “I said can’t eat! Jessica, you share to others eat, don’t waste.” Finished, I put on mask, turned back to process documents. Behind came Jessica heavy cold snort, that is some kind of anger of losing face. “Good heart treated as donkey liver lung, later I have good things never think of you again!” Then is her voice greeting others, deliberately raised very high, as if demonstrating. “Come come come, since someone not know appreciation, then we share! This is good stuff, who eat who has fortune!” Few greedy colleagues immediately surrounded up, some even grabbed two pieces in one breath. “Still have to be Jessie atmospheric! Unlike someone, pretend what high cold!” “Exactly, later we eat alone, greedy her to death!” Listening their pointing mulberry scolding locust, fire in my heart also rushing up. Just because refused one feeding, in their mouths, I seemed became some treacherous villain. But I didn’t want argue at this time, afraid they use topic make fuss, again force me eat that bag of beef jerky. But things they ate originally heavy spicy mouth, smell also big, not a while harmed my throat inflamed again. No way, I could only ask leave go home afternoon. Just walked to door, heard behind a sarcasm: “Really delicate, like a princess!” Couldn’t help roll eyes, this workplace sisterhood really is plastic! I muddled lay whole afternoon, woken by phone vibration. Look message, I instantly awake. Jessica and them actually food poisoning entered hospital?! I a burst of after fear, if I ate, also afraid hard escape a calamity. At night, I was pulled into a new group, group name called [Victim Crusade Alliance]. Group total six people, except me, remaining five all colleagues entered hospital today. Leading is Jessica. She sent a photo of herself on hospital bed with IV drip, face wax yellow, looking indeed miserable. [@Chloe, you don’t play dead! We almost lost life, you don’t even have a greeting?] [Doctor said is severe bacterial infection, old lady almost vomited bile out!] [Chloe, usually look you honest obedient, didn’t expect scheme so deep. You yourself escaped a calamity, just watching joke beside right?] I looked at screen, full head question marks. I didn’t eat because I sick, how became scheme deep? I haven’t had time refute, Jessica sent a long voice message. Voice although weak, but malice in tone didn’t reduce a bit. [Chloe, today that bag of beef jerky, I originally gave you first. According to our previous convention, all you eat first, you eat finish fine everyone then eat.] [Today bias you refused, everyone then poisoned.] [So, root cause of this accident lies in you! Is you didn’t fulfill your obligation as taste tester!] I finished listening this voice message, brain wrinkles all smoothed. What robber logic is this? My fire instantly also came up. [Jessica, you speak some reason. Snacks you brought, also you distributed to everyone. I didn’t eat because sick, this also blame me? Could it be I ate for you guys, poisoned is me, you guys then happy?] Jessica seconds reply: [You constitution good ah! You are iron stomach! Before so many expired, leaking air ones you ate all fine, how bias today pretentious? You just intentional! You knew that thing problematic, intentionally not eat, want harm us die!] I stunned, this time my brain really has something wrong. I fingers trembling typing: [What you say? Before gave me eat also expired?] Next second, Jessica rapidly withdrew message, but still that rogue face. [Less nonsense! Now result is we five lying in hospital, medical fee added up already spent over thousand, follow up still have various fees, say less also need five thousand.] [Everyone is colleague, also don’t want do things absolute. This five thousand dollars you pay, this matter count finished. Otherwise, don’t blame us not polite!] Heart instantly cool half, this is sincere friend I thought. Since entered company, Jessica always treated me very good. She has a relative open imported food supermarket, always can bring various flashy packaging, full foreign language snacks to company. Every time would leave first bite to me, colleagues all said she treat me as biological sister. Under such atmosphere, I felt lucky, met sincere sister in workplace. Even sometimes snack taste a bit strange, I also thought is exotic flavor. But turns out, I was calculated by her for whole half year! I deep breath, screenshot chat record save. Then, I directly quit group chat. Chapter 2 Next morning early, I just walked into office, felt atmosphere wrong. Receptionist who usually greet me when seeing, today lowered head pretend not see me. Passing pantry, could still hear whispers inside. “Did you hear, Marketing Department Chloe intentionally poisoned colleagues.” “Not poison, is know situation not report, watch colleagues eat bad stomach helpless.” “Oh my god, usually look quite honest, know person know face not know heart ah…” I pushed door in, voice stopped abruptly. Two colleagues gossiping awkwardly held cups scattered. I cold face returned to cubicle. Desk was poured a pile garbage. Computer screen pasted a sticky note, wrote three big words with red pen: Harmful Spirit. I dead clenched fist, nails embedded into flesh. This is Jessica’s means. Although she in hospital, but she operated in company many years, that ability of stirring gossip is first class. Just one night, she molded me into a workplace vicious villain. I didn’t clean desk, instead directly took photo. Just then, Department Manager Dave walked over. Manager Dave is a smiling tiger, also Jessica’s distant uncle. This is also one reason Jessica unscrupled in company. “Chloe, come my office a trip.” Entered office, Dave sighed, a look of earnest words and heavy heart. “Little Lin ah, yesterday matter troubled very big ah. Company high level all alarmed, after all at once fell five, belongs to major safety accident.” I straightened waist: “Manager Dave, this matter has no relation with me. Snacks Jessica brought, I didn’t eat a bite, also didn’t handle distribution.” Dave waved hand, interrupted me. “Focus now is colleagues emotion very big, spearhead all point to you.” Dave paused, eyes carrying a trace oppression. “Jessica and them insist is you didn’t fulfill reminder obligation, although this saying in law not necessarily stand firm, but in company public opinion, you already lost.” “My suggestion is, you go hospital see everyone, advance medical fee. Also not much, just few thousand dollars. As long as everyone anger gone, this matter I help you press down, otherwise…” He meaningfully looked at me once. “Otherwise colleague relationship made so stiff, later work also hard carry out. Year end promotion, afraid also hang.” This is blatant threat. Use future force me submit, take blame pay bill for his niece. But I since small is a stubborn seed, no obligation bow head! I suddenly laughed. “Manager Dave, you said right, this matter indeed must have an explanation.” Dave thought I soft, face full satisfaction: “This is right, then you afternoon ask leave go hospital…” “However,” I interrupted him, took out phone, clicked recording function, “Before going hospital, I have to go Health Department a trip first.” Dave smile solidified on face: “You go there do what?” I shook phone, eyes ice cold. “Jessica personally admitted in group, she gave me eat before also expired food, this belongs to long term attempted poisoning.” “Also, suggestion you just let me advance medical fee, does it represent company admits this belongs to work injury? Or is you personal shielding relative?” Dave face became iron green, fierce slapped table. “Chloe! Do you still want work?!” “Want work ah.” I looked at him without retreat. “But I don’t want be sucker. Manager Dave, is five thousand dollars important, or you and Jessica’s future important?” Walked out Dave office, I straight ran pantry. From trash can, took that bag of Ghost Pepper Beef Jerky out. I carefully looked a bit. Under that string unknown text on packaging bag, vaguely had a smeared black mark. I used wet wipe wiped, although blurred, but still can identify original spray code date: 2023/12/31. Now is 2025. Actually expired whole two years! Anger instantly straight rush top of head, Jessica simply is intentional! I put snack into ziplock bag pack well, then straight ran hospital. Haven’t entered door, heard Jessica proud voice come out. “Relax, my uncle side already pressured her. Chloe that coward, usually even a fart dare not let, this time definitely scared gall broken.” “Wait she send money, we settle this medical fee, remaining money us few split equally, just right I fancied that limited edition bag long time!” Colleagues also hard hide pride: “Still have to be Jessie awesome, this kind get rich way can think of. But five thousand is it too little? I see Chloe usually wear quite low key, but things used not cheap, family should have foundation.” Hearing here, I sneered. In their view, I am a workplace punching bag. That is they haven’t seen look I flip table before. Parents felt my temper fiery, insist force me come work temper nature. Otherwise, confiscate my right to manage family Real Estate Portfolio. I originally just wanted be a quiet worker, but treated by them as easy bully. Then this nature, I also not suppress! I a kick kicked open ward door. Voice in room stopped abruptly. Jessica and those few colleagues sitting together eating fruit, complexion look much better than when selling miserable in group. See me enter, Jessica first stunned, immediately face hung rogue smile. “What, thought through? Money brought?” She reached hand, a look of matter of course asking debt. I strode over, smashed that ziplock bag containing expired beef jerky in hand, fiercely on Jessica face. “Money none, but this thing, you better open big your dog eyes see clearly!” Jessica ouch a sound, covered nose. “Chloe you crazy?! Dare hit people?!” I pointed that bag thing, sternly shouted: “Jessica, look yourself date on it, full expired two years! You take this zombie meat give everyone eat, what is your intention?!” Hearing this, female colleague beside face sudden change, leaned bedside retch. Other few colleagues also scared face like earth color, terrified look at Jessica. However, Jessica just glanced that bag, face no trace guilt or panic. “Expired so what?” She raised chin, used a look at idiot eyes look at me. “Chloe, you don’t shout here. This thing my relative gave, people said is aged flavor, understand or not? Besides, before those expired you ate not also fine?” I was shocked by her shamelessness speechless for a moment. “You also know before gave me eat also expired? You take me as poison test lab rat?” “You think you are what golden branch jade leaf?” Jessica cold sneer: “Before those expired things, you ate fine, then your constitution is cheap! You can test poison for me, is your existence value!” I laughed in anger. Actually heard this kind speech as if brain not developed. “Jessica, you are committing crime!” “Less take law scare me!” Jessica arrogance higher than me. “I tell you, now lying on bed suffering is me! My body how precious do you know?” She suddenly covered stomach, started dry howl there. “Doctor said, this poisoning hurt my vitality, later might affect my fertility function, even affect me marry into wealthy family!” “I originally next month go blind date, other side is a rich second generation! If blind date yellow, my lower half life glory wealth who responsible?” She fierce looked up, dead staring me, eyes flashing greedy essence light. “Five thousand dollars that was price just now! Since you now this attitude, still dare throw garbage at me, then we recalculate account!” “My youth loss fee, fertility risk mental comfort fee, future wealthy wife potential loss fee…” She extended a finger, shook in front of me. “$100,000! Less a cent no way!” Air instantly solidified. That female colleague forgot vomit, open mouth big looking Jessica, obviously also scared by this number. Jessica however speak more energetic, as if already saw that 100k income. “Chloe, don’t feel much. This 100k buy out our grudge, I also not sue you intentional injury.” “Otherwise, wait my uncle make you reputation ruined, you can’t mix in industry, loss is not only 100k!” I forced down anger. Keep rational, anger solve no problem. I took out phone, pressed stop recording button, then shook in front of Jessica. Chapter 3 “Jessica, you this life indeed have chance live in place with people serve, but not wealthy family, is Prison.” “This recording, plus that bag of zombie meat expired two years, and words you said in group yesterday. You guess, what police will say?” Jessica face changed, reached hand want grab my phone. “You dare record! Give me phone!” Her movement big, directly pounced over. I retreated a step, backhand is a punch fiercely hit on her face. “This slap, is hit for my stomach used as trash can by you for half year.” “Next, we see in court!” Jessica beaten confused, covering face eyes flashing, strong support momentum: “Chloe, take a broken recording want threaten me? I tell you, useless! You harmed us poisoning is fact!” “Fact?” I raised that ziplock bag, shoved date on packaging bag to other colleagues face. “Fact is she gave you eat zombie meat expired two years! Wang Qiang, didn’t you vomit just now? Li Na, aren’t you still preparing pregnancy? Look yourselves, this is her so-called good heart!” Wang Qiang face iron green, pointing Jessica hand shaking: “Jessica! You… you really gave us eat expired two years stuff? Are you still human? I treat you as sister, you feed me as pig?” Li Na even screamed, grabbed pillow smashed at Jessica: “Jessica! You thousand knives kill! If my body broken affect pregnancy, I fight with you!” Seeing alliance about collapse, Jessica beaten hold head run like rat, but suddenly like thought of something, loud roared: “Are you guys crazy? Believe her or believe me?!” “She says expired then expired? This packaging bag she dug from trash can, who know if she tampered herself, intentionally alter date frame me.” “Besides, even thing problematic, that is my relative pitted, I also victim! But Chloe different, she ate so many times before all fine, explains she long knew this thing problematic, even maybe had antibody!” “She today intentionally not eat, is watching us go die! She this is know situation not report! Is indirect murder!” Jessica panting rough air, tone full of temptation: “You guys think clear! If I go in, you get not a penny medical fee, still have to pay own pocket treat illness!” “But as long as bite dead is Chloe harmed us poisoning, this money she has to pay. You want send me in vent anger then carry debt yourself, or let Chloe this traitor pay money, everyone split money together?” What a shock. This section retarded speech forget it, actually even how calculate me loud conspired. But her words obviously moved other colleagues. Wang Qiang looked at Jessica, then looked at me, eyes gradually became greedy. “Sister Jessie said… seems also reasonable. Chloe, you usually ate all fine, why bias today not eat? Did you long know this batch goods problematic?” Li Na also immediately turn gun head: “Right! If you told us earlier this thing expired, would we eat? Root cause, is you want harm us die!” “Jessica also good heart do bad thing, but you Chloe is heart vicious!” Turn eye, spearhead originally point Jessica again aimed at me. Jessica proudly smiled. “Chloe, now is you alone, against all of us.” “Either pay money private settle, 100k, we not pursue your responsibility of know situation not report.” “Or, we joint name sue you, also expose you online, let you reputation ruined!” I laughed, laugh their naivety. “I already sent beef jerky residue and packaging bag to third party institution test. Although result not out yet, but I took photo.” “Oh, I almost forgot, your relative’s supermarket, I haven’t visited yet, I go look in a while.” Jessica panicked. “You… what you mean? I warn you, don’t mess around!” She fierce appearance inside weak shouted, voice however bit empty. “Literal meaning lo.” I left this sentence, turned leave. Behind came Jessica exasperated roar: “Chloe! You stand still for me! If you dare make trouble, I let my uncle kill you!” My steps not stop, heart however more certain. Jessica this reaction, explains that supermarket absolutely problematic, and is kind big problem can’t stand check.

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I repeatedly had the same strange dream. In the dream, I had a brief moment of pleasure with a man, entangled every night. But I didn’t know him. Later, I reported a female classmate for cheating on Finals, causing her to almost fail graduation. The female classmate was furious, called her high-ranking uncle to back her up. Everyone thought I was finished. I looked up, saw that man, thought to myself, indeed finished. Last night in the dream kissed too hard, broke his lip—— Wait. Why is there really a wound on his lip?! … Chapter 1 The moment Julian Cole appeared, I thought I was dreaming again. Pinched my thigh hard, then confirmed it wasn’t a dream. Madison stood beside him, triumphant: “Lena, my uncle is here, it’s not too late for you to apologize to me now.” I didn’t listen to what she was saying at all. Just stared at Julian’s face. How could this be? He looked exactly the same as the man in my dream. Outstanding features, meticulous suit. Most deadly is, his mouth—— A little red on the corner of his mouth. Exactly the spot I bit broken last night, in the dream. Is this a coincidence? “Lena, did you hear me?” Madison was a bit impatient, raised her voice, “I told you to apologize! Also want you to publicly declare, reporting me for substitute exam is pure slander, you deliberately splashed dirty water on me!” I withdrew my gaze, looked at Madison baring fangs and brandishing claws. “I refuse.” “You crazy! Do you know who my uncle is?! He is a shareholder of Bovan Corp, as long as he moves a finger, the offer you just got from Bovan will be gone, later banned by several companies united, you are completely finished!” “Then let it be finished.” I raised my head, looked at Julian, Word by word said, “Anyway, I will absolutely not give in.” Came out from the Dean’s Office. Classmates around all guilty dare not look at me. Because just now, they all gave false testimony. Madison found a substitute to pass the exam, this matter, everyone knew. Including the advisor and some professors. But everyone chose to turn a blind eye. Even after I reported, actively gave false testimony for Madison. Only one reason: Madison is a famous privileged student in our school. The Cole family was already rich. Since her uncle Julian took over family affairs, the Cole family’s ascent speed was like riding a rocket. From the airport to the amusement park in this city, all built by him. There are also many big enterprises, Julian also invested. Offending Madison, equals offending Julian. Although this person in charge is less than thirty years old, he is already a high-ranking big shot. No one dares to mess with him. Only me, is a thorn. Once the report is established, Madison very likely can’t graduate. She panicked, called her uncle who was on business trip abroad to back her up. Roommate followed behind me, advised earnestly: “Why bother? Almost graduated, endure it and it will pass.” “You endure if you want, I won’t.” “Sigh, her uncle is awesome, this is also no way.” “When she copied your thesis, you didn’t say that.” Roommate choked, couldn’t refute. Madison is in the same dorm with us. She is arrogant and domineering, puts no one in her eyes. But only, bullied me a bit harder. At first I didn’t understand why. Later knew, it was because of a senior Jasper. Madison once had a good feeling for this senior. One day, I accidentally wore the same coat as the senior. Everyone booed saying we were couple outfit. Senior smiled, only said three words: My honor. Madison therefore hated me. Yes, just for this little thing. In fact, I didn’t even have that senior’s WeChat. Madison later liked many boys, Only hating me this matter, never changed. I returned to the dorm, continued organizing evidence of Madison’s substitute exam. Around, roommates already started gossiping. “Did you guys see Julian today?” “Saw! He is even younger than I thought.” “Heard he is only seven years older than Madison.” “Too handsome, oh my god, anyone know if he is married? Have a partner?” “Heard Madison say, there is. But, even single not our turn, this kind of person too far from us.” “Also right.” Listening to their conversation, I slightly lost in thought. Thought of that strange dream I often had recently. In the dream, “Julian” took off his meticulous coat, I also threw away all defenses. Sinking, venting. We couldn’t speak in the dream, only relied on actions to possess each other. But strange is, before today, I didn’t know Julian. How could I dream of him? Chapter 2 Thinking back and forth, only one possibility. Maybe I accidentally glimpsed his photo at some inadvertent moment? I thought I forgot, subconscious remembered firmly for me. Then, projected into the dream. Only this possibility. As for the wound on Julian’s lip. Should be just a coincidence. Wet dream although hard to speak, but as long as I don’t say, no one knows. In order not to dream of this person again, until dawn, I then slept. Noon, I was patted awake by roommate. “Lena, don’t sleep, someone looking for you.” “Who?” “Julian Cole.” I immediately opened eyes, met roommate’s gossiping expression. “He is just downstairs our dorm, you hurry up.” I simply washed up, then went downstairs. Julian’s height too superior, back very straight. Even standing in the corner, still attracted most people’s eyes. He sized me up, said: “Insomnia last night?” My eardrum seemed shaken a bit. Because of those dreams, I had countless times guessed what his voice should be like. Now finally heard. Deep, carrying magnetism. “How do you know?” I asked. “Your dark circles are quite heavy today.” “Oh, what’s the matter looking for me?” “I heard Madison say, you want to publish her matter online?” “If the school continues to shield her, I will do so.” Julian pondered for a moment: “Company is fighting a PR war recently, can you make an exception, conditions as you open.” “No.” I refused very simply, “Bow head to people like you once, later can never turn over.” “People like us?” Julian raised eyebrow slightly, somewhat didn’t understand. “Yes, you privileged class, package yourselves bright and shiny every day, actually under the skin is rotten meat, all rely on sucking ordinary people’s blood to live.” Julian was not angry. But he was silent for a moment, asked a baffling question: “Is this how you see me?” “Nonsense, you and Madison are a loving family. Little niece like that, you as her elder, could be any good person?” Dropping this sentence, I turned ready to go upstairs. Julian suddenly called me again. “Lena.” “What else?” He paused slightly, said: “Rest early tonight, have a good sleep.” Early sleep is impossible early sleep. Tonight I still have part-time job. Madison was not alarmist. I really might lose the offer, and can’t find a job in a short time. Therefore, saving money to go to other cities becomes very important. Convenience store open 24 hours, just happen I have night shift today. Standing guard until 6 am, I finally off work. But I was really too sleepy. Eyelids heavy as if can stick anytime. No, maybe, I really fell asleep. Because I saw Julian. Black Maybach parked on the unmanned roadside, he was looking straight at me. Is a dream. Must be a dream. I walked straight over, said: “Don’t you only appear in night dreams? It’s already six o’clock, why still here?” Tested personally, I only dream of him when sleeping at night. Not during the day. Julian didn’t speak. This is normal, because in the dream, no matter what we say, the other party can’t hear. Looking at his ascetic look, my teeth itch with hatred. “You say you a good person, why so abominable in reality?” I reached out to rub his face. He didn’t resist either. Even patted the leather seat, signaling me to get in the car. I decisively drilled into the car, directly straddled on him. Familiar posture. We tried many times in the dream. Julian also habitually positioned legs, adjusted angle, let me sit more comfortable. “Your niece bullied me, advisor shielded her, you also shield her. “But you simply don’t know what she did to me. “I just accidentally bought the same dress as her, she cut my dress to pieces. “She said I shameless, wearing fake. But where do I recognize that brand? Even if it’s a knockoff, it’s also bought with money I saved.” Julian’s eyes trembled lightly. “Now, I just reveal a fact, you want those companies to ban me…” Anyway “Julian” can’t hear, I indulged in pouring out grievances in reality. Finally, bit hard on his shoulder. “I don’t want to dream of you anymore, this is the last time.” Julian suddenly grabbed me, strength very big. “No, I don’t agree.” I stunned a bit. How did he speak? Wrong, how can I hear him speak? Wait, head so messy—— Just then, Julian spoke again. “Lena, you not asleep, this is not a dream.” This time, I heard very clearly. Meanwhile, there was knocking sound outside the car window. “Uncle, such early morning, call me here for what?” Madison mumbled. Chapter 3 Not a dream. This really is not a dream. Brain crashed for a moment, I quickly got off Julian, hid by his legs. Madison knocked again. “Uncle, where are you? Why hiding in the car not coming out?” Good while, rear window slowly rolled down. But only rolled half. Julian leaned forward, blocking most of the window, letting Madison not see clearly inside the car. “Uncle ah, you woke me up at 5 am, exactly what matter?” “I can’t sleep, want to ask you something.” Madison shocked: “Can’t sleep? You wouldn’t stayed here whole night right?” She looked around, no bars or clubs either. Just a convenience store. “What exactly do you want to ask? If it’s about the Finals, I promised you, absolutely no substitute, just my classmate deliberately framed me, you must not let her go.” Julian stared at her. “I went to school to check surveillance yesterday afternoon, found it was already deleted by someone.” “Surveillance definitely will be deleted after some time la.” “Then why, other recordings of the day are there, only the time period you entered the exam room was deleted?” Madison blinked, said: “Coincidence ba. Uncle, have you eaten breakfast? I go buy for you.” “Answer me.” Julian’s voice not loud, but full of oppression. I also almost scared by him. Madison guilty, eyes wandering. But soon, she seemed to see something novel, said: “Uncle, why is there a lady’s earring on your collar?” Bad. Is my earring. Just now when kissing accidentally fell, just caught by suit collar. “Uncle, did you hide a woman in car? Or just came back from a woman? Say such good thing, should I tell grandparents?” Madison excited bad, stretched head want to look into car. I tried hard to curl up body, unsure if can dodge her sight. Suddenly, Madison smile froze. “Wrong… that earring I seem to have seen… is Lena’s!” Julian clenched earring in palm, not letting her look carefully. But Madison soon grinning: “Must be same style, my uncle’s taste not that bad.” Julian frowned: “Didn’t your parents teach you? Not allowed look down on classmates.” “I said facts ah, she just grades better, actually very poor, poor forget it, pretend what backbone ah, obediently be my follower not good嗎——” “Shut up!” Julian suddenly very angry. “Apologize to her.” “Apologize what? She not here again.” “Apologize, don’t let me say again.” Madison pouted: “Sorry.” “Wait for me there, I handle something then come.” Madison obediently went to side “stand punishment”. Julian closed window, I then straightened up. “Sorry, I didn’t expect she would be so rude.” “It’s okay, used to it.” My indifferent expression, instead made Julian’s lips tight pursed. “…Does she always treat you like this?” “Mm, today counts as restrained.” “Sorry, I will criticize her well. For previous misunderstanding, I also apologize to you. Her parents always told me, she has good relationship with classmates, never bully people, also absolutely won’t cheat… I believed, is my fault.” “Your family education I don’t evaluate, let’s talk about the dream thing.” I went straight to the theme, “Do you also dream of me every night?” Julian nodded. Sure enough Shared Dreaming. And, only when we both fall asleep, will dream of each other. This is why, I only dream of Julian when sleeping at night. Because he has regular schedule, daytime high intensity working. As for reason of dreaming, no solution. “Maybe said open today, won’t dream again ne.” I said optimistically. “You don’t want dream of me?” “Don’t want.” “Why?” “I really can’t like you Cole family people.” Julian silent. I pushed him: “Your little niece can’t wait, you hurry get off.” “Lena, I ask again, do you want to get off with me?” What ghost question is this. Of course not ah. Seeing my resistance, Julian asked again: “Just so don’t want others know our relationship?” “Don’t talk nonsense, we have no relationship.” “Relationship in dream, is also relationship.” “At most just a Friend with Benefits, who would publicize with FWB ah? You quick go down, later I good slip away.” Julian lowered eyelashes. Long time later, he said: “Fine, I know.” His smile somewhat self-mocking. But should be I saw wrong. He got off, led Madison away. Estimated people walked far, I then opened door ready to leave. But foot just stepped on ground. A sight above head nailed me. I looked up, met wrong Madison gaze right on. “How is it you?” Madison asked in disbelief, “That earring, really is yours?” Matter to this, deny again no meaning. I silent not speak. Madison collapsed: “I was just curious, what secret my uncle hid in car, just used excuse go toilet slip back, didn’t expect… is you!” Voice just fell, Julian also sensed wrong, followed over. He brows tight frowned, looks like Madison going to be unlucky. But I lazy intervene their family affair. Said to Julian: “You explain ba.” Then head not back left. Don’t know what Julian said to Madison later. Anyway next three days, I didn’t see Madison, also avoided some troubles. See her name again, was in school notice. Madison was disciplined. Because Final exam found substitute, also unauthorized deleted surveillance, school decided, cancel her diploma, give stay school one year probation. Whole school discussed. Julian coming out also didn’t work? Soon, everyone got another heavy news. This punishment, was Julian forced school to issue. School originally wanted minimize big matter, after all spread out reputation not good listen. But Julian personally brought people check surveillance, recover data. Finally confirmed, that day appeared in exam room, was a girl look very like Madison. Substitute saw matter exposed, also could only admit. After notice came out, teacher called me to office a trip. Once enter door, those advisors who used to ignore me, all changed to fawning smiles. “Lena, before was teacher wrong blamed you.” “Lucky have you report, corrected our school bad atmosphere.” “Lena, rate you an outstanding graduate okay?” What play is this again? I looked around, saw Julian, understood. These teachers not apologizing to me. But doing for Julian to see. Julian pushed Madison a bit: “You too, apologize.” Madison looked at me unwillingly: “Lena, sorry… blame it!” She suddenly raised volume, hate not bring all students passing outside over to eat melon. “I also want report, Lena mind not right, seduce my uncle! “I saw with own eyes, she got off my uncle’s car!” Julian after adult didn’t live at home much. Also not understand this little niece much, only knew big brother big sister in law spoil her very much. Therefore, he surprised than anyone. How can have such shameless person in this world. Bias this person, is still his junior. “What nonsense are you talking?!” Julian eyes forest cold. “Uncle, I don’t mean blame you, must be Lena means brilliant, let you ghost confuse heart, otherwise how could you help her, suppress me? We are family ah!” Madison said righteously, “You look carefully at this Lena, dress no taste, family still poor, this kind of person beg along street I lazy pay attention to her a glance, she actually want climb your bed, enter our Cole family door——” “Slap!” A loud noise, interrupted Madison words. Office instantly quiet. Even students eating melon outside door dare not breathe loud. No one expected, Julian slapped Madison. Under public eyes, this slap had no restraint. Madison face soon floated red mark. “How Cole family raised such waste like you.” Julian word by word said. His tone no wave, eyes also no temperature. But, just make people shudder not cold. Turns out superior angry is like this. He won’t quarrel, also won’t pop out dirty words. But every word he said, like a knife hanging on people head. Madison finally reacted. This uncle perennial business trip outside, not as easy fool as she thought. No wonder, when she begged parents come out, instead scolded by parents a meal: “Your uncle say what is what, remember, provoke him we all no good fruit eat!” Madison originally didn’t understand. Now understand. Their whole family, all rely on uncle face to live. This has nothing to do with seniority, only ability. Madison scared tears came out. She plop sound, knelt in front of me: “Sorry Lena, I know wrong, beg you help me persuade uncle…” Pity, I don’t plan forgive. I didn’t even look at her once, said: “No other thing, I go first.” Julian suddenly turned head look me. “Not plan listen to me clarify a bit?” His tone eased down, solemnly said, “Is I want chase Lena, then pester her, has no relation with her.”

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My mother, Carol, always prided herself on being the picture of impartiality. Whatever my older sister, Tiffany, had, I was required to have, too—no more, no less. It was her personal mantra, a suffocating, twisted form of equity. I wasn’t planning on going home for the holidays this year; I was in the middle of closing a multi-million-dollar deal. But then the text came. “Jenna, I bought you a ticket for tonight. Remember to be on time.” “You know how hard it is to get seats for Christmas. I was up for days trying to snag this one for you!” I was about to text back a polite refusal, but she preempted me, sending the ticket information: an interstate bus ticket, 19 hours and 53 minutes, non-stop. The accompanying voice memo dripped with martyrdom: “Your sister has a ticket. If you didn’t, I’d look like a mother who plays favorites! If you don’t come home, you’re ungrateful!” I had no choice but to agree. The very next second, my sister, Tiffany, posted in the family group chat. “OMG, look how much Mom adores me! She booked me a first-class flight a whole month ago!” If this was what Carol Perkins called “fairness,” I really didn’t want it anymore. … The words “a whole month ago” burned a bitter acid behind my eyes. I must have been frozen in that position for too long, because my colleague, Mark, leaned over, his expression a mixture of pity and disbelief. “Jenna, a bus ticket? Nineteen hours? That’s brutal. And I thought your mom was chartering a car for you?” I tasted ash. “A chartered car?” I hoped. Mark’s mother was a neighborhood friend of mine, so he was a reliable source of uncomfortable information. “Yeah, my mom was telling me all about it. Carol was worried you were overworked and was going to hire an executive car service to drive you cross-state. She went on and on about how much she cared. She really dotes on you!” The blood ran cold in my veins. I immediately checked the family chat again. Tiffany’s message about the first-class flight had been swiftly deleted. The screen was now filled with Mom’s generic, shareable posts—the kind that looked like a bad life-coach’s feed: “The most important thing about ‘filial piety’ isn’t obedience, it’s making peace!” “Only a perfectly balanced scale makes for a harmonious family!” My aunts and uncles chimed in, seeking advice: “Carol, you’re a saint. Two daughters, no favoritism!” “It must be why both your girls are so successful!” My throat tightened. Shaking, I typed a message: “Mom, I heard you were going to charter a car to pick me up?” The group chat instantly went silent. Before Carol could reply, Tiffany launched her attack: “Jenna Perkins, how can you be so entitled? You’ve been working for years! Mom was nice enough to even book you a ticket at all!” “A chartered car? Seriously? Who do you think you are?” My question was instantly deflected. The group erupted with praise for Tiffany’s “maturity,” throwing thinly veiled insults my way. “Well, I’d say a little favoritism is natural. You can’t expect five fingers to be the same length.” “Tiff is so thoughtful. If she were my daughter, I’d favor her too.” “Honestly, Tiffany has been the one suffering all these years.” My fists were clenched so tight my nails dug crescents into my palms. I was shaking, unable to defend myself. Should I post the picture of my standing-room-only bus ticket? But Tiffany had already painted me as the spoiled one demanding luxury. And her flight message? Only I had seen it before she deleted it. Just then, my mother’s chat box popped up. A $50 Venmo transfer appeared with the caption: “Did my little girl get her feelings hurt? Here’s a little something, sweetie. Don’t worry about your sister.” “I did want to charter a car, but it was too last-minute. You know how busy I am.” I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood. The unaccepted $50 mocked my fleeting, self-pitying moment of hope. I finally found the courage to send the question I needed answered: “Why did you book a first-class flight for Tiffany?” It was a long time before Carol replied: “Don’t be ridiculous, Jenna. I would never be so unfair. You two are treated exactly the same.” “A bus ticket, a plane ticket… tickets are hard to get at Christmas. You need to be understanding.” I slumped in my office chair, defeated. Her texts continued: “Oh, and your sister gets carsick easily on buses. Remember to pick her up some motion sickness meds. And she loves those expensive cherries; they help her nausea.” “Since I sent you the $50, that makes it fair.” Mark’s phone nudged my elbow. He pointed to a new text from his mother: “My mom just sent me this. Carol couldn’t figure out the app, so she had my little brother help her book it.” I read every word. The messages detailed Carol’s sincere concern for her daughter’s well-being: Driver, my daughter gets nauseous, please drive smoothly. She’s a quiet girl, please don’t try to make conversation. I’ll be waiting downstairs an hour early, please be punctual. The newest chat log, dated a month ago: “Driver, we won’t be needing the car. My daughter decided to fly home instead.” The name on the booking? Tiffany Perkins. Never Jenna. I fought back the tears, refusing to let them fall. It had always been like this. Bread had to be measured with a ruler and sliced in half. Milk had to be dated and checked for evenness. Our bedding, our backpacks, our clothing—all the same color and style. As a child, I, like everyone else, believed my mother was the epitome of fairness. As an adult, I knew the truth. I hated cream-filled bread and loathed milk, but Tiffany loved them. I didn’t want a pink backpack or frilly dresses, but Tiffany did. I wanted to attend a university three states away, but Mom insisted I stay here, with Tiffany. The sight of my manager, Sarah, coming toward me snapped me out of my haze. “Jenna, are you coming home for the holidays?” I instantly replied, “No, Sarah, I’m staying. I’m going to power through the Ramsey account.” Just then, the family group chat exploded with photos. My aunts were showing off their Christmas gifts: “Thank you, Tiffany, for the amazing holiday gifts!” The photos showed boxes of gourmet fruit baskets, high-end artisanal beer, and imported seafood. “Thank you, Jenna.” In that second photo, casually tossed into the corner, was a single, generic case of store-brand juice boxes. My eyes blurred with tears of shock. Because I had bought all of it. The gourmet baskets, the beer, the seafood, even the cheap juice boxes—they were all from my account, my card. Tiffany hadn’t contributed a thing! Rage seized my brain. I didn’t care about their twisted game anymore. I typed a furious retort: “These were all bought with my money. How did they become Tiffany’s gifts?” The moment I sent it, my Aunt Brenda jumped in: “Jenna, you really are just like your mother said you were!” It was as if she’d been waiting for me to take the bait. A cold dread washed over me. Next, Aunt Margaret scolded me: “Last year, you claimed you bought us that expensive necklace, too! I praised you for months, only for your mother to tell us afterward that Tiffany had paid for it all!” Her voice memo dripped with scorn. “This year, the boxes clearly have Tiffany’s name on the shipping labels. And now you’re trying to take credit for them again? Get real!” I couldn’t breathe. My body was shaking uncontrollably. I didn’t care about face or courtesy anymore. I had spent the money, and I deserved the credit. But the message I tried to send next bounced back with an unmistakable exclamation mark. “You are no longer a member of this group. Please submit a request to rejoin.” I stared at the group admin’s profile picture. My mother. A moment later, Carol texted me privately, her tone sickeningly gentle: “Jenna, are you mad at Mommy? Let me explain. I’m doing this to maintain fairness!” I laughed, a sharp, humorless sound. What kind of fairness was this? “You two are sisters. You work in a big-city firm; your sister is barely making minimum wage. Everyone praises you. Who praises Tiffany?” “So, I decided to let her take credit for the holiday gifts. That way, things are fair, aren’t they?” Her tone subtly shifted to one of slight annoyance: “Look at you, airing our private business in the chat. Do you want to embarrass me or your sister?” “Forget it. When you get here, take Tiffany to the mall and buy her a nice gold bracelet. It’ll be your compensation to her.” I couldn’t speak. Tears streamed down my face. She was calling me unfair, and demanding I compensate the one who was robbing me? As I reached for my keyboard to unleash hell, Mr. Evans, my division manager, stormed over. “Jenna, with me. Now!” My heart sank, a sickening feeling washing over me. “Do you know your mother just called to quit for you? Are you serious? What are you, a child playing adult? Get out of my office!” My head felt like it had been hit by a bomb. I scrambled for my phone. The last message from my mother was waiting: “Your sister was just fired. Since that’s the case, I’ve quit your job for you. To make things fair!” I took a deep breath, bowed to my manager, and offered my sincerest apologies. After a brutal dressing down, Mr. Evans delivered the final order: “Don’t come back until your family drama is completely sorted out!” My humiliation was a suffocating weight. I walked out of the building, my anger finally reaching a boiling point. I called her. “Tiffany is a waitress who takes advantage of your monthly allowance! She works two days and skips three! Of course, she was fired!” “When I was doing that crushing internship, making minimum wage, barely able to afford rent, did you ever give me a penny? Never!” “Is that fair? Is that what you call fair?” “I’m not coming home for Christmas. I’m not coming home ever again. As far as I’m concerned, you only have one daughter: Tiffany!” I hung up without waiting for her reply. Within half an hour, my phone was besieged by calls from relatives. I ignored them all, letting them pile up as texts and voice memos. Aunt Brenda and Aunt Margaret were the first: “Jenna Perkins, you have some nerve! How can you talk to your mother like that? You’re an ingrate! The city turned you into a monster!” “Do you know how much your mother is crying? Get home and apologize right now!” Accompanying the texts were photos of my mother, Carol, looking pale, collapsed on the sofa, sobbing hysterically. The sight made me feel numb, yet a fresh wave of white-hot anger surged inside me. Aunt Brenda’s voice memo included my mother’s choked-up whisper: “Jenna, Mommy knows. If you want the gifts to be yours, they are, okay? They’re yours.” They were already mine. My hand dropped uselessly to my side, my body trembling. Just before my screen locked, a message came through from Tiffany: “Jenna, you treat Mom like this, you’ll get what’s coming to you.” I blocked them all. I wiped my tears. A sudden, intense sense of self-preservation guided me to my apartment’s spare room. I needed something to guarantee my safety. The next morning, I texted Mr. Evans that the situation was handled and reported to work on time. The minute I walked in, I noticed the disgusted glances from my coworkers. “That’s her, the one who abandoned her mother,” I heard. “Her poor mother worked so hard to raise them both, and that’s how she repays her?” “I saw the video. She’s a monster.” “How can someone like that work for us? It’s a disgrace!” My hands shook as I checked my phone. Top of the local news feed: “Ungrateful Daughter Disowns Mother Over Budget Flight Ticket?” The video showed my mother weeping dramatically, surrounded by relatives who took turns recounting Carol’s “fairness” over the years. They claimed she stayed up for nights trying to buy me a plane ticket, and out of desperation to see me, she bought the bus ticket. Now, I had cut her off. My head swam with fury. I wanted to scream the truth. But Mr. Evans appeared, his face thunderous. “Jenna Perkins, before you say a word, look outside.” I stumbled down the stairs. Outside, a crowd was gathered, holding banners that blocked the company entrance: “Boycott Ungrateful Daughter Jenna Perkins! Support the Fair Mom!” “Find Jenna Perkins—She Needs to Learn a Lesson!” I flinched. Taking a deep breath, I was about to rush out and tell the truth when someone pointed at me. “There she is! That’s Jenna Perkins!” The crowd surged. In the second I froze, a stinging blow landed across my face. “You dare treat our mother like that? I’ll teach you respect!” It was Tiffany. Her face was contorted with fury, but her eyes held a spark of undisguised triumph. I reeled, my vision blurring. I couldn’t speak. The surrounding crowd saw my silence as guilt and began to jeer. Then came the projectiles—rotten eggs and old lettuce leaves—pelting me. “That’s Jenna! Folks, hit the like button! Watch me punish this monster for all of you!” Tiffany held up her phone. She was live-streaming the attack. In the corner of the video feed, my mother was visible on a couch, looking weak, her voice a desperate plea: “Jenna, Mommy knows you were just upset. It’s okay. Just come home today, and you’ll still be my good daughter.” Her words sliced through the last thread of my attachment to her. I started to laugh, a wretched, cynical sound. “Mom,” I choked out, “one last time. Is the truth what the internet is saying?” My mother’s eyes went instantly red, but she didn’t speak. The crowd’s anger intensified. “She has no remorse! She wants to drive her own mother to her grave!” “How can a big company like this hire someone with zero morals? Fire her!” I watched the live stream and saw it—a fleeting, almost imperceptible smirk play across my mother’s lips as the comments rolled in. Just then, Mr. Evans and Mr. Harrison walked out, their faces grim. “Following an internal investigation,” Mr. Evans announced loudly, “Jenna Perkins was found to have engaged in fraudulent expense reporting. We have terminated her employment.” “And we will be pursuing criminal charges.” The termination notice was slapped against my face, the paper leaving a thin cut on my cheek. “Expect a subpoena from the court.” I froze, a thought clicking into place. Because she lived nearby, Tiffany constantly dropped by my apartment, always trying to sneak into my home office. My expense reports were filed and organized there. I looked up, meeting Tiffany’s smug, triumphant gaze. Then I looked at the phone video. My mother lowered her head, avoiding the camera’s focus. She was in on it. I smiled, a cold, empty feeling in my chest. “Well,” Tiffany crowed, “now you’ve lost your job and you’re going to jail. Why don’t you apologize to Mom? We might still give you a handout!” “You’re supposed to be so smart! Write her a letter of apology right now. Kneel and beg for forgiveness!” I reached into my bag and pulled out a sheet of paper. My voice was steady, betraying no hint of fear or defeat. “I do have something to give Ms. Perkins.” “But it’s not an apology.” Someone held a camera up to the paper in my hand. Gasps erupted from the crowd. “What is that?” My mother, unable to see the paper, felt a surge of panic. She instantly perked up. “Jenna, what are you doing? Mother and daughter have no grudges! Even without an apology, Mommy won’t blame you!” She tried to start crying again. Tiffany sobbed: “Jenna, Mom sacrificed everything for us! And you won’t even apologize! You’re waving some stupid piece of paper around just to upset her!” But they were too late. The surrounding crowd was looking at the paper, their jaws dropping. No one was rushing to their defense. Someone finally broke the silence with a shocked exclamation: “Are you kidding me? This woman calls herself a ‘Fair Mom?’ This is disgusting! Look at this list!”

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Three years ago, a major medical malpractice incident cost me my license. My reputation was in ruins. I was forced to scrape by, working in a shabby little clinic. Through it all, my husband, Arthur, stood by me. He sold off family assets to hire a top-tier lawyer who, citing insufficient evidence, managed to keep me out of prison. He was my only light in the darkness. Until the day I found the hidden folder on his old laptop. And discovered the truth about that surgery. The video clearly showed him, identified as the patient’s family, sneaking into the prep room before the operation and swapping a critical drug. The so-called top-tier lawyer? She was just an old university mentee of his. The files showed her coaching him on how to forge evidence and manipulate the media, all to paint me as a reckless butcher who played with human lives. And the one thing he always said to me, over and over? “Without me, Nina, no one in this world would ever want you.” I shut the laptop and looked in the mirror. All I saw was a pair of scarred hands that trembled at the mere thought of holding a scalpel, and a gaunt, haunted reflection, the product of years of deep depression. It finally hit me. These three miserable years of my life… they were all his doing. 1 I sat on the cold floor of the study, my entire body shaking. The laptop screen was still glowing, the video having played to its end. The final frame was of Arthur, wearing medical gloves, carefully switching one vial for another. The date, the time, the surgery number. It all matched. That was the day my world had collapsed. It wasn’t an accident. It was a meticulously planned murder. The murder of my career. The murder of my life. There was more in the folder. Screenshots of emails, chat logs. A digital trail of conversations between Arthur and his “top-tier lawyer” mentee, Stella. 【Don’t worry, Arthur. I’ll handle the media narrative. I’ll make sure she never practices again.】 【And after this is done, your new firm…】 【Of course. Any clients you send my way will be top priority. And as for Dr. Reed… she’ll be more dependent on you than ever.】 【Good. That’s for the best.】 The cold, calculated words on the screen made it hard to breathe. I used the desk to pull myself to my feet and stared at my reflection. My face was ashen, with dark, bruised circles under my eyes from years of insomnia. My hands, the hands that had once held a scalpel with unshakable confidence, were now a roadmap of self-inflicted scars. It was pathetic; I could barely hold a glass of water without spilling it. At 4 a.m., I packed a suitcase and hid it in the back of the closet. He came in at seven, right on schedule, holding a glass of milk. “You’re awake?” His voice was as gentle as ever as he sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s your day off. You should sleep in.” I opened my eyes and looked at him. I had looked at this face for seven years, once believing it to be the most dependable in the world. Now, it was the face of a terrifying stranger. “What’s wrong? You look pale.” He reached out to touch my forehead, and I flinched away. His hand froze in mid-air, his eyes narrowing slightly. “It’s nothing,” I said, looking down, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just a bad dream.” “About the surgery again?” He sighed and handed me the milk. “Here, drink this. It’ll calm you down. I added a little honey, just how you like it.” I stared at the milky white liquid. I’d never questioned it before. He told me it was a supplement to help me relax, and I drank it obediently every day, spending the rest of my hours in a hazy, forgetful fog. Now I knew what it really was. Sedatives. A steady, low dose, administered over years. I took the glass, placed it on the nightstand, and asked casually, “Are you going out today?” “Yeah, a last-minute meeting at the office. I might be back late.” He leaned down. “You just rest here at home. Don’t let your mind wander, okay?” “Okay,” I whispered. He pressed a kiss to my forehead. A touch that had once brought me comfort now made my skin crawl. The moment the front door clicked shut, I ran to the bathroom and poured the milk down the toilet. Back in the bedroom, I opened my phone and found the main number for Arthur’s company. “Good morning, Apex Medical Solutions. How may I help you?” “Hi, I’d just like to confirm if President Arthur Vance has a last-minute meeting scheduled for this morning?” “One moment, please.” I heard the clatter of a keyboard. “No… I’m not seeing any meetings on his schedule for today. May I ask who’s calling?” “Never mind. Thank you.” I hung up. I knew that if he wasn’t at the office, there was only one other place he would be. Stella’s law firm. I saw Arthur’s car parked in a temporary spot on the side of the building. Two minutes later, Stella emerged from the revolving doors. She walked quickly to the car, pulled open the passenger door, and slipped inside. I watched them kiss. It was natural. Practiced. I stood silently in the shadows, feeling no anger, no tears. Just a numb shock and a sharp, twisting pain in my chest, as if someone had reached in and squeezed my heart. 2 After about ten minutes, they finally broke apart. Before Stella got out, Arthur grabbed her hand and said something. I was too far away to hear, but I saw her bright, confident smile and the firm nod she gave him. She didn’t go back into the building right away, instead standing on the curb, looking down at her phone. I walked over and stopped in front of her. She looked up, and the smile on her face froze. “Dr… Dr. Reed?” She quickly composed herself, her expression shifting to a professional, plastic smile. “What are you doing here? Were you looking for me?” I looked at her—the woman who had destroyed my life. Young, beautiful, radiating success. “Just passing by,” I heard myself say, my voice terrifyingly calm. “I saw a familiar car and thought I’d take a look.” Her eyes darted away for a second, but she quickly recovered, a playful smirk forming on her lips as she looked me up and down. “So, Dr. Reed,” she said, crossing her arms, her voice light and airy, “I guess you know.” She let out a short, sharp laugh and took a step closer. “It’s a relief, honestly. Holding it in was killing me.” She savored the moment, watching my face for a reaction. “These past three years, watching you cling to Arthur like a pathetic lost puppy… I almost felt sorry for you.” She paused deliberately. “Did you know? The night of your ‘incident,’ he was with me. In my bed. Taking your tearful phone calls while I was lying next to him.” My nails dug into my palms. The pain was sharp, but it kept me grounded, kept me lucid. “And that ‘calming’ milk you drink every day? The formula was my suggestion,” she continued, her voice dripping with venom. “We couldn’t make the dose too high, of course. That would be suspicious. It’s the classic slow burn, isn’t it? Watching you turn into a walking ghost… I have to say, the results were excellent.” “He only keeps you around out of pity, you know. He’s terrified you’ll kill yourself if you leave, and that would ruin his precious reputation as the devoted, long-suffering husband.” Every word was a poisoned dagger, aimed with precision at my already shattered heart. Strangely, the searing pain I expected never came. There was only a cold, spreading numbness. I even managed a slight smile. “Are you done?” Stella clearly hadn’t anticipated this reaction. She blinked, then her expression hardened, as if I had personally insulted her. “Of course not!” she snapped. “Nina, let me be clear. Arthur is sick of you! He told me himself that the sight of your pathetic, half-dead face makes him lose his appetite!” The sharp crack of my hand against her cheek echoed in the quiet street. Stella’s head snapped to the side, her face a mask of pure shock. A bright red handprint quickly began to bloom on her skin. “You… you hit me?!” she shrieked in disbelief. “Nina, you psycho, do you have any idea who I am?!” I flexed my tingling right hand and stared at her, my face a blank mask. “Is there a problem? A bitch like you deserves to be hit.” She was trembling with rage. “Fine! Just fine! Nina, you just wait. I’m calling the police. I’ll make you…” “Do whatever you want,” I cut her off. Then I turned and walked away without looking back. I went to the little clinic and quit the job I’d held for three years. Stepping outside, the sunlight felt surprisingly good. I took out my phone and deleted the photo of Arthur and me on the beach that I used as my wallpaper. Then I opened my contacts and blocked his number, Stella’s number, everyone connected to them. It was clean, decisive. Not a moment of hesitation. I knew that from the moment the truth was revealed, some things could never be salvaged. And now, it was my turn.

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Three years after I walked out of the prison gates, my uncle-in-name-only, Barrett Stanford, dragged me out of the shadows of the underground fight club. He smashed his fist into my face, his eyes nearly popping from their sockets with rage. “Kelly, who gave you the nerve to stay away? And look at you—you’ve turned yourself into a monster!” I wiped a streak of blood from my lip and grinned, a smile void of any soul or shame. “Mr. Stanford, that’s ten grand a punch. If you’re not satisfied, keep going. A few more hits and I’ll have this year’s rent covered.” His fist trembled in mid-air, knuckles white, but his voice lost its edge, softening into something almost pathetic. “Come home with me… just apologize to Harper.” “She’s kind,” he added, desperate. “She stopped blaming you for the slander years ago.” His gaze swept over the jagged scars mapping my arms, his expression twisting into something complex. Pity? Disgust? “Look at you. Covered in blood. How are you any different from a stray dog eating out of a dumpster?” A tremor ran through me, but I turned my heel to leave. He didn’t know. He couldn’t know. This blood, this violence—it was the only way I learned to survive inside the cage. “Don’t forget,” he shouted at my back, “I am still your fiancé!” My footsteps faltered. Forget? How could I? Three years ago, on the night of our engagement party, Harper drugged me and shipped me off to a black-market gala. My virtue, my body, my life—put on the auction block like cattle. That night, stripped of dignity, I became the city’s favorite scandal. The desperate, insatiable fallen woman. And the man who signed the papers to sell me? That was my fiancé. … A shrill roar of laughter erupted behind me. Barrett was frantic, humiliated that his pristine reputation was being stained by my existence. He was the wealthiest titan in Seattle, yet his “fiancée” was brawling in a meat market for pocket change, blood and sweat flying everywhere. I ignored him and slipped backstage. Minutes later, I was back in the Octagon. The harsh floodlights blinded me, focused on the opposing iron gate. From the shadows, a guttural, inhuman roar echoed. “Tonight! Number 67 versus The Burmese Tigress! Place your bets!” The curtain was ripped aside. My opponent wasn’t a woman; she was a force of nature, towering and terrifying. I sucked in a cold breath. “Hey, sister.” I looked up to the VIP balcony. There was Harper, draped in designer silk, leaning over the railing with that sickeningly sweet smile. “I heard you’re short on cash. So, I arranged a little gift to help you earn more.” Her tone was innocent, but the cruelty underneath was razor-sharp. “I bet a million dollars on you to win. Don’t let me down.” A million. My fists tightened inside my gloves. I thought of my parents’ estate, seized and sold off. I took a step forward without hesitation. Just then, Barrett burst into the VIP box. Harper practically melted into his arms. “Barrett, I know Kelly has too much pride to ask for help. I just want her to win that million on her own terms.” She looked up at him with wide, doe eyes. “I heard she’s on a winning streak. The owners love her…” Barrett looked down at me, his expression haughty and distant. “Kelly, apologize to Harper right now, in front of everyone, and I’ll give you the million myself.” His voice boomed over the arena. “Refuse, and you’ll have to fight for scraps from the beast.” Every eye in the house was on me, expecting me to break. To beg. Instead, I bit down on my mouthguard and raised my fists. Barrett’s face went dark, his eyes burning with a fury that could scorch the earth. The bell rang. The Tigress lunged. I rolled forward, dodging a blow that would have taken my head off, and kicked hard at her throat. But the weight difference was impossible. Her fists were like sledgehammers. Twice, she nearly cracked my skull open. Barrett stared down, his face growing paler with every blow I took. I wouldn’t tap out. I couldn’t. By the third round, my arms were shredded, my vision blurring red. Thwack. A final, brutal uppercut. The Tigress hit the mat. Barrett threw down his drink, vaulting over the railing and rushing the cage. He grabbed my bleeding arm, screaming, “Do you want to die?!” Blood dripped onto the canvas, mixing with the sweat stinging my eyes. I gritted my teeth. “I didn’t lose. Tell her to pay me.” He grabbed my throat, his fingers cold, staring into my soul. “You are hopeless. If you wanted money this badly, maybe I should have let you go for a higher price at the auction back then!” My body seized. My eyes rolled back, and the darkness took me. Before the silence, the old secret I had overheard that night whispered in my ear. “Mr. Stanford, ruining her reputation tonight finally gives Miss Harper some justice.” “She brought it on herself. This is the price for slandering Harper.” That night at the auction was a recurring nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. Harper had staged it all—leaked her own compromised photos, made herself trending news, and framed me for it. No matter how I begged, how I explained, Barrett refused to believe me. On the night I was supposed to be happiest, he sent me to hell. Through the haze of the drugs, I had seen Harper nestled in his arms, clinging to him like a vine. My heart hadn’t just broken; it had shattered. On stage, men looked at me with greedy, predatory eyes. “The Kelly heiress! Starting bid is open!” I had looked at Barrett, one last desperate plea. I didn’t do it. Through the cigar smoke, his eyes were cold, indifferent. “Mistakes have consequences, Kelly.” The humiliation that followed broke me. The tears, the pain, the absolute betrayal. He hated me that much. When the chaos ended, it was deep into the night. The scandal was already all over the city. I heard him talking to the manager. And that was when I snapped. I lit the match. The fire roared, burning down the venue, burning down our past. The police came quickly. Barrett had kicked me away as they cuffed me. “Harper inhaled smoke! She’s in the ER right now! How could you be so vicious? You tried to burn her alive!” “Just you wait. I won’t let this slide.” On the day of my sentencing, Barrett announced to the press that he was backing Harper to take over the family trust. I lost everything. Three years in prison. I slept near the latrine. I was forced to drink toilet water. I was stripped and humiliated by women who had nothing left to lose. To survive, I learned to use my fists. My only tether to sanity was the hope of buying back my parents’ estate. The day I got out, I scurried into the underground fighting ring like a rat in a sewer, numbing myself to the pain. A million dollars. That money would get me closer to home. I woke up with a start, the harsh white of a hospital ceiling blinding me. “Did the money come through?” The nurse—the fight manager—froze. She hadn’t expected that to be my first question. Silence. My chest felt like it had been caved in by a hammer. Tears, hot and unbidden, spilled over. I was delusional. Why would Barrett let me win? “Forget it,” I rasped. “I’ll fight more matches…” “Kelly.” The manager cut me off, her eyes filled with pity. “Don’t come back. Mr. Stanford put out the word. Any venue that lets you fight gets shut down and sued into bankruptcy.” She dropped a debit card on the bedside table and fled, unable to look at me. The air left the room. I was suffocating. I stumbled out of the hospital, into the pouring Seattle rain. The water mixed with the salt on my face, blurring the neon lights. I clutched the card, knowing my dream was drifting further away. My feet carried me to the Estate on autopilot. Through the iron gates, through the rain, I saw them. Barrett was holding Harper’s hand in front of a wall of reporters. “Starting today, this historic estate is officially gifted to Harper!” “She is now the rightful mistress of the legacy!” The world spun. I pulled out my burner phone and dialed the number I hadn’t dared to call for three years. “Get me out of here.” Harper feigned shock, her hand over her mouth. “But… what about my sister?” Barrett’s eyes flickered, but the cold mask returned instantly. “From the moment she spread those lies about you, she ceased to be family.” “By what right?” My voice trembled with rage. I stepped out of the shadows, soaked, bruised, looking like a revenant. “Is that Kelly?” “It really is her. I thought she’d have the decency to stay hidden.” “Pfft, she’s an ex-con now. What shame does she have left?” “Tsk, tsk. Raising a whore who seduces her own brother-in-law… her father must be rolling in his grave.” I froze. Barrett stepped forward, yanking me under his umbrella. “If you’re hurt, stay in the hospital. Stop making a scene!” I shoved him away. “By what right do you give my home to her?” I screamed. “I am the daughter of this house! She is a foster child! What right—” Slap. My cheek burned, swelling instantly. I held my face, staring at Barrett in disbelief. He placed himself between me and Harper, a human shield. “Your father entrusted both of you to me. In my heart, Harper has never been just a foster child!” “You framed her. You tortured her. You aren’t fit to carry the family name. You have no right to object!” It was absurd. It was a comedy. I flashed back to when I was ten. The day Harper arrived. I gave her my favorite doll. She ignored it. Then, the moment I turned around, she threw herself down the stairs. “Kelly… why did you push me? Do you hate me?” My parents believed me. But from that day on, her tears were weaponized. Mother’s missing jewelry. Father’s broken antiques. Every time she cried, I was the villain, defenseless against her performance. But Barrett… he used to stand by me. “I know Kelly. She wouldn’t do this.” “She has a temper, sure, but I spoiled her that way. And I like it.” I was naive. I thought he would stand by me forever. “You are a disappointment,” I whispered. The cold man in front of me overlaid the image of the boy who once knelt in the grass, crying, promising to protect me. I blinked, and the boy was gone. “Kelly, I’ll give you one last chance. Apologize to Harper. The family, and I, will be your shield again.” I looked at his hand, interlaced with hers. I laughed. It was a dry, broken sound. “No need.” “Give me the million dollars. And from this moment on, we are strangers. Dead to each other.” The silence was deafening. Barrett’s eyes turned predatory, dark and confused. “What did you say?” He stared at the stubborn set of my jaw, and for a second, panic flashed in his eyes. He realized he had miscalculated. “Kelly!” Harper sensed the shift. She lunged forward, dropping to her knees in the mud before me. “Blame me! It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have come into this family!” “I don’t want the house! I’ll leave Seattle tonight! I’ll give it all back!” She wailed, turning and running toward the stone steps. Then, she tripped. It was theatrical, perfect. She tumbled down. “Harper!” Barrett screamed, his composure shattering. He rushed down. When he saw the blood soaking her white skirt, his voice cracked. “Doctor! Call an ambulance!” He looked back at me, pure hatred in his eyes. “Tie her up! If Harper loses this baby, Kelly pays with her life!” “Mr. Stanford, the patient is in bad shape. The pregnancy… we couldn’t save it. And I’m afraid she may never conceive again.” “What?” Harper wept, biting her lip until it bled. “My baby…” “Who is the father?” Barrett asked, his voice low, suppressing a volcano of rage. Harper buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry, Barrett. Last month… when you were drunk… you didn’t use protection…” His pupils contracted. Panic, then guilt, washed over him. He pulled her tighter. “No. This isn’t your fault.” Harper let out a guttural sob. “I can never be a mother? Barrett, what am I going to do?” I stood there, handcuffed, staring at her flat stomach. I remembered the excuse Barrett used to avoid touching me. “You’re too young. I respect you too much. I’ll wait until we’re married.” But he got Harper pregnant. Even if the baby was gone now. It wasn’t that he wouldn’t. He just wouldn’t with me. I laughed. A bitter, jagged sound. “Kelly, you are a curse!” Barrett roared, hearing my laughter. He lunged, punching me hard in the stomach. I coughed up bloody foam, mumbling through swollen lips. “She deserved to lose it. It’s karma for what she did to me.” “And if she planned this miscarriage, you better check if that kid was even yours.” He slapped me again, sending me crashing into the corner. Blood from my forehead blinded my left eye. He grabbed me by the hair, dragging me to the open window. He pushed my upper body out over the ledge. Three stories up. One let go, and I was pavement. “You really are insane,” he hissed. “For three years, I wanted to bring you home every single day. I was terrified you were suffering in prison. I pulled strings to keep you safe.” “But you? You’re heartless! Three years, and the moment you get out, you vanish!” “Do you know how long I looked for you? Do you know how it felt seeing you getting beaten to a pulp in that cage?” “Kelly, you don’t know anything.” “You only know how to hurt Harper. You are a complete lunatic!” His eyes were red, brimming with tears that fell onto my shoulder. I hung over the edge, feeling the wind. My heart was colder than the air. “You’re right. We are done.” He hauled me back in and threw me onto the floor like a bag of trash. His voice went icy. “But you made a mistake. And you have to be punished.” I slowly lifted my head. “Confess. Publicly admit to your crimes over the years. Voluntarily renounce your claim to the estate. Do that, and I’ll give you the house back.” My ears rang. I tasted iron. “You…” He looked down at me, a god judging an insect. “Think carefully. This is your last chance.” My fingers brushed the photo in my pocket. My father’s last gift. On the back of the yellowing family portrait, in his shaky handwriting: “Kelly, when Papa gets better, we’ll go to Switzerland. We’ll see the snow.” I remembered his thin, frail arms. Tears hit the floorboards. I bit my own arm to stop the screaming, shaking uncontrollably. “Fine. I accept.” The next day, noon. I knelt in front of the Estate gates. Flashbulbs popped like lightning. I read the “Confession” word for word. “…I caused Harper’s miscarriage. I am wicked.” “…I bullied Harper for years. It was all my fault.” The crowd was furious. Someone threw a soda can. It hit my head. “Die, you poison witch!” “Why don’t you kill yourself to atone?” “Harper is an angel, and this one is a snake!” I curled into a ball on the concrete. Through the legs of the crowd, I saw Barrett lead Harper out of a limousine. “In three days,” he announced to the cameras, “I will hold the wedding of the century with Harper.” As security dragged me toward a garbage truck to haul me away, my burner phone buzzed. “Kelly. I’m back. Let’s burn them down.” … Three days later. The wedding was lavish, grotesque in its opulence. But the guests kept whispering. “Mr. Stanford, Kelly is still family by blood. Did you have to push her that far?” Barrett’s face was thunderous. “I didn’t drive her away! She refused to turn back!” “To her, we mean nothing compared to that house. Don’t mention her name again!” The room went silent. The next morning, Barrett called his assistant. “Find Kelly. Get her to sign the transfer papers for the house. I’m not waiting.” He paused, then changed from his robe into a suit. I used to love seeing him in a suit. He sprayed cologne. Harper watched him, her face twisting. Last night, their wedding night, Barrett hadn’t touched her. He was preparing to see me. He wanted to look good. He was waiting for me to show up, broken and defeated. His assistant’s phone rang. The color drained from the man’s face. “Mr. Stanford… bad news. Kelly is missing.” “And… the Estate. It was just sold at auction to a private buyer for triple the value.”

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On New Year’s Eve, at the selection performance for the Principal Dancer of the ballet company. Gavin’s junior sister once again, in front of everyone, ripped off the wig on my head. She smiled with feigned surprise, “Oops, what a big shiny egg! Sister-in-law why did you shave your head bald!” The surroundings erupted with earth-shaking laughter, my sure-win Principal position thoroughly ruined. I didn’t slap her. Also didn’t blame Gavin why he lied to me that I had cancer, lied to me to shave my head with him. Just calmly left the venue, but Gavin impatiently chased out and grabbed my wrist. “Scarlett was just joking with you, can you not be so petty?” I loosened his shackles, smiled understandingly. “I’m not angry, the little girl is indeed quite interesting.” Finished, I calmly left without looking back. In my previous life, after the performance was ruined, I made a big scene and proposed divorce to him. But on the day of divorce, my son was diagnosed with acute Leukemia. I cried begging him to use connections to find a match, but was deemed by him as pretending to be pitiful, after a contemptuous mockery, was driven out. In this life, I no longer ask for his sincere heart, only ask that my son can enjoy the resources he deserves, safe for a lifetime. … Chapter 1 I was just about to call an Uber to leave, but Gavin unexpectedly chased up again to explain. “You also know the little girl has no bad intentions, at most just wants to play a joke with you.” I practiced dance since childhood, more than twenty years of persistence, he clearly knew before I treated dance more important than life. Now he wants to cover it with a light joke. “So many times before, didn’t you all endure it? Anyway not difference this time…” Turns out he also knew I suffered many grievances before. Last time was Scarlett joking poured a big bucket of ice water into my collar, time before last was she locked me in a sub-zero ice room… I took a deep breath, still smiled understandingly, “I really am not angry.” His face however suddenly became gloomy. “Pretending generous? Audrey you are really capable now, what new trick is this?” He still wanted to say something more, when Scarlett came. She hid behind him, naughtily stuck out her tongue at me, “Oops, Sister-in-law, I just let Senior Brother play a joke on you, you wouldn’t be so small-minded right?” I haven’t opened my mouth, Gavin frowned and interrupted. “What is there for her to be angry about, but you, running out from the venue are you cold?” He took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, also took off his scarf and tied it for her in a flurry. Scarlett smiled provocatively at me. “Sister-in-law you don’t mind ha, we were like this when in school, Senior Brother always takes care of me like a little girl.” Numb heart felt a burst of dull pain. How ridiculous, the little girl who never grows up in Gavin’s eyes, in reality is even one year older than me. My look of not fighting not grabbing, suddenly made Gavin’s heart tighten. He frowned, “Okay, let Scarlett apologize to you, this matter counts as thoroughly passed.” Scarlett’s proud smiling face froze, glared at me fiercely. “Sorry! Is that enough!” She quickly wiped a tear, ran out crying. Her aggrieved expression overlapped with previous life, making my heart shake. Previous life after I slapped her on the spot, she just ran out like this. After that I was divorced with nothing, my son’s pale little face when he died tragically is still vivid in my mind. I hurriedly spoke: “I really am not angry, but the little girl looks unhappy, won’t you go coax her?” Gavin indeed hesitated. “Okay, then you go home with son first and wait for me.” Clearly expected, watching his figure not looking back, heart tip still felt like pricked by a needle. Both sour and astringent, is feeling unworthy for the blind self in previous life. Back home, son carefully glanced behind me. “Mom, is Dad not coming back again?” Heart felt like soaked in water-logged cotton, stifled so throat couldn’t squeeze out a sentence. Since Scarlett brought her son born out of wedlock back to the country, time Gavin came home became shorter and shorter. I already can’t remember, when was the last time he read storybook with son. Son sensibly smiled at me, “It’s okay, later I have Mom is enough.” Heart bottom suddenly softened into a ball, took out the medical report from bag, I sighed in relief. After rebirth, I took son for checkup. Luckily in this life it’s only early stage. In this life I no longer ask for Gavin’s sincere heart. Only ask him to fulfill father’s duty, use resources to find a match for son. After coaxing son to sleep, phone then came message. Is Scarlett, “Sorry ha Sister-in-law, Tiger (her son) insisted his Daddy Gavin read storybook, Senior Brother slept at my place.” I smiled, said okay. Don’t say just stay at her place one night, even him Gavin, I don’t want anymore. So, it doesn’t matter. Next day when sending son to school, Gavin came back. His eyes flashed unnaturalness, “Last night Tiger insisted I read storybook, when he fell asleep it was already very late, so I didn’t come back.” I stunned, still smiled understandingly. “No need to explain, I believe you guys.” He however sullen face grabbed my wrist. “Enough, exactly when are you going to make trouble until!” I calmly handed the report to him. “I have no time to make trouble, son got acute Leukemia, although now is early stage, but also need to treat fast.” He dazedly took the report, guilt appeared in his eyes. “I will as soon as possible use resources in hand, find a match for son.” I nodded, unconsciously sighed relief. Just about to leave, he hesitated and pulled me again. “Wife, today the parent-child meeting held by Private School, I probably can’t go…” “Tiger has no father since small, I can’t let him be bullied by other kids in kindergarten, so I have to accompany him and Scarlett.” Heart cooled down inch by inch, so he wants to abandon his own biological son again. I took a deep breath, still calmly said okay. Then wearing pajamas, rushed to the kindergarten. From far away, saw Scarlett glamorous, surrounded among parents. “Mrs. Vance is really young and beautiful, this face is really maintained too well!” My appearance made her feel a trace of discomfort. She glared at me fiercely. Parent group seemed to pass a signal, sarcasm and mockery smashed towards me face on. “Oh my god, isn’t this a noble kindergarten? How could they let a beggar in!” “Disheveled beggar, also worthy to hold parent-child meeting with us? What is security doing?” Son’s small figure rushed out wanting to protect me. Next instant, however pushed down by sturdy Tiger, “Lue lue lue, you fatherless bastard, roll out!” Son scraped a patch, but red eyes stubborn said: “I am not a bastard, I have a Dad!” But remembering Gavin’s instruction at home, he could only bite lip dead tight. Seeing him speechless, surrounding kids laughed louder, circled pointing at him scolding “bastard”. Heart seemed to be torn alive, I just wanted to seek justice for son. Teacher came out to maintain order, however contemptuously interrupted me, “Your son is expelled, take him and roll quickly!” Next instant, she changed a face, fawningly smiled at Scarlett. “Mrs. Vance, are you satisfied with this result?” Seeing about to be driven out. I mockingly looked at Gavin who still remained silent, hoarse voice said, “We leave ourselves.” Scarlett however lightly smiled. “Wait! I suddenly remembered my husband’s cufflinks worth a million are lost, wouldn’t be you stole it right!” I frowned just want to deny, phone suddenly vibrated. “Wife, when going out I took advantage you not prepared, put a cufflink in your bag.” “Little girl wants to play you just cooperate ba, anyway won’t really do anything to you.” Heart seemed suddenly grabbed by invisible big palm, I forced back the sourness in eye rims. Gavin to her, really is bottomless indulgence. Scarlett quick eye quick hand fished out a cufflink from my bag. Crowd instantly boiled, “Pah, sure enough is this shameless poor beggar did it! Poor people are poor people, just hand cheap!” Only son pale little face, futilely explaining again and again: “You misunderstood, my mom is not a thief!” But attracted more ridicule from adults and kids. Scarlett suddenly approached me, smiling said. “Sister-in-law, if you don’t want to make bigger trouble, better kneel down and apologize in front of everyone early!.” “Like this, I let you go today, how about it?” I bit teeth dead tight, understood now is not time to fall out, could only endure humiliation, word by word said. “Sorry Mrs. Vance, it was me who stole.” Son looked at me in disbelief, surrounding instantly erupted laughter, made his little face red all over. My heart hurt so breathing carried stagnation. Gavin however sullen face, suddenly grabbed my wrist. “Audrey, what did you call her just now?” I mockingly smiled, “Mrs. Vance ah.” Finished I turned and left, he however frowned and chased up. “Scarlett she just played a joke with you, do you need to be like this?” Again this sentence, Scarlett in his heart forever is a naughty little girl. Every time real harm to me, in his eyes also just an irrelevant joke. Good thing now, I long didn’t care his thoughts. My face squeezed out perfect smile, like understanding virtuous wife good mother. “You think is joke, then is joke, she seems still waiting you behind, not go look?” Gavin sure enough hesitated stopped steps. I eyes crossed mockery, turned take son leave.

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I am a Transmigrator, my mission is to marry Julian Hale. But the Hale Family Trust has a clause: only by giving birth to a son can one marry into the Hale family. In six years, I was pregnant nine times, every time a girl. So every child stayed in my belly for less than six months, before I was dragged to terminate. When I was pregnant with the tenth child, a nurse whispered congratulations to me, saying it was a boy. I excitedly went to find Julian to tell him the good news, but overheard his conversation with the doctor. “You want to lie to Miss Elena again that it’s a girl, and make her abort it?” “But Elena has already aborted nine times, now her uterus is as thin as a piece of paper. Another abortion, not only will she be infertile for life, but she might also die from massive hemorrhage!” Julian’s voice was ice cold: “Rest assured, she has a Fertility System, even pregnant a hundred times she will be fine.” “But Giselle only has this one chance to take charge of the family. I won’t allow anyone to threaten her position. When Giselle becomes the Head of the Family Trust, I will compensate Elena.” I then realized, it turns out my nine dead children, were all boys. Julian didn’t know, although I have a Fertility System, the system only gave me ten chances to get pregnant. If this time I still can’t give birth to a son and marry him, I will be Erased. So when the System asked me how I wanted to die, I told it: “Let me die on the operating table where my child is aborted.” I want Julian to regret for a lifetime. … Chapter 1 Even though Dr. Carter and Julian are friends for years, at this moment he also began to fight injustice for me. “But don’t you think this is unfair to Elena? With my understanding of Elena, if you say you want to wait for your sister-in-law to take charge before having children and marrying, she will definitely agree!” “I know.” Julian’s voice was a bit muffled, “But I can’t gamble.” “You should know how much power the Head of the Family Trust has in the Hale family. Elena for being with me, even abandoned her biological parents. How can I believe she won’t secretly give birth to my child for the position of Family Head.” Hearing this, my heart went cold. I am a Transmigrator. As long as I can marry Julian, the seriously ill me in the original world can be cured. But I didn’t expect I would fall in love with Julian. On the first day with him, I confessed everything. I told him, even if the mission is completed, I won’t leave him. Result my confession in his eyes became ulterior motives, and also became the sharp blade that killed my nine children. Dr. Carter was even more puzzled, “Even if you think her having a child will threaten your sister-in-law taking charge, you can’t let her get pregnant one after another like this. Clearly gender can be checked at three or four months, why do you always drag it to six months?” “A six-month-old child is already formed, can’t abort only induce labor, some even cry when born… Even if she has a Fertility System, the damage to the body is irreversible. How can you have the heart!” Because of his words, my nose soured, tearing pain seemed to still linger below, and the child’s cry rang in my ears. My heart felt like being fiercely pinched by someone, the whole person in agony. Julian wasn’t any better than me, “Every time seeing those children, I am also in pain.” “But there is no way, I must drag to such a big month. Jerry (Giselle’s son) has heart problem, a doctor said, as long as use six-month-old fetus heart for medicine…” Dr. Carter instantly raged, “What do you mean? Those children, you didn’t dissect their hearts, then give to your nephew as medicine right? Julian are you still human!” And I after hearing these words, uncontrollably legs went soft, body leaned forward hit the door, making a huge noise. At this time, two people inside simultaneously went silent. Before Julian found me, I almost rolled and crawled back to the ward. Lying on bed, my whole body couldn’t stop trembling, tears uncontrollably flowed down. No wonder Julian often persuaded me not to think about those induced fetuses. He said as long as not full term, they don’t count as our children. I thought he was comforting me. Turns out in his eyes, these children don’t even count as life, just medicine for his sister-in-law’s son. When Julian came back, I already wiped dry tears. He tightly hugged me, voice heavy, “Elena, this time in your belly is a girl again, abort it, I already let doctor prepare.” “Julian.” I looked up at him, tried hard to make my voice sound normal, “I want to give birth to this child.” Julian turned pale with fright, “Are you crazy, only giving birth to a son can you marry me.” Hale family genes are special. If it’s a boy in belly, born with super high IQ, appearance off the charts. If it’s a girl, born can’t live past three days. Because there were too many examples, so Hale family had an unwritten family rule. Anyone wants to marry into Hale family, must first give birth to a healthy boy. Also for this reason, women marrying into Hale family have high status. Not only can get large shares, even the Family Head, is also selected from women. My silence made Julian detect a trace of abnormality, “Elena, do you know something?” A voice in my heart told me, must hide it, so my child still has a glimmer of life. So I told him: “Nothing, I just feel a bit reluctant.” My appearance was too pitiful, Julian embraced me into arms, “Don’t be sad Elena, we are still young, I promise you, next one definitely is a boy.” He didn’t know, there is no next one. If this time still can’t marry him, my body in this world will be erased. I can die, but the child is innocent, I must let him live. So when nurse came to pick me up for surgery, I excused to go to restroom. Arrived restroom, I took out jewelry on body, exchanged a set of clothes and some cash with a lady inside. I prepared to run. System advised me think again, “Actually Julian still loves you. If you talk well with him, maybe he will let you give birth to this child and marry you.” If I didn’t hear Julian’s those words, maybe I would fight for it one more time. But so many years, as long as related to his sister-in-law, I never won. When just together with Julian, I found he was extra attentive to his sister-in-law Giselle. As long as go out with me, whatever I fancied, he would buy two portions, one for me, the other for Giselle. Even Valentine’s Day, he would prepare an extra gift and flowers, personally send to Giselle. I made a big scene because of jealousy. Julian helplessly told me, “Elena, don’t think too much, I love is you. For sister-in-law, I just want to atone.” I then knew, Julian’s big brother died long ago. Reason for death was that day Julian had a quarrel with his big brother. His big brother angry drank few more cups, result drunk driving car accident on way back. So many years, Julian always thought he killed his own big brother, took the heavy responsibility of taking care of Giselle and her son onto his own shoulders. Before I only felt Julian values emotion and righteousness. Today I discovered, his guilt towards his sister-in-law already reached a perverted level. Don’t say for sister-in-law let me pregnant nine children to cure her son, even if digging my heart, afraid he can do it. I knew Julian would definitely find me, but didn’t expect so fast. I haven’t even left hospital, just hailed a taxi, was grabbed by wrist by him. I looked back, Julian spoke. “Elena, where are you going?” Not wait me speak, he already reacted, face instantly white. “Just now person outside door was you, you heard it!” I thought Julian knowing I heard everything would at least feel guilty. But after he dragged me all way back to ward, actually didn’t even pretend anymore. “Elena, since you already know all truth, then you should also understand my difficulties. Sister-in-law is going to take charge tomorrow. After receiving the seal, she still has a one-year probation period, so the child in your belly can’t stay.” His gaze cruelly swept over my belly, “So later you go do abortion surgery, I will let doctor give you more anesthesia, you won’t feel pain.” I bit lip, “I don’t want.” “Elena, what do you want to do!” Julian somewhat angry, after touching my gaze, tone softened again. He fiercely hugged me, “Elena, I know you angry at me, previously nine children aborted without discussing with you. But sister-in-law they really very pitiful, especially Jerry, his illness, only lack this last heart…” “He pitiful, am I not pitiful?” I unbearable, directly broke free his embrace, “Julian, I don’t know if Jerry will die without this child, but I can tell you, if I don’t give birth to this child, I will die, you still let me do surgery?” Julian dumbfounded, “What meaning?” I thought of System’s words, prepared to gamble last time. I directly knelt down to Julian, “Julian, I only have ten pregnancy chances. If this time still can’t give birth to child, I will be erased.” “I know what you worry about, but rest assured, I absolutely won’t fight for any Family Head position with Giselle. If you afraid this child cause trouble, you just say to outside it’s a daughter. After born, we directly give away.” “Jerry’s illness I can also cure. As long as I complete mission, System will give me reward, that time I can use all to treat Jerry.” I cried miserably, fiercely kowtowed few times to Julian. Finally, Julian eyes appeared a trace hesitation, his lips slightly moved: “Since like this, then…” Result he haven’t finished words, outside door came a familiar female voice. “Julian, what are you guys doing?” I looked up. Giselle came. Julian ran to her side, “Sister-in-law, why you and Jerry came hospital, is Jerry body have problem?” Listening to such concerned tone, my heart cut like knife. How could I think before his feeling to this pair mother son is responsibility. Giselle told him no, she heard I here for checkup, so thought to come see. Finished, she asked him what happened just now. Seeing lying can’t cover, Julian pulled Giselle to outside door. Not long, I heard Giselle a burst rage: “Nonsense! Julian, you crazy, if I knew medicine you gave Jerry is this, say what I impossible let him eat!” “You now let doctor cancel surgery, I go apologize to Elena. I Giselle don’t need her abortion, also can sit on Family Head position.” She finished scolding Julian, then came in apologize to me, said if knew earlier those medicines were made of my previous children’s hearts, she wouldn’t accept. I looked at her eyes, heart bottom ignited last trace hope, “Sister Giselle, if you really have apology to me, can you help me marry Julian?” Giselle sure enough nodded, “This is should be, I go back tell mother-in-law this matter.” I instantly sighed a relief. Just this breath haven’t released completely, she spoke again, “Elena, you know Julian always thought his big brother was killed by him right, are you curious, that day why they two quarreled?” I was confused why she mentioned this matter at this time. Giselle suddenly pointed at herself, “Because his big brother discovered Julian likes me.” This sentence like gave me a stick on face. Julian never said this matter, he said I am first person he liked. But Giselle said she is Julian’s first love. Giselle seemed very satisfied with my expression, continued: “These years he always said want marry me, take care us mother son. I really afraid he this life won’t marry others, lucky met you.” “Even Jerry taking medicine matter also is, I just said a sentence there is a folk prescription from a doctor is eating six-month-old fetus heart, he then did this kind of bastard thing. But when he gave me those things, I all felt dirty, afraid have infectious disease, didn’t let Jerry eat, all fed to dog…” Behind words I couldn’t listen in. Maybe also no need listen, because I already understood her meaning outside words. Folk prescription was intentional. Is she designed everything behind. Truth impacted my body and mind, I almost uncontrollably raised slap hit on her face. “You actually fed my child’s heart to dog!” One slap simply not relieve anger, I raised hand want give her another slap. But my slap haven’t fallen, wrist was fiercely grabbed by someone. Julian don’t know when rushed in, pushed me fiercely back, and blocked Giselle tight tight. “Elena! You crazy what!” Giselle persuaded aside, “Julian, you don’t be so fierce, is me mentioned your children, Elena hit me is should…” “Children matter all I did, no relation with sister-in-law!” Julian raged, “You have what hate, what grievance, all come at me, don’t hurt sister-in-law!” I was pushed directly to wall by Julian. Back and lower abdomen came huge pain. But these pain, all can’t compare that cut in my heart. I couldn’t help open mouth, “Julian, you know, you know she gave our child’s heart to who eat? She simply didn’t…” I haven’t finished words, interrupted by Jerry voice. “Bad auntie! Not allowed say my mom bad words!” He drilled out from behind Giselle, directly bumped on my leg, small fists randomly hammered me. I already tottering, by this bump, feet unstable, subconsciously wanted push him away stabilize myself, hand didn’t control strength well. Jerry fell on ground. Just a second time, his face rapidly flushed purple, body also uncontrollably violent convulsion. “Jerry!” Giselle screamed, pounced kneel to Jerry side, tried press him, “Jerry! Jerry what wrong with you? Doctor! Quick call doctor!” Soon, Jerry taken away by few doctors, Julian and Giselle followed together leave. Less than two hours, Julian went and returned. I hurriedly stepped forward, ask him how is child. Julian voice ice cold, “Situation already stabilized.” I let out a breath. If Jerry really because me accident, then I this life no way forgive myself. Julian looked at my belly, “But, doctor said his recent condition not stable, best still…” I suddenly understood, immediately covered my belly, “No, no, Julian, you can’t take our child’s heart give him again, all this is Giselle conspiracy, she simply didn’t give Jerry…” “Enough.” Julian spoke, “If not you pushed like this, Jerry won’t have attack, this is you owe him!” Finished, he snapped fingers. Immediately few doctors nurses came in, pressed me onto surgery bed. I constantly struggled, told him I can’t abort this child, not only child will die, I will also die. Facing my bitter begging, Julian after all somewhat bear not. He walked over held my hand, just when I thought he finally willing listen me say a say. He told me: “Elena, you won’t die, wait next time, next time I absolutely won’t abort your child.” No next time. No next time ah. I even too late shout out this sentence, doctor pressed gave me anesthesia. Then I pushed to familiar surgery bed, those cold instruments opened my legs. Along with warm liquid flow out, child crying sound rang. I knew, I no longer have hope to live. System carefully announced I mission failed, about to be erased. But I still have some remaining points, want exchange or not, return original world say goodbye to family. “No need.” I closed eyes. Mean while, I felt my body start bleeding. Don’t know who shouted a sentence. “Blood! Patient massive hemorrhage!” Doctors nurses instant mess a ball. They surrounded me, call my name, press my body. Consciousness about to detach time, I said to System: “Those points, please help me exchange some other things, I want send Julian a big gift.” Chapter 2 After doctor friend Dr. Carter gave six-month-old fetus to Julian, he turned want go. Dr. Carter pulled him, “Julian, you don’t want look Elena? After all this already her tenth…” Julian however unhesitatingly threw off his hand, “Jerry side needs me more!” Words said so, but on car back, Julian heart always very panic, as if something want happen. Even he sent that warm heart to Hale old house, fingertips still unconsciously trembling. Butler took sealed medical cooler box, low voice said Little Master used medicine already slept. Julian nodded, turned want walk out. Maybe Dr. Carter said right, he should go look me. Result haven’t out door, Julian called by someone. “Julian, I a bit nervous tomorrow ceremony, can you stay accompany me talk?” Giselle appeared behind him, saying this request. If past, Julian would unhesitatingly stay. But since thought of my expression sent to surgery, he became somewhat hesitant. Giselle like saw something, considerate said: “I forgot, Elena just did abortion surgery, should need you more, you better go hospital.” “No need, I stay.” He heard himself say. This night extra long. Julian sat in living room sofa, Giselle chattering tomorrow ceremony details, he however a word didn’t listen in. Front eyes shaking, always that pair despair eyes when I pushed into surgery room. That time I seemed said something, he didn’t hear. Said what? Julian always ponder that sentence. Sky almost bright, he then shallow sleep on sofa moment. Chaotic dream, have baby weak crying sound, and large patch晕开 (spreading) blood. And he finally remembered my mouth shape before pushed out surgery room is what sentence. No next time ah! Julian instant woke up. This time sky not bright yet. Julian picked up phone, saw Dr. Carter called many times last night he didn’t answer. He walked to garden, heart annoyed chaotic want smoke cigarette, then return call. Result saw Giselle squatting in corner. In front of her is that German Shepherd raised many years, lowering head eating something. Julian walked over: “Feeding what?” Giselle back stiff, rapidly threw remaining thing in hand into dog bowl, stand up face already carried habitual gentle smile: “Nothing, some pig heart, give Little Black extra meal.” She naturally held Julian arm, “Help me look which dress wear good today?” Julian gaze however nailed in that dog bowl. This thing how so like what he brought back yesterday… His heart fiercely sank. Just not wait him look careful, Giselle already half pull half drag took him away. Today is big day, Julian till end also didn’t find suitable chance call Dr. Carter. He told himself, estimate is me playing small temper, intentional let Dr. Carter call him so many times. Hale old house main hall decorated solemn magnificent. Family important members all present, witness moment new Family Head take over Trust Token. Julian stood front row, watching mother hand that Jade Token symbolizing supreme power to Giselle. Giselle mouth corner contain smile, reach hand take. Just at this instant, main hall huge projection screen without warning lit up, above directly appeared my face. From yesterday I kneel beg Julian start, until Giselle whispered those words in my ear. “These years he always said want marry me, even Jerry eating medicine matter also is, I just said a sentence there is a folk prescription from a doctor is eating six-month-old fetus heart, he then did this kind of bastard thing.” “But when gave me those things, I all felt dirty, afraid have infectious disease, didn’t let Jerry eat, all fed to dog…” Full venue dead silence. Blood color on Giselle face instant faded clean, extended hand froze in mid-air. During period have several servants want turn off this screen, but TV like controlled by someone, how also can’t turn off. Julian whole body blood also at moment hearing Giselle last sentence as if frozen. He looked screen, looked again Giselle. “I, I didn’t.” Giselle instant panicked, hurry explain to Julian, “Julian you believe me, I never said these words to Elena.” At this time, present people all reacted, pointing fingers at screen. See already someone take out phone want take photo, Julian hurry step forward block. “This is my girlfriend making temper with me, video is AI synthesized, everyone don’t random spread.” Because this video, Giselle finally didn’t succeed taking charge. Julian handled this matter finish, then momentum fierce came hospital. He one kick open my ward. “Elena, you crazy, do this kind wicked thing, you not afraid karma?” However room no my shadow, only two nurses tidying bed. Julian walk in, ask them, “Person lying on this bed? Elena?” Two nurses scared by him shivering, but still tell truth. “Miss Elena she yesterday already rescue failed, passed away ah.” Julian stunned few seconds, then rage, “Is she let you say this? What? One cry two make noise no use, now start use death threaten me, you tell her, I not eat this set, quick let her come out!” Looks like I ruining Giselle taking charge this matter made Julian angry not light. He while scolding while smashed things in ward into pieces. Two little nurses scared run out, invited Dr. Carter then controlled Julian. When Dr. Carter also told Julian I yesterday because birth massive hemorrhage, rescue failed died on surgery table after. His eye bottom flashed a second hesitation, soon covered by raging anger again. “Impossible, she this morning still went old house ruined my sister-in-law taking charge ceremony, how possible die?” Julian grabbed Dr. Carter collar, “Carter, from beginning you always speak for Elena, is it she gave you money, so you cooperate her act such a play.” Dr. Carter see can’t talk sense with Julian, directly pulled Julian came morgue. He found my bed, pulled open white cloth on my head, pointed my already white corpse show Julian. “Now believe?” Julian gaze fell on my face. He trembling hand reach over, fingertip touch cold skin time fierce shrink, like burned. “Impossible…” He legs soft, actually straight knelt down, full face disbelief, “This isn’t Elena, how possible Elena die?” “How won’t.” Dr. Carter face sorrow, “I long told you, she already pregnant so many children, when we opened her belly, her uterus thin like paper, fallopian tubes stuck together, separate can’t separate, we even blood too late stop, her heart rate dropped to lowest.” Dr. Carter told Julian, so many years pregnant so many times, my uterus rotten like dumpling filling, able pregnant to tenth time already miracle. “But she has System ah!” Julian grabbed Dr. Carter arm, “She said she has System! That kind thing… that kind thing how have times limit? She definitely lying me! You all lying me!” “System?” Dr. Carter like heard some joke, he threw off Julian hand, eyes full anger, “Julian, you always say she has System, but have you seen her System? Under heaven if really have this thing, how she one time weaker than one time, uterus how rot like that!” Julian asked speechless, brain chaotic flashed some fragments—— Elena knelt on ground crying said she only has ten chances, said this time not born she will die. He that time thought that just her excuse to keep child. “No.” Julian still want say this not true, Elena not dead. But cold morgue, cold corpse all tell him, Elena died. Because he insisted abort tenth child, Elena died on surgery table. This cognition fiercely pinch Julian heart, almost let him breathless. Just when he eyes red, prepared good look me again, suddenly thought of this morning surveillance. “Right! Surveillance!” Julian like grabbed some life saving straw, “If Elena died, then who made video? Is you! Carter, is it she begged you help her change hospital surveillance, then you synthesize video revenge me? This corpse… this corpse also fake, right?!” He pounced to morgue bed, wanted more carefully check, fingers only touched a piece stiff cold. Dr. Carter thoroughly enraged by his self deception, he a grab Julian, dragged him back ward I lived, “Surveillance? You look clear! Our hospital OB-GYN and surgery room to protect patient privacy, simply not allow install surveillance! Where come surveillance recording for her use!” “Julian, are you…” Dr. Carter originally wanted ask Julian is it because my death stimulated hallucination. But he heard here, fierce understood something, “Julian, I know, maybe Elena System is true, she only can pregnant ten times also true, that surveillance have possibility is her System made, just for let you see clear Giselle true face!” Julian stunned, “What called Giselle true face?” Dr. Carter told Julian, yesterday heard him say once a doctor said can use six-month-old fetus heart cure heart disease he felt wrong. So he night found peer inquire that doctor. Coincidentally, he has a friend know this doctor, so he asked contact, called over. Through his inquiry then knew, that doctor indeed said this sentence, but that time was a rich lady found him, said want film a movie invite him cameo, designed this line for him. “So I show your sister-in-law photo to him.” Dr. Carter told him, “He said your sister-in-law is that rich lady.” Speak here, Dr. Carter sighed again, “After I felt this matter too strange, so went investigate your nephew Jerry medical record, I found he simply no illness.” “Wh, what?” How like this? If Jerry no illness, why Giselle lie him? Then only one possibility, Giselle not want Elena born own child marry into Hale family. This time, Julian then remembered those dialogues in surveillance. And things saw in garden dog bowl this morning. That simply not pig heart, is his tenth child heart. Elena didn’t lie, his sister-in-law, really fed those hearts to dog. One after another smashed Julian almost can’t straighten waist. He dare not believe he didn’t believe me, insisted want me abort tenth child time, how despair I was. Is him indulged Giselle always hurt me, is him killed our child. He simply wrong outrageous. Julian bit by bit slide down from wall. Just when Dr. Carter felt he seemed hit never stand up again, Julian fierce get up. He voice heavy, “I want go home.” Giselle since dare lie him, then have to bear end of lying him.

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In the fifth month of my pregnancy Bed Rest, I suddenly found a few Prenatal Vitamins in my husband’s bag. Isn’t that only for preparing for pregnancy? Before I could figure it out, a message popped up on the Baby Countdown App on my phone: [Congratulations, you’re about to be a dad! Baby due date is September 1st, let’s count down together!] I was stunned, this is the app shared by me and my husband. And my baby’s due date is April. I immediately called my husband, he picked up in seconds, but tone was impatient: “Today is the first day of me and Chloe’s company establishment, busy.” Right, how could I forget. Today is the day he and his “female bro” start a company together. I smiled, hung up the phone, turned around and drove to their new company. Dad is going to be a dad again, how can it do without my congratulations? … Chapter 1 Car parked under the tallest building in Silicon Valley, but mood completely different from last time. Three months ago, I rented this floor, renovated it. Told him this is the startup base I prepared for him. He was so excited then he hugged me and spun three times, said he would definitely make me and dad look at him with new eyes. But now, I actually came here to catch adultery. Moment elevator door opened, I almost thought I walked into wrong place. Whole office area was painted pink. I hate pink most, avoid it since childhood. He couldn’t possibly not know. “Hello, who are you looking for?” Receptionist girl asked politely. I looked directly at the office behind her, “I’m looking for your boss, Julian Vance.” “Mr. Vance is in the office, but…” Girl glanced at my bulging belly, hesitated, “Ms. Chloe is also there, they are in a meeting, how about you wait a bit?” Ms. Chloe? Chloe? I didn’t pay attention to receptionist anymore, directly lifted foot walked inside, “It’s okay, I’m his wife, just go in directly.” Girl’s face flashed a trace of awkwardness. Colleagues around started whispering: “Ah? Isn’t Ms. Chloe Mr. Vance’s wife?” “I think this woman is the mistress right?” “Exactly, Mr. Vance for Ms. Chloe, actually ordered whole company painted pink, even our uniforms are pink, how possible Ms. Chloe isn’t the original wife?” “This woman saw people couple start company envious, come up to make trouble for title right?” “If she knew Ms. Chloe has half of company shares, you say will she cry and run out later?” No wonder Julian always said not let me come, turns out because Mrs. Vance here is someone else. Hearing these words, I actually wasn’t very angry, instead felt quite funny. Half shares? This company’s 100% startup capital was all taken by me. If not Julian said he didn’t hope after our child born, my dad still look down on him, I wouldn’t support him startup so much. More ridiculous is, I saw Chloe’s Instagram last night, saw her proudly holding champagne, caption: [Start company with good bro, rely on you later.] I then knew, turns out Julian’s so-called startup for me, is startup with Chloe. As for Chloe, she didn’t pay a single cent. Pass through open office area, innermost independent office door slightly open. Through glass window, I saw Julian and Chloe two so-called CEOs actually share one office. Two people sitting side by side looking at computer. Just wanted push door in, inside came Chloe’s coquettish voice, “Stinky son, look is dad’s plan okay?” Julian naturally put hand on her thigh, “Listen to you, whatever you say.” My hand on door handle, didn’t move. Only heard Julian continue say, “Unlike some people, whole day just know money money money, full body copper smell, don’t understand these at all.” “You are still much better than her.” Chloe playfully stretched out hand poked his chest, “Stinky son, told you early not marry that kind of Trust Fund Baby you didn’t listen, now deserve it right?” Voice just fell, I saw Julian actually directly pressed her on table, kissed down, “You understand what?” “Am I not spending her money to raise you and baby in belly now?” Although I long imagined this scene, but see with own eyes, still couldn’t help heart twitch pain a bit. Thoughts return, I turned leave. Not want let go them, but I suddenly thought of a better way to revenge them. Chapter 2 Just walked out of office building, I took out phone and video called Julian. He who just said I was full of copper smell, still picked up in seconds. Just his face redder than just now, breath also a bit unstable, “What’s wrong? Didn’t I say busy?” I smiled especially bright: “Oh, nothing big, just want congratulate you.” “Congratulate what?” He stunned a bit. I elongated tone, still smiling said: “Congratulate you ah, Daddy going to be Daddy again.” “September due date, quite good, autumn birth not cold not hot, you think really thoughtful.” Julian face instantly white, “You, what nonsense you talking?” I thought thought, filmed scenery behind myself, “I talk nonsense, or you feel need me personally go up congratulate you?” “Julian Vance, did you forget we shared a countdown app?” Hearing my words, video that end silent few seconds. That was he actively wanted bind with me, said want commemorate our every anniversary. But soon Julian adjusted expression, skin smile meat not smile: “Did your pregnancy paranoia act up again?” “That is countdown I set for Chloe, her company opening day, where you thought?” “Is it?” I raised eyebrow, “Then prenatal vitamins in your bag? Also you eat yourself?” He stunned, turned angry from shame, “That is Chloe asked me help her buy, what happened?!” “She health not good need eat this, what happened?!” “Can you not suspicious whole day? Pregnant just troublesome, annoying not annoying?” I stared at his familiar yet strange face in screen, suddenly felt disgusting. “Julian, let’s divorce.” I calmly said. He leaned forward, “What did you say?” I looked at him, word by word said: “I said, divorce.” Before he answer, I directly hung up phone. Then opened social media, posted photos found by Private Investigator spent heavy money this morning. That is Julian and Chloe kissing side profile in front of hotel, and that pregnancy test report Chloe posted on alt account. Caption: [My husband and his female bro relationship really good ah, even help give birth.] Posted, less than two minutes. Phone crazy vibrate, all messages and calls. Saw Julian video call, I pressed answer. Result he split head cover face just a burst accusation, “Serena! What you posted on social media!” “Do you know how sad Chloe cried after seeing!” “You hurry delete for me!” And behind him, is Chloe crying pear blossom bring rain face. She crying pulling Julian sleeve, “Serena since married you disliked me, but I knew you earlier than her ah, does she want us cut off friendship then satisfy?” “Start company together is also our childhood dream, didn’t expect make her unhappy, find some wrong angle photos to slander me.” “Stinky son, if because you I can’t marry out, you responsible for me?” Julian turned head full eyes heart ache looking at her. And I just sneered, “I also didn’t say anything ah, aren’t you relationship good? I said wrong?” “Julian, you call me is agree divorce?” “If not, then I here still have many, I slowly post.” Before I didn’t less make noise break up and divorce because Julian and Chloe too close, but every time I let him go because no substantial evidence. This time see me so firm, he suddenly laughed. “Okay Serena, I know you are too love me then think too much.” “But you also can’t have no ambition at all, whole day only know some love love, random jealous ah.” “You whole day at home do nothing I didn’t say anything, you stop making trouble.” Hearing these words, compare heart pain, I more is heart cold. My health always not good, not suitable for pregnancy. But for Julian, I topped pressure and safety still wanted. Before this one, I already lost two because immunity problem. And this one, although already kept to five months, but also threatened miscarriage many times. Just because want keep child, I then chose stay at home. But now, Julian actually dislike me do nothing at home. See me not speak, Julian continue said: “Hurry delete social media post, just say is you jealous me and Chloe start company spread rumor.” “Then public apologize to Chloe, otherwise I…” He words not finish, I directly hung up. Then, I posted few Julian and Chloe hotel records, [My husband really a romantic person, every time open room want floor window.] Posted mood much better. Just front foot posted, I was blocked at community gate by mother-in-law and sister-in-law Lily. Mother-in-law saw me, immediately rushed in, pointed my nose scold, “You poison woman!” “My son hard easy have some promise, you just red eye?” “Actually still deliberate arrange him and Chloe relationship, what heart you have?” Lily also follow scold: “Sister-in-law, you also too excessive right?” “Chloe in our eyes like god sister, knew for decades, if really have thing early had, need wait till now?” “I see you just can’t see my brother good!” I leaned on door frame, quietly watch them perform. Wait them scolded tired, I then slow slow open mouth: “Mom, congratulate you ah, gonna be grandma again.” Mother-in-law stunned, subconsciously turned head away. Just this one action, I understood all. “Turns out you long knew.” I laughed out sound, “So Chloe pregnant matter, you always hide from me?” “Your son cheat, you not only not manage, still help him lie to me?” Mother-in-law reacted, roared: “You don’t blood mouth spray people!” I smiled, take out phone continue said: “Is or not, let Chloe do a fetus paternity test not know.” Finished, I slanted eye at them, “Right, I already contacted lawyer, divorce agreement can get tomorrow.” “Every cent he spent on Chloe during marriage, I want chase back.” “Include this company, and company startup fund, you guys a cent don’t think take away.” “You dare!” Lily rushed up want push me. I back a step, protect belly, coldly stare her: “You dare touch me try?” Just then, outside door came rapid footsteps. Julian panting ran back, face iron green, suppressing anger said: “Mom, Lily, you go back first.” I frowned, “They go back also can’t change my idea want divorce.” “You crazy?” Julian face change, “Just because those non-existent photos?” “Serena, Chloe she really just my friend, my startup partner, no experience, so I then take care her a bit more.” “Those social occasions, she looks good, go talk client people boss directly signed, company can’t leave her.” I stare him, word by word: “Really can’t leave her?” “Really.” Julian nod, “You have to believe me, my heart to you never changed.” “Those photos all angle problem, you delete post, I promise later keep distance with Chloe, okay?” I look up at him, suddenly laughed. He doesn’t know, this company is just one subsidiary in my family company. When I gave company to him, just thinking let him start from small. Those so-called meet sign partners, also just Sterling Group old customers I arranged. I thought wait branch company do good later, he can logical go to dad front. Didn’t expect, he not only really thought is his own, still bold to directly betray me. Chapter 3 See me not speak, Julian thought I soft heart, continue persuade: “Serena, you now pregnant, emotion unstable I understand.” “But you can’t measure gentleman belly with villain heart ah, Chloe really did nothing wrong.” “You do this, company all want be destroyed by you.” Lily also hurry nod, “Yes ah Sister-in-law, my brother hard easy have some career, you can’t support a bit ma?” “You no ability just at home good good give birth, don’t red eye others okay?” Hearing them say these words, I suddenly felt quite fun, perfunctory nodded, “Okay.” Julian sighed relief. Personal see me deleted post after, he send mother-in-law and Lily leave. And I turn head call dad a phone, “Dad, I tomorrow want use headquarters shareholder identity attend Julian branch company opening ceremony.” Next morning, Julian see me follow him, unhappy frown, “You go where?” “I told you, that occasion not suitable you, you at home good good rest just fine.” I stunned a bit, nod: “Okay, I know.” I obediently answer. Wait he go out, I immediately changed into a black dress, fix makeup, drive follow behind him. I quietly sit in corner, saw Julian right gentle holding Chloe hand on stage. Crowd all envy, say they couple file very eye catching. Julian holding microphone, voice loud, “Company and our child same day born, my wife and child are my blessing.” “I believe future have them behind me, our company definitely will steam steam day up!” Chloe lean on his shoulder, eyes contain tears. Below stage another burst cheer. Just when Julian prepare continue speak, I slowly stood up, “Mr. Vance, you use my money, raise your person, asked me agree ma?” “You, why you came?” Julian voice shaking. “Why I can’t come?” I take out a red small book from bag, raise over head. Then loud said: “Everyone, sorry interrupt a bit, self introduce.” “I call Serena Sterling, is Julian Vance legal wife.” “This is our marriage certificate, me and him never divorced.” Whole field uproar. Chloe face pale, subconscious back retreat. Julian rush down stage want snatch my microphone, blocked by security. Below stage fried pot, whisper sound one after another. “This also too scum right?” “Wife pregnant still outside find mistress?” “Also hide from wife bring mistress to company opening ceremony official announce, so scum!” Hearing these words, Julian break security block, rush over grab my wrist, lower voice in my ear low roar: “Serena Sterling! You enough!” “I just guessed you won’t so good talk, all blame me, I should lock you up right!” Finished, he fierce look up at everyone, smiling said: “Sorry, let everyone see joke.” “This woman hand holding, is forged marriage certificate.” “I just helped a hand when she was offended by people, result she just賴 (rely) on me not go, still insist say in her belly is my child!” “My wife, only Chloe one person!” Hear words mother-in-law and Lily hurry stood up, “Correct correct! My son is CEO, how possible betray my daughter-in-law!” “Exactly! My brother and sister-in-law love many years, now people hard easy open a company, how just be entangled by people!” Hearing them all say so, those guests one after another disdain look at me. “Do half day, turns out this person is shameless mistress ah?” “Means in her belly is raped wild seed? Want let Mr. Vance happy be dad, she crazy right?” “Mr. Vance just too kind then help her, now good, be entangled.” Looking at Julian, my brain buzz a sound explode. I Serena Sterling am East City Sterling family most favored daughter, and Sterling family is century family, extremely famous in East City. I incredible looking him, “Julian, you this is for Chloe, give up Sterling family son-in-law identity is it?” “If be known by my dad and three brothers, you finished!” He force drag tight my wrist, “You also know is Sterling family, but here not East City!” “Today people present, simply no one know you!” “Even I drive you out, also no one say me!” “As long as this matter not spread to East City, just no one will do anything to me!” “And even you later go back random say, I also can say is you front miscarriage many times crazy!” “I warn you! Now my company prospect a piece bright, later I am President Vance! You don’t still think self is what big miss, not put me in eyes!” Turns out like this. He indeed thought, East City and Jiang City one in north one in south (or New York and Silicon Valley). Also no wonder he have bit small money start unbridled, turns out feel my maiden family distance too far won’t know ah. But, he wrong. I fierce throw away his hand, word by word said: “Is it? Then you also unnecessary too take self as a thing!” Not wait him react, big door pushed open. My dad, and three thunder wind action brothers step together walked in, “Even my Sterling family daughter dare bully! Is think I dead?!” Chapter 4 See Dad and three brothers appear moment, Julian face instant become pale. Dad and brothers behind even follow whole Sterling Group legal team, aura strong let venue air solidify. “Chairman Sterling?” Below stage have guest recognize Dad, voice shaking. “God, that is Sterling Group Chairman!” “Sterling? Just that market value hundred billion Sterling?” Whisper sound one after another, everyone gaze move back forth between me and Dad. Big brother directly walk to stage, a grab microphone from Julian hand, “Everyone, I come formal introduce.” “This is my sister, Serena Sterling, Sterling Group headquarters shareholder, hold 15%.” “And this so-called new company, just Sterling name under 47th branch company, startup capital 30 million, all come from my sister personal account.” “As for this President Vance…” Big brother sneer, “Just a hanging name CEO that’s all, even signature right no have.” Whole field dead silence. Julian stumble back, “How can like this…” He panic look me, “Serena, isn’t this company you open for me? How turns out is your family’s!” Mother-in-law react, point me scream: “Good ah you!” “Turns out you always guard against my son! Actually take own company play him!” Their words out, everyone frown. “Turns out Sterling family big miss really is Julian wife, they just now not said so.” “Leave good Sterling family big miss not want, brain sick right?” “They now still dare scold people ne? If me early kneel beg mercy!” Mother-in-law choked hurry shrink back hand, just now arrogant flame vanish. Second brother cold face protect me behind, take over words, “And according to our legal department investigation, Julian before company open, already private Embezzled company fund 2.5 million!” “Pass investigation find, he all used for personal consumption and buy Chloe house, car, jewelry etc.” “This already constitute duty embezzlement crime.” “No, not like that!” Julian panic explain, “Those money is Serena voluntary give me! We are couple!” “Couple?” Third brother sneer walk on stage, throw a stack documents on Julian face, “Then you explain explain!” “Why company account show, this 2.5 million go direction all point to Chloe?” “Also this pregnancy report, Chloe pregnant one week, and my sister pregnant five months.” “You have clone technique, or feel we Sterling family all fools?” Julian face a burst green a burst white, lips trembling say not out words. Chloe suddenly crawl up from ground, rush to me kneel, “Serena, sorry, all my fault!” “Is I moment confused, I shouldn’t seduce Julian!” “But this child is innocent, you just look on me and Julian childhood grow up together part, let go him!” She cry tear heart crack lung, tears snot paste a face. But I know, she just want keep child. As long as I not divorce with Julian, she later still can through child spend my money. But I won’t let her wish. I hold chin, smile yet not smile look Julian, “Have thing, I feel still should let you know know.” He stunned a bit. I take out a stack material smash on table, “Three years ago Chloe at bar be waiter, I saw she is your friend, quite pitiful, introduce her enter my friend company work pass.” “You still remember?” Chloe like think of something, hurry pounce over want snatch material. But already late, Julian already took material out. Inside impressively is Chloe and few different men intimate photo. I smiled, continue say: “If not I find Private Investigator check pass, I really not know.” “I good heart introduce her go work, result she turn head just seduce company high level all pass.” “My friend is dare not tell me, otherwise, she today can’t stand here!” Chloe face sudden change, “No! Not like this…” “I all serious work! Not like this!” “Not like this?” I take out phone, click open a recording, “Then you self listen.” Recording transmit good few victims wives voice, “That Chloe! Once I own eyes see she and my husband sleep in one bed, disgusting dead me!” “Speak of her I just angry, she actually deliberate leave own tight clothes in my car disgust people!” “That have what, she even once sent me my husband used condom ne!” Recording play finish, whole field uproar. “With so many men have leg, so dirty ah!” “Help, also don’t know have disease or not, will air infect ah!” Chloe face pale as paper, “This is you forged!” “You rest think rumor!” She pounce over want drag me, by Big Brother a slap fan down on ground, “Dare touch my sister, you have qualification ma?!” Finish, Second Brother wave hand, big screen appear Chloe and various men caught adultery video. All those victims wives sent me. Julian see after, suck cold air, dead stare her belly, “Chloe, you play me?!” Chloe swallow saliva, haven’t open mouth, by mother-in-law pull hair hit on table, “Turns out you pregnant is wild seed!” “So many years I treat you not good ma! You actually lie my son!” “See I not beat die you!” Lily also angry point her big scold, “If not you tell us, company is you and my brother two people’s, we then won’t offend Serena Sterling!” “We harmed miserable by you!” Julian return mind, directly kneel in front me, “Wife, I wrong!” “I really know wrong, look on baby part, you spare me okay!” “Spare you?” Dad cold open mouth, “Dream!” Immediately, legal team people walk forward, throw a stack print out chat record in front Julian. I casual flip open few pages, saw shocking content. [Julian: Today again from Serena get 500k, night transfer to you.] [Chloe: Stinky son really great, wait get Sterling family money, we just go abroad, never need look that fool face.] [Julian: Mn, but now still can’t let her suspicious, you cooperate me continue act.] Didn’t expect Dad check compare me more. “Serena…” Julian want close me, by Second Brother a kick open, “Away my sister far point!” He scare straight shiver, but I look him, heart no wave. I from bag take out a advance print good divorce agreement, word by word say: “Sign ba.” “Also, from now on, you removed all duties.” “Company operation right take back headquarters, you and Chloe immediately leave, otherwise we will call police handle!” “No!” Julian suddenly kowtow to me, “Serena, beg you, I really know wrong!” “You want money I return you, you want company I also give you, as long as you not call police!” “You want do what I all agree!” I look him, suddenly feel very strange. This man, really is person I loved five years? “Julian, you wrong.” I calmly say, “Your heart blood? You paid a cent?” “From renovation to employee salary, from office equipment to market promotion, which one not my money?” “You only do, is bring your lover, spend my money, cheat my feeling.” Julian stunned, lips trembling speak not out word. Mother-in-law sudden rush up, “Serena, you can’t so cruel heart ah!” “Julian anyhow is your husband, you do this, let him later how be person?” “And you belly inside still pregnant child, you even not look on Julian face, also want look on child face ah!” Lily also follow beg mercy, “Sister-in-law, my mom said no wrong, you do this too excessive!” “My brother even have wrong, also crime not to this ah!” “You take company back, let my brother later how live!” I turn head look them, “Then he today bring Chloe come opening ceremony, still public slander rumor I am sticking him not let go madman.” “Why you not say let me later how be person?!” “If I take company away he just can’t live, then he really is a waste ah!” This time, Third Brother sneer, “According to our investigation, Julian this three years from my sister here cheat away money, add up exceed 50 Million.” “Most transfer to Chloe buy luxury goods, till now Chloe account still have 8 Million ne.” Hear Third Brother say so, mother-in-law eyes bright, “8 Million?!” She fierce turn head look Chloe, “That is my son money! Hurry return money to my son!” “Now his company gone! This 8 Million must return!” But not wait Chloe refute, Third Brother again smiled, “Think what?” “These money, we will all chase back, a cent not less!” Julian fall sit on ground, mumble self talk, “Those money how they possible know…” Second Brother sneer, “Julian, we Sterling family want check a person, hard ma?” Finish, Second Brother signal legal team people, “Call police ba, involve amount so big, enough him sit few years jail.” “No!” Julian thorough collapse, crawl to my feet, “Serena, beg you, I really know wrong!” “I don’t want go jail!” I couldn’t help cover mouth laugh up, “I didn’t say signed then not call police.” Finish, I satisfy pick up divorce agreement, lift foot just go. He stunned, then whole face red, “Serena Sterling! You again play me! I won’t let go you!” “You wait for me!” But he haven’t close, by my three brothers one person kick a foot, almost faint. Behind come mother-in-law and Lily roar, and Chloe crying sound. But these, all irrelevant with me.

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One year after my divorce, I announced my retirement from Hollywood. Everyone said I had gone insane after being dumped by Scarlett Vance. Then one day, a wish-granting vlogger’s video went viral. My video series was divided into seven episodes. They were the fragments of my life flashing before my eyes. The title of the first episode was: [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] 1 I was bundled up tight, only my eyes visible. Suddenly, someone blocked my path. “Hi, I’m a vlogger who helps people grant their wishes. Can I interview you?” It had been three months since I retired. I thought I’d been recognized by the paparazzi, so I waved him off immediately. But the guy in front of me kept trying to persuade me. “Do you have any unfulfilled wishes? I can help you, no charge.” I turned to leave, but I heard him chasing after me, trying to show me his phone screen. “I’m not a scammer, I have a TikTok account! Look!” I thought he was rude, but what he said was true. He was clearly a newbie. He had barely any videos, and his view count was pitiful. Looking at his earnest face, I suddenly remembered when I first entered the entertainment industry. Back then, I was full of ambition but kept hitting walls. I suddenly felt a pang of compassion. “What kind of wishes can you grant?” The naive kid just scratched his head. “It depends on what you want. To be honest, you’re the seventeenth person I’ve asked today. No one believes me. Like, do you have someone you want to see? A place you want to go? Tell me your story, and I’ll arrange it.” I teased him a little, afraid I might scare him off. “What if… I want you to document the end of my life? Would you be willing? “The condition is, these videos cannot be released before I die. “If I don’t die, these videos are void. Do you dare to take that bet?” 2 The wish-granting vlogger’s name was Evan. He was tall and skinny. He sat in front of me. He looked extremely awkward. No, actually, he looked like he was about to cry. “Liam… I didn’t expect it to be you. Are you really…” His eyes were red, as if he couldn’t accept it. “I really loved your movies.” “Yeah. You could say I’m pretty impressive in every aspect. I don’t get sick often, but when I do, it’s a big one. I have several types of cancer in my body.” I pulled out a tissue and handed it to him. “The doctor says I have about six months left.” He held his phone up to me. “So, this is the real reason you retired?” “Yeah, I can’t film anymore. Constant chemotherapy drains all my energy. And…” I smiled. “Too many tabloids posted proof that I’m going bald.” This was the first time I took off my wig in front of a camera. Underneath the wig, there were only sparse patches of hair. My scalp was clearly visible. I looked like a ghoul. “You know I’m pretty vain. If I keep getting papped like this, where’s my dignity? “I’m greedy. I want seven wishes from you. You make seven episodes. Deal?” 3 May 2, 2024 – May 8, 2024 Episode 1 (Part 1) [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] “Film my left side more. Fans always say my left profile looks better.” Evan was much calmer than a week ago, but he told me he cried at home for days after finding out and lost three pounds. “I’ll definitely make you look handsome.” He rubbed his eyes. “Liam, what’s your first wish?” “I want to try circumambulating Mount Kailash.” He nodded immediately. “No problem, I’ll book the tickets now. But can I ask why you want to go there?” I couldn’t smile at the camera. “Scarlett Vance and I once promised we’d go together. Now that the chance is gone, I want to see it for myself. They say it cleanses the soul, right?” Tibet is far, but not unreachable. After getting off the plane, the high altitude made me sick. It took two days of travel to reach Darchen, the starting point for the trek. On the way, Evan kept worrying about my health, nagging me with precautions. I teased him with a smile. “I asked the doctor. He said since I don’t have much time left anyway, I can go wherever I want.” One sentence made the kid’s eyes red again. He asked cautiously, “Liam, did you and Miss Vance break up amicably?” I knew he was asking politely. Actually, my divorce with Scarlett was messy and ugly. But in these final moments before leaving the world, I finally had the courage to speak up. “In her eyes, it definitely wasn’t amicable. She, like everyone else, thinks I cheated.” “So you really didn’t cheat, right?” The kid’s eyes lit up. “I knew I didn’t judge you wrong.” I nodded with a smile. “Yeah, I loved that woman to death. How could I look at anyone else?” New vloggers have one flaw: their emotions are too volatile. He started crying buckets right in front of the camera. He sobbed, “The media scolded you so badly back then. How dared they?” I had to comfort him on camera. Finally, I had to admit: “Forget it. I’ll tell you. I staged the whole thing.” 4 May 2, 2024 – May 8, 2024 Episode 1 (Part 2) [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] “Six months before the divorce, I was diagnosed with cancer. Back then, it was only one type. The doctor told me if I cooperated with treatment, there was hope for survival. “Later I learned that most doctors are kind-hearted, but sometimes they lie. “I got my childhood best friend to act with me, just to get rid of Scarlett faster. “Don’t let her CEO title fool you. She’s decisive in business, but with me, she’s stubborn as a mule.” I didn’t say anymore. Everyone understood. Evan asked with a sad face, “Bro, why didn’t you tell her the truth about your illness?” “The process of dying is painful. Why drag someone else into it?” Evan suddenly said, “Recent news says Ms. Vance has a new boyfriend.” “Really? Then I genuinely congratulate her.” I meant it. “She deserves better.” I endured the nausea caused by the bumpy road. “I’m not acting here. When you’re about to die, you can let go of anything. “I used to joke with Scarlett that if she found another man, I’d break her legs. But look, didn’t I let go easily?” The guide suddenly spoke up. “Rest tonight. The rest of the journey is on foot. 32 miles total. But I have to warn you, the altitude is high. It feels much longer than 32 miles.” On the first day of the trek, our destination was Dirapuk Monastery. That’s where you can see the Golden Mountain at sunrise. “I suddenly feel like it’s unfair to drag you on this life-threatening trek for my own selfish desire.” Evan shook his head. “Liam, I know my body. If I can’t hold on, I won’t force it. Besides, you said you prepared for months.” Luckily, neither of us had severe altitude sickness. And we were lucky. The morning after staying at Dirapuk Monastery, I saw the sun hit the golden peaks. I copied the pose I saw online, arms wide open for a photo. I shouted, “If possible, I hope you all forget me!” I thought for a moment and shouted again, “Scarlett, I came for you! You don’t have to come anymore!” Along the way, we met many devout pilgrims prostrating themselves. We saw hail. The food was terrible. We slept in simple, uncomfortable beds. It took three days to complete the trek. I summarized the episode to the camera. “What I didn’t tell you is that when I first planned this, I wanted to come with Scarlett. Later, when I decided to come alone, I thought about killing myself here.” Evan was so scared he grabbed my hand. I patted his hand and continued. “Back then I thought, I can’t be cured anyway. I’ll die in a lake, on a snowy mountain, or just on the journey. “But later, I suddenly didn’t want to die. I wanted to live well in my final moments, to make this life worthwhile.” Evan suddenly asked, “Any regrets about this first trip?” I nodded. Thinking about it still scared me. “My parents spoil me rotten, but I lied to them. I didn’t tell them I was sick. “I even lied that I started acting again, filming a movie in Tibet. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I ended up being an unfilial son.” 5 June 4, 2024 Episode 2 (Part 1) After returning from Tibet, it took me a full month to recover from the altitude and exhaustion before I contacted Evan again. I had a chemo session in between. Each time, it felt harder to get out of bed than the last, as if my strength was being drained, bringing me one step closer to death. I wasn’t sure if I could trust this kid I’d only met once. If he released my first video now, he could go viral instantly. I was gambling. Gambling that people generally have a bit more conscience when facing a dying man. “Liam, what’s your second wish?” “I want people to get to know me more. And I want to revisit the paths I used to walk.” Evan looked worriedly at the camera. “With your health, we can take it slow.” “It’s okay. I rested enough before calling you. In the final moments of life, people become greedy, wanting to fulfill more and more wishes.” “Your look today is great. Reminds me of your breakout role in Do You Remember Me Today?” In that drama, I played a fresh college grad with short hair who got entangled with the CEO of his internship company. I smiled and touched my head. “I can change hairstyles at will now. Handsome, right?” “But you’re getting thinner. Has no one around you noticed?” I looked down, embarrassed. “I divorced Scarlett, so we don’t meet. Since getting sick, I see my parents less and less. But they are parents, so we video call. Guess what I said? I said I’m method acting a terminally ill patient.” I only dared to tell the truth through lies. He rubbed his eyes in front of me. “So where do you want to go for this episode?” “Back to where I grew up.” Just a two-hour drive, and I arrived at my childhood hometown. “Liam, where is that assistant of yours?” My assistant, Sam, was a loyal guy. Sometimes his appearances with me created iconic moments. “Oh, Sam? I told him not to follow me.” “So he knows about your condition?” “Hahaha.” I laughed at myself. “Guess what excuse I used? He’s been with me so long, how could he not notice something was wrong?” I sat calmly in front of the camera. “I lied again. I said I loved Scarlett too much, and the cheating scandal and separation made me depressed. I wanted to retire to treat my depression.” “He believed it?” “How could he? He and my agent, Lee, dragged me crying, saying they’d take me to a doctor. I said give me some time, I’ll see a doctor myself. I’ll travel for a while and come back.” “Could they have already guessed?” “My hair falling out couldn’t be hidden. I made up these excuses, thinking I was smart. But one day Lee said he didn’t want me to make money anymore, he just wanted me to live well.” Saying this, I started crying. I wiped the corners of my eyes. “Probably no one dared to bring up these sad things in front of me, so they didn’t say how much they knew. “Sam, that kid, bought me ten wigs out of his own pocket, saying it was a gift for my trip.” I stopped talking. I was wearing a mask and hat, dressed simply in a hoodie and jeans, carrying a canvas bag. Passersby just saw me as another passerby. I pulled a thermos out of my bag and drank. “This is my elementary school.” “Bro, you went to First Experimental?” I nodded, pointing to a big tree on the playground. “Back then I competed with others on guts. I climbed up there and couldn’t get down. I was so scared I peed my pants crying in the tree.” “Liam, school is in session. The guard probably won’t let us in.” “Not going in. Just looking. Don’t disturb them. I’m just taking one last look. After I drink Meng Po’s soup (soup of forgetfulness), I won’t remember anything. “Hey, why are you such a crybaby? Directors should cast you for crying scenes.” I pointed to an alley not far from the school. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to see my old home. I haven’t been back in years.” But when I walked in, I was stunned. I stood frozen in the wind. I couldn’t help laughing. “Oh boy, it’s been demolished.” The camera facing me shook a little. “What now? Seems like my old home is gone?” I turned back to the camera. The audience probably couldn’t see my expression. To be honest, I was a little disappointed. But I couldn’t say it. “Walk forward a bit. I’ll introduce it based on my memory. “This used to be an old street. The media always says I’m a rich kid. I explained at events, but no one believed me. “Borrowing this chance, I’ll show you. I grew up here. The houses were all old bungalows. My deepest memory is teasing a dog and getting chased. It bit my butt.” “Huh?” “Luckily it was winter. I lived with my grandparents, and they dressed me in layers of pants. It bit a hole and pulled out cotton, but didn’t break the skin.” It sounded funny. At least Evan laughed hard. “Liam, I really can’t imagine you being chased by a dog.” After laughing, I said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to see my high school. It’s not far.” I paused. “It’s also where I met Scarlett.”

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For five years, everyone I knew looked at me with a mix of pity and scorn. They all said the same thing: I was nothing more than a placeholder for Conrad Wells. I was the temporary fix, the cheap replica, waiting to be tossed out the moment the original—his legendary ex—decided to claim her rightful place. They laughed at my blatant efforts to please Conrad. They pitied the desperation they saw in the way I clung to him. What none of them knew was the profound irony of it all. The only reason I ever entered Conrad’s orbit was because she orchestrated it. I took the money she offered, hired the best coaches for etiquette and posture, and even consulted a drama professor on the nuances of mimicry. I was a professional stand-in, and my performance was so good that Conrad never once lost interest. For my dedication, I received a substantial bonus from the “original” every year. With two weeks left on my contract, her final text arrived: [I land next week. Find a reason to break with Conrad before then. You need to disappear from Aiken, permanently.] After typing a swift, one-word reply—”Done”—I shredded the fresh sonogram report I’d been clutching. The paper scraps floated down into the waste bin. Then, I forwarded Conrad a reservation for a private booth at a Michelin-starred spot downtown. [Heard they changed the menu. Any chance you have time to try it out this week?] … While I waited for Conrad’s reply, I drove to a tiny, unassuming clinic tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. It was run by Doc Davies, a kind old man who specialized in natural healing. The minute his granddaughter, Maya, saw me, she yelled, “Grandpa! Elle’s here!” She’d been glued to her tablet, probably playing some intense mobile game. A familiar thump-thump echoed from the back room—the sound of the old man’s cane. “Girl, you weren’t due for a follow-up,” Doc Davies called out, his voice thick and raspy from years of telling everyone how to stop shouting. “What’s hurting now?” He pushed aside the wooden bead curtain, squinted at me, and then his eyes widened slightly. “Well, I’ll be,” he murmured. “Look at your aura. You’re expecting, aren’t you?” Maya instantly abandoned her game, scrambling to help me onto the consultation chair. After a long, silent moment of hearing my pulse, he finally smiled a calm, small smile. “Just two months. Your health is stable, but your constitution is weak, as we both know. You need to be extra careful.” He gave me a prescription for prenatal supplements. I also grilled him for any old-school remedies that might curb extreme morning sickness. After we talked for a while—just small talk, the kind I missed from my isolated life with Conrad—my throat suddenly felt dry. “Doc Davies,” I finally choked out, my voice rough. “I actually came to say goodbye.” He looked at me intently, his eyes deep with understanding. Then he sighed. “It was always going to happen, wasn’t it? Wherever you go, take care of yourself.” His gaze dropped to my still-flat abdomen, and his expression turned complicated. “And take care of that child.” On my way out, while Maya was distracted at the counter, I slipped an envelope containing a bank card and the access code into her favorite, battered medical textbook. It was tucked right in the middle, a place she’d look a hundred times a day. I gave them both a formal, heartfelt farewell. They had saved my life once; they deserved everything. Back in the car, I checked my phone. Still nothing from Conrad. I should have been used to the silence. It was his signature move. But knowing this might be the last text I’d ever send him openly made my chest ache. I felt a desperate need to flee before I lost my resolve. I pulled up a map, found a quiet, distant city on the West Coast, and booked a one-way flight for the following week. The confirmation text arrived right as Conrad’s reply finally buzzed through: [Out of town until Friday. Spencer will reach out to schedule something after I return.] I typed a hollow “OK.” Scrolling back through our brief, years-long history of texts, the screen was overwhelmingly green—my messages—with only sparse patches of white—his replies. Most of them were me initiating a plan, and him deflecting with the same formula: Spencer will contact you. As a high-ranking public servant, Conrad was busy. I understood that. But his identical, detached tone with me, compared to his colleagues or staff, was a constant, icy reminder: Don’t expect anything. Don’t fall completely in love. My vision blurred with tears again and again. I swiped up until my eyes stung with fatigue. I stopped at his profile picture—the one I had stared at countless times. It was a stark image of a lone, ancient lighthouse on a rocky cliff. The Beacon. I’d heard the whispers at parties. Since I had no real standing, his friends and associates felt free to discuss his past right in front of me. They said The Beacon was a tribute to his great lost love, Adeline Fox. They claimed I was only kept around because my eyes were a seven-out-of-ten match for Adeline’s, and my name, Elle, was a subtle nod to her middle name, Elise. The comparison had stopped stinging a long time ago; it just felt numb. No one knew I had chosen the name Elle Regan specifically because of those rumors. Conrad being out of town was a mixed blessing. It meant no last-minute, painful interactions, but it also made packing easier. A baby required a budget. Soon, I’d lose the substantial income from Adeline and the free housing from Conrad. Until I delivered and found stable work, I had to be frugal. I remotely leased a small apartment in my destination city and arranged for all my belongings to be shipped ahead of time. I had to save every dollar. The day after I found out I was pregnant, the nausea hit. I tried every remedy Doc Davies suggested. Nothing worked. Even a sip of water made my stomach revolt. After I ate a small dinner only to immediately lose it all, I regretted making our final outing a restaurant meal. The physical distress, coupled with the terror of Conrad discovering my secret, made me curl up on the sofa and weep. I almost changed my flight to leave immediately. Then, Conrad appeared on the news. Amidst a cluster of aging dignitaries, his sharp, reserved face stood out. He was standing slightly back, yet the camera found his profile constantly. I replayed the brief segment until my emotional meltdown began to subside. I placed a hand on my still-flat stomach and spoke to the tiny life inside me, my voice a soft, desperate plea. “Please, Kit. Don’t upset your mama. Not yet. I can’t let your father know you exist. Can you just be a good boy until we’re far away?” Whether it was psychological or a lucky coincidence, the sickness eased slightly. I managed to cook a small meal, and this time, while I felt waves of nausea, I didn’t throw up. I felt a rush of fierce excitement, gently patting my stomach and thanking the baby. I accelerated my packing pace, working constantly between rest breaks. I managed to ship the first batch of boxes before Conrad’s scheduled return. Spencer Zhou, Conrad’s right-hand man, called right as the courier drove off. “Ms. Regan,” Spencer’s tone was polite but sterile. “Mr. Wells has an hour free at five P.M. this afternoon. Please be ready.” I immediately called the restaurant manager, placed an order based on Conrad’s known preferences, and stressed that we had very little time. At five o’clock on the dot, Conrad walked in. I couldn’t stop the genuine smile that spread across my face when I saw him, but I quickly tamped down the emotion, meeting his eyes as he sat opposite me. “Your color is bad. Are you feeling ill again?” It was a rare moment of unprompted concern, and my heart hammered wildly in my chest. My hands clenched under the table. I gave him a practiced, careless shrug. “It’s just the heat, I think. Not much appetite these last few days.” Conrad nodded. He glanced at the limited menu and called the server over. “Add the chilled cucumber salad, please. Make sure the spice is minimal.” I inhaled slowly, reminding myself: That’s just his ingrained good manners. It means nothing. I barely touched my food, except for the cucumber salad he ordered. But since I’d already claimed to have a poor appetite, he didn’t notice. After he set his fork down, he mentioned needing to rush back for a public hearing. As he started to rise, I spoke the rehearsed line, sharp and clear. “I want to get married, Conrad. And I need a future that includes children. This… needs to end.” Conrad froze, his head bowed slightly as he looked at me. A light knock came at the door. Spencer’s low voice followed. “Sir, the meeting starts in thirty minutes. We have to go.” Conrad ignored him. His gaze remained locked on me, filling the room with the suffocating presence of a powerful man kept waiting. I held my breath, terrified he would see the lie in my eyes. “The meeting will be two hours,” he finally said. “We’ll finish this conversation when I return.” He finally broke eye contact. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, his deep voice softened slightly. “It’s rush hour. Drive carefully.” I didn’t move until I saw his black town car pull away from the curb. Then, I collapsed back into the leather chair, gasping for air. I waited almost an hour before driving home, worried my shaky state would cause an accident. Standing in the entryway of his penthouse, I scanned the room. Everything seemed normal. Conrad wouldn’t notice anything had changed. That foolish hope evaporated the second he walked in. “The photo on the media cabinet,” he said flatly, pouring a finger of scotch. “The picture of us is gone. It’s just my single portrait now.” I was stunned by his swift, brutal perceptiveness, but I held my ground. “I’m leaving, Conrad. I can’t exactly take my things when I go, so I thought I’d start getting rid of anything that belongs only to me.” He didn’t respond immediately. He took a seat in the single armchair by the fireplace, sipping his drink. “Why the sudden urge to marry? Did you meet someone you want to settle down with?” His cold, reasoned tone was a physical stab in my chest, but I maintained a bland smile. “I’m twenty-seven. You were never going to marry me, but I can certainly find a man who will. I always told you I wanted a home and a family.” Conrad downed the drink in one swallow. The sound of the glass hitting the mahogany table was synchronized with his next sentence. “I’ll have Spencer transfer the house and car to you immediately. And I promise you this: should you ever find yourself in real trouble, you get one call. I will use every resource I have to help you, as compensation for your time.” Thinking of the baby, I didn’t refuse. Perhaps it was the fact that I had been a quiet, uncomplicated presence for five years. Or perhaps he saw the ghost of Adeline in my acceptance. Either way, he added one final, stinging instruction before he left. “I know every eligible bachelor in Aiken. Tell Spencer who you’re seeing. I’ll run a background check. I don’t want some opportunistic bastard taking advantage of you.” I waited until the door had been closed for a long time before whispering, “Okay.” I’d always known how this would end, yet the reality was crushing. I couldn’t breathe. Terrified of jeopardizing the baby with a massive emotional breakdown, I found a mindless comedy on TV and forced myself to watch. I drifted off to sleep through the sound of canned laughter. In my dream, I was sixteen again. Conrad, only a few years out of college, peeled off his expensive wool coat and draped it over my filthy, ragged shoulders. He wasn’t the stoic public figure he was now. I saw the pure pity in his eyes, and something else—a fleeting, almost paternal tenderness. When the vile man who had bought me struggled against the police, screaming obscenities, Conrad stepped in front of me and gently covered my ears. “You’re a good girl,” he said. “We were just late. That’s all. You just suffered because we were late.” He stroked my hair. “You’re so young. Think of this as a terrible nightmare. The world is huge out there. You’ll see beautiful things, you’ll find a man who loves you deeply, you’ll have a wonderful baby, and you’ll live the life you want…” In the final, disjointed moment of the dream, I had that beautiful baby. But then Conrad showed up, furious. He accused me of running away while pregnant, of denying the Wells bloodline, of sentencing his child to a life of poverty and scorn. His expression was one of such pure disgust—the look he’d never once given me in our five years together—that I woke up gasping. I lay there for a long time, the nightmare’s residue a cold, heavy lump in my chest. A soft chime. The front door intercom. It was Spencer. “Ms. Regan, these are the transfer documents. Signatures here and here, and the house and vehicle are yours.” I signed Elle Regan swiftly. The moment he left, I contacted a local realtor and put the house on the market, priced to sell quickly. I had three days left. I wasn’t afraid of Conrad knowing I’d sold the house or that I was leaving Aiken. The nightmare had been terrifying, but I knew the real Conrad. He was decisive. When something was finished, it was finished. I was, after all, just a chapter. The lower-than-market price meant the house sold the very next day. The buyer, meeting my condition, paid cash in full and rushed the transfer paperwork before the county clerk’s office closed. The car was another matter. Too impractical to drive cross-country, and selling it felt wrong. I called Doc Davies and Maya. Seeing the old man again, he immediately tried to hand back the bank card. I stopped him with a single sentence. “Doc, if you hadn’t intervened that year, I would have died. Consider that money the delayed bill you deserve. You wouldn’t want me to spend the rest of my life feeling guilty, would you?” He wavered. I pushed further. “I want to give the car to Maya. If anyone asks about me—especially anyone connected to the Wells family—please, don’t mention the pregnancy.” Relieved that I had secured their silence and given them something substantial, I was finally free. On the morning of my flight, I went into the bathroom and took out my kit. I held the prosthetic adhesives, the color palettes, and the specialized wax—the tools that had made me Adeline’s double—and burned them in a heap in the sink. The smell was acrid. Looking at my reflection, the face that was now only three-tenths a match for Adeline Fox, I managed a stiff, awkward smile. Just in case, I put on dark sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. I was crossing the lobby to the airport gate when I saw them—Conrad and Adeline—exiting the international arrivals lounge together. Perhaps he sensed my stare. Conrad looked up, and our eyes met. It was only a fraction of a second before Adeline’s voice pulled his attention away. I kept walking, my pace steady. Goodbye, Conrad, I whispered in my mind. Goodbye, my light.

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