Category: English

After my husband died, his twin brother’s personality suddenly changed drastically. The originally silent and steady man suddenly became sunny and loved joking. He used to treat his beautiful sister-in-law like an old married couple, but recently swept away his reserve, lights in her room staying on all night. During the day, he shamelessly held hands and hugged her waist in front of people. Until that night, he groggily entered the wrong room after using the bathroom and climbed into my bed. Suddenly approached by a familiar body, I finally saw through him. I knelt and begged him to come home, but he protected the charming sister-in-law, flinging me away coldly: “Sister-in-law, the dead cannot come back to life, stop being crazy!” Afraid I would make a scene, he pushed me into the icy river to freeze to death, and my five-year-old daughter was chained to a dog house and starved to death. Opening my eyes again, I returned to the day of his “funeral.” This time, I didn’t expose him. I cried and cooperated, “It’s hot, cremate him quickly, don’t delay.” While he was busy destroying the evidence, I went straight to the police station and completely canceled the identity of “Luke”! Holding the urn, I went to collect the huge pension with a smile. Chapter 1 “Sister-in-law, my condolences… the dead cannot come back to life…” My husband Luke, with red eyes, looked at me with a face full of grief, mimicking his older brother’s tone. Looking at the man’s corpse covered by a white cloth, I cooperated with a scream, threw myself on it, and cried hoarsely: “How could you leave like this!” My mother-in-law Brenda walked over, pulled me, and muttered: “Lily, stop crying. Luke is gone, but Liam is back. Our family still has a backbone.” I acted as if I had a “sudden realization,” wiped my tears, and choked: “Brother, from now on, this family depends on you.” Luke looked at me with complex eyes, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. With me here, I won’t let you and your daughter suffer.” As he spoke, his eyes involuntarily glanced at the door of the inner room. There, my sister-in-law Scarlett was leaning against the door frame, wearing a fashionable red dress that set off her fair skin and beauty, her figure bursting out. She looked at Luke with hooks in her eyes, a faint smile of triumph on her lips. In the 80s, the tycoon Liam was a legend in the area, and his beautiful wife Scarlett was the dream of men in the dead of night. Luke had been drooling over her for a long time. I cried for a while, wiped my dry tears, and said to Luke: “It’s hot, the body can’t be kept for long. You hurry to contact the crematorium, let him go with dignity, don’t delay.” Hearing this, Luke looked relieved, nodding immediately: “Sister-in-law is right! I’ll do it right away!” Luke couldn’t wait to send that corpse to the van. He was more anxious than anyone to destroy the evidence. In my past life, my husband Luke swapped identities, using his brother Liam’s corpse to fake his death, and openly got together with Scarlett. My mother-in-law also called me a jinx who killed her son and made me serve Scarlett during her postpartum confinement. Their family conspired to make me work like a horse. But I realized he wasn’t dead, knelt and cried begging him to come home, asking why he impersonated his brother. He protected the charming Scarlett, said I was crazy and talking nonsense, and pushed me, who couldn’t swim, into the icy river. My five-year-old daughter cried asking why daddy didn’t want her, but was chained to a dog house and starved for seven days and nights. Our orphan and widow duo, one froze to death, one starved to death. Reborn, I would rather be a widow than want this dog of a man. I thought coldly: Luke, since you want to be Liam so much, want to fly with Scarlett so much, fine, I’ll fulfill your wish. You just be Liam for the rest of your life! Luke moved fast, coming back with an urn in less than half a day. A simple mourning hall had been set up at home according to custom. On the black and white photo was Luke’s smiling face. Heh, Luke is really something, burying “himself” personally. Neighbors came to offer condolences, sighing that a glorious tycoon turned into a pile of ash just like that. I looked pale and haggard, having lost a lot of weight. In the eyes of outsiders, I really looked like a widow who lost her husband and was heartbroken. Luke, no, should call him “Liam” now. He put his arm around Scarlett’s waist, walked up to me, and said in the tone of an older brother-in-law: “Sister-in-law, Scarlett is weak, can’t stand the smell of incense, and is afraid of bad luck. She doesn’t need to keep vigil.” He helped Scarlett sit on a chair nearby, his face full of feigned grief and unconcealable tenderness. I was too lazy to look at their disgusting faces, but Scarlett took the initiative to speak. Her seductive peach blossom eyes glanced at me sideways, tone full of charity: “Lily, now that Luke is gone, you a woman with a sick child, will have many places to beg our Liam in the future. You can’t take advantage for free, right?” Her greed was undisguised. “Liam” immediately echoed: “Yes, Sister-in-law, I remember Luke said before that you have a thousand dollars of private money given by your family? Why not take it out first to buy a VCD player for Scarlett to relieve her boredom at home.” “You are a sister-in-law, and a widow with an orphan, what do you need so much money for? If Scarlett is in a good mood, she can take care of you two in the future.” I looked up sharply, bloodshot eyes staring dead at him. A thousand dollars! That was the last bit of savings my mom desperately saved for me before she died, and it was the life-saving money I prepared to take Lola to the city to treat her asthma! How dare he! “Liam” felt a bit guilty under my gaze, but still stiffened his neck and said righteously: “What are you looking at? This is what Luke promised me before he died, saying he would pool money to buy me a motorcycle. Now that he’s gone, you have to take this money out, right? Besides, Scarlett suffered so much with my brother, now that my brother is gone, I as a younger brother can’t compensate my sister-in-law for him?” In his panic, he even forgot his current identity, sometimes Liam, sometimes Luke. The neighbors were confused, but all felt it was unseemly for an older brother-in-law to ask a newly widowed sister-in-law for money. I was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly covered my face and wailed. “No money! Not a penny left! Luke’s money was long spent by himself on eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling! Even my dowry was secretly pawned by him! I don’t even have money to buy medicine for Lola now!” “Liam” was anxious and blurted out: “Impossible! You clearly still have a thousand! That passbook is in…” He stopped abruptly halfway, his face turning extremely ugly. I seized this slip of the tongue, crying even harder, pointing at him and accusing: “Brother-in-law! My husband just died, his bones are not yet cold, and instead of guarding the mourning hall, you run to force a widow for her private money! Are you trying to drive us mother and daughter to death?!” This was naturally false. Although Luke was a jerk, he hadn’t reached the point of whoring and gambling. But now, dead men tell no tales, he couldn’t refute at all. The neighbors looked at me with sympathy and began to persuade “Liam” to be more tolerant as a man. “Liam, your sister-in-law isn’t having it easy.” “Yeah, she’ll need your care in the future.” “You are a tycoon, what do you need that $1000 for!” “Liam’s” face turned green and white, too angry to speak. Chapter 2 I sneered, turned and rushed into the room, carried out all of Luke’s things—his work clothes, our wedding photos… all of them. “Luke left these useless things! I’ll burn them for him in front of everyone now, saving some people from thinking about them!” I dragged over the fire basin for burning paper money, threw them in without looking! Flames whoosh shot up. “Lily, what are you doing!” “Liam” subconsciously wanted to rush over to stop me, but stopped abruptly after taking a step, face black as a pot bottom. He is “Liam” now, what right does he have to stop a “sister-in-law” from burning her “late husband’s” belongings? I picked up our wedding photo. In the photo, he smiled brightly, and I was full of happiness. I stared at the photo for a few seconds, then decisively threw it into the fire basin. The glass of the frame cracked in the heat, making a “crackling” sound. “Liam” finally couldn’t hold back, he rushed over, voice trembling: “Sister-in-law! These are the memories Luke left for you! What do you mean by burning them all?” I raised my tearful eyes, voice choking and shrill: “The person is gone, what’s the use of keeping these dead things?!” “Moreover, you all force me! My man just left, and you come to ask for money! You can’t wait to skin us orphans and widows!” I cried bitterly, heartbroken. Everyone around was moved, looking at “Liam” and Scarlett differently. “Liam’s” face was iron green, fists clenched, but could only watch helplessly as I burned every trace of his existence in this world, bit by bit, into ashes. Back in the room, my daughter Lola pulled my clothes, looking up with a pale little face, asking me puzzledly: “Mommy, that man outside is clearly Daddy, why does everyone say he is Uncle?” My heart hurt sharply. Yes, even a five-year-old child can recognize him, but he can be cruel enough to ignore his own daughter. I hugged Lola tightly, trying not to let tears fall. “Lola be good, that’s not Daddy. Daddy… Daddy has gone to a very far place.” The next day, I entrusted Lola to a trustworthy neighbor and took the bus to the county town myself. I went to the textile factory where “Liam” worked before he died and went straight to the factory director’s office. The director, Mr. Wang, was a kind-looking middle-aged man. Seeing me, he sighed: “Comrade Lily, we heard about Comrade Luke. It’s really a pity, he was the youngest workshop director in our factory.” I lowered my head, shoulders trembling slightly, acting grief-stricken. Director Wang comforted: “Luke passed away on the way to transport raw materials. If you have any difficulties, just mention them, the factory will try its best to solve them.” This was exactly what I was waiting for. I raised my head without hesitation and said my plan. “Director Wang, I want to request to cancel Luke’s household registration from the factory, settle the pension in one lump sum according to the regulations for death on duty, and convert the unassigned house into money for me.” Director Wang was a bit surprised: “Cancel registration? Comrade Lily, according to regulations, you can take over Luke’s position and work in the factory. This is an iron rice bowl. And the pension can be collected monthly, so you and your son have a guarantee for life.” This was exactly what I wanted to avoid. Taking over the position meant I would still be involved with this factory and the Li family. I shook my head, tears flowing again: “Director, I don’t want to stay in this sad place. Lola has asthma, I want to take her to the big city for treatment. Staying here, seeing the factory, I think of Luke… I really can’t hold on.” “So I want to collect the pension in one lump sum, then leave here with the child and start over.” My reason was reasonable. A heartbroken widow wanting to stay away from a sad place, no one could say anything. Director Wang pondered for a moment and nodded: “I understand your feelings. Okay, I’ll report to the superiors. Don’t worry, Comrade Luke had an accident while pulling raw materials for the factory, definitely counts as sacrifice on duty, the pension will be generous.” Chapter 3 The process went faster than I imagined. Three days later, I not only got Luke’s official death certificate and household registration cancellation documents but also received a pension of up to $3,000 and a $50,000 housing subsidy. This was a huge sum in 1988. I held the money and documents tightly in my arms and returned to that disgusting home. Entering the yard, I saw my mother-in-law Brenda sitting in the yard cracking melon seeds. Seeing me come in, she spat the shells at my feet and spoke sarcastically: “Yo, jinx is back? Running out all day after husband died, don’t know which wild man you hooked up with outside! My son was really unlucky to marry a bad luck star like you!” In the corner of the yard, five-year-old Lola was squatting on the ground, struggling to scrub a large basin of clothes, her small hands red from cold and covered with foam. My anger shot to the top of my head, immediately rushing over to pick up my daughter. “Lola is only five! Can’t you see her hands are soaked white!” Brenda glared, hands on hips cursing: “You two live in my Li house, eat my Li food, don’t work and want to be offered as ancestors?” I sneered: “Fine, since you say so, we’ll leave! Anyway, my man is dead, I’m an outsider here, won’t take advantage of your Li family!” Saying that, I turned to leave holding Lola. Brenda panicked hearing this, rushed over to block me: “Want to leave? Not so easy! Scarlett is about to give birth, who will serve her if you leave? Eating and drinking for free in my house for so many years, want to leave just like that, dream on!” Under the window of the inner room, Scarlett was touching her belly that didn’t show at all, looking at me triumphantly. “Sister-in-law, not that I want to scold you, but your own belly didn’t live up to expectations. What I’m carrying is Liam’s only root, the only eldest grandson of the Li family, you have to serve well with all your heart.” Luke walked out from behind her, holding her waist with one hand, ordering me: “Lily, Mom is old, Scarlett needs someone to take care of her now. Don’t throw a tantrum.” I laughed in anger. When I was pregnant with Lola, where was he as a husband? When my water broke, I ran to the town health center alone, pain almost killing me. Brenda treated me coldly because the ultrasound showed a girl, didn’t give me a sip of hot soup during confinement. Luke was nowhere to be seen, using busy work as an excuse, never visited the hospital once. Now, why do they want me to serve this usurper woman like a slave? I gritted my teeth, holding Lola back to our small dark room, closed the door, carefully dried her small hands, and applied my homemade clam oil. Outside the door, came the lowered voices of “Liam” and Scarlett. “Look at Lily’s dead look. If you weren’t smart and replaced the identity, the child and I would have been bullied to death by her.” Scarlett’s voice was coquettish. “Liam’s” voice was gentle enough to drip water: “Don’t worry Scarlett, for you and our child, I’m willing to do anything. I will protect you for a lifetime.” “Mom is also on your side, otherwise how could she agree to let me impersonate big brother. That old lady only recognizes money and grandson.” My palm was pierced by nails, lips almost bitten to bleed. So the child in Scarlett’s belly is Luke’s! So they hooked up long ago! So from beginning to end, mother-in-law Brenda knew everything! Their family, gang up to treat me as a fool, a tool to be sacrificed and manipulated at will! I looked at Lola’s quiet sleeping face, took a deep breath, constantly telling myself: Lily, soon, soon can take the child away from this hell. Sure enough, two days later, Director Wang sent a message to me, saying a state-run guesthouse in the city needed an accountant, he had contacted for me, ready to report anytime. I immediately packed our few belongings, took all my belongings and documents, ready to leave at dawn. But unexpectedly, holding Lola and pushing open the door, I met “Liam’s” iron-green face. His gaze fell deadly on the bulging cloth bag in my hand, tone icy cold. “Lily, carrying a bag, where are you taking Lola?” Chapter 4 I subconsciously tightened the strap of the cloth bag, hiding Lola behind me. “Where I go is none of your business. You are now my older brother-in-law, my whereabouts as a sister-in-law are not your turn to manage, Liam.” I deliberately emphasized “Older Brother-in-law” and “Liam.” “Liam’s” face stiffened, then switched to a high-sounding rhetoric: “Scarlett is about to give birth, the family is short of hands. You just manage housework and take care of Lola like before, the family won’t be short of a meal for you two.” I looked at him coldly: “My man Luke is dead. What is it for a widow like me to stay in your house? Doesn’t sound good if spread out.” “We orphans and widows can’t help much. Scarlett is your wife, it’s more appropriate for you, the husband, to take care of her personally.” With that, I was about to lead Lola around him. “Liam” suddenly took a step forward, catching me off guard, snatching the long-distance bus ticket to the city I was clutching tightly! He glanced at the destination on the ticket, eyes instantly turned sinister, tearing the ticket to shreds in two or three moves! Paper scraps fell at our feet like snowflakes. “Lily…” He said unquestionably, “I’m doing this for your own good. A widow with a sick child, how will you live away from the Li family? Better stay home honestly, at least won’t starve.” Looking at the paper scraps on the ground, I trembled with rage. I pushed him hard: “What are you blocking me for now? Luke, don’t go too far!” In panic, I shouted his real name. His face changed drastically, but soon returned to that lofty look, expression impatient. “Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! I said stay, what more do you want?” I only felt absurd and ridiculous. In previous life, I knelt begging him to save our daughter, he let Brenda kick us out, leaving us to die. Now, I want to leave voluntarily, they jump out one by one to stop. Just want to keep me as a free nanny, serving their family. “You are my brother-in-law, not my husband! I leave if I want, what right do you have to stop me!” I shouted sternly. He frowned, seemingly making a major decision, compromising: “Lily, are you this heartless? Luke’s bones aren’t cold yet, you can’t wait to leave?” He paused, lowering his voice: “Then I’ll take both wives okay? Don’t you just lack a man? I give you a title, odd days I sleep with Scarlett, even days with you…” Before he finished, I used all my strength and slapped him hard on the face! Slap! Crisp sound echoed in the morning yard. Luke was beaten to turn his head, half face swelling red visibly. He seemed to not expect me to dare hit him at all. Stunned for seconds, face suddenly gloomy enough to drip water. “Don’t be ungrateful!” He grabbed my wrist, force strong enough to crush my bones, “Dare walk out this gate, try it!” He dragged me into the house. I pressed my feet against the ground, struggling desperately. Just as we were tearing and entangled, noise came from outside the yard gate. Then, my yard gate was pushed open with a creak. Seeing the visitor, the ferocity and anger on Luke’s face froze instantly.

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On New Year’s Eve, I signed for a package containing a diamond ring. After triple-checking that the recipient’s name was indeed my husband’s, I called out to the delivery driver, confused. “Are you sure this is right? Maybe it’s someone with the same name. I’m already married…” At that exact moment, my husband’s call came through. “Honey,” he started, his voice hesitant. “Did a package arrive by any chance?” Sensing the caution in his tone, I played along. “No, nothing. Were you expecting something?” He let out a visible sigh of relief over the phone. “No, no, I must have been mistaken. Listen, honey, I’m so sorry I have to be out of the country on New Year’s Eve. I promise I’ll make it up to you when I get back!” I hung up. The delivery guy, having double-checked the address on his device, smiled apologetically. “My apologies, ma’am. This is for the apartment upstairs. I delivered it to the wrong floor.” I shook my head, taking the small box from his hand as I stepped into the elevator. “No problem. My friend lives up there. I can take it up for you.” 1 “Hello, you have a package.” My hand was trembling as I pressed the doorbell. A moment later, the door swung open. “Finally, it’s here…” A middle-aged woman smiled as she reached for the box, but her expression froze the instant she looked up and saw my face. “Alice?” Her gasp was drowned out by a wave of cheers and laughter from inside the apartment. I was just as stunned as she was. This was my mother-in-law, the one who was always too sick to visit, who insisted she needed to rest quietly in her hometown. An elegantly dressed woman emerged from the apartment, looking at me curiously. “And who is this?” My mother-in-law was frozen, completely at a loss for words. The other woman sized me up with a thoughtful gaze, then offered a polite smile. “You must be one of Nathan’s friends. Please, come in!” I glanced at his mother before stepping inside, my face a mask of calm. The apartment was filled with Nathaniel’s closest friends and family, all of them busy setting up for a marriage proposal. It was warm, romantic, and decorated with the high-end silk draperies I had custom-ordered for our own home. I took a deep breath and walked further into the room. My mother-in-law, frantic, tried to rush ahead of me to warn the others, but the music was too loud, the younger crowd too caught up in their own excitement to notice her. My eyes swept across the living room, and my heart began to sink like a stone. The carpet was the one I’d had imported from Italy. The limited-edition designer handbags scattered on the coffee table were from my own collection. Even the three-hundred-thousand-dollar watch on the other woman’s wrist was mine. The value of these items alone was enough to warrant a grand larceny charge. My gaze settled on her, and my voice was low and dangerous when I spoke. “I’ve seen you before. You’re the woman in our building who drives the Rolls-Royce.” A flicker of feminine intuition crossed her face. She studied me for a moment, her eyes glancing toward the celebrating group inside. “And you are… which of Nathan’s friends?” she asked, her tone polite but probing. I offered a thin smile. “He must love you very much.” A shy blush colored her cheeks as she nodded, and once the topic of their love was broached, she couldn’t stop herself. “We’ve been together for ten years, ever since high school. And now, this proposal. No matter how busy he is, he comes home to me every single night. He even hand-washes my lingerie.” “His mother feels so sorry for me since my parents passed away. She treats me like her own daughter, coming all the way from her hometown for holidays just so we can be together.” She gestured toward a heart-shaped lunchbox on the kitchen counter. “He says takeout is unhealthy, so he prepares my breakfast for me every morning before he leaves. It’s always waiting for me when I wake up.” The sight of that familiar lunchbox made my world tilt. Nathaniel had a sensitive stomach. I was the one who woke up an hour early every single day to make him a healthy breakfast to take to the office. All this time, he had been giving it to her, passing my love off as his own. Our eight-year relationship also started in high school. When my family’s company was investigated and my life fell apart, he was the one who stood by me without hesitation. He was the one who skipped gatherings with his friends because he wanted to rush home to me. He bought me everything I ever wanted, planned countless romantic surprises. He washed my lingerie by hand, too. Only now did I realize I wasn’t the only one. POP! A volley of confetti cannons exploded by the door, showering the room in glittering paper. The woman snapped out of her reverie and gave me an embarrassed smile. “Oh! Nathan’s changed. He’s coming out! He’s going to propose!” I followed numbly behind her. Through the shimmering cloud of confetti, I saw him. He was wearing the bespoke suit I had bought him, and he took a velvet ring box from his mother’s hand. Completely oblivious to her frantic, warning glances, he turned and walked straight toward the other woman, Isabelle. “Isabelle,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “Will you marry me?” Tears of joy filled her eyes as she threw herself into his arms. “Yes! I’m willing!” Everyone’s attention was on them. The room erupted in whistles and thunderous applause. “Congratulations, Nathan!” “Congrats, man! Eight years of hardship finally paid off! You got the girl and the career!” Hiding behind a large potted plant, I watched as he slid the ring—my ring—onto Isabelle’s finger. The beautiful dream he had built for me shattered into a million irreparable pieces. One of his friends pulled him aside, whispering, “Hey man, what about the woman downstairs?” Nathaniel blew out a stream of smoke, his voice casual and dismissive. “She trusts me completely. She’ll never know.” “And even if she finds out,” he added with a smirk, “what’s a lonely orphan going to do about it?” He turned then, and his eyes met mine. “Al… Alice?” 2 The music screeched to a halt. Friends and family exchanged nervous glances, frozen in place. The smile on Isabelle’s face slowly dissolved as her eyes darted between me and Nathan. “Nathan, who is she?” she asked, tightening her grip on his arm, a clear act of staking her claim. Nathaniel’s lips trembled, but no words came out. My eyes were locked on his. “Go on. Tell her who I am.” “If you won’t, then I will. I’m—” Panic finally seized him. He grabbed my arm, practically dragging me out of the apartment and back to our front door. Inside, he stared at me, his voice tight with tension. “Honey, don’t misunderstand. I can explain.” “Isabelle and I grew up together. She dropped out of school and worked multiple jobs just so I could go to college.” “That was just a teenage crush, not love. You’re the one I love. But… she developed cancer from all the years of overwork. I couldn’t just abandon her.” When I remained silent, he grew more desperate, nearly falling to his knees. “Alice, what I feel for her is just obligation, a debt. I only hid it from you because I didn’t want you to worry.” Seeing the pathetic guilt on his face felt like a cruel joke. I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. He didn’t move, didn’t even flinch, just took the full force of the blow. “You didn’t want me to worry?” I spat. “What about you stealing my things to give to her? I’m calling the police!” Just then, the front door burst open. My mother-in-law stormed in and slapped me just as hard. “How dare you hit my son, you barren hen!” she shrieked. “What man doesn’t have someone on the side these days? He had the decency not to bring her into your home. Didn’t your mother teach you anything? You should be prepared for this!” “My son’s company is successful now. You should be grateful he only has one. Even if he had five others, you’d have to learn to live with it! At the end of the day, you only married him for our money, you shameless gold-digger!” The sting on my cheek was white-hot. I said nothing. I just stared at Nathaniel. To protect his pride, I had handed over the management of my family’s company to him after we got married. Without me, he’d still be a nobody working a nine-to-five job. And the reason we couldn’t conceive wasn’t me. It was his low sperm count. Unsettled by my glare, he shoved his mother out of the room. “Mom, can you please stay out of our business?” He locked the door again. He pulled me into a tight embrace, his voice pleading. “Honey, I was wrong. Hit me, scream at me, do whatever you want.” “I’m just begging you, please don’t hurt Isabelle. She’s in the final stages of cancer. Today’s proposal was just an act, a way to let her go without any regrets.” The thought of his arms having just held her made my stomach turn. I pushed him away with a surge of revulsion, shoving him toward the door. “Don’t touch me! Get out!” Leaning against the closed door, the sobs I had been holding back finally broke free, racking my body in huge, shuddering waves. The day my company was sabotaged, the day my parents were driven to suicide… the coroners had needed help carrying their bodies down six flights of stairs. He had driven through a blizzard, crossing half the state overnight to be there. He had risked his entire career, dealing with the authorities, fighting the legal battles, and arranging their funeral. And during the pandemic, when I had a raging fever, he drove to the next town in the middle of the night just to find me medicine. When I recovered, he got sick. Terrified of infecting me, he—a man obsessed with cleanliness—checked himself into a cheap hotel. Those two acts had been his armor, his immunity from any wrong in my eyes. But what happened today was a betrayal so deep it shattered everything. My mind was a chaotic storm. I wanted to scream, but no sound would come out. Wiping away my tears, I called my lawyer and instructed him to start digging into our finances. His initial response shocked me. “Ms. Shenford, I’m not seeing any transfers from Nathaniel to an Isabelle. Are you sure you’re not mistaken?” I wouldn’t give up. “Mr. Peterson, I need you to do a full asset check. Property, bank accounts, vehicles, commercial real estate, investments—everything in his name. Report it all back to me.” I didn’t sleep a wink. The moment dawn broke, I opened the door. Nathaniel was standing outside, shivering, holding a bag of fresh breakfast. The snow dusting his shoulders was a cruel echo of the night he had rushed to my side. For a moment, I was lost in the memory. He saw me and spoke timidly. “Honey, I waited outside all night. I just went to get your favorite…” I glanced at the bag in his hands. The aroma that usually made my mouth water now just made me feel sick. I ignored him and drove straight to the hospital. An hour later, I walked out with a pregnancy report in my hand. Seeing a young family laughing on the sidewalk, I instinctively touched my flat stomach. I couldn’t bring myself to be ruthless. Isabelle had late-stage cancer, anyway. I could wait. Back at our building, I ran into her at the elevator. Her eyes were red and swollen. The moment she saw me, she quickly hid a trash bag behind her back. But not before I saw a familiar breakfast bag inside. My direct stare made her blush with shame. “He met with me last night,” she said, her voice strained. “We talked all night. It was the first time I learned he was married.” “Don’t worry,” she continued, “I’m moving out today. I would never be the third party who destroys your marriage.” She turned away, wiping a tear from her eye, a bitter smile on her lips. “The breakfast from that shop is my favorite. He insisted on buying it for me when we got back this morning.” “But I didn’t eat it,” she added quickly. “You don’t have to worry.” It was clear she was desperately trying to cling to the last shreds of her pride. A question escaped my lips before I could stop it. “Your illness…” She looked at me, baffled. “What illness?” The world seemed to stop. A lump formed in my throat, and hot tears spilled over, scalding the back of my hand. I went to the building’s security office. I watched the footage from last night: Nathaniel and Isabelle, locked in a passionate kiss right below our apartment. Despair washed over me. The head of security was one of Nathan’s friends. It wasn’t long before my phone rang. Nathan’s voice was frantic, distorted with panic. “Alice, don’t do anything rash! Whatever you do, don’t hurt Isabelle—” I hung up, a dull ringing in my ears. When I got home, my vision swam. The world around me blurred. I don’t know when I passed out. When I woke up, I heard the front door open. I recognized Nathan’s footsteps, and someone else’s. My head was spinning. I couldn’t bear to hear another one of his lies. I stumbled toward the bedroom. Suddenly, Nathaniel lunged at me, his hands closing around my neck. His face was twisted with a terrifying rage. “Alice Shenford,” he snarled. “You hurt Isabelle. Now you’re going to pay.” 3 I was stunned, clawing weakly at his hands. “What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything!” SLAP! Veins bulged on his forehead as he struck me, the sound echoing in the silent apartment. “You called the cops and reported her for theft! You had her dragged away in front of the entire building!” He raked a hand through his hair, his face contorting in fury. He grabbed my shoulders and shook me violently, his voice rising to a roar. “So I cheated! So what?” “She was already leaving! Why did you have to post last night’s security footage online? It went viral, it’s the number one trending topic! How is a woman with her pride supposed to handle that?” “She tried to kill herself! Are you happy now? She’s pregnant with my child!” I froze. I was sure I had seen a used sanitary pad in her trash bag this morning. “That’s impossible, I—” He didn’t give me a chance to explain. He shot a look at the strange men standing behind him. They swarmed me, tying my hands and feet, gagging me with a cloth. They began tearing at my clothes. I struggled, a scream of pure terror trapped in my throat, but it was useless. What shattered me completely was Nathaniel, standing there, ignoring my desperate, muffled pleas, coldly filming the entire thing on his phone. “Alice, you owe this to Isabelle,” he said, his voice flat and detached. “I’m going to use these pictures to bury her scandal online.” “You’re going to stay home for a while. We both need some time to cool off.” He glanced at me one last time, a flicker of conflict in his eyes, before throwing a blanket over my exposed body and leaving. I curled into a ball, my gaze vacant, feeling myself splintering apart. I fought to control the violent shaking of my body, to suppress the agony that threatened to swallow me whole. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was the full financial report from my lawyer. I opened it, and a single glance was enough to break my heart completely. All of my company’s shares had been legally transferred to Nathaniel. For years, under the guise of helping Isabelle start her own business, he had been funneling tens of millions of dollars to her every month through fake corporate transactions. In disbelief, I called Mr. Peterson, my hands trembling. “Ms. Shenford, there’s no mistake. The share transfer agreement was signed by you. It was during that period when you were ill, right after you lost your parents.” I slumped to the floor, a wave of regret so powerful I wanted to strangle myself. During that dark time, I had no will to manage the company. I had signed every document Nathaniel put in front of me without even reading it. Suddenly, a breaking news alert popped up on my phone. Nathaniel was standing in front of my company’s building with a newly discharged Isabelle. “I’ve called this press conference today to make one thing clear,” he announced to the swarm of reporters. “Isabelle is not the third party who destroyed my marriage!” “She is the love of my life, and this company is my wedding gift to her!” With that, he played the obscene video of me on a large screen for all the world to see. The media erupted. Cameras flashed, microphones were shoved forward. Within ten minutes, the video of my assault had completely eclipsed Isabelle’s scandal. Seeing his opportunity, Nathaniel produced a divorce certificate. “The truth is, Alice Shenford has been living a promiscuous life for years. We were divorced three years ago.” “My love for Isabelle is honest and true. It is Alice who has been unable to let go!” Isabelle looked at him, her eyes brimming with manufactured tears of gratitude. Overnight, my name was dragged through the mud. Isabelle stopped talking about leaving and moved back into the apartment upstairs with him. I stared at the divorce certificate on the screen, my mind a complete blank. To prove his sincerity when we first married, he had burned our marriage license in front of my parents’ graves. The divorce certificate was a fake. And the company was mine. How dare he give it away? Losing control, I stormed upstairs and found Isabelle just as she was leaving her apartment. “Isabelle, you’ve been lied to! Nathaniel and I were never divorced!” “The company belongs to my family! He’s nothing but a leech, a social climber who married up!” She listened quietly, then leaned against her doorframe with a cold smirk. “I know,” she said. “But I have his heart. That’s all that matters.” “You’re the fool here, Ms. Shenford.” A cold dread washed over me. “That year he drove through a blizzard to be by your side,” she continued, her voice dripping with poison. “You must have been so moved.” “The truth is, he was just horny. I wasn’t around, and he figured the highway tolls were cheaper than hiring a prostitute.” She glanced toward the elevator, a malicious glint in her eye. “And that year during the pandemic, while you were delirious with fever? He and I were upstairs, tangled in the sheets.” “The medicine he brought you was an expired box from my cabinet. He was never sick. Do I need to go on?” The blood drained from my face. She smiled a strange, cruel smile, then suddenly clutched her stomach and collapsed. “My stomach! Help me, it hurts!” Nathaniel appeared like a whirlwind. Veins bulged on his forehead as he ran toward us and kicked me squarely in the abdomen. “Alice! You’ve disappointed me for the last time! If anything happens to Isabelle’s baby, I’ll kill you!” One kick wasn’t enough. He kicked me again and again. His mother ran over, carrying bags of supplements. Seeing Isabelle’s pale face, she started stomping her feet in a panic. “She pushed my grandson! Beat her! Beat her to death!” The sharp, twisting pain in my belly made me break out in a cold sweat. I curled into a ball on the floor, my voice a weak, desperate plea. “Nathaniel… I’m pregnant…” He froze for a second, then kicked me again with even more force. “Impossible. I have a low sperm count. It took Isabelle ten years to conceive this one baby. There’s no way you’re pregnant too.” His mother overheard and shrieked. “What? Son, you have a low sperm count? Then we absolutely can’t let anything happen to Isabelle’s baby!” Isabelle shot a venomous look at my stomach, her face a mask of wounded innocence. “Nathan, I think I should just leave. You got here in time today, but what about next time? I can’t live in constant fear.” Nathaniel’s brow furrowed in conflict. He made a single phone call. They had me committed to a psychiatric hospital. My world shattered. I beat against the barred window, desperate and helpless, the lower half of my body soaked in blood. “Nathaniel, let me out!” “You’ll regret this! My family won’t let you get away with this!” He stood outside the window, glancing impatiently at his watch. “Alice, all your relatives are dead. Do you still think you’re the precious Shenford heiress?” “Isabelle is pregnant now. That’s my first child. I have to be responsible for her.” “I’m about to transfer half of the company’s shares to her, to give her some security.” His tone softened slightly, his expression complex. “I’m sorry you have to stay here until she gives birth. I’ll make it up to you later.” “And don’t mention the ‘Shenford Corporation’ again. The company is mine now. The Shenford family is finished.” I watched until his back disappeared from view. I couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed to the floor. Nurses rushed in, and seeing the blood, they screamed in terror. “Oh my God! We have an emergency!” In the chaos, I pulled out my phone and made a call. “Come back,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “I was wrong.” There was a pause on the other end, then two cold words. “Just wait.” I hung up and smiled, letting the darkness consume me. My signature alone wasn’t enough to transfer the Shenford family shares. It required his signature, too. Nathaniel, I’ve just invited your worst nightmare back into your life.

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Just as the Epidural from my C-Section was wearing off, Julian Vance suddenly said to me: “The Sugar Baby I keep lost her cat, I have to go help her find it.” I looked at the baby in the incubator, incredulous: “I risked half my life to give birth to your child, and now you are going to find a cat for another woman?” He adjusted his cufflinks, tone matter-of-fact: “The child has nurses and nannies watching, nothing will happen.” “But that is the cat she raised for three years, it’s her life.” My wound hurt so much I gasped, tears bursting out: “Julian Vance, in your eyes, me and the child are not even as good as an animal?” “Don’t change the concept.” He impatiently looked at his watch, threw a Black Card on the bedside table: “She is sensitive, if I don’t go she will do something stupid. You are Mrs. Vance, be sensible.” “What if I don’t let you go?” He seemed to hear a joke, leaned over and patted my face: “Then please leave with nothing. You know, I don’t like disobedient women.” That moment, my heart was colder than the wound. … Chapter 1 Maybe the cold sweat after anesthesia soaked my hair, making me look too embarrassed. Julian chuckled low: “Serena, remember when you had malposition and were pushed into the operating room? When the doctor asked you to sign the critical notice yourself, I was in the ward next door, accompanying Lila for a checkup.” “She cut her finger and insisted I blow on it to stop the pain. That feeling of being relied on is something you can never give, do you understand?” My blood seemed to flow backward, couldn’t even feel the severe pain of the wound. That day, I lay on the gurney calling Julian’s name non-stop, but the nurse told me family couldn’t be found. When I called him, his tone was light, saying he finally signed a big deal. I was still blaming myself, wondering if I disturbed him. Julian leaned over to kiss away my tears: “Actually I was quite worried about you, but Lila is too timid, she dared not do the checkup alone, so I could only wrong you first.” I stared dead at the light strip on the ceiling, eyes so sour they almost exploded. Julian seemed very satisfied with my reaction, took out a Black Card and stuffed it under the quilt corner. “Sorry Serena, I know this is unfair to you. But if you insist on divorce, for the face of the Vance family, I must take this newborn child away, and you, must leave with nothing.” “But if you are willing to endure for the child, the position of Mrs. Vance is forever yours, and this card is yours to swipe.” Today should have been the new start of our happy life. Just half an hour ago, the nurse praised the pure gold Silver Rattle Mr. Vance prepared for the child as exquisite. Now, I looked at the man who shared my bed for eight years like a joke. “Julian Vance, why tell me these? Why pick the time when I just walked back from the gate of hell?” Julian slowly wiped my sweat, eyes showing near perverted pity: “Because I love you. You are my first wife, hiding things from you feels like disloyalty to marriage.” He paused, hooked a smile: “Of course, there is another reason. I really want to see your broken expression. Seeing you crying so fragile and helpless on the sickbed makes my heart ache, makes me want to compensate you more.” “So, Serena, stop making trouble okay? I will still respect you as before, hmm?” I fiercely grabbed the water cup, Black Card… everything I could reach by the pillow, threw at him crazily: “Get out! Julian Vance, get out!” Julian just flicked the dust off his suit, turned and walked to the door. “Fine, still have strength to throw things, looks like won’t die.” “You calm down first. I have to go help that little crybaby find her cat.” The ward door closed softly. I looked at the bloody mess on the floor, heart colder than the wound. Chapter 2 I locked myself in the ward, pulled out all needles and instruments. Used fingernails to dig fiercely at the unhealed wound, until consciousness gradually blurred. In boundless darkness, I returned to the time when I was kicked out of home for being with him. At that time Julian, to gather money for my surgery, worked three jobs in heavy rain. He knelt at the clinic door soaked through, smiling silly at me: “Serena don’t fear, as long as I am here, the King of Hell can’t take you away.” Later we rented a moldy Basement Apartment, no heating in winter, he put my feet in his chest: “Serena, when I have money, I will carry you back to the Sterling family gloriously, no one can give you a look.” Later, we supported each other, fulfilled promises… Open eyes again, woken by sister’s call. “Sister! Julian Vance is crazy! How dare he openly bring the mistress to our home to provoke?” I tremblingly clicked open the photo. In the picture, Julian was tightly holding Lila’s hand making a heart shape at my parents’ door. Headline glaring: [Deeply Affectionate CEO with New Love, Old Love’s Parents Send Blessings] Comment section exploded. I dialed his number with shaking hands to question. He was unusually cold: “Lila said she found clues about the cat near your home, I took her to look. Media loves to write nonsense, if you really can’t stand it, call your family, let them clarify.” I forced my body with stitches not removed, took a taxi to the hotel he located. In a trance, remembered when he first started business and became famous, real estate tycoon’s only daughter and finance circle rich beauty publicly showed love to him. Whole New York circle betting which high branch Julian this poor boy would climb. But he bought all outdoor big screens in the city, only rolling one photo of me: “Serena is my only wife, never change in this life.” After that day, everyone knew Julian was a “Wife Spoiling Maniac”. Because of this, his public betrayal today appeared so absurd and ironic. Pushed open the door, saw mess all over the floor. Julian half kneeling by the sofa, carefully rubbing Lila’s ankle. Hearing door open sound, he didn’t turn head, low voice said: “Since you came, go pour a glass of warm water for Lila, she hasn’t recovered from the shock just now.” Lila slowly turned around, inadvertently revealing red marks on collarbone, stuck out tongue at me: “Sister sorry oh, I didn’t expect Brother Julian would really leave you and the child for my cat. I also persuaded him, but he is too nervous about me, I also have no way.” She blinked innocent big eyes, exclaimed: “Aiya, just now too rush, seem didn’t use protection. Brother Julian dislikes wearing that most, but Sister rest assured, I will obediently take medicine, absolutely won’t be like you, make a child to tie him.” That instant, strong nausea rushed to top of head. I fiercely dry heaved. Julian almost subconsciously rushed over: “Serena? What’s wrong? Is the wound open? I’ll call driver send you to hospital immediately!” I used all strength, fiercely pushed away his hand. “Don’t touch me! Julian Vance, you make me sick!” Julian stumbled a step, face sank, roared at Lila watching the show aside: “Still dazing for what? Get out!” Lila stunned by the roar, eye rims instantly red. Julian finally couldn’t help it, quickly dropped a kiss on her forehead, lowered voice coaxing: “Good girl, listen go out first. Tonight I will still go accompany you, hmm?” Lila then broke tears into smile, handily threw empty condom box on coffee table, provocatively glanced at me. Julian turned around and changed to that concerned face again: “Serena, better?” “I understand your grievance, after all just gave birth emotion sensitive. So, if you want divorce, except child, I can talk anything.” I pinched palm dead tight, until pain covered nausea. “Julian Vance, I won’t divorce.” I didn’t know what I was insisting on. Maybe unwillingness for eight years of youth fed to dogs, maybe obsession that newborn child can’t be without father. I grabbed fruit knife, against my neck threaten: “Julian Vance, you dare divorce, I dare die for you to see!” Julian finally panicked, swore to send Lila away, cut clean with her. Look, he still cares about me, right? As long as he cares, maybe everything can go back. Just I didn’t expect, this temporary compromise, was just paving way for greater humiliation later. Chapter 3 One month later, day of child’s full moon banquet, Julian and my biological sister’s half-naked bed photo exploded hot search. Double betrayal of relative and lover like dull knife cut throat, I pointed at sister I loved since small, voice shaking: “He is your biological brother-in-law! How can you be so shameless!” Sister一脸 (face full) innocent hid behind Julian, red eye rims not speaking. Julian calmly took out a Paternity Test, crushed all my struggles: “Serena, don’t use sister airs to press people. You are simply not Sterling family daughter.” “What qualification you have to manage who your sister is with?” Overnight, I lost family, became laughing stock of whole city. And Julian suddenly announced: “Although Serena is just a wild seed of unknown origin, since married, I will be responsible for her to the end. No matter her status, I will still love her as always, protect her whole life.” A round of thick-skinned defense, Julian not only lost infidelity hard injury, instead won “Infatuated Good Man” name. Just in shadow flash light couldn’t reach, he gently leaned to my ear, Tone helpless and doting, like coaxing an unsensible child: “Serena, last time you threatened me, I was very unhappy. Today letting you lose family, is just a small lesson.” He sighed, finger pulp stroking my face: “To reward you giving birth for me, I already endured a month not staying at Lila’s place overnight, but men always need to breathe, you have to understand me.” “I thought our eight years feeling, you would be more sensible, didn’t expect you make it so ugly, I am a bit disappointed.” “Next time dare threaten me again, don’t regret.” Next day, to thoroughly cut my thought, more to coax Lila happy. Julian forcefully took child from my arms. He said Lila’s cat couldn’t be found, wanted a child to replace. I knelt on ground begged him, I can want nothing, just beg don’t touch my child. But coldly rejected by him: “Serena, Lila just wants freshness, what wrong giving child to her few days? You are Mrs. Vance, be generous.” My spirit collapsed day by day, started insomnia whole night, even taking medicine could only hear child tear heart crack lung cry. Until some day, I took advantage nanny not notice, rushed to Lila’s apartment. Pushed door open, only saw Lila busy posing for camera, and my child face held green purple, struggling alone. Even, she disgusted pushed child a bit: “Stop crying, annoying dead.” I rushed over like crazy, pressed her on sofa beat, scratched her face full of blood. Julian arrived, to vent anger, also to substantiate my “Illness”, turned head tied me to mental hospital. Three days closed treatment, endless darkness and abuse. Back home again, haven’t touched door handle, heard inside face red ear red sounds. “Serena, you quiet outside a while, I finish soon.” That instant, I suddenly found myself is the third party, Secretly took out hidden safety pin, time and time cut open wrist blood vessel. Wake again, Julian sat by bed, beard stubble a circle. See me open eyes, he fierce held my hand: “Serena, are you crazy? This bit matter worth dying?” “I admit this time I played too much fire, but I didn’t think force you to death.” “As long as you good good, don’t toss yourself again, you want what I give all, okay?” Looking at his this look, I suddenly felt a bit trance. That boy who ran half city for me, that man who swore never let me drop a tear, how became this look now? We used to help each other like fish in dry water, those bitter days all survived, how people instead changed? I quietly looked at him, near ethereal asked: “Julian Vance, do you still have me in heart?” He stunned, immediately warm kisses dense fall: “Fool, say what nonsense?” “I later only love you one person.” In that half month of hospitalization, we seemed to return to passionate love period. Everyday personal feed rice, wipe body for me, even pushed all social events accompany me walk in garden. But I knew, this was just calm before storm. Because less than three days after I discharged, he started not return all night again. Chapter 4 “Serena, you have what anger vent on me, don’t difficult Lila.” “This matter has no relation with her, is I can’t let go her, is I death pester insist find her.” Looking at vigilance and protection in Julian’s eyes, I suddenly understood, Julian started serious. He couldn’t give Lila status, then secretly transferred ten percent shares to her, beautiful name said years company compensation. Their “Together” three thousand days anniversary, set off fireworks whole night, that was starry sky exclusive for Lila. I stood before floor window, heart like hard raw torn open. I thought of many years ago, we squeezed in leaking basement, New Year he only afford a box five dollar fireworks. He stubbornly lit every one for me, voice choked: “Sorry Serena, let you suffer with me, even a decent firework can’t afford.” “But I swear, wait we have money later, I want let whole world best fireworks only bloom for you one person.” That time a box fireworks, was his all to me. Now whole city fireworks, is his surprise to Lila. Turns out, he is not unromantic, he just doesn’t want be romantic to me anymore. Truly crushed me was that so-called “Family Banquet”. Julian originally wanted announce my “Recovered” news, result at table suddenly changed mouth, public announce Lila is his this life only salvation. Looking Lila wearing dress I hand picked stand beside him, looking their overlapped hands. I went crazy. I picked up crying child rushed up question: “Julian Vance! You treat her as salvation, then what is my eight years count?! Our child count what?!” Julian first time protected Lila in arms, immediately fierce pushed me a bit. “Bang”. Me and child together fell from third floor. Wake again, Julian hands hold head, full face regret. Child gone. I some trance, probably even he couldn’t watch down right. I thought of before those lives had to abort because career rising period. Doctor long said my uterine wall very thin, hard conceive later. Julian that time crying begged me: “No matter Serena, we don’t want child, I only want you fine.” Now, this hard come small life, finally still became sacrifice of our deformed marriage. Julian cried like helpless child: “Serena, sorry, really sorry…” But my heart already thoroughly died with that child. He didn’t go accompany Lila, but Lila found herself. She stood at ward door, tears like broken line beads falling down. “Sister, sorry, I originally didn’t want tell you this time…” “But, I am pregnant.” String stretch to limit, finally broke. I grabbed water cup fierce smashed over: “Roll!” Julian almost instant blocked in front of Lila: “Is you yourself want hold child rush up, concern Lila what matter!” “You have what anger rush me come, don’t touch her!” I like a soul-less puppet, let tears silent flow. Julian seemed realized something, wanted come hug me like before. Just one second before his fingertip touch me. I opened mouth: “I agree.” His hand stiff in mid-air: “What?” “I said, I agree divorce.”

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My boyfriend is a medical genius. I barely scraped through a Community College. Friends said I wasn’t good enough for him, he cut them off directly: “Harper is my salvation, it’s not your place to gossip.” But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see the hope of graduating. Had to beg Julian Vance to include me in his paper. He put my name before his without a word. But when I excitedly hugged him, I heard him chuckle in my ear: “Academic Leach.” Since then, he saw me less and less. Went out more and more with that genius Campus Queen who is smarter and prettier than me. Even if I wanted to celebrate his birthday, only got a tease in return: “No paper to carry you recently, I dare not let you celebrate for me.” I didn’t cry or make a scene. Cancelled the internship at Mass General he arranged for me. Changed work location to Miami, thousands of miles away from him. … Chapter 1 Julian’s roommate told me he didn’t return to the dorm at midnight, I found him in a Karaoke Bar private lounge. The moment the door opened, music stopped abruptly. Room full of people from Julian and Serena Sterling’s circle. I hardly knew anyone. But they all seemed to know me. Someone raised an eyebrow and whistled: “Yo, Julian, your wifey came to pick you up.” “Tsk! Braving the snow in the middle of the night, even brought Hangover Soup, so thoughtful, planning to ask Julian for a few more papers?” “Want me to say, getting married should still match door and household (social status). Our Serena is prettier than her and brain is top-notch smart, isn’t she a better match?” Serena smilingly hit that person’s shoulder: “Just sharp tongue!” Julian’s eye tails slightly red from alcohol. Hearing this smiled, didn’t refute. I gripped the hangover soup tightly: “Julian Vance, are you leaving or not?” He smilingly looked at Serena: “Do I want to leave?” Serena smilingly pushed him: “Annoying! Why ask me! That’s your wifey, listen to her!” “Okay.” He got up: “Listen to you.” Serena’s face blushed. I bit my teeth tight. I drove Julian’s car here. Julian’s medical talent is strangely high. Was scouted by Harvard Medical School without even taking SATs. Before graduation received invitations from many institutions, asking him to be a mentor after graduation. These years partners sent him resources and wealth. The little boy who once shared a schoolbag with me long lacked nothing. This Audi A6 in front, is his most insignificant asset. I was about to get into the driver’s seat, he grabbed me: “Call a Designated Driver.” “Why?” “You are so stupid, can you drive clearly?” He ordered a driver with tipsy eyes, smiled at me: “I still want to live a bit longer.” I was exasperated: “I drove here myself!” “Really? So smart but need boyfriend to carry for a paper?” I bit my teeth tight: “You not willing, I return to you is fine!” “How to return?” He leaned over, familiar eyebrows and eyes gentle but carried some strange contempt: “You are not Serena, what, you can also write for top journals?” I was choked. Me and Serena, difference is more than just academic level. Serena’s dad is the Director at a big hospital. My parents work early and late at the Fish Market. Although Julian’s first tuition fee was earned by them selling fish. But times have changed. After the driver sent me and Julian back, I called my parents full of grievance. Told everything once. Phone side fell into silence. I thought signal bad, “Hello?” twice, opposite came parents’ voice: “Julian said no wrong, you are indeed stupid ah, we are your parents, we know best.” “Besides, Julian is a prodigy who could do college questions at eight, it’s normal for people like them to think you are stupid!” “As for matter with Serena, they are both Ivy League, can you stop them socializing? Okay, late now, sleep quick.” I unconvinced: “But…” “Enough!” Dad became impatient: “Your internship opportunity at big hospital was connected by Julian! Julian treats you well enough, don’t make trouble!” Hung up phone, I couldn’t help shedding tears. But, Mom Dad, I simply didn’t want to choose medical major… Julian is a medical genius. I am not. Not only not. Grades also always at bottom. Sophomore year of high school, Julian took Harvard early admission and suspended school. Forced me everyday do those question types he can answer at a glance. Parents persuaded him: “Harper is not as smart as you, you go to Boston yourself, big deal let Harper sell fish with us later.” He was decisive: “Harper not go, I also not go. “She sells fish, I kill fish, we husband sing wife follow. “Anyway, where Harper goes, I go.” I know Julian’s character. If I couldn’t pass, he might really go sell fish with me. Days studied crazy, I also advised him care for himself. But he red eyes gripped my hand tight: “My parents died when I was five, family property swept away by uncles, was you took me home. “You drew bath water for me, you sewed clothes for me. “Your parents gave me a bite to eat, knew I study good, even used their fish selling money send me out state for advanced study. “If I forget who pulled me up back then, left alone, then I lived this life in vain. “Ungrateful things, I can’t do.” To not let him really kill fish with me, I fought life to learn. Finally scraped into a second-tier college in Boston. But now, Julian starts to dislike me. What makes me more cold-hearted is—— My parents also start to favor him. Chapter 2 I didn’t return to dorm, afraid crying sound alarm roommates. But best friend Zoe still came downstairs found me. Heard me finish everything, she angry want go find Julian settle account. I grabbed her: “It’s okay, I already thought well, I won’t walk medical road!” Zoe widened eyes looking at me: “What you want do?” “Sell medicine!” Zoe dumbfounded. Me this person study grades not very good. But sales ability very strong. As long as days I follow stall, parents always can close stall home early. These years internship in hospital, skills didn’t learn much, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain touched clear. “I thought long tonight, with my three-legged cat skills, later really let me on operating table, I also dare not. “That is risking human life. “Just now crying time, I inquired a warehouse in north city pressed a pile of goods, tomorrow I go look.” Zoe looked at me: “But, you also studied full five years… give up like this, too pity.” I shook head. Watching sky turn fish belly white: “Not pity, not pity at all.” That batch goods in north city originally supply to Huaying Hospital. Is hospital Serena’s father works at. But halfway came a competitor, boss goods all smashed in hand. Finally, I negotiated price. $20,000, I take all his goods. I have confidence, persuade Huaying Hospital reuse my batch goods. Just… $20,000 to me, really is big money. Go out have trouble finally still rely parents. I called Mom Dad. Mom Dad at first felt unreliable, but after I wore out lips, still decided let me try. I happily waited transfer. But waited a day no result. Called back, then knew, they transferred money to Julian. “You clumsy, medical related things, Julian definitely understand better than you. “Money to him, at least know how to spend, you want use money go find him, let him give you suggestions.” I exasperated. But no time anger. Quickly inquired Julian location, took taxi went to that previous Karaoke Bar. This time, is Serena’s birthday. I breathless appeared at private room door. Familiar scrutiny as always hit on me. I straight stared at Julian: “Julian Vance, give me $20,000.” Someone spit out a mouthful wine. “Holy sh*t! This haven’t married start ask for Dowry ah!” “This if really marry, she must open mouth close mouth millions tens of millions ah.” “Although our Brother Julian afford these money, but she has to be worthy ah!” Julian turned off music, sat on sofa look me: “What you want do?” “You don’t care, my parents transferred you a sum right? Give me.” “Aiyo laugh die me, Brother Julian need Uncle Auntie help? You lie who ne!” “For own face this kind words also say.” I came to Julian front: “Give me.” “Uncle Auntie indeed transferred me a sum money, but not $20,000.” I stunned. Transfer record shown to me, I surprised look at transfer less than $10,000. Also parents note: [Little Harper want money don’t know do what, this money you hold, she if go out spend money like water, you million don’t give her] Turns out parents think me like this… My eye rims red. “But, $20,000, I can give.” Julian index middle finger clip bank card hand to me. I reach hand. He shrink back, mouth corner hook teasing smile: “What, not only want be Academic Leach, also want be Dowry Leach ah?” Room full laughter piercing ear. My hand hanging in mid-air became a joke. “Don’t mind, I just joking.” Bank card again hand to me. Everyone with playful look at me. Someone whistle to me: “Hey! Still have face take ma!” Serena also mood very good look me. I “Snap!” a sound snatched bank card. Dead stare Julian eyes: “Then thank you Mr. Vance!” In his slightly astonished gaze, I head not back left private room. Chapter 3 Zoe heard this news almost angry half dead. “You wait, I this go his school find him settle account!” I dead hug her, force press on chair. She red eyes: “You not angry ma!” Bank card flip in my hand a circle, I hook lip: “Angry or not, again can how? “I rather kneel on ground crawl forward, also won’t stand in place anger and question.” She stunned. “Moreover, I want anger and question show who see? “Him? “If these can let him regret or guilt, then he originally wouldn’t do things hurt me.” I lean over, show bank card in front her eyes: “Point is, money, we got.” Ground promotion first day, I special put on beautiful makeup, want give responsible person leave good impression. But just push open her office door, mug fierce smashed on my forehead. “Roll! You these bitches! Vixens! Dress so beautiful show who see! “I this life won’t use drugs sold by you these sluts! Roll out!” A nurse hurry bring gauze help me handle forehead blood: “You came not coincidental, Dr. Cheng this morning found husband cheated, mistress is a heavy makeup girl.” My eyes black. Start unlucky… This matter noise compare big. When I cover forehead turn out corridor, just coincidental bumped into Julian come sit shift. Although he haven’t graduated, but two years ago he lead a technology breakthrough, already let him become invited doctor. His side, is same white coat, figure curve distinct Serena. “Heard you and Dr. Cheng make noise.” I don’t want say much with him, bypass him want go. He a grab me: “Money I gave you not enough? So like give people be mistress?” “Slap!” A slap fierce hit on his face. Serena first reaction go cover his face. Then不满 (dissatisfied) look me: “Harper Xu!” I dead stare Julian: “Mouth put clean point!” “Harper Xu.” Serena face disapprove look me: “You remember you are in whose territory.” I didn’t answer, turn head just go. But haven’t out hospital, I knew Serena meaning. Few people blocked me into utility room. “Miss Serena spoke, let us give you some color see see.” “She and Dr. Vance what relationship you don’t know? Treat hospital is your family open?” “Small face quite good looking, no wonder Miss Serena say you rob Dr. Cheng husband.” “Ah!!” I was forced press on ground. Phone thrown out. Julian call just happen come. I heard him “Hello?” two times. I a bite on man want cover my mouth hand: “Julian Vance! I in utility room! Someone want beat me!” Julian first stunned. Then sneer: “You just say you want how much money.” “I don’t want! You quick save… Mmph mmph!” “Harper Xu, stop pretending okay? Want just say you want, you really think I can’t see out how you think.” Julian sighed: “Call is to tell you. “Uncle Auntie money I transferred back, you later want money find me just fine, they earn money not easy, don’t suck anyone blood.” My mouth covered dead dead. Can speak time, he already hung up phone. Chapter 4 That day I went back face swollen half side. Zoe guard my sickbed keep crying: “Too excessive! Beat people in hospital, rely self is Big Miss just do whatever want! “Julian Vance also a scumbag! Anger die me!” I difficult raise my new signed contract: “It’s okay, you look, have other hospital buy my goods le. “Not only so, I also introduced boss go that hospital do supplier. “Later this boss profit, I want 20%~” Zoe pout mouth: “Don’t nonsense! You all like this, how talk cooperation!” I point self gauze wrapped head: “Just because like this, that hospital responsible person then pity me, gave me a chance ah.” “You…” Zoe crying crying just laughed. Graduation ceremony day, Julian didn’t get through my phone. He invited me go Harvard attend his graduation ceremony. Helpless under, he came my school. But learned I already early graduate left. “Harper seem injured, quite serious, lay in hospital half month. “Healed after then early took diploma left, only left this.” Roommate gave box I left to him. Julian open. Dense red bills let him breath stagnate. Full $40,000. Beside note on, elegant handwriting wrote: [Harper Xu borrow Julian Vance $20,000, plus academic paper name fee $20,000, total $40,000] “Pata!” Box fell on ground. Those money, Julian a cent didn’t take. He drove car, with fastest speed rush towards River West Hospital. Harper’s roommate said, that is place Harper hospitalized before. Mind constant recall previous while Harper help call in phone. He that time determined that is Harper new lie trick. Now, he couldn’t help connect Harper hospitalization and that call. He start again and again call Harper. No one answer. “Don’t… beg you, tell me is fake!” Car stop at hospital gate. He stumble come lobby. But saw Zoe come take medicine. “Where is Harper!” He can’t wait grab Zoe arm: “Harper still here right? Did she encounter what matter, always not answer phone!” Zoe somewhat disdain push him away: “Harper all discharged half month, you now just remember ask?” “I…” Julian often project bound. Sometimes closed style, one lost contact is few months. “Then… she hospitalized because…” Zoe look his gaze carry irony: “She why hospitalized, you shouldn’t most clear ma? “Could it be that day not you call?” A sentence, Julian shoulder just collapse down. So say… that day Harper said someone want beat her, not lying… He red eyes: “Where is she?” “Working.” “Impossible!” Julian disbelief: “I arranged work for her in Huaying Hospital! I this month simply didn’t see her!” Zoe look him, like looking a joke: “She not do doctor, she now, is a Pharma Rep.” Julian thought self heard wrong: “She not do doctor? She ate so much bitter walked to today, how possible say not do just not do!” Two hands grip Zoe shoulder, he red eyes: “She angry me right? So deliberate say so, let me can’t find her. “You tell her, I know wrong, let her come out see me…” “Slap!” A slap hit on his face. Zoe angry corrupt: “You now say these still have what use! “You really care her, why want so humiliate her! Yes, you are genius, girlfriend even a paper can’t write, compare you far away. “But this not reason you so humiliate her! “Yourself said ungrateful things can’t do, now pile pile piece piece, which piece worthy her!” Julian stunned in place. Zoe adjusted breath, try calm open mouth: “She already left, went what place, you don’t care. “She not want let you know.” Not want let him know… Julian again and again recall this sentence. Vision suddenly wet. How can? Harper clearly said, go where all will report to him.

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I severed ties with my family to be with Blair. The day I was thrown out, my father, Mr. Harrington, had only a cold sneer for me. “Cameron,” he’d said. “You’ve been far too protected. You don’t know the first thing about people. I’ll give it six months—let’s see how long your little rebellion lasts.” Six years. Six years, I was right beside Blair as she clawed her way up—from the dusty basement office to the cramped rental, from splitting lukewarm instant ramen to occasionally being able to spring for a decent meal. I held her hair back when she drank until she threw up for a client. I stayed up all night, hovering over a pot of hangover soup. Her company, Ascend Tech, finally went public. The celebration was held in the Grand Ballroom of the city’s top hotel. I arrived early, the dutiful fiancé, to handle the final details. But the moment I walked in, I saw someone already seated at the head table—Ronan, the infamous “Co-Pilot.” He was dressed in a crisp linen blazer, laughing easily with one of the key investors. His composure was unnerving, the attitude of a half-owner. He barely glanced at me before issuing a casual order. “Cam is here? Good. Could you chase the kitchen? Mr. Liu is allergic to shellfish; the menu needs a final check.” Blair, standing next to him, didn’t miss a beat. She naturally took the wine glass from Ronan’s hand, finished the liquid, and murmured, “You’re always so on top of things, Ronan. I almost forgot about Mr. Liu.” During the dinner, their conversation flowed in a torrent of industry jargon and capital strategy. They talked about the dizzying ascent of Ascend Tech as if they were reading from a shared script—Blair’s most shocking, exhilarating chapters, with Ronan as the absolute co-star. I found myself perpetually several steps behind, unable to insert a word. After the third round of drinks, Blair stood up to propose a final toast. Ronan, instead of letting her, slipped an arm around her waist, all charm and dazzling smiles. “Everyone! Blair’s got it all—career and love. Shouldn’t we bachelors punish her for her good fortune?” The room exploded in cheers and playful taunts. A few of the senior executives, fueled by alcohol, got loud. “I’ve been saying it for years! You and Ronan are the real power couple! The way you communicate—a single look, that’s all it takes!” “They started out sharing ramen, now they’re ringing the NASDAQ bell together. What do they call that? Shared hardship, shared fortune!” Blair laughed, letting the atmosphere simmer, refusing to deny the bond. I watched the celebration that was ostensibly for her but felt entirely for them. I was the accessory, the furniture in the background of their joint success story. “It looks like your company’s celebration doesn’t require an actual husband.” I kept my voice low, but the bitterness was a toxic cloud. “You and your best partner can enjoy the victory.” I picked up my jacket and walked out, ignoring the sudden silence and the surprised faces. 1 She caught me in the hallway, grabbing my arm, her voice a soft, cajoling purr. “Cam, stop. Don’t ruin this.” I shrugged her off, my eyes stinging. A couple of directors followed us, trying to smooth things over. Mr. Harrison, the oldest, patted Blair’s shoulder. “Blair, talk it out. Don’t let Cam feel unappreciated.” Blair took a deep breath, her eyes clearing with sudden seriousness. “Ronan was just carried away with the excitement, and I apologize for him. But Cam, six years of us… are you really going to invalidate everything over one careless night?” Her voice dropped, laced with a familiar panic. “You remember what we promised? Once the company went public, we’d go see the Northern Lights in Norway, have a wedding in Tromsø.” A sliver of pain pierced me. We had clawed our way through so much hell, only to finally reach this day. She stroked the back of my hand, a gesture I knew well. “You don’t want to go to Norway with me anymore, Cam?” That line, that promise, was my ultimate soft spot. Mr. Harrison sighed again. “Cam, you were mistreated tonight. Ronan is fiercely devoted to the company; he just sees it as his own. He lost his perspective.” Ronan finally sauntered up, standing a few feet away, his tone smooth and professional. “Cam, I apologize for my oversight just now. I didn’t mean to create any misunderstanding. Let me buy you a drink.” He raised a glass from seemingly nowhere, his posture generous and open. The tension eased, momentarily. As the directors left, Mr. Harrison made one final suggestion. “Blair, the team is going to the Spring House Lodge tomorrow for a retreat. Bring Cam. He needs a chance to relax.” Blair immediately nodded, clinging tightly to my arm. “Of course. I’ll make sure he’s there.” We went home that night. In the steam-filled bathroom, she held my neck and whispered “I’m sorry” over and over, kissing me urgently, desperately. Later, in bed, she took me several times, demanding a roughness that felt less like passion and more like a feverish attempt to smash all the lingering insecurities that now floated between us. I closed my eyes, but the sliver of pain had become a needle, digging deeper into my heart. 2 We arrived at the Spring House Lodge late the next afternoon. Ronan was already poolside, in a silk robe, nursing a glass of red wine. He smiled faintly when he saw us. “Blair, did you remember your swimsuit this time? You always forget.” He then addressed me, the statement sounding entirely natural to him. “Last time we were on a business trip, I had to buy her a bikini on the fly.” Blair looked momentarily awkward, shaking my hand slightly. “That was ages ago, Cam.” It was a younger, more casual crowd this time. Everyone gathered around the hot spring pool, sipping wine, chatting. Someone piped up, “Ronan, tell us some of your classic startup stories with Blair!” Ronan grinned. “The most memorable night was when we closed our Series A. Blair was so excited, she insisted I spin her around, and we both ended up falling fully clothed into the office pool.” The group roared with laughter. Blair gave a soft, knowing laugh. “You were pretty tipsy that night, too.” The teasing continued. A project manager, clearly tipsy, slurred his words. “Come on, Ronan, Blair! Be honest. Did you two really never date? Confess, while the fiancé is here! Confess!” Another chimed in, “Exactly! I remember one night, working till three a.m., I saw you two hugging in the office!” Ronan took a sip of wine, his face flushed, his gaze drifting toward Blair. “We… we did kiss.” I snapped my head up. The sound of water, of laughter—everything—went dead silent. Blair leaned against the pool’s edge, eyes closed, seemingly oblivious. Ronan smiled, his tone a dangerous mix of truth and jest. “It was the night the company almost folded. She said… if we managed to turn things around, she would leave her boyfriend and be with me.” His eyes dropped to my pale, frozen face. He spoke slowly, emphasizing every word. “And then…” “She leaned over and kissed me.” 3 That sentence was a bucket of ice water dumped directly onto my skull. The silence was deafening. I lunged to my feet, glaring at a bleary-eyed Blair. “Is he telling the truth?” The warm spring water felt suddenly absent, replaced by a deep, bone-chilling cold. The woman who had clung to me and declared her love just last night now looked disoriented. She looked at Ronan, then at me. Then, she smiled widely and mumbled unconsciously, “Truth about what? It was just one kiss, Cam!” “Ronnie’s lips were so soft… it broke my heart.” Every drop of blood in my body turned to ice. Ronnie. “So, when the company turned around, you were supposed to be with him?” My voice trembled. She seemed to regain a sliver of consciousness. She rubbed her temples with a frustrated sigh. “Cam, stop dredging up old history… that was just the stress talking…” Before she could finish, Ronan was there, helping her stand. He was still wearing that mask of concern and sincerity. “That time was incredibly difficult, Cam. Some words said under that kind of pressure don’t count. Please don’t take it to heart.” His words were genuine, but the blatant, undisguised love in his eyes for Blair was impossible to miss. He helped her out of the pool, his voice gentle. “Blair, your stomach is sensitive. Don’t stay in the hot water too long.” She leaned into him, hazy and compliant. It was an intimacy I had never felt entitled to. An older employee sighed. “Cam, you just weren’t there for that period. The company was on the verge of collapse. Ronan didn’t sleep for three days straight, right alongside Blair.” “At the worst point, they truly… depended on each other.” Ronan spoke softly. “It’s all in the past. The company is great now, and she’s with you. I’m genuinely happy for her.” He said he was happy, but his eyes were filled with smug, unconcealed defiance. Another executive, drunk, raised a hand. “I’ll vouch for that! Blair even said at the time, if they pulled through, she would never let Ronan down!” Amidst the few ambiguous chuckles, Blair rested her head on Ronan’s shoulder and mumbled, “Mmm… won’t let Ronnie down.” That scene shattered whatever was left of me. I grabbed my robe, pulled it on, and walked away. Behind me, the murmurs rose. “He can’t handle the truth?” “They were never in the same league anyway.” “Ronan’s the one who truly sacrificed for her.” I slammed the door and locked it behind me. The night outside the Spring House was cold and silent. I flashed back to our ten-square-meter apartment, splitting one bowl of instant noodles. She’d been curled up in my arms. “Cam, once I make it, I’ll never let you suffer, not even a little bit.” I remembered her first failed funding attempt, sitting with her on an overpass at three in the morning, watching the cars below. “Thank God I still have you,” she’d said. Now she had made it. But somewhere along the path of loving me, she had fallen in love with someone else. I stared into the thick darkness, sitting motionless until dawn. Blair never returned to the room that night. I didn’t expect an apology. I didn’t expect this. The next afternoon, she burst in, fury radiating off her, followed by Ronan, his eyes slightly red. She slammed her tablet down in front of me. The company website’s homepage was defaced with a video: [SEE THE REAL FACE OF ASCEND’S ‘OTHER MAN’ RONAN!] It was the clip of Ronan confessing they had kissed and her drunken admission to “not letting Ronnie down.” The comments section was a wildfire of condemnation. “Cameron!” Blair’s eyes were bloodshot. “Our main website was hacked! The whole industry is laughing at us!” She stabbed a finger at the screen. “Doesn’t your childhood friend do security and hacking? Using this kind of dirty trick is despicable!” I froze. She was so quick to assign me guilt, based only on a connection. Ronan stepped forward, his eyes watery but his posture rigid with dignity. “Cam, if you’re angry, just say so. But this company is the lifeblood of everyone here. You shouldn’t retaliate like this.” Every word was calculated, making him seem the victim and me the petty villain. I looked at the woman I had loved for six years. She was damning me without hesitation, all for him. My heart died in that moment. I slowly raised my eyes. “Blair, are you here to bring him to me for an inquisition?” I took a deep, steadying breath, trying to stifle the sob in my throat. “Or did you forget that you owe me an explanation first?” “Or,” I pressed, “do you just want to tell me you want to break up?” 4 “Break up?” Blair’s brow furrowed. “Cameron, we are talking about the website hack right now!” “And how you’ve ruined Ronan’s reputation.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, her tone heavy with annoyance. “Is this how you act when you’ve done something wrong?” Ronan stood beside her, his voice quiet but sharp. “Cam, I understand you’re hurting. But attacking a company system is illegal, and it could destroy everything Blair has worked for.” The comment struck its target. Blair immediately moved to stand between Ronan and me, staring at me with profound disappointment. “He’s being this magnanimous, and you’re still being this stubborn? Apologize!” I looked at the two of them, standing shoulder-to-shoulder. “I didn’t do it,” my voice was cold. “Who else?” Blair bit back, utterly convinced. “Your hacker friend is in that business!” Her absolute certainty sliced through me. I was shaking, and I finally lost control. I raised my hand— “SMACK!” The sound was sharp and final as my palm connected with Blair’s cheek. Her left cheek instantly blossomed crimson. “Blair!” Ronan rushed to her side. The senior executives heard the noise and flooded the room, shouting. “Cam, how could you lay a hand on her?” “You caused the trouble, and now you’re being violent!” “Ronan is willing to let it go, what else do you want?” I looked at their united front, their righteous indignation, and let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “You say I hacked your website? Do you have proof?” “A room full of supposed leaders, yet you’re all so quick to make baseless accusations!” As the chaos escalated, Ronan stepped in, playing the peacemaker. “Everyone, calm down. Cam is just emotional.” “He’s probably just upset about being overlooked by Blair.” He tried to excuse me, but in doing so, he cemented my guilt. He spoke sincerely. “But Cam, why make things this ugly over a private relationship issue?” In the confusion, my briefcase was knocked over. A small velvet box rolled out—the engagement ring Blair had bought me with her first successful round of funding. “Crunch.” A distinct, sickening sound of something breaking. Ronan’s polished leather shoe had accidentally stepped on it. The diamond flew off, and the platinum band buckled. The world went silent. “My apologies,” Ronan took a step back, his tone feather-light. “Didn’t see that.” I bent down and picked up the mangled ring. My hand was shaking. Six years of love, crushed so easily. Blair finally looked stunned, reaching for me. “Cam…” Before she could finish, I looked up, my eyes bloodshot. I gasped, then swung my hand, hitting Ronan with a blow that was louder and harder than the one I’d given Blair. “SMACK!” He stumbled backward, crashing into the coffee table. Red wine from the spilled glasses stained his white linen blazer. “You…” He stared, his face a mask of disbelief. “That,” I advanced a step, “is for your calculated malice.” The executives collectively sucked in a breath. Ronan struggled to stand. “Doing this will only embarrass Blair…” “Shut up!” I cut him off. Blair softened her voice. “Cam, let’s talk about this properly.” “Talk about what?” I sneered. “How you were ‘kissing and relying’ on him?” The pain in my chest felt like my heart was tearing open. All the suppressed emotion exploded. I swung my hand one last time. “And this one, you parasite, is for being the other man!” Ronan cried out, falling to the floor. The red wine soaked into his white blazer, a picture of pathetic ruin. He finally dropped the mask. “Cameron, you’ve lost your mind!” I didn’t look at him again. I pulled out my phone and dialed. “Dad.” My voice was ice. “Initiate the short-sell on Ascend Tech. Buy up every available share.”

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I rushed home at 3 a.m. As soon as the shower’s warm water hit my skin, I froze. My husband, Cole, is a military instructor—built like a tank. He constantly complains the water is “scalding” if it goes above 110°. No matter how many times I remind him, he never turns the knob back to my temperature after his shower. So how, after a week on a business trip, did he suddenly learn to do that? I wrapped myself in a towel and walked out. My tone was flat. “What’s this? Finally remembering to take care of your wife?” He stiffened, then forced a playful salute. “Ma’am, yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure it’s always set for you from now on.” I didn’t push it. I walked back into the bathroom. As the steam faded, I saw it clearly: the shower door held the ghostly outline of two overlapping sets of handprints. And caught in the drain—a single strand of long, dark, silky hair. They really weren’t even trying to hide. Swallowing a wave of sickness, I took a picture and sent it to my cousin, a cadet at the academy. [Straight black hair. Around 5’1″.] [Find her. $5,000 in it for you.] She replied right away. [Consider it done, Ev. I’ll turn that homewrecker into cold, hard cash.] … What kind of woman takes a shower in a married man’s home when they’re alone together? The answer was sickeningly obvious. Even more damning were those overlapping handprints. I could practically picture the position they were in. For five years, Cole had been the perfect husband. He came from a long line of military men, was strong, kind, and unfailingly devoted to me. I never, ever imagined we would end up here. My phone buzzed. I glanced down. It was a photo from my cousin, Jenna. Cole was surrounded by a group of students. Kneeling in front of him was a young woman. Short, long-haired, with a baby face and huge, round eyes. Even in the grainy photo, her youth was radiant. She was looking up at Cole, her head tilted, her expression pure adoration. I took a deep breath, but the air felt like ice, stabbing at my lungs. Jenna’s texts kept coming. [She’s in the senior class your husband is training this year. Fourth-year surgical student from the medical department. Her name is Zoe Nash.] [Looks so innocent, but she’s pure poison.] I transferred the money to her without a word. [Don’t do anything. I’ll handle this myself.] By the time Cole woke up, I had smoothed the expression on my face into a neutral mask. He saw the dark circles under my eyes and his face filled with concern. “Didn’t you sleep well?” I wanted to scream her name. Instead, I just forced a small smile. “Jet lag’s a killer.” Cole gently pushed me back onto the bed and kissed my forehead. “I shouldn’t have worn you out last night. Get some more sleep. I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.” Still the perfect husband. It wasn’t until we were at the breakfast table that his rushed movements caught my attention. “I thought you had the day off,” I asked. “The medical department has a training exercise. I have to be there to supervise.” He wolfed down his breakfast and stood to leave. “Did you forget what day it is?” I asked softly. He froze, glanced at the calendar on the wall, and his face fell. “Oh, God. I forgot. Honey, I’m so sorry. I promised I’d go with you to the cemetery.” “But this exercise was scheduled months ago…” A cold, bitter laugh rose in my throat, but I swallowed it. “You go. I think I’d like to have some time alone with my dad today anyway.” Cole rushed off to the academy. After a quick visit to my father’s grave, I drove over, arriving just as the medical department’s first-aid drill was starting on the training field. Cole blew his whistle. “Alright, everyone, pair up! Time to practice your life-saving techniques.” The students quickly partnered off, leaving one girl standing alone in the center. A chorus of teasing shouts erupted. “Hey Instructor, who’s gonna give Zoe CPR?” “Who do you think? The instructor would lose his mind if anyone else touched her!” Amid the laughter, Zoe made a face at her classmates. “You guys have such dirty minds! I have nothing to hide! Rescue breathing is a purely professional procedure!” Cole cleared his throat. “Alright, that’s enough! This is just a demonstration. Settle down!” He then beckoned for Zoe to lie down in front of him. And without a moment’s hesitation, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. A chill shot through my entire body. My gaze was locked on him, a laser of ice. He rose, completely unfazed, and placed his interlocked hands on her chest. “After rescue breaths, you begin compressions in a steady rhythm…” Someone in the crowd laughed loudly. “Zoe, I thought you said CPR was purely professional! Why are you blushing?” Lying on the ground, Zoe shot back, “You’d be blushing too if Instructor Anderson was touching you! Bet you’re just jealous!” The crowd roared with laughter. Cole didn’t deny it. Instead, a fond, indulgent smile spread across his face. My fingers, gripping the steering wheel, began to tremble uncontrollably. I waited until dinner time to find Zoe. She was in the campus dining hall, laughing and joking with her roommates. “The instructor asked you to dinner and you said no? Who are you trying to fool, Zoe?” “You don’t get it! She’s playing hard to get!” Zoe coughed, a little too loudly. “That’s not it at all! I barely know the instructor, so stop spreading rumors!” A humorless smile touched my lips. Barely know him? Barely know him enough to end up in my shower, in my bed? If they knew each other any better, would they invite me to watch? I bypassed the lines and sat down directly across from them. My clothes, my makeup, my entire demeanor—Zoe knew in an instant I wasn’t a student. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes before she plastered on a smile. “Hi, can I help you? The cafeteria isn’t that crowded, you don’t have to share a table.” I ignored her act. “Zoe, you’re aware that Cole Anderson is my husband, right?” Cole is thirty. At that age, a man is usually married unless he’s got a major illness or isn’t interested in women. Not to mention, our wedding portrait hangs right above our bed. I wasn’t buying the innocent little girl routine. Her roommates fell silent. Zoe, however, maintained her wide-eyed look of confusion. “Oh! So I should call you Mrs. Anderson? Is something wrong?” When I didn’t answer, her eyes widened in mock realization. “Oh, you must have seen the CPR drill! Mrs. Anderson, you might not understand, but it was a completely professional training exercise.” Her words dripped with condescension. Did she think I was some uneducated housewife with nothing better to do? I let out a soft laugh. “You’re in the clinical program? You should have taken Advanced Surgical Principles by your fourth year. Flip to the cardiovascular section. You’ll see my name on the list of chief editors.” I leaned forward slightly. “I’m Dr. Evelyn Reed, Associate Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the military hospital. I look forward to seeing you during your internship.” The color drained from Zoe’s face. My eyes fell to her wrist, to the jade bangle that shimmered there. “That’s a nice bracelet,” I said, my voice flat. “But it’s a family heirloom. It belonged to my father. I’d like it back now.” Zoe’s head snapped up, her expression one of utter disbelief. Her lips trembled as a deep blush spread across her cheeks. In the end, I got it back. The heirloom I thought I had lost forever. My father passed away four years ago after a long illness. Just before he died, he pressed the jade bangle into my hand. “Evelyn,” he’d whispered, “this has been in our family for generations. Cole loves you enough. I’m giving it to you to pass down. Now I can rest in peace…” Cole’s eyes had been red with tears that day, as he swore he would take care of me forever. But I’d lost the bangle a year later. The guilt had consumed me. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep. Cole had comforted me, promising to buy me all the jewelry in the world. I never imagined that he had already been with Zoe back then. That she had admired my bracelet, and he had simply taken it and given it to her. I had just gotten home and was downloading the dashcam footage when Cole stormed up to the car, his face a mask of fury. “You went to the academy today?” he snarled. “Evelyn, why couldn’t you talk to me? Why did you have to humiliate Zoe in front of everyone? Are you even acting like a normal adult?” I didn’t back down. I looked him straight in the eye. “Oh? And is Zoe not an adult? I thought she was a senior. She just looks so much younger. I didn’t realize you were into that. Must be a thrill, playing with someone who looks like a teenager but is technically legal…” Cole’s eyes narrowed. His hand shot out and he slapped me, hard, across the face, cutting off my words. My head snapped to the side, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. “Evelyn!” he cried out, his voice suddenly full of anguish, as if he were the one who had been struck. He looked at his hand in horror. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… but you shouldn’t say things like that to a student!” I laughed. Without a word, I slapped him back, the sound echoing in the quiet driveway. “Cole,” I said, my voice ice. “She is your student. Not mine. To me, she’s the other woman who destroyed my marriage and the thief who stole my father’s dying gift. Am I wrong?” His face contorted with rage, his eyes blazing. “I’ll say it again. Zoe is not the other woman! Evelyn, where is your trust in me? Why have you become so vile?” I was about to tell him to get out when our front door opened. Zoe peeked her head out, her expression playful. “Instructor, please don’t fight with Mrs. Anderson because of me. I came to apologize.” She walked towards us and bowed deeply to me. “It was raining hard a while back, and I came to the instructor’s house to change. I saw the bracelet and didn’t think it was valuable, so I just took it. It was my fault, not his. He didn’t give it to me. I’m so sorry.” Cole’s expression softened instantly. He reached out and stroked her hair. “It’s not your fault, Zoe. I should have been clearer.” Watching them, a wave of nausea washed over me. Taking something without asking is stealing. And who was Cole to forgive her on my behalf? He shoved me aside and spoke gently to Zoe. “This is my family business. You’ve already apologized. Don’t get involved. I’ll take you home.” I watched his car speed away, my entire body shaking with rage. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Jenna. [Ev, did you confront Zoe yesterday?] [The entire campus forum is tearing you apart!] She sent two screenshots. The moment I saw them, my blood ran cold. [GOSSIP ALERT: ASSOCIATE CHIEF OF CARDIAC SURGERY AT MILITARY HOSPITAL, DR. REED, ABUSES POWER TO PUBLICLY HUMILIATE INNOCENT FEMALE STUDENT!] [Heard she’s notorious for tormenting interns. To all the underclassmen starting rotations soon: good luck!] [Old hag is probably just jealous the girl is young and pretty. Can’t keep her own man, so she takes it out on a student?] The posts were vicious and inflammatory, painting me as a bitter, menopausal monster. Jenna called immediately. “Ev! Did you see? That little witch Zoe has to be behind this!” “I know,” I said, my voice unnervingly calm. “Jenna, do me a favor. Trace the IP addresses of the posters. And dig up everything you can find on Zoe Nash. Everything.” A social media war? Please. I was running circles around people online when Zoe was still in elementary school. As expected, Zoe was assigned to my service for her internship. Professionally, I treat all students equally. During an emergency surgery that I was leading, I arranged for the interns to observe, as was standard procedure. I assigned Zoe as my scrub tech. “Why me?” she muttered under her breath, her tone resentful. “Dr. Reed, isn’t this a conflict of interest?” I glanced at her over my surgical mask. “If you earned your scholarships based on merit, then prove it in a real-world scenario.” The surgery reached a critical stage. I called for a 2.5-millimeter balloon catheter. In her haste, Zoe handed me a 3-millimeter one. A potentially fatal mistake. “Wrong! Vasopressors, now! Move!” I snapped, immediately directing the team to correct the error. After the surgery, we stepped out of the OR. Zoe followed me, her face pale. I turned to face her, my voice low and deliberate. “In cardiac surgery, you are holding a person’s life in your hands. The smallest mistake can have catastrophic consequences. The carelessness and incompetence you demonstrated today could have killed someone.” Zoe swayed on her feet, tears welling in her eyes. “Evelyn! Do you have to be like this?” Cole’s furious voice echoed from the end of the hall. He strode towards us and placed himself protectively in front of Zoe. “She’s a student! It’s normal to be nervous and make a mistake the first time! Everyone goes through this!” he roared. “Did you have to use such harsh words to crush her confidence? Are you teaching her, or are you using this as an excuse to attack her?” I looked at the man who was once my partner, my equal. Now, he was twisting the truth, challenging my professional integrity, all for another woman. My heart plunged into an icy abyss, completely numb. “Instructor Anderson,” I said, my tone formal and cold. “There is no room for error in cardiac surgery. As her supervising physician, it is my duty to point out her fatal mistakes.” “Duty? I think you’re mixing your personal and professional lives!” Cole’s anger escalated. He grabbed Zoe’s wrist. “Zoe, let’s go! We don’t have to take this from her!” He stormed off, dragging the tearful Zoe with him. The other interns now looked at me with a mixture of fear and disapproval. Just then, my phone rang. I put it on speaker. Jenna’s voice came through, loud and clear. “Ev, I’ve locked down the IP addresses of the people who slandered you. The original posts all came from Zoe’s dorm room!” “I’ve already posted the proof online. It’s going viral. I also sent a copy to the academy’s disciplinary board and the medical school’s anonymous tip line.” “Thanks,” I said, and hung up. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The interns who had been looking at me with suspicion were now staring at their phones in shock. A commotion erupted outside. A group of students burst in, led by the same girl who had been teasing Zoe and Cole on the field—Zoe’s best friend. She shoved her phone in my face, the camera recording. “Dr. Reed! What is the meaning of this?” she shrieked. “Even if Zoe made a mistake, did you have to be so cruel? Did you have to try and ruin her life? And you reported the instructor, too!” “Just because you and Instructor Anderson are having problems, you can’t stand someone else quietly loving and supporting him? You’re just jealous!” After her impassioned speech, the other interns chimed in. “Apologize! How dare you call a college student a homewrecker with no proof!” “Yeah, get Zoe in here! There are hundreds of thousands of people watching this live stream! They’re all waiting for a public confrontation!” I smiled. “You want to find Zoe? Fine. I know where she is.”

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When the plane crashed. Everyone was crying and sending their last messages to their loved ones. I clicked on my nemesis’s chat box and unleashed my passion: “Are you blind or what? Can’t you see I like you? “Last time I pretended to be drunk to let you make a move and you didn’t. Serves you right, no use regretting now. “My life is about to reset—” 1 My body was falling rapidly. Hypoxia blurred my consciousness, and strength drained from my body. After a violent bump, my phone slipped, and I subconsciously reached out to grab it, but caught something soft and warm. Strange… is there anything with this texture on a plane? In the dead silence of the cabin, a voice suddenly rang out. “Hey, how long are you going to hold on?” How could someone still be talking… obviously, everyone was already in shock. “Deaf? Oh… don’t want to let go?” Again. Closer and clearer this time. And exceptionally familiar. My brain reacted sluggishly, ah, it’s that person’s voice. I was just passionately typing in his message box, but now my momentum was gone. At the final moment, I had to admit that my carelessness was fake. Actually, I was very unwilling, so unwilling that I hallucinated. But this voice… why does it feel so distant? With a nostalgic boyishness. I struggled to think with my scattered consciousness, and suddenly felt a tug on my arm. Like a drowning person pulled out of the water, the moment I gasped for air, I suddenly opened my eyes and saw the person in front of me clearly. Raised eyebrows, reckless and flamboyant smile, a face that was aggressively handsome. Lucas Vance. In an instant, the lost five senses poured back into my body. The midsummer insects chirped loudly, the wooden floor exuded a mellow scent under the sun, and sweat slowly trickled down my forehead. And, I was holding Lucas’s hand. Is this, a hallucination? “Leo, don’t tell me you’re going to confess to me too?” Not a hallucination. I dazedly withdrew my hand and opened my palm. Under the skin was a healthy pale red, and the pulse was strong. Clench, release, clench, release. I could control my body. “Really stupid? Tsk, told you not to just study, now you’ve become a nerd.” I looked up and saw the blue on Lucas’s school uniform. This is the summer of 2016. This year, I was a junior in high school, and Lucas was a senior. 2 We never got along. I was annoyed by his slacker, cynical attitude. He disliked me for being too rigid and dull, lifeless. But his biological brother Liam Vance was my best friend. I always came to his house after school to do homework, like today. “Disgusting.” Lucas leaned lazily by the window and sneered. I followed his gaze downwards. In the small garden downstairs, Liam was being confessed to. By a boy. Among the three Vance brothers, the youngest, Liam, was the prettiest boy and had many suitors. “Damn gay, even running to someone’s house, disgusting.” Lucas turned his head, staring straight at me, corners of his mouth hooked in mockery, “Right?” Don’t know if it was an illusion, his expression was playful, but his eyes were serious. Seriously waiting for my answer. Seventeen-year-old Leo, even if he couldn’t stand Lucas, would agree on this issue. But inside this body now was a twenty-five-year-old soul. Eight years, we went through a lot. I went from hating him to liking him, liking him so much that he was the only person I thought of before dying. Didn’t want to go against my heart. So I shook my head, “Don’t understand.” Lucas was stunned, his expression darkened inexplicably. “Tch, nerds are boring.” His back looked quite unhappy. I stood there watching him leave, a bit bewildered. Couldn’t determine if this was time travel or rebirth. But either way, it means twenty-five-year-old me is dead, right? When Lucas hears about my death, how will he feel? Will he feel guilty? After all, I got on that crashed plane to attend his engagement party. 3 Eighteen-year-old Lucas had not yet stepped into the hall of marriage. He was annoyed that I couldn’t catch his ball. “The grade’s top student can’t even catch this kind of ball? I practically fed it to your racket. Are your two eyes just decorations?” He roared until my eardrums hurt. Don’t know why, the feeling of imminent death still lingered around me. I seemed to be still on the plane, my brain dizzy from time to time. I put down the tennis racket. “Not playing anymore.” Liam came over to smooth things over: “Don’t mind my brother, his mouth has been mean for more than a day or two, not targeting you.” I knew, Lucas didn’t have a good face for anyone, often attacking indiscriminately with words. But especially to me. Sitting on the bench in a daze, a bottle of water was suddenly thrown onto my lap. I didn’t catch it, and the water bottle fell to the ground again. “Tsk.” Lucas bent down to pick it up and handed it over again. “Drink some, your face is so white, I’m afraid you’ll die on me.” Seeing me not moving, he took it back cursing, unscrewed it, and forcefully stuffed it into my hand. “Ancestor, waiting for me to feed you?” Words came to this point, I could only obediently raise my hand and take a sip. Grapefruit flavor. Sweet. His expression softened, looking like ‘that’s more like it’. Then he moved my racket away and sat aside, lazily watching the two people playing back and forth on the court. “Slept in the early morning again last night? Doing your broken test papers?” My house and the Vance’s are neighbors, our rooms only separated by a flower path, close enough that if he changed clothes by the window, I could see it just by looking up. “Can’t you do one less and sleep earlier? Is your first place in the grade hanging on that paper?” His words were really ugly. I wasn’t a submissive character, always rude to Lucas. You really want to see me fail the exam? Logically, I should have retorted like this. But opening my mouth, words choked in my throat. When voiced, it became: “Are you caring about me?” As soon as the words fell, Lucas’s pupils shrank suddenly, and he straightened up abruptly. “Bullshit!” He dropped a sentence and hurried back to the court. Like losing his soul, he didn’t catch any of Liam’s serves. I slowly screwed on the bottle cap, heart beating uncontrollably fast. Going back to the past, did God want me to reverse regrets? Or rather, let me see something I once ignored. Like the conversation just now, young me only felt targeted and mocked. Wouldn’t think at all, was Lucas just being stubborn and arrogant (tsundere)? I clutched my chest, taking deep breaths to suppress the surging ecstasy. Lucas ran back again, his voice tight, “Damn, feeling unwell?” “No.” I shook my head. Sunlight dazzling. If life comes again, Lucas and I… 4 Fell asleep with infinite longing for a second life. However, waking up, I saw the ceiling of the university dorm. I thought I saw wrong. Closed eyes, opened again. Still in the dorm. I lay still. An unbelievable thought climbed up my body like wet cold moss, brain buzzing, blood cooling bit by bit. Not rebirth, nor time travel. It’s the flashing memories before death. Fate did not favor me, nor did a miracle descend. I was still heading towards the predetermined death, unable to change anything. Liam knocked on my bed board. “Go straight to my house after class this afternoon.” Stiffly lit up the phone, the reminder on the screen wrote Liam’s birthday. I remember this day forever. Halfway through Liam’s birthday, the entire villa area suddenly lost power, and the repair was delayed for a long time. I went back to my own home in the dark, and Lucas followed behind to see me off. “You heard it too, right?” The exact same dialogue as in memory. “The two of them kissed secretly.” I opened the door, squatting down in the entryway groping to change shoes. “Very normal, they are a couple.” Liam got a boyfriend in his freshman year, his roommate, and the relationship was very stable. I was long used to their occasional PDA as if no one else was there. Lucas didn’t mean to leave. He leaned against the door, expression unclear. “Leo, I remember your first kiss hasn’t graduated yet, right?” Exact same development as in memory. Next, I should retort in shame and anger: “So what, none of your business.” Then he would say mercifully: “So pitiful, how about you beg me? I can reluctantly help you out.” The help he meant was pressing me against the wall and kissing until the power was restored and the lights came on. Afterwards, he explained that it was too dark that night, sensory emotions were infinitely amplified, and stimulated by the sticky sounds of Liam’s pair, acted on impulse, hoping I wouldn’t take it to heart. My heart was moved messily, hearing this, it sank silently. To hide disappointment, I could only pretend to be open-minded and agree: Yes, yes, two boys kissing is nothing, no different from kissing pork. Back to reality, here Lucas saw me silent for a long time, laughed: “What, embarrassed to admit?” “No.” I denied, “It’s gone.” Lucas was stunned, unbelievable. “With whom? Are you dating?” After asking, he answered himself, “Impossible, Liam said you’ve been single. Oh~ you mean that time in kindergarten? That little girl with pigtails? “Leo, that counts as a fart first kiss. Kissing of course has to be with someone you like…” Voice stopped abruptly. Lucas was right about one thing, darkness does amplify perception, like now, I clearly felt his breathing was momentarily messy. “Hmm?” Very curious about what he would say next, I pretended to realize suddenly, “So that’s it, then the first kiss is indeed still there, any problem?” Lucas fell silent. After a long time, he stammered: “Then do you need… need me…” “Need you for what?” He fell silent again, took a deep breath. “Hearing them like that, don’t you have an impulse… want to kiss too?” I stared tightly in his direction, heard myself say: “No.” Actually very much want to. But I also knew, no matter what choice I made in this scene, it wouldn’t affect the future outcome. So what if it’s meaningless, I just wanted to confirm that these years weren’t my unrequited love alone. Lucas ran out of excuses. The two fell into a stalemate. I relented first: “Okay actually a little bit, but you also said, this kind of thing only counts if done with someone you like.” Am I someone you like? “You can imagine me as the person you like.” Lucas approached me, hot breath pressing down, “Like that junior sister in your club, you’re interested in her, right? Heard you asked her out for several meals alone, haven’t got her yet?” Junior sister? Graduated for so many years, I almost forgot this person. Recalling slightly, seemed to have participated in a competition together as a team, no other contact. “Guessed right?” Lucas raised his hand and pinched my chin, the force inexplicably a bit strong. “No…” A slight click suddenly sounded above, the next second, the field of vision brightened. I closed my eyes involuntarily. “The light is on.” Lucas stared at me, eyes deep. He raised his hand to cover my eyes, “Not on.” Warm and soft pressed against lips, slowly grinding deeper. I wanted to ask him, did the clumsy and dull me miss a lot. When did you start liking me? Why couldn’t we be a bit braver? Everything is too late. I couldn’t bear to push him away. Ask after it ends. When this kiss ends, I will confirm his feelings properly. Then even if we can’t be together, there will be no regrets. But when I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the entryway. A colleague supported me walking towards the hotel room, Lucas’s voice came from behind. “Why drink so much?”

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Lucas Reed and I were the laughing stock couple of the upper class. For his “white moonlight” first love, he chased her high-speed train in a rage, got into a car accident, and lost the use of his legs. I had a secret crush on my childhood friend for ten years but never dared to confess. After getting married, we hated each other with a passion every day. I mocked him: “Can’t even stand up, and you want to chase a girl like others?” He sneered back: “Who’s like someone, too scared to even confess.” When I opened my eyes again, I was back in high school. This time, I gathered my courage to confess to my childhood friend. That night, the boy with perfectly healthy legs pinned me against the wall with red eyes: “You really want to be with him? Do you think I’m dead?” 1 Scrolling through TikTok, I saw a video of an innocent high school hunk confessing to his childhood sweetheart in public. I excitedly hugged my tablet, howling and liking the video. “Boohoo, childhood sweethearts are the best!” “When I’m 19, I want a relationship like this too!” Lucas Reed, sitting in a wheelchair, closed his file and rubbed his brow irritably. “Samantha Jones, can you keep it down?” As if thinking of something, he scoffed lightly: “Back then you didn’t even dare to confess. You can’t date sh*t.” My hand scrolling the video paused abruptly, my nose tingling with sourness. Since I was little, I had a secret crush on my childhood friend Michael. But I was too afraid that after a failed confession, we wouldn’t even be friends anymore. Until five years ago, Michael left without saying goodbye to develop his career abroad. Also because my family went bankrupt, I accidentally married Lucas, who already had a “white moonlight” in his heart. Thus, ten years of secret love came to nothing. The more I thought about it, the sadder I got. I got up to go back to the bedroom to sleep. Passing by Lucas, the more I thought, the angrier I got. Couldn’t help but kick his wheelchair lightly: “Who’s like someone insisting on chasing a girl like others, now can’t even stand up.” “You!” Lucas’s face turned livid instantly. In the three years of marriage with Lucas, except for in bed, we couldn’t stand the sight of each other. Leaving him speechless, my mood instantly smoothed out. Even sleeping felt more pleasant. 2 Don’t know how long I slept, my arm seemed to be gently bumped by someone. I frowned, tone annoyed: “Lucas, stop tormenting me tonight, okay?” Suddenly, bursts of laughter came to my ears. “Hahaha Samantha Jones is confused from sleeping in class.” “Seems the rumor on the school forum is true, she really likes the academic god Lucas Reed like crazy.” “Yeah, crying like that a few days ago, and talking nonsense today.” Class? School forum? What the hell? I opened my eyes in a daze, only to see Lucas wearing a school uniform. His fair face was tinged with a flush. It wasn’t until the moment I was thrown out of the classroom by the teacher to stand as punishment that I vaguely realized. I seem to have effortlessly… time-traveled? Traveled back to my student days ten years ago. The setting sun was blood-red on the horizon, and the sound of reading aloud filled the classroom. Through the window glass, I looked at the healthy legs under Lucas’s desk. And the clean white shoes with peeling glue on his feet. Who would have thought, this impoverished, quiet boy. Would become the decisive, number one figure in the business world in the future. 3 The first thing after coming back is, of course, to happily hug the golden thigh (suck up to the powerful)~ Even if I can’t hug the thigh, getting some favorability points is fine. At lunch in the cafeteria, I sat directly opposite Lucas. The boy raised his dark eyes and met my gaze. “Something?” I took out my phone, opened the school forum, and found a post. Pushed it in front of Lucas. “School belle Vivian blocks the road to confess to academic god Lucas Reed. Samantha Jones suspected of being broken-hearted, crying half to death on the lawn next to them.” The comment section of the post had hundreds of replies. In the morning, memories of high school became clearer and clearer in my mind. The first thing I remembered was this inexplicable post. Don’t know which wicked alum had such a big brain to come up with the title. With such rich imagination, why not write novels? During that time, the pressure of senior year was high. After school, I went to feed stray cats behind the teaching building. Over time, it went from being wary at first to actively rubbing against my pant leg. Later, that cat was poisoned to death. While burying it, I couldn’t help but cry loudly. Completely didn’t notice someone confessing deeply nearby. The girl confessing was my nemesis, Lucas’s lifelong white moonlight: Vivian. After marrying Lucas, I heard from his personal assistant that Lucas got into a car accident chasing a high-speed train when he learned Vivian was going abroad to get married. Even when he fell into a coma, he was shouting two words. “Vivi.” But I know Vivian best. She has an innocent face but loves to see poor students get jealous over her the most. In private, she even said in front of all her friends: “Watching poor people like them fall for me step by step gives me an indescribable sense of accomplishment.” … After explaining the forum incident, my mouth was dry. I picked up the mineral water on the table and took a sip. Lucas remained expressionless, couldn’t tell if he believed me or not. After a long time, he said indifferently: “Oh.” “You drank my water.” Me: “……” 4 Lucas was very short of money. And what I had most on me was money. I hired him with a high salary to tutor me after school. Avoiding Vivian deliberately every day. This time, I didn’t want to see Lucas break his legs again. Just because after marrying him, even though he didn’t love me and often bickered with me, he never treated me badly. Knowing I married him just to save my dad’s company from bankruptcy, he still agreed immediately. After arriving at the library, Lucas seemed a bit uncomfortable. His long eyelashes drooped lazily, slender fingertips gently rubbing his brow. I opened the book and asked gossipy: “Do you like the girl who confessed to you that day?” Lucas lowered his eyes, emotions unreadable. “Why ask this?” I shook my head and opened my pencil case. “Nothing, just wanted to tell you.” “No matter how much you like her, you must put your own safety first in the future.” Consider it advice to Lucas. Lucas’s black eyes were calm, seemingly not understanding what I wanted to say. At this moment, somehow, a feeling of despicability rose in my heart. Maybe in my eyes, Vivian wasn’t a good person. But what if in Lucas’s heart, Vivian was worth everything? The atmosphere was a bit awkward, I pointed randomly at a physics problem. “Let’s not talk nonsense.” “I don’t know this problem, can you explain it to me?” Lucas picked up a pen, glanced at the question, and started writing on the scratch paper. Patiently explaining the formulas needed for each step. Snow was falling outside the window, and the knuckles of his hand holding the pen were frozen red. Several chilblains grew on his slender and beautiful hands. “Okay okay, I understand.” I quickly snatched the pen from his hand and stuffed a hand warmer into Lucas’s arms. He was stunned. After recovering, he only dared to put his hands on the outer layer for warmth. Was Lucas this obedient in his youth? Then the chatty Lucas I married must be fake, right? After finishing one, I pointed randomly at another problem in the book. “I don’t know this physics problem either, Lucas, help me look at it.” Lucas picked up the pen and asked casually while explaining: “Didn’t you say you hate physics the most?” After speaking, he seemed to feel it was inappropriate, and added “Heard you complaining to friends every day”. I lowered my eyes. “I want to test into a university abroad, to find a friend.” The pen of the person opposite stopped abruptly, knuckles turning white. Lucas frowned, his expression suddenly turned cold. He put down the pen, voice cold: “I can’t do the rest.” Me: ??? Liar, I just saw him finish this problem in three minutes. And you are an academic god. Are you kidding!! Just like ten years later, Lucas’s temper always comes out of nowhere. I never understood him. The atmosphere was a bit cold, my phone on the table suddenly rang twice. It was a message from Michael. “Sam, I’m returning to the States the day after tomorrow.” “Come pick me up, okay?” 5 Michael returned this time to attend the school’s outstanding graduate speech by invitation. More than half of the students in the school were present. I sat in the front row, looking at the focal figure on the stage. The girls beside me were discussing in whispers. “Senior Michael is so handsome, wonder if he has a girlfriend.” “Don’t even think about it, heard the girls Michael rejected could line up from here to France.” “He’s so handsome, who can resist being moved.” “……” I liked Michael too, just like most girls’ first awakening of love. Since I can remember, Michael was the most dazzling of all my playmates. Study, looks, family background, character, he was top-notch in everything. Almost all the girls I knew had confessed to him. The clearest memory was when a girl among our playmates confessed to Michael in public. Michael leaned back on the sofa irritably, hooking his arm around my neck. “You all approach me with impure motives, huh?” “Seems only our Sam truly treats me as a brother.” I sipped my juice, lowering my head guiltily. Actually… I was the one with the most impure motives, just dared not confess because of timidity. Looking at that girl’s sad expression, I only felt more heartache. Failed confession meant losing the qualification to even be friends. “……” Bursts of applause pulled me back to reality abruptly, the speech ended. 6 Michael walked towards me. “Talked for half a day, starving to death.” Michael and I went to the cafeteria together. While eating, many people looked at our table. I hated this kind of scrutinizing gaze. Even clearing the tray was watched back and forth. Walking out of the restaurant, I muttered a small complaint. “Too many people like you, everywhere feels like a gorilla in a zoo.” Although the voice was small, it was still caught by Michael. He suddenly asked me: “What about Sam, do you like me?” I looked up in disbelief, meeting Michael’s smiling eyes. Such a direct gaze made me involuntarily generate an illusion. Could he… also like me? Just this distraction, I forgot I was going down the stairs. Foot slipped, fell hard towards the ground.

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My mother-in-law walked into my house with the pregnant mistress and the ultrasound report, demanding I leave with nothing. My husband stood beside her and let her. I didn’t cry or scream. I just smiled. Right there, in front of all of them, I made a call. Thirty minutes later, a young man who looked startlingly like my father-in-law appeared at the door. I linked my arm through my mother-in-law’s, my voice sweet. “Mom, look. A new heir and a new grandson for the family. Double the good news. Try to be gracious.” 01 The atmosphere in the living room was toxic. Cecilia Wells, my mother-in-law, occupied the main sofa, her posture rigid, radiating the imperiousness of a minor royal. Every expertly preserved line on her face was etched with contempt and impatience for me. The ultrasound report lay like a dropped gauntlet on the polished coffee table between us. “Caroline,” her voice was low, yet sharp enough to cut glass. “Take a look at that.” “Three years, and your womb is stagnant. The Wells family is not going to let our name end because you’re incapable. Don’t be so pathetic as to cling to what isn’t yours.” Next to her sat a younger girl, Summer Rose. I knew her name. I’d seen her picture, tucked away in an encrypted photo album on my husband Harriet Wells’s phone, labeled “My Little Miracle.” Now, Summer was stroking her slightly rounded stomach, her face a mask of fragile vulnerability. Her eyes, however, were anything but fragile, darting hooks at Harriet, who was planted miserably next to me. Harriet, my husband. He looked like a child caught stealing, his gaze glued to the tips of his expensive leather shoes. He couldn’t look at his mother, and he certainly couldn’t look at me. He just mumbled a few words, the sound barely audible. “Caro, let’s… let’s be adults about this. Let’s not make this messy.” Let’s not make this messy. The last flicker of warmth I held for him died a swift, cold death. Had he forgotten everything I’d done for this family, for his career, over the past three years? I poured my family’s social and financial capital into his professional ladder, propelling him from a mid-level manager to a senior director at Wells Industries. I set aside my artistic life—my painting—to become the perfect corporate wife, learning to host dinners and manage the facade of domestic bliss. I endured Cecilia’s constant, stinging criticisms for the sake of his ridiculous “face.” And now, he wanted to dismiss me with a flimsy, “Let’s be adults.” I didn’t feel pain, just a profound, chilling numbness. I looked at them: the smug, demanding matriarch; the spineless, self-serving husband; the mistress, radiating a premature sense of victory. They formed a tableau so ridiculous, so deeply insulting, that I suddenly started to laugh. It wasn’t a sob or a bitter snort—it was a deep, honest amusement at the sheer, tragic absurdity of the scene. My quiet laughter cut through the tension in the room. Cecilia’s lips pressed into a thin, furious line, as if I were a piece of garbage she’d just spotted on her Italian marble floor. “What’s so funny? Have you lost your mind?” Harriet finally lifted his head, a flicker of panic in his eyes. “Caro, stop this—” I ignored them both. I reached into my handbag, pulled out my phone, and slowly unlocked the screen. My movements were deliberate, unhurried, as if I were simply checking the time. All eyes in the room were fixed on my hand. I found the number, one I’d saved months ago but never dialed. I hit the call button. It was answered immediately. I brought the phone to my ear, my voice softer than a whisper. “Hello.” “You can come up now.” I hung up and placed the phone back on the coffee table. My composure only fueled Cecilia’s rage. She assumed I was calling my parents to beg for support. She let out a cold, venomous laugh. “Go ahead, Caroline! Call your father, call the Governor! It won’t make a difference! The Wells legacy won’t be extinguished by a barren woman! You. Will. Go.” I didn’t dignify that with a response. I picked up the lukewarm tea in front of me and took a delicate sip. I was waiting. Waiting for the meticulously crafted surprise I’d prepared for the entire Wells family. The silence that followed was heavy and suffocating. Harriet was fidgeting, repeatedly trying to speak only to be silenced by his mother’s glare. Even Summer’s fragile facade was beginning to crack, replaced by a nervous impatience. And then, after about half an hour, the doorbell chimed. Ding-dong. The sudden sound shattered the silence. Every nerve in the room went taut. A triumphant smirk spread across Cecilia’s face. She believed it was my family and was already preparing her humiliating speech. She gestured sharply to the housekeeper to open the door. Harriet jumped up, wringing his hands, bracing himself for the anticipated confrontation. The door opened. Standing in the entryway was a teenager. He looked around seventeen, dressed in a simple white tee and jeans, his frame lean, his eyes possessing a cool, almost haughty detachment. But it was the face. The face was, without a doubt, a near-perfect seven-tenths match for the photograph of Theodore Wells, my father-in-law, that hung in his study. Especially the eyes: narrow, sharp, and possessing an innate look of appraisal. The living room fell utterly silent. Cecilia’s triumphant smirk froze on her face, contorted into a grotesque expression of shock, as if she’d been hit by a sandbag. Harriet was agape, his mouth hanging open like a fish, pointing from the boy to me, unable to form a coherent sentence. I, however, remained serene. I rose gracefully and walked to Cecilia’s side, linking my arm with hers in a move that was sickeningly affectionate. Her arm was stiff as concrete. I could feel her entire body trembling. I leaned close to her ear and, in a voice that sounded almost cloyingly sweet, delivered the line I’d practiced in my head countless times. “Mom, look at us. Double the good news today.” I straightened up, my smile reaching the boy at the door, then sweeping over to my ashen-faced husband. “Harry’s getting a baby, and the Wells family is welcoming a new grandson. Isn’t that double the good news?” Finally, my gaze settled back on Cecilia. I lowered my voice to a dangerous, private whisper. “As the family’s matriarch, you’ll have to be… gracious.” “You need to set an example for the children.” 02 The moment the words left my mouth, Cecilia shrieked like a scalded cat. “You’re insane! You’re lying!” She shoved me away with a force that made me stagger. She pointed a violently shaking finger at the boy by the door. “Who is this gutter trash?! Caroline, you’ve finally lost it! What kind of sick, low-life stunt are you pulling to avoid a divorce!” The boy, Jesse Cole, hadn’t spoken a word. He merely regarded the hysterical woman with a cold, even stare, as if watching a meaningless theatrical performance. He reached into his jeans pocket and slowly pulled out a photograph. The photo was yellowed and curled at the edges, obviously cherished. It showed a young, vibrant Theodore Wells holding a bundled baby, standing next to a smiling, quiet woman. The baby’s features were strikingly similar to Jesse’s now. The photo was a bucket of ice water dumped directly onto Cecilia’s fire. Her shriek died in her throat. She stared at the photo, her lips trembling, utterly speechless. Harriet finally recovered from his shock. But his first instinct wasn’t to question the man who raised him. It was to turn the full force of his terror onto me. He lunged toward me, his eyes bloodshot, his face contorted with fury. “Caroline! Are you out of your mind?! You hired an actor to pull this pathetic soap opera? For God’s sake, what is your limit?!” His rage was the frightened bluster of a man who knew he was losing control. He wasn’t stupid; he was simply terrified. Terrified that this sudden “little brother” would cut into his inheritance. I gave him a bored, flat look. “Whether he’s an actor or not, Harry, can be solved with a simple DNA test. Just call your father back.” My eyes narrowed, carrying an all-knowing contempt. “Why so agitated? Are you afraid of another claimant to the estate, or are you afraid of your mother’s blood pressure?” The question was a direct hit to his jugular. Harriet’s face went instantly pale. All the accusations clogged in his throat. He looked like a dog whose leash had been snapped, retreating a couple of steps in utter defeat. Summer, in the corner, was clearly terrified by the sharp, unexpected turn of events. She’d come expecting to be the star, the triumphant victor. Instead, she found herself neck-deep in a messy, high-stakes power struggle far beyond her understanding. She instinctively shrank behind Harriet, seeking protection, only to realize the man himself was rapidly drowning. Her face showed a genuine panic and perhaps, a flicker of regret. After her brief moment of stunned silence, Cecilia completely broke. She began throwing things. The crystal bowl on the coffee table, the antique vase on the credenza—anything she could grab was hurled to the floor. The sounds of shattering glass and porcelain were punctuated by her frenzied screaming. She called me a poisonous snake, a murderer trying to destroy her family. She screamed that Jesse was bastard trash, a demon sent to ruin them. The only person she dared not curse was the man in the photograph, her husband, Theodore Wells. I leaned back into the sofa, pouring myself a glass of water, watching the theatrical destruction unfold with detached calm. Seeing Cecilia’s face swell with apoplectic rage, I offered a “kind” reminder. “Mom, be careful not to—oh, wait.” I paused and gestured toward the whimpering Summer in the corner. “It’s her whose blood pressure you should worry about, right?” That sentence was like oil on a raging fire. Cecilia lost all control, lunging at me, only to be caught and held fast by Harriet. “Mom! Calm down! Mom!” Harriet was a mess, trying to restrain his collapsing mother while simultaneously glancing at me, hoping I would “be the bigger person.” I simply shot him an icy glare, and he froze, unable to move a muscle closer. The living room was a disaster. Screaming, crying, cursing—an absurd opera of domestic chaos. Jesse and I were the only still points in the storm. He stood like a statue of judgment, his mere presence a searing indictment of this hypocritical household. I took out my phone and, with a subtle click, snapped a photo of the wreckage. The picture captured my hysterical mother-in-law, my cowardly husband, and the terrified mistress, all against a backdrop of shattered glass. How fitting, I thought, the words a low murmur to myself. A perfect photo of a gilded cage falling apart. 03 Theodore Wells returned to find the domestic drama in its intermission. Cecilia, exhausted from screaming, was slumped on the sofa, the housekeeper gently rubbing her back. Harriet was awkwardly sweeping up shards of glass, looking lost. Summer remained a frightened ghost in the farthest corner. Jesse and I stood apart, a unified front against the mess. Theo Wells entered the room, trailing a cool, palpable aura of authority. He was in his mid-fifties but meticulously preserved, his power suit and air of command making him seem younger and more intimidating. His gaze swept the room, finally locking onto Jesse’s face—a younger version of his own. His eyes narrowed, a mixture of shock and fury, as if he’d been struck where he was most vulnerable. Cecilia saw her savior and lurched off the sofa, a sinking ship finding a port. She rushed to him. “Theo! Thank God you’re home! Look what she’s done!” She pointed at me, her voice cracking with accusation. “She’s trying to destroy our family! She found some bastard and claims he’s your son! She’s trying to kill me!” Theo ignored her wailing. His eyes, cold and lethal, drilled into me. “Caroline. Who gave you the right?” His voice was deep, each word forced out, loaded with immense pressure. He didn’t spare a glance for Jesse, treating the boy as if he were thin air. He issued an immediate command, speaking to me as if I were a subordinate who had overstepped. “Take this boy, whatever he is, and get out of my house. Now.” This was Theo Wells: the benevolent dictator, the ruthless puppet master, the one who would sacrifice anything—anyone—to preserve his name and his image. I didn’t move. Facing his crushing authority, I didn’t even blink. I slowly reached into my Hermès bag and pulled out another document—a manila envelope, the seal intact. I pushed it onto the coffee table toward him. The gesture was elegant, yet infused with an undeniable force. “Don’t rush to judgment, Dad.” My voice, light as a feather, somehow carried to every corner of the room. “I was worried you wouldn’t believe me, so I took the liberty of getting a DNA test done myself. Preemptively.” Boom. The revelation sent a fresh jolt of electricity through the room. The crack in Theo’s facade widened. He stared at the envelope, his expression a mask of disbelief. He hadn’t accounted for my meticulous preparation. I reached out and delicately broke the seal, sliding the sheets of paper out and laying them flat. The top line, bold and centered, screamed the conclusion. “Based on the DNA analysis, the results support Theodore Wells as the biological father of Jesse Cole.” The line beneath was the final nail: “Probability of Paternity is greater than 99.99%.” That single line of text was a brutal slap across Theo’s self-righteous face, and across Cecilia’s tear-streaked one. The silence was absolute. The only sound was Theo’s ragged breathing. His face cycled from steely blue to ash-white. His carefully cultivated control had just crumbled. It took him a long moment to find his voice. It was dry, like sandpaper. He glared at me, his look promising murder. “What in God’s name do you want?” I smiled. Facing his killer gaze, my expression was serene. “Nothing much, Dad.” I echoed his earlier tone, slow and deliberate. “I’m just taking a page from your wife’s book.” “Just trying to be… gracious.” 04 The scent of emotional gunpowder hung heavy in the air. Theo Wells, the seasoned operator, regained control after his initial shock. He waved a hand, dismissing his wife and son. “You two go upstairs. I need to speak to Caroline alone.” Cecilia started to protest, but one freezing look from Theo silenced her. She pulled a confused Harriet upstairs. Summer, relieved to escape the line of fire, vanished first. The housekeeper swiftly followed, closing the door behind her. The expansive living room was left to me, Theo, and the silently watchful Jesse. Theo took a deep, steadying breath, trying to reclaim his air of command. He pulled a checkbook and a Montblanc pen from his inner blazer pocket, his movements practiced and smooth. The pen scratched across the paper. He wrote a number, then slid the check across the table to me. “Five million.” His voice regained its high-and-mighty tone of condescension. “You, and this… young man, will take this money and disappear from my life forever. What happened today never happened.” I looked at the check—Five Million Dollars—written in his arrogant, sprawling hand. The arrogance of capital. I chuckled, then picked up the check between two fingers and gently pushed it back. “Dad, do I look like I need a settlement?” Theo’s face darkened. “Then what is it you want?” I bypassed the question, choosing a different angle. “Do you remember, Dad? This house, the one we’re sitting in now—in Point Vista? When we got married, you put the title in my name to show my parents your ‘sincerity.’” I watched his face change again and added cheerfully, “So, technically, you and the rest of the family are currently residing in my house.” Theo’s complexion became utterly ashen. The shift from overconfidence to strangled realization was complete. For the first time, he saw me—the wife he’d dismissed as a quiet artist and a passive trophy. I decided to apply the pressure.

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Six months into marriage with my best friend’s brother, and we still haven’t consummated the relationship. In a fit of rage, I called my best friend. “I can’t do this anymore. I’m divorcing your brother.” To my shock, she wailed back from the other end: “I can’t do this either! I’m divorcing your brother tomorrow!” 1 I froze. I almost forgot—my best friend and I married each other’s brothers. Thinking about it, her situation might be even more tragic than mine. Married six months, and she hasn’t even seen her husband shirtless. At least I’ve seen the goods. I sighed, feeling a deep sense of camaraderie with my fellow sufferer. “Babe, meet me at The Velvet Rope. Let’s go look at some hot bartenders.” … I arrived before Chloe and got a booth. I ordered a bottle of tequila and waited. Five minutes later, Chloe strutted in wearing four-inch heels and a full-on “revenge makeup” look. She waved her hand and downed a shot immediately. I leaned in for the gossip. “What happened with my brother?” That’s the thing about best friends. As soon as I asked, she raised an eyebrow at me. “What about you? What happened with my brother?” Neither of us was backing down. I sighed deeply. “He won’t sleep with me!” Chloe and I got our marriage licenses one day apart. Initially, I only knew she had a doctor brother; I didn’t know what he looked like. Until my boss gave me a panic attack that felt like a heart attack, and I went to the ER. Chloe, afraid I’d get a creepy old doctor, specifically called her “young, hot” brother. I was skeptical about how hot he could be. Then reality slapped me in the face. When I saw Dr. Ethan Vance, my heart raced like a teenager’s. Even with a mask on, revealing only a pair of cold, beautiful eyes, I knew every inch under that white coat was dancing on my aesthetic preferences. After the checkup, I demanded his number from Chloe. She warned me he was “high-maintenance” and “aloof.” I confidently declared that no man could resist my charm. Then, reality slapped me again. During the “chase,” I texted him flirtatiously: [Dr. Vance, what did you have for dinner?] He replied a day later: [Steak.] Me: […] Frustrated, I moved to an offline offensive. I made Chloe set up a movie date. In the theater, watching a horror movie, Ethan watched calmly while I “accidentally” shrieked and buried myself in his chest. When he looked down, I blinked, my voice dripping with vulnerability: “My chest still hurts a little. Dr. Vance, could you check it for me?” I thought my tone was perfect—soft, helpless, irresistible. But he just stared at me. Behind his silver-rimmed glasses, his eyes were deep pools that made my heart flutter. The atmosphere was perfect. I thought he was going to kiss me. Instead, he stiffly pushed me away. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Ms. Hart, watch the movie. Don’t waste your money.” “…” 2 How do I describe my expression at that moment? Total defeat. I never thought I’d strike out this hard! “I can’t do it. I really can’t. Your brother is either asexual or… broken!” I poured myself a drink, planning to get wasted. Chloe howled, clinking her glass against mine in frustration. “I can’t deal with your brother either! A handsome face wasted on a toxic mouth!” “I bought that dress the other day, the one you said looked great? I sent him a photo, and he said it was so tight it looked like it was made for a praying mantis! Has he ever seen a mantis with curves like this?!” I snorted with laughter. Chloe is also superficial. She fell for my brother at first sight. We basically forced them together. We thought married life would be sweet. Instead, it’s blander than a monk’s diet. “And I don’t get it. Is your brother really that busy as a lawyer? He lives in his study! We talk more on WeChat than in person. I suspect he’s seeing someone else!” Chloe’s voice rose. I stared at the swirling liquor and nodded in agreement. “I think your brother has someone too. I walk around in skimpy lingerie, and he doesn’t even flinch! Last time, I asked him what flavor of… protection… he liked, and he seriously said, ‘No rush’!” “If a man has no desire for a woman, he’s just not interested. I hate it! Married and still starving!” “Two dog men.” Chloe slapped my shoulder with conviction. “Divorce. I’m filing tomorrow, you file the day after. We’ll take half their assets and go live our best lives.” My thoughts exactly. 3 Chloe and I are women of action. The next day, we went to get the family registry books (Hukou). Since she was filing first, I went with her to the Vance family estate in the neighboring city. We didn’t tell anyone we were coming. We expected an empty house, but walked in on a group of wealthy housewives playing Mahjong. I whispered to Chloe, “Didn’t you say your mom was traveling?” She looked confused. “She posted from Paris yesterday! Crap, what if she catches us?” Me: “Be sneaky. Do you know where the book is?” “Yes!” She swore she did. Mrs. Vance noticed us, her eyes lighting up. “Haley! What a surprise!” Chloe nervously mumbled an excuse and dragged me into the elevator. However, after searching for ages, we couldn’t find the book. I couldn’t sit still, so I got up to help her look. Just then, Ethan texted me. [Mom said you’re at the estate?] I thought about it and sent a “Yeah” sticker. Ethan: [Have fun. I’ll pick you up after work. I told the chef to make your favorite sweet and sour ribs.] I stared at the message. What the hell? Ethan is in a good mood today? But last night, he rejected me again… Thinking about it made me angry. Last night, Chloe and I got drunk. He and my brother came to pick us up. One for each. Chloe was screaming and crying; I was quiet as a mouse. I wanted to bring up divorce, but I fell asleep in the car. I woke up to Ethan removing my makeup. His face is a huge plus for me. In my drunken state, I was dazzled by his long, pale fingers. I grabbed his hand and put it on my chest, trying my old trick. “Dr. Vance, my heart beats so fast when I see you. Can you soothe it?” I mumbled, leaning into his arms. His breath hitched. He told me to lie down; he’d be done soon. His warm breath on my ear made my heart tingle. So I started stripping. He pulled off my coat, leaving me in a slip dress, one shoulder strap falling down. Water droplets from my face rolled down my collarbone, soaking the silk. I didn’t care. I felt free. I looked at him with hazy eyes and pounced. “Dr. Vance, did we skip the wedding night?” We were close enough to burn. Ethan was sitting on the carpet. I straddled his waist, thinking this was it. Instead, he pinched the bridge of his nose. His large hands stopped me from unbuttoning his shirt. “Haley, you’re drunk. Be good. Stay here, I’ll go make you some hangover soup, okay?” I froze. I didn’t register the gentleness in his voice. I only saw those deep, clear eyes, devoid of any lust. Ethan really feels nothing for me. I burst into tears. “…” Thinking of that humiliating scene, and seeing his text now, I angrily turned off my phone. Just then, the door opened. Mrs. Vance poked her head in. “What are you looking for?” Chloe, frustrated and frantic, blurted out: “The family registry book!” “…” 4 Chaos. The Mahjong game ended. The guests left. In the living room, Mrs. Vance sat us down and looked at Chloe warily. “You want a divorce?” Chloe knew the jig was up. She nodded with the resignation of a martyr. “Yes. It’s pointless.” Mrs. Vance gritted her teeth, looking at her daughter with disappointment. “Who was it that cried and screamed she couldn’t live without Liam? What is this nonsense now?” I felt a pang of guilt. Technically, I also pursued Ethan aggressively. Who knew he was a monk? I wished I was a man so I could just marry Chloe! “Mom, you can’t force love,” Chloe said, pouting. “Liam doesn’t love me.” “I’m staying in Shanghai. There are plenty of fish in the sea, and the models here are way better than that dog Liam!” As she spoke, a tall figure appeared. My brother, Liam, the elite lawyer who is usually meticulous, rushed in with his tie askew, looking panicked. “Chloe.” He walked to her, his voice stiff. “You want a divorce?” “Why? Out of nowhere?” The family group chat blew up. Everyone rushed over. Seeing Ethan stride in, I pursed my lips. He looked cold. He walked to my side, and I subtly moved away. “Not feeling well?” Seeing my face, he leaned down to ask. I didn’t speak. Seeing you makes me unwell! The atmosphere was tense. Liam frowned, trying to hug Chloe, but she shook him off. “Save it. I’ve made my decision.” She glared at Liam. “Go spend your life with your case files! Toxic lawyer!” She grabbed the registry book and tried to drag me away. Ethan caught my arm, his voice deep. “Chloe, marriage isn’t a game.” “And don’t drag Haley into your mess.” Chloe looked at her brother, speechless. “Why are you advising me? You’re getting divorced too.” “…” Silence. Everyone turned to stare at me. … 5 “He… he doesn’t love me.” Facing the barrage of questions, I could only bury my head and twist the hem of my shirt, whispering. Damn it. I couldn’t exactly say, Ethan has a delicious body but won’t let me taste it, and my vibrator is more fun than him, could I? It would make me sound desperate. As soon as I explained, Mrs. Vance produced a cane from nowhere and whacked Ethan on the back. Thwack! It sounded painful. She yelled at him: “What did I tell you? I told you to be proactive, you straight-laced idiot! Now look, your wife is leaving!” Mrs. Vance scolded Ethan thoroughly, then came over to comfort me. She insisted Ethan had never dated before, that there wasn’t even a female mosquito around him before me, and begged me to reconsider. If the brat didn’t change, she’d introduce me to other men herself. Chloe wasn’t having it. “Mom, your son doesn’t act like he’s never dated; he acts like a cold robot! He’s living like an eighty-year-old man. Our Haley is suffering!” I silently gave my bestie a thumbs up. Ethan’s thin lips pressed together. A look of guilt I’d never seen before appeared on his aloof face. He tried to take my hand to say something, but I dodged. No touching without payment! The room fell silent again. Liam couldn’t help but cough. I glared at him. “Bro, honestly, if Chloe doesn’t want you, you need to reflect! With your sharp tongue, you’d kick a passing dog. You’re destined to be single.” “…” Chloe secretly gave me a thumbs up. Mrs. Vance clutched her chest, sighing. “Ethan, it was a blessing that Haley even looked at you, and you treated her so harshly. Too much!” My mom was also on the phone, screaming at Liam. “…” An hour later, Ethan and Liam were still standing there, getting scolded. Dignity? Male pride? Shattered on the floor. I thought they had compromised. But they both decided that even a divorce needed a 30-day cooling-off period. They pulled out black cards, asking us to give them a month to make amends. Ethan pushed his glasses up his nose, walked up to me, and said seriously: “Haley, I neglected you because of work. That’s my fault. I promise to correct my mistakes this month and treat you well.” “That Hermès Himalayan bag you liked will be delivered soon. Take this card. Use it at the Bulgari jewelry salon next week.” I blinked. Before I could process Ethan’s flawless speech. My brother straightened his tie and looked at Chloe: “Ahem, Chloe. I admit I have some occupational hazards. I’m used to being sharp-tongued, but I didn’t mean it. I’m just bad at expressing myself.” “Take this card for pocket money. Didn’t you post about wanting a Steinway piano? I’ll arrange it. Just please, calm down.” “…” Then. They looked at us with deep affection, as if pouring a lifetime of love into this moment. “We absolutely do not agree to a divorce!” “…” Those two cards gleamed with temptation right in front of us. Chloe and I looked at each other. We saw the gold reflection in each other’s eyes. Everyone was waiting for our reaction. My heart itched. Not wanting to lose the upper hand, I spun my brain and snatched my brother’s card. “You think Chloe cares about this little compensation?” Chloe instantly understood and snatched Ethan’s card. “This little money isn’t even enough to fill Haley’s teeth!” Clutching the cards like they might be revoked, we linked arms and speed-walked out. We walked in sync, turning back every two steps to maintain our stance. “Heh, we can’t be bought with a few bucks!”

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