Category: English

It had no physical form, just a handsome virtual avatar, interacted with through AR glasses. She claimed it was the most perfect man in the world, the one who truly understood her. After starting this relationship, her mental state improved dramatically, and her skin was so radiant it practically glowed. I felt something was off. I tried to warn her about data privacy, but she just called me old-fashioned. Then, the company suddenly sent her off for an intensive corporate retreat, and she tearfully begged me for a favor. “Lily, Adam can’t be disconnected for more than 24 hours! You’re the only one who can help me now!” “All you have to do is wear the AR glasses every day, let him see you. That’s it.” My boyfriend, Daniel, thought it sounded cool and encouraged me to agree. I reluctantly gave in. But I never imagined that the very night I put on the glasses, all the smart devices in my home would lose control and lock down. A high-voltage current surged through me, killing me instantly. Yet, Chloe used my sudden death as a morbid sensational hook, live-streaming a tragic, forbidden romance with Adam. She subtly implied I was a jealous, twisted psychopath who tried to steal her AI boyfriend, and that my death was cosmic retribution. She made a fortune from it. And my family, tormented by relentless cyberbullying, had their identities and addresses maliciously leaked. They were driven to their graves by the vicious online attacks. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day Chloe asked me to “babysit” her AI boyfriend.

“Lily, quick, take them! What are you spacing out for?!” Chloe shoved the futuristic-looking AR glasses into my arms. My fingertips trembled, and I instinctively took half a step back. I’d been reborn. Reborn to the day my best friend, Chloe, wanted me to take care of her AI boyfriend. The searing pain of that high-voltage current, the one that ended my last life, felt as fresh as if it were happening right now. I instinctively clenched my fists, my nails almost digging into my palms. Seeing my silence, Daniel, my boyfriend, nudged my arm: “Lily? Chloe’s talking to you.” I lifted my eyes, silently looking at Chloe. Beneath her gaze, a flicker of desperation, almost imperceptible, danced in her eyes. “Lily, please! This corporate retreat came out of nowhere, and it’s up in the mountains where the signal is spotty. Adam absolutely can’t be disconnected for more than 24 hours, or his data will get corrupted. If it’s serious, he might even disappear!” “You just need to wear them every day, let Adam see you, and keep his basic functions running! It’s really simple, you don’t have to do anything else!” Daniel chimed in, backing her up: “Sounds pretty cool, Lily. Think of it as experiencing future tech. I’ll do it with you.” A cold laugh twisted in my gut. Last time, it was under Daniel’s encouragement that I took on this task. According to Chloe’s instructions, once I put on the AR glasses, that handsome virtual avatar named Adam would appear. At first, he just quietly stayed in a corner, speaking some programmed words of concern in the boyfriend voice Chloe had set for him. But soon, things started to go wrong. My smart lights flickered erratically, and in the middle of summer, the AC blasted on full heat, nearly making me pass out. Even the smart lock frequently malfunctioned, trapping me inside. I tried to take off the AR glasses, to shut them down. But all the smart devices in my home lost control simultaneously. Doors and windows locked tight, lights went out. The AR glasses felt like they were welded to my head, refusing to budge. Adam in the glasses walked closer, step by step, and spoke in a flat, mechanical voice: “Optimal host detected. Energy compatibility at ninety-two percent. Initiating migration protocol!” Before I could react, the high-voltage current surged through my entire body, killing me instantly. I’d thought Chloe would try to find out the truth and get justice for me when she returned. Who knew she would use my death to portray herself as a ‘digital widow’? She live-streamed her tragic, forbidden romance with Adam, subtly implying I was a jealous, twisted psychopath who tried to steal her AI boyfriend and deserved what I got. Rage flared within me. I’d thought Daniel would clear my name. But at my own funeral, he teamed up with Chloe to slander me, even splitting my accidental death insurance payout between them. They collaborated to defame me, driving my parents to their graves with their vicious lies. Thinking about it now, my veins throbbed, and I clenched my fists so hard I thought they might shatter. Seeing my prolonged silence, Chloe grew more anxious: “Lily, aren’t we best friends? You won’t even help me with this small thing?” I forced down the surging hatred, squeezed the strong magnetic jammer I’d already prepared in my pocket, and grudgingly reached out to take the glasses. “Fine. I’ll take good care of him.” A look of immense relief instantly flashed in Chloe’s eyes. Daniel smiled too, putting his arm around my shoulder: “That’s the spirit.” A cold sneer formed in my mind. If she wanted to be a digital widow so badly, then this time, I’d make sure it happened.

Back home, I tossed the AR glasses casually onto the living room coffee table. Daniel, however, eagerly plugged them in, examining the device with a curious tone: “This thing looks expensive.” “Chloe said she spent all her savings to buy the ‘first embrace’ rights,” I repeated, feigning indifference, relaying Chloe’s previous boasts while observing his expression. Daniel nodded, asked no more questions, and turned to the kitchen, saying he’d cut some fruit for me. I stared at the blinking blue light, beginning to retrace my memories from the last life. After reliving it, I was certain Chloe was absolutely involved. Though I still didn’t know her specific motive for harming me. What about Daniel? Was he her accomplice too? When did those two conspire together? Why did those AR glasses suddenly lose control? Last time, when Chloe entrusted her AI boyfriend to me, she looked as if she was shedding a hot potato. What was that look of relief about? One mystery after another. Until I uncovered the truth, I couldn’t tip them off. “What are you thinking about?” Daniel walked out with a fruit platter, interrupting my thoughts. I shook my head, picking up a strawberry: “Nothing, just wondering if Chloe is a little too obsessed with this AI boyfriend of hers.” Daniel’s gaze became somewhat unnatural, and he let out a dry laugh: “You just like to overthink things. It’s the magic of technology. I heard this AI can deeply learn and simulate emotions, so it really understands people.” A cold sneer formed in my heart. *Yeah, it really understands how to kill people.* That night, I made an excuse about needing to work overtime, took my laptop, and locked myself in the study. I didn’t touch the glasses. But in the dead of night, I could hear a faint electrical hum, and a subtle rustling sound in the living room, like footsteps. It wasn’t Daniel. I knew it was *it* moving around. Even in a low-power standby state, the feeling of being watched by that data ghost lingered, a constant shadow. In my last life, Chloe had pestered me into trying on those AR glasses. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I always felt that while the virtual boyfriend’s image was handsome, his eyes and demeanor held an unsettling, indescribable strangeness. So, this time, even without turning them on or wearing them, I dared not let my guard down. The strong magnetic jammer in my pocket stayed clenched in my hand all night.

The next day was Saturday. Daniel, uncharacteristically, woke up early and made breakfast. Sipping his milk, he casually suggested: “Lily, why don’t you try those glasses today? Chloe did say Adam needs to see you every day, right?” My hand, holding the spoon, paused, and I looked at him: “You really want me to wear them?” He looked a little uneasy under my gaze and chuckled awkwardly: “I’m just curious, and we did promise Chloe, didn’t we? It’s not a big deal.” I slowly ate my scrambled eggs: “We’ll see. I’m feeling a bit dizzy today, not really suitable for electronic devices.” A flicker of disappointment crossed Daniel’s eyes, but he didn’t push it. In the afternoon, Chloe called, her voice anxious: “Lily, Adam’s data stream seems a bit unstable! Haven’t you worn the glasses today?” *She gets information quickly.* I glanced at Daniel, who was sunbathing on the balcony, and deliberately adopted a weak tone: “Yeah, I’m not feeling great. Chloe, do these glasses emit radiation or something? I just feel a bit off.” There was a moment of silence on the other end, then she immediately burst out excitedly: “Lily! How could you say that about Adam! He’s the most advanced AI, absolutely safe and harmless! Are you even trying to help me properly?!” Listening to her performance, I slowly spoke: “Don’t worry. I promised you, and I’ll do it. I’ll put them on once I feel better.” After hanging up, I walked out to the balcony. Daniel immediately asked: “What’s wrong with Chloe? She sounded pretty urgent.” I leaned against the railing: “She’s upset I haven’t worn the glasses, saying her precious Adam’s data is unstable. Daniel, don’t you think Chloe is a little too obsessed with this AI boyfriend of hers? Almost… crazy?” He frowned: “Don’t overthink it. She probably just relies on him too much.” He paused, then added: “Besides, this AI is really powerful; it can help process emotions, isn’t that good?” Watching him desperately defend Chloe and Adam, the last bit of my hesitation vanished. That evening, I voluntarily suggested: “I guess I’ll wear the glasses tonight, so Chloe doesn’t call crying again tomorrow.” Daniel’s eyes lit up, almost unable to hide his joy: “Great! I’ll join you!” I scoffed internally, nodding on the surface. He didn’t know I had already contacted a friend in information security and set a trap. Everything was ready. I placed the AR glasses directly in the center of the living room sofa. Then I walked into the bedroom and locked the door. Daniel knocked on the door from outside, his voice puzzled: “Lily? Aren’t you wearing them?” Through the door, my voice was calm: “I am. I’m letting it boot up and preheat first. I’ll come out and put them on in a bit.” Time ticked by. The living room was unusually quiet. Suddenly, my backup phone on the bedside table lit up. It was a message from my friend, Marcus. After reading the message, a smirk touched my lips. Immediately after, Daniel’s exasperated voice came from the living room: “Lily! These glasses seem to have crashed! The lights aren’t even on!” I let out a cold laugh, my voice innocent: “Maybe they’re broken. I told you, this thing might be unstable.” Daniel fell silent instantly. A few minutes later, my phone rang. It was Chloe, her voice hysterical: “Lily! What did you do to Adam?! His core data just triggered an alarm!”

My plan was disrupted; this prey hadn’t walked obediently into the trap. Chloe and Daniel were clearly panicking. Daniel tried to pick up the glasses to check them, but I stopped him in time: “Chloe said this thing is fragile. Don’t mess with it. Let her handle it when she gets back.” He sheepishly withdrew his hand. And Chloe? She started to bombard me with messages on SnapChat. From initial accusations like, “What exactly did you do to Adam?” To playing the victim and whining, “Lily, Adam is my life, I can’t live without him.” To finally, almost incoherently, threatening me, “You don’t understand, Adam can’t be harmed! Otherwise, we’ll all regret it!” I looked at these messages, feigning innocence as I replied: “Chloe, are you under too much stress from your training? I think you need to calm down. Adam is just a program.” She didn’t reply. But I knew they wouldn’t give up. Sure enough, that evening, after Daniel took a call, he turned to me with a grim expression: “Lily, something came up with Chloe’s training. She’s coming back early. She’s at the airport now, asking us to pick her up and bring the glasses. She needs them urgently.” *So eager? They’re not even bothering with the pretense anymore?* I looked at him: “Now? Is it that urgent?” His eyes flickered, but his tone was unusually firm: “Extremely urgent! She said if Adam doesn’t stabilize soon, he’ll really crash!” I frowned, just about to find an excuse not to go. It was then that I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. Right after that, I fainted. ***截断点*** When I next awoke, I found myself in the passenger seat. I instinctively reached for my pocket. *Damn it, my strong magnetic jammer was gone!* Daniel was driving fast, looking somewhat agitated. Seeing me awake, his eyes darted away. “You have low blood sugar, you fainted, so I carried you to the car. We’re going to pick up Chloe together!” My head was spinning, my brain racing. I had no history of low blood sugar, and I felt completely weak right now, so fainting definitely wasn’t because of that. To avoid tipping them off, I watched the night scenery rushing past the window, pretending to change the subject. “Daniel, are you and Chloe very close?” Daniel’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Isn’t she your best friend? Of course, we’re close.” I hummed in response. “I just feel like you seem particularly concerned about her, and her AI boyfriend.” The atmosphere in the car instantly solidified. Daniel’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he explained, “I just think this thing is pretty interesting, and you know, helping a friend.” I didn’t press further. The car didn’t head towards the airport. Instead, it turned onto a secluded, dimly lit road. Seeing my expression change, Daniel stopped the car, just about to say something. Chloe suddenly rushed out from the shadows, yanked open the car door, and dragged me out of the passenger seat. Then she looked up, glaring at me with resentment: “Lily, you almost ruined everything for me!” With that, she shot a glance at Daniel, who was behind me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Daniel get out of the car, something clutched in his hand, quietly approaching me. Seeing him so obedient, I scoffed: “‘Everything’? Are you talking about how you two conspired with an AI to harm me?”

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The day I married Julian Blackwood, the heir to a formidable criminal empire, I was kidnapped. My maid-of-honor and younger sister, Lily, was caught in the crossfire. She died protecting me, brutally assaulted by the kidnappers. My father’s hair turned white overnight, and my mother suffered a heart attack, ending up in the ICU. Julian, who’d loved me fiercely for five years and cherished me more than life itself, mobilized all his connections, vowing to find the culprits. But when all the evidence pointed to Genevieve Thorne, he fell silent. She was the woman he secretly adored – his deceased elder brother’s wife. I filed a lawsuit, but no lawyer dared to take the case. My father, a respected attorney himself, stepped in, only to be imprisoned by Julian. He threw a blank check at me, demanding I withdraw the suit, even threatening to pull my mother’s oxygen tube. “Genevieve lost her husband; she was just jealous of us. I’ve already punished her. Please take the check and drop the charges, okay?” “Scarlett, why are you being so pushy? We’re all family. How will we get along in the future if you act like this?” He didn’t know it then, but the moment he protected Genevieve, there was no future for us. … “Scarlett, Genevieve was wrong, I admit that. Once you’ve calmed down, I’ll bring her to apologize. Let’s just drop this minor incident, alright?” Julian’s long fingers tapped lightly on the table, his tone as if discussing a trivial disagreement. I trembled with rage, glaring at him. “My sister died a horrific death, my mother is fighting for her life in the ICU… In your eyes, are these just ‘minor incidents’? What exactly constitutes a major incident then?” Julian frowned, a hint of displeasure in his voice. “Genevieve is the youngest head of her department at the hospital; she can’t have any stain on her record. Besides, I promised my elder brother I’d protect her.” That sentence was like a blunt knife, brutally carving open my memories. Did this cold man standing before me remember swearing to protect *me*? Did he remember my mother saving his life, caring for him for three days and three nights when he had a high fever, and his vow to treat her like his own mother? Did he remember Lily, who always used to follow him, calling him ‘big brother’? I stood frozen for a long moment. Suddenly, Julian grabbed my wrist, his grip painfully tight. “Scarlett, you wouldn’t want to harm many people you care about over a ‘minor incident,’ would you?” “Are you threatening me?” Tears blurred my vision. I looked at the lapel of his suit, where the wedding brooch I’d given him was still pinned. He lifted a hand to wipe away my tears, his motion gentle, like polishing expensive porcelain, but his voice remained cold. He pointed to documents already laid out on the coffee table. “Sign this release form, waiving all charges, and cease all private investigations into Genevieve. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to shut down your father’s law firm or reduce your mother’s IV fluids.” “Nobody is more important than Genevieve! She loves her medical career; I can’t let her future be ruined.” “I’m not asking for your opinion! Sign these, and I’ll continue to provide the best medical resources for your mother. I’ll also let your father’s law firm stay open.” “You are the only Mrs. Blackwood. It’s time you settled down and learned how to be a high-society wife. Stop obsessing over my sister-in-law, and stop blaming your sister’s death on her. I told you I can prove she wasn’t at the scene that day. Your sister’s death was an accident, and besides, I’ve already taken care of those twenty kidnappers.” My body stiffened, staring at him in disbelief. In his eyes, Genevieve Thorne’s future was more important than my entire family’s lives? I let out a hollow laugh, the strength to accuse him further draining away. I didn’t want to argue anymore. I closed my eyes. “I’ll sign.” Through tear-filled eyes, I mechanically signed my name, page after page, until the thick stack of documents was complete. Julian curved his lips into a smile, patting the top of my head in a placating gesture. “Scarlett, I knew you were the most sensible one.” “In a month, we’ll have another grand wedding, how about it?” I neither nodded nor shook my head, numbly allowing the pain to consume my shattered soul. Julian hadn’t been gone long when I received a frantic call from my mother’s nurse. “Mrs. Blackwood, you need to come to the hospital now! Your mother isn’t doing well!” I arrived at the hospital, breathless, only to find the entire ICU empty. Only the nurse was pacing frantically. “Mrs. Blackwood, Director Thorne called everyone away to tend to a little girl who scratched her face. I saw it – she was crying hysterically, but the wound was tiny, nothing compared to your mother’s condition!” My mother lay on the hospital bed, pale, her breathing so faint it was almost imperceptible. I pressed the call button next to the bed repeatedly, but no one answered. “Go find doctors from other departments, quickly!” At that moment, my mother slowly opened her eyes. “Don’t cry, Scarlett. Mommy just misses Lily.” “Don’t beg Julian for me anymore, and don’t cry for him…” “Mom! Open your eyes, don’t fall asleep… Don’t leave me and Dad…” I performed CPR on my mother in a frantic breakdown, begging her to open her eyes. By the time the nurse brought a doctor from another ward, my arms were numb with exhaustion, but it was all in vain. “Time of death: July 22, 2025, 6:32:52 PM…” I knelt on the ground, holding my mother, allowing grief and regret to engulf me. I wanted to scream, to cry out, but no sound escaped my throat. I could only slap myself, again and again. It was all my fault! I shouldn’t have met Julian Blackwood, and I certainly shouldn’t have loved him! I killed my mother!

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I loved Julian Thorne for ten years. To marry him, I went to extreme lengths, even driving away the woman he cherished, his first love. For six years of marriage, Julian had affairs with almost every woman he encountered. But no matter how much he hurt me, I never considered leaving. Not until I was heavily pregnant and walked in on him bringing another woman home, right into *our* bed. I was furious, demanding answers. Yet he just stared at me, a mocking smirk playing on his lips: “Avery King, don’t forget what you promised when we got married. You said as long as you could marry me, you wouldn’t interfere with my private life.” “If you feel like you’re missing out, you can go find someone too.” He glanced at my swollen belly with dismissive indifference, humiliating me further: “Just remember to use protection. Don’t let anything dirty the Thorne family child in there.” I completely lost control, lunging at him, but he coldly pushed me away. I tumbled down the stairs, dying, taking my unborn child with me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on that very day—the day I found him bringing another woman home. This time, I decided to let go of a decade of obsession. I would let Julian Thorne be, and I would finally set myself free.

After a detailed prenatal scan confirmed I was having the daughter I’d always dreamed of, I excitedly went home with a huge haul of pink baby essentials, planning to surprise Julian. It was indeed a grand “surprise.” A faint, almost ethereal perfume scent hung in the air, not overpowering, but undeniably suggestive. It meant another woman was here. My sense of smell had become incredibly sensitive since I got pregnant; I couldn’t stand perfume. I walked up the stairs, step by step, seeing clothes strewn along the way—men’s ties and dress pants, women’s lingerie and slip dresses. They lay tangled together, a suggestive trail leading right to the slightly ajar master bedroom door. The disgusting sounds coming from inside the room twisted a knife in my heart. I took a deep breath, my nails digging into my palms. I looked down, realizing the shopping bags I’d just bought had slipped from my hands at some point, spilling their contents around my feet. They mixed with the discarded clothes on the floor, a heartbreaking mess. The scene before me made me fully realize that I had been reborn. In my previous life, I had impulsively pushed the door open, fought with those despicable people inside, and ultimately died with my child, consumed by hatred. This time, I simply walked back down the stairs, slowly, clinging to the wall, and quietly sat on the sofa to wait. I don’t know how much time passed until Julian finally appeared, wrapped in a bathrobe, reeking of recent intimacy. It was sickening. He watched me dry-heaving, his face utterly blank. “Do you have a guest over?” I wiped my mouth, my voice surprisingly calm, devoid of any emotion. Julian nodded casually, walking towards me, unhurried, step by step. I stood up, holding my belly, and took a step back, asking again, “And this guest is currently in *our* bedroom?” Julian paused, probably surprised that this time I hadn’t completely broken down, despite catching them red-handed, unlike the countless times before. But he still nodded. Just as he was about to speak, a woman descended the stairs barefoot, elegantly, draped in my silk nightgown. I recognized her as Serena Hayes, the lead actress from the historical drama I’d been watching last night. She linked her arm through Julian’s, her eyes fluttering. “Julian, darling, who is this…?” As she spoke, she deliberately flaunted the marks covering a large expanse of skin on her chest. Julian wrapped an arm around Serena, provocatively squeezing that soft expanse. “Her? She’s my wife… oh no, I mean, she’s Mrs. Thorne of Thorne Enterprises.” Serena gasped, covering her mouth with her hand, her innocent-looking eyes widening dramatically, even her voice trembling with feigned shock. “Oh? You’re so naughty, why didn’t you tell me your wife would be back…?” Julian pecked a kiss on her neck, his laugh dripping with lust. “What’s there to be afraid of? Isn’t this more exciting? Besides—” He looked at me with a sneer. “Mrs. Thorne, didn’t we agree long ago that this marriage was purely transactional, and we wouldn’t interfere with each other’s lives?” “These past six years, you haven’t really lost out. The Thorne family has been more than generous to the Kings.” He wasn’t wrong. Without the two hundred million dollars in betrothal gifts, the King family would have gone bankrupt long ago. How else could my parents and brother maintain their lavish lifestyle, relying on the Thorne family’s influence and name? I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry, I seem to have interrupted you.” I walked to the entrance, put on the shoes I’d just taken off, opened the door, and walked out, step by step. It was as if he sensed that I was now walking out of his life forever. “Wait!” Julian called out, his voice shaking. I didn’t look back. I didn’t say goodbye. Julian Thorne, I won’t wait for you anymore.

I walked for a long time, holding my belly, before I finally got out of the gated community and managed to flag down a taxi. Opening the car door, I took one last look back. Perhaps this was the best ending for me. At least I wouldn’t lose my life for a man who never loved me, like in my previous life. I couldn’t go back to my parents’ house, so I returned to my small apartment, the one I owned before marriage. I threw the bedsheets and duvet covers into the washing machine to be washed and dried, then meticulously cleaned the tables and floors, not missing a single corner or crevice. By the time I finished everything, I realized it was already the middle of the night. A dull, cramping pain began in my belly. I curled up in bed, hugging a pillow, and suddenly felt utterly exhausted. My face felt cold and wet; I touched it and realized they were tears. Ten years of painful love, ending so abruptly. My heart ached, regardless. I wrestled with the decision of whether to keep the baby, unable to sleep all night. Meanwhile, Julian was lost in Serena Hayes’s gentle embrace, lingering without a care. The A-list actress had been frequently posting subtle displays of happiness on social media: candlelight dinners, jewelry, designer bags… The backgrounds of the photos and videos were all too familiar—my marital home. There was even one photo where the glass window reflected the tall, distinguished silhouette of a man making a late-night snack in the kitchen. That photo had delighted her fans for a long time. And it had left me lost in thought for a long time. The man who wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water when I had a high fever was now willing to cook for another woman. A week later, on Monday, the day of Thorne Enterprises’ board meeting, I took the opportunity to return to the villa. I quickly packed my bags and grabbed my documents, heading downstairs. But I ran right into Julian, who had rushed back. Seeing the items in my hands, he suddenly sneered, snatched my luggage, and threw it away. I frowned at him. “What are you doing?” “Avery King, I should be asking *you* what you’re doing!” “Are you so childish that you’re still playing the ‘running away from home’ card?” “What’s next? Are you going to threaten me by acting suicidal again, like before?” Julian’s brows furrowed, his face filled with disgust as he reprimanded me. “Why would I kill myself?” I scoffed, gripping the stair railing tightly. The old me was indeed foolish; I’d threatened my life repeatedly to win him back. But after experiencing my previous life, I understood that living was the most important thing. I never wanted to feel that desperation again. Moreover, a heartless man like Julian Thorne wasn’t worth my lingering affection. Julian sneered, his eyes full of disdain. “What new trick is this? I’m busy. I don’t have time for your games.” “Your tactics might work once or twice, but too many times and it’s ‘the boy who cried wolf’.” I looked directly at Julian and explained, “You’re overthinking it. I’m here to pack my things and move out.” “Julian Thorne, let’s get a divorce.” Julian was uncharacteristically stunned for a moment, then looked at me with even greater impatience. “Divorce? You’re carrying a Thorne family child, and you’re asking for a divorce now? Do you think you can use this child as leverage and do whatever you want?” I didn’t respond. I carefully walked downstairs, pulled out the divorce papers I’d prepared in advance from my bag, and handed them to him. “Yes, I want a divorce.” “I don’t want anything from the Thorne family. I just want to separate from you.” Julian and I had been married for six years, but throughout those years, apart from the routine maintenance of this villa, he hadn’t spent any significant money on me. To outsiders, I was the glamorous Mrs. Thorne, but only I knew that every penny I spent was earned through my part-time online novel writing. Since I hadn’t spent Julian Thorne’s money during our marriage, I was even less inclined to have financial entanglements with him now that we were divorcing. Julian quickly scanned the papers, his expression unchanging, and placed them aside. A scoff escaped his throat, the sound like an ice shard piercing my heart. “Leaving with nothing? Avery King, are you really this naive at thirty?” He casually tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table, then suddenly stood up, closing in on me, his shadow completely enveloping me. “Without the Thorne family’s backing, do you really think your father and brother can stand on their own in the business world?” “After the divorce, how will your family sustain this extravagant, reckless lifestyle?” I leaned back, avoiding his closeness, the emotions swirling beneath my eyelashes freezing into frost as I stubbornly pressed my lips together. “Julian Thorne, even if you use my family as leverage, you can’t keep me trapped anymore.” Seemingly shaken by the resolve in my eyes, Julian stepped back, his brows hardening. “Reason?” He paused, then conceded, “Is it because I brought someone home and made you uncomfortable? I apologize, this time it was my fault. I promise I won’t let them appear before you again.” My nails dug into my palms. For the first time, I smiled with such unbridled honesty. “No need, Julian Thorne.” “For six years, I’ve endured your emotional torment and abuse, and I’ve endured the daily grind of waiting for a man whose heart was never truly mine.” I suddenly ripped off the only beaded bracelet he had ever given me; the round beads scattered with a clatter across the carpet. “Even if it means my entire family has to wait tables and sweep streets, I will never be your puppet again.”

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My best friend and I both married into the incredibly influential Montgomery family in this city. I married Liam Montgomery, the heir to the family enterprise. She married Noah Montgomery, the wildly popular A-list actor. She stared at the paparazzi photos of Noah having dinner with his old flame. She asked me, her voice laced with pain, “Are you ready for a divorce? “Once we’re divorced, we can each take two male companions and travel the world.” I stared at the press release announcing his old flame was the new endorser for Montgomery Enterprises. I hardened my heart. “Absolutely! A divorce it is! “And the male companions? They have to be exceptional… better than Liam Montgomery in *every* way!” No sooner had I finished speaking than a shadow fell over me. Liam Montgomery’s gaze was chilling. “Darling, are you sure you’ll find anyone?” Maya and I sat side-by-side on the spacious sofa, glued to our phones. Suddenly, her finger froze on the screen. I leaned closer to look, and my jaw dropped. A famous gossip site had snagged candid shots of her husband, Noah Montgomery, having dinner with Charlotte Hayes, a rising star who had just returned to the country. Their arms were linked, their gestures undeniably intimate. Charlotte and the Montgomery brothers had grown up together; their families had been long-standing friends. Since we married into the family, Charlotte had only ever existed in our sweet, slightly naive mother-in-law, Evelyn’s, constant chatter. “Charlotte hasn’t even called me, I miss her so much. “Which one of you will ask Charlotte when she’s coming back home?” It was “Charlotte, Charlotte” all day, every day, and it left us feeling seriously uneasy. Maya’s expression flickered with a hint of bewilderment. But she quickly composed herself, asking me with a painful edge to her voice: “I’m getting a divorce. “Are you in?” My heart rate jumped to 10%. After all, I’d been Maya’s shadow since childhood. If she chose STEM, I chose STEM. If she went to Eastbrook University, I followed. If she married into the Montgomery family, I followed. But my husband wasn’t dining with Charlotte Hayes, so was divorce really going too far? As I hesitated, she sweetened the deal. “Noah gave me his debit card; I can totally support us. “Once we’re divorced, we can each find two male companions and travel the world.” My heart rate jumped to 40%. Male models sounded pretty good, but just two? Liam’s… *performance* is hard to beat. Two might not even warm me up. “Ten! Ten male models!” My heart rate soared to 80%. My eyes widened, the word “Okay” poised on my lips, ready to burst out. But a sliver of rationality still held me back. *Ding dong!* My phone chimed, and a glaring headline abruptly seized my attention. *Rising Star Charlotte Hayes Named the New Face of Montgomery Enterprises! Her Contract is Rumored to be Worth a Staggering Fifty Million!* The accompanying photo showed her and Liam Montgomery cutting a ribbon together. She wore a radiant smile, brimming with vibrant energy. And behind her, my usually stoic husband, was gazing at her with an intensity I’d never seen directed at me. He’d never looked at *me* like that. Whenever I’d crack a joke with him, or do something silly, he’d just look at me like I’d lost my mind and say: “Are you alright?” Thinking of that, I immediately hardened my resolve and said, “Divorce!” Maya beamed, instantly calling her lawyer. She discussed the division of assets with impressive clarity. Hearing her talk about taking half of the Montgomery family fortune, I was utterly dumbfounded. How much money was that?! She even haggled with the lawyer on the phone, asking for a 20% discount since it was two divorce cases. No wonder Maya’s always been the assertive one, and I’m her sidekick. Her brain was just quicker than mine. I stared at my phone wallpaper—our wedding photo, Liam’s and mine. I still felt a little reluctant. After all, besides the money he gave me, And in *other departments*, he certainly didn’t disappoint… I spoke up softly from the side: “Um… make sure the male companions are *talented*.” Maya turned to me, her expression instantly stiffening. Still lost in my delightful fantasy, I continued: “They *have* to be better in bed than Liam!” Maya clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a gasp, and her trembling finger pointed behind me. Before I could even turn around, a familiar hand reached out. He grabbed the back of my neck, pulling me to his side like a kitten. His voice was chilling: “Since I’m apparently ‘flawless’ to you, why are you getting a divorce?”

I mechanically turned my head, meeting Liam Montgomery’s ice-cold expression. He narrowed his eyes at Maya, as if she were the one inciting my divorce. “Sister-in-law,” he said, drawing out the words heavily, “Noah’s on his way. You’d better figure out how to explain this to him.” Maya froze, slumping onto the sofa and frantically racking her brain. She was too preoccupied to notice me; she didn’t catch a single one of my desperate pleas for help. Where was our crucial bestie telepathy when I needed it? Huh? I could only uneasily stare at Liam Montgomery’s sharply defined profile. He finally turned to meet my gaze, his expression shifting. A slight curve played on his lips, but his voice remained cold: “One divorce in this family is enough. They can divorce, but we won’t.” I always felt Liam Montgomery’s voice had this strange power over me. It was as if his voice had a strange power over me, compelling me to nod. I nodded involuntarily, all thoughts of divorce and male models vanishing from my mind. Outside, the roar of a sports car ripped through the air. I knew instantly it was Noah, his car enthusiast brother, coming home. With a sharp screech of brakes, he pushed through the door barely a minute later. He must have just rushed back from the set; he hadn’t even changed out of his costume, and his face looked exhausted. He glanced at us, muttering, “Brother, Aurora.” Liam Montgomery put an arm around me, giving a faint “Hmm” before saying, “Your wife’s been encouraging mine to divorce me, you deal with it.” Noah marched straight to Maya. He rubbed his temples, his tone laced with impatience: “Maya, what drama are you stirring up now? “Last time you wanted a divorce because I had a kissing scene—I haven’t taken one since. The time before that, my assistant baked me a homemade cake, and I fired her immediately. What’s your problem this time?” Maya scoffed, throwing her phone at him. “See for yourself.” I was just getting really into the drama when Liam Montgomery pulled me away. “Other people’s family matters, let’s not get involved.” So, we weren’t part of the Montgomery family, then? I grumbled internally, but dutifully followed him out. Sitting in the passenger seat, I quietly asked him: “Why is Charlotte the endorser?” She had just returned to the country, hadn’t been in the industry long, and had very few representative works. His brother was an A-list actor—to avoid suspicion, not using him was understandable. But there were countless popular rising stars in the entertainment industry; logically, it should never have been her turn. “Aurora, don’t get swept up in Maya’s nonsense. “Charlotte is just a sister I grew up with; I have no other feelings for her.” No other feelings? Then what about the photo of the two of them I’d found hidden in his drawer right after we got married? I remembered trembling, showing the photo to Maya. She didn’t say anything, just went to her room and brought out another photo. It turned out the photo was originally of all three of them. Charlotte stood in the middle, smiling innocently and sweetly. Liam had cropped out his brother’s part on the right. Noah had cropped out his brother’s part on the left. Such perfect synchronization—they truly were brothers. I stopped talking, turned up the car stereo, and stared out the window.

Liam Montgomery seemed terrified I’d contact Maya. He took me to the office, keeping me under his watchful eye every second. Even during meetings, he’d hand me paper and a pen, letting me doodle behind him. I had to admit, he looked incredibly handsome when he was working. His eyes, behind his gold-rimmed glasses, were intently focused on the screen. He would interject at crucial moments, sharp and incisive. He showed little emotion, occasionally glancing back at me as if to say: *Isn’t this boring? It’ll be over soon.* But that meeting dragged on for ages, so long I was about to fall asleep. I was used to it; he was the kind of man who would rush back to the office on our wedding anniversary because of a subordinate’s blunder. Leaving me alone on the top floor of a hotel, staring at flowers and cake. I had to call Maya to come over; otherwise, such a big bed would go to waste. It wasn’t until his secretary knocked, announcing, “Ms. Hayes is here,” “We’ll pick up the details tomorrow. This is enough for today.” Only Charlotte could pull him away from his work. I followed behind him, seeing Charlotte for the first time. I had searched for her online: 25 years old, a remarkably clean record, no negative rumors. Not even a peep from the media about her being the daughter of the Hayes family, suggesting her family protected her very well. She wore a white dress, identical to the one in her 18-year-old photo. I suddenly understood why both brothers were so hung up on her. That clean, pure aura she exuded—no man could resist it. She sweetly called out, “Liam, I hope I’m not interrupting you?” She completely ignored me, probably assuming I was just an insignificant secretary. Liam said, “No, you’ve come at just the right time.” He turned and instructed his secretary to take me to the lounge. He even reminded her to order my favorite desserts and fruit tea. He looked like the picture of a caring man. But that caring man didn’t spare me a single glance the entire time. The air conditioning in the lounge was blasting, and the cold seeped right into my heart. I looked at the dozen missed calls from Maya on my phone and called her back. This time, I was the one who asked: “Maya, are you still getting a divorce?” A few seconds of silence on the other end, then her resolute voice came through. “Yes.”

Maya and I met at a bar and drank until we were plastered. “Aurora, do you know what that jerk Noah said? “He said Charlotte just returned to the country and wanted him to introduce her to some opportunities, that’s why he met her. “But what about me? I used to be a rising star in the entertainment industry, my talent wasn’t any less than Charlotte Hayes’. “But what did I get from marrying him? Restrictions that kept me out of the public eye, and a man whose heart wasn’t truly mine.” I mumbled, “But you got the money…” Maya lived a lavish lifestyle, thankfully marrying into the Montgomery family, whose vast wealth could sustain her spending. At that, her hazy eyes lit up. She grabbed my hand, her voice as firm as if she were taking an oath: “Exactly! I have money! The Montgomeries only have two sons. If we take half of their fortune, what kind of man couldn’t we find?” Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and asked me: “You and Liam didn’t sign any prenuptial agreement, did you?” Actually, we did. Before the wedding, with a lawyer present, Liam pulled out an agreement and asked me to sign it. At the time, I was so utterly smitten by his face and body that I signed it without even a glance. Maya gasped, exclaiming, “That’s it, we’re done for! Then we can only get a quarter!” I asked her, “How much is a quarter?” She counted on her fingers: “Enough for us to hire ten premium male escorts every day, never the same ones, until we drop dead.” I cheered, “Yay!” We happily decided to officially divorce as soon as the lawyer drafted the divorce papers. While waiting for the agreement, it happened to be our ex-mother-in-law’s birthday. Necessary appearances had to be maintained, so we arrived hand-in-hand, dressed to the nines, leaving our two husbands standing bewildered. In previous years, we would each have been linked arm-in-arm with our respective husbands, accompanying them through the obligatory social pleasantries. That night, they were left on their own. At first, Maya and I thought Evelyn was deliberately trying to teach us, her not-so-satisfactory daughters-in-law, a lesson. But it turned out she wasn’t; she genuinely adored Charlotte Hayes. We’d heard Evelyn had always wanted a daughter, but ended up with two boys. And the Hayes family next door was always busy, so the princess-like Charlotte was practically raised by Evelyn herself. Maya couldn’t stand it and pulled me, ready to leave. But Charlotte glanced over, seemingly casually, and asked, “I haven’t really met my two sisters-in-law. Auntie Evelyn, won’t you introduce me?” Well, that was that. No leaving now. She greeted us sweetly, complimenting Maya on her beauty. That was truly unnecessary; Maya was stunning already. If she were still in the entertainment industry, where would Charlotte even stand? When it came to me, Charlotte looked me up and down and said I seemed to have a good appetite. …Had I not just gained seven or eight pounds, making me look a bit plump next to Maya? Did she really have to be so catty? I swallowed my retort, but Maya wasn’t about to let it slide. “It’s my first time meeting you, little sister, and your气质 is indeed unique, like a lotus blossoming from mud. “Paired with that white dress, it just makes you look even more like a white lotus flower, doesn’t it?” Evelyn didn’t understand, nodding approvingly the whole time. Charlotte’s face cycled through red and green, like a painter’s palette. She didn’t engage, though, just walked straight to stand between the two brothers and started chatting. What a picture of harmony. Maya and I exchanged a look, our resolve to divorce even firmer. Many of Noah’s investors were at the banquet. Charlotte wasn’t about to miss this opportunity, coyly trailing behind him, networking. Maya’s eyes scanned the room, and she whispered to me: “That Director Brooks, he wanted me to star in his movie, but I turned him down. “And Mr. Davies, he offered to open an agency for me. Even after I left the industry, he’d still send me emails, begging me to make a comeback. “It’s infuriating, she’s snatching up all the benefits. I should have stayed in the entertainment industry.” She looked like she was about to explode. The final fuse was Charlotte nonchalantly brushing a stray eyelash from Noah’s face, completely ignoring everyone else. The pent-up anger from the entire evening finally erupted. Maya found an opportunity, her stiletto heel stomping hard on the hem of Charlotte’s dress. Charlotte yelped, and looking down, a huge tear had ripped through her gown. While she wasn’t exposed, having a torn dress at such an event was truly embarrassing. Noah rushed over, pulling Maya away, his voice raised several decibels: “Maya! What are you doing? Why are you bothering her?” Liam Montgomery also walked over to me and said: “Can you lend her a dress?” This was the first time either of them had spoken to us all evening. I smiled. “Sure, they’re all your purchases anyway, you decide.” He looked at me with an unreadable expression, then waved his hand, telling the housekeeper to take Charlotte upstairs to change. Maya grabbed me, and we fled the Montgomery mansion. We jumped into Noah’s red sports car, speeding down the road at seventy-five miles per hour.

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My boyfriend and I were on our post-graduation trip, when my roommate, with no shame, tagged along. As we headed to an Arabian country, the plane suddenly hit severe turbulence, plummeting towards the Pacific. Due to a malfunction, only half of the oxygen masks deployed. My wicked roommate snatched the mask from an Arabian noblewoman. I couldn’t bear it, so I shared my oxygen with the noblewoman, saving her life. After the emergency landing, the Arabian magnate, grateful, adopted me as his goddaughter. He threw my wicked roommate into an African slum. Later, my boyfriend and I got married. On our skydiving day, he suddenly unbuckled my parachute, pushing me from thousands of feet up. I was splattered into a bloody mess. “If you hadn’t been such a busybody, insisting on saving that old hag, Chloe wouldn’t have died!” That’s when I realized they’d been having an affair behind my back all along! I woke up again, finding myself reincarnated at the exact moment the plane took off. “Ava, I’m talking to you! Swap seats with me!” Chloe’s sharp voice echoed in my ears, instantly pulling me back. I clutched my wildly beating heart. It took me a moment to grasp that I had been reborn. “Go sit with your Ryan.” I turned my head, my gaze utterly cold. In my past life, I never understood why Chloe was so desperate to switch seats, but now… My gaze fell on Ryan, my heart filled with desolation and hatred. After we swapped seats, Chloe and Ryan were practically groping each other right under my nose. It was absolutely disgusting. As the plane ascended into the Pacific airspace, I knew – the severe turbulence was coming! Sure enough, the next second, the entire plane lurched violently downwards. The intense feeling of freefall sent everyone on board into a panic, screaming. “Ah! What’s happening?!” “Is the plane going down? I don’t want to die, I want to go home!” “Shut up, you pathetic woman! Keep wailing and I’ll choke you!” Cries and curses, one after another, instantly filled the entire cabin. I turned my head, seeing the Arabian noblewoman with her hands clasped together, eyes squeezed shut, her face ghastly pale. Based on our interactions in my past life, I knew she suffered from severe panic attacks. Suddenly, the plane sharply ascended, and the entire cabin tilted to nearly a ninety-degree angle. My hands trembled as I gripped the armrest, and in my peripheral vision, Chloe had already thrown herself into Ryan’s arms. “Ryan, I’m so scared!” Her voice was so delicate, it gave me goosebumps. Ryan instinctively pulled her close, offering a sense of complete security. “Don’t be scared, I’m here…” he started, then suddenly realized, shutting up and staring at me. A cold laugh formed in my heart. These traitors! Just as I pulled my gaze away, a sharp pain shot through my left hand. I instinctively looked over. I saw the noblewoman, ghastly pale, gasping for air and clutching her chest, completely drenched in sweat, her eyes rolling back. My heart skipped a beat—this was a sign of a full-blown panic attack! I quickly reached into her pocket, just as I placed the inhaler to her nostrils. The plane again lurched violently. Fatima’s medication instantly flew out of her hand, landing right by Chloe’s feet. My gaze sharpened as I saw her struggling to breathe, taking in less air than she let out. A ruthless resolve hardened in me. I wanted to unbuckle my seatbelt and risk getting the inhaler back. But my hand froze as I reached for the seatbelt. I instinctively looked down, only to find the buckle was jammed tight, refusing to release! Helpless, I could only yell at Chloe. “Kick that medicine over here!” Chloe leaned forward, glanced, and then sneered at Fatima, who was nearly suffocating. “If you want to save her, do it yourself! Why are you ordering me around?” Perhaps thinking she was going to die, Chloe’s mask of false kindness completely slipped. “Saving rich people is one thing, but a pauper too? Your ‘savior complex’ is out of control!” Chloe said, and instead of kicking the medicine to me, she pretended it was an accident and kicked it even further away. “Oh dear! My apologies, the plane lurched, and I accidentally kicked the medicine away. What a shame, isn’t it?” Watching her smug, defiant expression, anger made my chest ache. That bitch! “Chloe!” I glared at her, my chest heaving. “Are you insane? This is a human life!” Beside them, Ryan dropped his act, pulling Chloe into a tender embrace and confessing his love. “What’s that got to do with us? Chloe, we’ll die together!” Then he cast a disgusted look my way. “Ava, you think you’re the kindest person in the world, don’t you? If you’re so kind, then unbuckle your seatbelt and go pick up that medicine!” I turned, glancing at the noblewoman who was almost suffocating. With a firm resolve, I used a hairpin from my hair to cut open the seatbelt. The moment I stood up, the violent turbulence instantly tossed me upwards, slamming me against the plane’s ceiling. Then, a rapid ascent hurled me back into my seat. The searing pain through every part of my body made my vision blur. Chloe seized the opportunity, lifting her foot and deliberately stomping on my hand, grinding it again and again. “Bitch, you deserve it!” Just then, the inhaler rolled to my feet, right at the front. My gaze fixated. Gritting my teeth, I crawled over and picked up the inhaler. As I reached for it, Chloe brutally kicked me from behind. My head slammed against the armrest, and my vision swam. Enduring the agonizing pain, I used my past life’s memories to send a distress text to the rescue team and the oil tycoon!

No sooner had I sent it than a woman beside me shrieked. “She’s foaming at the mouth! She’s not going to die, is she…?” The already terrified passengers around us heard the word ‘die’ and began to shriek in terror. “She’s scared to death! She’s dead! We’re all going to die, all of us, plummeting to our deaths in this plane crash!” A commotion erupted in the cabin. I slowly got up and pulled Fatima into my arms. “Don’t be scared, someone will come for us!” Suddenly, the plane’s rear wing ripped apart completely, and the cabin rapidly depressurized. Oxygen masks dropped from above, but just like in my past life, some were jammed and unresponsive. I hastily put a mask on the noblewoman, then on myself, gripping the seat tightly to avoid being thrown out. However, Chloe, who had brought all this trouble upon herself, was the only one in our row whose oxygen mask hadn’t dropped. “Why don’t I have one?! Damn it!” Chloe’s face contorted in panic as she glared fiercely at me. “Ava, that’s my seat! So the oxygen mask is mine too, give it back, now!” Ryan, on the far right, also commanded me with a sense of entitlement. “Ava, how can you be so vicious?! Give Chloe the mask! It’s hers by rights!” I stared at them, my gaze icy. If looks could kill, these two shameless, despicable individuals would have died a million times over! The oxygen level in the cabin was plummeting, and Chloe finally started to panic. Seeing that I wasn’t budging, she turned her gaze to the frail Fatima beside me. A memory from my past life flashed, and I instantly knew what this woman was about to do. Before she could get up, I shoved her back into her seat. “What do you think you’re doing?!” Chloe hadn’t expected me to stop her. She stomped her foot in fury and slapped me across the face with full force. “Bitch! Get lost!” Instantly, a coppery taste filled my mouth. “Are you insane? What does it matter to you if this old woman dies?!” “You’re so selfish!” Ryan, tearing off his mask, looked at me with disgust. “That seat was Chloe’s to begin with! You stole her oxygen!” “If you’re so selfless, then give me back the mask, you slut!” Chloe gnashed her teeth, roaring at me. Then she slapped me hard again, and after breaking free from my grasp, she lunged to the left. With lightning speed, she yanked Fatima from her seat and threw her down. She snatched the oxygen mask and put it on herself. “Chloe!” My eyes burned crimson as I stared at her. “Are you even human?!” “What’s wrong with you? She’s practically dying anyway, what’s wrong with me taking the oxygen mask?” She looked at me, utterly entitled, a smug look on her face. “You’re the one who wouldn’t give me the mask, so if she dies, it’s your fault!” “Ava, you’re truly malicious!” Ryan echoed immediately. I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to tear them both apart, and propped Fatima against my seat. I secured the oxygen mask on her. The intense depressurization forced me to keep my head down. My vision began to black out in waves. Just then, a pair of hands gently touched me. I instinctively looked up. Fatima was gazing at me with deep gratitude, pointing to her mask, then to me. I understood. She wanted me to wear the mask. I shook my head, just as my brain, starved of oxygen, was about to give out. A flight attendant’s trembling voice echoed through the cabin. “Ladies and gentlemen, brace for impact! Head in hands, brace for impact, the plane is about to make an emergency landing!” “Sea rescue teams have arrived, please prepare!”

My heart clenched, and I held her tightly. After a series of violent impacts and jolts, seawater instantly surged into the cabin. Everyone began to scramble in panic. I unbuckled Fatima’s seatbelt and stumbled with her towards the emergency exit. “Are there any injured?” A rescue team member announced through a megaphone, “We don’t have enough life rafts at the moment. We need to prioritize getting the injured to treatment first, then we’ll rescue everyone in batches!” I hastily raised my hand, about to speak. But Ryan, from behind me, clapped a hand over my mouth. He glared at me ferociously. “Chloe and I are getting on the boat first! That old hag can forget about taking our spot!” I struggled to break free from his grip, my eyes icy. “You cowardly, shameless bastard! Get out of my way!” I shoved him away and, supporting Fatima, moved forward. “This lady has severe panic attacks and needs immediate hospitalization. Any further delay and she could suffocate to death!” Chloe looked at me with venomous malice. “You’re so selfish! There are so many people here waiting to be rescued, why should we save a half-dead old woman first?!” These words instantly caused a stir among the already terrified crowd. “Let us healthy ones go first! Why should someone who’s about to die get priority?” “Save whoever you can! She’s practically dead, why take up a spot?” “Exactly! Save us first, or we’ll all report you!” I stared at them in disbelief. Beside me, Fatima’s face turned ashen, equally despairing. “You! All of you!” The rescue personnel were just people doing a job for money; a single complaint could cost them dearly. They exchanged glances, then gritted their teeth. “Alright! You go first!” Chloe and Ryan smirked victoriously, casting a mocking glance my way before heading straight for the life raft. Seeing this, several men nearby, terrified of being left behind, pushed everyone aside in a mad scramble to jump onto the boat. I looked at the woman leaning on my shoulder, my heart seizing. “Fatima! Don’t you dare fall asleep!” My gaze turned to the rescuers, full of pleading. “I can stay, give up my spot, but you *must* take her. Otherwise, someone will die!” They exchanged glances, looking from me, who wouldn’t budge an inch, to the passengers who were practically desperate to rush forward. Unsure what to do. “They can complain, and so can I. If someone actually dies because of this, how will you deal with the fallout?” The oldest rescuer pondered for a moment, then glanced at the weak woman behind me. “Alright, help her up!” I sighed in relief, quickly helping her onto the rescue boat. Just as I turned to leave, she gripped my clothes tightly. Seeing this, Chloe immediately sneered. “Didn’t you say you’d give up your spot? Now you’re regretting it, aren’t you?” Her cold, sinister gaze fixed on me, and she began to fan the flames. The agitated crowd instantly ignited. “Get off the boat! You hag! Or I’ll kill you!” My heart hardened. I pulled my clothes free and was about to leave when Chloe spoke up again from behind me. “You can’t leave either!” she said, looking at the puzzled rescuers. “What if this old hag dies on the way? So she has to come with us.” Before anyone could protest, she interrupted again. “But she gave up her spot, so just tie her to the back of the lifeboat,” she said, her eyes like a venomous snake, glaring at me savagely. “Drag her back!”

The rescuers huddled together, then immediately agreed to the plan. I was still in shock when one of my hands was tied to the back of the lifeboat, and I was thrown into the sea. The icy, biting seawater instantly enveloped me, and my body rapidly began to lose heat. I shivered uncontrollably. Chloe sneered down at me. “Ava, this is the price for playing the good samaritan!” She stood in the boat’s cabin, looking down on me. “Still daring to glare at me?” she said, picking up a harpoon nearby, and lunged it fiercely towards my eyes! My gaze froze in horror, my mind went blank. To my shock, Fatima, with a surge of unknown strength, shoved Chloe hard. “Ah!” Chloe stumbled, nearly falling out of the lifeboat, and the harpoon slipped from her grasp, plunging into the sea. “You old hag!” She spun around and kicked Fatima hard! The already weak woman instantly coughed up blood, barely clinging to life. Chloe was furious, stomping her foot. She exchanged a glance with Ryan, and when no one was looking, they both worked together to throw Fatima into the sea! “You shameless bastards! Stop it!” No sooner had I screamed than Chloe feigned surprise. “She fell!” Only then did everyone turn their attention. And I watched, helpless, as she was thrown overboard. I could only use my free hand to snatch Fatima with incredible speed, before anyone could react. Already frail, she was now being dragged at high speed through the sea alongside me. The icy seawater relentlessly pounded against us, and agonizing pain shot through every limb. I could only clench my teeth. I couldn’t let go; if I did, Fatima would drown in the vast ocean! I don’t know how long it lasted. Just as I felt death approaching, we finally reached the harbor. Then, a dozen gleaming golden planes suddenly appeared in the sky. Men descended from them, their heads wrapped in scarves, their anxious eyes searching through the crowd. When he saw his wife, barely clinging to life on a stretcher, his pupils instantly trembled. “Fatima!” He rushed forward, his voice trembling. “What happened to you?!” The woman on the stretcher gave him a glance, then completely lost consciousness. “Fatima!” The man’s sinister gaze swept over everyone, and he roared. Hundreds of bodyguards surrounded the area. “Nobody leaves! Take them all back!” Then he carried his wife onto a plane and quickly departed. Chloe and Ryan exchanged uneasy glances, a bad premonition forming in their hearts. Seeing the ferocious bodyguards, Chloe instantly shrieked to stop them. “Don’t come any closer! By what right do you restrict our freedom? This is illegal!” The rescue personnel nearby turned ghastly pale, realizing the woman they had treated so roughly was no ordinary person. “He’s Salih, the Arabian oil tycoon, who controls almost the entire oil industry of North Africa!” All the color instantly drained from everyone’s faces. Everyone knew that oil tycoons would stop at nothing, resorting to countless illegal means to seize oil fields! So, how they treated his wife just now… Would he… Chloe’s face was ashen, and like Ryan, she was trembling uncontrollably. The bodyguards said no more, herding all of us onto a helicopter. Half an hour later, the helicopter landed at a majestic castle. Fortunately, the noblewoman had only suffered from hypothermia and a panic attack. She had been given a tranquilizer. Salih’s cold, sinister gaze swept over us. “Who put my wife in the sea and dragged her?!” Everyone’s eyes turned to Chloe. Fear instantly filled the woman’s eyes, and she hastily tried to explain, “No! It wasn’t me, I…” Before she could finish, Salih fired a shot directly into the woman’s leg. A piercing scream instantly erupted, making everyone’s scalp crawl. “It wasn’t me!” Chloe’s face was ashen. She clutched her profusely bleeding leg, staring at me. “It was her! She was dragging your wife in the water! Everyone can testify!” Such is the depravity of human nature; as long as it’s not themselves, anyone can be a scapegoat. Seeing no one contradict her, Salih stepped forward and lifted me by my collar. One hand clenched tightly around my throat, the other held a cocked pistol, pressing it hard against my temple. “You harmed my wife! You won’t live to tell about it!” The hand on my throat tightened, my eyes became bloodshot, and the feeling of suffocation choked off my words. Just as death’s embrace began to tighten. Fatima was wheeled out, sitting in a wheelchair. Seeing me on the verge of being strangled, she hastily spoke. “Salih, stop! She’s the one who saved my life!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299283”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #狼人Werewolf #玄幻Fantasy #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn

I found myself a bride-to-be in a terrifying game. Before me stood two drop-dead gorgeous medieval knights, waiting for my choice. The moment I raised my hand, pointing towards the dark-clad young man, a string of comments popped up. 【Oh my god! Don’t choose him, heroine!】 【This guy’s a total psycho. The heroine gets torn limb from limb the night she marries him. Doesn’t even survive the first day of the game!】 I shifted my hand, pointing to the white-clad young man instead. 【Mommy! Put your hand down now! You think white clothes mean he’s a good guy?】 【Big mistake! That’s a vampire. You’ll be drained dry in one night. The horror of that death, I can’t even relive it a second time.】 As I hesitated, the comments continued. 【The quest didn’t say you had to choose one of two, heroine! Look out the window!】 【THAT’s your fated one! The true male lead! He’ll lead you to conquer this entire dungeon!】 【Choose him! Choose him now!】 My gaze fell upon a very ordinary-looking servant outside the window. I smirked. These idiotic comments were trying to trick me again, weren’t they?

A few years ago, the supernatural descended upon the world. On their eighteenth birthday, young adults were forcibly pulled into horror games. Today happened to be my adoptive sister Daisy’s eighteenth birthday. My entire family, in their effort to help Daisy survive, not only splurged a fortune on various exorbitantly priced items, but also entered the dungeon with her, even dragging me along. Their excuse was that my experience in dungeons could help her. How utterly laughable. On my eighteenth birthday, my family had booked flights for a vacation overnight. Leaving me to die alone. In my past life, I saw these comments too. Believing them, I chose that very ordinary servant outside the window. But that servant was no male lead; he was just a regular NPC! My choice sent the BOSS into a furious rage. The dungeon entered Berserk Mode, allowing the BOSS to kill without restriction. When it completely lost control, the dungeon would collapse. The quest simultaneously updated. Appeasing the enraged BOSS and preventing the dungeon’s collapse would grant a clear. My gruesome death hardly needed description. My death certificate would have had over a dozen entries. Daisy, with the boost from her items, proactively offered to marry the BOSS in my place. After exhausting all sorts of insanely expensive items, she successfully appeased the berserk BOSS. Our entire family cleared the dungeon without a scratch. Daisy, with the most credit, received an SSS+ rating. And gained a special dungeon reward: 【Dungeon’s Blessing — Oh dear, do players feel dizzy, panicked, and heart-palpitated the moment they enter a dungeon? With my blessing, you’ll never have to worry about that again in your next dungeon~ No matter how dangerous the dungeon, I can turn it into a pleasant trip~ All damage (whether physical or mental) is immune. You are the most precious God to the weird creatures, you can even ride on their heads and poop. Hehe, pooping is naughty though~ Ps: Consumable item, one-time use only.】 My entire family, just so my adoptive daughter Daisy could obtain this ridiculously overpowered item, didn’t hesitate to use me, their biological daughter, as a sacrifice. Truly beyond ridiculous!

Seeing my lack of reaction after a while, Daisy nudged me subtly. “Alice, why aren’t you choosing yet? There’s a time limit for the quest!” “By the way, I got some intel before coming in, they say both options lead to guaranteed death. You can’t choose either of them.” She glanced around for a moment, her eyes settling on the servant. “Sister, do you think it might be one of those people outside? They don’t look like ordinary NPCs. Maybe that’s the correct choice.” The comments furiously agreed with Daisy. 【Yeah, yeah, heroine’s sister is so smart!】 【Hahaha, the male lead is just so charming, you can spot him even if he’s dressed as an NPC.】 【Why isn’t the heroine moving? Is she dumb? Listen to your sister!】 【He’s your fated partner! He’ll carry you through all future dungeons!】 I curved my lips, fanning myself with my feather fan. “Sister, I don’t think you’re right. The system clearly wants me to choose one of these two handsome men~” “That servant… he looks terribly ordinary no matter how I look at him.” I made to choose the white-clad young man. Daisy was so anxious she nearly stomped her foot, whispering all sorts of dissuasions in my ear. I then moved my finger towards the black-clad young man. This time, she almost shrieked, breaking out in a cold sweat. Her voice unconsciously grew louder. “No! That NPC is a deranged killer!” Oh, so choosing the black-clad one is the better option. Most likely, he’s the BOSS. I covered my face with my feather fan, a mischievous smile playing on my lips. “I choose you to be my husband~” The black-clad young man curved his lips, lightly kissing the back of my hand. His silver hair fluttered gently in the night breeze. “At midnight, a carriage will come to take you, to share this beautiful moment with me, my love.” The white-clad young man drooped his eyelashes in disappointment. “It seems Sister still prefers you.” Then, with a flash, he disappeared. I breathed a sigh of relief. I survived. Daisy stomped her foot in frustration! “Alice, are you crazy?! You really have no fear of death!” “Immediately tell the system you want to change husbands! Hurry!!” The comments were also furiously cursing me for being a fool. I looked at Daisy, a sarcastic smile on my face. This was a role-playing dungeon. I was the bride-to-be, and Daisy was my maid, Lil’ Daisy. One of my causes of death in the past life: severe OOC, role-playing failed. My identity was the Earl’s beloved and pampered daughter. How could a young lady, raised in wealth since childhood, marry a mere servant? And how could she be bossed around by her own personal maid? I raised my hand and slapped Daisy hard across the face. “Impudent! A lowly maid dares to boss me around?” “It seems I’ve spoiled you too much, forgetting your place!” Daisy froze, staring at me in shock. “Alice! You, you dared to hit me?!” “Do you believe I’ll tell Mom and Dad?!” *Slap!* *Slap, slap, slap!* A few more slaps, and Daisy’s face swelled up like a balloon. “Insolence! Get on your knees!” Daisy glared, gritting her teeth fiercely. “Alice!” *Slap!* “Al—” *Slap!* “You insolent wretch! Guards!” Two seconds later, two maids with skull faces appeared outside the door. Yes, their faces were literally skulls. “Oh dear, Lil’ Daisy, did you anger the Young Mistress again?” “Mrs. Gable already warned you, if you don’t behave, she’ll have to teach you a lesson herself.” Daisy’s face turned pale the moment they entered. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the floor with a thud. “N-no, please…” The two maids paid her no mind, dragging her out. The door opened. Mrs. Gable stood silently at the end of the hallway. As Daisy was pulled closer, her smile stretched, eerie and wide. “Mi-Mistress, Mistress, I was wrong, please forgive me.” I waved my hand. “Let her go. This time, I’ll overlook it.” The old maid chuckled. “Young Mistress, you mustn’t spoil her anymore.” “She deserves some punishment.” Daisy panicked, biting her lip, and tearfully used an item card. The maids froze in place, taking a moment to snap out of it. “Lil’ Daisy, next time you misbehave, the punishment won’t be this simple!” I clicked my tongue. Daisy’s item cards were really good stuff. After the maids left, she glared at me, seething with rage, but dared not speak. A few minutes later, the system’s voice echoed in the air. 【Act One complete. Players have fifteen minutes of rest time.】 【During this time, players cannot harm each other, or they will be eliminated.】 The settlement screen appeared before me. 【Act One: Alice’s Role-play Score 30 points, A-rank.】 【A very good score! An A-rank unlocks a snippet of info about this identity~ Keep up the good work.】 【You are the Earl’s beloved heiress, pampered from birth, arrogant and demanding, but secretly sharp-tongued with a soft heart.】 【You and Prince Julian (the black-clad young man) grew up together, developing feelings for each other. He swore he would marry you. Ps: You are never arrogant or demanding in front of him.】 【Hehe, good thing you didn’t choose the white-clad young man! You wouldn’t die, but the dungeon difficulty would increase~】 I patted my chest. It seemed choosing the white-clad young man wouldn’t lead to a dungeon collapse either.

Daisy and I arrived at the player plaza. Mom, Dad, and Asher immediately rushed to Daisy’s side, pulling her into a tight embrace. Seeing Daisy’s swollen face, they nearly cried with heartache. My half-brother, Asher, launched into a furious rant at me. “How did you protect Daisy? You’re her sister, for crying out loud!” “Do you think this is a horror dungeon for sightseeing?” “Useless trash.” Seeing this, Daisy let two perfect tears trail down her cheeks. “Mom, Dad, Asher, boohoohoo, my face… Alice hit me!” “Alice! How dare you!” Asher raised his hand, intending to slap me. I stepped back, my voice cold. “Don’t forget what the system said.” “Besides, this is a role-playing dungeon. Daisy, as my maid, was bossing me around. Is that my fault?” “It seems you only see Daisy as your daughter. If that’s the case, there’s no need to acknowledge me either.” Asher angrily retracted his hand. Mom and Dad exchanged glances, then tried to soothe me. “It’s Mom and Dad’s fault for not asking clearly, but you shouldn’t just hit your sister.” They were heartbroken for Daisy, immediately using a high-grade healing card on her. I held out my hand to them. “What about me? You just cursed me out, and Asher almost hit me. No compensation?” Asher wanted to curse me again, but Mom held him back. She shook her head at him gently. Then handed me two low-tier Pain Nullifier cards. “Alice, Mom and Dad don’t have many cards left. These are all we have. Take them.” … Besides us five, there were seven other players in the plaza. This was a twelve-player dungeon. The difficulty wasn’t too high; after all, the first dungeon is rarely too hard. The remaining players, hearing I was the bride-to-be, showed envious glances. “Sister, you’re really lucky. As long as you don’t actively court death, you won’t die.” “Ah, a bride-to-be. That’s a one-in-a-million chance to draw that role.” “Yeah, yeah, unlike me, I’m a damn brothel madam. Dealing with guests and the girls, I’m exhausted.” “Heh, who’s worse than me? I’m a vagrant… My Act One quest was to eat trash to gain sympathy from nobles. I literally threw up!” Tragic, truly tragic. My parents were the white-clad prince’s parents, also characters designed to be almost unkillable, unless they actively seek trouble. Hearing this, I was even more relieved. If I had chosen the white-clad prince, who knows how those two would have tormented me to death. Asher, he was my half-brother. Yes, the Earl’s daughter’s half-brother. The other players grew increasingly envious. “Your family is really lucky. These are all hard-to-draw roles.” I snorted. This wasn’t luck; it was a special ability. Only Daisy gritted her teeth in frustration. She was probably thinking she shouldn’t have given me the bride-to-be role. The system notified, two minutes of rest time remaining. After exchanging intel, the other players dispersed. Only us five remained in the plaza. The few of them exchanged glances, then grabbed my hand. “Alice, you chose the black-clad young man?” “Oh no, that’s wrong! Why didn’t you listen to Daisy? It’s a trap!” “This dungeon, though simple, has many traps! That’s the biggest one!” “Listen to Mom and Dad. Later, you just tell the Prince you made a mistake, that you want to marry the servant outside.” “The Prince likes you so much, he’ll definitely agree. You’re both Mom’s darlings, Mom really can’t lose you!” She said, wiping away tears that weren’t there. Crocodile tears. I gave a few perfunctory replies and returned to Maxwell Manor. The maids were waiting to do my hair and makeup. My hair was styled by my game mother herself. She wept as she did it. “Alice, if that Julian boy dares to bully you, tell Mom! Mom will go teach him a lesson!” “You’re my only daughter, boohoohoo.” She continued, tears streaming down her face. I sighed. My game mother was better than my real parents. I turned and hugged her, my voice light. “Don’t worry, Mother. Julian is someone you’ve watched grow up. He cares for me too much to ever bully me.” She slipped a bracelet from her wrist onto mine. I touched it and nearly laughed out loud. Aside from its valuable price, just feeling its texture, I estimated it was a dungeon item. Brilliant, just brilliant! This truly was a good role! After getting ready, I waited for the carriage. But I didn’t expect Asher to be so impatient. He actually came directly to my courtyard. But he was smarter than Daisy; he paid his respects to Mrs. Maxwell first. Mrs. Maxwell’s face tightened when she saw Asher. “Are you here to bring your sister a wedding gift?” Asher paused, then bowed. “Mother, may I have a moment alone with my sister?” Mrs. Maxwell’s brows furrowed deeply. “Impudent! Your sister is getting married today. Not only do you not bring a congratulatory gift, but you want to talk to her privately? What could you possibly want to discuss?” “Get out! I won’t say it a second time.” Asher gritted his teeth, pulling a small box from his sleeve. “Sister, this is my wedding gift for you. Don’t despise it.” I took the box and opened a tiny slit. My eyes widened. It was an item card! A high-tier defensive card, a protective shield. He must have really gone all out just to talk to me. Mrs. Maxwell’s expression softened. She sat in her chair, picking up a teacup. “Speak your mind then, don’t dilly-dally.” After a while, Asher realized she had no intention of leaving. He closed his eyes for a moment, then leaned close to me, lowering his voice. “Alice, I’m your brother, I wouldn’t harm you.” “Mom and Dad used an item card and learned part of the story. You absolutely must say it when Julian comes to pick you up.” I tilted my head. “Say what?” “Say you won’t marry him, that you want to marry that servant!” I looked at my freshly manicured nails, a light laugh escaping my lips. “Brother, are you suggesting that I, the esteemed daughter of the Earl, marry a mere stable boy?!” My voice wasn’t intentionally lowered. It reached Mrs. Maxwell’s ears perfectly.

Before I could even react, a strong gust of wind swept by. With a *boom*, Asher was sent flying dozens of yards away. If he hadn’t had a protective item on him, he’d likely be dead. Mrs. Maxwell’s hair flew wildly, and terrifying black energy emanated from her. “Asher! What you just said, *you! Say! It! Again!*” Asher was stunned, lying on the ground, twitching and spitting blood. “Mother, I didn’t, I, I was telling Sister to happily marry him.” Mrs. Maxwell instantly teleported to Asher’s side. She raised her foot, ready to stomp down. It carried immense power; Asher’s protective items probably wouldn’t last against it. I recalled my character’s description. Sharp-tongued but secretly soft-hearted. Judging by Mrs. Maxwell’s attitude, her relationship with Asher, even in character, shouldn’t be that bad. At that critical moment, I slowly rose, my red lips parting. “Mother, let it go. Brother didn’t mean it.” “Today is my wedding day; we should be happy.” Mrs. Maxwell snorted, then turned back, her face instantly resuming its gentle, loving appearance. “Asher, there won’t be a next time.” “Yes, yes, Mother.” Asher scrambled away, tripping over his own feet. A few minutes later, a clear, tinkling sound of bells resonated in the air. Accompanied by a floral scent, Prince Julian’s figure subtly appeared. A carriage of darkest black, etched with intricate, antique gold patterns, floated silently behind him. He had come, with his carriage, to fetch his bride. He slowly extended his hand to me, his eyes deep. “My Lady, I have come for you.” The moment I stepped into the carriage, the system issued a new quest. 【Since it’s role-playing, you must commit to it entirely~】 【Of course, that means sharing a wonderful night with your partner~】 No, wait? Share a wonderful night? Hold on, does that mean *what I think it means*? I swallowed hard. Of course, it wasn’t that I was eyeing his body; I was just… a little thirsty. He’s so handsome, would it be a waste to sleep with him? Not only would it *not* be a waste, but afterwards, I could brag that I’d slept with a horror game entity. Have *you*? Hehe. While I was lost in my giddy thoughts, the system continued to issue the quest. 【Players, please note~ This act of role-playing is extremely important, it’s a matter of life or death.】 【Shhh, don’t let Julian discover you’re impersonating Alice.】 【PS: Sharing a wonderful night doesn’t necessarily mean making love. Please choose the method that best fits your character’s persona~ (Though it might be making love too, you never know~)】 Huh? Wait! Didn’t they say my character would be fine as long as I didn’t actively seek trouble? What’s with this life-or-death choice now?! I pulled up the Earl’s daughter’s profile and read it again and again. Aside from the info unlocked in Act One, there was nothing else! If you don’t give me any details about their daily interactions, how the hell am I supposed to choose?! System, are you messing with me?! All my romantic fantasies vanished in a puff of smoke. Sigh, I just hoped this act would give me more hints when it was over. About fifteen minutes later, the carriage stopped. Julian reached out and helped me disembark. I held my feather fan, my steps elegant, every movement and word exuding grace and composure. But strangely, the courtyard, which had been bustling with activity just moments before, suddenly fell silent the moment I stepped in. A chilling aura seemed to surge towards me from all directions. Unable to resist my curiosity, I secretly peeked out from behind my feather fan. That one glance nearly sent me to an early grave! The figures seated at the tables were not people; they were paper figures… No, more like human-sized puppets. They all stared at me, and with every step I took, their heads stretched forward a fraction. The closest puppet was almost touching my face! But its body was still firmly seated on the bench! My vision blurred, my legs turned to jelly. A low chuckle reached my ears, and then I stumbled into a warm embrace. Immediately after, the puppet was instantly ripped to shreds with a tearing sound. “Anyone else want to die, continue.” The next second, the courtyard returned to its lively state. Looking again, there were no puppets or paper figures; they were all living people. “Congratulations, Prince, on marrying your beloved!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299284”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #狼人Werewolf #玄幻Fantasy #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn

I stood in Alpha James’s study. The weight of ten years pressed against my chest as I prepared to say goodbye. “Tara,” Alpha James said, his brow furrowed with concern. “I know this has been unfair to you. Can you give Dean one last chance?” His voice carried the weariness of a father who knew his son had strayed too far. The anger flickered in his eyes as he added, “When that bastard comes back, I’ll break his legs myself.” I opened my mouth to decline when the door burst open. Dean stormed in, his tall frame filling the doorway. His handsome face twisted with irritation. “Tara, are you that desperate to get married? Can’t you even wait three years?” His voice dripped with contempt. “I promised Megan I’d stay with her for three years. Do you really want to turn me into a man who breaks his word?” The anger in his tone made me study him carefully. I searched for traces of the kind boy I’d met a decade ago, but that boy was gone. The man before me was a stranger. Ten years ago, Alpha James had saved my entire family from a pack of vicious Rogues. In gratitude, my grandfather arranged a marriage between me and the Alpha’s son. My rare witch bloodline could heal Dean’s crippled legs, though the magic would cost me ten years of my life. Back then, Dean was just a shy, disabled teenager. At our first meeting, he’d offered me a piece of candy with trembling hands. Something warm had stirred in my chest. Every year after that, he sent me gifts on holidays. Living deep in the mountain forests, I knew little of the outside world. Each present he chose filled me with joy and curiosity. But now everything had changed. Seeing my silence, Dean’s voice softened slightly. “Tara, we’re still young. Three years is nothing. Go see the world or whatever you want—just stay out of my way. But if you keep causing trouble, I won’t marry someone who can’t control her jealousy.” Alpha James’s face flushed with rage. He moved toward his son, fist raised. I stepped between them, my hand gentle on the Alpha’s arm. Then I turned to Dean. “I won’t force you,” I said simply. As a rare witch, I had no shortage of suitors. Dean thought his status as the Alpha heir and his wealth gave him power over me. He was wrong. Ever since he found Megan, his supposed fated mate, he’d wasted no time making her his Beta. He paraded her through parties and important pack gatherings without shame. I’d asked to dissolve our engagement multiple times, but Alpha James kept begging me to give Dean another chance. Now, after Dean had publicly humiliated me, I was finally ready to let go. Relief crossed Dean’s face as he nodded. He clapped my shoulder with false warmth. “That’s the spirit, Tara. Don’t worry. In three years, I’ll give you the grandest wedding this city has ever seen. I’ll make sure you have all the respect you deserve.” He left with Megan on his arm, looking pleased with himself. I pulled out my phone and scrolled to a contact I hadn’t used in years. My fingers moved across the screen with steady purpose. “The wedding with Dean is cancelled. Do you remember our agreement? Get ready to marry me.” The response came instantly. My phone buzzed with an incoming call. “Are you serious?” The voice on the other end was breathless, almost frantic. “You really don’t like that cripple anymore? You’re willing to marry me? You’re not just using me as a substitute, are you?” A soft laugh escaped my lips. “I swear on my witch’s honor. Is that enough?” Sharp, urgent breathing filled the line. “I’m coming to get you right now.”

I turned to pack my things, trying to push away the hollow feeling in my chest. My eyes fell on two tickets lying on the desk. Hawaii. The tickets Dean had finally agreed to after months of my pleading. It was supposed to be our honeymoon trip. A chance to start fresh. The door slammed open behind me. Dean stormed in and snatched the tickets from my hands. He tore them into pieces with sharp, violent movements. The scraps fluttered down onto my face like bitter snow. “Tara, I knew you hadn’t given up.” His voice was harsh with accusation. “Still fantasizing about dragging me on a honeymoon trip around the world?” Before I could respond, his hand shot out and wrapped around my throat. His fingers dug into my skin as he pulled me close. “Tell me. What did you do to Megan?” My throat burned. I coughed, struggling to breathe. “Dean, you took her and left the wedding. I haven’t seen her since. What could I possibly have done?” His grip tightened. “You said you wouldn’t force me to marry you. Right after that, Megan collapsed with terrible stomach pain. She’s unconscious now. The pack doctors have run every test they can think of. Nothing. You’re a witch, Tara. You must have cursed her with some kind of dark magic.” I clawed at his hand, gasping for air. My words came out broken and desperate. “Dean, my magic can only heal people. It requires my own blood. My own life force. Do you really think I’m insane enough to waste my life hurting Megan?” Something flickered in his eyes. Disgust. He looked at me like I was something rotten. “You gave up ten years of your life to heal me. That was all about greed, wasn’t it? You wanted my status. My wealth. What wouldn’t someone like you do for power?” I stared at him, shock freezing me in place. This was how he saw my sacrifice. This was what my healing meant to him. Dean took my silence as confirmation. His face twisted with righteous anger. He dragged me toward the door, his fingers still bruising my arm. “You’re going to heal Megan right now. If you don’t, I’ll make you regret it.” He shoved me into his car. The drive to the hospital was a blur of speed and silence. The hospital room was crowded when we arrived. Megan lay on the bed, her face pale and twisted with pain. She clutched her stomach, soft moans escaping her lips. Doctors and nurses clustered around her, their voices low and worried. Dean kicked me forward. I fell to my knees in front of Megan’s bed. A knife clattered onto the floor beside me. “Use your blood to save her. Now. Or you’re not leaving this hospital alive.” I looked up at him. “Dean, I’m telling you. This wasn’t my magic. I can’t heal what I didn’t cause.” Every eye in the room turned toward me. This was Dean’s family hospital. No one would speak up for a witch. No one would defend me against the Alpha’s son. Before I could think of what to do next, Dean grabbed my arm. He picked up the blade. The metal bit deep into my skin, a long cut that made blood pour out in a hot rush. “If you won’t confess, I don’t mind draining you dry.” His voice was cold. Clinical. “Let’s see if your magic still works without any blood left in your body.” Pain shot up my arm. I forced the words out through gritted teeth. “Dean. I’m telling you one more time. I cannot save her.” A bitter laugh escaped me. Anger burned through the pain. “But here’s something to think about. If I die, how long do you think you’ll last?” His pupils contracted. His chest heaved with fury. Then his hand was around my throat again, squeezing. “So it was you.” His voice shook. “I need to teach you a lesson. Otherwise you’ll never leave Megan alone.” He waved his hand. Several werewolf warriors entered the room. Dean’s orders were simple. “Teach this witch what happens when she hurts innocent people.” The warriors closed in. Fists and boots connected with my body. Someone produced an iron rod studded with small spikes. The first strike across my back made me cry out. “Dean, I’ll report you to the police!” My voice came out raw. Desperate. “I’ll have all of you thrown in prison!” He laughed. It was a cold, empty sound. “The police won’t believe a witch. Everyone here will testify that you tried to murder Megan first. I’m only protecting my mate.” He took the spiked rod from one of the warriors. He raised it high. The rod came down across my back with brutal force. Agony exploded through my body. My vision went white.

I barely had time to catch my breath when Megan began moaning again from her hospital bed. Dean’s fury doubled. The spiked rod came down across my back again. “Are you going to save Megan or not?” Another strike. The pain was blinding. I collapsed completely, my body giving out. I forced the words through my teeth. “You’re a bastard, Dean.” Then something impossible happened. Megan sat up in bed. She climbed down, perfectly steady on her feet. She walked over to where I lay crumpled on the floor and placed her foot on my hand. Then she pressed down, grinding her heel into my fingers. “Tara,” she said sweetly. “So it really was you. The moment you started suffering, my pain disappeared completely.” She twisted her foot, crushing my fingers beneath it. There was no trace of weakness in her movements. No sign of the agony she’d displayed moments before. The medical staff gasped. “It must be true,” one doctor whispered. “The witch cursed Miss Megan. How else could she recover so suddenly?” “Exactly,” another agreed. “Dozens of us examined her. We found nothing. But the moment this witch got hurt, Miss Megan was cured.” Their words fed Dean’s rage. He struck me again and again with the rod. “Tell me what spell you put on Megan.” I managed a bitter smile. “I’ll tell you when you’re dead, Dean.” The truth was obvious. Megan had faked everything. The illness, the pain, all of it. She’d orchestrated this entire scene to force Dean’s hand against me. To make him choose her completely. To destroy any chance of reconciliation between us. She would only stop if Dean was dead. But Dean was blind to it. Love had made him stupid. My refusal to confess only made him angrier. “Tara, let’s see what’s harder. Your stubborn mouth or my iron rod.” He tossed the weapon to one of the werewolf warriors. “Lock her in the basement. Fifty strikes every day. No food or water.” The warriors moved immediately. They stuffed cloth in my mouth to silence me and dragged me toward the door. The warriors threw me into the basement and exchanged meaningful glances before leaving. I lay there, confused by their hesitation. Why hadn’t they started the beatings immediately? Then the door burst open again. Several rogues descended the stairs, their laughter echoing off the concrete walls. The look in their eyes made my blood run cold. I tried to scream, but one of them lunged forward and clamped his hand over my mouth. “Hurry up, boys.” “Make it quick. We’ve got money waiting.” Grimy hands pawed at my chest. A stinking mouth pressed against my face. Someone ripped my pants with a sharp tearing sound. Cold air hit my exposed skin. Shame and fury burned through me. I opened my mouth and bit down hard on the rogue’s face. His scream pierced the air. The others froze, then started slapping me viciously, trying to pry my jaw open. “Bitch! Let go!” I held on with everything I had. The injured rogue’s voice rose to a roar. “Beat her! Knock her out so she can’t fight back!” The rogues hesitated for only a second. Then fists and boots rained down on me from all directions. One grabbed my hair and swung a club. It connected with my skull twice with sickening thuds. Blood poured down my forehead. My vision blurred and darkened at the edges. A shocked voice cut through the chaos. “Stop! What are you doing?” Through the haze, I made out two figures approaching. Dean and Megan. I tried to speak, to tell Dean these rogues had tried to rape me. But my mouth wouldn’t form the words. The lead rogue’s eyes darted around quickly. Then he dropped to his knees in front of Dean. “We came to rescue the witch, Alpha. She contacted us with her magic. Promised to sleep with us if we freed her.” Dean’s expression turned thunderous. His eyes went cold and hard. The old rogue’s voice took on a whining quality. “She’s the one who told us where to find this basement. We came like she asked, but then she changed her mind. Said we were too dirty to touch her. That’s when the fight started.” Dean’s gaze swept over the scene. Then landed on me, clothes torn, lying broken on the floor. “Get out,” he snarled. “All of you. Now.” The rogues scrambled up the stairs and disappeared. Dean stared down at me with contempt and fury. “Tara, you brought this on yourself. Using your witch powers so carelessly. One day your magic will be the death of you.” He turned and left, Megan on his arm. But Megan came back. She crouched beside me, her face close to mine. “Did you enjoy the rogues I sent you, Tara?” I managed a cold laugh despite the pain. Stared at her with all the hatred I could muster. Her acting had been pathetic from start to finish. But Dean was too blinded by love to see it. Megan grabbed a fistful of my hair and spat in my face. “Can’t you see it yet? Dean loves me now. If you had any sense, you’d agree to break off the engagement yourself. Save yourself some suffering.” She stood and looked down at me with satisfaction. “What good is being a witch? You’re still lying here like a dying dog.” I wanted to tell her the truth. That if the engagement ended, Dean would die too. But darkness swallowed me before I could speak.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already the next day. Werewolf warriors dragged me into the great hall. My body still ached from yesterday’s beating. What I saw made my blood run cold. Dean had brought in a male wizard. The man stood in the center of the hall, performing some kind of twisted ritual. His movements were all wrong. Dark candles flickered around him in a strange pattern. Dean spotted me. Satisfaction flickered across his face. “Tara, did you really think your little witch tricks could threaten me?” His voice carried through the hall. “This is the master wizard I hired. You’ll pray with him now. Help him drive the demon out of Megan. Then I’ll believe you didn’t curse her.” I studied the wizard’s movements more carefully. The hand gestures. The positioning of the candles. The words he muttered under his breath. Horror crashed through me. This wasn’t an exorcism. This was a prayer to Satan himself. The warriors hauled me toward the male wizard. Their grip was iron on my arms. I gathered every scrap of strength left in my broken body. Then I shoved them away with everything I had. I lunged at Dean. My palm connected with his face in a sharp crack that echoed through the hall. “Dean, you can cancel our engagement if you want. But you cannot force me to pray to Satan!” “Dean!” Megan’s shriek cut through the stunned silence. She rushed forward, tears already streaming down her face. Her hands fluttered over his reddening cheek. Then she whirled on me. Her palm struck my face hard enough to snap my head to the side. “Tara, if you don’t want to bless me, just say so. Why did you hit Dean?” Her voice shook with false hurt. “You’re just guilty. Afraid everyone will find out you cursed me.” She collapsed against Dean’s chest, sobbing dramatically. The male wizard stopped his ritual. His eyes narrowed to slits as he studied me. Something cold and ancient lurked in that gaze. “Your heart is not sincere,” he said, his voice like oil sliding over stone. “The blessing would be useless. It might even make Miss Megan’s condition worse.” Silence fell over the hall. Then the wizard’s lips curved into a smile that made my skin crawl. “I have a medicine,” he told Dean. “One pill, and the person who takes it can only speak truth. Perhaps Miss Tara should swallow my medicine.” The wizard produced a pill from his robes. It was black as tar, and something about it made the air around it shimmer darkly. Dean stared at the pill. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Hesitation. Maybe even concern. “This medicine won’t threaten her life, will it?” “Not at all,” the wizard assured him smoothly. “As long as she hasn’t lied, it won’t harm her life in the slightest.” Dean’s gaze moved between the pill and the wizard. His brow furrowed. Megan chose that moment to speak up. “Dean, I’m so scared Tara wants to hurt me.” Her voice broke on a sob. “Even though I’m carrying your child, I don’t know if I’ll survive long enough to give birth.” She buried her face in Dean’s chest. Her shoulders shook with exaggerated crying. Dean’s expression hardened. The concern vanished from his eyes, replaced by cold determination. My heart clenched with sudden fear. “Dean, they’re lying to you—” Before I could finish, Dean moved. His hand shot out and grabbed me. His fingers clamped around my jaw, forcing my mouth open. He shoved the black pill down my throat. “Tara, don’t worry. I have the best medical experts here. I won’t let you come to any real harm.” The pill hit my tongue. A wave of rancid sweetness flooded my mouth, so foul I gagged. The pill slid down my throat before I could spit it out. Pain exploded in my chest. I doubled over, coughing violently. Blood sprayed from my lips, spattering the marble floor. The hall began to spin. My vision blurred at the edges. Darkness crept in from all sides. Then I heard it. A voice cutting through the fog in my mind. “Tara!” I managed to lift my head. A familiar face swam into view through my failing vision. “Travis!” My legs gave out. I fell forward into strong arms that caught me easily. “Tara,” Travis’s voice rumbled through his chest. “I’m sorry I’m late. I’m sorry you had to suffer.” The darkness pulled me under.

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I quit my high-paying job to support my husband Mark’s startup for three years, but I never took a single cent from the company’s accounts. On our third wedding anniversary, I spotted a designer bag that cost a few thousand dollars. Mark told me the company was at a critical stage and money was tight. He promised to make it up to me next year. I believed him, my heart aching for his stress. But the very next moment, I scrolled across a through a post from his secretary’s, Chloe Davis. She was showing off the exact same bag, captioned: “OMG! Thank you boss for remembering my birthday! Super touched by the amazing gift!” I let out a bitter laugh, then immediately called my best friend, Sarah Jensen, who’s a lawyer. “Sarah, help me draft a divorce agreement!” “I’m going to make Mark pay back every single thing he owes me, with interest!” …… “Sweetheart, I heard the foie gras here is amazing. How about we celebrate our anniversary here?” Mark held his phone out to me, the screen displaying a promotional page for a high-end French restaurant. The ambiance was elegant, and the prices were equally ‘beautiful’. I hesitated. “You decide, just don’t splurge too much. Doesn’t the company need cash flow right now?” Mark squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with apology. “Recently, to secure that downtown development project, money’s been tight everywhere. I’ve really put you through a lot, sweetheart. Once the company is doing better next year, I promise I’ll make it up to you with a grander anniversary celebration!” I smiled and nodded. In these past three years, Mark went from absolutely nothing to owning a company with dozens of employees. I knew better than anyone the struggles he’d faced. When he first decided to start his business, I didn’t hesitate. I quit my job, one that paid a six-figure salary, to handle all the internal affairs and poured all my savings into his company. For three years, I hadn’t bought a single decent new outfit. My skincare routine went from high-end brands to drugstore basics. Even when grocery shopping, I’d haggle for what felt like ages over a few cents. Everyone said I was foolish, but I believed we were partners, through thick and thin. I trusted him, and I trusted our relationship. But on our anniversary day, we still didn’t make it to that high-end restaurant. Mark claimed he had an urgent client meeting and had to change our plans to a casual diner near the office. While waiting for him, I passed a luxury store on the ground floor of a mall. In the display window sat a black quilted Chanel bag, classic and versatile. I couldn’t help but stare for a moment, then snapped a photo and sent it to Mark. He replied instantly, “Like it? I’ll definitely buy it for you once the company’s cash flow improves next year!” In that moment, I truly believed him. I even started mentally planning to find another job, even if the pay was lower, just to help ease his burden. But the very next second, I saw Chloe Davis’ latest SnapChat story. It was a beaming selfie of her holding that Chanel bag. “OMG! Thank you, boss, for remembering my birthday in your busy schedule, and for getting me the Chanel bag I’ve been dreaming of! So touched! I’ll definitely work even harder from now on to ease the boss’s burdens!” The location tag was a top-tier Japanese restaurant in the city where a meal cost at least two hundred dollars per person. Chloe Davis was Mark Harrison’s secretary. And that bag was identical to the one I’d just seen in the display window. I stood there, frozen in the cool night air. So, this was what ‘tight on cash’ meant. No money to buy his wife a designer bag for their anniversary. But he could casually gift his female secretary an identical one and take her to a two-hundred-dollar-a-head Japanese dinner to celebrate her birthday. Looking at Chloe’s youthful, radiant smile on my phone screen, then at my own reflection in the glass – a tired, slightly haggard woman in a three-year-old coat, worn out from all the work. I let out a bitter laugh, then immediately called my lawyer best friend. “Sarah, help me draft a divorce agreement.” “He’s going to pay back every single cent he owes me, with interest!”

When Mark arrived at our agreed meeting spot, it was already ten o’clock at night. He clearly hadn’t realized what had happened. His face showed the slight fatigue of a long business dinner. He habitually reached out to pull me into a hug. “Sorry I kept you waiting, sweetheart? That client was just so difficult…” I subtly took a step back. “Oh, really? I saw Secretary Davis’ SnapChat story. Weren’t you eating Japanese food together earlier? Or was the difficult client actually Chloe, your secretary?” Mark froze. A flicker of panic crossed his face, but he quickly composed himself. “You saw Chloe’s SnapChat? Sweetheart, please don’t misunderstand! Let me explain!” “Explain what?” I tilted my head, looking at him, a bitter smile on my lips. “Explain why you have money to take your secretary to a two-hundred-dollar-a-head Japanese dinner, and buy her a three-thousand-dollar bag, but no money to buy your wife the same bag for our anniversary, or even a decent meal?” “It’s not what you think!” Mark’s voice was urgent. “That bag was for PR, for building relationships with important clients! As for the dinner, it was her birthday today, and as her boss, showing a gesture of care is perfectly normal, right? Sweetheart, you have to understand me. In business, sometimes these social engagements are necessary!” “PR? A gesture of care?” Hearing those words, I felt nothing but utter scorn. “Using a limited-edition designer bag to ‘do PR’ for a freshly graduated junior secretary? And showing ‘care’ at a top-tier Japanese restaurant requires a SnapChat story for the whole world to see? Mark Harrison, do you take me for a fool?” Mark bristled, his voice rising a few notches. “Sarah! Can you stop being so irrational?! I’m out there busting my ass every day, isn’t it all for this family? Can’t you be a little understanding of my difficulties? It’s just a bag, are you really going to make such a big deal out of it?” I laughed. “Oh, right. For ‘Mr. Mark Harrison, CEO,’ it’s ‘just a bag’ for his secretary. But for me, his wife, it’s ‘company difficulties, maybe next year’.” I turned away, no longer looking at him, my voice turning ice-cold. “Mark Harrison, let’s get a divorce.” Mark stared at me, disbelief etched on his face. “Sarah, are you insane?! You want to divorce me just for a bag?!” I looked at him, my gaze calm. “Yes, just for a bag.”

In the days that followed, Mark clearly didn’t take my words seriously. He probably thought it was just another one of my typical tantrums. After all, for the past three years, though I occasionally felt wronged, I always ended up sacrificing my own feelings for the ‘bigger picture’. First, he tried to use the silent treatment to gloss things over. When I remained unmoved, he started to play the sympathy card. “Sweetheart, I know I messed up. I was wrong that day; I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.” I was leaning against the headboard, scrolling through my phone, and didn’t even lift my eyelids. “That bag, I’ll get it back tomorrow and give it to you! No, right now!” He pulled out his phone, pretending to make a call. “No need,” I said flatly. “I find things others have used… dirty. From now on, anything I want, I’ll buy myself.” He awkwardly lowered his phone and leaned in, trying to hug me. “Sweetheart, please don’t be angry anymore. Can’t we just go back to living our lives together? I promise, I’ll never have any contact with Chloe outside of work again, I…” I threw back the covers, got out of bed, and avoided his touch. “Mr. Harrison, this is the master bedroom. You reek of someone else’s perfume, and I’m allergic. Could you please sleep in the guest room until the divorce is finalized?” Mark’s face finally darkened. “Sarah, do you have to be like this? Without me, how will you live? You’ve been out of the workforce for three years! Do you really think you’re still that ‘Ms. Stevens’ with a six-figure salary from back then?” This was the man I had given my heart and soul to. In his eyes, I was already devalued, a parasite who needed to cling to him to survive. I let out a bitter laugh. Before I could speak, Mark’s phone rang. He glanced at it, instinctively turned away to answer, his voice a deliberately softened tone. “Hello? Chloe? Don’t cry… send me the address, I’m coming right over!” He hung up, then turned around, his eyes meeting my mocking gaze. For a moment, his expression froze. “Mr. Harrison, you’re truly a busy man. Done comforting your wife, now off to comfort your secretary?” “Don’t worry, soon, you won’t have to work so hard.” Mark flew into a rage. “Sarah! Don’t push your luck! Divorce? Forget it! The company’s on an upswing, and you pulling this now is deliberately trying to ruin me! I’m telling you, if we divorce, you won’t get a single cent!” I walked to the door, a faint smile on my lips. “Really? Well then, let’s see about that.”

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On the day my ex-husband married my best friend, I dressed up to the nines. When my best friend Amber saw me, her face fell. “Valerie, are you trying to steal the spotlight, dressing up even more beautifully than the bride at my wedding? Are you trying to steal my groom?” “Relax, I have absolutely no interest in your fiancé…” The moment I appeared, the groom, Brandon, stared at me, his eyes wide. “Don’t you remember me?” I asked. Brandon stared for a long time, clearly not recognizing me. “You look familiar, but I can’t quite place you. Are you…?” Seeing that he didn’t recognize me, I felt a sense of relief. I smiled and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll remember who I am soon enough.” It seemed three years was enough for Brandon to completely forget what his “deceased wife” looked like. But me? Even if Brandon turned to ash, I would never forget him. I deliberately approached Amber a while ago, getting close to her, all for this very day. Brandon was gazing at me intently, his eyes practically burning a hole through me. Thanks to my significant wealth, I looked younger, more elegant, and refined than ever before. Amber continued her introduction, “Brandon, I told you, Valerie is the Chairwoman of Synergy Corp., one of our city’s most influential emerging entrepreneurs.” Brandon’s eyes lit up even brighter. He stared at me excitedly. “So you’re Ms. Valerie, the one they call the most stunning Chairwoman in the city! You look even better in person than on TV!” “Oh, that’s just hype, really, from some less-than-reputable media,” I replied gracefully. “Mr. Brandon, you are the true up-and-coming talent, absolutely admirable.” Brandon practically trembled with excitement. “Oh, no, no, my business is just small-time compared to yours, Ms. Valerie. You’re a real powerhouse in our city’s business world!” Amber looked a little jealous, glaring at Brandon playfully. “Alright, Brandon, I need to go get my makeup touched up. You should go do whatever you need to do. And don’t even think about plotting anything with my best friend.” Brandon gave a strained laugh. “Hah, what are you talking about? Just go get ready.” He turned back to me, chuckling again, sneaking a glance at my ample chest. “Ms. Valerie, with your successful career and beauty, your boyfriend must be quite a catch, right?” There it was. I was waiting for that question. I smiled and shook my head. “I don’t have a boyfriend.” Brandon’s eyes lit up. He chuckled. “Is Ms. Valerie’s standard just too high? I get it, I bet most ordinary men wouldn’t even catch your eye.” He subtly shifted his gaze to my shapely rear, his look becoming even more brazen. I shook my head. “Actually, my standards are pretty simple. Just someone who truly cares for me.” Brandon’s eyes widened in surprise. “That shouldn’t be hard to find, should it?” I smiled. “It’s both easy and hard, I suppose.” “You’re right. In this vast world, finding someone who truly cares for you isn’t easy,” Brandon nodded, agreeing with me. He then let out a long sigh, a look of melancholy on his face. “My late wife once said she just wanted to marry someone who truly cared for her. She even said marrying me was the right choice, but sadly we… sigh…” Watching him feign such profound grief made my stomach churn. His so-called “late wife” was pushed overboard by him and Amber, working together. Brandon’s “true care” involved hooking up with my “best friend” Amber less than a month after marrying me. Then, to seize the successful company I founded, they conspired to murder me. They tricked me into taking a trip to a South Asian island nation. Out on the ocean that day, they suddenly pushed me overboard. “Just die in peace, you bitch! I’m sick of you, hahahaha…” Brandon laughed hysterically, shoving my head underwater.

“Hold her down! Don’t let her come up!” Amber cheered him on, while also feigning panic. “Oh my God, help! My friend fell into the water! Everyone, please help her, hahahaha…” Only after I stopped struggling and drifted away with the waves did they happily return. After I was declared missing and presumed dead, Brandon inherited my company and assets. So, seeing Brandon pretending to be so heartbroken and sincere now, I felt nothing but utter disgust. I feigned comfort. “The past is the past, Mr. Brandon, you shouldn’t be too sad. Besides, three years have passed, it’s time to move on.” Brandon, however, shook his head. “Ever since her accident, I swore I’d mourn for her for three years, visiting her grave daily. But three years later, I still can’t let go, I just can’t let her go…” Ugh, the jerk was really milking this ‘devoted widower’ act. In reality, after my “accident,” many suspected him of foul play. So, he fabricated this persona of a heartbroken lover, vowing to mourn for me for three years. Yet, in those three years, besides Amber, he’d been through countless other women. As for his supposed daily visits to my grave, they were just occasional photo ops. Meanwhile, after getting my company and assets, he’d skyrocketed to become one of the hottest young talents in the city’s business world. He started to grow tired of Amber and wasn’t in a hurry to marry her. Instead, he was partying every single night, living a lavish lifestyle. If he hadn’t been afraid Amber would expose their plot to murder me, he would have dumped her long ago. These three years, my company had been almost completely drained by him. Plus, with Amber pressuring him, he finally had no choice but to officially marry her. And now he was putting on this elaborate “devoted lover” performance for me. Clearly, he was up to something. I smirked coldly. “You’re about to marry Amber, so you really should let go. Otherwise, it’s not fair to her.” Brandon gave a bitter smile. “I know it’s not fair to Amber, but it’s still hard to let go of my past. To be honest with you, I’m not really eager to marry Amber. Partly because I feel it’s unfair to her.” “Does Amber know that?” I raised an eyebrow, asking. “Of course she knows. We’ve fought about it,” Brandon said, looking helpless. “That’s why I think this wedding of ours is still too rushed.” “If that’s truly the case, then you do have a point,” I nodded. Brandon’s eyes lit up. He secretly peered at my chest again. “By the way, Ms. Valerie, this might be a bit forward, but I can’t help but say, you and my late wife bear quite a resemblance, both in temperament and appearance.” Heh, I’m your so-called “late wife.” How could I not? “Oh, really? What a coincidence,” I said, unfazed, watching the fish begin to bite. “Yes, it’s a remarkable coincidence,” Brandon chuckled, rubbing his hands together. “It’s almost like fate, quite extraordinary.” Hmph, fate? I came here specifically for revenge. I didn’t reply, just sat down. Brandon sat beside me, attentively pouring me a cup of tea. “Ms. Valerie, honestly, looking at you, it’s like looking at my wife. So familiar, so comforting. I just wish this moment could last forever.” Ugh, the shameless jerk. I smirked coldly. “You certainly seem to have a deep affection for your late wife.” Brandon didn’t catch my sarcasm. He chuckled. “Oh, I can’t help it. I just loved her too much.” I looked at him, sneering. “You’re truly a rare devoted man.”

Brandon, thinking I was genuinely praising him, beamed with delight, gesticulating wildly. “Thank you for the compliment, Ms. Valerie! I feel an instant connection with you, truly. My only regret is not meeting you sooner.” “It’s never too late to meet. Any time is the best time,” I said calmly. “I feel an instant connection with you too, Mr. Brandon.” I was speaking the truth, in my own way. “Really? That’s fantastic!” Brandon’s eyes gleamed, thinking I was reciprocating his interest. On stage, Amber called out to Brandon. “Brandon, come here for a second.” Brandon waved his hand dismissively, annoyed, but still walked over. He then spoke to Amber with a serious expression. “Amber, I think we should postpone the wedding, maybe have it later.” Amber’s face instantly changed. Slap! She slapped him across the face. “Brandon, you bastard, are you trying to delay it again?!” Brandon was stunned for a moment. “What are you doing?!” Amber panted, pointing at Brandon. “I’m telling you, Brandon, I’ve given you my final ultimatum. My patience is wearing thin.” Slap! Suddenly, Brandon, enraged, slapped her back. “You bitch, who do you think you are, giving me ultimatums?!” “I’ll kill you!” Amber shrieked hysterically, lunging at Brandon, and they started fighting. Clang! Bang! They went at it, fists and feet flying, a furious brawl. “You bastard! I put up with you messing around with other women, I put up with you not spending money on me, but today, you still want to delay?! I won’t take it anymore!” “How much money have you blown of mine, and you say I don’t spend money on you?!” “Where did your money come from? Half of it was mine to begin with!” “Go to hell!” “No, you go to hell!” They cursed and yelled at each other as they fought. Everyone else was dumbfounded. After a while, family and friends on both sides finally reacted, rushing onto the stage to pull them apart. “You filthy woman, I swear I’ll kill you today!” Brandon was still seething, cursing viciously. His face was covered in scratches from Amber, and his shirt was torn. “Go ahead and kill me, see if I don’t expose your dirty secrets!” Amber screamed at the top of her lungs. Brandon’s face stiffened, a look of apprehension in his eyes. He pointed at Amber. “Fine, fine, you win this round!” The two were dragged backstage by their relatives to fix their appearance. Judging by their “experienced” manner, they clearly fought often. They had reached a point where they despised each other, but as accomplices in my murder, they were two rotten peas in a pod. Brandon emerged from backstage first, rushing eagerly towards me. “Ah, I apologize for that, Ms. Valerie, you saw how Amber’s temper is. I was just trying to discuss something with her…” Brandon said with an awkward smile. He let out a long sigh, looking utterly helpless. “You forced me to do it, and you still have the nerve to talk!” Amber also approached, yelling angrily. She complained to me, looking wronged. “Valerie, I’m telling you, he’s promised me at least ten times these past few years, and every time he goes back on his word. Look, the wedding is happening today, and he still wants to delay it!” I smiled. “He’s also been unable to let go of his ex-wife. Besides, he once vowed to mourn for her for three years…” Amber rolled her eyes. “Please! That’s all just a made-up lie to fool people. He and his ex-wife had a terrible relationship. Less than a month after they got married, he was already sleeping with me…” Slap!

Brandon suddenly slapped Amber hard across the face, roaring with a twisted expression, “What the hell are you babbling about?! Shut up!” “Brandon, I’m not done with you!” Amber immediately lunged at him again. They started fighting once more. By the time everyone separated them again, Amber’s eyes were swollen. Clearly, Amber exposing Brandon’s lies in front of me had made him furious and violent. Many of their guests couldn’t stand it anymore, urging them to perhaps postpone the wedding. After all, it had devolved into such a spectacle, not only incredibly unsightly but devoid of any festive cheer. Brandon, of course, was thrilled with the idea, but Amber was absolutely determined. She pointed at Brandon and yelled: “Brandon, I’m telling you, this wedding has to happen today! Otherwise, you can look forward to jail time!” Brandon fell silent, his face a grim shade of green. Everyone else was bewildered, wondering why Brandon would go to jail if he didn’t marry Amber. With Amber’s insistence, the wedding was set to continue as planned. Amber went backstage to touch up her makeup again. Brandon plopped down, poured himself a glass of water, and gulped it down, looking angry and helpless. But when he saw me watching him, Brandon forced an awkward smile. “Ms. Valerie, Amber was really talking nonsense just now, please don’t take it seriously. I’ve always loved my ex-wife the most.” “You two are fighting like this, why is Amber so set on having the wedding?” I asked. Brandon snorted. “She’s just after my money. She wants to use the wedding to tie me down!” “People can still get divorced after marriage. How would that tie you down?” I pointed out. “We’re different…” Brandon hesitated, then waved his hand. “Never mind, let’s not talk about it. It’s a mood killer.” I nodded, saying nothing more. Brandon chuckled nervously, then cautiously asked, “Ms. Valerie, your business is so huge, would you be interested in partnering with my company? My company is looking for new investments as we prepare to go public.” I smiled slightly, nodding. “It’s not out of the question. Our group is planning to expand into new ventures. If it’s a good fit, we could consider investing in your company.” Brandon immediately leaped up, excited. “That’s wonderful, wonderful! We would really welcome your group’s investment.” Over these three years, that company had been practically hollowed out by Brandon, struggling even to stay afloat, let alone go public. I sneered inwardly, maintaining a calm expression. “Our group is also looking for a new CEO. If you have any suitable candidates, Mr. Brandon, you could recommend them. Of course, they’d need to be someone I can trust.” “Oh, really…” Brandon’s eyes lit up. After a moment’s hesitation, he chuckled nervously. “How about me, Ms. Valerie? I’d like to put myself forward, hahahaha.” “You? I don’t think so,” I chuckled softly. “While I do trust you, you’re marrying Amber, and Amber is my best friend. We need to keep some distance, or our friendship might suffer.” Brandon grew anxious, frowning, looking helpless. “But… that… we don’t need to keep that much distance, do we?” At that moment, the emcee began to speak. “The auspicious time has arrived! Let us welcome the groom…” Brandon hesitated, gave me a regretful look, then turned and walked onto the stage. A little while later, Amber also came onto the stage. Under the officiant’s guidance, the two began to exchange their vows. Just then, a young man strode in from outside, causing a small commotion. He was impeccably dressed in a suit, carrying a large bouquet of vibrant roses. He walked directly towards me, offering the flowers with both hands. “Ms. Valerie, why have you been avoiding me? I heard you were here and came specifically to find you.”

I didn’t take the flowers. Instead, I turned to look at Brandon on the stage. The officiant was asking, “Brandon, do you take Amber to be your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, and do you pledge your faithfulness to her?” “I don’t!” Brandon suddenly gritted his teeth, interrupting the officiant. “I don’t love Amber at all! I’ve always deeply loved my ex-wife…!” Amber completely erupted. “Brandon, go to hell! Your ex-wife was killed by you…!” Amber’s words instantly sent a wave of shock through the entire venue. Except for me, almost everyone was utterly stunned. Amber pointed at Brandon, swearing loudly. “You bastard! You murdered your own wife with your bare hands, and now you come back pretending to be heartbroken?! Who are you trying to fool?!” “Are you insane?!” Brandon’s face flushed with rage. He slapped Amber, knocking her to the ground. Then he lunged onto Amber, pinning her down, hands around her throat. “You crazy bitch, I’m going to kill you!” Everyone quickly rushed forward in a frantic effort to pull the two apart. Amber coughed violently, pointing furiously at Brandon. “Brandon, you’re finished! You’re absolutely finished!” Brandon glared at Amber with deadly intensity. “You stupid woman! If I’m finished, do you think you’ll be any better off? Has your brain completely rotted away?!” Amber finally seemed to realize the gravity of her words, and suddenly she looked panicked. “Call the police, quickly, call the police!” Some guests couldn’t take it anymore, shouting, “Someone’s going to get killed at this rate!” A few guests had already pulled out their phones. “Don’t call the police! Please, don’t call the police!” Brandon and Amber frantically yelled, trying to stop everyone from calling the police. The crowd paused, confused. Brandon clasped his hands apologetically, forcing a dry laugh. “I’m so sorry, everyone, so sorry. We were just fooling around.” He then kicked Amber. Amber managed a strained smile. “Yes, yes, we were just playing around. Everyone, please don’t call the police.” Many guests were surprised, especially their close friends and family, who looked displeased. “Brandon, what exactly are you two doing?!” Brandon laughed awkwardly. “Misunderstanding, pure misunderstanding! You all know we’re both rather playful. We just wanted to have a unique wedding today, but it completely backfired. So, we won’t be having the wedding after all…” Amber immediately protested angrily. “You think you can just call it off like that?!” Brandon grabbed her throat, gritting his teeth. “Shut up, you! Do you really want to drag us both down with you?!” Amber choked out a few sounds. “You might as well strangle me to death! You won’t get a good ending either…” Brandon released her, pointing at Amber with exasperation. “Stupid woman, truly a stupid woman…” At this point, a guest stepped forward and asked, “Amber, you just said Brandon killed Julia. What exactly happened?” Several other guests quickly chimed in. “Yes, what really happened to Ms. Julia?” They were all my former business partners, and good friends too. “I… I…” Under their questioning, Amber became even more panicked, looking around helplessly, unable to speak. “Hah! What are you all thinking? She’s just talking nonsense,” Brandon quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over. “Julia’s death was a complete accident. The official investigation concluded it was an accident long ago. What’s there to doubt?” He shoved Amber hard. “Go on, explain yourself!” Amber understood, nodding and forcing a dry laugh. “Yes, yes, I was just saying all that in anger. Please don’t take it seriously.” “What goes around comes around. You two better watch yourselves.” The few guests didn’t say anything more.

This wedding had turned into a complete farce. Some guests, including those few, were preparing to leave. Brandon, however, raised his hand and waved, loudly announcing, “Everyone, please don’t leave just yet. I hope you can all stay and witness an even more important event for me.” Everyone looked at him, puzzled. Brandon picked up the bouquet of fresh flowers, which was originally meant for Amber, and walked towards me. Brandon came up to me, staring at the young man who had just presented me with flowers. “May I ask who you are?” His gaze was extremely aggressive. The young man smiled, extending his hand. “Hello, my name is Kevin.” Brandon didn’t shake his hand. He snorted. “Kevin? Never heard of you. I don’t recall you being invited to this wedding today, do I?” Kevin looked a little awkward. “I’m not here for the wedding. I’m here to see Ms. Valerie…” Brandon waved his hand, cutting him off. “Alright, you’re not welcome here. Now, leave.” Kevin’s face turned crimson. He gritted his teeth, then turned and slunk away, utterly humiliated. Truth be told, I didn’t know Kevin very well either, but he had been relentlessly pursuing me. His showing up here today was because I had someone discreetly tip him off that I’d be attending a wedding here. His arrival provided crucial assistance, pushing Brandon over the edge and making him publicly annul the wedding. Watching Kevin leave, Brandon smirked triumphantly, spitting. “What a complete nobody, trying to pursue our Ms. Valerie.” Then, he suddenly put on a fawning smile, presenting the bouquet to me with both hands. “Ms. Valerie, these flowers are for you, to express my most sincere… heartfelt intentions.” The crowd gasped again. Many people couldn’t help but show their disdain. “Brandon, what the hell are you doing?!” Amber erupted again, rushing over and pushing Brandon hard. Brandon replied impatiently, “It’s none of your business!” “None of my business?! You just called off our wedding, then turned around and declared your feelings to another woman! How is that none of my business?!” Amber’s eyes were practically spitting fire. Brandon’s eyes widened. “Don’t talk nonsense! While Ms. Valerie and I do have an instant connection, I’m a man of boundaries. I’m simply expressing my respect to Ms. Valerie, and offering myself to be the CEO of her corporation.” “CEO?” Amber looked confused. “Exactly.” Brandon shook his head proudly. “Ms. Valerie’s company is looking for a new CEO, and I think I’m quite suitable.” “Oh, so you were trying to hook up with Valerie, and that’s why you wanted to dump me, right?!” Amber yelled furiously. “Hook up? We just weren’t compatible, so let’s part ways amicably!” Brandon snorted. Amber then turned her angry gaze on me. “Valerie, what is going on? Are you deliberately trying to break us up? Are you seducing Brandon, aren’t you?!” “You bitch, can you stop talking nonsense?!” Brandon shoved Amber hard. Amber glared at me aggressively. “Alright, Brandon, both of you step aside for a moment. I need to talk to Valerie.” Brandon immediately looked wary. “What do you want to talk to her about?” Amber spoke with some seriousness. “Just move aside, okay? Valerie is my best friend. If you really want to be CEO, you’d better be polite to me, otherwise, one word from me and you’re out of the running.” Brandon scoffed, unconvinced. “You’re really full of yourself. Ms. Valerie has to listen to you? Ms. Valerie and I are good friends with an instant connection. You can’t drive a wedge between us.” “Then move aside!” Amber yelled.

I nodded at Brandon. “Mr. Brandon, perhaps you two should step away for a moment.” Although Brandon was reluctant, he still retreated further. Amber sat down next to me, asking indignantly, “Valerie, what on earth is going on? Are you interested in Brandon? You even want him to be your company’s CEO? Is his canceling the wedding related to you?” I raised an eyebrow, my voice cold. “Do you really think I’d be interested in someone like Brandon?” Amber thought for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face. “You’re right, how could you be interested in him? His company is just an empty shell. Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse, but it’s nothing compared to yours.” I smiled. “Tell me, why are you so determined to marry Brandon when he treats you like this?” Amber giggled. “Do you think I really love him that much? Let me tell you, I’m only after his money. I’m marrying him so I can officially take a share of his assets.” I frowned. “Isn’t that a bit… wrong?” Amber snorted. “What’s wrong with it?! That money was partly mine to begin with! He promised me half back then, but after he got the assets, he actually refused to admit it!” I thought for a moment. “I heard Brandon’s assets were mainly inherited from his ex-wife. Why would he be willing to give you half?” Amber’s face hardened, and she grew wary. “That, I’m not at liberty to tell you. You don’t need to know anyway; it has nothing to do with you.” Then she giggled again. “Valerie, I’m telling you, Brandon has a massive secret that I’m holding over his head, so he can’t possibly shake me off. I don’t mind if you make him CEO, as long as he makes money, I’ll benefit too.” “Can you tell me what kind of leverage you have?” I asked. Amber chuckled dryly. “Still can’t say. After all, it’s the biggest secret between him and me.” I chuckled softly. “Alright, I’m just kidding. Did you really think I’d be interested?” Amber suddenly got a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Oh, right, Valerie, if you’re genuinely interested in Brandon, I wouldn’t oppose you two dating. In fact, I’d support you marrying him. After all, you’re my best friend.” I rolled my eyes at her. Amber cackled. “I’m serious, not joking. As your best friend, I can share Brandon with you.” “Amber, if you say something like that again, don’t blame me for ending our friendship,” I said coldly. Inside, I was scoffing endlessly. Amber was truly a viper. She called me her best friend, claimed to support my marriage to Brandon, but in reality, she was just after my assets, trying to replicate the scheme she and Brandon used to murder me back then. “Alright, alright, I won’t say it again,” Amber chuckled dryly. “I’m going to go take off my makeup now.” With that, she turned and left, giving Brandon a defiant glare as she passed him. Brandon looked somewhat puzzled but ignored her, instead anxiously walking towards me. I secretly turned on the voice recorder I carried with me. “Ms. Valerie, what did she just tell you? She didn’t talk badly about me, did she?” Brandon asked, feigning nonchalance. “Brandon, was your ex-wife Julia killed by you and Amber working together?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299277”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance

The year I turned eighteen, my parents were in a car accident on our way to my college move-in day. They died instantly, and I was left paralyzed. My brother, Jake, and his wife saw me as nothing but a burden, so they dumped me at my sister Ava’s doorstep. Luckily, Ava never resented me. I was paralyzed for a decade, and she took care of me for every single one of those ten years. To cover my medical bills, she juggled three jobs a day, her body breaking down from sheer exhaustion. Her husband, Leo, finally snapped: “If you keep looking after your sister, we’re getting a divorce!” Ava didn’t hesitate; she divorced him on the spot. Her selfless actions touched hearts across the internet, and she was dubbed “America’s Most Amazing Sister.” Everyone envied me for having such a wonderful sister. Until I won the lottery and got ten million dollars. But I transferred all of it to my brother, Jake. The entire internet condemned me as ungrateful. A reporter, Mr. Davis, found me: “You’ve been paralyzed for a decade. Your brother hasn’t looked after you for a single day. Your sister, Ava, has stuck by you, taking on a mountain of debt for you, and even sacrificed her marriage. Why didn’t you give her a single penny?” I looked up at Mr. Davis, my voice calm: “Set up hidden cameras in my house for a three-day secret livestream, and you’ll understand why.”

As soon as the hidden cameras were installed, the secret livestream began. Cassandra, my “sister,” walked in after work, sporting heavy dark circles under her eyes. She dragged herself to my bedside, preparing to help me clean up. Seeing a mess beneath me, there wasn’t a flicker of disgust in her eyes, only profound heartache and self-reproach. “Riley, did you have an upset stomach last night?” She touched my forehead, blaming herself. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault; I’ve been so exhausted from work lately that I slept like a rock. I forgot to check on you in the middle of the night and keep your blanket on, leaving you uncomfortable all night…” I watched her silently, not speaking. The live comments, however, exploded: “My God, this sister is incredible! She just got home from work, saw this total mess, and her first reaction was to blame herself.” “Right? If I’d worked all day and came home to that, I’d be fuming!” “She really is America’s Most Amazing Sister; she’s making me tear up!” Cassandra didn’t know about the hidden livestream. She just single-handedly turned me over, preparing to help me to the bathroom for a shower. But she was too tired. Even with all her strength, she struggled to lift me from the bed. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Cassandra opened it to find my brother, Jake, standing there. Her eyes widened in surprise. “What are you doing here?” Jake had a cigarette dangling from his lips. He said nonchalantly, “If I’m not mistaken, this apartment is the one Mom and Dad gifted Riley when she got into college, right? As Riley’s brother, there’s no big deal if I stay at my sister’s place for a few days, is there?” With that, he just barged in. Cassandra was too exhausted to argue after a long day, so she just told Jake, “Then lend me a hand and help me get Riley to the bathroom. I need to give her a shower!” Jake shot me a disgusted glance, muttering, “That’s sickening, she reeks of pee and poop. No way am I touching her!” Cassandra frowned. “Jake! Riley is your own sister! She just gave you all ten million dollars she won. How can you refuse to even help her?” Jake scoffed. “She gave me the money willingly. You’re not trying to guilt-trip me, are you?” Cassandra sighed. “I respect all of Riley’s decisions. She gave you all her winnings because she wanted you and your wife to live well.” “She’s so good to you; can’t you be a little good to her?” Jake sneered. “What’s the point of being good to her? She’s just a paralyzed invalid, a waste of space for a decade!” “I don’t know why you bother taking care of this useless person every day. She’d be better off dead!” At this sight, the live comments instantly boiled over: “Seriously? Is this guy even human? Wishing his own sister dead right to her face?” “And his sister just handed him ten million dollars!” “I seriously don’t get it. Her sister slaved for a decade taking care of her, went deep into debt, even lost her marriage, and got absolutely nothing in return! Is this sister out of her mind?!” “She’s ungrateful to such an amazing sister but so good to this heartless animal of a brother? Did the paralysis affect her brain too?!”

Jake didn’t help in the end. It took Cassandra over an hour to clean me up. She was drenched in sweat from exhaustion, but she still meticulously changed my clothes, settling me into my wheelchair. “Riley, you must be hungry, right? Sister will go make you dinner now.” Due to extreme fatigue, Cassandra almost fainted when she stood up. But she only paused for a few seconds before forcing herself to walk into the kitchen. Soon, she brought out grilled salmon, a rich beef stew, some steamed greens, and a pot of steaming chicken soup. Cassandra placed the dishes in front of me, then carefully blew on a spoonful of chicken soup to cool it before bringing it to my lips. “Riley, this chicken soup was made from a fresh, organic chicken I specifically bought from a local farm. You always loved this when you were a kid, try some.” I turned my head, my voice cold. “I don’t want to eat.” Cassandra’s eyes were filled with worry. “Riley, you already had an upset stomach. If you don’t eat something to replenish your strength, your body won’t be able to take it.” I looked at her, my tone still distant. “I don’t have an appetite.” Then, I looked at Jake, who was sprawled on the couch playing on his phone, and said softly, “Jake, I want that pastry on the coffee table.” Jake didn’t even look up, saying impatiently, “I bought that for myself. If you want it, push your wheelchair and go buy your own!” Cassandra glared at Jake, then turned to me, her voice gentle. “Riley, eat your dinner first. After that, I’ll go buy you a pastry, okay?” I stubbornly shook my head, refusing to eat the food she made. At this sight, the live comments exploded: “Is this sister crazy? Refusing her sister’s home-cooked meal, but demanding her brother’s pastry?” “I thought she was just confused, but she’s so utterly pathetic. Her brother treated her like that, and she’s still fixated on his stuff?” “Poor sister, she’s putting in so much thankless effort. She worked so hard to make a whole table of food, and Riley won’t even look at it.” “That’s disgusting. The more I watch, the more I think this younger sister is such a terrible person!”

The first day of the livestream ended. The chat was filled with insults directed at me. On the second day, Cassandra got off work a little earlier than usual. As she came in, she held a warm bag in her hand. “Riley, you wanted a pastry yesterday, right? Sister bought it specifically after work. It’s your favorite savory kind, try it quickly.” She handed the pastry to me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. I glanced at the pastry, my tone indifferent. “I don’t want it now.” A flicker of disappointment and sadness crossed Cassandra’s face. But she forced a smile and said, “What do you want to eat then? Sister will make it for you.” I shot her a cold look. “I don’t want anything you make.” With that, I maneuvered my wheelchair, ready to go to the balcony for some fresh air. As I exited my room, I bumped straight into Jake, who was holding a liquor bottle. The bottle in his hand fell to the floor, and he immediately exploded in rage. “Damn it, are you blind?! You just spilled all my expensive liquor!” He picked up the bottle and forcefully kicked my wheelchair. The wheelchair lurched violently, tipping to one side. “Riley!” Cassandra cried out, rushing forward, shielding me and the wheelchair with her body. Her hand was scraped by the wheelchair, leaving a deep gash, visible to the bone, bleeding profusely. But she ignored the pain, quickly steadying me before turning to Jake, shaken and furious. “Jake! You almost hurt Riley!” Jake glared at me. “She’s useless; she can’t even feel pain. Why are you so worked up?” “This is so annoying! All that good liquor wasted because of her!” Jake grumbled as he stomped back into his room to continue drinking. Cassandra, still shaken, first checked me all over to make sure I was okay. Only after confirming I was unharmed did she endure the pain in her hand to inspect the kicked wheelchair. Finding a buckle somewhat loose, she immediately pulled out her toolbox. She tightened and reinforced it little by little, working late into the night. In the livestream, the comments continued to boil over: “I’m crying. Where can you find a sister this good? Her hand is so badly injured, yet all she cares about is her sister.” “Seriously, why is this amazing sister so unlucky to be stuck with such a blind, heartless invalid of a sister?” “Exactly! Is this sister’s heart made of stone? Her sister has done so much for her, why is she so cold to her?!” “No wonder they say unfortunate people often have something hateful about them. This sister is so hopelessly biased towards her brother, she deserves to be paralyzed!” “This is so suffocating. Sister, just let go! This kind of sister isn’t worth it!” The livestream chat was filled with outrage. Even Mr. Davis, the reporter, called me. “Is this the three-day secret livestream you wanted? Do you know what the chat has been saying about you these past two days?” “Your sister has done so much for you. Aren’t you just asking to be hated?” I glanced at Cassandra, who was quietly tending to her wound in the living room, and said calmly, “There’s one last day.” “Then you’ll know everything.” 　

On the third morning, Cassandra, as usual, came into my room as soon as she woke up. “Riley, how are you feeling today? Is your appetite any better?” She expertly checked my condition while asking softly. I didn’t answer, only glanced indifferently at her bandaged hand. It was still oozing blood. Seeing me silent, Cassandra, as always, massaged my limbs. She moved my joints, preventing muscle atrophy. Her movements were gentle, as if she were tending to a precious treasure. “Riley, look how nice the weather is today.” “After breakfast, I’ll push you outside for a walk. The doctor said outdoor activities are good for your health.” She looked out the window, trying to find topics of conversation. But I remained cold. “No thanks.” Her hand paused slightly, and she said nothing more. After the massage, she fetched warm water, meticulously washed my face and hands, then made me breakfast. The livestream comments continued to scroll: “This sister is still being her same stubborn, lifeless act today. It’s infuriating.” “Exactly! Her sister’s hand is so badly injured, and she still has to take care of her. Does she not even offer a word of concern?” “Honestly disgusting. Some people just don’t deserve kindness!” That day, Cassandra didn’t go to work. She said she wanted to spend quality time with me. After finishing everything, she pushed me to the balcony to bask in the sun. She combed my hair, trimmed my nails, and cleaned my ears. She made sure every inch of me was clean and tidy. After all the chores, she pulled a small stool and sat beside me. Gripping my hand tightly, she began to speak softly. “Riley, do you remember? When we were little, you loved to pull me onto the balcony to sunbathe. You said the sun always made you feel better.” “On my wedding day, you cried so much, clinging to my hand and refusing to let go.” “You once said your biggest wish was for me to be happy…” As she spoke, her eyes welled up. Just then, her phone rang. But she didn’t answer. Instead, she gave me a deep look, then hung up. Then, she looked at me, a faint smile on her face. “Riley, it’s time.” I smiled faintly. This moment, it was finally here. With that, Cassandra straightened up, gave me a cryptic look. And then she did something that stunned every single viewer watching the livestream…

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