Category: English

A series of explosions rocked the neighborhood, burying a pregnant woman beneath the rubble. She could die at any moment, along with her baby. As the only medic from the rescue team on site, I was about to rush forward to help when my captain abruptly held me back. “Don’t worry about her for now.” He pointed to the luxury store across the street. “It just blew open. Go check if that limited-edition watch is still there for me.” I froze on the spot. “Captain, there are two lives down there!” He just sneered, patting my dust-stained face. “Kid, can’t you tell priorities? That watch is worth ten years of your salary. Not being able to save someone is an accident, but not getting that watch would be *my* loss.” My whole body trembled, and a buzzing sound filled my ears. It was so loud, it felt surreal. “Captain, what did you say?” Captain Miller, the leader of our highly praised rescue squad, was looking at me with an unfamiliar gaze, one I’d never seen before. There was no urgency in his eyes, only endless greed. “I said, go into that store and get me that watch.” He spoke slowly, deliberately, his finger pointing at “Prestige Jewelers,” the luxury store diagonally across from us, half-collapsed. “It’s a limited-edition Patek Philippe. The explosion just opened it up; it’s the perfect opportunity.” From beneath the debris, the pregnant woman’s groans echoed again, faint but like a needle sharply piercing my heart. Her water had already broken. Blood was seeping into the gravel beneath her. She could suffocate at any moment from internal bleeding or being crushed. Those were two lives! “Captain, you’re insane! There are two lives down there! Her water broke; if we don’t save her now, it’ll be too late!” I practically screamed, my eyes filled with anger and disbelief. Captain Miller just sneered, leaning closer to me. That face, so often hailed as a superhero on TV, was now contorted into a monstrous expression I didn’t recognize. He slapped me, his touch oozing contempt. “Alex, you’re not new to this, are you? Still can’t tell priorities?” “Saving lives *is* our priority!” “Bullshit!” He glared at me fiercely. “Not being able to save them is an accident, an act of God! The brass will just give us some honorary medals and a photo op!” “But not getting that watch? That’s a real loss for Captain Miller! That watch is worth ten years of your salary, understand?” His voice was low, yet eerily calm. I stared at him. I never thought the man who once pulled three children from a burning building, oxygen tank strapped to his back, the man the internet hailed as a national hero, could say something so utterly despicable. “Captain, please, I’m begging you, let’s save her first…” I knelt on the ground, my voice trembling. “Get lost!” He shoved me away, so hard I stumbled backward, crashing into a jagged piece of rebar. A sharp pain shot through my lower back. “What are you standing around for?!” Captain Miller roared at the other team members. “Mike, Tom, you two, come with me over there! Everyone else, secure the perimeter, don’t let any civilians get close!” “Over there”, in his words, meant the direction of the luxury store. Several senior team members looked uneasy, but no one dared to speak up. “Help… help me…” The pregnant woman’s voice came from deep within the rubble, filled with despair. “My baby… save my baby…” That cry was like a sharp spike digging deep into my heart. “Screw it!” I didn’t care anymore! My eyes red, I shoved away the senior team member trying to hold me back. I grabbed the emergency kit from the ground and sprinted like a madman towards the shaky pile of rubble. “Alex! You’re gonna get yourself killed!” Captain Miller’s furious shout exploded behind me. I ignored him, my mind fixed on one thought: Save her! The structure of the rubble was incredibly unstable. I’d barely climbed two steps when a concrete slab slid down from beside me. It smashed near my foot, and flying debris cut my face. Ignoring the pain, I scrambled on all fours towards the pregnant woman. Half her body was pinned under a precast slab. Her face was ashen, and her lips had already started to turn blue. “Hold on! I’ll get you out right now!” I shouted, trying to free the rebar pinning her down. But the rebar was too heavy. I couldn’t move it by myself. Just then, a hand suddenly grabbed my collar from behind, yanking me backward. I tumbled off the rubble, hitting the ground hard, feeling my head spin. Captain Miller glared at me, his eyes bloodshot. “Are you rebelling, huh? Can’t you understand plain English?” He kicked my medical kit, sending syringes and bandages scattering across the ground. “That’s a life! No, two lives!” I braced myself on the ground, struggling to get up, but he stomped his foot on my shoulder. “I said, I’m getting that damn watch today!” His facial muscles twitched with rage. “Brock, Mark, keep an eye on him! If he moves again, tie him up right here!”

Two burly team members immediately stepped forward, grabbing my arms, one on each side. I could only watch, helpless, as Captain Miller directed the other two to carefully clear the obstacles leading to the luxury store. Meanwhile… The pregnant woman’s groans gradually faded. Minutes ticked by, and my heart sank deeper into an icy abyss. I could see the pool of blood beneath the pregnant woman slowly expanding, staining a large patch of dust. Her hand hung limply, a simple ring on her finger. About twenty minutes later, a cheer erupted from Captain Miller’s side. A team member emerged from the rubble, clutching a velvet box, and presented it to Captain Miller. “Captain, we found it! Completely unharmed!” Captain Miller snatched the box, opening it impatiently. A exquisitely crafted watch lay inside, its dial glinting blindingly in the sunlight. He greedily caressed the watch, a look of utter satisfaction on his face. “Sarah, your anniversary gift… finally in my hands…” I stared at him, my hatred so intense I wanted to tear him limb from limb. He, however, carefully tucked the watch into his jacket pocket. Then, he slowly turned his head, glancing indifferently in the direction of the pregnant woman, and asked with feigned concern: “How’s it looking over there?” “Alex, go check. See if she’s still breathing.” He gestured towards me with his chin, as if talking about a trivial matter. The two team members released me. My legs felt like jelly; I practically crawled over. As I approached the rubble, a heavy smell of blood assaulted my senses. My hand trembled as I reached for the woman’s carotid artery. The pulse had just stopped. Two lives lost. Mother and child, both gone. Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the blood and dust. Just as I was consumed by immense grief and self-reproach, a familiar phone ringtone broke the silence. It was Captain Miller’s phone. He impatiently pulled out his phone, glanced at the screen, and his face instantly twisted into that sickeningly sweet smile again. He cleared his throat, a smile plastered on his face as he answered the call. “Hey, Sarah? Don’t worry, I’ll be done here soon. You…” “Strange, why isn’t anyone talking? Hello? Sarah?” He hadn’t even finished his sentence when a voice called out from the rubble behind me. The sound was faint, but I was close enough to hear it clearly. I stiffly lowered my head, following the sound. Next to the pregnant woman’s limply hanging hand, a phone with a shattered screen was stubbornly glowing. On the screen, the caller’s name was displayed. Captain Miller. **[截断点]**

Captain Miller was still staring blankly at the phone, and I felt a chill run down my spine. On the blood-stained screen of that phone, two words were clearly displayed—’Husband.’ And the caller? It was Captain Miller himself! My brain felt like it was about to explode. I stiffly turned my head, staring intently at the man not far away who was still gloating over a watch. So, the watch he’d gone to such lengths to get, willing to sacrifice two lives in the process… He wanted to give it to the woman whose life he had just personally ended. How ironic! How utterly ridiculous! “Sarah? Talk to me! If you don’t say anything, I’m hanging up!” Captain Miller shouted impatiently, seemingly about to end the call. It was at that exact moment that I found a burst of strength from somewhere deep inside. I violently broke free from their grasp, rushed forward, and snatched the phone from the rubble. The screen was still lit, the call still connected. Trembling, I raised the phone to my ear. “Why is it so noisy over there? Where are you? I told you to wait for me at home, didn’t I?” Captain Miller’s voice came through the receiver, laced with concern. I looked up, our eyes locking. His expression instantly froze, turning to shock and then fury. “Alex! What the hell are you doing?!” He immediately rushed towards me like a madman. I didn’t dodge. Instead, I used every ounce of strength I had, screaming at him, word by agonizing word: “She’s dead.” “You killed her!” Captain Miller’s steps abruptly halted, the color draining from his face. He stared, his pupils constricted, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. “You… what did you say?” I didn’t answer him. I just turned the phone screen towards him, then pointed with my other hand at the rubble. “Aren’t you looking for your wife?” “She’s right there.” “For your damn watch, she and your child are gone!” Boom! It was as if an explosion had gone off in Captain Miller’s own head. He stumbled, then lunged frantically towards the rubble, his gaze locked on the limp hand. The wedding ring on her finger was the one he had personally placed there on their wedding anniversary last year. “No… no… this can’t be real…” He mumbled, reaching out, but then recoiling, afraid to touch the cold body. The surrounding team members were all stunned, standing rooted to the spot, speechless. “Ah—!!!” A piercing scream tore from Captain Miller’s throat. He knelt on the ground, frantically clawing at the concrete slabs pressing down on his wife, his fingernails tearing, blood dripping. “Sarah! Sarah, wake up! Look at me!” “I was wrong! I’m a bastard! I’m not human!” The cold body, no matter how much he cried, offered no response. Suddenly, Captain Miller whipped his head around, his bloodshot eyes locking onto me. They surged with endless malice and madness. “It was you!” “It’s all your fault! You killed her!” He lunged at me like a cornered beast. “If you hadn’t wasted my time arguing with me here! I would have saved her already!” “You killed my wife and child! I’m going to kill you!” He tackled me to the ground, his crimson eyes filled with murder, his hands clamping tightly around my throat. “Captain! Calm down!” “Captain Miller! You’re insane!” Several team members reacted, scrambling to pull him off me. But Captain Miller’s strength was astonishing at that moment; even all of them couldn’t budge him. Just when I thought I was going to die right there, Captain Miller was suddenly yanked off me by a powerful force. It was Brock and Mark. “Captain, calm down! Killing someone is a crime!” Brock held him in a death grip. Captain Miller was still thrashing wildly, cursing incessantly, pushing all the blame onto me. I lay on the ground, gasping for air. I looked at this man, completely consumed by madness, and felt not an ounce of sympathy. He wasn’t grieving; he just wanted to find a scapegoat for his crimes. “Hold him!” Captain Miller suddenly calmed down, his voice hoarse, but with an undeniable command. “Tie him up, and gag him!” Brock and Mark hesitated. “Captain, this…” “I said, tie him up!” Captain Miller pointed at me, his face twisted. “No one is to speak a word of what happened today!” “Just say… just say the pregnant woman was beyond saving when she was found! And Alex, distraught from the shock, lost his mind and started spouting nonsense!”

He swept his gaze over every team member present, his eyes terrifyingly cold. “Anyone who dares to breathe a word of what happened today, don’t blame me for not being merciful!” Even at a time like this, all he cared about was protecting his own reputation! Brock and Mark exchanged glances, a flicker of hesitation in their eyes, but eventually, they walked towards me. “Sorry, Alex.” They grabbed me, one on each side, and pulled out a length of rope. “Don’t you dare!” “You’re helping a criminal! You’re accomplices!” Mark turned his face away, unable to meet my eyes. “We’re just following orders.” I struggled violently, knowing that once they had me under control, I would never get another chance to speak. In the chaos, I kicked Mark in the knee. As he cried out in pain and loosened his grip, I lunged forward. I had only one thought—run! Run to the police tape outside! There were cops and reporters there! “Get him! Don’t let him get away!” Captain Miller’s roar echoed behind me. Brock and Mark immediately gave chase. I’d barely run fifty feet when Brock kicked me hard in the back of the knee, sending me sprawling to the ground. The phone, belonging to Captain Miller’s wife, flew from my grasp, sliding to rest near a broken pillar not far away. That was the evidence! Ignoring the searing pain in my leg, I struggled to crawl towards the phone. But Brock had already caught up. He stomped his foot hard on my back. “Alex, don’t blame us. Blame yourself for seeing what you shouldn’t have.” I saw him raise the crowbar high, and the shadow of death instantly enveloped me. Just as I closed my eyes, preparing for the worst, a calm, authoritative voice suddenly cut through the dust not far away. “Stop!” “What are you doing?!” Several command vehicles, marked with police and fire department logos, abruptly appeared outside the cordon. Car doors opened, and a group of people in different uniforms rushed over. Leading them was a middle-aged man with insignia on his shoulder. His gaze swept over the chaotic scene. “Stop!” “With such a major incident happening, are you rescue workers here to fight?!” Then, his gaze fell on the cowering Captain Miller. “Captain Miller! What in the world is going on here?!” Captain Miller stiffly turned his head. Seeing the newcomer, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes. And I, meeting the middle-aged man’s scrutinizing gaze, couldn’t help but crack a chilling smile. “Director, don’t blame our captain.” “After all, your family isn’t dead inside…”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299264”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller #重生Reborn #玄幻Fantasy

It was the thirtieth day of our cold war. Serena, my wife, suggested a trip together to mend our relationship. But the moment we landed, she snapped my ID card in half, smashed my phone, and abandoned me on a deserted island to die. Someone asked if she’d gone too far. She just caressed her belly, a look of disdain on her face. “It’s his own fault for being so petty. I just wanted to use IVF to give Derek a child before he died, and he threw a fit, demanding a divorce.” “The baby’s due in eight months. The island has fresh water and food; he won’t starve. It’s just a little taste of hardship for him.” Eight months later, Serena, cradling her newborn son, felt utterly content. For the first time, she asked her assistant, Mark: “It’s been so long. Hasn’t he caused a fuss about wanting to come back?” She had no idea I died on the very first day I landed on that island. The next thing I knew, my soul was in Serena’s delivery room. Serena, her face pale, gently held the baby, her eyes brimming with maternal love. Her childhood friend, Derek, wiped the sweat from Serena’s forehead, his gratitude overflowing. “Serena, thank you. We have a son now.” I felt a little dazed. So, I’d been dead for this long already. She and Derek’s child had even been born. Serena was just wheeled out when a crowd of people swarmed around, celebrating the baby’s arrival, cheering and showering her with gifts and congratulations. “Serena, this baby is absolutely adorable! He’s the spitting image of you and Derek. He’ll be a heartthrob when he grows up!” These were the same people who used to call me ‘brother-in-law’ with deference, who’d vehemently claimed Serena’s IVF was wrong and accused Derek of faking his illness. Oh, right. They only sucked up to me before because I was Serena’s husband. Serena’s lips curved into a smile, but her gaze kept darting towards the end of the hallway. She picked up her phone and checked it. Then, she frowned, asking Mark, “Didn’t I tell you to buy him a new phone? Why hasn’t he contacted me these past few months? And he hasn’t even complained about wanting to come back?” Mark lied without batting an eye. “Mr. Julian keeps cursing you and Mr. Derek, saying he doesn’t want any contact with you.” The furrow between Serena’s brows deepened. “So stubborn. His temper is truly pig-headed.” “Tell him I’ve had the baby; the mission is accomplished. If he sincerely calls to apologize and agrees to be the baby’s godfather, I’ll bring him back.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. She still had no idea I was long dead. Nine months ago, Serena aborted *our* baby to make room for her and Derek’s IVF child. She claimed Derek was dying soon and wanted to leave him a child. My spirits crushed, my will broken, I asked for a divorce. Serena gave me the cold shoulder for a month. The first time she initiated contact, she suggested we go on a trip to mend our relationship, promising to abort the IVF baby when we returned. I believed her, only to be left on a deserted island to die. Coming back to myself, Derek said pitifully, “Serena, if Julian comes back, he won’t hit me again, will he? He can hurt me, but please, don’t let him hurt our baby!” He lowered his head, adjusting the angle to specially reveal the tiny scar on his forehead. That scar was from when Derek had deliberately slammed his head against the wall to get that cut when he tried to provoke me, after I’d found out about Serena’s IVF. Because of that, Serena hated me, convinced I’d even bully a terminally ill patient. Serena was devastated, her voice sharp with anger. “If he dares lay a hand on you or our son, I’ll make sure he never comes back!” The others burst into laughter. “Serena, you’re still as protective of Derek as ever. Now that the baby’s born, I remember you and Derek had a childhood pact. You two should be together!” “That’s right, Serena! A child needs a complete mother’s and father’s love most of all! Julian’s so petty and extreme; I’m truly afraid he might harm the baby!” Serena didn’t respond to that. She just clenched her fingers, then looked up at Mark. “Did you send the message? What did he reply?” The next second, Serena’s phone, which was lying beside her, rang. Her eyes lit up. She thought it was me, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips. “Julian, you finally…” The voice on the other end froze her. “Excuse me, are you Julian’s wife? We were wondering if you have time to come to St. Jude’s Chapel to pick up a longevity lock.” Serena countered, “What longevity lock?” The person sighed. “A year ago, Mr. Julian came to our chapel, bowing on his knees with every step, wishing for his seriously ill wife to recover. Later, he returned, saying his wife was well and even pregnant. Our abbot said he had a profound connection with the divine and specially wanted to give him a longevity lock to wish his child peace and safety. But we haven’t been able to reach him for months.” Back then, when Serena was diagnosed with late-stage heart failure, I tried everything to treat her, even begging the heavens for mercy, praying on my knees until my forehead was raw and bleeding. Later, I returned to the chapel, full of joy, believing we had overcome our difficulties and welcomed a new dawn. But in the end, I lost everything. I had nothing. I clutched my chest, a sharp pain radiating from my artificial heart, and let out a bitter laugh. Turns out, even a synthetic heart can ache. The others were stunned by the news. “I can’t believe Julian was so devoted. When you had heart failure, we all thought he’d run away, afraid of the responsibility. It seems we misunderstood Julian…” Suddenly, Serena also clutched her heart, her teeth, white as seashells, biting her red lip. After regaining her composure, she scoffed. “No need. A longevity lock? Just throw it away.” She hung up. She lowered her gaze, gritting her teeth. “This is the difference between Julian and Derek.” “Julian only performs superficial gestures, but Derek directly saved my life! If it weren’t for Derek giving me his heart, I’d be dead already!” “Derek won’t live much longer because of it, but Julian? He only knows jealousy, even causing a fuss about divorce over such a minor thing!” My mouth tasted bitter. I was the one who donated my heart to Serena. The doctor told me that even if I paid a high price for an artificial heart transplant and took medication daily, with current technology, I’d only live another year or two. I didn’t regret it; instead, I was grateful for the time. But when I woke from my coma, I found Serena tearfully thanking Derek for his sacrifice. I tried to explain, time and again, but she just dismissed it as a pathetic attempt to mimic Derek’s sacrifice. It wasn’t until Serena became pregnant that our relationship softened. All because when Derek came to visit Serena, he clutched his chest, his face etched with sorrow, and said, “It’s a shame. I don’t have long left. I probably won’t be able to have my own children, or even see yours, Serena.” Serena immediately and unequivocally decided to give Derek a child. That led to the subsequent tragedy. Listening to Serena’s accusations, the others exchanged glances, and the air immediately thickened with tension. To ease the atmosphere, they all laughed and switched on the TV. “Serena, you just gave birth, don’t get too angry. Just relax a bit.” Coincidentally, a news report came on: “A skeleton of a male was discovered on a deserted island in the Pacific during a drone patrol. This marks a new milestone in drone technology…” Serena suddenly looked up, her pupils contracting. “Which island?”

Someone meekly said, “Serena, I heard the island you sent Julian to is somewhere around that coordinate…” Serena’s brows furrowed, nearly tying themselves in knots. Derek’s eyes flashed. He gently patted Serena’s back. “There are many similar islands, aren’t there? But that skeleton looks remarkably complete, almost like a medical model.” Serena snapped back to reality and scoffed. “Ha, Julian used to fake heart conditions to deceive people. Now he’s even using a skeleton model to scare me? He’s truly enjoying himself too much!” She turned and instructed Mark, “From now on, you are not allowed to agree to Julian’s unreasonable requests! I told you to just give him basic survival supplies, and you still played along with his nonsense!” Mark was drenched in cold sweat, nodding in affirmation. I knew why he was feeling guilty. After tossing me onto the deserted island, Serena had flown off in the helicopter without a second thought. My body and mind were exhausted, and my artificial heart couldn’t bear the strain. I had just pulled out my medication, intending to take it. But that assistant deliberately kicked my life-saving medication, sending it tumbling into the ocean. He’d even sneered, “Ms. Serena is right; you really are a drama queen, still acting like you have a heart condition!” “You, you’ll spend the rest of your life on this deserted island. Ms. Serena and Mr. Derek are having a baby; why would she ever come back for you!” After saying that, he led everyone away from the deserted island with a look of disgust. In the end, I painfully clawed at the ground, my fingernails bloody and torn, my heart stopped, and I died miserably in a foreign land. My body was weathered by wind and sun, torn by scavengers. Even now, the sensation of my heart being squeezed seems vivid before my eyes. Serena’s mood suddenly worsened for some reason. Her expression turned cold, and she rolled over, pulling the covers over herself, beginning to dismiss her visitors. “You can all leave now; I’m tired.” Everyone exchanged confused glances and left the hospital room one by one. Only Derek remained, cooing at the baby and gently holding Serena’s hand, which lay outside the covers with an IV drip. Because it was a natural birth, Serena was able to get out of bed and be discharged in just two days. Derek followed Serena home step by step, cradling the baby and making a pitiful promise. “Serena, I know you’ve hired a postpartum nurse, but I am the baby’s biological father. I have a responsibility to take care of you and our son.” Afraid she wouldn’t agree, he quickly added, “I’m very understanding; I won’t touch anything in the house, and Julian will never find out I’ve been here!” Serena’s fingers, clutching her purse strap, turned white from the force. She seemed conflicted. Derek then clutched his chest, tears welling in his eyes as he weakly said, “Serena, I don’t have long to live. Opportunities to be with you and our son are few. Can you give me this chance?” After a long silence, Serena finally nodded slowly. I watched Derek’s face twist into a sly, triumphant smirk. I lowered my head and gave a bitter laugh. Serena and I used to have a pact: no matter what, we would never bring outsiders into our home. But now, she was letting Derek walk right in. It seemed he was always the exception. As soon as the door opened, the little dog at home rushed forward to welcome Serena. Upon sensing a stranger, he immediately barked a warning, standing protectively in front of Serena. The baby, startled by the barking, began to cry loudly. Serena frowned. “Buddy, settle down!” Derek, however, smiled gently, though his eyes held no warmth. “It’s alright, Serena, I like dogs too.” With that, he crouched down and ruffled Buddy’s head. Buddy was usually gentle; his barking was just his way of deterring strangers, so he didn’t bite Derek’s hand. Serena couldn’t help but sigh. “Derek, you’re still as kind as ever.” Only I saw clearly that Derek’s palm was clutching a handful of Buddy’s yellow-white fur. How much pain Buddy must have been in! Hearing Buddy whimper in pain, Serena’s face changed, and she instantly grew angry. “This dog is just like its owner—an ungrateful, disloyal creature that can’t be tamed!” She pulled Derek away, cradling the baby. Buddy was still whimpering, squatting by the door, biting the bouncy ball I used to play with him, seemingly waiting for me. My nose stung. Buddy was just a little stray, but Serena and I had rescued him together when we were dating. He’d just been abandoned after birth, and Serena and I had taken turns staying up all night, feeding him milk, nursing him until he was grown. He was like our own child. He still didn’t know that his daddy was never coming back. Upstairs, Serena handed the baby to the postpartum nurse and then called for Mr. Henderson, instructing him carefully. “Mr. Henderson, Derek can’t have anything spicy, and no onions, ginger, or garlic. Please tell the kitchen to be mindful. Also, he only sleeps on silk sheets; otherwise, he gets rashes…” Serena rattled on, remembering Derek’s preferences as if they’d been married for ten years. I used to be jealous of her and Derek’s childhood connection, but now it seemed I had thought too little of it. Derek, however, pretended not to know these things. He used the excuse of needing the restroom to sneak into Serena and my bedroom. Buddy, seeing the stranger enter his parents’ room, tilted his head and followed Derek upstairs. Derek sneered at our wedding photo on the table, picking up a marker and drawing all over my face. He jumped when he felt Buddy nipping at his pant leg. The next second, he lashed out with a violent kick. Buddy, a small ten-pound dog, was sent flying against the wall by the heavy kick, then fell to the floor. His limbs twitched a few times, blood spreading from the corner of his mouth, and he whined softly. I was furious. I lunged towards Buddy, but my soul only passed through his body. Derek’s pale, gaunt face twisted into a crazed expression. He scoffed. “Loyal dog, are we? Then I’ll send you to your owner in heaven!” I froze. Derek actually knew I was dead. Could Mark be working for him? Recalling Mark’s disgust for me and his attempts to slander me, I clenched my fists. Just then, Serena, hearing the commotion, walked into the room. She immediately saw Buddy still faintly twitching by the wall.

Derek instantly feigned tears. “I’m so sorry, Serena! The dog bit me, and my heart suddenly ached. I accidentally kicked him. It’s all my carelessness! The dog won’t be hurt, will he?” Serena pressed her lips together, forcing herself to look away from Buddy. “As long as you’re alright. How are you feeling right now? Where did he bite you?” “Pets carry so many germs; it’s not good for the baby. I’ve wanted to have him sent away for a long time. You’ve actually done me a great favor.” With that, she ordered Mr. Henderson to take the dog to the vet, a look of disgust on her face. Derek, however, wasn’t satisfied, his lips twisting into a pout. But he quickly composed himself and tugged on Serena’s sleeve. “As long as the dog’s okay. If Julian found out, he’d probably tear me to shreds. I couldn’t even pay him back if I died!” Anyone who didn’t know better would think I’d somehow bullied him in the past. But Serena’s eyes filled with concern, and she gently cooed, “If he dares do that, I’ll make sure he knows what it means to wish for death.” Derek paused, then tentatively asked, “Serena, my parents want to see our little one a few more times. Will you come with me to visit them tomorrow?” Serena nodded. “Of course. The child will eventually be raised by your parents anyway.” Derek’s chest heaved. He reached out to grab Serena’s hand, whining, “Serena, why are you becoming so distant with me? We—” But Serena pulled away, her tone somewhat cold. “The guest room is ready. You should get some sleep. The baby’s been restless these past few days, and you haven’t been sleeping well either.” But it was Serena who lay awake all night. She kept pulling out her phone, opening our SnapChat chat. When she saw my last message was from eight months ago—my reply of “Okay” to her invitation for a trip abroad—she grew restless. I worried for Buddy’s health, but my soul couldn’t stray too far from Serena, so I could only stare at Buddy’s dog food and toys. The next moment, Serena suddenly walked over to me. My heart skipped a beat. I saw her crouch down and open Buddy’s favorite can of dog food. Then she opened my SnapChat chat. “Julian, I’ve handled everything. Come back. Buddy misses you very much.” Serena had rarely softened like this. This time, I didn’t instantly reply. I could never reply to her messages again. Just then, Mr. Henderson opened the door and returned. Serena saw his empty hands and asked, “Where’s the dog?” Mr. Henderson hesitated. “Six ribs were broken, piercing his heart. He didn’t make it to the hospital… Miss, should we have him cremated?” My heart clenched in agony. When we named our puppy, Serena had said so sweetly, “Of course, we’ll call him Buddy! We’re his parents in his little world, the closest people he has. We’ll protect him and keep him safe always!” Buddy, Buddy… yet he couldn’t even live a safe life. Serena froze, her fingertips trembling. After a long moment, she finally found her voice. “Yes.” “Mr. Henderson, please find me another dog that looks exactly like him. In a few days, when Julian comes home and doesn’t see Buddy, he’ll definitely cause a scene again.” My heart spasmed. She had money; she could find a similar dog. But our feelings? They were irreplaceable. The next day, Serena seemed miles away on the way to Derek’s place, barely patting the crying baby’s back as a mere formality. She pursed her lips, messaging Mr. Henderson, urging him, “Haven’t you found one yet? Hurry up.” When she looked up again, Serena was stunned by the decor of Derek’s house.

I looked at the scene before me and found it absurd. The surroundings were decorated with streamers. A red carpet was laid on the floor. A Bluetooth speaker blared a proposal song. And most striking of all, a banner directly facing the front door read: “Serena, please marry me!” The house was packed with Serena’s and Derek’s friends and family, all looking at the two of them with eager eyes. Serena tightened her grip on the baby, who struggled and cried out loud. Derek’s father chuckled. “Serena, you and Derek had a childhood pact, a promise of marriage. Someone from Julian’s ordinary background simply isn’t a match for you. Now that you’ve had the baby, isn’t it time you married Derek?” Derek immediately dropped to one knee, pulling out a sparkling diamond ring. “Serena,” he declared, his voice full of feigned emotion, “I know I don’t have long to live, but I want to give our child a complete father’s love. I want him to know he was born from love, not some nameless, illegitimate child! Please marry me. I want to protect you and our son until my dying breath!” Seeing this, the crowd, as if on cue, began to loudly chant, “Say yes! Marry him!” My heart felt bitter. So, it had come to this. But Serena’s face darkened. She smacked the diamond ring out of Derek’s hand. “Derek, are you crazy?” Then, without another word, she shoved the baby into Derek’s parents’ arms and stormed out. The atmosphere instantly turned awkward. Derek’s face flushed alternately green and pale. He rushed after her. He grabbed Serena’s arm, his eyes bloodshot. “Why can’t you marry me? Serena, refusing you back then was just my pride. Weren’t you with Julian just to spite me? What’s gotten into you now?!” Serena yanked her arm away, her gaze more resolute than ever. “Julian would be furious! If another man even showed up near me, he’d get so jealous, so petty and stubborn.” “I had an IVF baby with you, and he’s already furious about that. If he found out I accepted your proposal, he’d never forgive me!” Hearing that, I felt a pang of surprise. Derek gritted his teeth, taking a deep breath. The next moment, he clutched his chest, struggling to speak. “But, Serena, what if this is my dying wish? I don’t have much time left. Please, just agree to marry me, just a wedding. After I’m gone, you can still be with Julian. I won’t hold you back for long!” Serena’s eyes flickered with internal struggle. She instinctively reached out, wanting to comfort Derek. Just as her hand was about to touch his chest, she seemed to snap out of a dream. “I’m sorry, Derek. Even if it’s your dying wish, I can’t.” “I know you’re my benefactor, but giving you a child has already repaid you. I hope you won’t overstep.” With that, she turned and walked away. On the way home, she stared intently at the message she had sent last night, which had fallen silent as a stone. Serena irritably questioned Mark, who was following behind her. “Are you sure Julian’s phone can connect to the internet? Why is he still not replying to my messages?” Mark continued to lie. “Ah, well, the people patrolling the deserted island told me Mr. Julian is doing just fine; he’s just deliberately ignoring you.” Serena was furious. “Useless! Go book me a plane ticket, now!” Mark seemed flustered, trying desperately to stop her. “But you’re still recovering from childbirth… Shouldn’t you at least tell Mr. Derek about this?” Serena gave him a scrutinizing look, her voice icy. “What does it have to do with him? Who exactly is your boss?” Soon, Serena boarded the plane. When she finally arrived at the island, fueled by rage, my bare bones still lay exposed on the beach, my clothes long since tattered and ripped by the sea winds. Serena walked towards the makeshift wooden cabin. *Snap*. She stepped on it without a second thought, and I heard a sickening *snap* as my tibia bone broke beneath her heel. Her gaze was suddenly caught by something glinting. Disbelieving, she slowly turned her head. There, on the skeleton’s ring finger, was a gleaming silver men’s wedding band.

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My fiancé dumped me after a mix-up with our health check-up results. We’d gone for a routine comprehensive health check-up before the wedding, and somehow, our phone numbers got swapped. So, his cancer diagnosis was sent to me, and my clean bill of health was sent to him. I hadn’t even had a chance to tell him the truth. When he showed up at my door with his entire family to break off the engagement. They demanded I return the wedding budget and compensate them for emotional distress. My usually kind prospective mother-in-law looked at me with utter contempt. “You jinx! If we hadn’t gone for that check-up, our family would have been doomed!” I returned the wedding budget and all the gifts Liam had given me during our relationship. Silently, I deleted the cancer diagnosis report from my phone. I was on the phone with my boyfriend, Liam, discussing our wedding plans. He sounded a bit hesitant. “Honestly, I don’t think we need such an expensive reception. We have a long life ahead, and plenty of other expenses will pop up. This is all for you, you know. Wouldn’t it be better to save that money and buy you a designer bag? Don’t you agree?” I felt a pang of annoyance. Ever since we got engaged, Liam had become incredibly stingy, and he always used the excuse that it was “for me,” putting me in a position where I felt obligated to agree, as if refusing would make me the villain. I was about to say something when I suddenly received a text message. I opened it to find a notification from the health center. 【Mr./Ms. Davis, your results from our health center are in. Your examination indicates mid-stage stomach cancer. We recommend you seek further medical review and treatment as soon as possible. We wish you a speedy recovery. For any questions, please call our center.】 How could I have cancer? I was too stunned to speak. Liam called out “Hello?” a few times from the other end of the line. Thinking I was upset, he continued, “Okay, we can go with your plan then, but your parents will have to cover the costs. My mom…” I cut him off. “Check your messages. I… I just sent you a screenshot.” I hung up abruptly and quickly called my parents to explain what happened. My parents dropped everything and rushed me to the health center to get the official results. Once there, after a quick check, we realized it was all a huge misunderstanding. Our phone numbers were just one digit off, and he’d accidentally entered my number during registration. Coupled with a clerical error in the system, the reports had been mixed up. So, it wasn’t me with cancer. It was Liam! My heart, which had just settled, tightened again. I reached for my phone to tell Liam, but then I noticed he hadn’t replied to the message I sent him earlier.

My parents drove my distraught self back to my apartment near the office. But my mind was a mess. Liam hadn’t replied. He must be researching treatment options and trying to figure out how to raise money for my supposed illness. He’d always been like that, always responsive to everything. I remembered one time I got my period in the middle of the night and had terrible cramps. I casually complained to him, and he showed up at my building with freshly brewed ginger tea. After that, I was careful about what I said, afraid he’d go overboard. Sigh! Why was I so impatient? I told him before even confirming the situation. Now, how was I going to delicately tell him that *he* was the one with cancer, not me? Before I could think it through, my dad patted my shoulder. “It’s okay, Clara. Stomach cancer isn’t untreatable. The doctor just said it can be managed, especially with that new treatment they mentioned, some kind of targeted therapy. Didn’t they say it’s very effective?” My mom nodded in agreement. “Yes, exactly. I always told you to keep your wealth under wraps, to see if he was truly after you or just your money, but now this involves a human life, it’s incredibly serious. We should just tell him the truth. We can cover the costs and make sure Liam gets the best treatment.” As she spoke, my dad picked up his phone, leveraging his network to find the best stomach cancer specialists. After a few calls, the experts reassured us, saying the situation wasn’t too severe, not to worry too much, and that the prognosis was good. Right, so many people get cancer these days. It’s not an insurmountable obstacle. And Liam was always so optimistic and cheerful; he’d definitely beat it. My mind was a jumble of thoughts. I imagined that when I told Liam, he’d hug me, overjoyed, perhaps even tear up, saying how lucky it was that it was him and not me. I nodded. “Okay. I’ll go see him tomorrow. We’ll take him directly to a top specialist to discuss treatment options. I’ll just figure out exactly what to say tonight.”

Early the next morning, my parents and I were still asleep when a knock sounded at the door. My dad opened it, only to find Liam and Brenda, along with a group of people I didn’t recognize but who, judging by their appearance, were Liam’s relatives. Everyone looked grim, especially Liam and Brenda. They had worried expressions and dark circles under their eyes, clearly having been up all night. I knew it. He hadn’t replied to my messages because he was busy trying to raise money from his relatives. Tears and laughter mingled as I rushed forward, wanting to embrace Liam. But before I could touch him, Brenda pushed me away with a dark look on her face and started ranting like a machine gun. “You cancer hag! Stay away from my son! Don’t infect him with your disease!” “I thought she was such a good girl. She looks decent on the outside, but she’s rotten to the core!” “You jinx! If we hadn’t gone for that check-up, our family would have been doomed!” “It’s not just about you dying, you almost dragged my son into a second marriage, did you know that?” These words hit me like thunderclaps, making my ears ring. But Brenda wasn’t done yet. “I’m here today with my son to call off this engagement! If you dare to refuse, I’ll take this to court and let the whole world know you’re clinging to my son even when you’re on your deathbed!” My parents and I froze, especially me. The smile on my face instantly stiffened. Brenda had always been so gentle and kind to me before. I used to think I was incredibly lucky to have found such a wonderful boyfriend and such a good prospective mother-in-law. I even told my best friend, “Liam’s mom is so open-minded; she’ll definitely approve of our marriage.”

My parents’ faces were livid with anger. My mom held my dad back, afraid he’d lose his temper and physically lash out. My mom, in her usual good-natured way, said, “Let’s talk this through calmly. Even if you want to break off the engagement…” Brenda cut my parents off. “Who wants to talk calmly with you? Don’t even think about clinging to my family!” I ignored Brenda and turned to look at Liam. After all, he was the one I was supposed to spend my life with. Brenda was undoubtedly upset after hearing about my supposed illness, but Liam just kept his head down, refusing to look at me. I still wanted to give Liam a chance. After so many years together, so many wonderful memories—as long as he was willing to stand by me, I wouldn’t care what Brenda said. At worst, I just wouldn’t associate with her in the future. So, I spoke in a hoarse voice, “Stomach cancer can be treated, and Liam and I, after all…” Brenda heard me and, with a knowing look, cut me off. “I knew you’d try to cling to my son! I don’t know if cancer can be cured, but I do know that cancer can be hereditary. Even if you’re cured, it’ll still be in your genes.” “My son is the only male in our family to carry on the name. If he marries you and has an unhealthy grandchild, what will I do?” “Before, I was just putting on a show for you, because you were an only child from a prosperous background. I thought marrying you would help my son in the future, and your parents could provide financial and practical support!” “But who would’ve thought, after all that careful selection, we’d end up with a cancer hag!” “I was dissatisfied with you long ago! A girl who’s constantly drinking milk tea, eating takeout, always wanting to eat out! Well, serves you right now, even heaven is punishing you for your lifestyle, giving you cancer!”

Liam stood there as if he wasn’t even present, still staring at his shoes. I found it utterly ridiculous. All my fantasies from yesterday now seemed like the most pathetic jokes. I ignored Brenda’s incessant rambling and just stared at Liam. “Is that what you think too? Are you here to break off the engagement?” Liam knew he couldn’t hide any longer. He looked up at me, his eyes devoid of any former affection, and said coldly, “Yes!” I stumbled, and my parents quickly steadied me from behind. “Liam, have you forgotten what you promised me?” Liam scoffed. “Clara and I are only engaged, not married. I have no legal responsibilities or obligations to her. Besides, I’m not looking for someone to take care of; I want a supportive partner, a warm harbor to care for *me* and *my mother*, to make my life and work free from worrying nuisances!” “I’m a normal man; of course, I’d put myself first. Can you honestly say that if *I* were the one with cancer today, you wouldn’t break off the engagement?” But the truth was, we wouldn’t have. After all, I had just been thinking about how to tell you, how to get you treatment, how to care for you. I never once considered abandoning you. My heart shattered into a million pieces, yet I also felt incredibly fortunate to see his true colors now. I smiled and nodded. “Fine, then the engagement is off. We’ll go our separate ways from now on.” Liam probably hadn’t expected me to agree so readily. He looked a bit awkward, then habitually tried to morally blackmail me. “And you talk about loving me? If you truly loved me, you wouldn’t drag me down. I just bought a house; how could I possibly have spare money to pay for your cancer treatment?”

As soon as he said that, Liam quickly fell silent, but I’d already heard it. I couldn’t help but look up. “I only told you about my ‘cancer’ yesterday. How could you have bought a house today?” It wasn’t like me to be so curious. Liam and I had planned to buy a house together after the wedding. I had always discouraged him from buying a house beforehand, intending to surprise him by having him move into the spacious apartment I’d already bought. Liam looked embarrassed. Perhaps out of habit from our years of dating, he still explained after I asked. “The house was bought a few months ago, not yesterday.” But Brenda felt no awkwardness at all. Shielding Liam, she said with a hint of pride, “What are you afraid of? Our buying a house is our business. Why should we have to tell you?” “Besides, do you think we’re stupid? Buying a house after marriage makes it joint marital property. The moment you suggested that, I immediately saw through your intentions. We paid the down payment right away and put the house in *my* name.” Ah, yes. Property acquired before marriage. Then they’d have expected me to cover the renovation costs, and if things went south, I’d end up with nothing in the property division. What a deeply calculating mind. I smiled bitterly and nodded. Now, I wasn’t sad at all. After all, not only was I healthy and cancer-free, but I’d also avoided marrying into such a conniving family. My parents couldn’t take it anymore. My dad stormed over and flung the front door open. “Then you can leave. Don’t make a scene in my house.” Brenda sneered. “Your house? This is the landlord’s place! You’d better return it quickly. Don’t go dying in someone else’s rental; that would be incredibly bad luck!” The assembled relatives burst into laughter, as if Brenda had just told the funniest joke.

I wasn’t angry, and I couldn’t be bothered to explain that this was, in fact, my own apartment. After all, these people were strangers to me now. Why should I get angry at a bunch of strangers? Still, I didn’t understand why they were still here. Brenda stood for a moment, seeing that my parents and I weren’t “playing along,” and decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She spoke directly, “That wedding budget we gave you for the engagement last time? You *must* return it to me. Don’t think about using my family’s money to treat your illness.” So, it was about that $26,000 wedding budget. My dad didn’t waste time. He pulled out his phone and transferred $26,000 directly to Liam. “Now, get out!” “Not enough! There’s also the money for the banquet! We didn’t get married, and ultimately, it’s your daughter’s fault for being sick. You can’t let us lose money; you wasted our family’s funds!” My dad scoffed, pulled out his phone, and transferred another $7,000. “Is that enough? The venue you picked would’ve cost at most $4,100. Here’s $7,000; now get out.” Brenda stared at her phone for a long time, counting the money several times. Once she confirmed it was all there, she still wouldn’t leave. She nudged Liam, who then snapped out of his daze and spoke, “The rings, bracelets, bags, clothes, and shoes I gave you during our relationship – you have to return those too!” Brenda and the relatives behind her nodded in agreement. “Exactly, those are all good things! You’re going to die anyway, what good are they to you?” “Yeah, we can give them to his next girlfriend!” Brenda also nodded. “To be honest, yesterday, when I found out you were gravely ill, I immediately contacted the matchmaker to recommend some girls for my son. We’re just waiting to arrange meetings. It wouldn’t do to go empty-handed on the first date, so those items would make perfect gifts.” “I honestly don’t care about those things.” At my signal, Brenda and Liam started taking things from a box, item by item, confirming whether they were indeed gifts from Liam. It took a long time. In the end, they even packed away a small collectible figurine. Once I saw they had finished packing, I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed a broom and literally swept them out the door.

After they left, my dad said angrily, “Clara, don’t tell anyone about Liam’s cancer. Don’t bother with him. He made his own bed; he’ll have to lie in it.” I hummed in agreement, stubbornly deleting the health report from my phone. But secretly, I planned to wait a few days, let things cool down, and then tell him, or at least inform the health center to contact him. I figured that was the extent of my goodwill. A few days later, before I had a chance to reveal Liam’s cancer diagnosis, he and his mother showed up again. This time, they didn’t bring a crowd of relatives for intimidation. Instead, they brought a bespectacled, scholarly-looking man. I didn’t open the door. I frowned at the video doorbell. “What do you want now?” The man with glasses stepped in front of the camera and cleared his throat. “Hello, Ms. Davis. My name is Sterling. I’m the attorney Mr. Hayes has retained. We’re here today to request repayment for the expenses incurred during your relationship. We have a detailed list. Please open the door so we can discuss this civilly. If you refuse, we’ll have no choice but to take legal action.” Liam nodded too. “Clara, you’re going to die anyway. I invested that money in my future wife. Since you won’t be my wife, I need it back.” Brenda laughed. “Yes! Instead of giving that money to you for your illness, it’d be better for my son to use it for his mortgage! I’m telling you, if you don’t return it, I’ll sue you, and you’ll die in prison!” Lunatics! They were truly lunatics. Fine! Let’s tally it all up. Just don’t come crying to me afterward. I didn’t open the door. Instead, I spoke into the intercom. “Then you’ll have to wait. I’m also getting my lawyer. You can come in once my lawyer arrives.” Brenda scoffed. “You should save what little money you have for your cancer treatment, not for a lawyer!” But I said no more after that. The three of them had no choice but to wait in the hallway for half an hour, sweating profusely from the heat. It wasn’t until I called my parents’ company’s legal team, and six senior attorneys arrived in full force, that I finally allowed Liam and his companions inside.

nce inside, Liam’s group was sweltering, especially Mr. Sterling, the lawyer in the suit jacket, who looked on the verge of heatstroke. But he still dutifully handed me a stack of papers. Brenda and Liam, meanwhile, stared at my formidable legal team, whispering, “Where did she get all these lawyers? They’re probably just homeless people she hired to pretend!” I quickly scanned the papers. They listed petty expenses. Takeout he ordered for me, movies he treated me to, drinks he bought, and even that ginger tea I’d remembered—it was all meticulously recorded. The ginger tea alone was listed at $2, with a $7 delivery fee for the middle of the night. All in all, beyond the roughly $8,000 in actual expenses, there was $21,000 for emotional distress and another $21,000 for wasted youth, totaling over $50,000. I nodded. “I’m willing to pay this $50,000, but only if you return everything I gave you!” Liam and Brenda exchanged glances, then quickly nodded. Liam then spoke, dismissively, “The things you gave me were just fakes, worthless. $14,000 should be enough, right?” I shook my head. Probably not enough, actually. But I didn’t need to say anything. My legal team stepped forward with their evidence. “Ms. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Davis anticipated this situation, so they had us prepare everything in advance. Please confirm if it’s all here.” I gave a perfunctory “Hmm.” “It’s fine, whatever.” My legal team handed the evidence to Liam. His face grew darker and darker. “How is this possible? You’re lying! Everything you gave me was fake; how could it be so expensive?” Liam looked utterly shocked, but quickly regained his composure. “You must have cancer and are deliberately trying to deceive me, trying to use my money for your treatment.” Liam’s face registered disbelief, but he quickly returned to his normal expression. “You must have cancer and are deliberately trying to swindle me, just wanting my money to pay for your treatment.” So, that was the root of it. I smiled. “Actually, there’s something else I’ve been hiding from you. You’ve always thought I was the one with cancer, but that’s not true.” I recovered a photo from my phone’s trash bin, a picture I’d taken of Liam’s cancer diagnosis report. “Actually, you’re the one with cancer, not me.” Liam and Brenda snatched my phone, their expressions instantly changing. “How is that possible?”

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After I died, I became a ghost, constantly hovering around my ex-boyfriend, Caleb. I thought he couldn’t see me, so I shamelessly slept beside him, even swiped his underwear, and chirped away while he was in the shower. Until that day, when his utterly exasperated voice came from the bathroom: “Elara, are you done messing around? Give me back my briefs.” I died, a hundred days after breaking up with Caleb. A freak car accident. Quick and definitive. When I opened my eyes again, I was floating in mid-air, watching my cold body being covered with a white sheet and loaded onto an ambulance. Then, an unseen force tugged at me, pulling me through countless walls, before finally depositing me in a familiar apartment. It was Caleb’s place. And just like that, I became a ghost. I floated in front of Caleb. He was sitting on the couch, a bottle of whiskey in hand, drinking mouthful after mouthful. The coffee table was littered with empty liquor bottles and takeout containers. The whole apartment reeked. He was a shadow of his former self, cheekbones sharp, eyes sunken, a scruffy beard dusting his jaw. Those eyes, which once always held a spark when they looked at me, were now utterly vacant. My non-existent heart felt like it was being squeezed tight, an excruciating pain. We’d been together for three years, from college sweethearts to navigating the real world. Everyone just assumed we’d end up getting married. Six months ago, he suddenly became distant, always busy. We argued, gave each other the silent treatment, until finally, he called it quits. He just said, “Elara, I’m exhausted.” Back then, I just thought he didn’t love me anymore. But seeing him in this state now… I wasn’t so sure anymore. “Caleb,” I floated to his ear, unable to stop myself from chattering, “Look at you, what a mess. You can’t even bother to shave, or sweep the floor. The garbage is practically burying you alive!” He didn’t react at all, just lifted the whiskey bottle and took another long swig. Fine. He really couldn’t see or hear me. My heart sank, yet a strange sense of relief washed over me. At least, I could still be by his side like this.

Deep into the night, Caleb drank himself into a stupor and passed out on the couch. His brow was furrowed, and he was muttering something I couldn’t quite make out. I leaned my ear closer. “Elara… don’t go…” My non-existent heart ached. Ghosts don’t shed tears, not literally. But his words made my very essence feel like it was unraveling. Well, well, Caleb. So you haven’t forgotten me after all. My courage grew, and I floated to his side, curling up next to him just like I used to. I couldn’t touch him, but I could smell his familiar scent, just as it always was. I stared at his sleeping face, extending my translucent hand to trace the line of his eyebrow, his eyelid. As if possessed by a sudden urge, I leaned down and brushed my lips against his. They were cold, utterly devoid of a living person’s warmth. We never got a proper goodbye when I was alive. Consider this my last, silent farewell. He seemed to sense something. His eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes. Our gazes met. My ghostly form instantly froze. He… he saw me? His eyes were hazy, still clouded by alcohol. He looked in my direction and reached out a hand, as if trying to grasp something. “Elara…” My heart leaped into my throat. But the next second, his hand dropped, his head lolled, and he sank back into a deep sleep. A crushing wave of disappointment washed over me. It was just drunken ramblings. I sighed, settling down beside him. “Caleb, you know what? I regret it. If I’d known this would happen, on the day we broke up, I wouldn’t have been so stubborn. I would have held you, begged you not to leave.” “But it’s too late for anything now.” “You have to live well, for both of us. Find a good girl, get married, have adorable kids. Then, slowly, forget about me.” As I spoke, my ghostly form seemed to grow fainter. *Forget about me.* Those three words stung more than the thought of simply fading away.

The next day, Caleb was woken by his phone ringing. He rubbed his aching head, still battling a hangover, and answered, his voice hoarse, “Hello, Mom.” His mother said something on the other end, and he impatiently cut her off, “I know, I know, I’ll clean up.” After hanging up, he looked around, his brow furrowed so deeply, you could have squeezed a coin between them. He started resignedly cleaning the apartment. I floated beside him, giving directions. “Yep, that stinky sock? It’s trash time.” “Are you planning to collect these takeout boxes forever?” “Seriously? You missed a spot. Over here, there’s still a footprint.” I kept yammering on, not even realizing that Caleb’s actions were mirroring my words perfectly. If I said east, he wouldn’t go west. It wasn’t until he finished cleaning the place and collapsed on the couch that I realized. Something was off. This was too much of a coincidence. Were we really still so in sync? My heart fluttered with a strange joy. With the apartment clean, Caleb seemed to be in a slightly better mood. He turned and headed for the bathroom, apparently to shower. My eyes lit up, and I immediately followed. Heh, he never let me watch before, but now I was a ghost. How was he going to stop me? Suddenly, *wham*, the bathroom door slammed shut right in front of me. I slammed right into it, feeling my ghostly essence ripple from the impact. “What the heck? Is there a protective charm on the door?” I rubbed my non-existent nose, not giving up, and tried again. Still couldn’t get in. I could only lean against the door, listening to the sound of the shower and letting my imagination run wild. “Caleb, showering alone is so boring. Want me to scrub your back?” “Hey, say something. Are you shy?” No sound from inside, but the shower seemed to pause for a moment. I didn’t think much of it and continued to tease him, “Oh, is your back still okay? You used to complain about the pain all the time. No one to massage it for you now, huh?” Inside, the shower suddenly stopped.

A moment later, the door opened. Caleb emerged, wrapped in a towel, his hair still dripping, his face flushed with an unusual redness. He didn’t even glance in my direction, heading straight for the kitchen and yanking open the fridge. It was empty. He sighed, settling for a packet of instant noodles. Seeing him like that, my heart twisted. I was feeling weaker too, my ghostly form almost transparent. Even ghosts need to “eat,” and for us, that means absorbing the essence of offerings, like burning incense. But I’d only just died. My parents were distraught, and they wouldn’t have thought about making offerings yet. “Starving…” I mumbled, leaning on the table. “Someone burn me some food. I want fried chicken, the original recipe. Two servings.” Caleb’s hand, stirring his noodles, stopped. He froze, turning his head in my direction. His gaze was odd—was it tentative? Or… fear? I froze too. What was his deal now? But he said nothing, turning back to his noodles. After finishing his meal, he changed clothes, grabbed his car keys, and headed out. I quickly floated after him. I was getting weaker, feeling like I was about to dissipate if I didn’t get some sustenance. I had to stick with him. What if he went to see my parents? I could potentially ‘mooch’ some spiritual energy.

Caleb didn’t go to my parents. He drove aimlessly through the streets. The radio was playing *our* song, that old ballad we used to adore. “If I never knew you, never saw you…” The lyrics twisted a knife in my non-existent gut. I floated in the passenger seat, looking at his profile, my heart heavy. The car drove past a boutique hotel, the one where we’d spent our first night together. Instinctively, I blurted out, “Oh, this place is still around?” As soon as the words left me, I saw Caleb’s ears turn red. Wait, *what*? No way. Could he actually hear me? Must be a delusion, absolutely. I shook my head, trying to clear away the crazy thought. As I was lost in thought, the car stopped. I looked up, stunned. “Funeral Home & Cremation Services.” Dude, what are you doing here? Caleb walked into the store, his face expressionless, and spent a long time browsing the extensive selection of funeral supplies. Finally, he bought a pot of marigolds. Back home, he said nothing, just carefully placed the pot of marigolds on the living room coffee table. The beautiful flowers carried a fresh, clean scent. The scent hit me like an oasis in a desert, and I instinctively lunged towards it. I opened my mouth and greedily inhaled the fragrance of the marigolds. A warmth instantly flooded my entire being, solidifying my ethereal form. It was heavenly. A true feast for the spectral! I let out a satisfied, non-existent burp and looked at Caleb on the couch. He was holding his phone, staring at a picture. The girl in the photo, smiling brightly, was me. He took that picture when we went to the beach last year. He used to say I was the most beautiful view he’d ever seen. So, you still kept my photos. My heart ached, a painful swell of emotion. He looked at the picture, his fingers gently tracing my face, his eyes slowly reddening. “Elara…” He whispered my name, as if talking to the picture. “I miss you so much.” I floated over, wanting to hug him, but my hand, of course, passed right through him. Right. There was life and death separating us now.

The next day, I was woken by the ring of a phone. Caleb answered, his tone impatient. “Mom, I told you I’m not going!” “What do you mean I *have* to go? I’m thirty, I make my own decisions!” “Fine, fine, I’ll go, okay? Just send me the address.” He hung up, tossing his phone onto the couch in frustration. A date? My heart dropped. Of course. He was thirty; it was time for him to settle down. My mom used to constantly nag him, saying he’d end up a lonely old bachelor if he didn’t settle down soon. I even joked that when he got old, I’d push his wheelchair in the park, and we’d watch the retirees playing board games. But now, I wouldn’t even have the chance to grow old with him. Even though my heart was aching fiercely, seeing Caleb reluctantly rummage through his closet for clothes, I couldn’t help but float over to offer advice. Ugh, that one’s so drab. This one’s good, blue. It really suits your complexion. He actually picked up the blue shirt and held it against himself in the mirror. Then, he shaved, and styled his hair. Looking at the handsome man reflected in the mirror, my heart twisted. He was going to meet another girl looking like that. The thought made me want to cry. I followed him all the way to a coffee shop. The girl was already there. Long hair, white dress, two delicate dimples when she smiled. She was exactly the type I used to envy when I was alive—gentle and elegant. They sat together, looking truly compatible. I felt like a pathetic voyeur, hiding in the corner, watching them chat. The girl was quite talkative; Caleb said little, occasionally offering a perfunctory response. My heart slowly sank. Maybe he’d quickly fall for this girl. Then, they’d get married, have children. My name, Elara, would soon be a forgotten chapter in his life.

The date ended quickly. Less than half an hour, start to finish. Caleb saw the girl into her car, then returned to his own with an expressionless face. I couldn’t read him. Was he pleased, or not? The car didn’t head home but drove out to the suburbs. Finally, it stopped in front of a quiet, unassuming spiritual retreat. I followed him out of the car, but as I tried to step through the entrance, an invisible force bounced me back. A golden aura enveloped the entire retreat, like an invisible wall to me. I couldn’t get in. I could only watch as Caleb walked inside. I floated frantically outside the door. Why was he here? To seek guidance for his love life? At the thought of that possibility, my essence began to flicker, and the air around me noticeably chilled. I don’t know how long it was before Caleb finally came out. His face was even darker than before, radiating a heavy gloom, as if he’d just been in a brawl. He was clutching a small, yellowed paper charm. I didn’t dare get too close, just followed him from a distance. Back home, he taped the charm to his bedroom door. Then, without a word, he walked into his study and closed the door. My heart was racing, filled with dread. Was that charm meant to banish me? Did he go to that spiritual retreat to find Elder Finn and get rid of me? Did he really… hate me that much? Couldn’t even tolerate my ghost? A massive wave of panic and hurt washed over me. I curled up in the corner of the living room couch, feeling a chilling cold for the first time. It turned out that even after death, a heart could still ache.

I sat in the living room all night. The next day, Caleb finally emerged from his study. He had heavy bags under his eyes. When he saw me, his gaze flickered away, a complicated mix of emotions in his eyes. He said nothing, just lit another stick of incense. I hesitated, but couldn’t resist the lure of “food,” so I floated over and inhaled a couple of breaths. My strength returned somewhat, and the ache in my heart lessened. Can’t be sad on an empty stomach, right? I floated to his side, wanting to see what he was up to. “Caleb, what’s wrong with you? What’s that charm for? Are you trying to get rid of me?” He ignored me. A moment later, he got up and went into the bathroom. The sound of water began. My curiosity was reignited. Heh, that charm on the bedroom door keeps me out, but the bathroom should be fair game, right? I brazenly floated into the bathroom, ready for a private viewing of my ex in the shower. Instead, I was met with a tightly drawn shower curtain. I was fuming. Guarding against me like I was a thief! I floated around the shower curtain and suddenly glimpsed his discarded pajamas and… underwear. A pair of black boxer briefs. A mischievous idea popped into my head. I let out a little ‘hehe,’ floated over, and scooped up his pajamas and—yes—his underwear, clutching them to my chest. “That’s what you get for not letting me see! I’ve got your clothes, let’s see you come out naked now!” I hummed triumphantly, holding his garments, and floated to the door. Just as I was about to go out and show off my spoils, a man’s voice, laced with gritted-teeth irritation, suddenly came from behind the shower curtain. That voice, I knew it all too well. He said— “Elara, are you done messing around?” “Give me back my briefs.”

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The Chief of Staff’s daughter had fallen from the fourth floor, and I was ready, waiting to head into surgery. The ambulance screeched into the hospital, and the patient was rushed to the operating table. But in that critical moment, my husband, Dr. Marcus Thorne, the Chief Physician, suddenly called a halt. He did it just to wait for his first love, Dr. Serena Wells, the acclaimed doctor who supposedly studied abroad, to be the lead surgeon. It was the same exact scenario in my previous life. But that celebrated overseas specialist had no real surgical skills – all theory, no practical experience. She almost missed the golden hour for the surgery. It was only my insistence on the original treatment plan that turned the situation around. Humiliated, Serena jumped from the hospital’s rooftop, ending up a quadriplegic. And my husband? He had me exiled to a struggling clinic in a neglected neighborhood, even arranging for thugs to assault me there. I tried to hide and call for help, but his reply was chilling. “Vivian Vance, it was just one surgery. Did you really have to steal Lili’s thunder?” “Then you, too, deserve to experience torment.” My location was exposed through the phone call, and I was ultimately brutalized to death. When I opened my eyes again, the gurney was already being wheeled in front of me. This time, I didn’t rush. Hands in my pockets, I waited. Let his overseas specialist show off her supposedly masterful surgical skills and save that patient.

“Why is this overseas specialist taking so long? We’re racing against death here!” “The patient’s body temperature is already rising, and her limbs are swelling.” “If she starts convulsing, we might not be able to save her.” The surgical team huddled behind me, frantic with worry. But no matter how anxious or how much they urged, all they got was Marcus’s harsh reprimand. “What’s the rush? Do you really think any of you can save this patient?” “Lili graduated with a PhD from the best hospital abroad. As long as she’s on the table, there won’t be any problems.” Marcus’s shouting left the team bewildered and unsure what to do. But he always had full control over major surgeries, and no one dared to question him. Chloe, my university roommate from Neurosurgery, who was standing behind me, couldn’t help but speak up. “If we wait any longer, we might not save her at all. Let’s get her into the OR and intubate her; at least that’ll buy us some time.” Doctors from every department across the hospital had rushed over for this consultation, hoping to finalize the best surgical plan immediately. But Chloe’s words didn’t sway Marcus; they only irritated him further. “This surgery falls entirely under my discretion. You Neurosurgery folks just wait for my orders.” Chloe bristled. “How dare you speak to me like that? All medical staff are colleagues here!” “Besides, I’m giving you professional advice!” But Marcus’s face turned cold. He glared at the Chief of Neurosurgery. “Replace her. Send her back to Neurosurgery. We don’t need her here!” Chloe spun around in a rage, stomping away, but not before shooting Marcus a furious glare. Then, Marcus’s gaze fell on me. “Vivian, what do you think?” Chloe was my college roommate. He’d just chastised her and sent her away, yet only after she left did he ask me. The implication was clear. I looked at him, a faint smile touching my lips. “You’re the Chief of the department and the one in charge of this surgery. I’ll naturally follow your lead.” Marcus hadn’t expected me to be so compliant today. He gave a satisfied chuckle, then looked at the consulting doctors behind him. “See? This is the obedience a doctor should possess.” I stood calmly behind him, watching it all unfold. In my previous life, I chose to fight him to the bitter end, and what did I get? He had me killed in a deprived area, all for Serena Wells. This time, I certainly wouldn’t be that foolish.

In the midst of everyone’s eager anticipation, Serena Wells finally arrived. She wore perfectly applied makeup and sauntered along, completely unhurried. The Chief of Staff’s daughter’s body temperature was steadily climbing. Serena approached, glancing around. “Did you get X-rays? Without them, how can I determine the fracture points?” The nurse promptly handed her the imaging scans. Serena’s words were stuck in her throat. But she still didn’t admit she couldn’t do the surgery. “Just images aren’t enough. I also need to know the blood loss volume and if it’s suitable for an incision.” Nurse Miller finally lost her patience. She looked at Serena, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt. “Dr. Wells!” Nurse Miller emphasized the “Doctor” with biting sarcasm. She continued, “Can you actually perform this surgery?” “This isn’t the time to assess blood loss! We need to get her into the operating room immediately. Every minute she’s out here increases the danger.” Serena bristled. She glared at Nurse Miller, her voice cold. “Am I the lead surgeon or are you?” “You’re just a head nurse; how dare you speak to me like that!” Nurse Miller had worked in the hospital for over twenty years, accumulating knowledge and experience no less than any doctor. Serena, acting like she owned the place, then turned to Marcus, with a hint of playful reproach. “Marcus, since everyone here looks down on me so much, I might as well leave.” Marcus quickly stopped Serena, then glanced at me. He whispered something in Serena’s ear. Whatever they exchanged, Serena finally conceded. “Fine, let’s go into the operating room.” Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, swiftly wheeling the patient into the operating room. But then, another long wait ensued. The surgical team looked at me, hoping I would take charge. I looked at the girl’s weakening heartbeat on the monitor, feeling helpless. “Dr. Vance, at least get her breathing so her lungs don’t suffer any more damage.” I hesitated for a moment, just about to nod. Serena, now dressed in surgical scrubs, walked in. All eyes turned to her, their gazes filled with an unspoken resentment. If a life was lost because of this incompetent quack, they would surely tear Serena apart. But Serena remained oblivious. She arrogantly strutted forward, glanced at the girl’s body, and spoke indifferently. “It’s not as serious as I thought. You called me here for this? I hadn’t even finished my face mask.” Nurse Miller gritted her teeth in rage, but she bit back her retort. Marcus then walked in. Serena scoffed, then went to Marcus’s side. “Marcus, with you here, this surgery is bound to be a success.” Marcus gently caressed her cheek. “Of course, darling. You’re the best doctor in the world.” Their intimate familiarity made the other surgeons in the room exchange glances, their eyes inevitably settling on me. My mask hid my face, but the turmoil in my eyes was still visible. It wasn’t for their private affections, but for the life on that operating table. I finally couldn’t help but speak. “Can we start now?” Serena shot me a disdainful glance, then scoffed. “What, you want to take over?” “Now you’re bossing me around? I’m the lead surgeon!” “If you’re so capable, why don’t you go get a PhD abroad yourself?” I didn’t reply, but the heart monitor suddenly screamed. Nurse Miller shouted in panic. “No! The patient is in ventricular fibrillation!”

The atmosphere in the operating room instantly turned desperate. “Quick! Prepare the defibrillator!” “Asynchronous cardioversion, 200 joules!” “One! Two! Three! Clear!” The nurses moved frantically, everyone working in tandem to extend a life. Serena, however, was terrified by the chaos. She ran into Marcus’s arms, whimpering and crying. “Waaah, Marcus, this is too scary.” “I don’t want to be here anymore, I want to leave.” The surgical team had no time for her overly dramatic performance, and neither did I. Marcus, however, protected Serena like a precious treasure. “It’s alright, darling. Just wait for them to revive her, then you can continue.” Finally, after more than two minutes of CPR, the girl’s heart resumed beating. But there was no more time to waste. Nurse Miller could barely control her internal panic. “Dr. Wells, can you or can’t you operate on this patient?” “If not, then get out of here, now!” Serena shot her a venomous glare, then turned to me. “This surgery isn’t worthy of my touch.” “You.” She raised a hand, pointing at me, “You do it.” I frowned slightly. A jolt of alarm went through me. I had been keeping a low profile, waiting until the very last moment when I absolutely had to intervene. But not only had Marcus pointed me out earlier, now Serena seemed to have a GPS tracker on me too. She had her sights on me. I pressed my lips together. In my moment of hesitation, Marcus also spoke. “Vivian Vance, since Lili wants you to do it, then you do it.” Marcus’s face was impassive; I couldn’t discern their intentions. But the other people in the operating room, hearing Serena name me to perform the surgery, felt a glimmer of hope. Nurse Miller quickly ushered me to the operating table. “Dr. Vance, we truly can’t let them mess around anymore.” “This is a human life! They’re just wasting precious time!” I subtly reassured Nurse Miller with my eyes, then began to prepare for surgery. Incision, intubation – seamlessly and efficiently. Nurse Miller stood by, handing me the surgical instruments. I didn’t need to speak; a mere gesture would bring me the perfect tool. Although I had performed this surgery once in my previous life, I still dared not be careless this time. The child was severely injured. She had fallen from the fifth floor, suffering skull damage and comminuted fractures in both arms and legs. I could only proceed slowly, step by step. My forehead was already beaded with sweat. I waited for the neurosurgeon to complete the skull repair, then I would take over for the arms and legs. Skull complete, the neurosurgeon passed the baton to me. I nodded, ready to pick up an instrument to open the arm, when Serena, who had been silent, spoke again. “Marcus, I want to learn from Vivian how to perform surgery.” I looked at Serena, confused. Her face held a smirk of pure provocation. Marcus didn’t hesitate. “Of course, darling. Lili can go wherever she wants, see whatever she wants.” “Vivian, you don’t mind, do you?” I couldn’t refuse, nor could I. Serena came to my side, squeezing Nurse Miller away. “Vivian, let me be your assistant.”

I knew the person beside me wasn’t truly interested in watching my surgery, despite what she said. But I looked at the monitor; the patient’s vitals were gradually worsening. There was absolutely no time to waste. I forced myself to focus all my attention on the surgery. “Forceps.” I spoke coldly, reaching my hand to the right for the instrument. But I waited and waited, and the tool never came. Serena’s shrill voice cut through the air. “Oh, Vivian, there are so many forceps here. Do you want the toothed forceps or the non-toothed ones?” “Non-toothed.” Only after getting a definitive answer did she pick up the forceps and place them in my hand. And that was just the beginning. Anything else I requested after that wasn’t immediately provided. Finally, on the fifth time, she asked me. “Sister, do you want the laser scalpel or the ultrasonic scalpel?” I shot her a cold glance. The triumphant look on her face made me want to plunge my scalpel into her heart. How could anyone have such a blatant disregard for human life? “Can you do this, or not? If not, just stand aside and watch.” I spoke calmly, “Nurse Miller, please, you take over.” I didn’t have time for her childish antics. Since this surgery had fallen to me, I was determined to complete it and save this child’s life. Serena scoffed dismissively. She stomped over to the other side and wouldn’t stop chattering while watching my operation. “Vivian, I wonder, if all the doctors in this country were as professional as you, would our national medicine have long been leading the world?” “Vivian, why don’t you teach me? I’ve only studied these things; I haven’t actually practiced them.” I frowned, not looking at her. “If you haven’t practiced, watch videos and train.” She was put in her place, biting her lip before scoffing disdainfully. “If you won’t teach, you won’t teach. Why so arrogant?” “You’ve just been in the hospital longer, that’s all. You’re not even half as capable as Marcus.” “He’s the Chief Physician now, and you’re just some broken surgeon.” I completely ignored her, which only made Serena even more defiant. She raised her hand and gave me a shove. “Hey, I’m talking to you! Why aren’t you answering?” The shove itself wasn’t the problem; the problem was that she pushed me just as I was about to excise the necrotic tissue. My hand was jostled by her force, and the scalpel accidentally nicked an artery. Blood immediately began to spray, throwing everyone in the room into a panic. “Quick, stop the bleeding!” “No! The patient’s blood pressure is down to 60! We need to stop the bleeding immediately!” Such an unexpected turn of events even shocked Serena. She froze, not daring to move. And Marcus finally spoke up. “It’s fine, as long as we stop the bleeding.” Serena seemed to gain some comfort. She continued her insolent and unreasonable chatter in my ear. “Oh, Vivian, what a colossal mess you’ve made!” “If the Chief of Staff finds out you further injured his daughter, do you think you’ll get punished?” I finally wasn’t indifferent anymore. My eyes glared at her. “What do you mean?” Just then, more bad news came from the anesthesiology team. “Dr. Vance, the patient’s blood oxygen is dropping rapidly! We need to suture the wound immediately!” Serena bent close to me, whispering in my ear. The warning beeps of the instruments and her words sounded like a whisper from hell. “I don’t think this kid will make it.” “But it’s okay. Even if the surgery fails, you’ll be the one taking the fall.

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Ten years into my marriage, Marcus Hayes’s first love, Chloe White, suddenly returned from abroad. He brought her straight to our home. Marcus looked at me, his face etched with guilt. “Chloe left the country for me all those years ago. She went through so much.” “I have a responsibility to take care of her.” Even my stepson, whom I’d raised and painstakingly nurtured, now looked at me with open resentment. I calmly suggested a divorce. He sneered, reminding me, “Don’t forget our prenup. If you’re the one who files for divorce, you’ll walk away with absolutely nothing. Every cent of the assets in your name will be forfeited.” He was so certain I’d never give up the wealth and prestige I’d worked ten years for, that I’d never dare to leave. But what he didn’t know was that while he was spending all night with that woman, I was signing away every last penny, preparing to gracefully exit the Hayes family. I already had what I truly wanted. And him? I was done with him. When Marcus Hayes walked into the living room of our house with Chloe White, I was in my study, reviewing the foundation’s quarterly report. His face held a plea. “Vivian, Chloe was forced to leave the country because of me back then.” “She’s been alone all these years, suffering so much. I can’t just abandon her.” Chloe, by his side, wore a simple, elegant dress. She instinctively recoiled behind Marcus, making her appear even more delicate and helpless. “Marcus, don’t make things difficult for Vivian… I can stay at a hotel.” Marcus immediately shielded her, and his gaze towards me sharpened with annoyance. I closed the file in my hand, my eyes calmly sweeping over the two of them. This scene felt eerily familiar. Years ago, Marcus’s grandfather, old money through and through, fiercely disapproved of Chloe’s lack of social standing. Marcus had an explosive fight with his family over it. Ultimately, Chloe took a sizable settlement and quietly left for another country. At that time, my family, the Reeds, was facing a major financial crisis. We desperately needed the Hayes family’s connections and resources to overcome it. When the strategic marriage proposal was presented to me, I initially refused. Vivian Reed’s life had never required her to rely on anyone else. But seeing my parents’ hair graying with worry, I finally nodded. On our wedding day, Marcus Hayes’s face showed no joy. He looked at me coldly and said, “Vivian Reed, this is just a marriage of convenience. Don’t expect me to love you.” I replied calmly, “I understand. I will fulfill my duties as Mrs. Hayes. I also hope you remember our agreement, Marcus.” Ten years. We went from mutual annoyance to peacefully sharing a dinner table. He gradually recognized my capabilities, entrusting me with the full management of the foundation jointly established by Hayes and Reed Corporations. We were like a pair of perfectly synchronized business partners. Four years ago, Marcus even brought a child back to the house—a son he’d had from an affair years ago. When that timid child stood in the living room, looking at everyone with hostility, it was *I* who reached out to him first. His name was Leo Hayes. No one else in the Hayes family liked him. I was the one who patiently taught him manners, staying up all night when he was sick. When other kids at school mocked him for being an illegitimate child, I was the one who unhesitatingly stepped up to protect him, telling him, “You are Leo Hayes, the future of this family. No one can look down on you.” I never imagined this delicate balance would one day be shattered.

I watched Marcus shielding Chloe, and my heart sank, piece by agonizing piece. In the suffocating silence, a light, quick footsteps echoed from the entryway. “I’m home!” Leo Hayes had just returned from school, his eyes sparkling as he searched for me. However, when he saw the scene in the living room, his steps abruptly halted. The moment Chloe saw Leo, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. She covered her mouth, her voice trembling as she murmured, “Leo… Is that my Leo?” The next second, Leo lunged towards Chloe, burying his face in her embrace. “Mommy! Mommy, you came for me!” I stumbled backward, caught off guard, frozen in place. I whipped my head around to Marcus, my voice raw and husky. “Marcus Hayes, what is going on?” He first calmed the two, who were now crying in each other’s arms, then escorted them upstairs. As I watched the two figures, one large, one small, disappear up the stairs, my voice turned cold as ice. “Now, you can explain.” Marcus turned to me, his guilt deepening, but now mixed with a resigned, almost defiant honesty. “Leo is Chloe’s son.” “She was already pregnant with my child when she left back then.” “Later… she couldn’t raise him, so she contacted me and sent him back.” “And why didn’t you tell me?” I could barely control the volume of my voice. “I treated him with genuine sincerity, I raised him as my own son!” Marcus offered a bitter smile, about to speak, but I cut him off. “Leo knew everything, didn’t he?” Marcus was silent for a moment, his silence a confirmation. “Last year… Chloe occasionally FaceTimed him. A child’s longing for his mother is natural…” So that was it. No wonder, for a while last year, Leo kept hiding to make calls and started acting strange around me. This was why. Marcus took a step forward, trying to soothe me. “Chloe is only staying temporarily. Once I find a suitable place, I’ll send them away.” “You’re always so generous and understanding, don’t make things difficult for me, okay?” My chest ached, a deep, suffocating pain. Suddenly, I didn’t even have the energy to question him further. I simply pulled at the corner of my mouth, a smile utterly devoid of warmth. “Marcus Hayes, you both make me sick.” With that, I walked straight back to my room. The world fell silent, and only then did I feel a faint, heavy ache in my lower abdomen. I leaned against the door, taking a deep breath, trying to ignore the subtle yet undeniable pain. Over the next few days, Chloe and Leo stayed in the guest room on the second floor. Leo seemed like a completely different child. When he saw me, his eyes held a stubborn hostility, completely lacking the closeness and dependency he used to show.

A few days later, the Hayes family hosted a corporate gala. As Mrs. Hayes, I had no choice but to force a smile and socialize. Marcus stayed by my side, playing the part of an affectionate husband, but his gaze constantly drifted to a corner of the room. Chloe sat there, Leo nestled close to her, forming a bond that no outsider could penetrate. Midway through the evening, feeling a bit tired, I headed to the terrace for some fresh air. Just as I reached the edge of the pool, Leo, who I hadn’t noticed following me, appeared behind me. I turned around. His face held a hatred and coldness utterly unsuited for his age. “Vivian Reed.” He called me by my first name for the first time, his voice sharp and cruel. “My mom is back. This family doesn’t need you anymore. Why aren’t you leaving?” I looked at his face, contorted by fury, and felt only weariness mixed with a chilling disappointment. “Leo, do you know what you’re saying?” “Of course, I do!” He suddenly became agitated, taking a step forward and pushing me hard! “You took my dad! And now you’re trying to bully my mom! I hate you! Get out of my house!” I was caught off guard, my high heel twisted, and I tumbled backward! *Splash!* The icy pool water instantly enveloped me. A sharp, agonizing pain shot through my lower abdomen. I could feel a warm, uncontrolled gush of fluid beneath me. Gasps and commotion erupted around us. Marcus quickly heard the noise and jumped into the pool, pulling me out. I was soaked, shivering violently. My hands instinctively clutched my lower abdomen, the pain so intense I could barely speak. “Vivian! Are you okay?” Marcus’s voice was urgent, laced with a hint of panic. He wrapped his jacket around me. I gripped his arm, my voice broken. “Marcus… the baby…” I was pregnant. I had only found out yesterday, and I planned to tell him once the pregnancy was stable. Just then, Chloe rushed over. Marcus’s gaze was drawn to her. She grabbed the equally stunned Leo, weeping dramatically, her voice even louder than my faint moans. “Marcus, Leo didn’t mean it…” “It’s my fault, all my fault for coming back and upsetting Vivian. The child just acted on impulse…” She hugged Leo tightly, as if I were some terrifying monster. “Leo is so scared, he’s so small, he was just so upset…” Marcus looked at the sobbing Chloe and Leo, then at my pale face. The brief flicker of panic and shock in his eyes was replaced by irritation and disappointment. He cut me off before I could finish speaking, his voice cold and stern, laced with责备. “Vivian, Leo is still young. He didn’t do it on purpose.” “Can’t you… just be a little more understanding?”

At his words, the guests’ eyes filled with surprise, and then thinly veiled mockery. They watched me, the usually poised and elegant Mrs. Hayes, sitting there by the pool, utterly disheveled. “A little more… understanding?” I gritted out the words through clenched teeth. The agonizing cramps in my lower abdomen made cold sweat stream down my face. The warm, trickling sensation below grew more distinct. “Mr. Hayes, perhaps you should take Mrs. Hayes to the hospital first?” Finally, a bystander, unable to watch any longer, whispered a suggestion. Chloe, however, sobbed even harder, clutching Marcus’s arm tightly, terrified he would leave her side. “Marcus, Leo really didn’t mean it…” “Vivian, I apologize on Leo’s behalf. Please don’t blame him…” Leo, hidden in her embrace, showed no fear in his eyes, only a triumphant stubbornness and hatred. Marcus’s brows were deeply furrowed, clearly annoyed by the chaos. He looked at the pale Chloe and the frightened Leo. Then he looked at me, curled up in pain, unable to speak. The brief flicker of panic at my potential injury was completely replaced by pity for the mother and son. He sighed, his voice carrying an undeniable finality. “Enough! It was just a small accident. Vivian isn’t that delicate.” “Mr. Jenkins, help Mrs. Hayes upstairs to change into some dry clothes. She’ll be fine after resting.” His callousness and stupidity utterly crushed me. I didn’t even have the strength to argue. I let the butler and maids, who had rushed over, clumsily help me up. I was escorted back to the master bedroom, but the bleeding beneath me showed no signs of stopping, staining the sheets crimson. The pain intensified with each passing moment, and I couldn’t help but cry out. The maids were terrified. This time, they didn’t dare to delay and immediately called an ambulance. I was rushed to the hospital. The constant wetness below me told me I was losing something precious. When I woke again, the doctor stood by my bed, his voice filled with regret. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Hayes, we couldn’t save the baby.” “You’re still young. Please accept our condolences.” Outside, the sky had shifted from dark to light, and then back to dark. The phone on my nightstand was eerily silent. No calls from Marcus, not a single word. Later, from Mr. Jenkins’s hesitant report, I learned that Marcus had calmed the frightened Chloe and the momentarily clumsy Leo. He hadn’t even followed me to the hospital to check on my condition. In his eyes, perhaps it truly was just an accident caused by my lack of generosity. After recuperating for a week in the hospital, I discharged myself. Instead of returning to the Hayes estate, I had my driver take me directly to the company.

When I returned to the office, a subtle silence hung in the air. Employees quickly lowered their heads, pretending to be busy. I pushed open the door to Marcus’s office. He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, talking on the phone. His tone was one I’d never heard from him – gentle and patient. “Make sure you spend time with him… Don’t overthink things, it’ll be okay…” He didn’t even notice my arrival immediately. It wasn’t until I walked to his large desk and tapped my finger on the surface, creating a sharp sound, that he turned around. Seeing me, a flicker of surprise, then a brief, almost imperceptible shame crossed his eyes. But it was quickly replaced by his usual calm, tinged with a slight distance. He hung up the phone before looking at me again. “You’re discharged? Why didn’t you rest a few more days?” His voice was a perfunctory greeting as he walked around his desk and sat down. “Everything’s normal here at the company, no need to rush back.” I didn’t sit. I slammed the divorce papers onto his desk. My voice was utterly flat, as if stating an unrelated fact. “Marcus Hayes, we’re getting a divorce.” The air thickened for a few seconds. He looked up, as if he’d heard the most absurd joke. “Divorce?” “Vivian, do you know what you’re saying?” My gaze didn’t waver. “I’m very clear.” Marcus leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed and confident. “What kind of tantrum are you throwing now? Is this about the gala?” “Leo didn’t mean it, he’s just a child.” “Chloe has already apologized on his behalf. What more do you want?” He tapped the divorce papers with his finger, his eyes cold and contemptuous. “Don’t forget the prenup we signed.” “It’s in black and white, crystal clear. If you, Vivian Reed, initiate the divorce, it’s a breach of contract, and you must walk away with nothing.” “You won’t take a single penny of anything related to the Hayes family, including all the assets you’ve acquired over these years in your name.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice, full of threat and absolute certainty. “Are you willing to lose it all?” “Are you willing to give up everything you’ve fought for these ten years? Without the Hayes family, what is Vivian Reed?” I looked at the absolute conviction on his face, the way he thought he controlled everything, and suddenly, I gave a faint, soft laugh. My laughter seemed to anger him. Marcus picked up the divorce papers from the desk, tore them into shreds without even looking, and flung them at me. The white pieces of paper scattered at my feet. “I’m busy. I don’t have time for your self-pitying drama.” “Just say what you want directly, but divorce? Absolutely not!” With that, he didn’t spare me another glance. He grabbed his jacket and phone, striding out of the office. I slowly knelt down, picking up the torn pieces of paper.

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The Mayor’s son was held captive by a serial killer in an abandoned slaughterhouse. I set up my sniper rifle, the crosshairs steady on the killer. But just as I was about to pull the trigger, my husband, Commander Ryder Hayes of the SWAT team, suddenly cut off my comms. “Hold your fire! Wait for Dr. Monroe to arrive for psychological negotiations!” It was just like in my past life. After the criminal psychologist rushed to the scene, she droned on for forty minutes with her long-winded psycho-babble. That only enraged the madman, and he cut off one of the hostage’s ears right there. I couldn’t stand it. I took the shot, killing the killer instantly. Dr. Monroe immediately threw up and fainted, her reputation as an “incompetent expert” irrevocably tarnished, leading to a complete mental breakdown. And my husband? He transferred me to an organ trafficking team, undercover. On the night of the operation, he deliberately called my burner phone. “Love showing off, don’t you? Let’s see how tough you are when you’re vivisected!” In my final moments, I saw him with Celeste Monroe, his arm around her, his face twisted in feigned grief. Reborn to this exact moment, the killer’s blade was still pressed against the hostage’s neck. I slowly lowered my sniper rifle, a cold sneer playing on my lips. This time, let’s see how you two manage to put on your show.

Over the comms, Celeste Monroe’s voice reached each of our ears. Her tone was soft, as if soothing a tantrum-throwing child, not a mentally unstable kidnapper holding a sharp blade. “I understand you’re in a lot of pain right now… a lot of anger. We’ve all heard your demands…” “But harming others won’t truly solve your problems. We can find a better way, together…” “Damn it!” In my earpiece, an assault team member, hidden on the flank, couldn’t help but snarl, his voice thick with suppressed rage. “What the hell is she talking about? Can’t she see that son of a bitch is about to slice him open?!” “Command, target’s emotional state is clearly deteriorating! Negotiations are ineffective! Requesting authorization to fire!” Another urgent voice cut in, it was Hawk, the spotter. Silence hung on the channel for a second, then Commander Ryder Hayes, my husband and the mission lead, spoke, his voice unnervingly calm. “Maintain patience. Dr. Monroe is establishing trust! No one moves without my direct order!” “Screw his trust! If we wait any longer, the hostage will be dead!” The team member’s voice was low, but the fury was unmistakable. Celeste’s voice resumed, still slow and deliberate. “Your current actions… perhaps they are a repetition of the trauma you experienced in childhood? We can talk about that…” “F**k!” Someone in the channel couldn’t hold back a curse. The kidnapper seemed enraged by her words, letting out a hoarse scream. “Shut up! What the hell are you? One more word, and I’ll kill him right now!” The killer’s blade pressed another fraction deeper into the Mayor’s son’s trembling neck, a thin line of blood snaking downwards. The young man let out a choked sob, his pupils dilated with extreme terror. The Mayor’s hoarse roar practically blew out our comms, followed by a chorus of frantic pleas for him to calm down. “Ryder Hayes! If my son loses a single hair, you can kiss that badge goodbye! Shoot! Save him!” After a brief silence, Ryder’s voice finally returned. “Layla, report target’s real-time dynamics.” Everyone’s earpiece went silent for a moment. In the past, I’d provide the calmest, most professional assessment, giving him the basis for his decisions and often shouldering the heaviest burden of responsibility. But now… Through my high-magnification scope, I watched the trembling young man. And I watched the madman, visibly growing more agitated with every word Celeste spoke. I spoke, my voice steady, without a hint of tremor. “My expertise is marksmanship, not psychoanalyzing a madman.” “That judgment, Commander, is yours to make.” The channel went dead silent. I could imagine Ryder Hayes’s expression right then. His usual calm facade would’ve instantly frozen, perhaps even a flicker of incredulous shock crossing his face. “Layla! Watch your tone! This is an active operation!” His voice was laced with reprimand, attempting to regain control. I responded instantly, my tone respectful, but my words hard as steel. “Yes, Commander. My finger will not touch the trigger until you give the order.” “After all, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for disrupting Dr. Monroe’s ‘trust-building process.’”

In my past life, my shot was clean, a headshot. The hostage was rescued, the Mayor was endlessly grateful, and I became a hero. That life-saving act earned me a promotion and commendations, but it also became the catalyst that pushed me into hell. Ryder couldn’t tolerate a wife who was uncontrollable, too competent, and might even overshadow him. Especially since I’d humiliated his idealized Celeste Monroe and caused her mental breakdown. So, he threw me into the dirtiest, most dangerous organ trafficking syndicate as an undercover agent. Then, during the critical take-down operation, he deliberately exposed me. I still remember that last look he gave me, full of hypocrisy and malice. A scream pulled me back to reality. It was Celeste. Her face was frantic. “You… you mustn’t get agitated! I’m only trying to help you, if you act like this, it’s hard for us to communicate…” “Help me?” The kidnapper let out a grating, insane laugh, and the tip of his knife slashed violently! “Ah!” A shrill, distorted scream echoed in the air. The next second, a bloodied finger rolled onto the ground. The Mayor’s son’s left pinky finger had been severed. He rolled his eyes, almost passing out. “You psycho! You absolute madman! How could you?” Celeste’s shriek echoed, laced with sobs and incredulous condemnation, her professional demeanor completely shattered. “I was trying to help you! Why didn’t you listen?” Her screaming undoubtedly fueled the fire. The kidnapper’s facial muscles twisted frantically, seemingly utterly enraged by her accusation. His blood-stained knife was raised again. This time, it was aimed at the hostage’s eyes. “Help me? Sending some bitch to lecture me? Are you messing with me? Believe me, I’ll gouge out his eyes right now!” Everyone’s blood seemed to freeze in that moment. However, the expected decisive order from Commander Ryder Hayes for a full assault or a shot didn’t come. “Celeste, fall back! Watch your safety!” His priority was protecting the woman whose incompetence was actively sabotaging the mission and endangering the hostage. The Mayor’s frantic roar almost shattered our eardrums. “Ryder Hayes! My son’s hand! Did you see it?! Shoot! Kill that madman now!” “Otherwise, I’ll relieve you of your command! Without mercy!” Ryder’s breathing grew heavy over the comms. “Celeste, immediately retreat to a safe distance!” He prioritized her safety again, then, as if forced, gritted his teeth and squeezed out an order. “Sniper team, prepare…” “Ryder!” Celeste’s tearful voice cut in, full of indignant protest, stubborn certainty, and a hint of calculated desperation. “They just don’t understand, this is classic trauma response!” “Violence will only escalate the tragedy! We need empathy, we need to build a bridge of trust!” “Enraging him now will only make him more extreme!” She seemed to conveniently forget whose ‘empathy’ had enraged him enough to make him lop off a finger just moments ago. “Everyone’s yelling at me… even you don’t trust my professional judgment anymore?” She even had the nerve to pout and whine at Ryder. Just then, Hawk’s urgent voice broke through. “Commander Ryder…” “Recon team just reported, the area around the perp, under his feet… might be booby-trapped with explosives!”

“Explosives?!” A collective gasp went through the channel, and Ryder Hayes’s breath hitched. Hawk’s voice was urgent and clear. “Wires extend from his feet, covering an unknown area! A direct assault is extremely risky!” The situation instantly escalated. This wasn’t just a hostage crisis anymore; it was a powder keg threatening to blow us all to smithereens. “Damn it…” A team member cursed under his breath, his voice heavy with helplessness. Celeste seemed terrified by the news. Her sobbing stopped abruptly, leaving only faint, startled whimpers. But the next second, her voice suddenly took on that infuriatingly professional tone again. “See…? See? I told you not to provoke him!” “He lacks security, he’s terrified, that’s why he resorts to such extreme measures for protection!” “We must first understand his inner turmoil, build trust…” “Screw his trust!” A furious, barely contained roar exploded over the comms – it was Captain Diaz, from the forward assault position. “I wanted to put a bullet in that son of a bitch moments ago! Now look! This damn shrink has dragged us all into a death trap!” “Shut up!” Ryder snapped, but a faint, undeniable tremor of panic was in his voice. He took a deep breath. “Celeste, continue to attempt communication, keep him calm!” “Bomb squad! Assess the situation! Assault teams, fall back and find cover!” His orders were chaotic, both telling Celeste to approach and ordering the teams to retreat, clearly rattled by the sudden turn of events. Celeste, receiving her directive, seemed to swell with self-importance, her voice rising several decibels. “You actually don’t want this, do you? We can help you…” “Just release the hostage…” The kidnapper’s facial muscles twitched, his eyes wildly scanning his surroundings. He pressed the knife harder against the hostage’s neck, beads of blood oozing out. The kidnapper’s wild laughter ceased, replaced by a furious rage, a man completely humiliated. “Understand me? Help me? That’s pure bullshit!” He spat, his emotions boiling over. “You’re all a bunch of hypocrites! Is there anything in your heads besides how to kill me?!” “Sending some bitch to drone on endlessly? Do you really think I’m an idiot?!” Celeste’s face paled from his yelling, and she instinctively took a half-step back. But then, as if to prove something, she forced herself forward, her voice shrill. “How can you speak like that! I am trying to save you! You, with your antisocial personality…” “To hell with your antisocial personality!” The kidnapper violently kicked a rusty metal frame nearby, creating a deafening clang. “Get away from me! Or I’ll slit his throat right now!”

He pressed down on his wrist, and the hostage let out a whimper. “Ah!” Celeste shrieked, terrified by the direct death threat, her composure completely gone. She whirled towards her comm, her voice shrill and piercing with tears, utterly devoid of any semblance of professionalism. “Ryder! Did you hear that? He cursed at me! He actually cursed at me like that! I was trying to help him!” “He’s just an irredeemable psycho! A barbaric, vulgar animal!” “Go arrest him! Teach him a lesson!” The channel went dead silent. Only her aggrieved, furious sobs and the kidnapper’s heavy breathing intertwined. Ryder’s voice immediately came back, full of bias and urgency. “Celeste, evacuate now! Assault Team One, cover Dr. Monroe’s retreat!” His order was clear and decisive, a stark contrast to his hesitation during the initial hostage crisis. Several assault team members quickly moved, forming a protective barrier. They escorted Celeste rapidly back behind cover. The kidnapper watched the scene, letting out a string of mocking, wild laughs. “Hahahaha… Aww, did the little princess get her feelings hurt? Her knight in shining armor is so upset!” “Damn it! You phony, self-righteous bastards are what I hate most!” His gaze returned to the almost-collapsed hostage, the madness in his eyes growing more intense. “Show’s over, little rich boy. Looks like your life isn’t worth as much as the expert’s whimpering.” He licked his chapped lips, the blood-stained knife tip slowly moving down, sliding from the Mayor’s son’s neck to his chest. The Mayor’s roar in the comm channel had turned into a guttural scream. Ryder’s voice was taut as a wire, desperately trying to suppress the chaos. “Bomb squad! Report! How much longer?!” “The wiring is complex, coverage area too large. At least ten minutes to locate the core detonator!” “Ten minutes!” Ryder’s voice was almost a shriek. Celeste was practically dragged back behind the makeshift command cover by the assault team members. Her hair was disheveled, her face still streaked with tears, her eyes filled with humiliation and resentment. “He dared… he dared to treat me like that!” Her voice trembled as she clutched Ryder’s arm. “Ryder! I can’t let this go! He has to pay!” Ryder’s brows were deeply furrowed. He watched the bomb squad’s progress while trying to soothe her. “Celeste, just calm down for a moment, it’s very dangerous here…” “No!” Celeste violently shook off his hand, a flicker of madness in her eyes. “I want to finish him myself!”

She suddenly pointed at me, where I was concealed at my sniper position. “Layla! Give me your sniper rifle!” Every team member in the channel held their breath for a moment. Ryder was stunned too. “Celeste, stop. This isn’t a time for games!” “I’m not playing games!” Celeste straightened her back, trying to project a professional, calm demeanor, but couldn’t hide the tremor and excitement in her voice. “Criminal psychology involves behavioral prediction!” “I’ve studied his micro-expressions and body language; I know what his next move will be! I’m confident I can hit him!” She looked at Ryder, her tone pleading. “Ryder, make her assist me!” “Layla’s the best sniper, right? Have her calculate wind speed, distance.” “Together, we can take him down before he hurts the hostage!” “Nonsense!” Over the comms, Captain Diaz couldn’t help but snarl. Ryder, however, fell silent. He looked at Celeste’s stubborn, tear-streaked face, his eyes filled with a blind indulgence and trust. He was actually considering it. In his mind, perhaps this was the only way to salvage Celeste’s pride and confidence? Or maybe he simply couldn’t refuse any of her demands? “Layla.” Ryder’s voice came through the channel, a tone of undeniable command. “You will assist Dr. Monroe in the shot. She will determine the timing, and you will provide data support.” “Ensure a clean shot, and rescue the hostage.” The sheer absurdity almost made me laugh out loud. Me? The three-time consecutive SWAT sniper champion, assisting a psychologist who probably couldn’t even hold a rifle steady? In my past life, he caused my brutal death. In this life, he wanted to drag everyone down to sacrifice for Celeste’s ego. “Commander, I refuse.” My voice was cold as ice. Ryder’s voice instantly rose, laced with anger. “Layla! That’s an order!” My words were steady, each one clear. “Dr. Monroe lacks sniper qualifications. Her emotional state is highly unstable. Allowing her to lead this shot would be tantamount to murder.” “Layla! You…!” Ryder was furious. Celeste’s shrill voice cut in, tearful and accusatory. “Ryder! Look at her! She’s just jealous of me!” “She’s afraid that if I succeed, she’ll look incompetent! She doesn’t want to save the Mayor’s son at all!” “I don’t have time to listen to your arguments.” I coldly cut her off, my scope never leaving the target. “Commander, if you insist on Dr. Monroe taking the shot, please inform all active personnel and the Mayor himself.” “This shot will be entirely Dr. Monroe’s responsibility, and all consequences will be jointly borne by you and her.” My words were like a bucket of ice water, instantly dousing Ryder’s impulsive idea. Jointly borne consequences. Did he dare? He didn’t. He knew better than anyone that Celeste couldn’t do it. He just wanted her to try; if she succeeded, it would be his credit. If she failed… he would likely push the blame onto me. Sure enough, Ryder fell into a dreadful silence. Celeste continued to whine incessantly. “Ryder! You promised me! Make her help me, I can do it…” “Enough!” Ryder finally roared, his voice filled with irritation and internal struggle. Just then, Hawk’s urgent voice broke through again. “Commander Ryder! The kidnapper has pulled out the detonator! He’s counting down: Ten! Nine! Eight…” The bomb squad’s alarmed shouts came simultaneously. “No! Too late!” “Seven! Six! Five!…” Everyone’s hearts were in their throats. “Four! Three!…” In that split second. “Bang!”

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Julian got a girl pregnant one drunken night. By the time I found out, she was already six months along. He told me to keep the baby, and that everything between us would go back to how it was. I shook my head, stubbornly asking him: “Me or the baby, who do you choose?” That day, he remained silent for a long time, unable to give me an answer. But after I disappeared, he regretted it. Married to Julian for five years, I never imagined we’d end this way. At the hospital entrance, Julian was tenderly supporting a young, beautiful girl down the steps. I stood not far away, my eyes meeting Julian’s, which were filled with a tenderness I hadn’t seen in a long time. He flinched, his gaze quickly darting away from mine. The heavily pregnant girl beside him also looked my way, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. After safely getting her into the car and whispering a few careful words, Julian finally walked towards me. His steps were calm and composed, completely lacking the panic I expected after being caught. He first touched my hand, which was cold as ice, holding it tightly in his palm. “Why are you at the hospital? Are you not feeling well?” He spoke with concern, reaching out to touch my forehead. I pulled away. “Who is she?” Julian didn’t answer my question. Instead, he pulled me into a comforting hug. “Someone unimportant. I’ll explain everything when we get home, okay?” His gentle words, at that moment, finally brought tears to my eyes. I stubbornly lifted my head, desperate for an answer. If he just said it, I would believe him. Julian sighed softly, then slowly wiped the tears from my eyes. “The baby is mine.” My tears froze on my face. I felt like I’d forgotten how to breathe. I bit my lip until it bled, then struggled free from his embrace, stepping back, one pace at a time. It was then that a hint of anger finally crossed Julian’s face. He pulled me close again, looking at me with pained eyes. “Nora, you can blame me, but don’t hurt yourself.” I couldn’t understand why he was acting so loving after doing something like this. As we stood in silent confrontation, The girl from the car got out. “Get back in!” Julian’s voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. The girl looked timidly at him but didn’t leave, a newfound determination in her eyes. “Miss Shen, Julian and I aren’t what you think. This baby was an accident.” She finished with a bitter smile. “If I could, I’d want him gone more than anyone.” My vision blurred with tears, so I couldn’t clearly see Julian’s expression. But knowing him as I did, I could sense that his initial coldness had already softened. “Enough! Stop talking!” Jealousy and resentment surged through me. I screamed, my voice breaking. The girl flinched, swaying, almost falling, but Julian quickly caught her in his arms. I stared at the scene, a thought flashing through my mind. I lunged towards them. Just as I was about to touch the girl’s swollen belly, a powerful force shoved me away. I landed on the ground, lifting my scraped palm, and managed a bitter laugh. Julian looked at his outstretched hand in disbelief, frozen. That day, Julian left the six-month pregnant girl and took me home. But I knew there was no future for us.

Back home, Julian tried to explain. I sat on the bed, motionless, for a long time. He, meanwhile, stood on my room’s balcony, smoking cigarette after cigarette all night. I knew he was trying to make me feel sorry for him, torturing himself. He always knew my weaknesses. As dawn broke, Julian turned and came inside, walking over to me. “Hungry? What do you want to eat? I’ll make it.” I stopped him with a hoarse voice. “Julian, we need to talk.” Julian’s steps faltered. He didn’t turn around for a long time. I knew he understood my personality. I cared about this kind of thing. A lot. Even if he was drunk that night, even if his encounter with that girl was unintentional, I couldn’t forgive him. So, Julian kept it a secret. But no one expected that the stranger he’d met just once would get pregnant. Due to a unique medical condition, she couldn’t terminate the pregnancy. Which led to this situation. Julian eventually left. He was afraid to face what I was about to say. I knew he loved me. If he didn’t, we wouldn’t have been together for so many years. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have spoiled me into someone who easily got emotional and cried at the drop of a hat. For the next week, Julian didn’t come home. But he still meticulously asked Maria, our housekeeper, every day how I was doing. Maria tried to persuade me: “Madam, you and Mr. Sterling are the most loving couple I’ve ever seen. Just talk things out. “Mr. Sterling, he’s lost so much weight recently.” Maria had been with us for years, and she had never seen Julian and me have a single argument. Even Julian’s mother, who had been displeased with me in the early years, gradually accepted me as her daughter-in-law because Julian and I were so happy together. My phone rang. It was Julian calling. “Nora, Julian’s completely wasted. Could you come pick him up?” “Don’t bother with him!” After hanging up, my inner frustration only grew. Julian’s retreating figure, seemingly hunched, kept replaying in my mind. I still couldn’t bring myself to leave him there alone. After a struggle, I grabbed my car keys. And walked out purposefully.

The VIP room door was ajar. I stood outside, not going in. Julian was indeed drunk, sprawled out on the sofa, completely without dignity. In front of him stood the heavily pregnant girl. One of Julian’s friends looked embarrassed. “Selena, Nora wouldn’t come, and Julian wouldn’t leave, so I had to call you.” The girl smiled faintly and helped Julian lift one arm. He abruptly pushed her away. A few gasps pulled Julian out of his drunken stupor. He looked at the woman in front of him, a smile more painful than a grimace on his face. “Selena, it’s all because of you. Nora doesn’t want me anymore…” Julian kept repeating the same phrase, then started looking for more alcohol. Everyone tried to stop him, but he grabbed a bottle and started guzzling it down like he had a death wish. Suddenly, Selena snatched the bottle from his hand and smashed it on the floor. The room fell silent instantly. Even Julian, who had been throwing a drunken tantrum, stared blankly at her. “Julian, you’re scaring our baby with all this shouting. “Get up. I’m tired. Take me home.” Julian, who practically ruled the city, had never been ordered around like this by anyone except me. Everyone assumed he was furious and held their breath. But in that oppressive silence, Julian said nothing. He slowly got up, picked up his jacket, and quietly followed Selena out. They left together. I hid in the corner, watching the man and woman in front. Suddenly, I laughed. But that laugh was laced with a bitter taste. I followed their taxi to an upscale apartment building. I watched Julian get out of the car and go upstairs with the girl. A light flickered on in one of the higher floors. I sat in my car all night, and Julian never came out. At seven in the morning, he walked back in, carrying breakfast. I watched that incredibly familiar figure. And quietly drove away.

I called Julian back, but I didn’t mention divorce. I looked at the man, who had lost a lot of weight, and quickly averted my gaze. “I didn’t pick you up last night. Where did you stay?” Julian’s fingers trembled slightly. After a moment, he said: “I stayed at the office.” I couldn’t quite describe the feeling in my heart—not much bitterness, But mostly disappointment. When did Julian start lying to me? The man who once promised to be honest with me forever had changed. I didn’t expose him because, to me, it no longer mattered. “She, how many months along is she?” Julian’s voice paused for a few seconds, as if he couldn’t bear to hurt me. “Almost seven months.” After saying that, he knelt before me, burying his head deeply in my lap. His tears soaked my dress. “Nora, I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me.” In my memory, Julian had never cried before. Now, his sobs were violent. Watching him cry, my heart ached too. But I knew, at this moment, I couldn’t soften. “Arrange for me to meet that girl.” We met at Selena’s apartment. Julian waited for me outside the door. Selena gently stroked her belly, her eyes filled with anticipation for the baby. “That night, the lights were off, and I was really terrified. “But the next day, when I saw Julian lying beside me, I actually felt a moment of relief.” Selena chuckled as she spoke. She looked up at me, still maintaining that gentle, lovely demeanor. “Miss Shen, Julian’s and my baby is almost due. Why don’t you just let us be?” With Julian not present, the girl in front of me seemed to transform. Honestly, I wasn’t too surprised. Because the night I went to find Julian, Selena had glanced towards the door. I knew she had seen me that day. She slowly stood up and pushed open a closed bedroom door. Inside was a cozy nursery. “Everything in here was personally chosen by Julian, and he decorated the room himself. “He’s not without hope for this child.” I desperately wanted to maintain my last shred of composure in front of Selena, who was flaunting Julian’s fatherly love to me. But she still provoked me. So, Julian *did* have expectations for this child. He wasn’t indifferent at all. All the strength seemed to drain from my body. I leaned a hand on the dining table, knocking over a water glass. It hit the floor with a crisp *clink*, a sound that echoed in my heart, shattering it into cracks. Julian heard the noise. When he looked, he saw me swaying, and Selena on the floor crying out in pain. That day, I will never forget, Julian’s first choice was no longer me. Selena shot me a triumphant smile, believing she had won. As he brushed past me, Julian hesitated for only a second. Then he went past me, picked Selena up, and rushed her to the hospital.

Julian didn’t look at me as he left. I stood there for a long time, slowly accepting the fact that he had abandoned me. I followed them to the hospital. By the time I arrived, Mrs. and Mr. Sterling were also there. It turned out they had known all along, only keeping it a secret from me. Seeing me, Mrs. Sterling slapped me across the face. “If anything happens to my grandson, I swear I’ll make you pay!” Julian immediately shielded me, pulling me behind him. Seeing this, Mrs. Sterling became even angrier. “Julian, it’s fine if you protect her usually, but now she’s trying to harm your son!” Julian laughed, his voice tinged with suppressed defiance. “So what? If he’s gone, he’s gone.” If they hadn’t kept this child behind his back, why would Nora be so heartbroken and upset? No one knew that when he saw Selena fall, His first reaction was actually relief. He regretted this unexpected arrival. The doctor came out of the room, saying the baby was saved. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling hurried in, showering Selena with concern. Selena, however, kept looking towards Julian, who stood by the door, her expression fragile and pitiful. She dared to scheme against me, so why should I let her have her way? I showed him my swollen left cheek, letting him feel a pang of sympathy, and told Julian: “I don’t want to stay here anymore.” Julian left with me. As I walked out, I looked at Selena, lying in the hospital bed, and returned her smile with one of my own. At least for now, Julian still sided with me. Even if I no longer wanted that favoritism. In the days Julian thought I had accepted the baby, I had already begun preparing to leave. I packed my belongings and prepared the divorce papers. Just waiting for the day I’d leave. That’s right, I would leave on the day Selena gave birth. She wanted me to complete their family of three, didn’t she? Then I would fulfill her wish.

Recently, I’d been having a vague discomfort in my lower abdomen. I went to the hospital that day for a check-up, but I didn’t expect to run into them. I rescheduled my appointment and had the check-up. The moment I got the results, I laughed through my tears. Julian and I had tried for a baby for five years without success. Now, this baby seemed to have come at the most inconvenient time. I walked through the hospital, clutching the pregnancy test results, lost in a daze, unsure how to treat this little life inside me. I knew I should terminate it, but I couldn’t bear to. This decision was harder than letting go of Julian. Then I looked up and saw Julian and Selena emerging from her prenatal check-up. These past few days, neither of us had mentioned Selena’s situation again. He thought my silence meant I had tacitly accepted her presence. “Julian, our baby is so healthy. I’m so happy.” Julian’s voice betrayed no emotion, but his slightly raised eyebrows revealed his good mood. “Hmm, you’re taking good care of him.” They chatted about the baby, neither noticing I had stopped in front of them. The moment Julian saw me, he immediately let go of Selena’s hand, creating a distance between them. After a silent pause, I spoke first. “What a coincidence. Well, I’ll leave you to it. I’m going now.” Julian frantically grabbed me, unwilling to let me go. “Nora, let me explain.” I calmly pulled my hand away from him, without a hint of anger. “I’m not mad. This baby is your responsibility. I understand.” At my words, Selena’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Miss Shen, do you really agree to keep this baby?” Since our last confrontation, I didn’t feel like giving her any pleasantries. “Miss Selena’s baby is due in a few days. Does my disagreement even matter anymore?” The woman immediately panicked, her voice catching with a sob. “I… I was forced.” Saying all this now was meaningless. Without letting Julian follow, I turned and went back to the doctor. Someone had just made the decision for me. On the day Selena went into labor, Julian was called away at four in the morning. Before he left, he leaned close and whispered in my ear:

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It was my wedding day. Liam and I were exchanging rings when a small, ragged boy suddenly burst into the ballroom. He ran straight to me, crying his eyes out, “Mommy, I promise I’ll be good! Please don’t throw me away again, okay?” I stared at him, utterly stunned. The little boy actually bore a striking resemblance to me. The entire room erupted in whispers. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Liam’s parents, looked like they were about to faint from anger. “We thought you were a decent, respectable woman! We never imagined you already had a child with someone else! This is marriage fraud!” Liam’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Anya, I was completely devoted to you. How could you do this to me?” Panic surged through me. I was about to defend myself. Then, a childish voice echoed in my mind. “Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, their acting is really good! This way, I won’t just get rid of the bastard label, I’ll also make sure this bad woman gets a terrible reputation!” I spun around in shock. The little boy was still wailing, wiping tears with his sleeve. He hadn’t said a word out loud. Was I hallucinating? But then, I heard his voice again. “Mommy told me to act as pathetic as possible, the more pathetic the better. For Mommy to have a good life, I have to make this bad woman’s reputation absolutely awful.” The chilling malice in his thoughts sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. A terrifying possibility flashed through my mind. Could it be… I was hearing his thoughts? At that moment, the little boy sniffled, stopping his cries. “Mommy used to say I was her favorite child…” “But then, she started dating.” “Every time she went out with an uncle, she’d lock me alone in the house. Several times I was so hungry I fainted. Luckily, a kind neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, gave me food.” The boy’s gaunt and sickly appearance drew pity from many in the crowd. They dabbed their eyes and began to scold me. “You’re a monster of a mother! You abandoned your own son just to date!” “Liam, you’re also to blame! You’ve been dating her for over a year, you must have gone to her place at least once, right? Didn’t you notice how pitiful this little boy was?” The boy shook his head timidly. “This uncle never came to our house… Mommy brought one… four…” He held up his fingers to count. “Mommy brought a lot of different guys over.” “But not this Uncle Liam, so it’s not Uncle Liam’s fault.” Those few words sent shockwaves through the room, like pouring cold water into a hot oil pan! The entire venue erupted. Stunned, disgusted, and hateful gazes swarmed me. Voices filled with malice bombarded my ears. “I can’t believe it! The bride’s dress is so conservative, but she’s secretly messing around like this.” “I thought Liam had found a good wife, but she’s a total slut!” Liam clutched his chest in anguish, repeatedly pounding it. “Anya! I cherished you, I indulged your every whim! You were hungry late at night for noodles, I drove an hour to get them for you. When you had period cramps, I left my clients and rushed home to bring you medicine.” “Why would you do this to me?” Everyone shook their heads. “Such a good man like Liam, he really got stuck with a rotten apple.” Eleanor Hayes, Liam’s mother, sobbed uncontrollably. “Anya Reed, you demanded an eight hundred eighty thousand wedding fund, and our family scraped together every penny without a second thought. “Tell us, what have we ever done to you that was wrong? How are we supposed to show our faces in public now?” Nasty remarks flooded the air. “Don’t marry a woman like that! Make her return all the wedding fund!” “Each table at this banquet costs thousands. I say, cancel the wedding, and Anya Reed should bear all the losses for the banquet!” Suddenly, I became the target of everyone’s scorn. The little boy peeked at me through the gaps in his fingers. His mouth was tightly shut. But his arrogant voice rang crystal clear in my head. “The bad woman’s reputation is stinking now, I’m truly Mommy’s good boy!” “We’ll be living in this bad woman’s big house soon!”

I was absolutely certain now; I could indeed hear his thoughts. So, he was actually Liam Hayes’s secret son?! This realization was like a knife gouging into my heart, twisting the flesh until it was a bloody mess. The fury of being deceived and manipulated overwhelmed me. My blood ran cold. I almost collapsed! At that critical moment, my best friend and bridesmaid, Chloe Davis, steadied me. She gently rubbed my back, her voice full of concern. “Anya, don’t be afraid. I believe you.” I squeezed her hand, tears welling in my eyes. Having moved thousands of miles away to marry, none of my parents, relatives, or friends were here. They had never approved of Liam. Only Chloe, my friend of just over a year, had said, “Anya, whatever you do, I’ll support you unconditionally. Don’t worry about marrying far away; I’ll find a job here and stay with you.” Now, surrounded by hostility, she was the only one standing by me. My throat tightened. “Thank goodness for you.” Chloe stepped forward, took the microphone from the MC, Mark, and declared loudly: “Everyone, don’t be fooled by a random little boy! He claims to be Anya’s child, but what proof does he have?” “I think he must have mistaken her for someone else.” The little boy’s lip quivered, and he started crying again. Through his sobs, he cried out: “How could I mistake my own mommy?” “I… I have a photo with Mommy!” He pulled a photograph from his backpack. In it, a woman was holding him, smiling at the camera. My pupils constricted. The woman looked almost exactly like me! Before I could speak, Chloe quickly interjected, “Composite technology is so advanced these days, this must be an AI-generated image!” I looked at her gratefully. I remembered when we first met, my parents, with their traditional views, had judged her heavy makeup and wild, brightly colored hair, saying she didn’t look like a “good influence.” But now, everyone else was against me, and she believed me without hesitation. Just then, a man in a plaid shirt at one of the tables raised his hand. “I’ve been in computer-related work for over a decade, and I’m also a professional photographer. I can tell if it’s a composite at a glance.” The guests instinctively parted, clearing a path for him. Mr. Davies took the photo from the little boy, carefully examined it against the light, and then gave a definitive answer. “This photo is real!” I instinctively held my breath, trying to listen for the little boy’s thoughts. But this time, he said nothing. He just furiously suppressed the triumphant smirk on his lips. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm, and shook my head, denying, “No… that’s not me at all!” “It is you!” A strong, clear voice rang out from the entrance. It was a distinguished-looking middle-aged woman. The little boy turned and, seeing her, sprinted over. “Ms. Jenkins!” The woman stroked his hair, her voice full of sympathy. “Good boy, you’ve been through so much. Don’t be afraid, I’ll vouch for you.” She walked towards the stage microphone. “I live right across from them. I have a security camera installed at my front door. I can prove that Leo’s mother is Ms. Anya Reed, right there on stage.” “I can also prove that Leo’s claims of abuse and her promiscuous behavior are all true!” Someone in the crowd recognized her. “That’s Ms. Jenkins, the Dean of Students from Northwood High! She’s an upright woman who hates lies!” “I know her too! If Dean Jenkins says it, it must be true!” My heart sank. My pulse quickened. As Ms. Jenkins projected the security footage from her phone onto the large screen. The entire hotel ballroom erupted once again.

“They were kissing right at the entrance! How desperate can you be?” “And those men she’s kissing, they’re not even the same person!” “She picked up a mop and started hitting the little boy! She was really laying into him!” “How can a mother be like this? My heart aches for that little boy. He was crying and apologizing, but that woman hit him even harder!” In the video, the little boy cried out, “Mommy… Mommy, I’m sorry, it’s my fault! I was just so hungry that I ate the bread Mrs. Jenkins gave me. I won’t do it again, please forgive me!” “Mommy, it hurts so much, please don’t hit me anymore, Mommy, I beg you!” … The surveillance video hit me like a sledgehammer, leaving my mind almost blank. Just then, I heard the little boy’s thoughts again. “The bad woman would never guess that my mommy just happens to look exactly like her!” “And my mommy is here at the wedding too today!” Like a drowning person clutching at a lifeline, I grabbed onto the only hope I had. Without thinking, I blurted out. “It’s his mother who looks exactly like me, and she’s here in the room!” Silence fell over the hall for a moment. A fleeting look of panic crossed the little boy’s face. But he recovered quickly, his eyes quickly welling up with tears. “Mommy, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come today… I just missed you so much…” “I’ll leave right now… I won’t ruin your wedding with Uncle Liam…” “Mommy… I hope you’ll be happy.” My eyes were practically spitting fire. If I weren’t the one involved, if I couldn’t hear his thoughts. With the little boy’s brilliant acting, I would have been fooled and cursed the person who abandoned him! *Bang!* Among the guests, someone, in a fit of rage, threw a soda can at me. The metal cut my forehead, a burning, stinging pain. “You’re such a liar! Where is she? This person who looks exactly like you, find her! Show her to us!” I covered my forehead, blood seeping through my fingers. With that person taking the lead, many guests began grabbing bottles from the tables and throwing them at me. In a desperate move, I opened an umbrella from the side of the stage, barely deflecting some of the attacks. I was utterly humiliated. Listening to the indignant guests below. “Abuse, abandonment, and cheating on Liam! Damn, this woman is trash!” “Liam, if you’re a real man, call off this wedding, or none of us brothers will ever respect you again!” “That’s right, call it off!” Hiding behind the umbrella, I spoke into the microphone with a cold voice: “This little boy is around six years old. Six years ago, I was still attending university in this city. There are many of my alumni here today. As the student council president, I hosted events almost every week.” “Tell me, has any of you ever seen me pregnant?” The hall fell silent. Someone raised a hand. “I was Anya Reed’s classmate. I can confirm she never took extended leave from school.” Another person stood up. “Yes, Anya was active in various campus activities almost every day, except for the winter and summer breaks.” I felt a slight sense of relief. Then, a familiar voice rang out from behind me. “So, what you’re saying is, Anya had the baby during a break?!” I spun around abruptly. A chill spread from my feet upwards. I looked at Chloe, my best friend, a smile plastered on her face as she continued, “If she gave birth in winter, Anya is so thin, a heavy coat would have easily hidden it. If she had a baby during winter break, and then returned to school after her confinement period…” At that point, Chloe gasped, “Anya, could this possibly be the child you had out of wedlock during college?”

She acted as if she’d just realized her mistake, immediately covering her mouth and giving me an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, Anya… I absolutely believe you…” All eyes fell on me again. In an instant, I felt like I was stranded on a desert island. And then, an even more shocking revelation echoed in my mind. “Mommy is so smart! She pretended to be the bad woman’s best friend, just to deliver a crushing blow today!” “To make sure Ms. Jenkins’ security camera captured the evidence, Mommy deliberately got the same blonde curly hair as the bad woman and put on that act with me.” “And all those heavy makeups and brightly colored wigs, just so the bad woman wouldn’t recognize her… Poor Mommy.” This news hit me like a massive boulder thrown into water, stirring up a storm in my heart. I blinked my dry eyes, slowly surveying the room. “Since you’re all so convinced this little boy is my child, fine. I demand a live DNA test.” “At the same time, I also demand that Liam and this child undergo a DNA test!” My words rang out, clear and firm. “If he truly is my child, I will get on my knees and apologize to everyone! The wedding banquet will be canceled, and I will bear all expenses myself!” To my surprise, Liam and his parents agreed without hesitation. “Good, I don’t want to wrongly accuse you either. Anya,” Liam looked at me steadily, “if the child isn’t yours, then for the rest of my life, all my assets, even my very life, are yours.” “Consider it my compensation to you.” For a fleeting moment, I wondered if the thoughts I’d heard were just my imagination. But the little boy’s malicious voice quickly pulled me back to reality. “I can’t wait! Once this woman leaves, humiliated, the money Dad and she put into the pre-marital loyalty fund will all be ours!” It was like a beam of light cutting through a thick fog. I finally understood the real reason behind the Hayes family’s elaborate scheme at the wedding! My teeth gnashed audibly. A six-year-old secret son, framing me at my wedding, and trying to steal all my savings and my house! And Chloe, my supposed best friend, her approach from the very beginning had been full of ulterior motives! A surging wave of anger threatened to drown me. I took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm. My hand trembled as I pointed at Chloe. “Furthermore, I also demand that Chloe undergo a paternity test with this boy!” “Because,” I strode over, grabbing a handful of Chloe’s hair, revealing the same hairstyle and color as mine underneath. Then I grabbed a bucket of water, prepared for a wedding game, and splashed it onto her face. “She looks exactly like me. I suspect she is the boy’s real mother!” When Chloe’s true face appeared before everyone, Many gasped sharply. “Aren’t they twins? They look so alike!”

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On our wedding anniversary, my wife told me her company was holding a corporate outing, including a two-day, one-night hot spring spa retreat. After she left, I decided to surprise her by redecorating the house. While cleaning, I swept out a box of emergency contraceptive pills from under our bed. My heart lurched. We had been trying to conceive; why would she be taking these? My wife’s call came in. Her voice was languid, tinged with a slight pant. “Honey, the hot springs are so relaxing, I almost fell asleep.” I looked at my phone, displaying a severe thunderstorm alert – all outdoor hot spring resorts were closed. What kind of “corporate outing” required emergency contraception? “Hey, honey.” On the other end of the line, Chloe’s voice was laced with the languor of just waking up, and a hint of a breathy sigh. “The hot springs are so relaxing, I almost fell asleep.” I clutched my phone, standing in the middle of the living room. The bright new overhead lights illuminated every corner of the home we’d shared for three years, leaving no shadow. “Really? Get some good rest then.” My voice was steady, betraying no hint of the turmoil within. “I just miss you a little.” Chloe chuckled softly on her end. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir when I return.” “Okay.” I hung up. On my phone screen, the severe thunderstorm alert issued by the weather station was still glaring crimson. “Due to strong convective weather, all outdoor hot spring resorts and mountain tourism projects in the city are temporarily suspended.” I tossed my phone onto the sofa, my gaze falling back to the coffee table. Underneath the table was what I had just swept out from under the bed. A box of emergency contraceptive pills. Only one pill remained. The manufacturing date on the box was three months ago. We’d been married for three years, and we started trying for a baby a year ago. She had gotten rid of everything in the house that could potentially affect conception. More than once, I’d seen her cry with disappointment when her period arrived. She said she longed for a child of ours. So, what was this box of pills doing here? I picked up the pill box, turning it over and over in my hands. The unsettling thought grew clearer and clearer in my mind. What kind of “corporate outing” required going to “hot springs” in a thunderstorm? What kind of “corporate outing” required taking emergency contraception? My gaze began to sweep across the living room. This home, which I had personally decorated, intending to surprise her, now felt utterly unfamiliar. I stormed into the bedroom and yanked open her nightstand drawer. On the bottom shelf, tucked away, was an old tablet she rarely used. I pressed the power button. The screen lit up, paused on a hotel booking page. The Grandview Hotel & Suites. In our city. Check-in time: today. Check-out time: tomorrow noon. Reservation name: Marcus Thorne. I recognized that name. It was Chloe’s new boss. She’d been mentioning him a lot lately, saying he was young and promising, and had been very supportive of her career. I clicked on the order details. Executive King Room. The special request note read: “Honeymoon setup, with plenty of roses.” My stomach did a violent flip. I rushed to the bathroom, clutching the toilet, dry heaving. Nothing came up, only searing acid burning my esophagus. A surprise? I was certainly preparing a hell of a surprise. I splashed cold water on my face, looking at the man with bloodshot eyes staring back at me in the mirror. I couldn’t just let this go. I had to see. See it with my own eyes. I changed my clothes, grabbed my car keys, and walked out of that suffocating house.

The Grandview Hotel & Suites was opulent, almost blindingly luxurious. I parked my car across the street and looked up at the imposing skyscraper. Chloe and that man, Marcus Thorne, were somewhere behind one of those windows in this building right now. What were they doing? Were they “almost falling asleep” as she’d claimed on the phone, or…? I couldn’t bear to think further. I walked into the hotel lobby and headed straight for the front desk. “Hello, sir, how may I help you?” The front desk agent’s smile was professional yet distant. “I’m looking for someone. My wife, Chloe Davis. Which room is she in?” “I apologize, sir, but to protect guest privacy, we cannot disclose room information.” I had expected this. I pulled out my phone and displayed a photo of Chloe and me on our wedding day. “She’s my wife. It’s our wedding anniversary today, and I’m here to give her a surprise.” I tried my best to make my expression look sincere and loving. “See, I even brought her a gift.” I held up a paper bag, which contained a bouquet of flowers I had just bought from the flower shop downstairs. A flicker of sympathy crossed the agent’s face, but she still shook her head. “I’m truly sorry, sir, but rules are rules.” I didn’t press the issue. I walked over to the lobby lounge area and sat down, my eyes fixed on the elevators. I didn’t know which floor, which room they were in. I sat there like an idiot, waiting. Time ticked by, second by second. People came and went in the lobby, each with a different expression on their face. Joyful, tired, numb. Only I sat there, a complete outsider. My phone vibrated. It was a SnapChat message from Chloe. An image: a pair of feet soaking in hot spring water, with rose petals floating on the surface. The caption read: “Honey, it’s really so relaxing. Too bad you’re not here.” My hand started to tremble. That picture was expertly Photoshopped. The steam from the hot spring, the delicate rose petals, even her toes looked so relaxed. If I hadn’t known the truth, I would have been touched by her “sharing.” Just then, the elevator chimed “ding.” Two figures emerged. The man was tall and handsome, in a perfectly tailored suit. The woman was petite and lovely, wearing a beautiful dress I had never seen before. It was Chloe. She was clinging to the man’s arm, a radiant smile on her face that I had never seen directed at me. It wasn’t the gentle, domestic smile she usually reserved for me. It was a dazzling smile, full of admiration and flirty charm, the kind of smile only a woman deeply in love could have. They walked past me, heading towards the hotel’s revolving doors. Chloe’s head was affectionately resting on the man’s shoulder. “Marcus, you’re so good to me.” Her voice was so sickeningly sweet, it could melt sugar. I sat on the sofa, unmoving. So, this was her “corporate outing.” So, this was why she lied. I slowly stood up and followed them.

They didn’t leave the hotel; instead, they walked into the hotel’s ground-floor fine dining restaurant. Soft music played in the restaurant, the lighting was dim, and the atmosphere was perfect. A waiter led them to a window-side table. I found a corner table and sat down, hidden behind a large potted plant, from where I could see them perfectly. Marcus gallantly pulled out a chair for Chloe. Chloe sat down, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling like stars. “Marcus, you’re so good to me, I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” Marcus smiled, reaching out to stroke her hair. “Silly girl, just keep doing good work, that’s the best way to repay me.” “Your proposal this time was excellent. I’ve already put in a word upstairs; you’re a shoo-in for department head next quarter.” Chloe’s eyes lit up. “Really? Thank you, Marcus!” “No need to be so formal with me.” Marcus’s gaze was full of adoration. They ordered their meal and began to eat. Throughout the meal, Marcus kept dotingly placing food on Chloe’s plate, and Chloe ate like a pampered kitten, content and docile. Watching this scene, I felt like I was watching a romance movie. And I, was a mere audience member, not even a supporting character. I ordered the strongest whiskey and downed it in one gulp. The fiery liquid burned my throat, but couldn’t extinguish the fire in my heart. I took out my phone, aimed it at them, and pressed record. I wanted to record everything. I wanted her to see what kind of face she showed when she was with another man. Halfway through dinner, Marcus’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, frowned slightly, but answered it anyway. “Hello, honey.” The moment he spoke, Chloe’s face changed. “I’m out entertaining clients, having dinner.” “Yes, I might be home a bit late tonight.” “Okay, okay, I know, you go to bed early.” He hung up, a slightly awkward expression on his face. Chloe looked down, poking her steak with her fork, saying nothing. “What’s wrong?” Marcus asked her. Chloe looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. “Marcus, what exactly are we doing?” Marcus sighed, reaching out to hold her hand. “Chloe, just give me a little more time. There’s no more love between her and me, I’m in the process of getting a divorce.” “Once I sort things out at home, I’ll give you a proper title.” Chloe’s tears fell. “But I…” “No buts.” Marcus interrupted her. “I know you’re upset, but for our future, please bear with it a little longer, okay?” Chloe looked at him, then nodded. Marcus smiled with satisfaction, leaned in, and kissed her forehead. I stopped recording. Enough. This was already enough. I put down my glass, stood up, and prepared to leave this sickening place. Just as I turned, a commotion erupted at the restaurant entrance. A woman dressed in expensive clothes, accompanied by two bodyguards, stormed in, radiating fury. “Marcus Thorne!” The woman’s sharp voice pierced the restaurant’s tranquility.

The blood drained from Marcus’s face. He shot up, looking at the woman at the entrance, his eyes wide with panic. “How did you get here?” Chloe was also stunned, sitting there frozen, at a complete loss. The woman, her heels clicking on the floor, took a few quick steps to their table. She didn’t even glance at Marcus; her sharp eyes were fixed solely on Chloe. “So you’re the homewrecker who’s been seducing my husband?” The woman’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a chilling edge. All eyes in the restaurant turned to them. Chloe’s face was ashen, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. “Honey, let me explain, it’s not what you think, this is my colleague, we…” Marcus frantically tried to explain. “Slap!” The woman’s hand swung, delivering a harsh slap across Marcus’s face. The crisp sound silenced the entire restaurant. “You shut up!” The woman pointed a finger at Marcus’s nose, yelling, “I knew something was off with you. I had someone follow you for half a month! And you still dare to tell me she’s a colleague?” She finished, then turned to Chloe, her eyes overflowing with scorn and rage. “You look decent enough, so why are you so utterly pathetic, needing to steal someone else’s husband?” Chloe trembled from head to toe, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls. “I didn’t… it’s not…” Her defense was painfully weak. “Still trying to deny it!” The woman grabbed a glass of red wine from the table and poured it directly over Chloe’s head. The crimson liquid ran down her hair and cheeks, soaking her beautiful dress, leaving her utterly disgraced. “Ah!” Chloe shrieked. “Marcus! Your wife is crazy!” She cried out to Marcus for help. Marcus stood beside her, his face ashen, but he dared not say a word. “I’m crazy?” The woman scoffed. “Today, I’ll show you just how crazy I can be!” With that, she gestured to the bodyguards behind her. The two bodyguards stepped forward and grabbed Chloe by the arms. “What are you doing! Let go of me!” Chloe struggled desperately. The surrounding diners began to whisper, some pulling out their phones to take pictures. I sat in the corner, coldly observing the farce. Was this Chloe’s idea of a “better life”? Was this the high branch she was willing to betray me for, to climb? How utterly laughable. The woman’s gaze swept across the restaurant, finally landing on me. Perhaps she thought that among everyone present, I was the most engrossed, the most calm. She walked towards me. Her high heels clicked on the floor, each step echoing like a blow to my heart. “Well, sir, enjoying the show?” She stood before me, looking down at me. I didn’t answer. Her gaze passed over me, landing on the large decorative mirror hanging on the wall behind me. In the mirror, the absurd scene was clearly reflected. And it also reflected Chloe’s tear-streaked face, filled with terror. Following the woman’s gaze, Chloe also saw me in the mirror. Our eyes met. Her pupils constricted sharply. The color drained from her face in an instant. It was a fear and despair even deeper than when she was caught in the act just moments before. She finally saw me. “Alex…” Chloe’s voice was an unsteady tremor. Marcus’s wife followed Chloe’s gaze, looked back at me, then at Chloe again, a cruel smile forming on her lips.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299241”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller