Category: English

“Darling, look! A symbol of our love!” My wife, Stella, blushing prettily, lifted her wrist at the alumni gathering, revealing the expensive couple’s watch. Everyone looked at me with envy, saying I’d married the perfect woman. But they didn’t know. Just the night before, on our wedding night, I’d seen a faded butterfly tattoo on the inner side of her pale thigh. And a string of blurred numbers. Those numbers were the employee ID for a notorious bar: “The Golden Cage.” “Liam, you must’ve won the lottery in a past life to snag a bombshell like Stella Reed!” My childhood best friend, Chris, slurred, his arm slung around my neck, reeking of alcohol. “The queen of our college, man! So many guys chased her, and you’re the one who got lucky!” I laughed, pushing him away, and raised my glass. My gaze, however, drifted uncontrollably towards Stella, who was chatting and laughing with some female classmates not far away. She was wearing a pale yellow dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled into sweet crescents, making her look gentle and pure, like a blooming lily. Every man in the room had their eyes glued to her. And this beautiful woman was now my wife. A tremendous sense of satisfaction and happiness swelled within me. I downed the wine in one gulp. The spicy liquid slid down my throat, but my heart felt sweeter than honey. After the gathering, I helped a tipsy Stella back to our freshly decorated new home. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy. Leaning against me, she mumbled drunkenly, “Husband, I love you so much… Marrying you is the happiest thing that’s ever happened to me.” My heart instantly melted. Gently placing her on the bed, I kissed her forehead and softly said, “Me too.” Just as I was about to get up to pour her a glass of water, her long dress hitched up as she shifted, revealing a stretch of snowy white thigh. And, on its inner side, that stark, greenish mark. My movements froze. It was a butterfly, its wings already somewhat blurred, its color severely faded, clearly an old tattoo from many years ago. Below the butterfly, there was an even smaller, almost illegible string of numbers. I leaned closer, squinting in the dim bedside lamp light to make it out carefully. “…7013?” The number exploded in my mind like a clap of thunder. My blood rushed to my head instantly, then turned to ice the next second. The Golden Cage. Number 7013. The code name I thought I’d never remember again, like a lurking demon that had slumbered for years, clawed its way out of the depths of my memory, a wicked grin on its face. Five years ago, while still in college, I’d worked as a part-time waiter at “The Golden Cage” to save up for my sick mother’s surgery. It was a hell on earth, a place of lavish decadence and rampant vice. I’d witnessed countless sordid transactions with my own eyes and remembered the numb smiles on those girls’ faces. Every girl “working” there had an internal number, making it easy for clients to “order” them. They were like products on a shelf, openly priced. And I had a particularly strong impression of “7013.” Because she had the most clients. She was rumored to be the top girl there, code-named “Butterfly.” This was because she excelled at a provocative “butterfly dance” and knew best how to please men. Whenever those bloated, wealthy clients spoke of her, they’d exchange knowing, lewd smiles, saying she was “innocent yet utterly seductive,” the most irresistible poison for any man. I was just a poor student back then, barely daring to even glance in her direction. I’d only glimpsed her back once when the manager sent me to a VIP room to deliver drinks. She wore a revealing dancer’s outfit, her slender waist swaying under the hazy lights, like a butterfly on the verge of shattering. At the time, I only felt pity and sadness, quickly dropping off the drinks and leaving. I just couldn’t reconcile that image of a woman of the night with the pure, gentle wife sleeping peacefully beside me. No, absolutely not! Stella Reed was a junior from my college. We met at a campus job fair. She was pure, kind, and came from a well-to-do family—both her parents were university professors, so she’d been pampered like a princess her whole life. We dated for two years, and she was always very conservative; our most intimate gesture was just kissing. She said she wanted to save her best self for our wedding night. How could such a virtuous girl… how could she be that escort, number 7013? It had to be a coincidence! Yes, just a damn coincidence! I repeated it to myself over and over, trying to quell the rising tide of panic and disgust that threatened to consume me. I stumbled back two steps, my body icy cold, my hands and feet trembling uncontrollably. I stared intently at Stella on the bed, the woman I deeply loved. Her sleeping face was serene and beautiful, a sweet smile still gracing her lips, as if she were dreaming pleasant dreams. But that glaring butterfly on her inner thigh was like a giant mockery, instantly shattering all my happiness. My stomach churned violently. I rushed to the bathroom, throwing up everything until there was nothing left but bitter bile. I clung to the wall, trying to stand. The man in the mirror was pale, eyes bloodshot, looking utterly wretched, like a beaten dog. I turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face repeatedly, trying to calm myself down. No, I couldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. Maybe… maybe there was some misunderstanding. I needed proof, proof that could completely convince myself. My gaze fell on Stella’s handbag, placed on her dresser. A crazy thought, completely out of my control, surfaced.

My rational mind screamed at me, telling me this was despicable, a complete violation of trust. But my body, as if possessed by a demon, moved on its own. My hand trembled violently, almost unable to hold the delicate ladies’ handbag. I unzipped it. Inside were a wallet, lipstick, keys… and a very old-looking cell phone. It wasn’t her current, latest iPhone model, but an old Android phone, at least five or six years old, with several cracks on the screen. My heart constricted sharply. Why would she carry such an old phone with her? My trembling fingers pressed the power button. The screen lit up; there was no password. The photo album was empty, nothing at all. Refusing to give up, I clicked on file management. In a folder named “Recycle Bin,” I saw several deleted photos. My fingertip hovered above the screen, hesitating to tap. I was afraid. Afraid of seeing the truth that would utterly destroy me. But in the end, I restored them. The photos loaded one by one. The images were a bit blurry, the lighting dim, the background appearing to be a luxuriously decorated karaoke room. In the first photo, a scantily clad girl was holding a wine glass, smiling at the camera. Her smile was alluring and sultry, completely unlike the Stella Reed I knew. But that face, the face I’d loved for two years, kissed countless times—I couldn’t possibly mistake it! My breath caught in my throat. The second photo: she was hugging a pot-bellied middle-aged man, his hand on her thigh, and she was laughing flirtatiously. The third: she was kneeling on the floor, pouring wine for a man, the low-cut neckline of her dance outfit revealing her cleavage. The fourth… I couldn’t look anymore. The phone slipped from my hand with a *clatter*, crashing to the floor, its screen instantly shattering. All strength drained from me, I collapsed onto the cold floor, my mind a blank. Those photos were like poisoned daggers, each one a fresh stab, slowly flaying my heart. So, my pure, flawless wife—the beautiful woman I’d held so dear, treated like a princess—had such a sordid past. So, all the sweet nothings she’d whispered to me, all the innocence and shyness she’d displayed in front of me, were nothing but an act. She was a master manipulator, an experienced actress! What was I? A clueless fool, a pathetic stepping stone she used to escape her past? No wonder, no wonder she’d always avoided intimacy during our two years of dating. It wasn’t because she was conservative; it was because she’d been around the block, terrified I’d discover the secrets of her body! No wonder she never talked about her college days. Every time I asked, she’d vaguely change the subject. No wonder her parents, despite being professors, had been so eager about our marriage, barely making any demands, only accepting a token wedding contribution. They must have known their daughter’s secret all along, desperate to marry her off to some unsuspecting good guy! All the suspicious points, at this moment, strung together into a clear thread, pointing to a truth that tore me apart. I paced the room like a caged beast, the fury and humiliation in my chest threatening to consume me whole. I wanted to rush over, drag her out of bed, and fiercely demand why she’d done this to me! But when I saw her sleeping face, my steps faltered. That face was still so beautiful, so innocent. I even began to wonder if all this was just a nightmare. No, that butterfly tattoo, those indecent photos, all reminded me, with brutal clarity, that this was not a dream. I painfully covered my face, tears streaming uncontrollably through my fingers. I don’t know how long I sat on the floor, until the sky outside the window turned a fish-belly white. Stella woke up. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she saw me sitting on the floor and was startled. “Darling, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting on the floor?” She walked over anxiously, trying to help me up. I violently shook off her hand, with such force that she stumbled back two steps, hitting the edge of the bed. She froze, her face filled with bewilderment and confusion: “Liam, you… you hurt me.” I raised my bloodshot eyes, staring intensely at her, my voice hoarse as if from hell: “Stella Reed, how much longer are you going to keep up this damn charade?” She was terrified by my appearance, her face instantly turning ashen: “You… what are you talking about? I don’t understand.” “Don’t understand?” I sneered, picking up the shattered phone from the floor and throwing it violently at her. “Then do you understand *these*?” Stella’s gaze fell on the phone screen. When she saw the photos, the color drained from her face completely. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably, her lips quivering, unable to utter a single word. That look of panic undoubtedly confirmed everything. My heart hit rock bottom. “Why?” I clenched my fists, my fingernails digging deep into my palms, my voice a desperate roar, “Why did you lie to me? What did you take me for? A fool to clean up your mess?” Stella’s whole body jolted. Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls. She lunged forward, trying to grab my leg, but I kicked her away. “Don’t touch me! You make me sick!” My words were like a knife, plunging deep into her heart. She fell to the floor, covering her face, letting out suppressed, painful sobs. “I’m sorry… Liam, I’m so sorry…” she cried, gasping for breath, “I didn’t mean to lie to you… I just… I just loved you too much, I was afraid you’d leave me if you knew…” “Loved me?” I laughed bitterly as if I’d heard the biggest joke. “Is *that* how you loved me? With lies and deceit? Stella Reed, do you know how disgusted I am by you right now?” “No… it’s not like that…” She desperately shook her head, crawling towards me, crying, “Listen to me, please, it’s not what you think… back then, my family had problems, my dad gambled and owed a lot of money, I had no choice but to…” “Enough!” I roughly cut her off. “I don’t want to hear your sob story! All I know is that my wife is a whore who’s been with anyone!” With that, I slammed the door shut, leaving her desperate cries far behind.

I ran through the streets like a madman. The cold morning wind filled my lungs, but it did nothing to cool the burning pain and fury in my heart. I stopped in front of a diner and ordered two bottles of the strongest whiskey. I chugged it down, chasing it with cold pastries. The fiery liquid burned my esophagus and stomach, but I felt no pain. Because the pain in my heart was a thousand times worse. Passersby shot me strange looks, but I didn’t care. I was a joke now, a colossal joke. I thought I’d married the purest angel in the world, but it turned out she was a devil who’d wallowed in the mud. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through photos of Stella and me. In the pictures, she smiled so sweetly, so innocently, nestled beside me like a docile kitten. But now, that face looked full of hypocrisy and filth. I deleted the photos one by one. With each deletion, my heart was flayed anew. When I reached the last one, I stopped. It was our wedding photo. I wore a suit, handsome and upright; she wore a wedding dress, beautiful and moving. We smiled at the camera, radiating happiness. I stared at the photo for a long time, but ultimately couldn’t bring myself to delete it. I tossed the phone aside, picked up the whiskey bottle, and took another long swig. I don’t know how long I drank until my stomach churned, and I swayed as I pushed myself up from the table. I couldn’t just let this go. I couldn’t let her and her entire family play me for a fool. I needed answers. I would go to her parents and expose their family’s deception! I hailed a cab and gave the address of Stella’s parents’ house. It was an upscale faculty residential area, quiet and secluded. I’d been there a few times. Each time, my mother-in-law and father-in-law had been incredibly warm, calling me “dear Liam” as if I were their own son. Now, thinking back, how much guilt and calculation must have been hidden behind that excessive warmth! I rang the doorbell. My mother-in-law opened the door. She froze when she saw me, then smiled warmly: “Oh, Liam, what a surprise! Why are you here so early? Where’s Stella? Isn’t she with you?” I pushed her aside emotionlessly and walked straight in. My father-in-law was sitting on the living room sofa, reading the newspaper. He also greeted me with a smile: “Liam, come in, have a seat.” I scanned the elegantly decorated living room. My father-in-law’s calligraphy hung on the wall, with five large characters that read “Harmony brings prosperity.” I found it incredibly ironic. “I’m not here for a visit,” I said coldly, my voice devoid of emotion. “I’m here to ask you, do you feel a great sense of achievement from playing me for a fool?” The smiles on my in-laws’ faces froze. They exchanged glances, and my mother-in-law tentatively asked, “Liam, you… what do you mean? Did you argue with Stella? Husbands and wives make up, whatever it is, let’s talk it through…” “Talk it through?” I sneered. “Did your precious daughter think about ‘talking it through’ when she was the top call girl at ‘The Golden Cage’? Did you think about this day when you packaged a whore as a sophisticated lady and married her off to me?” The moment “The Golden Cage” left my lips, my in-laws’ faces turned instantly ashen. My father-in-law’s newspaper fell to the floor. His lips trembled, and he pointed at me, unable to utter a single word for a long time. My mother-in-law, with a *thud*, collapsed directly onto the floor. “How… how do you know…” My mother-in-law’s voice was shaking uncontrollably. “How do I know?” I advanced on them step by step, the hatred in my eyes almost tangible. “I also know her code name was ‘Butterfly,’ and her number was 7013! I also know that for money, she would kneel on the floor and lick a man’s shoes! Are you satisfied now?” Every word I spoke was like a heavy hammer, striking their hearts. My mother-in-law covered her face and burst into heartbroken sobs. My father-in-law, trembling all over, suddenly stood up and raised his hand, intending to slap me. I grabbed his wrist, with such force that he let out a muffled groan of pain. “What? You want to hit me? What right do you have to hit me?” I stared intensely at him, enunciating each word. “Was it you, her own father, who personally pushed your daughter into that fire pit?” Stella had said she went there because her family had problems, her father owed gambling debts… My father-in-law’s face turned from white to green, then from green to red, before he finally dropped his arm in defeat. He seemed to age ten years in an instant, collapsing back onto the sofa, clutching his head, letting out a pained groan. “It’s my fault… all my fault… I was blinded by greed, I ruined Stella, and I ruined you too…” He cried tears of regret, his voice filled with remorse, “I’m not human, I deserve to die…” Watching his anguished face, I felt no satisfaction, only a cold emptiness. So, Stella hadn’t lied. She really did go down that path to pay off her father’s debts. But what did that change? The facts were the facts. She had deceived me, and her body had been defiled by countless men. The thought of her once pleasing other men, the thought of her using the mouth that had kissed me to pleasure others, made me sick to my stomach. “What’s the point of saying all this now?” I released his hand, stepped back two paces, and looked at them indifferently. “I came here today to tell you that this marriage is over. You can take your daughter back. Liam Miller cannot ‘enjoy’ her.” With that, I turned and walked out, without a single backward glance. Behind me, I heard my mother-in-law’s heart-wrenching cries and my father-in-law’s desperate pleas. “Liam! Don’t go! Listen to us! Stella had her reasons!” “We’re sorry! Hit us, curse us, do whatever you want! Please, don’t divorce Stella, she can’t live without you!” I ignored them, quickening my pace out of that suffocating place. The sun shone on me, but I felt no warmth at all. My marriage, my life, had, on this day, completely become a joke. Returning to the empty new home, the sight of all the red wedding decorations was unbearable. I rushed over, tearing down the red paper “囍” characters from the walls, ripping them to shreds. Stella wasn’t home. Good. I didn’t want to see her hypocritical face right now. I sat on the sofa all day, neither eating nor drinking, like a soulless statue. Until evening, when the doorbell rang. I thought Stella had returned, and a wave of irritation surged through me. I got up to open the door, ready to kick her out. But standing outside was someone I hadn’t expected. It was Chris. My childhood best friend, and my best man at the wedding. He saw me, froze for a moment, then frowned: “Liam, what happened to you? Why do you look like this? Where’s Stella? She called me, crying her eyes out, saying you don’t want her anymore. What the hell happened?” I looked at him and suddenly laughed. A laugh uglier than any cry. “Chris,” I grabbed his shoulders, staring intently into his eyes, “Tell me, did you know about Stella Reed all along?”

Chris’s eyes visibly darted away. That subtle movement instantly ignited all the suspicions in my heart. “You look me in the eye, you bastard!” I roared, unconsciously tightening my grip. “You’re my best friend! Tell me, were you in on this, too, trying to fool me?” Chris winced from my grip, struggling a bit, a pained and conflicted expression on his face. “Liam, calm down first! Just listen to me…” “Listen to what? That she was forced? That she had her reasons?” I cut him off hysterically. “I don’t want to hear that BS! I just want to know if *you*, my best friend, knew from the start what kind of woman she was!” Chris fell silent. His silence was more devastating than any words. My heart, in an instant, turned completely cold. I violently released him, stumbling back two steps, looking at him in disbelief. “You… you really knew?” Chris sighed, his face filled with guilt: “Liam, I’m sorry. I… I only found out a little while ago.” “How long ago?” I pressed, my voice trembling. “Just… just before you two decided to get married,” Chris said with difficulty. “I accidentally overheard her on a FaceTime call with a friend and found out some… some things about her past.” “Then why didn’t you tell me?” My voice was squeezed out through gritted teeth. “How could I tell you?” Chris looked bitter. “You two were so in love then, about to get married. If I told you, would you have believed me? You’d just think I was jealous, trying to sow discord! Besides… I saw that Stella truly loved you, and she was trying to leave her past behind. I thought, everyone makes mistakes, let the past be the past…” “The past?” I gave a bitter laugh. “Chris, that’s not a scratched finger that a band-aid can heal! That’s a festering wound in my very bones! How can I just pretend nothing happened?” I pointed to my chest, yelling at him: “Do you know what I’ve been through these past two days? I feel like a goddamn idiot! The whole world knew the truth, and I was the only one kept in the dark! I gave all my love, all my trust, to a liar, a whore! You’re my brother, and you just stood by and watched me walk into a trap!” “Liam!” Chris also got agitated. “I admit I was wrong about this! But you can’t talk about Stella like that! She was desperate back then! Do you know how much money her dad owed? Three million! Loan sharks! Those people were coming to their house every day, smashing things, threatening to sell her mom into a black market mine! What could a twenty-year-old girl do?” “So she became a prostitute?” I retorted, eyes red. “There are so many ways to make money in the world, why did she choose the cheapest one?” “Because it was fast money!” Chris yelled back. “Every day she didn’t pay, the interest piled up by thousands! She didn’t have time to earn money slowly! You worked at ‘The Golden Cage’ yourself, you know what kind of place it is! Do you think she *wanted* to? The first time she was forced to take a client, she almost took her own life! Her dad was on his knees, begging her to save the family! What else could she do?” Chris’s words were like a bucket of ice water, dousing me, instantly calming me down a lot. Yes, I had been in that place. I had seen the desperation and numbness of those girls. I had also seen how ruthless loan sharks could be. But… “Then why didn’t she tell me?” I clutched my head in agony. “If she had told me earlier, we could have figured something out together, I could have helped her pay off the debt! Why treat me like an idiot and lie to me?” “She was scared,” Chris’s voice lowered. “She was afraid that if you knew, you’d look down on her, that you’d think she was dirty. Liam, honestly, if she had confessed everything at the beginning of your relationship, would you still have been with her? Would you still have married her?” I froze. I didn’t know. I really didn’t know. My rational mind told me I should. Because I loved *her*, not her past. But emotionally, I couldn’t imagine if, knowing my beloved girlfriend had such an unspeakable past, I could still embrace and kiss her without any reservations, as before. “See, even you’re hesitating,” Chris sighed. “So you can’t blame her. She’s just a pathetic woman who wanted to grasp happiness. She lied to you, that’s wrong. But her love for you was real.” “Love me?” I chuckled self-mockingly. “Perhaps. But this love is too heavy, too dirty. I can’t bear it.” I pulled out the divorce papers I had already prepared from the drawer and slammed them on the table. “Chris, help me give these to her. The house and car are hers; I’m leaving with nothing. I only have one demand: from now on, we’re strangers for life.” Chris looked at the divorce papers, his expression changing repeatedly. “Liam, are you really going to be this absolute? Give her another chance, give yourself another chance, okay?” “No more chances,” I shook my head, my eyes completely dead. “From the moment I knew the truth, all that was left between us was disgust.” Chris tried to persuade me further, but I simply pushed him out the door. With a *bang*, I closed the door, shutting out all sounds related to her. I leaned against the door, slowly sliding to the floor. Tears, once again, streamed down my face against my will. Goodbye, Stella Reed. Goodbye, the love I once thought would last a lifetime. Over the next few days, I moved back into my pre-marriage bachelor apartment and began living like a zombie. I took extended leave, locking myself in my room all day, numbing myself with alcohol and nicotine. Stella called me countless times, sent countless messages. I didn’t answer a single call, didn’t read a single message. I just wanted to completely erase this woman from my world as quickly as possible. A week later, Chris came again. He brought news I hadn’t expected. “Stella Reed is in the hospital,” he stood at the door, his face grim. “Gastric bleeding, plus a relapse of depression. She’s still in critical condition.” “Depression?” I froze, momentarily unable to react. “Yes, she’s had it before. It was… she got it during *that* period,” Chris’s eyes held a hint of compassion. “Later, she met you and slowly got better. This sudden divorce hit her too hard, so it relapsed.”

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My brother-in-law violated me, and my whole family forced me to keep silent. He grew bolder, and when I fought back, he beat me to death. Jade stuffed me into a bag, Mom cleaned up the blood. Dad saw my hand twitch. He grabbed an ashtray and slammed it down on my head with brutal force. When I opened my eyes again, I was at Jade’s wedding, posing for family photos. “Little lady on the left, smile a bit more, don’t be so stiff.” The last bit of air was sucked from my lungs. My mouth fell open, and I screamed silently, lying in the damp earth. Around me, there was endless darkness. In the final moment before losing consciousness, a flash of light appeared. I didn’t blink, just stared straight ahead. The silent world suddenly burst into noise. The smell of rich food and alcohol, polite laughter, crying children, and Jade’s disgusted voice. “Daisy, haven’t you ever had your picture taken? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She sneered, muttering under her breath, “Honestly, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” I looked at Jade, Preston, Dad, Mom. They were all dressed in festive clothes, and on the big screen, pictures of Jade and Preston’s loving moments played. “I’m sorry, Jade. Should we take another one?” I lowered my head, a slight smile playing on my lips. Yes, I was the vengeful spirit back to haunt them. “Forget it. You’ve always been trouble since you were little.” “Jade, how can you talk about your sister like that? I think she looks just fine! Especially my Jade, you look like a total siren.” “Oh, you think I look like a siren? Wait till tonight, I’ll show you.” “I wish it was our wedding night right now,” Preston said, his gaze fixed on me. Jade blushed and hurried off to greet guests. I felt awkward and started to leave, but he grabbed my arm. “Aren’t you going to thank me?” I forced a smile, timidly saying, “Thank you, Preston.” He patted my head, sighing dramatically, “Still just a kid, huh? What did you hear just now?” “Wh-what? I didn’t hear anything.” Preston smiled, a closed-mouth smile, his thin eye corners stretching outwards, his lips curving upwards in an almost unnaturally deliberate arc. He was thirty-eight, twelve years older than my sister. In my last life, I was completely fooled by that face. I was so happy for Jade that she married this man. Preston was the golden ticket, and we were just clinging to his coattails. Thanks to his generosity, our family’s life had dramatically improved. Preston was our family’s benefactor. I still thought that, right up until the second he started pouring drinks for me. First, he used the excuse that their house was close to my school, suggesting I move in with them. Jade, to maintain her gentle and filial image, even let Mom and Dad move in too. He asked which university I wanted to attend. I said a prestigious one. He looked displeased. “Then we won’t see each other often! Daisy’s growing up, meeting more people. What if she starts disliking her brother-in-law?” I didn’t quite understand back then. Right before my college entrance exams, he brought milk into my room, locking the door behind him. I was forced to drink, then pinned down and violated on the bed. The world spun. Everything receded, then stopped. The first thing I did when I woke up was crawl out to tell Mom and Dad that Preston had assaulted me. They looked surprised for a moment, then shifted uncomfortably. “Why do you smell so strongly of alcohol?” “You little brat, getting into trouble and drinking! And talking nonsense!” Preston knelt before Jade, crying, claiming I had seduced him, and he just couldn’t resist. I screamed that it wasn’t true, lunging at him, wanting to take him down with me. I was slapped. Jade, Dad, and Mom looked at me with alarm. They firmly declared that I had seduced Preston. Because they hadn’t heard any struggles. After that incident, Preston grew even more brazen. Every night, he’d barge into my room like a demon. During the exams, I picked up the paper, but I couldn’t make out a single word. My mind was filled with those filthy images. I submitted a blank test. Walking out of the exam hall, I felt my life was ruined. The boy I liked, Liam, confessed to me, but I didn’t have the courage to look him in the eye. I felt abandoned by the whole world. Preston smirked triumphantly, “Perfect. You’ll be my little bird in a gilded cage.” I slapped him, then used all my strength to bite off his ear. He beat me half to death. Blood gushed from my head as I lay on the floor, my eyes wide and staring. When I died, Jade breathed a sigh of relief. As she put me into a transparent bag, there was a smile in her eyes. Mom wiped away the blood, grumbling about how much there was, only showing annoyance. It had been a long time since she’d done any housework. Dad dug a huge hole in the garden and threw me in. My vision was swimming in red, and my hand feebly twitched. Dad, I was still alive! He saw it. He must have seen it. He pulled the bag closed with a blank expression, kicked me into the hole, and quickly began to bury me. The family I once believed in were all devils who had killed me. Reborn into this life, I swear you’ll pay back double.

Preston slipped me an envelope of money. “Girls need to doll themselves up, buy pretty clothes.” I glanced at my faded, washed-out clothes. He’d already tucked the envelope into my pocket. His hand lingered on my shoulder, slid down my back to my waist, then naturally pulled away. It was his habitual touch. I looked up. He was staring at me, his gaze crude and open. Before I could dwell on it, Mom pulled me away to join the bride for dinner. She held Jade’s hand and mine, praising Jade and belittling me. “Your sister is the one supporting this family. You need to be filial to her in the future.” Jade was beautiful and charming, a real smooth talker, always knowing how to please Mom and Dad. After she started dating a rich guy, she wore gold and silver, constantly buying things for Mom and Dad, making them love her even more. Jade paid for my tuition. Everything about me, she meticulously noted down. “Daisy, you’ll have to pay me back when you grow up, okay?” Everything we ate and used came from Jade’s money. Where did Jade’s money come from? I tore off a chicken leg and bit into it hungrily. Dad, completely drunk, slurred, “Look how successful your sister is! You can’t do worse than her, hear me?” He rapped me on the head. “I hate it when people hit my head.” I stared straight at him, momentarily forgetting to breathe. “Still talking back.” He hit me harder. It was time to go back to school. I’d specifically taken the day off to come for the wedding. Mom stopped me outside. I shrewdly handed her the envelope of money. “You’re not allowed to take money from your brother-in-law in the future, understand? It makes our family look bad.” I nodded. The envelope had a thousand in it, but I’d already taken eight hundred. “Where are you going?” “To school. The exams are coming up soon.” Mom just mumbled “Oh.” The family used to care deeply about my studies, but now they took a hands-off approach. Their focus had shifted to Jade. Or, to be precise, to Preston. There were 73 days left until the exams. I touched the thick stack of test papers, my heart burning. Ms. Albright, our homeroom teacher, with her neat short hair, lectured passionately from the podium. Liam, my crush, was hunched over, taking notes, his bangs almost covering his eyes. I really wanted to brush them back. He looked up, and I quickly averted my gaze, my face burning involuntarily. My heart beat strongly, a feeling like I’d escaped death. But I knew the real danger hadn’t arrived yet.

A few scruffy guys with bleached hair often stood by the school gate, smoking and checking out the passing girls. As I walked past, one of them whistled. I stopped and glared at them. They actually looked away. “Damn it, what are you staring at? Never seen handsome guys before?” I crunched on a candy, my mouth as sweet as honey. “Hey, guys, could you do me a favor?” In a few days, a heavy evening rain would fall, and Preston would “accidentally” drive by and offer me a ride home. Using that opportunity to make me stay at their house. I wouldn’t disrupt the timeline. The unknown butterfly effect was too scary. My goal was to take control. That day arrived quickly. I stood at the school gate, remembering how I’d waited five minutes in the last life. The rain grew heavier, and I, worried about missing the last bus, had flown out, clutching my backpack. My clothes were quickly soaked. Preston poked his head out of his car window. “Daisy, your brother-in-law is here to pick you up. Hurry, get in.” I pretended to be grateful and started to run towards him, but one of the thugs grabbed me. He ripped my clothes, slapped my face. “Help! Mmph…” The thug stared, dumbfounded. “Sis, you’re a savage.” “Say some curse words, will you? And give a sinister laugh,” I whispered, coaching him. Preston approached with a stick. Seeing only one thug, he relaxed a bit. “Get lost, before I call the cops.” I coughed a few times, and the other thugs emerged from the shadows. I leaned close to the thug, whispering, “Beat that man senseless.” A kick landed in my stomach. I collapsed onto the ground, my eyes fixed on Preston. “Preston, save me!” He stood at the intersection, hesitant to move. I broke free from the thugs, lunged at Preston, pinning him tightly. Then I signaled the thugs with my eyes. The beating lasted about ten minutes. The two guys on lookout at the alley entrance barked like dogs – someone was coming. The thugs fled, and I clutched my ripped clothes. “Preston, please don’t tell the family the truth. Just say I fell. I don’t want them to worry. “All I want right now is to study hard.” Preston looked outwardly unharmed, but I’d specifically told them to aim for the fleshy parts. I got into the car. Preston suddenly glanced at me. “Daisy, how did you get mixed up with them?” I shook my head, crying into my clothes the whole way. But halfway there, my legs started trembling uncontrollably. This wasn’t the route home. “Preston, where are we going?” “Central Road is jammed. I took a detour.” “Oh. …Preston, thank you for tonight.” Preston gave me another look and pulled over. Outside, it was pitch black, only the car’s headlights cut through the darkness. It was a deserted village. “Daisy.” “Hmm.” I closed my eyes, feigning a yawn. The silence was deathly. In the dim light, I knew Preston’s eyes were glued to me. I dared not look at him. My teeth bit hard into my lip. The windows were tightly closed, the air thick with a sickening smell. Preston lit a cigarette, took a few drags, then suddenly leaned closer to me. His pale face was expressionless. “Did you… did you also get reborn?” “Preston, what are you talking about?” I frowned. “Reborn?” “Did you get reborn, Preston? Then why didn’t you remind me to bring an umbrella today?” I pouted, feigning annoyance. Preston’s eyes shifted, the flesh on his face relaxing. “Just kidding.” He pulled a bottle of soda from somewhere. “Thirsty?” I took a sip. He watched me, pondering something. I couldn’t let him suspect me, so I took another big gulp. The car suddenly lurched. I seized the opportunity and spat out the drink. The car window was hammered loudly. “Hey, buddy, you picked a real spot to park your car.” It was a taxi driver. Preston got out, wanting to let it go, but the driver wouldn’t. “What if you go back on your word later and try to extort me?” I looked back. There was someone in the taxi. I got out, wanting to get a closer look, but no one was there. The driver sat by the side, smoking, giving us a meaningful look. “Some people, hmph. “Little girl, stay away from guys like him.” Preston pointed at him. “What do you mean?” “You’re so scared of calling the cops. Got other crimes on your conscience, do you?” “Spreading rumors is illegal!” I ran over and handed the driver a bottle of water. Preston’s car had two compartments. I took a bottle from the left one. Just as the driver was about to drink, Preston snatched it back. The water was indeed tainted. If it hadn’t been for that car accident… I shot the driver a grateful look. I said apologetically, “Preston, I still have homework to do, and I have early morning class tomorrow.” Preston, back to his “good brother-in-law” facade, called a taxi. The April air already held a hint of warmth, but as it brushed against me, I hugged myself, shivering. I replayed Preston’s actions and glances in my mind. I was certain. Preston had also been reborn. But rebirth was always predicated on death. How had Preston died? I stayed in the room on the far right of the second floor, right next to Jade and Preston’s bedroom. The walls were an elegant white, and in the center hung a happy family portrait.

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My ex-boyfriend, Julian Blackwood, sweet-talked me into taking nude photos. He promised they were just for him to cherish. I was a little worried, but also secretly thrilled I’d finally ‘won over’ Julian. Until one day, Chloe, a scholarship student, and I were competing for first place. Julian said, ” let her win.” “You don’t want those photos plastered all over the internet, do you?” I froze, nodding numbly. Seven days later, Chloe won first place as planned. Julian deleted all the photos. A huge weight lifted from my chest, and I boarded a plane out of the country. All those years, I’d consider them just wasted. Julian’s words were casual, almost dismissive. “You agree, and all the photos are deleted.” It was the peak of summer, unbearably hot. Yet, a wave of icy dread washed over me, like a punch to the gut. I opened my mouth, my voice trembling. “But you promised me…” Julian cut me off. “Yes, I promised only I would see them.” His gaze was unwavering, his tone low and deliberate. “I won’t break my word.” “Just let Chloe win first place.” I argued stubbornly, my words fragmented. “The singing competition… it’s supposed to be about talent.” “I… won’t give it up.” Julian seemed to have expected my resistance. He pulled my chair closer, encircling me in his arms. Then, he took out his phone. He took my hand and pressed it to unlock his private album. Explicit images flashed across the screen. Julian chuckled softly. “Whisper, your body is truly perfect.” His lips brushed my ear. “This one’s my favorite. You’re all flushed, mouth slightly open, looking at the camera.” “Like a plaything used up and tossed aside…” My fingertips trembled, a sob catching in my throat. “Don’t look.” Julian paused, switching off the screen. His thumb was warm as he wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. “Good girl, don’t be scared. Do you agree?” My fingers unconsciously tightened, my mind a blank. “Okay.” Julian’s eyes curved into a satisfied smile as he stood up. He smoothed my disheveled hair, speaking softly as if nothing had happened. “There’s a class gathering tonight. I won’t be coming home with you.” “I’ll have the driver take you.”

The air conditioning in the vocal classroom was blasting. I pulled my jacket tighter, curling up in the chair. So cold, so incredibly cold. I covered my mouth, stifling my sobs. Julian was the person I trusted most. When I was seven, my parents brought me from our small, rundown house in the countryside to a glittering mansion in the city. But I couldn’t fit in. I was scrawny, small, and always felt out of place. I was constantly bullied. I’d just hide and cry. I thought if I didn’t fight back, they’d leave me alone. Until that day, a group of boys tried to pull down my pants. I cried out, grabbing a dead tree branch. “Don’t… don’t come closer!” They didn’t stop, only grew bolder. That’s when Julian appeared. He brandished a brick, chasing them all away. Then, he offered me his hand. “Whisper, I’ll take you home.” But my legs were like jelly; I couldn’t stand. Julian frowned, a sour look on his face. But he still crouched down. “Get on.” I hesitated for a moment, then climbed onto his back. He carried me, walking with a steady, determined pace. After that, I always shyly followed Julian. For eleven years. Until Freshman Orientation Week ended in college. I gathered all my courage and confessed my feelings. Perhaps Julian’s heart softened. He looked at me with a smile, a regal nod of his head. So, when Julian suggested taking photos. I fought back my fear, asking softly, “Will… will others see them?” Julian held up the camera, gently reassuring me. “No, I’ll keep them treasured.” I hesitated for a moment, then slipped off my nightgown. Posing again and again. But now, that once-cherished intimacy had turned into a blade, stabbing me. I had trusted Julian so much. I finally couldn’t hold it in anymore, bursting into loud sobs. I don’t know how long passed, until no more tears would fall. Julian sent a SnapChat message. He was as thoughtful as ever, reminding me carefully, “You cried today, your throat will be sore.” “Remember to drink honey water when you get back.” I clutched my phone, stumbling home in a daze. On the way, I almost crashed into a big truck. My whole body felt numb, and I tremblingly entered my room’s password. The living room was pitch black. I didn’t turn on the lights, just sat on the sofa, hugging my knees. The clock ticked, hour after hour. The SnapChat notification sound rang out. I mechanically opened it. My best friend, Skylar, her voice serious, “Whisper, tell me the truth.” “Did Julian… take nude photos of you?”

Shame and a suffocating dread washed over me all at once. I frantically turned off the screen. I had promised… The screen lit up again. It was a video from Skylar. My hands trembling, I tapped to play it. In a dimly lit private lounge. Julian was holding a cigarette, his voice lazy. “Don’t worry, first place in the singing competition will definitely be yours.” Chloe, the scholarship student, sat beside him. They were incredibly close. Chloe forced a strained smile. “Don’t joke, Whisper is so pretty and her family is rich, I can’t possibly beat her.” Julian stared at her, lost in thought for a long moment. As if completely captivated. After a while, he spoke faintly. “She wouldn’t dare.” Chloe grabbed his hand, blinking. “Why not?” Julian fell silent. Chloe wasn’t in a hurry. She just reached out to touch a glass of wine on the table. The ambient lights flickered suggestively. Julian sighed, catching her hand. “You’re on your period, good girl, no drinking.” Chloe blinked, gazing steadily at him. Julian crumbled instantly. He squeezed Chloe’s cheek, a helpless smile on his face. “I have nude photos of her.” “Is that enough, my little queen?” The video ended. My heart felt like a gaping hole. Filled with sulfur by Julian’s own hands. Burning with excruciating pain. Skylar’s voice message continued. “Whisper, did you and Julian have a fight?” “How could he…” “And who’s that girl next to him?” “Did he… did he really take nude photos of you?” My throat felt like it was sealed with cement. I wanted to tell Skylar not to worry. But when I opened my mouth, no sound came out. I typed instead. “No, he was just joking.” “Are you still working? Go home early.” My head throbbed, and I collapsed onto the sofa. Chloe… Chloe… I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall freely. During Freshman Orientation Week, Chloe was the freshman representative. She wore a neat ponytail, speaking at the podium. Her voice was strong and clear, her demeanor poised and confident. At that time, I was suffering from heatstroke. Weakly leaning against Julian’s chest. He fanned me, chuckling. “Look at her, full of energy.” “You’re like a sick kitten.” “How will you ever survive without me?” My head was spinning, and I glanced at Chloe. “Julian, I want a popsicle.” Julian poked my forehead, a smirk on his face. “No, you’ll get a stomach ache.” I murmured, burying my head in his neck. Pushing Chloe from my mind. But it turned out Chloe was also a music student. She was cheerful and outgoing, full of passion. As if she had endless energy. And she got along with everyone in the class. Julian would come to pick me up after class, teasing, “I wish you had that much vitality.” At first, I didn’t think much of it. But later, Julian started mentioning her more and more often. The honey water he specifically brought for me. He’d also conveniently give a portion to her. I got angry, questioning him, “Why are you so good to her?” Julian crossed his long legs, rubbing his temples. “Whisper, it’s tough for a scholarship student to pursue music.” “She’s having a hard time, she just pretends to be happy.” “It’s just honey water, what’s the big deal?” But gradually, it wasn’t just honey water. Desserts, snacks, afternoon tea… Julian and I argued more and more. He always said Chloe was pitiful. And that I should be considerate towards her. Until today. Julian, for her sake, threw caution to the wind. My humiliation, my privacy. All became his bargaining chips to win Chloe’s favor. I stared at a solitary star outside the window. I didn’t understand what I had done wrong. Why Julian didn’t want me anymore… I bit my wrist, my mouth filling with a salty, metallic taste. Until the coppery tang of blood emerged. I wearily released my bite. It hurt, so much. I didn’t want to experience this anymore. Julian was right. I was timid and weak. Whenever something happened, I always wanted to retreat into my shell. But I didn’t want to be sad anymore. I opened my phone and booked a flight out of the country for seven days later.

I lay in bed. My temples throbbed relentlessly. But I couldn’t sleep. I took out my phone, searching repeatedly. “What to do if your boyfriend takes nude photos?” “Will my boyfriend send out my photos?” “Intimate photos leaked by boyfriend.” … I read about similar experiences. My heart ached, making it hard to breathe. I pulled the blanket tighter, my fingers stiff as I clicked, “How to save yourself if intimate photos are spread?” The guides were all well-written. Tell family, friends, seek help… Light and airy. It looked so simple. I mentally rehearsed it again and again. But none of it would work for Julian. He wasn’t afraid of anything. And he could handle anything. Tears soaked my pillow. Until I couldn’t hold on any longer and passed out. My sleep was restless. In a hazy dream, I heard the click of a camera.

I jolted awake, clutching my blanket. The room was dim. Only the red light of a camera flashed. Julian was hidden in the shadows. A smile played on his lips, his eyes flushed with a hint of intoxication. “So beautiful.” I jumped out of bed, reaching out to hide. But Julian easily pulled me into his arms. The scent of perfume mixed with smoke rushed into my nostrils. I coughed uncontrollably. Julian tightened his hold, his voice deep. “Don’t move.” “I missed you so much.” My nerves were stretched taut, like a string being plucked repeatedly. I grabbed his sleeve, my voice hoarse. “Delete… them.” Julian pressed me onto his lap. “What’s wrong with your throat?” “Didn’t you drink honey water last night?” “The driver said he couldn’t pick you up, are you still angry?” My stomach churned, a wave of nausea rising. I silently dug my nails into my palms. Struggling to get off his lap. Julian sighed, seemingly helpless. “I saw your phone.” My muddled thoughts briefly cleared. My whole body trembled. My flight ticket… Julian gently patted my back. “Did your friend tell on me?” “Yes, I took Chloe to the class gathering last night.” “It was her birthday, and she had no one to celebrate with. It was just a convenience.” “Whisper, don’t overthink it.” I lost all strength, my voice barely a whisper. “Julian, please delete the photos you just took, okay?” “I don’t like it. I don’t want to take them.” Julian froze. His voice grew cold, laced with anger. “Still making a fuss?” “I knew I shouldn’t have told you.” “How many times have I told you? I just feel sorry for Chloe.” “Niamh Carter, I won’t tolerate you every time.” Julian’s lips moved. Accusations tumbled out, one after another. Like heavy blows raining down on me. Leaving no room for escape. I pushed him away, rushing to the bathroom. My throat burned. I bent over in agony. But I hadn’t eaten all day. Only bitter bile came up. Behind me, hurried footsteps sounded. Julian scooped me up in his arms. His lips were tightly pressed, his expression anxious. “Didn’t you eat properly again?” “I’ll take you to the hospital.” I clutched his collar, sobbing. “No, don’t. Please.” “Julian, please delete the photos, okay?” He looked down, staring at my swollen eyes. A flicker of struggle crossed his face. But the next moment. Julian’s phone, left on the table, rang. He glanced at it, and instantly snapped back to reality. He placed me on the bed, handing me a camera. “I’ll call the family doctor over.” “You rest well.” “You can delete whatever you want from *this* camera.” “As for the nude photos…” Julian paused, tucking the blanket around me. “I’ll delete them for you after the competition ends in seven days.” He stood up, answering the call. His voice was incredibly gentle. “What’s wrong?” “Stay put, I’m coming to you.” The bedroom door was slammed shut. Faintly. I heard Chloe’s cries. The camera felt heavy. A dead weight in my hand. On the screen were photos of me sleeping just now.

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On my birthday, I received a confirmation text for a couples’ suite reservation, sent to my phone. I waited in my car all night, and finally, I saw my wife and a man walking out of the hotel together. I knew the man. He was Cassandra’s male secretary, Julian. I didn’t like my wife having a male secretary, so I’d asked her to fire him. Now, it seemed, she had only changed his job title, not his position in her bed. Chapter 1: The Test The moment Cassandra stepped through the door, I was sitting on the couch smoking, the floor littered with cigarette butts. Cassandra despised the smell of smoke. I’d even quit for her, once upon a time, but now, I didn’t care if she hated it or not. Yesterday was my birthday, a day meant for family togetherness. I’d prepared a table full of food early, waiting for my wife to come home. In this sprawling city, Cassandra was my only family. Every year, I spent the holidays with her; she was never absent. But yesterday, I waited and waited, and my wife never showed. All I got was that damned confirmation text for a hotel room reservation. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. My wife was cheating, and it was with the male secretary I’d asked her to replace. Cassandra’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Leo, what’s gotten into you? Are you crazy? I told you I hate the smell of smoke! You were gone for just one day, and you’ve turned the house into a pigsty. It stinks!” As she spoke, Cassandra pulled open the windows and curtains, waving her hands in disgust. Before, whatever she said was law, and I never dared to disobey. Even if others called me henpecked, I’d just smile and say I didn’t mind. But now, I realized. No love meant no love. My obedience meant nothing. Cassandra pinched her nose. “Throw those cigarettes away. And don’t you dare smoke again.” I didn’t obey like before. I slowly raised my eyes to her, blowing out a smoke ring. “Yesterday was my birthday. I waited for you all night. Where were you?” Chapter 2: The Argument Hearing the accusation in my voice, Cassandra’s tone turned sharp. “Where could I have been? Overtime at the office, of course! You don’t earn a dime in this house, don’t I support us?” As soon as she said it, Cassandra seemed to realize her tone was too harsh. She walked to the dining table and lifted the lid of a takeout container. “Forget it. It’s a holiday, I don’t want to fight. I bought you a big platter of shrimp and crab legs. Go wash your hands and eat.” Any lingering warmth in my heart shattered. I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Did you really buy them for me?” At the hotel entrance, I’d distinctly seen Cassandra handing a takeout bag to Julian, but he didn’t take it. Was this just their leftovers from the hotel? Cassandra’s movements paused. She flung the plastic gloves onto the table. “What do you mean? Is it wrong for me to buy you food? You’re a grown man, just say what you mean. I don’t have time for your games.” I said nothing. After a long moment, I stubbed out my cigarette and slowly said, “I’m allergic to seafood.” Cassandra’s body stiffened, an awkward expression flashing across her face. But she quickly recovered. “Regardless, my intentions were good. You don’t need to make a scene with me. It’s just one birthday, right? We have plenty of other holidays.” In an instant, a memory flashed in my mind: Cassandra, leaning into my shoulder, her eyes shining as she whispered, “Every single birthday, from this day forward, I want to spend it with you.” I pushed myself up from the sofa, dumping all the untouched food from yesterday. As I cleaned, I said, “Cassandra, it’s not just about missing my birthday.” “You cheated on me.” Chapter 3: The Other Man My words were clear and firm, making Cassandra’s face flush from her neck up. I ignored her reaction. “The hotel room confirmation was sent directly to my phone.” “And your lover is your secretary, isn’t he? Quite dedicated, hasn’t changed in years.” The moment the words left my lips, a flicker of panic crossed Cassandra’s face. But she immediately bristled, yelling at me, “I was working hard on a business deal, drinking myself senseless! Julian was the one who took me back to the hotel. You can’t even thank him, and you suspect us? We’ve been married five years, can’t you give me some trust?” I pressed my lips together, thinking to myself that I’d trusted her too much, which was why they’d gone undetected for so long. Cassandra, however, thought her words had worked. “Stop being so paranoid. Dealing with work is hard enough as it is.” I said calmly, “Taking you back to the hotel… and booking a couples’ suite?” Cassandra’s eyes reddened. She pointed at me, accusing, “That was the only room left at the hotel! What was I supposed to do? Sleep on the street? No wonder you were always ostracized before! Who could stand a personality like yours?” I smiled in silence. When people are guilty, they react just like Cassandra. Cassandra continued, “I think I need to seriously reconsider this relationship. I’m moving out for a while.” With that, she turned and left without looking back. Whenever we argued, she would give me the silent treatment, sometimes for a week, sometimes for a month. But the cold war always ended with me giving in first. Cassandra probably thought this time would be no different. But this time, it was. I sent a text to my friend, Mark: “Mark, I need your advice on something… about getting a divorce.” Chapter 4: Divorce Agreement Cassandra and I both came from small towns. We both got into college in the big city. We started a business together, raised investments together. Late at night, I drank myself to the point of stomach bleeding trying to close a deal, and Cassandra swore then that she would always be good to me. Only now did I realize that “forever” has an expiration date. Back then, we were so poor that we sweated through the summer, unwilling to even turn on a fan. After we got married, Cassandra said someone needed to be home, not both of us out working. Because of that, I gave up my career and became a stay-at-home husband. But the ending rarely lives up to the beginning. Sometimes, it’s a complete disaster. When Mark heard I wanted a divorce, he said to me earnestly, “I knew being a stay-at-home husband wouldn’t end well. You didn’t get any benefits, and you lost your career.” As he spoke, he offered to introduce me to a job. “A buddy of mine has an opening for a management position at his company. Want to give it a shot?” I thought about it and agreed, adding the contact info he sent me. After learning more, I tidied myself up and went for an interview at his company. The manager nodded in satisfaction at my resume, and when he found out I’d previously started a business, he hired me on the spot. He told me to start tomorrow. I quickly agreed. Exhausted, I returned home, and a call came through. It was Chloe, Cassandra’s best friend. When I answered, she laughed and said, “Leo, it’s my birthday today! Why is Cassandra the only one here? You can’t disrespect me like that! I’ve sent you the address; we’re just missing one more person.” Before I could refuse, she hung up. I checked the address; it was near home. Plus, it was her birthday, and she’d invited me directly, so I didn’t want to be a spoilsport. I quickly splashed some water on my face and headed out. When I arrived, the lively atmosphere instantly froze. I scanned the room and saw Julian sitting brazenly next to Cassandra. It seemed Cassandra had brought him to her friends’ gatherings more than once. And I, like an idiot, had believed Cassandra had actually fired him. When Cassandra saw me, her smile vanished. She questioned me coldly, “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you we needed some time to cool off?” Chapter 5: Provocation I looked at Cassandra’s reaction and realized she’d misunderstood. She thought I’d come to win her back. I’d always swallowed my pride and appeased her, anxiously asking her friends what she liked, just to make her happy. But now, thinking back, one-sided devotion was just being a simp, not love. Cassandra’s friend, Chloe, looked awkward and quickly tried to lighten the mood. “I invited Leo! The more, the merrier, right?” Then she waved at me, motioning for me to sit next to her. I walked over with long strides. After I sat down, Julian turned his head to greet me. “Hello. We’ve met before. I’ve heard a lot about you from Cassie these past few years.” His voice was full of provocation, perhaps thinking I’d get angry, but I didn’t. I raised my glass cordially and nodded. When I didn’t take the bait, Julian eagerly started doting on Cassandra, filling her plate. I ignored it all, quietly eating my own food. Cassandra repeatedly cast guilty glances my way, but I remained silent. Until I stood up and said, “Excuse me, I’m going out for a smoke.” Hearing that, Cassandra shot up from her seat. “Didn’t I tell you not to smoke?” Julian, sitting next to Cassandra, chimed in, “It’s okay, Cassie. Don’t be mad. You haven’t even eaten the shrimp I peeled for you yet.” I turned and looked at Cassandra coldly. “Do you think your words are gospel?” Cassandra froze in place, and ultimately said nothing more. When I returned after my smoke, Cassandra and Julian were being egged on to drink with linked arms. Seeing me return, everyone’s faces froze. Chloe stepped in to mediate. “Alright, everyone, stop it. Leo’s going to get mad.” But Cassandra said in a low voice, “Ignore him. Let’s continue.” Julian looked at me, feigning innocence, and said, “Brother-in-law, Cassie and I are just playing a game. You don’t mind, do you?” Everyone expected me to explode, but I simply crossed my legs and sat down, watching them. “No, I don’t mind. Go ahead.” Cassandra’s face darkened, as if she hadn’t expected me to say that. But Cassandra still, under my gaze, intimately linked arms with Julian and drank. When the dinner was almost over, I bid them farewell. “Everyone, enjoy your meal. I’m leaving now.” Seeing that, Cassandra’s anger flared. She rushed forward and splashed the remaining wine from her glass onto my face. “Weren’t you here to make up? What’s with the attitude? If you’re so tough, why even bother coming?” Everyone gasped. Only Julian looked at me mockingly. “Brother-in-law, Cassie’s mad. You should just give in. Dude, when you’re trying to win her back, you gotta swallow your pride.” I wiped the wine from my face, picked up a bottle of wine, and filled two glasses. I smiled at Julian. “This first toast is for you, Julian. A big thank you for keeping Cassandra warm in bed all these years, being her little boy-toy.” Cassandra’s face instantly went white. “Leo, what the hell are you talking about? Didn’t I explain everything to you?” Chapter 6: Drunk She stepped forward to block me, while Julian’s smile froze. Chloe, seeing the situation, quickly said, “Everyone’s drunk. Drunk words don’t count.” But I shoved her aside, picked up the second glass, and looked at Cassandra. “This second glass, I toast to you, my dear ‘wife.’ You’ve worked so hard, so tired out there, and then you come home and have to put on an act with me. Honestly, your acting skills are impressive.” After saying that, I violently splashed the two glasses of wine, one at Cassandra and one at Julian. The room erupted into chaos. Cassandra’s face and Julian’s hair were soaked. Ignoring Cassandra’s stunned expression, I strode out of the restaurant. As soon as I was out the door, Cassandra chased after me. She grabbed me. “Julian and I were just playing a game! Did you have to humiliate me in front of everyone? What is wrong with you?” Cassandra probably thought I was jealous because of that linked-arm drink, but I genuinely no longer cared. “You’re overthinking it. Even if you and Julian slept together right in front of me, I wouldn’t bat an eye. I’d even offer you protection.” After I said that, Cassandra’s hand struck my face, leaving a clear red mark. “If that’s your attitude, then why did you even come?” Cassandra’s chest heaved with anger, but I just said coldly, “My being here has nothing to do with you. Don’t flatter yourself.” Cassandra, however, thought I was just being stubborn. She looked at me and said, “Okay, let’s pretend today never happened. We’ll both take a step back. I’ll come home with you tonight, alright?” I was about to speak when Julian walked up, putting an arm around Cassandra’s shoulder. “Cassie, I feel so dizzy. Can you take me back to the hotel?” Cassandra glanced nervously at my reaction, then quickly pushed Julian away, explaining to me, “Don’t misunderstand, Julian’s just drunk, he can’t stand steady.” I scoffed. I know a fake drunk when I see one. It was all an act. I casually folded my arms, a mocking smile in my eyes. “Alright, you don’t need to come home tonight. Go take him back to the hotel.” Cassandra hadn’t expected my attitude. She wanted to say something else, but Julian cut her off. I, without hesitation, turned and walked away. The next morning, I arrived at the company for work and quickly familiarized myself with my new position. My colleagues here were friendly, the environment was great, and most importantly, the salary they offered me was very generous. While at work, I received a call from Cassandra. It was the first call she’d made to me since our cold war began. “Where are you?” “Busy.” “What could you possibly be busy with all day besides laundry and cooking?” Watching her relentless questioning, I said calmly, “I went to work.” Cassandra immediately flared up. “Who told you to go to work? Did I agree? I come home, and I can’t even get a hot meal. What’s the point of this marriage?” Listening to her unreasonable words, I scoffed. “I’m not your maid. I’m not obligated to do your laundry or cook for you. Whether or not I work is my right; you have no right to take that away from me.” Cassandra’s voice trembled with rage after hearing my words. She spoke fiercely, threatening, “Leo, if you choose to work, then we’re getting a divorce!” I stayed silent. Cassandra, thinking her threat had worked, said, “If you don’t want a divorce, then come home right now!” My knuckles whitened as I gripped my phone, but I answered with a sense of release, “Okay.” Chapter 7: The Explanation Before, I would have groveled, begged her to stay, because I cared about our relationship. I loved her, so I was willing to compromise. Similarly, my prompt agreement to divorce today wasn’t for any other reason; it was simply because I no longer loved her.

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I was stuck at the airport for a whole day because of a torrential downpour. My fiancé completely ignored my pleas for help, instead driving halfway across the city just to bring my stepsister breakfast. When I voiced my frustration, his response was pure blame. “Chloe’s always been delicate; can’t you be a little understanding?” “I’m still going to marry you, aren’t I? When did you become so immature?” His words didn’t ignite anger in me, but a cold laugh. Liam Evans genuinely believed marrying him was some grand favor he was bestowing upon me. But I had never loved him. The moment I returned home, I was met with a massive downpour. I called everyone I could think of, begging for a ride, but no one could come. My parents and Liam both said they were busy preparing for a party and couldn’t leave. This particular party was supposed to be a welcome-home celebration for me, and also the formal announcement of the arranged marriage between the Davis and Evans families. Given its supposed importance, I swallowed my frustration. Once the rain finally stopped, I hailed a cab home, only to be stopped at my own front door by a staff member. “Please show your invitation, otherwise, I can’t let you in.” Rainwater dripped from my hair, and I stood there, drenched and disheveled, in front of my own mansion. I patiently explained, “I’m Stella Davis, the eldest daughter of this family. This party is meant for me.” The staff member eyed me up and down. “You’re probably just trying to crash and freeload, aren’t you? Our daughter, Chloe, is inside with Mr. and Mrs. Davis. This party is clearly for her!” “And you dare to impersonate our young mistress? I won’t be so polite then!” The accumulated frustration and anger from the entire journey finally exploded. I took a step forward, my voice as cold as ice. “You, a mere employee, daring to speak to me with such disrespect? And threatening to lay hands on me?” “You’re fired, effective immediately. Pack your things and leave the Davis estate!” Just then, a soft voice drifted from inside the house. “Sister, you’re finally back? Please don’t be angry.” My stepsister, Chloe Davis, walked up to me, already acting like the lady of the house. “He’s new staff; he’s only been here a few days, so it’s understandable he doesn’t recognize you. Please don’t blame him.” I looked at Chloe’s feigned innocent face, my stomach churning. Chloe was adopted by my parents when she was young. Because I had always pursued an elite education and spent years away from my parents, Chloe had become their closest child. But I’d only been gone for a few years. Had everyone forgotten who the real Davis daughter was? I didn’t give Chloe a pleasant look. “Even if he didn’t recognize me, he should at least know who this party is for, shouldn’t he?” Chloe lowered her head, her voice laced with a sniffle. “Sister, it’s all my fault… I recently won an award in a design competition and wanted to celebrate. I didn’t realize it would clash with your party. You can blame me.” It was then that I understood. This wasn’t my welcome-home party at all; it was Chloe’s victory celebration. Chloe’s eyes welled with tears as she pleaded, “Sister, please forgive him this once. His family isn’t well-off, and this job is very important to him. If he loses his job because of me, I’ll feel guilty forever.” With her saying that, I was instantly cast as the heartless villain, deliberately making trouble for the staff. Guests had already noticed the commotion at the door and began gathering, whispering amongst themselves. “Chloe is such a kind girl, always thinking of others, even at her own party.” “I know, unlike some people, who come back and immediately start acting like a demanding heiress, throwing tantrums at the staff.” The whispers weren’t loud, but every word reached my ears clearly. A familiar figure emerged from the crowd—Liam Evans. Seeing him, a flicker of inexplicable hope rose within me. He would stand by me, unconditionally, just like he always used to. But in the next second, Liam walked straight to Chloe, gently wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “Chloe, your sister might just be in a bad mood after her long trip. Don’t mind her.” Then, he finally looked at me. “Stella, try not to be so impulsive. Today’s a happy occasion; don’t let a small matter ruin it.” His words sounded like he was trying to smooth things over, but every single one of them favored Chloe. I looked at him, feeling a sudden profound distance.

I walked into the bustling ballroom, but the celebration felt completely irrelevant to me. Liam stayed by Chloe’s side the entire time, his eyes glued to her. They occasionally exchanged smiles, their intimacy natural and easy. Watching them, I couldn’t help but remember my first encounter with Liam. Back then, the Evans family’s financial status was far inferior to the Davis family’s. Liam’s late father had done a great favor for my father, and to repay that debt, my dad had promised my hand in marriage when we were children. Young Liam had been fiercely devoted to me. Whatever I wanted, he’d try his best to get it, and he was always the first to stand up and protect me. Back then, he only had eyes for me. While I wouldn’t say I was deeply in love with him, I didn’t dislike him either. I even once thought I might spend my life with him, settling down, getting married, having children, and living out my days. But now, it was clear that his eyes held no place for me. Only Chloe. Suddenly, the ballroom grew a little quieter. Liam pulled out an exquisite gift box and presented it to Chloe. It was a dazzling sapphire necklace, sparkling brilliantly under the lights. The moment I saw it, I recognized it instantly—a limited-edition piece I had fallen in love with years ago. I had mentioned it to Liam several times, and he’d made a note of it, but it wasn’t something money alone could buy, so the idea eventually faded. I never thought he’d actually found it. But he was giving it to Chloe. “Chloe, this is my gift to you. Do you like it?” Liam took the necklace and carefully fastened it around Chloe’s neck. Chloe blushed, lowering her head. “Liam, it’s too extravagant. I can’t accept it…” “Please take it. I chose it especially for you. Only you deserve it.” Liam’s gaze was filled with a doting tenderness that had once been exclusively mine. Guests around them cast envious glances. I watched the scene quietly, feeling no anger, no sadness, just a hollow numbness settled in my chest. I slipped out of the ballroom, unnoticed. The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness, brushing my face and clearing my head. Footsteps sounded behind me—Liam was following. Did he finally realize he’d crossed a line, here to apologize? I stopped, turned around, and waited for him to speak. “Stella, come back inside with me. Don’t let the guests gossip. If word gets out that the Davis sisters are feuding, it won’t look good for Chloe’s reputation.” So he wasn’t chasing after *me*. He was just worried about how I might affect Chloe. Before I could say anything, Liam pulled a similar-looking necklace from his pocket. “Alright, stop sulking. I know you’re upset about the necklace I gave Chloe. Here, this is for you.” My eyes were sharp; I instantly recognized it as a fake. “I bought a bunch of replicas trying to find the real one. This one isn’t genuine, but it looks close enough. You can wear this one for now; I’ll tell everyone it’s real so you don’t lose face. Later, I’ll find you something better, okay?” So, in his eyes, all I cared about was appearances, and a cheap fake could just shut me up. Before I could react, Chloe’s voice called out from the ballroom. Hearing her, Liam quickly shoved the box into my hand, muttering, “Go back inside, stop making a scene,” then rushed back to Chloe’s side. I looked down at the fake necklace in my hand, a strong wave of disgust washing over me. Without a second glance, I tossed it into a nearby trash can.

Liam had already left. I was about to head back to my room to rest when a tall, imposing figure walked up to me. “Ms. Davis, please accept this gift.” “You’ve got the wrong person, I’m not Chloe. The person you’re looking for is inside.” There were too many people fawning over Chloe; I instinctively assumed he was another one trying to curry favor. The man’s smile deepened at my words. “I haven’t made a mistake. I specifically came to see you today, Ms. Stella Davis.” “My name is Mason Thorne, heir to the Thorne Group.” The Thorne Group was a well-known, influential company in our circles. I understood his intentions. If my engagement with the Evans family fell through, the Thorne Group would undoubtedly want to seize the opportunity. In the end, he was just another person here for family interests, and I had no interest in people like that. Before I could speak, Mason continued, “While you’ve been abroad these past few years, Liam Evans and Chloe have been openly flirting.” My tone was flat. “Those things no longer matter to me.” Mason seemed a little surprised. “You don’t want to get back at Liam? Aren’t you resentful after how he treated you?” I couldn’t help but laugh, a hint of release in my voice. “Get back at him? He’s not even worth my attention.” True, I had once thought about spending a peaceful life with him. But now, he was nothing more than a betrayer. Someone like that didn’t even deserve my sadness. Mason nodded after hearing me speak. “Ms. Davis, frankly, I’ve been observing you for quite some time.” “And now, I admire you even more.” He presented the gift box to me again. “This gift has no ulterior motive; it’s simply something I personally want to give you. I hope you’ll accept it.” Looking into his sincere eyes, I hesitated for a moment, then finally accepted the gift box, softly saying, “Thank you.” After bidding Mason farewell, I didn’t return to the ballroom but went straight to my room on the second floor. Returning home a few days ago, getting around had been difficult. My old car had been given to Chloe by my parents, and I hadn’t bothered to reclaim it. The next morning, I went straight to a luxury car dealership downtown. The moment I walked into the showroom, my gaze was instantly drawn to a sleek, silver-gray sports car. Just as I was about to examine it more closely, a familiar voice came from behind me. “Stella Davis? What are you doing here?” Liam frowned, his tone clearly annoyed. Chloe, standing beside him, timidly hid behind him, looking startled. “Stella, I know we’re engaged, but you can’t just follow me around like this, can you? You’re so pushy; it’s suffocating.” I rolled my eyes. Such drama. Chloe whispered, “Liam, I saw this car yesterday and really liked it. I was planning to come and reserve it today.” Liam’s gaze at me grew colder. “Since Chloe already had her eye on this car, you should let her have it. You can just drive your old car. Anyway, once we’re married, you’ll be a housewife. Chloe and I are enough to run the Davis Corporation; you don’t need such a fancy car.” I was almost laughing at his sheer audacity. “Why should I let her have it?” “Why do you always have to cause trouble for your sister?” “It seems bullying her has become a habit for you. Do you think she’s easy to pick on, so you can just snatch whatever she wants?” It was clear Chloe had been badmouthing me to Liam for years. And that idiot, after knowing me for over a decade, was still so easily swayed by Chloe’s sweet talk.

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I used to be a shooting prodigy, just one shot away from a world championship. But my fiancé, Liam, personally snapped my fingers and handed the championship trophy to my stepsister, Chloe. “Chloe, you deserve this, no one shines brighter than you.” Everyone said they were a match made in heaven. No one knew that my pain was 100% connected to him. When he kissed Chloe, a strange tingle bloomed on my lips. When he hugged Chloe, a comfortable warmth spread through my body. And when he was with Chloe, an overwhelming pleasure threatened to rip me apart. I died in agony and extreme ecstasy. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the championship finals. This time, before taking that final shot, I aimed the gun at my own temple. “Liam, do you still want this championship?” “Bang—!” With a single gunshot, “10.9” flashed across the electronic screen. The crowd erupted! My stepsister, Chloe, had won the Shooting World Championship by a slim 0.1 point margin. She was the youngest champion in history, a genius everyone adored. And I, Stella, once the genius, now a broken mess, was relegated to her shadow by that same 0.1 point difference. Chloe excitedly tossed her rifle aside and flung herself into the arms of our coach – my fiancé, Liam. Under the spotlights, Liam lifted her high, running around the arena in celebration, his handsome face alight with unconcealed joy and pride. “Chloe, you did it! You’re the best!” Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck, her smile radiant and triumphant. “Liam, I told you I’d personally bring you this championship trophy.” They looked like a true power couple, soaking in everyone’s blessings. And I, discarded like trash, forgotten by the world, stood alone in the empty 선수区 (player’s area). My fingers throbbed with a searing pain. They were the fingers that had once pulled the trigger, scoring countless perfect 10.9s. A year ago, on a similar stage, my fingers had been broken by Liam himself. His eyes burning crimson, he systematically twisted each one of my hands – my livelihood – into grotesque shapes. “Stella, why do you always have to compete with Chloe? Do you have any idea how much she’s sacrificed for this competition?!” “She’s the truly gifted one, you don’t deserve to be her opponent!” From that day on, I could no longer hold a rifle steady. The agonizing pain made it impossible to concentrate; every time I aimed, my vision blurred. Making it to second place today was a miracle, the only way I got this far was by burning myself out completely. But no one cared about my injury, no one remembered my past glory. In Liam’s eyes, there was only his Chloe. Then, a strange tingle started to bloom through my body. It began on my lips. Like a faint electric current, itchy, then numb. Next, a warm sensation spread across my chest, as if I were being tightly embraced. I knew it was Liam kissing Chloe. They were hiding in a corner, out of reach of the cameras, shamelessly devouring each other, celebrating their dirty victory. I was a monster. Liam and I shared a bizarre link. My pain was his, one hundred percent. And in turn, I could feel every single one of his touches. From the day we started dating, every kiss, every embrace, gave me a double rush. I used to think it was a unique romance, a gift from the heavens. Until Chloe appeared. She followed Liam around, calling him “Liam” over and over, but her eyes held a disturbing glint whenever she looked at me. Liam started avoiding me, yet he’d always find excuses to touch Chloe during training. Every time they touched, I’d feel it, like a creepy voyeur. At first, it disgusted me, but eventually, I went numb. The worst was the night before I died. They’d won the championship and booked a room at the hotel to celebrate. And I was locked in the next room, forced to listen to the sounds through the wall, my own body reacting in sync. My fingers were screaming in pain, yet my body was convulsing with waves of pleasure. I died in that agonizing, ecstatic mess. Now, I was back. Back to where it all began. On the screen was Chloe’s 10.9, and in the corner, she and Liam were passionately kissing. I looked at them and smiled. Liam, Chloe, we’re playing a different game this time.

I was reborn, back in the finals, just one last shot left. The crowd was roaring, and the commentators were shouting. “And now, the competition has reached a fever pitch! Our two brilliant athletes, Stella and Chloe, will vie for the ultimate championship title!” “Currently, Chloe holds a slight lead. Can Stella withstand the pressure and deliver the ultimate kill shot?!” I raised my rifle, aiming at the bullseye. My hand was steady, my heart surprisingly calm. The old wound in my finger still ached, but being reborn was far more shocking. I knew this shot would be a 10.9, tying Chloe’s score. Then, in the tie-breaker, my hand would falter from the pain, and I’d lose to her, cementing her as the so-called shooting prodigy. I remembered every detail of my past life. I didn’t look at the bullseye. Instead, I glanced at the coach’s box. Liam stood there, his eyes fixed on Chloe. That gaze, tense and expectant, as if he were looking at some priceless treasure. As for me, his fiancée? I wasn’t even an afterthought. I could feel his heart pounding faster for Chloe. Bang! Chloe fired her shot. 10.9. The moment the score appeared, Liam practically jumped up, clenching his fists and shouting silently. I felt his sheer elation. That rush of joy was a hundred times stronger than when we got engaged and he slipped a ring on my finger. It was utterly ridiculous. My fiancé was absolutely wild for another woman. Everyone was watching me, waiting for my shot. Chloe even turned to look at me, her smile practically declaring her victory. Liam finally looked my way, his eyes like daggers. The message was clear: Stella, you better be smart about this. I smiled. I lowered my rifle. Everyone froze. I turned the barrel, pressing it against my own temple. The entire arena fell silent. The commentator’s voice caught in his throat: “St-Stella… what… what are you doing? Put the gun down!” Liam’s face instantly went ashen. He stared at me, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. I looked at him through the scope, that face I’d loved for ten years, now etched with pure terror. He was scared. Scared I’d pull the trigger. Because he knew that a gun to my temple was a gun to his. A bullet through my head would also take his life. “Liam,” I mouthed to him. “Do you still want this championship?”

“You’re insane! You’re a complete lunatic!” In the infirmary, Liam roared at me, veins pulsing visibly on his forehead. The bloodshot veins in his eyes were even more terrifying than his crimson gaze. My actions had caused the competition to be immediately halted. I was disqualified for “emotional instability.” The championship, naturally, fell to Chloe. But Liam wasn’t celebrating. He rushed over, gripping my wrist with a force that felt like he wanted to crush my bones. “Stella! Do you want to die that badly?! If you want to die, don’t drag me with you!” “Are you seriously throwing your life away just for a championship?” I calmly watched him rage. “You forced my hand, Liam.” He froze. I wrenched my hand free, looking at the angry red marks blooming on my wrist, and smiled. “A year ago, when you broke my fingers, did it ever occur to you that I was in agonizing pain?” A surge of sharp pain tore through our link. Liam’s face paled further, a fine sheen of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. His hand twitched involuntarily. “I… I did it for Chloe, she couldn’t lose!” he still stubbornly insisted. “Besides… besides, I held back my strength considerably!” “Held back your strength?” I laughed even louder. “Do you know that because of your ‘restraint,’ my finger nerves suffered irreversible damage? The doctor said I’d never reach my peak performance again, not in this lifetime.” I raised my right hand; those fingers still ached on rainy days, keeping me awake at night. “Liam, you personally destroyed your own world champion. Are you satisfied now?” His lips trembled, unable to utter a single word. The infirmary door creaked open, and Chloe walked in, carrying a glass of water. “Liam, don’t be mad at Stella. She definitely didn’t mean it. Here, drink some water.” She offered the water to Liam, but her gaze, like a viper, coiled around me. It was full of venomous resentment and raw envy. Yes, she’d won the championship, but it was far from glorious. Everyone knew I had deliberately forfeited. Her genius aura was now tarnished with an unerasable stain. Liam didn’t take the water. Seeing Chloe now only reminded him of my madness on the arena floor. Chloe looked a little awkward, but she quickly recovered and turned to me. “Stella, I know you’re hurting. But that’s how competitions are, you win some, you lose some. You’re still young, you’ll have other chances.” Her voice was soft and gentle, playing the role of the sympathetic, caring little sister. If I hadn’t been reborn, I might have fallen for her act again. “Chances?” I let out a cold, sharp laugh. “Weren’t my chances already ruined by the two of you conspiring together?” Chloe’s face fell. “Stella, what do you mean? Liam and I are purely platonic, how can you falsely accuse me of something so awful?” “Purely platonic?” I stood up and walked over to Liam. He was a head taller than me; I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. To Chloe’s stunned expression, I reached out, hooked my arms around Liam’s neck, and then, I kissed him. Liam’s body instantly stiffened. He tried to push me away, but my lips and tongue were already invading his mouth. At the same time, I felt it – that complete, double shot of adrenaline, exclusively mine. It was strange. Liam’s eyes widened, filled with shock and confusion. But his body’s primal instinct, however, wouldn’t let him resist. As our lips tangled, I felt a strange, hot current erupt from my core, rapidly spreading through every limb and bone. It wasn’t just me. Liam’s breathing turned ragged. His body was burning hot. Chloe stood frozen, utterly stunned. She watched us kissing with such abandon, her eyes practically spat fire. She wanted to pull us apart, but she didn’t dare. After what felt like an eternity, I finally released Liam. Liam gasped for breath, an unnatural flush on his cheeks, his gaze hazy, as if he saw me, and yet someone else entirely. I turned to face Chloe, whose face was now a furious shade of green, and provocatively licked my lips. “See? That’s ‘purely platonic.’” “As for you two? What the hell do you two think you are?” With that, I didn’t look at them again and walked straight out of the infirmary. I knew my actions today had completely shattered Liam’s plans. The show had only just begun.

Back home, I locked myself in my room and began to calmly strategize my next move. Since fate had given me a second chance, I would not repeat my past mistakes. The championship, Liam – I wanted both. Oh wait, no, Liam could go to hell. That kind of scum wasn’t even worth my spit. What I wanted was to ruin his reputation, to leave him with nothing. My phone rang. It was Liam. I hung up immediately and blocked his number. He probably wanted to interrogate me, or warn me. Pointless. The current me had no desire to waste another word on him. Soon after, there was a knock on my door. It was Chloe. “Stella, are you there? Can I come in and talk to you?” Her voice sounded wronged, on the verge of tears. I opened the door. She stood there, red-eyed, like a bullied little rabbit. “Stella, I know you’ve misunderstood Liam and me. There’s really nothing going on between us.” “Please don’t be mad. If you hate me, I… I just won’t see him anymore.” As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, one by one, hitting my heart and splashing a cold surge of disgust. In my previous life, she used this same pitiful act to deceive everyone, including me. I stepped aside, letting her in. She sat on the edge of my bed, watching me cautiously. “Stella, are you… did you find something out?” I didn’t speak, just stared at her. My gaze made her uneasy; she clutched the hem of her clothes. “Stella, don’t look at me like that, you’re scaring me.” “Scared?” I finally spoke. “Were you scared when you were seducing my fiancé behind my back?” “Were you scared when you instigated him to break my fingers and destroy my career?” “Were you scared when you watched me die, took everything from me, and basked in glory that wasn’t yours?” With each sentence I uttered, Chloe’s face grew paler. By the end, all color drained from her face, and she trembled like a leaf in an autumn wind. “You… how do you know…” “I know much more than you can imagine.” I leaned closer, my voice low and menacing. “Chloe, I’m warning you, stay away from Liam.” “Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to let you experience the torment I suffered in my past life.” Fear bloomed in her eyes. She finally dropped the act, the fragility in her gaze replaced by venomous hatred. “Stella, who do you think you are? You’re just a nobody! A waste who can’t even hold a rifle steady!” “Liam loves me! He got sick of you ages ago! If it weren’t for…” She stopped abruptly mid-sentence. For what? Because of that damn link between Liam and me? The reason he never completely cut ties with me was that my pain would affect him. So, he needed Chloe to do all his dirty work on the outside while he hid behind her, playing the innocent victim. What a brilliant plan. “Get out.” I pointed to the door, my voice cold as ice. Chloe wanted to say more, but my terrifying gaze made her back down. She stumbled out of the room. I knew she would run straight to Liam to complain. That was fine. The bait was set, and the fish were starting to bite.

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Entering the Macabre Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Rules Nightmare, I struggle to survive. “Welcome to the Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Rules World. Please remember and abide by the following rules.” A mechanical voice coldly repeated the same few sentences in my ear. “To become the perfect daughter-in-law, you must strictly follow the daughter-in-law’s guidelines.” “Remember, no matter how outrageous your Mother-in-law’s demands, you must obey.” “Do not trust anyone who looks like your family. Do not eat anything they offer you. This will only kill you.” “Do not let anyone know you are a player. Danger! Danger!” I barely survived on instinct. But on the third day, in the early hours, my Mother-in-law appeared at my window, a fruit knife in her hand. “You’ve broken the rules ten times. Now, I announce your punishment: death.” Before I could even speak, the knife in Evelyn’s hand plunged into my body. I don’t know how long it was before I jolted awake again. Evelyn, standing before me, handed me a list of rules. It was all too familiar. I realized I was back. This time, I had to escape this twisted house.

The instant I understood my current situation, I wanted to get up and leave immediately. But my boyfriend, Leo, sitting beside me, gripped my hand like a vise. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t break free. The three people opposite us noticed my odd behavior. Evelyn’s eyes, full of malice, bore into me. “Jade, darling, what’s wrong? You look like you’d rather be anywhere but here.” Perhaps it was just my imagination, but Evelyn’s face seemed to twist and distort, like a swirling vortex, threatening to drag me into its depths. I shivered, realizing it wasn’t the time to openly defy them. I forced a strained smile. “Nothing’s wrong, I just suddenly need to use the restroom. May I go?” The instant the words left my lips, Evelyn snapped back to normal, her expression stern as she spoke. “No. This is rule-setting time; it cannot be interrupted by such trivialities.” Hearing that, I lowered my gaze to the so-called rule sheet in my hand. In my previous loop, I hadn’t examined it closely, dismissing it as just a warning from Evelyn. I remembered Evelyn saying I’d broken the rules ten times just before she plunged the knife into me. So, to survive, I had to follow this rule sheet first. I began to scrutinize the rules in my hand. Three rules were written there. “First, always answer calls from your Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, and husband, no matter when or where.” “Second, once you marry into the Hayes family, you must sever all ties with your own relatives. You are forbidden from using any *our* resources or wealth to assist them.” “Third, after 8 PM, you are not permitted to leave Leo’s bedroom. Lights out promptly at 8:30 PM.” After reading these three rules, I couldn’t help but curse inwardly. This wasn’t a list of rules; it was a one-sided contract, a complete power play. I felt their intense gazes burning holes into me, and when I dared to look up, all three of them stared like predators eyeing their next meal. I swallowed my rising questions and spoke with a smile. “I will definitely follow these rules.” Turning to Leo Hayes, my boyfriend, I added, “As long as I can be with Leo, I’ll do anything.” My answer seemed to satisfy the three Hayes family members. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to lighten. The sternness on Evelyn’s face was replaced by a doting smile. “Good girl. As long as you wholeheartedly join our Hayes family, you’ll be the most合格的 daughter-in-law.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Leo took me back to the bedroom. Looking at the familiar bedroom, a wave of unfamiliarity washed over me. Perhaps sensing my unease, Leo embraced me from behind. He leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Darling, I hope you don’t disappoint me. The previous women were all so foolish.” “None of them were good daughter-in-laws, but you’re different, aren’t you?” My body stiffened. Leo hadn’t said these things to me in the last loop. Leo didn’t seem to notice my stiffness and led me to the window, still holding me. Looking out the window, I saw only a sparsely populated road. The residential buildings across the street glowed with lights on every floor, but there was an unsettling, unexplainable creepiness about them. I stared at the buildings for a long time and suddenly noticed that the light colors on each floor seemed different. If I looked at the same color blocks, it seemed to spell out a word. I widened my eyes, not daring to blink even as they grew dry and watering. I was afraid that if I blinked, this clue would vanish. Finally, I saw it: it was the word “KITCHEN.” A surge of excitement bubbled inside me. Leo had, at some point, lain down on the bed behind me. I glanced at my watch: 7:45 PM. There was still time. As long as I found the clue before 8 PM, I wouldn’t break a rule. With that thought, I hurried to the kitchen. Evelyn kept the kitchen meticulously clean; the frying pan on the stove gleamed so brightly it reflected the light. I quickly checked everything displayed on the counters but found no clues. I walked to the tall, freestanding refrigerator. The silver-gray fridge was covered with many cute, cartoon-shaped fridge magnets. Without hesitation, I reached out and pulled open the refrigerator door. The moment it opened, a scream almost tore through my throat. Because on the top shelf of the fridge, there was a human head. Her eyes stared straight at me, her face contorted in agony. I forced down my fear and whispered, “Who are you?” The head heard my voice, and her eyeballs rapidly swiveled a few times. She spoke, her voice raspy. “Who am I? I’ve forgotten who I am.” “I was an unqualified daughter-in-law of the Hayes family. I didn’t finish all the food Evelyn made. I was a failure.” I realized that this head might be one of “them” Leo had mentioned. Now, I knew a new rule. If I didn’t finish Evelyn’s food, I’d end up in the fridge. It seemed the rules on the sheet were cumulative, but the rules I found in the kitchen were absolute, deadly ones.

Just as I was trying to sort through my chaotic thoughts, a blinding beam of light suddenly shot into the kitchen doorway. The next second, Evelyn’s voice rang out. “Jade, why aren’t you back in your bedroom yet?” I instinctively glanced at my watch: 7:58 PM. I quickly walked to the kitchen doorway, a fawning smile plastered on my face. “I suddenly got a little thirsty.” Evelyn’s expression was still severe. She spoke dryly. “A Hayes daughter-in-law doesn’t belong in the kitchen. Considering it’s your first offense, I’ll let it slide.” I breathed a sigh of relief, eager to return to the bedroom. Just as I passed Evelyn, she reached out and grabbed my shoulder. A sharp pain shot through my shoulder. I turned my head to see Evelyn’s hand had transformed into razor-sharp claws. The claws had pierced deeply into my shoulder. A wave of belated terror washed over me. Evelyn’s face grew more and more distorted, eventually transforming into a monstrous, green-faced fiend with fangs. “Didn’t I tell you to be in bed promptly at 8:30 PM?” “It’s already 8:40 PM. Why are you still wandering around?” Immediately after, Evelyn’s sharp claws plunged into my stomach until my entire body was a bloody mess. As I collapsed to the ground, my head was directly facing the living room clock. Its hands pointed to 8:40. Once I regained consciousness, I was back in the familiar living room. But I felt that Evelyn’s smile was even wider this time, her lips almost splitting to her ears. Every inch of my skin still throbbed with phantom pain. The moment Evelyn spoke, I involuntarily trembled. “To become a Hayes daughter-in-law, you must show absolute obedience to me.” “As a test for you, starting today, you will be responsible for taking care of Leo’s father.” “Remember, if I find anything wrong with my husband, I will expel you from the Hayes family.” I understood that her “expulsion” wasn’t simply telling me to leave. It meant death. This so-called Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Rules World – if I didn’t find a way to successfully escape, I would cycle through it endlessly. I didn’t want to experience those terrifying moments of death again. Forcing myself to pull it together, I managed a smile. “Okay, Evelyn, I understand.” Evelyn left contentedly, and Leo also exited the living room, moving like a soulless NPC. Suddenly, only Arthur and I remained in the living room. Arthur appeared kind and benevolent, without the same inhuman aura as Evelyn. Seeing me staring at him, he smiled and waved me over. “Good daughter-in-law, come sit here. I have something to tell you.” My body instinctively screamed to refuse, but I couldn’t. The rules told me I had to obey. I reluctantly walked over and sat beside Arthur. Almost the instant I sat down, he clasped my hand. I tried to pull my hand away, but Arthur held on tightly. His hand was icy cold, gripping me like a giant octopus. “Daughter-in-law, do you know? You remind me so much of Evelyn when she first married me.” “She was just like you back then, knew nothing. It makes me nostalgic.” I shivered. Could Evelyn have been a player once, too? If so, had she succeeded or failed to become an NPC now? I dared not think further, shaking my head to clear the distracting thoughts. Arthur’s words continued. “Don’t worry, I’m not a harsh father-in-law.” “As long as you meekly satisfy all my requests, I’ll let you stay in the Hayes family.” “Now, I want watermelon. Go get it from the fridge.” “Remember, I only eat watermelon cut into small pieces.” Hearing Arthur mention the fridge, I instantly recalled the human head I’d seen in the previous loop. Even though my heart was pounding, I still got up and headed to the kitchen. Evelyn was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. I subserviently looked at her and said, “Arthur said he wanted watermelon and asked me to get it.” Evelyn didn’t react with anger as I’d expected. She simply nodded, indicating I should get it myself. The moment I opened the fridge, I squinted. But the human head I’d imagined didn’t appear. Instead, there was a perfectly round watermelon. I didn’t dare think too much. I took out the watermelon and quickly started cutting it into pieces. But as I cut, I kept feeling like this watermelon was unusually difficult to slice. It felt like I was hacking through bone. I dared not dwell on it and served it to Arthur, who was waiting in the living room. Seeing the glistening watermelon on the plate, Arthur’s face lit up with a happy smile. He took the plate and devoured it, as if he were tasting the most delicious thing in the world. A strange gust of wind inexplicably swept through the room. When I looked at Arthur again, I let out a low gasp. That wasn’t watermelon on the plate at all! It was chunks of a human head, glistening with brain matter and gray pulp!

Arthur’s face was covered in crimson streaks, a truly horrifying sight. I involuntarily gagged a few times. Arthur looked up at me when he heard me. He extended the plate in his hand towards me. As he spoke, bits of brain matter, like tofu, kept falling from his mouth. “Daughter-in-law, you’ve worked hard. Have some watermelon.” I instinctively wanted to refuse, but then I remembered what Chloe, the head, had said to me in the previous loop. I couldn’t refuse any request from the Hayes family, and I couldn’t waste food. But to eat those disgusting human head fragments without any psychological barrier was impossible for me. Seeing my delayed reaction, Arthur’s usually smiling face began to contort. His face started to decay before my eyes, crimson human tissue sloughing off and plopping onto the plate. I could even make out the twitching nerves beneath his dissolving skin. I squeezed my eyes shut, then, as if ready to die, I reached out my hand towards the plate. The instant my fingers touched the contents of the plate, it felt like the cold, firm flesh of watermelon. I opened my eyes, and everything before me had returned to normal. I seized the opportunity, picked up a piece of watermelon, and popped it into my mouth. Thank goodness, it tasted like watermelon. Seeing me eat the watermelon, Arthur’s face also returned to normal. “Delicious, isn’t it? But you can only have one piece. That’s my reward to you.” “In our Hayes family, we always believe in balanced rewards and punishments.” I forced a fawning smile, just nodding in agreement. Arthur quickly finished the watermelon on the plate and extended his hand to me. “I’m full. Help me back to my room to sleep.” Without hesitation, I helped Arthur back to his room. Arthur and Evelyn’s bedroom was surprisingly cozy, with gentle sunlight streaming onto the bed. I helped Arthur lie down. Just as I was about to leave, he suddenly grabbed me. He leaned close to my ear and whispered softly, “Jade, do you also know that this is just a twisted world?” Hearing that, a surge of excitement initially rushed through me. Could it be that Arthur, like me, was trapped in this world? The word “yes” almost escaped my lips, but the next second, I felt like my throat was being choked. Because I remembered the rules: I couldn’t let anyone know I was a player. Cold sweat dripped from my forehead. Was this another test from the rules world? And I had almost let my guard down, potentially rendering all my previous efforts useless. I immediately adopted a confused expression, asking innocently, “Arthur, what are you talking about? What twisted world?” “All I know is that my only job right now is to take good care of you.” Arthur heard my answer, and his eyes held a complex look, but he still smiled and said, “It’s good that you have that mindset. I’m tired and need to rest.” With that, he pulled up the covers, closed his eyes, and seemed to fall asleep. After leaving the bedroom, I breathed a sigh of relief. That hurdle was cleared. The thought drained all strength from my body, and my vision went black as I lost consciousness. During that time, I saw countless young women just like me. They all died in various gruesome ways, revived, and eventually were completely consumed by the twisted world. Suddenly, a familiar face pressed close to my eyes—it was the head from the fridge. Bloody tears streamed from her eyes, and she repeatedly whispered the same phrase. “Come join me, come join me.” “Let me fully merge into your body, completely fuse with you.” I shot upright, realizing I was lying on the living room sofa. The surroundings had completely changed, yet they felt familiar. Because the space I was in was my actual home in the real world. Seeing me awake, my mother, Sarah, smiled and handed me a glass of honey water. “I just made you some honey water. Had a bad dream?” “You were mumbling something about rules in your sleep, honey. I couldn’t understand a word.” My father, Robert, poked his head out of the kitchen, waving a spatula. “You finally decided to wake up, sleepyhead! Just in time, dinner’s almost ready. All your favorites!” I stared blankly at everything, my mother pulling me to sit at the dining table. My father brought out several dishes, all my favorites, indeed. So, the terrifying world I had just experienced was all just a dream? I couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh. There was no such thing as a rules world; it was just a dream. I smiled, picked up a piece of stir-fried meat, and put it in my mouth. The next second, my eyes fell on the bell peppers on the plate. My hand froze. I hated bell peppers; my dad always made sure to pick them out whenever he cooked. Almost the instant I put the meat into my mouth. My seemingly kind parents transformed into green-faced, fanged monsters, lunging viciously at me. I’d been tricked. I had violated a death rule.

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My husband came from a family renowned for its groundbreaking work in natural healing and herbal medicine. Before I met him, his adoptive sister, a prodigy in herbal remedies herself, had always been by his side. Their bond was incredibly deep; they’d spent every day together for over a decade. Until my husband rescued me from the brink of death and fell in love with me at first sight. For years, under the care of his adopted sister and my husband, my health had steadily worsened. I knew it all stemmed from Bella. Just as my husband was writing a new prescription for me, Bella called him away. He didn’t even notice that a crucial ingredient was missing from the new blend. A cold electronic voice chimed in my head at that very moment. “Congratulations, Host. You are about to achieve the death ending. Mission nearing completion.” Listening to the electronic voice in my mind, I couldn’t help but let out a relieved smile. This day, I had finally waited for it. Martha, the housekeeper responsible for my care, took the prescription and quietly asked, “Ma’am, would you like to brew the medicine now, or wait for Mr. Mason to return and supervise it himself?” “Preparing the herbal blend is especially crucial. Perhaps we should wait for Mr. Mason.” I looked at Martha, her eyes full of concern, and smiled. “No need to wait.” This blend wasn’t about the brewing; it was poison from the start. Martha started to say something else, but I had already closed my eyes, feigning rest. I don’t know how much time passed before my door was pushed open again. When I opened my eyes, I met Liam Mason’s gaze directly. His expression was one of doting affection, but to me, it was just another mask. He smiled, scooped up a spoonful of the brew, and spoke gently. “Bella and I came up with this blend together. It’s the only one that can do your body any good right now.” “That girl, Bella, she really cares about you, Alice.” My expression remained unchanged. Oh, she cares about me alright. *Deeply* cares about how to send me to an early grave. I didn’t want to waste any more breath on Liam. I took the bowl from his hand and drained it in one gulp. The brew was searing hot; it made my eyes water. Seeing my tears, Liam’s eyes filled with concern. He reached out, trying to pull me into his embrace. Just then, the bedroom door swung open, and Bella’s voice rang out. “Sister Alice, I just accidentally twisted my ankle, that’s why I called Liam away. You’re not mad, are you?” The moment her voice hit, Liam flinched, snatching his hand back as if he’d been burned. I saw his subtle movement and found it utterly pathetic. Bella saw my tears and exaggerated her expression. “No way, Sister Alice, you’re actually crying? You’re just way too sensitive. No wonder your health isn’t great.” Liam turned back, gently scolding her. “Don’t talk nonsense. Alice was just scalded, that’s why she cried.” Bella heard him and naturally leaned against Liam, smiling sweetly. “Oh, I was overthinking it. But before, Sister Alice never wanted you and me to be together. I thought she was getting a little jealous.” “Sister Alice, please don’t worry. Liam and I have a purely platonic sibling bond.” Hearing Bella’s words, Liam’s face fell a little. I pretended not to notice, speaking calmly. “My health has been getting worse lately. I’d like to go to the hospital for a check-up.”

I didn’t actually want to go to a hospital when I said that. I just wanted to test Bella. And sure enough, a flicker of panic crossed Bella’s face, quickly replaced by indignation. “Alice, what exactly are you trying to pull? You know the Masons are revered for our holistic health practices, and Liam has been meticulously tending to your recovery. Going to a regular hospital now? What do you think that says about us? If word gets out, other prominent families will laugh us right out of town! They’ll say Liam is incompetent!” Liam’s expression turned grim, and his gaze held a hint of reproach. “Don’t be ridiculous, Alice. Just rest easy. I’ll make sure you get completely healthy.” Perhaps because I was about to leave this world, I didn’t want to play the innocent, devoted wife anymore. My gaze swept over the two people in front of me, finally settling on Bella’s face. I spoke with a smirk. “Oh, really? But I somehow feel like someone *doesn’t* want me to be healthy.” Following my gaze, Liam and Bella exchanged a look. The next second, he frowned and spoke. “Are you letting your paranoia get to you again? You were like this when we first got married too.” “Bella and I are just siblings. Stop being unreasonable.” Hearing Liam’s words, I remembered how Bella had insisted on living with us after we got married. She claimed it was to better monitor my progress and perfect my regimen. But countless nights, I’d seen Liam and Bella in the study, heads bowed intimately together. I could feel that Bella’s feelings for my husband were far from platonic. I’d brought it up countless times, but Liam always dismissed it as my jealousy getting the better of me, just like now. He picked up the empty bowl I’d drunk from and took Bella’s hand. “Since you’ve finished your medicine, get some rest.” “I know you’re not feeling well because of your sickness, but you can’t just accuse people like that. Calm down.” With that, he pulled Bella from my room. Before they left, I caught Bella’s smug, triumphant glint in her eyes. Her eyes seemed to say, “See? My brother will always choose me.” But my heart was unmoved. I called out to the system in my mind. “When’s my final curtain call?” The electronic voice chimed. “Seven days from now. This incorrect blend, if taken for seven consecutive days, will lead to organ failure.” I lowered my gaze to the wedding ring on my finger and murmured. “Soon. I’ll be free soon.”

For the next three days, Martha the housekeeper would bring me a bitter brew right on schedule. And I, like a puppet on a string, numbly swallowed the liquid. Just as I thought nothing unexpected would happen, Liam, whom I hadn’t seen in three days, appeared in my room. His face was thunderous. He practically *threw* his phone at me. “I can’t believe how cruel you are, Alice! Bella is just a girl!” Confused, I picked up the phone. On the screen was a video. In it, a man was sobbing hysterically. “Mrs. Mason paid me. She said Miss Bella was too close with Mr. Mason, and she didn’t like it. So, she told me to *force myself on Miss Bella*, so she’d be too disgraced to ever bother Mr. Mason again.” After watching the video, I looked up and met Liam’s furious gaze calmly. “Don’t you realize I haven’t left this room for days? How could I have possibly paid someone to hurt Bella?” Liam scoffed. “You’re right. I truly can’t believe how utterly malicious you are.” “I don’t care how you bribed that criminal. All I know is you tried to harm the sister I grew up with.” “If I hadn’t gotten there in time, she would have been ruined.” “Alice, how many times do I have to tell you, from the day we married until now, stop causing trouble.” I thought my heart was already shattered, but hearing Liam say that, an uncontrollable pang of pain shot through me. I sat up straight, meeting his eyes. Perhaps my gaze was too intense, because Liam suddenly looked a bit guilty. I looked at him, questioning him word by word. “Liam Mason, honestly, ask yourself: are your feelings for Bella *really* just sibling affection? And her feelings for you? Are you truly so oblivious, or do you just *enjoy* the attention?” Hearing my questions, Liam, who had burst in, ready to accuse me, was instantly speechless. I watched his visibly guilt-stricken expression and couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. I knew. I had *always* known. Liam was just that indecisive. He wanted too much. He loved me, but not *just* me. He also didn’t want to lose Bella, who had grown up with him. When this mission first began, I *had* thought about loving Liam wholeheartedly. But his repeated favoritism had eroded my trust and love for him. I stared intently at Liam’s evasive eyes, waiting for his answer. Time seemed to stretch on forever until Liam finally spoke, his voice dry. “What kind of question is that? My feelings for Bella are purely platonic; I’ve told you that a thousand times! It’s just you who refuses to believe me. Alice, am I really so untrustworthy in your eyes?”

It seemed that in his long silence, Liam had finally managed to deceive himself. I should have known. I should have known Liam was a man utterly devoid of responsibility. Instantly, I felt all the strength drain from my body. A sharp, stabbing pain tore through my chest. I knew. Perhaps the “poison” Liam himself had concocted was beginning to take its toll. I slid weakly onto the bed, feeling a metallic, sickly sweet taste flood my mouth. The next moment, a trickle of bright red blood slowly flowed from the corner of my lips, and I began to cough uncontrollably. Liam, who had still been feeling a bit guilty, saw the blood at my mouth and instantly forgot the purpose of his visit. He threw himself onto my bedside, his face panicked, grabbing my trembling hand and speaking anxiously. “What’s wrong with you? Haven’t you been drinking the medicine I prepared for you properly?” “You don’t need to hurt yourself just to try and break up Bella and me. Why are you doing this?” Hearing Liam’s words, I just found it utterly laughable. It wasn’t because I *didn’t* drink his concoction. It’s because I *did*! His “medicine” is what put me in this hell! Even now, he still believed everything I did was out of jealousy for his bond with Bella. Liam Mason, should I say you’re simply too arrogant? I felt my chest about to explode, taking several deep breaths to steady myself. Then, I forcefully shook off Liam’s hand and spoke in a cold voice. “Why bother with this pathetic pretense of concern? Weren’t you here to accuse me of my supposed ‘wrongdoings’?” Liam stared blankly at his rejected hand, seemingly shocked that I would refuse his concern. In his mind, my actions against Bella were always just a cry for his attention. Rejected, Liam’s expression turned furious again. He seemed to feel his authority had been challenged. “You still have the nerve to bring that up? I was worried about your health, and you not only don’t appreciate it, but you say such cruel things.” “Alice, don’t make me hate you. I want you to be the compliant wife you used to be.” Unfortunately, I no longer wanted to comply. On what might be the last day in this body, I wanted to live for myself. Before I could speak again, Bella pushed open the door, her face looking haggard. Her hair was disheveled, and her cheeks bore several bruises, big and small. Her expression was one of agony, of disbelief. I watched her stagger towards my bed. As she nearly stumbled and fell, Liam reached out and caught her. Bella leaned weakly into Liam’s embrace, letting his strength support her. Liam’s eyes were filled with pained concern as he looked her over. Their gazes seemed to cling to each other, as if they might kiss any second. I looked at their intimate actions and let out a bitter laugh. If *that’s* what they call innocent, then I must be a saint. “Brother, it’s all my fault. If I had just kept my distance from you, Sister Alice wouldn’t be jealous.” “But I didn’t want to sacrifice our decades-long bond. I’m sorry, I was too selfish.” Bella’s obviously manipulative words struck Liam right in the heart. He immediately turned to me, his eyes sharp. “Look how understanding Bella is! Can’t you learn something from her?” “Apologize to Bella. You owe her that.” “All these years, if she hadn’t been so generous, you’d have been utterly disgraced for your actions.” Bella didn’t give me a chance to speak. Her eyes welling up with tears, she turned to me. “Sister Alice, if you didn’t like something, you could have just told me directly. There was no need to resort to such underhanded tactics.” I looked at the two of them, standing united against me, and my smile grew wider and wider. I laughed louder and louder, almost hysterically. I laughed at my own foolishness for ever thinking I wouldn’t complete the system’s mission and would grow old with Liam. I laughed at myself for ever believing Liam’s grand vows, not realizing his heart could hold two people.

Perhaps my current state was too frenzied, because the expressions on their faces morphed into terror. I felt a continuous rush of metallic, sickly sweet fluid in my throat, but my laughter wouldn’t stop. Soon, the blankets on my bed were stained red. “Bella Mason, you know perfectly well whether I harmed you or not.” “I hope you don’t regret what you’ve done. Don’t worry, even if I really die, I’ll haunt you until the end of your days.” My expression was grotesque. Bella instinctively flinched, but still spoke defiantly. “Sister Alice, making mistakes isn’t scary, but it’s important to face them. I’m not cruel like you. Rest now, we can talk about this later.” My eyes were fixed on Bella, my resentment seemingly solidifying. Bella was so unnerved by my stare that she no longer had any desire to provoke me. She clung closer to Liam, whining. “Brother, Sister Alice’s eyes are terrifying. My heart feels a little pain. Let’s just go.” Liam’s gaze flickered between Bella and me for a moment, then he finally made up his mind and spoke. “We’ll talk about everything once you’re feeling better, Alice. Regardless, you owe Bella atonement.” “Don’t think you can escape responsibility just because you’re unwell. You went too far this time.” With that, his eyes didn’t fall on me again. He lowered his head and spoke softly to Bella. “Let’s go. Brother will examine you properly.” “Your brother here is a prodigy in natural healing. I’ll definitely restore your health.” A shy smile appeared on Bella’s face as Liam embraced her and led her out. After they left, Martha knocked and entered. Seeing the messy state of my bed, her eyes instantly reddened. She silently helped me change the bedding. After a long hesitation, she finally spoke. “Ma’am, your health is getting worse by the day. Should I talk to Mr. Mason?” I lay on the bed, my gaze fixed on the ceiling, murmuring. “No need. It’s too late.” Martha tried to persuade me a few more times, but seeing I remained unresponsive, she could only leave. Unknowingly, I drifted into sleep. In my dream, I saw the first time Liam and I met. He was a shy young man then, his eyes holding an undeniable, careful affection for me. How long had it been since I’d seen that look? I don’t know how long passed before I jolted awake. As soon as I opened my eyes, I met Liam’s bloodshot gaze. He held a tray in his hands, scattered with several herbs. I wanted to ask him what he was doing here, but a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I knew my time was short. Seeing me just quietly staring at him, Liam spoke, his voice trembling. “Alice, did you purposefully tell the brewmaster to omit one ingredient just to get my attention?” “Do you know? Missing just one ingredient turns this blend into a potent poison.” I finally managed a genuine smile, the corner of my mouth bleeding again. “You’re the one who wrote this prescription, every single stroke.” “Liam Mason, remember this: my death is all thanks to you.”

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After my best friend was raped and took her own life, I protected the monster responsible. Lily’s mother pleaded on her knees, bowing her head, but I coldly slammed the door shut. When the villagers came to smash my door down and riot, I didn’t hesitate to unleash my dog on them. Ten years later, on my deathbed, suffering from multi-organ failure, my best friend Seraphina, now a furious billionaire, came back for revenge. The first thing she did upon arriving in town was to force me onto the Memory Judgment Platform, a device usually reserved for death row inmates. “Elara, you despicable animal for protecting a rapist! Lily and I must have been blind to ever call you a friend!” “Lily has been dead for ten years, and you let her attacker escape justice for ten years!” “Today, I’m going to use the memory extractor I developed to see who exactly you’ve been protecting!” But when the perpetrator’s face appeared on the big screen, Seraphina’s face drained of all color, turning ashen white. … Seraphina made a huge spectacle of my trial. The entire town gathered in the square, packed to the brim with people. Reporters set up their cameras, live streaming the scene across all major platforms. I, suffering from multi-organ failure, kept alive only by a drip of medication and nutrients, was dragged to the front of the square like a criminal. A man lunged at me, clamping his hands around my neck, roaring: “Elara, why did you protect the monster!” “You animal! You destroyed my family and took away my loved ones! Why don’t you just die!” He choked me until I could barely breathe, my vision blurring to black. The crowd erupted in a furious roar, their emotions boiling over: “It’s this heartless bitch! Her friend was raped, she knew the attacker, but she kept silent!” “Her friend drowned herself, and she wouldn’t even open the door for the victim’s mother, even after her forehead bled from pleading!” “Even worse, she unleashed her dog on people! It’s absolutely disgusting!” A torrent of insults drowned me. Seraphina stood to the side, her brow deeply furrowed in a tangled knot of confusion and anger. In this world, apart from Lily’s family, No one hated me more than her. Ten years ago, Lily, Seraphina, and I were the closest of friends. After Lily was assaulted in the woods near my house and took her own life, my friendship with Seraphina also crumbled. All because Lily’s suicide note mentioned that I had seen the attacker. I became the rapist’s accomplice. And I, I truly had protected the monster. Seraphina approached me, her face cold, her voice devoid of any warmth: “Elara, I’m giving you one last chance.” “Tell us who the attacker is now, turn yourself in to the police, it’s not too late…” “Otherwise, once the memory extractor starts, the high-frequency pulses will make every bone in your body feel like it’s been pulverized a thousand times over, and you won’t get another chance to excuse yourself!” Hearing this, my face went deathly pale. I struggled desperately, screaming out: “Sera, no!” “You can’t extract my memories!” Seraphina gripped my hand tightly, gritting her teeth: “Scared?” “It’s not up to you!” “I have to get justice for Lily!” I begged through choked sobs, tears streaming down my face: “Sera, please listen to me. My memories can’t be revealed, you’ll regret it!” Seraphina scoffed, her eyes burning crimson as she leaned closer to me: “Regret?” “My biggest regret was ever being friends with you!” Two bodyguards immediately clamped me into an iron chair, cold metal locking my hands and feet. Ignoring my fierce resistance, I was forcibly held down, and a chilling helmet was placed on my head. In an instant, a thousand needles pierced my scalp, drilling deep into my brain. I convulsed and shrieked in agony, feeling as though my soul was being torn apart. Even so, the onlookers below were still whipped into a frenzy. They pelted the stage with rotten produce and garbage, their mouths filled with curses directed at me. “Toxic friend! Disgusting! Rot in hell, you piece of trash!” On the big screen, my memories began to rewind. 2. The first scene was from three days after Lily’s death. I was dragged to Lily’s tombstone, and everyone demanded to know who the attacker was. They spat on me, they threw rocks at me. My arm was gripped tightly, my hair pulled wildly. Countless fists rained down on me; I was left bruised and battered, covered in wounds. I fled the scene in a panic, angry villagers chasing behind me. In front of me, flames roared towards the sky; my house had been burned down by the enraged villagers. I was utterly helpless. Homeless, I took Buddy and ran deep into the mountains. But the villagers found me again. Right in front of me, they skinned Buddy alive, the dog I’d grown up with. They cooked him into a stew. I clutched Buddy’s leg bone, crying heartbrokenly. That year, I was an orphan, just 16 years old. Seraphina stared at my tear-streaked face on the big screen and sneered. “Elara, isn’t this exactly what you deserve?” “If you hadn’t protected the monster, would people have treated you like this? Do you actually feel sorry for yourself?” “You’re the last person in the world who deserves pity! You’re an accomplice, and this is all on you!” Others chimed in: “Seriously, no shame! Does she really think she can defend herself?” “Trying to play the victim with these sad memories? How pathetic! Protecting a criminal makes you an accomplice! You deserve to burn in hell!” “Who do you think you are, trying to gain sympathy? Lily’s family was destroyed, their child dead, her mother driven mad – who isn’t more pathetic than you!” Just then, the clear laughter of a girl echoed from the big screen. “Lily! Slow down!” Lily’s youthful, innocent face appeared on the screen. In a vast snowy landscape, Lily, her face beaming with a smile, ran towards me. “Take this!” She threw a snowball at me. “My daughter!” Lily’s father cried out, collapsing in front of the big screen. Gazing at Lily’s smiling face on the screen, he could no longer hold back his sobs. Ten years ago, after Lily’s suicide, this once cheerful and talkative man had his hair turn white overnight. Every day since then, he would go to the police station, asking the officers: “Have you caught the attacker?” But each time, he was met with a helpless shake of their heads. At that time, there were no surveillance cameras in the village, and my house stood alone. No one knew who had followed Lily that night. And the only one who knew the truth was me. After a bout of playful chasing, I stood solemnly before the altar, making a heartfelt wish: “Please, Lord, bless my friends with health and happiness, and may our friendship last forever…” Seeing my devotion, Seraphina could no longer control her rage. “Elara, you pathological liar! You heartless bitch!” She rushed forward, pointing an angry finger at me and cursing: “You have the nerve to reminisce about our childhood! Who are you trying to sicken?” “Ten years! You never once told the truth! Do you even deserve to be our friend?” Sure enough, the next scene showed me secretly discarding a mango Lily had given me. The onlookers erupted: “What the hell, she pretends to like it to her face but throws it away behind her back!” “Seraphina and Lily were so good to her, is this how she treats her friends? She’s nothing but a selfish, cold-hearted monster!” Seraphina knew I was severely allergic to mangoes. But she didn’t explain to the crowd; instead, she listened as they continued to mock me: “She probably never imagined that Seraphina would become a billionaire and come back to settle scores!” “CEO Hayes, keep going! We can’t wait to see the monster’s face!” Amidst the insults and urging from the crowd, the memory on the big screen shifted scenes again. 3. Seraphina’s desperate, agonizing cries came from the big screen: “Lily! Don’t die!” That was the day Lily’s body was pulled from the river. It was a gloomy, rainy day, and Seraphina and I collapsed, weeping hysterically, over Lily’s body. She was bloated, her entire body cold and stiff. Completely unlike the beautiful, smiling girl I remembered. I returned home in despair, curling up in a corner, crying uncontrollably. “Ah!” I repeatedly pounded my chest, the pain of losing my dearest friend nearly tearing me apart. On the judgment platform, my eyes were tightly shut, tears silently streaming down my face. My broken sobs echoed: “Lily! Why did you have to die?!” My tears flowed relentlessly, my entire being immersed in endless agony. My heartbroken appearance stunned the entire crowd: “What’s going on?” “Why does she look so sad? How could she…” Lily’s father, seething with anger, shouted: “Crocodile tears!” He gritted his teeth: “That year, my wife knelt at her doorstep, her forehead bleeding, and Elara wouldn’t even open the door!” “She even set her dog on people! How could someone like that be a good person?” “Our Lily was her childhood playmate, yet this is how she treated her deceased friend’s mother!” Just then, Lily’s mother appeared on the scene, clutching a doll. Her hair wild and disheveled, she kept mumbling: “Lily, my sweet girl, don’t be scared!” The entire crowd erupted in anger once more. Seraphina’s face was a canvas of shock and fury, shifting from white to ashen. She rushed forward, violently shaking me with both hands, her bloodshot eyes wide as she screamed furiously: “Elara, look! This is the tragedy you caused by protecting that monster!” “You had no parents, and Lily and I, we took you in when you became an orphan at seven, we were always there for you, yet this is how you repay us!” With that, she raised her hand in a fit of uncontrollable rage and slapped me across the face. “You still think you can gain sympathy!” “You killed Lily, do you think these memories will make me soften my heart?” Her chest heaved violently, tears falling without warning, her eyes filled with boundless brokenness and struggle. “Lily is dead!” “But the one who killed her is you! It’s you, Elara!” She shook me furiously, the hatred in her eyes practically tearing me apart. Lily’s death had been a devastating tsunami that ripped through her life, leaving behind an endless, crushing dampness of grief. Suddenly, Seraphina straightened up, wiping away her tears. In an instant, her sorrow and despair were replaced by an icy resolve. “Elara, I’m telling you, I won’t stop until I find the attacker!” “Once I find that monster, I’ll make sure you both burn in hell together!” Her face grim, she motioned for the technical staff to expand the extraction range. She had lost all patience for my act. The technician quickly stepped up, adjusting the control panel. The red needle on the instrument shot up, and the fine needles in the helmet instantly plunged deeper into my brain. “Ah!” My agonizing scream tore through the square. Violent currents surged through my brain, and flashes of white light exploded before my eyes. My body convulsed, my hands and feet struggling wildly, but the chains held me fast. Blood trickled from my nostrils, ears, and the corners of my eyes, dripping onto the cold iron chair. My chest felt scorched by fire. The images on the big screen flickered erratically. One moment it was a classroom, the next a stream, then a mountain path. All happy memories of Seraphina, Lily, and me, the three of us together. But there was no scene of the night Lily was assaulted. The crowd grew restless, and the live stream’s comments section exploded: “What’s going on? Why are there no memories of her friend being raped that night?” “Didn’t she say she saw the monster?” Seraphina frowned, turning to the technician with a low voice: “What’s happening?” “Why can’t you find the memory of the attacker appearing?!” The technician wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, stammering: “CEO Hayes, she… she seems to be fighting the system…” “Refusing to let that memory be extracted!” 4. “What? Refusing to be extracted?” Seraphina’s face registered shock, and her sinister gaze swept over me. She slammed her hand on the table, shouting sharply: “Elara! At this point, you’re still resisting?” “Who is so important that you’d risk everything, even your life, to protect them? They’re just a rapist!” Ten years ago, Seraphina had questioned me just as sharply. When Lily’s suicide note was made public, I became the biggest criminal. Everyone was demanding to know who the attacker was. Seraphina’s initial disbelief that I would protect the monster turned to doubt, then to outright suspicion, all in less than a day. Only she knew that I had hidden in a mountain cave with Buddy. When Buddy was skinned alive, I pleaded desperately, but she picked up a stick and brought it down hard on my head. Blood instantly blurred my vision. Her eyes bulging with rage, she glared at me: “Elara, we grew up together, we treated you like a friend, what did you think of us?” “For the sake of a rapist, you abandoned your most important friends!” That night, I was nearly beaten to death by the villagers. Seraphina’s mother pulled the enraged Seraphina away, and two days later, they moved their entire family to another state, never to return. Now, Seraphina’s eyes were as cold as ice, fixed on me. She waved her hand, her voice sharp and resolute: “Continue to expand the extraction range! I won’t stop until I achieve my goal!” The technician hesitated: “But, CEO Hayes, her body is very weak right now, and she’s extremely resistant. If we continue to expand the memory extraction range…” “She might not be able to take it!” Seraphina scoffed, her words laced with icy sarcasm. “Can’t take it?” “I’ve spent years researching this, all to find out the truth from back then!” “Her life or death, I don’t care!” “It’s best if scum like her dies!” As her words fell, the technician nervously adjusted the parameters higher. The machine’s hum surged, climbing to a piercing shriek, and the needles in the helmet plunged violently deeper into my brain. “Ah!” My screams tore through the square. Blood gushed from my nostrils, ears, and the corners of my eyes simultaneously. My chest felt as if it were burning, and my entire body convulsed wildly in the chair. Cold sweat streamed down the technician’s forehead, his voice trembling: “CEO Hayes… should I continue?” “She… she’s almost at her limit!” Seraphina stared at the big screen, her expression dark. “Continue.” She parted her thin lips, her voice utterly devoid of warmth. The machine roared, and the display screen shook violently. That was my consciousness struggling. My screams and tormented cries echoed overhead, a horrifying sight. Seraphina’s eyes were bloodshot, and she shrieked almost hysterically: “Elara, who is it?!” “Who is worth this level of protection from you?” She suddenly broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, burying her face in my shoulder, tears streaming down. “We were your friends, weren’t we?” Her body shook violently, crying beyond control. Warm tears fell on my hand. Hearing her cries, I trembled all over. A sudden pang twisted in my heart. My friend, Sera, was crying. I instinctively raised my hand, wanting to wipe away her tears. But in that moment of weakness, the memory I had desperately hidden appeared on the big screen. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Seraphina whirled around in shock, and when she saw that familiar face on the big screen, her entire face went white.

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My Fiancée Humiliated Me on Our Wedding Day On my wedding day, I was getting ready backstage when my fiancée’s assistant suddenly handed me a marriage contract. The first clause read: “No kissing below the eyebrows without permission.” The second clause: “Based on the bride’s mood, the groom is allowed to share the bed only once a month, for no more than ten minutes each time.” The third clause: “At any time, in any place, if the bride feels uncomfortable, the groom must immediately cease current actions.” … After reading through hundreds of clauses, I bit back my fury and called my fiancée. “Ms. Hayes, could you please explain clause ninety-eight of this agreement?” “What exactly does ‘no matter who the father is, the child must take *your* surname’ mean?” It’s shameful to admit, but this grand wedding today was nothing more than an arrangement made by my grandpa’s generation. My fiancée and I hadn’t even met. All I knew was that her family was incredibly prominent, a well-known heiress in this city. But I never imagined that the rules of the wealthy could be so utterly bizarre. “You’re nothing but a pauper. Do you really expect the child to take *your* surname?” My fiancée’s voice on the phone was laced with contempt. I took a deep breath, my tone brooking no argument. “I apologize, Ms. Hayes, but I will not be signing this agreement.” The words had barely left my lips when, a second later, my fiancée’s furious shout blasted through the phone. “Miller, you’re really pushing your luck, aren’t you?” “The fact that *I* am marrying you is the best fortune of your past life; how dare you defy me?” I was completely stunned. A distinguished heiress, and this is how she behaves? This was a completely different person from the gentle and quiet image my grandpa had described. I was about to argue further when the line went dead. Witnessing the scene, my assistant next to me looked at me with disdain and sneered. “Mr. Miller, I advise you to just sign the agreement. Otherwise, with Ms. Hayes’s temper, you won’t have an easy life.” Seeing that I was young and dressed simply, the assistant didn’t give me a second glance. “Such a humiliating agreement, whoever wants to sign it can. I certainly won’t!” While my family, the Millers, might not be as wealthy as the Hayes, we’re certainly not pushovers. So what if she’s a New York Princess? Worst case scenario, I’m not getting married today! With that, I took off my suit jacket and turned to leave, but the assistant blocked my way. “The wedding is about to start, Mr. Miller. Where do you think you’re going?” I involuntarily clenched my fist, glaring at him. “My legs are my own; I’ll go wherever I please. What business is it of yours?” Instead of backing down, the assistant became even more brazen in the face of my warning. “Mr. Miller, I advise you to put your clothes back on obediently.” “If you delay the wedding, that’s a responsibility you won’t be able to bear!” He shoved me roughly, his eyes full of menace. Ever since I joined the military academy at eighteen, I’d trained day and night with my instructors. The pride etched into my bones wouldn’t allow me to compromise. Seeing his arrogant attitude, my anger level shot up. “What if I insist on leaving?” At my words, the staff in the makeup room gasped. “Holy crap, this guy’s got some nerve! Daring to talk back to Mark Davis? He must not want to make it in this city!” “It’s just a marriage contract, what’s the big deal? If he offends the heiress over this, he’ll be the one getting bullied!” 2. “Exactly, right? Getting involved with the Hayes family is every man’s dream in New York. Why would he care whose surname the child takes?” As the chatter around us grew louder, Mark Davis’s expression became increasingly smug. “Hear that? A useless nobody like you, with no power and no connections, daring to talk about dignity? Are you out of your mind?” I couldn’t care less about their mockery; in fact, I found it somewhat amusing. In New York, the Hayes family was indeed considered old money, possessing untold wealth. But if they wanted to compare family legacies with *my* family, the Millers, they’d only find humiliation. All the money in the world is just a string of cold numbers when faced with true power. “Mark Davis, I’m warning you one last time. Get out of my way, or you’ll face the consequences!” Perhaps startled by the sudden surge of aura emanating from me, Mark Davis froze, looking somewhat flustered. “Fine, fine, you jerk, you… you actually dare to threaten me? I… I’m calling Ms. Hayes right now!” I spread my hands, a nonchalant expression on my face. “Whatever.” A moment later, the makeup room door was kicked open. A tall young woman, surrounded by a group of bodyguards, strode in. “Mark Davis, you’re supposed to be my personal assistant. How can you mess up such a simple task?” “You must be Evelyn Hayes, my fiancée?” I carefully scrutinized the woman before me. I had to admit, she was quite beautiful. Standing nearly five feet seven, clad in a pristine white wedding gown that perfectly accentuated her figure. If I had to find a flaw, it would only be the excessively cold look in her eyes as she stared at me. “Ms. Hayes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to briefly introduce myself.” “My name is Alex Miller, and I’m from the milita—“ “No need!” Before I could finish, Evelyn Hayes impatiently raised a hand to cut me off. “I have absolutely no interest in who you are.” I had intended to reveal my military background to make her back off, but I hadn’t expected this proud heiress wouldn’t even let me finish speaking. It was clear from her eyes that she genuinely saw me as a good-for-nothing trying to leech off the Hayes family’s wealth. “Ms. Hayes, even though we’ve never met, and this marriage was our parents’ idea,” “To not even let me finish my sentence, isn’t that a bit disrespectful?” At my words, my fiancée’s face instantly changed. “Respect?” “Miller, why don’t you take a good look at yourself in the mirror? Do you think you’re worthy of my respect?” My fiancée glanced at me contemptuously, then scoffed. “I can tell you explicitly, if my father hadn’t forced me to marry you, a parasite who only knows how to rely on women, I wouldn’t even bother to look at you!” Towards the end, she suddenly raised her voice, addressing everyone present. “And don’t you dare think that after this wedding, you’ll be part of the Hayes family! Without my permission, you won’t lay a single finger on me!” My gaze was fixed on her, my voice devoid of emotion. “Since Ms. Hayes is so unwilling to marry me, then why force yourself?” Then, I suddenly changed my tone. “How about… we cancel the wedding? It would be better for both of us.” I had hoped for an amicable separation, but this arrogant woman before me wasn’t listening. She even thought I was provoking her. “You stinking pauper, don’t try that ‘playing hard to get’ act with me!” 3. “Do you know how many men in New York are lining up to marry me?” I didn’t get angry; instead, I smiled. “Ms. Hayes, I don’t care what others think. I simply believe we’re not a good fit.” “As for your father, Mr. Hayes, I will personally explain everything to him. You don’t need to worry about that.” After this exchange, the entire makeup room erupted in whispers. “My God, is this guy out of his mind? He actually initiated breaking off the engagement with the Hayes family?” “Right? Ms. Hayes is every man’s goddess in New York; this idiot doesn’t know how good he has it.” “If it were me, being able to marry the Hayes heiress, I’d be laughing in my sleep.” The doubts and criticisms around me were incessant, but I couldn’t care less. In *my* circles, marriage isn’t about family wealth; it’s about compatibility. And clearly, this overly privileged New York heiress wasn’t my type. I still remember the humble demeanor of Evelyn’s father, Robert Hayes, Chairman of Hayes Industries, before my grandpa. In less than half an hour, Robert Hayes’s white shirt was drenched from head to toe, as if he feared saying one wrong word. He probably doesn’t realize that the immense influence he so painstakingly acquired is being destroyed by his own daughter. “Miller! I’m asking you one last time, are you truly breaking off this engagement with me?” I slowly raised my head, meeting her gaze, my eyes more resolute than ever. “Absolutely!” The silence in the room was chilling. Evelyn Hayes probably never dreamed I would choose to give up the opportunity to marry into a prominent family; her face was flushed crimson. Just as she didn’t know how to handle the situation, Mark Davis stepped forward. “Ms. Hayes, there’s no need to panic. A good-for-nothing like him, who only knows how to rely on women, isn’t worth marrying anyway!” My fiancée nodded slightly, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. “But… the invitations have already gone out. If we suddenly cancel the wedding, how will I face anyone afterwards?” Mark Davis shot me a malicious look. “Ms. Hayes, do you remember Young Master Vance from Vance Group?” The next second, Evelyn Hayes’s eyes immediately lit up. “Mark, are you saying…?” Mark Davis nodded emphatically, his expression exceptionally excited. “Vance Group just completed its Series B funding round on Wall Street. Young Master Vance, as the sole heir, is worth tens of billions.” “The Hayes family wants to expand into international markets; this is a golden opportunity!” Evelyn Hayes shyly lowered her head. “Will he be willing to marry me?” Mark Davis thumped his chest, full of confidence. “Of course!” “I just received word; Young Master Vance is already on his way!” Witnessing this scene, I suddenly understood. It turned out that the so-called marriage contract was most likely Mark Davis’s doing. His true purpose was to facilitate a partnership between Vance Group and Hayes Industries. It was just a pity for Evelyn Hayes; she didn’t even realize she was being used. “That’s enough.” “Ms. Hayes, although I’ve broken off our engagement, it doesn’t seem right to suddenly swap grooms, does it?” As I spoke, I raised my hand, pointing to the assistant standing beside her. “Right now, I only want to know one thing: whose idea was that marriage contract?” From what I knew of Evelyn Hayes, even though she was arrogant and domineering, she definitely wouldn’t come up with such distasteful terms. There had to be another reason. 4. However, her current expression confirmed my suspicions; her eyes kept darting towards the assistant. “What business is it of yours whose idea it was? Does it even concern you?” “A man’s word carries weight. Are you trying to go back on it?” I raised an eyebrow, a cold smirk on my face. “Going back on it? Not really. I just think someone is deliberately trying to drive a wedge between Ms. Hayes and me!” Mid-sentence, I turned to look at Mark Davis. “Ms. Hayes, don’t you think everything that’s happened feels like it was orchestrated?” I had intended to advise her kindly, out of respect for her father, Mr. Hayes. But who knew this woman wouldn’t appreciate my efforts? “Miller, I’m warning you, don’t try to stir up trouble here!” “Didn’t you act all high and mighty about wanting to cut ties with me earlier? Why the sudden change of heart?” Hearing her words, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. The Hayes family had been operating so shrewdly in the business world for so many years; how could they produce a beautiful woman so utterly clueless? “Kid, hear that? You’re not welcome here, now get lost!” Mark Davis stared at me with a provocative look, but I merely smiled faintly. “That’s enough. You’ve achieved your goal; do you still need to keep up the act?” “The wedding is about to start; why don’t you let your mastermind show themselves?” The words had barely left my lips when, a second later, the makeup room door was suddenly pushed open. A man roughly my age swaggered in. “Ms. Hayes, will you marry me?” “Young Master Vance, you’re finally here!” At Mark Davis’s enthusiastic cry, everyone rose to greet the heir to Vance Group. “Judging by this spectacle, you must be Mark Davis’s true boss, aren’t you?” The man referred to as Young Master Vance approached me slowly, with an arrogant stride. “Kid, I admit you’re a bit clever.” “But sometimes, being too clever isn’t a good thing.” His tone was incredibly arrogant, even more so than Mark Davis’s earlier. I merely gave him a cold glance before looking away. “If I’m not mistaken, Young Master Vance, you’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, haven’t you?” He nodded, looking at me with feigned pity. “Mr. Miller, from what I hear, you refused to sign that marriage contract?” “That’s truly a shame.” Mid-sentence, he lit a cigarette, holding it between his fingers, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “You just lost your only chance in this lifetime to marry into wealth!” I showed no emotional fluctuation, instead offering a knowing smile. “A prominent family like that? I wouldn’t marry into it even if given the chance.” My nonchalant attitude seemed to surprise him. “Mr. Miller, aren’t you even a little angry?” “I just stole your fiancée, after all!” I waved my hand, a faint smile still lingering on my lips. “What’s there to be angry about?” “In fact, I should thank Young Master Vance. If you hadn’t intervened, I wouldn’t have known how to explain things to Mr. Hayes.” Watching our exchange, as I steadily gained the upper hand, this young master of Vance Group’s face turned green with rage; he completely lost his composure. “Then why are you still shamelessly standing here? Do you want me to get someone to kill you?!” I hooked my lips into a smirk and calmly waved at him. “Young Master Vance, don’t be so eager. Before I leave, I want to make a call to my grandpa.” With that, I pulled out my phone right in front of everyone.

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