Category: English

“Jade, tell Mom, how much money have you saved?” My mother’s voice on the phone was laced with a probing curiosity. I glanced at the numbers on my banking app: $5,243,657.89. But I didn’t tell her the truth. After a moment of silence, I said, “Mom, just a little over fifty thousand, I guess.” “Only fifty thousand? You’ve been working for ten years, how is that even possible?” My mother’s tone was thick with suspicion. Three days later, my doorbell rang. My parents stood at the threshold, their faces grim. “Your brother needs to buy a house for his wedding. We’ve already put in all our savings, but we’re still short a huge amount. You *have* to contribute.” 0 My name is Jade. I’m 32 and work as a Senior Financial Manager at an international firm in New York. Ten years ago, right after college graduation, I chose to stay and build my life here, rarely going back home. My parents and my older brother, Leo, and his family live back in our hometown, a smaller town out of state. Leo is four years my senior and works in administration at the local hospital. He’s always been the pride of the family. Growing up, I was accustomed to the role of the “obedient little sister,” while Leo was the “successful son.” This phone call came suddenly, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Two months ago, Leo told our family he was getting married. His fiancée’s family was well-off, but they insisted on him buying the house outright. While property prices back home weren’t as insane as in major global cities, a decent wedding home still cost over two million. My parents had pooled all their savings and even sold off an old property, but they were still significantly short. I knew they’d come to me eventually. “Jade, working in New York for so many years, you must have saved a fortune, right?” My mother’s voice was both a question and a statement of fact. I didn’t answer directly. “Mom, New York is expensive. Rent alone is thousands every month. I haven’t saved much.” “You’re single, not buying a house, not getting married. You must have *some* savings, shouldn’t you?” My mother’s tone edged with discontent. I knew I couldn’t dodge this topic forever, so I gave a vague figure. “Around fifty thousand, give or take.” The disbelieving silence on the other end was palpable, but she didn’t call me out on it. 0

I hung up and sighed. The coffee machine in the kitchen beeped, and I carried my cup to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the glowing Manhattan skyline. Ten years. It’s enough time to change so many things. A decade ago, after college, I’d considered moving back to my hometown. Back then, everyone in my class debated between going home or staying in the big city. I chose the latter, thanks to a conversation I’d accidentally overheard. It was a weekend during my senior year. I’d come home early and heard my parents discussing my and Leo’s futures in their bedroom. “Leo should start looking for a partner next year. We need to start saving for a house for him,” my mother said. “Where are we going to get that much money? Our savings aren’t even enough for a down payment,” my father sighed. “What if… we use the money we saved for Jade? She’s a girl anyway; she’ll get married eventually, and her husband’s family will provide for her.” “That’s probably our only option. Leo is our son; he’s the one who’ll start a family for us. We can’t let him start behind everyone else.” I stood outside the door, the bag of local treats for my parents heavy in my hand. My heart felt like it had been plunged into ice water. From that day on, I decided I’d rely on no one but myself. I stayed in New York after graduation, starting as a junior clerk, slowly climbing my way up to where I am now. I scrimped and saved, making every penny count. I enrolled in various training courses, earned my financial certifications, steadily improving my skills and income. For ten years, I rarely went home, staying only two or three days during the holidays. I didn’t resent my parents; I just chose my own path. And now, the obedient little girl of the past could stand on her own two feet. 0

That weekend, I met my best friend Chloe for dinner. She was my college roommate, also a New Yorker, now a doctor at a hospital. “Family trouble again?” Chloe guessed the moment she saw my face. I nodded. “Leo’s getting married. They want me to chip in.” “Are you going to?” Chloe took a bite of her steak, her eyes fixed on me. “I don’t know.” I swirled the red wine in my glass. “I told them I only have fifty thousand saved, but they didn’t seem to believe me.” Chloe chuckled. “Your monthly salary is more than fifty grand. Of course, they didn’t believe you.” “It’s not that I don’t want to help Leo, but…” I paused. “If it were just normal help, I wouldn’t hesitate. But growing up, the family always favored Leo. Now, for them to ask me to give up all my savings, even take out a loan, to help him? I can’t do it.” Chloe put down her knife and fork, looking at me seriously. “Jade, you need to understand, this isn’t just about helping your brother. It’s about setting a boundary. If you keep giving, they’ll just take it for granted.” I remained silent. Chloe was right; it was a matter of principle. But facing my parents, I still found it hard to be firm. “Oh, right, weren’t you talking about buying a place? Did you find anything?” Chloe changed the subject. “There’s this new development. I’m thinking of a four hundred thousand dollar down payment, a three hundred thousand dollar mortgage. The monthly payments would be around seventeen hundred. I can afford it.” Chloe looked at me, surprised. “You really saved that much money?” I smiled. “Ten years is a long time. Saving half my salary every month, plus a few raises from job hopping and some investment returns, I’ve managed to accumulate a little over five million.” “So, about your brother’s wedding…” “I can help out some, but there’s no way I’m giving them all my savings,” I said firmly. “In this life, I just want to live with dignity, on my own terms.” 0

Monday morning, I’d just arrived at the office when my father called. “Jade, your mother and I are coming to New York tomorrow. Make sure you pick us up.” My father’s tone left no room for argument. My heart sank. I knew I couldn’t avoid it this time. “Okay, Dad. Call me when you arrive, and I’ll meet you at the train station.” After hanging up, my mood turned incredibly complicated. I knew the purpose of their visit, but I hadn’t figured out how to handle it. That evening, I returned home and sat in front of my computer, repeatedly checking my asset portfolio. Besides my bank savings, I also had some funds and stocks. Over the years, I’d indulged in almost no luxuries; all my money went towards investing in my future. I opened my mobile banking app, set transfer and inquiry limits for my main account, and then prepared a statement for a secondary card that showed only a little over fifty thousand dollars. I knew it was deliberate, but I had to protect my assets. My parents might not understand my decision, but I had no choice. I couldn’t let ten years of hard work disappear, nor could I give up on the first home of my own, which was almost within reach. 0

The next day at noon, I picked up my parents at the train station. My mother looked a bit older than the last time I saw her, and my father’s back seemed a little more stooped. For a moment, a wave of guilt washed over me. “Dad, Mom, are you tired from the trip?” I took the suitcase from my father. “It’s fine, the train was fast, only three hours.” My mother looked me over. “Jade, you’ve lost weight.” “Work’s been busy, haven’t been paying much attention to my diet.” I managed a faint smile. “I’ll take you to lunch now. I took half the day off.” In the restaurant, the atmosphere was a bit heavy. We all knew the purpose of their visit, but no one spoke first. It wasn’t until after we finished eating that my father cleared his throat. “Jade, you know about your brother’s wedding, right?” I nodded. “Yes, he told me last month.” “The family has already put in all our savings, but we’re still seventy thousand short,” my father cut straight to the chase. “Can you help?” I gripped my knife and fork tightly. “Dad, my salary is definitely higher than back home, but New York living expenses are sky-high too. I haven’t saved much over the years, just a little over fifty thousand.” My mother immediately cut me off. “Jade, you’ve been working for so many years, making two to three thousand a month. How can you have only fifty thousand saved? Are you saying you don’t want to help your brother?” “Mom, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I really don’t have that much money.” I tried to keep my voice steady. “I’ve had my own expenses over the years, and…” “And what?” My father stared at me. “You’re single, not getting married, not buying a house. Where has all that money gone?” His words stung. In their eyes, I seemed to always be that little girl who needed to be told what to do. My life plans, my hard work, my dreams — none of it mattered. “Dad, I have my own life and plans.” I took a deep breath. “I can give Leo fifty thousand to help, but I truly don’t have any more than that.” My parents exchanged a look, clearly dissatisfied with my answer. “Fine. Let’s go back to your place first.” My father’s tone hardened. Sitting in the taxi, my heart pounded. I knew the real test was just beginning. 0

Back at my rented apartment, my parents looked around, their eyes wide with surprise. It was a 700-square-foot one-bedroom apartment. Not luxurious, but the location was good, and the monthly rent was over seven thousand. “You live in such a big place all by yourself?” my mother asked. “Work often requires overtime, so living closer is more convenient,” I explained. My father walked to the window, looking out at the view. “This apartment rent isn’t cheap, is it?” “It’s okay. The company provides a housing subsidy,” I answered vaguely. My mother started to wander around the room, occasionally scrutinizing my furniture and appliances. My heart was in my throat, terrified she’d discover something. “Jade, you said you only have fifty thousand saved. Let’s see your bank statements.” My father suddenly spoke. Despite my mental preparation, a wave of tension washed over me. “Dad, I’m an adult. My financial situation…” “What, can’t your own parents see it?” My father’s tone grew stern. “Do you have something to hide?” I knew further evasion would only arouse more suspicion, so I pulled out the secondary card’s statement I’d prepared earlier. “This is my salary card. There’s really only a little over fifty thousand in it.” My father took the statement, examining it carefully. He used to be an accountant; he was very familiar with financial reports. “Is this your only account?” He looked up and asked me. “Yes.” I lied, my heart pounding like a drum. My father handed the statement back to me, a glint I couldn’t quite decipher in his eyes. “Jade, do you really only want to give your brother fifty thousand?” “Dad, it’s not that I don’t want to give more, it’s that I truly don’t have it.” I insisted. “Alright then.” My father sighed, seeming to give up the pursuit. “Your mother and I will rest a bit. Tonight, why don’t you take us to see the city lights? We’ve been to New York so many times but haven’t really explored it properly.” My father’s sudden concession made me uneasy, but mostly relieved. That evening, I took my parents to see the sights. Watching the brightly lit cityscape, rare smiles appeared on their faces. We talked about lighthearted topics, like a normal family, as if the tense confrontation from lunch had never happened. 0

The next morning, I had to return to the office for some urgent matters. “Dad, Mom, please rest at home. I’ll be back at lunchtime to take you out to eat.” I put on my suit jacket, ready to leave. “Go on, don’t let us hold up your work,” my mother said, her tone much gentler than yesterday. At the office, I had just finished dealing with a few emails when my colleague Mike called. “Ms. Jade, two elderly people came looking for you earlier. They said they were your parents. I told them you were in a meeting, so they left a message for you to call them back when you have a moment.” My heart instantly lurched. “They… did they say anything else?” “No, they just asked about your work, and roughly what your salary was. I said I couldn’t disclose that, and they didn’t press it.” I hung up, my palms sweating. My parents actually came to the company to inquire about my situation? This was highly unusual. Did they doubt my story? I quickly called home, and my mother answered. “Mom, did you go to my company?” I asked directly. “Oh, yes, your father and I wanted to see your workplace and bring you lunch.” My mother’s voice sounded perfectly natural. “We couldn’t find you, so we came back.” “Next time, please tell me beforehand so I can arrange a tour for you,” I tried to control my emotions. “Okay, you go back to work. We’re just watching TV at home,” she said. After hanging up, I was terrified. I knew my parents. They wouldn’t come to my company for no reason. They must not trust what I told them and wanted to verify my true income. I immediately called the bank to confirm my main account’s security settings were still active. Then I double-checked my mobile banking app, ensuring there were no unusual login records. But I forgot one thing – my bank statements. The bank usually sends paper statements to my registered address every month. Initially, I used my hometown address, but after moving to New York, I changed it to my current one. However, the bank system sometimes had issues, and statements occasionally still went to my old address. It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t received last month’s statement. Could it be… No, it couldn’t be such a coincidence. I tried to reassure myself. Even if the statement was sent back home, my parents wouldn’t open it. They weren’t the type to disrespect their child’s privacy. But regardless, I had to deal with this quickly. I couldn’t let my parents discover my true financial situation. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to help my brother, but I couldn’t abandon my life plans and dreams. At noon, I returned home to find my parents sitting in the living room watching TV, the atmosphere unusually calm. “Finished with work?” my father asked, his eyes still on the TV screen. “Yes, handled a few urgent documents.” I put down my bag. “What do you want to eat? I’ll take you to a nearby restaurant.” “Whatever, you decide,” my mother’s voice was a bit distracted. During dinner, my parents surprisingly mentioned Leo’s situation less, instead asking about my work and life. This unusual behavior made me even more uneasy. After lunch, my father suddenly said, “Jade, your mother and I discussed it. We understand your situation. Fifty thousand is fine. If you can help, help; if not, it’s okay.” I was stunned. I hadn’t expected them to give up so easily. “Dad, I’m really sorry. If I had the ability, I’d fully support Leo…” “No need to say more,” my father waved his hand. “We’ll find a way to solve your brother’s problem. You just focus on your work.” My mother chimed in. “Yes, it’s not easy for you being so far away. We shouldn’t put pressure on you.” This sudden understanding and leniency felt off, but I couldn’t find any flaws in it. Maybe they really did understand my difficulties? 0

My parents stayed in New York for three days, during which I took them to various attractions. Occasionally, when Leo’s matter came up, they no longer insisted on me providing money. This unusual calm made it impossible for me to fully relax. The night before they left, we had a simple dinner at home. “Jade, we’re heading back tomorrow. Seeing you this time, we feel relieved,” my father said while eating. “Dad, Mom, if you miss me, you can always come and stay in New York,” I said sincerely. “You’re busy with work; we’d only be bothering you,” my mother said with a smile. “Oh, by the way, I heard from your colleague that you’re now a senior manager?” My heart suddenly tightened. “Yes, I got promoted last year.” “Your salary must be quite good, then?” my father asked casually. “It’s alright, enough for myself,” I answered vaguely. My father didn’t press further, instead turning to talk about things back home. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking maybe I was just being overly sensitive. The next morning, I took my parents to the train station. As we parted, my mother held my hand and said, “Jade, we’ll find other ways to handle your brother’s situation. You don’t need to worry.” I nodded, but a subtle uneasiness lingered in my heart. After dropping off my parents, I went directly to the office. As soon as I arrived, Sarah from the finance department came up to me. “Ms. Jade, your parents came looking for you yesterday and asked quite a few questions about you.” My heart sank. “What did they ask?” “They asked about your position, roughly how much you earn, and… they wanted to know if the company has a loan policy for employees, saying your brother needed funds for his wedding.” I maintained my composure. “They were just concerned about me, asking a few questions. Thank you for not disclosing my privacy.” Sarah nodded and left, leaving me deep in thought. My parents clearly didn’t believe I only had fifty thousand saved; they were secretly investigating my true financial situation. I opened my computer and checked my bank accounts. Everything was normal. But I still felt a sense of unease, as if something was about to happen. After work, I went home and thoroughly checked my apartment, making sure my parents hadn’t rummaged through my documents or computer. Everything seemed normal, but I decided to change all my financial account passwords, just in case. Just as I opened my laptop to do so, my phone rang. It was my brother, Leo. “Hello, Leo,” I answered. “Jade, Mom and Dad are back. They said you’re only willing to give fifty thousand?” My brother’s voice was filled with displeasure. “Leo, I really only have that much right now…” “Stop lying!” My brother suddenly raised his voice. “You’ve worked in New York for so many years, making such a high salary. How can you only have fifty thousand saved? Are you saying you don’t want to help me?” I was silent for a few seconds. “Leo, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I genuinely don’t have more.” “Alright, if that’s what you say, then there’s nothing I can do.” My brother suddenly calmed down. “But Jade, some things, no matter how deeply you hide them, will eventually be discovered.” His words made my heart skip a beat. “What do you mean?” “Nothing, just a reminder. Anyway, I won’t bother your work anymore.” After hanging up, my sense of unease intensified. Leo’s words clearly hinted at something. Did he know something? I picked up the phone, wanting to call my parents and get to the bottom of it, but after hesitating, I put it down. Rather than provoking more suspicion, it was better to wait and see. But I knew this matter wouldn’t end so simply.

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Julian Blackwood, the powerful head of Blackwood Industries, harbored a dark obsession: he was fixated on women who had recently given birth. My father, Mr. Reed, desperate to ingratiate himself with Julian, couldn’t bear to send my older sister, Sera—a new mother married to Silas Thorne, a notorious crime lord. So, instead, he forced me, his illegitimate daughter, to consume potent tonics and rich, fattening meals every day. Only when my body became luscious and curvaceous was he satisfied. He then drugged me and sent me to Julian Blackwood’s villa. That night, my drugged body burned, twisting restlessly. Julian lost all control, brutally taking my virginity. When I awoke, he surveyed my bruised body with a detached amusement. “The Reed family publicly only had one daughter, Sera, known for her virtue and refined nature.” “Looks like you’re the unacknowledged bastard daughter. Since that’s the case, you’ll be my on-call plaything from now on.” I trembled all over, my eyes red, only managing a whispered, “Yes.” From that moment on, he kept me by his side, using me however he pleased. I thought I was doomed to be a kept woman, hidden in the shadows, for the rest of my life. Until a year ago, when I accidentally saved Damian Cross, a powerful figure from the city’s elite circles. As he left, he told me, “I owe you my life. You can ask me for anything.” I had only one wish. My legs felt like jelly. I carefully slipped away from the sleeping man beside me and, with trembling fingers, sent a text message. The reply came swiftly, “Thought about it?”

The moment the last message was sent, my phone vibrated frantically. It was a private video from Sera Reed. In the video, Julian Blackwood was on top of her, panting heavily, ravaging and tangled with her body. Her moans and the sounds of their bodies colliding assaulted my ears. “Julian, hmm, faster, even faster…” His muffled voice responded, “You’re a thousand times more captivating than Elara. She’s like a dead fish in bed…” My heart ached, making it impossible to breathe. My hands shaking, I closed the video. As I lay back down, his cold gaze swept over me. “What took you so long?” My eyelids fluttered violently, but I forced myself to calm down. “My stomach hurt a bit.” “Remember your place. Don’t ever think you can hide anything from me.” In the dim light, the disdain in his eyes felt like needles, pricking my own. He didn’t know that Damian Cross had just messaged me. Seven more days, and I would be free from this place. The next moment, without a word, he pulled me back under him, taking me again. I bit down hard on my lip, stifling any sound. Julian Blackwood tormented me throughout the night. The next morning, I woke up with a burning forehead, a high fever setting in. Julian, seeing my state, frowned slightly and offered to take me to the hospital. Just as we were about to leave, his phone rang. The moment he answered, Sera’s tearful voice instantly came through. “Julian, Silas hit me! I’m divorcing him. Can you come pick me up?” Julian’s voice softened instantly, reassuring her. “Don’t cry. Give me ten minutes, I’ll be right there.” He hung up, grabbed his car keys, and walked out without a backward glance. Leaving me stunned and alone in the hallway. I scoffed at myself. He’d completely forgotten about taking me to the hospital. Mr. Davies, the butler, sighed at my state and brought me some cold medicine. I slept, and by the time I woke up, most of my fever had broken. My gaze swept over the room I had lived in for five years, but there wasn’t a shred of attachment in my heart. I got out of bed and simply packed the few things I intended to take with me. Two days later, it was Grandfather Blackwood’s birthday gala. During the dinner, Grandfather Blackwood fixed his gaze on Julian. “You’re not getting any younger. It’s time to settle down and get married.” Julian picked up his glass, took a sip of wine, and said casually, “Grandfather, the company has just stabilized. No rush.” Always the same excuse! Grandfather Blackwood sighed, his eyes full of helplessness. Years ago, my father had looked down on Julian, forcefully breaking him and Sera up. Then he turned around and married Sera into the Thorne crime family, whose head was Silas Thorne, a notorious crime lord. No one expected that the Thorne family’s business would struggle so badly these past two years, losing all its former glory. Meanwhile, Blackwood Industries, under Julian’s leadership, had become increasingly powerful. Julian Blackwood had become the city’s most coveted bachelor, a rising star in the city’s elite, and everyone wanted to curry favor with him. My father regretted his decision deeply. To avoid being targeted by the Blackwood family, he had sent me, his illegitimate daughter, to Julian Blackwood. Grandfather Blackwood knew exactly what was going on. He knew precisely why his grandson had remained unmarried for so long. The next moment, he turned his attention to Sera. “Sera, why don’t you try to persuade him for me?” Hearing Grandfather Blackwood’s words, Sera’s eyes instantly reddened. Julian’s expression darkened. He picked up the wine glass in front of him and drained it. Then he pulled me close, signaling for me to pour him more wine. A strong, mixed scent of alcohol assailed me, and my stomach churned. “Ugh…” Grandfather Blackwood’s eyes lit up at my reaction. “That reaction… could it be… you’re pregnant?” ***PAYWALL***

A wave of panic washed over me. The next second, Sera’s gaze shot at me like daggers. Julian’s face was grim. He seized my wrist. “Grandfather, we have something to do. We’ll be leaving now.” He dragged me out roughly, then shoved me into the car, speaking in a low, heavy voice. “To the hospital.” The results came quickly: I was indeed pregnant. I stood frozen, my hand unconsciously going to my lower abdomen. I had thought about it before, what it would feel like to have a child of my own blood. But the next second, that faint glimmer of hope was crushed by Julian Blackwood. He casually glanced at the report, then said coldly, “Arrange for an abortion immediately.” Seeing my eyes welling up, he grabbed my wrist tightly. “Unhappy about this? You have no right to carry my child.” I blinked, forcing back the burning tears, and nodded. “I understand.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he said nothing more. It wasn’t until I was being wheeled into the operating room that I caught a fleeting glimpse of something like reluctance in his eyes. When I came out of the operating room, Julian Blackwood was nowhere to be seen. The anesthesia had worn off, and my lower abdomen throbbed with a dull, heavy ache. Just then, the hospital room door was pushed open from the outside. Sera, exquisitely made up and clicking in her heels, walked in. Without a word, she slapped me hard across the face. “You bitch, how dare you get pregnant with Julian’s child!” Her face contorted into a monstrous mask as she gestured to the two people behind her. “Drag her to the bathroom!” I was pulled off the bed and onto the floor, dragged all the way into the bathroom, and thrown onto the cold tiles. Then she kicked me several times in the abdomen. The excruciating pain made me curl up, cold sweat beading on my forehead. Clutching my stomach, I pleaded with a trembling voice, “Sera, I didn’t mean to get pregnant. Please, let me go…” She grabbed my hair, forcing my head back. “You dared to get pregnant with his child behind my back, and you want me to let you go? Dream on!” “Julian loves me. Even if you’re pregnant, you’ll never sit in Mrs. Blackwood’s seat!” She motioned to the two behind her again, and the next moment, a bucket of ice water was poured over me. The biting cold seeped into my bones, and I shivered uncontrollably. “Julian only keeps you around because he’s angry I married Silas Thorne, just to spite me.” “Once I get my divorce, he’ll marry me. And you, you won’t even be fit to polish my shoes.” She then tilted her chin at the two behind her. “Beat her! Beat her until she can never bear children again!” Fists and feet rained down on me like a storm. Pain surged through my entire body, and I finally couldn’t take it anymore. I passed out. When I woke up again, I was lying on the cold bathroom floor. My fingertips trembled as they touched my flat abdomen, and tears streamed down my face like a broken string of pearls. Perhaps this was for the best, saving me from future entanglements. Julian Blackwood eventually found out that I had been beaten into unconsciousness. Before he could question me, Sera innocently explained, “Today I came to the hospital to kindly visit my sister, but when she saw me, she became extremely emotional and started smashing things.” “I only argued back a few words, and she attacked me. My arm still hurts.” “My assistant only intervened because he couldn’t bear to see me hurt.” After her explanation, Julian believed her. The next moment, the hospital room door was violently kicked open from the outside.

Julian Blackwood’s cold gaze swept over me, lying on the hospital bed. “You dared to lay a hand on your sister? Apologize to her!” I bit my lip hard, tears brimming in my eyes, refusing to fall. Seeing my silence, Sera sneered softly. “Julian, I think my sister has been spoiled by you. She doesn’t respect me at all.” Julian’s eyes instantly turned icy. “I don’t want to repeat myself.” Five more days. If I could just endure these five days, I would be free from this place forever. Why provoke him at the last moment? Digging my nails into my palm, I spoke softly, “Sera, I’m sorry. It was my fault.” Seeing my sudden obedience, Julian’s brow smoothed out. “Remember your place. You’re nothing but a tool the Reed family sent to satisfy my needs!” The moment he turned, tears silently streamed down my face. So, in his eyes, I was merely a tool for his release. Due to my physical condition, Julian Blackwood didn’t come to my room that night. The next day, he happened to glance at my phone’s browsing history, which was filled with searches for livable cities. His face instantly darkened. “Where do you want to go?” He gripped my chin, his teeth gritted. “Elara Reed, understand what you are. You’ll be chained to my side like a dog for the rest of your life! Don’t even think about escaping!” An unspeakable suffocating feeling washed over me. I took a deep breath and obediently replied, “Yes, I remember.” His gaze swept over my pale face and frail body, and his brow furrowed. “Since you’re not dying, you’ll stay by my side from today on, serving me tea and water.” For the next two days, he always found fault with the various nourishing tonics brewed in the kitchen. He’d claim they weren’t to his taste, then hand them to me. Under his watchful eye, I drank them, sip by sip. As a result, my complexion improved significantly. He curled his lips in satisfaction. “Remember, your life is mine, and your body is mine to command. The day I tire of you, I’ll discard you somewhere you belong.” I lowered my head, my nails digging deep into my palms. Only two days remained until my departure. Just 48 hours, and I would be free. But Sera clearly had no intention of letting me leave peacefully. That day, she suddenly appeared at the villa. “I heard my sister is recovering well. I came to see her.” Seeing my distant attitude, she took my hand, feigning sadness. “Is my sister unwilling to see me?” I pulled my hand away, my voice cold. “Sera, if you have something to say, just say it.” “Why are you so cold to me, sister?” She looked wronged. “We’re sisters, shouldn’t I be concerned about you?” No sooner had she spoken than Julian Blackwood walked in. Sera’s face suddenly changed, and she immediately cried out in alarm, “Julian, my cat is missing! The one you gave me for my birthday.” My heart plummeted. “It was just here a moment ago, and then it suddenly vanished.” A short while later, a bodyguard entered, carrying a bloodied, barely breathing cat. “Snowball!” Sera’s pupils constricted. She snatched Snowball into her arms. “Elara, why did you have someone kill him?” My face paled. “I didn’t.” Just then, Mrs. Jenkins, a maid, was brought in. “Miss Reed, I killed the cat according to your instructions. Please, you must help me!” Sera’s eyes were bloodshot. “Elara, I know you’re jealous that Julian likes me, which is why you harbor resentment.” “But Snowball was innocent. I kindly brought him to play with you, and I never expected…” I looked at Julian, shaking my head repeatedly. “It wasn’t me. Please, believe me.” Julian Blackwood’s face was grim. He was about to speak when another maid stepped forward to testify. “I heard it too, Miss Reed. You even said it would be easier to kill the cat than Miss Sera.” The moment she spoke, Julian Blackwood’s eyes turned cold as he looked at me. “Still denying it? It seems I’ve been too lenient with you lately, making you forget your place.” He raised a hand. “Take her to the basement and let her reflect on her actions.” I stared in horror, my heart plunging into a bottomless pit.

The iron door locked, and the last sliver of light vanished. Darkness instantly engulfed me. My claustrophobia flared, bringing back the terror of being locked in the attic by my foster parents when I was a child. I trembled all over, my nails scratching at the cold metal door. “Julian Blackwood, please, open the door! I’m scared!” His cold voice came from outside. “Elara Reed, have you played enough? Just admit your mistake, and I’ll let you out!” He wouldn’t believe me. I gave a bitter laugh. Tears streamed from my eyes at that moment. “I didn’t do it.” He spun around abruptly, his voice laced with suppressed fury. “Unrepentant!” A short while later, Sera’s heels clicked outside. “See? He believes everything I say. I’m the one he loves most.” “Otherwise, why wouldn’t he believe you? And why would he make you lose the baby?” Her voice dripped with venom. “Dare to have any more delusions about him, and I’ll ensure you end up in a ditch!” I huddled in the corner, trembling. No need to wait for that day. I would disappear soon enough. I woke up in bed, meeting Mr. Davies’s worried gaze. “The Master still cares about you. He wasn’t happy locking you in the basement either.” “Your father looked down on the Master back then. He held a grudge, so he was inevitably harsh with you.” But why did I have to bear all of this? What had I done wrong? I thought Julian Blackwood wouldn’t come tonight. But he entered the room and, without a word, began to tear at my clothes. My breath hitched, and I hastily said, “I’m not feeling well.” He suddenly looked up, his face grim. “You dare refuse me?” I hesitated. Tomorrow I would be leaving this place. Tonight, I didn’t want to be his release anymore. If I didn’t agree, I was afraid he might notice something. The next moment, I tightly closed my eyes, giving up all resistance. Just then, there was an urgent knock on the door. “Sir, Miss Sera is in trouble!” The bodyguard’s voice outside was urgent. “Miss Sera was injected with an allergic agent!” “The doctors say this agent is very rare, and they need bone marrow stem cells to create a desensitizing agent. Miss Elara’s bone marrow is the only perfect match in the database! Miss Sera is already going into shock; she can only hold on for thirty more minutes…” Julian Blackwood stared at me, a faint flicker of hesitation in his eyes. The next second, he grabbed my arm without a word, dragging me out. His grip was so strong it felt like my bones would shatter. “To the hospital.” I was rushed into the operating room. Julian Blackwood said coldly, “Time is critical. No anesthesia.” He then instructed the doctor to extract 500ml of bone marrow in one go. As the thick, long biopsy needle pierced my skin and plunged into my spine, excruciating pain instantly erupted. I bit down hard on my lip, the metallic taste of blood instantly filling my mouth. Seeing my pale face after 500ml of bone marrow was drawn, he seemed to think of Sera and ordered the doctor to extract another 1000ml. The doctor hesitated. “This lady’s blood count is dangerously low; she could go into acute shock.” Julian Blackwood waved his hand. “Do as I say. I know what I’m doing.” His cold indifference pierced through me. In that instant, all hope drained from me. Seeing my lips turning blue after another 1000ml of bone marrow was extracted, Julian Blackwood’s eyes held a complex expression. “Get back home and rest. Tomorrow, Mr. Davies will have the kitchen prepare nourishing food for you!” I quietly agreed. And turned to leave. Julian Blackwood, that isn’t my home. It never was. And there won’t be a tomorrow for us! When I returned to the villa, it was still dark. I changed into a maid’s uniform and crept downstairs. Avoiding all surveillance cameras, I slipped out through the small back door. Not far away, an inconspicuous black car was parked. The window slowly lowered, revealing my pale but unusually calm face. I instinctively looked up at the second floor. Smoke was curling out from the window of the bedroom I had lived in for five years. Inside the room was a mannequin, carefully shaped to resemble me, arranged by Mr. Cross. I took one last look at the cage that had imprisoned me for five years. The car window slowly rose, cutting off the distant glow of the fire. Finally, it was over! Julian Blackwood, I would start a new life in a new place. From now on, we would be dead to each other!

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Everyone laughed, calling me Julian Hayes’s pathetic lapdog. When Julian Hayes’s latest conquest let out soft moans from the bathtub, I’d stand obediently by the door, waiting for him to call me in to clean up. “Are you two done?” “I’ll clean up for you.” After cleaning the bathtub for the 99th time, Even Julian couldn’t help but mock me. “How can you stand it?” “Watching me with someone else, then wiping down the tub—doesn’t it disgust you?” I wrung out the rag, scrubbing hard at the lipstick stains and sticky residue on the tub’s rim. “No, it doesn’t.” “As long as it’s yours, I love it.” He scoffed. “Figures. You’re meant for dirty work, a scavenger. What kind of filth haven’t you seen?” Once the bathroom door clicked shut, I took a deep breath, inhaling the sickly sweet scent in the air. “Sweet. So incredibly sweet.” He had no idea that I, the so-called scavenger, never truly cleaned away dirt. The more women Julian Hayes slept with, the more complex the scent on him became. And the more it awakened the dormant siren bloodline within me. Julian Hayes was merely a potent tonic I’d carefully cultivated.

The panting in Julian Hayes’s bedroom had just subsided. I pushed open the door, carrying a fresh set of clothes. With a hint of eager deference, I respectfully placed the clothes in Julian’s hands. “Darling, these are clean.” While Julian changed, I quickly picked up his discarded underwear from the floor, clutching it to my chest. The sticky liquid on the underwear dripped onto my hand. Far from being repulsed, I leaned in, sniffing it carefully. The color was too yellow, the scent too strong. “Darling, you seem a bit overheated lately. I’ll ask the doctor to prescribe something for you.” Then I swiftly picked up the last sock from the floor and scurried out. All of Julian Hayes’s personal garments were hand-washed by me. His underwear and socks soaking in hot water released a decadent, sweet aroma. It tempted me to lean down and take a deep, hungry breath. Sickly sweet, mixed with all sorts of complex scents. So delicious! So satisfying! I could even feel the deep-seated siren bloodline within me stirring restlessly. At this rate, Julian Hayes needed to sleep with just one more type of woman, and then he would be ready to be refined into the Ultimate Tonic. It wouldn’t be for naught that I had painstakingly helped him find 99 different types of women before. I was about to lean in for another confirmation sniff. When Julian’s impatient voice cut through the air. “Rowan! Are you trying to fob me off with *these* clothes now?” I immediately understood, and scurried back, pulling out several bespoke power suits from the depths of the wardrobe. Then, skillfully, I helped Julian put on his socks and shoes. Julian looked at his reflection in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction. I nodded with equal satisfaction. My Ultimate Tonic, I’ve worked so hard to nurture you to this perfection. You absolutely *must not* disappoint my expectations. Julian noticed the tears welling in my eyes. Impatiently, he flicked a tissue at my face. “Haven’t you figured out your place yet, after all this time? Don’t think a few tears will make me feel anything for you.” “A dirty scavenger like you will never compare to Seraphina.” My eyes darted, and I snatched the tissue before it fell to the floor. I blew my nose hard, then, with a sniffle, cautioned him in a tearful voice: “Darling, there are many women in this house, all kinds. But Miss Thorne is different, you absolutely mustn’t…” My words were cut short by the sound of Julian storming out of the room. Leaving me with just one parting shot. “Stop with your fake act. Your filthy mouth doesn’t even deserve to speak her name.” Seeing his attitude, I breathed a sigh of relief. After all, to complete the Ultimate Tonic, he needed to lie with 100 different types of women. But there was one crucial taboo: he absolutely couldn’t touch a virgin. Otherwise, all my previous efforts would be for nothing. And Seraphina Thorne was currently the epitome of pure beauty. Julian Hayes’s beloved, whom he treasured like a precious jewel. They had grown up together, and if I hadn’t interfered, They would probably be married by now. A pang of guilt pricked me. After all, I had broken up a couple. Oh well. Once Julian was refined into the Ultimate Tonic, letting Seraphina get a whiff of him would be a good enough compensation.

After cleaning everything up, I was about to pull out my tablet to select the final candidate. But I was unexpectedly shoved to the floor by the woman standing before me. My anger, however, instantly dissolved when I saw who it was. It was truly my fault. She’d worked so hard for several nights; I’d completely forgotten to pay her. As I prepared to sign a check, I murmured, “Chloe, right? Thank you for your hard work. Here’s ten million…” Before I could finish writing the check, she tore it into shreds. Along with it came a shower of salty saliva that landed on my face. Chloe looked at me defiantly. “How does that feel, huh? Pretty sweet? My spit is absolutely saturated with Julian’s scent.” I dabbed a finger into the saliva on my face and, without thinking, popped it into my mouth. “Sweet. As long as it’s his, I love it.” I even smacked my lips, as if savoring the taste. Chloe seemed caught off guard by my reaction, stuttering in shock. “I… Julian and I have true love! You lowly scavenger, don’t try to insult our love with your dirty money!” I sighed, pulled out another check, and this time increased the amount. She was just an employee; it wasn’t easy for anyone. Besides, I didn’t want to get tangled up with her any further. Julian had already wasted enough time on her. Seeing that I wasn’t taking the bait, Chloe’s voice grew sharper, and she shoved her phone, displaying a picture, right into my face. “Last night, Julian didn’t just give me hundreds of millions; he promised the position of Mrs. Hayes would eventually be mine! This is proof!” The phone screen, almost touching my face, displayed a bizarre photo. In the picture, used condoms were tied haphazardly into a bouquet. At a quick glance, there had to be at least twenty of them. It was indeed worth millions, perhaps even more. My guilt intensified. Chloe’s resentment was understandable. After all, the workload had been pretty intense these past few days. I said sympathetically, “You can have the money, but forget about the Mrs. Hayes title.” Chloe was about to open her mouth, but I cut her off. “Don’t argue. I’ve been through this; I’m telling you for your own good.” “After all, marrying into that kind of wealth can be a bitter pill to swallow.” Every day, seeing the Ultimate Tonic right before my eyes, yet not being able to consume it. It’s just teasing. Chloe frowned, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. “So you’re doing all this just for the Hayes family’s money? It’s not because you’re madly in love with Julian?” *Hiss*. My expression shifted instantly, switching to deep affection. “How could that be? Whether it’s being on call 24/7 to serve him, or his endless affairs, I don’t mind any of it.” “As long as Julian wishes, I’d even bear him ten children a year, all boys, without hesitation.” Having said all this, I couldn’t help but shed two lines of clear tears as a dramatic finish. Chloe’s gaze, which had been contemptuous, now held a hint of respect. Seeing that it was working, I immediately pressed my advantage. I pulled two large gold bars from the safe behind me. “Although your true love is priceless, you know my feelings for Julian. If this still isn’t enough, I might have to reluctantly part with…” As I spoke, I slowly began to pull the gold back. Chloe quickly snatched my retreating hand. “Enough, Mrs. Hayes, enough! I’m willing to let you have him!” “Julian Hayes must have saved the world in his last life to have a wife like you in this one.” From the moment the gold left my hand to Chloe slamming the door shut, Less than two seconds passed. But I heard several distinct clicks and cracks. My siren bloodline was on the verge of full awakening. And gold was a siren’s favorite thing. Becoming a siren was certainly an upgrade. Even heartbreak came with sound effects now. I breathed a sigh of relief, about to call the last candidate. When the door was kicked open. It was the driver. “Mrs. Hayes, come with me, something terrible has happened!”

The black Maybach sped towards the auction house. The moment the driver opened the door, a frail-looking Seraphina Thorne came into view. Two bodyguards stood between them, holding up the auction house chairman. The chairman was an old man, his hair white with age. But now he looked utterly dishevelled. His hair was messy, and both sides of his face bore prominent slap marks. The next second, Julian Hayes’s furious voice rang out. “You old fool, how disgusting! How dare you shake Seraphina’s hand without gloves on?” “If anything happens to Seraphina, I’ll tear down this auction house and use its doors for your coffin!” Seraphina Thorne was born with an exceptionally delicate constitution. Only her fated Julian Hayes was permitted to touch her. My left foot hadn’t even crossed the threshold. When I was mercilessly dragged by a bodyguard directly in front of Julian Hayes. Julian, cradling a weak Seraphina in his arms, frantically shouted at me. “Seraphina has been corrupted by foul energy! Aren’t you the scavenger who can cleanse anything? What are you waiting for?!” While a scavenger *can* clear away impurities, I can’t exactly cure illness. I was about to open my mouth to explain. When Seraphina spoke, her voice barely a whisper. “No… foul energy can only be cured by a scavenger’s blood.” “If I had to wash my hands with my sister’s blood, I’d rather die.” Julian, hearing this, clutched the woman in his arms even tighter. “Don’t be foolish. It’s her honor, a filthy scavenger, to have the chance to save you.” “Besides, a scavenger wouldn’t die even if she was drained dry.” I listened, stunned, from the sidelines. Were these two using my life for their flirtation? But then I remembered the Ultimate Tonic was just one step away. I glanced at the basin prepared to collect blood beside me. My heart hardened. *I’ll do it!* I clutched at Julian Hayes’s pant leg, a look of martyrdom on my face. “Darling, for Miss Thorne, what is my worthless life compared to hers? Drain me!” Julian Hayes smiled, satisfied. “Good, you know your place.” The needle slowly pierced my vein. A sharp, intense pain ripped through me, and I bit my lower lip until it bled, my breathing growing shallow. The basin slowly filled with my blood. I could feel my energy almost completely draining away. I looked at Julian Hayes before me, swallowing hard. “My Ultimate Tonic… oh, no, darling, you smell so good.” The doctor nearby quickly popped a candy into my mouth. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Hayes, you’ll have your fill soon enough.”

After eating the sweet candy, my energy did indeed recover significantly. After Seraphina Thorne washed her hands with my blood, her complexion gradually became rosy. Julian Hayes wiped away his tears, relieved, and instructed someone to bring out the prepared gift. Everyone watched eagerly, curious to see the legendary “Heart of the Ocean” necklace. The moment the gift box was opened, Its contents shocked everyone. Used condoms of various colors were tied into a bouquet. Although Julian Hayes quickly slammed the box shut, Seraphina had already seen everything. Seraphina’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, her delicate face crumpling. The doctor quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Miss Thorne, there’s a jewelry appraisal certificate at the bottom of the box. The gift was swapped. Mr. Hayes is innocent.” Julian Hayes nodded repeatedly in agreement. Seraphina skeptically reopened the box. Beneath the bouquet was a pregnancy test report with Seraphina Thorne’s name on it. Seraphina froze for a second, then a trembling sentence escaped her lips. “I didn’t, I’m innocent.” “If you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it with my death!” With that, Seraphina moved to open the first-floor window, ready to jump. Along with the pregnancy test report, a photo of me personally handing the gold bars to Chloe also fell out. The instant he saw the photo, Julian Hayes grabbed Seraphina, who was trying to kill herself, with one hand. With the other, he delivered a stinging slap across my face. “Tell me, why are you trying to frame Seraphina and me?!” Now it was my turn to say, with a snotty, tearful face, “I didn’t, I’m innocent.” The assistant quickly added, “Mr. Hayes, we’ve already investigated. This auction house was originally Mrs. Hayes’s property.” “And, Mrs. Hayes spends almost all her free time in the room upstairs.” A true CEO’s assistant, efficient indeed. I was so hungry. The scent of the Ultimate Tonic was constantly teasing me. I tried to hold back, forcing my drool to appear as tears. My voice choked. “Darling, even if your affair is real, I wouldn’t dare tell Miss Thorne!” Julian Hayes’s face darkened. “Hmph, a woman reeking of money like you doesn’t deserve to be by my side. Divorce!” Now I was truly desperate. My legs gave out, and I knelt on the floor, clutching Julian’s leg and weeping. “Darling, what meaning does my life have without you?” “Fine, divorce, but at least let me help you find the last woman first.” Seraphina was provoked by my words. While I clung to Julian, Seraphina broke free, pushed past everyone, and ran straight upstairs. The woman who usually seemed so fragile, easily knocked over. Now moved like a gust of wind; the bodyguards couldn’t stop her. Julian Hayes kicked me away. He warned: “Get lost! If anything happens to Seraphina, I’ll drain your blood and use it to water flowers!”

I chased the two of them up to the sixth floor. But I saw Julian Hayes and Seraphina Thorne enter the room at the end of the hall, one after the other. That room was the themed room I had prepared for Julian’s final encounter. Most importantly, I had already laid out the formation for refining the Ultimate Tonic on the bed inside. I hurried after them. But then I heard the sound of the door being locked from within. I didn’t give up, frantically twisting the doorknob. “Darling, open the door! Don’t do anything rash!” “Even if you truly intend to follow Miss Thorne, you must complete the final great harmony of life first!” I banged loudly on the door, but it couldn’t drown out Seraphina Thorne’s crying and fussing from inside. But gradually, The cries turned into sounds of pleasure. Julian Hayes’s husky voice emerged. “Isn’t it just about proving your purity? There are plenty of ways.” “Whether you’re a virgin or not, I’ll know as soon as I sleep with you.” Then came the sound of tearing fabric. A bad feeling immediately washed over me. “Darling, what are you doing? Miss Thorne is naturally pure; she absolutely cannot lose her innocence before marriage!” The door wouldn’t open. My Ultimate Tonic, almost within grasp, was about to fly away. I was furious. “You filthy pair! How dare you cheat on me right in front of my face! You’ve utterly disappointed me!” The intimate sounds from inside seemed to be answering my curses. Then I heard Julian Hayes and Seraphina Thorne both let out satisfied moans at the same time. My heart plummeted to rock bottom. It was all over. My siren dream was completely shattered. Just as I was sinking into despair, A golden light suddenly burst forth, blinding me instantly. The siren bloodline within my body stirred restlessly, as if responding to some ancient call. With strength I didn’t know I possessed, I kicked the door open. And immediately cast a barrier. The moment I saw my fragrant Ultimate Tonic, I felt like a mother seeing her long-lost child. I embraced my Ultimate Tonic, weeping tears of joy. I’d been hungry for so long; finally, I could sate my craving. Then I swallowed the Ultimate Tonic whole. The instant the tonic entered my mouth, My entire body felt a profound sense of relief, as if every channel had been cleared. The bloodline in my dantian instantly underwent a qualitative transformation. I knew then: my siren bloodline had been successfully awakened. Seraphina Thorne, who had been knocked unconscious by the formation’s impact, slowly stirred awake. Looking at me, she still seemed disoriented. “Where’s Julian Hayes? Don’t think you can hide him from me! Even if you have his body, you’ll never have his heart!” I curled my lips into a smile, finding it ridiculous. “His heart? I don’t think I really tasted it when I chewed him.” I held up my wrist to Seraphina, showing her the needle marks. “What you owe me, isn’t it time you paid me back?” Seraphina Thorne’s flushed face instantly turned ashen. “What do you want? If you dare hurt me, Julian Hayes won’t let you get away with it!” I let out a satisfied burp and shrugged indifferently. “Him? What’s he going to do?” “My apologies, I forgot to let you get a whiff before I ate him. But I suppose you had a taste of him in bed just now, didn’t you?” I waved my hand, casting a spell, and ten-strength slaps landed, one after another, on Seraphina Thorne’s face.

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When my sister-in-law, Jane, was young, she smoked, drank, and got into fights. She spent her days hanging out with bad boys. She’d racked up multiple abortions, never knowing—or caring—who the fathers were. Now that she’s older, she wants to find an honest man to settle down with. Matchmakers introduced her to many, but she’d either complain they were ugly or didn’t have money. Finally, for some reason, she threatened to kill herself if she couldn’t marry my younger brother. My husband, Alex, and my mother-in-law, Mrs. Chen, excitedly raised both hands in approval. When my brother refused, Alex looked at me coldly and threatened, “If your brother doesn’t agree, then our marriage is over. It’s not fair for me to be so happy when my sister has nothing.” My heart turned to ice. “Fine, let’s end it then.” When Jane was young, she lived like she was invincible. She’d always trail behind a pack of rebellious guys. Smoking, drinking, brawling. She wore outlandish clothes, and her hair was dyed in a rainbow of obnoxious colors. But she thought she looked amazing. On quiet, deserted nights, perched behind a bad boy on his motorcycle, amid the deafening roar of the engine, she’d smugly believe she was the coolest woman on the street. Every now and then, she’d come back with a baby bump, her mascara running down her face, claiming she didn’t know who the father was. Back then, Alex and I had been dating for three years, and I’d already started to think of Jane as my own sister. Unable to watch her spiral, I quietly asked Alex to talk some sense into her a few times. I don’t know what Alex said to her. But Jane showed up at my doorstep, cigarette dangling from her lips, baseball bat in hand. She lunged at me, spitting venom: “You fucking bitch, if you ever dare meddle in my business again, I’ll rip out your tongue and make you eat it! Don’t forget, you’re just my brother’s girlfriend. He can’t even control me, so who the hell do you think you are? You’re pathetic.” That afternoon, she brought her cronies and ranted at our doorstep for hours. My parents were livid, practically on their deathbeds from anger. With a sister-in-law like that. My whole family urged me to break up with Alex. After I suggested breaking up, Alex frantically knelt at our doorstep for three days, begging me to reconsider. Eventually, Alex’s mom, Mrs. Chen, *dragged* Jane and *forced her to beg for my forgiveness* on her knees at our door. She promised that such a thing would never happen again. My friends also tried to persuade me to stay with Alex: “Jane’s just an overgrown brat, don’t mind her. Besides, you’re living with Alex, not his sister. As long as Alex treats you well, that’s all that matters.” I thought about it for a long time. In the end, emotion overruled reason, and I decided to give Alex another chance. Jane didn’t like me. And I didn’t like her. Seemed fair enough. Every time Jane and I had a conflict – though it was more accurate to call it Jane’s unilateral provocations – Alex always sided with me, sternly scolding and warning Jane. I thought Alex was decent. His mom, Mrs. Chen, was also good to me. Most families have some kind of in-law drama. Mine just happened to be an immature sister-in-law eight years my junior. Compared to others, I felt relatively lucky. When we reached marriageable age, Alex and I smoothly walked down the aisle. To avoid conflicts with Jane, we bought a house and moved out after the wedding. Unless absolutely necessary, we never stayed with her for more than three days. Life continued peacefully for ten years. In those ten years, Jane didn’t mature one bit. However, the rebellious kids she used to hang out with had all grown up and started their own families. No one was willing to waste time with Jane anymore. She found it boring and decided she wanted to find an honest man to marry. Mrs. Chen and Alex tasked matchmakers with introducing her to many eligible bachelors. But thirty-year-old Jane had incredibly high expectations. She’d either complain they were ugly or that they didn’t make enough money. She kept picking and choosing, refusing to take a good look in the mirror and see who *she* really was. Then she met my younger brother, Daniel, who had just returned after four years studying abroad. She told Mrs. Chen and Alex that she’d fallen in love with him at first sight and would rather die than not marry him. And Alex, who had consistently stood by me for ten years. When it came to his sister’s future. He resolutely took a stand against me.

Truth be told, it was partly my fault. Two weeks ago, for my daughter Lily’s birthday, I invited my parents and my newly returned brother, Daniel, to celebrate. Jane, who usually disdained attending, actually brought a gift for Lily for the first time that day. After the party, Mrs. Chen and Jane came to find me. Mrs. Chen asked me point-blank: “Sarah, does your brother have a girlfriend now?” I was puzzled. When did she start caring about my brother? But I answered honestly: “I don’t know. Daniel just got back; I haven’t asked him about it yet. Why?” Mrs. Chen beamed. She took my hand, a flicker of excitement in her eyes. “Sarah, Jane has finally found someone she likes, you don’t know how happy I am.” Tears welled in Mrs. Chen’s eyes, as if she could now die in peace. Though I cared nothing for Jane’s affairs, out of politeness, I asked: “Who is it?” “Your brother.” Mrs. Chen’s eyes sparkled. Jane looked bashful. “Who?” My eyes widened, convinced my ears were playing tricks on me. Mrs. Chen repeated: “Your brother, Daniel White. Sarah, our families are about to become even closer.” My scalp tingled, and my heart pounded uncontrollably. I asked cautiously: “Daniel, he… agreed?” “Not yet, but I brought Jane here because I want you to help set them up. One is Alex’s sister, the other is your brother. Our families are already so close; it’s perfect!” *Huh!* Precisely because our families were so close, I couldn’t possibly push Daniel into such a mess. Even if Daniel weren’t my biological brother, but just a regular friend, I would never do such a disgusting thing. I managed an awkward laugh and spoke very tactfully. “They might not be a good match. Daniel has a postgraduate degree and has been abroad for several years. He and Jane might not have much in common.” Jane glared at me, a woman in her thirties, still pouting. “What do you mean we don’t have anything in common? Is Daniel an alien or something? I think you just look down on me.” She was right. I *did* look down on her. In terms of education, Daniel has a doctorate, while she didn’t even finish high school. In terms of looks, Daniel is a 6’1” sunny young man, while she smokes and drinks daily, her face sallow, her body bloated. In terms of character, Daniel was light-years ahead of her. But for the sake of family harmony, I didn’t dare say it. I could only awkwardly continue to make excuses. “Daniel is younger than Jane, and boys mature later anyway.” “So what? Age gap romances are trendy now!” Jane declared indignantly, acting as if she already owned my brother. I wanted to cry. I threw my hands up in defeat: “I can’t control Daniel’s affairs, just like your brother can’t control yours. If you want to be with Daniel, figure it out yourself.” Jane rolled her eyes at me. She mumbled a curse under her breath: “Bitch, like I care what you think.” Mrs. Chen awkwardly patted Jane’s back lightly. She reprimanded her, “Stop it, that’s rude.” I looked at the mother and daughter, a cold smile on my face. If Jane Chen ever stepped foot in my family, I’d take *her* last name.

Actually, Jane had met Daniel before. But back then, Daniel hadn’t fully grown into himself. Not only was his face covered in teenage acne, but his body was a bit chunky due to academic stress. Jane and her friends had even mocked him for it. Calling him a toad whose fat jiggled when he walked. Later, Daniel went to college out of town and spent his summers working odd jobs. He only came home for half a month during Christmas. Plus, Jane and I didn’t get along. So they hadn’t seen each other for years. Who would have thought that when they met again, Jane would declare she wanted to marry Daniel? It was truly bizarre. After Mrs. Chen and Jane left, I quickly called Daniel. I told him about Jane’s intentions. Daniel found it amusing, then casually told me: “Sarah, I have a girlfriend. We met when we were studying abroad. We’ve been together for three years, and once my work stabilizes, we plan to get married.” “That’s wonderful!” I was genuinely happy for Daniel. And I breathed a sigh of relief. Jane was an expert at clinging on; she wouldn’t give up until she got what she wanted. If Daniel were married, she might be a little more intimidated. Daniel’s voice was filled with bubbly happiness. “Mia is great. I’ll bring her to meet you when I have a chance.” “Good, you two should get married as soon as possible.” Somehow, I still felt a sense of unease. Like the sticky feeling of being stalked by a wolf.

Sure enough, a few days later, my brother called for help. “Sarah, please tell Alex to talk some sense into Jane. She’s completely insane. She’s driving me crazy!” It was then that I learned what had happened. After Jane left my house that day, she immediately began her plan to pursue Daniel. First, she got Daniel’s phone number and social media handles from Alex. When Daniel explicitly rejected her dating proposals, she then tracked down his workplace. Every day, she’d pretend to be Daniel’s girlfriend and order afternoon tea and desserts for his colleagues. Daniel finally lost his patience and instructed security to block Jane from entering the company. With no other options, Jane somehow got Mia’s phone number and workplace details. After threatening Mia unsuccessfully, Jane went directly to Mia’s office building and put up banners, claiming Mia was a homewrecker trying to break up her and Daniel. My head throbbed just hearing it. She was truly unhinged. I promised Daniel: “Your brother will be home tonight; I’ll talk to him.” Daniel sounded distraught: “Sarah, if Jane keeps this up, Mia will leave me! My future happiness is in your hands!” I nodded. Though I knew Daniel was partly joking, it was true that Mia would be upset. What young woman wouldn’t be annoyed by another woman relentlessly pursuing her boyfriend? That evening, when Alex got home from work, I told him about Jane’s behavior. I expected Alex to promise to talk some sense into her. Instead, he tried to persuade *me*: “Sarah, why don’t we just help Jane out? You know she’s been wild all these years, but Daniel is steady. They could complement each other. Besides, wouldn’t it be even better for our families to be closer?” “Better my ass!” Furious, I pointed at Alex and yelled: “You know what kind of person your sister is! Daniel has a doctorate, he studied at a prestigious university abroad, he’s young, accomplished, and has a bright future. How blind would he have to be to choose *your sister*—a high school dropout with a history of abortions—over someone as intelligent and promising as himself?” “Sarah!” Alex gritted his teeth. Seeing his ashen face, I knew I’d gone too far. Even if everything I said was true. But for Daniel’s sake, I didn’t regret it. “Alex, your sister and my brother will *never* be a thing. If you truly care about Jane, you should advise her to move on and focus on someone else.” I sighed, speaking very seriously. “Got it.” Alex’s face darkened. He grabbed his jacket and stormed out, slamming the door. He didn’t even bother to eat dinner. I watched his retreating back, feeling a wave of helplessness. I turned to call Lily, who was doing homework in her study, for dinner.

I don’t know when Alex came back. I also don’t know what they talked about that day. All I know is that from the next day on, Alex began a one-sided cold war with me. No matter what I said, he’d respond with indifference. At first, for the sake of family stability, I tried to mend our relationship. But after repeated rejections, I had accumulated a lot of anger myself. I stopped cooking his meals. I stopped washing his clothes. It wasn’t until three months later, when Daniel called to tell me he was getting engaged to Mia, that I had to initiate a conversation with Alex. “Daniel is getting engaged in two days. Get ready to go with me.” “To whom? If it’s not Jane, I’m not going.” He refused me flatly. I bit my lip, and tears of frustration spilled uncontrollably. “Alex, you’re almost forty years old! Can you stop acting like a child? You can’t even control Jane over minor issues, so why are you making *my* life difficult over something as big as Daniel’s relationship and marriage? Daniel is a person, not a puppet. What right do I have to demand he be with someone?” Perhaps seeing me cry. Alex’s icy face finally softened a bit. He pressed his lips together and sighed. “Jane and Daniel are different. My dad passed away when Jane was two, so she grew up in an incomplete family. She’s really pitiful, and it’s understandable that she’s a little headstrong. Daniel, on the other hand, grew up in a happy, healthy family environment. So what if he makes a small sacrifice for his marriage? Besides, Jane has grown up and matured now. It might not be a bad thing for Daniel to marry her.” *Was he serious?* Jane’s misfortune wasn’t Daniel’s fault. Why should Daniel be forced to make sacrifices? I wiped away my tears. I asked him expressionlessly: “Daniel’s engagement. Are you going or not?” He glanced at me. And firmly said: “If it’s not Jane, I won’t go. It’ll just upset her if she finds out.” “Fine.” I nodded, utterly disappointed. Go or don’t go. Who cares? A brother-in-law, that’s all he was. Did he really think he was that important?

On Daniel’s engagement day, Alex still showed up. Halfway through the ceremony. Jane burst through the doors. I looked at Alex; he guiltily lowered his head. Jane was wearing a white wedding dress and elaborate bridal makeup. Mia’s family’s faces turned grim. Mia herself directly questioned me: “Sarah, what is going on?” Jane rushed straight to Daniel, wrapped her arms around his arm. “Daniel, don’t get engaged to her! I knew you first; you can only be mine!” Daniel pulled his arm away, furious: “Are you crazy?!” I suppressed my anger and quickly turned to Alex: “What’s happening? How did Jane find this place? Get her out of here!” Alex ignored my plea, and instead tried to persuade *me*. “You know Jane’s temper. Just let her fight for him a little longer.” “Fight for what, my ass!” I yelled, enraged. Coming to someone’s engagement to “fight for him”—was that something a sane person would do? I stood up and grabbed Jane, trying to pull her out. “Don’t touch me!” Jane struggled free, screaming hysterically: “Sarah, why are you such a bitch? You just can’t stand to see me happy, can you? You’ve been married into our family for over ten years; even a dog would be loyal by now! You’re worse than a dog, always siding with your own family!” Mia’s family’s expressions grew increasingly dark. My brother and parents looked on the verge of tears. I was beside myself with rage. Gritting my teeth, I asked Alex: “Are you going to do something or not?!” Alex awkwardly touched his nose, his gaze shifting away, completely ignoring my plea for help. I sneered. “Fine, if you won’t, I will.” I grabbed Jane by her hair and dragged her out like a dead dog. A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the engagement hall. Alex’s face instantly darkened. He pried my fingers off Jane. Jane seized the opportunity to slip away. She ran to the window. She looked at us with a desperate resolve, half her body leaning out. “Daniel, I’m asking you one last time: are you going to be with me or not?” Daniel’s face was ashen; Mia’s face was as black as ink. Well, who could smile when their engagement party turned into such a disaster? Alex saw Daniel hesitate and turned his gaze to me. “Sarah, it’s come to this. If Daniel rejects Jane again, our marriage is over. It’s not fair for me to have a wife and child when my sister has nothing.” I stared at him, astonished. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and asked him: “Are you serious?” “Yes. If your brother doesn’t agree to be with Jane, then we’re done.” “Alright, then we’re done.”

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My student was diagnosed with leukemia, and it turned out I was a match. So, I donated my bone marrow to him. As his teacher, I wasn’t looking for anything in return. Just out of politeness, I accepted the health supplements his mom sent over. But after Caleb started to recover, his mom showed up at my hospital room, claiming I, as a teacher, was trying to cash in on my bone marrow donation. Based on those two boxes of supplements, she demanded I pay her back, threatening to cause trouble until I got fired. That’s when I truly understood what it felt like to be bitten by something so utterly ungrateful. Four months later, when I found out I was pregnant, Caleb’s mom came knocking again. She said her son’s condition had relapsed, and I *had* to donate bone marrow again. “You’re pregnant? It’s just a blob of flesh, what’s so precious about it?” “Just get rid of it! Don’t mess up my son’s match!” There was a boy in my class, Caleb Hayes, who was diagnosed with leukemia. I had signed up for bone marrow donation at the hospital a while back, and when they confirmed I was a match, I agreed to donate to Caleb. Before the surgery, Caleb’s mom came to see me, bringing a bunch of health supplements. “Ms. Sterling, my Caleb is so lucky to have met you! These are the supplements Caleb usually takes.” My mom, Martha, wasn’t thrilled about me donating bone marrow, but seeing Caleb’s mom act like that, she couldn’t show her displeasure. It’s just polite to bring a small gift when visiting someone who’s sick. Looking at the stuff, they were just some inexpensive health supplements, nothing fancy or expensive. My mom politely accepted them. Caleb’s mom didn’t say much, just glanced at us before leaving. I was pretty nervous before the surgery, so I didn’t think too much about it. I just focused on encouraging Caleb: “Don’t worry, with your teacher here, you’re definitely going to pull through.” The surgery went smoothly. But there was a risk of post-operative complications, so I needed to stay in the hospital for observation. When Principal Harrison heard about it, he even brought some colleagues to visit me. I was genuinely relieved, because at least Caleb was alive. A little suffering was worth it. As we were talking, a young nurse, Chloe, rushed in. “Ms. Sterling, the patient’s family is saying you deliberately charged her for gifts and are refusing to leave the hospital, threatening to make a scene!” “You should call your family to come negotiate. The hospital staff can’t hold her back anymore!” I froze, completely stunned. Before I could even say anything, I heard a commotion at the door. Brenda, Caleb’s mom, burst in, yelling accusations at the top of her lungs. “You, a teacher, have the nerve to accept gifts from a student? The principal said you donated bone marrow voluntarily, and you still dared to accept things?” I was dumbfounded. What gifts? It was just two boxes of supplements. It’s customary here—if a relative or friend gets sick, you bring them gifts when you visit. And I was donating bone marrow to her son? How could she twist a few health supplements into me accepting gifts? I was completely confused: “You must be mistaken, Mrs. Hayes? You brought these yourself, I never asked for anything…” Caleb’s mom suddenly took a huge step forward, almost lunging at my hospital bed. “You’ve always bullied my son, and now you finally have a chance to bully our family! You’re just trying to extort money and take advantage of the situation!” “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’re trying to create a big spectacle to promote yourself and get a promotion! My son is practically dying, and you want to use him as a stepping stone!” “How can a teacher be so malicious? If I didn’t expose you today, who knows how much more evil you’d do behind our backs!”

When I finally understood what was happening, a wave of pure rage surged through me. The ungrateful wretch! When her son, Caleb, first got leukemia, all the teachers and students at school spontaneously donated money. But money was easy to donate; finding a bone marrow match was incredibly difficult. Many people had to spend tens of thousands of dollars just to find a suitable donor. She was desperate, crying daily because she couldn’t find a match. Then the hospital found out I had signed up as a bone marrow donor, and my type matched Caleb’s. His mom, like a drowning person grasping at a straw, came to my house crying every day, begging me to donate. She promised she’d pay any amount if I could save her son’s life. Of course, I wouldn’t make things difficult for her. I had always intended to save a life, and Caleb was my student. Naturally, I asked for nothing, donating purely out of kindness. I even paid for all my pre-op tests myself, thinking her family had already spent so much on his treatment. I never imagined that my good deed would be met not with gratitude, but with such vile betrayal!

The roomful of teachers exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. Caleb’s mom was clearly there to extort money, but no one knew how to handle a situation like this. A colleague, Ms. Davies, spoke indignantly: “When her son first got sick, all the teachers and students volunteered to raise money, and this woman—she’s just insatiably greedy!” When Caleb was diagnosed with leukemia, the entire school rallied, with spontaneous donations from students and teachers, plus my selfless donation. It should have been a heartwarming act of kindness. Principal Harrison was proud of the school’s compassionate spirit and had even intended to use it for publicity, nominating me for an award for outstanding service. It should have been a win-win situation, but instead, it got me caught up in such a dirty scandal. Principal Harrison looked annoyed, and as he left, he didn’t forget to caution me: “You started this mess, you fix it. Don’t let it affect the school’s reputation.” Just then, my mom, Martha, walked in, smiling, carrying a food container. “The chicken soup I made this time is extra delicious! I even sent a portion to Caleb, but his mom wasn’t around, and he was awake… What’s wrong? Why do you all look so upset?” I couldn’t hold it in and burst into angry tears. “Mom, his mom just came in here causing a scene, saying she’s going to make me lose my job!” My mom heard the whole story, and her face turned crimson with anger. “My daughter kindly saved her son’s life, how could she do something so utterly shameless?” My mom has a quick temper. Ignoring our attempts to stop her, she spun around and headed straight for Caleb’s hospital room. “I’m going to go ask her face-to-face why she’s bullying my daughter like this!”

I followed my mom closely, supported by a colleague. When we reached the room, Caleb’s mom was feeding him chicken soup. “This chicken soup smells so good, son, drink more! You’ll recover faster! But there’s too little meat in this chicken soup, why didn’t she give more chicken drumsticks?” Caleb, sipping his soup, slowly mumbled: “Ms. Sterling’s mom also made ribs, I smelled them. She didn’t give me any. Mom, next time can you ask for some for me?” Caleb’s mom, of course, readily agreed: “That old hag is hoarding ribs from you? How shameless! Wait until I get them for you!” My mom couldn’t stand it anymore and scoffed: “Who’s shameless now?! I cooked those ribs for my own daughter! What, you think they’re for this greedy pig?” I stopped my mom, who was about to lunge forward to argue, and glared at Caleb. “You told your mom I was up for an award, didn’t you? You told her to make a scene about it, right?” I remembered. The day Ms. Davies came to give Caleb the donation money, she mentioned the award nomination. Caleb’s mom wasn’t there then; it could only have been Caleb who told her. Later, when Caleb’s mom asked me why I wasn’t on the donation list. I hadn’t thought much of it, just told her it was from the students and teachers at school, and since I was hospitalized, I wouldn’t know. She then muttered softly: “She’s getting such a big award for free, yet she wouldn’t even donate a little money?” At the time, I thought I’d misheard her. Now, looking back, Caleb was already relaying information then. They probably started plotting against me back then. Caleb’s hand, which was tearing chicken meat, stopped. He glanced at me, then guiltily spoke. “Ms. Sterling, my family has it tough.” My mom was absolutely livid: “Your family has it tough? What about mine? I only have one daughter, and she donated bone marrow for you, and now she’s still lying in this hospital bed! Is this how you repay her?” “Don’t listen to her BS!” Caleb’s mom retorted, hands on her hips, not backing down. “I asked around! You recover from bone marrow donation in about a week! Your daughter is just playing the victim, lying in bed like a hog for months!” “Trying to play the victim and get an award? You think you can just lie there like some cheap floozy and get ahead? Look at yourself! I’m telling you, if you don’t give me money to shut me up, I’ll make sure you lose your job!” I’d never been cursed at like that in my life, and I was utterly speechless with anger. My mom’s eyes turned red, she glared, her chest heaving abnormally. “Shut up! Who gave you the right to curse my daughter like that?” Caleb’s mom became even more aggressive, striding up to my mom and poking her finger repeatedly into my mom’s chest. “Like mother, like daughter, right? Getting all worked up like this, did I hit a nerve with you two?” My mom gasped, couldn’t catch her breath, and collapsed onto the floor with a thud. I was trembling with fright. Ignoring my own need for support, I rushed to my mom’s side: “Mom!!”

Nurses rushed over and quickly took my mom to the emergency room. Caleb’s mom still couldn’t keep her mouth shut: “See? I told you she deserved it! Her daughter violated teacher’s ethics by accepting gifts and secretly taking credit for an award with the principal. Her mom’s just getting what she deserves!” She muttered something else, saying this wasn’t over, and just because she was in the ER didn’t mean anything. She still planned to go to the Department of Education to cause trouble. The more I heard, the colder I felt. My mom was old and had underlying health issues; how many times could she endure such emotional turmoil? People like this are truly dangerous; she didn’t care about anyone else’s life or death. With a cold face, I transferred five thousand dollars to her. “I’ll take the loss. The teachers each donated an average of five thousand, so I’ll give you that average amount. But you have to sign a guarantee that you will never again come here and upset my mom!” Caleb’s mom was ecstatic. “If you’d just given the money earlier, your aunt wouldn’t have had to go to the hospital! Don’t worry, I definitely won’t come again!” “That’s why she’s Caleb’s teacher, right? She’s such a good teacher, not only donating bone marrow for free but also giving five thousand dollars!”

Ms. Garcia looked at her coldly: “Right, so Ms. Sterling is just there to be bullied, huh? Your son will still be in Ms. Sterling’s class, I’d like to see how he dares to face her again!” I remained expressionless: “Ms. Garcia, you’re joking. I wouldn’t dare provoke her child again. Who knows when I’d have to pay more money?” Caleb’s mom’s face instantly turned sour. “You still want to bully my son? You…” She suddenly rolled her eyes, as if another idea had struck her, and then turned and walked away. At that moment, the emergency room doors opened. I disregarded everything else and rushed to my mom’s stretcher. “Family, don’t worry, the surgery was successful. There’s a 24-hour critical period; as long as there are no complications during this time, the patient will be safe.” I stayed by my mom’s bedside for a day and a night, refusing even to eat. During this time, colleagues visited me several times, but Caleb’s family never showed their faces. “That Caleb is truly a piece of work! I just saw him gnawing on the ribs your mom left for you, saying something like ‘no one else is eating them anyway’… Back where I’m from, people would spit on a heartless family like theirs until they drowned!” I scoffed, not feeling surprised in the slightest. His whole family was utterly selfish; of course, they’d take every advantage they could. I only hoped that my past good deed would save my mom’s life. But from now on, I would never be so foolishly kind again.

My husband, Liam, heard that both my mom and I were hospitalized. He canceled a long-planned project out of town and took an extended leave to be with us. I was already weak, and worrying about my mom’s condition dragged me down for nearly two months before I finally started to recover. Today, I reported back to school. The kids in my class saw me from a distance, cheering and running to surround me, asking how I was. “Teacher, teacher, are you feeling better? We missed you so much!” “Caleb is so mean! Ms. Sterling sacrificed so much for him, and he still had the nerve to try and report her!” All the teachers and students at school had donated money for Caleb, and they had seen the posters in the display area. But those posters were taken down a few days later, and when colleagues returned to school, they all talked about the drama they’d witnessed at the hospital. Gossip always spreads fastest at school, especially such a bizarre story. So, everyone knew about the ungrateful student in sophomore year (Class 3). He’d received a free bone marrow transplant from his teacher, then blackmailed her for “hush money” by threatening to report her. I patted the students’ heads, feeling a warmth in my heart, when suddenly Sarah, the class monitor, rushed over. “Teacher, you need to go to Principal Harrison’s office, fast!” “Caleb’s mom is causing a scene, saying you’re not allowed to teach our class anymore!” When I arrived at the office, Caleb’s mom was yelling. Several other parents from the class stood beside her. “Ms. Sterling has been hospitalized for two months; she’s already fallen behind the school’s schedule. Why should she still teach my child?” A colleague tried to reason with her: “Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Sterling is a highly capable teacher. Besides, it’s only been two months; Ms. Sterling can easily catch up with the class’s progress.” “No way!” Caleb’s mom was aggressive: “With her body so weak after two months in the hospital, how can she have the energy to manage a whole class?” “Besides, she even dared to donate bone marrow for an award. Who knows what she’ll do next, or what award she’ll try to get, forcing kids in the class to do things? If she bullies my child again, I won’t even know!” “You must fire her! At the very least, transfer her! I absolutely won’t let Avery Sterling mess with my son again!” Caleb’s mom could twist white into black with just her mouth! My fists clenched in anger. And some of the student parents nodded along: “We’re not questioning Ms. Sterling’s ability, but she was hospitalized for so long. It did delay our children’s studies. Plus, we heard bone marrow donation has many side effects. Who knows if she’ll need to be hospitalized again?” “That’s right, Ms. Sterling, please understand us. High school academics are already tough; missing even one day means falling far behind!” So, this was *my* fault now? A chill ran through my heart. Sarah, the class monitor, suddenly ran over and stood by my side, absolutely furious: “Mom! Are you also ganging up with Caleb’s mom to bully Ms. Sterling?” A whole crowd of students surged in: “Ms. Sterling is a great teacher! We don’t want a new teacher!” The parents looked embarrassed, unsure how to respond. Caleb’s mom, however, showed no shame at all. “I knew this Sterling woman wasn’t any good! She’s only been teaching for so long, and she’s already brainwashed you brats into disrespecting your own mothers? If she taught you for three years, what would you even become?” “If you don’t transfer her today, I’ll cause trouble until the end! I absolutely will not let my son be corrupted by you black-hearted wretches!”

Several student parents didn’t say anything, but their stance was clear. Principal Harrison’s face was grim, but after much hesitation, he turned to me. “How about this, Ms. Sterling, I’ll transfer you to be a subject teacher for the freshman class? You won’t have to be a homeroom teacher anymore, and it might be easier on you.” Was he asking me to back down to these parents? I looked up, scanning the crowd, and suddenly caught a glimpse of a contemptuous look. It was Caleb, hiding behind the adults. When our eyes met, he instinctively tried to look away, but then, as if realizing something, he nonchalantly met my gaze. In that moment, I understood his thought— “I don’t want you to teach me, so what are you going to do about it?” His despicable character was laid bare. I was fed up with this utterly selfish family; being in the same room with them made me sick. “Fine, I’ll go with your suggestion, Principal. I won’t be the homeroom teacher for sophomore year (Class 3) anymore.” Principal Harrison breathed a sigh of relief and turned to discuss which class to assign me to. Caleb’s mom looked triumphant: “Ms. Sterling, you should actually thank me! You just had surgery, and your body’s probably too weak to even teach. I’m being very generous by not letting the school fire you!” The students in the class were so angry their eyes were red: “Ms. Sterling was hospitalized because she donated bone marrow to Caleb! Without Ms. Sterling, Caleb might not even be alive!” “Why should Ms. Sterling be transferred? Why don’t you transfer Caleb instead?” Caleb’s mom exploded: “My son’s recovery is because he’s blessed! Ms. Sterling is as skinny as a stick, what good was her bone marrow anyway?” “Even without Ms. Sterling, there were plenty of people who would’ve donated bone marrow to my son!” The surrounding teachers let out faint sneers: “Yes, your son truly is blessed. Where else would you find someone like Ms. Sterling these days? From now on, I guarantee no one will ever be kind to your son again!” The sarcasm made Caleb’s mom’s face turn even greener. But I was done arguing with them. I led my students back to the classroom. Before I could say anything, one girl started tearing up: “Ms. Sterling, I don’t want you to go!” “Caleb is a jerk!” They were my students, after all—kind-hearted and righteous. Kids are the least tolerant of injustice. With such a group of indignant students, I knew very well that Caleb’s days ahead wouldn’t be easy.

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It was three years after my death. Julian finally started looking for new love. But every single time, he’d bring Lily along, and he’d constantly bring up mundane kid stuff, like baby food recipes and diaper brands. It infuriated his dates, who’d storm out in a huff, and every attempt ended in spectacular failure. I was so annoyed, I wanted to cause some mischief, just to spook him a little. But then Lily just pointed at me, blinking. “Daddy, there’s…” Before she could finish, Julian peeled a shrimp, popped it into her mouth, and didn’t even glance my way. “There’s nothing there.” Huh? Was there something around me? I looked left and right, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Whatever. I slowly drifted closer to them. Just in time to see Julian slip the wedding ring off his left ring finger and put it in his pocket. Good. He finally remembered he was here to find a new partner. After all, no one likes a man who can’t get over his deceased ex-wife. I floated around Lily, making several silly faces at Julian, but they didn’t react. Looks like they couldn’t see me. So, I simply floated into the empty seat next to the woman. She seemed quite pleased with Julian, a faint smile playing on her lips. “I can accept the child. But in return, on the prenuptial agreement, I’ll need compensation in other areas.” Honestly, aside from having a kid, Julian was quite a catch. He was the sole heir to two powerful corporations. Six foot one, broad shoulders, narrow waist, smooth and dangerously handsome. When we were kids, his face made me go easy on him a few times; I’d only leave a few bruises on his back. Julian finished peeling the last shrimp, putting it in Lily’s bowl. Then he leisurely wiped his hands, his tone casual. “No problem.” “But every night, I sleep clutching a framed photo of my late wife. And every week, I spend three hours in the shower performing rituals for her memory. Oh, and no white clothes, it’s bad luck.” Silence fell over the woman. Her gaze then landed on Julian’s white shirt under his suit, and she gritted her teeth. “So, what color is your shirt? A kaleidoscope of white?” She was too polite. If it were me, I’d already be tearing into him. Julian looked somewhat surprised. “Oh, this is white? My apologies, I’m colorblind.” Ha! What a load of BS. Finally, the woman reached her breaking point, grabbed her bag, and stood to leave. Lily hopped off her chair, waving her little hand with practiced ease. “I’m sorry, Auntie. Grandma says Daddy’s a bit… slow.”

The date was over. Julian drove Lily home. In the car, Lily, full and content, was dozing off in the back seat. I gently, virtually, wrapped my arms around her. She was five now. Growing more and more like Julian, except for the shallow dimples at the corners of her mouth – those were mine. It was such a pity. I only got to spend two years with her. My chest felt hollow. Ghosts can’t cry. It’s truly annoying. I looked up, and my gaze met Julian’s in the rearview mirror. He glanced, then quickly shifted his focus back to the road ahead. I floated to the front passenger seat, stretching like I used to. “You’re not getting any younger, Julian. Find someone before you’re completely unmarketable. While you’ve still got *it*, just get yourself hitched!” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the wedding ring back on Julian’s left ring finger. I didn’t know when he’d put it on again. “Oh, wow.” I leaned closer, examining it. “When we custom-ordered these diamond rings, you said it was ‘just okay.’ Why are you treating it like a treasure now?” “Heh, I guess now that you’re older, you’re all talk, huh?” As expected, no response. I was just talking to myself. Boring. Julian and I used to bicker constantly, and it made me quite fond of playful arguments. Now that I was a ghost, it was truly dull being alone in the mortal realm. I just stared out the window, lost in thought. Suddenly, I heard Julian whisper. “Think I’m old?” I didn’t quite catch it and leaned in curiously. “What mumbling? You sound like a buzzing mosquito.” Julian said nothing more, just a quick, fleeting curve of his lips. So weird. Just as it quieted down, Julian’s phone rang. It was a FaceTime call from the group chat, “The Lily Keepers’ Alliance.” I’d named it that myself, back in the day. He answered, and four people were already in the call: my parents and Julian’s parents. “Julian, how did the meeting go today?” That was my mom, Brenda.

Our families have known each other for generations, practically lived next door. So Julian and I grew up together, always. But we were the wild, chaotic kind of kids. I’d climb a tree, and he’d kick the trunk; he’d go swimming, and I’d hide his towel. Basically, we were rivals from day one. As adults, we each inherited our family businesses, and we’d constantly try to outmaneuver each other in the corporate world, just to prove who was stronger. But fate, or our parents, decided we were destined to be together. They arranged our marriage. Since we didn’t exactly *hate* each other, we went through with it. Lily was born a year after we married. Three years into our marriage, I died. After my death, the burden of both the Chloe and Julian family corporations fell squarely on Julian’s shoulders. He also had both sets of parents to care for and a child to raise. He did incredibly well. He didn’t take advantage of the situation to absorb my family’s company, and he treated my parents and Lily with immense kindness. So, he’d mourned me for three years. By any measure, that was more than enough. My parents couldn’t bear to see him alone for the rest of his life, and I’d even mentioned it in one of his dreams. So, they recently started setting him up with other women. Sigh. People always have to move forward. Ghosts too. Julian smiled, his voice gentle. “Mom, this can’t be rushed. I’m driving Lily home right now, so let’s chat later.” My mom sighed. “You, kid. Alright, alright. Just remember to come over for dinner next week with Lily, okay?” Julian agreed, then fell silent. Both sets of parents chatted for a few more minutes until the car pulled into the neighborhood before hanging up. Julian scooped Lily from the back seat, holding her against him. On the way, he gently patted her, his voice softer than a summer breeze. “My little one, we’re home. How about a nice bath before bed?” I floated behind him, watching Lily slowly open her eyes. She’d always had a sweet temperament, never waking up grumpy. Perhaps because her parents were both like gunpowder, they ended up with a child who was a living fire extinguisher. “Daddy, Mommy’s here.” Lily rubbed her eyes, trying to keep them open, but they soon drooped half-shut again. Julian didn’t stop. “Yes, Mommy’s always here.”

The house was still the same as three years ago, hardly changed. My favorite figurines and plushies were all in their usual spots, and my clothes still hung in the closet. Even the bedding set on our bedroom bed was still the one I’d picked out. Julian… he was quite sentimental. I floated beside them, listening to Julian tell Lily a bedtime story. He was much better at it than three years ago; it didn’t take long for Lily to drift off to sleep. When Lily slept, she hugged the cherry-print pajamas I’d bought her. My heart ached seeing that. I lay down beside her on the bed, pulling her into a virtual embrace. Why couldn’t I touch her? Being a ghost was truly frustrating. I needed to ask an angel if there was any way, even just to touch her once. If money could buy it, it wasn’t a problem. These past few years, I’d taken on all sorts of odd jobs in Heaven. With that money, I’d teamed up with other wealthy ghost-ladies to start a real estate empire in Heaven. Now, I was the richest ghost in Heaven. This chance to come back and stay for several days was a privilege I’d earned by saving money for three years, plus paying a hefty sum. All just for one last look at them before I reincarnated. I didn’t stay by Lily’s side for too long. A ghost, after all, might not be good for her. So, I secretly – no, I mean openly – floated into the bathroom. Julian was showering. In the misty steam, streams of water cascaded over every muscle and contour of his body, tinting his skin with a soft blush. Three years. This body was still so damn attractive. I swallowed, watching him from behind, then from the side, and finally, I just brazenly floated right in front of him. Julian braced one hand against the wall, raking his wet hair back from his forehead. “Chloe, you died too soon. We never even finished your ‘100 Positions for the Bathroom’ list.” He chuckled, staring directly in my direction, as if truly speaking to me. My spectral face flushed. I immediately started swearing. “You jerk! I’ve been dead for three years! Can you have some damn decency? Seriously, just a little?” After my outburst, I quickly left the bathroom. This was getting too hot. I remembered when Julian and I were in bed. We never really compromised. He’d pin me down and try to make me call him “sir.” I’d bite him and demand he call me “ma’am.” To get the upper hand, I specifically researched “100 Positions for the Bathroom,” determined to dominate him. I never expected. That jerk actually gave in for the first time, praising my ‘research.’ He even told me to look up positions for the bedroom, living room, kitchen… Ugh, so annoying.

After his shower, Julian was half-reclined on the bed, reading a parenting guide. He was wearing his glasses, a rare sight. Even with glasses, he still looked like a devilishly charming rogue. I floated beside him, watching him closely. Still handsome, but there were a few more fine lines around his eyes. “Being a ghost has its perks. Your appearance is frozen at the age you died, so I’m still super young.” Saying that, I floated onto Julian, settling myself on his lap and gazing at him. “Hehe, so you’re much older than me now. You’re not worthy! How about that? I win this round, don’t I?” Julian suddenly closed his book and took off his glasses. Then he closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. “Chloe, how could you be so cruel? You’ve only visited me in my dreams once in three years.” His voice sounded so weary, like he was genuinely blaming me. And he wasn’t wrong. I really had only visited his dreams once. And that time, I was furious, telling him he absolutely had to mourn me, for at least three years. He looked thoughtful, then laughed, his eyes red. “So, if I found someone new right away, would you be mad enough to come back to life?” Without a doubt, I beat him up in that dream. I hadn’t been back in his dreams since. Thinking about it, I mumbled to myself. “Isn’t it because I’m afraid my charm is too great? If I visited your dreams often, you might never forget me.” “After all, I’m not saying I was the most beautiful woman in the country, but certainly top tier in the state. Guys lined up for miles to marry me. I only picked you because you seemed easy to handle.” Saying that, I leaned into Julian, pretending to pinch his cheek. “Understand?” But he suddenly opened his eyes, looking directly in my direction. He let out a soft chuckle. “Oh? You really think you’re that irresistible?”

My heart pounded twice—if I still had a heart. Could Julian see me? But if the spirit authorities found out I could be seen by mortals, they’d immediately send me back to the underworld. All my efforts would be for nothing. However, the next second, Julian spoke again. “Been hanging there for three years, aren’t you tired? Maybe I should put someone else up there?” That’s when I realized he was talking to our wedding photo, hanging on the wall behind me. In the picture, I was faking a smile, while Julian had a subtle smirk. I immediately got angry. “Oh, so you’ve wanted to find a new wife for ages, but those blind dates just weren’t good enough, huh?” But after saying it, I felt stupid. I was the one who told my parents to set him up, and I was the one who wanted him to find a new partner. Yet hearing him say that still hurt. It was bad enough being conflicted when I was alive; why was my ghost self still fighting with both sides of my brain? Ugh. So annoyed, I made several more faces at Julian. I even mimicked my gruesome death to try and scare him. Julian suddenly looked away from the wedding photo, burying his face back in his book. Just then, his phone rang. I glanced at it. It was a call from Noah. He was a friend we’d grown up with, always mild-mannered. When Julian and I used to fight as kids, Noah would often try to mediate, only to inexplicably end up getting hit the most. Julian answered the phone, and Noah’s familiar gentle voice instantly came through. “Julian, a friend recommended a pretty reputable therapist for you. Take your medication—” His words were cut off. “Busy. Gotta go.” Julian hung up abruptly. I froze for a moment, a single question swirling in my mind: Why did Julian need to see a therapist? After floating in circles for a while, I decided to visit Noah’s dream and ask him. Because with Julian’s personality, even if I visited his dream and asked, he’d definitely lie to save face.

Noah said Julian had PTSD and severe depression, needing to take a lot of medication just to sleep. I was shocked. But on second thought, it made sense. After all, Julian had witnessed the attack and my death firsthand. Anyone normal would be traumatized by that. But he always acted so nonchalant and easygoing, hiding it so well that everyone overlooked it. Noah also said Julian planned to die once Lily was grown and independent. I fell silent. No way. So, I went back to Heaven and asked an angel to lend me something.

I was determined to find Julian a reliable partner. So, after returning to the mortal realm, I spent several days observing Julian. And Maya. Maya used to be my secretary. She’d just transitioned to a permanent position when we were both attacked. Then I, her boss, died, and Julian took over the company. Now, she was in the lounge, playing with Lily and her toy BBQ set. “Your daddy will be done with his meeting soon, just a little longer, okay?” Saying that, she pulled a small box from her pocket, opened it, and inside was a necklace. It looked expensive, at least several months of her salary. Maya put the necklace around Lily’s neck, tucking it inside her shirt. “May little Lily have a peaceful life.” Though Lily didn’t understand the value of the jade, she politely said, “Thank you, Auntie.” Then she softly asked, “Auntie, can I hug you?” Maya paused, then slightly opened her arms. Lily immediately rushed over, pressing her ear to Maya’s chest. “It’s beating so fast!” Maya’s eyes suddenly welled up. Just then, the lounge door opened, and Julian walked in. “Thank you for your trouble.” “Someone from East River is trying to poach you, aren’t they? If the position and compensation are right, you should consider it. I’ve told you before, you don’t need to stay at Skyward out of a sense of gratitude or guilt.” …Why was he so cold? Maya stood up, ramrod straight, and replied, “Understood, Mr. Stone.” Julian nodded, then started packing up Lily’s things. Maya watched his retreating back, murmuring softly, “Actually, it’s not entirely because of those things…” She liked Julian, but for some complicated reasons, she dared not say it. I saw it. That’s why I’d been observing her thoroughly for the past few days. I found that not only did she continue to excel at her job, but she also knew Julian’s private preferences. She knew his coffee always had only half a spoon of sugar, knew he preferred dark ties… Most importantly, she was genuinely kind to Lily. And besides, my heart was beating in her chest. Julian, too, truly needed to let go of his feelings for me and live his life. Sigh. It was up to me to make this happen. I slowly pulled out a string. It was a red string of fate. Once tied, Julian would forget his feelings for me and fall for Maya.

I tied one end of the red string around Maya’s wrist. Then I floated over to Julian, intending to tie it on him too. But as I moved to do it, I hesitated for a long time. Just as I finally gathered my resolve and tried to loop the red string onto his wrist, I heard him ask Maya: “How are the preparations for our wedding going?” *Their* wedding? What did he mean? Were they already engaged, not needing a red string of fate? Startled, the red string slipped from my hand. I still hadn’t tied it on him. Maya immediately replied, “It’s 100% complete, as you requested, a traditional style. The on-site photos and promotional plan are already on your desk, Mr. Stone…” It turned out they were talking about work. I rolled my eyes for a moment, intending to resume tying the red string on Julian. But he just happened to turn, picking up Lily, and walked out of the lounge. So I missed. And the string wouldn’t work if they weren’t in the same space. I was fuming, chasing Julian and yelling, “Ahhh, it was almost done! You could have forgotten me, you jerk!” He inexplicably paused his steps, then continued walking. I was about to keep ranting when an irritating phone ringtone suddenly blared in my ear. “Satan’s coming to claim your soul! Satan’s coming to claim your soul!” That’s right, even Heaven has Wi-Fi, and ghosts have phones. With a trembling hand, I pulled out my phone from thin air. As soon as I answered, the angry roar on the other end nearly burst my eardrums. “Is your mortal realm business taken care of?! I finally stole this red string of fate from Cupid’s pocket, hurry up and use it before it’s discovered!” “You’re almost three years dead! Exceeding three years means not only no reincarnation, but your soul will vanish! Don’t drag this out! Also! You *must* be back for your check-up the day after tomorrow!” I held the phone away from my ear, nodding emphatically. “Yes, yes, almost done, almost! Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be there the day after tomorrow!” After finally hanging up, I sighed. “How can I *not* worry?” I circled Julian and Lily anxiously several times. Finally, I muttered to myself, “No, I need to visit his dream tonight and talk to him properly.”

I entered Julian’s dream for the second time. In the dream, he stood in a tuxedo at our wedding venue, but the chapel was empty save for him. As I approached, I saw him raise an eyebrow. “Finally decided to show up? You’d rather go to Noah’s dream than mine?” I let out an awkward laugh. “Haha, well, here I am.” Then I caught myself. “Noah still told you, didn’t he? Damn it, I knew he always sided with you!” Julian smiled helplessly, looking a bit haggard. He pulled me into his embrace. He didn’t say anything, just held me. I felt a little unaccustomed. After being a ghost for so long, the last time I touched Julian was ages ago. And after three years apart, it just felt… strange. Thinking that, I found a topic. “Your illness—” I hadn’t expected to only get three words out before he silenced me with a kiss. Wow. His lips were warm! Of course, I hadn’t exactly been kissing any cold lips in the underworld. My ghost-girlfriends always dragged me to meet ghost male models, but I always refused. Mainly, their quality was poor. They weren’t as handsome as Julian, and they didn’t have his… *assets*. I guess once you’ve had the best, you can’t go back to basics. But even after three years, Julian’s kissing skills were as powerful as ever. Soon, he had me so weak-kneed I could barely stand. Just as I was wondering if he’d been practicing with someone. Julian wrapped one hand around my waist, lifting me to sit on a pristine white table. Instantly, the scent of desserts and fresh flowers filled the air around us. And he finally pulled away from my lips, his voice low and husky. “I’ve mourned you for three years. You need to compensate me properly.” With that, he tilted his head back, kissing me again. His hands were restless. I quickly clasped his hands, my face flushing. “Julian! This is a chapel! Even if no one’s here, but—” “What? Scared? You were pretty brave when you looked up ‘100 Positions for the Outdoors,’ weren’t you?” His eyes lifted, tinged with a faint red. “Or are you saying, even as a ghost, you’re not as adventurous as me?” Hearing that, I instantly got fired up. “How could that be! I’ve learned so much in Heaven! Just you wait!” In a rush of adrenaline, I used everything my ghost-girlfriends in Heaven had taught me on him.

A long while later, the chapel was a mess. Cakes and desserts were scattered on the floor, and flowers lay crushed everywhere. I lay with my head in Julian’s lap, tickling his face with a flower petal. “Julian, if only we hadn’t gotten married, you wouldn’t have had to—” “Had to what for you?” He sighed, a soft laugh in his voice. “Chloe, whether we married or not doesn’t matter. I’ve always loved you. For a very, very long time.” I froze for a moment. The flower petals in my hand fell onto my face. Suddenly, many images of Julian popped into my mind. Julian, who laughed at me for failing to climb a fence, then pulled a band-aid from his backpack; Julian, who was supposed to go to America but inexplicably ended up in England, studying abroad with me; Julian, who added a clause to my twenty-page prenuptial agreement: “penalty for running away from home is sharing a bed for six months”; Julian, who, even after we married, would video call me if he was away for just one day, calling it his “husbandly duty.” It turned out his love had always been evident everywhere, but I was just too dense to see it. The Julian before me picked up a petal and flicked my forehead. “Idiot.” I sniffled, burying my head deeper into Julian’s lap. “Okay, I admit I’m a *little* bit of an idiot.” His voice was tinged with amusement. “Chloe, you actually gave in.” I let out a soft “Hmph,” and after a moment, said, “Julian, don’t you dare commit suicide.” He fell silent for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. “Dream on. Maybe one day I’ll meet someone beautiful and forget all about you.” “Julian, why are you still such a big talker?” I reached up and buttoned his open shirt. “But you really should try dating. Don’t always dwell on me. After all, you won’t find another perfect person like me in this world.” He caught my hand, teasing, “How did your skin get even thicker after becoming a ghost?” I rolled my eyes, then grew serious again. “Julian, take good care of Mom, Dad, and Lily.” “Mind your business. You think I need you to tell me?” “Put all my things away, don’t keep them in the house.” “It’s my house, I decide.” I bit the back of his hand hard. “Burn all those ‘100 Positions’ books! They’re ruining my reputation!” He smiled playfully. “Why burn them? I might still use them with someone else.” “…” I gritted my teeth. “Julian, you shameless jerk!” He bent down, examining me closely. “So particular, are we? Then why do you keep wanting me to find someone else?” My voice was muffled. “It’s different.” “Julian, I’m serious.” “Get well, let me go, and don’t commit suicide.” He fell silent again. I don’t know how long the quiet lasted before I spoke. “I won’t bother you anymore. You have to take Lily to Mom and Dad’s for dinner tomorrow.” With that, I tried to leave. But Julian pulled me back into his embrace, holding me tightly. “Chloe, just a little longer.” This time, I heard it. He was crying.

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On the third birthday of Julian’s son with his mistress, Serena, I finally located Chloe’s last leg bone. They celebrated at the upscale steakhouse, Chloe’s favorite restaurant when she was alive. Yet, none of them knew that Chloe’s heart, her corneal tissue, and her blood were all on their dinner table. As a medium, I refused to believe Chloe was a drug dealer. I vowed to hold a summoning ritual to uncover the truth of her death. Julian, upon hearing my plans, flew into a rage. He ordered his men to beat me senseless. “That bitch used my brother’s body to traffic drugs! How else are you going to defend her?!” It wasn’t until the largest drug trafficking cartel in Country D was completely dismantled, And the evidence Chloe left behind was made public, That Julian finally understood who she truly died for. “Ashley, look at me. I’ve hidden a lot of evidence in…” The woman in the video looked desperate and terrified, as if someone was chasing her. The next second, she was dragged off-screen by an unseen force. A chilling scream ripped through the air, mixing with the festive cheers from the party I was attending. After ten agonizing seconds, the screen went black. On a night meant for family reunions, my sister died alone in a foreign country. She was quickly labeled a drug dealer. And because I was at a Christmas party, I hadn’t even heard her last words clearly. I stared at the skeletal remains before me, pieces I’d spent three years painstakingly recovering. Gnawed by dogs, trampled by humans, charred by fire, and left to rot in sewer water. A sharp, suffocating pain twisted in my chest. “Julian, tell me the truth. Is it true that Chloe used Liam’s body to traffic drugs?” Julian stiffened, hearing his brother’s name. The next second, his eyes ignited with a furious rage. “Are you done yet? My brother is dead! Are you not satisfied until his soul is tormented, too?!” “You don’t mind mentioning that tramp? Well, it contaminates my ears!” It suddenly hit me: today was Chloe’s death anniversary, and Liam’s too. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to ask if I could go into Chloe’s old room, try to summon her spirit, and find out the truth of her unjust death…” “Chloe called me on FaceTime before she died. I suspect she was framed…” “Why don’t you just go to hell and ask her yourself?!” Julian, consumed by fury, slammed the phone down. Then, he forwarded the official police statement from back then, once again, right into my inbox. *Following an official investigation, it was determined that the suspect, Chloe Brooks, was a member of a drug trafficking organization operating out of Country D. She was identified as using the bodies of deceased individuals, including Liam Si, to conceal and transport drugs, and died on September 16th during a transaction with another cartel.* My heart clenched. I hesitated. But then, Samuel, my Master, sent me a photo of a bracelet. That object carried a trace of dark energy, one of Chloe’s belongings. If an item bore such energy, it meant its deceased owner died with a grievance. I understood that much. “Miss tonight, and you’ll have to wait until next year’s anniversary.” Samuel’s words jolted me awake. I gathered Chloe’s remains, grabbed my ritual tools, and rushed to the Si mansion. “Ashley! Are you losing your mind?!” “Ashley! You’ve really crossed the line!” Julian slapped me, then he and his bodyguards moved in. “Chloe was a deeply sinful drug dealer!” “Five years ago, she used my brother’s body to traffic drugs. How can you possibly defend her?” In the chaos, Chloe’s bones scattered across the floor. I quickly covered them with my body to shield them from being trampled. “She wasn’t! My sister wasn’t!” My voice was hoarse with tears as I painfully gathered the scattered bones. “My family has served in federal law enforcement for three generations, fighting drug crime. Chloe lived a life on the run with Grandma Joyce as a child, always hiding, always on edge. She hated drug dealers more than anyone!” “She couldn’t have trafficked drugs!” It was precisely because of this family background that Chloe had been subjected to constant threats and harassment from abroad throughout her life, even having strangers show up at her door. *Splash.* A bucket of filthy garbage was dumped on me. “Miss Brooks, please stay away from us, the victims’ family.” “Open your eyes and see the truth!” Serena pulled out a photo of a ghastly white face. The corpse had been cut open down the middle, the frozen flesh unnaturally pale. Its organs were gone, God knows where.

Only a terrifying, hollow shell remained. I froze, stunned. It was a photo of a tragically murdered fifteen-year-old Liam. Serena’s voice was cold and filled with disgust as she pressed me. “Are you suggesting that you, Miss Brooks, would use the death of your own family member to frame a drug dealer?” “Julian, you and Chloe dated for four years in college, and were married for three. You know what kind of person she was…” “I beg you…” In despair, I collapsed to my knees. The sun was setting fast. If I missed today, I’d have to wait until next year. But I wouldn’t live to see next year. This specific method of communing with the dead to uncover grievances was incredibly dangerous, requiring perfect conditions: the deceased’s death anniversary, the place where their deepest regrets lingered, and their bones. The most crucial condition was the remaining lifespan of the practitioner. I had gambled all my remaining life on this day, solely to prove Chloe’s innocence. “Shut up! Are you even human?!” Julian was beside himself with rage, kicking me repeatedly. “You evil person who killed my uncle! Get out of my house!” Leo, Julian and Serena’s son, charged at me, swinging a wooden sword. A dizzying blow, and I realized it had drawn blood. But he was an illegitimate child, the product of an affair. How dare he tell me to leave, living in a house Chloe had paid half the price for? “Hello, is this Grandma Joyce’s family?” “She’s in trouble, come quick.” I suddenly received a call and rushed back to the neighborhood in a panic. A group of thugs had overturned Grandma Joyce’s snack cart. Taking advantage of her blindness, they pushed her into a dirty ditch, surrounding her, cursing, and throwing stones. “The drug dealer’s grandma deserves to die!” “Kill that old blind hag!” “Her food must be poisoned!” Grandma Joyce was covered in mud, blood streaming from her forehead. She fumbled to climb out, stumbling and falling three times, while the thugs on the bank laughed even more brazenly. They used a bamboo pole to push her back down, maliciously poking her blind eyes. Her face, full of wrinkles and age spots, was soon streaked with bloody tears. “Mr. Si and Serena said this was just a small lesson. If you dare cause trouble at the Si mansion again, she won’t be the only one losing her sight.” The leader lightly patted my face with a sneer. My eyes burned, and my fists clenched. Julian and Serena, these animals! “Get out! All of you, get out!” I was furious, screaming and fighting off the thugs. It took all my strength to get Grandma Joyce back up. She didn’t say a word, just slapped me hard. “You give me back my Chloe! Why wasn’t it you who died?! Why?!” She bit at me like a madwoman, wailing and telling me to get lost. I suddenly remembered the day my brother was tortured to death by drug dealers. Mom collapsed, weeping hysterically, and when she finally came to, all she wanted was to divorce Dad. At first, the choice was made to take Chloe away, but I cried and screamed, demanding to stay, effectively stealing the life that should have been hers. “There are only three hours left until sunset. Dark energy will be strongest at night, and this grievance-seeking ritual could spiral completely out of control.” “Get over to the Si mansion, now!” “Also, I’ve brought Captain Miller back from Country D. He can prove Chloe’s identity as a police informant.” Hearing Samuel’s words, a glimmer of hope finally rose in my withered heart. This time, I was smarter. I didn’t go through the main entrance to clash with them, choosing to sneak in through a less obvious entrance. But dogs have an unusually keen sense of smell. As soon as they caught my scent, they started barking. Everyone in the yard became alert. Just then, Samuel knocked on the Si mansion door. “Uncle Samuel, what brings you here?” Julian was utterly respectful, not daring to breathe loudly. The Si family members all rushed to the front yard to greet him, even the dogs followed. This was because my Master, Samuel, was the scion of two of the wealthiest, most influential families in the region, the Si and Song clans, bound by marriage. He was, in effect, the joint head of both their empires. Samuel didn’t even spare a glance at them, leading Captain Miller into the courtyard. “I’m here today for one reason only: to clear Chloe’s name.”

“This is Chloe’s former superior, Captain Miller. He can verify Chloe’s identity as a police informant. And this is Chloe’s employment report.” Julian’s eyes went wide in shock. His hands trembled as he repeatedly flipped through the words on the report. Everyone exchanged glances; the scene was utterly silent. After a long moment, he finally found his voice. “What does this prove?” “Her fingerprints were on Liam’s body, and her earring was found at the crime scene! How do you explain all that?!” Captain Miller choked. He couldn’t explain it. Samuel paused, silently adjusting his cuff. I knew he was stalling for me. I immediately sped up, climbing into Chloe’s old room. The room was thick with dust, clutter piled so high there was barely any room to step. When she bought the house, she told me, “Sister won’t have to move anymore.” “You and Grandma Joyce should move in too. If the rest of us stay together, our family won’t be broken.” At that time, I was busy with Mom’s funeral. We both looked at each other, eyes brimming with tears, speechless. As long as drug dealers weren’t wiped out, who could be sure that those still alive wouldn’t face retaliation? Home was just a beautiful fantasy; we’d lost our home long ago. But now. Not only was there no place for her in her own home, but she herself had been wrongly accused as a drug dealer and died. I set up the soul-summoning array and poured half a bowl of my blood. Soon, Chloe’s soul was drawn forth. Her entire spirit was faded and dusty, some parts already transparent. It looked like she’d been tormented by malevolent spirits. “Are you a drug dealer?” Tears streaming down my face, I asked her. “No.” She shook her head, her eyes vacant. “When you called Ashley on FaceTime, what was the last thing you wanted to say?” She remained silent. There was so much she wanted to say, but her soul had forgotten everything. I changed my question. “Where did you hide the evidence you mentioned in the video call?” “Right here.” At the mention of evidence, a flicker of light appeared in her vacant eyes. She floated around the room, seemingly searching frantically. “Were you murdered?” “Yes.” Her head drooped, like a broken rag doll. Her expression became helpless and aggrieved. “Pain, pain.” She touched her neck, then her arms and legs. I understood. She had been dismembered. “Who was the murderer?” … “Mom! The monster! The monster is here again!” Leo suddenly burst in, kicking over my bowl of blood. His wooden sword struck, shattering the Everlasting Lamp. Flames licked up, burning all the ritual tools along the array. Chloe let out a shriek of agony that pierced my eardrums. I watched, helpless, as her soul began to smoke as if on fire, vanishing in an instant. *“Puh!”* I violently spat out a mouthful of blood, having suffered a backlash from the disturbed spirits. “Ahhh! Mom, help me!” The next second, Leo was writhing on the ground, bleeding from his nose and mouth. He squirmed like a maggot. His screams drew the Si family in. “I’m telling you, Ashley, if anything happens to my son, I’ll make sure you and your grandmother join him in the grave!” Serena cast a complex glance at Leo. She grabbed my collar and violently shoved me against a shelf of clutter, then snatched a nearby baseball bat and brutally smashed Chloe’s bones. “You damned bitch! You hurt my son! You won’t hurt anyone else!” Julian kicked my abdomen repeatedly, his eyes bloodshot with burning rage, on the verge of losing control. “Why won’t you let Liam rest in peace? Why do you have to provoke him?! Why won’t you leave our family alone?” Mrs. Si grabbed a feather duster and lashed at my head. “You two sisters are nothing but troublemakers! One killed my son, the other is hurting my grandson! Give me back my grandson’s life!” Mr. Si cursed me viciously, spitting at me. “Your whole family deserves to rot in hell!” I closed my eyes in helplessness, letting tears of pain stream down my face. “Everyone, stop this instant!”

Samuel’s sharp command. Everyone froze. They anxiously rushed Leo to the hospital. “Idiot! You can’t even handle such a small task!” Samuel’s face was etched with contempt and disdain, as he slapped me across the face. “What about Chloe’s damaged soul?” He gritted his teeth in anger, gripping my neck with such force that his knuckles turned white. “Use my blood to mend it.” “Your blood?” He raised an eyebrow, as if he’d heard the most ridiculous joke. “Someone like you, who stole Chloe’s life, is uneducated and useless, your blood is tainted.” “Who knows if you’ve been smoking weed all these years abroad.” He knew that mentioning drugs was the quickest way to sting me, yet he chose to blurt it out. Infuriated, I slapped his hand away. “What right do you have to blame Chloe’s death on me?!” “Her secret admirer?” Stung by the truth, his cheek muscles twitched subtly, and his eyes involuntarily darted away. “Only she has the right to blame me for taking her life. No one else does!” My index finger scornfully poked his shoulder, a hint of mockery playing on my lips. “Especially not a coward like you, who didn’t even dare to tell her you loved her.” After my outburst, I couldn’t hold back the pent-up grief and silently began to sob. “If you ever dare to look at me like that again, I’ll plant you at her grave as a tombstone…” “I wish I could be her tombstone…” Samuel’s anger deflated too. We moved all the clutter out of the room, searched for a long time, but found no evidence. “There’s no time left. The soul-summoning didn’t yield results, but I still have thirty years left of my life. Let me try to summon her soul.” I wiped a streak of blood from the corner of my mouth, my voice firm. “You don’t want to live?” “This life was hers to begin with, and now returning it to her, isn’t that the most fitting ending?” I managed a weak, sarcastic curl of my lips. “Didn’t you choose me to inherit your legacy precisely because you couldn’t abandon the Si and Song families, and couldn’t use your remaining lifespan to get her the truth?” “I can. I have nothing left to lose.” Despite the self-deprecating words, tears of injustice welled in my eyes as I spoke. But truly, when I communed, and witnessed Chloe’s entire life, I only felt that my own death was utterly worthless in comparison. Chloe was a person so good, it was almost foolish. She neatly wrote down memories of taking Grandma Joyce to the local fair, preparing a special birthday gift for her sister. She would wait until everyone else had eaten before getting her meal from the cafeteria, meticulously packing it to take back to Grandma Joyce, while she herself subsisted on a cheap bread roll. She said her dream was to protect the peace of the innocent. Even though everyone mocked her, saying a woman should just go home and be a stay-at-home wife, she remained resolute and bravely chose to become a police informant. The result? On Christmas Eve, she died in a foreign country. Scantily clad and starving, tormented to a horrific death, all alone. And the villains stole her husband, moved into her house, and then framed her as a drug dealer. “Liam, cross this forest and you’ll be out of Country D. Hurry, go!” In the memory, Chloe’s face was anxious, her heart pounding in her throat. Perhaps due to her unease, she kept feeling someone was following her, but when she turned, there was no one there. “What about you? What will you do?” Fifteen-year-old Liam was terrified, tears and snot smearing his face, clutching Chloe’s hand and refusing to let go. “Let’s go together, sis. I’m scared.” He hadn’t seen anything like this before, tricked by an online love interest into meeting in Country D. He got into a black car and was somehow kidnapped to a compound for an illegal scam syndicate. “I haven’t exposed my identity yet, I’ll be fine.” Chloe deluded herself, thinking she could simply trade her life for Liam’s. But she never imagined that neither she nor Liam would make it out alive. “Serena… It was Serena who killed Liam!” “Serena is the drug dealer!”

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I was the poorest student in the whole school, yet I disguised myself as the daughter of a top mogul. In my last life, Brittany, the queen bee, and her posse stripped me naked and recorded it. They used that video to force me to drop out, and I eventually died alone and homeless on the cold streets. After being reborn, I accidentally bound myself to a system that let me interact with future viewers. The bullet comments floating by were full of mockery—some called me vain, others said I deserved it, all waiting to see me hit rock bottom again. Until one comment popped up: 【She looks so pitiful. Big sis is sending a gift to cheer you up.】 A heavy gold bar instantly materialized in my hand. When Brittany and her crew cornered me again, sneering that everything I wore was fake, I just looked at the ten million dollars that had just landed in my bank account and smiled. Brittany and her group had me cornered at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, her chin held high like a swan. “Anya, those knock-offs you’re wearing actually look pretty decent,” Tiffany, one of her sidekicks, reached out to yank at the collar of my dress. I stepped back, dodging her hand. In front of me, translucent bullet comments scrolled wildly. 【Here we go! The showdown between our protagonist and the wicked villainess!】 【This Anya is such a faker. A poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks daring to compete with our Brittany for the Queen Bee title.】 【She’s getting what she deserves! Can’t wait to see her exposed in public!】 I ignored the noise, just glancing down at my phone. Just moments ago, a golden bullet comment had flashed across the screen. 【Don’t worry, I support you! Can’t stand how arrogant they are. Here’s ten million, go show them what you’re made of!】 Immediately after, a text notification from my bank popped up. Deposit: $10,000,000.00. Looking at that long string of zeros, the last bit of panic vanished from my heart, replaced by a cold, almost ruthless calm. In my last life, it was right here they stripped me, recorded me, forced me to drop out, and I ended up freezing to death under an overpass like a stray dog. My grandmother, my only living relative, eventually died consumed by endless humiliation and grief. It wasn’t until my life started over that I finally understood: I was nothing but a mere stepping stone in a story, meant to highlight the female lead Brittany’s pure kindness and innocence. My entire existence seemed to be about being utterly defeated by her, to showcase her perfection. I wasn’t going to stand for it. I sold the only dilapidated house I owned back in my hometown. With that money, I disguised myself as a wealthy heiress no one dared to mess with. Because I knew, in this world, the weaker you appear, the more people want to chew you up and spit you out. “What, scared?” Brittany’s smirk deepened when I didn’t speak. I lifted my head and smiled. Right in front of them, I pulled out my phone and dialed the police. “Hello, police? I’d like to report a crime. Someone at S University, on the third floor of the academic building, is publicly slandering me and seriously damaging my reputation.” Brittany and her cronies froze, as if they hadn’t expected me to do something like that. I looked at their dumbfounded faces and continued speaking into the phone: “Yes. And I suspect they stole my newly bought, limited edition diamond necklace, valued at three million dollars. Please hurry.” Hanging up, I tucked my phone back into my pocket and looked at the ashen-faced Brittany. “Now, we wait for the police to handle this.”

The police arrived quickly. Brittany and her friends completely panicked. Even though their families were wealthy, public defamation coupled with suspicion of theft was enough to leave a criminal record on their files. “I didn’t! You’re lying! When did I steal your necklace?!” Tiffany shrieked. I looked at her coldly. “I’m just suspecting. Whether you did or not, we’ll know after the police search.” Brittany tried to maintain her dignity as a member of high society, but her voice was already trembling. “Anya, don’t take it too far! We were just joking around!” “Joking around?” I advanced on her, step by step, the hatred in my eyes practically overflowing. “Last life, that’s what you said too. You stripped me and filmed it, claiming it was just a joke. You forced me to drop out, caused my grandmother’s death—was that a joke too?” My voice wasn’t loud, but it pierced their hearts like an ice pick. Brittany’s face completely lost its color. She couldn’t understand why I was saying such strange things. But in front of my eyes, my words caused a surging wave of bullet comments. 【OMG? There’s backstory to this? She suffered that badly in her last life?】 【Is that true? Our protagonist would do such a thing? I don’t believe it!】 【Anyone can say anything without proof, she’s definitely making it up to get out of trouble!】 But there were also different voices. 【Why do I feel like she’s not lying… that hatred in her eyes, you can’t fake that.】 【If that’s true, that’s just heartbreaking.】 【Don’t cry, sweetie, I’m sending you a diamond. It’s even bigger than her three-million-dollar one!】 I felt my pocket grow heavy, a velvet box appearing inside. The police arrived and took all of us to the station. On the way, I received a SnapChat from my roommate, Chloe. “Anya, where are you? Are you still going to the designer showcase this weekend?” I replied: “Something came up, I’m at the police station.” There was silence for a few seconds, then a FaceTime call immediately came through. Her voice was full of anxiety: “What happened? Wait there, I’ll have my dad pull some strings right away!” Hanging up, I watched the street outside the car window blur past, my heart perfectly calm. This life, I wasn’t alone anymore. With the money from selling my house, I rented the most expensive apartment, bought the highest-quality designer dupes, and on the first day of school, I rented a Rolls-Royce, loudly establishing my persona as a rich heiress. My three roommates, Skylar, Chloe, and Bella, were all genuinely from high society. In my last life, I was too insecure to talk to them, and they treated me like I was invisible. When I was bullied, they just watched coldly. This life, I spoke their language and engaged with them on their terms. We talked about luxury brands, gossip, and guys. I even knew more about the new collections than they did, because I’d made studying them my homework. When they realized I had even better taste and was even “richer” than them, they naturally accepted me. That’s just human nature.

At the police station, Brittany’s parents arrived quickly. They immediately tried to use money and connections to smooth everything over. “Officer, it’s all a misunderstanding, just kids messing around,” Brittany’s father, a shrewd-looking businessman, handed over his business card. The police officer didn’t take it. I sat in my chair and spoke coldly. “It’s not a misunderstanding. They verbally abused me, and I demand that a case be opened. As for the necklace, I can drop that, but the defamation needs to be addressed.” Brittany’s mother glared, pointing at me. “You insolent little brat, don’t push your luck! Do you think I can’t make you lose your footing in S City?!” I pulled out my phone and started recording. “Officer, she’s threatening me.” The Xu family’s parents’ faces turned extremely ugly. Finally, with the intervention of a lawyer brought in by Chloe’s father, the matter was “satisfactorily” resolved. Brittany and her sidekicks had to post a public apology on the school forum and pay me $200,000 in emotional damages. Stepping out of the police station, Chloe was waiting for me in her G-Wagen. “Anya, get in! I’m taking you to get some good food to help you recover from today’s scare!” Skylar and Bella were also in the car. Seeing the exhaustion on my face, they immediately offered me water and snacks. “You scared us to death! That Brittany and her gang are just awful!” “Seriously, if they ever bother you again, tell us, we’ll help you get revenge!” I smiled, a corner of my heart warming slightly. “It’s fine now. Let’s go, eat.” That $200,000, plus the ten million from the bullet comment tips, and that diamond box, was my first capital to gain a foothold in this world. But it wasn’t enough. Far from enough. What I wanted was to trample Brittany and her people, along with the families behind them, under my feet. What I wanted was the absolute power to control my own destiny, even without the bullet comment system.

Back in the dorm, I took out the velvet box. Opening it, inside was a huge pink diamond, glittering dazzlingly under the light. My roommates gasped. “Holy crap! Anya, where did this come from? This must be worth millions!” I picked it up and casually examined it. “An elder gave it to me. I don’t really like it, the color’s too light.” I pushed the box toward Bella. “Bella, your skin is fair, this would look great on you. It’s yours.” Bella waved her hands frantically. “No, no! This is too expensive!” “Don’t be silly with me,” I insisted, pressing the box into her hand. “It’s just a trinket.” Finally, Bella couldn’t refuse me and accepted it. But she immediately transferred $500,000 to me. “Anya, you have to take this money! Otherwise, I can’t accept this diamond!” Looking at the extra $500,000 on my phone, my heart was unfazed. Money was just a tool. Winning people’s hearts, that was the real goal. Because of this incident, my roommates no longer doubted my “wealthy heiress” identity and became even closer to me. That night, Chloe shrieked, holding her phone. “The Freshman Queen competition has started! Anya, you have to enter!” Bella, another roommate, chimed in, “Yeah, bring glory to our dorm room 404!” My heart stirred. In my last life, I also signed up under their encouragement. But because my votes surpassed Brittany’s, it led to a series of retaliations. “What’s the prize for first place?” I asked. “A $10,000 prize! And you get to host the Freshman Welcome Gala, earn extra credit, and it helps you get into the student council!” Student council… subsidies, extra credit, and most importantly, it would make it easier for me to take time off to make money. I agreed. “Alright, I just started a small company, so I’m busy and often need to take time off.” I casually spun a small lie. My roommates, as expected, looked at me with envy. Skylar immediately grabbed her camera. “Come on, Anya, I’ll take your photo for the competition!” In the photo, I wore a simple white dress, my long, sleek hair cascading down to my waist. The dress’s cut perfectly accentuated my figure. As soon as the photo was uploaded, my vote count began to soar. Bullet comments appeared just in time. 【Oh my god, with that elegance and beauty, no wonder the male lead is so captivated.】 【She’s putting on such an act, too bad it’s all fake.】 【Am I the only one who feels sorry for her? It must be so exhausting to maintain this image all the time.】 【Big sis supports you, here’s a little something for you.】 Suddenly, I felt a weight in my palm. A solid gold heart-shaped charm appeared out of thin air in my hand. My mind went blank. Bullet comments… really turn into real objects. A bold plan gradually formed in my mind— I would continue to maintain my rich heiress persona in front of those wealthy kids, while simultaneously showcasing a vulnerable side to these bullet comment viewers who needed to protect me.

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Everyone at school knew I was Jax Anderson’s biggest admirer. I’d bring him breakfast, take notes for him. Once, when he sprained his ankle playing basketball, I even knelt down to tie his shoelaces. Until that day on the rooftop, when I heard him say: “Lily Hayes? She’s clingy as hell, impossible to shake off.” “When it’s time to apply for college, I’ll tell her I’m applying to A College. She’ll definitely enthusiastically follow suit.” “Then, Serena Chen and I can just go to C College.” His friend asked, “You’re just going to keep leading her on?” He sighed, “What else can I do? She’s a sheltered little flower, I’m afraid she can’t handle the shock.” But later, he cried and told me, “You used to love clinging to me so much…” 0 I came to bring Jax breakfast, but I froze on the stairwell. Lately, Jax had been pushing me to tutor him, saying he wanted to apply to A College. Turns out, it was just a lie to get rid of me. One of his friends pressed him, curious: “What if Lily doesn’t apply to A College?” Jax scoffed, casually shrugging: “Then she definitely won’t go to C College. She hates the cold, she’d never go up North.” “Besides, as long as I want to go to A College, she’ll go. I know her too well.” “Since we were kids, she’s always insisted on going to the same school, the same class as me, terrified of being far from me.” The whole group laughed. Someone nudged Jax, winking: “Jax, seriously, who doesn’t see how Lily feels about you? I bet if you go to C College this time, she’ll end up crying and begging to transfer.” Jax sighed, “She’s a sheltered little flower, she’s never faced any real setbacks. Keep your traps shut, okay? I want a few more quiet days before the college application results come out.” Another friend asked curiously, “So, when are you planning to tell Serena how you feel, Jax?” Jax’s lips curved into an unconscious smile: “She said she’d agree to be my girlfriend if I get into C College.” Another friend couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, how romantic! Studying so hard for the school’s beauty queen?” Jax laughed, “It’s youth, you gotta be crazy for love at least once.” … I don’t know how long I stood there. My ears buzzed, and my heart ached so bad I could barely breathe. I couldn’t bear to listen anymore, so I dragged my heavy feet away. On the way back to class, Jax’s words kept replaying in my mind. It made me think of when I was ten. A girl in our class told me, “Jax wants me to secretly tell you he’ll be waiting for you at our old spot after school. He has something important to tell you, and you have to go alone. He said it’s a big surprise, so don’t tell anyone!” I went, full of expectation. I waited there like an idiot for a long, long time. Jax never showed up, not until it got dark and started to rain. I was so cold and scared of the dark. In the end, I just ran home crying. Later, that girl mocked me in class, “See? She thought Jax only played with her. So easy to fool!” Jax got really angry at a girl for the first time then. He promised me, seriously and solemnly, “Lily, I’ll never lie to you like that again. I’ll always keep my promises. If it’s really something important, I’ll tell you to your face.” But now, it seemed like that promise didn’t mean anything anymore. If he liked someone else, he could have just told me directly. I wasn’t that fragile. Why did he have to lie to me like this? 0

Thinking about it, Jax really had changed a lot. When he was little, he was vibrant and cheerful, a ray of sunshine. Then his parents frequently fought, eventually divorcing. Because of it, his personality grew more rebellious, and he gradually stopped wanting to go home. I always thought he was just too cold, that’s why he put up a prickly front. Coincidentally, my home had so much warmth, I could spare some for him. He always used to protect me when we were little. Now it was my turn to stick by him like a tiny firefly. So, after that, When he skipped class, I’d take notes for him. When he fell and got hurt playing basketball, I’d tie his shoelaces. He’d glare at me, tell me to mind my own business, and throw the notes I handed him back. But the next day, those notes would always appear deep inside his backpack. And he’d eat every bite of the breakfast I brought him. After a while, people started joking around him, saying I was his biggest fan. That time, Jax got into a fight with them right in front of the whole class. Later, those guys disappeared, and I never saw them again. I thought that Jax and I, after more than ten years as best friends, were special. But after Serena Chen showed up. Everything changed. 0

Serena transferred in during our sophomore year and wasn’t in our class. Not only was she beautiful, but she quickly snatched the top spot in our grade. One day after school, some sketchy guys cornered her in an alley. Jax couldn’t stand seeing someone stronger bullying the weak, so he stepped in to help and ended up with a cut on his face. From then on, Serena started appearing in front of Jax all the time. Claiming to ‘repay his kindness,’ she’d bring him breakfast, get him water, and even help him hide from teachers when he skipped class. At first, Jax said, “That new girl is seriously annoying. I just helped her out, who knew I couldn’t get rid of her.” But then, his attitude slowly shifted from annoyance to acceptance. He not only stopped rejecting Serena’s presence but would also make excuses about having things to do, no longer walking home with me. I knew he was walking Serena home. But every time I asked, he’d just say, “You don’t understand, she has a lot of family drama, it’s pretty sad. I just want to help her.” As if afraid I’d press further, he’d add, with his usual impatience, “Stop worrying about nothing, just take care of yourself.” Jax, who was usually so aloof, Would hand her his jacket when it got cold. Would specifically buy her favorite ice cream outside of school. He even worried about her getting bullied and wanted to go to the same college as her. But originally, that was our agreement. 0

On the day of our middle school graduation. I looked at the sparkling stars above and asked Jax, who was next to me, “Have you thought about what you want to do later?” Jax shook his head, a hint of helplessness on his face: “Do I even need to think about it? My dad only has me as a son, so I’ll definitely study something related and manage his company after graduation.” I paused, then spoke: “So, after we graduate high school, will we go our separate ways?” Jax looked into the distance, a lost expression in his eyes: “Probably.” An evening breeze blew by, and hearing that, I felt a strange sense of sadness. Jax looked at me, suddenly flustered. “Hey, don’t cry. You’re that sad to leave me?” He said, while clumsily wiping my tears away. “Wherever you want to go for college, I’ll take the entrance exam with you.” My eyes suddenly lit up. “Really? Then I want to go to A College.” “Tsk, your mood changed so fast.” Jax ruffled my hair, smiling lazily, “A College, huh? Looks like I’ll have to study hard.” “You cry so easily. What if you go somewhere so far away alone and get bullied and start crying again?” Maybe it was just a joke to comfort me back then, but I always remembered it. In high school, his grades were always bad, and I was secretly worried, but he didn’t react at all. Until the end of the second semester of junior year, when he anxiously pulled me aside to tutor him. I thought he remembered our old agreement. Now I realize I was mistaken. I’ve always followed behind him since childhood, but I started understanding him less and less. After a while, it just got tiring. All gatherings eventually end. Perhaps, it’s time for us to go our separate ways. 0

Jax sent another little note, asking me to leave first today. I was used to it, so I ignored him. That evening, Jax came to my house for tutoring, carrying a strawberry-flavored ice cream. Actually, strawberry was my least favorite flavor. But I don’t know when, Jax started buying this flavor every time. Now I realize it’s Serena’s favorite. Perhaps all the good things I received from Jax were just casual acts he did for Serena. A dense, aching pain spread from my heart. I said coldly, “You should go back. Don’t come to me for tutoring anymore.” It was the first time I’d ever refused him. As soon as the words left my mouth, my throat tightened. Because I liked him, I couldn’t accept his deception. I couldn’t pretend nothing had happened and foolishly stay by his side. Jax raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, “Were you mad because I didn’t walk home with you this afternoon?” He ruffled my hair, “I know you’re clingy, but you have to let me have my own things too.” I shook my head, “Exams are coming up soon, and my schedule is really tight. I don’t have time to tutor you.” “You can find a tutor, or, ask Serena to help you.” Serena always studied hard, consistently ranking at the top of her class, so she’d probably be very willing to help Jax. Jax quickly rejected the suggestion. “No.” “Her family has very high expectations for her; she needs to work hard to get first place. She doesn’t have time to tutor me.” “You know my basics, so you tutoring me is more suitable.” I suddenly couldn’t speak. My nose stung, and my eyes felt hot. Right. One was a good student, struggling but resilient. The other was a clingy follower who always trailed behind him. Jax didn’t want to hold Serena back; she needed to strive for her own future. And me, with my good family background and loving home, was apparently born to make concessions, always revolving around him, Jax. Seeing that I remained silent, his tone softened, a hint of pleading in his voice: “Didn’t you always want us to go to the same college? So you have to be responsible for me.” So he still remembered our agreement. I looked at that familiar face and suddenly found it utterly strange. I held back my tears, staring into his eyes, and asked each word distinctly, “Are you really planning to go to the same college as me?” Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Then, he smiled guiltily and changed the subject: “Alright, Lily, stop messing around.” “I’ll walk home with you tomorrow…” Before he could finish, I slammed the door shut and leaned weakly against it. A bitter feeling welled up inside me, unstoppable. The tears could no longer be held back, falling one by one. 0

I stopped caring about anything related to Jax and threw myself into studying. At first, Jax would still try to talk to me. But after I ignored him too many times, he stopped trying. One day, I overheard his friend ask: “Jax, why is your childhood friend so quiet these past few days? Did you two fight?” Jax shrugged it off, “Who knows? She can’t stand me getting close to other girls, so she’s throwing a tantrum.” “Just keep my distance for a few days, and I’ll get some peace.” Actually, I didn’t have to follow him. These past few days, walking to and from school alone, I had much more free time, and things around me felt simpler. Being alone wasn’t as scary as I imagined; instead, it made me understand what I truly wanted. When the midterm exam results came out, I got first place in my grade. As I was organizing my错题本 (error notebook), Jax suddenly approached me. He had a dark look on his face, striding up to my desk and slamming his hand on my notebook, his voice chilling: “Lily Hayes, was getting first place this time on purpose?” Startled by the sudden commotion, I looked up at him, a bit confused. “You know Serena needed this first place,” he said, looking down at me. When he mentioned Serena, I remembered Jax saying before that she was very pathetic. If she didn’t get first place, she’d be beaten badly. But what was wrong with me working hard and getting first place myself? I retorted, “What does that have to do with me?” “Don’t you have any sympathy? If you’d just gotten one less multiple-choice question right, she wouldn’t have been beaten.” He frowned, suddenly leaning closer, “I know you don’t like me being close to her, but there’s no need to target her like this!” I was just doing my own thing, and in his eyes, it had become targeting. It was break time, and there were other students in the classroom. His voice wasn’t quiet, and I could feel the eyes around me and hear the hushed whispers. A wave of injustice washed over me, and I heard my voice tremble: “I’m not targeting anyone! Exams are about skill, not about who’s more pathetic!” “Besides, that’s her family business.” I slowly stood up, looking directly into his angry eyes, “Why should my score pay for your sympathy? You have no right to morally judge me here.” My deskmate, Chloe, couldn’t help but speak up for me: “Exactly, Jax. You’re totally guilt-tripping her, aren’t you? You earn your own grades. Why should she just give it up? Just because Lily is nice to you, does that mean you can just walk all over her?” Jax glared coldly at Chloe. I had a bad feeling. “Jax!” A voice interrupted the standoff. It was Serena. She ran in, looking panicked, and stood in front of Jax. “Don’t fight with Lily because of me! It’s all my fault, I didn’t work hard enough, I didn’t score well enough…” She then looked at me, a look of apology on her face: “Lily, I’m so sorry, truly sorry… Please don’t be mad at Jax, he didn’t mean it, he’s just too worried about me…” I watched Serena tightly grip Jax’s wrist, then looked at Jax’s slightly softened brow. His eyes were filled with undisguised pity and protectiveness for Serena. They, one angrily accusing, the other kindly mediating, made it seem like I was the unreasonable outsider who needed to be tolerated. I bit back my tears, telling myself not to cry. In that moment, something deep inside my heart shattered completely. 0 To prevent irrelevant people from disturbing my thoughts, I immersed myself in a sea of practice questions, losing track of time. When I looked up again, the classroom was empty. Ten minutes had passed since dismissal, and suddenly my stomach hurt, so I went to the restroom. As soon as I entered a stall, I heard Serena’s voice from outside. “My eyeshadow is almost rubbed off,” she chuckled. “Help me touch it up again.” “Jax really believes it?” her friend asked. “Of course. A rich kid desperate for attention like him totally falls for this stuff. Today, he even argued with Lily because of it.” The person asked again, “Aren’t you afraid of getting caught someday?” Serena smiled confidently: “As long as you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, by the time he’s truly dependent on me, the truth won’t matter anymore.” I froze, my heart racing, and it took a long moment for me to react. Serena was no pathetic damsel in distress at all.

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Three months into our marriage, my wife, Clara Sterling, suddenly installed a camera in our bedroom. Then she kicked me out to sleep in the guest room. “I lost a bet to Dylan Blackwood.” “The wager was to sleep in separate rooms for thirty days, so you’ll just have to make do with the guest room for now.” With that, she forcefully pushed me out and slammed the door shut. That night, I overheard her telling Dylan on the phone: “I’ve already set up the monitor, you can supervise anytime, anywhere. I promise I’ll stick to our agreement.” “He absolutely won’t step foot in my bedroom this month.” In the past, I would have relentlessly pressed her for answers, demanding to know why. But now, my heart was calm, unburdened by her anymore. I’d become completely detached, letting go of any lingering feelings for her. Suddenly, I felt like this marriage had run its course. It was time to end it. 0 The moment she saw the divorce papers, she completely freaked out. “Ryan Caldwell, it’s just thirty days in the guest room! Are you seriously going to divorce me over that?” Watching her outburst, a bitter smile touched my lips. “What else, Clara? Should I wait until you two sleep together and you’ve completely made a fool out of me before I even think about divorce?” My gaze locked onto her, searching for even a flicker of guilt or hesitation in her eyes. But all I saw was shock and pure fury. Her face flushed with rage. “This is ridiculous! I don’t even know what you’re making such a fuss about!” “If Dylan and I were ever going to do anything, I wouldn’t have married you in the first place! Why would I wait until now?” “It was just a stupid bet, why are you taking it so seriously? After thirty days, you can come back to the room.” I just watched her, calmly observing her hysterical meltdown. After a long moment, I finally countered, “If it was just a bet, then why are you taking it so seriously?” Without a moment’s hesitation, she shot back: “I already promised him! What else was I supposed to do?” “If I don’t follow through, how can I ever face him or my friends again?” “People with twisted minds see malice everywhere. Can you please stop looking at us through such a dirty lens?” Deep down, I knew it. In her heart, I still couldn’t compare to Dylan Blackwood. I was just a pawn in their twisted game. “Are you sure he doesn’t have feelings for you?” I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm. My question stunned her. She paused, momentarily speechless. After a brief silence, she looked me dead in the eye, her expression earnest. “I am absolutely, one hundred percent certain.” I unlocked my phone and found the messages Dylan had sent me. Then I read them aloud, word for word. “Ryan Caldwell, I’m going to compete with you fairly. I’ll take her away from you.” I paused after that sentence, looking up at her. Her face had gone a little pale. I continued reading. “You only snatched her away because I wasn’t around. Otherwise, she definitely would have married me!” “You know what? I hugged her today. Her body was so soft, so fragrant. I almost couldn’t stop myself.” … Before I could finish, she snatched the phone out of my hand. Her movement was sudden and frantic. “No way, he wouldn’t send these! You must have fabricated them to try and divorce me!” I watched her calmly, not a single ripple in my heart. “Whether he sent them or not, why don’t you confront him directly and find out?” Suddenly, Clara gave me a meaningful look. She let out a cold laugh. “Ryan Caldwell, you know what? You’re pretty devious.” “I can’t believe you’d stoop to this level just to break us up. You’re truly ruthless.” “But you think I’ll believe you? Dylan and I have known each other for over a decade. I know exactly what kind of person he is.” “We might not be blood siblings, but we’re closer than any brother and sister I know.” “You think one sentence from you can make us doubt each other and ruin our bond?” “You underestimate our relationship.” She grabbed her bag and walked out, not a moment of hesitation. 0

Clara and Dylan had been neighbors for over ten years. She was five years older than him. Perhaps, as Clara claimed, she really did only see Dylan as a younger brother. It was possible she’d never once considered a relationship with him that went beyond sibling affection. But she was completely oblivious. He, on the other hand, was deeply, irrevocably in love with her. The way Dylan looked at her always held a hidden tenderness and longing. It had only grown deeper and more fervent with time. A year ago, Clara and I met at a friend’s wedding. It was love at first sight for me. Once I confirmed she was single, I began to pursue her relentlessly. I brought her breakfast every day, waited for her after work, and accompanied her to do all the things she loved. I made a genuine effort to understand her preferences and cared deeply about her life. Six months later, we finally started dating. And then, later, came the wedding. All told, it had only been a little over a year since we first met. Our wedding was lavish, with all our friends and family there to wish us well. On our wedding day, Dylan specifically took time off to fly back and attend. He walked up to me in a sharp suit, his eyes filled with a wistful melancholy. “You have to take good care of her. If you ever make her shed a single tear, I swear I won’t let you get away with it.” I laughed then, responding, “Don’t worry, I’ll never let her suffer a moment of injustice.” I initially thought he was just acting like a protective older brother, giving me a stern warning. Now, looking back, that was probably the first skirmish between Dylan and me. From that moment on, he had already seen me as a rival. And I had been completely oblivious. 0

Clara suddenly showed up at my office with Dylan. An ominous feeling instantly washed over me. She sat down, skipping all pleasantries and small talk, cutting straight to the chase. “Ryan Caldwell, Dylan and his friends have a new project that needs promotion. Can you handle it for them, free of charge?” I frowned, my voice firm as I replied, “I can’t do it for free.” Clara’s face immediately fell. A flicker of displeasure crossed her usually bright eyes. “Ryan Caldwell, aren’t you the Creative Director? You can’t even manage this small favor?” I felt a surge of helplessness. She was always pushing her agenda like this. “I am the Creative Director, yes, but I’m not the owner. I don’t make those decisions.” “If you’re serious about collaborating, please follow the proper procedures.” Clara glared at me. “I don’t care. I already promised them.” “You have to do this promotion, whether you like it or not. You can’t make me lose face.” “It’s just a small advertisement, isn’t it? Just have your team pull a few all-nighters, and it’ll be done. That way, it won’t delay your other projects. Don’t tell me you can’t even manage your own staff?” I spoke, my voice cold. “Clara Sterling, can you please get your own affairs in order before you start trying to help other people?” Clara just gave me a dismissive glance and started playing dumb. “What affairs are you talking about?” “Have you signed the divorce papers yet?” My calm demeanor took Clara by surprise. She hadn’t expected me to suddenly bring up that topic and seemed momentarily flustered. Just then, a flash of surprise lit up Dylan’s eyes. “Clara, you two are getting divorced?” “No way. Is it… because of me? If it is, then we’ll just forget about the advertisement.” As he spoke, he actually started to sound tearful, his voice trembling as if he’d been gravely wronged. Clara’s expression already showed her annoyance. She frowned and shot Dylan a glance. “It’s not your fault, he’s just lost his mind and suddenly wants a divorce.” Dylan immediately started fanning the flames. “Clara, don’t say I didn’t warn you. When a guy acts like this, ten to one he’s got another woman on the side. You need to be careful.” He said this, secretly observing Clara’s reaction, a sly glint in his eyes. I let out a cold laugh, my disgust for Dylan deepening. You’re the other man, aren’t you? And here you are, the pot calling the kettle black! “Ryan Caldwell, are you seeing another woman?” Her face was beet red. My tone was uncharacteristically calm. “No!” I had no intention of wasting my breath on such baseless accusations. Clara glared at me, aggressively demanding an answer. “If not, then why are you suddenly divorcing me?” I hinted, “Don’t you know perfectly well why I’m divorcing you?” After a brief silence, she suddenly gave a strange laugh. “He could never have those kinds of feelings for me. That’s just your personal fantasy.” I turned, a playful smirk on my face, and looked at Dylan. “The man himself is right here. Why don’t you just ask him?” I just wanted to see how Dylan would try to squirm his way out of this. Dylan’s face instantly went white. He quickly said, “Ryan Caldwell, what are you implying? You can’t accuse me unfairly.” I chuckled softly, “Unfairly or not? You know the truth in your heart.” Dylan was so furious he turned and stormed out. Clara’s anger flared even more. She shot to her feet with a whoosh! “Ryan Caldwell, you are truly disappointing.” She spun around and ran after Dylan, her urgency making it seem like she was rushing to the ends of the earth. 0

I never imagined the retaliation would come so swiftly and unexpectedly. That night, my phone screen lit up. It was a message from Dylan. “Looks like you’ve trained Clara well, huh? Just watch how I slowly trick her into being mine.” “You must be pretty mad right now, all alone in your empty bed!” And then there was a video. In the video, Clara and Dylan were locked in a tight embrace, passionately kissing. Their eyes seemed to be pulled together by an invisible thread, entwined, full of undeniable intimacy and longing. I quickly saved the video. Well, well, well. Free divorce evidence, I’d be a fool not to take it. It wasn’t until the middle of the night that I heard a soft click as the front door opened. Clara was finally home. The next morning, I nonchalantly brought it up. “Did you two kiss?” Clara’s eyes flickered, a momentary panic flashing before quickly subsiding. In the end, she admitted it quite readily. “Yes, but we had a good reason. It was unavoidable, and I can explain.” My face was stone-cold. “Go on, explain then. I’m listening.” Clara began to recount the events of the previous night. “We were playing truth or dare, and he lost. The dare was to kiss one of the opposite sex for a minute.” “There were a few other women there, but I wasn’t sure if they had any STDs.” “What if they kissed him and passed something on to Dylan? That wouldn’t be good.” “He’s the only son in his family, and his parents are counting on him to carry on the family name. We can’t risk anything happening to him.” “My health is fine, and I don’t have any weird diseases, so I just stepped in to help him out.” “That’s pretty much what happened.” I looked at her, my expression blank. “Clara Sterling, I never knew you had such a charitable side. I guess I underestimated you.” “Since you care so much about him, why won’t you agree to divorce me?” She heard the sarcasm in my voice and frowned. But she continued her earnest explanation. “Two people get together and marry because they like each other and love each other, obviously.” “You and I have love, but with Dylan, it’s just family affection. Do you understand what I mean?” As she said this, she tried to meet my gaze, but her eyes flickered nervously. Clearly, even she knew her explanation was flimsy. I rubbed my temples in frustration. I had no patience left to listen to her justifications. These empty excuses. To me, they were nothing more than a cover-up for her betrayal. “I’m asking you one last time: Are you signing the divorce papers?” She thought for a moment before replying, “Of course not, why would I?” I glanced at her face, my voice flat. “Alright, I understand.” In that moment, the last shred of affection I held for her completely vanished. It was only now that I realized my disgust for her had reached its peak. How could I have ever fallen for her? Was I blind, or was she just a masterful actress? Never mind, I was tired of dwelling on it. 0 Two days later was Mr. Sterling’s sixtieth birthday banquet. I attended the celebration as expected.

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