Category: English

1 My husband has such crippling social anxiety that he bailed on our wedding day. Later, when I was hemorrhaging after giving birth, my mother fell to her knees and begged him, but he never came to sign the papers. My son was branded the “fatherless boy,” and I wore the title of “widow” for eight years. Until one day, a madman broke into our yard and plunged a knife into my stomach. Looking at Liam standing by the window, I cried out for help. But he only watched for two seconds before looking away. His voice was ice. “Just hold on. I’ll call the police for you.” My mind went blank. In that instant, something inside me died. Just as I thought I was going to bleed out right there, Liam’s young assistant suddenly burst through the door, and the madman found a new target. The second he touched her, Liam transformed into a raging lion, lunging forward and knocking the man to the ground with a single punch. As the paramedics loaded me, covered in blood, into the ambulance, one of them leaned down and asked, “Where is the accompanying family member?” My gaze drifted from Liam, who was holding his assistant and whispering reassurances, back to the paramedic. My lips parted, my voice quiet but final. “I’m a widow. My family is dead.” … After two grueling hours in surgery, I managed to cheat death. As the nurse wheeled me out, I saw Liam across the hall, sitting with his assistant while she received counseling. I froze. The hallway was crowded, yet Liam, the man with crippling social anxiety, seemed completely at ease, as if in a world of his own. This was the same man who had fled his own wedding. The same man who, afterward, had held a knife to his own wrist and screamed, “Stop pushing me! Do you want me to just die?!” So I had given in. For eight years of marriage, he never left the house except to go to the office. He wouldn’t go to our son’s parent-teacher conferences. He wouldn’t visit relatives during the holidays. Even moments ago, when my life was hanging by a thread, all I got from him was, “I’ll call the police for you.” The nurse, who knew he was my husband, hesitated before whispering, “Do you want me to get him? You’ll need someone to stay with you.” “No.” Her eyes filled with pity. I’d overheard the nurses whispering earlier. “I’ve never seen anything so tragic. The wife is clinging to life, and the husband is off with his mistress at a therapy session. The way he’s hovering over her, you’d think the other woman was his wife.” A sharp pain lanced through my chest. I closed my eyes as they wheeled me into my room. It wasn’t until dusk that Liam seemed to remember I existed. He shuffled in hesitantly. “Aria, you’ve been through a lot.” I flinched away from his touch, my voice weak. “Don’t let Leo know.” Leo was so young, and he’d just recovered from a serious illness. I didn’t want to upset him. The next second, the door opened, and his assistant, Chloe, walked in, holding Leo’s hand. “Mommy!” Tears streamed down Leo’s face as he rushed to my bedside, too scared to touch me. I shot a death glare at Chloe. I had explicitly texted her not to bring him here. Chloe’s eyes immediately reddened. She looked utterly pathetic. “Aria, Leo wanted to see his mommy. What’s wrong with that? If you’re upset, just hit me.” She raised a hand to slap herself. Liam instantly stopped her, turning to me with fury in his eyes. “Why are you blaming her? Leo wanted to come! Chloe has a good heart, but you’re just relentless.” A good heart? The thought was so bitter it made me want to laugh. This wasn’t the first time. Everyone knew Leo was severely allergic to shellfish, yet Chloe had taken him out for lobster. Leo had an immediate anaphylactic reaction, his face turning purple. It was only after the doctors administered the injection that I could hold my son, who I had almost lost, and break down in tears. But Chloe cried even harder than I did. “I didn’t think lobster would be a problem,” she’d sobbed. “It was a moment of carelessness. If anything had happened to Leo, I couldn’t have lived with myself.” But I wouldn’t forgive her. I demanded that Liam fire her. His face was a mask of impatience. “Aria, don’t be so unforgiving. Everyone makes mistakes.” That time, I was truly ready to divorce him. It was Leo, his little face flushed with tears, who begged me over and over. “Mommy, please don’t divorce Daddy.” My moment of weakness only emboldened them. I couldn’t let Leo grow up around people like this. “Get out! Both of you, get out!” Liam looked worried, as if he didn’t want to leave. I grabbed the cup from my bedside table and threw it at them. Chloe shrieked, and Liam immediately shielded her, backing out of the room. “Aria, calm down. I’ll come back in a few days.” My son’s hand trembled in mine. His eyes held a maturity far beyond his years. “Don’t be angry, Mommy. It’s not good for you.” My eyes stung. I forced a smile to reassure him. “I’m fine, sweetie. Don’t you worry.” That night, Liam hired a nurse for me. A few days later, once I could manage on my own, I took my son and rented an apartment. When Liam discovered we were gone, he bombarded me with messages. I didn’t reply to a single one. But the next morning, my mother-in-law burst through the door. She was furious. “Aria Thorne, have you no shame? How dare you run off with the heir to the Thorne family!” Chloe stood beside her, the picture of concern. It was clear she’d been stirring the pot again. Over the years, whenever Liam and I had a disagreement, she would run to his mother and add fuel to the fire. “Aria yelled at Mr. Thorne again. She said he was useless…” “Mr. Thorne is so pitiful. He came to work with a scratch on his face, and all the employees were laughing at him.” “Aria has been seeing other men lately…” By the time I realized what was happening, my mother-in-law’s dislike for me had solidified into a deep-seated hatred. “Aria, don’t blame Mr. Thorne,” Chloe started in again. “He’s ill. You can’t expect too much from him.” “What does this have to do with you?” I clutched my still-healing wound and slowly got to my feet. “What do you do besides cause trouble?” “You keep saying he’s ill. Then what were you two doing the day before yesterday?” They had gone to a concert together, in a packed hall. Liam had even pulled some strings to get Chloe a photo with the conductor. But just last month, when I had begged him to take our son to an amusement park, he had refused without a second thought. “You can’t even handle a simple thing like that? Are you useless?” Chloe was speechless, cowering behind my mother-in-law. Just as the older woman was about to erupt, Liam appeared. His mother and Chloe immediately flocked to him. “Look at this wonderful wife you’ve found! Look at how she’s treating your mother! How am I supposed to live like this!” “Mr. Thorne, your mother just wanted to see her grandson, and Aria told us to get out.” Hearing her twist the truth, the blood rushed to my head. “What are you talking about!” “Enough!” Liam’s voice was a sharp rebuke, his eyes filled with disappointment. “Aria, can’t you just be normal for once? You always have to make a scene over every little thing.” My mind went blank. I stared at him, my eyes burning. “I’m not normal?” A husband with selective social anxiety, a backstabbing homewrecker, and a mother-in-law who couldn’t see the truth. And he called me the abnormal one. Eight years of thankless sacrifice turned to dust in that single moment. “Liam, let’s get a divorce.” My voice was quiet, but the finality in it was unmistakable. Liam’s face froze. For once, he looked completely lost. “Aria, don’t joke around…” “I’m not joking,” I repeated. “Do you have your ID? Let’s go today.” The room fell silent. When my mother-in-law recovered, she started screaming. “Just divorce the bitch already! She doesn’t want you anymore! What are you holding on for?” A vein throbbed in Liam’s forehead. His eyes were like chips of ice. “Aria, I’m asking you one last time. Do you really want a divorce? Because you are not getting the kid.” Just then, Leo burst out of the bedroom. Tears streamed down his face as he yelled, “I want to stay with my mommy! I’m not going with you!” My mother-in-law looked like she was about to have a stroke. She pointed a trembling finger at me. “Look what this woman has done to a perfectly good child!” Chloe lunged for Leo. He struggled wildly. “Mommy, help me!” I rushed to him, but his grandmother grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked. “You bitch! Trying to poison my grandson against us!” The pain was excruciating. Liam instinctively cried out, “Mom, let her go! Her wound hasn’t healed!” At that moment, Chloe’s sharp nails dug into the back of my hand. I screamed in pain. My son’s eyes turned red. He bit down hard on her hand. “Ah!” Chloe shrieked. Liam’s face contorted with rage. He slapped our son across the face. Leo fell to the floor, his mouth bleeding. My heart shattered. I scrambled to him, holding him tight. “Leo, let me see.” “Mommy, don’t cry. It doesn’t hurt.” Leo managed a weak smile, but beads of sweat dotted his forehead. Liam was blind to it all. He pointed at the bite mark on Chloe’s hand and yelled at me, “Is this how you raise him? Is he a dog? I can’t believe I ever trusted you with him.” With a dark look, he hoisted Leo over his shoulder. “Mommy! Mommy!” Leo’s hoarse cries tore through me, but his grandmother and Chloe held me back. They started hitting me. “You bitch! You think you can get away with this?” My lip split open, and my wound began to bleed again. They didn’t stop until I was limp on the floor. Then they left, leaving me in a heap. I gasped for air. As soon as I could move, I called a lawyer. My parents, though ordinary people, supported me completely, immediately transferring me twenty thousand dollars. On the eve of the court date, Liam came to my office. It was the first time in eight years. “Aria, can you stop this? Chloe is just my assistant. Nothing has ever happened between us.” I pointed to the bruises on my face. “She did this after you left that day. She hates me, you know that?” A flicker of pain crossed Liam’s eyes. He reached out to gently touch my face. “I’m sorry, Aria… Chloe was just emotional.” I pulled away, pointing to the scar on my stomach. “And was it ’emotional’ when you stood there and watched me get stabbed, but ran to save her?” Liam looked away, his voice stiff. “Think whatever you want.” My voice was cold. “I want a divorce.” We parted on bad terms. As he left, Liam gave me one last, long look. “Aria, you won’t win this.” I didn’t believe him. I had years of evidence of his neglect. I couldn’t believe they wouldn’t give me custody of Leo. But on the day of the hearing, Liam had a string of witnesses. The household staff said I was unstable. The neighbors said I was erratic. “Aria is just high-strung. She’s always yelling at her husband or her son.” “She even taught her son to hit his grandmother. She’s not human!” “She had postpartum depression. She tried to kill herself.” … With all the rumors swirling, I was painted as a monster. My explanations were useless. I lost the case. Then, Liam released a video. It showed Leo pushing his grandmother, crying and screaming, “You’re a bad person! I want my mommy! I only want my mommy!” The internet exploded. “His mother must have taught him that. He’s turning into a monster.” “That kid is ruined. What kind of person is he going to grow up to be? No discipline at all!” “Like mother, like son!” The vicious comments were endless. People started recognizing me on the street. Someone threw a rotten egg at me. I fell to the ground, vomiting. After the crowd dispersed, Liam walked up to me. His eyes were filled with pity. “Aria, why can’t you just listen? I do love you.” I slapped him, my eyes burning with hatred. He grabbed my wrist, his own face turning red with anger. “Fine. Let’s see how long you can keep this up.” Exhausted, I went home and started planning how to get to Leo. The next morning, Leo burst into the apartment, his face a mask of terror. “Mommy, help me!” He was pale and sweating. I held him close. “What is it, sweetie? Tell me slowly.” “Auntie Chloe’s neck is bleeding! She says I did it! Daddy’s going to kill me!” My blood ran cold. So this was Chloe’s plan all along. To get Leo back just to destroy him. Just then, we heard shouting at the door. I shoved my son into the bedroom. “Leo, don’t come out,” I said sternly. “No matter what you hear, do not come out!” Leo was crying too hard to breathe. I knew what he was afraid of. I forced a smile. “I’m a grown-up, sweetie. I’ll be fine. Just cover your ears and don’t listen.” I locked the door just as Liam and a red-eyed Chloe burst in. Her neck was wrapped in thick gauze. It looked serious. Before I could speak, Chloe dropped to her knees. “Aria, I don’t deserve to die. That knife wound from Leo almost killed me.” “What good will it do you for your son to be a murderer at his age?” She was a picture of wronged innocence, her voice choked with tears. Liam was beside himself with concern. He helped her up, his eyes like daggers when he looked at me. “Get him out here!” “What proof do you have that Leo did it? Is there a security camera?” I screamed, my heart breaking for my son, for his father who was so blind. “Enough!” Liam’s roar nearly deafened me. He strode forward, his pent-up anger finally erupting. He said, word by word, “I regret it. I regret ever having that little bastard!” I stood rooted to the spot. After a long moment, a trembling smile spread across my face. “Little bastard?” He, a father, was calling his own child a bastard. Liam pretended not to hear. His face was grim. “Chloe found a boarding school. We’ll send him there for a year.” He started for the bedroom. He was moving so fast he didn’t see the madness, the final, desperate resolve in my eyes. Just as he was about to break down the door, I lunged at him and bit down on his neck. The pain made him roar. He threw me off. He clutched his bleeding neck, his voice full of rage. “Aria, you’re going to be the death of me!” I hit the floor hard, but I was laughing, a wild, crazed sound. I felt a strange, wet sensation beneath me. A triumphant, painful smile stretched my lips. I pointed to my stomach and laughed, my voice rising with hysteria. “You said Leo was a bastard? Well, here. You can have this little bastard back, too!”

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My adoptive father lured me outside and deliberately left me in front of a crazed fighting dog. The dog’s teeth severed nerves, and with them, all sensation of pain. After that, I grew even quieter, like a doll that only knew how to follow orders. When my birth parents finally found me and brought me home, the girl who had taken my place wouldn’t let me in. She held a fruit knife to her own wrist. “If she sets one foot inside, I’ll die right here!” Tears streamed down her face, but the blade had barely broken the skin. Expressionless, I walked over and took the knife. “Let me help you with that, sister.” Then, with precision, I sliced open her artery. Blood sprayed across the floor. My mother and father stared at me, their eyes wide with terror. 1 The moment Clara Blackwood saw me, she bolted to the kitchen and came back with a fruit knife. She pressed the tip against her wrist, her face a mask of tragic tears. “If she sets one foot inside, I’ll die right here!” she wailed. “I’ve lived in this house for fifteen years! Why does she get to come back and steal your love?” My mother panicked. “Clara, don’t be rash! We can talk about this.” “She’s a monster! Look at her eyes! They’re terrifying!” Clara pressed down, dragging the knife across her skin. It was a superficial cut, producing only a few beads of blood. She howled, “It hurts! I’m bleeding!” As I watched her performance, a single directive formed in my mind: Die. She said she wanted to die. I moved robotically toward her and took the knife from her hand. “What are you doing?!” Clara’s eyes widened. I didn’t speak. I found the artery in her wrist and drew the blade across it. “Let me help you with that, sister.” Blood gushed out, ten times more than before. Clara let out a bloodcurdling scream and collapsed, convulsing on the floor. My mother’s face went white. “Oh god! Call 911!” My father lunged, snatching the bloody knife from my hand. His voice trembled. “Tessa, what are you doing?” I looked at them calmly. “It was a directive.” “What directive?” “My sister said she wanted to die. I was helping her execute it.” Just then, my brother, Jerry, came running down the stairs. He saw Clara in a pool of blood, then looked at me. His eyes filled with a mixture of horror and rage. “You monster!” he screamed, pointing at me. The wail of an ambulance grew closer. I stood silently beside the spreading puddle of blood, my own hands stained crimson. My mother’s voice shook. “Tessa, why would you do this?” “It was a directive,” I repeated. I didn’t know how else to explain. At the hospital, Clara was rushed into emergency surgery. I was left alone in the hallway of the ER. I clutched an old, battered music box—my only possession. It was broken. The winding key was loose, and it could only produce a few stuttering, off-key notes. Still, I wound it again and again, listening to its fractured melody. Three hours later, the surgeon emerged. “The patient is out of danger, but she lost a lot of blood. She’ll need to be admitted for observation.” My mother let out a shaky breath of relief before walking over to me. She looked at my blood-spattered clothes, her expression a battle between pity and fear. “Tessa, let’s go home.” Back at the Blackwood estate, the bloodstains in the living room hadn’t been fully cleaned. My mother asked the housekeeper to finish up while she sat across from me. “Tessa, tell me, why did you hurt your sister?” I stared at her and mechanically repeated the words. “It was a directive.” “What directive? Who gave it to you?” I couldn’t answer. I just looked down, fiddling with the music box in my hands. Tears welled in my mother’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. “Tessa, what on earth happened to you?” 2 The next afternoon, Clara was discharged from the hospital. Her left wrist was wrapped in a thick bandage. She was pale, but her eyes burned with malice. The second she saw me, she lunged, snatching the music box from my hands. “Monsters only deserve to play with trash!” She raised it high and slammed it onto the marble floor. With a sickening crack, the box shattered into a dozen pieces. The winding mechanism sprang out, rolling far under a sofa. The delicate ballerina inside snapped in two. I stared at the wreckage on the floor. I didn’t cry or scream. I simply knelt. Piece by piece, I began to gather the fragments. The sharp edges of the broken wood sliced into my fingertips, and drops of blood fell onto the floor. I didn’t flinch. I just kept picking them up. “She’s insane! She’s lost her mind!” Clara shrieked. My mother tried to pull me away, but then she saw the blood streaming from my fingers. As she tugged at my arm, my sleeve rode up, revealing the horrifying tapestry of scars beneath. Knife wounds, bite marks, and the circular patterns of cigarette burns. They covered my thin arm in a dense, shocking lattice. My mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “What are these?” My father saw them too. “Get her to the hospital! Now!” The doctor’s findings stunned everyone into silence. “The patient is experiencing complete congenital analgesia—the inability to feel pain. Her emotional center has also suffered severe damage.” “This condition is incredibly rare,” the doctor continued, his face grim as he studied my X-rays. “It’s usually the result of extreme, prolonged trauma. Her nervous system was deliberately damaged. Someone intentionally severed the nerves that transmit pain signals.” My mother fainted before he could finish. My father’s voice was a choked whisper. “Who would do something like this to a child?” The doctor shook his head. “In my thirty years of practice, I have never seen such a cruel and methodical act. It’s a miracle this child is alive at all.” I sat on the examination table, listening quietly. The cuts on my fingers had been bandaged. I felt nothing. That night, back home, I placed the broken pieces of the music box into a small cardboard box. Clara saw me and smirked. “Still trying to fix that thing? Dream on. That piece of junk should have been thrown out years ago.” I didn’t respond, just continued to arrange the fragments. The next morning, news of Clara’s “accident” had spread through her school. My brother, Jerry, came home with a dark look on his face. He cornered me in the hallway. “It’s all your fault,” he seethed. “Clara almost died because of you!” He was holding a mug of freshly brewed coffee, his eyes like ice. “Do you really feel nothing?” He didn’t believe the doctors. “I don’t believe you’re a monster. You’re acting!” He tipped the mug, pouring the scalding liquid over the back of my hand. The near-boiling coffee instantly turned my skin an angry red. Blisters rose immediately, and the top layer of skin began to peel away. I just looked down at it. I didn’t react. I didn’t even pull my hand back. The look on Jerry’s face shifted from fury to shock, and then to raw fear. “You… you really can’t feel it?” I met his terrified gaze. “No.” That single word seemed to shatter him more than a scream ever could. He lost control, shoving me hard. “What are you?! No normal person is like this! You’re not my sister!” I stumbled backward and fell, my head cracking against the sharp corner of the coffee table. Blood trickled down my cheek. I didn’t cry. I didn’t make a sound. I just silently pushed myself back up, wiped the blood from my face with the back of my other hand, and continued to look at him. The sight of my silent suffering broke him completely. He grabbed a heavy glass ashtray from the table and raised it, ready to bring it down on my head. 3 “Stop!” My father, coming down the stairs, saw the scene and roared with fury. He lunged forward, wrenching the ashtray from Jerry’s hand, and delivered a powerful backhand slap across his face. Crack! Jerry’s cheek swelled instantly. “That is your sister! Your own flesh and blood! Are you trying to kill her?!” my father bellowed. “Look at her hand! Look at her head! Look at all the scars she already has!” “She has suffered enough! How much more are you going to torture her?!” Jerry stood frozen, staring at my scalded hand and the gash on my forehead. I still wasn’t crying, just watching them with my empty eyes. My mother ran down, drawn by the shouting. When she saw me, her eyes filled with tears. “Tessa, honey, you’re hurt again?” She reached out to hug me. I didn’t pull away, but I didn’t respond either. I was just a beautiful, broken porcelain doll. “Jerry, on your knees!” my father commanded, pointing at the floor. “Apologize to your sister!” Jerry looked at me, his eyes a mix of guilt and terror. “I’m… I’m sorry, Tessa…” I looked back at him and said softly, “It’s okay.” Those two words made tears spring to his eyes. He was beginning to realize that I wasn’t the monster. My mother carefully tended to my wounds. “Tessa, tell Mommy, does it hurt a lot?” I shook my head. “It doesn’t hurt.” “Are you scared?” I thought for a moment. “I don’t know what scared is.” My mother’s tears fell faster. She pulled me into a tight embrace. “Mommy will never let anyone hurt you again. Not even your brother.” I rested in her arms, feeling nothing. To make up for what had happened, my mother bought me an expensive white cashmere sweater. She gently helped me put it on. “Tessa, how does it feel? Is it comfortable?” I ran my hand over the fabric and nodded. “It’s nice.” I couldn’t feel its softness, but I knew it was something good. I sat quietly on the sofa in my new clothes. But when Clara came home, her eyes immediately locked onto the sweater. “Why does she get to wear something so nice?! You’ve never bought me anything this expensive!” “Clara, your closet is full of beautiful clothes,” my mother reasoned. “Those are old! Now that she’s back, you don’t love me anymore!” Clara grew more and more hysterical, snot and tears mixing on her face. “Fifteen years in this family means less than one day with her!” Sobbing, she ran to the coffee table and snatched a box cutter. “You don’t deserve to wear nice things!” She rushed at me, intending to slice the sweater off my body. I didn’t move. I just watched her come. The sharp blade slashed across the fabric. In the chaos, the tip of the cutter plunged into my shoulder. Blood instantly bloomed, staining the white cashmere a brilliant red. I looked down at the ruined sweater. “Directive was ‘wear’,” I said softly. “Clothing damaged. Directive failed.” “What failed directive?! You’re a psycho!” Clara raised the cutter again. My mother leaped forward, tore the weapon from her hand, and delivered a resounding slap across Clara’s face. Crack! She used all her strength. Clara stumbled back several steps, stunned. “Are you insane?! Do you want to go to jail?!” For the first time, my mother looked at Clara with pure ferocity. “She is your sister! Your real sister! How could you stab her?!” Clara held her cheek, staring at our mother in disbelief. “Mom? You hit me? You hit me for her? For that monster?” “Yes! I hit you for her!” my mother said without hesitation. “And if you ever dare to hurt Tessa again, I will send you to juvenile hall!” 4 In all her life, my mother had never spoken so harshly to Clara, let alone hit her. “You don’t love me anymore…” Clara sobbed and ran upstairs. My mother ignored her and turned to check my wound. “Tessa, does it hurt?” I shook my head, my gaze fixed on the blood-soaked sweater. “The clothes are broken.” “It’s okay, honey. Mommy will buy you a new one.” “But this one was special,” I said, the first unsolicited emotion I had expressed. My mother’s tears started again. “Why was it special?” “Because it was the first piece of clothing Mommy bought for me.” Her heart broke. She held me tight. “Mommy will buy you so, so many clothes,” she whispered. “You will never lack for anything ever again.” But some things, once lost, can never be replaced. My parents took me back to the hospital for my shoulder. The doctor said the blade had missed the bone, but I would need stitches. I sat through the entire procedure without making a sound. “This child’s tolerance for pain is incredible,” the doctor remarked. … While we were out, Clara found the box with my music box fragments. “Why is she still keeping this junk?” She found a hammer, intending to smash the pieces into dust. Jerry stood by and watched, saying nothing. Clara swung the hammer again and again, pulverizing the wooden shards. Finally, all that was left on the coffee table was a small pile of white powder. “There,” she said, satisfied. “Now she has nothing to obsess over. A monster doesn’t deserve anything beautiful.” Jerry looked at the dust and remained silent. When we returned, Clara greeted us with an innocent smile. “You’re back, little sister?” I nodded and went to the drawer where I kept the box. It was empty. I checked other places, but it was gone. Finally, I saw the pile of white powder on the coffee table. I knew what it was. I reached out with my bandaged hand to cup the dust, but it was too fine, slipping through my fingers. I made no sound, but a single tear escaped from my blank eyes and traced a path down my cheek. It was the first time I had cried since coming home. It was the only time. My mother saw it and covered her mouth in shock. My father was speechless. Jerry stared at my single tear, and he looked as if the air had been punched from his lungs. That silent drop of water was a more powerful accusation than any scream. “Tessa…” my mother began, wanting to comfort me. I shook my head, my expression returning to its usual emptiness. “It’s okay. It was broken for a long time.” Clara saw everyone’s reaction and scoffed. “What are you crying about? It was just a piece of trash. She’s a monster. What does she need a music box for anyway?” My mother glared at her. “Did you do this?” “So what if I did? That junk should have been thrown out!” My mother looked like she wanted to hit Clara again, but she restrained herself. She knew that no punishment could bring back what I had lost. Jerry walked over to me, his voice trembling. “Tessa, I’m sorry.” I looked at him. “Why are you apologizing?” “I… I should have stopped her.” “It’s okay. It was already broken.” My forgiveness seemed to wound him more than any accusation. The next day, he cornered my mother, demanding to know about the music box. “What was that thing? Why was it so important to her?!” My mother looked at his red, swollen eyes and knew he hadn’t slept. “Jerry, do you really want to know the truth?” “Yes! I need to know what happened to Tessa!” Tears began to stream down her face. “Tessa wasn’t just abducted, Jerry. She was thrown into hell.”

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On the day we submitted our college applications, I knelt at home, while Caleb knelt at his company. Two days and two nights, just to beg our parents to call off the arranged marriage. Everyone was confused, but only I knew the truth. In my past life, after marrying Caleb, I worked tirelessly for our family, standing with him at the peak of the business world. Yet, he forced me to take the fall for the fake heiress, Layla, and go to prison. He looked down on me with indifference. “If you hadn’t forced me to get engaged to you right after you got into Harvard, my wife would have been Layla. You deserve to pay for your greed.” My parents chimed in, “Fiona, you always stole Layla’s things. Now, you finally get your karma!” The engagement was clearly demanded by both our parents. I vomited blood and died of anger. After my death, my body rotted in the morgue while they held a grand wedding banquet at a five-star hotel to celebrate their union. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of college application submissions. In this life, I decided to let them have what they want. Chapter 1 The homeroom teacher pushed the application form towards Caleb and me, pride evident in his voice. “The Harvard admissions office called. You two tied for the highest score in the city. You can apply anytime.” “I don’t want to go to the same university as Fiona.” Caleb twirled his pen nonchalantly, his eyes arrogant. “I’m going to apply to the same school as Layla.” The teacher stood up abruptly, glasses sliding down his nose. “Are you crazy?” “Layla’s score isn’t even enough for a decent state college! Caleb, you’re joking with your future!” Caleb ignored him. He stood with one hand in his pocket, back straight, exuding an air of aloofness. “Teacher, Layla’s SAT score might be low, but she’s more excellent than Fiona. She has special talents, just wait and see!” Saying this, his gaze went past me and settled on the office door. Layla was standing there, timidly twisting her fingers. I noticed Caleb’s eyes soften instantly, a tenderness he never gave me. “As for Fiona,” he withdrew his gaze, his voice returning to its usual indifference, “she is excellent, but too conventional. I want a soul that can stand equal to me, not a nerd who only knows how to study.” The teacher was shaking with anger: “Do you know what you’re saying? Everyone says you and Fiona have a good relationship. Isn’t it great for you both to go to Harvard?” “Even if you don’t go to Harvard together, there’s no need to lower your standards. The difference between a community college and a top-tier university isn’t just about the faculty.” Caleb adjusted his collar, his every move radiating the arrogance of a top student. “Fiona treats me well, but our relationship is average.” “I only want to be with someone who has real talent and learning, to create our own world together. Layla is the one I want.” His gaze followed Layla at the door, eyes shining with a fervor I couldn’t understand. At this point, I understood. Caleb was reborn like me. In his past life, he didn’t get enough time as a couple, so in this life, he’s eager to start over with his true love. If it were my past life, I would have been heartbroken, but now, my heart is exceptionally calm. The teacher was furious, “Do whatever you want, just don’t regret it later.” Caleb was confident, glancing at me, “Choosing Layla is something I will never regret.” He left side by side with Layla. Only then did I speak slowly. “Teacher, are you really not going to interfere with Caleb’s application?” The teacher patted my shoulder, sighing. “Fiona, I know you like Caleb. Do you want to go to the same university as him?” “But forced love isn’t sweet. The university he wants for Layla is too much of a downgrade. You don’t need to go to a community college for him.” I was stunned for a moment, then laughed, my eyes clear and firm. “Teacher, you misunderstood.” “I won’t give up my future for anyone, nor will I be anyone’s sidekick.” The teacher paused, nodding with relief. “Good! Good! I knew you were always the most sensible one.” I smiled, put the application form into my folder, and left the office. On this day in my past life, Caleb and I applied to Harvard together. Our parents clamored for us to get engaged. He didn’t object, so I thought he agreed. Who knew he loved Layla? His parents just required his wife to be someone who could stand equal to him. Layla later shone at the International Youth Art Exhibition and was specially admitted to Harvard, missing him just barely. Because of this, he hated me for ten years. And made me take the fall and go to jail for his beloved. In this life, I won’t have any involvement with him. I’ll let them be. Walking to the grove, I suddenly heard Layla and her best friend laughing. “Layla, you’re amazing!” “Not only did you steal the love of Fiona’s parents at home, but now even Caleb is devoted to you.” Layla scoffed: “What’s that? Why does that nerd always get first place?” “It’s also my nanny mom’s fault for being soft-hearted back then. She swapped us, but why didn’t she just sell that little bitch Fiona to the mountains?” “If she were in the mountains, the Lin family definitely wouldn’t have found her back, and she wouldn’t be fighting me for the position of the Lin family daughter!” So, we weren’t “accidentally switched at birth,” but maliciously swapped. My blood froze instantly, a chill running down my spine. I remembered my foster mother’s belt after drinking, my foster father’s lecherous gaze, and the tuition fees that could never be gathered. These sufferings I shouldn’t have endured. Because of her and her mother’s greed, their desire for a good life, they pushed me into hell. If I hadn’t been ambitious, getting into a key high school from a small town and reuniting with the Lin family, I might never have found my biological parents. Hatred surged like a tide. I clenched my fists, nails digging deep into my palms. Just as I was about to step forward, a hand grabbed my arm. “Fiona, looking for trouble with Layla again?” Caleb had walked up to me at some point, frowning, eyes full of disgust and impatience. I looked up coldly: “Did you hear what she just said?” His gaze swept over Layla not far away, “What could she say? That she and I will be together soon, and you’re jealous?” Looking back at me, his tone carried a warning. “Layla is kind-hearted. If you’re angry about the college application, take it out on me, don’t harass her!” Kind-hearted? I almost laughed out loud. “Caleb,” I stared into his eyes, “are you blind and deaf?” His face darkened, tone arrogant: “Fiona, don’t think good grades give you the right to be arrogant. In three days, you’ll know who truly deserves to go to Harvard!” Seeing my eyes turn red, his tone softened inexplicably. “Of course, if you still can’t let go of me, after we start college, I can discuss with Layla to spare a day each month to accompany you.” I looked at him quietly, suddenly finding it laughable. The boy I once looked up to was now full of arrogance, stupid beyond belief. “Caleb,” I smiled slowly, “you make me sick.” His face changed drastically, but I didn’t bother to look at him again, shaking off his hand and walking away. At the corner, I made a call: “I want all birth records from City Central Hospital on June 15th eighteen years ago, including surveillance and duty rosters.” After hanging up, I dialed another number: “Principal Zhang, about this year’s International Youth Art Exhibition, I’m participating.” I looked at the WeChat moment Layla just posted. She and Caleb holding hands, captioned “Destined encounter.” I laughed softly. Layla, don’t you love stealing my things? Caleb, don’t you think she’s pure and kind? Good, very good. Then I will tear off your masks in front of the whole school. I will make you ruined and forever wanting what you can’t have. Chapter 2 Three days passed quickly. What Caleb told me to wait and see was this year’s International Youth Art Exhibition. Ostensibly an exhibition, it was actually a chance for the Harvard School of Art to specially admit talented painters. Every student with some painting talent in the country was there. In my past life, Layla shone at the exhibition with a painting titled “Spring Day,” earning a personal meeting with the Dean of Harvard Art. She then received a special admission qualification to Harvard, bringing glory to the Lin family. It also made my parents and Caleb look at her with new eyes. They didn’t hesitate to criticize and neglect me for her. Finally, they took revenge on me. I walked into the exhibition hall with a calm expression and a straight back. Everyone’s eyes fell on me. Whispers around me were clearly audible. “Isn’t that Fiona? Heard she scored much higher than Layla in the SATs, but her parents spoil Layla more.” “She’s pitiful too. The biological daughter of the Lin family, but lost for years. No matter how capable, she can’t compare to the fake heiress raised by the parents for so many years.” “Not just the Lin parents, Caleb also ignores the top student to revolve around Layla all day. Strange.” “You don’t understand. Layla’s grades are average, but she has artistic talent. Heard this exhibition is aimed at her.” Ignoring these discussions, I walked straight to my booth. Just as I finished arranging my paintings, Caleb walked over with Layla. “Fiona, you’re participating too?” “Well, that’s fine. When Layla’s painting gets selected later, you can share some of the glory.” Without looking up, I adjusted the frame and said indifferently: “Caleb, you spread the news everywhere that Layla is a genius painter, using my grades to build momentum for her. You really put in a lot of effort.” “But have you ever thought, the higher you lift her, the harder she falls?” “It’s fine if she succeeds, but if she fails, she’ll probably become a laughingstock.” Caleb looked at me sideways and sneered. “You think she’s you? What can you do besides taking exams?” “Let me tell you, Layla’s painting has already been chosen internally. She will be the genius specially admitted to Harvard Art, the focus of everyone.” “I know you’re jealous of Layla, but for the sake of being classmates, I advise you to be polite to her.” He pointed at my painting: “Or, admit now that Layla is better than you, and I won’t hold your past actions against her against you.” “I can even tell Layla to allow me to spend two days with you when I’m free.” People around couldn’t help whispering, many watching for the drama. I knew what they were discussing. Sophomore year, the student council president confessed to me. I said I only liked Caleb. Even if his grades were bad, I was willing to be with him. Since then, everyone thought I was Caleb’s simp. Willing to be a spare tire just to be with him. Someone in the crowd jeered: “Fiona, just admit it. Don’t make Caleb angry, or he won’t play with you anymore.” Layla couldn’t hide her smugness, then looked at me, considerately saying: “Everyone, don’t make it hard for my sister. She’s the top student after all, how dare I compare with her.” Caleb hugged Layla’s shoulder, heart aching for her. “You’re just too kind. You are clearly the most dazzling one, no need to yield to her.” Watching them singing the same tune, trampling on me wantonly, I couldn’t help laughing. “Since you’re so confident, I’m curious about three questions.” “First, Layla, do you dare to compare real talent and learning with me?” “Second, Caleb, what makes you think I still like you?” “As for the third, do you really think the guaranteed admission spot for this exhibition belongs to Layla?” Everyone looked at me, instantly silent. Seeming to ponder the meaning of my words. At this moment, a teacher from the organizing committee walked over. “Student Layla, the Dean has seen your work and would like to invite you for a detailed talk.” The surroundings exploded. “Layla is being met privately by the Dean, looks like she really has talent!” “Caleb has a keen eye, spotting the pearl from the fish eyes immediately. Many get into Harvard, but few get specially admitted for art.” “If I were Fiona, I’d admit defeat and leave now to save face.” Caleb and Layla glanced at me coldly. Layla left triumphantly. Caleb looked at me, tone arrogant. “I told you Layla is a genius, but you wouldn’t believe it.” “Alright, since it’s come to this, as long as you admit Layla is better than you,” “After graduation, I can give you one of my children as a reward.” The crowd roared with laughter. As if the exhibition result was settled, and I was the pitiful loser. My best friend Summer stomped her foot in anger: “Fiona, I’ll go call the homeroom teacher to uphold justice!” I shook my head calmly: “No need, someone will come for us soon.” Just as I finished speaking, the organizing committee teacher came over again: “Student Fiona, the Dean wants to see you.” I didn’t move, just asked: “Teacher, could you ask the Dean to come here? Some things need to be clarified in public.” Soon, the Dean came personally. Holding two paintings, he frowned. “Student Fiona, why is your work so similar to Student Layla’s?” Red-eyed Layla stared at me, voice choked. “Sister, I trusted you so much, I didn’t expect you to plagiarize my work!” I stood my ground calmly. This scene was expected. Because in my past life, Layla used my painting to participate in the competition. And was specially admitted to Harvard because of it. In my past life, worried that sisters turning against each other would embarrass our parents, I didn’t expose the truth. Unexpectedly, it became the fuse that killed me. Now, I don’t need to wrong myself anymore. “In this world, playing the victim doesn’t make you right.” “Accusing me of plagiarism, do you have evidence?” Layla bit her lip and looked at Caleb. He immediately said coldly: “Dean, I can testify. Last week I went to the studio to find Layla and saw Fiona sneaking around Layla’s easel.” “She must have peeked at Layla’s work then!” The Dean looked troubled: “Student Caleb, we can’t conclude based on just that…” Caleb said decisively: “Because I know Layla, she has real talent and learning.” “As for Fiona, although her grades are good, her artistic talent can’t compare to Layla’s at all.” I looked straight into the Dean’s eyes, “In that case, why not ask the judging panel to set a topic on the spot, and let us paint right here to see who is better?” Layla’s face changed drastically, panic-stricken as she tugged at Caleb’s shirt. But he responded confidently: “Just what I wanted.” “Save you from constantly slandering Layla.” In my past life, for Caleb’s so-called “peace,” I willingly hid my talent and gave the opportunity to Layla. But in return, I got betrayal and contempt from everyone. Reliving this life, I just want to live for myself. With this commotion, several senior professors from Harvard Art arrived and set the topic. “Impromptu creation on the theme of ‘Youth’, time limit 30 minutes.” Hearing the topic, Layla visibly relaxed, a smug smile curling her lips. She picked up her brush and started painting fluidly on the canvas. Caleb watched from afar, face full of pride. Time’s up. Layla displayed her work first. A charcoal drawing drew gasps of admiration from the crowd. When it was my turn, the canvas was empty. Whispers erupted around us. Caleb sneered: “I told you, Fiona only knows how to study, what artistic talent does she have?” Layla looked at me, “Sister, it’s okay if you can’t draw.” “I can overlook the plagiarism, after all, we are family.” “When we get into Harvard, I’ll ask Caleb to look after you too.” Onlookers also advised me to admit defeat. “How embarrassing. If I were Mr. Lin, I’d leave all the family property to Layla.” “Exactly. Even though she’s not the biological daughter, at least she’s generous, presentable, and promising.” Caleb’s eyes suddenly lit up. “That’s a good idea.” “Fiona, let Uncle and Auntie leave the inheritance to Layla, and we’ll pretend today never happened.” Layla pretended to say: “Caleb, I don’t care about that. As long as I can continue painting and bring glory to the Lin family.” “But if sister is willing to reconcile this way, I can accept it.” I laughed too, no mirth in my eyes. I looked into the distance and saw Summer bringing in a middle-aged woman. My smile became genuine. Finally here. I looked at Layla, “You should know this head nurse, right? Eighteen years ago, your mother gave her ten thousand dollars to switch my birth certificate with yours.” “So you could live the life of a rich young lady, while I had to grow up in the slums.” Layla’s face turned pale instantly, the brush in her hand falling to the ground with a clatter. “You’re lying!” “Sister, I know you’re jealous of me, but you can’t fabricate such lies!” Caleb’s expression changed slightly, “Fiona, you’ve gone too far! To win a competition, you’d tell such a lie?” The Dean picked up the microphone to speak. I calmly held up a document: “This is the birth record from back then, the head nurse’s testimony, and a recording of Layla letting it slip.” “She hates me, blaming her mother for not throwing me into a ditch, ruining her good fortune as a rich girl.” The crowd was in an uproar. Caleb turned to look at Layla in shock. She was full of panic, trying desperately to explain. I walked to the center of the stage and picked up the microphone. “Dean, regarding today’s competition, I have one more thing to explain.” “Layla’s painting ‘Spring Day’ is actually my work from last year.” Under everyone’s gaze, I slowly raised the sketchbook in my hand: Opening it, inside was a striking charcoal drawing. In the drawing, a girl knelt before an easel, but the brush in her hand was broken; Behind her stood two blurry figures, laughing triumphantly. “The title of this painting is ‘Stolen Youth’.” My voice was clear and firm. “The painting ‘Youth’ Layla just submitted is a plagiarism of this work—” Chapter 3 Caleb was completely confused, scrambling to pick up the drawing paper on the ground to examine it closely. But after looking for a long time, he couldn’t see the problem, so he could only look to the Dean for help. The Dean signaled the staff to project the painting onto the big screen. At first, the students in the audience were as confused as Caleb: “Isn’t this painting pretty good?” “The composition and colors are very professional!” Seeing that no one could spot the flaw, Layla grew bolder. Red-eyed, she said to the Dean: “Dean, let’s put aside my sister slandering me for now.” “But this painting was indeed created by me on the spot. Every stroke is my heart’s blood.” I looked at the professors on the judges’ bench with solemn expressions and reminded softly: “What the Dean wants to ask is not about painting skills.” “But the creation time of this painting.” Layla glared at me viciously, turned her head and vowed: “Of course it’s an on-site creation! The topic was just given by the Dean, how could I prepare in advance?” The Chair of the Art Department pushed his glasses and asked in a deep voice: “Are you sure it’s an on-site original?” Layla nodded decisively: “Absolutely true! Including my painting ‘Spring Day’, it was also created on site. Many classmates can testify for me!” Just then, the Dean took out a portfolio from his briefcase and slammed it on the exhibition stand. “What a coincidence!” “Your ‘on-site creation’ has the exact same composition as last year’s International Youth Art Exhibition winning work ‘Rite of Spring’!” “Even the color matching is exactly the same!” Layla’s face instantly turned pale. Of course she recognized that portfolio. It was the collection she stole from my room. Caleb stood far away and couldn’t see the contents of the portfolio clearly. Thinking Layla was scared, he hurriedly stood up to defend her: “Dean, artistic creation inevitably has similarities. This could be a coincidence.” “Coincidence?” The Dean sneered. “What’s more coincidental is that the judge of that competition last year happened to be me!” “Caleb, do you know what kind of liar you are defending?” Caleb froze, looking at Layla in disbelief: “Layla, what is this?” Layla shook her head in panic: “No, Caleb, listen to my explanation…” I said: “Do I need to tell everyone why Layla knows these paintings?” “Because last month she secretly sneaked into my dorm and took photos of all my works.” Layla retorted shrilly: “You’re lying! Do you have evidence?” My roommate suddenly raised her phone: “I can testify! I went back to the dorm to get something that day and took a picture of Layla rummaging through your desk.” The big screen immediately showed irrefutable evidence. Layla was holding a phone, taking pictures of my portfolio. The audience was in an uproar. Caleb stood there dumbfounded as if struck by lightning. Layla had collapsed on the floor, her carefully prepared dress stained with paint. “There’s more.” I opened another file. “About the baby swap case in the hospital eighteen years ago…” At this moment, the judges’ bench interrupted me. “Wait, I have something to say.” Everyone’s eyes focused on the judges’ bench. The Chair of the Art Department slowly stood up and pushed his glasses: “I can verify the facts stated by student Fiona.” “Last year, when the Dean and I served as judges for the International Youth Art Exhibition, we saw the original work of ‘Rite of Spring’.” “At that time, the signature on the painting was indeed Fiona.” The scene erupted. Layla’s face was white as a sheet, lips trembling but unable to speak. Caleb looked at the judge in disbelief: “This, this is impossible! Layla she!” The Department Chair interrupted him coldly: “Even more ridiculous is that student Layla’s so-called ‘on-site creation’ painting has the exact same brushstrokes and details as the original.” “This is no coincidence, but a blatant copy!” Layla finally broke down crying: “No! I just, just wanted to win too much.” She suddenly turned to Caleb, grabbing his arm: “Caleb, believe me! I did this to go to Harvard with you!” Caleb shook off her hand as if burned, voice trembling: “So you’ve been lying to me all along?” “Genius painter, guaranteed admission qualification, all fake?” Just then, my phone chimed. I tapped the screen, corners of my mouth raising slightly: “Thank you, Chair, for being my witness.” “Just in time, the DNA test results are out.” The big screen displayed the test report: “DNA comparison confirms biological parent-child relationship between Sample A Layla and Sample B Nanny Liu Qiuhua.” I looked calmly at Layla paralyzed on the ground: “Now, do you still want to argue?” Layla looked like death, but still struggling: “Sister, I know I was wrong! Please forgive me.” “We lived together for a while after all!” Caleb suddenly rushed to me, tone urgent: “Fiona, Layla knows she’s wrong, just forgive her.” “As long as you’re willing, I, I can pursue you again!” I sneered: “Caleb, do you think I still care about your choice?” “Now, it’s time to settle another account.” I turned to the Dean: “I have submitted all evidence regarding Layla’s mother swapping babies in the hospital eighteen years ago to the police.” Just then, the auditorium doors were pushed open, and two police officers walked in: “Student Layla, please cooperate with us in investigating a baby abduction case from eighteen years ago.” The hall went silent. Caleb stood dumbstruck, while Layla had collapsed on the floor, unable to utter another word. Chapter 4 Perhaps the scene was too chaotic. Caleb stopped abruptly, looking at Layla in shock: “Did you really swap Fiona’s life?” Layla’s face was pale as paper, lips trembling in defense: “It wasn’t me. I was just a newborn then, how could I?” Caleb seemed convinced by her, turning to me: “Fiona, Layla has a point. How could a newborn baby mastermind such a thing?” “I know you found this evidence just to prove her plagiarism.” “Now that the truth is out, stop being so aggressive.” Seeing Caleb failing to distinguish right from wrong, I was completely disappointed in him. I finally understood that some people never change. The sunny boy from my past life, Died the moment he chose to stand by Layla. Now he is just a confused fool blindly protecting the wrong person. Unwilling to entangle with him further, I said to the head nurse: “Please repeat the situation back then.” The head nurse nervously clutched her clothes: “That night, when I was on night shift, Layla’s mother stuffed a thick envelope into my hands.” “She said the money came from trafficking children, and if I didn’t take it, she would frame me as her accomplice and drag me to prison with her.” Layla suddenly seized the loophole in the head nurse’s words, interrupting eagerly: “That’s just her side of the story!” “Who can prove what she says is true?” She turned to the judges, teary-eyed: “Teachers, my mother passed away years ago. Dead people tell no tales.” “My sister fabricated this lie to frame me because she’s jealous of my relationship with Caleb.” The Dean and several professors exchanged helpless glances. They knew that the head nurse’s testimony alone was indeed insufficient to conclude events from years ago. Seeing this, Caleb sighed in relief and said to me: “Fiona, I understand your feelings, but this might really be a misunderstanding.” “If you really can’t accept Layla, I can reduce my contact with her in the future.” Before he could finish, the auditorium doors opened again. My adoptive father walked in supporting an elderly woman with a cane. Seeing the visitor, Layla’s face turned ashen, legs giving way, nearly kneeling. I supported the old woman and introduced her to everyone: “This is Auntie Wang, the hospital cleaner back then.” “Also, the only witness who saw the entire swapping process.” The Dean looked at the old woman’s blind eyes in shock: “Your eyes.” My adoptive father’s voice choked: “Not just her eyes, her right hand was also crippled.” “Just to stop her from telling the truth!” The audience was in an uproar. Caleb looked at Layla in disbelief: “This, your mother did all this?” Auntie Wang tremblingly raised her crippled right hand, pointing straight at Layla: “It was her mother, to silence me.” “But I will always remember the scene that night when she swapped the two babies.” Layla finally broke down, screaming hysterically: “No! They made it all up!” “Caleb, believe me!” But no one believed her anymore. Caleb stumbled back a few steps, As if truly seeing the girl in front of him for the first time. And right then, Two police officers stepped forward: “Student Layla, please come with us immediately.”

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During a reality show livestream, the current “It Girl” deliberately tried to embarrass me. She dared me to call the top celebrity, my ex-boyfriend, and provoke him live: [I’m getting married tomorrow!] His response? [You want a wedding gift? Keep dreaming.] Thirty seconds later: [I’m willing to be the side piece. Video call me if you dare, I’ll prove I’m better.] Me: ???!!! … Damn it, ex-boyfriend, who messed with your settings?! 1 I lost the game on the variety show, so I had to accept the punishment from the winner of the last round. Bella, the current “It Girl” of Hollywood, rested her chin on her hand, pretending to think deeply. Finally, she flashed a dazzling smile. “Call Julian, and tell him—” “You still like him, but you’re getting married tomorrow~” ???! My vision went black. Provoking Julian, the top star in the industry, on a live broadcast? Is this something a human being would come up with? Did a coupon explosion fry your brain? Seeing my lack of reaction, she switched to a cutesy, whining tone. “I wanna see! I love this drama! Come on, call him!!!” I politely refused. “We don’t really know each other that well. How about another dare?” Bella pretended to be angry and playfully slapped my shoulder. “Oh stop it, you guys definitely know each other. “Last night, Julian mentioned you while we were chatting. “It’s just a game, we’re all friends here, let’s have some fun~” Friends? He’s my ex-boyfriend, and I met you thirty minutes ago. Where’s the friendship?! [Hahaha, Bella has such a great sense for variety shows!] [This is kinda awkward, Chloe looks so uncomfortable stuck in the middle.] [Ugh, your fave is so fragile. If she can’t play, she shouldn’t be on the show. Does she understand entertainment?] [Totally, super sensitive much?] [Bella explained they all know each other well, it’s just a joke.] [OMG! Am I the only one shipping them? Bella and Julian were chatting last night!!!] [Maybe they were chatting in the same bed, under the same covers hehehe! Whispering sweet nothings every night!] I ignored the deluge of shipping comments and was forced to pull out my phone. Everyone here is sharp. What kind of game are you playing, little girl? You just want to see me get rejected after confessing my feelings. Then you can have a sweet interaction with Julian and sell your “couple” image, right? I’m such a sucker!!! I held my breath and pressed dial. The ringback tone echoed through the hall— [My head is so itchy~] [I’m growing long hair~] [I’m growing long hair~] [Hehehehe~~~] ???! Damn, isn’t this the stupid audio clip I recorded for fun when I had COVID and lost my voice years ago? He still has it?! Ahhh, is he sick?! Why would he set this ghostly thing as his ringback tone?!!!! 2 [??? The cool guy is actually this weird in private?!] [Hahaha, I’m dying, who recorded this? It sounds like a dying crow!] [Sounds like a girl, could it be Bella?!] [Every step is a sweet moment boohoo, us “Julibella” fans are eating good!!!] [Trust me, sisters, every couple I’ve shipped has gone public, they are definitely real!] [It’d take a ghost to recognize anyone from that raspy voice…] [Pfft, anyway, it’s not your fave Chloe.] [Just say you’re jealous, stop trying to make everything about her.] [Chloe’s fans are just like her. Your girl wants to cling to Julian but can’t, so you’re all pressed?] [It’s not the first time for Chloe. Didn’t she always use the same stuff as Julian before? Boy crazy.] Bella squatted in front of the screen, replying to comments whenever she could. “Oh, what are you guys saying? It wasn’t me~” “I can’t make such a rough voice.” “Julian likes that old cartoon Ratatouille, so I just found a random sound clip for him~” Ha, you’re good at fishing in troubled waters. The next second, the call connected. The Ratatouille fanboy’s voice was cold. “Hello, who is this?” His lazy voice was amplified through the speakers. Accompanied by a slight, grainy rasp of just waking up, it made my tailbone tingle. Wait, he asked who I was? The one screaming about long hair in your phone!!! After a few heavy breaths, this foolish human finally saw the caller ID. He huffed, putting on an act. In the background, there was the rustling of fabric as he got up. “Oh, it’s Miss White. What business do you have so early in the morning?” What business? Business, business, business. My business is you, okay? Suppressing the urge to curse. I began to execute the task emotionlessly. “I really like you, but I’m marrying someone else tomorrow.” … The rustling stopped abruptly. Silence on the other end for a moment, then a faint voice. “If you want a wedding gift, just say so. “Don’t disgust me with words like that. “I have no interest… in you.” ??? Wow, growing a backbone now? Who was the one crying his eyes out like swollen peaches when we broke up?! The host and guests were stifling laughter, teasing glances flying everywhere, and millions of netizens flooded the livestream to watch the drama. My brain short-circuited, and I blurted out nonsense. “No need for a gift, just come for the reception.” “You can meet my husband. He’s tall, handsome, has an eight-pack, great stamina, very durable!” 3 Come on, let’s go! The braver ex wins!!! I clearly heard a faint grunt from Julian’s nose over the phone, “Good, very good…” Suddenly, the call was hung up. The busy signal echoed loudly in the empty studio. Awkward atmosphere. “Hahaha, Julian is quite grumpy in the morning,” the host laughed it off. The comments started partying again. [Speechless, why is Chloe adding drama?] [OMG, Julian straight up said he has no interest.] [Does this mean Chloe harassed him a lot before? Otherwise, such a gentleman wouldn’t say that…] [Knowing he and her female friend like each other, yet still throwing herself at him like a green tea b*tch, disgusting.] [Bella run! You treat her like a sister, she treats you like a stepping stone!] [You guys are crazy, conspiracy theories over everything.] [Watch it if you want, get out if you don’t, no one’s forcing you!] I was dumbfounded, speechless. Everyone here is completely immersed in their own art!!! If you’re so bored, go find a factory and sew some shoes! And that damn Julian! If you can’t speak, sew your mouth shut!!! The camera persisted in filming my phone. I forced a smile. “Task completed, I guess.” Before the words fell, a WeChat message from Julian popped up at the top of the screen. [Send me the time and location!] [I want to see what kind of ghost wedding you can pull off in such a rush.] [I’m going to steal candy from kids.] [Snatch cigarettes from old men.] [Throw wine at uncles.] [Fight for the bouquet.] [Rip off the groom’s hair gel and shoe lifts!] ???! The guests and host widened their eyes. They leaned in, disbelief on their faces. “Are you and Julian…?” “Nothing! We are nothing! He’s just being abstract haha!” I waved my hands frantically, shaking my head at warp speed. But Julian wouldn’t let me go. Messages kept coming. [I mean…] [I’m willing to be the side piece!] [Hear that? I’m willing to be the side piece!!] [Who knows if your husband’s stamina is from pills!] [I don’t need pills!] [So, right now, accept the video call and inspect the goods!!!] Before anyone could react, the video call ringtone deafened the room! 4 ???! What the hell?! Inspect what goods? Tell me what goods we are inspecting?!! I was almost delirious. Rapid breathing accompanied by tachycardia, the scenery before my eyes distorted. [Huh? Isn’t Julian dating Bella?] [Oh my god, is Bella the other woman now? Ahhh!] [She thought she and Chloe were besties, turns out Chloe slept with Julian behind her back hehe!] [Damn, cheaters, backstabbers deserve to die!] [Do Bella fans have a persecution complex? This is obviously a script…] [LMAO, people are still spreading rumors about Julian.] [Paparazzi camped out forever to catch him leaving at dawn.] [Thought he was meeting a beauty, followed him over mountains and rivers for 20,000 steps, only to find he was taking pictures of the sunrise.] [The paparazzi cursed and wanted to leave, but he caught them.] [Then he narcissistically forced them to take handsome photos of him…] [You’re saying this straight guy has the brains to date two at once?!] [Hahaha evil photographers!] [Whatever, I only care about what we’re inspecting? Pecs or… that?] [??? Teacher, please! This isn’t the wilderness!!] Ignoring the comments. My palms holding the screen were sweating like crazy. Calm down! Calm down! Calm down!!! Taking a deep breath, I squeezed out a desolate smile. “Looks like our show is really hot, even Julian is using ‘unscrupulous means’ to show his face.” “Let’s say hi to him together!” Before connecting, I looked around and directly pulled the eager Bella to the front. I held the phone high to ensure her face was the first thing seen. She tugged at her collar, widening her innocent eyes, full of shyness. Great job, time for you to lead the charge! Damn it, better you than me! Aren’t you a couple? He’s talking to me like this now. Go catch the cheater! Anyway, I’m showing it openly, I have a clear conscience. If anyone dares to scold me again. I’ll just frame him. Saying he wants to have his cake and eat it too, coveting me. I rejected him righteously many times. That’s why he’s angry and talking nonsense! And I am the good bestie who resisted temptation!! Hehehehe!!! A logical plan. A clear path to clearing my name. A smart, perfect brain. Go go go! Let’s go!

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1 My sister, Rachel, ate half a plate of mangoes I’d left on the table. She broke out in an allergic rash. My brother, Bernard, stormed into my room, pried my mouth open, and started forcing mango juice down my throat. “You love mangoes, don’t you? Today, I’m going to let you have your fill!” The juice went down the wrong pipe. I couldn’t breathe. My throat was swelling shut. I begged him to save me. Instead, he dragged me to the basement and locked the door. “Rachel is suffering, so you don’t get to be comfortable either!” he snarled. “You can stay in here and think about what you’ve done. You had no one to teach you growing up, no wonder you’re so vicious!” Two days later, my mother finally remembered me. “Bernard, that’s enough. Let Lina out,” she said. “If you keep her in there too long, she’ll start to resent Rachel.” My father, standing nearby, added carelessly, “What’s the big deal? We can just buy her something nice. That’ll make up for it.” I was floating above them, a ghost tethered to my father’s shoulder. I followed them as they drifted toward the basement. I wanted to see. I wanted to see just how they planned to “make it up” to me. … The day I was locked in the basement, my brother Bernard stormed back into the living room and smashed a glass on the table. “Is Lina even part of this family?” he raged. “Mom, Dad, are you sure the paternity test was right? How could we have a child like her?” My parents’ faces were grim. Our housekeeper, Maria, stammered, “Sir, Miss Lina looked like she was in a lot of pain. Her face was turning purple. Are you sure we don’t need to take her to the hospital?” Bernard whirled on her. “Shut your mouth! You feel sorry for her? Who feels sorry for Rachel? A girl’s appearance is everything to her. Lina knew Rachel was allergic to mangoes, and she still deliberately left half a plate out on the table just to give her a rash. She’s always pulling these petty, underhanded tricks. Does she think no one can see through her?” His face was a mask of disgust. “She brought this on herself!” Maria opened her mouth, then shut it again. “Brother, don’t be angry…” a delicate voice drifted down from the top of the stairs. Rachel was leaning weakly against the railing, her eyes brimming with tears. The image of my own tear-streaked, desperate face flashed in Bernard’s mind, but he shook it away and rushed to Rachel’s side. “Your rash hasn’t cleared up yet. Why did you come out?” Rachel’s face was pale. “Brother, don’t blame Lina. I’m sure… I’m sure she didn’t do it on purpose…” Bernard stroked her cheek, his expression full of concern. “You don’t have to make excuses for her. She deserves everything she gets.” As soon as he said it, Rachel’s sobs grew more pathetic. “It’s all my fault! If I had just watched her more carefully when we were little, she wouldn’t have been taken…” My sister Rachel and I were twins. When we were five, she told me she was going to buy me some candy. She told me to wait right where I was and not to move. But she went straight home without me. By the time my parents came looking, I was already gone. For sixteen years, I lived in a remote, impoverished mountain village, enduring endless beatings and abuse. One day, my foster father looked at my developing body with a predatory glint in his eye and reached for me. In my moment of deepest despair, my real parents found me. I thought I had finally escaped hell. I never imagined that this beautiful, wealthy home would be a place where I couldn’t even survive. Bernard closed his eyes. “Don’t blame yourself for everything. Lina is just a naturally malicious person. It has nothing to do with anyone else. But I’m her brother. I’ll teach her. I’ll at least make her a decent human being.” Rachel nodded. “I know, brother. I’ll help you. We’ll turn our little sister into a real princess…” My parents nodded in approval. I flew at Bernard and Rachel, slapping each of them across the face. But the smiles on their faces didn’t waver. My hands passed right through them, into nothingness. I’d forgotten. I was already dead. Before I died, my face was contorted in agony. I clutched at my chest, the feeling of suffocation driving me to despair. But even then, I had held onto a sliver of hope. Hope that my brother would open the door and take me to the hospital. Hope that my parents would save me from the darkness, just as they had before. But nothing came. My consciousness was fading, my vision blurring, but my hearing remained sharp. I heard Bernard outside the door, instructing the housekeeper. “Don’t give her anything to eat or drink without my permission.” “Won’t that… be a problem?” Maria asked hesitantly. Bernard scoffed. “What’s the problem with starving for a few days? I’m doing this for her own good. If she doesn’t suffer a little, she’ll never learn.” I felt a ghost of a smile stretch my lips. I was laughing at Bernard, but more than that, I was laughing at myself. I remembered a time Rachel had been in a bad mood and only picked at her dinner. Bernard had noticed immediately, fussed over her, and even went into the kitchen to bake her favorite cupcakes. But for me? I could starve for days, and no one would care. I didn’t understand. I was his sister, too. I was their biological daughter. Why couldn’t they love me? Why wouldn’t they believe me? When their gazes, filled with annoyance, disappointment, and even hatred, fell upon me, I felt like I had already died long ago. I died on that hot summer day when I was five years old. Filled with bitterness and resentment, I finally lost consciousness and slipped into eternal darkness. 2 The morning of my second day in the basement, my mother finally remembered me. “Bernard, that’s enough. I think Lina has learned her lesson. Let her out. I’m worried she’ll hold a grudge against Rachel.” Bernard frowned. “Fine. I’m her brother, after all. I’ll teach her properly later.” My father nodded. “What’s the big deal? If she throws a tantrum, just buy her something to make up for it.” But Rachel chimed in with a sweet smile. “Speaking of making it up, brother, you promised to take me shopping yesterday. You can’t go back on your word.” Bernard tapped her forehead gently. “Of course I didn’t forget. I’ll take you right now, okay?” My mother looked at Rachel with adoration. “I’ll come with you. Didn’t you say you liked my custom necklace? I ordered one for you, too. Today, we’ll make your father our personal chauffeur and bag carrier!” My father smiled at them and stood up. Just like that, the family that was supposed to let me out completely forgot about me. They went to the mall, happy and laughing. I floated behind them, a silent observer. Rachel shopped and bought whatever she wanted, while Bernard and my father paid with smiles on their faces. My mother fussed over her, straightening her clothes. They looked like the perfect, happy family. As they passed a toy store, Bernard paused instinctively. Rachel noticed and tightened her grip on his arm. “What’s wrong, brother?” she cooed. “Why did you stop?” He hesitated for a moment before replying softly, “It’s nothing. I just remembered I promised Lina I’d buy her a stuffed bunny.” Rachel’s face fell. She pouted. “I knew it. You like Lina more than me!” She turned her back, feigning anger. Bernard immediately started to console her. “How could you say that? Rachel, you’re the only princess in my heart…” His phone rang, cutting him off. It was Maria, the housekeeper, her voice tinged with anxiety. “Sir, Miss Lina… she hasn’t made a sound since yesterday. I’m a little worried…” Bernard’s brow furrowed in annoyance. “What’s there to worry about? A little mango juice isn’t going to kill her, is it?” “But… I’m just afraid she might be dead… Why else would she be so quiet?” “Just leave her alone,” Bernard snapped, his patience wearing thin. “She’s just doing it for attention. Maria, how many times has she pulled this? Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?” He hung up abruptly, but before he turned away, his gaze lingered on the stuffed bunnies in the store window. When I first came back to the family, I was in a daze. The villa was beautiful and warm, the bed my mother prepared for me was soft, but I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my foster father’s monstrous face. When Bernard found out, he put a small stuffed bunny in my hands. “Lina, do you remember this? I gave it to you when you were little. You used to have to hug it to sleep every night. If you can’t sleep, try holding it.” Tears instantly filled my eyes. I clutched the bunny to my chest as if it were a precious treasure. Later, Rachel cut my bunny to shreds with a pair of scissors. I ran to confront her, furious. But she just burst into tears. “It’s all my fault! But… but it’s because you said… you said I stole your painting for the competition, and you ripped up my award certificate. That painting was mine. I was just so angry, I took it out on your toy. I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault…” Bernard saw her crying and immediately pulled her into a protective embrace. My parents crowded around her, comforting her. I ran out of the house in tears. Bernard caught up with me. “Lina, can’t you just be a little more understanding? Rachel has already been so tolerant with you!” The darkening look on his face made the words I wanted to say die in my throat. “Then… then will you buy me another bunny, brother?” Bernard’s expression softened slightly. He raised his hand as if to pat my head, but then let it drop. At that moment, I thought I could also be a little willful, that our blood ties would allow for it. It was only later that I realized I was aiming too high. My mother received the custom necklace and gently fastened it around Rachel’s neck. My father, as if suddenly remembering something, said, “We should buy something for Lina too, to appease her.” Bernard frowned. “These are all custom pieces. We didn’t order anything for her. What can we buy?” “I saw a jewelry store by the entrance,” my father said dismissively. “Just get her a gold necklace.” Bernard chuckled. “Good idea. Lina is so greedy. Gold is a universal currency. She’ll definitely love it.” Just then, Rachel spoke up hesitantly. “Brother, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Lina is already so vain at school. If we buy her such an expensive necklace, won’t that just encourage her to be more materialistic?” 3 “Rachel’s right. We can’t encourage that kind of habit!” my mother immediately agreed. She turned to Rachel. “Then what do you think we should get your sister?” “Doesn’t she like bunnies? We could get her a little bunny hairpin. I saw some in a lifestyle store we just passed.” “Great idea. We’ll do whatever Rachel says.” Just as my mother finished speaking, her phone rang. I froze when I heard my aunt’s voice on the other end. Her voice was thick with unshed tears, but she was trying to keep her emotions in check, her words trembling. “Sis, where are you?” Hearing her voice, I could no longer hold back my own sobs. But no one could hear me cry. In the two years since I’d returned to this family, only my aunt had ever stood by my side. She trusted me, she loved me. I didn’t want to die. I wanted to grow up, to make a lot of money on my own, and give her a comfortable life. She was a proud woman. Despite her own struggles, she had never asked her wealthy sister for a single penny. Instead, she would often secretly slip me money so I could buy things I liked. We were both daughters of the family. Rachel got an allowance of ten thousand a month, while I got fifty dollars. This, too, was Rachel’s suggestion. “It’s easy to get used to luxury. We can’t let our sister develop bad habits.” I was already insecure, and next to Rachel, I was like a scrawny, ugly duckling. The other kids at school whispered all sorts of things. Illegitimate daughter, the housekeeper’s child, an adopted orphan. Rachel would always put on a show of defending me. “Don’t say that. It doesn’t matter if we’re related by blood or not, she’s still my sister!” We were twins, but because of years of malnutrition, I was small for my age, my features not yet fully developed. Still, there were similarities between us. But no one ever believed we were sisters.

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On my twentieth birthday, my parents presented me with photos of heirs from across the country, asking me to choose a marriage partner. I told my father I would draw lots. All because in my past life, I chose Julian Thorne, the heir to the prestigious Thorne family of Shanghai, without hesitation. But it was only after our marriage that I learned his “white moonlight”—the love of his life—was heartbroken over this. She went to a bar to drown her sorrows and was assaulted by thugs. She attempted suicide three times, and Julian decided I was the root of all this suffering. He gave all my family’s assets to her, hollowing out the entire Jiang family fortune. In the end, he even allowed her to cut the brake lines of our car, causing my parents and me to die tragically in a crash. Reborn, I drew the lot for Caden Chen, the devout Buddhist heir from the Min circle who cared nothing for worldly affairs. But when I walked into our engagement party holding his arm, Julian Thorne went mad. 1 I placed Caden Chen’s photo in front of my parents. They exchanged a glance, both worried. “Stella, we know you’ve liked Julian Thorne since you were little. Why don’t you reconsid…” I shook my head. “Since it’s fate, I might as well go with the flow this time.” Besides, I already knew the ending of forcing a marriage with him. Seeing my determination, my parents nodded. “Alright, we’ll discuss the marriage with the Chen family. But both the Jiang and Chen families are prominent. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it’s best to keep it a secret before the engagement party.” I agreed. However, when I went out to attend a charity gala, reporters swarmed me, seemingly having heard some news. “Miss Jiang, may I ask which family you’ve decided to ally with?” Another reporter chimed in before I could answer, “Everyone knows you have feelings for Young Master Thorne. Surely you chose him?” I looked up and locked eyes with Julian Thorne, who had just walked into the venue. Surrounded by flashing cameras, his coldness and disdain were the same as ever. “Excuse me, please make way.” After speaking, his bodyguards pushed the reporters aside, and he pulled a pale-faced Chloe Zhou into his arms. “The only person I have ever loved, from beginning to end, is Chloe. Even if I am forced by family pressure to marry another woman, I will not give even half a share of my love for Chloe to anyone else.” Chloe Zhou, moved to tears with flushed cheeks, hugged his waist tightly. Nearby, a few socialites who had long disliked me whispered mockingly. “So what if she’s the only daughter of the top-ranking Jiang family? Young Master Thorne doesn’t even look at her; he only likes the daughter of a nouveau riche.” “She’s really disgracing the Jiang family, rushing to play second fiddle to Chloe Zhou.” The mockery grew louder. Chloe lifted her head from Julian’s embrace and gave me a provocative look. I just turned my head away, focusing on the gala. The organizers, however, had seated him right next to me. When Julian sat down, anger still lingered on his face. “Stella Jiang, I’ve told you many times I don’t want to marry you. Why do you insist on clinging to me?” I had heard this sentence many times, but hearing it again was still inevitably painful. “I am not clinging to you.” Julian slammed his fist on the table, his expression even more disgusted. “Then why do you insist I marry you? Just because the Jiang family has high status, you think you can decide the rest of my life?” “You are trampling on my dignity. Even if we do get married, I won’t give you a second glance.” He was true to his word; in my past life, he indeed didn’t spare me a shred of affection. At this moment, the woman he loved with all his heart walked over, tears in her eyes, and knelt down in public without a word. “Miss Jiang, I know you hate me, but my parents are innocent. You had security kick them out, and my dad almost died of a heart attack.” “Please let us go. Even if… even if I have to step aside for you and Julian, I’m willing…” Her last few words were choked with sobs. Before I could process what she meant, Julian helped her up, looking at me with added hatred. “What happens between us has nothing to do with Chloe. Why are you treating her like this!” His accusation baffled me. “I didn’t…” “You really were spoiled growing up, spoiled to the point of lawlessness.” Just as Julian finished speaking, someone fawningly handed over a gift box. “Young Master Thorne, this is an engagement gift for you and Miss Jiang…” Before the person could finish, Julian grabbed the gift box and smashed it at me in front of everyone. “Stella Jiang, apologize to Chloe.” “Otherwise, even if our Thorne family can’t compare to your Jiang family, I will refuse this marriage. I absolutely cannot marry a woman as vicious as you!” 2 The gift box was exquisitely packaged, but its sharp corner cut a gash on my chin. People around gasped, but no one dared to step forward. I touched the wound, my palm immediately stained with blood. The Julian Thorne in front of me became increasingly unfamiliar, merging with the image of him publicly berating me for Chloe Zhou in my past life. My heart went cold inch by inch. “I won’t apologize for something I haven’t done.” “Fine, then don’t regret it!” Julian left with his arm around Chloe. My parents were frantic when they saw my injury. They immediately took me home and had our private doctor treat it. Watching their anxious faces, I felt incredibly fortunate. Thank god fate gave me a chance to start over and correct my mistakes. This time, my parents are still here, and the Jiang family fortune hasn’t fallen into outsider hands. I will stay as far away from Julian Thorne and Chloe Zhou as possible! A few days later, the Chen family sent engagement gifts, piling up high in the villa. Among them was an heirloom bracelet passed down in the Chen family, signifying the importance they placed on this marriage. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness. In my past life, the Thorne family knew I was deeply in love with Julian. They told everyone they didn’t like me as a daughter-in-law and that I had pestered their son into marrying me. So we had no engagement party, the Thorne family gave no betrothal gifts, and even the wedding was just a meal between the two families. Thinking of his parents’ cold sarcasm at the dinner table and Julian’s cold indifference, then looking at the Chen family’s respect, I felt even more grateful for this second chance. After much thought, I decided to personally select an engagement gift for Caden. In a century-old shop, I was discussing the design of cufflinks with an old master when Julian suddenly walked in holding Chloe’s hand. “Why are you here?” Disgust flashed across his face. The master explained from the side, “Miss Jiang is thoughtful; she wants to design the groom’s engagement suit personally.” He glanced disdainfully at the design drafts on the table, chin slightly raised. “I told you I don’t want to marry you at all. No matter how much you do, I won’t change my mind.” “Also, I hate engraving on cufflinks. It’s tacky.” I looked down at the ‘C’ on the cufflink design, realizing he probably misunderstood. “Actually, these cufflinks are for…” “Julian, this cheongsam is so beautiful.” Chloe’s eyes lit up as she walked past me to stroke a red cheongsam on display. Julian’s expression softened. “If you like it, have the master customize one just like it for you.” “But I want to wear it tonight to the concert with you.” Chloe’s almost coquettish tone made him smile. He then commanded the master: “Then please trouble the master to alter it quickly according to Chloe’s figure. Don’t delay our concert.” I frowned. “Julian Thorne, that is my engagement dress.” He didn’t care. “I’m very busy; I don’t have time to play engagement party with your Jiang family.” “Besides, Chloe suits a cheongsam better than you.” Chloe had her back to him, her arrogant expression on full display. But her words were apologetic: “If Miss Jiang isn’t willing, then forget it. This cheongsam looks very noble; it’s not for a nobody like me…” “What nonsense, how could the woman I love be a nobody? Stella Jiang relies on her parents too; she’s not that noble.” After finishing his ruthless remarks, Julian handed the cheongsam directly to the master. The master’s expression didn’t change; he still respectfully waited for my instructions. After all, starting from his grandfather’s grandfather, the Jiang family has been this shop’s biggest client. But his hesitation angered Julian. “You…” “If Miss Zhou likes it, let her have it.” I interrupted him. Julian’s expression finally softened. “Seeing that you’re somewhat sensible, after we get married, I can eat with you once a month.” His arrogant manner was like he was bestowing a tiny bit of love upon me. At this moment, I suddenly understood why his attitude toward me changed after he learned that the Jiang family was the top prominent family while his Thorne family was outside the top ten. I used to love his youthful fearlessness, never measuring people’s worth by money. But since then, “your Jiang family” was always on his lips, constantly emphasizing that I relied on my parents, belittling and scorning me, picking the harshest words just because I loved him. To put it bluntly, he was insecure. Thinking of this, I suddenly smiled. “Julian, what makes you so sure that I’m going to marry you?” 3 Julian smirked dismissively. As if he’d heard the world’s biggest joke. “You’ve chased me since we were kids saying you liked me. Your birthday wish every year was to marry me at twenty.” “Now that you’re finally twenty, would you be willing to marry someone else?” Chloe leaned into his arms, her tone also mocking. “Not necessarily. With the Jiang family’s status, heirs from all over the country are fighting to marry her.” “Even if all the heirs in the world fought for her, she’d only be willing to be my wife.” After they finished speaking, they turned and left. Before walking out, Julian didn’t forget to instruct the master: “Deliver the cheongsam to my house after altering it. And those tacky cufflinks, change them to square ones, no engraving.” The master looked at his retreating back and sighed helplessly. “Miss Jiang, about this…” “If she wants it, give it to her. I can just design a new one separately.” I sat down and continued drawing. “Ignore him about the cufflinks. He’s not the groom; he has no right to interfere.” A friend had a birthday party that night. Halfway through the party, Chloe arrived late, followed by Julian’s bodyguard. The bodyguard was carrying a red plastic bag and placed it at my feet. “Miss Jiang must have been waiting anxiously? I wanted to return the dress right after the concert, but Julian insisted on pulling me into the car…” “But Miss Jiang is famous for being magnanimous, so you shouldn’t mind, right?” I looked down and saw the three-million-dollar cheongsam now looked like a dirty rag, crumpled into a ball. White bodily fluids stained the red fabric, glaringly obvious. People around me saw this. Some were indignant for me, others were laughing at me. “Provoked right in her face, and she’s still so calm. She really loves Julian Thorne to death.” “What’s the use of loving him to death? Young Master Thorne only loves Chloe Zhou.” “The dignified only daughter of the Jiang family throwing herself at him like this. I think the Jiang family’s business will be surnamed Thorne in the future.” I looked away, not wanting to see it, and just signaled someone to take it away and throw it out. “As long as Miss Zhou liked it.” My indifferent tone made Chloe’s showing off hit cotton. She clenched her fists indignantly and walked to her seat at the last table. Soon, her Weibo account with millions of followers hit the trending list. “A wonderful day is wearing a fitting cheongsam, holding my lover’s hand, and listening to a favorite concert.” The attached photo was of her and Julian, fingers interlocked, kissing deeply. Soon, countless marketing accounts dug up my old Weibos confessing to Julian, comparing them with Chloe’s, publicly executing me. And on the most popular comparison video, Julian liked it. This made netizens even more excited. “Stella Jiang simping” became a meme. I sternly deactivated my account and messaged the company’s PR department. Within ten minutes, related search terms were wiped clean. The day before the engagement party. I went to the company in the morning to handle matters but was forcibly taken to the Thorne villa by their bodyguards. As soon as I entered, I saw Chloe sitting on the sofa crying her heart out. Julian was comforting her gently. Seeing me, his face immediately turned cold. “Stella Jiang, you’re going too far. Chloe just posted a Weibo. Was it necessary to have all her social media accounts banned?! You know she does social media; you’re cutting off her livelihood!” I was confused. “I just had search terms about me removed. I didn’t do anything else.” “Still quibbling! Who else but you, Stella Jiang, has this kind of power? It’s clearly your jealousy!” “It wasn’t me…” Julian gritted his teeth. Just as I was about to retort, a contemptuous sneer came from the stairs. “Contradicting your husband before even getting married. Is this how the Jiang family educates their daughter?” Mrs. Thorne sat down in front of me with an arrogant look. And Mr. Thorne, who was bowing and respectful to me a while ago, now crossed his legs. “Stella, although we don’t approve of a spoiled young miss like you, we heard you won’t marry anyone but our son, so we respect your wish.” “But we have conditions. The dowry from the Jiang family must exceed fifty percent of the Jiang family’s total assets.” I sneered inwardly, shaking my head to refuse him. Suddenly, a bodyguard behind me punched my knee. I cried out in pain and fell to my knees the next second. Mrs. Thorne waved her hand, and a servant brought a tea tray. “Since you’ll be the Thorne family’s daughter-in-law sooner or later, drinking a cup of daughter-in-law tea in advance isn’t excessive, right?” 4 “Miss Jiang, you have to kneel and crawl over to serve tea to Madam.” The servant stuffed a scalding cup of tea into my hand. My fingers retracted immediately upon touching the cup wall, and the cup shattered on the floor. “Stella Jiang, haven’t you even learned to respect your elders!” Julian scolded angrily. I looked down, rubbing my red fingertips, and shook my head. “I only serve tea to my in-laws. Since you don’t want to marry me, it just so happens I don’t want to marry you either.” After speaking, I pushed against the ground trying to stand up, but bodyguards pinched my arms on both sides. I struggled with all my might. “What are you doing? I am the Jiang family’s daughter; how dare you treat me like this!” Mrs. Thorne, with anger on her face, strode forward and slapped me across the face. This slap seemed to overlap with the dozens she gave me in my past life. I froze. “It’s the engagement party tomorrow, and you’re still so presumptuous!” “Julian, look, this is the wife you’re going to marry. Disrespectful to elders, ignorant of etiquette!” Julian wouldn’t even look at me. “She’s the one pestering me to marry her. Otherwise, I would be marrying Chloe.” Chloe’s tears started flowing again. “Julian, I dream of marrying you, but my family is humble and powerless; we really can’t afford to offend the Jiang family.” She cried uncontrollably as she spoke, making Julian’s heart ache even more. He simply walked over, looking down at me coldly. “Stella Jiang, didn’t you use every means to marry me?” “Fine. I want you to guarantee that after marriage, you will never interfere with any of my decisions, and you are not allowed to return to the Jiang family. You must stay in our home to serve my parents and take care of me and Chloe!” A servant brought a prenuptial agreement, which prominently stated “Fifty percent of Jiang family assets as dowry.” I clenched my fingers, refusing to sign, my eyes red as I looked up. “Julian Thorne! The person I’m marrying is not you at all!” Mrs. Thorne saw the opportunity and slapped me again. “What kind of prominent family is the Jiang family, raising a daughter who disobeys her husband?” “Today I’ll educate you properly on behalf of your parents, so you don’t disgrace our Thorne family after entering the door!” That day, I don’t know how many slaps I took or how many fingerprints I was forced to press. I only know that when they let me go, they also demanded I wear a green dress tomorrow. Because Mrs. Thorne and Chloe Zhou were going to wear red. I just found it laughable. For the engagement party the next day, I still wore the newly designed red cheongsam. My parents and the Chen family were chatting inside, while I welcomed guests at the door. It wasn’t until noon that the Thorne family arrived, surrounded by a crowd. Their family dressed flamboyantly. Chloe held Julian’s arm, one in red and one in black, looking just like a happy bride and groom. In the past, Mr. Thorne would bow and scrape to others on such occasions. Today, he held his head high, ignoring everyone, as if he were the most honored person at this engagement party. Seeing me still wearing red, Mrs. Thorne’s face darkened immediately. “Where are your parents? I want to ask today how there can be a family like yours that doesn’t understand etiquette!” But the guests today were all respectable figures, and I didn’t want to cause trouble. “My parents are inside, you can go in…” Halfway through my sentence, Mrs. Thorne’s crude finger poked my right shoulder. “Make them come out to see me!” I frowned and dodged. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Julian walking over with an indifferent expression. He stood with me, acting as if he were going to welcome guests with me. “Stella Jiang, you got what you wanted. You must be very happy.” “But don’t get carried away. You only got my body, but you will never get my heart.” His voice was full of hatred. As if I had ruined the rest of his life relying on my parents. “Julian, I think you misunderstood. Actually, today I…” “You ignored me? Did you forget how you knelt and begged me yesterday?” Mrs. Thorne’s voice was high. She tapped her phone, holding up the video of me kneeling yesterday. Passing guests were shocked, and some even took out their phones to record. Even the reporters blocked outside noticed and broke through the cordon to run over. “Miss Jiang, is this your future mother-in-law giving you a warning?” “Does your kneeling mean you have submitted to your in-laws? Does this mean the Jiang family will be subservient to the Thorne family in the future?” I gasped, signaling bodyguards while grabbing Julian. “Tell your mom to turn off the video!” He pulled his arm away, coldly looking down to adjust his tie. “If this teaches you to respect your in-laws, losing face isn’t a bad thing.” “Julian, your family is simply unreasonable!” “What right does someone who begged to marry me have to criticize my family?” I couldn’t bear it anymore, grabbing a thermos from the table to throw. But a hand suddenly reached out from behind, gently holding my wrist. I turned back to see Caden Chen in white, his gaze calm but sharp. “Young Master Thorne, how many lives does your mother have, daring to make my fiancée kneel to her?”

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On the night of our arranged marriage, I tied Sebastian Thorne to the bed. He gritted his teeth and said, “Lily, even if you have my body, you’ll never have my heart!” Three months later, Sebastian came home on time, lay down obediently, and started unbuttoning his shirt while stubbornly saying, “Actually, I don’t really want to tonight…” “Since you don’t want to, then we won’t do it anymore.” I tossed the pregnancy test into the trash can and said calmly. Sebastian immediately slid to his knees in front of me: “I want to! I want to! I really want to! Wifey, I’ll never be stubborn again, boohoo!” 1 “Seb, aren’t you afraid your wife will be mad if you don’t keep her company on your wedding night?” As soon as I reached the door of the private room, I heard Sebastian’s annoying reply: “Let her be mad. What’s she going to do, tie me up and drag me back?” The room erupted in laughter. Tie him up and drag him back? Not a bad idea. I thought about it for a moment, then pushed the door open. Upon seeing me, the room fell instantly silent. Several men quietly straightened up. Except for Sebastian. He was sunk into a wide, emerald green velvet sofa, slouching bonelessly. His flashy burgundy shirt was eye-catching even in the dim light, the collar unbuttoned to reveal his pale, sexy collarbone. His face, handsome to the point of being sinful, was full of amusement. He drawled, his tone rising slightly with feigned surprise: “Well, well, Mrs. Thorne, you’re out to play too?” “Sebastian, it’s nine o’clock.” My voice was flat, as if I were just reminding him of the time. The provocative smile on Sebastian’s lips froze for a second. He must have remembered the rules I set for him before we got married. One of them was that he couldn’t be home later than ten o’clock. The reason being, I’m used to going to bed early, and we needed to produce an heir as soon as possible. So I required him to come home early, finish the business early, so I could sleep early. “So what?” Under the curious gazes of his friends, Sebastian stiffened his neck and sneered stubbornly. “Nothing.” Seeing Sebastian being stubborn, I curved my lips. “Stand up for a moment.” I smiled harmlessly. Sebastian probably thought I was compromising. His nonchalant expression returned. One hand in his pocket, he stood up annoyingly, “What for…” But before he could finish, I knocked him out with a chop to the neck. Sebastian looked incredulous, then his eyes rolled back, and he fainted. “We have things to do today, so we’ll leave first. Dinner’s on me next time.” I cleanly hoisted Sebastian onto my shoulder and nodded to the men in the room who were already huddled together, trembling. With that, I walked out steadily carrying the unconscious Sebastian. Behind me came the sharp gasps of several men. “Holy crap! Did his wife just knock Seb out with one chop?!” “More than that! She hoisted Seb, who’s almost six-three, onto her shoulder! And she looked like it was nothing! Seb works out all the time!” “Terrifying! She looks maybe five-seven? So slender, where does she get that strength!” “Seb is done for tonight!” “Sigh, a moment of silence for him.” 2 I stripped Sebastian and threw him into the bathtub. Drowning in the tub, Sebastian woke up with a start. “Why am I here?” He sat up in the tub, looking bewildered. “Ten minutes. Clean yourself up.” After saying that, I didn’t even look at him, turning to leave. “You, you, you, Lily!” Sebastian looked at his naked self in disbelief, gritting his teeth, “You not only knocked me out but stripped me too?!” Hearing this, I paused, turned to look at the exasperated Sebastian, calmly checked my watch, and offered a friendly reminder: “You have nine and a half minutes left.” Sebastian: ?! “Still not washing?” My tone was waveless as I prepared to take off my watch: “Or should I come in and help you wash?” “You—” Sebastian reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly flushing red. He said aggrievedly and through gritted teeth, “Get out! I’ll wash myself!” “OK.” I turned and left without hesitation. 3 Nine minutes and fifty-five seconds later, Sebastian came out wearing a bathrobe, water dripping from the ends of his hair. “Dry your hair.” I looked at Sebastian, tilting my head back to take my medicine. When Sebastian’s gaze landed on the pill box on the bedside table, he looked at me in disbelief: “You need to take medicine to be with me?!” “What else?” I impatiently took out another box of pills and threw it on the bed. “This box is yours. Hurry up, don’t dawdle, I’m sleepy.” It was almost ten; it was my bedtime. Sebastian looked humiliated: “Does the young master need this stuff?!” The medicine was kicking in, and I lost my patience. I directly hooked Sebastian’s bathrobe belt, pushed him onto the bed, and while he was dazed, handcuffed his wrists to the headboard. Sebastian’s muscles tensed instantly, looking shocked: “Lily, what are you doing?!” I didn’t waste words with him. I pried open his mouth and shoved the pill in. Then I pulled open his bathrobe. Sebastian wasn’t wearing anything underneath. I looked up at Sebastian meaningfully: “Oh, little Mr. Thorne isn’t wearing clothes? Are you naturally averse to wearing them?” Having his little thoughts exposed, Sebastian’s face instantly exploded red. Two flames of anger burned in those beautiful peach blossom eyes, staring at me as if to burn through me: “Lily!” Seeing Sebastian’s angry and embarrassed look, I didn’t tease him anymore, preparing to get straight to the point. But Sebastian was still being stubborn: “Lily, give up. I won’t have feelings for you!” “Then what is this…?” I casually flicked a certain spirited part of Sebastian’s body, scoffing: “The medicine shouldn’t work this fast, right?” Sebastian: ?! “Lily, are you even a woman!” Sebastian was so ashamed and angry that he turned red all over, like a cooked shrimp. “Nonsense, am I a ladyboy?” I endured the pain and sat down. Getting straight to the point, Sebastian was also confused, still stammering: “Lily, even if you have my body, you won’t have my heart…” “Shut up!” I couldn’t bear it anymore and slapped Sebastian, “Who wants your heart!” A sincere heart is the most useless thing in this world. Only money and power are the hard truths. Sebastian suddenly shut up. I looked up subconsciously and saw him looking dazed, narrowing his eyes, seeming to savor the slap just now. Me: ? Did I hit him into pleasure? I paused. Could this dog have some special fetish? Seeing I stopped and looked at him with an indescribable expression, Sebastian shuddered and immediately came back to his senses. He realized his expression just now was wrong, his face instantly red again, forcefully saving face: “Y-you, what right do you have to hit me?” I was in pain, too lazy to say another word to him, gritting my teeth and continuing. “Y-you’ll get hurt like this.” Sebastian’s expression wasn’t very comfortable either. He asked tentatively: “How about I do it?” Slap. I slapped Sebastian again, impatiently saying: “Shut up!” Two slaps later, Sebastian was completely behaved, looking aggrieved, lying there afraid to move. (Ten thousand words omitted here.) After it was over, I unlocked Sebastian’s handcuffs, signaling he could scram. “You use and discard?” Sebastian was confused. I had no strength left, wrapped in the quilt with my back to Sebastian, not wanting to say a word. Sebastian complained for a while about how my behavior of using and discarding was scummy, then realized I was ignoring him completely. Then he exploded, hugging his clothes and huffing out a harsh remark: “Lily, if I let you succeed again, I’m a dog!” then went to sleep in the next room. 4 The next night at nine o’clock. I looked at the clock on the wall and called Sebastian. The first call wasn’t answered. The second rang for almost a minute before Sebastian slowly picked up. After connecting, the blasting music on his end was deafening, showing no sign of restraint because of the call. I frowned, using my last bit of patience to remind him: “Sebastian, it’s nine o’clock.” However, Sebastian on the other end became even more arrogant. He said lazily: “So what?” Hearing Sebastian’s extremely arrogant tone, I didn’t speak, silently getting up to get something from the utility room. On the other end, Sebastian was still provoking: “Lily, let me tell you, being knocked out by you yesterday was because the young master wasn’t prepared. If you dare to come today, I’ll show you my power!” Hearing this, I scoffed, “Three minutes. That is pretty powerful.” After my voice fell, Sebastian exploded. “That was my first time, no experience! Ahhh! Lily, you are not allowed to tell anyone!!!” Sebastian screamed a warning at me, his voice almost breaking. After his voice fell, I heard the music on his end stop abruptly, followed by the shocked voices of the men in the box yesterday— “Seb, you’re that fast?!” “Holy crap, Seb, you can’t do it?!” “Seb, if you really can’t, take some medicine?!” Sebastian: … Beep beep beep. Sebastian hung up the phone. I wasn’t angry either. After stuffing everything into my bag, I grabbed the car keys and drove to “The Duke”. 5 It was the same private room as yesterday. Seeing me, Sebastian subconsciously sat up straight. But then he relaxed again, resting his hands on the sofa, crossing his long legs on the coffee table, looking at me with a reckless attitude. “Out playing again, Mrs. Thorne.” Sebastian raised an eyebrow at me annoyingly. I ignored him, turned around, took out the U-lock from my bag, and locked the room door. Sebastian’s expression froze, and he sat up straight. I then took out a dart from my bag and threw it straight at Sebastian. “Holy crap, Lily, you’re murdering your husband!” Sebastian’s pupils dilated, and he jumped up to dodge the dart. Missed. Regrettably, I took out another dart and threw it at Sebastian again. “Ahhh!” This time it wasn’t just Sebastian screaming, but also his three friends in the room. “Sister-in-law, calm down, we’re innocent!” I turned a deaf ear. Wherever Sebastian dodged, my darts followed, showing no mercy. Four men ran around the room holding their heads. “Seb, apologize quickly!” One of them almost cried after nearly getting hit by a dart. “Apologize my ass! A real man never admits mistakes!” Sebastian’s slicked-back hair was messy from dodging darts, looking quite wretched, but his mouth was still hard. Then a dart flew past his ear. Sebastian: !! “Lily, I was wrong!” Sebastian slid to his knees in front of me, hugging my hand tightly to admit his mistake. My expression was calm. Looking down at the trembling Sebastian, I said gently: “Sebastian, this is the second time.” Implying, there won’t be a third. “I know, I know, boohoo.” Sebastian couldn’t help but howl and cry, obviously truly scared. When we left, Sebastian followed behind me dejectedly. His three friends hugged the door with weak legs, watching us leave with admiration and awe.

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I’m a travel vlogger who never really made it big, but I had two people who spoiled me rotten. My number one fan was my boyfriend, Ethan. My number two was my best friend, Ava. They were constantly trying to one-up each other in my live streams, showering me with gifts in a bitter rivalry to be number one in my heart. It was a constant headache. But when a flight mishap sent me home earlier than expected, I walked in on these two, who were supposed to be like oil and water, locked in a deep, desperate kiss. Ava’s voice, breathless, pulled away. “I should go. Cathy will be back soon.” Ethan buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled. “God, I wish her flight was delayed.” So, I was the obstacle. The inconvenience in their love story. But that’s okay. I won’t be a problem for them much longer. In my third year of vlogging, I had traveled across most of the country, documenting everything with my camera. I edited it all together into a final highlight reel of my life. The title of the first video was: [When you watch this, I’ll likely already be dead.] The title of the last was: [Ethan, Ava, if you can, I hope you forget me.] 1 It seems like when your luck runs out, it really runs out. A sudden downpour started just as I was heading home. My first instinct was to call Ethan and ask for a ride, but then I hesitated and put my phone away. The rain was too heavy; I didn’t want him driving in this. Now, standing outside my own front door, I could feel cold raindrops tracing paths down my hair and into the collar of my shirt. I was soaked through, but my first thought was a strange sort of relief: At least I didn’t interrupt them. I slipped around to the fire escape and waited, my drenched clothes clinging to my skin like a second, colder layer. Normally, I would have rushed inside, desperate for a hot shower. But now, I just stared blankly at my feet, my mind a complete void. Finally, I heard the front door open and close. I took a deep breath, walked back around, and tried to enter the code as if nothing had happened. My hands were shaking, probably from the cold, and I kept messing up the numbers. Just as the automated voice announced, “Please wait one minute before trying again,” the door swung open. Ethan poked his head out, a smile still lingering on his face. “Forget something?” His smile vanished the second he saw me. “Cathy? Isn’t your flight supposed to be at three? Why are you back so early? I was just about to leave to pick you up.” The watch on his wrist read 3:15. He rubbed his face awkwardly. “Look at me, my head’s like a sieve. Something came up with work, and I completely lost track of time.” “It’s okay,” I said softly. “Work is more important.” “Can I come in? It’s raining, and I’m freezing.” Only then did he seem to relax his guard, opening the door wider to let me in. I had barely set down my suitcase when his voice, sharp with suspicion, cut through the air. “Cathy, why are you back so much earlier this time? Your flights are usually delayed.” I heard the unspoken question in his voice. What did you see? I found myself thinking the same thing he was: I wish it had been delayed. Why, in the last three months of my life, did I have to walk in on this? My plane had flown straight into a thunderstorm. From my window seat, all I could see were thick, black clouds split by blinding flashes of lightning. The aircraft lurched and shuddered in the violent turbulence, tossing me around in my seat. The situation felt dire; the cabin was filled with the sound of quiet sobbing. But I just hugged my bag tighter. I’d cried like that three years ago, uncontrollably, when the doctor first told me I had stomach cancer. But after living under the shadow of death for so long, I found a strange sense of calm in the chaos. The man next to me shouted over the roar, “Kid, grab the seatbelt, not your bag! What’s in there, an urn?!” I ignored him. It wasn’t an urn. It was the last three years of my life. My final reel. At that moment, only one thought crossed my mind: Thank God I always carry my camera. If the plane goes down, at least Ethan and Ava can hear my last words. Snapping back to the present, I offered a simple explanation. “The weather was bad. The pilot just flew faster to get through it.” Ethan finally seemed to notice I was dripping water all over the floor. He sprang into action, kneeling to take off my shoes, bustling around to get me a glass of hot water. As he came back from the bathroom with a clean towel, he saw my eyes linger on the disheveled sofa. He rushed over, dropping the towel without noticing. “I took a nap here this afternoon,” he said, a little too quickly. “I’m a restless sleeper. Can’t believe I made such a mess.” He smoothed out the wrinkles on the cushions and picked up a hand-knit blanket to fold it. “I think it’s a little dirty,” I interrupted him. “Let’s just toss it in the wash.” “Good idea,” he said without a hint of argument, snatching the blanket and hurrying to the laundry room. The truth was, the blanket was perfectly clean. I’d had him air it out just a couple of days ago. But the image of the two of them tangled together on it made my skin crawl. I had knitted that blanket for Ava, but Ethan had thrown a fit and claimed it for himself. “No way! I’m your boyfriend. The first blanket you ever knit has to be mine!” Ava had been furious, ready to fight him for it. “Have you no shame, Ethan? Cathy made this for me!” The sight of them, red-faced and tugging at the blanket like children, was embarrassing. I’d had to coax Ava into letting go, promising to knit her an even bigger, better one. They say a triangle is the most stable shape, but not for us. Over the years, scenes like that had become common. With my boyfriend on one side and my best friend on the other, I was always stuck in the middle, playing peacemaker. I just never imagined that while I was busy keeping the peace, they were finding their own kind of harmony behind my back. 2 Ever since the cancer diagnosis, my body felt like a rusted machine. One rainstorm was all it took for it to grind to a halt. I had a fever. Lying in bed, lost in a delirious haze, I heard Ava’s voice cut through the fog. “How did Cathy suddenly get a fever? Ethan, what kind of a job are you doing taking care of her!” A cool palm pressed against my forehead, and the relief was so profound I instinctively leaned into the touch. Ava and I had been inseparable since childhood. I was always the sickly one, thin as a stray cat, my face flushing after the slightest exertion. Ava would always press her hand to my forehead, worrying I was running a fever. Back then, it was always Ava who walked me to the school nurse’s office. Later, it became Ethan who carried me there. Ethan was a senior when I was a freshman. He hit me with a basketball by accident during a game, sending stars across my vision and twisting my ankle. He was consumed with guilt. From that day on, he took it upon himself to get my lunch and fill my water bottle. He checked on my ankle every single day without fail and carried me home on his back. My ankle healed, but he never stopped getting my lunch, sprinting from his class the moment the bell rang just to grab my favorite dishes before they were gone. Ava used to whisper in my ear, “No one is that nice for no reason. He’s up to something.” “Cathy, you’re too trusting. Be careful, or a wolf is going to snatch you up.” Maybe I’m just a creature of habit. Ava had been my friend forever, my only friend. Ethan took care of me, and I fell in love with him. When Ethan found out, he was ecstatic. Ava was furious. “What’s so great about that big oaf? Anything he can do, I can do better. Cathy, why can’t you just love me?” I remember hugging a pouting Ava, repeating over and over, “I do love you. I love you, too.” But you can’t be in love with two people at the same time. Ethan and Ava both saw themselves as the rightful main character in my life, and a bitter rivalry was born. Every time they met, the air crackled with sarcasm and thinly veiled insults. That was one of the main reasons I made my video diaries—I hoped that after watching them, they might find a way to soften toward each other, to not blame one another for what happened to me. You can’t blame anyone for a terminal illness. You can only blame bad luck. I figured that because I had been blessed with the two best people in the world, and the purest kind of happiness, Fate had to take something back in return. “Ethan, did you give Cathy her medicine? She’s going to wake up thirsty and miserable. Go boil some water…” Ava’s voice was sharp, a string of commands fired off without preamble. Ethan just said, “Okay, okay,” his tone lacking its usual defensive edge. It sounded more like… affection. “Ava,” Ethan said her name softly. “Cathy got home right after you left yesterday.” Ava’s voice disappeared completely. I forced my heavy eyelids open just a crack and saw a hand snatch back from my bedside and Ava’s face, pale as a sheet. 3 “Don’t worry, she probably doesn’t know. I tested the waters last night. She was acting just like her old self. She even brought us souvenirs from her trip.” Seeing how shaken Ava was, Ethan was the one who started to panic. He pressed the glass of warm water he’d prepared for me into her hands. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m here. Drink some water. Calm down.” Ava took a sip, and some color returned to her cheeks. She looked from Ethan to me, lying feverish and unconscious, and suddenly her composure shattered. “So what if she didn’t find out this time? What about next time? Ethan, how long can we keep hiding this?!” She paused, wiping away her tears with a fierce gesture. Her nose was red as she said, “I can’t do this, Ethan. The guilt is eating me alive. Let’s end it, before she finds out.” Ethan’s head snapped up. He pulled her into his arms, his movements sudden and desperate. “You’re always talking about Cathy, Cathy, Cathy! How long are you going to play mother to her?” he demanded, his voice tight with frustration. “She’s a bottomless pit of need, Ava. When are you going to start thinking about yourself?” “Ava, love isn’t something you can just give away out of pity. And it doesn’t care about who was first. As long as we both want this, there’s no reason to break up.” His voice was so firm, so resolute. For a second, I was transported back to that summer day when a blushing teenage boy shoved a bouquet of sunflowers into my arms. “Cathy, be my girlfriend! I promise I’ll take even better care of you than Ava does!” I let my eyes fall shut again, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. A bitter tear escaped the corner of my eye, disappearing into my hair. Even his confession of love had been haunted by her shadow. I should have seen it then. “Cough, cough…” The sound of my dry cough made them spring apart. Ava rushed to my side, carefully helping me sip some water. “Cathy, how are you feeling? Still awful?” I took the glass from her, taking small sips until the raw itch in my throat finally subsided. “Much better.” I gave her a smile, the same one I always did. But she couldn’t meet my eyes, turning away and quickly making an excuse to leave. “I’ll go pick up some medicine for you, just to have on hand…” As she stood up, she swayed, pressing a hand to her head as if she was about to fall. “Ava!” Before I could even speak, Ethan was by her side. He steadied her in an instant, one hand on her waist, the other cupping her face, his expression fraught with panic. “Ava, what’s wrong? Are you okay? I’m taking you to the hospital!” He was about to sweep her up into his arms, but she frantically pushed against his shoulders, creating distance between them. “I’m fine. Just got dizzy for a second, I stood up too fast. We don’t need to go to the hospital. Cathy’s the one who’s sick.” She shot me a nervous, guilty glance. “Honestly, Ethan, stop making such a big deal out of nothing!” Ethan, left with his arms empty, looked stunned. His eyes were downcast, his expression unreadable. I took it all in, still pretending I knew nothing. “Ava, is your blood sugar low again? I brought you some Belgian chocolates from my trip. They’re on the desk, go get them.” Then I turned to Ethan. “Ethan, go with her. I brought something back for you too, so don’t you dare steal Ava’s this time.” That seemed to snap him out of it. He stiffly led Ava out of the bedroom. The moment they were gone, my carefully constructed composure crumbled. I stumbled into the bathroom and doubled over the toilet, retching uncontrollably. Acid and streaks of blood burned my insides. I clutched my stomach, leaning against the sink as a cold sweat broke out across my skin, my body shaking with pain. I had been holding it all in while they were here, and the release was overwhelming. The noise brought them running to the door. “Cathy? Are you in there? What’s going on?” With the last of my strength, I locked the door and slid to the floor. The woman in the mirror was a pathetic sight, her face as white as paper. I was trying so hard to hide this from them. I didn’t want them to see me like this. But then… My eyes landed on a lock of my own hair lying on the cool tile floor. I suddenly had no idea how much longer I could hide anything at all. 4 “Ms. Evans, your condition has worsened.” I nodded calmly. I’d been expecting it. That day, after I’d locked myself in the bathroom, I had just picked up that first fallen lock of hair when another one drifted down to the floor. A primal fear seized me. I tentatively touched my scalp, and another clump came away in my hand. The hair loss became relentless. I started vomiting constantly. In just a few days, I had become gaunt and frail. I looked so hideous. I rented a small apartment and moved out without telling Ethan or Ava, avoiding them completely. “Ms. Evans, are you sure you want to continue with palliative care only? Chemotherapy might slow the progression.” The doctor’s voice was gentle, but anyone could see the ashen color of my skin. I adjusted my wig, surprised I could still manage a smile. “Yes. I’m not a fan of pain. Let’s not add to it. Just some painkillers will be fine.” After picking up my prescription from the pharmacy window, I turned and bumped right into someone. “I’m so sorry.” I apologized immediately, only realizing as the words left my mouth that the other person’s voice was achingly familiar. I looked up and met Ethan’s shocked eyes. “Cathy? What are you doing at the hospital?” Before I could even think of a lie, the pharmacist called Ethan’s name. “Dydrogesterone, twice a day, one tablet. Make sure the expectant mother stays calm, no emotional distress.” Ethan took the bag, his movements jerky. “It’s, uh, for my sister.” “Oh, I see…” My voice trailed off as another one cut in. “Ethan, the doctor said I need to be careful in the first trimester. You have to stop stressing me out like this.” The tone was soft, almost a playful pout. It took me a second to even recognize it as Ava’s voice. “Cathy! What are you doing here?” And in that moment, the subtle tension between them finally clicked into place. They were so in sync now, even their shock was perfectly mirrored. “Ava, you’re pregnant? When did you even get a boyfriend? Why didn’t I know?” Ava’s pupils contracted. Her fingers twisted the hem of her shirt, her knuckles turning white. “Cathy, I…” Ethan cut her off, looking me straight in the eye. “I’m her boyfriend,” he said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. “And the baby is mine.” 5 That night, after I first discovered their affair, I’d spent hours thinking. Ethan and Ava had been so good to me, so incredibly good, that even after their betrayal, I couldn’t bring myself to hate them. I even thought that maybe, after I was gone, it would be a comfort for them to have each other, to move on together. But now, for the first time, I hated Ethan. Why did he have to rip it all open like this? Why couldn’t he just let me live out my last days in peace? “Ethan! What are you talking about?” Ava cried out, her eyes darting nervously to my face. “I know exactly what I’m talking about. Ava, we’re having a child. We can’t let our baby be born without a name.” Ethan’s expression was deadly serious, a look I had never seen on him before. He turned back to me and repeated, “I’m sorry, Cathy. But I’m in love with Ava, and I want to be with her.” “Cathy, let’s break up.” A bitter, indescribable pain flooded my chest, spreading through my entire body. The color drained from my face, leaving my skin almost translucent and making the red rims of my eyes stand out in stark relief. A mouthful of blood suddenly spewed from my lips, and my legs gave out from under me. “Cathy!” Ava screamed and lunged forward to catch me, but then she stopped short, hesitating. “Ava, you’re pregnant. Don’t touch that, it’s filthy.” Ethan pulled Ava into his arms, and she let him, her forward momentum ceasing completely. I stared at the wretched mess on the floor, swallowing hard against the coppery taste rising in my throat. My life was ending, and I didn’t want to be a burden. I didn’t want some grand, dramatic farewell. I just wanted to leave quietly. But Ethan wasn’t done. A cruel smirk twisted his lips. “Wow, Cathy. That’s some perfectly timed theatrics. Didn’t the doctor just say we shouldn’t upset Ava?” he sneered. “Convenient we’re already at the hospital. Saves us the trouble of calling an ambulance.” I used to be frail. It was a known fact. A bad coughing fit could sometimes bring up a little blood. In the beginning, they would panic, scrambling to call for help, rushing to get me water. But I guess it was like the boy who cried wolf. They had just gotten used to it. At Ethan’s words, Ava flinched. The look she gave me changed. I wiped the blood from my mouth and forced a pained smile. “Sorry.” But as I took a single step forward, Ava instinctively clutched her stomach and recoiled, her eyes wide with fear and alarm. I froze. She didn’t have to be afraid of me. I barely had the energy to stand, let alone do anything else. Besides, I had once told her I wanted to be her baby’s godmother. “Ava, when you have a baby, I’m going to be the godmother. I’ll spoil them rotten, an extension of my love for you.” I had even bought a small gold locket, a gift for a baby I would never meet. A way for a piece of me to be there, even after I was gone. I stood there, unsure of what to say. In the end, I did what I did best. I ran. I fled back to my rented room and watched my video diaries, alone. A final look back at the life I was leaving behind. As the memories played out, the sobs I had been suppressing finally broke free. The arrival of their child had shattered every last one of my delusions. There was no more pretending. “How could you do this to me?” I wept into the empty room. “How could you?” I cried until I passed out. When I woke up, the storm had passed, leaving behind a dead, stagnant calm. I called a courier and had him deliver the collection of videos to them. It was three years of my life. I still wanted them to have it. Then, I packed my bag, booked a flight, and terminated my lease. I left with nothing, heading for the place I’d chosen as my final resting place. For three years, I had scouted the perfect location for my grave. I used to be so afraid that every goodbye might be our last, so I cherished every moment. I never thought I would be the one to walk away. Ethan. Ava. Goodbye, for good.

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In my past life, I, a girl from nowhere, snagged the Ivy League admission spot that the heiress to a massive empire threw away. After graduation, I married into unimaginable wealth, transforming from a nobody into the wife of the richest man in the city. At twenty-eight, I had made every right turn at every crossroads of fate. But when I woke up, I was eighteen again. Suddenly, lines of text floated before my eyes like a livestream chat. [The heroine is so lucky. She stole the life meant for the supporting character.] [In her past life, the heiress must have been cursed. She threw away her Ivy League spot to chase a broke guy to a community college, and pushed the billionaire heir—who adored her since childhood—into someone else’s arms. She played a winning hand like a total amateur!] [It was just plot-induced stupidity to make way for the heroine. Thank god for rebirth. This time, it’s the supporting character’s redemption arc!] [I can’t wait to see how Luna survives without stealing the heiress’s destiny this time!] Luna is me. But— Who says I can’t be the heroine? People who only think about salvaging what they lost have already lost from the start. 1 I opened my groggy eyes to meet the ecstatic gaze of my desk mate, Seraphina Sterling. She sprinted out the back door of the classroom, running to the next room over, screaming the name “Julian Vance”—the man who, in my past life, became my husband. She threw herself onto the boy, wailing. “Julian! I won’t be stupid this time! I promise!” Julian froze for a moment, then looked pleasantly surprised, clumsily trying to comfort her. The floating text reappeared. [Finally! The heiress belongs with the billionaire heir. Why should Luna, that country bumpkin, get the girl-boss script?] [Luna is a thief, a scavenger! We don’t accept this kind of heroine!] [Thank god the heiress woke up. This time, Luna goes back to the trailer park where she belongs!] I stared blankly at the calculus workbook on my desk. The complex formulas confirmed I really was back in my senior year. One month until the SATs. The seat next to me was taken again. Seraphina’s eyes were red, but they shone with a terrifying light. She smirked at me, confident and triumphant. “Luna, I’m taking back everything that belongs to me. Just you wait!” I smiled and didn’t reply. I was looking forward to it, too. Let’s see what path I carve out this time. 2 The bell rang, and our homeroom teacher, Mrs. Gable, walked in beaming. Seraphina’s face lit up with wild joy. The text scrolled faster. [Here it comes! The early admission notice!] [This is the first turning point for Luna. If she hadn’t taken the heiress’s spot, how could she have gotten into Harvard?] [People who steal the fruits of others’ labor without effort are rats in the sewer. And she stole the heiress’s fiancé too! Shameless!] The next second, Mrs. Gable spoke. “Seraphina Sterling, congratulations! You’ve secured the early admission spot for Harvard University!” Amidst thunderous applause, Mrs. Gable looked at me with a hint of regret. “Luna, although you also won an award in the competition, there is only one guaranteed spot.” In my past life. Seraphina’s competition score was 0.5 points higher than mine. I was cut. But to everyone’s shock, she rejected it. “Mrs. Gable, early admission is the easy way out. Give the spot to someone who needs it.” Because of that sentence, the whole class looked at her with new respect. Mrs. Gable even teased her. “Then I’ll be waiting for you to become the state valedictorian and bring glory to our school!” In reality, she had been brainwashed by her bad-boy boyfriend, vowing to go to the same college as him for a passionate romance. She was tired of hiding, of sneaking around just to hold hands. Seraphina was drowned in praise. But when I took the spot, everyone mocked me. “Charity case.” “Scavenger.” “Shameless.” I didn’t care. My grades hovered around the Ivy League cutoff. I cherished this opportunity. Seraphina had the safety net to fail the SATs. I, coming from nothing, did not. A secure future was more important than gossip. But this time. Seraphina’s voice was firm. “I accept the early admission to Harvard!” 3 Amidst envious gasps, she turned to me. “Luna, you must be disappointed, right?” [Of course! Luna must be grinding her teeth!]/ [This feels so good! The heiress dumps the delinquent and goes to the same college as the male lead!] Seraphina took a deep breath, trembling slightly, finally feeling the reality of her rebirth. “So sorry about that. This spot is mine.” I smiled faintly. “Congratulations.” Ten years. In the decade between eighteen and twenty-eight in my past life, I got my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD, fighting tooth and nail to grow within the Vance Group. Meanwhile, Seraphina was playing games with her bad boy—breakups, abortions, running away from home. I had more than just ten years of knowledge over her; I had judgment and the courage to face anything. The SATs? This time, I had absolute faith in myself. No accidents. No failure. But Seraphina thought I was bluffing. She looked at me with disdain. “I can’t wait to see the look on your face when the scores come out in two months!” She was smug, certain she would see me fail. 4 However, her joy lasted less than one class period. The appearance of Tyler shattered it. Tyler was a troublemaker, and Seraphina’s current boyfriend. Seraphina was the only daughter of the Sterling family, old money elites. Tyler’s motives were obvious. He stormed in, furious, and kicked my desk. “We agreed to go to the same college! What does this mean?” Seraphina glared at him. “Why should I listen to you? With your grades, you’ll end up at a community college. Where do you get the nerve to say that?” The commotion drew a crowd to the door. Julian Vance heard Seraphina’s voice from next door and rushed in, shielding her. His voice was cold. “If you want to cause trouble, get out. This isn’t the place.” Humiliated repeatedly, Tyler snapped, pointing at Seraphina and shouting. “You’re acting high and mighty now? You slut! You begged me to take your virginity after graduation!” He laughed maniacally. “First time I’ve seen a rich heiress desperate to get laid by me. Isn’t she cheap?” Seraphina shook with rage, then suddenly pointed at me. “It’s you, isn’t it? You didn’t get the spot, so you brought him here to threaten me? To ruin my reputation! “Luna, you are shameless! You and him, conspiring to steal what’s mine!” The chat text exploded, furious for Seraphina, cursing me out. [I knew Tyler found out too fast! Luna must be working with him!] [In the past life, the heiress was tricked by Tyler because she was innocent and kind. She was raised in a bubble by her family and Julian. She never saw through Tyler’s schemes or Luna’s malice.] [Seraphina suffered so much because of them. Now that she’s awake, they’re done for!] I laughed. “If you’re delusional, go see a doctor! I haven’t moved from this seat all class. Are you blind? You made this mess yourself, don’t pin it on me.” The surrounding students looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Seraphina turned red and said nothing. Tyler was chased out, leaving my books scattered on the floor. I quietly picked them up, bumping into Julian, who was also bending down.

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My intern asked for time off. I casually told her to submit the request on Slack. She immediately reported me to HR for sexual harassment. Later, while we were shopping, she passed a lingerie store and called the police to report it as a front for prostitution. When the angry store owner confronted us, she pushed me forward to take the blame. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day she asked for time off. This time, I looked at her innocent face and smiled. Obsessed with finding sexual innuendo in everything, are you? Fine. I’ll show you what a truly hostile work environment looks like. 1 “Miss Quinn, I need to take some time off.” The familiar voice made me shudder. I opened my eyes to see Bella, my intern, standing there with her trademark look of wide-eyed innocence. My nails dug into my palms until it hurt. The pain confirmed it: I wasn’t dreaming. I had been reborn. Back to the day this walking nightmare asked for leave. In my past life, this simple request was the beginning of the end. When I told her to “Just submit it on Slack,” she reported me for sexual harassment, claiming I was making inappropriate suggestions. That was just the start. Her delusional accusations piled up until that fateful day at the mall. She reported a lingerie shop for “indecency,” and when the furious owner came out wielding a box cutter, she shoved me right into the blade. I died there on the cold tile floor. Taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart, I kept my voice calm. “Time off?” “Company policy requires you to submit a request through the system.” Bella blinked her big eyes. “What system?” My heart skipped a beat. Here it comes. The trap. In my last life, I said “Slack.” She immediately twisted it into something dirty. This time, I was ready. “The company’s OA system.” She tilted her head, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. “What’s an OA system? Miss Quinn, can you be more specific?” I knew she wouldn’t let it go. I turned my monitor towards her. “This. The internal management portal. Every employee has a login.” Bella stared at the screen for a few seconds before letting out a giggle. “Miss Quinn, why are you afraid to say the software’s name? Is it because you’re… thinking about something naughty?” The typing in the office stopped. I could feel every ear in the room perking up. 2 In my past life, this accusation caught me off guard. I stuttered, looked guilty, and lost the narrative. But this time? I set down my coffee mug. My voice wasn’t loud, but it was crystal clear. “Bella, can you read?” “The words ‘Internal Office Automation System’ are right there on the screen. Can you not see them?” “Or is your brain wired so uniquely that it automatically filters everything into pornography?” Someone choked on their water in the break room. Shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter around the office. Bella’s face flushed crimson. “Miss Quinn! How can you say that? I was just joking!” “A joke? It wasn’t funny.” I kept my expression stern. “I told you to use the system. You insisted on knowing which one. I showed you the interface. Then you accused me of being afraid to say its name.” “What, do you think ‘Internal Office Automation’ is too erotic? Do we need to rename it ‘The Pure and Innocent Angels’ System’ to suit your delicate sensibilities?” “What do you mean by sensibilities?” Her eyes widened. I raised my voice slightly. “I mean you have a brain that sexualizes everything.” “Like hearing ‘submit’ and thinking of BDSM. Hearing ‘Slack’ and thinking of… well, I apologize. I forgot you’re just an innocent intern. I shouldn’t be so graphic.” The snickers in the office were audible now. Bella’s eyes welled with tears, her lips trembling. “Miss Quinn, this is workplace harassment! I’m going to tell…” “Tell who? Director Vance?” I nodded toward the doorway behind her. “Perfect timing. She’s right there.” 3 Lydia Vance clattered over in her four-inch heels, looking at me like she was watching a train wreck she had personally engineered. This woman, who started at the same time as me but always treated me like an enemy, had fueled the fire every time Bella attacked me in my previous life. Lydia stopped in front of my desk, frowning. “What’s going on? I could hear you shouting from the hallway.” Bella immediately switched to victim mode, eyes red and teary. “Director Vance, Miss Quinn said my brain is full of… dirty things…” I scoffed. “Is that what I said? Repeat my exact words.” She sniffled. “You said I sexualize everything…” Lydia immediately stepped in front of Bella, shielding her like a mother hen. “Quinn, is this how a supervisor speaks to an intern?” Calmly, I pulled up the chat log on my computer. “Director Vance, do you know the context?” “Bella wanted time off. I told her to use the system. She insisted on knowing which one. I showed her the interface.” “Then she asked why I was ‘afraid’ to say the name of the software. Is that normal behavior?” Lydia paused, shooting a questioning glance at Bella. Bella jumped in hurriedly. “But she was acting weird! Normal people just say the name of the app!” “I’m just a new intern! I don’t know anything! Asking for clarification is normal!” “You call that normal?” I raised an eyebrow. “Okay, tell me. What name would have been acceptable to you? Slack? WeChat? Or…” I lowered my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Do you need me to spell it out? S-L-A-C-K?” “Is that clear enough? Or does the spelling trigger some other inappropriate fantasy for you?” “Quinn!” Lydia snapped. “Watch your language!” I spread my hands innocently. “I am teaching an intern how to use company tools. What part of my language is inappropriate?” “Unless you also think the word ‘Slack’ is problematic, Director Vance? Should we petition headquarters to rename it ‘The Work Chat Thingy’?” 4 The office erupted in laughter. Lydia’s face turned a sickly shade of green. She threw her hands up and stormed off. Bella looked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her face cycled through several shades of red and white. Finally, she stammered, “You… you’re all bullying me! I’m going to HR!” I helpfully handed her the employee handbook. “Go ahead.” “While you’re there, ask them if an intern refusing to follow basic leave procedures counts as wasting company resources.” “Oh, and page 38 outlines the leave policy clearly. I suggest you learn how to read first.” Bella snatched the book and ran off, sobbing. Lydia shot me a venomous glare before chasing after her. I sat back down, my fingers trembling slightly. This was just the beginning. I had a whole life’s worth of debt to collect. By afternoon tea, the office gossip mill was churning. I heard several versions of the story. The most ridiculous one was that Bella cried to HR claiming I sent her explicit GIFs. I was speechless. While I was internally rolling my eyes, my assistant, Zoe, leaned over. “Quinn, Director Vance just transferred Bella to her team.” I paused, spoon midway through stirring my coffee. “When?” “Just now. After Bella came out of HR, Lydia took her straight to her department. She said…” Zoe hesitated. “Said what?” “She said she’d mentor Bella personally and wouldn’t let her suffer such injustice.” I almost laughed out loud. Two birds with one stone. Not only did I shut Bella down, but I also got rid of her. And the cherry on top? Lydia Vance took her in. Oh, Lydia. In my last life, you loved watching me burn. Did you ever think you’d be the one holding the match?

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