Category: English

After I was kidnapped, my family was practically *relieved*. The kidnappers had gotten the wrong person; my older brother, Lucas, the one they *meant* to snatch, had escaped. When the police rescued me, blood was seeping from almost every pore, but I didn’t cry, didn’t make a sound. I was diagnosed with emotional apathy. No emotions. I could no longer feel sad about anything happening around me. I felt freer than I had ever been. But later, they all regretted it. They cried, begging me to go back to my old self. When I was discharged from the hospital and returned home, the house was empty. Even the furniture had been moved out. Unable to reach anyone, I called our housekeeper, Martha, only to find out they had moved. I went to the new address. My family was already seated at the dining table, ready for dinner. Seeing me walk in, everyone at the table looked a little uncomfortable. “Why didn’t anyone tell me you were moving?” “Oh, Lucas has been having nightmares lately, dreaming of being kidnapped. I thought maybe the old house wasn’t good for him, so we found a new place.” Mrs. Davis said, as casually as if discussing what was for dinner. “You’re back just in time. Sit down and eat with us.” The table was laden with all of Lucas’s favorite dishes. My face was covered with thick bandages, and I limped when I walked. No one seemed to notice or care. The old me would have been devastated. But now? I felt nothing. My emotions were gone. Seeing me calmly sit down, Lucas suddenly leaned over. “I’ve been so scared these past few days, I didn’t even dare to go out, so I couldn’t visit you. Mom and Dad were worried I’d get kidnapped too, so they stayed home with me. You don’t blame me, do you?” Before I could say a word, Mr. Davis quickly jumped in. “Come on, Hymen, it’s not that serious. You two are brothers; you should cut each other some slack.” I didn’t know how to react. *I* was the one who was kidnapped. Lucas laughed heartily. “Hehe, I just didn’t want him to overthink it! Hymen has always been so independent, much braver than me. I really envy people with courage.” He said, picking up a shrimp and placing it in my bowl. I silently put down my fork. I’m allergic to shrimp. No one at the table remembered. *No one.*

My name is Hymen. My older brother’s name is Lucas. No doubt about it, we’re biological brothers. An old fortune teller once told my parents that I had a difficult fate and shouldn’t be raised by them. So, they sent me away to live with my distant grandparents in a remote town. All those years, they barely visited me. They only brought me back after my grandparents passed away. I came home filled with hope, but I quickly realized this house wasn’t for me. The day I was kidnapped, Lucas insisted on taking a deserted alley. After a few steps, he claimed he needed to find a restroom and told me to wait right there for him. After that, I lost consciousness. I’ll never forget those memories. “Damn it, a worthless piece of trash.” The kidnapper’s fists landed on me, blow after blow, venting their rage. They had mistaken me for Lucas, they had kidnapped the wrong person. My family refused to pay my ransom, so they wouldn’t get a single dime. I was starved for three days, tortured for three days. My throat was raw, I couldn’t even scream anymore. When the police burst in, the kidnappers were about to strip me. Blood blurred my vision, but I still strained to open my eyes, looking behind them. No one. No one from my family had come. I wanted to cry, but no tears would fall. The doctor said I had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, manifesting as a loss of emotions, medically known as emotional apathy. The hospital room was empty. After the investigating police officers left, no one else came. At the dinner table, they treated me like I was invisible. The three of them chatted and laughed, a picture of a happy family. In the past, I would always try to join their conversations, but today I did nothing. “I’m finished.” I casually grabbed a napkin from the table to wipe my hands. “Which room am I staying in?” Mrs. Davis paused, then collected herself. “The other rooms haven’t been tidied up yet.” Lucas interjected, “Hymen, don’t blame Mom and Dad. They’ve been so busy with everything lately, they just can’t keep up.” He sounded like he was protecting our parents, but he was really hinting that I was being inconsiderate – something he’d done countless times. I simply asked, “Did I say I blamed them?” I gently put down the napkin, my voice flat. “Then I’ll just pick an unoccupied room. You all enjoy your dinner.” I slowly walked upstairs, their voices drifting up to me. “Who did he inherit that prickly attitude from? Don’t take it to heart. Come on, Lucas, you haven’t had any of my special stew yet!” Lucas’s voice was calm, “My brother might just be scared.” Mrs. Davis disagreed, “What’s he scared about? He’s back home safe and sound, isn’t he?” I closed my bedroom door, shutting out their conversation.

Chloe came home that evening. She wasn’t Mr. and Mrs. Davis’s biological child; she was adopted, and Lucas and I called her sister. I once dreamed of having an older sister who would stand up for me. And Chloe did fit my image of a good sister, except she always protected Lucas. Towards me, this sudden interloper who seemed to take some of his spotlight, she was openly hostile. From the moment she walked in, Chloe hadn’t spared me a single glance, practically writing “unwelcome” on her face. How could I have been so naive before? Even with her attitude, I always wanted to get close, to care for her, to give her all kinds of gifts. I envied Lucas; I envied him for receiving all the family’s love. But with those emotions gone, everyone’s actions seemed deliberate and utterly uninteresting in my eyes. I felt a little hungry. Chloe, noticing I hadn’t initiated conversation, actually looked at me twice. “Hey, your stuff. I don’t want it.” She held out a beautifully wrapped gift bag. I recognized it; it was the birthday gift I had chosen for her. A piece of jewelry I had personally polished and crafted. I had given her many things, and every single one had been publicly returned. She and Lucas both seemed to enjoy the process of trampling my dignity. “Got it.” My attention wasn’t on her at all. The food was all served, but I had no appetite. A table full of seafood. Nothing I could eat. Just looking at it made my wounds throb faintly. Chloe, however, was stunned. Usually, I’d beg her to accept the gift. This time, I was surprisingly direct. Was I playing another trick, trying to get the family’s attention? “Sister, what did he give you?” Lucas asked, but his hand was already quicker, tearing open the gift. “Oh, what beautiful jewelry! He must have put a lot of thought into this, Chloe. You should keep it.” Chloe pursed her lips. Keep it? That would mean she accepted *me*. This was the person who made Lucas feel insecure, the one who caused him to cry countless nights. “I won’t accept anything from him. Take it back.” She looked at me, her tone brooking no refusal. My stomach ached with hunger. Faced with a table of inedible seafood, I just wanted to go out and eat something else. As I started to rise, Chloe, thinking I was trying to avoid the situation, grabbed my wrist. “Take your stuff away.” Lucas looked on, clearly enjoying the spectacle. In the past, I would have cried. “Just throw it away.” “What?” Seeing that no one moved, I picked up the jewelry and tossed it into the trash can. “I said, throw away what you don’t want. I’m leaving.” Everyone at the table fell silent. This version of me was too unfamiliar. I ignored them and simply left the table. Chloe felt a strange pang. Watching that annoying figure slowly disappear, it felt like something had quietly spun out of control. Lucas glanced at Chloe, his hand, still holding a fork, clenched abruptly.

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Right after dropping my daughter off at kindergarten, I got a call from her teacher. “Lily’s mom, please come to the hospital. Your daughter injured a classmate.” When I rushed to the hospital, I saw a fruit knife sticking out of Lily’s stomach, blood pooling on the floor. Meanwhile, the other child only had a scraped finger. I demanded to know what happened from the teacher. She stammered, refusing to tell the truth. It was only after I checked the school’s surveillance footage that I understood. The other kid had called Lily a “bastard child of a whore,” and when she protested, he stabbed her with the knife. Faced with such clear evidence, the other child’s parents were still arrogant. “A bunch of whores raising a little slut, if she died, she died. Is her life as precious as my son’s?” “The Vance family owns stakes in every hospital in this city. If she dares hurt my son, she won’t leave here alive today!” But she didn’t know that after Lily’s parents sacrificed their lives, she became the pride and joy of our army. Everyone fought to be her mother, and even General Maxwell doted on her like his own granddaughter. And now, she was being called a whore and a slut? I immediately called the military command. “Lily’s injured, and she’s being called a little slut. Cancel all leaves. Everyone not on active duty, report to the hospital now!”

The words barely left my mouth when my phone was violently knocked to the ground. Tiffany Vance, who introduced herself as the richest man’s daughter-in-law, scoffed, looking at me as if I were trash. “What? Did you hear I’m a Vance, and now you’re calling all your hooker sisters to back you up?” “Heh, birds of a feather flock together, don’t they?” “Sluts like you, who get by seducing men, raise unruly little bastards who even dream of seducing my son!” The fury in my chest was about to explode. I was just about to stand up when I heard Lily’s faint voice. “Mommy… Mommy isn’t a hooker…” Her small face was pale, eyes closed, her whole body trembling. “My mommy… is a hero.…” My heart instantly clenched. I quickly gripped her cold little hand. “Mommy’s here, baby, don’t be scared. Lily’s mommy is a hero who protects people, she’s—” “She’s lying!” Tiffany’s son, Brendon Vance, shrilly interrupted me. “Different women drop her off at kindergarten every day. How can one person have so many moms?” “She’s just a bastard from a whorehouse, no one knows which man spawned her. Her mom can’t possibly be a hero!” Brendon’s face was chubby, his features squeezed together, wearing an insolent expression far beyond his age. “She lies all the time and never listens to me. I have the right to punish lowly people!” “My mom said our family runs this city. Even if she dies, someone will clean up the mess for me!” I couldn’t believe a five-year-old child could utter such venomous words and act so maliciously. I looked at Tiffany. “Is this how you teach your child?” She, however, looked proud, lifting her chin. “Isn’t it the truth? Am I wrong?” “A child getting dropped off by different women—what else is it if not a whorehouse?” “What’s wrong with me teaching my son to recognize the true nature of society’s bottom-feeders early on?” She stepped closer, almost pointing a finger at my nose. “Let me tell you, in Emerald City, what the Vance family says, goes!” “My son punishing her was giving her face. She dared to resist and hurt my son. Even if she dies, she deserves it!” “The lives of people like you, combined, aren’t as precious as a single strand of my son’s hair!” I clenched my fists, wanting nothing more than to rip apart her foul mouth. Lily’s parents had both died in service to the country one after another when she was one. Both their families were generations of decorated heroes, and she was their only remaining kin. We didn’t want to send her to an orphanage, so we raised her in the army. The reason different people dropped Lily off every day was because she was so loved and cherished. Everyone on leave fought for the chance to take her. It was finally my turn today, and I never expected something like this to happen. If anything happened to Lily, I didn’t know how I would explain it to my sisters in the unit and to General Maxwell. In the end, reason won over fury. I am a soldier. My actions represent the country. Knowing it was useless to reason with someone like her, I stepped back, my eyes cold as I stared at Tiffany. “The Vance family, huh?” Good. I’ll remember that. Some debts, we’ll settle them later. No point in wasting more breath on her. Saving Lily was the priority now.

The nurse had just said there was a major car accident on the highway, and many injured people were being brought in. The hospital was short-staffed. Luckily, I always carried the special military-grade painkiller and coagulant General Maxwell had given for Lily. I’d already given it to her, so for now, her life shouldn’t be in immediate danger. But time was precious. I was about to pick Lily up and switch hospitals when a doctor rushed over. “Where’s the injured child? What’s the situation?” I immediately moved aside. The nurse clearly reported. “The child is five years old. A fruit knife was inserted into her abdomen. Depth unknown. She’s currently conscious but has lost a significant amount of blood.” Dr. Carter quickly examined the wound, then used a flashlight to check Lily’s pupils and complexion. “Thankfully, initial assessment suggests no major organs were damaged, but blood loss is the primary issue. We need to clean and stitch the wound immediately to stop the bleeding.” He frowned deeply. “But all operating rooms are full. Patients from the major car accident are lined up. No choice, we have to perform emergency stitches here first to stabilize her vitals.” He immediately turned to the nurse beside him and shouted. “Prepare the wound cleaning and suturing kit, anesthetic, and blood bags!” The nurse acknowledged and was about to run off but was yanked back by Tiffany. “Wait!” She forcefully pushed Brendon in front of the doctor. “Treat my son first! His finger is broken, and he’s bleeding a lot too!” Dr. Carter glanced at Brendon’s index finger, which merely had a tiny scratch, the blood already congealed. His frown deepened, and his expression turned severe. “Madam! Please stop this nonsense!” “Your son only has a minor surface injury. He doesn’t even need stitches. Have the nurse apply some antiseptic solution.” “Move aside, quickly! Hospital resources are stretched thin right now. Severely injured patients take priority. That’s a basic principle!” Seeing the doctor dare to contradict her, Tiffany raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. “Principles? I am the principle here!” Everyone was stunned by her sudden action. She pointed at the bewildered doctor, screaming. “A attending physician, daring to yell at me? Do you know who we are?!” “I am the Vance family’s daughter-in-law! This is the Vance family’s golden grandson! Your director has to be polite to me. How dare you speak to me like that?!” “My son’s finger touched the blood of this little bastard, he might catch some nasty disease!” “I order you, now, immediately, to give my son the most detailed full-body examination! From the top of his head to his toenails, don’t miss a single thing! Otherwise, I’ll have you kicked out of this hospital today, and you’ll never work in the entire medical field again!” Dr. Carter clutched his face, his eyes filled with humiliation and rage, but more so, with disbelief at the unreasonable woman before him. “You…” The surrounding crowd couldn’t help but murmur condemnations, but Tiffany ignored them. She directly ordered the bodyguards behind her. “Take him to examine my son! A doctor’s duty is to save lives, not to save some rat from a gutter!” Two men in black suits immediately covered the mouth of Dr. Carter, who was still trying to argue, and forcefully dragged him away. Tiffany turned back triumphantly, casting a cold, mocking smirk my way. My blood boiled with rage. I wanted to rush forward to stop her. But the nurse beside me held my arm tightly, urgently whispering. “Mom, calm down! We’ll be the ones to suffer if we clash with people this rich and powerful. Saving the child is what matters!” My eyes were bloodshot with anger. “The doctor’s been kidnapped! Who’s going to save my child? Can money and power mean you can do whatever you want?!” After roaring, I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. The nurse was right. Lily’s life was more important than anything. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t yelling at you.” “Where’s the nearest hospital? I need to transfer her!” I bent down, intending to pick Lily up and transfer her immediately, but the nurse stopped me again. “There are too many seriously injured patients from the highway accident. All the major hospitals in the city are completely full right now. Transferring her now would mean waiting, and the child would be in even more danger!” “The child has lost too much blood and needs an immediate transfusion, but… the blood bank is definitely low right now. You need to find someone to donate blood quickly. I’ll get the child hooked up for now to stabilize her vitals!”

My heart plummeted. I unhesitatingly extended my arm. “Take mine. Lily and I are both B positive!” The nurse shook her head. “Close relatives cannot directly transfuse blood; it can easily cause graft-versus-host disease, which is very dangerous.” “I’m not her biological mother!” I practically yelled, my voice trembling with suppressed emotion and pleading. “She’s the child of fallen heroes! Her parents both sacrificed for the country! Please, I beg you, save her! Take my blood!” The nurse hadn’t expected Lily’s background and immediately began preparations. In the blood donation room, I watched as the dark red blood flowed through the tube into the blood bag, feeling time pass agonizingly slowly. Every second, Lily was fighting for her life. I pulled out my phone with its cracked screen and saw messages constantly popping up in the unit’s private SnapChat group. “What happened? Why is she suddenly injured? We’re on our way!” “How is Lily? We’re bringing a combat medic!” “Tell Lily not to be scared, her dads from the Second Combat Division are coming too, about ten minutes out!” My sisters and comrades, along with a combat medic, were on their way, which brought some stability to my racing heart. Just as the 400cc of blood was drawn and the nurse removed the needle, preparing to send the life-saving blood for processing, a hand adorned with bright red nail polish suddenly reached out and snatched the blood bag. “Isn’t there blood right here? You lied to me about the blood bank being low!” “Quick, give it to my son! He was startled and now has low blood sugar, he needs nutrients!” I suppressed the dizziness in my head and stood up, staring intently at her. “Put the blood bag down!” Tiffany was momentarily intimidated by my gaze but quickly regained her arrogant composure. “You… what are you going to do? This blood belongs to the hospital now. I can give it to whoever I want!” The nurse, unable to stand it, bravely stepped forward to reason with her. “Mrs. Vance, that little girl is the child of fallen heroes. Her parents sacrificed their lives for the country, and she’s all that’s left…” “Please, for goodness’ sake, just return the blood. Save a child’s life!” Tiffany remained unmoved. Instead, she roughly pushed the nurse away. “Fallen heroes? Ha, telling so many lies to gain sympathy, aren’t we?” “Who knows if that’s even true? And even if it is, what does it have to do with me? My son’s health is the top priority!” If I hadn’t steadied her, the nurse would have hit her head on the corner of a table. I stopped wasting words with Tiffany. With a swift, precise grappling move, I instantly locked onto her wrist joint. She cried out in pain, her fingers involuntarily loosening. The still-warm blood bag steadily dropped into my hand. “You… you dare to hit me?!” Tiffany shrieked, yelling at her bodyguards. “Are you all dead?! Teach her a lesson!” Two bodyguards quickly surrounded me. Their steps were steady, clearly indicating they were professionally trained fighters. Since they wanted to fight, the long-suppressed anger and frustration within me instantly found an outlet. “Watch this.” I placed the blood bag into the nurse’s hands. Almost simultaneously, I lowered my center of gravity, sidestepping the first bodyguard’s incoming punch. My right leg, like a cannonball, shot out in a fierce, rapid side-kick, striking him hard in the abdomen. “Ugh!” The bodyguard had completely underestimated my speed and strength. He was sent flying backward. Seeing this, the other bodyguard’s eyes hardened. He attempted to choke me from behind and to the side. I abruptly dropped my body, avoiding his arm while my left leg supported me. My right leg executed an incredibly swift back-spin kick, my heel precisely connecting with his chin. The second bodyguard’s eyes rolled back. He fell straight to the ground, unconscious. The entire process took mere seconds. The corridor fell silent. I slowly turned around, taking one step after another toward Tiffany, who was already frozen in terror. She watched me approach, the color draining from her face, backing away repeatedly. “You… what do you want? Don’t… don’t think I’m scared just because you can fight!” “I’m telling you, I’m the Vance family’s daughter-in-law! If you dare to hurt a single strand of my hair, the Vance family will never let you get away with it! You won’t have an easy time either!” I looked down at her face, twisted with fear, and grabbed her by the neck.

“Cough… Let… let go of me!” I leaned closer to her, staring into her terrified eyes. “You should be grateful you were born in a time of peace, protected by the law.” “Otherwise…” My fingers tightened slightly, letting her know I wasn’t joking. “Just for what you did, I’d rearrange your face so badly you wouldn’t be able to string a sentence together!” Tiffany trembled under the undisguised killing intent in my eyes, forgetting even to struggle. Just then, Brendon’s gloomy voice came from behind. “Let go of my mom, or you’ll regret it.” I turned around, and when I saw the sight before me, the blood in my veins seemed to freeze. Brendon, I don’t know when, had dragged Lily, with the help of two bodyguards, right off her hospital bed. She was like a rag doll, her arm being dragged across the rough floor, leaving a vivid trail of blood. The simple bandage on her abdomen was stained red with blood. Her small face was contorted in pain, emitting faint whimpers. “Mommy… it hurts…” My heart felt like it was being pricked by countless needles, a dense, throbbing ache. Brendon was only five! How could he dare?! Was he a devil?! “You little monster! Let go of Lily!” I let out a gut-wrenching roar. Just as I was about to charge, Tiffany grabbed my hair from behind and yanked hard. While I cried out in pain, she quickly retreated to her son’s side. She looked at Lily, painfully curled on the floor, a flicker of sadistic pleasure and indulgence in her eyes. “See? This is what happens when you mess with us! My son is destined for great things!” Hearing his mother’s praise, Brendon’s small face showed a twisted, smug grin. He even stretched out his leg and kicked Lily. Tiffany pointed at me with haughty pride. “Now, get down on your knees and apologize to us! Otherwise, if my son ‘accidentally’ hurts her anywhere else, it won’t be our problem!” The sight before me made my eyes burn with fury. An arrogant, inhuman mother. A naturally evil, cruel son. They were actually threatening me with a critically injured child. I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging deep into my palms. Lily was in their hands. I had no choice but to compromise. All my pride and dignity were worthless in the face of a child’s life. I slowly knelt down. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have used force.” “Please, have mercy and release the child. She’ll die like this… I beg you.” Seeing me bow my head and admit fault, Tiffany’s face contorted with triumphant pleasure. “Heh, now you realize your mistake? Too late!” She had her bodyguards snatch the blood bag from the nurse and threw it on the ground… “Weren’t you so tough just now? You dared to fight me for this pathetic bag of blood?” She said, then stomped her high heel down on it with brutal force. “No!” The nurse and I cried out simultaneously. Tiffany watched the bloody mess on the floor and our pained expressions, her smile growing more twisted and malicious. “You want me to let this little bastard go? Fine.” “You strip those clothes off right here, right now! Let everyone see the cheap, nasty slut you really are underneath!” Tiffany saw me hesitate and keep glancing at the door. “What? Still waiting for your other hookers to save you? I’m telling you, if they show up, I’ll make them strip naked too!” “You won’t strip, huh? Then I’ll have to help you!” With that, her hand slowly reached for the handle of the fruit knife still embedded in Lily’s abdomen. If not for a doctor’s careful handling, pulling the knife out like that would instantly cause massive hemorrhage, and Lily would surely die. “No! Stop it!” I screamed, forgetting everything else. “I’ll strip! I’ll strip! Just don’t touch her!!” Just as my fingers touched the first button, Tiffany’s wrist was struck by a slingshot projectile. The impact made her cry out in pain, clutching her hand as she fell to the ground. At the same moment, a thunderous roar echoed from the corridor entrance. “I’d like to see who dares touch them!”

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Ten years after I married my brother Eric’s fiancée, he suddenly reappeared. The whole family stared, frozen in stunned silence. He yawned, his voice laced with a casual indifference. “Thirteen countries in ten years. I’m exhausted.” “So, where’s Lily? Why hasn’t she come out to greet me?” Lily is Eric’s daughter. Years ago, on his wedding day, he faked his own death, abandoning both his child and his wealthy fiancée, Aurora Sinclair. My parents were terrified of offending the Sinclairs, so they forced me to marry her instead. I took in Eric’s arrogant posture and allowed myself a slow, cold smile. “My wife took our daughter out.” Hearing that, my brother Eric’s brow furrowed in immediate annoyance. “Didn’t I make it clear I was coming home? Did you even tell Aurora I’m back?” I sipped my tea calmly. Years of quiet perseverance had changed me. I wasn’t the shadow under his spotlight anymore. My silence completely infuriated Eric. He shot to his feet, his voice sharp. “Adam Miller! What the hell is your problem? Or have you forgotten? I’m the one who was engaged to a Sinclair! Now that I’m back, you think you can keep that title?” I glanced at him, a faint smile on my lips. “Eric, I have no idea what you’re talking about. My wife and I are perfectly happy.” Over the years, I’d accompanied Aurora to countless charity galas and business events. Our reputation as a devoted couple became a strategic asset. Aurora expertly leveraged it to win over partners. Perhaps there was no passionate love between Aurora and me. What bound us was a connection far stronger than romance. It was mutual benefit. That’s why I was so confident. Eric’s face twisted in disbelief. He thrust a finger toward me, his voice rising to a shout. “Adam! Do you have no shame? That’s your sister-in-law!” I set my teacup down, my composed smile not faltering in the slightest. “No, we’re legally married.” My gaze was steely. I rose to my feet, done with this charade. Mom and Dad stood nearby, looking utterly lost. Eric lunged forward, grabbing Mom’s sleeve. “Mom, Adam’s lost his mind! Aurora was my college sweetheart! Without me and the Sinclairs, our business would be nothing.” My parents had always coddled Eric. But this time, Mom secretly observed my expression, her voice soft. “But… you left your wedding. You faked your death. We didn’t hear from you for years.” “There was no groom! If Adam hadn’t helped, the Sinclairs would have been humiliated. They would have ruined our company!” Eric’s face froze for a moment. “I… I wasn’t ready to get married!” he stammered. “But I’m back now!” “And the Sinclairs always looked down on us. I was supposed to be a live-in son-in-law! I would have been bullied!” My eyes were cold. “So why are you back now?” Eric looked utterly self-righteous. “They accepted you, so they’ll accept me. It’s perfect.” “I’ll move in with Aurora today. I’m sure her family will treat me well now. And Lily… she can finally know her real father. It’s good for everyone.” With that, he stepped forward, seized my hand in a tight grip, and looked at me with feigned earnestness. “Adam, you’re free! You can go find your happiness now.” I stared into his eyes. They held the spoiled, cruel naivety of someone who had always been favored. He was so sure I would sacrifice everything for him. I sneered and pulled my hand away. “I’m perfectly happy with my life, Eric. You need to face reality.” Then I turned and left that cold house behind.

I didn’t know how Eric felt, but I was sure it wasn’t good. And I knew his stubbornness too well. He wouldn’t give up. I dragged my exhausted body back to the Sinclair estate. These past few days, I’d been swamped with projects, almost working late into the night every day. I entered the house, rubbing my temples. Then I remembered the text from my parents an hour ago: “Eric is back.” At the time, my body had frozen. I always knew he might return, but the news still shocked me. I hung up my bag and saw high heels on the floor. I paused, then put on a polite smile. “You’re back?” A gentle voice asked. I turned. Aurora stood there, draped in a black lace nightgown. It was modest, but hugged her alluring curves. Her fair skin and exquisite features were framed by a soft smile. She frowned with concern. “You look so tired. Haven’t you been sleeping well?” I smiled. “It’s just work. Did you have a good time? How’s Lily?” Aurora stepped into my arms, her face against my chest. Her fingers gently stroked my back. “Lily had a great time. She’s already asleep. She just wished you were there. Next time, we all go together.” “I missed you,” she whispered, her voice laced with an intimate, almost possessive warmth. I kissed her soft hair, but inside, I felt nothing but a cold void. I felt a soft touch on my lips, and my body stiffened. My mind was filled with what Eric had said to me earlier that day. I didn’t respond to her as I usually would. Instead, I slightly resisted, using my hands to create some distance between us. “I…” My words trailed off, because I distinctly felt Aurora’s body stiffen for a moment. I keenly sensed that she was displeased. After a pause, Aurora smiled and picked up my words. “You are tired. Go take a shower and get some good sleep.” It was an excuse, offered for my benefit. Then, she kissed my lips lightly. I nodded and went upstairs. Behind me, the woman in the shadows had a dark, unreadable look.The pressure around her solidified as she watched my back. The next day, I left for work as usual. The moment I stepped out of the apartment complex, I saw a familiar figure. My hand clenched the steering wheel, my brows furrowing tightly. Eric saw my car too. He suddenly rushed in front of it, forcing me to stop. The cars behind me honked furiously. It was peak rush hour. The security guard eagerly tried to pull Eric away. But Eric was relentless. Even as he was being pulled back, he desperately shouted. “Adam! Don’t play dead with me! You’re occupying my wife, do you have no shame?!” His sharp, piercing voice drew everyone’s attention. I pulled my car to the side, ensuring I wouldn’t block anyone or anything, then got out. I stared at him with a cold expression. Eric flashed a smug smile, running a hand through his messy hair. He chuckled. “What? Embarrassed? Or scared Aurora will leave you when she finds out I’m back?” My voice was ice. “Eric, you are a plague upon my life. This is your final warning. Do not seek me out again.” He ignored me. A determined smile spread across his face. “Stop pretending. You’re just scared. You’ve always been in my shadow. Of course you’re jealous. Of course you want to be me.” His voice paused, then he took a few steps closer and whispered in my ear. “Too bad, a cuckoo in a nest will always be driven out. I’ll wait right here. When I see Aurora, I’ll explain everything clearly, and she’ll forgive me.” “And Lily, she’s my daughter. We have an unbreakable blood connection. You’ll never be able to replace me!” I didn’t say anything, just turned and got back into my car. This time, Eric didn’t stop me. In the rearview mirror, I saw him standing there, smiling faintly as he watched me go. An icy dread trickled down my spine. Eric was spoiled and never faced consequences. Anyone who crossed him was met with the full, destructive force of his tantrums. I took a deep breath, forcing my mind to let him go. I had spent years building my marriage and my career. A divorce now would shatter me. And it would deal a devastating blow to everything Aurora and I have built. Aurora had her family to fall back on. But I had only myself.

I sat in my office, my thoughts drifting far away. In elementary school, every summer and winter break, Eric loved to go out and play basketball like crazy. By the time school started, his homework would be untouched. He was terrified of being scolded by the teacher, so he’d try to pass my homework off as his. My parents always had an excuse: my grades were good, , so even if I missed an assignment, the teacher would likely let it slide. Eric was different. If he didn’t do his homework, he’d be scolded in front of the class. A boy’s pride, they argued, was everything. So, for the sake of Eric’s pride, my efforts could be casually erased. From then on, every holiday, I knew better than to argue and wrote two sets of homework. In high school, Eric started dating. He’d flamboyantly chase the prettiest girls, get into dramatic fights, and expertly schmooze with all his teachers Although his grades weren’t good, he was outgoing and naturally had many friends. From childhood to adulthood, all his whims were always covered for him. He always had a safety net. While I, on the other hand, had to live carefully, weighing every step. After college, he met Aurora at a music festival outside of school. They played in a temporary band at a local bar with live music. For two months, while I was shuttling between various part-time jobs to earn tuition, they were wildly indulging their youth on stage. I originally thought that after graduating from college, I would save enough money to completely escape my dysfunctional family. Until that night, Eric came home very late, reeking of alcohol. My parents got up in the middle of the night, cooking him porridge and taking off his clothes. The whole family revolved around him. But Eric, in his drunken state, uttered a sentence that shocked everyone. He was going to be a father. During that time, the entire house was frighteningly silent. My parents were flustered by the sudden news. I was busy working part-time during the holidays to save for tuition. The most carefree person in the whole family was surprisingly Eric. He seemed completely oblivious to the change his identity was about to undergo. To cover up the scandal, my parents made him stay at home, confined indoors. On the other side, my family and the Sinclairs had already discussed the marriage. After the baby was born, a paternity test would be done, and then the wedding would be held. Everything had been agreed upon. The Sinclairs were forced to accept the marriage out of necessity. If this scandal were to be exposed, the Sinclair family’s reputation would be ruined, potentially even affecting their company’s stock. The night before the wedding, I took a four-hour train ride home. But the next day, Eric had vanished. The house was left with only baby Lily in her swaddling clothes and the furious-looking Sinclair family. Aurora’s face was grim. My parents stood awkwardly, then their eyes slowly shifted to me. Mom seemed to grasp a lifeline. “We have another son! He’s never even dated! Consider it our apology!” Dad immediately chimed in, “That’s right! Adam! Hurry! Your brother is gone, now you have to step in!” I stood there, stunned, my mind not yet processing what was happening. My parents already had their hands on me, pulling each of my arms, ready to drag me into the dressing room to change into a suit. I struggled desperately, my heart freezing to the core. Anger and disbelief intertwined within me. My first twenty years had been spent living in Eric’s shadow, and now my latter half of life would also be sacrificed for him. Resentment filled my heart, and my nose burned. That was the first time I truly broke down. I argued loudly, shaking off the hands that held me captive. “Why?! Why do I have to be responsible for his recklessness?! This is his business, it has nothing to do with me!” Dad, hearing that, slapped me hard across the face. “That’s your brother!”

I staggered a few steps, feeling a burning pain on my cheek. Mom cried, tears streaming down her face. “Your brother certainly went too far, but you can’t just stand by and watch our family fall apart! The guests are all waiting for the groom now!” My face was ashen. Finally, I gritted out a few words through clenched teeth: “I’m not doing this! I won’t marry her!” No matter how they tried to persuade me, or even resorted to force, I remained stubbornly defiant. I held a knife to my throat, my eyes red, and said, “Anyone who tries to force me, I’ll kill myself!” With that, everyone present froze. I didn’t know if they were afraid I would die, or if they were afraid of the greater trouble of a death on their hands. Whatever the reason, I didn’t care anymore. I’d graduated. I believed a job would be my ticket to freedom. The standoff ended when Aurora asked to talk to me alone. Everyone left us in the dressing room. Half an hour later, the door opened. I walked out in a tuxedo, my face blank as I took Aurora’s hand. With a smile that never reached my eyes, I played my part in the entire wedding ceremony. The memory dissolved, pulling me back to the present. I stood by the window, looking down at the city. I had fought for ten brutal years to reach this position. A cold emptiness washed over me. Then, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind. I was startled, but the sweet scent of cherry blossoms filling my nose relaxed me. “What are you thinking about? You didn’t even notice me come in,” a light voice whispered in my ear. I chuckled. “Just the investor gala tomorrow.” Aurora took my hand and smiled. “I believe in you. Your capabilities speak for themselves.” A smile touched my lips. “What brings you to the office? I thought headquarters was keeping you busy.” “It’s manageable. I came to pick you up,” she said. “And to tell you that Lily wants to see that new movie tomorrow.” I nodded absently. Aurora leaned down and kissed me. I reached up, gently ruffling her hair in response. The house was quiet when I got back. Eric was nowhere to be seen. I figured my parents had locked him away again to protect the family, just like last time. I was utterly exhausted and fell asleep as soon as I went to bed. In the night, a soft figure held me from behind. The next day, I navigated the crowd at the investor gala before slipping away to the back room. Lily was waiting for me, sitting quietly on the sofa. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Daddy, are we seeing the movie after this?” I smiled and tapped her nose. “Of course, sweetie. Have we ever broken a promise to you?” My answer made Lily giggle. Her happiness eased my worry a little. A sense of dread had been coiled in my gut since the gala began. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the banquet hall. My eyes scanned the crowd, landing instantly on a familiar silhouette. My body went rigid. There, not far away, Eric was speaking to Aurora. Her back was to me, shielding her expression from view. Then Eric saw me. He pointed at me, his face twisted in a sneer. “I am your husband!” he shouted at Aurora. “He is the one who shamelessly stole you and my daughter from me!” In an instant, every conversation died. The weight of a hundred stares converged on me.

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Five years after my fiancé died, I suddenly received a wedding invitation from him. I escaped the mental hospital, desperate, heading for the wedding venue, only to get into a car accident. Through a blur, my best friend Chloe’s figure appeared. “What are you doing here?!” “Liam is alive.” I clutched her wrist, “He sent me an invitation. I’m going to his wedding.” “How is that possible? He’s been dead for 5 years.” Chloe flashed a moment of surprise. But faced with my stubbornness, she gave in. “Let’s go. I’ll drive you.” Five years, Liam. This time, I’m bringing you home. The red light ticked down, second by second. I tapped my fingers anxiously, shaking off the raindrops clinging to the window. Chloe’s sigh broke the dead silence. “To think, back then, you and Liam were a renowned forensic expert and a genius who solved countless cases.” “Who would’ve imagined you’d be stuck in a mental hospital now, and Liam… whether he’s alive or dead is anyone’s guess.” At the mention of ‘dead,’ my nails dug into my skin, drawing blood. Chloe choked, then stiffly changed the subject. “While you were hospitalized, I got my license as a psychological therapist.” “Can you tell me what really happened back then? Maybe I can help you heal.” “At least get you out of this place.” The next second, the light turned green. The car lurched forward with the flow of traffic, and my mind drifted back to twenty-eight years ago. My family and Liam’s family were old family friends. Our parents were practically soulmates, and our houses were only about thirty feet apart. Plus, Liam and I were born on the same day, same month, same year. Besides ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad,’ the first words we learned were each other’s names. Because of this special connection, our parents informally ‘betrothed’ us, almost like a childhood promise. From birth, Liam seemed destined for greatness. With a privileged background, striking looks, and a charming personality, he was loved by all our classmates. His photographic memory and ability to absorb any knowledge instantly made him the teachers’ favorite student, the one they always praised. In any crowd, Liam was always the center of attention, the one who stood out. He thrived under the spotlight, as if he were born to be the focus. Until that day, when Liam’s mom frantically picked him up from school. Soon after, rumors spread like wildfire through the class. Some said Liam’s dad had abandoned his family, fleeing out of guilt. Others said Liam’s family was involved in some seriously shady business, living off dirty money. Overnight, he went from the golden boy to a public pariah, scorned by everyone. It was a month later before I saw Liam again, and with his return came the news of his father’s death. He’d lost weight, silently staring at the table covered in red, hateful graffiti aimed at him. Classmates looked at him with disgust, and even the teachers moved his desk to the darkest, most isolated corner of the classroom. His former confident chatter was gone, replaced by a solitary boy with hair obscuring his eyes. Even in gym class, Liam, once everyone’s first pick, was now an outcast. He quietly walked to the steps, silently waiting for the bell to ring. Three minutes later, I appeared before him, holding a deflated soccer ball. Before I could speak, Liam spoke first. “Get close to me, and you’ll get dragged into it…” “I believe Mr. Davies, and I believe you.” I cut him off. “There has to be a misunderstanding.” Under the setting sun, Liam looked up, revealing eyes red and swollen from trying to hold back tears.

That was the first time I’d ever seen Liam cry. He muffled his sobs, burying his face in my shoulder until class ended. Liam said he’d never forget my belief in him. My gesture didn’t change much. Liam remained a loner, his grades steadily dropping to average. It wasn’t until two years later that the city brought in a new team of forensic experts to re-examine old cases. They unexpectedly found a note written in permanent ink inside Mr. Davies’ body. It detailed the distribution and precise map of an illegal manufacturing facility the police had been searching for years. After Mr. Davies’ name was cleared, everyone’s attitude towards Liam’s family flipped again, as if all the previous harm had just been a nightmare. His tombstone finally bore Mr. Davies’ name. Honors and medals poured into their home. Every child who had bullied him was, without exception, beaten black and blue by their parents and dragged to their door, crying apologies. When I heard about it, I couldn’t wait to find Liam. But all I saw was the lifeless, vacant look in his eyes. “Avery,” Liam said softly, “I contacted the forensic team the week Dad died.” “They turned me away, saying they were short-staffed.” “They told me they needed to prioritize their resources for more urgent cases.” I held his slightly trembling hand. Those three casual sentences revealed the most painful two years of Liam’s life. Even with all the financial compensation now, it couldn’t soothe the pain he had endured. That night, we solidified our future paths. Liam chose to enroll in the police academy, taking on his father’s badge number. I enrolled in the nation’s top medical school, specializing in forensic science, vowing that no death would remain silent on my watch. In our junior year, Liam took on a case, a dangerous and highly classified mission. The day he left, he didn’t say anything extra, just smiled easily. “Avery, if I die, remember to use your forensic skills to speak for me.” After he left, I started to fear that under every shroud, I’d find Liam’s face. Night after night, I had nightmares, dreaming of an endless stream of Liam’s bodies being brought to the morgue, piling up into a small mountain. I needed sleeping pills every night to fall asleep. The day Liam returned, he wore a baseball cap and a mask, his skin noticeably darker peeking through the gaps. His team successfully took down the core of the operation, the main hideout. Having fulfilled his father’s dying wish, a smile, long-buried, finally bloomed on his face. When he saw me, his movements were stiff with nervousness. He pulled a diamond ring from his chest pocket and asked softly, “Avery, will you marry me?” After a moment of stunned silence, I immediately nodded, raising my hand for him to place the ring on my left ring finger. “I bought this ring before I went on the mission.” Liam lowered his head and kissed the ring, “I was afraid something dangerous would happen, that I’d become a burden to you.” “Thankfully, I came back safe and sound…” Before he could finish, I kissed him, my eyelashes fluttering. Our wedding date was set for the day his father’s name was finally cleared. Liam said he wanted to get married with his father’s hopes and legacy in mind. We personally handled all the wedding arrangements. Making sure every detail was perfect, with no oversight. On the wedding day, I woke up early. Every detail had been rehearsed, everything was foolproof. Yet my nervous heart still pounded. The clock ticked by, and my mood slowly shifted from nervous excitement to anxious unease. The time for him to pick me up had long passed. I hadn’t seen a shadow of Liam. The door burst open, my parents’ faces ashen, and they struggled to speak. “Avery, Liam, he… he seems to have run away.” I dragged my wedding dress to Liam’s front door; the pristine white gown was now stained with mud, trailing on the ground like a ragged cloth. Sweat had smeared my once-perfect makeup and hair, sticking grimy to my hairline. Before I could even raise my hand to knock, the door opened from the inside. A real estate agent, seeing me like this, jumped in surprise. He stammered, “Can I help you?” “Mr. Davies has instructed me to rent out this house.” The festive wedding banner by the door had fallen, trampled under messy black footprints, its cheerfulness long gone. I couldn’t hear the end of the agent’s sentence, only felt a sudden dizzy spell, and collapsed onto the ground.

A screech of brakes ripped through the air. Chloe looked at me, her eyes wide with shock. “So the reason your wedding was canceled was because Liam ran out?!” I lowered my gaze. Yes. After confirming Liam had run out, I fainted and was rushed to the hospital. Our home was in chaos. Finally, Dad settled on a plan. The reception proceeded as planned, using Liam’s ‘sudden mission’ as an excuse to cancel the actual wedding ceremony. Everyone thought it was just a minor hiccup due to Liam’s unusual profession. No one knew Liam had truly vanished from the venue. The moment I opened my eyes and saw the hospital ceiling, I ripped out my IV, desperate to confront Liam for an explanation. Dad had someone lock me back in my hospital room. He looked at me, only able to sigh. “No one can reach Liam, not even the department says he’s taken extended leave.” “You get some rest. I swear I’ll drag that jerk out of hiding.” But by the time I was discharged, no one had seen Liam again. I locked myself in my room, squatting on the floor. My phone, glowing beside my feet, was filled with countless unsent texts I’d drafted for Liam. The tone shifting from demanding answers to desperate pleas. Begging him for a reason. Begging him to just let me know he was safe. The man who once responded to every single word I said never replied to a single message. I felt the heat of burning photographs before me. Liam’s face was slowly consumed by the flames. It wasn’t until they were almost ashes that I snapped out of it. I only managed to salvage one photo, barely recognizable as Liam. The acrid-smelling remnants were soaked with my tears, turning into a wet, clumpy mess. I gasped for air, frantically trying to calm myself down. In over twenty years, I had never once imagined Liam would willingly walk out of my life. During our wedding rehearsal, his eyes were only for me. Liam held me close. He said marrying me was his greatest dream, his biggest wish in life. Afterward, we walked hand-in-hand down the street, dreaming of all the wonderful things our married life would hold. We had so many memorable moments together. Why did he suddenly act as if seeing me was repulsive? Controlling my trembling body, I went to Liam’s house. The real estate agent was showing Liam’s house to someone; seeing me, his expression grew strange. “Ms. Avery, you can’t go in.” I stared at him blankly, tears silently tracing paths down my cheeks. “You can reach Liam, right?” “Tell him I’ll be waiting here for him.” At that moment, I would have rather Liam showed up with another woman, claiming he’d fallen for someone else, than endure this abrupt, unexplained ending. A month passed, and I was still there, waiting outside his house every day. Suddenly, Mrs. Peterson from next door rushed over, frantic. “Avery, why are you still here?!” “Your dad’s in trouble! He got a call and just collapsed! Go, quickly!” My head buzzed. As I started to move, my phone suddenly rang. An unknown number, but Liam’s familiar voice came through. “Avery, don’t be so pathetic.” “I don’t want you anymore, why are you still clinging on? You’re acting so desperate, it’s embarrassing.” “If you don’t stop harassing me, your family will be completely ruined and forced out of this city.” “I always keep my promises.”

When I arrived at the hospital, Dad was still in the ICU. The rhythmic beeping of the machines grated on my nerves. Mom was sobbing by the door; seeing me, she clutched my sleeve. “Avery, your dad’s company just had its funding completely cut off!” “What are we going to do?!” My vision blurred with white spots, but I still tried to comfort Mom. During Dad’s time in the ICU, I ran around to countless factories. Begging them to take on our family’s orders. But soon, the identical, hesitant excuses from every owner made it clear: Liam had already pulled strings, making sure no one would help us. This sudden disaster that struck our family, it was all because of me. Self-blame, guilt, and a constant wave of nausea rising from my stomach overwhelmed me. The cold wind bit into me. Countless times I dialed that unfamiliar number, desperate for Liam to give my family a break, but I was always met with a busy signal. Finally, things took a turn. Dad was safely moved out of the ICU. His connections, cultivated over so many years, finally paid off. A small company agreed to secretly help us fulfill some orders. This bought us some breathing room. Things were steadily improving. Just as I was about to head to the factory to oversee production, a crowd had gathered at our community entrance. When they saw me, they all scattered, shouting and fleeing quickly. I stepped closer and saw Liam’s wanted poster, starkly displayed in the center of the community bulletin board. His features were clearly printed. The words ‘EXTREMELY DANGEROUS’ were highlighted in red. The former detective became a wanted fugitive overnight, and no one knew what Liam had done. Everyone who had any connection to Liam became a target of public scorn. The red spray paint yelling ‘GET OUT OF THIS COMMUNITY’ on our front door was scrubbed off countless times, only to reappear. Our business partners shook their heads, backing out mid-agreement, saying they couldn’t risk getting involved in such a mess. Our family, having barely survived one crisis, plunged back into rock bottom, every breath tight with tension. We were forced to move out of the community, ending up in a dilapidated house on the outskirts of town. The severe blow caused me to develop emotional issues. In my dreams, I often revisited our engagement day, each time screaming and recoiling from the ring that once symbolized infinite happiness. Later, the news of Liam’s death arrived. All my lingering obsessions and hatred were rendered meaningless, and I was admitted to a mental hospital. Until now, receiving his invitation. My memories ended there as the car pulled up to the venue entrance. “Are you sure you still want to go to his wedding?” Chloe rolled her eyes, a sarcastic smirk playing on her lips. “Who knows if it’s even Liam? Didn’t everyone say he was dead?” “Maybe it’s just a sick prank.” “How can a dead man come back to life?” I lowered my eyes, looking directly at Chloe. “I just want to know the truth.” “Why did he do this to me, try to utterly destroy my family?” “I won’t let him get away with it.” “I need closure. And I need retribution.” Chloe swung her legs out of the car, lifted her chin, and a long-lost smile returned to her lips. “Let’s go. I want to see what kind of wedding a dead fugitive can even throw.” The moment we pushed the door open, a tension settled over both of us. The door creaked open, slowly revealing the full extent of the venue. The carpet was strewn with fresh flowers, intertwined with ribbons tied in delicate bows. The crystal chandeliers refracted the lights into a dazzling array of colors. The melodious piano music played on without pause. My eyes blurred slightly. I wanted to make out the figures on stage, but found only blank cardboard cutouts. Looking closer. It wasn’t just the stage. The entire lavish and grand venue was utterly deserted…

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It was my wedding to Lucas, and there, amidst the guests, stood our maid, heavily pregnant. That’s when I found out: after every intimate moment Lucas and I shared, she would steal the used condoms from our trash. She’d then use the residual fluid to conceive Lucas’s baby. Lucas, full of misplaced pity, said, “Let her have it! It’s a life after all.” Later, while I was deep asleep, the maid brought a portable gas heater into my room, sealing off all windows and the door. In the sweltering 104-degree heat, I was slowly cooked alive, suffocating to death. After my death, the maid spread rumors that I had committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. And then, she married my fiancé. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment she first tried to steal a used condom. This time, I’d already ordered ten used condoms online and dumped them into the trash. A crushing, suffocating pain squeezed my chest. My eyes snapped open, and I gasped, sucking in ragged breaths. Beside me, Lucas slept soundly, his face serene and cool. Without a second’s hesitation, I grabbed my phone, found a SnapChat group, and flash-bought ten opened condoms. The person on the other end replied quickly, “Ten? Woah, ma’am, you got some wild tastes.” “Cut the crap. One hundred thousand bucks. Are you selling or not?” They replied instantly, “Sold!” Half an hour later, I had the package. Holding back a wave of nausea, I dumped everything into the trash can by the bed. Then I scrambled back onto the bed. The moment I lay down, the bedroom door creaked open. A slender figure sneaked in, ghost-like. She paused, frozen, when she saw the ten little balloons tossed in the trash. Then, she clenched her jaw, cursing under her breath, “You shameless hussy, trying to get Lucas to mess around! Aren’t you afraid of the consequences?” A cold laugh bubbled in my chest. Anyone listening would think she, Scarlett Reed, was Lucas Hayes’s girlfriend! But the truth was, she was just a charity case I’d taken under my wing because I felt sorry for her. Yet, behind my back, she repeatedly tried to seduce Lucas, even secretly applying to be our housekeeper under the guise of ‘repaying my kindness.’ She used her position to steal Lucas’s used condoms while cleaning, then secretly underwent IVF. I couldn’t comprehend it. I offered her a hefty sum to terminate the pregnancy, but she twisted it, claiming I was insulting her and her baby, throwing a tearful tantrum and threatening suicide. Lucas, of course, immediately chastised me for overreacting and being heartless, all to protect Scarlett. Lucas and I had a huge fight. Scarlett, seizing the opportunity, locked me in my room. Then she brought in a small, portable gas heater, sealed my windows and doors, and left it running, ensuring the room would fill with deadly carbon monoxide, cooking me alive in the sweltering 104-degree heat. After my death, Scarlett faked my suicide. Armed with Lucas’s supposed child, she replaced me, marrying into the Hayes family and becoming the envied Mrs. Hayes. Now, reborn, fueled by burning hatred, I peeked open one eye. I watched Scarlett hesitate, then pick up the condom with the most visible fluid residue. “Once I’m pregnant, I’ll make sure Lucas kicks you out!” she hissed venomously, turning to leave. I stayed hidden under the covers, a chilling smirk spreading across my face. Oh, she wanted to be pregnant, did she? Then I’d grant her wish. I just hoped Scarlett wouldn’t cry when the truth finally came out. 2 The very next morning, my assistant, Derek, called. “Aurora, it’s bad! Sterling Corp. is canceling our deal!” “What?” The Sterling Corp. deal was a major project I’d poured six months into, sacrificing countless nights to secure. We were on the verge of wrapping it up. Why would they suddenly cancel? A knot of unease tightened in my stomach. When I arrived at the company, I saw Scarlett. Gone was her usual timid demeanor. She stood in the conference room, yelling at our business partner. “What if I hit you? You deserved it! Dressing like that to secure a deal, obviously trying to seduce Lucas, aren’t you? Not on my watch!” She patted her belly, which wasn’t yet showing, as if cradling a priceless treasure. “My baby’s daddy is a very powerful man. Do you really want to disrespect me?” With that, she grabbed a cup of coffee and splashed it right in the business partner’s face. “Scarlett!” Seeing that, I trembled with rage. I lunged forward and slapped her across the face. “This isn’t your playground!” Suddenly, a large, boisterous woman, dripping in gaudy gold jewelry like she’d just won the lottery, burst in and slammed into my lower back. “You bitch! How dare you hit my daughter!” I stumbled, falling to the floor, my forehead hitting the sharp edge of the table. Amidst the chaos, a cool, detached voice suddenly cut through. “What’s going on?” Lucas, his long hair simply tied back, dressed in pristine white, exuded an ethereal detachment that felt completely out of place amidst the chaos. Scarlett’s eyes instantly lit up. She burst into tears and threw herself at Lucas’s feet, clinging to his leg. “Lucas, you always preach about equality, but Aurora here, just because she’s from a rich family, treats us common folk like dirt! She hits and curses at us ordinary employees!” “Just because I’m pregnant, Aurora got jealous and deliberately teamed up with our business partner to target me and harm my baby!” “Is that true?” Lucas frowned, his gaze sweeping over the crowd of onlookers outside the conference room. Everyone exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. Lucas, misinterpreting their silence as fear of me, immediately frowned, his expression hardening. “Scarlett has a tragic past. I only hired her to give her a chance at a livelihood, but you grew jealous, Aurora, and took advantage of her. You’ve truly disappointed me.” “Aurora, apologize to Scarlett!” I couldn’t waste time arguing with them. I quickly stood up and blocked the furious business partner from leaving. “Ms. Sarah, please, let me explain. This is all a misunderstanding…” Ms. Sarah was a young woman, beautiful and exceptionally capable. And now, she was branded by Scarlett as someone who had slept her way to the top. “Some people in your company…” Her gaze swept over the messy conference room. She shook her head. “I’m afraid I cannot condone this behavior.” 3 After Ms. Sarah left, Lucas still maintained his detached, almost ethereal composure. “So the deal is off. Money and power are fleeting, Aurora. Your greed is insatiable.” I took a deep breath. I still couldn’t understand how Lucas’s parents, notorious for their cunning and manipulative nature, could have produced such a weak-willed son. Meanwhile, Scarlett’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reed, were still wailing, demanding an explanation from me. “Our innocent daughter came to your house and somehow ended up pregnant! How is she supposed to live now? You must give us an answer!” Bystanders gathered, watching the scene. I couldn’t help but sneer. “She shamelessly got pregnant out of wedlock! It’s clear the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – you raised a delinquent daughter, what does that have to do with me? And Scarlett, you’re fired!” Scarlett scoffed, clearly prepared. She pulled out her phone and aimed the camera at me. “You can’t fire a pregnant employee! I’ll sue you! ‘Sterling Enterprises, heartless corporation, fires pregnant employees! Aurora can’t have kids, so she forces her staff to get abortions!’” Using the name of Sterling Enterprises, the live stream was instantly flooded with viewers, commenting wildly: [What’s wrong with being pregnant? Can’t pregnant women work?] [Hayes Corp. needs to learn some laws! Firing pregnant employees is illegal!] … I almost laughed. Mr. and Mrs. Reed thought I was out of options, pushing me to find the man who got Scarlett pregnant. I nodded, agreeing readily, then pulled out my phone, pretending to live-stream a “search for the baby daddy” for Scarlett’s unborn child. Scarlett suddenly shoved her parents away. “Idiots! What do you know? This is the baby I worked so hard to get! Once I give birth, I’ll marry into a rich family!” She turned to me, her eyes glinting with a secret mix of defiance and triumph. She was probably imagining kicking me out of the Hayes household once her baby was born. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were stunned. Their eyes darted around, then they suddenly proposed that I should personally take care of Scarlett’s baby-to-be. “You also need to give us another sum of money to cover the cost of our daughter’s pregnancy!” It sounded as if Scarlett was pregnant for me. Lucas nodded too. “It’s our responsibility to care for the vulnerable.” I pondered for a moment, then suddenly nodded. “Fine.” “Scarlett is my employee, after all. Since she’s pregnant, of course I’ll take responsibility.” Right in front of them, I not only arranged for Scarlett to move back into the villa but also called a doctor, ordering the highest level of prenatal care for her entire pregnancy. Scarlett thought I was caving in because of her baby. She swelled with smug satisfaction, bossing me around. “You! Go make me some bird’s nest soup! The best golden blood swallow!” The many housekeepers stared at her in astonishment. “Scarlett, what’s wrong with you? That blood swallow was specially bought by Lucas for Aurora! How can a mere employee like you eat it?” Scarlett sneered. “So what if I’m an employee? My belly is far more precious than hers!” “…What’s there to be proud of, being pregnant and unmarried?” Everyone else thought she’d lost her mind, but I wasn’t angry in the least. Instead, I smiled sweetly and personally brought her a bowl of the blood swallow. Scarlett grew even more smug. “At least you know your place.” She put on airs, tasted the bird’s nest, then turned to boss the housekeepers around, hitting and scolding them if she was even slightly displeased. She even secretly ordered a wedding dress identical to mine. I let her do as she pleased. Six months passed, leading up to Lucas and my wedding. Business magnates arrived in droves. The officiant, as per tradition, asked, “Lucas, do you take Aurora to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Lucas delicately pursed his lips, just about to say “I do,” when a voice suddenly cut through. “I object!” 4 Scarlett, also dressed in a wedding gown, stood at the end of the aisle, her voice ringing clear. The officiant, likely encountering this for the first time, asked in astonishment, “Who are you? On what grounds do you object?” Scarlett, nearly six months pregnant, looked triumphant, as if she were about to crush me underfoot. “Because I am the future lady of the Hayes family, and I am carrying Lucas’s child in my belly!” The words caused a ripple of shock throughout the entire hall. In front of everyone, Scarlett vividly recounted how she had stolen the little balloons, gone to the clinic, and undergone IVF. Then, she dropped to her knees before Mrs. Hayes, her voice brimming with eagerness. “Mom! My belly carries the Hayes family’s only grandchild!” Mr. and Mrs. Reed, behind her, chimed in. “That’s right, dear in-laws, our daughter is a great hero for your Hayes family! How can a hero only be a mere maid!” They pointed at me. “It’s all that malicious woman’s fault! She can’t tolerate our Scarlett. Dear in-laws, you must uphold justice for our daughter!” Mrs. Hayes’s face flushed with embarrassment. She instinctively glanced at me, then at Scarlett, who was proudly displaying her belly. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. After a moment of thought, still considering the Sterling family backing me, she spoke coldly. “Guards! Get this crazy woman who’s spouting nonsense out of here!” Scarlett’s wails froze. She stared at Mrs. Hayes, dumbfounded. She failed to consider that Lucas and his mother were originally just one of Mr. Hayes’s many illegitimate children. He only became the Hayes Corp. heir because I had taken an interest in him. To Mrs. Hayes, how could an unconfirmed baby outweigh the influence and power of my Sterling family? Seeing the security guards approaching, Scarlett gritted her teeth and suddenly lunged towards a window. “Lucas! This is your child in my belly! If you don’t acknowledge him, I’ll jump from here!” Amidst the uproar, I clearly saw a flash of amusement in Lucas’s eyes. “Aurora, she’s pregnant and carrying a child. Why are you so aggressive?” Aggressive? I scoffed. It seemed this rose was too tempting; even Lucas, who usually feigned aloofness, couldn’t help but be swayed. Too lazy to engage with him, I finally spoke. “Scarlett, are you absolutely sure the baby in your belly is Lucas’s?” Scarlett nodded without hesitation. “Just because you can’t get pregnant, you think no one else can? My baby is absolutely, genuinely, a Hayes family bloodline!” “Oh~” I drew out the sound, the smile in my eyes deepening. The next second, the main doors suddenly burst open. A middle-aged man rushed in, grabbed Scarlett, and shouted, “Honey!”

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I caught my best friend Chloe’s fiancé cheating. I couldn’t let Chloe marry a man like that. I helped her confront him and demand a ten-million-dollar settlement. Overnight, Chloe became a wealthy woman. But the fiancé, Damien? He just moved on and threw an even more lavish wedding for someone else. As Chloe watched the live stream of the ceremony, her face twisted with envy. Then she picked up a fruit knife and pointed it at me, hysterical. “This is your fault, Ava! If you hadn’t made me leave him, I’d be the one at that wedding!” Before I could explain, she slit my throat. I died on the spot. When I opened my eyes, I was back to the day I caught Damien cheating. This time, I swore I wouldn’t say a word. Let Chloe believe she can tame a playboy. But she has no idea that Damien’s other lover isn’t a woman…it’s a man! “Ava, what did you just say about Damien Hayes?” My best friend Chloe blinked, looking up from the wedding dresses, her eyes bright with excitement. Hearing that question again, the one that had pushed me into an abyss, I sharply drew a breath. That’s when I knew: I’d been reborn. I was standing there, having just caught Damien cheating, ready to expose him. In my last life, I’d seen Damien at a hotel, caught in an intimately ambiguous moment with a man. It all made sense. I’d screamed at him, called him a beast for using Chloe. Afraid Chloe couldn’t handle the full truth, I only told her Damien was cheating before their wedding, that he was no good, and marrying him would be a disaster! Chloe had cried until her eyes were raw, confronting him. But Damien dismissed her. “Chloe, don’t make a scene. It was a minor mistake. We’re getting married tomorrow. You know I love you.” Chloe sobbed, broken, unable to speak. She always said her love had to be perfect, a pure meeting of souls with no flaws. The truth about Damien would have destroyed her. So I helped her demand a huge settlement for her wasted time. Damien signed the check with a sigh. “Chloe, even without you, tomorrow’s wedding would still go on.” Chloe became an instant millionaire. And the next day, Damien married someone else in lavish, highly-publicized ceremony. Chloe watched the live stream, her face contorted with bitter jealousy. I quickly turned off the live stream, trying to comfort her. “Chloe, don’t watch it. He’s not the man you thought he was. He was never worth your heart.” But she grabbed a fruit knife and pointed it at me, hysterical. “Ava, it’s all your fault! Damien said he’d love me forever; he just made a mistake, one that all men make when they’re confused. How dare you make me call off the engagement!” “If it weren’t for you, that grand wedding would be mine!” “You just don’t understand me! I don’t want tons of money; I want tons of love!” Before I could explain, she slit my throat with that knife, and I died on the spot. “Ava, what are you thinking about?” Chloe’s face suddenly leaned in close, and I instinctively recoiled. Last life, I poured my heart out, planning everything for her, yet she mercilessly raised a blade against me. This life, I absolutely refuse to get involved in their messed-up love and hate. I touched my suddenly cold neck, forcing down my anger. “Oh, nothing. Just thinking how much Damien must love you, preparing so many priceless wedding dresses.” Chloe hugged her flushed face, swaying her body. “Ava, tomorrow I’m marrying Damien! It feels like a dream. To meet such a wonderful man, such genuine love, I’m truly so happy!” I sneered internally. Your happy days are just beginning, alright.

Her missed grand wedding finally gave her a moment in the spotlight in my previous life. All the shopping mall screens across the city broadcast the wedding live. The entire internet envied her, this Cinderella who’d soared from rags to riches. Only I knew, this magnificent wedding was just the start of her tragedy. One month later, I was buried in my books at the library when my phone started blowing up with messages from Chloe. I ignored them all, silencing my phone and shoving it into my bag. She barged right into the library, dressed to the nines, but her anger was undeniable. She marched to my table and slammed her phone down. “Ava, why aren’t you answering my calls?!” I kept my grip on my pen, slowly raising my head. “It’s a critical time for my exams; I wasn’t paying attention to my phone.” Chloe suddenly sniffled dramatically, plopping down beside me and digging her nails into my arm. “Ava, Damien’s been ignoring me lately. When I get upset, he just throws money at me.” “What do I want all that money for? I want his love!” “And what’s worse, yesterday his collar smelled like some strange perfume!” “It must be some blind hussy trying to get to him! You have to come with me to his company to catch her! We’ll teach her a lesson!” “I really don’t have time. Maybe you should find someone else.” “Ava! You’re not going to help me? Are you even my best friend anymore?!” She snatched my book and threw it into the trash can. My eyes widened as I yanked my arm away. “What are you doing?” She just shrugged. “Who cares about some book? Grad school won’t make you rich.” Of course not. She hadn’t studied since meeting Damien. She’d forgotten all our late nights, the bond we built over shared stress. Before I could answer, she was pulling me out of the library. We waited for half an hour before Damien emerged from his company, accompanied by a man in a suit. It was Julian Miller, his lover from my last life. As they walked side by side, the man’s hand casually rested on Damien’s shoulder. Damien didn’t pull away; instead, he smiled. Chloe was about to charge forward. I instinctively reached out to stop her, but then pulled my hand back. I was actually curious to see her reaction when she saw how intimate they were. Unfortunately, Damien was sharp-eyed. He spotted us before Julian could make a more intimate move. He walked over to us, naturally put his arm around Chloe’s waist, and spoke softly. “Chloe, what are you two doing here? This is Mr. Miller, my business partner. We just finished a project and were about to grab a bite.” He turned to Julian and smiled. “This is my wife, Chloe, and her best friend, Ava.” Julian’s lips curved into a smile, full of unspoken meaning. “Ms. Hayes, you’ve arrived at just the right time.” As Julian removed his hand from Damien’s shoulder, I clearly saw a matching pinky ring on his ring finger – identical to Damien’s. But Chloe, utterly drunk on Damien’s renewed affection, missed it completely. Instead, she tugged my arm, whispering excitedly. “See? Damien was busy with work. That perfume is Mr. Miller’s. I was just being paranoid.” “And you! You didn’t even try to talk me down. You almost made me ruin a good thing!” I wanted to shake her. God, I wanted to slap some sense into her.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the anger bubbling inside me. “Well, since everything’s fine, I’ll head back to school.” Chloe waved me off, a smile instantly lighting up her face. “Go on, go on. Don’t want to interrupt my quality time with Damien.” No sooner had I settled back into my seat at the library than my phone vibrated. It was a SnapChat from Chloe. It was a picture of a royal blue satin scarf embroidered with gold flowers. “Ava, look! This is the latest limited edition scarf Damien just gave me! He said he specially had someone bring it back from abroad. He really loves me so much!” It was followed by three starry-eyed emojis. “But it’s so strange. This scarf has a… a kind of stinky smell? Is that what luxury smells like?” That scarf wasn’t some latest limited edition at all; it was a runway piece from a luxury brand two years ago. My favorite celebrity wore the exact same one at an event the year before last, and I’d even looked up the details then. But I didn’t expose her. I just replied with a casual, “Looks nice. Glad you like it.” Let them deal with their own twisted love and hate. All I wanted was to quietly prepare for my exams and hoped she wouldn’t bother me again. Clearly, her brain wasn’t equipped to handle emotional problems independently. A week before my exams, she showed up again, sobbing hysterically, her face swollen and bruised. “I only lost one of Damien’s pinky rings, and he hit me! He said it was from his true love, and he wouldn’t let me come home until I found it!” I instinctively moved away, avoiding her touch, my gaze fixed on her red, swollen, and bruised face. To hit her that hard… Damien’s temper and possessiveness were finally showing through. I felt no sympathy, in fact, I almost wanted to laugh. Last life, she killed me for Damien. This life, experiencing his domestic violence felt like a twisted form of karma. Seeing my lack of reaction, Chloe cried, pressing me. “I’m practically dying of grief, how can you, my best friend, have no reaction at all?” I put down my pen, leaned back in my chair, and said, light as a feather. “Oh, he must *really* love you then, if that’s how he shows affection.” Chloe froze, staring at me with disbelief. “Look at my face! Do you think this is love? This is domestic violence! He hit me so hard!” Oh, so she wasn’t completely brain-dead yet; she knew this was domestic violence. I raised an eyebrow, playing along. “Well, if you can’t stand it, you can call the police, or just divorce him. Then you wouldn’t have to look for some stupid ring.” But Chloe reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, immediately retorting. “I can’t divorce him! Damien, he… he was just impulsive. The ring must have some very important sentimental value to him, that’s why he got angry!” “I forgive him. As long as I find the ring, he’ll definitely love me like before!” I couldn’t help but sneer. What kind of decent person, once married, still wears a ring from their “true love”? Chloe clutched my arm, her voice pleading. “Ava, please help me! I really don’t know what to do!” I frowned, frustrated. “You don’t even know where you threw it, how am I supposed to help you find it?” “I don’t care! If you don’t help me, I’ll bother you every single day and prevent you from taking your exams!” I forcefully pulled my hand away, my eyes hardening. “Chloe, don’t push it! You know how important this exam is to me!” Chloe curled her lips, looking at me with a menacing grin. “Then help me find the ring!” In that moment, seeing her twisted expression, I finally understood. Avoiding her was pointless. She would never let me be. Last life, I helped her, and she killed me. This life, if I didn’t, she’d ruin me. I came from nothing. This graduate program was my one shot at a future. I couldn’t let her take that from me. But I knew she would. So fine. If she insisted, I’d let her find the truth herself. The truth she could never see coming.

I softened my tone, asking sincerely. “I can help you look for the ring, but first, you need to tell me when and where you last saw it.” Seeing me relent, Chloe’s voice immediately became agitated. “Last night, Damien was meeting a client at the hotel. He got drunk, and I went to pick him up.” “Midway, he went to the restroom and handed me his ring, phone, and stuff. I just put them on the dining table. When we left, I only remembered to grab his phone.” “Later, I asked all the hotel staff, and they all said they didn’t see it!” “Who was the client he was meeting?” “It was Mr. Miller, Julian Miller.” Chloe’s voice paused, then she quickly added, “But it definitely wasn’t him! He’s Damien’s business partner; why would he steal a ring?” I sneered internally, but on the surface, I pretended to analyze seriously. “Since you were at the hotel, let’s go check the security footage first, to see if anyone else entered the private room when he went to the restroom.” “Also, Damien said the ring was from his ‘true love.’ Has he met anyone special recently?” Chloe thought for a moment, her tone uncertain. “These past few days, besides seeing me, he’s only been with Mr. Miller. But they’re just talking business!” I was silent for a moment before saying. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll go to that hotel and check the surveillance videos. If we can’t find it, we’ll have to resort to searching the trash dump.” The next morning, Chloe and I arrived at the surveillance room. The footage showed that as Chloe was helping Damien to the restroom, Julian casually picked up the ring. He compared it repeatedly with the ring on his own ring finger, a smile playing on his lips, then finally slipped the ring into his pocket. Chloe watched the monitor, her face turning pale in waves. “He… he has an identical ring?” “No, it can’t be what I’m thinking. They’re partners, even if they have matching rings, it’s nothing, right?” I ignored her, continuing to stare at the monitor. A few minutes later, Chloe returned, helping Damien, and Julian smiled as he watched them leave. Strangely, Julian didn’t leave the private room. It wasn’t until an hour later that he answered a call, toying with the ring. “The ring’s gone? Damien, that was our promise ring. Tell me, how should I punish your little wife?” “What do I say? I’m afraid you won’t want to.” “Then punish her by making her find the ring. If she doesn’t, she’s not allowed to come home!” I don’t know what the other person said, but Julian’s smile grew wider. “Good. For the next week, I’ll be staying at your place, keeping you company.” Hearing this, Chloe looked like she’d been struck by lightning, instantly turning to stone. A few seconds later, she erupted. She grabbed the monitor, shaking it, her knuckles white and eyes wide, staring at Julian’s face. “True love’? A promise ring? This is fake!” “No! This is fake! You’re all lying! Damien loves me! He said we were going to the Maldives!” The security guard, alarmed by the outburst, rushed over. “Ma’am, please calm down. Don’t damage the equipment!” Chloe turned on him, her voice a piercing shriek, her face wet with tears and snot. “Chloe turned on him, her voice a piercing shriek, her face wet with tears and snot!” After crying and screaming for ten minutes, she went silent. The despair in her eyes vanished, replaced by a savage, insane ferocity. She screamed as she stormed out. “I’ll make them pay!”

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On our fifth wedding anniversary, I found a diary Derek had dropped under the bed. Curiosity gnawed at me as I opened it. “Three months ago, I was too busy making out with Tiffany while driving. I crashed. The woman in the other car died.” “If this gets out, Aurora will find out I cheated.” “Panicked. I poured the liquor from my trunk down her throat and all over the car. Made it look like she was driving drunk.” I knew Derek had a habit. He’d write his deepest thoughts in a diary to vent, then burn it. Three months ago, he’d grabbed my identical diary by mistake and burned it. My heart hammered as I read the final lines: “That girl was a stain. She’s dead, she has no future, but we do.” “I just wiped her away. God will forgive me, right?” Some “stain”! I clenched my fists. My sister, Lily, whom I’d been frantically searching for, was actually murdered by him and his mistress. Derek pushed the door open, a custom cake in his hands. He set it down and moved to hug me from behind. “Darling, I’m so sorry I’m late.” “Happy 5th Anniversary,” the frosting read. The words burned my eyes. His excuses buzzed in my ear. “Aurora, I waited two hours at your favorite bakery. Nothing could keep me from our anniversary.” I frowned and pushed him away, my voice cold. “You’ve been with another woman.” He froze, panic flashing across his face. “What? No!” But my nose has always been sensitive. Derek never wore cologne. Yet now, he carried a strange, cloying sweetness. Or maybe it had been there for three months. I’d just been too frantic, too blinded by my search for my sister, to notice. I met his plea with silence. My stillness seemed to agitate him further. “Aurora, believe me! I’d never cheat. Have you forgotten? When you were misdiagnosed with leukemia, I was ready to give you every bone in my body. When they said you couldn’t conceive, I got a vasectomy.” His voice was thick with passion, the corners of his eyes reddening with feigned sincerity. In the past, that look would have shattered me. Now, it left me cold.. I just lifted the photo and placed it in front of him. “What’s this?” Derek’s smile vanished the instant he saw it. He went pale. “Who is this girl?” “My sister. Lily Hayes.” Lily had been studying abroad for six years and was due to return this year. Derek had never met her. But that night, on her way to find me, she had an accident. Three months ago, the police called to say my sister had died in a drunk driving accident. “Impossible,” I’d told them, clutching the phone. “She’s allergic to alcohol. She never drinks.” But the officer insisted. “There were alcohol bottles scattered at the scene, and her tox screen came back positive for a high alcohol level…” I didn’t hear the rest before I rushed out of the house. For days, I investigated in secret. The private detectives found nothing. It wasn’t until I found Derek’s diary under the bed that I realized the secret he’d been hiding from me, the one that had tormented me so much. “Why didn’t you tell me your sister was back in the country, darling?” Derek asked, his voice dripping with feigned concern. “I haven’t even had the chance to meet her. I would have been planning a welcome party, not to mention getting her a proper gift…” Derek stood up, his face ashen. “”Where is she?” he stuttered. “Should I go get her?” “It’s okay. I already found her.” Derek’s face went pale. “What did you say? Found… found her?” Derek desperately tried to suppress the guilt in his eyes, forcing a smile that looked worse than a grimace. He’d sunk her car, with her body inside, to destroy the evidence. I nodded. “Three months ago, she was murdered. And I’ve found the killer.”

Derek’s face was pale and sickly. He didn’t touch the cake, squirming like he was sitting on needles. He picked at his food with his fork twice, then claimed to feel unwell and retreated to his study. But I heard him lock the door from inside. He frantically called Tiffany. “Did you let something slip?” “Did you really clean up the mess from three months ago?” Hiding outside the door, I listened, my fists clenched. My suspicions were confirmed. Derek’s hushed, frantic questions from behind the door pierced me like shards of glass. “Did you destroy the dashcam memory card? I’ve told you about that intersection camera. It’s a blind spot, but what if…” Tiffany’s voice was sweet but dismissive. “I handled it. It was dark, no one saw our car. What about you? Is your wife suspicious? You didn’t answer my call.” “Stop it!” Derek’s voice was impatient, then dropped to a guilty whisper. “You know Aurora. Her nose is sharper than a bloodhound’s, her mind as venomous as a snake’s. Miss Davis just looked at me, and Aurora ruined her business. She’s in jail! If Aurora finds out…” The rest became an indistinct mumble, but I felt a chill spread through me. He knew everything. He knew I was controlling, he knew I was ruthless, and he knew I hated betrayal most of all. That’s why he acted like a dog, wagging his tail for scraps while secretly gnawing away at my trust. And worse… he killed my own sister. I returned to the bedroom and took out the dashcam footage the police had given me, which they said was completely corrupted. With a calm expression, I cut my palm with a knife and lightly touched the blood to it. A faint white light flashed, and a moving image materialized in mid-air. It was the accident scene, reconstructed by sensing my energy. I saw Derek and his mistress, Tiffany, arguing in the passenger seat. Tiffany’s eyes filled with tears. “What do we do? Derek, someone’s dead! We have to call the police!” “No, we can’t call the police!” Derek forced down his panic. “You know everything I have now, my wife gave it to me!” “She didn’t care that I was broke, but she had one rule: never betray her.” “If we call the police, they’ll take statements and investigate. Everyone will question why we were together in the middle of the night. If my wife finds out, I’m completely finished!” Derek calmed down and started cleaning the scene. Tiffany was terrified, shaking all over, on the verge of tears. “This is a crime, we should still call the police…” But the man pushed her away ruthlessly. “What are you scared of? This is a camera blind spot! No one saw how this accident happened!” “As long as we handle the details, out here in the middle of nowhere, no one will ever suspect us!” They conspired for a long time, finally devising a ‘perfect’ plan. The crash already looked like an accident; if they faked it as her own drunk driving, no one else would be blamed. So, in a rush, they bought a bottle of alcohol from a supermarket and forced it into my sister’s mouth. But as they were pouring, they discovered my sister was still breathing. Both were horrified, staring at each other. Tiffany paused, then seeing my sister was alive, a flicker of hope appeared. “She’s not dead! Let’s call an ambulance…” But Derek, terrified, stopped her. His eyes turned cold. “No! She saw us. If she talks, we’re finished!” “Do you want what happened tonight to get out?” “Don’t forget, if you cross my wife, you won’t even be able to stay in this city!” So, Derek ignored my sister’s pleas, reaching out and strangling her to death. Once she drew her last breath, they faked it as a drunk driving accident and wiped away their fingerprints. I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white. If they had just called for help, my sister would be alive. If they hadn’t been so wrapped up in each other, her life wouldn’t have been stolen for nothing. With a wave of my hand, the spectral images in the air dissolved into nothing, as fleeting as a bad dream. Downstairs, Derek was humming, busy at the stove as if it were any other day. I pushed the door open, stepped out, and fixed him with a cold stare. Derek would rather commit murder than let me find out. That’s because he knew all too well that I was a ruthless madwoman. For a man, I could make many of his admirers disappear, destroying people’s lives until they could never recover. But he was wrong. Compared to any man, my sister, Lily Hayes, was my true weakness. My precious little sister, whom I’d cherished like a delicate flowerbud, afraid she’d melt in my hands. As for you, Derek Miller, Tiffany Stone. You killers who murdered my sister, I will never, ever let you get away with it.

Derek had just finished showering when a knock came at the door late at night. The police. “Ms. Hayes, is that right? We’ve recently found new developments regarding your sister’s death. Could you please come to the station when you’re free?” I nodded, agreeing to go to the police station first thing tomorrow morning. From the moment the police appeared, Derek’s face turned unnaturally pale. He even lied, saying he had to work late tonight and I should go to sleep. Only after I started breathing evenly did Derek tiptoe over, whispering to test me, “Aurora, are you asleep?” When I didn’t respond, he put on his jacket and slipped out. The moment the door softly clicked shut, I opened my eyes. Derek had arranged to meet Tiffany at a hotel to coordinate their stories and details once more. But just as they were naked and getting into the deepest parts of their planning, I pushed the door open. “Still figuring out how to get away with your crimes?” “When you pushed her into the river, she wasn’t actually dead, was she?” “She was so weak, desperately begging you, promising not to press charges if you just spared her life.” “But you, afraid of exposure, still drowned her in the river.” “That was a living, breathing human life!” “She didn’t have to die, but because of your momentary evil, you condemned her to a desperate death.” Derek and Tiffany stared at me, naked from the waist up, their faces terrified. Tiffany reacted quickly, shrieking and pulling the covers over herself, while Derek frantically scrambled for his clothes on the floor. “Aurora? What are you doing here?” Derek’s voice was a trembling whisper, his face paper-white. “If I hadn’t come, how would I have ever heard your brilliant plan? Caught you red-handed?” I tilted the knife in my hand, letting the light glint cruelly off the blade. The sight of it made Derek’s legs buckle, nearly sending him to his knees. “Aurora, calm down! It was an accident!” “An accident?” My laugh was cold and hollow. “My sister was allergic to alcohol. She never drank.” “Was it an accident when you forced the bottle into her mouth? When she was begging you to stop? Did your hand ‘accidentally’ slip when you drowned her?” Derek looked like he’d seen a ghost. Tiffany leaped from the bed and threw a lamp at me. “You crazy bitch, stop making false accusations! Your sister crashed the car herself while drunk driving, it has nothing to do with us!” I dodged. The lamp shattered. She lunged again, and I backhanded her. She staggered back, lip bleeding. “Me, crazy?”I smirked, stepping forward, the knife pointed at her stomach. “Next to you two killers? Sure. I feel pretty crazy when I see trash like you. I want to gut you and see what color you are inside.” Tiffany went pale, clutching her belly. “Don’t you dare! I’m pregnant with Derek’s baby! If you touch me, he won’t let you get away with it!” I watched her silently, a mocking smile playing on my lips. “You think I wouldn’t dare?” With that, I raised my hand and slapped her twice. Before she could react, I slammed her against the wall, lifting her clear off the ground by her throat. “Aurora, you bully a pregnant woman like this, I’ll kill you!” She screamed. She knew Sanda, Taekwondo. Now, she fought back with everything she had, every strike aimed to kill. But to me, she was so slow. “Too slow,” I said, dodging effortlessly. “You don’t stand a chance.”

After saying that, my eyes hardened, and I punched her in the stomach. “Ah!” Tiffany screamed, clutching her belly in agony, collapsing to the floor, unable to get up. “Aurora, don’t be impulsive!” Derek yelled, his voice hoarse, trying to calm me. “I know you followed me here today to record our conversation as evidence for the police, to have us brought to justice, right?” I couldn’t help but sneer. “With me dealing with you, the police can wait.” Sensing the murderous intent in my eyes, Derek’s face went white, his lips trembling, unable to speak. From our brief encounter, it should have been clear I could beat them without breaking a sweat. But that mistress, Tiffany, clutching her stomach, still defiantly provoked me. “You old, controlling hag, you deserve this. No man will ever truly love you.” “I’m already pregnant with Derek’s baby! He told me he’d divorce you eventually!” “And when you have a child, we’ll switch them, so my child becomes the sole heir!” Still not satisfied, she raised her hand to slap me. But she wasn’t fast enough, and I slapped her twice more. “Haven’t had enough yet?” “Then I’ll be happy to oblige.” Blood streamed down Tiffany’s face, but I had lost all patience. I raised the knife high. This time, Tiffany finally panicked. “Derek! What are you doing? Help me! She’s going to kill me!” Derek, frozen until now, looked torn. At her scream, he snatched up a heavy stick and charged toward me. I merely shot a glacial glance over my shoulder. He faltered mid-step, the stick clattering to the floor. “Derek,” I stated. “You had a vasectomy. So how, exactly, is she pregnant with your child?” He trembled. “Aurora, it wasn’t me… She seduced me! She’s lying! That… that baby isn’t mine!” “I never betrayed you! And I know nothing about your sister, I swear!” Then, with red-rimmed eyes, he dropped to his knees in front of me. It was a trick. As he knelt, he swung the stick hard at the back of my head. I collapsed.

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I was a disgrace to the entire journalism profession. They said I chased “thrills,” which meant I starred in adult films and fell into a crippling drug habit. Dr. Julian Vance, the chief forensic scientist and my ex-husband, was the one who despised me. He threw me out of our home, accusing me of selling my skin for a quick buck. Later, I vanished completely, just as he wanted. It wasn’t until five years later that Julian received a call from the police department, asking him to pick up an abandoned child. “Can you help me find my mommy? She was sleeping in a red suitcase, and someone carried her away.” Lily’s innocent words brought a roar of laughter from the room. To them, I was just another junkie who had probably gotten high and disappeared on a binge. Julian’s face was dark as he pressed them. “Where is Aubrey Hayes, that wretched woman, hiding now? Did she run out of money for her fix and send you to beg?” I floated in the air, watching Lily raise a blood-spotted rag doll, timidly saying. “Mommy said this is a gift for the hero uncle. It has bad people’s secrets inside.”

I floated above, watching Lily. She was curled on a police station bench, covered in grime, clutching that blood-stained rag doll for dear life. Her small face was a mask of grime, her hair a nest of tangles. The officer beside her made the call, his face a mask of disdain. “Dr. Vance? Your ex-wife’s vanished again. Left the kid. Didn’t want her.” “Once a junkie, always a junkie. When the monkey climbs on their back, they forget everything, even their own child.” I was numb to their vicious, vulgar words. But Lily shouldn’t hear this. I tried to cover her ears, my hands passing through her in a ghostly failure. Powerless. On the other end of the line, Julian’s voice was clear. “I’ll be right there.” Thirty minutes later, Julian finally appeared at the police station entrance. He appeared at the station thirty minutes later, the smell of formaldehyde still on his coat, his expression stormy. He completely bypassed Lily, asking the officer nearby. “Where’s Aubrey Hayes?” The officer shrugged. “Her phone’s off. No one’s home..” Julian let out a cold sneer. “Probably overdosed in a ditch somewhere. Saves us the trouble. One less junkie on the streets.” Lily heard his voice and timidly looked up. “Are you my daddy? Mama said my daddy is a hero.” Julian recoiled in disgust, stepping back to avoid Lily’s outstretched, dirty little hand. “Don’t call me that. I don’t have a child with a junkie, let alone a bastard.” Lily flinched, tears flooding her eyes. In a desperate, hurried motion, she thrust her rag doll toward him. “Mama said to give this to the hero uncle. And we can get food.” Julian slapped the doll away. “Don’t you dare try to disgust me with that filthy thing!” Lily stumbled to the ground, crying as she picked up the doll, carefully brushing off the dust. Julian knelt down, staring at Lily. “Where’s your mother?” “Mama was put in a suitcase by a bad man.” Lily sobbed, hugging her doll tightly. “The suitcase had lots and lots of red liquid coming out of it. Mama told me to run, and to give the doll to Uncle…” The surrounding police officers burst into laughter. “A red suitcase? This kid must have inherited her mother’s psychosis.” “Aubrey probably got high and hallucinated, and the kid’s just making things up.” “Or maybe her drug dealers came for her. Aubrey skipped town with a huge debt, cooking up this red suitcase story to fool the kid.” Julian’s face turned grim, listening to their disgusting remarks. He grabbed Lily’s arm and pulled her towards the exit. “Come home with me. We’ll wait and see when your wretched mother decides to grace us with her presence.” By the car, as the headlights flashed, Julian noticed Lily’s bare arms were covered in dense bruises and tiny needle marks. His face changed instantly, erupting in fury. “Aubrey, that animal! Did she actually inject drugs into such a small child?” I cried out desperately beside him: No! That’s from when Lily was sick, and they drew blood for her medicine! But Julian couldn’t hear me. He only thought I was so depraved I’d even harm my own daughter. Lily didn’t understand the man’s anger. She rubbed her grumbling stomach and whispered, “Uncle, I’m hungry. I want white powder.” Julian’s eyes flashed with fresh disgust. “Drugs? At your age? Find your junkie mother for your fix.” Lily flinched, her small body trembling. “No! Not that white powder!” Lily pleaded, her voice shaking. “Mama said it means formula!” “Lies.” He yanked the car door open and shoved her inside. “You’ve infected your own child, Aubrey. Rot in hell.” The car door slammed shut. Terrified, she clutched her rag doll. “Mama,” she whispered, “will you come back?” Julian heard Lily’s whisper and snarled. “You’d better not.” I pressed against the car window, watching my daughter curled up in the back seat and Julian’s cold indifference. Tears silently streamed down my face.

Julian took Lily back to his villa. I looked at the familiar furnishings inside. This had once been our marital home, still spotless, but everything related to me had been meticulously erased. Lily stood at the entrance, looking at the clean floor, hesitant to step on it. She quietly took off her worn shoes, standing barefoot in the foyer. “Julian, you’re back.” Sophia Reynolds, a woman in a beige shawl, glided out from the master bedroom. It was Sophia, my mother’s adopted daughter. After I “fell” and left home, she seamlessly filled the void I’d left, completely replacing me, staying by my mother’s and Julian’s side. Seeing Lily, she clearly paused. “This child is…” “Aubrey, that bitch, just dumped her here.” Julian loosened his tie, annoyed. “She’s run off again.” Sophia walked over to Lily, kneeling down. “What’s your name, little one?” Lily hugged her rag doll tighter, timidly shrinking back. “Lily.” “What a sweet name.” Sophia smiled and reached out to touch her head, but Lily recoiled. Sophia’s smile faltered for a second, then quickly softened again. “The child is so dirty; I’ll take her to have a bath.” Julian nodded, and Sophia led Lily towards the bathroom. I frantically followed, a sense of foreboding washing over me. Sure enough, as soon as the bathroom door closed, the tenderness vanished from Sophia’s face. She intentionally made the water scalding hot. Lily screamed in pain, but Sophia pretended not to hear, vigorously scrubbing her wounds. “Shut up. A junkie’s daughter has no right to cry about pain.” I desperately tried to push her away, but I couldn’t even touch a strand of her hair. I could only watch helplessly as my daughter was tormented. After the bath, Sophia led Lily out and sighed to Julian. “Julian, look, this child has so many marks on her body.” Sophia lowered her voice. “It seems Aubrey’s life out there… has been a mess. Who knows how much suffering this child has endured with her.” Julian’s face grew even darker. “What good could a junkie ever do?” “Julian, please don’t be angry.” Sophia gently soothed him. “You’ve already done more than enough for Aubrey.” Lily’s eyes lit up when she saw the bread on the table, but she didn’t dare to take it. Julian casually picked up a slice of bread and tossed it at her feet, as if shooing away a stray dog. Lily was starving; she swallowed her pride, picked up the bread, and wolfed it down, almost choking. But she only ate half, then carefully wrapped the rest and tucked it into her pocket. Julian frowned. “Eat, why aren’t you eating more?” Lily was startled by his harsh tone, timidly saying, “Mama… saved for Mama. Mama’s in the suitcase, she doesn’t have food.” “She’s out there selling her body for her next fix. Do you really think she’d starve?” Julian sneered. Lily seemed not to understand. She pulled out a crumpled bill from her pocket, carefully smoothed it flat, and offered it to Julian. “Uncle, Mama said we shouldn’t take things for free. This is all my money.” That was the last ten dollars I got from selling my blood to pay for Lily’s medicine; it still had faint traces of my blood on it. Julian slapped the bill away. “Keep it. Maybe it’ll buy your mother a coffin.” The bill fluttered to the floor. Lily slowly picked it up, folded it neatly, and put it back in her pocket. “Mama said, if I’m good, she’ll come back.” “You actually believe anything that junkie says? She can’t even take care of herself, why would she come back for you?” Julian lit a cigarette. Lily shook her head. “Mama really is in the red suitcase. I saw her.” “I also saw men hitting Mama, and Mama bled so much red. Lots and lots of red…” Lily’s tears started again. “My doll also got red from the liquid. Mama said it has bad people’s secrets inside…” “Enough!” Julian suddenly stood up. “Has Aubrey, that bitch, taught you to lie at such a young age? What red suitcase, what bad guys? It’s all a twisted game she made up!” Lily was so scared by Julian that she collapsed to the floor, crying. My heart was in agony. I reached out to hug my Lily, but my hand passed powerlessly through her tiny body. I’m so sorry, Lily. Mommy was useless. Sophia stepped forward and took Julian’s arm. “Julian, please don’t be angry. It’s normal for a child to pick up bad habits from an adult like that, we’ll just have to teach her slowly.” She turned to Lily. “Sweetheart, what your mommy did was very wrong, but Uncle Julian and Auntie Sophia will teach you to be a good girl.” I looked at Sophia in fury, wishing I could rip apart her hypocritical facade. Before Sophia could finish, my mother stormed into the villa.

Lily was still kneeling, crying into her doll. My mother saw her and began to tremble with rage. “So this is Aubrey’s bastard?” Lily flinched, shrinking back and hugging her rag doll tighter. “Grandma.” she timidly began. “Don’t you dare call me that!” My mother stepped forward and pushed her. “We don’t have trash like you in this family!” Lily fell hard to the ground, hitting her head on the corner of the coffee table. Blood instantly gushed out. “No! Mom! Lily isn’t a bastard!” I frantically rushed to stand in front of Lily, my fingers trembling with fear and rage, but no one could see me. Julian moved to help Lily up. “Don’t you dare touch her!” My mother pointed at Julian. “Why did you bring this little mongrel, born to Aubrey and God knows who, back here?!” I watched helplessly as my daughter’s blood stained the floor. I wanted to hold her, to wipe away her blood, but I couldn’t do anything. How I wished I were still alive, so I could protect my Lily. “Mama…” Lily cried, crawling up, blood streaming from her forehead into her eyes. “Lily hurts so bad…” “Good, I hope it kills you!” My mother sneered. “Your mother was a whore who made adult films, a junkie so far gone she was barely human! You’re no good either!” “My mommy isn’t a bad person!” Lily suddenly cried out loudly. “Mama is a hero!” “A hero?” My mother laughed in disbelief. “A junkie who stripped for money – does she deserve to be called a hero?” She turned to Julian. “Two choices. You send her to an orphanage, or I die on this spot. Your move.” Sophia quickly stepped forward to support my mother, who was swaying precariously. “Mom, please don’t get agitated. Your health is important.” “How can I not be agitated?” My mother clutched her chest. “Aubrey, that wretched woman, has brought nothing but shame to our Hayes family! And now she expects us to raise her bastard child? Dream on!” Julian stood rooted to the spot, his face grim. He looked at Lily, whose face was covered in blood, then at his trembling, enraged mother. “I’ll contact the orphanage,” he said, closing his eyes, his voice weary. “I’ll send her there once I finish the case I’m on.” “No.” Lily cried, crawling to Julian’s feet. “I’ll be good, I don’t want anything, I just want to find Mommy.” “Your mother abandoned you long ago!” Julian kicked her aside. “Stop talking nonsense!” Just then, Julian’s phone rang. “Dr. Vance, we have a break in The Riverbend Dismemberment Case! A complete red suitcase was found at the scene. We need you here, now!” Julian hung up, glancing at Lily, who was sprawled on the floor. “She’s coming with me.” “Julian,” Sophia softly began. “Why not leave the child here?” “Take care of my mother,” Julian said, looking at Sophia. My mother scoffed. “Better if she dies in a place like that. Saves me the trouble of seeing her.” Sophia helped my mother sit down, gently soothing her. “Mom, don’t be angry. I’ll get you some water.” I clearly saw a subtle curve on Sophia’s lips as she turned to the kitchen. I knew she had deliberately told my mother, but I couldn’t expose her hypocritical face. I could only watch helplessly as Julian picked Lily up like a rag doll and tossed her into the car. The car raced into the night. Lily huddled in the back, the cut on her forehead crusted over. She hugged her rag doll, murmuring soft, broken words. “Mama, I found him, but he doesn’t believe me.” “Mama, I’m so scared.” “Mama, are you cold in the suitcase? Please come get me…” An agony I could no longer feel twisted deep inside me. I could only press closer, a silent prayer for warmth I couldn’t give. I’m so sorry, Lily. I failed you. I couldn’t even secure your future.

The car stopped by the riverbend. A crowd of onlookers gathered outside the police tape. Julian put on his gloves, his face expressionless, and knelt down. “Mama! Mama!” Lily, still in the car, excitedly pounded on the window when she saw the red suitcase. Captain Miller, the detective, frowned. “Dr. Vance, why did you bring the child?” “Aubrey’s bastard,” Julian said without looking up. “I’ll drop her off at the orphanage after this.” “No! She’s your daughter! Julian, you can’t send her away!” I screamed with all my might, but Julian couldn’t hear me. Captain Miller sighed. “This child is truly unfortunate, stuck with a mother like Aubrey.” “Unfortunate, really?” Julian sneered. “Like mother, like daughter. She’s only five and already learned how to lie and manipulate for money.” I watched my Lily crying, gasping for breath, my heart in agony. I turned to look at the now cold Julian, remembering seven years ago, when he saved me and his arm was gashed open, bone-deep. He had firmly told me, “No matter what happens, I will always trust you.” But who could have imagined now… The sound of the zipper opening was jarring, and a putrid stench instantly spread. Several young officers covered their mouths and rushed to the side, retching. My face inside the suitcase had been disfigured by acid, my hair shaved clean, and my body twisted into a grotesque angle. Julian used tweezers to turn over the corpse’s arm, telling Captain Miller, “The deceased’s arms are covered in needle marks, indicating long-term drug injection. Preliminary assessment points to a junkie.” “The cause of death is excessive blood loss. The killer’s method is highly professional, more like an execution.” He stood up, took off his gloves. “Send her to the dissection room.” Julian slid back into the driver’s seat. In the back, Lily was still crying, her small fists pounding against the window, her voice worn to a raw, hoarse whisper. “Mama… please don’t go…” A cold glance in the rearview mirror. “Shut up,” Julian said, his voice low and sharp as ice. “That is not your mother. God only knows whose bed a woman like that is in right now.” “Make another sound, and I’ll leave you out here for the dogs.” Lily shuddered, immediately silenced, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. In the dissection room, Julian shrugged into a blue surgical gown, his face a mask of detached professionalism as he stood over the table. “Another typical junkie,” he remarked to his assistant, Dr. Anya Sharma, his gloved finger pointing with open disgust at the track marks littering the inner arm of the corpse. “People like this will do anything for money. She deserved what she got.” I floated beside him, looking at those needle marks. They weren’t self-inflicted. They weren’t self-inflicted. The traffickers had forced the injections on me daily, just to keep me under control. But he didn’t know any of this. When Julian examined the ankle, his hand paused. There was a scar there, burned by a cigarette, skin puckered and gruesome. “This scar…” Dr. Sharma leaned closer. “The pattern suggests self-harm. It’s common among marginalized individuals with psychological trauma.” Julian said nothing, just stared at the scar for a long, long time. So long that I wondered if he was remembering something. I would never forget that day. Julian pointed at the new butterfly tattoo on my ankle, his face grim. “No shame at all, Aubrey? Getting trashy ink to help you sell yourself?” I didn’t explain. I just took a cigarette lighter and burned my skin, over and over, right in front of him. The smell of burning flesh filled the air. I trembled with pain, but I bit my lip, not shedding a single tear. “Are you satisfied now?” He looked at me, his gaze shifting from shock to confusion, finally settling into utter disappointment and disgust. “Since you insist on debasing yourself,” “Aubrey, then don’t blame everyone for looking down on you!” That was the last time we ever saw each other. … Julian’s hand, holding the scalpel, stilled. After a long moment, he seemed to snap back to himself and resumed the dissection, his movements now even more precise than before. It wasn’t until Dr. Sharma, sliced open my stomach that she let out a sharp gasp. “Dr. Vance, wait! There’s something… solid inside.” With painstaking care, she used forceps to extract the object and carried it to the sink. The water rinsed away the grime, revealing a ring. And there, etched inside the band, was a tiny inscription: “JV❤AH, 2019.5.20.”

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“A size Small?” My gaze zeroed in on the bikini tucked inside Derek’s suitcase. I wore a Medium. This was definitely not mine. When he walked out of the bathroom, I asked him, “Company retreat to Bali with your colleagues?” “Yeah, the company organized it,” he said, his smile easy. I smiled too. “Are you sure the company will reimburse you for the $17,000?” His hand froze. “Wh-what $17,000?” “A double ocean-view suite, $1,170 a night, for seven days. Do the math.” Derek’s face instantly drained of color. The towel wrapped around him dropped to the floor. And those two scratch marks on his butt? Definitely not from me. “You… you checked my credit card?” “It’s a joint account, Derek. I checked *my* card.” I leaned against the doorframe, watching him. He bent to pick up the towel, rewrapping it around his waist. “That was… that was just me paying upfront. I’m getting reimbursed tomorrow.” “So, what about the bikini?” “Oh, my assistant must have grabbed the wrong luggage for me.” He avoided my gaze. I didn’t say another word, turning and walking out of the bathroom. I heard him call out from behind me, “Don’t overthink it, Elara. It really was just a company trip.” Overthink? I walked back to the bedroom, closed the door, and grabbed my phone. The credit card statement – I’d just received a pre-authorization notification this afternoon. A five-star hotel in Bali, a honeymoon suite, seven days. A pre-authorization of $8,200. I zoomed in on the booking screenshot. The order showed two names: Skylar and Derek. I’d met Skylar before – that 25-year-old girl from his office. I’d delivered some files to his company once. She’d called him “Mr. Peterson,” smiling sweetly. And yes, she was a size Small. My fingers trembled a little, but I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn’t alert him. He was leaving tomorrow for seven days. I had seven days. The next morning, Derek wheeled his suitcase out the door. “Honey, be careful on your trip.” I stood at the door, waving with a smile. “Mmm, you take good care of Leo at home.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll be back soon.” “How many people are going on this company trip?” “About ten, I guess. The core members of the department.” “Is Skylar going too?” He paused. “Yeah, she’s my assistant, so she has to.” “Oh,” I nodded. “Well, have fun then.” The elevator doors closed, his smile still plastered on his face. I shut the apartment door, and my smile instantly vanished. Walking back to the bedroom, I pulled out his spare phone. He thought I didn’t know the password, but I’d seen him type it in several times. I opened the photo album, then ‘recently deleted’. Eighty-seven photos. The first was a Bali beach. Skylar, in a bikini, beaming. Around her neck, a diamond necklace. It looked familiar. I walked to my dresser, opening my jewelry box. The necklace Derek gave me last year for my birthday, the one he said cost $5,200? The one I’d treasured and worn constantly? Now, it looked fake. The real one was around Skylar’s neck. I scrolled through all the photos. Holding hands by the beach, feeding each other in restaurants, embracing in the pool, kissing in the hotel. Each photo twisted a knife in my gut. But I didn’t cry. I screenshotted them, saved them, then put the phone back exactly where I found it. I walked into the living room. Leo was playing with his toys. “Mommy, where’s Daddy?” “He’s away on a business trip.” I squatted down, stroking his hair. “Do you miss him?” “No. Daddy’s never home anyway.” My three-year-old had already gotten used to his father’s absence. “Mommy, can we go to Grandma Eleanor’s house today?” “Okay.” I picked him up, grabbed my phone, and sent Chloe a SnapChat message. “Can you help me with something?” “What is it?” “Can you look into someone for me? Skylar, 25, works at Derek’s company.” Chloe instantly replied: “He’s cheating?” “Yeah.” “Evidence?” “I have some, but it’s not enough.” “What do you need me to do?” “Her background, social media, recent movements.” “Consider it done.” I put down my phone and took Leo out. At my parents’ house, Eleanor was cooking. “What brings you here?” “Derek’s away on a business trip, so I brought Leo to stay for a few days.” “Derek’s away again? Didn’t he just go last month?” “Work’s busy.” Eleanor gave me a look but didn’t press it.

I handed Leo over to Arthur, then walked into the bedroom, giving Eleanor a meaningful glance. “Mom, I need to transfer my $27,600 to your account.” “Why?” “Nothing, it’ll just be safer with you.” Eleanor stared at me. “You and Derek…” “I suspect he’s cheating,” I whispered, “but I don’t have concrete proof yet. I need to secure my money first.” Eleanor’s face paled. “That jerk!” “Mom, please don’t make a scene. I need to deal with him slowly.” “You’re going to divorce him?” “Yes. But I need to get the evidence first, otherwise Leo and I will get nothing.” Eleanor squeezed my hand. “My dear, you’ve suffered so much.” “I’m not suffering. I just regret.” Regret what? Regret that five years ago, when he said, “Just be a stay-at-home mom, I’ll take care of you,” I believed him. Regret quitting my job, staying home full-time with our child, losing my financial independence. Regret that after we got married, his “I’ll take care of you” turned into “You’re spending *my* money.” But there was no point dwelling on that now. I had to get back what was mine. That night, I sat on my parents’ balcony, opening Derek’s credit card statement. Bali, 32 transactions. A total of $17,000. Last year, when my dad was in the hospital for stent surgery, I asked Derek for $6,900. He said: “The company’s cash flow is tight right now. I can only give you $690, the rest we’ll discuss at the end of the year.” $690. I *begged* him. He transferred the $690 and then told me, “Your dad has his pension. Don’t always come to me for money.” I remembered that day, standing in the hospital corridor, looking at the $690 on my phone, wanting to smash it. Later, I used all my pre-marital savings to pay for my dad’s surgery. $20,700, money I’d saved for eight years. When Derek found out, all he said was, “You’re so filial.” And that was it. Now, he was spending $17,000 on his mistress in seven days. An average of $2,400 a day. I took a deep breath and continued scrolling through the statement. Chloe sent a message. “Found her. Skylar, born in 1999. Parents run a business out of state. She joined Derek’s company two years ago as an assistant. Monthly salary, about $1,100.” “Recent movements?” “Her social media has most people blocked, but I have my ways.” Chloe sent several screenshots. Skylar’s Ins post, three hours ago: a Bali sunset by the ocean, captioned, “The most beautiful scenery is having you by my side.” In the photo, she wore a long dress, and that necklace sparkled in the setting sun. The comments section had seven or eight likes. One read: “With your boyfriend?” Skylar replied: “Yep, he’s great to me.” *Boyfriend*. I chuckled. “Can you connect me with a lawyer?” “Divorce lawyer?” “Yes, a specialist. Someone who’s handled a lot of divorce cases.” “Okay, I’ll get you a contact tomorrow.” “Also, can you connect me with a private investigator?” “You want…” “I want concrete evidence. The kind that’s admissible in court.” Chloe didn’t say anything. A moment later: “Any budget?” “No, I have $27,600. I’ll use it all.” “Alright, leave it to me.” I put down my phone, looking out at the night. Derek, you probably expect me to cry, to make a scene, to corner you like some whiny mess. But I won’t. I’ll calmly collect the evidence, then I’ll strip you clean in court. Every single penny you spent on Skylar, I’ll make you cough it up, principal and interest.

On the third day, Chloe brought me to meet Ms. Harrison. Ms. Harrison was in her late 40s, had handled hundreds of divorce cases, and had a 92% win rate. “Ms. Elara, I have a basic understanding of your situation.” Ms. Harrison flipped through the documents I’d brought. “What are your demands?” “First, divorce. Second, full custody of my son. Third, division of assets – I want what’s rightfully mine.” “What are the assets?” “Joint marital assets include a house, valued at $385,000, with an $110,000 mortgage remaining, so a net value of $275,000. Savings: $69,000 in his name, $27,600 in mine. Stocks and funds, about $41,000. Total, around $413,000.” Ms. Harrison nodded. “If we can prove he committed adultery and used marital assets to purchase expensive items for a third party, you can request a larger share.” “How much?” “Normally it’s 50/50, but with sufficient evidence, you could get 60-70%, which would be $247,000 to $289,000.” “I want 70%.” “Then you’ll need to provide sufficient evidence.” Ms. Harrison looked at me. “What do you have right now?” I pulled out my phone and showed her the screenshots. “Matching outfits, credit card statements, hotel bookings, phone photos, the third party’s social media posts.” Ms. Harrison reviewed each one. “These are all good, but they’re not enough.” “Not enough?” “In court, the other side could claim the photos are doctored, the statements are for business expenses, and the social media posts are coincidental. You need more direct evidence.” “Like what?” “For example, intimate videos of them, or a recording of him admitting to the affair, or a third-party witness statement.” “Third party?” “For instance, his company’s HR. Someone who can confirm that this wasn’t a company retreat at all, but his personal annual leave.” My eyes lit up. “Right, I can ask HR.” “And the private investigator. If they can get intimate videos of them, that would be irrefutable proof.” “I’ve already contacted one.” Ms. Harrison nodded approvingly. “Ms. Elara, you’re very smart and remarkably calm. Many people in this situation are emotionally shattered and can’t do anything.” “Because I know crying won’t solve anything.” I looked at her. “I want results, not an outlet for my emotions.” “Good, then let’s start preparing.” Ms. Harrison pulled out a document. “This is a template for a divorce agreement. Take a look. Our strategy is to collect evidence first, and once it’s sufficient, then file for divorce.” “He’ll be back in seven days. I have seven days.” “That’s enough,” Ms. Harrison said. “In these seven days, you need to do a few things: First, contact his company’s HR to confirm if the company trip is real or not. Second, have the private investigator go to Bali to get videos. Third, recover his deleted chat logs; there’s bound to be a lot of useful information there.” “How do I recover chat logs?” “I have specialists who can recover deleted data from phones.” “How much?” “$1,400.” “Okay, I’ll pay it.” Ms. Harrison extended her hand. “A pleasure working with you, Ms. Elara.” “A pleasure working with you.” Back at my parents’ house, Leo was already asleep. I sat in the bedroom and called Derek’s company HR. “Hello, Human Resources.” “Hi, I’m Derek Peterson’s wife. I wanted to confirm the dates for the company’s Bali retreat, if you could.” “Bali retreat?” Ms. Evans’ voice sounded confused. “Our company didn’t organize a Bali retreat this year.” My heart hammered. “No?” “No, our annual team-building event is next month, in a different location, not Bali.” “So Derek’s trip to Bali was…” “Oh, Mr. Peterson took annual leave. Seven days, November 15th to 22nd.” *Annual leave.* I closed my eyes. “Okay, thank you.” “You’re welcome.” I hung up, leaning back in the chair. Annual leave. He told me it was a company trip, but it was actually his personal annual leave. Seven days of annual leave, taking his mistress to Bali, spending $17,000, all with our family’s money. I opened my phone and sent a SnapChat to the private investigator. “Can you go to Bali?” “Yes, when?” “Now. As soon as possible.” “What do you need me to film?” “Intimate videos of them. The clearer, the better.” “Understood.” “How much?” “Round-trip airfare and hotel, about $2,800. Service fee $1,400. Total $4,100.” $4,100. My pre-marital savings were $20,700. I’d saved another $6,900 over the past five years, making a total of $27,600. I spent $20,700 on my dad’s medical bills, leaving $6,900, which I transferred to Eleanor for safekeeping. Now, I needed to take out $4,100, leaving only $2,800. But it didn’t matter. As long as I got the evidence to make Derek walk away empty-handed, this $4,100 was worth it. “Okay, I’ll transfer the money.” “Received. I’ll depart tomorrow.” I put down my phone, staring at the ceiling. Derek, we’ve been married for five years. You went from “I’ll take care of you” to “You’re spending *my* money.”

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When my wealthy mom and dad divorced, Mom wanted to take me with her, but I insisted on going to Grandma Rose’s house out of town. Everyone thought I was crazy. But what they didn’t know was that this was the third time I’d answered that question. The first time, I joyfully moved into a big, beautiful new house with Mom. But when I accidentally messed up one of Matteus’s drawings, she fractured three of my ribs. “I never wanted to take you!” she screamed. “Why are you so shameless, clinging to me like this?” With my broken ribs piercing my organs, I gasped my last breath in despair. Reborn, I smartened up. The next time, I let Mom take my younger brother, Matteus: “Matteus is younger, he needs you more than I do. I’ll just stay with Dad!” But after she took Matteus, she tricked me into coming to her house anyway. She locked both Matteus and me in the basement, where we slowly starved to death. “I didn’t want to take your brother,” she hissed. “Why did you have to meddle?” Now, I’ve been reborn again. Watching Mom’s gentle smile, a chilling dread spread through me. Who was it, really, that she wanted to take with her?

“I don’t want to go with Mom, and I don’t want to go with Dad. I want to go to Grandma Rose’s place out of town!” My whole body trembled as I spoke those words. But I forced myself to look up, meeting Mom’s gaze directly. Mom’s face instantly twisted, her eyes turning red. She grabbed my hand, her voice thick with tears: “Chloe, why? Did I do something wrong? Don’t you like me anymore?” Her hand was soft and warm, but I violently pulled away, afraid to look at her again: “No!” “I just miss Grandma Rose!” “That kid must be out of her mind!” Aunt Brenda’s sharp voice pierced my ears: “Not going with her mom is one thing, but not even going with her dad? What kind of life will she have out in the sticks?” “Exactly, Chloe, your exams are coming up. Don’t be so stubborn!” Aunt Margaret also tried to persuade me. A bitter laugh echoed in my mind. Whether I went with Dad or Mom, I couldn’t escape the fate of being tormented to death. So this time, I had to find my own way out! Ignoring the chaos around me, I turned and ran back to my room. I emptied my piggy bank into my backpack, and without a backward glance, I secretly slipped out of the house. It wasn’t until I was on the bus heading out of town that I finally let out a sigh of relief. Scenes from my previous two lives flashed through my mind like a nightmare. In the first life, when Mom asked that question, I agreed without hesitation. Happily, I went with her to that big, beautiful new house. I foolishly believed Mom hadn’t abandoned me, just moved to a different place. Until that day, when I accidentally knocked over a glass of water, staining a crayon drawing Matteus had made for Mom. When Mom found out, her eyes changed instantly. She snatched up the golf club beside her and swung it fiercely at me, her previous gentleness completely vanished: “Who told you to touch it! I never wanted to take *you* when I divorced!” “I just asked as a courtesy, why are you so shameless, clinging on just to live a good life!” She shattered three of my ribs, causing internal bleeding, but Mom made no move to call an ambulance. After drawing my last breath in despair, I was reborn, returning to the moment Mom said she wanted to take me. This time, I was smarter. I immediately pushed elementary-aged Matteus towards Mom: “Mom, please take Matteus. He’s still small and can’t be without you. I’ll be fine with Dad!” Mom’s face immediately darkened, her eyes chillingly sinister, but in the end, she took Matteus. I thought I was safe. But less than a month later, Mom tricked me into going out, saying she’d take me to the amusement park. Instead, she locked both Matteus and me in the villa’s basement. Through the iron grate, Mom screamed like a madwoman: “Why are you forcing me? I never wanted him! Chloe, why did you have to meddle?” There was no water, no food in the basement. Matteus cried until his throat was raw. I held him close, and in the darkness and hunger, I lost consciousness once more. Now, it was my third life. Clutching my backpack, tears streamed down my face. Mom, who exactly do you want to take with you? Are neither Matteus nor I what you want?

Grandma Rose saw me and was both surprised and overjoyed. She quickly pulled me inside, looking me up and down: “Oh, my sweet girl, why did you come back alone?” “Are you hungry? Grandma will cook for you!” Looking at Grandma Rose’s gray hair and her concerned eyes, a lump formed in my throat. In this world, Grandma Rose was probably the only one who truly cared about me. That night, I snuggled beside Grandma Rose, listening to her chatter about how much money she’d saved. It was all for my college education, she said, telling me to settle in and not worry. My heart felt both warm and terrified. I was scared that even hiding here with Grandma Rose, Mom wouldn’t easily let me go. Right now, I had to figure out who Mom truly wanted to take, and why she was doing all this. Otherwise, it would just be putting off the inevitable. On the day I went to handle my school transfer paperwork, I secretly snuck off to Matteus’s school. Matteus saw me and jumped in surprise: “Chloe, why are you back? Mom came to school yesterday looking for me, asking if I knew where you were.” I pulled him into a corner and lowered my voice: “Matteus, tell me the truth. Have you felt like something’s wrong with our family lately?” Matteus’s eyes suddenly changed, filling with fear. He looked left and right before whispering: “Chloe, I had a really scary dream. I dreamt we both died!” My whole body stiffened! “In the dream, Mom and Dad divorced, and she wanted to take you, but you pushed me towards her! At first, she was really nice to me, but then one day, I accidentally messed up a photo of you…” Matteus’s voice choked with tears: “Mom saw it and became a different person. She hit me hard with a hanger, saying I wasn’t worthy of touching your things. Later, she tricked you into coming, and she locked both of us up…” The more I listened, the more alarmed and confused I became. This was too strange. In the first life, I was beaten to death by Mom for ruining Matteus’s drawing. At that time, I thought Mom loved Matteus and wanted to take him. But in the second life, Matteus was punished by Mom for messing up my photo. Mom seemed to love both of us siblings, yet she also seemed to love neither. What was going on? “Matteus, when you go back, secretly observe Dad.” I instructed Matteus: “See if he’s acting strangely. I have a feeling Mom and Dad’s divorce wasn’t as simple as it seemed!” After settling things with Matteus, I used the money I’d saved to hire a private investigator, asking him to focus on the real reason for my parents’ divorce. My gut told me that the person Mom truly wanted to take was closely linked to the reason for their divorce. A few days later, the detective told me my parents had divorced peacefully due to irreconcilable differences, and the property division went smoothly. Neither of them had been cheating. However, the detective mentioned an old secret. My Aunt Sarah, who had died in a car accident many years ago, had apparently been with my dad before marrying Uncle Daniel. But she was gone, so that lead seemed dead. I comforted myself, thinking that in this life, neither Matteus nor I had gone with Mom, so she should have no reason to go crazy again, right? However, I was still too naive. That day after school, as I walked out of the school gates, I saw Mom standing by her car, smiling and waving at me. She was holding a fancy cake box. A chill shot down my spine.

“Chloe!” Mom hurried forward, her eyes red: “You just left without a word, kid! Do you know how worried Mom was?” She reached out to grab me, and I instinctively took a step back. Her smile faltered, but quickly softened again: “Look, Mom brought you a cake. Why don’t you come home with me for a couple of days?” “Mom also bought you lots of new dresses, and your room is all decorated, it’s your favorite princess style.” If I hadn’t died twice, I almost would have been fooled by her again. I eyed her warily: “I’m fine, you don’t need to worry. Grandma Rose is taking good care of me.” “Chloe, why are you being so disobedient!” Mom’s voice took on a tearful tone: “Mom is doing this for your own good. How can the education in the countryside compare to the city? You’ll fall behind in your studies!” Just then, the back door of the sedan opened, and Dad and Matteus surprisingly got out of the car. Dad looked a bit awkward. He adjusted his glasses and said: “Chloe, your mom is right. Go back with her. Grandma Rose is getting old and can’t take care of you properly…” Matteus stood behind Dad, head down, not daring to say a word, his small hands nervously clutching his shirt. My heart sank. Dad’s attitude was off! In the previous two lives, while he didn’t object to me going with Mom, he certainly didn’t push me away so eagerly! And his gaze, when he looked at me, was somewhat evasive. Mom saw I wasn’t speaking and reached for me again: “Come on, Chloe. Mom even had Aunt Maria cook all your favorite dishes…” Just then, a figure suddenly rushed over and pulled me behind her. It was Grandma Rose! Her face was flushed with anger as she pointed at Mom and scolded: “Eleanor Vance! Have you no shame! You’re divorced, and you’re still harassing my granddaughter!” “I wondered why Chloe wasn’t home so late. Turns out you ambushed her here!” Mom’s face went pale, then green, then white again: “Mom… I’m doing this for Chloe’s own good…” “Who’s your Mom!” Grandma Rose wouldn’t listen: “My granddaughter is doing perfectly fine here! Do you think we need your fake concern?” “Now get lost! If you dare to bother Chloe again, I’ll call the police on you!” Seeing the two of them, a ridiculous thought suddenly popped into my head. Mom treated me so badly in the previous two lives—could it be because she had a bad relationship with Grandma Rose? And since I resembled Grandma Rose, maybe she transferred her hatred for Grandma Rose onto me? Mom seemed intimidated by Grandma Rose’s presence and backed down. She took a deep breath, picked up the cake box, and her tone softened: “Alright, I won’t take Chloe. But this cake, I made it myself.” She said, opening the cake box. Inside was a beautiful cream cake, but it was covered with chopped walnuts. My brow furrowed. I never liked walnuts, even as a child. Mom was here to convince me to come back, so why would she specifically make a walnut cake that I hated? This made no sense at all! And it wasn’t my birthday today, so why make a cake? “Chloe, have a bite! Mom made it especially for you.” Mom held a small spoon out to me, her eyes full of expectation. I didn’t take it. Instead, I looked up at her: “Mom, you know I don’t like walnuts, so why did you make a walnut cake?” Mom paused, then a look of helpless, doting affection appeared on her face: “Silly girl, of course Mom knows you don’t like walnuts, but walnuts are good for your brain! Mom is just thinking about your health!” Her eyes were clear, and her explanation was perfectly reasonable. For a moment, I even wavered. Maybe I was the one who did something wrong, causing Mom to torment me like a madwoman in my previous lives. She remembered all my preferences, had been meticulously caring for me since I was little, would braid my hair beautifully, and would stay up all night when I was sick. Dad traveled frequently for work, so Mom was often the one taking care of Matteus and me. Even though she was busy, she always had patience for us. When did she start changing?

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