Category: English

My husband died suddenly, and then his visibly pregnant first love showed up with his will, ready to claim her inheritance. My daughter wanted me to stand my ground, to fight that homewrecker tooth and nail! But my in-laws told me, “Just let her have it. After all, she’s carrying our family’s bloodline. Even though our son wronged you, our family can’t be without an heir.” I nodded, agreeing to my in-laws’ demand. Ignoring my daughter’s furious objections, I took her and moved abroad. When my daughter fumed at my apparent weakness, I stayed silent. But when I received that familiar call, I smiled with satisfaction… Julian’s funeral drew a sizable crowd. Besides his family and friends, there were also many of his colleagues and business partners. When they saw Luna, Julian’s first love, show up visibly pregnant, clutching a will, their faces flickered with a myriad of expressions – it was quite a show. Many of them discreetly watched me, silent, seemingly waiting to see my reaction. It looked like everyone was ready for some drama. “Sarah, I know Julian and I both wronged you, but… I’m carrying his child. I have to live for this baby, right? I know what I did wasn’t right, but this is the last gift Julian left for me and our child. You can’t be so cruel as to strip us of our rights, can you?” “Ugh! You utterly shameless witch! You secretly hooked up with my dad behind my mom’s back! And now you have the nerve to show up pregnant, demanding an inheritance? I’ve never seen anyone as brazen as you!” My daughter, Mia, screamed at Luna. Her face was crimson with fury, veins throbbing in her neck, as if she wanted to tear Luna limb from limb. “Mia! Do you have no manners? I don’t remember your mother raising you to be such a wild banshee!” It was Mrs. Davies, my mother-in-law, who spoke. She shot me a glare. “How have you been raising this child?” “She ruined my parents’ relationship, she came between my mom and dad. If you won’t help my mom, fine, but now you’re siding with an outsider to accuse Mom and me? What do we even mean to you?!” Mia, usually so compliant, transformed. She shielded me like a mama bear protecting her cub, which touched me deeply, though it also filled me with shame. Mrs. Davies was stunned by Mia’s outburst, then her expression turned to anger. “This is outrageous! This little girl is starting to lecture her elders?! The adults in this family are still alive; it’s not your place to speak, young lady!” She turned back to me. “I always said daughters were useless!” Mr. Davies, my father-in-law, stepped forward. “This is adult business, Mia! Don’t you dare interrupt! If you don’t behave, don’t blame me for getting rough with you!” He finished, giving Mia a harsh glare. Mr. Davies then looked at Luna, then back at me. “Sarah, I know you’ve been married into our family for thirteen years. We’ve seen your character, and we’ve always treated you as one of our own. I hope you can consider our feelings now.” Listening to Mr. Davies, I calmly asked, “What do you mean?” “It’s just…” Mr. Davies hesitated, then continued, “Luna told us the baby is a boy. Our family has only ever had one son per generation, and we truly hope she gives birth. But now Julian is gone, and it will be difficult for Luna to raise a child alone. We hope you won’t contest the inheritance with her.”

Mrs. Davies chimed in, “Just let her have it. After all, she’s carrying our family’s bloodline. Even though our son wronged you, our family can’t be without an heir.” My daughter blurted out before I could speak, “Then am I not Dad’s child? Am I not? In your eyes, what am I?” Her eyes reddened as she looked at my in-laws, her voice trembling. I knew my in-laws didn’t truly value my daughter, but I never imagined they’d say something like this to her face. I realized then that their previous displays of affection for her had all been an act; in reality, they still saw no worth in their granddaughter. Hearing Mia’s words, Mrs. Davies dropped all pretense. “I never said you weren’t, but… you’re a girl. How can a girl carry on our family name? After all your father did for you, and you can’t even think of him? You’re so ungrateful!” Mr. Davies sternly said, “We’re talking to your mother now, young lady, don’t interrupt!” He then looked at me. “Sarah, for the sake of our years as a family, I hope you can understand us!” I looked at them, calmly stating, “So, you knew about Julian and Luna all along?” My words caught both my in-laws off guard. Embarrassed expressions crossed their faces as they exchanged uneasy glances. Seeing this, my daughter’s face twisted in disgust. “I used to respect you so much, and you always talked about decency and self-respect. I can’t believe… I can’t believe… you’re just as shameless!” “What did you say, you rotten girl?! Are you looking for a fight?!” Mrs. Davies lunged forward, trying to hit Mia, but I quickly shielded my daughter behind me. “Why are you hitting her? Was she wrong?” I asked, my voice chilling as I stared at Mrs. Davies. Mrs. Davies looked at me, then at Mia, who was safely behind me. She sneered. “Fine, fine, you two! Just because my son isn’t here, you think you can disrespect your elders, ignore me completely, is that it?” Mrs. Davies then dramatically collapsed in front of Julian’s memorial picture. “Julian, you left us too soon! Your wife and daughter are ganging up on us two old people now! They won’t listen to a word we say, and they even accuse us! All we want is for Luna to give us your heir. Why… why won’t they understand our elderly wish?” The friends and relatives sitting nearby watched Mrs. Davies’ hysterical wailing. Some looked on with disdain, others nodded in agreement, and a few, seemingly not finding enough drama, pulled out their phones to record. Mrs. Davies’ heartbroken wails sounded utterly pathetic, and Mr. Davies seized the opportunity to approach me. He said earnestly, “Sarah, I know our family has wronged you, but… we truly want to have an heir for the Davies family. And we also need Julian’s inheritance to raise the child. We hope you can agree.” “Mom! Don’t listen to them!” Mia gripped my hand tightly, as if encouraging me. Seeing my daughter trying so hard to protect me, tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes. I reached out and stroked her hair. “It’s okay, sweetie. Let Mom make the decision. I’ve already made up my mind.”

Hearing my words, my daughter nodded obediently. I looked at my in-laws, then at Luna. “You want the company Julian left behind?” Mrs. Davies spoke up. “Luna used to work there, she naturally knows how to manage the company. To put it bluntly, even if you founded the company with Julian, didn’t you withdraw after you got married? This company… in fact, it’s my son’s personal property.” I stared at her. “You even know that? So, you’ve known about her relationship with your son all along? You and Julian conspired to keep it from me? Oh, and why didn’t you mention Julian also owns a house? Though, it’s registered under your names, so I suppose you had that planned out too, didn’t you?” Hearing my words, Mrs. Davies coughed awkwardly and said no more. Luna guiltily averted her gaze and gestured to the lawyer beside her. “You go talk to her.” The lawyer’s eyes also flickered with a hint of embarrassment, but he still braced himself and walked over. “If you voluntarily give up your claim, you can sign a voluntary waiver here, agreeing not to pursue further action.” I looked at them, then nodded. “Alright, if that’s what you want, then I agree!” “Mom!!!” My daughter stared at me in disbelief, and the surrounding onlookers also showed surprised expressions. My in-laws’ faces lit up with joy at my reaction. Mrs. Davies beamed, “Really?! You said it, no backing out now!” Luna and her lawyer also looked surprised, then wary, as if afraid I might retaliate. Luna looked at me. “What are your conditions?” Hearing her speak, I nodded. “Of course, I have conditions. From now on, I will have no further ties with the Davies family. Don’t ever contact us again.” I looked at my daughter, asking for her consent. “You’ll live with Mom, won’t you? Is that okay?” My daughter looked at me with a mix of frustration and anger, as if hating my weakness. She said, heartbroken and furious, “Mom, I’ll live with you, but… but… Dad’s money shouldn’t go to that witch! Mom, please don’t be so weak! Pull yourself together! Even if we have to live on scraps, I don’t want them to have an easy life! If we go down, we all go down together!” My daughter’s words once again infuriated Mrs. Davies. “You deadbeat girl, try saying that again! I told you girls are useless, just look at them, only brave when they’re attacking their own family!” Looking at my daughter, I remembered my younger self, kind and impulsive, never keeping anything bottled up. My heart swelled with both comfort and regret. “Sweetie, please, do this for Mom, okay? Your dad stopped loving us a long time ago. He even schemed to leave his property to his first love, regardless of what happened to us… and your grandparents are no different. So, why should we cling to your dad’s inheritance?” My daughter looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “Mom, even if you think Dad’s money is tainted, let’s donate it rather than leave it for that witch! Don’t be so foolish, please!” “You deadbeat girl!” Mr. Davies, enraged, raised his cane to hit my daughter, but I blocked him. Crack! The cane struck my arm with such force that I winced in pain. It seemed Mr. Davies wasn’t holding back, even on his granddaughter.

“You…” Mr. Davies stared at me in shock. “You’ve hit me, you’ve cursed me. Isn’t it just Julian’s company you want? I’m letting you have it, isn’t that enough?” I choked out, “Julian betrayed me, and you all conspired with him to keep it from me. Now Julian is ‘dead,’ and you’re ganging up on my daughter and me… Isn’t giving up enough?” I looked at the visibly troubled lawyer. “I will sign the agreement.” Then I turned to the surrounding friends and relatives, and those holding up phones to record. “You all can be my witnesses here. From now on, I have no relationship with the Davies family, and neither does my child. The responsibility of caring for my in-laws will fall to Luna from now on.” Luna’s face flashed with a hint of embarrassment when she heard my words, but she dared not speak. My in-laws, on the other hand, watched eagerly as I signed the agreement. A young onlooker couldn’t stand it anymore. “Sarah, why put yourself through this?” “Yeah, why be so foolish? Isn’t this just benefiting someone else?” “Exactly! Even if not for yourself, at least think of your child.” “Forget it, just look at how those old folks have been treating her!” My daughter couldn’t help but tug my hand, crying, “Mom, can’t you stop being so silly? Isn’t this just making it easy for them?” I stroked her forehead. “Honey, we’re cutting ties with them. From now on, it’s as if we have no grandparents. If you still love Mom, then do this for Mom. Cut them off, and don’t get entangled with them anymore!” Hearing this, my daughter didn’t speak but glared angrily at Luna and the Davies. After signing the agreement, I took my daughter and left. Even though she was extremely unwilling, I practically dragged her away. Some busybodies had already filmed the scene and uploaded it online. Many netizens expressed outrage on my behalf, and some legal professionals offered to help me fight for my rights. However, many others were furious at my apparent weakness, calling me a naive pushover, saying I was a saint for enabling the mistress, and destroying my and my daughter’s interests. They accused me of not being fit to be a mother. Some even used me as a cautionary tale, making videos about my story to gain views. Luna and Julian’s parents didn’t fare much better. They were also cyberbullied by outraged netizens, condemned as shameless people with no morals. I was aware of the online buzz, and my daughter argued with me about it for a long time. Facing netizens’ mockery, sarcasm, or well-intentioned advice, I decided to respond. I recorded a video explaining that I had decided to move abroad and that everyone should live their own lives in peace. Of course, this “saintly” approach, as I expected, once again provoked netizens’ mockery. Although my daughter was very reluctant, she eventually compromised and moved abroad with me. As time passed, her initial dissatisfaction with me gradually turned into reconciliation. With the help of my brother, David, who owned a company overseas, I registered my own company, bought a small apartment, and started a new life. Everything progressed smoothly and methodically; life became relatively easy. Until one day, someone called me, shattering the peace— “You damn bitch! How dare you pull a stunt like this on me!!!” A familiar voice roared hysterically from the other end of the line, as if he wanted to reach through the phone and strangle me. Hearing that voice, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re not dead, are you? How are you able to call me? What a miracle!”

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After my failed confession to Liam, the Miller family shipped me abroad. The day I returned, the entire family feared I’d seek him out again. Even Liam himself declared, “My biggest stain in this life is being liked by my adopted sister.” To keep me away, they introduced Liam to many girls. Liam welcomed them all, casually wrapping his arm around their waists and telling others, “If Elara can put away her inappropriate feelings, I wouldn’t mind her coming back.” He seemed to believe I was still hung up on him. But this time, I had returned for one reason only: To marry someone else. The air solidified the moment I appeared at the private room entrance. Liam had just rejected a girl who, having lost a dare, wanted to give him a kiss. He leaned back on the couch, languid and self-satisfied. Until someone finally blurted out – “Holy crap, Elara’s back!” Everyone snapped out of it, stepping forward in unison to shield Liam behind them, just like years ago. They gave me awkward smiles. “When did you get back, Elara? You should have told us! We would’ve picked you up!” “How did you find this place yourself? Have you eaten? Want to come in for some snacks…” I stood still, glanced at the room number, and smiled faintly. “No thanks, I must have the wrong place.” The few people blocking the door visibly relaxed. Just as they were about to say more, a scoff came from inside. Liam reached out, wrapped an arm around the waist of the teary-eyed girl in front of him, and pulled her into his embrace. He cupped her chin and kissed her. “Breathe. “A girl shouldn’t have to initiate a kiss like that.” His voice was lazy, and the girl in his arms blushed furiously from his kiss. She clutched his collar, trembling and nervous. “Liam, c-can I be your girlfriend…?” Liam didn’t say anything. He merely glanced at me dismissively, then deepened the kiss. His actions spoke volumes. The girl was thrilled, and everyone else in the room cheered. I checked the time on my wrist, turned to leave, but someone called out from behind me. “Elara.”

I instinctively turned back. Liam stepped out of the private room. Three years apart, his face hadn’t changed at all. He held a cigarette between his fingers, his tone flat. “When did you get back?” “Yesterday.” “Why didn’t you go home?” I stayed silent. “Don’t wander off now that you’re back. Go home and see Mom and Dad.” Still, I didn’t respond. Instead, I looked down at my watch, a flicker of impatience crossing my features. “Is there anything else?” Liam’s gaze fell on my wrist, and he frowned slightly. “Where’s the bracelet?” I paused, surprised. Then something clicked. A hint of sarcasm touched my face. “I put it away.” Three years ago, when a guy confessed to me, Liam didn’t say anything. He just led his friends to beat the guy up. Afterward, he silently took out the Miller family’s heirloom bracelet and put it on my wrist. Liam’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed, his tone calm. “It’s just a small trinket, no need to be so precious with it. “Next time…” “Liam!” Liam’s words were cut off by a clear voice from the side. The girl from the private room ran out. She took Liam’s arm, then extended her hand to me, a radiant smile on her face. “You must be Elara, right? Hi, I’m Scarlett. You can call me Scarlett, or you can call me… sister-in-law.” She seemed a little shy, glancing up at Liam bashfully when she said the last two words. My time was genuinely running out. If I was any later, that man would truly be angry. I didn’t have time to be part of these two’s little drama. I quickly nodded at her and greeted, “Hi.” Then I turned and hurried past, walking quickly towards the end of the hall. Before I reached the corner, I saw Julian Sterling leaning against the doorframe. He was dressed in black, his nose bridge sharp, his eyes hidden in the dim light, making his emotions unreadable. His thin lips, caught in the light, were perfectly sculpted and sharp. I quickened my pace towards him. Taking the gift from my pocket, I held it out. “Happy birthday!” His gaze slowly drifted downwards. “You’re late.” I looked at my watch. The hour hand already pointed to midnight. Today was over. A flicker of annoyance crossed my face. If it weren’t for those two I just ran into, I wouldn’t have missed it. Julian wrapped an arm around my waist. Pulling me closer with a sense of punishment. My flight was originally scheduled for nine in the morning, meaning I could be back to have lunch with Julian. But something unexpected came up at my university, delaying me until I rushed back late in the evening. I’d promised to have dinner with him, but then I ran into more trouble. It had been a chaotic mess until now.

The food had gone cold. But the temperature in the air steadily rose. He suppressed the emotions in his eyes, lifted me into his arms, and carried me out of the private room. It was a bit cool outside. Julian hooked the jacket off the couch and placed it over my head. The scent of cedar wood filled my nostrils, stirring my heart. A low-profile yet luxurious Maybach was parked by the road. Just as we were about to reach it, a surprised and familiar voice rang out. “Julian, when did you get back?” Not far away, Liam, with Scarlett’s arm around his waist, walked towards us. His tone was full of surprise, and even through the jacket covering me, I could feel his scrutinizing gaze. Julian merely glanced at him. “Just got back.” Liam teased, “My man, are you finally settling down? Let me see who this mysterious woman is.” With that, Liam stepped forward, reaching out to pull the jacket from my head. I instinctively tightened my grip on Julian’s collar, burying my face in his shoulder. Liam’s hand didn’t touch Julian’s jacket. Julian simply looked at him, and Liam eventually pulled his hand back. “Alright, alright. You’re guarding her so fiercely, I won’t interrupt your moment. Just remember to bring her out to meet us next time.” Julian didn’t say anything, carrying me into the back seat of the car. Julian Sterling was one of the most influential scions in The City. And Liam’s best friend. I used to often see Julian and Liam at the Miller’s house. Though they were best friends, for some reason, even back then, I always felt Julian treated Liam with a subtle distance. Later, I understood. His intentions were never truly about Liam. The day after my failed confession to Liam, the day the Miller family sent me abroad, Julian followed me.

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Once again, I went viral for domestic violence. The entire internet was filled with curses, asking when I would finally die. When I got home, I dutifully knelt on the cold tile floor. My wife, Scarlett, slapped my face repeatedly with her slipper. “Alex, I told you so many times, when you hit me, make your expression more vicious, your movements bigger. Why don’t you listen?” “You’ve ruined me! My products aren’t selling!” That’s right, the one being abused wasn’t Scarlett, it was me. All because she’d crafted an online persona as a domestically abused wife. I went along with it because she had absolute leverage over me. Scarlett threatened me. If I didn’t play along with her act, she’d disappear with our eight-year-old daughter, Chloe. I knew Scarlett was capable of it. After Chloe was born, she was out early and back late within three days, living it up and chasing fun. I’d raised Chloe by myself since she was a baby. She was the apple of my eye. “You’ll kneel there until morning. Reflect on your mistakes.” I don’t know how long I knelt. In a daze, I heard my wife and daughter talking. “Your dad is kneeling. Don’t you feel bad for him?” Chloe’s clear voice chirped, “No, I don’t feel bad. He doesn’t deserve to be my dad. Derek deserves to be her father.”

A wave of ice washed over me. I couldn’t believe my daughter, whom I’d raised with such care, could be so heartless. To her, a stranger meant more than I did. When Chloe was little, she was often sick. I’d rush her to the hospital, staying ten days at a time was common. Back then, she’d always say, “Daddy, hug me, hug me.” Scarlett praised Chloe, “Good girl! Derek didn’t spoil you for nothing. He’ll be so happy when he hears this.” The “Derek” Chloe mentioned was Derek Jones, not only Scarlett’s former classmate but also her accomplice in all her questionable antics. When we first got married, I’d told Scarlett she was too close to Derek. Scarlett ripped into me, saying that if anything was going on with her and Derek, it was none of my business anyway. Footsteps approached. Scarlett came in front of me and kicked me hard in the head. “Wake up, you useless bum!” I scrambled up from the floor, my legs trembling uncontrollably. After kneeling all night, they were completely numb. Scarlett looked down at me smugly. “Alex, do you realize your mistake?” Seeing I didn’t answer, Scarlett scoffed. “Angry? Good. Stay angry. Come on, hit me!” I still didn’t move. Scarlett kicked me again. Already unsteady, I stumbled and fell to the floor. Chloe rushed over and slapped my face. “Why are you so useless? Mom told you to hit harder and you can’t even do that! Mom won’t make money, how will she buy me pretty dresses?” I was utterly numb. I used to have a good job, but after the “abuse” went public, the company fired me. Every day, I’d cover myself up completely before going out to do odd jobs. All the money I earned, I handed over to Scarlett. After giving so much, all I got back was being called useless. Scarlett kicked me again. “You stay home and reflect. If you haven’t changed by the time I get back, you can forget about ever seeing Chloe again.”

I lay on the floor for half an hour. I still couldn’t believe Chloe would treat me this way; she must have been forced by Scarlett. I decided to find some food; I hadn’t eaten since last night. Suddenly, I noticed Scarlett’s spare phone left at home. Normally, I wouldn’t dare touch it, but now I needed answers. The phone had no password. Inside, there were tons of videos and photos. I saw intimate photos of Scarlett and Derek. She was smiling, brighter than I’d ever seen her. And then there was more explosive stuff. Scarlett had checked into multiple hotels, wearing lingerie, entwined with Derek on large beds. I pressed down hard on my own wounds, wanting the pain to be more intense, to make myself think clearly. Every time, Scarlett used instruments on me, leaving me covered in wounds. In severe cases, I’d have exposed bone. I was often rushed to the hospital. Scarlett would claim that bystanders intervened and injured me. Meanwhile, when I played along with her act, I always feared hurting Scarlett, holding back most of my strength. I thought my sacrifices would be seen. Instead, I was a complete clown. There were also videos of Chloe. Derek laughed, asking, “What if Mommy kills Daddy?” Chloe replied, “If he dies, he dies. Then I’ll have a new dad, and my new dad will be a million times better.” Derek then asked, “Who would you choose as your new dad?” Chloe smiled sweetly, pointing at Derek, and said, “You, of course!” Scarlett and Derek burst out laughing; they looked more like a family than we ever did. “Chloe, if this really happens, what will you do?” Scarlett’s expression turned serious. My daughter replied, “I’ll testify for Mom. I’ll say Dad tried to kill Mom, and me too, and Mom was just acting in self-defense.” Scarlett chuckled softly. “Such a good girl!” Derek asked from the side, “Is Alex’s life insurance all set?” Scarlett replied proudly, “Already bought it.” My hands trembled uncontrollably. I never imagined Scarlett was planning to kill me. I quickly transferred all the evidence and factory reset the phone. Scarlett and Chloe returned. “Alex, have you learned your lesson and become a good boy?” I looked at Scarlett with a cold gaze. Scarlett thought I had finally wised up. She pointed at Chloe and said, “Come on, hit her, slap her face hard.” I understood. Scarlett was forcing me to escalate the “abuse.” Her fans were no longer satisfied with me just hitting her. I refused. Scarlett frowned. “Alex, you’re getting bold, aren’t you? Not listening to me anymore? Are you really not afraid I’ll take Chloe and throw her into the ocean?” Chloe began to shiver with fear. She said, “Dad, please listen to Mom. I don’t want to leave you.” My heart was completely unmoved. I already knew my daughter’s true colors. I hated myself for not seeing through Chloe’s terrible acting sooner. Seeing my silence, Scarlett said coldly, “Alex, what do you want?” I slowly uttered two words. “A divorce!”

Scarlett laughed. “Alex, you’re hilarious!” Hilarious? No! I was serious. I felt only hate for this mother and daughter, no love. Chloe pursed her lips. “Dad, don’t you want me anymore?” Still pretending. Scarlett had taught her well; she’d changed into a completely different person in no time. I slowly said, “Would you be willing to come with me?” Chloe shook her head. “Dad, I don’t want you and Mom to separate. We’re a complete family. I promise to be a good girl from now on, okay?” I already understood my daughter’s choice. That was my last test. If she had chosen to come with me, I would have agreed to anything, no matter the cost. But Chloe clearly knew Scarlett would harm me, yet she still chose to be an accomplice without hesitation. Scarlett laughed. “Chloe, don’t be scared. Your dad’s just throwing a tantrum. He could never really leave you.” At that moment, Scarlett simply didn’t believe I was serious about leaving. I silently returned to my room. Scarlett and I had been separated for a long time; I lived in a storage room, a cramped 50-square-foot space with no windows or ventilation, not even enough space to stretch my legs when I slept. Seeing me pack my things, Scarlett rushed over. “Alex, that’s enough. There’s a limit to how much you can pretend.” I said coldly, “The divorce papers will be mailed to you. Remember to sign them.” Scarlett scoffed. “You won’t get custody of Chloe. The law will be on my side, you abuser.” Chloe cried, “Dad, Mom won’t let me go. Stop messing around, it’s useless.” I turned around and slowly said, “Who said I wanted custody?” Chloe stopped crying. She looked at me in shock. After being the apple of my eye for eight years, Chloe was used to my unconditional love. She keenly sensed the change. Scarlett instinctively raised her leg. “Looks like you’re asking for a beating. You need to be taught a lesson.” I grabbed Scarlett’s ankle, then swung it. She lost her balance and fell to the floor. “You… you’re quite bold. You actually laid a hand on me!” This was the first time I had ever initiated physical contact. “So what?” I retorted. My reputation was already trashed. I was the universally hated abuser. Scarlett could scream all she wanted, it wouldn’t matter. People would just think I’d finally gone soft. Only Scarlett knew the seriousness of the situation. Scarlett sneered, then raised her hand and slapped Chloe across the face. Chloe’s cheek instantly showed a red handprint. I just watched, without a word. Scarlett suddenly panicked. Before, if Chloe even got a scratch, I’d be heartbroken for days, spoiling her rotten. Now, I was completely unmoved. “Alex, I hit your daughter. Why aren’t you doing anything?” I chuckled softly. “Actually, she might not be.” Chloe looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “Dad, do you really not want me anymore?” Yes, I don’t. The daughter who stabbed me in the heart can be had by whoever wants her. Scarlett kicked Chloe, sending her sprawling. “Get a grip, you little brat! What are you crying for?!” I knew this was Scarlett’s test; she still couldn’t believe I would be so heartless. “You can hit her harder, just like you usually hit me.” With that, I packed the last of my personal belongings into my bag. A single backpack held everything I owned. Scarlett crossed her arms. “Alex, let’s see what else you can do. You really surprise me, you’re quite resilient!” I pulled out my house keys, tossed them onto the bed, and walked straight out. This wasn’t my home. My home wouldn’t make me feel suffocated. Just as I reached the door, Scarlett rushed at me like a madwoman. She grabbed my hair violently, trying to slam my head against the wall. I twisted my hand, threw her to the ground, then opened the door and walked out. Scarlett didn’t understand one thing. My softness wasn’t weakness. It was because I still had hope for that family. It was she and our daughter who utterly crushed everything I held dear.

Taking a deep breath of fresh air, I immediately started looking for a place to live. My standards were low enough that I quickly found a rental for $280 a month. Fortunately, I still had some savings. Lately, I’d been delivering food for an extra hour every day because Chloe’s birthday was coming up, and I wanted to buy her a gift. After a quick clean-up, I went out to buy necessities. Lying on the bed in my small room, even with the faint smell of mildew, I could stretch my legs and didn’t have to live in fear. That night, I slept exceptionally soundly. The next morning, I left early. From now on, I would live for myself. Just as I was about to accept a delivery order, I was surrounded. At the head of the group was Scarlett’s mother, Brenda. “Alex, are you even human? Abusing my daughter, and then you dare to ask for a divorce!” A group of angry women started hitting and kicking me. Luckily, I followed traffic rules and wore a helmet, or I’d have lost at least a third of my hair. I broke free from their encirclement. “Who are you all?” The women chattered angrily, “We’re Scarlett’s fans! We finally caught this scumbag.” “You hurt Scarlett, she cries herself to sleep every night.” “You deranged monster, we’re acting on behalf of justice!” “You’re the guilty party! How dare you leave Scarlett! You’re getting too big for your britches!” I slowly said, “You’re Scarlett’s fans, so you want Scarlett to live a better life.” “Of course!” “Scarlett’s products are the best!” I immediately replied, “Then your logic is flawed. I’m an abuser. A divorce would be a great thing for Scarlett, freeing her from misery. Why are you all opposing it?” That one sentence silenced them all. Divorce meant liberation. Scarlett could start a new life; it was cause for celebration. Brenda pointed at me. “Alex, don’t try to twist things around here. We respect Scarlett’s wishes; she decides whether to divorce or not. You’re an abuser, what right do you have to suggest leaving? I command you, go home right now!” I chuckled softly. “You really are a good mother, aren’t you? You think your daughter isn’t suffering enough, so you’re forcing me back to abuse her?” Some of Scarlett’s fans looked thoughtful; they must have sensed something was off. Brenda saw things were getting out of control. “Alex, just you wait.” After delivering her threat, she led the group away. After completing a few gig deliveries, I went to a law firm to find a divorce lawyer. The firm’s most famous lawyer met with me. After I explained my situation, she apologized and said she couldn’t help me. I visited several more law firms, and they all rejected me. I sensed something was wrong. One or two firms might refuse, but all of them? To turn down business? I opened my phone, intending to research legal knowledge online, but I saw a video posted by the first lawyer who had met me. “Scarlett’s abusive husband came to me, begging me to take his case.” “I don’t do anything that harms Scarlett. I refused him outright and even warned my colleagues about the risk.” “He left like a kicked dog. Sisters, don’t you think I did the right thing?” So that’s it. I never expected divorce to be this difficult. Soon, I scrolled past Scarlett’s live stream. Chloe sat beside her, her small face scrunched up in a tearful pout. Scarlett tearfully claimed she still had feelings for me, and even though I abused her, she didn’t want a divorce. She wanted to give me another chance. Fans flooded the comments, comforting Scarlett, telling her she was doing great, not to put too much pressure on herself, and that they would support her no matter what she decided. Scarlett wiped away her tears and started pushing product links. Since Scarlett was so good at playing the victim, I saw no need to hold back. I directly posted a comment. “Scarlett, this is Alex. Do you dare to video call me live?”

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I’d been drugged, locked in a room with a man. Under HD cameras, our every move was livestreamed on the dark web. The audience was ecstatic, betting on how long we could last. Now, two paths lay before me: either succumb to the drug and die an agonizing death. Or sacrifice my dignity, putting on a horrifying spectacle with this man for thousands of depraved eyes. “Hehehe, welcome everyone to ‘How Long Can They Last!’” An electronic, synthesized voice echoed in the enclosed space. The large screen on the wall clicked to life. The sudden brightness made me hiss in pain. “Awake?” the man’s voice rasped. I turned my head, my breath catching in my throat. It was Adrian Sterling, heir to the powerful Sterling Pharmaceuticals, a name synonymous with prestige in the city. Rumor had it, he was unapproachable. We’d only met twice at art exhibitions. My illustrations for their new drug had just passed final review, so we’d barely exchanged a word. “Mr. Sterling, where are we?” “An underground warehouse. We’re being livestreamed.” He retreated to a corner, his breathing heavy. “Doesn’t it feel a little hot in here?” I fanned myself, looking around. He shot me a strange look but didn’t answer. High-definition cameras were installed in all four corners, broadcasting to the dark web. A strange, burning heat was simmering under my skin. I tried to take deep breaths, anything to distract myself. “Mr. Sterling, how did you end up here too?” I usually didn’t have bodyguards, making me an easy target, but his security was legendary. Why us, specifically? “Betrayed,” he grunted, his voice low. “Who’s behind this?” “I don’t know yet, but I will find out.” The live chat on the big screen scrolled wildly: [HOLY CRAP! IS THAT SUMMER, THE ILLUSTRATOR?!] [EVEN THE CITY’S TOP BACHELORS WERE AFTER HER!] [ADRIAN STERLING, THE NOTORIOUSLY RESERVED CEO? THIS IS WILD!] [DARK WEB, YOU’RE INSANE!] Those words felt like dirty hands trying to strip me bare. “Let us out! This is illegal!” My voice trembled. The electronic voice let out an exaggerated, mocking laugh. “Oh, help me, I’m so scared!” “The 30-minute countdown has begun! Place your bets on how long they can resist, and who breaks first!” The comments became even more brazen: [PLAYING INNOCENT? ONCE THE DRUG KICKS IN, YOU’LL BE BEGGING!] [IT’S BEEN HALF AN HOUR, WHY HAVEN’T THEY STARTED?] “Drug?” I glanced at Adrian. He looked even worse than I felt. Cold sweat trickled down his face, his hands braced against the wall, muscles trembling, like he was wrestling a beast. I rushed to the steel door, pounding on it. “Hello? Is anyone out there? Open up!” “The drug will kick in faster if you exert yourself. Don’t fight it,” Adrian warned. His voice was husky, like a potent poison. I instinctively wanted to lean into his embrace, and a shiver ran through me. “The door’s welded shut…” he sighed. I glared at him. “So, we just wait to be tortured to death by the drug? Or be humiliated like animals in front of thousands?” He said, “I’m sorry. I won’t touch you.” I started to cry. “I’m just so scared.” “Don’t worry,” sweat beaded on his forehead. “I won’t touch you.”

“You’re so loud! Looks like we didn’t give you enough!” the electronic voice hissed, sinister. A pink gas sprayed out, a sickeningly sweet scent filling my nostrils, and my fingertips tingled. Adrian turned, his eyes fixed on me, pupils mere pinpricks. My body trembled, and a shameful anticipation stirred within me. “Don’t breathe it in!” He rushed towards me, covering my mouth and nose with his hand. His hand was terrifyingly hot, his thumb brushing my lips with an almost aggressive feel. I instinctively leaned into his embrace, his face inches from mine, his breath a fiery inferno of the drug’s scent. The comments section exploded: [FINALLY SOME ACTION! HOLD HER TIGHT!] [HIS HAND’S GOING TO CRUSH HER FACE!] Adrian’s fingers tightened abruptly, and I let out a muffled groan of pain. “Sorry.” He let go suddenly, stumbling back and hitting the door. A sharp edge on the door sliced his forearm, and blood welled up. I gasped. “Don’t be scared!” He dug his fingers into the wound, a primal roar escaping him like a trapped beast, forcing himself to stay lucid and away from me. The comments were vicious: [BLEEDING FOR SYMPATHY?] [LET HER LICK IT CLEAN!] I wasn’t doing well either. The drug was devouring my will, creeping through my veins. I bit my tongue, fighting the rising tide of desire. My skin crawled with an unbearable sensation, wanting to draw closer to the source of the intoxicating scent. Adrian’s wound was still bleeding, staining half his sleeve red. I tore off the lace hem of my dress. “Use this to bandage it.” My voice was trembling as I offered it to him. His eyes were bloodshot, like a wild animal’s. His gaze first fell on the strip of fabric, then on me. I tried to pull my hand back, but he grabbed it, and a tingling jolt shot through me. My mind screamed at me to push him away, but my body only wanted to burrow into his arms. “Please… no, Adrian.” I bit my lip, enduring the pain. The comments section erupted: [FINALLY GETTING HANDS-ON! PIN HER AGAINST THE WALL!] Tears streamed down my face onto his hand. He flinched, as if burned. He let go, gasping for air as he retreated two steps. “I’m sorry! No need for a bandage.” We both knew: to surrender was to become an animal, to couple in front of a thousand mocking eyes, our video sold for profit. The price would be endless agony and regret.

The comments section hissed with anticipation: [HE ACTUALLY REFUSED? WHAT A PRETENDER!] [USELESS! CAN’T EVEN HANDLE A WOMAN!] [MR. STERLING’S BACK MUST BE ACHING!] The speakers crackled to life with the cold electronic voice: “The ‘Proximity Challenge’ begins. Follow the rules, or we’ll release more of our ‘pink bubbly air.’” Adrian roared, “Go ahead! I’ll die before I let you have your way!” The electronic voice chuckled. “And what about Ms. Summer?” The drug’s effects were at their peak. I shook my head, unable to speak. The electronic voice turned cold. “He might be a mountain to climb, but for you, it’s just a veil away. Aren’t you going to make the first move?” The screen cut to a pink hair tie, a birthday gift for my sister, Chloe. She wore it every single day. The electronic voice cackled viciously, “If you don’t want anything to happen to her, make him kiss you. Don’t you want to?” The comments went wild: [BIG GUNS! KISS HER!] [IS HER SISTER’S LIFE MORE IMPORTANT, OR HER MODESTY?] [BETS ON A MISSIONARY KISS! 500,000 STAKE!] My blood ran cold. Chloe was the person I loved most in the world. My reason was slowly slipping away. “Who paid for this?” Adrian gritted out. The electronic voice replied, “Don’t you worry your head, Mr. Sterling. We just get paid to ‘handle’ problems.” The countdown began. The screen flashed, showing Chloe tied to a chair, her mouth gagged, shaking her head and crying desperately. I screamed, trying to rush forward, but Adrian held me back. “Ten… nine…” I cried, “Adrian, please…” Trapped between the drug’s torment and the threat, I gave up struggling. He looked up, shocked and pained. The comments section erupted: “She’s finally coming around!” “Mr. Sterling, don’t just stand there, kiss her!” “Kiss her, then get to it!” “Eight…” He didn’t move, just turned his head, straining against the wall, his body trembling. We both knew the consequences.

For Chloe, I moved towards Adrian. I was two steps away when my strength gave out, and I stumbled a step forward. He quickly reached out to steady me, his burning palm grasping my waist, feeling like fire. “Careful.” His voice was hoarse, his grip controlled but trembling. The electronic voice counted to four. The comments section mocked: [CAN’T EVEN HOLD HER WAIST PROPERLY?] [MR. STERLING, ARE YOU IMPOTENT?] [WOMAN, JUST THROW YOURSELF INTO HIS ARMS!] I gritted my teeth. “Kiss me!” Cold sweat from my forehead dripped into my eyes, stinging. I didn’t dare close them, staring into his. His bloodshot eyes held a fierce struggle. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his head slowly lowered. His breath caressed the top of my head, intensely invasive. The kiss was as light as a feather, faintly cool, momentarily easing some of the burning heat. The unexpected tenderness only made me more uneasy. My mind screamed to push him away, but my body responded with an honest desire to hold him close. The comments section exploded: [FINALLY KISSED! NOW GRAB HER CHEST!] He whispered, barely audible, “The tracker’s activated. Just hold on.” His wound was fake, a ruse to activate an implanted chip. I snapped awake, pulling my hand away. The electronic voice grumbled, “Ms. Summer, you’re not being active enough. Take off a piece of clothing, or we’ll feed your sister some ‘goodies’ too.” I snarled, “You wouldn’t dare!” The screen switched to Chloe’s feed; someone was clearly preparing to force-feed her the drug. I screamed, trying to touch the screen, but he held me back. “Don’t be impulsive,” he said, his voice hoarse but steady. “They want us to lose control.” I choked back a sob. “But Chloe…” Seeing my sister trembling, my heart ached. He unbuttoned his blazer, taking it off, leaving him in a white shirt, his wound still seeping blood. “Take it off,” he said. “I promise I won’t touch you, except when absolutely necessary.” My hands trembled as I unbuttoned my dress, revealing my slip. Shame washed over me. The comments section cheered, obscene words lashing out at me like whips. He held me, his palms resting on my back, no caress, just contact. His body temperature was searing, his breathing ragged. I could feel him desperately holding back. “I’m sorry, you’ve been so wronged,” he whispered in my ear. My tears fell, wetting his shirt. He suddenly lowered his head and kissed me. The kiss was laced with the drug’s wild madness and pain, a hint of metallic blood, yet his touch was so careful not to hurt me. My body was tense, my mind screaming to stop, but my body responded instinctively. We were like suppressed flames colliding, igniting an inferno. His hand slid to my sensitive waist, then abruptly stopped. He pushed me away, gasping for air, “I’m sorry, I lost control.” I fell back, my slip strap slipped, leaving me exposed. He also collapsed, his shirt soaked with sweat, his wound torn open again, blood dripping onto the floor. Sweat mixed with blood. The comments section still roared, but the electronic voice remained silent. Suddenly, I felt that holding onto my last shred of dignity, even if it meant dying here, would be worth it.

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On my wedding day, my husband’s ex-girlfriends showed up like a coordinated squad. I glared at Adam, but he just looked smug. “I just wanted to reminisce about my past conquests before settling down,” he said, puffing out his chest. Then, these women started sharing intimate details about their past relationships with him. I forced myself through the ceremony, barely holding back my rage. But that night, they stormed into my room, practically dragging Adam away to a hotel. I cried all night, moving from utter despair to a chilling calm. It wasn’t until the next morning that Adam finally appeared, his clothes disheveled, with the last of his exes, Chloe. He looked at me, completely unapologetic. “They’re all married, Lily. We were just catching up on old times last night. As for Chloe, she’s staying with us for a couple of days because she has a talent show audition soon.” Seeing his ripped shirt, I turned and messaged Sarah, my friend who hosts that talent show: “I need your help with something. I’m going to ruin Adam’s reputation.”

Sarah had been at the wedding and agreed without a second thought. As I hung up, Adam and Chloe slowly walked towards me. Chloe naturally linked her arm through Adam’s, her gaze holding a hint of triumph. Yet, her voice was sugary sweet. “Adam, your wife looks really upset. Maybe I shouldn’t have come.” “Don’t worry about her. Just make yourself at home.” Adam chuckled dismissively. “Lily, I know you’re mad about last night, but nothing happened. They were just playing some harmless wedding pranks.” “If you can’t even take a little joke like that, then all those times you said you loved me? They were never real.” Then, he led Chloe to the master bedroom. “Chloe’s not used to a firm bed. The master bedroom has a softer one. She’ll stay there for now. You can use the guest room for a few nights.” “Oh, and Chloe hasn’t had breakfast yet. She’s a bit hungry. Could you make her something?” He showed no trace of guilt for his betrayal, nor did he give me any room to argue. It was the same old string of demands, just like always. And he was right. Whenever we had a disagreement, he’d just casually brush it off, then act all magnanimous, as if I were the one who’d made the mistake. In the past, as long as it wasn’t outright betrayal, I’d always just gone along with his attempts to smooth things over. But this time, it was different. I scoffed. “Her hunger is not my damn problem.” “And this is my house. I won’t have any outsiders causing trouble here.” Adam was about to explode, but Chloe quickly interjected. “Lily, I can prove it! Adam and I just played cards all night. And he only brought me back because he felt sorry for me.” Then, she looked at Adam with a pitiful expression. “Adam, maybe I should just leave. I’m afraid I’ll cause problems for you two. I can find somewhere else to stay for a couple of days.” Hearing this, Adam immediately pulled her closer, comforting her. “Chloe, even though we broke up a long time ago, you helped me a lot. You’re new here, I can’t just abandon you.” He shot me a furious look. “Lily, Chloe is just staying for a few days. Do you have to be so petty about it?” “Honestly, you weren’t like this before we got married. Now you’re so nitpicky? Are you under the impression that just because we’re married, I belong completely to you? If you keep acting up like this, I swear I’ll divorce you.” Hearing that, I smiled.

Adam and I met through an arranged introduction. He claimed it was love at first sight, showering me with meticulous attention, so I agreed to marry him. But gradually, I started to realize he was keeping things from me. Though we lived separately before the wedding, he often stayed out all night, claiming to be with friends. Yet, I’d always hear women’s voices in the background when I called. When I pressed him, he’d impatiently hang up. My doubts really solidified when I once caught him drunk and passionately kissing another woman at a party. Afterward, he claimed it was just a drunken mistake, but I wasn’t convinced. However, just as I was reconsidering everything, my mom was hospitalized. She feared she didn’t have much time left, and her greatest wish was to see me married. I couldn’t bear to disappoint her, so the wedding proceeded as planned. Before the wedding, I had told Adam clearly: whatever his past, there would be no betrayal after we were married. But I never imagined he’d invite all his ex-girlfriends to the wedding. It was then I truly understood just how extensive his romantic history was. After getting home last night, I had a friend dig into his past. The results were damning: he had been intimate and lived with every single one of his ex-girlfriends. His parents had told me he was always working out of town, had a few relationships, but was fundamentally a good person. Putting myself in his shoes, I couldn’t accept this. And he, thinking he had me wrapped around his finger, actually planned to have his ex-girlfriend move in with us. It was utterly ridiculous! Now, I stood blocking the master bedroom door, calmly staring at Adam. “Adam, I do love you, but I won’t tolerate betrayal.” “Since you’ve chosen this path, I have only one condition: divorce, and you return all the wedding funds.” He had been short on money for the house, so my mom, wanting my happiness, took out all her savings to give me a sense of security. Hearing this, Adam’s face flushed with fury. “Lily, are you crazy? I told you, nothing happened with them last night!” “And you have the nerve to ask for your wedding funds back? We’re already married. Even if we divorce, I’m not giving you a cent. This would be you breaking off the marriage!” “It was just a few wedding pranks! Are you really going to be such a sore loser about it?!” I kept my face cold. “If you won’t agree to those terms, then she needs to leave. Then you sign an agreement that if you ever betray me again, you’ll pay double the compensation.” Chloe stepped forward, explaining quickly, “Lily, you can yell at me all you want, but please don’t insult Adam. And I’m only staying for two days. Nothing’s going to happen with Adam. Are you really that insecure?” Adam, seeing me so angry for the first time, looked annoyed. “Honestly, you’re so petty! What’s so special about the master bedroom? I’ll let Chloe stay in the guest room, is that good enough?” “I can’t stand small-minded people like you. I never noticed it before.” He turned to Chloe. “Chloe, it looks like you’ll have to rough it a bit.” Chloe looked completely understanding. “Adam, it’s okay. As long as you two don’t fight, that’s all that matters.” Adam looked at me with disgust. “Are you happy now?! All this fuss just because you can’t stand me being around Chloe!” “Look at Chloe. If only you had half her compassion.” With that, he walked into the bedroom and slammed the door shut. I felt a challenging gaze on me. Looking towards the guest room, I saw Chloe watching me with a smug, knowing smile. That witch! I started to step towards her. But then, my mom, still in the ICU, called me on FaceTime. “Lily, I couldn’t make it to your wedding. How was your first day as a newlywed? Where’s Adam?” I couldn’t bear to upset my mom, so I took the FaceTime call into the bedroom. Adam, seeing me enter, sneered dismissively. “Just a minute ago, she was insisting on a divorce, but as soon as Chloe moved to the guest room, she came running back. Always so jealous. It’s so exhausting.” My mom didn’t quite catch what he said, only assuming it was a normal spat, and urged us to keep the peace. Adam forced a fake smile and called her “Mom.” I quickly made an excuse and hung up. Not long after, he left, claiming he was taking Chloe out to clear her head. I watched them go, a cold glint in my eyes. If he wanted to play these games, he shouldn’t blame me for being ruthless.

Not long after I returned, they came back, laden with shopping bags. I opened them to find they were filled with gifts and clothes Adam had bought for Chloe. Noticing my grim expression, Adam explained, “Chloe’s talent show is tomorrow. She needs to look her best.” “Don’t worry, once she gets through the audition, she’ll go to another city for performances.” “Then you won’t have to keep your sour face on all the time.” He sneered, busily helping Chloe try on outfits. I stayed silent. Adam probably thought my anger had subsided, and that I was looking for a way to reconcile, just like before. So that evening, he tried to smooth things over, adopting a gentler tone towards me. “Lily, we’re married now. We need to be a team. You can’t always doubt me.” “Don’t worry, once Chloe passes her audition, I’ll make sure she leaves. You’re the one I’m building a life with.” “In a little while, we’ll start a family.” A team? I scoffed internally, saying nothing. Later that night, I woke up and Adam wasn’t there. Passing the guest room, I heard the unmistakable sounds of intimacy. “Adam, I love you so much. If only I hadn’t gone abroad back then, it would be me with you right now.” “Your wife might mind your past, but I don’t. As long as I can be with you, I don’t care how many girlfriends you have. I could even love you alongside them all.” “But I’m just worried your wife will get angry. What if it affects your relationship?” Adam sneered. “Her? Didn’t you see? When I told you to stay in the guest room today, she stopped being mad instantly. She even FaceTimed her mom to show me off.” “She’s thrilled to be married to me, no matter how angry she pretends to be. Don’t worry, she can’t leave me.” Then, the sounds of their intimacy resumed. Adam told me one minute that he had no contact with them, and the next he was betraying me again. Even though I was already beyond disappointed in him, a fresh wave of fury surged through me. But I didn’t disturb them. I just quietly recorded their conversation and returned to my room. In the morning, Adam came back. The moment he opened the door, our eyes met. He looked guilty, but pretended to be calm. “Chloe was nervous about her audition, so I stayed with her for a bit.” Catching sight of the hickeys all over his neck, my calmed heart couldn’t suppress the anger. I let out a cold laugh. “You meant you ‘comforted’ her under the covers, didn’t you?” “You really don’t have to come back. Why not just stay with her?” Adam’s face flushed. He snapped, “Chloe has her audition today, and she even got you a free ticket! How can you stir up trouble again?!” “This is something Chloe worked hard for. You have to go today, as an apology, and to cheer her on for me.” “If you don’t go, I’ll let her stay at our house indefinitely.” Looking at the talent show ticket in his hand, I smirked internally. Then, I took it. “Alright, I’d love to see the show.”

At the talent show. When Adam went to the restroom, Chloe suddenly leaned close to me. “Lily, if I pass today, you’ll be really happy, right?” “After all, then you two can finally have your alone time.” I scoffed. “If you want him, you can have him.” She sneered. “Stop pretending. I’ve noticed, you’re head-over-heels for Adam, desperate to be with him every day.” “But you should really give up on those unrealistic fantasies.” “To be honest, this audition is just a front. Adam has eight ex-girlfriends in total, and we’ve all agreed that as soon as I leave, the next one will come to stay at your house.” “After all, we all can’t bear to let Adam go. A man as amazing as him isn’t something one woman can monopolize.” “But you’re still luckier than us, since you’re the one he married.” Her words made my anger erupt. I couldn’t help but kick her in the chest, sending her sprawling. Just then, Adam returned and witnessed the scene. Seeing him, Chloe immediately burst into tears. “Lily, I just tried to apologize to you. If you don’t accept it, that’s fine, but you cursed at me and hit me! What did I ever do to you?” Adam’s face filled with alarm. He rushed over to help her up, then glared at me furiously. “Lily, aren’t you tired of being jealous all the time? How dare you hit Chloe in public!” “If she performs badly because of this, you’ll regret it!” Then, he comforted Chloe. “Chloe, just focus on your performance. Whether you succeed or fail, I’ll always support you.” Chloe looked touched. “Adam, you’re always so good to me. I’ll do my best.” At that moment, the host called Chloe’s name. Before going on stage, she shot me a triumphant glance, her lips moving as if to say, “Pathetic, you can’t beat me.” Then, she signaled for the host to begin. But the playback didn’t start immediately. The host looked at me. Only after I nodded did she click on a video file. Adam sat nearby, twisting his head to shoot me a venomous look. “If Chloe’s performance isn’t good today, I’ll let her stay at our house indefinitely. You love being jealous, don’t you? Well, I’ll give you plenty to be jealous about!” I gave a slight smile. “Adam, I’m telling you again: marital infidelity means you leave with nothing.” Adam looked impatient. “How many times have I told you? We were just—” But before he could finish, his eyes widened in shock at the image that flashed across the big screen.

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For three years after my death, my mortal enemy Julian Davies visited my grave. The first year, he threw a wild party right on my tombstone. The second year, he hosted a barbecue party in front of my grave. The third year, he didn’t show up. I heard he’d fallen into a river trying to pick up his phone. Now, he was the one dying. Julian was dying. He’d jumped into a raging river for a phone. He managed to grab it but couldn’t swim back up. They pulled him out, but he never woke up. Now he was lying in a coma in the ER. When I heard the news, I laughed for three solid minutes.  Served him right! After dedicating his life to making mine a living hell, did he expect any other ending? Karma’s a bitch who always comes to collect. But when my laughter faded, a cold dread settled in my ghostly heart. He’d dug a burial plot right next to my grave years ago, even erecting a headstone with his name on it. If he died, would he really be buried there? Wouldn’t that mean he’d be my neighbor for all eternity? No way. How much peace would I get because of him? To confirm if Julian was truly kicking the bucket, I floated over to the city hospital. Today, the hospital entrance was unusually lively. Lots of media reporters were camped out, waiting for Julian. Two years ago, Julian had gone viral for a stunningly evocative photo. In the picture, he was dressed in black, clutching foxglove lilies under a traffic light. His expression was desolate, his eyes filled with sorrow. Not long after, a renowned director handpicked him to play a quiet, brooding supporting role in a high school romance drama. He only had a handful of scenes. But one of them – a desperate, wordless crying scene- became his breakout. Overnight, he was a sensation. Now, he was a white-hot talent, hailed as one of the most gifted actors of his generation. Of course, all the fuss was for the reporters and paparazzi, not Julian. Inside the intensive care unit, one Julian lay in bed. Another Julian stood by the window. The one in bed was hooked up to a breathing machine and countless monitors, still and peaceful, like a sleeping prince. The one by the window was transparent, his face blank, his eyes vacant and hollow. Whoa, seriously? It looked like he was really dying; his soul had already left his body. To drown himself over a phone… I really wanted to go over and mock him. But before I could even take two steps, the Julian by the window suddenly turned his head, as if he had eyes in the back of it, without any warning. When he saw me, his expression was three parts shock, seven parts delight. “Summer?” Before I could answer, he suddenly walked over. His voice low and choked, he pulled me into a hug. “Summer! I’ve missed you so much!” Wait, what the hell was hugging me? Was this really that Julian, the one who traded insults with me the second we met?

Julian and I had been mortal enemies since we were seven. That year, my mom divorced, and we moved to the city. Mr. and Mrs. Davies, who lived across the street, pushed their eight-year-old son, Julian, towards me. “Julian, hold her hand, maybe you two will be family someday.” But despite having the setup of childhood sweethearts, we couldn’t stand each other. In elementary school, he couldn’t stand my timidness, teasing my voice was like a “tiny, squeaky quail.” I couldn’t stand how childish he was. He was in fourth or fifth grade, and he was still playing in the sandbox with kindergarten kids. When we hit middle school, I started caring about my appearance. I’d tie my oversized school jacket around my waist, just like the other girls. The very next class, he’d report me to the disciplinary committee. I wasn’t one to back down, though. I’d puncture his bike tires, draw ridiculous mustaches on his face. Whatever felt good, I’d do it. There was no reasoning with him. Later, in high school and college, our adversarial relationship barely improved. I’d be discussing the class party with the class president, and he’d go tell my mom I was “secretly dating.” I finally saved up money to buy a beautiful white dress, only for him to laugh and say I looked like a walking string bean. He didn’t even attend my funeral after I died. It wasn’t until two months later that he showed up, completely wasted. He danced wildly in front of my grave. Shaking my tombstone, “Summer, don’t sleep! Wake up and party!” How incredibly rude of him! In the middle of the night, singing and dancing, he scared me so badly I cried and screamed. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if he was the ghost or not. My relationship with Julian always was, and only ever was, that of mortal enemies. Being hugged by him like that for the first time, I almost got scared back to life. I instinctively grabbed his arm, flipped him 180 degrees, and tossed him onto the hospital bed. “Go on, get back in there!” When I threw him, the timing was perfect. He slammed right back into his body on the bed. Julian woke up. The blood oxygen and heart rate monitors slowly stabilized. Before long, he opened his eyes. But he’d probably been in the river too long. His brain was waterlogged, and he wasn’t fully conscious. He opened his eyes for less than a minute before closing them again and falling back asleep. It wasn’t until noon the next day that he woke up again, was transferred out of the ICU, and moved into a luxurious private room. After waking up, Julian’s gaze at the ceiling was vacant. Very different from the wailing ghost who’d hugged me yesterday. He seemed lifeless, without a spark of energy. Even his breathing was shallow, and he didn’t respond no matter what the nurses asked. I felt a little worried. Did I really whack him so hard yesterday that he became brain-damaged? If it really was because of me that he became an idiot. And he eventually died and blamed me, demanding compensation. How could I, a penniless ghost who barely gets a bouquet of flowers on her anniversary, be responsible for him? “Julian, you’re dumb because your brain got waterlogged, not my fault, okay?” Even though I knew he couldn’t hear me, I couldn’t help but squat down and whisper into his ear. The moment the words left my lips, Julian on the hospital bed suddenly moved. He turned his head, his amber eyes looking right at me. Our eyes met. Startled, I instinctively leaned back. My entire ghostly self wasn’t careful and “plop” I fell onto the floor. My head buzzed. No way. He can see me?

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, the door behind me was pushed open. I heard a crisp female voice. “Thank goodness, Julian, you’re finally awake.” “You chose the role yourself, you signed the contract yourself, and you’re supposed to start filming in a few days, but you pull a stunt like this.” “What? You think I have too much money and want to bankrupt me?” The woman who entered had long, flowing hair, beautiful and mature. I recognized her. It was Stella, Julian’s senior from college and his current manager. It wasn’t until she walked closer, cradling Julian’s face to inspect it carefully and sighing, “Thank god, no disfigurement,” That I realized Julian wasn’t looking at me. His gaze passed right through my transparent body, looking at Stella who had just entered, and the black bag slung over her shoulder. I clutched my non-existent heart and let out a non-existent sigh. “Seriously, scared a ghost to death,” I thought. For a moment there, I really thought he could see me. Confirming that this jerk Julian was out of danger and wouldn’t bother my peaceful afterlife, I decided to leave. But before I could even take a step, I heard Julian, who had been silent all day, suddenly ask, “My phone? Was it found?” Because of the choking and not speaking for a long time, His voice was rough and hoarse. “You, jumping into the river for a stupid phone?” “Was it really worth it?” Stella frowned, her tone full of blame. But despite her words, she still took a sealed bag from her purse, opened it, and handed the phone inside to Julian. Phone? River? Those words froze me. Curiosity piqued, I glanced back. But with that one glance, I saw it. Julian’s vacant expression shattered the moment he took the phone. For the first time, emotion flooded his eyes. And the phone in his hand… No. Wait! That pink case… that round-headed Loopy charm… Why is it my phone? How did my phone end up with Julian? Didn’t my dad take it? Why would Julian jump into a river to get it? … A million thoughts flashed through my mind in that instant. But before I could sort them out, Stella’s next words interrupted me. “Last month, Summer’s dad was finally arrested, and the culprit pleaded guilty. You’ve waited three years for this result, you should be at peace now, right?” Julian didn’t speak. He just stared at my phone, eyes downcast and quiet. But I felt a strange sense of unreality. After three years, was my case finally closed? I was murdered, and the reason was ridiculous. It happened in my senior year of college, on my birthday. My biological father, who had been hiding for years due to gambling debts, called me. His words were earnest. He said he wanted to see me, celebrate my birthday, and make up for all the years he’d neglected me. I believed him and went to the rental apartment location he sent me. But when I arrived, I realized he had no intention of celebrating my birthday. He wanted to sell me, to the people he owed money to. Those men said I was a college student, so they could get a higher price. One night with me could pay off twenty thousand of my dad’s debt. Of course, I refused. During the struggle, someone grabbed my head and slammed it hard against the wall. That person probably wanted to teach me a lesson, to make me compliant. But no one expected that behind the old wallpaper, there was a rusty nail. And it, right then and there, took my life. That day was my 23rd birthday. To destroy the evidence, my phone was taken by the man who called himself “my father.” And my rapidly cooling body was stuffed into a suitcase and thrown into the river by him. It wasn’t found until half a month later. But my phone was supposed to have been smashed and thrown away. Why was it with Julian? I didn’t wonder for long. Soon, Julian cleared up the confusion for me. He looked up and curved his lips at Stella. His eyes held a hint of hope. “Stella, can you please try to recover the data and get it to turn on?” Stella was speechless, rolling her eyes. “Do you think I’m a fairy godmother? If the police couldn’t do it, how can I?” “This is the best it’ll ever be. Don’t expect any more miracles from me.” Julian didn’t say anything, just stared at her directly. His smile stiffened inch by inch, and the color drained from his face. Finally, Stella gave in. “Fine, fine, I swear I owe you my life!” She was a little annoyed. She grabbed her bag and turned to leave. At the door, she turned back and reminded him, “Take your medicine on time, don’t stop without permission, got it?” And my heart, too, tightened again as their conversation ended. What was Julian trying to do? He wanted to unlock my phone? Damn it! A person can die, but the contents of their phone absolutely cannot be seen by anyone else! Especially not Julian! “Julian, you really shouldn’t live!” “Just die! You jerk!”

I couldn’t choke Julian. I couldn’t even touch a single strand of his hair. I felt as powerless as trying to slap someone in 3D while being a 2D entity; my soul was almost scattering. But Julian was doing fine, his complexion getting rosier by the day. He was discharged from the hospital within a few days. Worried that he would really find someone to fix the phone and see my secrets hidden in the memo app, I didn’t dare to leave, sticking to him like glue. Trying to find a way to intervene with his decision. He ate, I followed. He slept, I followed. He showered. Showered… Hearing the splashing shower sounds from the bathroom, I felt a little tempted. To be honest, Julian, despite his terrible personality, had an absolutely gorgeous face when he wasn’t talking. I’d lived for over twenty years, never dated, never seen a man’s abs. Now that I was dead. A quick peek, wouldn’t be too much, would it? Not too much at all. So I decided to look. But I still pretended to be polite, standing at the door and yelling inside, “Julian, after fifteen years of being childhood friends, let me see your abs!” “If you don’t refuse, I’ll take it as a yes, okay?” Perfect. He didn’t refuse. I grinned, my head passing through the door. I expected to see a naked Julian. But what I saw was Julian, fully clothed. Water poured down over his head. His wet clothes clung to him, outlining his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and slender physique. And looking up… his eyes were bloodshot, his wet hair messy, staring straight at the doorway. My soul nearly shriveled up, seriously! What kind of sane person showers with clothes on? And the way he was looking at the doorway, for a moment, it really seemed like he was looking at me. From his eyes, I even read emotions of suppressed pain. A trick of the mind, perhaps? Never mind. I won’t look anymore. It’s no fun. I grumbled silently. I wanted to leave, but my gaze involuntarily fixed on his arm. There, several scars crisscrossed. One of them, like a centipede, snaked from his upper arm to his wrist. Suddenly, my chest tightened. Any romantic thoughts vanished instantly.

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I didn’t love Julian when we got engaged eight years ago. He didn’t care. He just smiled. “Let’s see where this goes.” For seven years of marriage, he was all in. Everyone knew it. He would’ve done anything for me. I finally believed it too. Then she showed up—a shy girl holding onto Julian’s arm. “I’m carrying his baby. Since you don’t love him, let me.” When I looked at her, I was stunned. She looked just like me… eight years ago. Outside, the rain drizzled softly. My husband of seven years stood right there in front of me. “Seraphina, Isabelle was just being foolish today.” “She’s young, cut her some slack. This kind of thing won’t happen again.” I looked up at Isabelle Shaw. Long hair cascaded over her shoulders, her skin looked flawless, and her cheeks carried the unique blush of youth. She was indeed young. Even without a trace of makeup, she looked far more vibrant than thirty-year-old me. Now, she stood beside Julian, her face etched with hurt, as if she hadn’t been the one to confront me. Julian looked at me, sighing softly. “Seraphina, Isabelle is pregnant and her emotions are unstable. What happened today was just her losing her cool.” “Don’t worry, she won’t affect your position as Mrs. Davies. Besides, there’s no real affection between us, so you don’t need to look at me like that.” I heard my own voice, hoarse. “No affection?” I didn’t get an answer from Julian, but I saw a flicker of triumph in Isabelle’s eyes. “I’m not like you. I love Julian.” I shot Isabelle a cold glance. Startled by my look, Isabelle cowered and leaned closer to Julian. Julian instinctively raised a hand to shield her, turning an irritated gaze on me. “Isabelle is still young, she just says whatever comes to mind.” “Don’t scare her. She’s not as tough as you.” I hadn’t said anything, hadn’t done anything. Just one look from me, and he was already taking her side. It felt like a giant fist had clamped around my heart, squeezing all the air from my lungs. Through my blurring vision, the man’s face before me slowly merged with the face from eight years ago. Eight years ago, the Davies and Thorne families were arranging a marriage alliance. Julian came to my house with his Grandpa Davies. When we were finally alone, I looked at Julian. “If you don’t agree to this marriage, I’m prepared to call off the engagement.” Since childhood, I’d been raised to believe my existence was to pave the way for the Thorne family and my younger brother. My future husband would only ever come from one of the city’s influential families. If not the Davies family, then it would be the Smiths, the Browns, the Millers. So, I didn’t care who my husband was. If he loved someone else, I was willing to step aside. Julian looked at me intently, then, after a moment, he let out a soft laugh. “Today’s visit was my suggestion to my father.” “Seraphina Thorne, I’ve liked you for a long time. Let’s give it a try.” In that moment, I think I heard my heart beat clearly for the first time. In the year after our engagement, no matter how cold or distant I was. Julian seemed to ignore it all, his eyes full only of me. Gradually, I began to accept and grow accustomed to the idea that Julian was the man I would spend my life with. But now, that man stood beside another woman, overtly protective, as if I were the enemy tearing them apart. Seeing that I remained silent, Julian leaned down and whispered something into Isabelle’s ear. Isabelle looked reluctant, but after giving Julian a deep look, she turned and left the room. Only when Isabelle’s figure disappeared did Julian withdraw his gaze. My throat tightened, and I fought back the stinging in my nose before speaking. “Julian, I’m letting you go.” “Let’s get a divorce.”

Julian stiffened, his eyes focusing on me. “Seraphina, you know better than anyone why our marriage began. “Since it’s a business alliance, why are you demanding so much? If we divorce, the stock prices of the Davies and Thorne families will inevitably be affected.” “Seraphina, you know, this isn’t a smart business move.” I tried desperately to find a hint of the familiar Julian in his voice. But the man before me now felt terrifyingly strange. On our wedding day, Julian held my hand, his palm sweaty with nerves, yet his voice was shockingly firm. “You might think ours is a business arrangement.” “But at your eighteenth birthday party, I fell in love with you at first sight.” “Seraphina Thorne, what we have isn’t business. It’s because I love you.” But now, the same face, the same voice, told me, “This isn’t a smart business move.” Julian stood up and walked towards the door. “Isabelle is waiting for me. I’ll take her home first.” “Seraphina, I still stand by what I said. Isabelle won’t affect your position as Mrs. Davies. You don’t need to be so defensive about her.” From standing up to walking out the door, Julian didn’t spare me a single glance. The heavy sound of the door closing was the signal for my tears to finally stream down. I had never spoken the words “I love you.” But the meals I cooked myself instead of the housekeeper, the light always left on late at night, my sleepless nights caring for him when he drank too much… I thought Julian knew it all. Perhaps Julian did understand, but he simply pretended not to know. I sat numbly on the sofa. I didn’t move until Julian came home in the early hours of the morning. Julian arrived home completely wasted, his secretary having escorted him inside. Looking at Julian lying on the bed, I sighed deeply, but still got up and went to the bathroom to prepare a warm towel. Julian lay on the bed, eyes closed. The warm towel had barely touched him when I heard him mumble softly. “Stop, it hurts.” I didn’t stop. “Wipe yourself off before you sleep.” Julian grabbed my hand. “Good girl, Isabelle, my sweet Isabelle, let me sleep a little longer.” I froze, stopping my actions, and turned to walk out of the bedroom. After that day, Julian didn’t come home for several consecutive days. Perhaps because I already knew about Isabelle’s existence, Julian no longer bothered to hide their relationship. Soon, their affair spread throughout the entire city. Everyone said that Mr. Davies had fallen for a young woman, even more deeply than he had loved me. He put aside work to take her to amusement parks, he scoured for rare and precious trinkets for her, and even spent a fortune at auctions just for her. Hearing those rumors, I simply smiled, but tears welled in my eyes. It seemed Julian truly liked her. She’d probably only have to ask for the moon, and he’d find a way to pluck it for her. Julian once told me, “Seraphina, I want to lay the world at your feet.” And now, he treated her no less. A week later, Julian came home. He carelessly tossed his jacket onto the sofa, and a small receipt fluttered from his pocket, unnoticed by him. It was a reservation slip from a bakery on the west side of town. The name of that bakery was exceptionally familiar to me; it was my favorite place, and their cakes always required advance booking. Though I had already decided on divorce, seeing that receipt, a flicker of warmth still bloomed in my chest. No matter why he’d ordered a cake. After all these years, he still remembered my favorite bakery. I quietly tucked the receipt back into his pocket, pretending not to have noticed it. The next day, at the city’s top business gala, I accompanied Julian. We weren’t divorced yet. Officially, I was still Mrs. Davies. Whether for the Davies family or the Thorne family, I had no choice but to be there. But I never expected to see Isabelle again at such an event. Among the shrewd and calculating businessmen, she was like a lone splash of color, unconsciously drawing everyone’s gaze. Including Julian’s, right beside me. He probably didn’t even realize it himself, but the moment he walked in, his eyes landed on Isabelle. Isabelle saw him too, and ignoring everyone else, she bounced over to him. “I got your cake.” “But I didn’t like it. That bakery’s cake isn’t sweet at all.”

My gaze snapped to Julian, disbelief warring with a sick dread, but he avoided my eyes. That bakery’s cake held a special place in my heart. When we were first engaged, I was always distant with Julian. I’d always eaten little since childhood, especially breakfast, which I rarely touched. To get me to eat even a few bites, Julian, then the sole heir of the Davies family, would drive two hours to that bakery on the west side of town every day before dawn, just to stand in line. He’d only heard my father mention once that I liked their cakes. Isabelle noticed the tense atmosphere between us and spoke up with a smile. “Seraphina,, don’t be upset. Julian only bought me the cake because I was feeling down a few days ago.” “Julian always spoils me like a child, but I’m already twenty-three, and I graduated college last year.” “Though compared to you, Seraphina, I suppose I really am just a child.” Listening to Isabelle’s taunting words, I only felt ridiculous. So, my favorite cake, the cake that once moved my heart. Was disliked by Isabelle. I looked directly at Isabelle. “I am Mr. Davies’s wife. You should address me properly.” “Mrs. Davies.” Isabelle choked, and Julian flushed with awkwardness. “Come on, let’s go greet everyone.” Midway through the banquet, I had already exchanged pleasantries with most of the people I knew. My chest felt too heavy, so I left the dining area midway, seeking some fresh air in a private seating area on the balcony. But just as I reached the balcony, Isabelle called out to me. “Wait!” I turned to look at her. “Is there something you need? I don’t think we’re close enough for a private chat.” Isabelle chuckled softly. “You don’t look very happy today. I wonder if it’s because of me.” “But whatever the reason, please forgive me, and please don’t take it out on Julian. He’s already working so hard taking care of me and the baby right now.” As Isabelle spoke, she brushed back her hair, and a bracelet on her wrist caught my eye. It was a keepsake Julian’s late mother had left him, something he treasured immensely. Not even I was allowed to touch it. But he had given that bracelet to Isabelle. I withdrew my gaze. “That’s a matter between my husband and me. It has nothing to do with you.” “As long as we’re not divorced, the child in your belly will always be illegitimate. You don’t need to gloat in front of me.” Isabelle, however, paid no mind to my words, stepping closer to me. “Seraphina, you probably don’t know this, do you?” “She hasn’t gotten pregnant in all these years; there have been quite a few rumors circulating in the city.” “They say that she was involved with those kidnappers…” I raised my hand and slapped Isabelle hard. “Shut up!” I put every ounce of my strength into that slap. Isabelle was knocked to the ground by the impact, clutching her stomach and crying out in pain. The guests in the hall began to stir. Julian rushed over to Isabelle and me. He saw Isabelle on the ground but ignored her, pulling me into his arms and checking me over. As if he was terrified I might be hurt. The worry and urgency in his eyes were so real; if it weren’t for everything that had happened recently, I might have believed his concern was genuine. Isabelle clutched her stomach. “Julian, I…” Julian, only concerned with me, pretended not to hear Isabelle’s voice. Isabelle’s face went white instantly, and she stood up with difficulty, aided by a waiter, looking mortified. I laughed coldly to myself. It seemed Isabelle still hadn’t understood that no matter how much Julian doted on her. In our circle, in public, she could never get the upper hand on me. Even for the sake of Davies Corp.’s stock, Julian would always side with me. Julian held my hand, breathing into my palm. “What’s wrong? What happened? Why are you so angry?” I didn’t answer, just stood there. Seeing my silence, he turned to the waiter standing nearby, his voice dangerously low. “Speak! What happened?” “Who was foolish enough to upset my wife, Mrs. Davies?”

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My sister wanted my fiancé. My own family stripped me naked and sold me in a secret auction. By the time Adrian finally came for me, I had already lost my mind. He carried me away without a word. The next day, our family empire crumbled. My parents met a violent end. My sister? She ended up with him—my fiancé. While I was recovering, Adrian became the city’s most feared man—and he never left my side. Just before our wedding, I went to surprise him with my recovery news. But then I heard moans. “Shut up,” he growled. “If Stella hears you, you’re dead.” Then my sister’s moans flooded the room—hot and heavy. I froze. Swallowing my tears, I ripped the curtain open. “Adrian, I found you!” The intimate atmosphere evaporated in an instant. I let my face go stiff at the sight of them tangled together. They sprang apart. Adrian quickly yanked his jacket over a disheveled Chloe. “Why are you hitting that lady?” I asked, tilting my head. “She’s crying.” Chloe scoffed, a sneer twisting her flushed face. “Still a complete idiot.” Adrian scrambled into his clothes. His gaze landed on my blank, innocent expression, and a wave of palpable relief washed over his features. “Stella, don’t worry about her. She’s just a staff member. Hubby will take you to try on pretty dresses now.” I squirmed, pushing myself away from Adrian’s embrace. My reaction was strong. “Let go of me! You smell disgusting! I don’t like it!” Adrian’s face froze for a second. He quickly recovered, kissing my forehead. “Okay, it’s Hubby’s fault.” He gently placed me on a chair, then immediately went to change. He only reappeared after ensuring not a trace of any “bad smell” remained. Mr. Davis brought out dozens of wedding shoes. I shook my head at every single pair. “I don’t like them.” Adrian barely glanced at them, just lifted a finger. “Next.” Just then, Chloe, fully dressed, emerged from the dressing room. “Adrian, I want her to help me try them on!” Adrian’s hand, resting on my waist, tensed. Chloe’s face twisted into a scowl. But when Adrian nodded, her reaction was explosive. “You want me to try on shoes for a fool?” Her shriek made me flinch. Adrian’s expression turned stone cold. He subtly raised a hand, and Mr. Davis moved to forcibly bring Chloe over. “It’s your privilege to assist Stella with her shoes. If you refuse, get out of the city immediately.” Chloe’s face went from pale to ashen. Finally, she begrudgingly knelt, helping me try on the heels. The moment her hand touched my ankle, I kicked her hard, sending her sprawling. I burrowed into Adrian’s arms, crying. “Ouch! Her nails hurt!” Adrian frowned, his gaze flicking to Chloe’s perfectly manicured nails. “Cut your nails.” Chloe’s suppressed fury ignited. She snatched the high heel off the floor and slammed it down. “Adrian, if you want to humiliate me by siding with her, just say it! I wasn’t born to be a doormat!” With that, she ran out, sobbing. “Adrian, is the pretty lady angry?” Adrian patted my back, comforting me. “Don’t mind her.” His voice was ice-cold, yet his eyes tracked Chloe’s retreating figure with an intensity that chilled me. Halfway through the wedding dress fitting, Mr. Davis entered, his face pale, and whispered something into Adrian’s ear. Adrian, unfazed, continued to tap his cigarette, but his expression grew darker and darker. A moment later, he tugged at his tie, unable to sit still any longer. “Stella, something’s come up at the office. I’ll have Mr. Davis take you home for now.” I dropped the wedding dress I was holding, rushing to grab his hand. “Adrian, please don’t go? Today is-” “Stella, be good. Don’t be difficult.” Adrian stroked my head, then hurried away without a backward glance. My unfinished words died in my throat. Mr. Davis picked up the wedding dress and came over. “Madam, let me help you try it on.” I caught his slightly pitying gaze. I lowered my head, my voice barely a whisper. “No need. I don’t like it.” And then, even quieter, “I won’t need to try one on ever again.”

It was almost midnight, and Adrian still wasn’t home. I sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, lost in thought. Outside, a storm raged, and the birthday cake on the table had completely melted. In seven years, this was the first time he’d missed my birthday. Suddenly, a deafening crack of thunder, and the entire mansion plunged into darkness. My mind went utterly blank. “Adrian!” No response. I stumbled to my feet, my back drenched in cold sweat. With visibility so poor, I tripped and fell hard. “Madam! Madam-” The butler heard the commotion and rushed in, holding a candle. I was curled on the floor, clutching my head, trembling with fear. “Don’t touch me!” Just when I thought I was about to lose it, the front door burst open. A familiar scent filled my nostrils. Adrian rushed forward, pulling me tightly into his arms. “Stella, don’t be scared, don’t be scared. I’m here.” He was soaked, dripping wet, but his arms around me were scorching hot and tight. Yet, I had already completely lost control. This was the first time I’d consciously experienced darkness since my recovery. Long-buried memories surged back, overwhelming me. I screamed and cried, my flailing hands leaving red marks on Adrian’s face. “Get lost! Don’t touch me!” My erratic behavior made Adrian realize something was seriously wrong. He rushed me to the hospital. In a haze, I felt like I was drowning, constantly gasping for air. “Mr. King, your wife suffers not only from night blindness but also severe PTSD. She must have experienced immense trauma to be in this state.” The doctor’s words drifted in intermittently. “Also, Miss Chloe’s condition is very serious. If she doesn’t receive a uterine transplant soon, she may never be able to have children.” It turned out Chloe had gotten into a car accident after running out. When she woke up, she had a complete breakdown and tried to commit suicide with a knife. “Adrian, if you blame me for being so ruthless back then, then I’ll make your punishment come true and pay her back!” The room was terrifyingly silent, save for the cold hum of machines. After a long silence, Adrian sat beside me. He gently wiped a tear from my eye, then leaned in and kissed me softly. His voice was choked with a slight sob. “Don’t let her hurt too much.” I desperately tried to open my eyes, but I couldn’t move a muscle, only able to feel myself being wheeled into the operating room. When the cold surgical scalpel pressed against me, I gripped it with all my might. “Ow! Madam, please let go!” The doctor leaned in frantically, practically shouting in my ear. When he heard my whispered words, he gasped sharply. “I understand. I’ll relay your message to Mr. King.” With that, he hurried out of the operating room. But just as he was about to ask Adrian if he wanted to proceed with the surgery, news suddenly arrived that Chloe’s condition had worsened. Adrian’s furious roar cut through the air, clear as day. “One more wasted word, and they’ll suffer another second! Do it!” “But Mr. King, your wife…” “Shut up! What does an idiot need with a womb? Stella will have me in the future! You utter one more goddamn word, and you’re out of this hospital tomorrow!” The doctor returned to the operating room, a bitter expression on his face. The scalpel in my hand loosened its grip. As my abdomen was cut open, a few tears slipped from my eyes. Gasps echoed through the operating room. Assistants covered their mouths in shock. “Oh my god, it’s a nearly formed baby!” … When I finally came to, I was in a hospital bed. Adrian walked in and found me staring blankly at the ceiling, my eyes devoid of emotion. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes. He took my hand, kissing it tenderly.

“Stella, you’ve been asleep for a long time. Everything’s okay now. I’m right here.” I stiffly turned my eyes to him. My belly felt hollow. My heart felt hollow, too. “Adrian.” My voice was so faint, it felt like it would disappear any second. “I hurt so much.” Adrian’s eyes were bloodshot. He casually picked up a fruit knife from the table and sliced his own palm. “Don’t be scared, Stella. Adrian will hurt with you.” Blood dripped onto the floor. My memories swam for a moment. Throughout those years I was lost in my haze, Adrian had stayed by my side, never leaving, his devotion bordering on obsession. Countless doctors had told him I was beyond help, that recovery was impossible. Everyone urged him to give up. He just looked at me, barefoot in the yard. He smiled, took off his shoes, and walked with me on the pebbles, until the ground was stained with blood. “If she can’t get better, then I, Adrian King, don’t mind being a self-deceiving fool for the rest of my life.” While I was lost in thought, Adrian stroked my face. “Stella, how about that pretty lady moves into our home to take care of you from now on?” I was incredulous, but still instinctively shook my head. “I hate her!” Adrian, however, didn’t catch the emotion in my words. “Stella’s the best. Don’t be difficult. That lady is like this because of you; we should repay her doubly.” He made the decision, leaving no room for argument. After I was discharged, Chloe moved into the King mansion, ostensibly to care for me. Adrian had her move into the top-floor attic. When Chloe complained, he merely glanced at her, his tone flat. “Stella likes quiet. If you have a problem with that, you can get out of the King residence.” After returning from the hospital, I had nightmares every night. Waking up again, the spot beside me in bed was already cold. I quietly made my way up to the attic. Suppressed, desperate gasps echoed from behind the door. Chloe’s voice was thick with tears and indignation. “You make me move in, then humiliate me like this? Adrian, does it thrill you to see me cry?” “After all this, you’re just too scared to admit you’re in love with me, aren’t you?” Adrian’s shadowed profile was hidden in the crack of the door. He didn’t speak, but his movements turned savage. His ring-adorned hand traced Chloe’s scarred abdomen, eliciting a shiver. “You? You’re not even worthy.” I don’t remember how I got back to my room. It wasn’t until my phone screen lit up that I snapped back to reality. “Ms. Sterling, we’ve located your family through the genetic database.” I tugged at my lips. My long-numb face finally managed a smile, even as tears streamed down. The next day, a loud commotion woke me. “Who puts baby’s breath in a garden? It’s so lame. Dig them all up and replace them with my favorite roses!” “But Miss Chloe, Mr. King personally planted all of these for Stella…” Chloe’s face contorted into a snarl. She slapped the gardener hard. “Are you blind? Can’t you see who the future lady of this house is?” The gardener, not daring to delay, immediately brought in the roses. Chloe caught sight of me coming downstairs, and disdainfully blew on her nails. I calmly watched her. She frowned, her gaze locking onto my eyes. Suddenly, as if realizing something, her face contorted in shock. “You…” Before she could utter another word, Adrian strode over, picked me up, and gently placed me on a soft blanket. “Silly Stella, why aren’t you wearing shoes again?” He turned his head, his eyes flashing a warning. Then, without a hint of mercy, he stomped on the roses at his feet, crushing them. “The King residence doesn’t need any flowers other than baby’s breath.” The gardener, looking pale, immediately agreed and rushed to dispose of the roses. Chloe bit her lip, her eyes red-rimmed. After nightfall, a large fire suddenly erupted in the garden. Chloe stood in the center of the flowerbed, her face streaked with tears. “I like roses! If you force me to like these wild weeds, I’d rather die!” “Adrian, don’t go! It’s dangerous!” I instinctively grabbed Adrian. But he roughly threw me to the ground and plunged into the blazing inferno. His eyes bloodshot, he scooped up Chloe, completely ignoring the burns on his own forearm. “Crazy woman!” Chloe looked up and kissed him, biting his lips until they bled. “I am crazy! If you don’t like it, just leave me alone!” The servants’ sympathetic glances all turned to me. Watching them kiss so brazenly in the flames, I calmly got to my feet, wiping the blood from my forehead where I’d hit it. Like an idiot, I turned and walked away.

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The day I came back from my business trip, I found out my husband was engaged—to a woman I’d never seen before. I rushed to the wedding venue, but the security guard stopped me. “I’m Liam Sterling’s wife!” I snapped. He snorted. “You’re the 108th woman today claiming that.” He pointed toward the stage. “See her? That is Mr. Sterling’s real wife, Ms. Aubrey.” I looked in the direction he pointed— And froze. My husband, Liam, was standing on stage with his hand resting on a pregnant stranger’s belly. My entire world stopped. If she is Aubrey Sterling… then who the hell am I? “Get Liam out here now! How dare a man who owes everything to my family commit bigamy?” My face was thunderous. I moved to push past the guards, but my own private security team closed ranks against me. “Get out of my way, or you’re all fired.” They didn’t move. So I held up my executive access card. The ultimate symbol of authority in the Sterling Group. There were only two in the world. Mine and Liam’s. But if Liam and I were in conflict, his status alone wouldn’t be enough to control my security team. The lead guard’s eyes narrowed. He was about to speak when a familiar voice from behind interrupted him. “What’s all this commotion?” Seeing Dylan approach, I urgently cried out, “Dylan, quickly, tell them who I am! I’m Aubrey, your sister-in-law!” He was Liam’s youngest brother. I was the one who pulled strings to get him into Silverwood City University’s Business School. Just as I thought he’d confirm my identity, he pulled out another executive access card from his pocket. “You despicable woman, forging an access card?” “How can there be two Aubrey Sterlings in this world? My real sister-in-law is inside exchanging rings with my brother. You fake, you’ve got some nerve.” I felt like I’d been struck by lightning, staring at him in disbelief. The woman inside was completely different from me. How could Dylan not recognize me? “What are you two arguing about? Dylan, look closely! I’m your sister-in-law!” Dylan impatiently waved his hand. “Drag this troublemaker out of here. Don’t let her spoil my brother’s engagement.” “Who dares touch me?” I pulled out my ID, holding it up for everyone to see. “I am Aubrey Sterling. This ID can be verified by any department in Silverwood City. If you touch me again, I’ll make sure your entire family is kicked out of city by tomorrow!” I was laughing with rage. I never imagined I’d have to prove my identity with an ID. I was going to find out exactly what Liam was up to today! Just as I thought showing my ID would convince them I was Aubrey Sterling, Dylan snatched it away and shredded it into pieces. “Do you really take us for fools? If a keycard can be forged, what’s an ID card?” The security team burst into laughter. They stepped forward and restrained me, pinning me to the ground. It was then I realized the entire security team was made up of unfamiliar faces. Liam had replaced all the security personnel behind my back… A chill spread through me. I struggled, but the physical disparity between men and women meant I couldn’t resist. Just as I was about to be dragged out of the banquet hall, a voice rang out. “What are you doing?!”

“Celeste, this woman’s completely insane, trying to impersonate you!” Dylan immediately scurried over, playing the victim. The newcomer was the very woman about to marry my husband, Liam. My gaze was fixed on her, unable to move. The moon-white silk gown she wore was a limited edition piece Liam had given me for my birthday last year. The pigeon-blood ruby necklace around her neck was our wedding anniversary gift. And on her left ring finger, she was clearly wearing my wedding ring! A wave of icy coldness shot from my feet to the top of my head. “Get Liam out here. He’s a man who…” Before I could finish my sentence, Dylan slapped me across the face. “What nonsense are you spouting? My brother is legitimately marrying Ms. Sterling! There’s no ‘man who married into her family’!” I distinctly saw a flicker of panic on the face of the woman impersonating me. But she quickly regained her composure and spoke, “Yes, Liam and I truly love each other. Even if he were poor and destitute, I would still marry him!” “After this, I’ll also represent The Sterling Group and hand over fifteen percent of the company’s shares to him. As for me, I’ll happily stay home and start a family.” I looked at her in disbelief. Liam and I had clearly agreed not to have children for five years. We even signed an agreement stating that all profits from my company after marriage would be exclusively mine, not part of our marital assets. His only role was to manage our household and be there for me. How could everything have changed? “Get Liam out here.” My voice grew colder. How could Liam betray me, even find someone to impersonate me? Was he tired of living? Even Dylan had been fooled. Why was this happening? The woman impersonating me curled her lips into a mocking smile: “Liam is inside entertaining important guests. He doesn’t have time to bother with a lunatic like you.” “Dylan, get rid of her. Don’t let her ruin this special day.” A sinister glint flashed in Dylan’s eyes. He crouched down, reaching out to touch my face. “Oh, Celeste, you really said it? I’ve been wanting to get my hands on her for ages…” Before he could finish, I snatched his outstretched wrist, using all my strength to slam him onto the ground. Then I quickly pulled out my small self-defense knife and pressed it against the impostor’s throat. “Tell me, who are you? Get Liam out here!” My shouts drew the attention of the wedding guests. Spotting a few familiar faces, I immediately called out, “Mr. Davis, Ms. Miller! We just signed a partnership last month! You tell them, am I Aubrey Sterling or not?” I desperately wanted to prove myself, even freeing one hand to pull up the contract on my phone. But they looked at me, then at the printed words and contract photos, with blank expressions. I froze. Why didn’t they recognize me? I struggled, trying to pull up a video of my company’s press conference, but a sudden sharp pain shot through my lower back. It was a taser. I was zapped unconscious. Before my awareness completely faded, I saw the man resembling Liam pull the impostor into his arms. He called her his wife affectionately, asking if she was hurt. Why was this happening? Despair surged through my heart. When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital. No one was around, and the door to my room wasn’t locked. I struggled to my feet and ran out. I had to find out the truth! Just outside the room, I saw Liam’s parents. I rushed forward excitedly. If others wouldn’t recognize me, my mother and father-in-law certainly would. When we got married, they adored me, treating me like their own daughter. I was afraid of the dark, and Eleanor would leave a light on and stay with me until I fell asleep. I loved sweets, and Richard would immediately make me sugary cakes. They would definitely be able to confirm my identity. But just as I was about to approach, the impostor walked towards them, holding a pregnancy test report.

I rushed forward, my voice filled with urgency. “Dad! Mom! Look at me! It’s Aubrey! How can you not recognize me?” Eleanor and Richard’s faces initially showed a flicker of undeniable shock. But that expression vanished in an instant, replaced by intense disgust. “Lunatic! You crazy woman!” Eleanor slapped me across the face, snarling, “Aubrey is perfectly fine inside! You imposter, how dare you cause trouble here!” Richard frowned, his tone icy. “We don’t know you! Get lost! Don’t come here acting crazy!” I clutched my burning cheek, stumbling back a step, staring at them in disbelief. Eleanor and Richard were both present when Liam and I signed our prenuptial agreement. How could they not remember me? Were they trying to break the agreement? “Mom and Dad, Liam married into our family, giving up all inheritance rights. You both witnessed him sign those papers. Are you trying to break the agreement now?” “Why won’t you recognize me? Can you afford the massive penalty for breach of contract?” Eleanor’s face flushed with anger. She stepped forward, grabbing my hair, hitting and cursing at me. “What ‘married into the family’? What nonsense are you talking about! What man would ‘marry into’ another family like that? You’re disgracing our family name!” Richard also kicked me to the ground. “I think you’re just a lunatic, trying to push your feminist agenda everywhere! What agreement? You just don’t respect men! Get out! Get far away from here!” I lay on the cold floor, my heart filled with resentment. Just as I was about to pull out the agreement Liam and I had signed, a foot stomped on my hand. The impostor held up the prenatal report, looking at me triumphantly. “I kindly brought you to the hospital, and you’re still so ungrateful. To try and seduce my husband, impersonate me, and now harass my in-laws? How shameless can you be?” “I know you might be desperate to marry Liam, that’s why you’d do something like this, but you can’t just keep chasing us!” Her words immediately drew whispers and comments from the surrounding people. “Turns out she’s a mistress trying to climb the social ladder, pretending to be crazy.” “How pathetic, she’s obsessed with a man.” “Seriously, the real wife is pregnant, and she’s still causing trouble. So malicious.” I looked around. Everyone was staring at me as if I were insane. A wave of immense grievance and fury washed over me, almost suffocating me. Why wouldn’t anyone acknowledge that I was Aubrey Sterling? “What’s all this commotion?” A familiar voice. Liam had arrived. I looked at the face I had lived with for three years, then fiercely slapped him across the face. “Liam, have you forgotten? When you came to propose, you said you were willing to move into the Sterling family and obey me your entire life?” “What exactly are you doing now?”

As I cursed, I started to cry. We had been together for ten years, and married for three. His agreement to move in and depend on my family’s wealth was his own free will. But back then, for his dignity, I hadn’t made his status public. I never imagined it would turn out like this. “Liam, look closely. I’m Aubrey Sterling.” “I’m the one who got our marriage certificate with you three years ago. I’m the one who helped you through your company’s crisis last year. And I’m the one who stayed by your mother’s hospital bed all night when she was ill!” “Now tell me, who is she?” Liam didn’t look at me. He just lowered his head, gently stroking the woman in his arms’ hair, his voice so tender it could melt. “Aubrey, don’t be scared. I’m here. No one will hurt you.” After settling the impostor, he finally looked me in the eye. “Ms. Sterling, I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else.” “My wife, Aubrey Sterling, has always been and only ever will be the woman standing before you. As for your talk of ‘moving in’ or ‘agreements,’ those are just the ramblings of a madwoman.” I stood frozen, tears finally streaming down my face. “I have a birthmark on my left chest. You found it when you were helping me apply ointment.” “I’m afraid of thunderstorms. Every time it rains, you’d hold me and tell jokes. And that osmanthus tree we planted at the old estate-when it bloomed for the first time last year, you said you’d save its flowers to make osmanthus wine for me. Are these also ‘ramblings’?” These details, only he and I knew. I thought that by revealing these, he would at least show a flicker of doubt. But the coldness on his face didn’t soften in the slightest. Instead, he raised a hand, summoning security. “Please escort this troublesome lady out. Don’t let her disturb my wife’s rest again.” “Liam!” I rushed forward, trying to grab his arm, but the security guards held me back firmly. In that moment, I finally understood. He hadn’t forgotten; he had been deceiving me all along. From pretending to be compliant and moving in, to using the resources I provided to establish himself step by step. Behind my back, he’d done it all. Replaced my security. Planted an imposter. Even turned my own in-laws and Dylan against me. Three years of love. Three years of a meticulously planned scam. Despair closed my throat. I shut my eyes as the guards moved to drag me away. “I’d like to see who dares touch her!” A voice, sharp with command, cut through the chaos. And then I saw him: a man with Liam’s face.

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My class welcomed a new student for German tutoring. Chatting with him, he casually mentioned his mom was Scarlett, a huge star, beautiful and rich. What a coincidence. My wife of seven years was also named Scarlett, and she was a big star too. I immediately contacted Scarlett and asked for a divorce. But I forgot, from the very beginning, we were never legally married. Turns out, I was the other man, the one who unknowingly intruded on someone else’s relationship. “My mom’s Scarlett, the big celebrity. She’s loaded and gorgeous.” “Mr. Alex, you better teach me well, and your pay won’t be bad either.” Seven-year-old Leo, standing in front of me, declared with a smug grin. *Clang!* The phone I was using to text Scarlett slipped from my hand, hitting the floor. My wife’s name was also Scarlett, and she was also a big celebrity. We had been “married” for seven years. Just moments ago, I was texting her, asking if she’d be home tonight. My chest tightened with a suffocating dread, but I forced myself to calm down. *No way*, I told myself. *It has to be a coincidence.* “Leo, can you show me a picture of you and your mom?” Leo beamed with pride. “Of course! I grew up overseas, and my mom took tons of pictures with me.” He pulled out his phone, scrolling through photos to show me. “This is my mom and me riding horses.” In the picture, Scarlett smiled sweetly, holding Leo at a stables. Scrolling further, there were not only photos of just the two of them but also pictures of a family of three. The photos were taken in a luxurious villa, a young man in a suit holding Leo’s hand with one hand and Scarlett’s with the other. “This is my dad. He’s super impressive too! He’s Victor, the CEO of the Sterling Group.” Leo kept chattering on. Every single word was a blade slicing into my heart. I couldn’t take it anymore. I snapped his phone shut, my chest seizing with a wrenching pain. “Leo… Teacher’s not feeling well. I’m going home.” I fought back my emotions, walking out. Just then, I ran into a well-dressed man. I recognized him instantly. He was the man in the pictures. Leo’s father—Victor. “Hello, Mr. Alex. It’s Leo’s first day for German tutoring today. How’s he doing?” Victor adjusted his sleek designer frames. Suddenly, his phone rang with a FaceTime call. The caller ID flashed “Wifey.” He answered, and Scarlett’s beautiful face appeared on the screen. “Honey, you and Leo just got back. I cleared my schedule tonight. Let’s go to that French place.” My blood ran cold. Scarlett and I had been together for seven years. But now, she was calling someone else “Honey.” And most importantly, they had a seven-year-old son. That meant she was already pregnant with Victor’s child when we got “married.”

I felt like my emotions were about to snap. Right then, all I wanted was to find Scarlett and get to the bottom of everything. I told Victor I had an urgent matter and left the tutoring center. On the way home, I kept calling Scarlett. She didn’t pick up any of my calls. Instead, she just texted me back: 【Honey, I have to work late on set tonight. I won’t be home.】 My heart shattered into a million pieces. If I hadn’t just seen Victor on a FaceTime call with her, I might have bought that excuse. Looking back on our years together, it wasn’t the first time she used that line to avoid coming home. Every time, I never doubted her. 【You *have* to come home tonight. There’s something I need to tell you.】 After I sent that message, she never replied. I had no choice but to call Chloe, her assistant. Since Scarlett was a celebrity, our “marriage” had been a secret. So, besides Chloe and a few close friends, hardly anyone knew we were a couple. “Do you know where Scarlett is?” I tried to keep my voice sounding normal. Chloe stammered a bit on the other end. “Alex, Scarlett’s got work today. Is there something you need?” “No, nothing. I just wanted to know where she was, so I wouldn’t worry.” “She texted me earlier, said she was going to dinner before work, right?” I knew if I didn’t frame it like this, Chloe wouldn’t tell me her location. Chloe quickly said, “Oh, right, right. Scarlett’s heading to The Grand Bistro for dinner now, then she’ll be off to work.”

I drove to The Grand Bistro. As soon as I arrived, I saw Victor, holding Leo’s hand, with his arm wrapped around Scarlett. A picture-perfect family of three. It was hard not to envy them. But the sight felt like a knife twisting in my eyes. All these years with Scarlett, even though her work often kept her away, our relationship felt strong. So, I never doubted a single word she said. She said she was busy, and I believed her. She often went on business trips to London, claiming she had many collaborations there, and I believed that too. But now I knew: she was actually hiding from me, giving birth to Leo! And I, like a fool, thought she was genuinely working. My chest tightened, a suffocating pain gripping me. I managed to pull out my phone, snapped a photo of their family, and sent it to Scarlett. Twenty minutes later, Scarlett called me back. “Alex, please, let me explain! It’s just a scene we’re filming!” Her voice was laced with panic. She sounded terrified that I would be angry. If Leo hadn’t transferred to my class today, I would never have suspected her. She was such a master manipulator; she had me completely fooled into thinking she loved me. “Scarlett, I saw everything.” My voice was hoarse. “No, really, it’s just a scene. We’re filming a family dinner scene today.” It was utterly laughable. Even now, with everything laid bare, she was still lying to me. “Leo showed me your family pictures. And photos of just you and him.” “He said you’re his mom, and Victor’s his dad.” The words tore at me, my voice trembling. “Scarlett, let’s get a divorce.” As I said it, I suddenly remembered we were never legally married. She had claimed that as a rising star, she had to maintain a single image. She said her agency would drop her if they found out. I believed her. But now I knew why she didn’t want to legally marry me. Because she was already legally married to Victor. And I was the other man, the home-wrecker. I didn’t even have the right to ask you for a divorce. “My bad, I forgot. You never legally married me.” My voice caught in my throat. “I don’t have the right to ask you for a divorce.” The sting of betrayal from the one you love most… it was a brutal taste.

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