Category: English

I was watching a show on my husband’s laptop in his office when an AI assistant notification suddenly popped up. “Hey there, handsome boss! Stop working so hard, you need your rest. We’ve got a big night ahead, you know?” I stared at the cutesy font and the screen full of pink hearts, utterly stunned. Clutching the screenshot, I stormed up to him while he was meeting a client. “Are you seeing someone else?” He paused, then chuckled, pinching my cheek. “Silly. That’s just an AI virtual girlfriend our company developed. I’m just personally testing it.” I calmly nodded, then turned and asked someone to investigate. After getting the IP address behind this virtual girlfriend, I immediately posted it in the company SnapChat group. “Come clean now, and I might just spare you some public humiliation.” Taking my money, treating me like a fool – you should be prepared for your life to be utterly destroyed! The bustling company SnapChat group instantly fell silent. Five minutes later, Alex burst through the door, his forehead beaded with sweat, breath ragged, a desperate look on his face. “Tori, it’s really just program testing, you have to believe me!” Several core senior employees followed him in, all rushing to explain. “Ms. Sterling, it’s just a beta version. There’s absolutely no real person operating it.” “The dialogue content is pre-scripted. It doesn’t mean what you think it means.” Mr. Henderson, the Technical Director, pulled out the meeting minutes and handed them to me. “These dialogue templates were designed by the team together. The goal is to boost user engagement and loyalty.” “Mr.Thorne was personally testing it for our team’s project. If you misunderstand him, we’ll all feel terrible.” Their words were earnest, all of them defending Alex. Alex took my hand, his eyes full of sincerity. “Tori, I’m so sorry I upset you. If you don’t like me using this, I’ll never touch it again.” He knew his sincerity always swayed me. Back when he was dirt poor, I saw something in his character and wholeheartedly backed his startup. To achieve success, he worked overtime for half a month straight, not coming home at night. I never doubted him, instead keeping our home perfectly organized, waiting for his return. When he needed funding, I secured investment from my father, agreeing that he’d have full control over the profits for the first five years. In the end, when the business didn’t take off, I didn’t blame him. Instead, I used his “rich experience” as a reason to recommend him for a position at the corporation my father founded. The day he became CEO, at his celebration banquet, he proposed to me a second time. He told me his love for me would always be as pure and passionate as when we first fell in love, and he would only ever love me. Every wedding anniversary after that, he would propose to me again. To prove he stayed true to his original vows. His loyalty to me, by all accounts, should have been unwavering. I wearily pinched the bridge of my nose, waving them off. “I understand. I won’t pursue this any further.” They left the office, relieved. Alex also visibly relaxed and started to walk over to embrace me. I pushed him away. I had already seen Alex’s chat logs with the AI assistant. It messaged him every few dozen minutes. While most of the content was weather alerts or schedule reminders, the language was always ambiguous, even suggestive. There were also custom, faceless emojis, and it was clear they were all from the same person. Even with all my trust in him, I couldn’t help but feel suspicious. I had to get to the bottom of this. I still had contacts among the corporation’s technical staff. I excused myself to the restroom and sent the IP address to them. The response came quickly. The user was inside our corporation building. Cross-referencing with HR records, I found her name. Chloe Miller. A new intern in Operations Department Two. My heart suddenly clenched. They kept insisting there was no real person behind it, didn’t they? Now I even had her name and profile. I took the elevator straight downstairs, spotting her the moment I stepped out. Everyone else was engrossed in their work, but her screen was streaming a reality show full-screen. Her desk was cluttered with expensive hand creams and snacks, and a personal humidifier just for her. I walked into the office. She saw me from the corner of her eye, seemingly sensing my presence, and quickly reached out and flipped over a framed photo of them together on her desk.

She slowly paused the show only when I was right beside her desk. My hands clenched discreetly. I wondered if Alex had given her such immense privileges. “Excuse me, but are you watching a show during work hours? Is all your work done?” Chloe Miller glanced at me dismissively. “I’m tired from working, so what if I take a break? Are you here to pick up recycling? Breakroom’s just around the corner.” The employees nearby looked like they didn’t want to get involved, but one still quietly reminded her, “This is Ms. Sterling, the daughter of our corporation’s founder, and Mr. Thorne’s wife.” Chloe Miller looked at me with an innocent expression. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I always imagined the President’s wife would be incredibly elegant and beautiful, so I didn’t recognize you. My apologies.” A surge of anger shot through me. Just as I was about to reprimand her, Chloe Miller glanced elsewhere, and her eyes instantly welled up. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Sterling.I’ll go back to work right away.” “What’s going on?” Alex’s stern voice cut in from behind me. Several employees immediately crowded around, all talking over each other. “Ms. Sterling accused Chloe of not working hard, and the poor intern was crying because of Ms. Sterling.” “Chloe’s work is excellent; her team lead specifically allowed her a break. Ms. Sterling is being too strict.” I was surprised. Just moments ago, these people had been silent, fearful of getting caught in an argument between me and Chloe Miller. But the moment Alex appeared, they suddenly knew which way the wind blew and started defending Chloe Miller relentlessly. “Enough.” Alex pointed at Chloe Miller. “You, come to my office tomorrow to report on your work. I’ll personally review your workload.” Chloe Miller lowered her head and agreed, but a subtle smirk played on her lips. My heart suddenly twisted in pain, a sour, churning feeling in my chest. Was he trying to warn her, or was he just creating an excuse to be alone with her at the office? I composed myself, raising my voice. “I’m not here to supervise. I’m here to announce that the corporation will be upgrading equipment. Starting with your department, all computers will be replaced.” At this news, the employees brightened with surprise. Only Chloe Miller pouted, clearly displeased. “Why so sudden? I’m used to my computer. Can’t I keep it?” “No.” Alex directly rejected her protest, then turned to me with a soft smile. “My wife represents me. All of you will follow her plan!” Chloe Miller looked at him in disbelief, her face flushed red, stifling her annoyance. I couldn’t stand her theatrics anymore. I said a quick goodbye to Alex and went home. Not long after, Alex came home early, looking a bit disheveled as if he’d rushed. He had my favorite cake in his left hand and the bag I’d eyed a few days ago in his right, an apologetic look on his face. “Tori, I’m so sorry. The AI virtual girlfriend testing has been handed over to someone else. I absolutely won’t touch anything that makes you feel neglected ever again.” I took his gifts, calmly saying, “For work, I understand.” He sighed, pulling me into a hug, his voice full of tenderness. “I know I’ve neglected you, I’m sorry. My phone password is your birthday. If you’re worried, you can check it anytime.” I nodded, saying nothing more. That evening, while Alex was showering, I unlocked his phone. It was clean, no suspicious activity at all. Suddenly, a text message popped up. “Your hot drink delivery for a female recipient has arrived.”

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My mom nearly didn’t make it when I was born, which is why I remained my dad’s only child. So, eighteen years ago, he adopted a poor young boy, raising him as his heir. He wanted someone truly trustworthy by my side in the future, someone who could help safeguard the family business and look out for me. But then, at the peak of his career, my dad suddenly died. I couldn’t handle the shock. I fell terribly ill and spent a whole year recovering abroad. When I returned, I found that the owner of the auction house was now Victor Sterling. All of my dad’s treasured collections had been sold off by him, at rock-bottom prices, to overseas dealers. What he didn’t know, though, was this: My dad adopted more than just him. Victor Sterling twirled a pen between his fingers, his gaze cold and distant, devoid of the tenderness I remembered. “Who said you could come in?” He spoke, the coldness in his voice piercing my eardrums. I took two steps forward, glaring at him. “Victor, this is my dad’s auction house.” He scoffed, leaning back in his chair. Chloe, her bright crimson nails gleaming, lifted her head from his embrace and playfully tugged at his tie. “Cassidy, get it through your thick skull. This auction house is Victor’s now.” She leaned closer to Victor’s ear, purposely raising her voice. “Some people just don’t know when to quit, do they? Couldn’t hold onto what was theirs, and now they’re crawling back, shamelessly begging.” Victor didn’t push her away. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist, his eyes turning even colder as he looked at me. Seeing them like this, I felt like a vice was squeezing my heart. “Victor, have you forgotten what you promised my dad on his deathbed?” “You said you’d protect the Preston legacy, that you’d treat it like your own business!” “Have you forgotten who entrusted you with all the Preston collections? Who believed in you and made you the head of the auction house?” Victor idly twirled a strand of Chloe’s hair around his finger, not even bothering to lift his gaze. “Cassidy, your sentimental games? I’m so over them.” “Those collections, those promises, they were just your dad’s wishful thinking,” Chloe added, her voice dripping with mockery. “Did you really think Victor would hold onto that ‘sentiment’?” I searched Victor’s eyes, hoping to find a hint of the man I once knew. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. “It was a setup from the start, wasn’t it?” “You got close to me, close to the Preston family, all for this auction house, for our collections?” My voice trembled, but I forced the words out. Victor finally looked up at me, his lips twisted into a cruel smirk. He didn’t answer directly. He reached out and pinched Chloe’s cheek. “See? She’s only just figured it out. Isn’t that a little stupid?” Chloe shook with laughter, a sickening, theatrical sound. I started coughing, the taste of blood rising in my throat. Every word I spoke dripped with hatred. “You owe the Prestons, you owe my dad, and I swear, I’ll make you pay back every single cent, twice over!” But Victor just chuckled as if I’d told a joke. He stood up and walked toward me. He loomed over me, his eyes full of disdain. “Pay back double? Cassidy, you have nothing left. What are you going to fight me with?” “This auction house? I call the shots now.” He then reached out and brushed his knuckles against my cheek, a gesture so dismissive and insulting it made my skin crawl. “I advise you, be smart and leave Starhaven City. Find some quiet place to live your life.” “Otherwise.” “If I can take your dad’s auction house, I can make sure you have no place to stand in Starhaven City at all!” The pain in my chest intensified, yet I started to laugh. “Victor, do you really think you can take all of this?”

The words barely left my mouth when my wrist was suddenly seized. The next second, Victor’s hand clamped down hard on my jaw. The sharp pain in my bones made me wince. “Cassidy, I’ll say it again.” His eyes were menacing, his grip tightening relentlessly. “This auction house is mine now!” “If you dare make another scene here, I won’t hesitate to have you dragged out.” People around us started to gather, their whispers like needles pricking my ears. “Is that Professor Preston’s daughter? I heard she squandered all the family collections.” “She sure did. Now she’s making a fuss here, acting like a total lunatic.” “Mr. Sterling was kind enough to take over the auction house and clean up her mess. And she’s so ungrateful.” I wrenched my hand free from Victor’s grip. “Squandered the collections? Victor, do you dare deny that you sold my dad’s priceless antique books and paintings to overseas dealers?” Those ancient texts were my dad’s life’s work! Victor scoffed, stepping back and pulling Chloe closer by the shoulder. “Easy there, Cassidy. You can’t just throw accusations around.” “You were the one desperate for cash, secretly selling off the collections. Your dad was so furious, it triggered his illness.” “Now, all of Starhaven City knows that Cassidy Preston is an unfilial daughter.” His tone was calm, but every word he uttered was a dagger straight to my heart. At the same time, Chloe pulled a blue-bound notebook from her bag and waved it in front of me. It was my dad’s Personal Appraisal Log, the culmination of thirty years of his painstaking work! “Your dad treated this log like gold. He never let anyone outside the family even glance at it.” “And what did it get him? He raised an ungrateful daughter like you, who couldn’t even protect the family fortune.” “Give it back!” My eyes blazing, I struggled to snatch it. But Victor suddenly stepped forward and kicked me hard in the knee. My balance instantly gave out, and I fell heavily to the floor. My back slammed into a nearby display stand, making a jarring crash. Bang! A delicate antique vase on the stand wobbled, then crashed straight to the ground. Shards flew everywhere, and a sharp piece of porcelain sliced my arm. Blood instantly welled up. Ignoring the pain, I tried to push myself up. But Victor crouched down, pulled a document from his suit pocket, and tossed it in front of me. “This is the collection custody agreement you signed and fingerprinted.” The signature and fingerprint on it were undeniably mine. But I had never signed anything like this! “This is fake!” I crumpled the paper in my hand, my voice filled with despair. Victor raised an eyebrow, looking at the people around us. “Everyone, take a look. Aren’t these Ms. Preston’s signature and fingerprint?” “Looks like it, I’ve seen Ms. Preston’s signature before.” “Maybe she willingly gave them up and now wants to back out?” “How can Professor Preston’s daughter be so shameless?” Accusations rose in a chorus, like a net, trapping me tightly. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. The bitter taste of being utterly speechless, with no way to defend myself, stung more than the cut on my arm. “Cassidy, what do you have to say for yourself now?”

“Do you have any conscience at all?” “My dad treated you like his own son, raised you as his heir. Is this how you repay him?” Back then, my dad saw he was alone and not only put him through school but also personally taught him how to appraise collections. He even entrusted him with the core operations of the auction house without reservation. Victor scoffed, tugging at his tie. “His own son? Cassidy, don’t you forget.” “When you secretly sold off collections to pay debts, who helped you keep it from your dad?” “And that time you were cornered in an alley by creditors, who got you out of there?” “It was me!” He emphasized the words, as if taking credit. “But you? You turned around and forgot all my kindness, and now you’re here slandering me!” These twisted lies made my blood run cold, then boiled with fury. Then, I abruptly pushed past the bodyguard next to me and lunged at Chloe. “Give me back my dad’s things!” But Chloe seemed prepared. As I charged, she suddenly recoiled, raising her hand high. Rip. The crisp tearing sound was like a knife plunging straight into my heart. The blue-bound log was torn clean in two. Paper scraps fluttered to the ground, my dad’s thirty years of painstaking work, destroyed just like that. Immediately after, Chloe’s legs gave out, and she clutched her stomach, collapsing to the floor. “Ah! Victor, my stomach hurts…” Victor, quick as a flash, caught her. His eyes, when they turned to me, were instantly filled with murderous rage. “Cassidy! You dare push her?” “I’m telling you, from today onward, I’ll make sure you can’t even get a meal in Starhaven City!” I stared at the shredded fragments of the log on the ground, my mind blank. The surrounding clamor faded, leaving only the sound of my own heavy breathing. My dad’s image, bent over his desk, writing in that log, still flashed vividly before my eyes. He used to say, every word in this log was the root of our Preston family. But now, the root was gone. A wave of pure rage surged from deep within me. I bent down, snatched a ceramic shard from the floor, and lunged toward Chloe. “I’ll kill you!” But after just two steps, security guards rushed up from behind, pinning my arms tightly. I struggled desperately, the ceramic shard in my hand digging deeper into my palm. Its sharp edges bit into my flesh. Blood streamed from between my fingers, dripping onto the floor, blooming into blinding crimson flowers. Victor set Chloe down and slowly walked toward me. His dress shoes crunched on the blood droplets I’d shed, making a sickening, sticky sound. “Do you really think those collections can be recovered?” He leaned down, whispering into my ear, his voice laced with venomous amusement. “I’ve already turned them into luxury cars and mansions, bought jewelry for Chloe.” “Your dad’s life’s work? Now it’s just capital for me to spoil Chloe.” I trembled with rage. “Victor, you ungrateful snake! You beast!” “My dad never should have saved you, never should have pulled you out of that gutter!” “You’ll get your comeuppance! You will!”

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In my past life, my twin sister, Lily, saved a mob boss’ life. In return, he became obsessed with claiming her. Terrified of his violent world, she pushed me, her twin sister, into her place. My biased parents also forced me to comply. “Have you forgotten that your sister donated her bone marrow to save you when you were sick? What’s the big deal about stepping in for her now? You owe her this!” “You can’t be so selfish, thinking everyone should revolve around you. You need to give back!” It was true Lily had given me her bone marrow, and for years, I’d been repaying her, an endless cycle. I was sick and tired of that life. Looking at their cold faces, I nodded. Later, the mob boss went straight for me, establishing a legitimate business empire. I became the glamorous wife of a billionaire. Meanwhile, Lily was scammed out of money and herself by some street punks. In a fit of rage, she plunged a knife into my chest. “You stole the life that should have been mine! If you die, I can take your place and have a good life!” I didn’t struggle. Because what she didn’t know was that the mob boss had a serious obsession, twisted and insane. As for me, I had been tortured to the point where I no longer wanted to live. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day before the mob boss was supposed to pick up his bride.

“My poor darling girl, Mom doesn’t want you to be taken by someone like that, but he’s from the underworld, and he’s foreign. He kills people without batting an eye. What are we going to do?” “Lily, if only you hadn’t saved him, it’s your good heart that caused all this trouble. Your life is ruined.” Hearing Mom and Dad’s worried voices, I realized I had been reborn. In my past life, at this very moment, Lily was sobbing dramatically, her eyes intentionally glancing at me. “Why is my fate so cruel? Is being kind my fault? I wouldn’t ignore even a stray animal on the street, and I donated my bone marrow to my sister without a second thought when she was sick. Why do good deeds go unrewarded?” At her ‘reminder,’ Mom and Dad finally noticed me zoning out on the couch. Their eyes immediately lit up. Dad was the first to suggest, “Rose, you and Lily are twins. I sometimes get you confused. Do you think that boss might not be able to tell the difference? After all, he’s only met you once.” Mom understood his meaning. “Are you saying… we should let Rose marry him in Lily’s place?” I immediately refused. “No way!” I had just gotten into my dream university and had my life all planned out. I didn’t want it derailed by one of Lily’s schemes. Lily’s crying suddenly intensified. “Mom, Dad, that’s not fair to Rose. Just blame my bad luck!” Mom frowned. “And that’s fair to you?” Then, she glared at me fiercely. “Have you forgotten that your sister donated her bone marrow to save you when you were sick? What’s the big deal about stepping in for her now? You owe her this!” Dad chimed in, “You can’t be so selfish, thinking everyone should revolve around you. You need to give back!” I was speechless. Yes, Lily donating her bone marrow to me was a fact. But all these years, I’d been repaying her, and it felt like it would never end. Anything I owned, if Lily wanted it, she would simply take it. This included, but wasn’t limited to, a limited-edition doll, a dress, and even a boy I had a crush on when I was first discovering love. Whenever I expressed dissatisfaction, she would use the bone marrow incident against me. My parents would side with her, constantly accusing me of being insensible, only knowing how to take and never give back. For years, I’d been suffocated by their expectations. Finally, even my entire life was being thrown away. I knew Mom and Dad’s favoritism stemmed from Lily’s lively and outgoing personality, while I was quiet, withdrawn, and didn’t know how to please anyone. So, to end it all, I eventually agreed to sacrifice myself. The ironic part was, I ended up dying by Lily’s hand. But in this life, I wouldn’t obediently comply again. I was about to speak, but unexpectedly, Lily suddenly declared loudly, “It’s fine! I’m willing to marry him! I believe he’ll go straight for me and live a normal life!” Meeting her determined gaze, I realized she had also been reborn, though I didn’t know how she died. Perfect, it saved me the trouble. I curved my lips into a slight smile. “Well, congratulations, Lily. No more suffering through school. You’ll marry the boss early and reach the pinnacle of life in one step.”

Lily rolled her eyes at me. “Cut the passive-aggressive act. So what if you’re good at studying and got into a good university? After graduation, you’ll probably make three thousand a month, while I’ll be married to the boss with more money than I can spend. It’s normal for you to be jealous.” Me, jealous? Oh, I was so jealous. I hoped she could still smile after she learned about Lucian’s obsessions. Mom and Dad were bewildered by her sudden change in attitude. “Sweetheart, didn’t you say you didn’t want to marry him? You cried for days, your eyes were swollen. Why the sudden change of heart?” Lily quickly put on a show of being understanding. “Mom, Dad, I’m not like Rose, who’s so good at her studies. If I really let her go in my place, her whole life would be ruined. I can’t be that selfish. Even if… even if my life is over, at least Rose can take care of you in your old age.” Mom and Dad were completely swept away by her ‘sacrifice’, the three of them hugging and crying endlessly, making isolated me feel like an outsider. Though I was used to it, this scene still stung my heart. Even if Lily herself was willing to marry him this time, Mom and Dad still couldn’t help but feel resentment towards me. Even though I hadn’t said a word this lifetime, they still blamed me for not actively shielding Lily from this fate. Instead, Lily’s ‘sacrifice’ for the ‘greater good’ filled them with guilt. In my past life, on the day the boss came to pick up his bride, Lily, terrified of being recognized, hid in her room and didn’t show her face. Mom and Dad also lied, claiming they only had one daughter. This time, Lily began to groom herself before dawn, eagerly anticipating a life where the mob boss would cherish her above all else. Unaware of her true feelings, Mom and Dad hadn’t slept a wink, worried about her leaving. In the morning, Lily came to my room and warned me fiercely, “I’ve already told Mom and Dad to keep quiet, saying we only have one daughter. Don’t get any stupid ideas. Don’t you dare come downstairs and be an eyesore later!” I was more than happy to comply. After everything in my past life, I never wanted to see that man again. “I know. I won’t go out.” But Lily still wasn’t reassured. She stubbornly tied me to a chair. Soon, there was a stir downstairs. He had arrived. My dad ran a small business, and while we weren’t poor, we certainly weren’t wealthy. This townhouse was his big splurge, and to save money on renovations, the soundproofing was… well, let’s just say ‘barely there’. I could hear the conversation downstairs clearly. I thought that after being reborn, I wouldn’t tremble at the sound of his voice again, but when he spoke, I still held my breath. “Miss Henderson, it seems you’re ready.” His voice was deep, laced with an authority that sent shivers down my spine. It wasn’t directed at me, but at Lily, yet it echoed the nightmares of my past life, and I couldn’t help but tremble slightly. “Yes, let’s go!” Lily’s voice was jubilant, probably captivated by his appearance. In my past life, it was after she saw Lucian that her hatred and jealousy towards me reached its peak, making her determined to kill me. Lucian, though born and raised abroad, with mixed heritage, was a perfect blend of Eastern and Western features. He was tall and lean, with fair skin and sharp, deep-set features-the dream of countless young women. Just like in my past life, Lucian left Mom and Dad a hefty sum of money for their retirement, enough to astound my small-town dad, who was easily impressed. I prayed for them to leave quickly, to banish the nightmare of my past life far away from me. Suddenly, Lucian asked, “Is she your only daughter?” I froze. Had he asked that question in my past life?

Searching my memories, I found no answer. I wasn’t sure. Lucian couldn’t possibly have been reborn too, could he? A man so careful with his life, so powerful and wealthy-I couldn’t imagine anyone being able to kill him. Mom, Dad, and Lily all said in unison, “Of course. We only have one daughter, and she’s the one who saved you.” “Is that so… Then let’s go.” Lucian’s tone was unreadable. Hearing them leave, I let out a long breath. Soon after, Mom came to untie me. She excitedly told me, “He gave us a check for a hundred million, and it’s US dollars! Can you imagine how much that is in local currency?! Your dad and I can relax for the rest of our lives!” Yet, she had been crying and reluctant to let go of her precious daughter just before Lucian walked in. In my past life, they could have also retired comfortably with this money they got from ‘selling’ me. But Lily, uneducated and irresponsible, got carried away with the money. She spent her days in nightclubs, drinking and partying, and fell in with a group of punks who claimed to be trust fund kids. Whether they were actually rich, I don’t know. But in the end, she was scammed out of money and herself, dragging Mom and Dad back to square one overnight. I forced a smile. “Congratulations.” Mom paused, then changed her tone. “Congratulations for what? Congratulations that your sister was snatched away by a gangster and will never come back? This money is the payment for your sister’s life. Do you even have a heart?” Do I have a heart? I wasn’t the one smiling happily while holding the money. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. Anyway, once I started university, I planned to live on campus. I’d walk my own path from then on, wanting no more ties to them. Four years flew by. My university life was unexpectedly smooth and peaceful. I thought I had completely escaped the shadows of my past life, but then, news came that Lily was returning. Lucian had indeed gone straight for her, moving his businesses domestically, but I knew the suffering she had endured behind the scenes. On the day she came home, she made a grand entrance, escorted by luxury cars, covered in designer brands. I knew her; no matter how miserable she was behind closed doors, she always had to appear superior in public. So Mom and Dad didn’t notice anything amiss. They even called to warn me, “Your sister’s back. Don’t come home for a while. We told our son-in-law we only have one daughter, we can’t let him find out.” I laughed. “Mom, I haven’t been home in two years.” The last time was when Mom accidentally broke her leg and called me back to care for her. My words silenced Mom for a moment. Then, she grumbled, “You’re truly useless. In the future, your dad and I will have to rely on your sister and our good son-in-law.” She hung up after that. I shook my head helplessly. I hoped so too. That evening, I had just gotten back to my rental apartment from work when Mom called again. “Come home. Your sister wants to see you.” It was a command, and she hung up before I could refuse. I didn’t want to listen to her, but considering Lily had also been reborn, if she wanted to see me, she would definitely find me. It was better to humor her and see what drama she was planning.

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I died on my wedding anniversary. My sister-in-law, Chloe, sent three AI-generated intimate photos of me with a homeless man to our family SnapChat group. “Hey, everyone! Look at these pics. Cassidy must love this stuff” “Check out these juicy pics, everyone! Cassidy loves this kind of thing!” My husband, Liam, called me, his voice frantic: “Cassidy, I know it’s fake! I’m coming home right now!” A piercing screech of brakes ripped through the phone, followed by a sickening thud. He died horribly, crushed under a massive truck. My mother-in-law, Eleanor, stormed into the hospital and slapped me hard. “You evil jinx! You cursed my son to death!” My father-in-law, Richard, watched with cold eyes. “Good riddance. This worthless cuckold wasn’t fit to be my son.” What chilled me even more was my own mother, Sarah, sobbing as she said, “Cassidy, just accept it. We can’t let one person ruin both our families’ reputations.” My father, Robert, angrily shook off my hand. “We don’t have a daughter like you! You’re a disgrace!” On the rooftop, the wind was biting cold. Chloe cheered from below, “Jump! Go join my brother in hell!” I plunged down, the last thing I saw was my husband’s sweet, trusting smile. Then, I opened my eyes. I was back the day before the photos were sent.

My sister-in-law, Chloe, was proudly showing off her edited photo. “Hey, check this out! Not bad, right?” This time, I smiled and complimented her skills. “Cassidy, are you awake? Come on, try the warm milk I just made for you, I even added honey!” Chloe’s sickly sweet voice buzzed in my ear. She held out a cup of milk, her smile innocent and harmless. “Cassidy? Why aren’t you saying anything? You’re not really mad at me, are you?” She leaned closer, her tone disgustingly affectionate. “I just thought you were too stressed last night, so I played a joke on you. Who knew you’d get so scared you’d smash your phone?” Last night, while I was showering, she secretly used my phone to post a message in my class SnapChat group: [After being married for so long, I just found out Liam is completely useless in bed. This life of celibacy is killing me. Is there any real man out there who can keep me company?] Followed by a few suggestive emojis! By the time I found out, the message couldn’t be unsent. The group instantly blew up, relatives’ messages flooding the screen. My mother-in-law immediately called, yelling and calling me shameless. My father also texted, accusing me of being disgraceful. I was speechless, unable to defend myself, and in my panic, I dropped and smashed my phone. And Chloe, watching my pathetic state, laughed wildly, saying, “Cassidy, I was just joking! Why are you taking it so seriously?” “Why don’t you just go explain it in the group yourself? Hahahaha…” In my previous life, it was her so-called jokes that slowly pushed me to my breaking point! I took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to strangle her right then and there. “Of course not,” I forced a stiff smile, taking the milk. “Chloe’s jokes… why would I be angry?” “Good!” She immediately beamed, plopping down on my bed and affectionately linking her arm through mine. “Sister-in-law, my AI face-swapping skills are super advanced lately!” “I could not only put your face on a homeless man, but I could even swap you with any guy in an adult video, and no one would know the difference!” She giggled, covering her mouth, a cruel glint in her eyes. “Imagine if my brother saw it—he’d totally freak out. Do you think he’d actually believe it?” “Hahaha, that quiet bore would totally lose his mind, right? That scene would be so funny!” Funny? I looked at her twisted smile, my stomach churning. In my previous life, it was this “funny joke” that led to Liam’s tragic death and forced me to jump. “Chloe,” I tried to make my voice sound worried, “let’s not joke like that. Liam… he’s sensitive, he might take it seriously. Plus, Mom and Dad wouldn’t approve.” She laughed, sharp and mean.”Liam ? That boring loser?” “Mom and Dad don’t care about him anyway! He’s like our family’s ATM—except he doesn’t even charge fees!” “My mother said Liam is a loser, so spineless he barely makes a peep. If he couldn’t make money, they would’ve kicked him out years ago! Not like me, I’m their sweet little angel.” As she spoke, she flashed a new, expensive bracelet on her wrist. “Look, Mom made him Venmo me his whole bonus so I could buy this bracelet! Isn’t it pretty? Don’t feel bad for him; he makes money for us to spend!” Then, as if a brilliant idea struck her, her eyes lit up. “Oh, by the way, Cassidy, I found this super cool place today! I’ll take you there this afternoon, okay? It’ll totally blow your mind!” Here it comes. In my last life, she used the excuse of cheering me up to trick me into going near that underpass where the homeless people gathered. That’s where she took the staged photo that would become the base for her AI mischief. My heart pounded, but I kept my face impassive. “What kind of place? I’m a bit tired today, and your brother is coming home for dinner tonight…” “Come on, come on!” She grabbed my arm and shook it, her voice whiny yet forceful. “So what if my brother comes home? Just leave him a note! A guy like him won’t die from missing one meal!” “You’ve been cooped up at home for days! I promise, this place is so… so ‘full of life’! You’ll find it really interesting!” I looked at her, knowing that if I refused, she would only find some other, more extreme way. Better to play along. “…Okay.” I feigned helplessness. “Then wait for me to change.” “Yay!” She jumped up excitedly. “Hurry up, Cassidy! I’ll wait downstairs!” Watching her cheerful back, my eyes turned icy cold. I walked to the vanity table and took out a tiny, high-definition camera disguised as a button, fastening it to the inside of my collar.

That afternoon, Chloe did indeed take me to the place that had haunted my nightmares in my previous life: the dilapidated West Side district, earmarked for future development. The air stank of rot. A few homeless men crouched under the bridge, just shadows in the dark. “Cassidy, look, these homeless people are so pathetic!” Chloe held up her phone, seemingly taking pictures of the scenery, but her lens kept drifting towards me. “They’re all homeless. We should help them, shouldn’t we?” “Mmm,” I replied absently, my gaze vigilantly scanning our surroundings. I knew the homeless man she’d bribed would appear soon. Sure enough, we hadn’t walked far when a disheveled middle-aged man reeking of body odor shambled toward us. His eyes were cloudy, but his target was clear. “Oops!” Chloe suddenly “slipped,” crying out as she lunged directly into me! In my previous life, it was this bump that threw me off balance, making me fall towards the homeless man. She then seized the chance to snap that staged photo of me seemingly falling into his arms. But this time, I was ready. The moment she lurched at me, I subtly shifted my body, deftly avoiding the main force of her push. At the same time, I flicked my wrist, aiming the camera in my collar directly at her. “Chloe! Watch out!” I gasped, reaching out to grab her, but my fingertips just happened to hook onto the phone charm hanging from her chest. “Ah!” she shrieked. To steady herself, her hand instinctively pushed against the homeless man who had just approached us! “Click!” “Click!” I clearly heard her phone rapidly taking pictures. From her angle, the photos would definitely look like *she* was actively falling into the homeless man! And my button camera perfectly recorded everything—including how Chloe accidentally bumped into me, and how she unexpectedly pushed the homeless man. “Get off me! You stink!” After Chloe steadied herself, she immediately shoved the still-dazed homeless man away with disgust, frantically checking her phone. When she saw the photos on the screen, a look of satisfaction spread across her face. She didn’t notice at all that she was the real star of that little accident. “Cassidy, are you okay? You scared me just now!” She put away her phone and immediately adopted a concerned expression. “This place is too chaotic. Let’s go quickly!” “Okay.” I lowered my head, hiding the cold sneer at the corner of my lips. The evidence was in my hands.

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The apartment building was on fire in the middle of the night. My first instinct was to rush and save my boyfriend, Julian. Even with extensive burns all over my body, I gritted my teeth and dragged him out. But then, after my skin graft surgery, I saw Julian on TV, telling reporters: “My girlfriend tried to set me on fire! I’m calling the police!” He even produced surveillance footage of me pouring gasoline, clearly preparing to start a fire. I was utterly defenseless, branded a murderer. When I confronted him at his place, I found Julian secretly involved with my best friend, Serena. “Didn’t you say? Once she’s in prison, no one will ever expose your secret as the fake heiress.” “But only the mouths of the dead stay sealed.” “Whether you’re with the Albrights or with me, you’ll always be the pampered princess.” In a panic, I tried to escape, but they caught me and pushed me down the stairs together. In my last moments, I finally understood. Julian’s efforts to get close to me were all to help the fake heiress clear her path. When I opened my eyes again, Julian was calling me, screaming for help from the fire. I ignored him. Instead, I scrolled through his buddies’ contacts and found the one with the hottest body. “Date? I like guys with eight-pack abs.”

Leo, Julian’s usually quiet friend in the SnapChat group, immediately replied: “Sure, just don’t regret it.” A faint smirk played on my lips as I put down my phone. Gasps filled the air around me. “Fire! Iris, isn’t that Julian’s apartment building in that direction?” It was Serena, my “best friend” for years, the rich heiress. It took dying once in my past life to realize the truth. She was actually the daughter of their former housekeeper, and I was the real Albright heiress, swapped at birth. During a routine blood donation last time, she accidentally found out my true identity. Afraid that I’d return to the Albright family and pose a threat, she conspired with Julian to stage this whole charade. But this time, I wasn’t playing along. Serena urged me to get up and help, but I paid her no mind, instead focusing on doing my makeup in front of the mirror. I put on some killer makeup. Serena paced beside me, stomping her foot in frustration. “Your boyfriend just called, asking you to help with the fire. Why aren’t you going?” “If you’re late and something happens to him, you’ll regret it!” I couldn’t help but scoff. “My boyfriend, and I’m not worried. Why are you?” “If he can call me, he can surely call 911.” “Besides, if the fire really takes hold, what can a young woman like me do?” “If Julian truly loved me, he wouldn’t want me to get in the way.” I continued leisurely applying my makeup. Serena was furious. “Iris Albright! How can you be so cold-blooded and heartless?” “If you’re not going, I will! You’re so callous, I don’t want a friend like you anymore!” She fumed, then turned and stormed away. My phone vibrated incessantly. I picked it up and saw the SnapChat group was in an uproar. It was a private group I’d specifically made with Julian’s friends, excluding him. Ten minutes ago, my “Date?” message had sent the small group into a frenzy. “Hey, look at me! I’m stronger than Julian!” “I’m a hottie, Iris, date me!” Julian’s friends had always been flirting with me. They acted like Julian’s buddies on the surface. But their eyes held a knowing look every time they looked at me. Last time, I overheard them talking in a private lounge. “Seriously, did you win the lottery or something? How did you manage to score a beauty like her?” “If you ever dump a stunner like this, remember to toss her our way.” “For years, you only had Serena in your heart. How did Iris suddenly catch your attention? Even if she’s a bit poor, her face is absolutely stunning, it’s hard not to like her…” Julian always just smiled and stayed silent, basking in their verbal adoration. Everyone knew his heart belonged only to Serena. They knew he would eventually kick me to the curb. Only I was kept in the dark. Including that fire, when I rushed in to save him. But he tried to trap me in the burning room. Even after I dragged him out, covered in burns myself, he still wanted me dead, pushing me down the stairs. This time, I would protect both my life and my identity, making sure no one could take them from me. Just as I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed twice. Leo sent a message: “I’m downstairs.” I sashayed downstairs, looking absolutely stunning. Walking out of the campus gate, I passed by the burning apartment building. The roadside was crowded with concerned bystanders, some frantically trying to put out the fire, others calling 911. My phone kept ringing – it was Julian. I simply pulled my gaze away, silenced the call, and headed off to my date with his friend. I was so stupid in my past life, rushing in to save him without a second thought. But if Julian truly loved me, why would he knowingly try to drag me into danger? After a satisfying meal and some fun, Leo drove me back. This time, Julian had to escape the blaze on his own, looking disheveled and covered in ash. As I returned, my eyes met Julian’s. His face was a mix of shock, surprise, and resentment. His friends were celebrating his narrow escape, and reporters swarmed him. “Excuse me, how did this fire start?” Julian pointed at me, accusingly, into the camera. “It was her.” “I saw it with my own eyes. She snuck in around midnight and poured gasoline nearby, clearly intending to set it on fire.”

Just as I expected. It was exactly like my past life. Julian not only publicly slandered me to reporters, accusing me of arson and attempted murder, but he’d also brought those reporters himself. In my past life, I couldn’t understand why Julian would say such a thing. My eyes red, I looked at him for a long time. “Julian, are you delirious from the smoke? How could I possibly set you on fire?” “I’m your girlfriend, and I’m covered in burns from saving you!” Back then, I had just returned from skin graft surgery. But Julian violently shoved me to the ground. “Don’t make excuses!” “You only got close to me for my money! You knew I had an apartment off-campus, and you wanted to kill me so all my assets would be yours!” My lips trembled, unable to utter a single word. I couldn’t comprehend how the sweet boyfriend I had yesterday could turn into such a monster. But my distraught appearance, to the reporters, looked like an admission of guilt. Now, Julian, just like in my past life, was accusing me of arson and attempted murder in front of the cameras. I remained completely calm. “I have an alibi.” I patted Leo’s shoulder. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask him. I was on a date with him when the fire started.” Julian’s friends stood there, mouths agape, speechless with shock. Some were even whispering: “Holy crap, is she playing that hard? Iris actually cheated on him!” “I told you, Big River, Leo’s family is way richer than yours. Even if she was after money, she wouldn’t pick you.” “But then again, it could be a crime of passion! You never know what’s in someone’s heart, right?” Julian’s expression froze. He hadn’t expected me to say that. His face darkened, and he stared at me intently. “I don’t know how you hooked up with my friend, but even if he’s covering for you, it doesn’t change the facts.” He clenched his fist, veins bulging on the back of his hand, and angrily declared: “I saw the fire with my own eyes. You set it.” I couldn’t help but scoff. “Don’t be ridiculous. If you saw it with your own eyes, why didn’t you stop it?” “Julian, even if you’re going to lie, at least try to make it logical.” I yawned lazily. “A full day of dating is quite tiring. I’m going home to sleep.” “Stop right there!” Julian grabbed my arm, a cold sneer on his face. “You think I don’t have proof?” Soon, Julian produced the surveillance video. Indeed, it showed a girl. In the dead of night, pouring gasoline and dropping an unextinguished cigarette butt. And the clothes the girl was wearing were identical to what I had on right now! Suddenly, I was the target of universal condemnation, harsh glares and accusations raining down on me. “Holy crap, it’s actually true! The surveillance video is right here, what more do you have to say for yourself?” “How could a young woman be so malicious?” “Exactly! Isn’t he your boyfriend? Even if he rejected your proposal, you shouldn’t resort to murder to silence him!” Julian, it turned out, had told the cameras earlier that I was not only after his money, but also retaliating because he’d recently postponed our wedding plans. Julian’s eyes welled up for the camera, as if deeply hurt by me. “Iris, if there’s anything you want, you can just tell me. If you want to break up with me and be with Leo, I wouldn’t stop you. Why did you have to try and kill me?” I broke out in goosebumps. What a performance! Hearing how ‘pitiful’ he was, the people around him started cursing me even more venomously, practically foaming at the mouth. My gaze fell on the surveillance video, and I suddenly spoke. “Since you’re all so convinced that I’m the one who committed arson and attempted murder—” “Why don’t you take a closer look? Is the person in that video really me?” They insisted it was me. The face was identical, and the clothes were exactly the same as mine. But I smiled. “That face is indeed identical to mine, and even the clothes are pretty much the same.” I zoomed in on the video, pointing to a specific detail. “But this woman in the video has six fingers. Are you sure that’s a real person?”

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My fiancé’s first love developed amnesia, fiercely clinging to the delusional belief that she and Dominic had never broken up. The first time, she crashed my birthday party, smashing cake into my face and screaming I was a homewrecker. The second time, she took a baseball bat and utterly destroyed the wedding apartment I’d poured my heart into decorating. The third time, at Dominic’s and my wedding, she broke through security, brandishing a knife, and left me severely wounded. I lifted my bleeding hand, trembling as I dialed 911, but Dominic snatched the phone away and hung up. I thought he was going to tell me to just endure it, again. The next second, hatred burned in his eyes as he strode towards Seraphina, grabbing her by the throat and dragging her out. “If you’re sick, then go to a mental institution and stay there! Don’t you dare think about coming out, ever!” A suffocating knot of dread finally loosened in my chest, and I closed my eyes, succumbing to unconsciousness. When I woke again, I searched the hospital room for him, but instead, my phone screen lit up. My finger instinctively tapped the video. Two naked bodies were intimately entwined on a bed. Seraphina fiercely bit into Dominic’s shoulder, “I don’t care, you’re mine, forever.” “Even if I’m done with you, no one else gets to have you!” Dominic said nothing, but his body answered her possessive declaration with an even fiercer, deeper thrust. *CRASH!* My phone slipped from my numb fingers, hitting the floor with a loud thud. Since you chose her, then we’re over.

The intimate sounds and whispered dialogue from my phone continued. After pleasured moans, Seraphina’s triumphant voice purred, “If Scarlett knew your idea of revenge was just ‘punishing’ me fiercely in bed, do you think she’d still…” “Shut up!” Dominic cut her off coldly. “I’ll never let her find out, and I’m certainly not breaking up with her.” He grabbed her by the neck again, a heavy warning glinting in his eyes. “If you dare lay another hand on her, don’t blame me for exposing your lie about faking illness and making sure you spend the rest of your life in a mental institution!” But Seraphina ignored his threat, her teasing hand boldly reaching out to grasp his throbbing erection. “I don’t believe you could ever be that cruel to me.” Dominic was about to say more, but her warm lips covered his, silencing him completely. Once again, intimate sounds flooded my ears. It was a long time after their intimate exchange on the phone finally ended before I could regain my composure. He knew all along she was faking her illness, yet he repeatedly indulged her, letting her hurt me, all to reminisce about their past love. I raised a hand to wipe away my tears, then picked up my phone and found Dominic’s contact icon. I’d just finished typing my breakup message and hit send when the hospital room door swung open. Dominic walked in, carrying a food container. He scooped out a bowl of porridge and handed it to me, saying guiltily, “I’ve already sent her to a mental institution and disciplined her severely for you.” I gazed at the large, suggestive red marks on his exposed neck, a cold sneer forming in my heart. A “mental ward” that looked more like a luxury penthouse, and that “punishment” that sounded suspiciously like heated passion. His “discipline” for her was certainly unique… and utterly brutal, in a way I hadn’t anticipated. When he saw the breakup message I’d sent on my phone, Dominic’s face instantly tensed. “Scarlett, Seraphina and I are long in the past. You are the only one I love now.” “In seven days, I’ll organize another wedding for you.” Dominic leaned down and placed a kiss on my forehead. “I promise you, she will never again appear to ruin our happiness.” His eyes held that deep affection that had captivated me countless times before, but now, I saw only hypocrisy and profound disgust. I looked at him, shaking my head bitterly. “It’s over. We should just break up.” “No!” Dominic possessively pulled me into his arms. “Scarlett, trust me. Just give me one more chance.” “This time, I promise I’ll completely cut ties with her. I won’t let her hurt you ever again.” Dominic leaned down to kiss my lips, but before he could, the sudden ring of his phone interrupted him. “What?! She jumped?!” The next second, Dominic bolted out the door in a panic, without even a word to me. The hospital room door swung open and bounced back, closing with a violent thud that shattered the last shred of hope I had for him. My heart plummeted seeing the contact name flash across the screen: “My Darling Seraphina.” Tears gushed out of my eyes. Watching his retreating back, I whispered softly, Goodbye, to the five years of my misplaced heart.

Looking down, I caught sight of a spreading crimson stain on my shirt, realizing with alarm that my wound had reopened. I urgently pressed the call button. After a long wait, no doctor came. Forcing myself out of bed despite the pain to find help, I was violently slammed into and knocked down just as I stepped out the door. “Sorry, I’m in a hurry. Please move.” That familiar deep voice reached my ears, and I abruptly looked up. I saw a panicked Dominic, tightly holding Seraphina, rushing to the emergency room. A crowd of doctors and nurses followed close behind them. I heard one of them grumbling as they ran: “It’s just a simple sprain, yet she’s acting like her leg is actually broken. Mr. Blackwood is far too concerned about this woman, isn’t he?” “I heard she stabbed Mr. Blackwood’s fiancée, leaving her severely wounded, and faced no repercussions. That’s not just concern; he dotes on her like she’s the most precious thing in the world.” Listening to the whispers, and seeing the large crimson stain on the pristine white floor beneath my feet, a dull ache pulsed deep within my heart. I curled my lips in a self-deprecating sneer. I, his current fiancée, couldn’t even compare to a single toe of his ex. What a cruel irony. Dragging my broken body and spirit, I returned to my room. I grabbed the gauze from the bedside table and, with my one good hand, struggled to bandage myself. Later that night, half-asleep, I was suddenly yanked out of bed. Dominic, looking frantic, pulled me, urging me towards the door. “Scarlett, you have a knack for massages. Go help Seraphina with her ankle.” “She’s in so much pain, she can’t even sleep.” *BOOM!* My brain exploded in that instant. I stared at Dominic, my eyes wide with disbelief. “Dominic, I am your fiancée! You abandoned me to save another woman, and now you want me to massage her?!” I tore myself free from his grip, screaming my questions at him. “How could you possibly do this?!” Seraphina’s knife wound was just one millimeter from my heart. Even the doctors said if I’d been brought in a moment later, I wouldn’t have made it. Just now, you violently knocked me down in the hallway, and my already life-threatening wound had torn even wider. Excruciating, bone-deep pain threatened to swallow me whole. But he ignored it, his eyes only seeing his ex, who merely sprained her ankle jumping from a waist-high window ledge. “I…” The man who was always so aloof and dignified in my presence, his usually composed face showed a rare stiffness. He pleaded softly, “But she was provoked by you, which made her jump and get hurt. Isn’t it only right to help treat her?” I immediately retorted, “You provoked her, not me!” His heart still belonged to his ex, yet he came to provoke me. He indulged her in repeatedly hurting me, yet swore I was the one he loved most. I looked at Dominic, my voice cold. “Stabbed by someone and then expected to treat them? I, Scarlett Hayes, am not some doormat!” Dominic was stunned speechless again. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes as he turned away and pulled out his phone. “Hello? Get that renowned specialist from New York to our city, *now*!” He hung up, then cast a cold glance my way. “I never thought you’d be so heartless. I truly misjudged you!” With that, Dominic once again rushed out of my hospital room. As if to punish my ruthlessness towards Seraphina, Dominic didn’t appear again for several days, nor did he send any messages. While struggling to cope alone, I kept hearing from others about his preferential care for Seraphina. “Did you hear? That woman with the sprained ankle is already well, but Mr. Blackwood insisted on flying in the most famous doctor by private helicopter to treat her, saying he was worried she might be permanently disabled.” Another person shook their head, sighing, “Talk about chalk and cheese, huh? The patient in Room 3, Bed 4, whose heart was almost pierced, her fiancé reportedly hasn’t even bothered to visit once.” She then glanced at me, lying in my hospital bed, her eyes a mix of pity and mockery. Even though I repeatedly told myself that Dominic and I were over, facing those strange glances, my heart still couldn’t help but ache. To escape the gossip, I leaned on my crutches, alone, and made my way to the hospital lawn downstairs. After soaking in the sun for a while, I got up and headed back to my room. Suddenly, I heard a shout of alarm. “Look! Someone’s going to jump!”

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My wedding was just around the corner when a nude sculpture, named after me, shot to the top of the trending list. Zooming in on the screen, every scandalous detail was glaringly clear. I felt like I was nailed to a pillar of shame, a cold dread seeping into my bones. My phone was practically melting down with countless strangers calling, asking how much I charged for a night. On my way home from work, I was even dragged into the bushes by a stranger from online, who almost ripped my clothes off! I knew it was the work of my fiancé’s childhood best friend, Chloe Davis. Only he had left those three hickeys on my side that night. At the police station, I screamed hysterically at Leo Sterling over the phone, “Why did you give Chloe Davis my private photos? Why? Do you have any idea I was nearly assaulted?!” The next second, a Maybach pulled up outside, and Leo strode in with long strides, stopping right in front of me. His expression was cold, as if the nude sculpture going viral, as if *I*, who was nearly violated, wasn’t his fiancée. “Chloe is an artist. It’s an honor for you that she chose to depict your nude form.” “Since you weren’t successfully violated, it’s no big deal. Don’t worry, to protect you, Chloe will stand in for you at the wedding next Saturday. But I’ll still legally marry you; you’ll still be my Mrs. Sterling.” Because of this incident, my family’s image was tarnished, and our stock plummeted. I outwardly agreed, playing along. But the second he turned away, I sent a compressed file to a powerful, childless New York mogul. It contained top-secret documents that could ruin Leo Sterling’s career and reputation. “I agree to marry you, including giving you half of the Maxwell family’s assets, but you have to help me take down Sterling Corp.”

The voice on the other end was lazy, with an air of nonchalance. “Deal.” I hung up, exhaling a long breath. But when I opened the passenger door, I saw Chloe Davis sitting in *my* dedicated seat, the “wife-only” one. She put her hands together and playfully stuck out her tongue. “Oh, sorry, Seraphina dear. I really didn’t mean to use your nude photos. I just mentioned it casually, and I never thought Leo would actually get his hands on them.” I ignored her. From the way she was settled, she clearly wasn’t going to get out. Chloe shot Leo a look. “Leo, you really shouldn’t have taken such high-definition photos! But, you know, it’s for art, right? Seraphina, you’re incredibly brave!” My hand clenched the back car door, and the details of the sculpture flashed through my mind. My blood ran cold, freezing me in place. It was already dark. I didn’t want to deal with them and turned to leave. Chloe stomped her feet in frustration and nudged Leo twice. “What are you standing there for? Go apologize to your fiancée!” Two seconds later, Leo grabbed my wrist. “Seraphina Maxwell, what’s with the attitude?” “Chloe thinks you’re beautiful, that’s why she used your nude body. Shouldn’t you be thanking her?” “Beautiful?” I looked at him in disbelief. When we first started dating, a business partner at a party touched my shoulder suggestively. Leo immediately broke that man’s finger bones. Sterling Corp lost a $30 million deal because of it. His father locked him in the basement for three days and three nights. When I saw him, emaciated to just skin and bones, I couldn’t stop my heart from aching. “Leo, don’t be so impulsive for me next time.” That Leo Sterling was like a rogue completely smitten. “Next time someone bullies you, I’ll do it again! What kind of man can’t protect his own woman?” His eyes were bright that night. But now, he saw me being harassed, and he couldn’t even offer a word of comfort. I thought I’d never marry anyone but him, until his childhood friend came back. I couldn’t compete with her at all. I might be letting him go, but I wouldn’t suffer this humiliation for nothing. I sneered, instantly shaking off Leo’s hand. Then I walked straight up to Chloe Davis, tore open the front of her shirt to take a picture! “I think you’re quite beautiful too! Why don’t you also go viral so everyone can see you!” “Leo, save me!” Leo rushed over and kicked me away. “Chloe is still just a young girl! You’re destined to be my wife, I don’t care, so what if people saw you? Even if you were molested…” *Slap!* My eyes red, I slapped him hard across the face! “Leo Sterling, are you even human?!” Chloe panicked, quickly shielding Leo behind her. “Seraphina Maxwell, how dare you hit Leo? Is he wrong? I saw you enjoying being molested!” *Enjoying?* Just thinking about being dragged into the bushes and having my clothes ripped off by that man in black terrified me. I struggled desperately, my throat raw from screaming. The man, unable to finish, punched me a dozen times until I blacked out. If a passing security guard hadn’t called the police, I might have truly died in those bushes. Now, covered in bruises, I stood before them, and they said I *enjoyed* it? 2. I didn’t want to be entangled with them anymore; I just wanted some peace. I turned around and heard a car engine start. I thought they were leaving too, but the next second, the car drove straight towards me! With a deafening crash, I was sent flying by Leo Sterling’s luxury car! At the moment of impact, agonizing pain mixed with numbness shot through my spine, making every breath a tearing agony. Chloe Davis sat in the driver’s seat, trembling. “Oh, sorry, Seraphina! I really didn’t mean to! It’s my first time driving, I didn’t expect to hit you!” A metallic taste filled my mouth, and I coughed up blood. Leo Sterling, however, acted as if he hadn’t seen it, affectionately stroking Chloe’s head and encouraging her. “Good hit.” “No need to apologize, just consider it a lesson for her!” He was so confident I would marry him, but he had no idea I had already married someone else. Watching his calm demeanor, I truly wondered what his reaction would be when he found out. I endured the pain and called 911, and I don’t know how many bags of blood I received before I was wheeled out of surgery. The next day, Chloe Davis posted an update on social media. While I was in surgery, fighting for my life, my fiancé was spending a tender night with his childhood best friend. A luxurious mansion downtown, limited edition luxury cars, jewelry, even the heirloom my grandmother gave *him* – he gave it all to Chloe Davis. “It feels so good to be deeply loved by someone you’ve known for twenty years~” The comment section was filled with blessings and users “shipping them.” Some unhappily married women even complained about their poor husbands, saying how envious they were. This was her relationship account. Chloe Davis was the daughter of the Sterling family’s housekeeper, who later studied abroad. Leo Sterling had hidden this relationship and relentlessly pursued me for three years. After my parents died, he was the only one who truly cared for me, spoiling me like New York’s top princess. It turned out these were all things he had already done for Chloe Davis. The next second, Chloe sent me a message. “Seraphina, did your surgery hurt? Leo’s first time with me was also very painful.” With that, she sent me a photo: a bedsheet stained with blood spots. “Seraphina, Leo wants me to have his baby. He can’t bear for me to suffer, so who do you think he’ll make carry it?” I was engulfed by overwhelming fear. At that moment, I was chained to the hospital bed by tubes, watching helplessly as a doctor approached me with an 8-inch-long needle. “What are you doing?! Don’t come any closer!” I couldn’t break free and resignedly closed my eyes. “Whose orders?” “I’m sorry, Miss Maxwell, I can’t disclose that.” The Sterling Group was the largest shareholder of this hospital, known for its compassionate patient care. Who else but Leo Sterling could make them so callously harm me? The doctor didn’t use anesthesia, and my screams echoed throughout the hallway. After the procedure, I was completely drained from the pain. I touched the life within my womb that wasn’t mine and cried inconsolably. When Leo Sterling and I first became a couple, he knew I loved children. The first thing he did was donate eight million dollars in my name to an orphanage. He watched me play with the children at the orphanage, then crouched down and gently asked if I wanted to adopt one. I, foolishly shaking my head, hugged him and whispered in his ear, “Leo, I only want to have *your* children.” That night, he made passionate love to me, telling me he wanted me to bear a whole soccer team’s worth of kids for him. But he stopped at the last moment, saying he couldn’t bear to see me suffer the pains of childbirth. It turns out he wasn’t afraid of *my* suffering. He just didn’t want *my* children. I was so incredibly foolish. Just then, Leo Sterling walked in, carrying a bowl of porridge. I threw everything I could reach at him!

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The Poisoned Truth The stray cat I brought home hated my husband. Every time David handed me a warm glass of milk, Mittens would leap up and knock it over. After a few times, David told me to get rid of the cat. So, I had no choice but to drop it off at my best friend Chloe’s place. That night, just as I was about to drink my milk, Chloe called. “Sarah! This cat is incredible! It knocks over anything if it gets near mercury, that chemical poison, and it arches its back and hisses!” I froze, my gaze darting to David, who was staring at me from across the room… 0 “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Is the milk too hot?” David fixed his gaze on me, slowly closing the distance. I’d been having trouble sleeping, and he made me a cup of warm milk every night. If what Chloe said was true, then… My hand, holding the mug, trembled slightly. I forced myself to calm down. “It does feel a bit hot. Maybe you can check the temperature for me?” I extended the mug right under his nose. David’s smile froze on his face. Then, a sudden realization hit me: I’d been on speakerphone when Chloe called. The air seemed to solidify in an instant. We just stared at each other, motionless. Suddenly, the mug slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor. “So clumsy. Now you can’t even have any, even if you wanted to.” David managed a strained smile, a hint of accusation in his voice. But I heard a distinct sigh of relief in his tone. The moment he turned to fetch a broom, A wave of bitter realization washed over me. However passionate our love once was, The pain I felt now was just as real, just as piercing. 0

The next morning, I suddenly heard a few meows from the living room. Before I could even wonder, my bedroom door swung open. A fluffy body pounced on me. It was Mittens! The stray cat I’d rescued! How was it back in the house? “Sarah, I got an emergency notice for a week-long business trip. I had no choice but to bring Mittens back to you. I’ll pick her up in a week!” Chloe’s figure appeared in the doorway. She looked rushed, clearly in a hurry to leave. I got up, hugging Mittens, and instinctively glanced at David. His back was to me; I couldn’t see his expression. But when he turned around, he was beaming. “Of course, she can stay! Honestly, Sarah regretted giving her away right after, and so did I!” “Oh?” A flicker of suspicion crossed Chloe’s face. I’d told her how much David hated this cat. She must have been as surprised as I was by his sudden change of heart. “Perfect then. I have to go now. You two take care!” Chloe said, her tone heavy with unspoken meaning, and then opened the door and left. As she vanished, David’s smile slowly faded. He took Mittens from my arms, his face dark with menace, staring at me. Every hair on my body stood on end. 0

That night, I was plagued by a recurring nightmare. I dreamt David grabbed Mittens by the leg, slamming her head against the ground. Finally, he brought his foot down, crushing her… “No!” I screamed, waking up in a cold sweat. And then, I actually heard a few desperate cat meows echoing in my ears. “Mittens…” I stumbled out of the bedroom, searching the entire house, but there was no sign of Mittens. David’s room was also empty. An icy wave of dread washed over me. I suddenly realized those pained meows. They seemed to be coming from outside the front door. I tiptoed to the door and flung it open. What I saw shocked me to my core: David was clutching Mittens by the leg, swinging his arm, and brutally smashing her against the ground. Mittens, after rolling and twitching for a moment, lay still. I was paralyzed with shock by the sudden horrifying sight. When I finally snapped out of it, I rushed over and scooped up Mittens. But she was already lifeless. “Mittens suddenly went crazy just now and scratched Brittany several times, so I threw her once. I didn’t expect her to die just like that!” David gave me a cold look, explaining calmly. Only then did I notice a woman standing behind him.

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My boyfriend’s childhood friend, an acclaimed screenwriter, desperately needed a hit script to reclaim her former glory. So my boyfriend, who was also my therapist, handed her the story of my family’s murder. He didn’t tell me when the movie premiered. But I went anyway. On the big screen, my family of three, who were supposed to be the victims, were twisted into evil people who deserved their fate. The ruthless criminal, however, was painted as a pathetic figure, driven to crime by desperation. Watching my nightmare tear through the screen, I dug my nails deep into my palms until I felt the warm blood, biting my own skin just to stay conscious. When the movie ended, Scarlett ascended the stage to a wave of acclaim. With a smile, she linked arms with Liam and addressed the audience. “Everyone, this brilliant mind is not just the city’s top therapist—he’s the muse behind everything you just saw.” The hall erupted once more while the host praised them as a perfect match in talent and grace. Under Liam’s stunned gaze, I slowly raised my hand. “A question, if I may,” I said, “for the muse himself.”

Liam’s expression visibly froze. Clearly, he hadn’t expected me to show up. The panic in his eyes? I knew exactly what it meant. Two days ago, we’d planned a trip to a beach resort. But the day before we were supposed to leave, he claimed an urgent company matter came up. He apologized gently, “Audrey, wait for me, just one day. Go ahead without me, I’ll be right there as soon as I’m done.” I believed him. Until my best friend sent me a video, showing Liam and Scarlett appearing together at the movie premiere. Their intimacy was undeniable, like a couple. Forgetting all about the trip, I rushed over, only to see my family of three portrayed as villains in the film. It hit me then. He wasn’t busy; he just wanted to get rid of me. Liam’s eyes met mine, and he quickly looked away, unable to face me. So, he could be scared too. Scared of me knowing, scared of facing my anger. But he still did it, for Scarlett. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Dr. Liam, I’m just curious. The real-life inspiration you, as a therapist, provided to Screenwriter Scarlett for this creative project—where did it truly come from?” I wanted Liam’s explanation. To give him one last chance. Liam’s face went blank for a second. The next, he spoke calmly, “Just an old friend’s experience.” I froze for a few seconds, then let out a low laugh. Liam, I’m always too soft-hearted. Luckily, you’re far more ruthless than I am. I was so foolish. I already knew the answer, but I still wanted to hear how he would lie to me. Liam saw my eyes redden, and his tone was tinged with concern. “I…” Just then, Scarlett’s slightly sharp voice cut him off. “That’s an excellent question, young lady. It seems you’re a true enthusiast of our film. Why don’t I share a bit about Liam and my creative journey?” She launched into her story, oblivious. “The story in the movie was so heavy, I struggled to put pen to paper for a long time.” “Until I met Liam.” Her gaze shifted to Liam, her admiration thick and undeniable. “As a top-tier therapist, he dissected the innermost world of people suffering from PTSD for me. We explored the complexities of human nature, the boundaries of crime and punishment.” “He stayed up countless nights with me. Honestly, without him, this movie wouldn’t have its soul.” She finished, gazing at Liam with deep affection. Liam glanced at me, then immediately looked away as if burned, avoiding my eyes. But he still gave a stiff nod, playing along with Scarlett. Applause erupted from the audience, mixed with envious gasps. “Oh my God, they’re practically soulmates!” I quietly watched his face, a self-deprecating smile on my lips. I’d known Liam for six years, and we’d been together for four. Now, I was just an “old friend.” The scars I’d once confided in him were now discussed with Scarlett. He was using my pain to ingratiate himself with someone else.

When the applause died down a little, I calmed myself. ” ‘A deep dive into the human psyche.’ What a compelling tagline.” “But for Dr. Liam, a professional therapist, to provide a patient’s privacy as material to someone else…” I paused, my voice turning cold. “How does that align with your ethical oath?” As soon as the words left my mouth, the audience, who’d been shipping them just moments before, shifted uneasily. Right, leaking patient privacy—that’s a cardinal sin for a therapist! Reporters reacted quickly, their cameras and microphones zeroing in on Liam on stage. “Dr. Liam, is what this young lady said true?” “Did you really leak a patient’s privacy to Screenwriter Scarlett to use as script material?” Liam panicked, waving his hands frantically, his voice strained. “No! It’s not true! Everyone’s misunderstood, this isn’t a patient’s privacy!” Scarlett immediately jumped in, her voice tinged with grievance. “Our film is based on a real social event; how could it be a patient’s privacy? This young lady must have misunderstood something.” “Oh? Based on a real event?” I smiled. “Then, Screenwriter Scarlett, can you tell everyone where you learned about this ‘real event’?” Back then, due to a mistake by the involved officers, the killer almost escaped. Because of that, the case was hushed up, never reported. Aside from Liam as the source, Scarlett wouldn’t have known. Scarlett’s expression faltered, and she fell silent. She couldn’t say she heard it from Liam, because that would confirm his breach of confidentiality. She could only glare at me ominously. The air grew thick. Scarlett looked pleadingly at Liam. He gave me a deep look, as if making a decision. “The person involved was an old friend of mine. She didn’t want it mentioned again, so I originally didn’t want to say much.” “But since this young lady is so insistent, I’ll explain clearly.” My heart sank. He instinctively chose to protect Scarlett. I was utterly crushed. “My old friend knew the mistakes her parents had made. For years, she carried immense moral pressure and developed severe depression because of it.” “She came to me and confided everything, begging me to find a way to make this public, to warn the world, as an act of atonement for the victims.” He paused, his voice rising a few notches, imbued with a righteous indignation. “So, this is not a breach of confidentiality.” “Scarlett and I are simply helping a poor girl complete her journey of self-redemption.” I stared at Liam, speechless. My heart ached, a pain so intense it almost suffocated me. After my parents’ brutal deaths, I got sick. Depression. Living felt more painful than dying. I’d swallowed sleeping pills, cut my wrists, and stared down from rooftops countless times. Each time, someone pulled me back. Until, after one stomach pump, the doctor couldn’t bear it anymore and called in Liam. He told me I was a survivor, not a criminal. That some people in life are like gifts. With his companionship, I slowly healed. And now, his face had become as repulsive as the killer’s back then. I fought back tears, my voice trembling slightly. “Liam, you truly have no heart.” “So righteous, you’ve made yourself out to be a great hero.” I let out a sudden, hoarse laugh. “But you’ve twisted the truth, inverted right and wrong. When you wake up in the middle of the night, won’t your conscience eat you alive?!”

The crowd grew noisy. “What does she mean by that? Is she saying the movie is maliciously whitewashing a criminal?” “The portrayal of the criminal in the movie did feel uncomfortable.” “Yeah, and the victims were so stereotypical, like the ‘victim blaming’ kind of narrative…” Scarlett heard the murmurs, a flicker of panic in her eyes, and she tightened her grip on Liam’s arm. Seeing this, Liam’s eyes darkened. “Audrey! Do you have to cause a scene in public?!” “Your parents’ incident happened so many years ago. Why can’t you just let it go? Why do you insist on not letting them rest in peace even after death?!” I looked up at him sharply. The way he looked at me—disappointed, angry, and even a hint of resentment. Only the tenderness and care from before were gone. I felt a little dazed. All those years, I’d seen him as my salvation. He’d told me, in his most gentle voice, over and over. “Audrey, don’t be afraid, I’m here.” “Audrey, look, the sun is out. Let’s go sunbathe together, I’ll read you poetry.” I vaguely reached up and touched my face. The bitterness I’d suppressed for too long now coalesced into tears, streaming down my face. Liam saw my tears and froze for a few seconds, a flicker of remorse crossing his face. He instinctively raised his hand, as if to wipe away my tears like countless times before. But then he realized we were too far apart. He was on the stage, bathed in the spotlight; I was in the audience, isolated and alone. He awkwardly lowered his hand. Across the noisy crowd, his lips moved, and I heard him clearly. “Audrey, don’t make a scene. We’ll talk about this at home.” After my entire family had been nailed to a pillar of shame by him and Scarlett. What home was there left for us? I scoffed, curling my lips, and walked step by step onto the stage, addressing Liam. “My parents were slandered as criminals who got what they deserved. You’re the ones not letting them rest in peace! Liam, if it were you, could you let it go?” He opened his mouth, his Adam’s apple bobbing with difficulty. He spoke, his voice hoarse, “Audrey, I did it for your own good. Your parents’ story needs more attention, it needs the truth.” Absurd. A short, bitter laugh escaped my throat. “The truth?” “The truth that romanticizes crime and criminals while stepping all over the victims?” “Or the truth where my parents are demonized, my father became an exploitative boss, my mother a homewrecker who stole a husband, and I, a cruel girl who bullied classmates?” My voice suddenly rose. “Liam, how does it feel to feed off our pain?!” The atmosphere around us solidified. Liam’s trembling voice broke the silence. “Audrey, that’s not what I meant. I just got agitated for a moment.” His eyes reddened, as if he truly regretted it. But the next second, he urgently said, “But this movie is very important to Scarlett; it can’t go wrong. Audrey, just back down for now, okay?” “After this, we’ll get married.” I slowly looked up at him, hot tears streaming from the corners of my eyes. But I laughed, my whole body trembling. “Back down? How can I back down?! You know how much pain I’ve been in for the past six years, you know all of it!” Liam heard my laughter, and his tone grew impatient. “Then what exactly do you want?” “Do you want to ruin my career, destroy Scarlett’s most important work, just to be satisfied?” His eyes were filled with disappointment. “When did you become so unreasonable?” I stood frozen. Looking at that face that once brought me so much comfort, I suddenly found it terrifyingly unfamiliar. “In your mind, her slandering my life is called ‘artwork’?” “And I, the victim you’re trampling and exploiting to the bone, am the criminal?” My questions made his face even uglier. He avoided my gaze, no longer daring to look into my eyes. Seeing this, Scarlett frowned, her tone scornful. “Ms. Shaw, why are your words so unpleasant? Liam and I are giving this issue more discussion; we’re documenting it with a film.” A flash of malice darted in her eyes. “Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re that daughter who bullied her classmate and drove someone to suicide.” So, Scarlett knew everything. She just wanted me to admit my identity and humiliate me publicly.

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The world plunged into a Great Freeze, but I had drawn three passes to a secure bunker. Orphaned and alone, I decided to give the passes to my girlfriend and my best friend. Yet, my girlfriend, Ronnie, wasn’t just ungrateful. While I slept, she stole my passes and sold them to a rich man. She teamed up with my friend, Liam, to abduct me, and the two of them started a relationship right in front of me. “You’re an orphan, but you’ve always had it easy, plus you’re an athlete – you might even survive out there!” “Liam is always sick, always getting picked on, and he couldn’t even get a single pass! It’s not fair! Just this once, let him have it!” I screamed and cried, begging Ronnie to at least untie me. But they pretended not to see, leaving me to suffer hypothermia, freezing to death in the desolate suburbs. Later, she leveraged Sterling’s gratitude – the rich man she’d ensnared. Not only did she survive the Great Freeze, but she became an influential figure in the new world, living a life of absolute luxury. Reborn into this life, I returned to the day I drew the passes. Seeing my girlfriend and friend’s eager eyes, tears instantly welled in mine. “I only drew one pass. What are we going to do?”

Heavy snow blocked the roads, and everyone shivered from the cold. Ronnie and Liam’s faces instantly turned pale when they saw the pass in my hand. “O-one? Honey, are you sure you’re not mistaken?” “How is one enough for us? We need at least two…” Ronnie started to speak, then hesitated, her eyes quickly darting to mine. Seeing my somber expression, a sigh of relief escaped her. Liam, on the other hand, burst into tears, leaning his head straight onto Ronnie’s shoulder. “What are we going to do? There’s only one, are we going to die?” He didn’t even try to hide it anymore, openly embracing Ronnie right in front of me. I lifted my gaze to my girlfriend’s flustered face, feigning ignorance. “Liam, you can’t be acting like this, no matter how upset you are. Ronnie is my girlfriend!” A flicker of impatience crossed Liam’s eyes. He was about to speak, but Ronnie quickly pushed him away. As long as I held a pass, she wouldn’t dare argue with me; she’d have to walk on eggshells and treat me like gold. Sure enough, Ronnie sighed, a helpless expression on her face. “You know Liam is timid and sensitive. He’s probably just scared.” “You’re always so disorganized. Just let me hold onto the pass for now, and we’ll figure things out properly when we get back.” I raised an eyebrow, tightening my grip on the pass. “Don’t worry, I’ve always listened to you, and I give you whatever you want.” “We’ve been together for so long, you’re the person I care about most. I’m definitely willing to give you the pass!” Ronnie beamed, nodding eagerly, gesturing for me to hand it over. But I turned my head to Liam, pretending not to see her. “We’re like brothers, and you’ve suffered so much since you were a kid. If it comes to dying, I’ll go with you.” “At least we’ll have each other for company, even in heaven.” Liam’s face instantly darkened. He shoved me away. “What are you talking about, dying?! I’m not dying!” “Ronnie, would you really use this pass yourself and just watch me die?!” “Didn’t you say…” He started to speak, then hesitated, his hand instinctively going to his stomach, his eyes wide with desperate expectation as he looked at Ronnie. Ronnie trembled with fear. She quickly forced a smile and said they’d talk about it when they got back. I feigned annoyance. “The bunker closes in three days. Stop wasting time, decide now!”

The cramped apartment was cluttered with junk. Ronnie, uncharacteristically, suggested she and Liam go take out the trash. In my previous life, I might not have seen through her intentions. She was clearly using the excuse of taking out the trash to quickly appease Liam. I sneered. Now with only one pass left, I was waiting for them to become enemies! I pulled out my phone and quickly added Sterling’s contact information. In my past life, I was too kind, always letting my guard down around them. Ronnie had just been laid off, and Liam hadn’t found a job after graduation. I was barely supporting all three of us on my meager salary. They weren’t grateful at all; they were so audacious that when the emergency supply advisory was issued, they immediately used all our savings to hoard supplies. When I lugged back over a dozen bags of supplies, breathless and exhausted, they wouldn’t even help. They just kept blaming me for wasting money. “We have three mouths to feed; how can you spend money so irrationally! You wasted all our money; how are we supposed to get through this month?!” “I haven’t even bought my suit yet! If this delays my interview, you’ll regret it!” Liam grumbled, not bothering to consider that he was spending *my* money. Ronnie rolled her eyes. “That’s what happens when you’ve always had it easy, never thinking about the consequences.” “I told him I wanted to buy a gaming keyboard this month; it was only a few thousand, and he wouldn’t buy it! Instead, he wasted money on this useless junk!” I was deeply hurt. For the first time, I lost my temper and argued with them. To salvage her ego, Ronnie pulled out Sterling’s contact info and flaunted it right in front of me. “If it weren’t for you, why would I compromise myself like this?” “Now that I’ve finally buttered him up, maybe Sterling will give me a leg up, and I’ll strike it rich soon!” “If even you look down on me and think I can’t do it, then I’ll jump off a building right now!” Ronnie looked so wronged that my heart broke. I apologized profusely, once again letting her manipulate me. But because of that, I remembered Sterling’s contact information. Seeing the “friend request accepted” notification, I felt a slight relief. When they returned, Liam had completely changed his slouchy demeanor. He took my hand and looked at Ronnie. “There’s only one pass left. I thought about it, and I think we should give it to Ronnie.” “You’re right, we’ll have each other for company, and we won’t be too lonely in the end.” I was a little surprised, not expecting Liam to be so generous. But I just smiled, not handing over the pass. “I need to think about it more. After all, I’m the one who drew it, so I have to be responsible for this ticket, and for both of you.” Ronnie immediately grew anxious. Just as I saw her about to snatch it, I looked at Liam. “I’m used to being so careless. Liam is more detail-oriented, so maybe he should keep it safe.” Now, both of them were stunned. Liam glanced at Ronnie, then cautiously took the pass. As night fell, the temperature plummeted. Ronnie had already bundled herself up. I stopped Liam, who was about to go find something to stay warm. “Liam, you deserve this pass more than Ronnie.”

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