Category: English

On my birthday, my boyfriend of five years broke up with me. I agreed. The next day, he posted a photo collage on his Ins. In the photo, he and the other woman sat in a brand-new BMW, holding a marriage certificate, smiling sweetly at the camera. The caption: “Starting a new life from now on!” I sneered, opened my mobile banking app, and counted the zeros from right to left – millions, tens of millions, hundreds of millions… On my twenty-ninth birthday, I had just received some absolutely incredible news and was thrilled. I was about to share it with my boyfriend, Liam, when I saw his grim face. “Cassidy, let’s break up.” My smile slowly vanished. I stared at him, saying nothing. “The rent’s due at the end of the month. All the furniture and appliances we bought, I’ll leave them to you. I’m just taking my laptop and a few changes of clothes.” Liam pretended to be generous. I almost laughed out loud. Furniture and appliances? Was he talking about the secondhand desk he used for gaming, or the broken fan that no longer oscillated? Perhaps my sarcasm was too obvious, because Liam fidgeted uncomfortably. “And our joint card, it was in your name. All the money in it, I’m leaving that to you too.” I rolled my eyes. We had agreed to put half of our monthly salaries into a shared account for joint expenses. But he was in sales, with a pathetically low base salary, and his monthly income was always inconsistent. Especially in the first few years, he struggled to schmooze with clients and always landed at the bottom of the sales charts. Even when he put his entire salary in, it wasn’t enough; I was constantly subsidizing it from my own pocket. Later, with his good looks and cool, detached vibe, he finally attracted a few clients, and his performance started to improve. Even though his income increased, his demands for a higher quality of life only grew. Sure enough, before the end of this month, he’d already squandered all the money in the card. The current balance wasn’t even enough for groceries tomorrow. How dare he say he was *leaving* all this for me?! My face darkened, and I forcibly suppressed the surging anger in my heart, saying pointedly: “Don’t you have anything to say to me?” Liam froze, his gaze darting away. Then he tried to soften the blow with a patronizing tone: “Don’t be like this. I know you’re upset, and I didn’t want to do this to you. But, matters of the heart can’t be forced, right? Breaking up now is for our future, I don’t want you to keep struggling with me…” Forget it. Maybe he was just under too much pressure. That’s why he had to give up on us. I sighed in relief, feeling a bit soft-hearted, and was about to tell him the good news when my phone rang. It was an unknown number. Liam glanced at it, and his face instantly tensed up. “It’s probably a spam call, Cassidy! Don’t just answer unknown numbers!” Seeing him like that, my stomach dropped. A woman’s intuition told me this call wasn’t so simple. I raised my hand and pressed the answer button, putting it on speaker. “Hello, is this Cassidy?” It was a female voice. Liam couldn’t sit still any longer. He stood up and tried to grab my phone, but I, having anticipated it, dodged him. “This is she.” I had a feeling about something, and my fingers trembled slightly. “I’m Liam’s girlfriend. Is he still there with you? Please tell him to come home early; I’m waiting for him for dinner.” After saying that, without waiting for my reply, she hung up. I looked up at the ceiling, took several deep breaths, and tried hard to hold back the tears welling up. After a long moment, I turned my head to look at Liam, who was utterly lost and flustered by his secret being exposed, and questioned him: “She’s your girlfriend, so what am I?” “Cassidy, I’m sorry. I didn’t want this. But… I can’t control matters of the heart…” Liam lowered his head and covered his face, looking utterly dejected. He was always like this; when faced with a tricky situation, he’d bury his head like an ostrich, as if that would make everything disappear. In the past, I would patiently comfort him, counsel him, and find ways to help him resolve things. But this time, I wasn’t going to waste any more time on him.

“You…” Just as I opened my mouth, the phone rang again. This time, it was Liam’s. He pulled out his phone, looking flustered, his gaze wavered between his phone and me for a few seconds, then he gritted his teeth and chose to hang up. I glimpsed the caller ID – ‘Baby.’ Ha! How ironic! I never checked his phone. Perhaps it was precisely because of my trust in him that he was so reckless. “When did this happen?” I couldn’t help but ask. “About… half a year ago.” Liam hung his head, looking a bit unnatural. No wonder, in the past six months, he contributed little to our joint account, but his expenses were huge. I thought it was due to the tough economy and was afraid of pressuring him, so I didn’t dare ask too many questions, only constantly dipped into my own pocket to satisfy his various demands. Turns out, he was using money to support another woman… I gritted my teeth, clenched my fists, and secretly warned myself: *Don’t get angry, don’t get angry! Cassidy, your best life is yet to come!* My phone rang again. It was the same number. She was getting impatient. I sneered, and answered. Instantly, Chloe’s enraged voice echoed through the entire room. “Cassidy! Have you no shame?! Liam has already broken up with you, and you’re still clinging to him! Let me tell you clearly! There’s no way for you two anymore! We’re both women, I advise you to let go soon, don’t make yourself so pathetic!” Liam couldn’t listen anymore; he snatched my phone and hung up. I couldn’t help but cry. Liam’s face was flustered, and he dared not look at me. “I’m leaving. From now on, take care of yourself.” After saying that, he picked up his already packed suitcase and walked away without looking back.

That night, I lay alone in my small apartment, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Five years, how many five-year periods does one have in a lifetime? Liam and I were both from modest backgrounds, working hard in the same city after graduating from college. We met at a friend’s gathering. At that time, we had both just graduated, experienced some of life’s harsh realities, but still held a sliver of hope, unwilling to give up on our dreams. The day we got together was my birthday. It rained heavily that day, and he didn’t bring an umbrella. In the rain, he huddled over, carefully protecting a small cake in his arms, and ran to me, smiling as he said: “Cassidy, Happy Birthday!” I looked at Liam, soaked to the bone, and was deeply moved. After adulthood, besides my parents, no one paid attention to my birthday. Liam was the only one. From then on, in this cold concrete jungle, two lonely souls clung together, warming each other. “Cassidy, I’ll celebrate your birthday every year from now on!” “Cassidy, when I make money later, I’ll buy you a car! And pick you up and drop you off from work every day!” “No! By then, you won’t need to work! I’ll take care of you! I’ll drive you around! We’ll go eat delicious food, see beautiful sights, and travel the world!” He liked to dream, and I accompanied him. Because his dreams included me. Back then, I firmly believed that as long as there was love, no hardship was truly hardship. I worked hard to make money, pinched pennies, just to save more, and buy our own house sooner. The trendy coffee shop next to the office launched new flavors. An $8 cup, and every colleague had one. I couldn’t help but want to try it, but he advised me,

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My husband and I had been trying to conceive for three years, but I never once fell pregnant. It wasn’t until I was having folic acid with my best friend, Chloe, who was a doctor. She snatched the bottle from my hand. A strange look crossed her face as she crushed one of the pills into a fine powder. “This isn’t folic acid at all,” she said, her voice sharp. “These are birth control pills.” I took the pills to a lab for testing, just as Chloe advised. Turns out, I’d been on birth control for three years. Julian Sterling, my husband, had been the one to give me those pills. Every time before we were intimate, he’d sweetly coax me into taking one. I was just about to confront him with the test results when a message popped up in our mutual friends’ SnapChat group, from Serena Hayes. The image was of a pregnancy test stick, displaying two stark, unmistakably dark lines. 【Honey, want to make a bet?】 【Do you think I’ll give birth to a little Julian, or a little Serena?】 【I’m betting on a little Julian.】 Two minutes later, she posted again, feigning embarrassment: 【Oops, sorry everyone, sent to the wrong person.】 【Can’t unsend it now, just pretend you didn’t see it.】 I let out a cold, bitter laugh. Finally, the last shred of my conscience crumbled. I replied to the lingering regret from my youth: 【One month. I’m coming with you.】 *** A stunned silence fell over the group chat. Eventually, someone spoke up: 【Well, congratulations!】 【When did you two get married?】 【You didn’t even tell us, we’d love to celebrate your wedding!】 Someone in the group initiated a payment transfer, with the memo stating it was a wedding gift. Everyone quickly followed suit. Serena posted two shy, bashful emojis. 【Thank you for all the blessings, everyone. No need to get carried away, just pretend you didn’t see anything.】 【How can we pretend? Even if you didn’t invite us to the wedding, we can’t forget our friendship!】 【Exactly! You and Julian finally got together, as your friends, we have to celebrate!】 This was Julian’s college buddies’ SnapChat group. He’d added me after we got our marriage license. He said, “These are all my friends, it’s good for you to meet them.” When they asked Julian who he’d added, he simply replied: 【A friend.】 【If she’s a friend, introduce her! Maybe one of us single guys can hit it off with her!】 Julian fell silent, and so did I. I’d been lurking in that group ever since. Back then, Serena had even snapped at them: 【Stop acting so desperate every time you see a girl.】 【Go find your own dates.】 The Sterling and Miller families were both incredibly influential and wealthy. Our parents had always wanted to arrange a grand wedding. But Julian always said, “I’m in the prime of my career right now, I don’t even have time to plan a simple wedding, let alone a grand one.” “Let’s talk about it later.” That ‘later’ dragged on for five years. I’d long given up hope for a grand wedding. If it happened, fine. If not, also fine. Julian’s friends in the group had no idea he was married, much less that he hadn’t married Serena, who everyone in college had called the golden couple. My phone kept buzzing with group messages, clutched tight in my hand, its screen a constant glow. I stared coldly at the display, tears blurring my vision, streaming down my face, separating from my very soul. But I didn’t know how to unleash the pain and fury churning inside me. For a moment, I’d hoped Julian would step in, declaring it all a rumor. Yet, as the group chat went wild, the main character, frantically tagged by everyone, remained completely silent. Serena collected the virtual red envelopes. 【Thanks, everyone! Consider this a little gift for the baby.】 【Once the baby’s born, we’ll invite you all for a gathering.】 【You all *have* to come show your support then, for the little one in my belly. Thank you~】 From Serena’s tone, they were determined to have this baby. A suffocating feeling filled my chest. I opened the window to let in some air. Standing on the balcony, I gulped down the outside air, my heart feeling like it was about to give out. After a while in the cold breeze, I calmed down. I took screenshots of the chat history, then quietly exited the group. I was still lost in thought, sitting in a corner of the balcony, when Julian, unexpectedly, came home early. He pulled me up from the floor and closed the window. “It’s the middle of winter, sitting on the floor with the window open. Aren’t you afraid of getting sick?” I stared at him. He seemed genuinely concerned, fussing with my clothes, but somehow, the man in front of me felt like a stranger. Not like before. Was it because he’d done something wrong, that he felt guilty now? I felt a surge of repulsion, twisting my body to avoid his touch. “Don’t touch me.” He paused, then finally met my gaze. His eyes seemed to brand me as unreasonable, and he said dismissively: “Is this about the group chat?” “Audrey, didn’t we agree before we got married that we just needed to satisfy our parents?” “Now they’re happy with our situation, and so am I. What more could you want?” Julian and my marriage wasn’t about love; it was born of necessity. The Miller and Sterling families were old friends, family friends for generations. I went to study abroad in high school, while Julian stayed home. Our relationship was far from what our parents shared; we barely kept in touch. When I returned after my studies, both sets of parents conspired to get us together. My parents resorted to emotional blackmail and threats, practically pulling out all the stops, saying, “Your union is the best choice.” “We’ve paved a clear path for your happiness, don’t insist on making things difficult.” “I’m telling you, I will never approve of that boyfriend you have. Not unless your father and I are dead.”

During that time, they focused all their energy on us. They took away our bank cards and phones, and stationed bodyguards outside our doors. Their only job was to watch Julian and me. I had no choice but to break up with my boyfriend, fulfilling my parents’ wishes. Before we got our marriage license, Julian had said coolly, “We’re practically comrades in arms. Just satisfy them, don’t take anything else seriously.” I knew he only had eyes for Serena, but I never imagined he would openly cheat like this. And, to prevent me from getting pregnant, he’d fed me birth control for three years. Even though it was a fake marriage from the start, five years is still five years. To say I wasn’t heartbroken would be a lie. To say I wasn’t disgusted would also be a lie. I asked him, “So you want to keep this child?” As the words left my mouth, I already knew the answer. If Julian hadn’t given his permission, Serena wouldn’t have accepted all those gifts. She wouldn’t dig a pit for herself to fall into. Julian gritted his teeth. “Audrey, I want a child.” I couldn’t hold back. I slapped him across the face. Everything became so ridiculous, my laughter and tears bursting forth simultaneously. I walked into the bedroom. The medicine test report lay on the table. So did the hospital’s diagnostic report. Furious, I snatched them up and flung the reports at Julian’s face. “Julian Sterling, look at this yourself.” “The folic acid you gave me… it was birth control, wasn’t it?” He suddenly looked panicked, clutching the two reports, his eyes darting back and forth. His voice trembled. “Audrey…” “You fed me birth control for three years, and now you tell me you want a child?” “If you absolutely had to have a child with Serena, you could have just told me directly. I would have helped you keep it from our parents.” “But instead, you disguised birth control as folic acid and tricked me into taking it.” “I can accept anything, Julian, except you hurting me.” Looking back at the five years I’d been married to Julian, it felt somewhat unreal. Aside from most of our time being spent maintaining a polite distance, like respectful acquaintances, there were moments of genuine connection, even passion. Sometimes, after a few drinks, he’d cling to me, calling out “Wife” again and again. “Do you feel happy with our life? I feel very happy.” Then he’d hold me even tighter. When I’d go to make him a hangover cure, he’d pull me back, refusing to let me go. “Nothing works better than you being right here with me, a better cure than any soup.” “Just stay with me.” At first, I wondered if he was mistaking me for someone else. But as time went on, I accepted it, willingly immersing myself in the scent of alcohol on his skin. He’d surprise me with little romantic gestures now and then. On holidays and festivals, he’d charm both sets of parents effortlessly. He’d often be at my parents’ house, his arm around my waist, saying, “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad, Audrey is truly wonderful.” “Marrying her was the best decision I ever made.” Even though I always felt he was just putting on an act. But in those moments, I’d always have this illusion, that Julian and I were truly destined to spend our lives together. Even if not as lovers, then as family. How could he be so cruel, so heartless, to silently watch me take birth control for three years? If Chloe hadn’t discovered it, I would have kept taking them indefinitely. His hand, holding the reports, trembled slightly, his gaze unfocused. The words were barely squeezed from his throat: “I was afraid you’d be upset.” “You won’t have to take them anymore.” Two short sentences. No apology, no concern. Just the evasion of a man caught in the act. I let out a cold snort. Afraid I’d be upset? Or afraid that if he told me the truth, his desires wouldn’t be met? Julian’s selfishness and hypocrisy oozed out of him. I felt nothing but disgust. “Julian Sterling, you say it so lightly. Do you have any idea how much agony I went through, thinking it was *my* problem, anxious to the point of insomnia?” I slowly took the hospital diagnostic report from his hand, pointing to the results. “The doctor said I’ve taken too much birth control. My hormones are completely out of whack, and it might even lead to infertility.” “You only want a child with the woman you love. Did it ever occur to you that I, too, should have the right to be a mother?”

“Now you’re satisfied, aren’t you? You don’t have to drug me anymore; it’ll be hard for me to get pregnant anyway.” My voice hitched, and tears flowed even more heavily than before. My body trembled, shaken by the force of my sorrow. “But we have no future, Julian. I hate you.” After the pills’ components were identified, I immediately made an appointment at the hospital to check my body, just to be safe. Everything was so brutally real. I hadn’t escaped the damage those pills had caused. When the doctor told me it would be difficult for me to conceive in the future, that’s when my hatred for Julian truly began. Now, my hatred for Julian had reached its peak. I would never forgive him. I walked into the bedroom and locked the door. Just then, my laptop screen lit up. It was another message from Dr. Leo Maxwell. He had been waiting for me in the States for a long time. Ever since we officially broke up, he’d sent me an email every week. And now, an email arrived as promised. I hastily wiped the tears from my face. Pulling myself together, I opened and read the email. Attached was a blurry photo of a black hole. 【Observed another collapsing star today, Audrey. How have you been? I miss you terribly.】 【After I retire, to keep myself from becoming a sad black hole, I’ll definitely come back home and stay by your side.】 【But it’s still too far away. My heart aches missing you.】 Leo had grown up abroad, always with a touch of that foreign dry humor. Over the past five years, the emails he’d sent me had piled up, filling my entire inbox. The photos he’d taken for me, the sweet words he’d written – I’d backed them all up separately, always afraid they’d disappear over time. But I had never replied to him. For all this time, it had been his one-sided show. Because unlike Julian, I knew I was married, and I had my own sense of propriety and honor. I always thought that with time, Leo would eventually move on from me. But he never did. I sat there, quietly scrolling through his old letters. Memories flooded my mind, and for a fleeting second, it felt like two tiny figures were wrestling in my heart. My phone chimed. Julian had transferred ten million dollars to my card, with a message: 【This was my fault. This is your compensation.】 As I looked at the ten million dollars and realized it couldn’t even begin to erase my hatred, I finally understood: for the rest of my life, I needed to live for myself. Once I’d processed that thought, a thrill ran through me. I replied to Leo’s email: 【It’s not far. Wait for me one month. I’m coming with you.】 Since the argument with Julian, we had tacitly been sleeping in separate rooms. I slept in the master bedroom, and he slept in the guest room. But when I got up at night, I often saw the open guest room door, empty and dark. He was probably spending the night at Serena’s house. But now, I didn’t care where he spent the night. I packed up my belongings in the bedroom, slowly arranged for them to be shipped, and Leo would receive them in the States. One day, Julian bought me a gift. It was a stunning, jeweled headpiece I’d spent a long time admiring at a boutique counter. He also, for the first time ever, brought out a bottle of vintage red wine he’d been saving and cooked an elaborate dinner for me. “Audrey, Grandfather’s birthday is in a few days. Can we just… not fight for now?” Again, it was all for the sake of appearances for both families. We were already used to putting on a show for such grand occasions. I agreed, “Alright.” Ever since Grandfather Sterling turned seventy, his birthday celebrations had always been lavish. We went to the most exclusive restaurant in the city, filling the entire place with people. My family, Julian’s family, and many business partners and friends. Before entering, Julian extended his hand to me. As usual, I took it. He then pried my fingers open, forcing his fingers to interlace with mine. I tried to pull away, but he held on tight, making my knuckles ache. When he saw me settle down, he smiled, satisfied, and then walked through the restaurant’s main doors. Serena Hayes was there too. She was busy helping out Julian’s family. Julian’s smile vanished instantly, a flicker of unease in his eyes. During the meal, the same dreaded conversation about starting a family was once again thrown my way. My mom and mother-in-law, one after another: “Are you two playing tricks on us? You’ve been married for five years, and trying to conceive for three, why is there still no news?”

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My roommate, Bethany, started stalking us after she found out my boyfriend was a billionaire CEO. A month later, she dramatically announced: “I’m pregnant with the CEO’s baby! Aren’t you going to step aside?” She then dropped a bombshell: “I took a used condom from your hotel room and injected its contents into myself.” She gloated about her “easy-to-conceive” body type. My mind completely blanked. The “billionaire CEO” she thought she was talking about? That was Mia, my best friend. She’s a woman. So whose baby was she carrying? I had just gotten back to the dorm. My roommate, Chloe, immediately rushed over, beaming. “Avery, that’s so unfair! You kept such a huge secret from us!” I was utterly bewildered. “Kept what secret?” Chloe smirked. “A custom license plate with a luxury car – that’s a billionaire CEO’s standard ride, right?” “I can’t believe your boyfriend is a billionaire CEO!” Chloe had originally invited me to go shopping, but I’d turned her down, saying I had a movie date with my boyfriend. On the way back, I’d bumped into Mia, my best friend, and just hitched a ride in her car. I never expected my roommate to get the wrong idea. No matter how much I explained, Chloe just thought I was being modest. It all started when I brought an Hermès bag to freshman orientation. I told them it was a fake, but Chloe saw right through it. Since then, my roommates had jokingly nicknamed me “Heiress Avery.” Chloe and the others usually just teased me and moved on. Only Bethany approached me, her voice serious: “Avery, when are you going to get your boyfriend to treat us to dinner?” Before I could answer, she continued: “Unless you’re worried we’ll steal your boyfriend, and you’re too scared to let us meet him?” Her snarky tone made me incredibly uncomfortable. Why should I put up with her attitude? “My boyfriend and I are doing great. If you’re jealous, just say so.” Bethany immediately bristled, sitting down and throwing out all kinds of taunts: “What’s so special about that? He’s a billionaire, but who knows how long he’ll keep you around?” “Maybe in a couple of months, he’ll just toss you aside like a cheap toy!” Furious, I grabbed the soda on the table and splashed it at her. “Wash out your filthy mouth! Keep spewing that garbage, and I’ll sew it shut myself!” Bethany shrieked. Then she lunged at me, ready to fight. My three years of Muay Thai weren’t for show; I’d have wiped the floor with her, no problem. The other roommates rushed to break us up. Chloe shielded me, while Brooke blocked Bethany. They both told Bethany that she shouldn’t have provoked me first. Bethany stomped her foot, crying: “You’re all ganging up on me!” Then she stormed out of the dorm. Chloe comforted me, telling me not to let Bethany get to me. “Just keep an eye out. Don’t let her get near your boyfriend.” If someone like *her* could steal my boyfriend, then I wouldn’t want him anyway.

After that argument, I noticed Bethany was always watching me. Every time I picked up my phone to reply to messages, she’d find an excuse to inch closer. She even secretly followed me whenever I left the dorm. One day, Mia’s birthday party required me to dress up. As I finished my makeup, I heard Chloe’s teasing voice: “Dressed up so beautifully! Not planning on coming back tonight, are we?” Mia’s birthday parties always lasted until at least midnight, so I nodded without thinking. “Nope. Remember to sign me in.” Just then, my phone buzzed with a message. [I’m here, Ms. Avery. Waiting for you by the West Entrance.] I quickly grabbed my bag and waved to Chloe: “My ride’s here, gotta go!” Chloe looked on enviously, “Your boyfriend is so thoughtful.” Rushing out, I didn’t bother to explain further. Mia’s twentieth birthday was a big deal. After partying late into the night and having a few drinks, my eyes could barely stay open. Through a drunken haze, I thought I saw a familiar figure. Bethany. What was she doing here? Too tired to think straight, I drifted off to sleep.

Bethany seemed to have changed recently. She wasn’t clinging to me like before. She came and went early and late every day. Brooke said she was dating someone. I couldn’t help but inwardly cheer. As long as she wasn’t bothering me, it was a good thing. One day, Bethany came back carrying several designer shopping bags. Chloe asked her, “Did you win the lottery? Why so much Chanel?” Bethany smiled smugly, her voice artificially sweet: “Oh, these are all gifts from my boyfriend. I told him not to, but he just *insisted* on getting them for me. So annoying!” Chloe and I exchanged glances, both internally going, “Wow!” A *really* generous boyfriend, except everything looked obviously fake. I’d been around designer brands my whole life, so I knew the real deal. Chloe, on the other hand, was a self-proclaimed “designer bag expert.” Bethany suddenly walked up to me and dramatically slapped a pregnancy test stick onto my desk. Staring at the two pink lines, my mind went blank for a second. Before I could react, Bethany lifted her chin, a haughty expression on her face, and declared: “I’m pregnant.” The dorm erupted in gasps. Everyone started asking Bethany what was going on. Brooke worried that she was still in college and getting pregnant now would ruin her future. But Bethany simply said: “If I told you who the baby’s father is, I’m sure you’d all envy my good fortune.” Chloe and I rolled our eyes. Pregnant before marriage, knocked up by some random guy, and we’re supposed to envy her ‘good fortune’? What kind of twisted worldview was that? It was absolutely mind-boggling. I couldn’t take it anymore and decided to step out for some fresh air, before the sheer toxicity got to me. Bethany chased after me: “Stop right there.”

I turned around, frowning at her. “Spit it out.” Bethany scoffed coldly: “I’m pregnant with the billionaire CEO’s baby! Aren’t you going to step aside?” My brain instantly short-circuited. Whose baby she was carrying, what did that have to do with me? Seeing my silence, Bethany continued to gloat: “Last month, that night you celebrated your birthday with the billionaire CEO at The Velvet Lounge. After you left, you went to the hotel next door, and I went up too.” “I got the billionaire CEO’s ‘fluid’ from your used condom.” She spoke with an air of complete triumph. “Turns out I’m super fertile; I got lucky on the first try!” Hearing Bethany’s bizarre scheme, I was speechless. Bethany was still blabbering on, showing off: “I had a blood test for this pregnancy. I’m so lucky; it’s a boy!” “He’ll even have the chance to inherit the billionaire CEO’s fortune someday, understand?” The Velvet Lounge? Wasn’t that Mia’s birthday night? But Mia is a woman. Where did she get the “fluid” to get pregnant without sperm?

Bethany had been stalking me a lot lately. Could she have mistaken someone else for him, randomly gotten a condom, got pregnant, and now she’s trying to leverage it for status? What bad luck for that guy. I was just about to tell Bethany the truth. But she puffed out her chest, threatening me imperiously: “I advise you to break up with Arthur. Don’t be a homewrecker.” I loudly told her: “I wouldn’t want that scumbag even if he was free. You two deserve each other, locked together forever!” I wasn’t lying. Calling him “Arthur” over and over, it sounded like Bethany had already contacted him. If he’d still acknowledge her after all this, he couldn’t be a good guy. Ever since she dramatically announced her pregnancy, Bethany’s attitude in the dorm had become even more arrogant. She wanted to announce to the whole world that she was carrying royalty. She demanded Brooke wash her clothes and Chloe get her food. Brooke and Chloe, unaware of the full story, thought she was pregnant and just helped her out. But she just got more and more brazen, completely shameless. One day, I brought a tuna salad sandwich into the dorm. She clutched her nose and cursed: “Typical trashy behavior. Haven’t you heard eating tuna salad is practically eating cat food?” “You’re only fit to eat that. It’s disgusting! Get it out of here!” Furious, I stood up, ready to dump the sandwich on her head. The Middle Ages called, they want their prejudice back! Chloe quickly pulled me back. “She’s pregnant. If you really hurt the baby, I’m afraid she’ll blame you for everything.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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I was probably a strong contender for the most *dutiful* fiancée of the year. I’d chased Julian Reed for eight years, thinking I was starring in some inspirational drama, finally melting that icy man’s heart. The proposal, the engagement – it was all as grand as a fairy tale. Until the eve of our wedding, as I sat surrounded by mountains of invitations, dreaming of our future. Then he came to tell me, for the sake of his first love: “I want to have a child with her, through surrogacy. It won’t affect our wedding.” Oh. So the iceberg wasn’t incapable of melting; it was just that the eternal spring in his heart was never meant for me. And my eight years of devotion? Just a convenient, understanding backup option when he wasn’t busy fulfilling his ‘responsibilities’. [Skylar, I’m going to have a child with Valerie.] Julian’s voice was as cool and detached as ever, devoid of any warmth. I thought I’d misheard him. I paused, my hands still on the wedding invitations I was sorting, and looked up at the man I’d loved for eight long years. “What did you say?” Julian sat casually on the sofa opposite me, as if we were discussing what to have for dinner. “Professor Evans is critically ill. His only wish is to see Valerie have her own child. I promised him I’d look after Valerie for life.” He paused, then added, “It’s just fulfilling a responsibility. We’ll use my sperm and her eggs, find a surrogate. There won’t be any actual relationship between us, and the wedding will proceed as planned.” Absurd! My ears rang with the sheer audacity. A month before our wedding, my fiancé wanted to have a baby with another woman. And I? I was supposed to be *understanding*, *magnanimous*. “Julian, have you lost your mind?” My voice trembled uncontrollably. “I’m perfectly lucid.” Julian frowned, seemingly displeased by my strong reaction. “Skylar, I always thought you were sensible. This is just to grant a dying old man’s wish.” Sensible. Right. From university onwards, I’d followed him around like a tireless ray of sunshine. He was always that iceberg, distant and aloof. Everyone said I was terrifyingly passionate, but only I knew that if I didn’t initiate, there wouldn’t be a single spark between us. Eight years. I’d seen his back more often than his face. I thought I’d finally warmed this stone. He’d proposed, given me a grand engagement party, making me believe I was the happiest woman in the world. Turns out, it was all just *my* belief. “So, in your mind, my feelings, our marriage—they’re less important than your so-called ‘responsibility’?” My eyes welled up, my voice thick with tears. Julian’s phone screen lit up. He glanced at it, his expression immediately turning impatient, and stood up from the sofa. “I have an emergency. You should just calm down for a bit.” He grabbed his jacket, not even sparing me another look, and headed straight for the door. Always like this. When I needed him most, he always had something more important, always left me alone. I watched his resolute back, my heart sinking deeper into an icy abyss. The door clicked shut, cutting off all sound. I was left alone in the living room, with a table full of invitations. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a SnapChat message from Valerie Evans. A photo. The background was the Reproductive Medicine Center at the hospital. Julian was tilting his head, listening intently to a doctor in a white coat. And Valerie sat right beside him, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. Below the photo, a caption: [Julian said to stop making a fuss, important matters come first.] Important matters. So, his “emergency” was accompanying another woman to a fertility consultation. A suffocating pain instantly seized me. I clutched my chest, gasping for air. But it felt like the air in my lungs was getting thinner and thinner. I rushed into the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. Pale face, swollen red eyes, haggard and unrecognizable for love. These eight years, like a long, unrealistic dream. Now, the dream was over. I looked at my pathetic reflection and suddenly laughed. Tears still clung to my eyelashes, but the smile held a chilling, bone-deep coldness. I went back to the living room, picked up my phone, opened my Ins account, and posted a single line: [Wedding date unchanged, groom TBD. Inquiries welcome via DM.] The comments section exploded instantly. [??? Skylar, did you get hacked?!] [OMG, going all out? Does Dr. Reed know?] [Count me in! Groom Candidate #1 reporting for duty!] Seeing my friends’ joking replies, I pulled at the corners of my mouth, but couldn’t manage a smile. My phone rang abruptly. It was a number I’d almost forgotten. Caller ID: My Arch-Nemesis. I paused, then remembered who it was. Asher Vance. We grew up together, rivaling each other since childhood. Not long ago, when I announced my engagement, everyone sent congratulations. Only he commented something baffling: [Are you sure you want to marry him?] At the time, I just thought he was crazy, sent a “buzz off,” and ignored him. The phone kept ringing insistently. I swiped to answer, my voice still a little hoarse: “What do you want?” A two-second silence on the other end, then Asher’s leisurely, yet somewhat serious voice came through. “Me. The groom’s spot. Consider me?” My grip tightened on the phone, my mind blank for a moment. But quickly, I calmed down. The Vance and Dawson families were old acquaintances, similar in status, and knew each other inside and out. Asher might have a smart mouth, but his character and family background were impeccable. Instead of marrying a man whose heart belonged to someone else, why not choose someone who could at least make me feel at ease? If it’s already broken, why not smash it completely? “Alright.” I heard myself say, calmly. Asher on the other end seemed stunned too, taking a few seconds to confirm: “You… you’re serious?” “What else?” I retorted. “Do you have any conditions?” “Conditions?” Asher chuckled softly. “First, change my contact name from ‘My Arch-Nemesis’ to ‘My Dearest’.” I didn’t say anything. “And,” His voice suddenly turned serious. “I’m not messing around with you. I want a real marital relationship. Are you sure you’ve thought this through?” A real marital relationship. I thought sarcastically, *I was with Julian for eight years, and we never became a real family.* “I’ve thought it through.” I answered crisply. “Give me half a month. I need to sort some things out.” “Deal.” After hanging up, I immediately opened Asher’s contact and changed the name to [My Dearest]. Looking at those two words, a thrill of vindictive pleasure rose from deep inside, bringing a flicker of warmth to my icy body. Julian, you’re having a baby with another woman behind my back. Fine, I’ll switch grooms behind yours. 2. Julian didn’t come back for the next few days. I didn’t call him to ask either. I just quietly, one by one, contacted the friends to whom I’d sent invitations, asking them to send them back or simply destroy them. My best friend, Chloe, was shocked on the phone: “What’s wrong, Skylar? Did you two fight? Don’t be impulsive!” My voice betrayed no emotion: “No fight. Just a change of groom.” There was a long silence on the other end, then Chloe’s dry laugh: “Alright, alright, I know you two are just playing games again. Dr. Reed is such an ice cube, only you, his little ray of sunshine, can melt him. No one else could.” No one believed me. Everyone thought my love for Julian was a given, indestructible. I hung up, a bitter taste in my mouth. It turns out, in this relationship, I was the only constant. I decided to prove it with action. When Julian finally returned, it was three days later. He looked exhausted, faint dark circles under his eyes; he clearly hadn’t rested well. He took off his jacket and tossed it onto the sofa. Seeing me sitting on the living room carpet, staring blankly, his first words mirrored my actions over the past few days. “Skylar, retrieve all the invitations.” He paused, his voice hoarse: “Professor Evans is critically ill; I need to be by his side during this time to honor his final days. Let’s postpone our wedding.” After saying it, he seemed ready for a fierce argument. However, the anticipated crying and questioning didn’t happen. I merely looked up, calmly met his gaze, and softly said: “Understood. My condolences.” This overly “sensible” attitude inexplicably startled Julian. He felt something was off, but days of exhaustion left him no time for deep thought. “You should come with me to the hospital this afternoon to see Professor Evans.” He offered the invitation. I nodded: “Okay.” Out of politeness, I should go. In the hospital corridor outside the ward, the smell of disinfectant was thick and suffocating. The moment Valerie Evans saw Julian, she latched onto him like he was her pillar of strength. Her tears gushed, and her body went limp, collapsing into his arms. Julian, almost instinctively, lunged forward, catching her steadily in his embrace. He bent his head, comforting the sobbing woman, and without looking up, said to me behind him: “You go in first. Valerie isn’t doing well; I’ll stay with her for a bit.” Their posture was so intimate, as if they were the couple. I watched the scene, my heart strangely calm. I didn’t even rush forward and tear her away from him, like I used to. I simply glanced at them, then turned, and quietly pushed open the door to a family waiting room. I was completely different from the crying, dramatic person I used to be. 3. Julian felt a flicker of surprise at my composure, but Valerie’s trembling in his arms quickly pulled his attention back. I visited Professor Evans alone in his hospital bed and then offered my condolences to Mrs. Evans. Mrs. Evans held my hand, her eyes red, conveying both gratitude and apology. “Skylar, you’ve really been wronged. The wedding trouble is all our fault.” I shook my head, indicating understanding. Mrs. Evans sighed and began to explain for Julian: “Julian, you see how he’s so cold and distant on the outside, but he truly cares for you. He used to mention you casually to us, saying what silly things you’d done, how you smiled like a silly ray of sunshine. He loved you without even realizing it; he just wasn’t good at expressing himself.” Loved without realizing it? Hearing those words, I found them incredibly ironic. If he truly loved me, why did I always feel ignored? Why did his turning back always outweigh his staying embrace? Why would he, for another woman, ask me to postpone our wedding, and even contemplate having a child with someone else? I was certain that the moment Julian agreed to surrogacy, everything had already come to an end. These belated declarations of love felt ridiculously cheap. Soon after, Professor Evans passed away. At the memorial service, Julian, as his most accomplished protégé, stayed by Valerie’s side throughout, acting almost like a de facto family member. When the ceremony concluded, it was pouring rain outside. Julian drove up and stopped in front of me. The car window lowered. Valerie sat in the passenger seat, and a sorrowful Mrs. Evans was in the back. “Get in.” He said it simply. I was about to open the back door when Valerie in the passenger seat suddenly burst into tears, sobbing as she pleaded with Julian: “Julian, I just want you to take Mom and me to the cemetery to be with Dad. Can’t *she* just call a ride herself?” Her words were sharp and malicious. Even Mrs. Evans in the back frowned, finding her daughter’s behavior disrespectful. Julian, however, fell silent. He glanced at Valerie’s tear-reddened eyes, then at me, standing silently outside the window. Ultimately, he chose to appease Valerie. He said to me: “I’ll come back for you later.” With that, he stepped on the gas, and the black sedan sped away into the rain. I was left standing alone, the icy rain pelting my face. I had anticipated this outcome, and there wasn’t even a hint of sadness on my face. I waited under the eaves of the funeral home for a full three hours. My phone screen remained dark. I knew he wasn’t coming. The funeral home was in a remote location, and I couldn’t find a ride. I had no choice but to walk along the highway in the torrential rain. The cold rain soaked through my expensive black dress, leaving me drenched and miserable. It took me nearly two hours of walking to reach the outskirts of the city where I could finally hail a taxi. By the time I returned to that so-called home, it was late into the night. 4. That night, I came down with a high fever. Julian didn’t return all night. I was delirious with fever, my bones felt like they’d been disassembled and reassembled; I didn’t even have the strength to grab my phone and dial 91

In the end, driven by a primal instinct to survive, I struggled to find some fever reducers in the medicine cabinet. I haphazardly swallowed a few pills, then drifted into a deep, feverish sleep. A whole day and night passed. When I woke up again, the fever had finally broken, but I was utterly drained of all strength. Julian returned at that very moment. He didn’t mention abandoning me at the funeral home entrance two days prior, acting as if it had never happened. He walked straight into the walk-in closet and began packing a bag. “Valerie’s in a bad way. I need to go stay with her for a few days.” He explained as he packed. He didn’t even notice my pale face or my weakened state. He just left me with a dismissive “Call me if you need anything” and rushed out again. I lay in bed, thinking sarcastically: *What’s the point of calling?* In his mind, my problems probably never counted as “anything.” Julian didn’t return for the next few days. However, through Valerie Evans’s Ins account, I passively learned all of his whereabouts. Today, he accompanied her to a calming art exhibition. Tomorrow, he walked with her by the river, the evening breeze rustling through her long hair. The day after, she was sick, and he sat by her bedside, patiently feeding her medicine. Every photo radiated meticulous care and constant companionship. I was already numb to all of this. After I recovered, the first thing I did was resign from my job. My colleagues were puzzled by my sudden decision to leave Portwood and return to my hometown. Someone subconsciously asked: “So, if you leave, what about Dr. Reed?” It was then I realized that, in everyone’s eyes, my life seemed to revolve around Julian. I smiled and replied: “It’s not a long-distance relationship. It’s… we won’t be seeing each other again.” After packing up my things at the office, I returned home carrying a cardboard box. As I opened the door, I ran right into Julian and Valerie in the living room. Julian saw the box in my arms and frowned, questioning: “What’s with the box?” “Oh, the company’s moving inventory. Just some personal items I’m taking home first.” I lied without batting an eye. Valerie interjected at just the right moment. She walked up to me, putting on a fragile, innocent expression. “Skylar, I’m so sorry. About the surrogacy thing… I was thoughtless. Now that Dad’s gone, it’s not needed anymore. Nothing happened between Julian and me, so please don’t take it to heart.” Her words sounded like an apology, but they were really a boast and a way to clear her name. I saw through her hypocrisy but was too tired to call her out. I just nodded. After I went to my room, I realized I’d left my phone on the living room sofa. Just as I was about to go retrieve it, the bedroom door was abruptly pushed open. Julian burst in, holding my phone, his face dark. Those usually indifferent eyes were now fixated on me, his voice filled with suppressed fury. He thrust the phone screen in front of me and demanded, word by word: “Who is this ‘My Dearest’ in your phone?” 5. I looked at Julian’s angry face and found it incredibly ironic. This was the first time I’d ever seen him jealous over me. I remembered the past, how I’d also painstakingly tried similar tactics, asking male friends to call me to try and provoke even a flicker of concern from him. But each time, he’d been completely unresponsive, as cold as ice. Now, that I was actually leaving, he finally learned to be jealous. It was all too late. Valerie had followed him and, seeing the tense atmosphere, immediately stepped forward to smooth things over, explaining proactively: “Oh, Julian, you’ve misunderstood! It must be Skylar’s best friend! We girls love giving our besties those kind of affectionate nicknames!” I was too tired to correct her. Exhausted, I simply went along with Valerie’s words, tacitly accepting her explanation. Julian’s expression softened slightly, but he still looked upset. I took my phone back, turned, and went into my room, closing the door. I redialed the number. The moment the call connected, Asher’s leisurely voice came through. He asked a string of trivial questions about the weather in Portwood today, and if I’d eaten. I grew a little impatient: “Asher, what exactly do you want to say?” Just as I was about to hang up, Asher finally asked the core question. His voice was no longer flippant; instead, it carried a hint of vulnerability. “I just wanted to ask you if you’ve had any regrets. Are you *really* going to change grooms?” He knew how much I used to love Julian—a love that was public, reckless. That love was a heavy stone weighing on his heart. I fell silent. Yes, my past love was tumultuous, known to the whole world. I chuckled self-deprecatingly, then answered with a firm voice: “I… don’t love him anymore.” “Asher, don’t worry.” I added, “I said I’d switch, and I won’t regret it because of Julian.” 6. I hung up the phone and stepped out of the room. Julian was still standing in the living room, his face still grim. He looked at me and said: “Next time, don’t use such easily misunderstood nicknames for your friends.” “Hmm,” I mumbled, giving him a perfunctory nod. Seeing me relent, Julian’s expression finally improved. Valerie, standing nearby, observed this scene. Her eyes flickered, and her expression grew complex. She realized that Julian still harbored a strong possessiveness towards me. So Valerie had a new idea. She proactively suggested: “Julian, Skylar, we haven’t had a meal together in ages. How about we all go see a movie tonight?” She wanted to use this opportunity to flaunt Julian’s affection for her in front of me. My first instinct was to refuse. But Valerie immediately turned to Julian, putting on an aggrieved look. Her eyes were red, as if I was still angry at her for what had happened before. Julian instantly felt a pang of pity and shot me a disapproving look, as if he were scolding me for being childish. I scoffed internally, but ultimately nodded. I was forced to go along. Valerie chose a high-end Japanese restaurant. Julian knew perfectly well that I was allergic to raw food and that it always upset my stomach. Yet, because Valerie said, “This restaurant is especially delicious,” he agreed without hesitation. At the dinner table, Julian meticulously picked out the salmon bones for Valerie, his movements gentle and focused. In front of me, there was only a single glass of warm water the entire time. Valerie even feigned confusion and asked me: “Skylar, why aren’t you eating? Is it not to your taste?” I couldn’t be bothered to respond. After dinner, Valerie chose a horror movie. In the dark cinema, she constantly initiated physical contact with Julian. Every time a scary scene appeared, she would shriek and immediately bury herself in his arms. Julian instinctively wanted to push her away, but seeing her tear-reddened eyes, he remembered his mentor’s dying wishes. He eventually relented, letting her lean against him. He subconsciously glanced at me sitting beside him and saw that I was watching them. My gaze was calm, completely unfazed, as if I were watching a play that had nothing to do with me. He wanted to say something, to explain. But I had already turned my head, continuing to watch the movie. A strange displeasure rose in Julian’s heart, but he still whispered comforting words to Valerie in his arms. Hearing his gentle reassurances, a faint, cold laugh escaped my lips. 7. As the day of my departure from Portwood drew closer, I decided to say a proper farewell to my friends. I messaged my group chat, suggesting we meet up. Chloe proposed we just do it at the alumni gathering in a few days, and everyone agreed. The gathering was set at a lively karaoke bar. Inside the private room, amidst the booming music, I leaned into Chloe’s ear and confessed: “I’m going home to get married in a couple of days.” Chloe’s eyes widened in shock. It took her a while to find her voice: “You were serious that day?!” “Serious,” I said with a smile, then added, “You’re all welcome to my wedding.” My friends gathered around, anxiously asking questions. “What about Julian? Does he know?” Just then, the private room door opened. Julian’s tall figure appeared in the doorway. He seemed to have just come from a business dinner, still smelling of alcohol. But he had heard the last question and frowned, asking: “Know what?” The atmosphere in the private room instantly became awkward. Chloe quickly covered it up, pulling over our friend Lena, who was good at palm reading, and clamoring to play a fortune-telling game. She forcibly changed the subject. “Come on, come on! Let’s get our marriage fortunes told!” A delicate wooden box was pushed in front of me. I casually drew a slip of paper and opened it. It read: “The flower of obsession will eventually wither, while the unheeded tree will flourish.” I looked at the words, my expression slightly stunned. *How true.* My obsession with Julian was finally about to fade. And this decision I made, the one I hadn’t truly believed in, might actually lead me to a new beginning. Unaware, the other classmates cheered, encouraging Julian to draw one too. He casually drew a slip and opened it. The few who leaned in to look instantly fell silent. The slip starkly read: “All for nothing.” A classmate immediately protested: “How is that possible! Everyone knows Dr. Reed and our Skylar have a stable relationship and are about to get married!” Those words made my knowing friends even more uncomfortable, but the scene was quickly swallowed by new laughter and chatter. Only Julian, staring at the slip of paper, looked thoughtful. Just then, his phone rang. Julian answered, listened for a few moments, and his expression suddenly changed drastically. He abruptly stood up, grabbing my wrist with a never-before-seen urgency and anxiety. “You’re coming to the hospital with me!” 8. Julian’s face was anxious, and he drove like a madman, taking me directly to the hospital rooftop. The evening wind was biting, chilling me to the bone. On the edge of the rooftop, an agitated man held a dagger tightly against Valerie Evans’s tear-streaked neck. The man was a disgruntled patient’s relative, harboring resentment, and had been tracking Julian. He’d mistakenly taken Valerie, who had been inseparable from Julian lately, for his girlfriend. “Julian Reed! You owe me my wife’s life!” The man roared, the cold gleam of the dagger flickering at Valerie’s throat. Julian saw Valerie crying and pleading for his help, his eyes instantly turning bloodshot. The next second. Julian grabbed my arm. A powerful force. He shoved me forward. I stumbled. The cold blade was right in front of my eyes. My back burned. It was the warmth of his hand, still lingering. Julian roared at the assailant: “Take her! She’s my fiancée!” The assailant froze. Then, a twisted,狂喜 grin spread across his face. “Oh? So this is the main course?” He pointed the knife at me, then at his feet. “Alright, you come over here.” The assailant laughed. The blade pressed into Valerie’s neck, drawing a thin line of blood. He stared at me as if I were a lifeless object. My ears filled with a roaring silence; I couldn’t draw a single breath as the cold wind rushed into my lungs. My mind went blank, all the blood in my veins seemed to freeze. I finally understood why Julian had so urgently dragged me from the alumni gathering: he was using me to exchange for Valerie’s life. The assailant fell for it and was about to make the exchange. Just at this critical moment, the police, who had been lying in wait, rushed out and subdued the assailant in one swift move. Valerie was safe. Julian immediately rushed to her, holding her tightly and comforting her nonstop. Valerie sobbed hysterically in his arms. It wasn’t until he confirmed Valerie was unharmed and her emotions had stabilized that Julian belatedly remembered me, the one he had pushed away. He walked towards me, his heart giving a sudden lurch, and explained: “Skylar, don’t be afraid. That was just a tactic to distract the assailant. Everything was under my control.” A tactic? I didn’t argue. Whether it was true or false no longer mattered. What mattered was that in a moment of life and death, he had unhesitatingly chosen to sacrifice me. In that moment, I looked at the man before me as if he were a complete stranger. The question that had lingered in my mind for so long finally had its answer. I truly, deeply regretted it. Regretted loving him. Over the next few days, Julian stayed by Valerie’s side, citing her need for companionship due to shock, completely forgetting that I, too, had been pushed towards a deadly blade. I no longer felt sad. My heart had already died. I returned to that so-called home and began calmly clearing out all items related to Julian. The wedding photo they had once cherished, I personally set alight, watching it turn to ash in the sink. All the matching toothbrushes, mugs, towels, and slippers were meticulously, one by one, tossed into a trash bag. I was going to cleanse this man from my world, completely and utterly. 9. I began to pack my own luggage. I had moved into this house with a heart full of joy, filling every corner with my presence, piece by piece. I naively thought that this would be enough to hold Julian’s heart. Now, it seemed utterly futile. When Julian came home, he found me folding clothes into a suitcase. He walked over proactively and asked: “Going on a business trip?” I had my back to him, a sarcastic curve to my lips, and readily admitted: “Yes, the company arranged it. Early flight tomorrow.” Julian didn’t think much of it. Perhaps out of guilt from what happened at the hospital, he uncharacteristically took the initiative to cook dinner. After dinner, he produced an exquisite gift box and handed it to me. “I’m sorry about the hospital incident.” Inside the box was an expensive fountain pen. I looked at the pen, my heart completely unmoved. I knew that all his unusual behavior stemmed from guilt, not love. Julian then said: “Valerie’s been in low spirits lately. I want to take a few days off to spend more time with her.” “As you wish,” my tone was as flat as if discussing the weather. Julian seemed pleased with my “understanding” response. He stepped forward and, uncharacteristically, hugged me from behind, resting his chin on the top of my head. “Once Valerie gets through this, I’ll make it up to you properly.” He promised. I didn’t respond. I knew, deep down, that there was no future between us anymore. The next morning, Julian bought breakfast and even offered to drive me to the airport. However, halfway through breakfast, his phone rang. No need to guess; it was Valerie. After hanging up, he once again said the phrase I’d heard countless times: “Skylar, I have an urgent matter that’s come up. I can’t drive you.” He told me to let him know when I returned, and he’d pick me up. With that, he turned and hurriedly left. I watched his resolute retreating back, a sight I’d seen countless times. This time, it was the last. I whispered softly: “Julian, I’m not coming back.” I took one last look around the house that held six years of my youth and love. On the living room table, I left a note. It contained only one line: “Julian, we’re over. I’m going home to get married.” Having done all that, I pulled my suitcase and walked out the door without a single ounce of regret. I hailed a taxi to the airport, resolute in my decision. It was a complete farewell to my past.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299192”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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