Category: English

Alexander’s secretary was pregnant. And it was his. At our ninth-anniversary party, he brought her home. To our home. He told me, so casually, his voice devoid of any warmth or apology: “Serena is picky with her food, so for her meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, nothing can be repeated.” “She’s delicate and gets scared easily, so she needs company to fall asleep. Pack your things, Chloe. You’ll be moving to the guest room.” I didn’t say a word. I just walked over to the neatly packed suitcase that had been waiting for days, picked it up, and calmly headed for the front door. Our butler started to protest, but Alexander just let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “Let her throw her tantrum. She’ll be crawling back in shame within three days, anyway.” Everyone burst into laughter, their cruel amusement echoing in the grand hall. Right in front of my face, they started a bet – ten million dollars. They bet I wouldn’t even last until morning, that I’d be crying, begging Alexander like a stray dog to let me back in. But what they didn’t know was that *someone else* had already arranged a Maybach for me, waiting outside the gates. This time, I was truly leaving.

As I was about to step out of the mansion’s main doors, Julian Thorne suddenly called out to me. “Celeste, leave that heirloom bracelet with the calming effect. Briar’s been having nightmares lately.” The bracelet was my parents’ legacy, their only keepsake for me. Meeting my reddened eyes, Julian’s gaze was utterly cold: “Name your price.” Nine years of a marriage that felt like I was worth dirt. How much was that even worth? I couldn’t be bothered to calculate. I only knew that last time, when I refused to give Briar my goggles at the ski resort, the consequence was him stripping me bare and leaving me stranded halfway up the mountain. I took off my heirloom bracelet and placed it on Briar’s wrist. “May the child in your womb be safe and sound,” I told her. Upon hearing my blessing, Julian, for once, offered me a way out: “Celeste, as long as you’re obedient enough, my child will be your child.” No sooner had the words left his mouth than the bracelet on Briar’s wrist slipped and shattered. Seeing Briar’s leg scratched, Julian swept her up in a bridal carry. He sharply ordered Mr. Henderson, the butler, to call Dr. Miller, the family doctor. The sight of his frantic worry made everyone present look at me with amusement. This scene, it wasn’t just amusing to them. Even I found it laughable. Last night, when I had a heart attack, Julian was about to leave to watch meteor showers with Briar. Even as I foamed at the mouth and collapsed to the floor, he remained expressionless, stepping right over me. Before losing consciousness, I heard him instruct Mr. Henderson: “Have the entire living room disinfected. Briar’s coming home tomorrow, and I won’t have her smelling any foul odors.” Clutching the handle of my luggage, I turned to leave, but his cold hand seized my wrist: “Apologize.” “Wha—” Before I could finish, he’d already dragged me to my knees at Briar’s feet. My knees scraped against the shattered fragments, staining the white floor crimson. Seeing the blood, Julian’s eyes flashed with disgust, and he let go. “You deliberately broke Briar’s bracelet and injured her. Don’t you think you should apologize to her?” After marrying Julian, “I’m sorry” had become my catchphrase. The soup I made was too bland, I’m sorry. Worried he might get drunk and feel unwell, I messaged him and bothered him, I’m sorry. I accidentally saw a text from Briar inviting him to a hotel, invading his privacy. Truly, I was sorry… Biting hard on the inside of my cheek, I resigned myself and straightened up. After bowing deeply to Briar and repeating my apologies three times, I looked at Julian with indifference. “Is that enough?” I asked softly. Staring at the trickle of blood at the corner of my lips, his chest noticeably heaved. “Celeste, my grandfather isn’t here to help you. Who are you putting on this disgusting show of pity for?” Before I could reply, Dr. Miller, the family doctor, arrived in a hurry. Julian shoved me out of the way and led the doctor to Briar’s side.

While his eyes were entirely on Briar, I quickly walked out the main doors. Just as I stepped out of the mansion, I heard Beep-beep! A double honk. Seeing the silver car beyond the iron gates, I couldn’t help but quicken my pace. However, before the gates could open, two bodyguards suddenly appeared, forcibly taking me back into the mansion. Inside his study, Julian tied me up. He ordered someone to insert a thick needle, the size of a child’s arm, into my arm. Through the half-open door, I heard Dr. Miller tell Julian: “Mr. Thorne, both Mrs. Thorne and Ms. Rosewood have RH-negative blood, but Mrs. Thorne has a history of heart issues since childhood. Forcing a blood draw could easily trigger acute shock. I think it would be better to go to the hospital first for a transfusion for Ms. Rosewood, who is anemic…” “No need to persuade me further.” Julian said coldly, “Your only task is to restore Briar’s health. As for the rest, I know what I’m doing.” Hearing Julian’s approaching footsteps, I slowly closed my eyes. “Does it hurt much?” His voice held a rare hint of comfort. “Just bear with it a little longer; it’ll be over soon.” I turned my head away, unwilling to waste words on him. After they drew eight hundred milliliters of blood, my lips had turned purple. At that moment, Briar, lying in the master bedroom, suddenly coughed. Hearing it, Julian immediately stopped the doctor from pulling out the needle, demanding he draw twice the amount of blood. The doctor, dripping with cold sweat, informed Julian that if they continued, I would likely die. Hesitating for two seconds, Julian only said: “Briar is pregnant. The pregnant woman comes first, always.” “But…” I interrupted the doctor’s protest, “Just draw it. Let me leave once you’re done.” Seeing my bloodless face, Julian’s eyes filled with cold fury, and he opened his mouth. He was about to press me, asking if I was done throwing a tantrum. Was I seriously going to leave home over such a minor thing? “Julian, darling~” Briar’s sweet voice instantly drew him away. Two days later. I woke up in the hospital, recovering from shock, to see Julian reviewing documents. Our eyes met for a long time. Expressionless, he brought over a bowl of porridge, making to feed me. But I shook my head. “I can do it myself.” After quietly watching me finish half a bowl of porridge, Julian asked, “Are you uncomfortable anywhere?” I replied, dodging the question, “Please give me my phone.” Perhaps my tone was too distant, for Julian stared blankly for several seconds before contacting Mr. Henderson, who brought my phone over. Spotting many missed calls on my phone, Julian asked abruptly, “Who was calling?” He hadn’t asked so many questions before. A flicker of annoyance crossed my eyes, and I simply said, “You don’t know them.” Julian unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, his gaze cold as he looked down at me. “Celeste Davies, how long are you going to keep throwing a diva tantrum?” “Don’t push your luck!” In the past, when Julian got angry, I would always reflect on my own actions and try my best to calm him down. But now, I just pointed at his vibrating phone, telling him flatly, “Briar’s calling you.” Hearing that, a smile touched Julian’s eyes, and he instinctively moved away from me, walking into the hospital corridor. As soon as he left, my phone rang. I answered. Before I could speak, the person on the other end anxiously said, “Didn’t you say you were coming to find me? Celeste, did you change your mind?” “No, I haven’t. Just ran into a bit of an accident…” “An accident? What happened to you? No, I have to fly back to the country myself…”

Interrupting their rambling, I lowered my gaze and pursed my lips. “Just give me a few more days.” Julian returned to the hospital room just as I finished my call. Noticing the faint smile on my lips, a smile he hadn’t seen in a long time, an inexplicable tightness squeezed his chest. But he had just promised Briar he’d return immediately to sing lullabies for her and the baby. So he didn’t have time to ask who I’d been talking to— It must have been my cousin, who often called me. After all, since marrying him, my social media was only filled with female relatives. Grabbing his documents, Julian walked out without looking back, saying coldly, “Celeste, something came up at the office. I’ll come back tomorrow.” Tomorrow, the day after, the day after that, he didn’t show up. However, thanks to mutual friends, I kept receiving videos of him and Briar. He took Briar to parties and dinners. Like a young man newly in love, he eagerly introduced her to everyone. The day I was discharged from the hospital, Julian posted many photos on Ins. At sunset, he stood in a romantic hot air balloon, cradling Briar’s blushing face, passionately kissing her. I commented: [Wishing you both an early heir and everlasting happiness.] Ten minutes later, Julian called me. I didn’t answer. Half an hour later, having completed my discharge procedures alone, I saw Julian and Briar at the entrance of the obstetrics and gynecology department. I heard the young nurse at the reception desk tell Briar: “Mrs. Thorne, your husband truly adores you. He accompanies you every time you come. During the ultrasound scan, he even worries about you getting cold from the coupling gel, so he personally warms it up every time before allowing us to use it.” The pregnant women around, hearing Nurse Chloe, all looked on with envy. Instinctively touching my abdomen, I remembered that once, there had been a child here. The day I miscarried after a car accident, due to severe bleeding, I cried and video-called Julian. What I saw was Briar, barely dressed, on the screen: “Mrs. Thorne, Julian lost a game to me, so now he’s tied to the bed, accepting his punishment. Is there something you needed him for?” I didn’t say a word, just hung up the video call. Less than a minute later, Julian called back himself. He was holding a teary-eyed Briar, and he erupted, yelling that I was petty and utterly foolish. He also said: “You incompetent idiot, who can’t even hold onto your own child, what good are you for? Celeste, why don’t you just let a truck run you over?” I pulled myself out of my thoughts. Just as I was about to walk around them, Julian walked over, his face cold: “What are you standing there like an idiot for?” My gaze dropped, and instinctively, I tried to explain: “I wasn’t following you. It was truly just a coincidence. Sorry to have bothered you.” “Wait.” As Julian frowned and uttered that word, a flicker of jealousy crossed Briar’s eyes. Tightening her grip on Julian’s arm, Briar smiled at me: “Mrs. Thorne, I’m incredibly grateful for your blood donation. Without you, I’d still be so dizzy. Julian, honey, please let Mrs. Thorne come home with us, okay?” Julian dotingly flicked Briar’s nose: “My sweetest, kindest pregnant baby, whatever you say goes.” I was already planning to go back for my luggage, so I didn’t refuse Briar’s “kindness.” Inside the spacious black car. Soon, just as Briar wished, in the crevice of the car seat, I found a lace panty, still damp. “Oh dear~ What, why is this still in the car? Julian, honey, didn’t you tell me you’d already gotten rid of it?”

Biting her lip, Briar snuggled into Julian’s arms, playfully pounding his chest with a shy blush. Julian chuckled softly, apologizing to Briar that it was all his fault, while subtly observing my expression. When he noticed that I wasn’t angry at all, that familiar tightness he’d felt in the hospital room inexplicably returned. “Celeste, you’ve been on your phone ever since we got in the car.” His tone was displeased, sounding almost jealous: “Are you chatting with your cousin, or someone else I don’t know?” Having just booked my flight, I turned off my phone screen. “Just browsing the news.” Hearing me say that, Julian’s displeasure only intensified. He snatched my phone before I could react. He asked me gruffly for the password. “My birthday.” Nine years of marriage. Such a simple six-digit number, yet he kept entering it until the phone locked itself, unable to open it. The journey was silent until we reached our destination. As soon as the car stopped, Julian tenderly helped Briar, who was suffering from morning sickness, into the master bedroom. Then he asked Chef Martha, the cook, to prepare Briar’s favorite foods. As he came downstairs, Julian saw my lonely figure walking towards the guest room. After a moment’s thought, he told Chef Martha, “Also prepare two of Mrs. Thorne’s usual dishes. And set three places for dinner.” In the guest room. I opened my luggage, surprised to find all my clothes slashed to pieces. Fortunately, my passport and other documents, placed in an inner layer, were undamaged. As I gathered my documents, ready to leave, Briar blocked the doorway. She held a black bottle in her hand, eyeing me up and down with disdain. “Celeste Davies, I didn’t realize you could endure so much. You’ve been publicly humiliated, a laughingstock in the entire upper echelon, yet you’re still clinging to the Thorne family and refusing to leave.” “Oh, right, that old woman from your family just passed away last month. With her gone, you have no choice but to desperately cling to Julian Thorne, the rich tycoon.” At this, Briar suddenly remembered something amusing. “Celeste, you cried and pleaded with Julian to fly you by helicopter to the hospital to see your grandmother one last time, do you know why he refused? Because he’d promised to take me to watch the sunset by the ocean that day. Look, this kissing photo on my phone screen, that’s from then, you see?” I slapped Briar’s phone out of her hand with a loud crack, unable to bear it any longer, and grabbed her by the neck. The bottle in Briar’s hand slipped and fell. I immediately smelled a pungent odor of gasoline. In the struggle, a panicked Briar lit the gasoline on the floor. Thick smoke billowed, flames raged. Having just been discharged from the hospital, I quickly choked, lost all strength, and collapsed to the floor. Just then, I heard Julian’s voice: “Celeste!” Followed closely by the staff’s shouts of protest: “Sir, it’s too dangerous in there, you can’t go in yet! Wait for security to bring the fire extinguisher before—” “Get out of the way! Celeste is still in there!” He disregarded the danger and rushed into the house after all. Only, he hadn’t expected Briar to be in there too. “Julian, darling, help—” Without Briar needing to finish, Julian unhesitatingly swept her up in his arms. He didn’t even glance at me, turning and leaving directly. Half an hour later. After comforting Briar, Julian searched the entire villa but couldn’t find a trace of me. Late at night at the airport. After mailing my package, I coughed as I boarded the flight to England. Just before the plane took off, I received a text from Julian: [I don’t have time to play hide-and-seek. Briar has her prenatal check-up tomorrow morning at ten. You come along, too, for a lung check-up.] I didn’t reply. I pulled out my SIM card and turned off my phone. Julian Thorne, from now on, you and I are through.

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Picking up Chloe from her office after work, I found a fancy hotel water bottle in her bag. Instinctively, I looked at her. “What were you doing at a hotel?” Chloe didn’t even hesitate. “Where would I even find the time for a hotel? I come straight home every day after work.” I froze. This was the first time in all our years of marriage she had ever lied to me. Later that night, I stared at my sleeping wife. My mind kept replaying the image of that water bottle in her bag, and insomnia hit me hard. I picked up Chloe’s phone from the table and typed in the old password, but it showed an error. She’d suddenly changed her phone password. A knot of dread tightened in my stomach. After a moment, I tried her bank card PIN instead, and the screen lit up. I opened SnapChat. My chat was still pinned at the top. She didn’t have many contacts, just a few friends and colleagues. All the chat logs looked perfectly normal. I let out a sigh of relief, maybe I was just overthinking things. But then, I clicked on her Amazon app. My eyes widened at a string of recent purchases for men’s items: razors, belts, pajamas, and more. The shipping address was her company. I stared, completely baffled, re-reading it over and over, certain I had never received any of these things. She hadn’t given me a gift in ages. My hands trembled as I clicked into other apps. I discovered she’d been booking a hotel room every single lunchtime for nearly three months. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand, leaving me breathless. Just moments ago, when we were intimate, she’d caressed my waist and said, “Honey, have you gained weight?” So, the man she was cheating with was at her company, and he was thin. I didn’t sleep a wink all night. When Chloe woke up that morning, she kissed my forehead as usual. “Honey, I’m heading to work. You sleep in a bit more.” A bitter ache surged in my nose. I rolled over, pretending to still be asleep, and didn’t answer her. Chloe got ready, then sat at her vanity, applying makeup for a full half-hour. She even put on perfume. Usually, she’d go to work without any makeup. I watched her meticulous grooming, remembering how she’d recently started yoga. It had to be for him. After she left for work, I sat on the bed in a daze for a long time. I didn’t go to work; I texted in sick. It wasn’t until nearly noon that I left the house. I called an Uber and headed to Chloe’s office building. The moment it hit twelve o’clock, I saw Chloe walk out and get into a black sedan. I immediately followed, trailing the car to a hotel – the same one I’d seen listed in her booking information. When the black sedan pulled to a stop, a tall, slender man in a dress shirt stepped out of the driver’s seat. He looked young and stylish. I looked down at my own cheap tee, probably under $10. I’d been pinching every penny for her, not even buying myself a decent shirt that cost over twenty dollars. Soon, it clicked. This man was Mason Xu, Chloe’s colleague. He was the one who drove Chloe home after their team dinner last month. Because he’d acted so normal back then, I hadn’t thought anything of it. It seemed everything had been a warning sign. Following the booking details I’d seen last night, I went to Room 1045. They must have been in too much of a hurry; the door wasn’t completely shut. I walked slowly closer. At first, I heard only playful laughter, but then it morphed into moans. My entire body went numb with cold. I never imagined something like this would happen to me. Chloe always came straight home from work, gentle, kind, and devoted to me. In everyone’s eyes, she was the perfect wife. I remembered once, when I’d accidentally scrolled past news of a woman cheating, I jokingly asked her, “Honey, would you ever cheat on me?” Chloe laughed and hugged me, saying, “Honey, I swear, I’ll only ever kiss you and love you in this lifetime.” The muffled voices from inside broke my train of thought. Mason asked, “When can we stop sneaking around like this and just be together openly?” Chloe soothed him, “Soon, you just have to trust me.” “You said you didn’t want kids, but I don’t feel comfortable getting a vasectomy.” “Then I’ll take the pill. Don’t get a vasectomy, it’s too painful.” Suddenly, my heart felt like it had been stabbed, torn and bleeding. When Chloe and I first got married, she said she didn’t want children yet, and worried about accidental pregnancies, so she always took birth control pills. I felt bad for her, so *I* got a vasectomy. Chloe was so touched, “Honey, you’ve sacrificed so much. Once our lives are stable, we’ll have a sweet baby.” Getting the vasectomy was painful, but I never complained, not a single word, because I truly loved her. For a moment, I wanted to burst in there, consequences be damned. But I didn’t. I knew I had to stay calm. I don’t know how I walked out of that hotel. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. The thought of Chloe betraying me brought immense pain, a complete breakdown. My parents didn’t support me marrying Chloe back then, but I defied them anyway, choosing to marry her, believing we’d be happy forever. Chloe had also sworn she’d love me for a lifetime, never letting me down. Liar! That evening, Chloe came home from work with bags of groceries. “Honey, I bought your favorite crab.” I looked at her quietly. “Did you forget? I’m allergic to crab.” Chloe’s movements faltered. She raised a hand and patted her head. “Oh, my memory! I’ve been so swamped lately, my head’s spinning.” She used to never forget my habits; she knew exactly what foods I was allergic to. I also used to feel she truly loved me. One winter, I was in a bad car accident, severely injured. When I woke up from surgery, Chloe cried , “Thank God you’re safe. I don’t know how I’d live without you.” During my hospital stay, she never left my bedside, even afraid to sleep at night, worried the IV might backflow. But somehow, somewhere, she changed. Her affair wasn’t without clues. Lately, her phone had been glued to her hand, and she often smiled foolishly at it. When I asked, she’d say she was just scrolling through TikTok videos. A few days ago, she bought several sexy dresses, claiming she wanted to dress up nicely so I wouldn’t lose interest. Thinking back, it was truly laughable. I looked at Chloe and asked, “Do you love me?” Chloe smiled nonchalantly. “Of course I love you, honey. You’re the one I love most.” Her acting was truly superb. If I hadn’t seen her and Mason go to that hotel with my own eyes, I would have foolishly believed every word. After Chloe went to shower, I picked up her phone and found her SnapChat messages with Mason. She must have been deleting them daily; these messages from half an hour ago she hadn’t had time to erase. Mason: “I miss you so much. Can you not let him touch you? It makes me so uncomfortable.” Chloe: “Don’t worry, he and I have no feelings left. You’re the one I love now.” My fingers clutched the phone so hard they turned white. Suppressing the pain in my heart, I clicked into Mason’s social media. His latest post: *I said I wanted crab, and someone immediately made me oil-braised crab. I’m truly the happiest man in the world.* So, he was the one who loved crab. He’d also posted many other photos showing off their relationship, none with faces visible. One picture showed him hugging a woman from behind, wearing pajamas, taking a selfie in front of a bathroom mirror. I recognized it immediately: our bathroom at home. My breath hitched. I checked the date. That day, I had been away on a business trip. I immediately pulled out my own phone, opened the security camera app, and watched as she brought Mason home while I was away. They started kissing right at the front door. The thought of them sleeping in *my* bed made my stomach churn. No wonder I saw so much cigarette ash on the table when I got back from my trip. I’d just assumed I hadn’t cleaned properly before I left. A message from her best friend popped up. I instinctively tapped it open. “Aren’t you worried Liam will find out you’re using your money — *your shared money* — to buy Mason a house?” Chloe: “Liam can live in a rental forever for all I care. He’s used to it. But Mason can’t. I can’t bear for him to suffer.” “I want to have a home with Mason.” All the blood in my body turned to ice. The apartment we were living in was rented. I’d been working myself to the bone just to buy a house. Chloe and I had a joint account. After monthly living expenses, all our remaining salary would go into it, saved for a down payment. But Chloe’s salary wasn’t high; it barely covered her own expenses. Most of the money in that account was mine. So, she was using the money I painstakingly saved to buy Mason a house. I was shaking with rage. Chloe came out after her shower. I looked at her and said, “I saw a house this afternoon. It’s pretty good.” “Let’s find some time tomorrow, and you can come with me to finalize it.” Chloe’s eyes darted away. After a long pause, she came and sat beside me. “Honey, buying a house now would put too much pressure on us.” I asked blandly, “The money in the account is enough for a down payment, and the monthly mortgage isn’t much. My salary is enough to cover it. What pressure are you talking about?” Chloe avoided my gaze. “I still think we shouldn’t buy a house for now. Let’s wait a bit.” I smiled. “Why shouldn’t we buy a house now?” Chloe frowned. “The economy isn’t good, and housing prices are falling fast. It’s not a good deal to buy now. Besides, we’re perfectly fine living here, there’s no need to rush into a new place.” My fists clenched unconsciously. I thought of her words: *Liam can live in a rental forever for all I care. I can’t bear for Mason to suffer, but she can bear for me to suffer.* What exactly was I to her? “What if I insist on buying?” Chloe stood up impatiently. “I don’t want to argue with you. I’m going to the office to work overtime tonight; I won’t be back to sleep.” With that, she walked out. I didn’t need to guess; she wasn’t going to work overtime. She was going to Mason. Chloe didn’t come back all night. At dawn, I went to the bank and checked our statements. Chloe had indeed used the money from our joint account to buy a house for Mason. The neighborhood was ironically right near ours. Immediately after, I went to the law firm my friend recommended. “Please help me prepare a divorce agreement.” The lawyer listened to me then asked, “Mr. Liam, do you have any other demands?” I closed my eyes. The woman I had truly loved for seven years had cheated on me. I was going to make her pay. That afternoon, I received a message from Chloe: “Honey, the company is having a dinner party tonight. I won’t be home for dinner.” I didn’t reply. I called my friend directly and asked him to do something for me. That evening, I arrived at the private room door. The room was packed. Chloe and Mason sat together. They seemed to be playing a game, facing each other, fingers interlaced, their eyes full of intense longing for each other. When I pushed the door open, the lively atmosphere inside came to an abrupt halt. Chloe frantically let go of Mason’s hand and stood up, walking toward me. “How did you get here?” Looking at her tense expression, I calmly asked, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your colleagues?” Mason’s eyes were slightly red, as if he was deeply wronged. Chloe noticed, stepped forward, and grabbed my wrist, saying, “I have things to do, you should go home first.” I broke free of her grasp. “I’m here today because I also have something to do.” The moment my words fell, the screen that had been playing music switched to another video: footage of Chloe and Mason kissing at our front door. The entire room erupted in gasps. Chloe’s face drained of all color. I looked into her eyes and asked, word for word, “Chloe, was it fun to lie to me?”

On the day of our fifth anniversary, I took Julian home to meet my parents. He gave me two “unforgettable” gifts that day. First, he tied my father to a chair and, in front of the old man, tore off my clothes. Second, he deliberately opened the front door, letting my mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, rush out into the pouring rain. The moment she was struck by a truck and sent flying, my father was still bound to the chair, forced to watch it all unfold. My father, in a fit of despair, broke free from his restraints and leaped from the 23rd floor. His blood splattered onto the hot griddle of a breakfast diner below. Overnight, I lost everyone I loved. I knelt in the pool of blood and asked him why. He merely pinched my chin and sneered, “Evelyn, did you really think I loved you? I came for revenge.” It turned out that ten years ago, during a medical malpractice incident, his father died on my father’s operating table. His mother took her own life soon after. So, he spent five years meticulously weaving this web of love, just to make me experience the desolation of losing my entire family. Later, he kept me captive, tormenting me. I tried to kill myself 99 times, and he saved me 99 times. He said we would torment each other until we grew old. But he didn’t know that in the year we loved each other most, when he desperately needed a heart transplant, it was I who secretly signed the donation agreement. Now, an artificial heart beats in my chest. Only seven days left until it stops. …

I clutched the diagnosis, standing at the villa door. The words “Artificial Heart Failure” on the paper burned my eyes. The doctor’s words still echoed in my ears: “Seven days at most. Be prepared.” I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The laughter in the living room abruptly ceased. Julian sat on the leather sofa, swirling a glass of red wine with his long fingers. Around him sat four or five young women—my cousin Chloe, my other cousin Mia, my best friend Harper, and my colleague Scarlett. They were all dressed in silk slips, their faces etched with fawning smiles. “You’re back?” Julian looked up, a cruel curve playing on his thin lips. “Perfect. The game just started.” My nails dug into my palms. For the past few months, Julian had pursued every close female friend and relative I had, just to watch me break. Now, they had all fallen hopelessly in love with him. “One minute, starting now.” Julian set down his wine glass, his voice chilling. “Whoever makes her cry first gets to be my permanent partner.” The women’s eyes lit up, and they lunged at me, scrambling to be first. Chloe rushed forward, raising her hand and slapping me hard across the face. Through the stinging pain, I suddenly remembered last year’s birthday, when she’d presented me with a handmade cake, her eyes sparkling as she said, “Big sister, I hope you’re always happy.” As the second slap landed, blood oozed from the corner of my mouth, dripping onto the bracelet I’d given her—a graduation gift I’d scrimped and saved three months to buy. “Fifteen slaps already, why isn’t she crying?” Chloe gasped, looking back. Julian narrowed his eyes, like he was enjoying a good show. “Next.” The moment he spoke, Mia grabbed my long hair, brutally dragging me into the kitchen. My scalp screamed with pain, yet at that instant, I remembered my college days. Mia was being bullied on campus, and I took an overnight train to defend her. Now, this sister I had fought so hard to protect was pressing my face into scalding chili water. The fiery liquid burned my eyes. I convulsed with pain, clutching the edge of the counter until my nails split and bled. “Boring.” Julian glanced at his watch. “Next.” Harper pulled out a sewing needle, stabbing it, one by one, into my fingertips. The excruciating pain from my fingertips made my vision swim. In a daze, I saw myself in my sophomore year of college, when Harper got her heart broken and drank until she had stomach bleeding. I stayed by her bedside for three days and three nights. “Time’s up.” Julian’s voice was sharp as a knife. “Last chance.” When the last woman, Scarlett, ran downstairs clutching a cardboard box, my heart nearly stopped. It was the box I kept hidden under my bed, filled with my parents’ belongings! “No!!!” I finally found my voice. But it was too late. Scarlett smiled and threw the photo frame to the ground, glass fragments scattering everywhere. My father’s watch was crushed, my mother’s comb snapped in two. When my mother’s favorite silk scarf was torn to shreds, my tears finally hit the ground. “I win!” Scarlett excitedly ran to Julian. “Julian, from now on, you’ll only have me by your side.” But Julian just laughed, cruelly pinching her chin. “How naive. Anyone associated with Evelyn disgusts me. How could I ever want any of you?” He pressed the call button without mercy. “Throw them all out.” The bodyguards roughly dragged away the screaming women. I knelt amidst the wreckage, my trembling fingertips gently tracing the shattered fragments of my parents’ mementos. I picked up half of a faded family photo, where my mother’s warm smile still lingered. “Julian,” I cradled the mementos, my cries tearing through me, “Someone like you, who can’t love anyone, shouldn’t have tormented anyone in the first place!” “Who says I can’t love anyone?” Julian sneered. Just as he finished speaking, the front door was pushed open. A woman in a white dress walked in, dragging a suitcase. “Julian, I’ve brought my luggage. Which room am I staying in?” Julian’s expression instantly softened. He reached out, pulled Celeste into his arms, and intimately kissed the top of her head. “With me, of course.” He wrapped an arm around her slender waist, turning to me, his eyes once again freezing cold. “Allow me to introduce Celeste, my fiancée.” “Remember that car accident three years ago? I was critically injured. Celeste saved me, donating her heart so I could continue my revenge against the Su family.” “You said I couldn’t love, didn’t you?” Julian pulled Celeste even closer, his eyes fixed on me. “Now, I’ll show you exactly how I love someone!” At his words, my entire body trembled. Shock, fury, pain, despair… countless emotions surged like a tidal wave, threatening to drown me. I bit down hard on my lip, not stopping until I tasted blood. Then, I snapped awake. And I laughed. I laughed until my body shook, laughed until I coughed up blood, laughed until tears streamed down my face and splattered on the floor. How ironic. I gave him my heart, yet he cherished someone else’s as a treasure. When I signed the donation agreement back then, the doctor repeatedly assured me donor information would be confidential. I never imagined it would lead to him mistaking someone else for his savior today. But I wouldn’t explain. Explain what? Explain that it’s my heart beating in his chest? Explain that because of him, I have only seven days left to live? Two lives from my family, two from his. The blood feud and deep-seated hatred between us had long severed all possibilities. ***截断点***

That night, Julian knocked on my bedroom door. “Celeste wants chicken soup. Go make it.” I lowered my gaze, silently walking towards the kitchen. Resistance was pointless; I had long since learned to obey. In the kitchen, I mechanically processed the ingredients. The cold water on my hands numbed my fingertips. I suddenly remembered how Julian used to love my soup. Back then, he always liked to wrap his arms around my waist from behind, saying, “My fiancée is such an amazing cook.” The water in the pot bubbled and gurgled, the steam blurring my vision. I raised a hand to wipe my eyes, unsure if it was steam or tears. Three hours later, I stood before the master bedroom door with the simmering chicken soup, knocking softly. “Come in,” Julian’s voice came from inside. Pushing open the door, I saw Celeste propped against the headboard. Julian sat on the bed beside her, peeling an apple. His method of peeling was unique; the peel would form one continuous strip. He had learned it specifically for me, once. “The chicken soup is ready,” I placed the bowl on the bedside table. Celeste lazily picked up the spoon, took a sip, and immediately scrunched up her nose. “It’s too salty! Do you want to choke me to death?” I pressed my lips together. “I’ll make another one.” When I brought up the second bowl, Celeste only tasted a bit before pushing it away. “Bland as water. Make it again!” By the time the third bowl arrived, Celeste shrieked the moment she touched the rim. “It’s so hot, how am I supposed to drink this!” She abruptly flung her hand up, sending the entire bowl of scalding hot chicken soup splashing all over me. “Ah!” I cried out in pain, my chest instantly red and blistering. “Julian!” Celeste clutched her slightly reddened fingers, her eyes welling up with tears. “It hurts so much…” Julian’s face darkened. He shoved me away. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?” I stumbled back a few steps, my back hitting the wall. The pain made my vision swim. “It wasn’t me, she knocked it over herself…” “Shut up!” Julian interrupted sharply, his eyes ominous. “Still trying to make excuses?” He pressed the call button, and two bodyguards instantly appeared at the door. “Lock her in the wine cellar, for a day and a night,” Julian said coldly. “Watch her carefully. Don’t let her try to kill herself.” As I was dragged away, the last thing I saw was Julian carefully holding Celeste’s hand, gently blowing on it. The moment the wine cellar door closed, an icy chill immediately permeated my limbs. I huddled in the corner, my teeth chattering uncontrollably. The cold gradually seeped into my body, and my consciousness began to blur. In a daze, I seemed to be transported back three years ago— Back then, I was hospitalized for acute appendicitis. Julian dropped an international conference and flew back overnight. The doctor said I needed rest, and he truly stayed by my hospital room for three days and three nights. Even the nurses said they’d never seen anyone so worried about his fiancée. “Evie… Evelyn!” Through the haze, I seemed to hear Julian’s voice, tinged with an unprecedented panic. A hallucination. It must be a hallucination. The Julian of today, how could he possibly be so anxious for me? When I woke again, the pungent smell of disinfectant told me I was in a hospital. I heard the doctor’s stern voice beside me: “Mr. Julian, Ms. Evelyn’s physical condition is very poor, especially after her previous…” “Doctor,” I suddenly interjected, my voice hoarse. “I know my own body well.” The hospital room fell silent. Julian stood by the window, his expression unreadable against the backlight. “Just make sure she doesn’t die,” he said indifferently. “You don’t need to tell me anything else. I don’t care.” The moment he finished speaking, his phone rang. I saw his expression soften instantly. “Celeste… good girl. I’m paying the bills. I’ll be right there with you.” After hanging up, Julian left the room without looking back. I struggled to pick up my phone and opened my social media. Celeste had just updated her Ins status, with a photo of Julian guarding her bedside. “Just a tiny burn, and someone was so worried, staying up all night by my side~ If it weren’t for paying the bills, he wouldn’t even leave~” Looking at Julian’s tender gaze in the photo, I understood everything instantly. My being brought to the hospital was merely an afterthought. I touched my chest, where the artificial heart emitted a faint tremor. Six days. My life’s countdown, only six days left.

On the fifth day of my life’s countdown, I was discharged from the hospital. I dragged my weak body out of the hospital doors, only to run straight into the person I least wanted to see. Julian stood beside that familiar black Maybach, an arm around Celeste, his gaze as cold as if he were looking at a stranger. “Get in,” he said, his thin lips parting, his voice like ice. “We’re going to see my parents.” My fingers clenched my clothes, my knuckles turning white. I knew all too well what awaited me. The car drove towards the cemetery on the outskirts. All the way there, Celeste leaned into Julian’s embrace, occasionally giggling as she fed him fruit. I sat in the passenger seat, watching their intimacy through the rearview mirror, my chest aching. At the cemetery entrance, Julian got out first. I was about to follow, but I was stunned by the sight before me. From the entrance to the depths of the cemetery, the long path was paved with glowing hot coals, radiating a terrifying red light under the sun. Julian, holding Celeste, spoke, his voice cold as ice. “Evelyn, your family are all sinners. Your parents are dead, so you will atone for them.” He pointed to the coals. “Kneel on them. Three full prostrations. Kneel all the way to my parents’ tombstone and repent.” My legs trembled. I knew refusing would lead to a worse fate. The moment my knees touched the coals, the smell of burning flesh filled the air. The searing pain made my vision swim, but I could only clench my teeth and inch forward. Behind me, the rumble of a car engine. Julian’s car followed me at the slowest speed. The window was down, and I could clearly see him and Celeste with their fingers intertwined, see him kissing Celeste’s fingertips. Three full prostrations. Each one was like branding my body onto a red-hot iron plate. My knees were raw and bloody, my hands scorched black. Sweat mixed with blood hit the coals with a sizzling sound. By the time I finally crawled to the tombstone, I was close to blacking out. Through my blurred vision, I saw Julian and Celeste standing before the tombstone. “Mom and Dad, I’ve found the love of my life,” his voice was incredibly tender. “I specifically brought her to meet you. And the enemy who killed you, I’ve taken my revenge.” Celeste dutifully offered flowers. “Don’t worry, Aunt and Uncle, I’ll take good care of Julian.” “Bow your head,” Julian suddenly turned to me, his eyes cold again. I struggled to bow, my forehead hitting the ground hard before the tombstone. “Get back,” Julian tossed out, then turned and left with Celeste. On the way back, a sudden downpour started. I dragged my broken body, step by agonizing step, back. With every step, the rain washed over the wounds on my knees, making them sting. By the time I finally crawled back to the villa, it was already dark. Julian was sitting in the living room, looking at documents. Hearing the movement, he looked up, a flicker of something strange in his eyes when he saw my disheveled state, but it quickly returned to cold indifference. “Tomorrow is Celeste’s birthday,” he closed his file, his tone flat. “I’m holding a grand banquet for her. You’ll organize it.” I froze. “Arrange it exactly how you used to describe your dream wedding,” he added, a cruel curve on his lips. My heart gave a sharp pang. I had described my dream wedding to him countless times— There had to be a champagne tower, white roses covering the entire hall, and a band playing my favorite songs… And now, the wedding I had always longed for was merely Celeste’s ordinary birthday party. “Don’t waste time,” Julian frowned, tossing a tube of ointment at me. “Tomorrow, there can’t be any mistakes.” With that, he turned and left. The ointment fell to the floor. I picked it up and threw it in the trash. I dragged my injured body and began to decorate the banquet hall, staying up all night. The rain outside never stopped, much like my endless tears.

The lights of the birthday banquet were blindingly bright. I leaned against a pillar in the corner, listening to the guests’ hushed conversations. “Mr. Julian truly dotes on Ms. Celeste. Just a birthday banquet, costing a fortune, easily millions.” “Of course, I heard Ms. Celeste saved Mr. Julian’s life.” “Compared to that Evelyn before, this must be true love, right?” The guests’ whispers clearly reached my ears. I took a sip of water, my face expressionless, the artificial heart in my chest emitting a faint hum. The banquet progressed to the gift-giving segment. Celeste was surrounded, like a star. Julian’s gifts grew more precious with each one—a limited edition Hermes, custom-designed jewelry, an island property deed… “Thank you everyone for the gifts,” Celeste smiled sweetly, her gaze suddenly falling on me in the corner. “However, it seems someone hasn’t given me a gift yet.” All eyes turned to me. I clutched my water glass, my knuckles white. “Never mind, I won’t pressure you,” Celeste waved a hand, feigning magnanimity, yet her eyes were fixed on my neck. “That emerald necklace of yours is quite pretty. Why don’t you give it to me as a birthday present?” My hand unconsciously went to the necklace. Julian had given it to me years ago, saying it was a family heirloom, only for the future daughter-in-law. That day, he knelt on one knee, promising to love me forever. Now, thinking back, it was nothing but a meticulously designed deception. “Okay,” I calmly unclasped the necklace and handed it to Celeste. Julian’s face instantly darkened. “Does that mean you’ll give Celeste anything she wants?” His voice was cold as ice. I looked at the necklace in my hand and suddenly smiled. Yes, I’m dying soon. What else is there that I can’t give? “Yes,” I looked up, meeting Julian’s eyes. “Ms. Celeste can have anything she wants.” A flicker of inexplicable rage crossed Julian’s eyes. “Alright then,” he sneered. “Celeste actually replaced my heart with an artificial one, and our blood types are the same. Why don’t you donate your heart to Celeste?” I froze. My heart? I didn’t have one anymore. “No, no!” Celeste suddenly panicked, grabbing Julian’s arm. “I don’t want her heart! An artificial heart can be replaced regularly. She… she has a grudge against your family, and her heart is dirty. I don’t want to be tainted by all that…” Julian’s expression finally softened. He gently stroked Celeste’s long hair. “You’re right. Her heart is too dirty, unworthy of you.” During the cake-cutting, as Celeste closed her eyes to make a wish, the surrounding crowd started to cheer. “Kiss! Kiss!” Amidst the cheers, Julian leaned down and kissed Celeste. It was a deep, lingering kiss. Celeste wrapped her arms around his neck, practically hanging off him. I turned to leave, but my body was too weak, and I stumbled. I leaned against the wall, slowly making my way out, the cheers still echoing in my ears. Outside the banquet hall, the night air was cool. Unknowingly, I found myself by the lake. The lake surface shimmered under the moonlight, beautiful. I stood by the lake, and suddenly felt a push from behind— “Splash!” The icy lake water instantly swallowed me. I didn’t struggle, letting myself slowly sink. Water filled my mouth and nose. The sensation of choking came, yet strangely, it brought a sense of relief. Julian and Celeste were still locked in a passionate kiss until a scream echoed from outside the banquet hall. “Someone’s dead! Someone jumped in the lake!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298838”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

The fourth year of my marriage to Julian Hayes, I got pregnant. When I went for my first prenatal appointment, the nurse checked my details and told me there was no record of my marriage. I froze: “No? How is that possible?” The nurse pointed to the computer: “See? It shows no marriage registration for you.” Not convinced, I rushed to City Hall to verify, but the answer was identical. “Mr. Hayes is indeed married. His spouse’s name is Iris Thompson…” Iris Thompson? I was struck by lightning, my mind a blank! Iris Thompson, my half-sister, and Julian Hayes’s first love. Years ago, to pursue her dreams, my sister ran away on her wedding day, cruelly abandoning Julian. But now, she was Julian’s legal wife! … I walked out of City Hall like a zombie, my gaze unfocused, my steps unsteady. It wasn’t until I got into the waiting cab that the tears I’d held back finally fell silently. Four years ago, to save our families from public humiliation, I stepped in and married Julian, replacing my runaway sister. Initially, Julian was distant and cold towards me. But I never complained. I meticulously took care of every aspect of his life. Gradually, Julian lowered his guard, worn down by my daily presence. He started to tacitly allow me to mess with his schedule. He’d patiently listen to my boring dad jokes. He even trusted me with confidential work documents to organize. Later, Julian became increasingly kind to me. He gave me a black card with an unlimited spending limit, and took me to every Michelin-starred restaurant. I thought I had finally won Julian’s heart. Until two months ago, when Iris, diagnosed with terminal cancer, suddenly returned from abroad. That night, my father called a family meeting. He looked grim as he informed me: “Your sister has late-stage cancer, with only six months left at most. Her biggest regret is not marrying Julian. So, you need to step aside for now. Once the wedding is over, and your sister is gone, Julian will still be yours.” My stepmother pleaded desperately: “Iris is your sister, just make this one sacrifice!” Iris sobbed heartbrokenly: “This is my only wish before I die, please, make it happen.” I couldn’t believe my ears. My eyes instantly welled up. I challenged them: “You pushed me out like a puppet to be a substitute bride, and now you want Julian to marry my sister? What do you take me for? I absolutely refuse!” My father ignored my accusations, grounding me until I agreed. On the third day, I heard Julian had smashed a teacup in front of my father, furious. On the thirteenth day, my phone buzzed with news reports of Julian publicly declaring, “My wife can only be Mia.” On the twenty-eighth day, Julian froze all business collaborations with the Thompson family, demanding they hand over his wife! Finally, a month later, the locked door to my room opened. Thinking of everything Julian had done for me during that time, my eyes instantly moistened. I didn’t even bother to put on shoes, stumbling into his arms. But the next second, I heard his voice, hoarse: “Mia, I’m sorry.” “Your parents were adamant, even kneeling to beg me. For the sake of our families’ long-standing relationship, I have to go along with this charade for your sister.” “But don’t worry, it’s just a fake marriage. My only wife will always be you.” At that moment, I felt my heart plummet to rock bottom, every breath a sharp pain. After two seconds of shock, I tenderly stroked Julian’s gaunt cheek, holding back my tears: “You’ve already done so much.” Later, I watched Julian place a diamond ring on Iris’s finger under everyone’s gaze, giving her a magnificent wedding. After that, he continued to treat me as well as before. But he spent more and more time with Iris, from occasional visits to staying out for several nights in a row. When I threw a tantrum, he’d patiently explain: “I don’t love her; I just want to be her friend and accompany her through her last days.” I believed Julian. I never imagined the truth would be a brutal slap across my face. … By the time the car stopped in front of Hayes Enterprises, I had composed myself. I was still thinking about our non-existent marriage registration. As soon as I reached the top floor, I bumped into Julian’s secretary, Sarah. Sarah saw me, her expression a little unnatural. “Mrs. Hayes, what brings you here?” “I’m here to see Julian.” “Mr. Hayes is in a meeting right now, he doesn’t have time…” Ignoring Sarah’s attempts to stop me, I quickly walked to the office door. Just as I was about to push it open, I heard Iris’s voice from inside. “Julian, look into my eyes and answer me.” Iris pulled at Julian’s tie with her left hand, her right hand pressing against his chest. “Here, have you ever truly let me go?” Julian’s throat bobbed. He caught his breath, scalded by the warmth of Iris’s fingertips, yet his voice was cold: “You’re overthinking it.” “Overthinking?” Iris chuckled. “Didn’t you pretend to marry Mia just to wait for me to come back? Now that I’ve just returned, you immediately married me legally.” “And those things you wrote in your diary.” “You said you agreed to Mia taking my place to force me to come back… Mmph!” Iris didn’t finish her sentence. Julian suddenly cupped the back of her neck. All unsaid words were sealed in a nearly violent kiss. His gaze was burning, every word ground out from between his teeth: “Yes, I’ve never let you go. So, Iris, how do you plan to repay what you owe me?” I stood outside the door, my entire body as if immersed in ice water, numb to the point of losing all feeling. I remembered Julian holding me in his arms just days ago, kissing my hair, saying, “Mia, your sister is a thing of the past. Now, only you are worth my true feelings.” How ridiculous. It turned out that his so-called ‘true feelings’ were nothing but insincere lies. Our marriage, from the very beginning, was a sham. I slowly closed my eyes, fighting back the tears. If this was Julian’s choice. Then I would grant him his wish, let him and the woman he truly loves live happily ever after!

I rode the elevator in a daze. When I came to my senses, the elevator had already stopped on the basement level. An intern, Liam, enthusiastically walked up to me, “Are you here to see Ms. Iris Thompson’s art exhibition? Please follow me.” That’s when I realized I’d forgotten to press a floor. Compelled by an unknown force, I walked into the exhibition hall. Liam followed behind me, enthusiastically introducing: “This exhibition was funded by Mr. Hayes, and a national tour is planned next.” My gaze fell on one of the oil paintings. It was a man’s nude back, his back muscles clearly defined, with a unique, striking scar on his lower back. I had traced the outline of that scar countless times in the dark, so I knew exactly who the man in the painting was. Iris had painted many portraits of Julian, the dates marked in the bottom right corner clear and glaring. June 20th: Julian standing busy in the kitchen, his back bathed in a warm glow. — That was the third day I was confined to my room. I was on a hunger strike, my stomach aching until I fainted, but he was cooking porridge for Iris. July 1st: A pair of distinctly jointed hands folding a silk nightgown embroidered with irises, a wedding ring on his ring finger gleaming coldly. — That was the thirteenth day I was confined. I’d cut my finger with a blade in protest, soaking half the bedsheet in blood, while he was meticulously organizing Iris’s clothes. July 15th: He walked under a tree-lined avenue holding an umbrella, and at the edge of the frame, I could vaguely see his fingers intertwined with someone else’s. — That was the twenty-eighth day I was confined, my father had chained me to the bed, forcing me to end the relationship. I was curled up in a ball on a sweat-soaked bed, suffering from a high fever, while he walked leisurely hand-in-hand with Iris in the morning light. Each painting before me was like a needle, fiercely piercing my heart. So, during that month of utter darkness, he wasn’t fighting for me, but rather accompanying Iris the whole time! His smashing a teacup in front of my father, his public declaration of love, his cancellation of collaboration with the Thompson Corporation—it was all just a smokescreen. I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging deep into my palms, but I felt no pain. I couldn’t bear to look anymore and turned to leave the exhibition. … I booked an abortion procedure for a week later, then headed to the old family estate to collect my mother’s keepsakes. When I got home, my father unexpectedly threw an airplane ticket at me. “Your stepmother and I discussed it. We want Iris to live with Julian until she leaves.” “This is a ticket for ten days from now. Go travel for a while, consider it a little getaway.” I clutched the ticket, my lips pressed tightly together. I knew. My father was telling me to make space for Julian and Iris. After all, only if I left could they be alone without any qualms. “Mia, please don’t misunderstand. We just want Iris to have a good final journey…” My stepmother said, her eyes red, the same old platitudes that had made my ears numb. I calmly interrupted: “I get it. I’ll leave.” Julian, I no longer want him. This home, I no longer care for it. My father looked a bit surprised, not expecting me to agree so quickly, thinking my spirit had finally been broken. His tone softened slightly: “We’re holding a farewell ceremony for Iris. Remember to attend in three days.” “Okay.” … I returned home, grabbed a cardboard box, and started packing things related to Julian. There were the matching couple’s cups he gave me for his birthday. The ticket stubs from their first movie together. And the photo booth pictures I’d forced him to take. Just as I was nearly finished packing, I heard a sound from the foyer. Julian was back. Seeing the box full of items, his heart tightened. He rushed over. “Mia, what are you doing?”

I kept my head down, not even lifting my eyelids. “Iris is moving in, isn’t she? I’m just tidying my things so she doesn’t get upset seeing them.” Julian grabbed my wrist, pulling me into his arms with the momentum. “Are you still mad at me?” “No.” “Mia, you’re really bad at lying.” Julian cupped my chin and lifted it, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I’ve told you many times, I’m just playing along with her act. If I truly wanted to marry her, I would have dragged her back four years ago.” I looked into his eyes and suddenly laughed. “Julian,” my voice was soft, but every word was clear, “You know best who you truly want to marry.” Before I finished speaking, my phone suddenly rang, drowning out my voice. Julian glanced at the caller ID and quickly answered. After a few brief words, he simply said, “Something came up at the office,” and quickly left. Watching the man’s retreating back, I suddenly felt whether or not to confront him no longer mattered. After all, some feelings are like expired candy. They might look fine on the surface, but they’ve already gone bad. Even if you force yourself to swallow them, you’ll only be left with a mouthful of bitterness. Not long after Julian left, I received a SnapChat message from Iris. In the photo, Julian was on one knee, his distinctly jointed hands cradling Iris’s ankle, intently tying a red string around it. I suddenly remembered the time I dragged Julian to a local fair. I spent ages picking out a lucky red string from a stall, only to turn around and see Julian standing three feet away, impatiently checking his watch: “You actually believe in these superstitious things?” As I pondered, Iris’s message came through. 【I just casually mentioned I wasn’t feeling well, and Julian immediately went to the temple to get the most potent lucky red string for me.】 【Has he ever done that for you?】 【Mia, wake up. Julian has never loved you.】 I gripped my phone tightly, the cold screen light reflecting on my face, freezing the last bit of warmth in my eyes. Yes. Julian had never loved me. And from now on, I wouldn’t crave his love anymore. … Julian didn’t come home for the next two days. It wasn’t until the third day that I saw him at Iris’s farewell ceremony. He wore a tailored black suit, pushing a wheelchair through the crowd. Iris sat in the wheelchair, a blanket covering her legs, like a fragile flower. I just tilted my head slightly, and Julian immediately bent down, asking if I was uncomfortable. A mocking smile played on my lips. He kept saying he was just playing along with Iris’s act. But the way he looked at me was just as tender as it had been four years ago. Soon, the farewell ceremony officially began. My father announced Iris’s condition to everyone, his eyes welling up with tears: “My daughter is both unfortunate and fortunate. Although her life is short, she has a loving family and a devoted partner who never leaves her side…” The large screen lit up, showing photos of Iris from childhood to adulthood, one by one. Her first birthday, surrounded by her parents, doing the ‘Zhua Zhou’ (a traditional Chinese ritual, but could be adapted to just “first birthday celebration”). Her father teaching her to play piano, hand-in-hand, when she was ten. Her whole family embracing happily at her high school graduation at eighteen. In every frame, I was like a blurred backdrop, silently witnessing the happiness that didn’t belong to me. The scene shifted, and the person beside Iris was Julian. He celebrated her competition wins with bouquets of flowers. He quietly posed as her model when she painted. They embraced deeply at her wedding… From his youthful school uniform to his sharp business suit, years passed, yet the deep affection in his eyes remained constant. Just as everyone was immersed in emotion, the photos on the screen suddenly vanished, replaced by blood-red letters on a black background! 【Iris Thompson, a b*tch like you deserves to go to hell!】 【You stole my husband, just like your mother, both of you are whore*s who steal men!】 【I curse you to be ground to dust after death, never to be reincarnated!】 The air in the room froze for a few seconds. Then, a commotion erupted!

Everyone implicitly looked at me. I stood frozen, not yet understanding what had happened, when a startled cry came from my stepmother in the distance. “Iris!” Iris had fainted, terrified by the curse. Julian’s face changed drastically. He bent down, scooped Iris into his arms, and strode towards the first aid room. My mind was blank until a resounding slap landed on my face, jolting me back to reality. “How could I have given birth to such a monster!” My father’s eyes were red with fury, veins throbbing on his forehead. “Your sister is already so sick, and you dare to curse her?!” I staggered back half a step, accidentally knocking over a champagne tower, scattering wine everywhere. I collapsed amidst the shattered glass, explaining through the sharp pain: “It wasn’t me!” “Shut up!” My father roared, cutting me off. “I saw through you long ago; you just can’t stand us treating your sister well. But she’s already a dying woman, do you have no sympathy at all?” “Someone, lock this ungrateful wretch up!” … I was thrown into a small, dark storage room. I’ve been afraid of the dark since I was a child and also suffer from claustrophobia. The moment the door closed, my breath hitched. Darkness surged from all directions like a tide. I desperately pounded on the door, my bloodied hands leaving glaring marks on the wooden panel: “Open the door! Please, let me out!” However, outside was dead silent. I gradually lost strength, sliding to the floor, my breathing becoming more and more rapid, my vision starting to blacken. I don’t know how long passed. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, the door finally opened. I quickly scrambled out. **截断点** But the next second— “Splash!” A basin of thick, foul-smelling liquid was poured over my head! Then came the second basin, the third… I choked, almost suffocating. Through my blurry vision, I vaguely saw a familiar figure standing at the doorway. It was Julian. The man stood at the boundary of light and shadow, coldly watching his subordinates pour basin after basin of the liquid over me, never telling them to stop. Until the last basin of liquid was emptied. Julian slowly walked towards me, leaned down, and wiped my cheek with a silk handkerchief, his tone as cold as ice. “Iris is awake. She didn’t blame you for cursing her; instead, she even pleaded for you, saying you were just under a dark influence, not truly malicious.” “These foul-smelling liquids, I had my people prepare them to drive away evil,” he paused. “But for them to work, you need to soak in here for three days and three nights.” A trace of terror flashed in my eyes. I struggled to grab Julian’s hand. “Those curses really weren’t from me, please believe me…” “Mia,” Julian pried my fingers open one by one, his actions slow and cruel. “It’s a lesson even a three-year-old knows: you must accept punishment for your mistakes.” Feeling the warmth disappear from my fingertips, I opened my mouth, my last struggle turning into a humble plea. “Please, don’t leave me here, I’m afraid of the dark…” “What about Iris?” Julian’s gaze was cold and clear. “When you cursed her, did you ever consider that she might be afraid too?” I felt a pang of disorientation. I remembered a stormy night once, when the power went out at home, and I huddled in a corner, trembling. It was Julian who lit the room with candles, holding me tightly in his arms, his warm palm stroking my back: “Don’t be afraid, Mia, I’m here.” And now, the same man was pushing me into the abyss of darkness with his own hands. Suddenly, a tearing, agonizing pain erupted from my abdomen. I instinctively clutched my stomach, feeling warm liquid gush out from below. Realizing I might be having a miscarriage, I trembled as I grabbed Julian’s pant leg, my voice distorted. “Julian, my stomach hurts so badly, it feels like a miscarriage. Please, take me to the hospital…” Julian froze, frowning slightly: “You’re not even pregnant. How could you have a miscarriage?” The pain made my vision blacken. “It’s true, I’m pregnant with your…” “Enough.” Julian clearly didn’t believe my words, dropping a “I’ll pick you up in three days,” before turning to leave. A small, animalistic whimper escaped my throat. My fingers desperately dug into the ground, but I still couldn’t hold onto the man’s receding back. My spasming fingers futilely grasped at the air, eventually falling limp. I lay collapsed in a pool of blood. Before consciousness faded, a desolate laugh played on my lips. Julian… This time, I truly see you for who you are.

When I next awoke, I was lying in a hospital bed. “You’re finally awake.” The doctor sighed, her gaze full of pity. “You suffered a severe hemorrhage from the miscarriage. If you had been a few minutes later, no one could have saved you.” I learned from the doctor that I had been found unconscious by one of the house staff bringing food the next day, barely clinging to life. “Your family is absolutely out of line. How could they treat you like that? Especially your husband – he refused to answer his phone. When he gets here, I’m going to have a serious talk with him.” “Doctor,” I interrupted her, my fingers clutching the bedsheet. “Don’t tell him about the pregnancy.” He wouldn’t believe me anyway. Besides, Julian’s heart wasn’t with me anymore, and I didn’t want any more ties to him. The doctor hesitated, then finally shook her head and left. Throughout my hospital stay, Julian never showed his face. However, on Iris Thompson’s Ins stories, he was everywhere. The first day, a close-up of a bowl of chicken soup, with the caption: 【It’s been ten years, and it’s still my favorite taste.】 The second day, a photo of a man sleeping beside her bed, with the caption: 【Had nightmares again last night. Thankfully, I open my eyes and see you.】 I suddenly remembered that when *I* was sick, Julian always made chicken soup for me too. When I had a fever and was feeling unwell, he would also stay by my bedside, clutching my hand tightly, never letting go. Only now did I understand. That tenderness was never truly for me. He was merely loving someone else through me. On the day I was discharged, Julian finally called. “Something came up at the office. I’ve sent the driver to pick you up.” I asked no questions, made no hysterics, just a quiet, “Okay.” The moment the call ended, I gently stroked my flat stomach. Julian Hayes was now just a name in my contacts, about to be deleted. I no longer held any expectations for him. … I arrived home. The moment I stepped inside, I saw Iris with a drawing board, freely painting all over the living room wall. My wedding photos with Julian, our photo booth strips, were all thrown on the floor, smeared with colorful paints. Seeing me, Iris smiled, “Mia’s back?” “I thought this wall was too messy, so I decided to redecorate. You don’t mind, do you?” I scanned the chaotic mess, then simply said, “Whatever.” This home was already dead to me. From now on, I wouldn’t be the mistress of this house. Just then, Julian walked out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of sliced fruit. Seeing me about to go upstairs, he blocked my way. “Iris is trying to mend things, and this is your attitude?”

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For five years, our marriage had been purely a business arrangement. Julian and I were still practically strangers. Even our intimate moments were strangely polite. Julian would always start the same way. He’d kiss my collarbone, a routine gesture, then tell me, “I’m starting now.” Then, slowly, inch by excruciating inch, he’d peel off my clothes, his voice a low whisper as he asked, “Is this okay?” His voice would be rough, almost a whisper, as he added, “If you’re uncomfortable, just say stop.” Minutes stretched into an eternity. The bed shook violently. My breath came in ragged gasps, my slender fingers clenching the sheets until my knuckles went white. I bit my lip, enduring for what felt like forever, before finally whispering. “I’m sorry, but this is getting out of hand. It’s been three hours, Julian. I can’t take anymore. Can we please stop?” Julian froze mid-motion, his body suddenly rigid. He immediately mumbled, “I’m sorry.” Then, unable to stop himself, he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. He apologized again, then vanished into the bathroom for a cold shower. The sound of the running water from the shower echoed for a long time. Only then did I finally start to breathe normally again. Slowly, I sat up. My fingers trembled as I pulled on my clothes, covering the kiss marks branding my skin. I clicked on the bedside lamp. Then, I leaned over and pulled a document from the nightstand drawer. It was a—A divorce agreement.

　　I let out a soft breath. Five years. It was time for everything to end. 　　Everyone in our social circles knew about the strategic alliance through marriage between the Wynter and Hayes families. Julian Hayes and I, they said, had a wonderful relationship since our wedding, a model couple envied by all. 　　But what no one knew was that we each harbored a secret love. 　　Julian’s true love was Willow, his adoptive sister, but their societal roles kept them apart. 　　My true love, Leo Blackwood, had died five years ago, making it impossible for us to ever be together again in this life. 　　One parted by life, the other by death. On the very first day of our marriage, we confessed our true loves to each other and agreed to a marriage of convenience. It was a five-year contract to secure our families’ business interests and to avoid the pressure to marry. We would fulfill our obligations but nothing more. 　　After five years, we would go our separate ways. 　　Now, five years had passed, and it was time to end things. 　　I was waiting for Julian to come out so I could talk to him, but then the bathroom door suddenly burst open. 　　Julian hurried out, his hair still dripping water, grabbing his car keys and heading for the door. I froze, instinctively asking, “It’s so late. Where are you going?” Julian paused, his usually cool tone laced with urgency. “Willow had a nightmare. I need to go be with her. You should rest.” 　　Willow Hayes. His adoptive sister, and his true love. I understood. Normally, no matter when he went to see Willow, I would never question him. 　　Even when I had a car accident, a fever, or terrible period cramps… I strictly adhered to our agreement, alone in this empty house, never disturbing him and his true love. But today was different. Thinking about what I needed to discuss, I had to politely stop him. “Can you give me five minutes? I have something important to talk to you about.” 　　Julian was clearly taken aback. “Is it that important?” 　　I paused for a moment, then softly said, “It’s… moderately important.” 　　Julian was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang. 　　He glanced down. It was Willow. The moment he answered, her tearful voice came through the phone. “Brother, I’m so scared. Are you here yet? I want you to hold me while I sleep…” Julian’s eyes softened instantly, his voice gentle. “I’ll be there in a minute.” He hung up, then turned to me, speaking politely. “You can decide everything. No need for discussion.” I was stunned for a moment, then nodded. I flipped to the last page of the divorce agreement in my hand and offered it to him. “Then please sign.” 　　Julian nodded, signing it without even looking, then turned and rushed out. 　　Listening to the sound of his car engine fading into the distance, I picked up my phone and called my lawyer. “The divorce agreement has been signed. How soon can our relationship be legally dissolved?” The lawyer’s voice came through the phone. “Ms. Wynter, you just need to wait out the one-month cooling-off period.” I felt a significant weight lift off my chest. After hanging up, I opened my phone and booked a flight to Solara City. 　　There was a reason I needed to go to Solara City. 　　A while ago, my best friend, Chloe, saw a college student in a Solara City bar who looked exactly like Leo Blackwood. 　　The boy seemed very poor, working part-time at the bar. 　　I couldn’t stand the thought of someone in this world suffering such hardship while wearing a face so uncannily similar to Leo’s. 　　Since he needed money, and I had plenty, I entertained the thought of making him my kept man. 　　I asked Chloe to negotiate, and after two or three days of silence, he agreed. 　　However, his grandmother lived in Solara City, so he couldn’t come to Averna City. 　　I figured, my parents were gone, and I had no real family left here anyway. 　　In that case, I might as well move to Solara City. 　　As long as I could see that face, so much like Leo’s, every day, I imagined the rest of my life would be filled with joy.

　　That night, I had a wonderful dream. When I woke up, a faint smile still lingered on my lips. 　　The thought of no longer having to play the polite farce of a respectful marriage, and instead seeing a face so similar to Leo’s every day, made my mood lighten considerably. 　　I was even a little impatient, wishing time would speed up, just a little faster, for this “divorce cooling-off period” to pass quickly. 　　When I went downstairs, the staff had already prepared breakfast. After eating, I was about to go back to my room to pack when I heard a commotion in the entryway. I looked up to see Julian pushing the door open, followed by Willow and several bodyguards carrying large bags. 　　Julian wore a perfectly tailored black suit, making his broad shoulders and long legs even more striking, exuding an aura of cool elegance and nobility. 　　Willow, on the other hand, wore a white dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, a sweet smile on her face. She held Julian’s arm, and they looked like a perfect match, a couple made in heaven. Julian stepped aside to let the bodyguards bring in the luggage, then turned to me to explain. “Willow has been having nightmares lately. She only feels safe when I’m around, so I’ve brought her to stay with us for a while.” 　　He finished speaking and pulled a delicate gift box from his pocket, offering it to me. “This is a necklace I had someone bid on at an auction. Consider it… compensation.” I glanced down at the box, but didn’t reach for it. Instead, I gently pushed it back, my tone soft. “No, thank you. I don’t need compensation. There are plenty of rooms in the house; we have space.” Julian was clearly surprised. “You’re not angry?” I was more surprised than him. “Angry about what? After a month, I’ll be moving out anyway.” 　　Julian froze, clearly not understanding my meaning. 　　*What did she mean, she’d be moving out anyway after a month?* 　　He was about to ask when Willow beside him spoke first. 　　My lips curled into a triumphant smile, my voice tinged with a hint of provocation. “Well, thank you, Ms. Wynter.” 　　She never called me “sister-in-law,” simply because she never acknowledged my status. 　　Five years ago, when I first married into the Hayes family, Willow had stormed into our bridal suite with a group of bodyguards and smashed everything to pieces. 　　Her eyes were red then, like a cornered animal, screaming hysterically, “How dare you steal my brother!” 　　Later, Julian must have found some way to appease her, because after that, Willow never caused such a scene again. 　　Perhaps it was because, whether Julian was married or not, his doting affection for Willow never lessened. 　　He still went shopping with her, sang her to sleep, and even stayed by her bedside all night when she was sick. He treated her as he always had, loving her, while treating me, his wife, as if I were invisible. 　　“Brother, didn’t you say you’d take me to the amusement park after we finished moving in?” Willow swayed Julian’s arm, her voice sweet as honey. Julian looked down at her, his gaze so tender it could melt. “Yes, we’ll go in a little while.” 　　He finished, then looked up at me, as if he wanted to say something. But I still smiled gently. “You two go ahead. Just let me know if you’ll be back for dinner, and I’ll have the staff prepare it.” Willow’s lips curved when she heard this. “Well, thank you, Ms. Wynter.” 　　I caught the hint of provocation and triumph in her voice, but I didn’t react. I just nodded politely and returned to my room. 　　I spent the entire day packing. 　　By the time everything was sorted, night had fallen. 　　Julian and Willow hadn’t returned. I showered, changed into my nightclothes, and lay in bed, ready to sleep. 　　Just as I was about to drift off, I heard voices outside the door. “Brother, please sleep with me. I’m scared alone.” It was Willow’s voice, a hint of childish pleading in it. 　　“Willow, my wife is here. This isn’t appropriate.” Julian’s voice was still gentle, but tinged with a touch of helplessness. 　　“What isn’t appropriate? You like me, and I like you. She’s just a prop anyway.” 　　My fingers curled slightly, but I didn’t move, keeping my eyes closed as if I hadn’t heard a thing. Outside, Julian was silent for a moment, then spoke softly. “Willow, I can treat you just as well as before, and my heart belongs entirely to you, but nothing more. I’m still legally married. If anything were to happen between us, it wouldn’t be good for your reputation. Just know that I will always love you.” 　　“Then you’re not allowed to touch her tonight.” Willow’s tone was demanding. 　　Julian seemed to say something, but his voice was too low for me to catch. 　　A moment later, the bedroom door was gently pushed open. Julian walked in, his gaze falling on the suitcase by the bed. He seemed a little surprised. “What’s with these bags?” 　　I was about to tell him the truth, but then I remembered him saying earlier that I could decide everything. He didn’t even know about the divorce yet, so maybe there was no need to tell him I was leaving for Solara City either? So I lied. “Just decluttering for the new season.” 　　Julian nodded, not asking further, and turned to enter the bathroom. 　　When he came out after his shower, he was only wrapped in a towel, water droplets tracing a path down his chest to his V-line. 　　He walked to the bed and leaned down, kissing my lips. 　　I was stunned by the kiss, instinctively pushing him away. “Didn’t your sister say she didn’t want you to touch me?” 　　Julian froze. “You heard that?” 　　I nodded honestly. 　　Julian was silent for a moment, not answering my question. Instead, he changed the subject. “I want you. Is that okay?”

　　I wanted to refuse, but then I remembered our agreement before the wedding to fulfill our marital duties. Since we weren’t officially divorced yet, I reluctantly nodded, forcing myself to agree. 　　“Go ahead.” 　　Julian leaned in and kissed my lips. 　　I couldn’t help but let out a soft moan, my fingers gripping the bedsheets tightly. Julian rarely smiled, but he did then, his voice low and husky. “Can’t hold back? I’ll go easy on you then.” 　　I closed my eyes and softly said, “Thank you.” 　　“You’re welcome.” Julian’s voice held a hint of amusement, and he deepened the kiss. 　　When I woke up, the room was empty. I got up to wash, changed my clothes, and went downstairs. Julian had left at some point. In the dining room, only Willow was sitting, head bowed, eating breakfast. I walked to the dining table and politely asked, “Did you sleep well yesterday? Is breakfast to your liking?” 　　Willow didn’t answer, didn’t even lift her head, as if I didn’t exist. 　　I sighed softly, thinking how rude Willow was compared to Julian. 　　I said nothing more, silently sat down, and began to eat. 　　But as I picked up a slice of toast and took a bite, a wave of nausea suddenly washed over my stomach. 　　I abruptly stood up, rushing to the bathroom and dry heaving over the sink. 　　When I came out of the bathroom, I found Willow standing at the doorway, her face frighteningly dark. Her gaze pierced me like a knife, her voice icy. “Are you pregnant?” 　　I froze, about to explain, but Willow had already completely lost it. Her voice was sharp and furious. “I tolerated you getting married, even tolerated you sleeping together, but I will *never* tolerate you having my brother’s child!” With that, she spun around and shouted at the bodyguards by the door, “Hold her down!” 　　Then she told the staff, “Get the abortion pills!” 　　The staff and bodyguards froze, exchanging glances, none daring to move. Willow’s eyes were already red as she shrieked, “Didn’t my brother tell you to take good care of me before he left? Now you’re not even listening to a word I say. Is this how you ‘take good care’ of me?!” The bodyguards and staff looked at each other, but ultimately didn’t dare defy her orders. They stepped forward and restrained me. I finally snapped out of my daze and struggled. “You’ve misunderstood, I’m not pregnant, I just have an upset stomach…” But Willow had completely lost her mind. Seeing that the staff hadn’t returned yet, she rushed into a room, rummaging through a medicine cabinet, pulled out a bottle of pills, and strode quickly towards me. 　　“How dare you deny it? I won’t let you have this child, absolutely not!” Her voice was filled with madness. She gripped my jaw tightly, forced my mouth open, and brutally shoved the pills down my throat. 　　I shook my head frantically, but the pills still slid down my throat. 　　My stomach churned violently, and the excruciating pain made me almost unable to stand. Cold sweat trickled down my forehead, my vision blurred, and I tried to scream but found I couldn’t make a sound. Finally, I collapsed weakly to the floor, my consciousness fading. 　　When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed. 　　Dimly, I heard the doctor’s helpless voice. 　　“Mr. Hayes, your wife wasn’t pregnant. How could she be given abortion pills? Fortunately, she was brought in quickly and had her stomach pumped, otherwise almost half her stomach would have to be removed.”

　　I slowly opened my eyes. The doctor was gone, and Julian was sitting by the bed, his brows furrowed, a hint of guilt in his eyes. Seeing me awake, he quickly helped me sit up. “I know what happened. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think Willow would do something like that.” 　　My stomach still ached terribly, and I barely had the strength to speak. I sighed faintly. “Let the police handle it. She’s not a child anymore; her impulsiveness could lead to serious trouble. A few days behind bars might do her some good, give her time to reflect.” 　　I reached for my phone, ready to call the police, but Julian snatched it away. 　　“No, Willow didn’t mean it, Iris. Let’s just drop this.” I froze, then processed his words. “ Are you saying… I went through that stomach pump for nothing?” Julian was silent for a moment, then said, after a long pause, “I’m sorry. I’ll compensate you, but please, don’t make trouble for Willow.” 　　I looked at him and sighed again. “Aren’t you spoiling her too much?” Julian shook his head. “If your true love were still alive, you wouldn’t want him to suffer even a scratch, would you?” 　　I froze. 　　After a long while, I softly said, “I understand. Don’t let it happen again.” 　　Even though I had decided to let Willow off the hook, the words somehow made Julian feel inexplicably uncomfortable. He stared at my face, and some words slipped out. “After all this time, you’re still thinking about him? Hasn’t he been gone for ages?” 　　I didn’t understand why he suddenly said that. 　　I liked Leo Blackwood; hadn’t he always known that? 　　I had never interfered with his feelings for Willow, but now it seemed he was angry that I liked Leo. 　　I was about to speak when Julian’s phone suddenly rang. 　　It was Willow calling. 　　After answering, he composed himself, the nameless anger he’d felt moments ago now suppressed. 　　He stood up, returning to his polite demeanor, his voice tinged with helplessness. “Willow is acting up again. I have to go. I’ll come see you when I have time.” 　　As I watched his hurried departure, I couldn’t help but call out to him. 　　“Please tell your sister that she doesn’t need to worry about me getting pregnant. I won’t get pregnant. I had my tubes tied on the very first day we were together.” 　　Julian’s steps halted abruptly. He turned back, disbelief in his eyes. “What did you say?!” 　　I looked at him with growing surprise. 　　In our five years of marriage, we had always treated each other with polite distance, and Julian’s face had always been expressionless. 　　But today, I had rarely seen him so uncharacteristically reactive. 　　I said, “I won’t have any children except Leo’s. You can understand that, can’t you?” 　　Julian’s face instantly darkened, as if he was suppressing something. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Go get the surgery reversed immediately.” 　　He finished, then, as if fearing my refusal, added, “This is a marital obligation.” 　　I shook my head. “But we’re already in the process of getting divorced. I don’t need to fulfill marital obligations anymore.”

　　I finally told Julian the truth, but he didn’t hear it. 　　Because just as I spoke, Willow called again, urging him. He whispered soothing words into the phone and quickly left. 　　I let out a soft sigh, but there wasn’t much ripple in my heart. I had grown accustomed to such scenes. In Julian’s world, Willow was always the first priority. 　　Over the next few days, Julian sent staff to deliver my meals daily and hired a nurse to care for me. 　　Although he didn’t appear in person, the arrangements were quite thoughtful. 　　The only downside was that my phone vibrated constantly with provocative pictures from Willow. 　　Julian taking her shopping, buying her jewelry, taking her to upscale restaurants… 　　Each photo came with text, flaunting Julian’s doting affection for her. 　　I looked at these photos without a trace of jealousy. I simply forwarded each one to Julian with a caption: “Your sister sent this.” Julian was silent for a long time before replying politely, “I’m sorry, I’ll handle it.” 　　I replied, “Okay, thank you.” I thought our conversation was over, but then Julian sent another message: “Did you go get the tubal ligation reversed? Please do it as soon as possible.” 　　I stared at the message, not understanding why Julian was suddenly so insistent about this. 　　We were getting divorced soon, and there was no way I would have his child, so his urging me to get surgery was pointless. 　　Moreover, why was he so determined for me to reverse it? 　　I put down my phone, simply choosing not to reply. 　　On the day I was discharged, Julian came to pick me up himself. 　　I opened the car door to find Willow sitting in the passenger seat. 　　Willow turned around and said in a snide tone, “Brother and I are going to an auction later. I get car sick, so Ms. Wynter, if you don’t mind sitting in the back.” 　　I said nothing, silently getting into the back seat. As soon as I was in the car, I heard Julian softly say to Willow, “Did you forget what I told you before?” Willow pouted, then reluctantly turned to me and said, “I’m sorry, Ms. Wynter, I was too impulsive before and caused you to be hospitalized. I apologize.” 　　I was a little surprised, not expecting Willow to apologize. 　　It wasn’t until I saw Willow’s swollen lips and Julian’s helpless expression that I instantly understood. 　　Julian had always refused to touch Willow before, but now, to appease her and make her apologize to me, he had actually kissed her? 　　I saw through it but didn’t say anything, merely nodding calmly. 　　Julian glanced at me through the rearview mirror and asked again, “Did you get that surgery reversed?” I didn’t know why he asked so many times, but I calmly replied, “Yes, I did.” 　　I really hadn’t wanted to have children before, but things were different now. I thought of the college student who looked so much like Leo Blackwood. Life was long, and perhaps having a child who resembled Leo wouldn’t be so bad. 　　Julian, however, misunderstood. He nodded, a hint of a smile in his eyes, seemingly pleased. He continued, “We’re taking Willow to an auction later. Iris, you should come along too.” 　　I was about to refuse, but then I realized I hadn’t been out in a long time, so I nodded. 　　At the auction, Julian bid on almost everything Willow showed interest in—jewelry, famous paintings, antiques… each item was incredibly valuable. People around us whispered, envious. “Mr. Hayes is so good to his adoptive sister, even better than to his wife.” 　　Julian heard these words, turned to me, and asked in a gentle tone, “Is there anything you want? I’ll buy it for you.” 　　I was about to shake my head when I suddenly saw a watch displayed on the auction stage. 　　It was a classic men’s wristwatch, with a simple yet elegant design. 　　*Leo would have looked so handsome wearing it,* I thought. 　　But he couldn’t wear it anymore. 　　However, I could buy it for the college student who looked like him. 　　So, I raised my paddle and called out, “Three million.” 　　At that moment, Julian’s eyes subtly changed. 　　He had been buying things for Willow, but never for me. Yet I was thinking of buying a watch for myself? 　　A complex emotion suddenly surged within him, and his gaze towards me softened a little.

　　Willow saw the way Julian looked at me, and her face instantly changed. 　　“Five million!” 　　I wasn’t to be outdone and raised my paddle, calling out a higher bid. 　　“Six million!” 　　“Seven million!” 　　We went back and forth, the price soaring higher and higher. 　　Finally, I pushed the bid sky-high, stunning everyone in the room. Everyone assumed I was buying the watch for Julian and exclaimed, “Ms. Wynter must truly love Mr. Hayes deeply!” When I received the watch, Julian draped his jacket over my shoulders and softly said, “Thank you. Please put it on me.” 　　I froze, about to explain that the watch wasn’t for him, when Julian’s phone rang. 　　He took a call; there was an urgent company matter that required his immediate attention. 　　He could only leave in a hurry, asking the driver to take Willow and me back first. 　　I had already bought what I wanted, so there was no need for me to stay. I turned and left the auction. 　　As I was about to get into the car, I turned to tell Willow to hurry up, but then I saw her exchanging glances with one of the bodyguards. 　　I had a bad feeling. Sure enough, the next second, the bodyguard delivered a chop to the back of my neck. 　　My vision went black, and I passed out. 　　When I woke up again, I found myself locked in a cold storage unit. 　　The biting cold permeated everything, and my hands and feet were numb with frost. 　　Willow stood outside the cold room, watching me with icy eyes through the glass. 　　“Don’t think you can win my brother’s affection with a mere watch. He’ll always love only me.” I really didn’t know how to explain it to her. I shivered with cold, my voice filled with helplessness. “You’ve misunderstood. That watch wasn’t for your brother.” Willow froze, then sneered. “If not for him, then for whom? You can stay in this cold room. This is your punishment for coveting my brother.” 　　With that, she violently smashed the watch I had bought on the ground and turned to leave. 　　“Willow! Willow!” Even with my usually good temper, this time I was genuinely angry. I didn’t understand why Willow had to target me again and again like this. 　　Julian should have told me that our marriage was just a business alliance. 　　I had also heard Julian declare his true feelings to Willow countless times, saying his heart belonged only to her. 　　If I had known Willow was so irrational, I probably wouldn’t have agreed to this business marriage in the first place. 　　The cold room door was tightly shut, the outside world seemed cut off from me. 　　My phone had long lost signal, and a thin layer of ice had formed on the screen. 　　The cold felt like countless fine needles, pricking my skin, penetrating my very bones. 　　Just as I felt I was about to freeze to death, my body on the verge of losing consciousness, a loud crash suddenly echoed. 　　I vaguely looked over and saw the cold room door had been violently kicked open. Julian was running towards me. 　　When I woke up again, I was lying in my bed at home. 　　Julian sat by the bed, his eyes showing a hint of guilt and exhaustion. 　　“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize Willow would do something like this again.” I leaned against the headboard, my face pale. I softly asked, “So, I can’t hold her accountable this time either, can I?” Julian was silent for a moment, then softly said, “I’ve already punished her.” 　　I looked up at him. “Punished her how?” Julian hesitated, his voice tinged with unease. “I… I made her eat one less bowl of rice.” 　　I froze. 　　After a long while, I softly said, “I see.” 　　Julian looked at me, a hint of probing in his eyes. “Aren’t you angry?” I looked up, my gaze calm but tired. “I am angry. But then I thought, if Leo made a mistake, I wouldn’t have the heart to punish him either. Perhaps that’s just what it’s like to love someone. You love your sister so much, just like I love Leo.” 　　Julian’s face suddenly changed. 　　He abruptly stood up, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes—a mix of anger and some indescribable sense of loss. 　　I looked at him, feeling a little confused, wondering why he reacted so strongly. I waited for him to speak, but he just stood there, his lips moving, eventually only managing to squeeze out, “Can we… not mention him anymore?”

　　I froze, a hint of confusion in my eyes. “Why?” Julian’s voice was low and suppressed. “Because I don’t like it.” 　　I looked at him, not understanding why. 　　But I didn’t ask further. I lowered my head, let out a soft sigh, then looked up, my tone calm. “Alright. For the next seven days, I won’t mention him again.” Julian frowned, a hint of confusion in his voice. “Why seven days?” 　　“Because in seven days, our marriage will be over.” 　　However, my words were once again drowned out by Willow’s voice. Willow suddenly pushed the door open, her voice tinged with petulance and complaint. “Brother, you’ve doted on her enough. Can’t you dote on me too? You actually punished me for another woman! I didn’t even eat enough today.” Julian, uncharacteristically, seemed annoyed. “Stop it, Willow.” Willow pouted, her eyes instantly reddening. “You don’t love me anymore, do you? Fine, I’m leaving!” 　　With that, she ran out, her eyes red. 　　Julian watched her defiant retreating back, his brow etched with helplessness. He turned to me and said, “I’ll go check on her.” 　　I hummed in acknowledgement. 　　As their figures gradually disappeared, I got up to pour myself a glass of water, when I suddenly heard a loud crash from outside! 　　My heart sank. I quickly got out of bed and went outside. 　　I saw Willow lying on the roadside in the villa complex, covered in blood, with a car stopped nearby. 　　The driver frantically got out to check, while Julian knelt beside Willow, his face terrifyingly pale. 　　“Willow, don’t scare your brother…” 　　His voice trembled as he clumsily picked Willow up and put her in the car, speeding towards the hospital. 　　I stood rooted to the spot, stunned. This was the first time I had ever seen Julian so distraught. 　　Fearing something serious had happened, I quickly hailed a taxi and followed them. Willow was rushed into the operating room. But after only a short while, the doctor hurried out, his voice grave. “The patient has lost too much blood and needs a transfusion, but the hospital’s blood bank is insufficient. What are we going to do?” Julian immediately rolled up his sleeve. “Take mine. We’re the same blood type!” 　　The nurse quickly led him into the operating room, drawing the maximum tolerable amount, 400cc, but it still wasn’t enough. Just as she was about to stop drawing blood and find another solution, Julian grabbed her hand, his voice hoarse. “Keep drawing.” 　　“We can’t…” 　　“I said, keep drawing!” The nurse hesitated, then turned to me. “Ms. Wynter, please try to persuade Mr. Hayes. If we continue drawing, his body won’t be able to handle it.” I didn’t know how to persuade him, so I could only ask, “Julian, do you love her more than your own life?” Julian’s face was cold, and he answered almost without hesitation, “Yes.” I was silent for a moment, then turned to the nurse and said, “I can’t persuade him. Just do as he says.” 　　The nurse was distraught, but seeing both of us with the same attitude, she reluctantly continued to draw blood. 　　Not until 1000cc had been drawn was Julian’s face as white as paper, barely able to stand. 　　But he stubbornly remained outside the operating room, refusing to leave. Fearing he might die there, I quickly walked over. “I’ll stay here and watch over her. You should rest.” Julian shook his head, his reddened eyes fixed on the operating room. “No, I’m worried.” 　　I said nothing more, only stood silently by his side, watching the operating room door. 　　Not until the doctor came out to announce that Willow was out of danger did Julian finally let out a sigh of relief. 　　His body swayed, then he could no longer hold himself up and fainted.

　　I had originally thought that as long as I peacefully got through the remaining few days, I could completely leave this marriage and start a new life. 　　But I didn’t expect something like this to happen, with Julian and Willow both hospitalized. I had to take care of both of them simultaneously, and for several days, I was utterly exhausted. And Willow, to top it off, was being incredibly difficult. 　　Either she’d complain my porridge wasn’t tasty and splash the scalding hot粥 onto my hand. 　　Or she’d say she wanted dessert in the middle of the night, making me drive out to buy it. 　　I knew Willow was deliberately tormenting me. 　　But I thought, since there were only a few days left of our marriage, I’d just endure it, and it would pass. 　　I didn’t want any more conflict with Willow in these final days. Julian noticed my forbearance and said sympathetically, “You’ve worked hard these past few days. I’ll compensate you. What do you want?” 　　I shook my head. “No, thank you.” 　　Julian, however, seemed to take it to heart. 　　When he had recovered a little, he had the nurse take care of Willow and took me out himself. That day, Julian took me to an amusement park—a place we had never been to in all our years of marriage. He bought me ice cream, rode the Ferris wheel with me, and even took a few photos of me in front of the carousel. 　　We watched a movie, had a candlelight dinner, and did all the things a couple should do, without missing a single one. 　　I wanted to say I didn’t like these things and that he didn’t need to do them, but seeing Julian so absorbed in the moment, I ultimately kept quiet. 　　When I returned to the hospital, Willow was waiting at the door, her face dark with anger. She looked at me, her eyes tinged with madness. “Did my brother take you out on a date?” I was about to explain, but Willow suddenly raised her voice, agitated. “Don’t think for a second that this means he’s fallen for you! I’ll make you realize that in his heart, I will always absolutely crush you. No one can compare to me, not even you!” 　　I wanted to say I already knew that, but before the words could leave my mouth, Willow had already covered my mouth and nose with a towel. 　　The next second, my consciousness slowly blurred, and I passed out. 　　When I woke up again, I found myself suspended by ropes over a cliff. 　　The sea wind howled, and the waves crashed against the rocks with a deafening roar. 　　The rough ropes chafed painfully against my wrists, and below me was the bottomless ocean. 　　And right beside me, Willow was also suspended by ropes. A triumphant smile played on her face. “I hired a kidnapper to stage this, pretending we’ve both been abducted. My brother will be here soon. Who do you think he’ll save?” 　　I looked at Willow, feeling utterly helpless. “You.” Willow snorted coldly. “At least you have some self-awareness.” 　　I didn’t know what to say anymore. 　　How could Julian have ever loved Willow? 　　Not long after, Julian indeed arrived. 　　He stood at the edge of the cliff, his face pale, his eyes filled with anxiety. A large case of money was thrown at his feet, but the kidnapper’s purpose wasn’t just about the money. He sneered, “Mr. Hayes, you can only save one of these two. Choose.” 　　Julian roared, “I’ll save both of them!” The kidnapper impatiently brandished his knife. “Choose now, or both will die.” 　　Julian’s gaze darted back and forth between Willow and me, his eyes filled with an unprecedented panic and struggle. As the kidnapper was about to cut the rope, he finally made his choice: 　　“Save Willow!” He then looked at me, speaking with difficulty. “Willow just had a car accident, her body isn’t well, I…” I smiled, my voice calm. “It’s alright. Even if she hadn’t had an accident, you would still save her.” 　　Julian’s heart violently clenched, as if pierced by my words. 　　He was about to speak when, the next second, the kidnapper cut my rope. 　　My body instantly plummeted into the sea, and the icy water completely swallowed me. 　　“Iris!” 　　When I woke up again, I was once more in a hospital bed. 　　My wrists were wrapped in thick bandages, and my face was so pale it was almost translucent. 　　Julian sat by the bed, his eyes showing a mix of exhaustion and guilt. 　　“I’ve investigated. This kidnapping was Willow’s doing again. Three strikes and you’re out. It won’t happen again.” 　　“I will definitely compensate you, Iris. Tell me what you want, and don’t say ‘nothing’.” I looked at him, my eyes as calm as still water. “Then go be with Willow. She must be terrified too.” Julian’s pupils widened slightly, a hint of shock in his gaze. “That’s the compensation you want?” I nodded, my voice calm. “Yes. Go be with her. That way, I won’t have to waste any more thought on you.” Julian’s throat seemed to be choked by something. After a long pause, he softly said, “Okay, I’ll come back after I’ve spent time with her.” 　　With that, he tucked the blanket around me and hurried away. 　　But I just quietly watched his retreating back, gently shaking my head. 　　No need, because today, I was leaving. 　　After Julian left, I disregarded the nurse’s protests, pulled out my IV drip, and checked myself out of the hospital. 　　My flight was at eleven o’clock. Now, I only had two hours to settle everything. 　　I quickly hailed a taxi to the courthouse and got my divorce certificate as fast as possible. 　　Then I returned home, placing the divorce certificate, the divorce agreement, and my wedding ring together on the coffee table where he would surely see them. 　　Finally, I picked up my packed luggage, left the keys, and walked out of the villa. 　　Standing at the villa gate, I took one last look at the house I had lived in for five years. 　　“Goodbye, Julian Hayes.” 　　These five years were truly over.

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### Chapter One “Ms. Anya, the divorce papers we discussed are drafted and should have arrived by now. Did you receive them?” I took the documents sent by Mr. Davis from the courier, murmuring a soft, “Yes, Mr. Davis. Thank you.” The call ended just as the delivery van drove away. I turned and walked into the house. Moments later, I heard the front door open behind me. Julian’s deep, resonant voice drifted closer, stopping right behind me. “Anya, I’m so sorry, this business trip has been insane. I’ve been swamped with work and haven’t even had a moment to breathe, let alone check my phone and call you.” As he spoke, Julian Vance rounded to face me, his cheek gently brushing my stomach, eyes crinkling with a smile. “Has our baby been keeping you busy these past few days?” “Julian Vance.” My sudden utterance made him pause. He was ten years my senior. I used to playfully call him ‘honey,’ or ‘babe,’ but it was only during our most intimate moments, when he pushed my limits, that I’d find myself whimpering his full name. Before he could even process it, I flipped the divorce papers in my hand to the last page, concealing the text, and handed them to him. “You once promised me a gift after the baby was born. Well, I’ve decided what I want. Just sign right here.” My voice was flat, devoid of emotion. He took the papers without hesitation, picked up the pen, and swiftly scrawled his signature at the bottom. I hadn’t expected him to be so quick, not even glancing at the content. A flicker of surprise crossed my face. “Aren’t you afraid to sign a document without even reading it? What if it leaves you penniless?” Julian only chuckled, a doting smile playing on his lips, and gently pinched my cheek. “Everything I have is yours, Anya. And once the baby arrives, it’ll all be for you two.” The words had barely left his mouth when I smiled. Too bad for you, Julian. Because this time, the only thing I want is my freedom. My retort was cut short by a sudden ring. It was Julian’s phone. Though he snatched it quickly, I still caught a glimpse of the glaring name on the bright screen: Seraphina Hayes. “Company emergency, I need to take this.” He pocketed his phone with a natural demeanor. Seeing me nod, he turned and headed towards his study. He took a few steps, then suddenly stopped, looking back at me, still standing rooted to the spot. “Oh, by the way, you called me so many times these past few days. Was there something important?” A sharp pang went through my heart, but I shook my head. “No, nothing.” Hearing my reply, he didn’t press further, disappearing into the study. Julian’s silhouette vanished completely as the study door clicked shut, leaving me to lower my head and let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Nothing,” indeed. Just a car accident that left me fighting for my life, and the loss of our baby. The day of my car accident and miscarriage, I called him seventy-eight times, desperate for him to see our child one last time. But he was busy watching the sunrise with Seraphina Hayes, his first love, who had just returned from abroad. He didn’t want anyone to disturb that precious moment of peace, so he rejected my calls. In the end, he simply turned his phone off. It was then I learned that Seraphina was his first love, his childhood sweetheart. And me? I was just a placeholder. Even though I was young, I understood that you don’t bring someone new into your life if your heart still belongs to someone else. Julian was ten years my senior. How could he not understand something so fundamental? Gazing at the signed divorce papers in my hand, I managed another bitter smile. Julian Vance, since you love her so much, I’ll give you back to her permanently. ### Chapter Two I took out my phone and called Mr. Davis, my lawyer. He answered quickly, and I spoke first. “Mr. Davis, the divorce papers are signed. When can we finalize everything?” On the other end, Mr. Davis seemed surprised that the agreement was signed so quickly, his tone betraying a hint of astonishment. But his professional training kept his curiosity in check as he replied, “The legal process typically takes about a month.” With the exact timeframe confirmed, I handed over all divorce matters to him. After hanging up, I set a thirty-day countdown on my phone. That night, Julian stayed in his study. The next morning, as I left my room, I saw him dressed in a suit, ready to head out. He paused when he saw me, then quickly resumed his normal composure. “I’ve got something urgent today, so I won’t be able to come to your prenatal appointment. You don’t mind going alone, do you? We can still grab dinner at your favorite place later, as a treat.” Prenatal appointment? A wave of sarcasm washed over me. The baby was gone, there was no need for any appointment. But looking at Julian, standing by the door, I ultimately said nothing, just nodded. He didn’t leave, though. Instead, he gestured to his cheek. I pretended not to understand, remaining still. When I didn’t react, he finally spoke. “Forget your goodbye kiss?” It was a tradition we’d started when we were first married, our love still fresh and vibrant. Every time Julian left the house, I’d send him off with a goodbye kiss. But now, I just shook my head. “Aren’t you in a hurry? You should just go.” “You really are getting less clingy the older you get.” Julian chuckled, but didn’t insist on the kiss, walking straight out the door. He hadn’t been gone long when I changed and left myself. But my destination wasn’t the hospital. It was Dr. Alex Kincaid’s lecture. I’d heard he’d just returned from abroad and was giving a lecture at the university today. I arrived a bit late, with streams of people already exiting the auditorium. As they passed me, I could hear their excited chatter. “Dr. Kincaid is seriously incredible, winning a Nobel Prize so young! His research is groundbreaking!” “I know, right? Definitely worth coming to this lecture.” … I walked against the flow of people into the auditorium. Some were still inside, gathered around the central figure of the lecture – Dr. Alex Kincaid himself. Too many people surrounded him. After watching for a while, seeing no sign of the crowd dispersing, I decided to leave. Just as I turned, a surprised voice called out my name. I looked back and saw Alex Kincaid trying to squeeze his way out of the crowd. “Anya, long time no see.” My eyes crinkled with a smile. “Alex, long time no see.” We chatted briefly, catching up, before I hesitantly brought up the real reason I was there. “I’d like to join your research institute, if that’s possible?” Alex’s face lit up with surprise and delight. “Yes, of course, you can!” “Anya, you were the star of our department, a true genius who skipped multiple grades as soon as you enrolled! But your parents thought a life in research was too demanding for a young woman, they wanted you to take an easier path, and our professor had no choice but to offer the position to me. If you hadn’t left back then, that spot—and even the Nobel—would’ve been yours!” His expression then softened with concern. “But our institute is in Germany. Will your family approve?” I smiled. “Back then, my parents believed a young woman shouldn’t have to struggle. They wanted me to have a comfortable life, so they pushed for a suitable marriage with a ‘reliable man.’ But I’m filing for divorce now. So, finally, I can chase the life I truly want.” Hearing about the divorce, Alex’s excitement was palpable. “When can you leave?” “In a month.” Alex mirrored my smile. “Great, I’ll be waiting for you.” ### Chapter Three “Anya!” Alex and I were engrossed in conversation when a familiar voice suddenly called from behind me. I instinctively turned around, seeing that all-too-familiar face. Julian, impeccably dressed in a suit, stood tall a short distance away, his expression darkening as he looked at Alex. “Anya, aren’t you going to introduce us?” He was always so composed; this was the first time I’d ever seen such clear jealousy in his eyes. But why was he jealous? His heart, clearly, belonged only to Seraphina. “This is Dr. Alex Kincaid, a senior colleague from my university days.” I pushed away the distracting thoughts and introduced Alex first, then turned to Julian. “And this is… my husband, Julian Vance.” After the brief introductions, Alex and Julian shook hands. As their hands parted, faint red marks were visible on both. They both subtly put their hands behind their backs, but the palpable tension in the air was enough to make my skin crawl. I pushed down the strange feeling in my heart and waved to Alex. “Well, I should head back now. See you around.” Julian and I walked away side-by-side. I didn’t turn to see the flicker of disappointment that crossed Alex’s face. We hadn’t walked far when Julian broke the silence, his tone clipped. “What are you doing here?” “It’s been a while since I was last at the university. Just felt like coming back for a visit.” I paused, coming up with a casual excuse, and walked alongside him. “Weren’t you supposed to be incredibly busy today? What brings you here?” As I finished speaking, we reached his car. I instinctively headed for the passenger seat, but just then, the window lowered, revealing a face I’d never truly known, yet wasn’t unfamiliar with. Julian, surprisingly composed, offered a smooth explanation when he saw my gaze land on Seraphina. “Just ran into an old friend, catching up.” It was a perfectly normal explanation, but my eyes lingered on the bag of snacks he was holding. I suddenly remembered he had once been a student at this university. And now, it seemed, Seraphina was too. Whether they were merely catching up or rekindling an old flame, only they could truly say. But deep down, I already knew the answer. “Hi there, I’m Seraphina Hayes. You must be Julian’s wife, right? You’re so young and lovely.” Seraphina smiled and waved at me, her tone overly familiar. I managed a tight smile and a nod. Seeing she had no intention of getting out, I simply got into the back seat. Perhaps my silent retreat emboldened Seraphina, for throughout the drive, she completely ignored the fact that Julian’s wife was sitting in the back, playfully teasing and laughing with him as if I weren’t there. She clutched the bag of snacks Julian had given her, then picked up a pastry and held it to his lips, laughing. “Julian, these taste exactly like they used to! Try some?” Julian, focused on driving, didn’t think twice. He turned his head and took a bite of the pastry she offered. Immediately, her playful chide filled the car: “Oh, Julian, how clumsy of you! You almost bit my finger!” Julian’s eyes crinkled with amusement. As he glanced up, his gaze suddenly met mine in the rearview mirror. A flash of panic crossed his face. He quickly pushed Seraphina away. “Anya, would you like to try some too?” “No, thanks. I don’t eat those.” I shook my head, my gaze averted. But Seraphina wouldn’t be deterred. “Are you sure? They’re delicious! Back when we were students, Julian used to sneak out of school to buy them for me all the time!” “At first, he was the model student, never daring to climb over the wall. He’d always come back with scratches. I told him not to bother, but just because I liked them, he actually learned how to scale the wall perfectly. After that, he never got hurt again.” Seraphina’s every word dripped with nostalgia, constantly highlighting how devoted Julian had been to her back then. Her gaze frequently darted to the rearview mirror, clearly hoping to see a flicker of displeasure in my expression, anticipating my reaction. But I remained quiet, listening silently, offering no response. Finally, she had to settle for a slightly sarcastic glance at Julian. “Your little girl certainly has a good temper.” Julian let out a soft laugh at that. “She’s very sensible.” ### Chapter Four Time slipped away with Seraphina and Julian’s back-and-forth chatter. Soon, the car pulled up in front of the Vance family villa. I got out, but Julian remained in the car. He lowered the window. “Seraphina and I have an alumni reunion later. You’re pregnant, so it wouldn’t be comfortable for you to go. Just head inside and rest, okay?” There was no struggle, no questions, just a quiet resignation. I turned and walked into the villa. The moment I stepped inside, the car restarted and gradually drove away. I braced myself for him not coming home that night. Yet, in the middle of the night, half-asleep, my phone suddenly rang. I picked it up. It was an unknown number, but I had a pretty good idea who it was. I answered, and Seraphina’s voice indeed came through. “Julian’s drunk. You should come pick him up.” With that, Seraphina hung up, not giving me a chance to react. I sat on the bed, staring blankly at the address Seraphina had sent me for a while. Finally, I got up, changed, and left the house. I wanted to see exactly what Seraphina was trying to pull by deliberately calling me there. Fifteen minutes later, a waiter led me to the door of Julian’s private room. The door wasn’t fully closed, and through the gap, I saw two figures in an intimate position. They seemed to be playing a game. Julian and Seraphina were biting opposite ends of the same biscuit stick. As the surrounding crowd cheered them on, the biscuit grew shorter and shorter, their lips drawing closer and closer. Until the last piece of the biscuit was gone, and neither of them pulled away. The next second, Julian’s lips landed on Seraphina’s. Both paused, startled. Seraphina was the first to react, her face flushing crimson as she feigned shyness and tried to pull back. But Julian, as if truly lost in his drunken state, suddenly grabbed the back of her head, pulling her into a deep, lingering kiss. The cheers around them intensified, but standing outside the room, I felt like I was seeing Julian for the very first time. In front of me, he had always been composed, steady. This was the first time I’d ever seen him so utterly unrestrained. At that thought, I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Anya, what are you doing? Your husband is kissing another woman in there, and you’re just watching? I shook my head, ready to leave, but a figure suddenly rushed out and blocked my way. It was Seraphina. Her lips were flushed, her eyes still holding a hint of lingering passion. “Anya, you saw that, didn’t you?” “Since you saw it, you should know Julian’s heart has always belonged to me. A golden boy like him, why would he ever truly love a young girl like you? You only caught his eye because your face resembles mine. My advice? Be smart. Sort out your situation and walk away now, and you might actually salvage some dignity. Because if you wait until Julian gets bored and kicks you out, you’ll be the laughingstock of our entire social circle. You wouldn’t want your child to end up like you, pitifully waiting at home for Julian to return every day, would you?” “Julian will divorce you and marry me, eventually. If you don’t walk away gracefully now, don’t come crying to your family when he finally kicks you to the curb and you’re left with nothing.” “Does Julian Vance know?” Seraphina was expecting to see me furious, but my first question made her frown. “What?” “Does Julian Vance even know the woman he’s apparently loved for all these years is this two-faced?” Without waiting for Seraphina’s reply, I walked straight into the private room. Ignoring the sudden silence that fell over everyone, I pulled Julian to his feet and steered him out. He was truly drunk, completely out cold. As I helped him into the back seat of the car, he kept mumbling Seraphina’s name. I looked at his face for a long time, then spoke with a hint of bitterness. “Just a little longer, Julian Vance.” Just a little longer, and we’ll both be free. Julian woke up the next day. He blinked, surprised to find himself home, but the previous night’s heavy drinking had left him with no memory of what happened. He could only ask me, sitting by the bed and applying lotion, “How did I get home yesterday?” “I picked you up,” I replied, my expression unreadable. Hearing that, a complex emotion flickered across Julian’s face. He asked in a low voice, “Did I… do anything out of line?” I met his gaze calmly, then shook my head. I finished applying my lipstick, preparing to leave. Julian swiftly reached out, grabbing my arm. “Where are you going?” “To see Alex Kincaid.” At those words, Julian’s face darkened, a rare sight. He pulled me back, his voice softening into a coaxing tone. “Anya, stay away from him from now on. The way he looks at you… it’s not right.” He probably expected me to agree immediately. Instead, I looked him dead in the eye. “What’s ‘not right’ about it? Isn’t it the same way you look at Seraphina Hayes?” “Seraphina is my friend.” As if I’d exposed some hidden thought, Julian’s expression stiffened, but I refused to cooperate. “Alex is my friend too.” He choked, rubbing his temples with a pained expression. “Anya, I usually let you have your way with everything, but this? This is where you listen to me. I’m a man, and I know how other men think.” Then, as if to appease me, he reached for the bedside drawer. “Don’t go, okay? Look, I bought you a gift before my business trip. It’s perfect timing for you to have it today.” The moment the drawer slid open, perhaps not having been properly placed, a stack of papers – our signed divorce agreement – slipped out with a soft *thud* and landed at Julian’s feet!

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The day before our engagement, my fiancé orchestrated my family’s ruin, embezzling all our company’s funds and fleeing the country with Chloe Hayes. Hounded by creditors, my parents saw no other way out. I went to the Taylor mansion, desperate for answers. Instead, Caleb’s parents drugged me and sent me to a high-stakes gambling yacht. Dozens of men dragged me into a private cabin, filming every humiliating moment. The moment I was about to jump overboard, consumed by despair, my fiancé’s brother, Damon Taylor, suddenly appeared. He became my only salvation. He cleared every obstacle, punishing everyone who had wronged me. He told me he had loved me for a long time, that he didn’t care about my past. To marry me, he broke away from the Taylor family and gave me the wedding of the century. Five years into our marriage, I found myself back on a yacht as Mrs. Taylor. That’s when I overheard his conversation with his friend. “Damon, you really went all out for Chloe back then, even drugging Scarlett and ruining her life. Now that she’s finally pregnant, you’re bringing her back here to repeat the same cruel game. Isn’t that too much?” “Cruel? I promised Chloe that only her child would inherit the Taylor fortune. The bastard in Scarlett’s belly can’t stay. Besides, a dirty woman like her isn’t fit to bear my child.” “Have those men been found from last time? Just like five years ago, don’t hold back. Make sure Scarlett miscarries. And remember, don’t let her suspect a thing.” It turned out, the salvation I thought I’d found was just another abyss. The love I believed in was nothing but a meticulously woven lie. If that’s the case, I’ll help him get exactly what he wanted.

On the deck, Damon Taylor faced the sea breeze, every word laced with regret. “Since Chloe chose my brother, all I can do is clear every obstacle for her. Ruining the Hartford family was just the first step. Consider the Hartford family’s funds my wedding gift to them.” “Scarlett is already tainted. A woman like that doesn’t deserve to bear my child.” His friend beside him frowned, a flicker of pity in his eyes. “But you also hired those men who dragged her into that cabin five years ago. Scarlett has been battling depression because of that incident for years; you’ve been by her side through all her treatments. You know exactly what she’s been through. Repeating the same cruel act—how will she ever recover from this?” Damon’s face hardened. He reached for a cigarette and lit it. Through the curling smoke, he spoke softly: “Worst case, I’ll just keep accompanying her to treatment. Regardless, her child cannot be born.” “I promised Chloe I wouldn’t let Scarlett pose any threat to her.” “What about Scarlett? Does she deserve to be manipulated like this? She’s innocent, she loves you so much, how could you—” Before he could finish, Damon cut him off coldly: “Enough. I said, stick to the plan. Blame her for showing up at the wrong time.” “Give me the medicine. I need to go back and watch her drink it myself.” Seeing that he couldn’t be reasoned with, his friend could only turn and leave. Tears streamed down my face, uncontrolled. The sea wind carried them away into the night sky. I hugged myself, trembling uncontrollably. Five years ago, Caleb Taylor ruined my family’s company, taking all our money and fleeing abroad with Chloe Hayes. My parents, hounded by creditors, were driven to such despair they took their own lives. Alone, I went to the Taylor mansion, seeking justice. But they drugged me and sent me to this very yacht. I became just another lamb led to slaughter in their dark, high-society games. Dozens of men dragged me into a private cabin, filming countless humiliating videos. In despair, I crawled to the deck, ready to jump into the sea and end it all. That’s when Damon Taylor suddenly appeared, pulling me into his arms. He was my only warmth. He gently wiped away my tears and blood, stroke by stroke. He said: “Wait for me. I won’t let a single person who hurt you get away.” That night, screams echoed everywhere on the yacht. My body developed a traumatic stress response, leading to nightmares every night. He was the one who stayed by my side. When I woke from a nightmare, he would gently caress my back and comfort me. He said he couldn’t control Caleb, but Caleb owed me. He would repay it tenfold, a hundredfold. To give me a wedding, he didn’t hesitate to sever ties with the Taylor family and start his own life. He declared his love for me to the world. But in the end, five years of happiness were nothing but a mirage. The man who saved me from the abyss was also the one who pushed me into hell. I stumbled back into the private cabin. Damon saw my pale face, his eyes flashing with concern.

He pulled me into his arms, just as he always did, gently patting my back. “What’s wrong, Scarlett? Did you remember something again? Don’t worry, I’m with you this time. Those men won’t appear again.” “I specifically asked the doctor to bring your medicine before we came up. Drink it once the water cools down.” Looking at his feigned gentle gaze, I said softly: “Damon, I don’t want to take the medicine anymore.” “My illness is cured. I want to go home.” The warmth in his eyes dropped two degrees. He reached out and playfully tapped my nose. “Scarlett, be a good girl. Psychological issues are prone to relapse. Taking your medicine helps you recover faster.” “Once you’ve taken it, you won’t have nightmares anymore.” Before I could reply, he had already slipped the pill into my mouth. The warm water went down, but I felt utterly cold. As if certain I’d soon fall unconscious after taking the medicine. Damon didn’t stay with me. He turned and quickly left the cabin. I knew he was going to find those men from five years ago. The shattered, nightmare-like memories surged back. Cold sweat broke out all over my body. I collapsed to the floor, rolling around helplessly. As my consciousness blurred, a warm kiss landed on my forehead. “Good girl, Scarlett. It will be over soon. I’ll wait for you when you come out.” What followed was a tearing, agonizing pain. Blood constantly gushed from beneath me. A familiar sensation engulfed me. Countless rough hands ran over my skin. I don’t know how long it was before I heard Damon’s voice again. “She miscarried?” “Yes, she did. But Mr. Taylor, they didn’t quite hold back… it seems they were a bit rough. Miss Hartford might have trouble getting pregnant again.” “Excellent work. Double your commission. You can collect your payment when we dock.” When I opened my eyes again, it was five hours later. Damon clasped my hand tightly in his, his eyes full of tenderness. “I’m sorry, Scarlett… I didn’t protect you well enough.” “It was those men from five years ago. They heard you were here and came seeking revenge. We couldn’t save the baby, and the doctor said you might have trouble getting pregnant again…” “Don’t worry, this time I’ve rounded them all up. They’ll never bother you again. Please don’t cry. No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side. The baby is gone, but I only care about you.” I stared blankly at the cabin floor. I was so numb that I couldn’t even feel the pain. I was the one who suffered the humiliation and lost a child. Yet, he cried more sorrowfully than I did. His acting was superb, and I was too numb to expose him. After a long while, when he fell silent. I slowly said: “You must be tired, avenging me.” “Damon, you should rest. I’m fine.” Seeing that I wasn’t throwing a tantrum, he let out a sigh of relief, closed his eyes, and lay beside me. His breathing gradually became steady. I quietly picked up his phone. Married for five years, this was the first time I unlocked his screen. The passcode was Chloe Hayes’s birthday. His social media app was still open in the background. There was only one contact. Labeled “Chloe.” Clicking on it, I saw their daily “Good mornings” and “Good nights” had never stopped, from five years ago until now. Chloe was abroad, but she sent Damon her schedule every day. Whether she was shopping, drinking coffee, or at the office in meetings. No matter what she sent, Damon never spoiled the fun. One photo, ten thousand dollars as a reward. Damon had been involved in her life like this. Until ten thousand photos filled her album. But when I shared things with him, his reply was always the same: “Scarlett, I’m in a meeting. We’ll talk after work.” To make Chloe happy, he’d go through great lengths to have gifts from back home delivered to her. Auction house orders filled dozens of pages on the screen. Many brands looked familiar. Damon had given me a gift from one of them too. But it was merely a complimentary item the auction house gave to Chloe. The newest video in his album was from five hours ago. The cover image showed me after I’d taken the medicine, sinking into unconsciousness. Beside me stood dozens of familiar faces. My fingers trembled, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t tap it open. Finally, I helplessly pressed the delete button. And turned off his phone. Damon, if our beginning was a deception. This time, let me end it with one. Without hesitation, I sent a message to my best friend, Bella. Asking her to have a lifeboat waiting on the other side of the yacht tomorrow night. I also found a divorce agreement online, downloaded the electronic version, and added it to an email. After doing everything, Damon, asleep, broke out in a cold sweat. He kept mumbling: “Scarlett… no, you can’t be in trouble.” “Scarlett!” The moment he opened his eyes, he pulled me into his arms as if I were a treasure he’d almost lost. Our chests pressed tightly together, but our heartbeats were on different rhythms. After a while, he snapped out of his nightmare. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Similar scenes had happened many times before. I used to believe it was deep love, that he felt my pain. But now, it seemed, it was just an act. Just brilliant acting. I lowered my head, letting him hold and comfort me. “Good girl, I’ll go get us some food. Wait for me.” As soon as Damon left, I followed him. He didn’t go to the restaurant but turned downstairs to a private cabin. The moment he entered, a slender wrist immediately wrapped around his shoulder.

That hand pulled him inside. I stood outside the door, listening to the rapid, urgent breathing within. Damon’s voice was strained: “Finally decided to come back?” Chloe smiled, tiptoeing to kiss his lips. “If I didn’t come back, I was afraid you’d actually fall in love with Scarlett.” “I heard you pulled the same trick again? She’s your wife of five years, and just pregnant, too. Are you really that ruthless, big brother…?” “If Scarlett finds out, she’ll definitely want to kill me.” Damon chuckled, amused by her words. He pulled her closer, pressing her against the door. “I told you, with me here, no one dares to touch you.” “As long as you’re happy, big brother will pave the way for you with her very blood.” A passing server noticed me and gasped. “Mrs. Taylor? What are you doing here? You haven’t fully recovered; you shouldn’t be walking around. If Mr. Taylor finds out, we’ll definitely be penalized!” “Let me escort you back.” As she spoke. The wealthy businessmen passing by looked at me with a hint of mockery. “Is that Mr. Taylor’s wife? The one who was just dragged into that private cabin by a dozen men? The rumor is she’s been… used… twice now. Mr. Taylor is really something else to stomach that.” “Twice? What do you mean, twice? Once with over ten men, that adds up! Mr. Taylor’s been made such a fool of, it’s pathetic! He must be blind to choose a woman like that; he’d probably throw up cuddling her at night.” “Who knows if she was forced or if it was consensual? Maybe she’s not that innocent after all. Otherwise, on such a huge yacht, why does she keep getting into trouble? This time, the baby was lost because of it. That child was unlucky to have her as a mother!”

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Julian, who’d never agreed to have kids with me, suddenly turned savage. He demanded me for three days and three nights, without any birth control. I thought he’d finally accepted me. Overjoyed, I took a positive pregnancy test to tell him the good news. Instead, I overheard him, his childhood friend Scarlett, and his two buddies laughing in the company lounge. “You guys spoil me rotten! I was just curious whose baby she’d end up carrying after *this*, and you three went and treated Alice like she was nothing, like a toy. If she ever finds out her baby’s father is unknown, do you think she’ll be mad?” My husband, Julian, sneered, “Mad? It’s a damn *reward* for her! You have no idea how thrilled she was when she heard she could finally have a baby.” “Still, Julian, Alice is totally a natural-born temptress, though!” “And you, Julian, you’re seriously brave for doing this!” “Or how about we make a bet? Who can hit the jackpot? Whoever loses has to buy Scarlett jewelry at the auction—no less than ten million dollars!” It was all about male pride, and the three of them were tripping over themselves to raise the stakes. Scarlett watched them flushing crimson with passion, practically bursting with joy. Through the blinds, she cast a fleeting, dismissive glance my way. …………

“Julian, what if Alice finds out the baby isn’t yours later? What then?” Julian scoffed contemptuously, “If she ends up carrying someone else’s seed, then no matter how you look at it, *she’s* the slut, not only cheating but getting knocked up by another man. Even if Alice found out, would she have the nerve to tell anyone?” “Besides, do you really think I don’t have backup plans?” With that, he pulled a stack of photos from his pocket and scattered them on the table. “Holy hell, her face isn’t blurred at all! If anyone saw these, Alice’s reputation would be toast, hahahaha.” “They’re like something out of a filthy magazine! You can practically feel the sleaze just looking at the pictures!” Scarlett picked one up, glanced at it with disgust, and carelessly tossed it aside. The photo slid perfectly through the crack under the door and landed right in front of my eyes. My breath almost hitched. I lunged to the floor, snatching up my dignity and reputation, stuffing the picture deep into my sleeve. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. Julian had been forced to marry me by our parents. For years, he’d barely touched me. I thought he was finally warming up to me, so even though I knew the drink was spiked, I still obediently swallowed it, letting my consciousness slip away bit by bit. To have a child, to win his favor, I practically threw away my dignity to please him, to respond to him for those three days. I didn’t even realize when they swapped in other men, or when those photos were taken. All of it, just because of Scarlett—a single word from the childhood friend they treasured above all. I fled the company like my life depended on it. Even though my clothes were perfectly modest, I felt like everyone’s eyes on the street were staring at the naked me in those pictures. The immense shame threatened to crush me. I ran headfirst, covering my face. A few minutes’ walk felt like a century. Back home, I rushed to the shredder, tearing the photos over and over again. I wished I could shove my own filthy self in there and be shredded too. The loud slam of the door made me jump. I snapped out of it, and there was Julian. “Did you get your period this month?” I didn’t react at first. “Wh-what?” He curved his lips into a soft chuckle, almost playful. “My little cupcake, that was three whole days. I’m pretty confident in my abilities. Come on, let’s go to the hospital for a check-up.” Julian grabbed me and pulled me towards the garage. Seeing me just sitting stiffly in the passenger seat, he sighed and reached over to buckle my seatbelt. I grasped his hand, blurting out, “To check if I’m pregnant? Julian, do you really want to have a child with me?” He ruffled my hair, his eyes tender. “What silly talk is that? Of course, I do. A girl like you, a boy like me, wouldn’t that be wonderful?” He put on such a convincing act; if I hadn’t overheard their conversation at the office, I would have truly believed him. By the time we got to the hospital, Julian’s two buddies, Mark and David, and Scarlett were already waiting. They eyed me with ill intentions. The two men’s raw, sticky stares gave me goosebumps all over. Julian pulled me behind him. “I heard you might be pregnant. They’re here to congratulate you.” The blood test for pregnancy was quick. It confirmed what I already knew: I was pregnant. Julian held the report, his expression unreadable, but Scarlett’s displeasure was obvious. He looked up at the doctor. “Can we do a paternity test now?” The doctor looked back and forth between Julian and me several times. “It’s only three weeks. It’s possible, but generally, we don’t recommend it—” He cut her off, his voice low and firm. “Then do it. Do it now.” The doctor quickly added, “At this stage, we can only do an amniocentesis. It’s not good for both the mother and the fetus, and we can’t use anesthesia. The woman will suffer greatly. Mr. Hayes, would you like to reconsider?” His brow furrowed, signaling his impatience. “No anesthesia, then no anesthesia! Are you deaf?!” The doctor then turned to me. I managed a bitter smile. “Do it.”

The paternity test would take a week, and they were already impatient for the results. Any later, and it would delay Scarlett’s auction. My suffering was clearly of no concern to them. In front of everyone, people started pointing and whispering about me. After the doctor took samples, Julian dropped another bomb: “Also take samples from my two brothers. Test them all together.” The crowd immediately ignited. “What the hell?! Is this woman playing such a wild game? With three men?!” “Why else would he bring his newly pregnant wife for a paternity test? Turns out he doesn’t know whose seed it is!” “Her husband is tall and handsome, and she still cheats? She’s so ungrateful. If I were her husband, I’d beat her to death!” The doctor, who’d initially shown me pity, now felt deceived. Without anesthesia, her hands were heavy. A sharp pain tore through my belly, making my vision go black. Tears slid down my cheeks. I clung to the wall as I came out. Julian strode forward, ready to hug me. But then Scarlett ran off, her eyes red. Julian’s two buddies immediately followed her. The arm of the man who’d just wrapped around me stiffened, then let go. I landed hard on my backside on the floor. “You go home first. I need to check on Scarlett.” With that, he turned and ran in the direction Scarlett had left. Look at him. He ran to her. The onlookers, seeing my pathetic state, openly gloated at my misery. “A slut who’ll sleep with anyone, serves her right for her husband running off with someone else!” “Hey, beautiful, wanna swap SnapChat IDs? How much for a night with you? I can definitely afford it.” “She wants money? Free of charge! You call her, and she’ll be in your bed!” I grabbed the handrail and slowly pulled myself up, keeping my head down, staring fixedly at my toes as I shuffled out. By the time I hailed a taxi and got home, it was already dark. I leaned against the doorknob, breathing heavily. As I pushed it open, a humid, intimate scent immediately hit me. The sounds of Scarlett and Julian’s desperate coupling almost pierced my eardrums. I slammed the door shut, crumbling against the wall, burying my head in my arms. Enough. This is truly enough! I don’t want to hear it! Not one bit! I don’t know how long passed before the door opened again. Scarlett was dressed lightly, her face flushed, tiny red marks dotted along her slender neck. The sound of water trickling from the bathroom reached my ears. She leaned against the doorframe, looking down her nose at me with ruthless malice in her voice. “You shamelessly keep trying to seduce Julian into having a baby with you. Where do you get such nerve?!” “So eager to have a baby, happy now? With just one word from me, I got all three of them to sleep with you. Next time, how about I toss you into a homeless shelter?” As she spoke, she moved closer to me, forcing me to retreat step by step. “So what if you made Julian marry you? He only has eyes for me. Have you ever seen how passionately he was with me just now, you pathetic thing? You’re only fit to be a sex toy!” Scarlett’s red lips opened and closed, revealing white teeth, but all I saw was the jealousy etched across her face. I scoffed internally. Was she envious of me, after being violated by three men, left shattered and broken? No, she was only envious of my one-third chance of carrying Julian’s child. Thinking this, I instinctively touched my lower abdomen. But this small gesture made Scarlett fly into a rage. “A bastard whose father is unknown, what makes you so proud of that, do you even deserve it?!” Worried Julian might hear, I feigned ignorance. “Scarlett, what are you talking about? I don’t understand. I don’t know why Julian would take me for a paternity test, but the baby in my belly is definitely Julian’s!” She was absolutely consumed by jealousy! “Who gave you permission to carry his child? Who permitted it! I can’t have his child, and neither can you!” With that, she raised her hand and violently shoved me. My heel caught on the stair. I tumbled backward, my vision blurring, my body in excruciating pain, my stomach even worse. Julian heard the commotion and rushed out. Scarlett pretended to fall to the ground, crying out: “I call you my sister-in-law, Alice. I saw you were pregnant and came over to help you clean the house. Did you really have to hit me first?!” “Why did you throw yourself down the stairs? Are you trying to frame me for pushing you? I really didn’t! Alice, why would you do this to me?!”

Then she pretended to just notice Julian, sobbing as she spoke on my behalf: “Julian, don’t mind me. Go check on Alice quickly. She accidentally fell.” Julian’s eyes flicked to the faint red marks exposed on Scarlett’s skin, and a flicker of guilt crossed his face. He quickly took off his jacket and covered her. “Scarlett, are you hurt anywhere? I’ll take you to the hospital!” “I’m fine, just my leg hurts a bit. Alice looks more serious…” He shot me a cold look, then scooped up Scarlett, yelling at me, “Don’t think I didn’t hear you! Scarlett was only trying to help you out of kindness. How could I not know you were so ungrateful?!” I lay on the floor, feeling my eyelids about to close. My lips trembled as I tried to explain: “No, I didn’t, it was her who pushed—” “Don’t you dare play the victim here! Still trying to frame Scarlett? You don’t even bother to make your lies believable! She’s so delicate, she can barely open a jar lid. Do you honestly think she could push you? Besides, Scarlett is kind-hearted. Why would she push you? Alice, when did you become like this?!” With that, he carried Scarlett downstairs. As he passed me, he contemptuously kicked me. “If you like lying there so much, then lie there a while longer! But don’t block the way!” Scarlett twisted her head, flashing a triumphant smile at me. The sound of the car engine sped away downstairs. My vision was fading fast. But I couldn’t fall asleep. My stomach pain was abnormal. Julian wouldn’t come back for me; I had to take care of myself. After a long while, I gathered enough strength to pull myself up by the handrail. Worried about bleeding on the way, I didn’t dare call a taxi. I could only walk to the hospital. The night emergency nurse saw me, bloody below the waist and in abdominal pain, and quickly helped me register. The doctor looked at my daytime medical records and sighed with regret. “My dear, who does an amniocentesis at just three weeks? The pregnancy was still so fragile! Your uterus was stimulated and contracted, and then you fell down the stairs. The baby probably won’t make it.” After the examination, the doctor scolded me urgently, “You can really endure pain! You had a major hemorrhage and waited this long. Are you trying to get yourself killed?!” I, on the other hand, let out a long sigh of relief and even laughed. “Doctor, please proceed directly with the abortion.” From the moment I learned the truth, every second, I felt an intense disgust towards the yet-unresponsive fetus in my belly. Gone, it was for the best. This child’s arrival was like a dream. Now that I was awake, it was all over. I returned home a day later. As expected, Julian hadn’t come back after carrying Scarlett away. The floor and bed were still covered with their ‘masterpieces’. I stepped around the stains and rushed into the bathroom, scrubbing myself dozens of times. I kept feeling like I smelled, and whenever it was quiet, the smell would amplify. The smell of men, the smell of a dead child—it seemed like no amount of washing could get rid of it! I broke down, smashing things to the floor, and buried my face in the bathtub, crying. As the feeling of suffocation crept in, I suddenly thought of my parents. When I first learned I was marrying Julian, I was overjoyed. I picked out every piece of my dowry, and my parents paid for it. Only the file envelope at the very bottom was given to me directly by them. I remembered the day I left home, my mother handed me the envelope: “Alice, even though this is a marriage with a purpose, your father and I still wish you happiness. If one day you no longer feel happy, remember that your parents will always be your fallback.” “If possible, we hope you never have to open it.”

I stood up and ran to the study, pulling out that file envelope. It was a divorce agreement my parents had a lawyer draft for me. They’d somehow managed to get Julian to sign it already, and the property division protected my interests 100%. I resolutely signed my name. Just as my pen left the paper, Julian called, his voice cautious. “Are you… okay?” My tone was cold. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?” “Good that you’re fine. I was wrong that day. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I just got too emotional seeing Scarlett hurt, and I said some harsh things.” “I went back to look for you later, but you were already gone. I figured you were fine.” His attempts at appeasement, tinged with resentment, almost made me laugh. “Do you need anything else?” Julian, after being given the cold shoulder twice, instantly grew impatient again. “I’ve already apologized to you, what more do you want? Haven’t *you* made any mistakes? I’m calling to tell you that Scarlett said she forgives you for pushing her that day. She even invited you to the auction; they said they’re preparing a gift to celebrate your pregnancy.” “Honestly, I can’t believe it. Your temper’s already blown up, and your belly hasn’t even grown. Can’t you learn a thing or two from Scarlett?!” I remained silent on my end of the line. Julian, realizing my silence, softened his tone. “Alright, stop being dramatic. Scarlett hurt her leg, so I’m taking care of her here. The driver will come pick you up in a bit.” As soon as he hung up, Scarlett sent me a SnapChat. “Sister-in-law, you better not miss it! I’ve prepared a big surprise especially for you!” “Your four-person party late-night photos will be the last item auctioned, and they’re all high-definition, no blurring~” She immediately sent dozens of my photos. My phone began ringing off the hook.

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I kept telling myself that snakes were cold-blooded creatures, so it was only natural my adopted shifter wouldn’t want to get close to me. It wasn’t until later that I realized he was in love with my sister. Because my sister was tall, with long limbs, the dream partner for all snake-shifters. And I? I was a freak who just wouldn’t grow. I simply wasn’t worthy of that magnificent snake. ***** Peter was a sickly little snake I’d adopted. It wasn’t uncommon for humans and shifters to pair and bond. My family had been bonded with snake shifters for generations. From a young age, each of us would either be gifted a snake beast-man by our parents or find one on our own. But I was out of favor, so I quietly went and found my own little snake. When I found Peter in a dilapidated sewer drain, he was tiny and frail. His body, having just shed its skin, was incredibly weak, and he was barely clinging to life. I saved him, and I raised him for twelve years. Raising a snake took immense energy, resources, and money. Raising a *sick* snake was adding insult to injury. And being an unfavored, penniless person? That was like adding insult to injury and then some. Thankfully, Peter grew up healthy. His bronzed, muscular lines curved smoothly down, outlining his taut waist, yet his snake form kept him from looking bulky, instead giving him a certain delicate grace. Many in my family said I’d struck gold, finding such a handsome snake-shifter. I’d just smile, never saying a word. Only I truly understood the bitter reality of our bond. Peter rarely initiated physical contact with me. Even when I had to train for my snake-bonding rituals, he rarely cooperated. He’d always be cold-faced, impatiently wrapping himself around my arm, his scales grating painfully against my skin. I constantly reassured myself that snakes were cold-blooded, and that was why he didn’t want to be affectionate with me. Until that day I saw him, his face flushed, carefully wrapping himself around my sister Monica’s calf, softly asking her, “Does it hurt?” Monica looked helpless, gently pushing his head away. “Peter, I know you like me, but you’re my sister’s companion. This isn’t right for us.” His face instantly hardened, and he scoffed. “I don’t care. I only like you. Who would ever like that short little freak?” Monica tried to protest further, but Peter moved closer, wrapping around her waist, his scales smoothed against her, playfully tickling her. Peter was *flirting*. Scene after scene from the past twelve years flashed through my mind. Peter rarely smiled, but during family dinners, sitting across from me, his face always held a faint smile. Looking back now, he was never looking at me. He was looking at my sister, Monica, beside me. The signs had been there all along, but I had just been too blind to see them. I had thought that my adopting this sickly little snake was a mutual rescue, a fate that brought us together. But I never imagined it was precisely *because* I was a freak that he disliked me. It felt like my heart was being squeezed. That tiny flicker of hope I’d harbored for years, which used to tickle my heart, suddenly sharpened into a blade, piercing right through me. On my way home, I passed a clothing store and couldn’t help but stop. Monica had one of the dresses displayed in the window. The sales assistant looked hesitant but, seeing my persistence, handed me a set of clothes. The girl in the changing room was small, barely reaching half the height of the full-length mirror. My chest was flat, my limbs slender and weak – the body of someone too frail to properly bond with a snake-shifter. That outfit, which looked absolutely stunning on Monica, made me look like a precocious little girl secretly wearing her mother’s high heels. Images of Monica with her shifter automatically flashed through my mind. Tall, with long limbs, Monica looked incredibly beautiful when she bonded with a snake-shifter. Peter wrapped around her, they looked perfectly matched. No wonder Peter didn’t like me. From the day I was born, even my own parents didn’t want me. I hadn’t developed properly in the womb, born with a frail constitution. I grew slower and stayed shorter than everyone else. Even as an adult, I still looked like an eleven or twelve-year-old child. Others would mock me: “A freak of nature in a family of revered snake-tamers! She’ll probably snap her arm just trying to handle one.” Those cruel words pricked at my heart like thorns that couldn’t be removed, and they brought shame to my parents’ faces too. They learned their lesson and were extra attentive when Monica was conceived. And that extra care gave them every snake-shifter’s dream match – she grew fast and tall. With Monica, they cared for me even less. It was as if they were a complete family of three, and I was just a poorly-nurtured burden. I stared at my small hands, angrily digging my nails into my palm, then curled my fingers into fists, silently sobbing.

I arrived home, my eyes swollen raw, like bruised fruit. Peter was sitting on the sofa, his expression impatient and chillingly cold. “What took you so long? Do you know I’m starving?” I sniffled, my emotions, just barely controlled, surged up again. “I’ll order you some takeout later, I’m a little tired.” He scoffed, “Ha, you want me to eat takeout?” Not wanting to argue, I sighed. My foot, already stepping towards the bathroom, changed direction, heading to the kitchen instead. I usually cooked for Peter. He never lifted a finger in the kitchen. Even with a fridge full of ingredients, he was too pampered to dirty his precious hands. Once before, I’d come home late, and Peter had thrown a terrible fit because he was hungry. I thought he was specially waiting for me to eat, and, filled with guilt and a tiny bit of joy, I cooked him a huge meal. But as I pulled out a chair, about to sit down, he threw cold water on my hopes. “You reek of cooking oil. Go take a shower.” Snapping back to reality, I placed the prepared meal in front of him, but Peter didn’t touch it. “Why do you smell like another shifter?” I raised my arm and sniffed. It was probably from the clothing store earlier. I suddenly remembered when I was little and had no money, I had to hike up the mountain to hunt wild rabbits and pheasants to feed him. He’d grumble, chewing on the tough, stringy meat. He’d complain about the mud on my face and the scent of other shifters on me, always keeping his distance. “I’ll go shower now.” I set the cutlery on the table and walked towards the bathroom, but Peter swept the cooked meal onto the floor with a single arm. “Nina Katharine, aren’t you going to explain yourself?” A shard of ceramic from the shattered bowl cut my calf, and the pain instantly sharpened my mind. Some people are just so strange. They don’t love you, but they still want to possess you. They give you the illusion of being cherished, of being cared for, when all they truly want is to extract more love from *you*. Peter was exactly like that. For the first time, I looked at him with a cold face. “Explain what? “It’s fine for you to smell like other people, but I can’t?” A flicker of surprise crossed his face. But it was quickly replaced by anger. “You’re doubting me? “Don’t forget who presumptuously saved you?” I didn’t answer, stepping past him to get the first-aid kit. I brushed past his arm, and he immediately flinched back, the sharp edges of his scales scraping me. His voice was colder than his expression. “Don’t touch me.” Right. He barely let me touch him even during bonding training. Outside of training? That was a pipe dream. I gave a self-deprecating laugh. I used to think he was just a cold-blooded creature, too hard to warm, too wild to tame. Turns out, he just didn’t like *me*. Twelve years of sincere companionship from a freak meant nothing compared to his instant infatuation with a ‘normal’ person. I took a dissolution of adoption agreement from my bag. “I’m sorry. Sorry for presumptuously saving you, for intruding into over ten years of your life without permission, and for making you unhappy. “So, let’s part ways amicably. “May you finally achieve everything you wish for, and live a life filled with joy and ease.” Peter ground his molars together, a sound of pure rage, his face dark as he asked, “What do you mean?” I said calmly, “It means we’re breaking up.” I then pulled out a property transfer deed and a bank card for him. “I sold the house. We’ll split the money evenly, and with this bank card, you’ll have enough to buy a small studio apartment for yourself.” His face grew even darker. “You’re abandoning me? “Didn’t you say you loved me?” Did I love Peter? I had wondered about that myself. I had never truly received love, so I wasn’t entirely sure what love felt like. I just thought that love meant being good to someone. I looked up at the small house filled with our memories. I had moved out with Peter after I came of age. At first, he was reluctant. Back then, I had to both study and work to support him, so I was always out early and back late, with little time to spend with him. He’d be all alone in that cramped rental apartment, his snake tail sticking out from the folding bed with nowhere to go. I thought that was why he was reluctant. So I worked seven or eight jobs, saving up to buy a house for him. Even then, he still didn’t want to touch me, locking his bedroom door even though we each had our own room. But I still wanted to melt his icy demeanor. He was my responsibility, the one I had saved and raised. I couldn’t just abandon him. Yet, I had seen how others in my family interacted with their shifters. My childhood friend, Jessica, had a snow leopard beast-man. That snow leopard had been very arrogant when first adopted, but Jessica’s gentle persistence eventually melted his icy heart. He’d affectionately rub against Jessica’s neck, and gently lick the back of her hand. Like a mouse in the gutter, I watched, craving a beauty that wasn’t mine. I searched for shifter vlogs online, learning their preferred ways of care. I spoiled him rotten, never letting him do any chores, giving him whatever he wanted. I never thought that what was my sweet gesture was his bitter poison. I also thought that one day I could truly enter Peter’s heart, but his heart had long been occupied by someone else. Perhaps I had loved Peter once, but those feelings had slowly eroded over the years. Until I saw him wrapped around Monica – that was when the melting snow mountain of my hope finally crumbled into dust. “I don’t love you anymore.”

*Bang!* The door slammed shut with a heavy thud. Peter stormed out in a rage. I didn’t need to guess; I knew he was hiding in some nearby corner, waiting for me to rush out and coax him back. But not this time. I pulled my suitcase and walked out of that small house. On the way, I tripped over a pebble, and the heel of my high shoe instantly snapped off. I sat numbly on the ground, a memory flashing through my mind: Monica twisting her ankle once. Peter, who was walking behind us, immediately supported her, his face full of tenderness. “Monica, are you okay?” Monica, blushing, stood steadily, then pulled my hand and laughed. “Oh, Nina, you’re so lucky! You have such a thoughtful shifter!” Thoughtful? I had never felt it. If Monica had found you that day, you would have been happier, wouldn’t you? I felt inferior for being a freak, and I envied the love Monica received. But Mom and Dad were her parents and mine. If I couldn’t get their love, I accepted it. But Peter was *my* shifter. Only mine. I couldn’t accept the fact that he didn’t love me, that he even loved someone else, and still foolishly continue to be good to him. I couldn’t just get over it in a short time, so I decided to leave this painful place. Separate ways, to the ends of the earth. I needed to start a new life, to live for myself. My new job was as a junior clerk at an electronics company. My salary wasn’t high, so I rented a small studio apartment near the office. Though small, it was cozy in winter and cool in summer—perfect for a cold-blooded creature to hibernate. I instinctively started to say, “Peter, you won’t have to worry about hibernation now.” But the words caught in my throat, and I swallowed them, a lump of pain. I couldn’t help but remember Peter’s retreating back that day. No matter how much he pretended to care then, he was probably overjoyed now, wagging his tail as he ran off to find Monica. I opened the window, and the cool evening breeze brushed against my face. I let the wind flow into my heart, letting the chill settle over my scars. I remembered something I’d read in a book: True sorrow isn’t about dramatic highs or lows, but a quiet, steady current, like a flowing river. I never understood it then. But now it was clear. Just like for decades, Peter would light a cigarette on the balcony after every family dinner. A subtle sadness always lingered in his eyes. I thought he was upset because I’d been called a freak again, that he was furious for me. But, just like I thought he was reluctant to move out with me, I was just projecting. He was only sad for himself. Sad that he couldn’t see Monica. Sad that he couldn’t be with her. To numb myself and completely let go of that relationship, I threw myself wholeheartedly into work. I eagerly took on new tasks and helped seniors with theirs. Unexpectedly, I won over many of my senior colleagues. They admired me, giving me a thumbs-up and showering me with praise: “Small but mighty!” The first time I heard it, I paused, surprised. But I had to admit, I felt a little thrill. After tasting that sweetness once, I buried myself deeper into my work, hoping to use my abilities to hide my flaw of being a freak. They praised me for my ambition. Some of the bolder seniors even leaned in and asked, “Nina, do you have a shifter, dear?” I just stared blankly, nodding instinctively, then suddenly snapped out of it and shook my head vigorously. Alston furrowed her brow and asked, “Do you or don’t you?” I answered honestly, “I did, but we dissolved our bond.” Alston looked a little awkward. Another senior subtly gave her a look, and her “Why?” was swallowed whole. She grabbed a handful of pistachios for me, trying to comfort me. I fumbled, and they scattered across the floor. My eyes fell on a pair of gleaming bear paws. I looked up in confusion, meeting a pair of light brown eyes. Above those eyes, a pair of fluffy ears twitched unconsciously. Before I could even process how a shifter had suddenly appeared in the company, I heard one of the seniors quietly whisper, “Boss.” The bear softly grunted in response. I quickly pulled the nearest senior colleague and whispered, “Why didn’t I know our boss was a bear? “Will he fire me for slacking off and eating snacks?” The thought that this job, where for once no one seemed to hate me for being a freak, might be gone, made my heart ache. The entire room fell silent. It was the bear boss who broke the silence first. He bent down, picked up the scattered pistachios, and steadily placed them on my desk. “I won’t fire you.” Then he extended his bear paw. “I was in hibernation when you started. Let’s reintroduce ourselves. My name is Steven.” After shaking his paw, my cubicle was surrounded by a crowd of curious faces. One senior, her face full of curiosity, asked, “Nina, what did the boss’s hand feel like?”

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My aunt Aurora Evans called me while I was serving in the special forces. She asked me to come home, saying she had arranged a blind date for me. Aurora told me that my blind date, Gabriel Johnson, was practically perfect—not only handsome, but also the youngest CEO of a publicly traded company in the state. Before I left, my commanding officer specifically contacted air traffic control to request full encryption of my personal information during travel. I arrived at the airport at the scheduled time, but while checking in at the exclusive lane, someone suddenly grabbed me from behind and yanked me away. Then a stack of cash was thrown in my face. Zoey Turner said to me, “I bought your spot in the exclusive lane. Take the money and go wait in the back of the regular line.” I suppressed my anger and shot back, “You’re not military personnel, and you don’t have an emergency. What gives you the right to use my exclusive lane?” Hearing my retort, Zoey let out a cold laugh. She said, “What gives me the right? The fact that I’m Mr. Johnson’s personal secretary! Forget just an exclusive lane—if the Johnson family wanted the runway itself, they’d have to give it to us.” I was stunned for a moment, then dialed Gabriel’s number using the contact Aurora had given me. I said, “Your secretary says the Johnson family has enough pull to handle any difficult situation. Is that true?” ***** After the call connected, I had barely finished my sentence when a mechanical voice came through the receiver: “Hello, I’m unable to take your call right now.” This really caught me off guard. Hearing the busy tone, Zoey snatched my phone away. She said, “You’re actually pretending to make a call?” After seeing what was on the phone screen, Zoey burst into exaggerated laughter. She said, “I thought you had some real connections. Turns out you’re just trying to scare people with voicemail? You can’t even get through to Mr. Johnson’s private number, so what are you to dare block my way?” With that, Zoey tossed my phone back at me with a smirk. Then she threw her boarding pass at the trembling flight attendant Natalia Foster nearby. She said, “Hurry up and check me in! If you delay what Mr. Johnson asked me to do, your entire ground crew will be fired tomorrow.” Natalia’s hands shook as she held the boarding pass. She looked at me, then at Zoey, her voice nearly breaking into tears. She said, “Ms. Turner, this lady’s exclusive lane access is indeed on file. If you do this, it puts us in a very difficult position.” “Difficult position?” Zoey shot back. Then she slammed her hand down hard on the check-in counter. She said, “Do you know how much money Johnson Group invests in your airport every year? And you can’t even handle such a small matter? You believe I won’t call your general manager over here right now?” Watching Zoey bully the staff for her own convenience, I couldn’t help but feel angry. I grabbed Zoey’s finger that was about to poke Natalia in the face. Then I said coldly, “Do you know what kind of people are authorized to use this exclusive lane? You’re the first person who’s ever dared to take my spot.” “Wow!” Hearing my words, Zoey deliberately clutched her stomach and laughed, “You put on some camo and actually think you’re somebody important? Did eating all that cheap military food mess with your brain? Besides, I’m the personal secretary to the CEO of Johnson Group. What makes you think you can even talk to me?” I almost laughed out loud. She made such a big scene that I thought she was some high-ranking official. Turns out she’s just a personal secretary? However, a crowd had already gathered around us. Some scattered comments about this secretary reached my ears. One woman said, “Is this woman crazy? Zoey is the most important person around Gabriel.” A man said, “Last month, a security officer stopped Zoey to check her luggage. The next day, that guy was reassigned to cleaning toilets.” From what they were saying, Zoey was a habitual bully who threw around someone else’s authority. I really hadn’t expected this. When I was in the military, even my commanding officer would politely greet me first before speaking. Now, some secretary living off a man’s money dares to show off in front of me. I snorted coldly. Then I said mockingly, “If the Johnson family is really as powerful as you claim, how come the ‘dog’ they keep doesn’t even have basic manners?” Zoey’s face instantly turned red. She roared, “Who are you calling a dog? I’ll teach you some manners today!” With that, Zoey swung her Chanel bag, aiming for my head. I simply stepped aside to dodge, then grabbed her wrist and gave it a light twist. The crisp sound of bones shifting mixed with her screams. The “Ms. Turner” who had been so arrogant moments before was now wailing in pain. She shouted, “Let go! Easy!” “Now you know it hurts?” I leaned close to Zoey’s face, twisted with pain, and said, “Weren’t you pretty good at threatening people just now?” Though she was grimacing in pain, I had actually used only ten percent of my strength. After all, if I really wanted to fight her, she wouldn’t even have time to scream. More and more people gathered to watch, and several uniformed ground crew members suddenly jogged over to maintain order. Zoey took the opportunity to break free from my grip, then clutched her wrist while gasping. She said, “Keep up the act! I’ll tell Mr. Johnson about this later. He’ll teach you a lesson.” I crossed my arms and looked at her with a cold smile, “Fine. I’m waiting.”

Following those ground crew members was the airport security chief, a middle-aged man named Levi Brooks. The moment he saw Zoey, Levi’s face immediately lit up with a fawning smile. “Ms. Turner, what’s wrong? Who upset you?” Levi jogged over, fawning as he approached Zoey, completely ignoring my presence. Clearly, he was another one of those people who sucked up to power, bullied ordinary folks, and went whichever way the wind blew. With Levi’s flattery, Zoey finally regained her composure. She flexed her wrist and glanced at me from the corner of her eye. “Mr. Brooks, does your airport let just anyone use the exclusive lane now? This woman hogged the lane spot and wouldn’t give it to me, then had the nerve to lay hands on me.” Levi immediately dropped his fawning expression and turned to glare at me. “Miss, the exclusive lane is only for people with status and position. You’re just an ordinary person—go line up at the regular lane over there. Don’t cause us trouble.” I narrowed my eyes and shot back, “How do you know I’m not one of those people with status and position you mentioned? I suggest you check with airport management first before making assumptions.” “I don’t need to check.” Levi sneered. He looked me up and down, then continued, “I’ve worked here for years and seen all kinds of people. Based on how you’re dressed, I’d guess what you make in a month isn’t worth one of Ms. Turner’s scarves. Let me tell you, Ms. Turner is a senior executive at the Johnson Group. If you delay her schedule, can you handle the consequences?” I laughed in disbelief. “So having money and power means you can just steal someone else’s spot? Is that how your airport operates?” “Enough. Stop being unreasonable.” Levi rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively. “Ms. Turner offering to buy your lane spot is doing you a favor. Don’t be ungrateful.” Zoey smiled smugly beside him, deliberately waving the cash in her hand. “Did you hear that? Since Mr. Brooks put it that way, what are you still pretending to be some big shot for? Take the money and get lost!” These two were tag-teaming to bully me. Looking at their faces, I couldn’t help but snort coldly. “So this is your airport’s service attitude. You’ve certainly made quite an impression on me.” “Do you even deserve to mention ‘service’?” Before Levi could respond, Zoey stepped forward. She jabbed my shoulder with her fingertip, saying word by word, “Listen carefully. Wherever the Johnson family goes, premium service follows. You’re some nobody without money or power who won’t take my money and insists on making me angry, right? Fine, then let me tell you something. You injured my wrist just now. If you don’t give me $500,000, this isn’t over!” How refreshing. In all these years, no one had ever dared to extort me. I smiled and agreed. Under Zoey’s somewhat surprised gaze, I continued, “I can give you the money, but I’m afraid you might have the life to take it but not to spend it.” Hearing my words, Zoey’s expression instantly darkened as she slammed her hand on the table. “Are you cursing me to die?” Seeing this, Levi quickly stepped between us, though clearly favoring Zoey. “Miss, I advise you to apologize early and settle this matter. Otherwise, if you offend Ms. Turner, you’re offending Mr. Johnson. You can forget about any future here.” I raised an eyebrow indifferently. “Is that so? Then I’d like to see what the Johnson family can do to me.” My continuous provocations finally completely enraged Zoey. She shot up from her seat, ready to slap my face. Suddenly, a cold, stern male voice came from nearby: “Zoey, stop!”

Footsteps approached from a distance. A tall figure strode in quickly. The man wore a well-tailored black suit, radiating an intimidating aura of cold arrogance as he drew near. However, I recognized him immediately as Gabriel. Gabriel didn’t even glance at me, walking straight to Zoey’s side. He frowned and asked, “What happened? Mr. Brooks said you had a conflict with someone. I happened to be in a neighboring city, so I took the helicopter over to check.” Upon seeing Gabriel, Zoey’s arrogant demeanor instantly softened somewhat. She even deliberately put on an aggrieved expression. Then she said, “Mr. Johnson, it’s nothing serious. I just got bumped into by some country bumpkin.” Zoey paused, glanced at me, and added, “Oh, and she claims to be your fiancée.” “Fiancée?” Gabriel looked confused, turning to look at me. His gaze was like a cold, precise scanner, looking me up and down before his eyes clearly showed disgust. Gabriel said, “You’re Elizabeth?” Elizabeth Evans is my name. Before I could answer, he turned his head away. Then he continued, “Alright, I’ve seen you now. You can go straight back and tell your family we’re not compatible, and the engagement is off.” Hearing this, Zoey looked surprised. She asked, “Mr. Johnson, is she really your fiancée?” Gabriel nodded, seeming very reluctant to acknowledge this fact. He leaned close to Zoey’s ear and whispered, “But that’s just an engagement our families arranged when we were kids, it doesn’t mean anything. The woman who can be my wife must be the most outstanding among people. Look at her shabby appearance—what part of her is worthy of me?” After speaking, Gabriel gave me a meaningful glance, as if afraid I wouldn’t know he was looking down on me. He said coldly, “With just an engagement, a woman who’s covered in sweat every day thinks she can connect herself to the Johnson family? What a pipe dream!” Looking at his arrogant attitude, I thought to myself, “Like master, like servant.” I looked at Gabriel with interest. I suddenly became very curious about what his reaction would be if he knew my true identity. I said, “Mr. Johnson, before they asked you to meet me, didn’t your family tell you about my family’s basic situation?” Hearing my words, the contempt in Gabriel’s eyes became even more obvious. He said, “I don’t need to know anything about your family’s situation. Anyway, your family definitely can’t compare to the Johnson family’s wealth and power. I’m warning you, I’ve made myself very clear. Don’t keep pestering me. If you’re smart, you’ll go back and tell your family to cancel the engagement right away.” I raised an eyebrow slightly, silently comparing my family’s assets with the Johnson family’s wealth in my mind. I couldn’t help thinking, “Who’s actually richer than whom is really hard to say.” Seeing my slight smile, Zoey on the side thought I had fallen for Gabriel. She immediately chimed in, “Did you hear what Mr. Johnson said? He told you to get lost!” After speaking, Zoey turned to Levi with an arrogant attitude. She said, “Mr. Brooks, cancel her exclusive passage privileges at the airport, and don’t let her use this passage anymore.” Levi immediately nodded, “Yes, Ms. Turner, don’t worry, I’ll arrange it right now!” Zoey was very satisfied with Levi’s obedience, so she completely forgot about the pain from when I twisted her wrist earlier and became smug again. She said, “See that? This is the Johnson family’s power! But looking at your poor appearance, I’ve decided to forgive you once. If you pay me the medical expenses you owe me, I’ll let you off. Otherwise, I’ll make you face serious consequences!” Looking at her arrogant behavior, I wasn’t angry at all—in fact, I found it quite amusing. I leisurely took out my phone and dialed a number right in front of them. My tone was very relaxed, even carrying a hint of amusement. I said, “Hello? I have something I’d like to discuss with you. There’s a personal secretary here who says she wants to cancel my exclusive passage privileges registered with the air traffic control department. What do you think I should do to cooperate?”

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