Category: English

I was Skylar Adams, the illegitimate daughter my family kept hidden away. My only purpose was to take my sister’s place and marry the notorious Damian Thorne – a powerful magnate, rumored to be ill-tempered and confined to a wheelchair. At the wedding, when the minister asked if I was willing, I grabbed the microphone, right there in front of all the city’s elite. “I am not.” The entire room erupted. My father, Mr. Adams, was shaking with rage, his finger jabbing furiously as he screamed that I was insane. But they had no idea. A voice in my head had just spoken. [Congratulations, Host, for rejecting the arranged marriage! The Single Survival System is officially activated. Day one of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1.] “Skylar Adams, say that again, I dare you!” My father, Mr. Harrison Adams’s, roar threatened to blow the roof off the chapel. My sister, Amber, standing beside me in her bridesmaid’s dress, hissed under her breath. “Are you insane? If you dare ruin this marriage, Mom and Dad will kill you!” I looked at her calmly, then at the stunned guests below. Finally, my gaze settled on Damian Thorne, sitting in his wheelchair. He was a business titan, a man who commanded an empire and could practically rule the city. An accident six months ago had left him wheelchair-bound, transforming his already formidable personality into something even darker and more ruthless. Everyone said the Adams family was pushing me, their illegitimate daughter, into a living hell. But they had no idea. The Adams family securing this connection to the Thornes? My parents had practically begged, pulling out every desperate plea they had to land this unimaginable fortune. Damian Thorne’s face was expressionless, his deep-set eyes watching me from several feet away, as if observing a drama that had nothing to do with him. His assistant, Liam Stone, behind him, looked furious and was already preparing to intervene. “I am not willing,” I repeated, my voice not loud, but clear enough to echo through the entire chapel. SMACK! A stinging slap landed across my face. It was my mother. She stormed onto the stage, trembling as she pointed at me. “You ungrateful wretch! You’re absolutely insane! You’ve completely shamed our family! Apologize to Mr. Thorne right now!” I licked the metallic taste of blood from my lip and smiled. “Apologize? Why? My marriage is *mine*. If I don’t want to go through with it, does someone else get to force me?” My father’s lips quivered with fury. “You… you bastard! You *will* marry him today, whether you like it or not!” He started to lunge for me. “Enough.” Damian Thorne maneuvered his electric wheelchair slowly to the front of the stage, his gaze calm as he looked at me. “Give me a reason.” I looked at him, this man rumored to be so brutal. There was no anger in his eyes now, only a piercing curiosity. I took a deep breath and delivered the line I’d rehearsed. “I don’t like you. And I certainly don’t want to marry someone who’s… disabled.” The words were harsh, venomous, even to my own ears. As expected, the entire room gasped. Mr. Harrison Adams’s face went completely white; he looked like he was about to faint. Amber stared at me as if I were already dead. Damian Thorne’s gaze finally darkened. Liam Stone, his assistant, stepped forward, his voice cold. “Miss Adams, words have consequences. You can’t just insult the Thorne family like that.” The atmosphere plummeted to a freezing point, but in my head, I silently chanted, “System, settle up!” [Ding! Day one of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1. Cash has been transferred to your anonymous account.] The system’s cold, robotic voice was my only comfort. With money and more life, what did I have to fear? I straightened my back, meeting Damian Thorne’s icy stare. “I’m telling the truth. You can’t force happiness. Mr. Thorne, this marriage? It’s off.” With that, I lifted the hem of my expensive wedding dress and, to everyone’s disbelief, turned to leave. I didn’t make it out of the chapel. Two bodyguards in black suits blocked my path. My father, Mr. Adams, his voice trembling, pleaded with Damian Thorne, “Mr. Thorne, please don’t be angry. This girl isn’t thinking straight. I’ll tie her up and send her to you right away…” “Dad!” Amber quickly grabbed his arm, her eyes darting to Damian Thorne. “Mr. Thorne, my sister is just being childish. Please don’t take her seriously.” Damian Thorne ignored their little performance. He just watched me, his gaze unreadable. “Miss Adams, you agreed to this wedding yourself. Now you’re publicly backing out, just playing games with me?” I clenched my fists. “I wasn’t playing games. I just realized that I want a life of my own, not one dependent on anyone else.” “Is that so?” Damian Thorne let out a soft chuckle, though no amusement reached his eyes. “Miss Adams, I admire your pursuit of independence. However, everything comes at a price.” The moment he finished speaking, Liam Stone stepped forward and addressed Mr. Harrison Adams. “Mr. Adams, according to the agreement, a failed alliance requires Adams Holdings to pay Thorne Industries a breach of contract penalty of one billion dollars. Furthermore, Thorne Industries will withdraw all investments and project collaborations with Adams Holdings.”

“One billion dollars!” Mr. Harrison Adams’s eyes rolled back, and he nearly collapsed. Amber’s face went white too. The Adams family’s total assets, combined, barely amounted to two or three hundred million. A billion dollars? That would drive them to ruin! Mr. Harrison Adams dropped to his knees with a thud, facing Damian Thorne. “Mr. Thorne, please have mercy! This rebellious girl is solely to blame. Punish her, but leave the Adams family out of this!” I watched his pathetic display with cold disdain, feeling nothing but disgust. This was my father, ready to throw me under the bus without a second thought for his own gain. My mother started wailing. “Mr. Thorne, we’ll send her back to her room immediately. Tonight, she’s yours! Please, spare us!” Watching my family’s ugly charade, my stomach churned. I turned to Damian Thorne. “This was my decision, and I’ll bear the consequences alone. Let my parents go. Let the Adams family go.” Damian Thorne raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused. “You’ll take responsibility? With what? A billion dollars? Do you even have that kind of money?” “I will repay it,” I said, my voice firm and unwavering. A wave of scoffing spread through the room. An illegitimate daughter, discarded by her family, how could she possibly repay a billion? It was pure fantasy. Amber’s taunt was particularly sharp. “Skylar, stop spouting nonsense! How will you pay it back? With your worthless life?” I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Damian Thorne. “Give me three years.” Damian Thorne looked deeply into my eyes, and then, surprisingly, he smiled. “Alright, I’ll give you three years.” He waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards to step aside. “From today onward, you, Skylar Adams, owe me, Damian Thorne, one billion dollars. Interest will be calculated at the highest bank rate.” He paused, then added, “Don’t even think about running. You know what I’m capable of.” With that, he maneuvered his wheelchair and left the chapel without looking back. My parents lay sprawled on the floor, their eyes fixed on me, looks that could have devoured me whole. “You wretch! You absolute wretch! You’ve ruined the Adams family!” I didn’t spare them another glance. Clutching the hem of my priceless wedding dress, I walked out of that cage-like chapel. The sunlight was blinding, but I felt a freedom I’d never known. [Ding! Host has successfully escaped the toxic family environment! Reward: one luxury apartment, Life Points +5.] Standing on the street in a wedding dress, I felt like a living, breathing joke. Passersby stared and pointed, but I didn’t care. My phone vibrated. A bank alert: $1,000,000 deposited. I smiled. Having money felt good. Immediately after, another message came in from an unknown number. [Bellagio Heights, Unit A-3201. Passcode: your birthday. -Liam Stone] It was Damian Thorne’s assistant. I was surprised. He actually gave me an apartment. Was he trying to keep an eye on me, afraid I’d run? Whatever. A place to live was better than being homeless. I hailed a cab and gave the address. The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, looking like he wanted to say something but held back. When we arrived at Bellagio Heights, I realized it was a renowned upscale neighborhood, with extremely strict security. My wedding dress made me far too conspicuous, and a security guard stopped me. I gave him the apartment number and my name. After checking, he respectfully waved me through. I swiped the card for Unit 3201 and was stunned by what I saw. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist modern decor, top-brand furniture and appliances. The walk-in closet even had a selection of seasonal designer clothes, shoes, and bags, still with their tags on. The refrigerator was stocked with fresh produce and imported fruits. On the table sat a black card and a new phone. A bold, flowing signature on the card read: [Stay put. -Thorne] This didn’t look like something prepared for someone owing a billion dollars. It was more like a gilded cage. What exactly did Damian Thorne want? I shook my head, pushing the thought away. First things first, a shower, a change of clothes, and a good meal.

Soaking comfortably in the bathtub, the system’s voice chimed again. [Day two of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1.] [Current Life Points: 7.] [Current Account Balance: $2,000,000.] I looked at my pale face in the mirror, a faint smile on my lips. Before the wedding, I had a sudden acute heart failure. The doctors said I wouldn’t live more than a month. It was this [Single Survival System] that had suddenly appeared, giving me hope. As long as I stayed single, I could live, and I could have immense wealth. Chase after guys? No thanks. I’d rather get rich, extend my life, and thrive all on my own. Just then, the doorbell rang. I was puzzled. Who would come looking for me here? Wrapped in my plush robe, I peeked through the peephole. It was Amber. How in the world did she find me here? I opened the door. Amber stood there, looking utterly condescending. She gave me a once-over, her gaze lingering on my robe, eyes brimming with a venomous mix of jealousy and scorn. “Skylar, you really have some nerve! You broke off your engagement and now you’re living in a place like this? Who’s the old man you’ve hooked up with now?” I leaned against the doorframe, lazily looking at her. “Something you need?” My nonchalant attitude infuriated Amber. “Something I need? Of course I do! Mom and Dad are furious, the company’s on the verge of bankruptcy, and here you are, living it up!” She started to push her way inside. I held out a hand to stop her. “This is my home. You’re not welcome.” “Your home?” Amber sounded like she’d just heard the funniest joke. “Skylar, don’t you forget, you have Adams family blood running through your veins! You ruined us; you have to take responsibility!” “Responsibility? How? By going back and marrying Damian Thorne in your place?” I scoffed. “Amber, you were the one crying and screaming that you wouldn’t marry him. Now you’re blaming me?” Originally, the marriage contract between the Adams and Thorne families had specified Amber, the eldest daughter. But she despised Damian because of his disability, throwing such dramatic tantrums and threats that my parents finally set their sights on me, their illegitimate daughter. They promised me that if I just married him, they’d give my mother a large sum of money to live out her golden years comfortably. For my mother, I agreed. But just a week before the wedding, my mother suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away. And at that very time, I was diagnosed with the same heart condition. Not a single person from the Adams family came to see me. They only cared if I would show up on time for the wedding. From that moment, I completely gave up on the Adams family. “You… you’re talking nonsense!” Amber’s eyes darted away. “That was… I had someone I loved! Not like you, who’s promiscuous and shameless!” She grew more agitated, her voice rising several octaves. “Skylar, I’m warning you, you’d better go apologize to Mr. Thorne and beg him to spare the Adams family! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in this city!” “Oh? Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’d like to see you try.” With a loud BANG, I slammed the door shut. Amber’s frustrated screams echoed from outside, but I ignored them. Wasting another breath on someone like her was a waste of my precious Life Points. The next morning, my name was trending online. #AdamsIllegitimateDaughterPubliclyBreaksEngagementInsultsDisabledMagnate# #UngratefulSkylarAdams# #AdamsGroupOnTheBrinkOfBankruptcy# Clicking on them, it was all hate comments about me. They called me a gold-digger, saying I dumped Damian Thorne because he was disabled, a complete opportunist. There were even so-called “insiders” who claimed I had a chaotic private life and had already hooked up with other men. Attached were several blurry photos of a girl with a similar build to me, intimately close with different men. I recognized her immediately: it was Amber. How ruthless could she be? To ruin me, she’d even released her own scandalous secrets and tried to pin them on me. The comments section was a cesspool of insults. “Women like her deserve to be canceled!” “Feel bad for Mr. Thorne, tricked by such a despicable woman.” “The Adams family must have done something truly awful to raise such an ungrateful ingrate.” I looked at the comments, not angry at all, but rather amused. These netizens were certainly easily swayed. I ignored the online storm, calmly making myself a lavish breakfast.

Just as I finished eating, my phone rang. It was an unknown number. I answered, and a haughty female voice came through. “Is this Skylar Adams? I’m Brittany Hayes.” Brittany Hayes? I thought for a moment. Amber’s rich, spoiled friend. “What do you want?” “Skylar, you really outdid yourself, daring to offend Mr. Thorne. Now the Adams family is ruined. Are you happy?” Brittany Hayes’s tone was dripping with schadenfreude. I couldn’t be bothered to waste words on her. Just as I was about to hang up, she spoke again. “However, I’m in a good mood today, so I can show you a way out.” “What way out?” “Tonight at eight, Regal Club, Mr. Albright’s party. Mr. Albright loves your type – innocent with a hint of wildness. If you please him well, he’ll give you twenty billion, not just one.” The Regal Club was a notorious den of indulgence in the city. And Mr. Albright, I’d heard whispers about him. A fifty-something, sleazy old man known for his scandalous escapades. Amber and Brittany Hayes were trying to throw me into a living hell. “What’s wrong? Scared to come?” Brittany Hayes taunted. “If you still want to survive in this city, you’d better show up. Otherwise, face the consequences.” With that, she hung up. I looked at my phone, my eyes turning cold. Did they really think I was still the old Skylar, easily manipulated? I originally didn’t want to bother with these clowns, but their repeated provocations made me wonder if they thought I was made of mud. Eight PM, Regal Club. I changed into a little black dress, put on exquisite makeup, and arrived promptly. Just outside the private room, I heard Brittany Hayes’s voice. “Don’t worry, Mr. Albright, that little bitch will definitely come. She’s desperate now; what else can she do but cling to a big shot like you?” A vulgar male voice chuckled. “Good, good, Brittany, you’re so smart. You’ll be well rewarded when this is done.” “Thank you in advance, Mr. Albright.” I pushed open the door and walked in. The room was smoky and chaotic. Besides Brittany Hayes and the corpulent Mr. Albright, there were a few other scantily clad men and women. Amber was there too, and she froze when she saw me. “Oh, she actually came?” Brittany Hayes said mockingly. “Come on, quickly, come toast Mr. Albright.” Mr. Albright’s lecherous eyes raked over me, making my skin crawl. “Nice, nice, even prettier than in the photos.” He rubbed his hands together, his smile obscene. I didn’t move, just stared at them coldly. “Skylar, what are you waiting for? Come on over!” Amber urged, clearly worried I’d ruin her plans. I picked up a glass of red wine from the table and slowly walked toward Mr. Albright. He thought I was going to toast him and chuckled, raising his own glass. Just as he was about to clink glasses with me, I flicked my wrist, and the entire glass of red wine splashed across his greasy face. “Agh!” Mr. Albright cried out. The entire room fell silent instantly. Everyone stared at me, wide-eyed. Brittany Hayes reacted first, screaming, “Skylar! You’re crazy!” Amber’s face paled with fright. “You… what are you doing!” Mr. Albright wiped the wine from his face, trembling with rage. “You dirty bitch! You dared to throw wine on me! Grab her! I’m going to make you regret this tonight!” Several men immediately lunged at me. But I was ready. Grabbing an empty wine bottle from the table, I smashed it against the edge with a sickening CRACK! The bottle shattered, and I gripped the remaining half, its sharp, jagged end pointed at the man in front. “Who dares come closer?” I spat, my voice cold. The men were stunned by my ferocity and hesitated to advance. Mr. Albright yelled furiously, “Useless! You’re all useless! Go get her! I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens!” Just then, the private room door was kicked open from the outside. “I’d like to see who dares touch her,” an icy voice cut through the room. My gaze snapped to the sound, and I froze. Damian Thorne? What was he doing here? He was still in his specialized wheelchair, followed by an expressionless Liam Stone and several black-suited bodyguards. His appearance instantly dropped the room’s pressure to zero. Mr. Albright saw Damian Thorne, and the anger on his face instantly transformed into a fawning smile. “Mr… Mr. Thorne? What brings you here?” He stammered, frantically wiping the wine from his face.

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My girlfriend got into a car accident and lost her memory. My brother, Liam, pretended to be me and became her new boyfriend. Watching Liam’s sweet smile in the photo, I couldn’t help but curl my own lips. He had no idea that woman was a cage I had personally designed. And I? I was the only hunter. Liam just posted a new update on SnapChat. No caption. Just a picture of him with a woman, against a backdrop of vibrant Globe Amaranth flowers – the kind that symbolize eternal love. I stared at the photo, the screen’s light casting a cold, hard glint in my eyes. The woman in the picture was my girlfriend, Celeste. But she’d lost her memory in a carefully orchestrated car accident. She’d gotten into that accident because she was trying to catch me. Celeste and I met during summer break. The salty air of the coast, the sun-drenched paths of an old resort town. She smiled at me, backlit by the setting sun, and said it was love at first sight. I once believed it was destiny. Later, I learned that “destiny” was just the beginning of another hunt. Celeste was a possessive, controlling fanatic. Just because I wanted to cut our trip short and go home, she saw it as betrayal. She locked me away. Like training a disobedient beast, she chained me to the bed with cold metal, leaving me at her mercy. That month, I lived like something less than human. I found a way to escape. I thought that out-of-control car would end the nightmare. I never expected she’d only lose her memory. Now, this amnesiac lamb has caught the eye of my foolish brother.

He somehow found out about Celeste’s incredible family fortune and brazenly wormed his way into her life, taking advantage of her vulnerability. But he was still my brother. I couldn’t let him fall into a trap I’d personally dug. The moment Liam came home, I cornered him. The faint, unfamiliar scent of his cologne still hung in the air. “You know that’s my girlfriend,” my voice was flat, devoid of emotion. When I first ‘escaped’ home, nightmares haunted me every night. I’d scream Celeste’s name in my sleep. It was terror, a shiver etched deep into my bones. Liam, though, mistook it for profound love. He rushed forward, slapped me hard a few times, his eyes red as he grilled me about every single detail of my time with Celeste. “Julian, just let me have her,” he suddenly changed his demeanor, blinking with wide, wet eyes, like an innocent puppy. “You’ve always been the best big brother to me.” Always the same. Ever since we were kids, our parents always favored him. They always told me, as the older brother, to take care of Liam. We were twins; I was only born a few minutes before him, yet I was expected to bear the responsibility of looking after him for his entire life. My favorite toys, the candy apples I loved, the drawings I saved up for – if he so much as hinted he wanted them, they were his. He’d been raised with a spoiled, selfish streak. “Do you even know what kind of person Celeste is?” I asked him. Just thinking of that woman made my throat tighten, a lingering physical memory. “The Blackwood heiress? You think I don’t know that?” His eyes gleamed with astonishing brightness. “I know a lot more than you think.” “Now that Celeste lost her memory, I’ve been pretending to be her boyfriend and taking care of her for days.” Liam couldn’t hide the smug satisfaction from his lips. He’d always dreamed of marrying into a wealthy family, and now, opportunity had practically landed in his lap. My eyes widened instinctively. I thought he was just helping out. I never expected him to steal my identity. “Don’t you know you’re going to get yourself killed?” My voice held a tremor I hadn’t even realized was there—a mix of anger and a secret thrill. His stupidity would only drag him into the abyss. A thin layer of anger flushed Liam’s face. He suddenly lunged, grabbing for the chain on my wrist. The bracelet Celeste had given me, the one I hadn’t had time to take off. “Give it to me!” he snarled, using all his strength, yelling at the top of his lungs. “This was never yours to begin with!” Mom and Dad were traveling overseas, but I still worried his piercing voice would be heard by the neighbors. And if it was, I’d be the one getting yelled at. I let go, watching him snatch the silver bracelet. If he wanted to be Celeste’s boyfriend so badly, then let him. “This bracelet, and Celeste, they’re both mine now.” Liam put on the bracelet, swaggering as he flashed it at me. His eyes crinkled with a smile, like a child who’d gotten the whole world, already deeply immersed in the beautiful dream he’d woven for himself.

I dreamt of Celeste again. One moment, we were sitting side-by-side by a quiet lake, her eyes looking at me, filled with crushed starlight and intense, almost possessive affection. “I’ll wait for you forever,” she said, gripping my hand, her voice soft yet firm, like a vow carried on the wind. But the next second, the scene shifted. In a dark room, she was fiercely choking my neck, her cold lips pressed against my earlobe, her breath reeking of blood. “Why did you run away? Why did you leave me?” In the endless darkness, her face was shrouded in a sinister gloom, her gaze fierce and fixated, like a dying beast. “I wasn’t leaving you, I just wanted to go home.” Tears streamed down my face, the air slowly draining from my lungs. “I won’t run away. Can you… can you please not lock me up again? I’m scared.” Celeste let out a soft chuckle. Her hand finally moved from my vulnerable neck, and instead, gently stroked my hair, over and over. Like calming a frightened pet. “Julian, I know you’re the goodest boy,” her voice was hypnotic. “Just stay here with me, don’t go anywhere.” “If you don’t answer me again…” she paused, her tone suddenly chilling, “I’ll turn you into a beautiful dried corpse, to keep you by my side forever.” I shivered, then, with all my might, I trembled out those words. “I’ll… I’ll stay with you forever.” “Good boy.” … I woke from the nightmare, cold sweat soaking my back. Celeste’s scorching, possessive breath seemed to cling to me, branded onto my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I was terrified she would regain her memory and drag me back into that hell. That month was a gaping, bloody wound in my life, and I never wanted to look back. Thankfully, in just one more month, I’d be off to college in another city. I would leave this place forever and never cross paths with her again. I clutched my pounding heart, gasping for air. But then I looked up, and my eyes slammed into a pair of dark eyes silently watching me from the shadows. I instantly lost my voice and screamed.

“My fault,” a soft female voice said. “I accidentally came into the wrong room and scared your brother.” Celeste was wearing cotton bunny pajamas, her bangs falling over her eyes, concealing any emotion, making her look delicate and harmless. She offered a perfectly pitched apology, nodding slightly at me. Liam rushed in, pulling her protectively behind him, gripping her hand tightly, like a possessive wolf pup, terrified I’d snatch her away. “It’s fine, just go.” I avoided Celeste’s gaze. I couldn’t bear to look into those eyes. Those eyes, they seemed to pierce through my skin, seeing every hidden thought, leaving me nowhere to hide. Liam actually dared to bring her home to stay, without even telling me first. A surge of anger, like my territory had been invaded, burned in my chest. “Where’s your girlfriend staying? Why did you bring her home without telling me?” I stepped out of the room, lowering my voice to question him. “We only have a few rooms. How could she ‘accidentally’ get lost?” My tone was stern, my brows furrowed. He really was destined for a drama major. Liam’s eyes welled up instantly, long lashes glistening with tears, making him look like a frightened fawn. He looked as if he’d suffered some monumental injustice, a sight designed to provoke anyone’s protective instincts. “Julian was sleeping so early, I was afraid of disturbing him, so I didn’t get a chance to say anything.” He choked out his words, making me sound like a cruel, malicious older brother. Ever since we were kids, his best trick was crying. The loudest one always got what they wanted. He effortlessly reaped all the attention and affection that was always denied to me. And I, with my stubborn pride, always unwilling to back down, was forever the one being blamed. “It’s my fault,” Celeste gently raised a hand, wiping away Liam’s tears, her face full of self-reproach. “My memory hasn’t fully returned since the accident, and I keep forgetting things. I just accidentally came into the wrong room. I’m so, so sorry.” The light spilled into her bright, clear eyes, making her appear even more gentle and charming. But I knew what kind of obsessive, twisted heart lurked beneath that beautiful exterior. I involuntarily took a step back. “Then you two should go. Leave my room.” “Are you Liam’s brother, Julian?” Celeste’s voice was soft, yet it felt like a needle pricking my ear. She looked at me intently, her gaze filled with a probing curiosity, then quickly withdrew it, as if talking to herself. “I must have been mistaken. You’re twins, it’s normal for you to look alike.” Liam quickly pulled her arm and led her away. He didn’t want Celeste to spend another second with me, terrified her damn memory might suddenly return. As they reached the doorway, Celeste looked back and said softly, “Your brother seems a little afraid of me. I must have scared him. I’m truly sorry.” “Julian’s just a bit timid, it’s fine,” Liam reassured her, but shot me a warning look. After they left, I frantically locked my bedroom door. That night, I huddled with my blanket, leaning against the cold door, and slept there. Terrified she’d reappear like a phantom, silently at the foot of my bed.

Celeste completely dominated my dreams. Ever since she locked me up, I was constantly plotting my escape. She was incredibly attentive, gentle as water. If not for the cold metal touching my wrists and ankles, I would have truly believed I’d found love. “I’m saving you, not hurting you,” I once cried, my voice raw and hoarse. “How could you do this to me?” I first met her on a cliffside trail. She slipped, and I caught her just in time. She insisted on treating me to dinner. During the meal, we were amazed to discover how remarkably similar our tastes were – from movies to our plans for the future. I admitted I liked childish things, like having my entire room filled with plush toys. Celeste did too. Just like now, this soft, large bed was piled high with all sorts of bunny plushies. Their glass-bead eyes watched impassively as she pinned me beneath her, unable to move. “I only want what’s best for you,” her dark, deep eyes were like bottomless pools, locking onto mine. “Just be a good boy, stop thinking about running away, and I’ll let you go.” To escape, I retracted all my claws, becoming utterly obedient to her. “Good boy.” She finally revealed a satisfied, brilliant smile, then lowered her head and bit my neck. It didn’t hurt, but it carried the humiliation of a declaration of ownership. I could clearly feel the surge of her obsessive passion, her burning breath on my skin, an suffocating aggression. I felt nauseous. It was a primal revulsion, mixed with fear and disgust, churning in my stomach. She gently unlocked my chains, then brazenly began to toy with my body. The chains clicked open, a sound that should have been the gospel of freedom, but now it felt like the prelude to hell opening. The cold of the metal had barely receded from my wrists when her fingertips covered them. It wasn’t a caress of desire, but more like… an appraisal. She was like a calm artisan admiring a masterpiece nearing completion. Her fingertips traced my collarbone, my chest, my waist, with an irresistible pressure, as if branding her mark onto my skin. The air was thick with her cool perfume, mingling with the cold sweat of my fear, transforming into a sticky, oppressive scent. I was forced to tilt my head back, looking at the dim light on the ceiling, feeling less like a person and more like an object laid bare, stripped of all dignity and the right to resist. Her kisses were cold and damp, falling on my eyelids, my lips, my jaw. Each kiss was like a mark, an occupation. She whispered in my ear, those gentle words now more chilling than the most malicious curse. “Julian, you’re mine.” “Every inch of your skin, every breath you take, is mine.” My body trembled almost imperceptibly, not from excitement, but from extreme humiliation and fury. I clenched my teeth, swallowing every protest and scream. Because I knew that any hint of disobedience would only result in a longer, more desperate confinement. She handled my limbs as if I were a cherished piece of porcelain, exploring every corner of my body. In her eyes, there was no lust, only a near-insane obsession and possessiveness. I felt my soul being slowly peeled from my body, floating in mid-air, coldly observing this shell endure everything. That night was absurd and endless. I quietly put on my clothes, tightly clutching the car keys I’d stolen from her jacket pocket. Like a startled rabbit, I fled desperately from that cage. But I never expected her to wake up so quickly. Another black car blocked me on the winding mountain road, like a silent beast. Celeste got out of the car, her dark hair glowing softly in the morning sun. She looked at me quietly, a gentle, almost resigned smile on her face. “You lied to me,” she said softly, her voice scattered by the wind. In that moment, every nerve in my brain snapped. I slammed on the accelerator, driving straight at her. I’d rather be a murderer than return to that hell. There were no cameras here. Let her rot. But I never thought she’d still be alive. Not only alive, but brought into my home by my foolish brother. I couldn’t imagine how she would drag me back into the abyss once her memory returned.

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. When I stepped out of my room, Celeste and Liam were sitting at the dining table. She considerately handed Liam a napkin, her face adorned with a doting, unblemished smile. Those gentle, water-like eyes seemed to forever hold boundless affection. “Thanks,” Liam’s face flushed, his eyes cast down like dewy grapes. “It’s nothing,” Celeste looked up, her gaze bypassing him and settling on me, a smile playing on her lips. “It’s what I should do as your girlfriend.” Her gaze felt like feathers, yet also like barbed whips, slowly tracing my exposed neck and arms. I shivered, then hurried into the bathroom, head down. When I came out after washing up, Celeste was in the kitchen washing dishes. The sunlight outlined her slender back, that picture of domestic tranquility, enough to deceive anyone. Who could imagine the obsessive, rotten core beneath that facade of false warmth? “Julian,” Liam’s voice chimed in my ear. He sat down beside me, grinning, but his hand unceremoniously pinched my arm. “You deliberately wore so little. Don’t think I don’t know you’re trying to seduce Celeste.” A sharp pain shot through me. I yanked my arm back, then grabbed his wrist. I stared at him coldly. “Liam, get this straight. You’re the one who stole my identity and took my girlfriend.” “If you want my trash, and you treat it like treasure, then keep it safe.” “But as your brother, I have to warn you,” I watched his face instantly drain of color, speaking each word slowly. “How could a car accident only result in superficial injuries? She’s been amnesiac for so long, not bothering to look for her family or regain her memory. Instead, she’s happily living in a stranger’s house. You know exactly what you’re thinking.” Our family was just a regular, ordinary working-class family. Between us and the Blackwoods, a prestigious old-money family, there was a whole galaxy. Liam was just taking advantage of her amnesia, trying to stage a cheap drama of “Billionaire Heiress Falls for Me.” Seeing his guilty face, I released his hand and turned to the kitchen. I took a plate of sliced watermelon from the fridge, and when I turned around, I bumped right into Celeste’s smiling eyes. She was standing right behind me, silent as a shadow. I tried to walk around her, but she reached out, placing a light but firm hand on my shoulder. “Can I have a slice of watermelon?” Her voice was soft, but her eyes were fixed on me, as if trying to see through my soul. I slapped her hand away fiercely, my heart skipping a beat. Every cell in my body screamed: kill this woman, kill her. I forced down the fear and the surging killing intent, managing to squeeze out a smile. “Go ahead.” Celeste naturally picked up the largest slice of watermelon, chewing it slowly. The bright red juice trickled down the corner of her lips, a sight that made it seem as if she were chewing my very flesh. I pressed my lips together, carrying the remaining watermelon, and fled back to my bedroom. *Click.* I locked the door. For the next month, I had to keep my distance from her. Just under a month. If I could just hold on for one more month, I’d be free. Not long after, the lock on my door clicked. Liam swayed the spare key in his hand and swaggered in. “Julian, you’re not going to stay in your room all day, are you?”

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Fourteen years of marriage. I thought our days would drift by, peaceful and steady, but fate had a cruel twist in store. Julian Thorne actually brought his first love, the one he had always pined for, into our home. And she was pregnant with his child. He stood before me, his expression disturbingly calm, almost cold. Yet his words were like a blade, stabbing directly into my heart: “Cassandra, I need a child. But don’t overthink this. Nothing between us will change because of it. Everything will remain just as it was.” Later, something happened that completely shattered me. Elara Jenkins, the woman who had loved me like her own daughter, was brutally pushed down the stairs by Veronica Reed. She died on the spot. My grief was overwhelming. I desperately yearned for Julian to give me justice, to punish the murderer severely. But he only frowned, dismissing it with a casual wave: “Cassandra, she’s carrying my child. Just bear with it.” In that moment, my heart plummeted into an endless abyss. And our little dog, Buddy, the one we adopted together. He was so adorable, so utterly dependent on us. But he ended up cruelly served on our dinner table. When I confronted Julian, he maintained that same indifferent demeanor, brushing me off with, “Cassandra, just hold on a little longer. Everything will be fine once the baby is born.” However, even before the child arrived, something far more horrifying occurred. Julian actually tricked me into drinking a sterilization elixir. He held me close, whispering in my ear, “Cassandra, I’ll love you forever. Believe me.” Those tender words, now sounded so fake, so utterly nauseating. From that day on, I became a different person. Each day, I acted docile and obedient. Whatever he asked, I never refused. He believed I had accepted my fate, that I would continue to endure everything with quiet submission. Until one day, I silently blocked and deleted every single contact related to him. I packed my bags and left that heartbreaking house without a backward glance, clean and gone, not a single shred of attachment remaining. But I never imagined he wouldn’t let me go. One rainy day, he appeared by my car, drenched to the bone, frantically banging on my window. I slowly rolled it down. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse and desperate: “Cassandra, are you leaving me?” I gazed at him quietly, my heart unmoving. Then I rolled up the window again and drove away, leaving him to cry alone in the rain.

Julian Thorne returned, his cherished first love, Veronica Reed, trailing behind him. He stood in the doorway, a flustered look on his face. His lips parted slightly, then closed, hesitating for a long moment before he seemed to steel himself, gritting his teeth. “Cassandra, this is… Veronica. She’s pregnant with my child, and I can’t leave her alone out there, without anyone…” I froze, my mind blank for a split second, completely failing to grasp the true meaning behind his words. Before I could even react, Veronica, who had been hiding behind Julian, stepped forward as if summoning all her courage. She grabbed my arm tightly, her eyes welling up with tears, saying pitifully, “Sister, I didn’t mean to come between you two. It’s just that I desperately needed the money. I had nowhere else to turn, so I resorted to this…” A wave of disgust washed over me. Instinctively, I recoiled, yanking my arm free. Seeing this, Julian immediately lunged forward, pulling Veronica close into his embrace. His eyes were sharp with警惕, and he exclaimed, “Cassandra, if you have an issue, direct it at me. She’s pregnant; she can’t handle stress!” After saying that, he seemed to realize his tone had been too harsh. He paused, then quickly explained, “The pregnancy is unstable. The doctor said she can’t endure any stress, or it could be dangerous.” I lowered my gaze, looking at the red marks Veronica had left on my wrist. A sharp pain pierced my heart, and I remained silent. Seeing my prolonged quiet, Julian finally looked down at me, only then noticing my wrist was completely red. Veronica, noticing this, immediately put on a pained expression. Her voice was laced with tears as she whimpered, “Oh, sister, I didn’t mean it. I really didn’t use much force…” Her voice trailed off, becoming an almost inaudible murmur between the two of them. Julian, worried that Veronica might feel guilty, quickly turned to her, explaining gently, “It’s nothing. Her skin is just like that, it reddens with the slightest touch. It has nothing to do with you, don’t take it to heart.” Listening to their back-and-forth, my mind was a tangled mess. I struggled to extract the key information from their conversation and asked, “What child?” Julian’s face instantly became awkward. His eyes darted around, unable to meet mine, and he stammered, “Cassandra, she’s just staying here temporarily. It won’t affect your life. Once the child is born, nothing will change. We’ll go back to how things were.” My heart ached so much I could barely breathe. Each word felt squeezed through clenched teeth as I demanded, “If you want a child, we can adopt one from an orphanage. Why did you have to find someone else to have a baby for you?” Julian frowned, a flicker of impatience crossing his face. He snapped, “Cassandra! A child from an orphanage wouldn’t be my blood! How could that be my child? It’s not the same!” I looked at his expression, which didn’t seem like a lie. A sudden, immense sense of absurdity washed over me, as if everything before my eyes was a ridiculous farce. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and said, “But you didn’t discuss this with me beforehand. You only told me after she was pregnant. What kind of arrangement is this?” Julian seemed provoked by my words. He loudly cut me off, “Isn’t it all your fault for not being able to have children!” After saying that, he seemed to realize he had gone too far. He added, irritably, “I’m sorry, Cassandra. I didn’t mean it that way. Don’t take it to heart.” I stared at this man, familiar yet so strange, a mix of emotions churning inside me. We hadn’t been together for a day or two; he wasn’t learning about my condition for the first time. Yet now he was using it to blame me. I bit my lip, enunciating each word: “Julian Thorne, in this house, it’s either her or me. Not both.” With that, I stopped looking at his face, turned, walked into the bedroom, and slammed the door shut. After a while, the conversation in the living room gradually quieted down. I didn’t know how he had settled Veronica. Not long after, the bedroom door behind me gently opened, and Julian walked in. He softly pulled me into his embrace, his voice low: “Cassandra, I’m sorry, but I really need a child. This is the only way my mom would agree to our marriage. Don’t worry, we’ve already discussed it. After she gives birth, she’ll disappear. She won’t come between us.” I looked at him, full of questions and confusion. He sighed and continued, “My mother never accepted us. Then, she somehow found out you couldn’t have children and absolutely refused to let us marry. I had no choice but to come up with this plan…” He didn’t finish, but I understood everything. I looked at him coldly and said, “Julian Thorne, you shouldn’t have lied to me. And you definitely shouldn’t have waited until Veronica was pregnant to tell me. Did you even consider my feelings?” Julian quickly said, “I’m sorry, Cassandra, I promise it won’t happen again! I, Julian Thorne, swear to God, if I ever deceive Cassandra Hayes again, may I be struck by lightning…” I quickly covered his mouth, completing his unfinished oath for him: “May I never see Julian Thorne again, and lose the one I love forever.” Julian listened, a hint of confusion on his face, as if he didn’t understand why he was making the oath, but the consequence would fall upon me. Veronica was temporarily settled in our guest bedroom. At first, she would cautiously watch my every move, timid in everything she did. It wasn’t until she realized I didn’t pay much attention to her that she slowly began to assert herself. In the past, Julian would leave for work without breakfast, and our housekeeper would only prepare meals after I woke up. But after Veronica arrived, she insisted that skipping breakfast was unacceptable and started preparing breakfast for Julian where I couldn’t see. Elara, our housekeeper, tried to warn me several times, but seeing that I seemed indifferent even after accidentally witnessing it, she eventually gave up. Perhaps my indifference emboldened Veronica, as she began to meddle in our household affairs. Initially, it was small things, like which brand of laundry detergent to use. She claimed that a certain brand was better for pregnant women and replaced all the detergent we had used for years. Then came the daily meals; she started making occasional requests – no cilantro, she loved winter melon, and so on. To me, these were minor matters, so I let her have her way. But I never imagined she would dare to lay her hands on someone close to me. Recently, wanting to avoid seeing Julian and Veronica, I confined myself to my room. Elara Jenkins, the housekeeper, brought my three meals upstairs. Elara had been with me since I was a child; in my heart, she was like family. Besides Julian, she was the person I trusted most. Yet, when I saw her again, she was lying in a pool of blood. The sight was a blinding red. Elara lay on the ground, bleeding profusely; the scene was horrifying. My mind went blank. I violently shoved Veronica, who was standing by the stairs, and frantically rushed downstairs, cradling Elara tightly in my arms. My voice trembled as I cried, “Elara, hold on, I’m taking you to the hospital right now!” Hearing the commotion, Julian rushed out of his study. Seeing the scene, he gasped, “What happened?!” A large pool of blood had gathered at the bottom of the stairs. Upstairs, Veronica clutched her stomach, slowly crouching down, moaning in pain. I desperately yelled at Julian, “Julian! Drive Elara to the hospital, now!” But I saw his eyes fixed on Veronica, filled with worry. He quickly ran upstairs, helped Veronica down, and said, “Cassandra, Veronica is pregnant. I have to take care of her first.” “Go, now!” I shouted at Julian again, my voice sharp with urgency. The 911 ambulance would still be a while, and I wanted Julian to rush Elara to the hospital, but he refused. He frowned and said, “Cassandra, you should stay here and wait for the ambulance. Their equipment is better, and if anything happens to Elara on the way, they can handle it.” “No! Julian Thorne, Elara’s situation is critical. Drive us, please!” Tears streamed down my face, my voice choked with sobs. Veronica clutched her stomach, crying out in pain. Julian roughly shoved my hand away and helped Veronica into the car. I clung to the car door, pleading desperately, “Julian Thorne, I’m begging you. Elara is bleeding so much, please.” “I’ll kneel for you, Julian Thorne, if that’s what it takes.” I said, slowly bending my legs, kneeling on the ground. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. “Please, Julian Thorne, save Elara.”

My tears, uncontrollable, dripped onto Julian’s hand. He flinched back as if seared by hot coals, his movement startlingly swift. “Cassandra, don’t do this…” His voice held a mix of panic and helplessness. “Julian darling, my stomach really hurts. Is something wrong with our baby?” I clutched his sleeve tightly, my eyes filled with fear and vulnerability. At her words, Julian’s gaze instantly hardened. He no longer hesitated, turning back to the driver’s seat, closing the car door, and stomping on the accelerator. The car shot away like an arrow from a bow, vanishing from my sight. “Cassandra…” A weak voice called from behind me. It was Elara. “Elara!” I crawled to her side with difficulty, holding her tightly in my arms, as if that could lend her some strength. “Cassandra, Elara might not be able to walk with you much longer.” Elara’s voice was faint and trembling. “Elara wanted to see our Cassandra in a wedding dress, getting married and having children, what a shame…” Her eyes shimmered with tears, filled with regret. “Elara, hold on! The paramedics will be here soon, you’ll be fine!” I desperately tried to reassure her, and myself. “Elara, don’t sleep, please don’t sleep…” I squeezed her hand tightly, terrified that if I let go, she would leave me. “Elara!” No matter how I called out, Elara slowly closed her eyes in my arms, and her hand gradually grew cold. By the time the ambulance sirens wailed to a stop outside our house, Elara had already stopped breathing. The paramedics quickly checked her vital signs, then shook their heads at me, their eyes full of sympathy. “I’m sorry, Ms. Hayes…” The doctor’s words were like cold blades, piercing my heart. I couldn’t accept the truth. I grabbed the doctor’s sleeve, tears gushing like a broken dam: “Please save her, Doctor, please! She was just talking to me! She was fine!” “Please, hurry and save her! She’s always been so strong, there has to be hope, right?” I knelt on the ground, repeatedly bowing my head, begging them to save my Elara. “Ms. Hayes, I’m truly sorry. If we had been half an hour earlier, there might have been hope…” The doctor sighed helplessly. “Ms. Hayes, the deceased is gone. Please accept our condolences.” Another paramedic gently comforted me. “Elara is just sleeping. She’s just mad at Cassandra, she’ll wake up…” I held Elara’s body, refusing to let go, as if my warmth could make her feel it, make her wake up. “Elara, Cassandra will be good, Cassandra won’t be naughty anymore, please wake up?” I murmured, tears constantly falling onto Elara’s face. “Elara, you said you hadn’t seen Cassandra get married and have children yet, how could you leave first?” I held Elara tightly, just as she had held me when I was little, giving me endless warmth and comfort. The paramedics stood silently to the side, watching my last moments with Elara, unwilling to disturb the peace and sorrow. With the help of the paramedics, I took Elara’s body to the hospital and obtained the death certificate. At that moment, I felt as if all my strength had drained away, and I completely collapsed. “Hello, yes, I want to report a murder!” I dialed 911, my voice trembling. The police were efficient. In no time, they brought Veronica, who was at the maternity ward entrance, to Elara’s side. “Ms. Hayes, someone has reported a murder.” Officer Miller looked at me sternly. “Our investigation shows that Elara Jenkins’ death was due to a cranial cerebral injury and intracranial hemorrhage from falling down the stairs.” Officer Miller continued. “According to Ms. Hayes, you were standing at the top of the stairs at the time of the incident.” Officer Miller’s gaze was sharp and calm. Veronica’s face was pale, whether from fright or some other reason, she bit her lower lip tightly, saying nothing. “No… no, Officer,” I quickly argued. “Officer, Ms. Hayes must have mistaken what she saw.” Julian suddenly stepped forward, shielding Veronica behind him. “I was also present at the time. Veronica did not touch Elara Jenkins.” His tone was firm and resolute. “Elara Jenkins simply lost her footing and fell down the stairs by accident.” He added, as if that could clear Veronica of suspicion. I stared with wide eyes at this man, once so familiar, now so utterly foreign, my heart filled with disappointment and sorrow. Elara had been with us since I was a child; even now, she was like family. But now, Julian Thorne was willing to protect someone he barely knew, abandoning any pursuit of the person who had killed Elara. “Officer, they’re lying!” I shouted back, my voice brimming with fury and indignation.

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My fiancé was drugged. As he burned up, completely out of his mind, clinging to Seraphina, I didn’t stop him. It was only because, in my past life, I was his ‘cure.’ And we were caught in a compromising position, entwined together. Against our will, our engagement was rushed. But after we married, Julian’s childhood sweetheart left the country, and he grew increasingly cold towards me. After using my family’s resources to climb the social ladder, he locked me in a basement, letting people torment me day and night. “Elara, you love to seduce men, don’t you? Well, I’ll let you have your fill!” I was brutalized in that lightless basement. After I got pregnant, he beat me until I miscarried, then bled to death. This time, I chose to watch, cold and detached. I turned and walked away, leaving the room behind me a scene of absolute debauchery. Stumbling, I reached my parents, tears welling in my eyes. “Mom, I don’t feel well. I want to go home, fast!” Seeing my state, Mrs. Sterling asked worriedly, “Elara, what’s wrong? Where’s Julian? Where did he go?” “Please don’t ask, just take me home quickly. I never want to see him again!” My voice was choked with sobs, a mix of sorrow and resentment. My distressed appearance drew the attention of everyone around us. “Oh, look, the young couple’s having a spat!” “It’s the Harringtons’ birthday gala today, you can’t cause a scene here!” “That’s right, Elara, Julian’s usually so good to you. Don’t be so dramatic!” Those who usually crossed me were now desperate to pin the blame on me for ruining Mrs. Harrington’s birthday gala. I couldn’t help but sneer, “He’s getting hot and heavy with another woman. Is that me being ‘dramatic’ too?” The crowd gasped in shock! My parents were furious. “Elara, what are you saying!” “That Julian dared to betray you? Where is he?!” I didn’t speak, just stared up at the second floor. My mom, agitated, immediately grabbed my hand. “Come on, take me up there!” “Mom, forget it. Let’s just go home!” “Absolutely not! Julian practically begged us for your hand. How long has it been, and he’s already with another woman? Where does that leave our family’s reputation?” Without another word, she dragged me forward. We ran into Mrs. Harrington, who saw red, absolutely furious that someone would be so brazenly intimate at her family’s birthday gala. She marched upstairs with her bodyguards. I protested out loud, but inside, I was practically cackling with glee. If Mrs. Harrington knew that the woman Julian was messing around with was her beloved niece, Seraphina, I wondered how utterly enraged she’d be! By then, a crowd was following. I kept pulling on Mrs. Harrington’s arm. “Mrs. Harrington, please, let’s just drop it. Julian’s family can apologize later. Let’s not go up!” Before Mrs. Harrington could speak, my mom tightened her grip on my hand and snapped, “Elara, what have I taught you? Are you always going to be so soft-hearted?” “It’s just Julian! There are plenty of other men. Our family doesn’t need trash like him!” Mrs. Harrington scoffed. “Mrs. Sterling is right. Miss Sterling, your taste in men is truly dreadful!” At her words, I had no choice but to shut up. Mrs. Harrington, I truly hope you can maintain that high-and-mighty attitude for a little while longer. Just as we reached the second floor, we heard loud, piercing screams from a woman echoing down the hallway. Everyone around us instantly flushed crimson. “Tsk, tsk, how shameless! Who is that tramp?” “Young blood, eh? Julian’s really something, isn’t he?” Mrs. Harrington’s face was dark with fury. “Go, kick that door open!” At her command, the bodyguards brutally kicked the door wide! The people inside hadn’t even reacted. The woman was still violently writhing on top of the man, and torn clothes were scattered all over the floor. Seeing this, Mrs. Harrington pointed at them. “Drag them out for me!” “Let me see which shameless hussy this is!” A bodyguard stepped forward and grabbed the woman’s hair, yanking her off the man. But she just shrieked, clutching Julian’s hand, refusing to let go. “No!” “I want more! You guys should join us too!” Her coquettish wails made everyone sick to their stomachs and even made the bodyguard pause. I stood to the side, clearly seeing the look of horror on the bodyguard’s face. Yes, horror. He clearly recognized who the woman was. “Utterly shameless!” “Still clinging on like that? Utterly depraved!” Mrs. Harrington was even more enraged. “What are you all standing around for? Go on, drag her off!”

The moment she spoke, the lead bodyguard sighed. Gritting his teeth, he brutally pulled the woman’s arm and literally threw her onto the floor! On the bed, Julian’s face was flushed crimson. He then scrambled off the bed, still trying to crawl back onto the woman, but a bodyguard kicked him away! He cried out in pain, then pounced and hugged the bodyguard, starting to thrust against him. The sight made everyone around them visibly nauseated. “My God, what’s wrong with Julian?” Mrs. Harrington trembled with rage. “Go, pin him down in the bathroom! Get him to sober up, fast!” Several bodyguards forcefully dragged Julian into the bathroom. My mom was yelling furiously, “That animal is behaving like a rabid dog!” “And this woman, she has no self-respect!” I quickly pulled my mom back. “It’s fine, stop yelling.” “Why not yell? You’re too soft-hearted! A woman like this deserves a good lesson!” With that, she grabbed the woman’s hair, raising her hand to strike. I was about to shout, but my mom froze. “This…” She looked up at Mrs. Harrington, then at me. Mrs. Harrington was utterly confused. “Mrs. Sterling, why are you looking at me like that?” “Don’t tell me this woman belongs to your family?” My mom sneered. “I wouldn’t dare to speak carelessly. A rotten, depraved, filthy woman like that isn’t worth dirtying my hands with. Mrs. Harrington, you should deal with her yourself.” Though Mrs. Harrington was confused, she still ordered her bodyguards to pull the woman up. At this point, Seraphina finally seemed to fully regain her senses. Seeing the crowd around her, she quickly grabbed a nearby bedsheet, wrapped it around her face, and shrieked, “Get out! All of you, get out!” Mrs. Harrington sneered, “Weren’t you so promiscuous just now? Now you suddenly feel shame?” “Throw her out!” The bodyguards hesitated, but Mrs. Harrington snapped, “Just do as I say! Or do you want to lose your job?!” The next moment, the bodyguard took a deep breath, grabbed Seraphina, and started to drag her out. Seraphina shrieked, “Auntie! Auntie, it’s me!” Hearing that voice, Mrs. Harrington’s face went from pale to ashen. Her hands trembling, she immediately yanked the bedsheet away. When she saw that familiar face, Mrs. Harrington stumbled back several steps, collapsing onto the floor. And I exclaimed, “Seraphina, how could it be you!” “Mrs. Harrington, isn’t this your niece? So, so it was *her* who seduced Julian!” “Your family, the Harringtons, are truly too much!” I covered my face, though in reality, I was almost laughing out loud. I pinched my mom’s arm hard, and she also caught on. “Fine, Mrs. Harrington! This is your family’s upbringing? Rather than behaving like a respectable young lady, she chooses to act like a common tramp!” Mrs. Harrington’s face instantly darkened. Before, she had always been high-and-mighty, looking down on us. But now, she was in this state. By now, everyone else had gathered around. “So it’s Mrs. Harrington’s niece!” “Didn’t Mrs. Harrington herself sleep her way to the top back in the day?” “Mrs. Harrington, what a role model! Leading by example, teaching her niece how it’s done!” Mrs. Harrington’s face was livid, and Julian was now completely sober. When he saw the scene, Julian’s face turned beet red. I rushed forward and slapped him hard, twice! “You animal! You scumbag! Our engagement is off!” Julian stared at me, his face a mask of disbelief. It took him a long moment to react. “Elara, you…” “Shut up! Julian, you’ve ruined Mrs. Harrington’s birthday gala, and you’re utterly shameless! From this moment on, we walk separate paths!”

Julian roared, “No! It’s you, Elara, you set me up!” My mom, enraged, stepped forward and slapped him hard! “You beast, you’re the one who debased yourself! How dare you blame us?” “If the Harringtons don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll immediately contact the press!” “Mrs. Harrington, you should check the surveillance to see who drugged Julian!” “After all, this animal didn’t even spare a man earlier!” Thinking of how Julian had been thrusting against a man earlier, Mrs. Harrington was beside herself with rage. Her face pale, she glared at Julian with venomous eyes. Seraphina whimpered, “Auntie, it’s all my fault, but I really love him. Why don’t you let him and I…” “Shut up!” Mrs. Harrington cut her off without hesitation. “Your marriage is *not* up to you!” I understood. Mrs. Harrington had married into the Harrington family herself, and Seraphina was her carefully groomed protégée. Naturally, she wanted to make the best use of her. All these years of pampering her like her own daughter, wasn’t it all in hopes of selling her for a good price? She at least expected Seraphina to marry someone of equal social standing. What was Julian? Mrs. Harrington wouldn’t even deign to look at him. Mrs. Harrington took a deep breath. “Check the surveillance!” Seraphina, still wrapped in the bedsheet, stood up. “Don’t check! I did it willingly!” “Auntie, I want to marry him! Elara just broke off her engagement anyway!” Julian, hearing this, immediately grew excited. “Yes, I made a mistake, and I’m willing to take responsibility! I’ll marry her!” “You’ll marry her?” Mrs. Harrington was so furious she clutched her chest, as if she might faint any second. With things escalating to this point, Mrs. Harrington was in a bind. Mr. Harrington arrived. Seeing the scene, his face darkened. He ordered the guests to disperse, leaving only our two families and Julian. The surveillance footage quickly emerged. It showed a servant from the banquet, but surprisingly, Seraphina was directing her. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but say coolly, “Miss Seraphina, quite the talent! Today has certainly been an eye-opener!” Mr. Harrington looked at me. “This is Seraphina’s fault. To make amends, you can name your price!” My heart leaped at his words! Alexander Harrington was not like his wife, Sarah. He was cunning and deeply calculating. If not now, when would be a better time to profit? “The Quantum Pharmaceuticals contract. Our Sterling family wants it.” Hearing me say this, my parents clenched their fists. Alexander merely pondered for a moment, then agreed. “Alright, I’ll arrange it. However, Miss Sterling, about today’s events, I hope you’ll keep it under wraps!” “Mr. Harrington, rest assured, we’re not gossips.” With Alexander Harrington’s promise, my parents and I left. Before leaving, I glanced at Julian. I hoped he’d be lucky! As we stepped outside, I could still hear screams echoing from within. My mom was still shaken. “Elara, how could you dare to ask him for that contract? It’s worth two billion!” “They owe me this!” Seraphina caused such a scandal, and at the Harrington’s house no less. If word got out, it would only bring shame upon their family. He used two billion to buy our silence. Someone would still have to take the fall for today’s mess. That unlucky scapegoat could only be Julian. But judging by Seraphina’s attitude, she wouldn’t let him down. However, a Seraphina who had lost her usefulness would never get another penny from the Harringtons! In my past life, Julian always blamed me, saying I made him lose the chance to climb higher. He wasn’t satisfied with just using my family’s resources and connections; he was foolishly ambitious, trying to latch onto the Harringtons. This life, I’m giving you the chance. Let’s see if you can seize it! Too bad Alexander Harrington came along. Julian, your good days are over! I promised Alexander Harrington I wouldn’t say anything, but there’s no such thing as a completely soundproof wall. Especially with so many people there that day, even if the Harringtons tried to seal it up, the rumors still got out.

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That night, my biological parents finally found me. Isabelle’s fiancé, Caleb Blackwood, had gone out to battle. He returned with his legs shredded by zombies, leaving him paralyzed. Doctors had delivered a grim verdict: he’d never stand again. My parents, utterly devoted to Isabelle, forced me into a proxy marriage, tying me up and dragging me to the altar. But Isabelle wasn’t one to give up easily. She caused a dramatic scene on our wedding night, crying to Caleb that I had usurped her place as his fiancée. Caleb, swayed by her poisonous whispers, gripped my chin. “A useless nobody with no abilities? You think you’re fit to be my wife?” After injecting me with a potent zombie virus strain, he ordered me to be thrown out to the zombie dogs. From then on, torturing me became his twisted pleasure. He claimed his legs were useless, yet his thirst for thrill drove him to force me to leap into deep ravines to dig for zombie cores with my bare hands, or throw me into clusters of mutated flora to retrieve antidotes. He’d only crack a faint smile when he saw me, battered and bruised, collapsing to my knees. Isabelle would feign concern, “Sister, don’t blame Caleb. His legs hurt, that’s why he’s so irritable.” But still, I stayed by his side, unafraid of death. All because I’d signed a secret pact. Until one day, ignoring my desperate pleas, he tied me to an armored vehicle and careened through a raging zombie horde. After a barrage of reckless, bone-jarring maneuvers, I collapsed, unconscious, my body already betraying the life within. I found Eleanor Blackwood, Caleb’s grandmother, my voice flat, empty. “The term is up. Please, let me live.”

“Eleanor Blackwood, you promised that if my life were ever threatened, you would let me go.” My face was a ghostly white, my body desperately weak after the miscarriage. My voice was barely a whisper, a fragile thread of sound. Eleanor, still unaware of the full truth, couldn’t hide her dismay at Caleb’s increasingly deranged behavior. Her tone was filled with a mix of helplessness and an attempt to soothe me: “Seraphina, deep down, Caleb isn’t a bad boy. It’s just losing his parents so young, and now his legs… it’s made him bitter and volatile. We’ve been so fortunate to have you by his side all these years.” As she spoke, she rose and walked to a strongbox, retrieving a metallic case. Inside, a single energy core glowed with a pure, high-purity blue luminescence. “Seraphina, this miscarriage has taken a heavy toll on your body. I’ve cultivated this core for ten years. Consider it compensation.” I stood my ground, silent, then simply held out my phone to her, playing a secretly recorded video. Caleb’s chilling conversation with Captain Rex echoed clearly from the device. “Warlord, all your orders have been carried out. As you saw from the surveillance, the armored vehicle’s brutal impact and jostling in the wasteland caused the lady to bleed uncontrollably. The baby inside her certainly couldn’t have survived.” Caleb’s icy voice responded: “Well done. Her terrified, near-death expression was incredibly satisfying to watch. And the child inside her was never meant to be. This outcome is nothing less than she deserves!” Isabelle nestled against Caleb, her voice barely concealing a triumphant laugh: “Does that mean you didn’t want this baby, Caleb dearest?” Caleb sneered: “I only want *our* child. No other woman is worthy of bearing my offspring.” Immediately after, the two embraced, entangled in a frantic, sickening kiss. Their sounds were utterly unbearable. Eleanor Blackwood’s face flushed with fury. The hand gripping her cane trembled as she took several deep breaths, trying to compose herself. “Caleb… how could he become like this? This is simply outrageous!” Her voice was laced with an incredulous, heartbreaking pain. “Even the most savage beast doesn’t turn on its own offspring! How could he do something so monstrous?” I closed my eyes, my heart aching so fiercely I could barely breathe. That nightmare was etched deep into my mind, refusing to fade. After Caleb’s injury, with hordes of zombies amassed outside the city, panic had gripped everyone. That day, Captain Rex had unveiled his new, heavily modified armored vehicle, a true engineering marvel. Caleb pulled me into his arms, whispering in my ear: “With danger looming, the Warlord’s wife must stand united with her husband, and selflessly serve the people in their time of need.” I had no time to react, a potent wave of unease washing over me. A cruel smile twisted his lips, and then he announced to the gathered crowd: “My leg injury hasn’t healed, so my wife has bravely volunteered to personally accompany the armored vehicle out of the city to scout the dangers ahead.” Panic seized me. I frantically tried to refuse: “I can’t. I’m pregnant. This mission is too dangerous, I can’t risk it.” Hearing my refusal, his face instantly turned cold. His hands clamped down on me, pinning me, making it impossible to move. I struggled with all my might, but he still dragged me towards the armored vehicle. His men held me down in the passenger seat, my hands tied behind my back. Caleb then cinched my seatbelt impossibly tight. I shook my head violently, pleading with Caleb, desperately hoping he wouldn’t completely disregard the child in my womb. “Caleb, please, let me down. The baby… something terrible will happen.”

“Shut up! Who are you putting on this pathetic act for? What could possibly happen?” Caleb’s face showed not a flicker of concern. Instead, he watched my distress with open contempt. “Let’s roll out!” Captain Rex, hearing the command, slammed his foot on the accelerator. A powerful jolt threw me back. I felt as if I were flying. My tied hands were useless, and my voice, broken and fragmented by the speed, tried to cry out: “Please, slow down…” The zombies lurking outside the city, drawn by the noise, surged towards the armored vehicle from all directions. Captain Rex, visibly thrilled, accelerated further, utterly ignoring my pleas. The world spun around me. The vehicle’s full-throttle charge transformed the zombies into a mangled pile of flesh and bone. Then, with an abrupt screech, it reversed dozens of meters, only for Captain Rex to drive it forward again, like a madman possessed. My fear intensified, rendering my pleas unspoken. My heart hammered against my ribs, lodged in my throat. As the vehicle climbed over the zombie pile, the violently jolting chassis suddenly launched into the air, landing with a deafening crash on an open patch of ground ten meters away, kicking up a storm of dust. At that exact moment, a heavy, dragging sensation tore through my lower abdomen. A gush of warm liquid spilled from beneath me. My brows furrowed, my face instantly draining of color, pale as parchment. I looked at the remote camera mounted in the cockpit, shaking my head violently, begging for mercy. I knew Caleb was watching my pathetic, tortured state, taking it all in. But the armored vehicle continued its wild rampage, circling again and again, showing no signs of stopping. My throat burned from screaming, my cries for help torn apart by the wind. The tearing pain in my lower abdomen sapped every ounce of my strength. On the other end of the surveillance feed, Isabelle had appeared beside Caleb. They were both laughing, watching me transition from frantic screams to a deathly pale silence, until I finally succumbed, collapsing into unconsciousness. When I was carried out, my lower body was a bloody mess. “Barely lasted this long? Useless.” Caleb didn’t spare me a single second of his gaze. “Oh, Caleb dearest, that armored vehicle is amazing! Isabelle hasn’t had enough fun yet!” Isabelle cooed, playfully fawning over him. Caleb looked at Isabelle with doting affection, leaning in to whisper in her ear: “I’ll show you some real fun later.” His eyes briefly swept over me, then he gave a cold command: “Drag this dead woman away. Don’t let her taint everyone.” I completely lost consciousness. Under the dim surgical lights, blurry images of the past flickered before my eyes. Three years ago, I was nothing more than a nameless, lowly slave in this city. When my biological parents found me, I was already bruised and battered, barely clinging to life in an iron cage. It turned out I was the real destined one, swapped at birth. My biological father was Reverend Silas Sterling, the Patriarch of the Purity Doctrine, revered by the people of this ravaged world. I appeared before them, trembling, hoping I’d finally found loving parents, a warm home. Instead, I saw my mother gently soothing Isabelle, who was weeping inconsolably in her arms: “Don’t cry, Isabelle, darling. How could you not be your father’s and my daughter? You’re our only precious one, our treasure.” My father sat silently at the head of the table. Everyone else cast unfriendly, sidelong glances at me, whispering amongst themselves. I stood there, enduring their stares, my hands twisting the blood-stained fabric of my clothes, utterly an outsider. Finally, my father slowly spoke: “Seraphina, we brought you into this world. Now that you’re grown, it’s time you repaid us.” They weaponized the fact of my birth, twisting it into an inescapable obligation, commanding me to marry Warlord Caleb Blackwood in Isabelle’s place. This was because Caleb had been severely wounded in battle, and Isabelle, in a dramatic display, declared she’d rather die than marry a cripple. It became painfully clear: my parents’ search for their lost child was merely a cynical ploy to mask their sinister agenda. I wiped away a humble tear from the corner of my eye and said: “I agree. But first, delete my slave genetic coding.” “From this day forward, we will have no further ties.” They agreed. And so, I married Warlord Caleb Blackwood. Standing before Caleb, he never once looked at me directly. After the wedding, I learned of his isolated upbringing, devoid of parental love, and I felt a pang of pity for him. In public, he used a mask of cold detachment to uphold his pride. But when I caught him alone, in despair, impotently striking his own useless legs, my heart inexplicably ached for him. I foolishly believed that two people starved of love could find solace in each other. I wanted to heal his scarred soul, to pull us both from the shadows that had defined our miserable lives. I poured every ounce of my effort into being a dutiful wife. But the deeper I went, the more I lost myself. Until, tragically, I couldn’t even protect myself, letting the life within me be cruelly extinguished before it even had a chance to breathe.

Eleanor Blackwood sighed deeply, her eyes filled with regret. “Seraphina, our family has wronged you terribly. I will handle all the divorce proceedings. However, I have one last, difficult request.” “Could you… wait until Caleb’s surgery is done before leaving?” She seemed to realize the unfairness of her plea and quickly added: “Just three days. I’m afraid if he wakes up and finds you gone, he’ll become unstable and refuse the surgery.” I looked at her pleading expression, silent for a long moment. In the end, my soft heart prevailed, and I nodded. “I was wrong. You are a good girl, and I shouldn’t have forced you to endure more suffering by Caleb’s side.” As she spoke, Eleanor took off her necklace and placed it in my palm. The rose-shaped pendant glowed with a faint pink luminescence as it touched my skin. “This is the only untainted seed from the ravaged world, infused with half a lifetime of my own abilities. With it, you can cultivate your own powers and nurture many plants now thought extinct. I believe in your hands, it will unleash its true value.” “In three days, I will send people to escort you to a safe place. Go far away this time, where no one can ever harm you again.” Eleanor caressed the back of my hand. My nose stung, and tears welled in my eyes. It was like a child, long enduring pain in silence, finally breaking down. Without anyone to care, they bite their lip and hold on. But once someone shows concern, the brave facade crumbles, and a torrent of suppressed sorrow overwhelms them. Exhausted from crying, I drifted into sleep. Somewhere in the hazy depths of my slumber, a powerful force yanked at my wrist. Caleb’s furious voice ripped through my ears: “Seraphina Sterling, you dared to complain to Grandmother? You truly never learn, do you? Did you forget how I warned you last time?!” Caleb violently dragged me from the bed, throwing me onto the cold floor. My stomach slammed against the sharp corner of a chair, and a soft groan escaped my lips. Caleb, consumed by his rage, simply pointed a furious finger at me: “No one is allowed to bring her food! Spend these next few days reflecting on what you’ve done!” In the past, I would have meekly obeyed, apologizing and trying to explain. But now, I felt like a still pool of water, my voice utterly devoid of emotion: “Do with me what you will.” Caleb’s eyes suddenly darkened. My attitude had clearly enraged him. He then scoffed, a cold sneer on his face: “You really think acting like this will make me go easy on you?” No one knew Caleb’s methods of torment better than I did. The first time, Isabelle had deliberately provoked me at a dinner party. I lost my temper, spilling wine over her head. Before she could lunge, I slapped her hard across the face. The next second, Caleb’s face went cold. He barked at me to kneel, then grabbed my neck, slamming my head against the nearby fish tank. Water streamed over me, soaking my clothes, and a large shard of glass lodged itself deep in my thigh. I was a pathetic, trembling mess. Caleb stood by, watching with cold indifference, refusing to let anyone approach me. I struggled in the pile of broken glass for what felt like an eternity, unable to move. Finally, biting back a scream, I ripped the glass from my flesh, slowly pushing myself upright. Blood gushed from the wound. The zombie fish on the floor, driven into a frenzy by the scent of blood, thrashed and snapped at me. In my panic, I tried to swat them away, only to stumble and fall heavily back onto the shattered glass. Caleb and Isabelle’s mocking laughter echoed in my ears. From that day forward, no matter how Isabelle humiliated me, I endured it in silence. Caleb’s face loomed closer, that familiar, cruel smile close enough to touch. His cold breath ghosted my neck. “Your pain is my stimulant.” “From now on, you’d better pray hard. My legs will be restored after surgery, and then we can continue our little games.” He spoke with a tone of smug triumph and eager anticipation. His smile twisted into something increasingly sinister as he stared at my eyes, expecting to see the fearful, cowering look he so enjoyed. Instead, my expression was lifeless, my eyes vacant. This clearly bored him. He dropped his smile, turned his wheelchair, and left. As his silhouette vanished through the doorway, I softly uttered: “Caleb, there will be no ‘after’ for us.”

On the day I was discharged, the doctor repeatedly stressed the importance of rest and recovery. After much hesitation, I returned to the Blackwood estate. Stepping through the front door, I saw Caleb with Isabelle in his arms, his cold, mocking eyes filled with a tender affection I had never known. “Sister is out of the hospital! Caleb dearest and I should have gone to pick you up!” Caleb frowned in annoyance at her words. “Don’t mention that wretched woman and spoil our mood.” Then he playfully tapped Isabelle’s nose, and their poison-laced lips met in a passionate, wild kiss. I felt no anger, no sadness. And certainly no desire to witness their intense display. I simply quietly took off my shoes, walked upstairs, and burrowed into the blankets, wanting nothing more than to sleep. Three days left. Soon, everything would be over. When I woke, the empty rooms echoed with their unrestrained laughter from the living room. Their laughter, sharp as fangs, betrayed the endless malice festering within them. Seeing me emerge, Caleb’s lips curved into a playful smirk. He beckoned me over with a flick of his wrist. I calmly walked towards Caleb, then looked up at the large screen on the wall. It was playing videos from years past: Caleb forcing me to dig for zombie cores with my bare hands, throwing me into clusters of mutated flora for antidotes, leaving me suspended over a thousand-foot cliff while zombies gnawed at me. My screams, my terror, my frantic struggle for survival, my desperate pleas—they had always been nothing more than entertainment in their eyes. In the video, a thick rope bit into my waist. I clung desperately to Caleb’s wheelchair, my legs like jelly. Suffering from severe acrophobia, I was ghostly pale, staring at the bottomless abyss before me: “Caleb, please, let me go!” Caleb glanced at me indifferently: “Then kneel. Kneel and apologize to Isabelle, tell her your deceitful schemes prevented her from marrying me.” I didn’t hesitate. I instantly dropped to my knees, begging humbly, apologizing frantically: “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have married you. I’m shameless, I’m despicable.” Caleb’s lips curved in satisfaction. He pushed his wheelchair closer and extended a hand. My tear-streaked face was covered in wild strands of hair. A flicker of hope ignited within me, and I quickly reached out, allowing his hand to help me up. Before I could even discern the expression on his face, I felt a violent shove. I looked at Caleb in shock. He was smiling as he personally pushed me off the cliff. In those fleeting seconds, I finally saw his treacherous, true nature. The sensation of freefall threatened to drag me straight to hell. My screams echoed through the valley, disturbing the zombies lurking in the darkness. Their agitated roars grew closer, more numerous. I could already picture myself being torn apart, not even bones left. The rope suddenly went taut, leaving me dangling precariously over that valley of death. I gripped the rope tightly, swallowing my fear. The rumbling of the earth below reminded me to hold onto this lifeline and escape immediately. My feet scrambled against the loose, crumbling earth of the cliff face. The rope chafed my hands raw, turning them bloody. When I finally reached the ground, I collapsed, utterly drained, my face devoid of color. I lay at Isabelle’s feet, too weak to struggle, watching her double over with laughter: “Sister, you’re so resilient! I can’t believe we’re seeing you alive again. Come and see how scared you were, your mouth was wide open!” I clenched my fists tight, the biting pain of my nails digging into my palms was the only thing keeping me from screaming, keeping me from collapsing into tears. If my suffering brought them such joy, then I would absolutely deny them that satisfaction!

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For eight long years, I was married to Caleb Hayes, the man who was blind, all because I felt bound by a debt of gratitude. But the moment his cornea transplant bandages came off, he was instantly smitten by the nurse who removed them. To pursue Serena Vance, he recklessly disregarded every hospital protocol, letting an intern perform a critical surgery herself – a move that nearly cost a life. When I finally filed for divorce, I was hit with the crushing truth: our marriage certificate was a fake. He didn’t even spare me a glance, his voice chillingly flat as I confronted him: “You orchestrated the crash that took my sight. I, in turn, systematically tormented your youth for eight years. Seems perfectly fair, wouldn’t you say?” Blinded by rage, I unleashed a damning video of Serena Vance bullying others at his extravagant engagement party, shattering her pristine image overnight. That very night, Caleb Hayes brazenly replaced our son, Leo’s, life-saving medication with the cheapest saline solution he could find. As if that wasn’t enough to satisfy his cruel heart, he then had Leo and me shipped off to a war-torn country, leaving us to fend for ourselves, or die. The next time we met, his eyes fell upon my wedding gown, and he sneered, “All these years, and you’re still clinging to the pathetic dream of marrying me!” Little did he know, I – and his formidable stepfather, the man who truly pulled all the strings – were the actual stars of this new wedding.

“Still so high and mighty, even when you’re trying to make amends, Aurora.” “Too bad you’re out of luck. Blair and I are getting married any minute now.” Julian Thorne pulled the shy Blair Sterling closer, then shot me a contemptuous glance, as if daring me to find a flicker of sadness on my face. I was in my heavy wedding gown, ready to walk to the stage and announce my *own* wedding reception was abruptly called off. My fiancé’s flight was delayed; he wouldn’t make it back today. Seeing me move, Julian reached out, blocking my path, a frown on his face. “Aurora, are you deaf? I’m talking to you.” The murmuring guests instantly fell silent, turning to stare. “I remember Leo’s condition – only the specialized medication developed by Thorne Pharmaceuticals can keep it in check.” “Aurora,” he sneered, swirling the drink in his hand, then deliberately splashing it onto Blair’s gown right in front of me, “if you get down on your knees and *lick* that stain clean off her dress, maybe I’ll consider helping you.” When he saw me bend down, the fury in his eyes intensified. He gritted his teeth. “Looks like Leo means a lot to you!” I shook my stinging palm, my voice suddenly piercing. “Julian Thorne!” “Leo is *your son* too!” Julian’s lips curved into a smirk. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb. “Oh, really? I was blind back then, couldn’t see anything. For all I knew, you were messing around with anyone you pleased.” A wave of humiliated rage surged through me. I clenched my fists. Knowing this wasn’t the time to argue, I took a deep breath and walked to the center of the stage. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, today’s wedding reception has to be temporarily canceled. My apologies, everyone.” Before I could finish, the microphone was knocked over. Julian yanked my wrist hard, the atmosphere around him dropping instantly. “Aurora Vance! This is the Thorne family’s wedding! Don’t you think it’s childish to try and get my attention this way?” I looked at him calmly, a small laugh escaping my lips. “Is it?” “Don’t you know your stepfather, Marcus Blackwood, is marrying *me*?” My words landed like a bomb, and the entire room erupted in gasps. Everyone knew the story: how the former golden boy went blind saving me. And how I, a brilliant, groundbreaking surgeon, gave up my career and returned to family life for him. Blair quickly stepped forward, trying to smooth things over. “Ms. Vance, if you truly still love Julian, you shouldn’t be publicly humiliating the Thorne name in front of all these people.” “I’m not bringing up how you tried to frame me with that fake bullying video back then, switching out your face for mine. But now, for my sake, can’t you just—” *Agh!* “Aurora, are you insane!” Julian rushed to Blair, checking her reddened face, glaring at me with fury. “Your son’s specialized medication? The Thorne family would rather trash it than sell it to you!” “And don’t forget, Aurora, your parents are still in the nursing home under my name.” Seeing my silence, he assumed I was scared. A sneer touched his lips. “Get down and apologize.” “What choice do you have now?” I tilted my head back, forcing the tears away, suppressing the ache in my eyes. “My parents?” I roared, “My parents were used for drug trials and *killed* by your precious Blair Sterling!” “Julian Thorne, Leo almost died because of your so-called punishment. You sent Leo and me to a war-torn country where we nearly got blown to pieces.” “You think I still have feelings for you?” I scoffed, pulling out a brand-new marriage certificate and thrusting it at him. “This ‘old woman’ is now your legal stepmother!” “You touch me, and your stepfather won’t let you get away with it!” His fingers trembled as he snatched the certificate from my hand, shaking his head in disbelief. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his temple. Unfamiliar memories surged, and amidst the terror, the fragmented recollections began to overlap with my face.

“Mrs. Gable, please arrange for the guests to leave shortly.” I removed my veil, tapping on my phone to send a message to Marcus, but it vanished into thin air. This sight, to Blair Sterling, only solidified her belief that I was putting on an act. She spoke, her voice laced with saccharine sweetness and thinly veiled digs. “Ms. Vance, this is a Thorne family event. I don’t think you have the authority to order the staff around, do you?” “I get that you’re angry, but how could you debase yourself like this just to spite Julian? Mr. Thorne is nearly fifty, Aurora. Don’t throw away your dignity over spite, getting involved with a man like that…” Blair batted her eyelashes, her words dripping with fake sympathy. Julian’s knuckles were white as he swallowed a pill. Once he composed himself, he stared at me like a predator locking onto its prey. “Blair Sterling, I’ve already cleared the path. What’s wrong? You still haven’t managed to marry Julian?” The air instantly congealed, like a frozen glacier. It was utterly silent. Blair’s face contorted with rage, yet she couldn’t utter a single word in rebuttal. The incident where she almost *killed* someone back then, though Julian had suppressed it, meant the Thorne family, with their long-standing legacy in pharmaceuticals, would *never* accept someone like her into their ranks. I let out a soft laugh and confidently strode towards Marcus’s study, knowing the way intimately. As I walked away, Julian kept his gaze fixed on me, afraid to confirm the suspicion forming in his mind. Soon, the guests began to leave. Just then, I received a call from the hospital: Leo was having an episode! “I’ll be there as fast as I can!” I hung up, barely thinking as I sprinted to the garage. Just as I opened the car door, Blair blocked it, her eyes red and swollen. “Ms. Vance, I know you hate me and think I stole Julian away.” “But have you ever considered that the person in Julian’s memories was always me? The eight years of happiness you had with him—weren’t they just stolen years that belonged to me?” I frowned, pushing her hand away. I didn’t have time for her melodrama right now. But she wouldn’t let go, grabbing my wrist and suddenly dropping to her knees in front of me. “Aurora, I’m begging you.” “Please stop bothering Julian. We’ve already missed eight years; can’t you just let him go…?” “Are you done or not!” I pushed her away coldly and quickly slipped into the car. “Aurora Vance!” Blair crumpled precisely into the arms of Julian, who had just arrived. He glared at me, then froze when he saw the familiar license plate. He asked, his voice hoarse, “This car… why is it with you?” I scoffed, a humorless laugh escaping me. “I’m Marcus’s wife. Where else would his car be?” With that, I pressed the ignition. As I prepared to rush to the hospital, Blair suddenly shrieked, her entire body trembling violently. She backed away, then knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy. “Aurora, I’m sorry, I won’t fight you for Julian anymore, please don’t hurt me…” Classic trauma response. Julian instantly flew into a rage. He yanked me out of the car, pulled me violently, and shoved me to the ground. “Julian Thorne, Leo’s having an episode! I need to get to the hospital *now*!” He remained unmoved. I took a deep breath and called Mrs. Gable. “Mrs. Gable, Julian is blocking me, not letting me leave. Marcus said that if anyone tries to stop me, the bodyguards are to intervene immediately!” Mrs. Gable hesitated for a long time, not saying a word. Suddenly, a strange noise echoed from the garage. All the bodyguards from inside the mansion stood in orderly rows behind Julian. He pinched my chin, sneering. “Aurora Vance, that bastard Marcus married the heiress of the renowned Vance medical dynasty, not some stray Phoenix like you!” “There’s a limit to how much you can lie. Looks like the punishment I gave you back then was still too light.” Soon, the bodyguards blocked all my exits. Thinking of Leo’s pale face, I grabbed Julian’s hand and pleaded. “Leo really needs me. Please let me go to the hospital, okay?” “I’m begging you, Julian Thorne…” Our eyes met. He laughed softly, lifted my chin, and in my hopeful gaze, his voice was as cold as ice. “Aurora Vance, you make a mistake, you pay the price.” “Hurting Blair crosses my line!”

I was confined to the Thorne mansion by Julian. Seeing Marcus’s message that he had landed, the anxiety in my chest finally eased. It seemed what he set out to do was successful. Catching sight of the gentle expression on my face, Julian snatched my phone. He tried his birthday, then all our anniversaries, but it eventually locked itself. “Julian Thorne, illegal detainment is a jail offense.” He toyed with my phone, then violently pinned me beneath him. “Aurora Vance! Would it kill you to just give in once?” I froze, his bloodshot eyes reflected in mine. “Yes, I hurt you back then, but if you hadn’t orchestrated that car accident, I wouldn’t have been blind for eight years trying to save you.” He sighed, a note of weariness in his voice. “Aurora, why can’t we ever just *talk* properly?” “You know, for years, there’s been a blurry figure in my mind. And Blair was the first person I saw when I regained my sight. I just wanted to figure out who that person in my head was, but you, you’ve hurt her time and time again.” “She’s innocent. Nothing happened between us.” Sensing eyes outside the door, I met Julian’s intense gaze and smiled. “I believe you.” Julian’s face lit up, his eyes instantly filled with lust, and he lowered his head to kiss me. *This* was the man’s ‘punishment’? It was absolutely disgusting! I closed my eyes, counting down from three. Before I could even reach one, a startled cry came from outside. “Master, something’s wrong! Ms. Sterling was agitated again and tried to kill herself!” Julian released me with lightning speed. As he opened the door, he hesitated, a conflicted look on his face. “Aurora, it was your bullying in high school that left her with such severe trauma.” “I can’t just ignore her.” I said nothing. This flimsy lie, only he would believe it. In high school, I was rarely at school, spending every spare hour, 24/7, studying at the hospital. How would I have time to bully someone I didn’t even know? Soon after, crashing sounds came from outside. Gradually, the noise subsided, replaced by the maids’ suggestive whispers. “Looks like Master and Ms. Sterling will be making things official soon. I wonder when we’ll have a little master running around.” Recalling Julian’s earlier closeness, a wave of nausea washed over me. I looked around. The furnishings were the same, but there were more pill bottles. Remembering Julian swallowing pills earlier, I sharply noticed something was off. He was taking what looked like ordinary pain relievers, but these were for treating neurological conditions. The only person who could have access to these was Blair Sterling. “Julian Thorne, if that’s how it is, then I’ll send you a grand gift.” After swapping the pills, I walked to the window. I knew this place well; even if I jumped, I’d only suffer a fracture. My immediate priority was to get to the hospital. I tied up my hair and opened the window. As I braced my arms and tried to hoist myself up, *clatter!* My body suddenly lost its balance. I flexed my twisted ankle, getting back up. The air around me was abnormally cold. Perhaps it was instinct, but I stepped towards the foul-smelling room ahead. Yet, just a step away, A familiar, chilling voice came from behind me. “Aurora, what are you doing?”

Seeing my silence, Julian’s demeanor darkened again. My peripheral vision scanned the surroundings, but there was nothing to help me escape. I hid the disgust in my eyes, then looked up at him with a smile. “I didn’t realize you had a hobby of setting up secret rooms.” “Julian Thorne, it’s the twenty-first century. This kind of thing is quite creepy.” Noticing my unnatural ankle, he let out a helpless chuckle, then swept me into his arms and carried me out. I leaned into him slightly in his embrace. Julian’s entire body tensed instantly. Seeing that he hadn’t grown suspicious, I slowly curved my lips. My little test just now seemed to have no effect on him. But judging by his reaction, he was clearly very familiar with this secret room. After that day, I learned my lesson. I stopped openly defying Julian, and instead, subtly provoked Blair Sterling from time to time. One day, I again proposed visiting Leo. Julian, surprisingly, didn’t refuse. Instead, he dressed very formally. “Aurora, today will be a very special day.” I didn’t understand. I watched him take a large handful of pills before leaving. By my count, this should be his fifth course of treatment. With enough external stimulation, he could be forced back to his original state. Finally, the suffering he inflicted upon me was about to come back to bite him. “Ms. Vance, wait a moment.” Seeing my frown, she rattled the vegetable juice in her hand. “I haven’t thanked you for the drink you sent me. I love it.” “And my baby loves it too.” Her boasting was obvious, instantly sending Julian into a panic, especially since he’d kept this from me. He quickly looked at me, wanting to explain. “Aurora, about this…” I smiled, shaking my head. “I trust you.” Perhaps it was sheer confidence, but Julian firmly believed I still loved him. All the way, he subtly observed my expression, until we got into the car. Since his eyes were now fine, I was driving. Following the route I remembered, I headed towards the outskirts. Halfway there, Julian received a SnapChat call from Blair. Her voice was filled with pain. “Julian, I’m so sorry…” “Ms. Vance definitely didn’t mean to hurt my baby. My stomach hurts so much… Julian, I think our baby might be gone…” *Bang!* Julian’s mind felt like it exploded. He glared at me fiercely. So, that was Blair’s plan. “Stop the car!” “Turn around right now! Blair needs me!” I pressed my lips together, silent. This quickly angered Julian, and he reached to snatch the steering wheel. With a screech of brakes, the car slammed into the guardrail. Julian, clutching his dizzy head, unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped out, getting into a taxi. The very next second, *BOOM!* The car exploded, engulfed in flames. The familiar scene sent sharp pains through Julian’s head. He stared at the burning car. Suddenly, he stumbled out of the taxi and ran towards it, collapsing to his knees with a guttural roar. “I remember everything! I remember it all…” “The person I forgot was Aurora… it was eighteen-year-old Aurora, not Blair Sterling…” His eyes unfocused, he walked towards the burning car. Just as his outstretched hand was about to touch it, A cold metallic sound. Handcuffs, glinting, clamped around his wrist. A police officer’s voice was frigid. “Julian Thorne, you’re being arrested in connection with a murder.”

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As the legendary surgeon, the moment I announced I was putting away my scalpel and stepping off the operating table for good, the entire surgical department erupted in excitement. They even threw a celebration. But only Serena White, the intern Mark brought in – the one hailed as a once-in-a-generation medical prodigy – approached me, a look of unease on her face. “Dr. Chen, even though you’ve made a few mistakes in your recent surgeries, your skills are still there. We need you, and so do countless patients.” She spoke with such earnestness, if I hadn’t been the one involved, I might have actually fallen for it. I turned and walked away, my face expressionless. In my past life, she was an intern who followed me into surgery. But every time, right in the middle of an operation, my body would suddenly go out of control. And every time, Serena would step in, taking over and flawlessly completing the surgery. After a few such incidents, she became the medical genius everyone praised, while I was branded a fraud, someone who stole her reputation. Desperate to prove my true capabilities, I took on a world-class, complex surgical case, despite immense pressure. I spent sleepless nights researching materials, searching for similar cases, and developing a surgical plan. But the moment I confidently stepped into the operating room, my body once again betrayed me. Serena flawlessly completed the surgery again, and her surgical plan was exactly identical to the one I had meticulously devised. She became the miracle worker everyone talked about, and I became an incompetent quack, scorned by all. Unable to bear the blow, I ended my life with the very scalpel I once mastered. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day Serena first arrived at the hospital. ………. “The patient suddenly had a massive hemorrhage, and our Dr. Chen was so scared she just froze. Good thing Serena was there, otherwise, we would have been in big trouble.” “And she still calls herself a legendary surgeon? Doesn’t she feel any shame? Always acting so high and mighty. Well, now with Serena, a true genius, as a comparison, how can she even show her face in the operating room again?” Familiar mocking voices yanked me back to reality. That’s when I realized, I had been reborn. Ignoring their taunts, I rushed straight to Neurology for a full body check-up. The results, as expected, showed I was perfectly normal. I suspected Serena was the source of the problem. To test my theory, I immediately scheduled another surgery. This time, I refused to let Serena into the operating room with me. The surgery started smoothly, but at the most critical moment, my body once again went out of control. Just then, Serena, as if she had predicted it, quickly walked in and finished the rest of the surgery. Coming out of the operating room, Dr. Thompson, the Vice Dean, called me into his office and said to me with grave concern, “Valerie, have you been too tired lately? How about I give you a few days off to rest?” “You don’t have to worry about the hospital. I think that young woman, Serena White, is quite good; she’s handled these last few surgeries beautifully.” “You’re not getting any younger. Perhaps it’s time to consider taking a step back and enjoying your well-deserved retirement.” I stared at Dr. Thompson, my former mentor and teacher, in disbelief. He should know my capabilities better than anyone. Was even he losing faith in me now? My eyes instantly welled up. “Teacher, even you don’t trust my skills anymore?” Seeing my distress, Dr. Thompson sighed deeply. “You’re my student; of course, I know your level. It’s just, considering your performance in these last few incidents, I think it’s time for you to step down.” I left the Vice Dean’s office, utterly devastated, and returned to the surgical department. Everyone was gathered around Serena, asking her for advice on emergency solutions for unexpected surgical complications. She was confidently explaining everything, holding nothing back. But what she was saying was all the experience I had accumulated over many years. How was this possible? I had painstakingly summarized these insights from thousands of surgeries, never formally teaching them to anyone. Everyone murmured in envious admiration. “Serena, you must be a legendary medical genius. You’ve only been in a few surgeries, yet you can anticipate so many emergencies and handle them so perfectly. Is this truly the difference between people?” Just then, Mark spotted me through the crowd, a sneering smile twisting his lips. “Serena is the real genius, unlike some people who, after performing so many surgeries, still get scared and lost when a patient bleeds heavily. I don’t know how she still has the nerve to call herself a surgical maestro.” Serena looked over, following his gaze, her eyes brimming with undisguised triumph. “Mark, don’t talk about Valerie like that. She’s still your wife, after all.” “I came here to learn from Dr. Chen, not to steal anything from her. But since I have a talent for surgery, I should make good use of it to save more patients.” Her words earned her a chorus of praise and applause. Initially, everyone had been skeptical of Serena’s medical genius, but as she successfully performed one critical rescue after another, they gradually became convinced. Even the hospital’s top management held her in high regard, giving her priority for training. She became a miracle worker, sought after by all. My husband and colleagues, who once flocked around me, had all abandoned me to fawn over Serena. I could understand this; after all, in such circumstances, following Serena would easily grant them more resources and compensation. “Serena, you’re too generous! Dr. Chen can’t even compare to you. In the last surgery, she was afraid you’d steal her thunder and deliberately kept you out of the operating room. In the end, didn’t you have to clean up her mess anyway?” “Exactly! When I asked her for anything, she wouldn’t say a word, claiming she could only teach me if I encountered it during surgery. I think she just didn’t know how and was brushing me off.” “Serena, you’re the future hope of our surgical department. We’re all counting on you.” … I coldly watched the group of people and Serena, who was surrounded by them. In my past life, it was this kind of betrayal that pushed me to end my life with a scalpel. And in doing so, I had only cleared the way for Mark and Serena. Reborn, I would take back everything that was mine. I silently turned and walked away, not returning to the home I shared with Mark. Instead, I went back to the apartment I had bought before we got married. I couldn’t understand where things had gone wrong. But one thing I was certain of: this whole situation was connected to Serena. Even if she was a so-called medical genius, it was impossible for her to come up with such detailed emergency protocols without extensive practical experience. More importantly, every time she took the spotlight, my body would suddenly go out of my control. What exactly had Serena done to me? As I thought this, a name suddenly flashed in my mind. Yes! That’s it! I could tell him what was happening to me. Maybe he would know how to fix it. I quickly found his phone number and dialed it directly. He answered quickly. I thoroughly explained the strange things happening to me and Serena’s abnormal behavior. He pondered for a moment, then said he would give me an answer in three days. He advised me to avoid contact with Serena during these three days. With his assurance, I felt much more at ease. I immediately requested a week’s leave from the hospital. I had planned to relax for a few days. But while I was avoiding Serena, she seemed determined not to let me go. On the third morning of my leave, Mark suddenly called me. His tone was incredibly hostile as he demanded, “Valerie Chen, why didn’t you tell me you were taking leave?” I had no patience for him anymore. “What does my leave have to do with you?” Mark on the other end of the line paused, surprised. But it was only for a second. Then, he irritably ordered me, “Never mind that. Get to the hospital now.” I scoffed. “I’m on vacation. If you need something, find someone else.” With that, I decisively hung up. I lay back down on the bed, just about to drift off to sleep again. Suddenly, someone started pounding loudly on my door. At the same time, they were shouting my name. I looked through the peephole. It was Mark and Serena. I didn’t want them to disturb my neighbors, so I irritably opened the door. “Mark, what do you two want?” Seeing the door open, he grabbed my arm without a word and started pulling me out. I forcefully shook him off. “Are you out of your minds? If you have something to say, say it here. Otherwise, I’m calling the police.” Mark’s face turned livid. “You’re coming back to the hospital with me now. There’s a surgery today that only you can perform.” I looked at him, his expectation so blatant, and burst out laughing mockingly. “Isn’t Serena a medical genius? Why doesn’t *she* go? Why call me?” Mark’s face was filled with impatience. “Valerie Chen, I’m giving you one last chance. Are you coming back to the hospital with me or not?” “No!” I refused, cold and decisive. He let out a cold laugh, clearly infuriated. “You’re forcing my hand.” Then he pulled out his phone and shoved it in front of me. A video clip was playing on the screen. In the video, a woman was trying to hand me an under-the-table payment, which I refused. The next second, she burst into tears, kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly in front of me. I remembered this incident. The woman’s son had suffered a sudden cerebral infarction, and I had saved him. After the surgery, the woman wanted to give me a bribe to thank me for saving her son’s life. When I refused, she immediately knelt down and kowtowed. I looked at Mark, confused. “Why are you showing me this?” Mark’s lips twisted into a challenging smirk. “Don’t be so hasty, just keep watching.” The video clip ended, and the woman who had kowtowed to me appeared on screen. Dressed in ragged clothes, she tearfully accused me in front of the camera, “It was this Dr. Valerie Chen who caused my son to be paralyzed!” “She refused to operate on my son because she thought my bribe was too small, making us miss the best time for treatment!” “But I truly couldn’t afford more money. It’s my fault for being useless and harming my son!” The video ended there, and Mark threatened me with a cold sneer. “If you don’t come back with me obediently today, I’ll post this online and completely ruin your reputation!” I looked at Mark in disbelief. I never imagined he would stoop to such lengths to frame me, all for Serena. “Fine, I’ll go back with you.” Since you want me back so badly, I’ll humor you. Just don’t regret it later. The moment I stepped through the hospital entrance, Dr. Harrison, the Head of Surgery, grabbed me and hurried me inside. “Valerie, you’re finally here! We just got a car crash victim with an intracranial hemorrhage and an unruptured aneurysm. This is a complex case, and you’re the only one in this hospital who’s ever done this specific procedure. Get ready quickly!” I asked for the patient’s detailed condition; for now, their life wasn’t immediately at risk. I looked at Serena, who was about to change into scrubs, and calmly stated, “Dr. Harrison, you know my recent situation. I’m really not suitable for surgery right now.” Dr. Harrison heard me and seemed to recall something, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. But he couldn’t think of anyone more suitable than me. Seeing the sweat forming on his brow, I tentatively suggested, “Dr. Harrison, don’t rush. I can find someone to come over, we should still have enough time.” At this, Serena, whose face had been full of anticipation, turned pale. Without waiting for Dr. Harrison to speak, she hastily objected. “No way!” Both Dr. Harrison and I looked at her. Her expression was a little unnatural. “What I mean is, the patient might not be able to wait. Since Dr. Chen is here, let Dr. Chen do it.” Dr. Harrison looked at me, somewhat hesitantly. “Valerie, why don’t you just go ahead?” Before I could even speak. Serena’s eyes turned red with urgency. “Dr. Chen, I know you’re still angry with me, blaming me for stealing your thunder. But you really can’t just stand by and watch someone die!” As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears. Seeing her cry, Mark’s face filled with distress, and he glared at me, his expression even darker. “Valerie Chen, that’s enough! I never knew you were such a cold-hearted person!” “Just go and perform the surgery obediently, and let Serena be your assistant.” I looked at him coldly. “How am I cold-hearted? I know my own condition. I’m not suitable for such a complex surgery right now.” “And I already said I would find someone to replace me for this operation.” My words left Mark speechless. At this point, Serena suddenly burst into tears and knelt before me. “Dr. Chen, I was wrong. I can resign. I’ll never bother you again.” “But the patient in the operating room truly can’t wait. Please, I’m begging you for him, save him!” Her actions instantly ignited the anger of everyone present towards me. “Is this even a doctor? She’s a butcher!” “How can she be so cold-blooded, letting someone die without helping?” Then, someone shouted, “I just saw online that someone exposed her! She refused the surgery because the family didn’t give her an under-the-table payment!” This statement caused a massive uproar, pushing the crowd’s anger to its peak. No one listened to my explanations anymore. The scene instantly erupted into chaos, and someone rushed forward to hit me. “Kill this heartless, unethical doctor!” “Kill her!” I was surrounded by the crowd. Someone kicked me hard in the knee. “You beast, get down on your knees!” I cried out in pain and collapsed, clearly hearing the sound of bone cracking. Then, someone grabbed my hair and slammed my head onto the ground. “You greedy, murderous, unethical doctor, hurry and kowtow to confess your sins!” Blood instantly gushed from my forehead, and my vision blurred repeatedly. Powerless to resist, I could only curl up on the ground, covering my head, as everyone continued to hit me. Fists rained down on my body relentlessly. Then, someone kicked me hard in the abdomen. I instantly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Only then did security guards arrive and control the angry crowd. Dr. Harrison and a few colleagues haphazardly helped me, who was on the verge of fainting, to my feet. Looking up, I saw the triumphant glint in Serena’s eyes. She wanted to force me into this surgery, then use her trick again. She wanted to step on me to gain higher honors, while I would be utterly crushed into the mud, never to rise again. She was paving her path to glory with my blood and flesh. “Dr. Chen, please agree, otherwise, we can’t save you either!” Serena’s expression was earnest as she pressured me again. I silently swept my gaze across the faces of everyone present: some angry, some sneering, some just waiting to see me fail. Among them were patients I had saved. But now, they were all glaring at me as if I were their enemy. Just then, my phone rang. I answered, listening in silence, a mocking smile unconsciously twisting my lips. Seeing this, the crowd grew angry again, ready to charge at me. “She’s still smiling! She’s cold-blooded, not even human! Kill her!” But then, I suddenly bowed deeply to everyone. “I’m sorry, but as you can see, my current condition makes it impossible for me to perform surgery.” As I spoke, I raised my right hand, which was now bruised and bloody from being stomped on, my fingers dangling limply. The eyes of those who had just hit me flashed with a hint of panic, but they quickly regained their indignant composure. “We hit you because you’re greedy and murderous, unfit to be a doctor!” “Since everyone believes I’m unfit, then I hereby announce that from today onwards, I am stepping down, and will never again enter an operating room.” I calmly looked at Serena, whose face was slowly turning ashen. I wanted to see, without me, how she would continue to be her medical genius.

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After waking up from the car crash, Adrian clutched my hand. The very first thing he did was shove a statement of forgiveness for his mistress in my face. He snarled at me, “Vivian just barely grazed you. Why are you being so vindictive?” I refused, absolutely refusing to sign, and nearly threw myself out the window to make my stand. Until the hospital room door swung open, and the woman who’d hit me finally looked up— I froze for two seconds, then suddenly loosened my grip on the window ledge. “Give me the statement. I’ll sign it.” “She nearly killed you! Why are you signing it so easily?!” Adrian demanded, utterly baffled. My voice was calm. “Because she’s beautiful.” “Just because of *that*?!” Of course not. Because she was the little girl who once curled in my arms, calling me “Mommy.” …………………… “…Ellie? Eleanor? You’re awake? Oh my God, thank goodness! Doctor! Doctor!” I blinked my blurry eyes open, a stranger’s face wavering above me. His voice was urgent, his expression a performance of overwhelming relief. His grip on my hand was so tight, his nails almost dug into my skin. Who was this man? Hadn’t I… hadn’t I been dead for years? “It’s okay, it’s okay, you scared me to death. As long as you’re awake, that’s all that matters. Good girl, just sign this first, and we can go home, okay?” The paper in his hand fluttered before my eyes, the bold black letters at the top stabbing into my still-hazy vision: “Statement of Forgiveness.” Memories, not my own but the original owner’s, came crashing down like a tidal wave. The screech of a massive brake still roared in my ears. “…Where’s the person who hit me?” Adrian’s expression stiffened for a fraction of a second, then softened, his tone patronizing, as if talking down to a child. “I told you, it was an accident. Just an accident.” “The doctor said it’s a miracle I even woke up! The person who hit me almost killed me! And you just expect me to… forgive them?!” “The person who hit you didn’t mean to! She’s terrified, too, can’t eat, can’t sleep, she’s lost so much weight!” “I’m your boyfriend! If I tell you to sign it, you *will* sign it! Our family isn’t some charity case that can’t afford the medical bills!” “This is a crime!” My voice trembled. “I don’t care who the hell you think you are, I’d rather jump out this window than sign that thing!” I tore the IV needle from my hand like a madwoman, scrambling to throw myself towards the window. At that moment, the hospital room door was violently flung open. “Ms. Vance! That’s enough! Take it out on me if you want! Stop pressuring Mr. Blackwood!” “It was just a minor accident! You’re fine now, aren’t you?!” “What’s with this suicide act? Who are you performing for? Trying to use your death to make Mr. Blackwood remember you forever, is that it?!” I stared at her, for a long, long time. Then, slowly, I climbed back from the window ledge. “Give me the statement.” “Rip it up! I can print hundreds more! I won’t give up until you sign!” I took the pen and scrawled “Eleanor Vance” with a decisive flourish. Vivian and Adrian both froze, mouths agape, utterly speechless. “She nearly killed you… and you actually signed it like that?” Adrian asked, disbelief etched on his face. Vivian stared at me, her gaze piercing. “Signing it so quickly, what game are you playing?!” I met her eyes calmly, and said softly, “Because you’re beautiful.” “Just because of *that*?” Adrian scoffed. “I bet you saw I had a woman as gorgeous as Vivian, and realized how in-demand I am!” Adrian snatched the signed statement from my hand. “See? Wouldn’t it have been easier to just do this from the start? Why make things awkward for everyone?” Over the next few days, I was as cooperative as any patient could be. Taking my medicine on time, attending all check-ups, resting quietly. Adrian’s visits grew less frequent, his stays shorter. Each time he came, the conversation would inevitably drift to Vivian. “Vivian is incredibly capable. That tricky project we had last month? She swooped in and closed the deal. The client couldn’t stop praising her.” Adrian sat with one leg crossed over the other, practically spitting as he vividly described Vivian’s cutthroat tactics in the business world. “She’d once had a rival’s teeth pulled and tossed him into the ocean to secure a deal, for which the client had nothing but admiration.” *For people and things she cared about, she would stop at nothing. Like, to get Adrian, she could disregard the law and choose to run me over.* “Vivian’s beautiful, makes me look good when I take her out, and she helps me run the company. Now, the company practically grinds to a halt without her!” “And you? What do you have, besides a family that gives you money to spend? When it comes to empathy, to capability, you’re not even fit to tie Vivian’s shoes.” “From now on, just settle down. It’s not out of the question for two women to share one man, especially since your family still has some pull.” He said it like he was bestowing a great gift. “We’ll get married once you’re out of the hospital. As for the wedding, Vivian and I will handle that.” My fingers tightened around the spoon I was holding, a surge of pure rage shooting to my head. I slammed the bowl of porridge directly into his face. “Eleanor Vance! Are you out of your mind?! Vivian is a thousand times better than you, she deserves the most magnificent wedding!” Adrian’s luck held out. His phone screen lit up, preventing me from doing more damage. It was a SnapChat message from Vivian. Vivian: [Image] Ellie, Mr. Blackwood wants me to try this one. He says it looks best on me. What do you think? The image was Vera Wang’s latest wedding dress, indeed the dream of countless women. I remembered her at seven, twirling in a pink princess dress, asking me, “Do I look pretty?” My fingertips flew across the screen. I replied: *It’s truly beautiful.* Adrian frantically wiped the porridge from his face, his mouth still going. “Eleanor Vance, nothing you do will change anything! Vivian and I are having our wedding, mark my words!” A few more days passed, and I was mostly recovered. Before I was even discharged, Adrian called. His tone was his usual commanding, dismissive one. I was about to snap back, but then he said, “Vivian had an allergic reaction to seafood and is in the hospital. I have a meeting I can’t miss, so you go take care of her.” “Stay with her 24/7. Make sure she’s perfectly fine. If anything goes wrong, I’m holding you responsible!” “Okay.” “Finally learning some manners, huh? Looks like this car accident wasn’t completely useless. At least it taught you your place and how to appease me.” I hung up immediately. Spending another second talking to that lunatic was a waste of my hard-won second chance at life. Without even changing out of my hospital gown, I headed straight to Vivian’s VIP room. “What are you doing here?!” Vivian instinctively covered her face, which was covered in red hives. “Mr. Blackwood and I are getting married in a month. I’ll be completely fine by then, so don’t even *think* about trying to steal my place as the bride!” I said calmly, “Adrian said you had an allergic reaction and asked me to check on you. What did the doctor say? Is it serious? Are you still uncomfortable anywhere?” Vivian looked at me as if I were an alien. “It’s a little itchy, but I’ve already had medicine. You don’t need to worry about it!” I nodded, then turned to the bathroom to get a basin of warm water. “The doctor said cold compresses can help relieve the itching. Don’t scratch, you don’t want to scar.” Vivian stood rigidly, unmoving. Adrian sent a video call request midway through, probably checking up on us. “You don’t have to worry, Vivian’s much better. I’ll take good care of her.” On the other end of the call, Adrian patronizingly lectured me a few more times about “being diligent” and “not slacking off” before gracing us with a hang-up. “Tha…thank you…” “It’s nothing.” I smiled, tucking her blanket in. “You rest. I’ll be right here. Call me if you need anything.” “Eleanor, what exactly are you planning?” Vivian’s eyes were full of suspicion. “When you were sick, I called Adrian to come stay with me. When I was in a car accident, he forced me to sign a statement of forgiveness for you.” “Even then, I wasn’t willing to break up with him. I clung to him, we fought tooth and nail.” “You knew about my existence all along. You loved him so much, why are you being so kind to the woman who stole your man?!” I said calmly, “What exactly is so great about this man? Is he really worth hurting an innocent person to get?” Vivian sneered. “Eleanor Vance, finally showing your true colors, are you? You know Mr. Blackwood won’t leave me, so you’re trying to work on me instead?” Watching her stand with her hands on her hips, cheeks puffed out, putting on an act, I silently sat by the hospital bed, cherishing her for a long moment. Unconsciously, I raised my hand and gently pinched her cheek. “You… what are you doing!” She seemed like a punctured balloon, her arrogant posture instantly deflating. When she was fifteen, she had stood between me and that man, scared but still fierce, protecting me. “Let’s just say I like your face.” I said calmly, a slight smile curving the corners of my eyes. Vivian didn’t speak again, closing her eyes, but her long eyelashes trembled continuously. A few days later, Adrian came to my apartment. “That black card of yours has a high limit, give it to me.” I was pouring myself a glass of water, and my movement paused at his words. He wanted money from me, and with such arrogance? I tightened my grip on the glass. “Adrian Blackwood, are you addicted to being a kept man?” “Don’t waste my time! Just give it to me! Your money is my money, isn’t it? Why are you suddenly drawing such clear lines with me?” “Vivian has endured so much for me. What’s wrong with her spending a little of your money? Come on, hurry up, don’t drag your feet!” The anger on my face almost instantly vanished at the mention of ‘Vivian,’ replaced by a compliant expression as I handed over the black card. “That’s better. Glad you know your place!” Once he had the black card, Adrian’s spending statements started flooding my phone like snowflakes. Meanwhile, Vivian’s attitude towards me subtly shifted. She started calling me “Ms. Vance,” and the sharp edges and hostility in her voice noticeably softened. She would pour me a glass of water when I came to “visit” her, and occasionally even chat about inconsequential things. Until one day, she invited me out for afternoon tea. “Ms. Vance,” her voice was soft, laced with hesitation, but her eyes were earnest, “This is for you.” I paused, then took the bag and opened it. Inside was a silk blouse, simple yet elegant, in my favorite dusty blue, and exactly my size. Excellent taste, clearly chosen with care. “I noticed you really like this color and fabric. Consider it a thank you for taking care of me recently.” “Thank you.” My voice sounded a little hoarse. “I love it.” “The money Adrian splurged on your black card, I’ve already transferred it back to another account you don’t often use. I’ll send you the statement details later.” I looked up at her, the question in my heart yearning to escape. “You don’t love that man at all, do you?” Vivian stared at me, stunned. “What…” “If you don’t love him, why are you with him?” She was silent for a long time, then finally, as if she’d made up her mind, said, “Ms. Vance, I’m not who you think I am.” “I graduated from the top university with a degree in finance, both my bachelor’s and master’s. If it weren’t for my family…” “My father owes millions in gambling debts, my mother is critically ill and needs money for surgery, and my younger siblings still need to go to school. I wouldn’t have come to this.” My heart clenched painfully. “Adrian values my youth and beauty to show off and to help him secure projects and manage the company. I’m using his money to solve my urgent financial problems.” “This past year, I’ve pretty much gotten my hands on all the company’s major projects and key client resources.” I felt myself transported back to that scorching, death-filled summer, her young face pressed against my hospital bed, holding my hand— “I got my money back from that last part-time job! I threatened the boss that I’d call the police, and he was so scared of me! I got all the money I was owed!” “Aren’t I amazing? If I earn a little more, I can cure your illness really soon!” “He’s nothing but an empty shell now, dreaming big after being completely drained.” I looked at the girl before me, stripped of all pretense. She was never a clinging vine needing to climb for support. She was calmer, smarter, but… also carried deeper wounds… “Why are you telling me this?” I heard myself ask, my voice trembling with suppressed emotion and a catch in my throat. She paused, her gaze falling on the dusty blue blouse by my hand, her eyes softening slightly. “So, why are you being so good to me?” I met her deep gaze, and after a long moment, said, “Because you’re beautiful.” “Just because of *that*?” I nodded calmly. She was a proud child, and I didn’t think she was ready to know who I was. Nor did I want the *real* me to know she had become an unprincipled man’s mistress. Her confusion hadn’t dissipated, but she continued, “As for why I told you all that—” “I think I’ve come to see you as the most important person in my life. Besides my mom, no one has ever been this kind to me.” “The wedding in a week.” She paused. “I’m going to turn it into a stage for Adrian Blackwood’s public downfall.” —截断点— The first day I wore the blouse, Adrian noticed it. “What are you wearing?” “A blouse.” “No kidding! I’m asking where you got it! That brand, that style—isn’t that the one Vivian picked out a few days ago? How did *you* end up wearing it?”

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On my twenty-sixth birthday, I finally called my brother, Julian. “Julian, I’m getting a divorce.” My voice was as parched as a desert, choked with a weariness I could hear myself. Three seconds of silence stretched on the other end. Then Julian’s deep voice came through, “I told you years ago, Adrian’s like a cold marble statue; you could try forever and never warm him up.” I leaned back on the couch, rubbing my burning eyes, forcing a thin smile. “Yeah, I overestimated myself.” “Come to Switzerland.” Julian’s tone instantly lightened, like he was coaxing a child. “I’ve got plenty of charming men here, any one of them better than Adrian. If he can’t appreciate a lively, adorable sister like you, let him spend his life alone with his… whatever he’s into.” “Okay.” I mumbled, “Just let me sort things out here.” Hanging up, I took a deep breath and walked to the second floor. As I passed Adrian’s closed study, a low, muffled moan pierced my ears like a needle. The door wasn’t fully latched, leaving a narrow crack. A dim, yellowish light seeped from the gap. My hand trembled involuntarily, but I couldn’t resist peeking inside. Within the room, the scent of sandalwood incense wafted up, veiling everything like a thin mist. Adrian knelt before a small altar. His grey, specialized robe was half-open, and a string of carved wooden beads hung loosely around his wrist. But his body was trembling slightly. Beneath his lowered head was a lifelike wooden doll. The doll’s face was strikingly clear in the candlelight. Almond-shaped eyes, cherry-like lips, and a tear-mole beneath its left eye. It was unmistakably Seraphina—the “kindred spirit” who’d been inseparable from him since he was seven. I bit down hard on my lower lip until my mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood. This was the third time I’d stumbled upon this absurd scene. The first time, I just ran, stumbling down the stairs, tears streaming uncontrollably. The second time, I sat in the living room all night, staring blankly at the ceiling until dawn. But tonight, I felt only a dead calm in my heart, like charcoal embers extinguished by the wind. How ridiculous. I thought he was ascetic, cold as ice, but it turned out he just saved all his passion for someone else. I leaned against the wall, its coldness creeping up my fingertips. My mind, however, uncontrollably replayed the first time I saw Adrian. I was nineteen that year. My brother took me to an exclusive club in the city, saying he wanted to introduce me to his closest friend. That day, Adrian wore a dark grey jacket with subtle cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs, and a string of carved wooden beads on his wrist. Among the room full of flashy, wealthy socialites, he sat alone in a corner, with only a pot of plain tea beside him. He lowered his head to pour tea, his long fingers grasping the white porcelain pot. The stream of water filled the cup, and the rising mist blurred his profile. Then he looked up and glanced my way. His eyes were as clear and cold as moonlight, deep enough to pull a person in. In that instant, my heart seemed to skip a beat. Seeing me stunned, my brother laughed and patted my head. “Don’t dream, little sister. You can like anyone, just not him.” “Why not?” I frowned and asked. “In our circle, who isn’t just playing at life?” He lit a cigarette, exhaling a puff of smoke. “Adrian’s the only one who’s been dedicated to his studies since he was a kid. Desires, affections—he won’t touch them.” I didn’t believe it. Growing up, there was nothing I wanted that I couldn’t get. I refused to believe there was a man in this world who could remain completely unmoved. So, I started pursuing him. I used every trick I could think of. When he was working on his spiritual carvings in his study, I deliberately stumbled, pretending to fall into his arms. He frowned, then effortlessly lifted me with one hand and set me aside, as if I were a package. I secretly added something to his tea—a mild aphrodisiac, I hoped—and served it to him, full of expectation. He took a sip, then gave me a faint glance. “Next time, less of that sweet floral tea. It’s too sweet.” The most outrageous time, I snuck into his study when he was on a retreat. Wearing nothing but his long jacket, I lay on his bed in what I thought was a seductive pose. He pushed the door open, and I even deliberately swung my leg, batting my eyelashes at him. He didn’t even look at me, just turned and walked away. The next day, a box of brand-new robes was delivered to me with a note: “For you. Stop taking mine.” Julian couldn’t stand it anymore. He pulled me aside and tried to reason with me. “Can’t you have some self-respect?” I retorted, neck stiff, “I’m saving him! A man this handsome being so detached is such a waste!” I chased him for five years. I tried everything, but I never even touched a hair on his head. I started to doubt if I truly had no charm. Until late on my birthday night, he suddenly called me. “Come downstairs.” I ran down in my pajamas. It was pouring rain outside. He stood under the eaves, half of his jacket soaked, a few fallen leaves clinging to his shoulder. “Let’s get married.” He said only those three words. No flowers, no ring, not even an expression. But I was ecstatic, like an idiot, and rushed to hug him. “Are you finally moved by me?” He didn’t hug me back, just let out a low “Mm.” Looking back now, that “Mm” was so dismissive. Three years into our marriage, we never once consummated it. No matter how sexy I dressed, or how alluring a pose I struck, he would always leave with a cold face at the last moment. Then he’d lock himself in his study, staying there all night. I used to think he was just too deeply committed to his spiritual practices, accustomed to solitude. Until three days ago, unable to bear it anymore, I secretly followed him into his study. Watching him lose control before that wooden doll, I finally understood—he wasn’t without desire; his desire just didn’t belong to me. He loved Seraphina. The girl who grew up with him, taken in by his family. His studies, his prayer beads, marrying me—it was all to suppress his feelings for her. In that moment, my heart turned utterly cold. Like falling into a winter lake, I lost even the strength to struggle. In his study, Adrian finally stopped. He leaned down and kissed the doll’s forehead, his voice hoarse, like he was murmuring a spell. “Seraphina, I miss you…” The sound was so soft. Yet it felt like a rusty knife, brutally plunged into my already tattered heart. Tears fell. I wiped my face and turned to go downstairs. I never looked back. The next morning, I woke up early. Adrian was already dressed and about to leave. He wore a black trench coat, his figure as tall and straight as a pine tree, the same carved wooden beads on his wrist. The distraught man from last night seemed to have never existed. As he was about to step out, I called out, “Wait!” “What is it?” He didn’t even lift his head, his voice as cold as ice shards. “Don’t bother me.” His words were like a thorn, shattering the last shred of my hope. In his eyes, I was still just an annoying nuisance he couldn’t shake. I suddenly laughed. “You’re overthinking. I just want the keys to your Bentley.” “Take another car. This one’s convenient for me.” I walked over and simply pulled the keys from his pocket. He finally looked at me, his tone still flat. “Going out today?” “Yep.” I nodded. “What for?” He asked one more question. I jingled the keys, smiling somewhat ironically. “To do something that will make you happy.” With that, I turned and walked toward the garage without looking back. Silently, I added a line in my head: To finally leave you.

I didn’t say that last line, “to finally leave you,” out loud. I just grabbed the Bentley keys and walked out the door. As the car started, I glanced back at the cold, imposing house. Adrian’s figure had already vanished from the doorway, like a wisp of wind—impossible to catch, impossible to keep. I drove straight to the Swiss Consulate. Applying for a permanent residency visa wasn’t complicated, especially for someone with my family’s backing. Years ago, the Claire family business had entirely moved abroad. My parents and brother, Julian, had already settled in Switzerland. Only I, like an idiot, stayed in this city for Adrian, refusing to leave. Now, I was finally leaving. I took the receipt from the staff member and nodded. “It should be processed in about a week,” she said, her voice as professional as a robot. I walked out of the consulate and stood on the street. The wind was a bit chilly. I pulled my coat tighter and looked down at the receipt in my hand. It was finally coming to an end. Adrian, the man I’d chased for five whole years, the seemingly detached figure I thought I could draw out of his solitary world, ultimately didn’t belong to me. I had given up so much for him. I accompanied him in drinking tea as bland as water, endured his ascetic lifestyle, and even completely shed my once flamboyant personality. All just to be a little closer to him, even just a tiny bit. But in the end, I couldn’t even touch the most private desires of his heart. I clutched the receipt and smiled. My heart ached as if I’d swallowed a sour lemon. “Forget it, Adrian. If you don’t want me, someone else will.” That night, I met a few friends at a club. Since being with Adrian, I hadn’t stepped foot in a place like this for three years. Tonight, I changed into a deep red bodycon dress, the hem short enough to just expose my upper thighs. My hair was loose, and my eyes held a long-lost wildness. I pushed open the VIP room door and walked in, heels clicking. “Claire, what’s gotten into you?” My friend, Maya, grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with surprise. “Didn’t you stop coming to places like this after you fell for that cold-faced recluse, always circling around him?” I picked up a cocktail from the table and took a sip. The liquor burned my throat, blurring my vision slightly. “Not anymore. Tonight, I’m going to have fun.” I walked into the dance floor. Lights flashed, and music engulfed me like a tide. I swayed my body to the rhythm, like a bird just released from its cage, free and a little reckless. Male club-goers crowded around me. I scanned them, a smile curving my lips. I reached out and touched one man’s chest. It felt hard as rock, eliciting a low chuckle from him. “Claire, are you crazy?” Maya rushed up, grabbing my arm. “You’re touching guys and dancing like this. Aren’t you afraid Adrian will see you and get mad?” “He’s not here,” I shrugged off her hand and continued to sway my hips. “No…” Maya paused, then leaned in close to my ear, whispering, “Who says he isn’t? He’s right there, in that booth behind us, and he’s been watching you for ages!” My fingers stiffened. Slowly, I raised my head, my gaze cutting through the crowd. Through the kaleidoscope of colored lights, I spotted him instantly. Adrian sat in the corner. In a black suit, he looked like a stark, out-of-place shadow. His fingers rested on the edge of a teacup, his eyes fixed on me with a heavy stare. I didn’t know how long he’d been watching. Just then, the music suddenly stopped. The VIP room became eerily quiet. I heard the man beside him laugh and say, “Adrian, Claire’s been dancing and touching other guys for ages. If that were my wife, I’d have flipped the table by now. How can you be so calm?” Adrian didn’t move. He just picked up his teacup and took a sip, his voice clear and cold. “She knows her limits. She won’t do anything reckless.” His words were like a venomous thorn. Plunging deeply into the softest part of my heart. “Knows her limits?” Did he think I loved him too much, couldn’t live without him, or simply didn’t care who I danced with? Perhaps it was both. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. The man continued to tease, “Tsk, tsk, your self-control is legendary. I really wonder what in this world could make you lose your cool…” Before he could finish, his voice suddenly rose. “Hey, Adrian, where are you going?” I instinctively looked up. Adrian had abruptly stood, his gaze locked firmly on the other side of the dance floor. In those eyes, usually as still as water, a flicker of jealous fire flashed. I followed his line of sight. Sure enough, Seraphina stood there. She wore a white, off-the-shoulder dress, looking like an ethereal fairy, exchanging phone numbers with a tall man. Adrian strode over. He grabbed her wrist. “Who allowed you to come to a place like this? Who said you could give your number to someone else?” Seraphina froze, her eyes reddening. “Why can’t I come? Why can’t I give my number to someone? You don’t care about me anymore, so what I do has nothing to do with you!” Adrian’s fingers tightened, knuckles turning white. His voice was low, like it was squeezed from his throat. “Who says I don’t care about you?” “You just don’t!” Seraphina’s voice was tearful. “You keep avoiding me, you won’t even see me! You used to be so good to me, how could you suddenly change?” His Adam’s apple bobbed. His voice was laced with suppressed emotion. “That’s because…” I stood nearby, my heart clutched by an unseen hand. I knew he couldn’t finish the sentence. What could he say? That he, Adrian, liked her, which was why he deliberately avoided her? That he couldn’t control himself whenever he saw her? That he loved her so much he didn’t touch me for three years of marriage, and instead released his desires in his study with her wooden doll? I tugged at my lips in self-mockery. I turned to leave, but then I heard Seraphina crying, “Adrian, can we go back to how it was before? I want the old you, the one who only had eyes for me!” Adrian’s voice was hoarse, like a sigh. “I’m married now. I can’t just revolve around you.” “So, if your wife wasn’t around, we could be like before?” Seraphina suddenly looked up, her eyes gleaming with a wild light. I had just picked up my bag, ready to go. She suddenly grabbed a bottle from the table and lunged at me. *Smash!* The sound of the bottle shattering against my forehead exploded in my ears like thunder. Warm blood streamed down my temple, sticky and blurring my vision. “Claire!” Maya screamed, rushing over. I stumbled back two steps. Before I could regain my footing, Seraphina raised a second bottle. “Die!” she snarled, bringing it down. This blow was even more vicious than the last. My vision went black. I collapsed to the ground. All I heard were chaotic screams.

Pain dragged me back from unconsciousness. The pungent smell of disinfectant needles pricked my brain, and the bright white light overhead made my eyes ache. I tried to raise my hand to shield them, but I tugged at the IV needle on my hand, sucking in a sharp breath from the pain. “You’re awake.” The nurse, changing my dressing, sighed with relief when she saw my eyes open. “Who has such a grudge against you? Two bottles to the head, forty-plus stitches.” I instinctively touched my bandaged forehead. My throat was as dry as sandpaper. “Where’s the person who brought me here?” “You mean your friend, Maya?” The nurse said, tidying her supply tray. “She stayed with you all night, but had an emergency at her company this morning. She told me to let you know she hired a caregiver for you.” I froze. So, not even Adrian brought me to the hospital. Where was he? I reached for my phone. My fingertips had barely touched the screen when a new post popped up. From Seraphina. [He’s still so easy to coax.] In the video, Seraphina held out her hand, her voice sweet and娇 as she pouted, “Look, I cut my pinky when I smashed the bottle.” The camera shifted. Adrian was half-crouching in front of her. His long fingers held a band-aid, gently applying it to her fingertip. Then, he lowered his head, pressing a suppressed kiss to her finger, whispering, “Now it won’t hurt.” I stared at the screen. The wound on my head felt as if it had been torn open again, someone stabbing it with a knife and then pouring salt in. My hand trembled with pain. I took a deep breath and dialed the police. “Hello, I’d like to report an incident.” That night, Adrian pushed open my hospital room door. He wore a black trench coat, his eyes as cold as carved ice, but a hint of anger simmered beneath. “You called the police? Said Seraphina intentionally harmed you?” “Yes.” I looked up at him, my voice calm. “Intentional assault. That’s enough to press charges, isn’t it?” He frowned, his voice deep. “She hit you in a fit of impulse, it was wrong of her. But I’ve already dealt with her, so let’s just drop it.” “Dealt with her?” I sneered. “How did you ‘deal with her’?” “She’s a bit wild. I told her not to leave the house for three days.” His tone was flat, as if it were an insignificant matter. I stared, then burst out laughing. I laughed so hard it tugged at my stitches, making tears well up in my eyes. “I got over forty stitches, and you grounded her for three days? Adrian, is that a punishment, or are you just protecting her, afraid I’d go after her?” His eyes darkened. “What are you talking about? Of course it’s a punishment.” “I’ve already spoken to the police. The case is withdrawn.” He paused, then continued, “You don’t need to call them again. No one in this city will take the case.” I gripped the bedsheets, my nails practically digging into my flesh. Words surged like a tide, but finally, only one question squeezed out: “Adrian, I chased you for five years, what do you even see me as?” “If you didn’t care about me, why did you marry me in the first place?” I stared at him, my eyes burning. His frown deepened. “Who says I don’t care about you?” He paused, his voice still cold. “Alright, let’s just drop this. I’ll stay here with you for a few days, and after you’re discharged, I’ll get you something. Stop making a fuss.” He spoke as if he were bestowing some great favor. I suddenly found it ridiculous. Yes, it was always me chasing after him, telling him I loved him, wanting to marry him, wanting to be close to him. When had he ever taken the initiative? Now he was willing to stay with me—how was that not a gift?

For the next few days, Adrian actually stayed in the hospital. He appeared promptly every day, bringing a bowl of bland rice porridge, helping me change my bandages, and even quietly holding my hand when I woke up in pain in the middle of the night. The old me would probably have been too happy to sleep. But now, my heart felt like an empty, desolate wasteland. It turned out, loving someone for five years, and letting go, could happen in an instant. On the day I was discharged, I walked to the parking lot, bag in hand. From a distance, I saw Seraphina sitting in Adrian’s car. She glanced at me, her eyes like daggers, her face clearly unhappy. Adrian frowned. “Seraphina, what did I tell you earlier?” Seraphina bit her lip, her eyes red. Reluctantly, she spoke, “Claire, I’m sorry… I was too impulsive that day.” “My brother barely paid any attention to me after he married you for years, he was completely devoted to you, so I just got angry…” She lowered her head, like a wronged child. “It won’t happen again.” Adrian turned to me, his tone calm. “Seraphina wants to stay at the house for a few days recently. You two should try to get along.” On the way home, they sat in the front. I leaned against the car window, staring at the rapidly receding streetscape outside. I didn’t say a word. But out of the corner of my eye, I could still see Adrian’s profile. He was usually as cold as stone, but his gaze kept drifting toward Seraphina. Seraphina looked down, scrolling on her phone, then suddenly laughed. “Adrian, look at this guy, he’s so handsome. Just added me on SnapChat.” Adrian’s hand on the steering wheel tightened abruptly. His voice was cold as ice. “Delete him.” “Why should I?” Seraphina pouted. “I’m in my twenties, can’t I make friends?” “Delete him.” His tone was hard, like a command. Seraphina huffed, but still obediently deleted the contact. She mumbled under her breath, “He’s stricter than my dad…” Adrian didn’t say anything. But I saw his jawline tighten. He was jealous. Back home, I didn’t even eat. I went straight to my room. From downstairs, I could hear the clatter of dishes, Seraphina’s giggling, and the syrupy background music from the TV. It was a liveliness that had never existed in the three years Adrian and I were married. I buried myself under the covers. My heart ached as if it were steeped in sour plum soup. I don’t know how much time passed. The sounds outside gradually faded. I was terribly thirsty, so I got up to pour myself some water. As I pushed open the door, I froze. Moonlight streamed in through the window, making the living room bright. Adrian was half-crouching by the sofa, quietly watching Seraphina, who was asleep. He was usually as aloof as a hermit. But at this moment, his eyes were full of soft light, as if he were looking at his most precious treasure. Seraphina suddenly stirred. Half-asleep, she reached out and hooked her arms around his neck, her voice soft as marshmallow. “Adrian, don’t leave me… only you care about me…” She tugged him unconsciously. His face was pulled down. Their lips brushed together. Adrian’s pupils contracted sharply. His breathing became ragged, like it was scattered by the wind. The next second, as if he could hold out no longer, he leaned down and kissed her fiercely.

Moonlight poured into the living room like water. I stood behind the door, peeking through the half-open crack, watching Adrian lean down and kiss Seraphina. His breath was ragged, as if scattered by a hurricane, and his fingers tightly gripped her waist, as if he wanted to unleash all the pent-up emotions of the past five years. “Seraphina…” He murmured her name, his voice lingering in a way I’d never heard before. I don’t know how long they kissed. Until Adrian seemed to suddenly regain his senses, his fingertips gently wiping away the dampness from her lips. He re-adjusted his specialized robe, returning to the cold, unapproachable recluse he usually was. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. The pain barely kept me from fainting. I spun around abruptly, silently closing the door, and buried myself under the covers. Outside, the footsteps gradually faded. I knew he had gone back to his study. I closed my eyes. My mind, however, was flooded with images of all the times I had tried to seduce him over the years. I once wore a nightgown as thin as gauze, pretending to trip and fall while he was working on his symbols, only for him to catch me with his palm cushioned by a piece of paper. I deliberately brought him a towel when he was showering, but he opened the door only after wrapping himself completely. I feigned drunkenness and threw myself onto him, but he merely frowned and pushed me away with a single finger. He had never wavered. I thought he was truly without desires. But it turned out, if it was Seraphina, even a single glance could make him lose all self-control. Tears streamed down my face. I fiercely wiped them away. It’s okay. I, Claire Thorne, am not unwanted. From now on, he could have his kindred spirit, and I would live my own life. The next morning, when I went downstairs, Adrian and Seraphina were already eating breakfast. Seraphina touched her lips and grumbled, “Adrian, do you guys have bugs in this house? My lips are all swollen when I woke up.” Adrian’s hand paused as he was serving food. His voice was deep. “I’ll have the house staff get you some cream for it later.” I picked up the gift box on the table. Opening it, I saw a priceless jade pendant. I tugged at the corner of my mouth, my tone a bit sarcastic. “You’re quite generous with your efforts.” Seraphina leaned over to peek, then said sourly, “Adrian, you’re usually this good to Claire? I thought you were just focused on your studies all the time, not even knowing how to spoil someone.” I looked up at Adrian. His eyes slightly narrowed. He had no intention of explaining that the jade pendant was actually compensation for Seraphina hitting my head. Normally, he wouldn’t care what I liked, let alone buy me gifts. He simply gave a faint “Mm” and stood up, saying, “I have something to do at my study. I’m leaving now.” Before he left, he glanced at Seraphina, his voice deepening. “Stay put at home. You can go anywhere in the villa, just don’t go into my study.” “Why not?” Seraphina tilted her head and asked. “There are a lot of things in there. Don’t mess them up,” he casually brushed her off. But I knew. His study hid his most unspeakable secrets. I finished breakfast and went straight back to my room. I didn’t want to spend another second with Seraphina. But when I woke up from my nap and touched my hair, I found my long hair had been cut messily, like a cat had clawed it. I rushed out. Seraphina sat on the sofa, clutching strands of my hair, smiling as she braided something. I instantly understood. “You cut my hair?” My voice trembled like a leaf in the wind. She looked up, smiling defiantly. “Yeah, our school assignment is due, and I’m making a hair accessory.” She twirled the strands of hair in her hand. “Claire’s hair is so beautiful, so black and soft.” I felt a chill run through me. Unable to suppress my anger any longer, I lunged forward and slapped her hard across the face. *Smack!*

The sharp sound echoed through the living room. Seraphina clutched her face, her eyes instantly darkening. “You dare hit me? My brother has pampered me since I was a child, he’s never even touched me. Who do you think you are?” She shrieked, “Someone! Hold her down!” The bodyguards by the door hesitated, then walked in. They glanced at me, then at Seraphina. Seraphina narrowed her eyes. “You work for Adrian. Think about it, who’s more important to him?” The bodyguards were silent for a second. Then they stepped forward and tightly grabbed my arms. I laughed. Laughed until tears streamed down my face. It turned out everyone knew how much Adrian cared about Seraphina. Only I, like an idiot, took five years to realize this colossal joke. Before I could react, Seraphina had already raised her hand. *Smack!* The first slap landed. My face burned with pain. Then came the second, the third… I struggled desperately, my throat hoarse from shouting. “Seraphina, aren’t you afraid Adrian will deal with you when he gets back?” She laughed arrogantly. “Since childhood, he’s cleaned up every mess I’ve made, including beating up his own wife.” She leaned in close to my ear, whispering, “Claire Thorne, remember this: I’m the treasure in his heart.” With that, she landed one slap after another. I struggled like a trapped wild animal, but the bodyguards’ hands were like iron chains. *Smack! Smack! Smack!* Slaps rained down on my face. My mind went blank from the pain, my face felt as if it were on fire. Tears blurred my vision. I could still see Seraphina’s distorted, triumphant face. “How many times did I hit her?” she stopped to ask a bodyguard. “Eighty-eight times,” the bodyguard replied in a low voice. “Then make it a lucky number,” she said, her smile sickeningly sweet. The final slap landed. A metallic taste filled my mouth. My vision went black, and I passed out. In a daze, I heard the door being pushed open. Someone shouted sharply, “What are you doing?!” … When I opened my eyes again, I was in bed. Adrian sat beside me, his expression as calm as if nothing had happened. “I know about today’s incident,” he said, his voice still that cold, indifferent tone. My throat was so dry it felt like it would crack. I asked hoarsely, “And then what?” “Seraphina has been spoiled since childhood,” he said flatly. “I’ve already punished her. Don’t take it to heart.” I stared at him. “How did you punish her?” He paused. He pulled a small lock of hair from his pocket. “She cut your hair, so now she’s cut her own to compensate you.” I froze. Then I burst out laughing, tears streaming down my face. “I got forty stitches, and you ground her for three days? She cut my hair, so you made her cut her own? She slapped me eighty-eight times—did you just give her one back?” His voice remained level. “Her hand swelled from hitting you. That counts as punishment.” I couldn’t stop laughing. My heart felt absurd, like a farcical play. “Adrian, how on earth did I ever fall for you?” He was about to speak. I suddenly grabbed the teacup from the bedside table and smashed it on the floor. “Get out!” I screamed, eyes red. He stood up. His tone was still unhurried. “I know you’re very upset. The doctor said you need to rest properly. Just calm down.” With that, he turned and left. The moment the door closed, I couldn’t hold it in anymore and cried like an idiot.

For the next few days, Adrian surprisingly didn’t go to his study. He stayed at home, and as if sensing my low mood, he even made Seraphina apologize to me, a rare occurrence. Seraphina stood before me. She lowered her head, her apology as perfunctory as if she were reciting lines. “Claire, I’m sorry. I was too impulsive that day.” I gave her a cold glance. Too lazy to engage, I turned and went back to my room. *Bang!* I slammed the door shut. Outside the door, Seraphina flinched. She threw herself into Adrian’s arms, her voice trembling like grass in the wind. “Adrian, she won’t hit me, will she?” Adrian patted her back. His voice was deep, like he was comforting a child. “With me here, no one can touch you.” No sooner had he spoken than a commotion started in my room. It sounded like things were being rummaged through and overturned. Adrian frowned. He raised his hand, intending to knock, but the door was suddenly yanked open by me. I emerged carrying a large box, not even glancing at him, and headed straight for the living room’s trash bin. *Whump!* Everything went in. Adrian’s eyes tightened. The box contained things I’d collected over the years. His casually written symbols, his used teacup, and the only item he’d ever given me—a string of carved wooden beads. I’d practically begged him for those. Now, I threw them all away, like a pile of junk. “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice as cold as frost. I clapped my hands, dusting them off. “Nothing. I don’t want them anymore,” I said flatly. Your things, your presence, I, Claire Thorne, want none of it. With that, I turned and walked away. I didn’t look back. Seraphina watched the scene, a flicker of triumph in her eyes. She deliberately drew out her words. “Adrian, aren’t you going to comfort Claire?” Adrian was silent for a long moment before finally speaking. “No need. She’ll come around. Soon enough, she’ll pick those things back up.” Just like the past five years, I had always clung to him, always loved him. Through the wall, I heard his words from my room. I almost laughed out loud. Wrong, Adrian. You’re wrong this time. That evening, he said he wanted to take Seraphina and me to a charity gala. I didn’t want to go. But he said flatly, “Your friend Maya will be there too. You’ve been cooped up for so long, don’t you want to get some fresh air?” I was silent for a while. Finally, I changed my clothes. Recent events had left me suffocated. I needed to find someone to have a few drinks with. On the way there, I didn’t say a word to either of them. I closed my eyes and leaned back in the backseat, pretending to be asleep. Halfway there, there was a sudden loud crash— *Bang!* Blinding headlights rushed at us. I only had time to see a runaway car heading straight for us. The next second, the world turned upside down. When I woke again, my nose was full of the smell of rust. I struggled to open my eyes and found Seraphina and me tied to two chairs. Our hands were bound behind our backs, and bombs were strapped to our chests. I remembered. Before I blacked out, the people who got out of the car that hit us were the youngest son of the Stone family, Adrian’s corporate rivals. He had kidnapped us. Was he retaliating against Adrian? Seraphina next to me was crying hysterically. Her voice was shrill like a knife. “Help! Is anyone there?! I don’t want to die!” The bomb’s countdown was down to just a few minutes. I forced myself to calm down, my fingers fumbling for the wire. But her wailing was giving me a headache. I spoke coldly, “Why are you crying? If you don’t want to die, hurry up and defuse your own.” She cried even harder. “Don’t yell at me! I don’t know how! Adrian, where are you?! I’m so scared…” Before she could finish, the warehouse door was violently kicked open. Adrian burst in.

His usually immaculate black robes were covered in dust. Blood seeped from his forehead, and his breathing was ragged, as if he’d run dozens of miles. His gaze swept over us, then sharply contracted. It was the first time I’d seen him so disheveled. This man, as cold and composed as a stone statue, actually had moments when he couldn’t catch his breath. He had clearly rushed here himself after the car crash, realizing we were missing, and sending others to search. The bomb had only one minute left. Time enough to save only one. He didn’t hesitate for a second, rushing straight to Seraphina. He crouched down, his fingers rapidly disarming the bomb on her chest. Without lifting his head, he said, “Claire Thorne, I’ll get her out, then I’ll be right back for you.” I smiled. But strangely, I didn’t feel any pain at all. Perhaps when love dies, the heart stops hurting too. He finished disarming Seraphina’s bomb. Only twenty seconds remained on the countdown. Seraphina clutched his arm tightly, trembling so hard she could barely speak. “Adrian! Go! It’s going to explode!” But Adrian pushed her away. He urged her to run first, then turned to disarm mine. I grabbed his hand. And pushed him away forcefully, my voice as calm as if I were talking about someone else’s business. “Adrian, take her and go. From today on, I don’t need you. My life or death has nothing to do with you. I, Claire Thorne, am not unwanted. If you don’t care for me, plenty of others will.” He froze. His eyes looked frozen. Seraphina on the side was crying hysterically. “Adrian! I’m scared! If you don’t leave, I won’t either!” Time ticked by, second by second. If we didn’t leave now, all three of us would die here. At the last moment, he still picked up Seraphina and ran out. I closed my eyes. My fingers fumbled at the bomb. I had taken a demolition class in college and vaguely remembered some things. “Click.” At the last second, I disarmed the wire. But the explosion still came. The heat blast threw me backward. Before losing consciousness, I thought I saw Adrian’s figure turning back. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. My arm ached as if it were being drilled by needles. Adrian sat by the bed. Seeing my eyes open, he immediately pressed me down. “Don’t move. You just had skin grafted for Seraphina.” “…What did you say?” My mind went blank, thinking I’d misheard. He paused. His voice was tinged with rare guilt. “Seraphina’s arm was burned in the blast. She was afraid of scarring, and your skin tone is the most similar to hers, so a piece of your skin was used for her.” I stared at him, utterly disbelieving. “Adrian, did you even ask me?” “I’ll compensate you,” he said, his tone soothing. “Didn’t you always want to go out with me? After you’re discharged…” “Who wants your compensation!” I violently pulled out the needle, blood streaming down the back of my hand. “You can’t treat someone like this!” He froze, as if he hadn’t expected me to react this way. “Seraphina is your precious darling, and I’m just dirt, right?” My eyes were red, my voice trembling. “You just take advantage of the fact that I like you… you just take advantage…” I couldn’t finish. My throat felt clogged. His chest felt heavy. He suddenly remembered what I’d said in the warehouse— [If you don’t care for me, plenty of others will.] He was about to speak. His phone rang. Chapter 7 His assistant’s hurried voice came through: “Mr. Adrian, the jade jewelry set Ms. Seraphina has always wanted is being auctioned tonight in London. Will you be attending…?” He gave a soft “Mm.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298700”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #后宫Harem #重生Reborn

On the third anniversary of Hazel Miller and Julian Thorne’s marriage, Hazel’s sister, Seraphina Hayes, returned from abroad. Hazel wanted to invite her sister over for dinner. But before she could, she overheard Seraphina’s emotional voice from her and her husband’s bedroom. “Seraphina, it’s been three years since I married her, and I’ve listened to you. I haven’t touched her once. When will your test finally end?” “That depends on your performance, darling!” Hazel’s lips trembled, as if she couldn’t believe the two sentences she’d just heard. Three years ago, an arranged marriage between the Miller and Thorne families was set. Seraphina Hayes was originally supposed to marry Julian Thorne. But her sister had told her, “I don’t like Julian. I don’t want to be a pawn in a business marriage. So, you take my place at the altar!” Hazel had grown up in an orphanage and was later taken in by the Millers. Their financial support had allowed her to study all the way through college. To repay their kindness, she agreed to the substitute marriage.

Then, Julian Thorne’s voice continued. “You just wanted to test if I could resist other women’s temptations, right? If you don’t believe me, let her get tested. I swear I haven’t touched her!” “Besides, our marriage certificate is fake. If you’re willing, I can marry you right now!” These words, undoubtedly, shattered all her love for Julian over the past three years. Every moment of warmth and affection turned into a cruel joke! So, everything was fake. The marriage certificate was fake, the love was fake, and even the substitute marriage was fake! She was just an experiment, a tool for her sister to test Julian’s loyalty. She was just a pathetic pawn in her sister’s and her husband’s twisted love game. For three years, she had indeed never shared a room with Julian. Julian had told her he had a medical condition that prevented conjugal relations. From the moment she got married, she decided to love Julian and uphold her wedding vows, staying by his side no matter what. So, she was willing to keep his secret. For three years, her mother-in-law constantly pushed for children, and Hazel, to protect her husband’s dignity, had always claimed it was her own problem. But she never imagined that Julian wasn’t unable to be intimate; he just refused to be intimate *with her*! Julian and Seraphina emerged from the room. The moment Julian saw Hazel, an uncomfortable flicker crossed his face. But he immediately demanded, “Why are you back? Didn’t you say you were going out to buy groceries?” Her nails dug into her palms. Hazel took a deep breath and asked, “Why is Seraphina in my room?” Seraphina smiled sweetly, “What do you mean, sis? Your husband was just showing me your wedding room.” Julian, however, grabbed Hazel’s arm, pulling her aside and scolding, “Seraphina’s finally back. Is this your attitude as a sister? Go buy groceries, now!” Seraphina also came over, taking Hazel’s hand, putting on a show of sisterly affection. “You know what I like to eat, don’t you? Your cooking is the best. I love your dishes!” In the past, if Seraphina said she wanted something, Hazel would be thrilled to learn how to make it for her on the spot. But now, she just felt a suffocating tightness in her chest. “Julian, today is our wedding anniversary,” she insisted, unwilling to let it go. Julian’s brow furrowed deeper. “Wedding anniversaries happen every year. Seraphina’s been abroad for three years and this is her first time back. Can’t you tell what’s more important?” “Besides, she’s your sister. If it weren’t for her, would you even be a Miller? Would you have married me?” Every word Julian spoke felt like a slap across Hazel’s face. Seraphina, however, feigned understanding. “Since it’s your anniversary, if you don’t want to cook, that’s fine. I’ll treat you both to dinner out, how about it?” “Don’t spoil her. This is her duty. And didn’t you say you love her cooking?” Julian then ordered Hazel, “You *must* cook today. Go buy groceries now. And remember to get bamboo shoots; Seraphina loves them most!” That one sentence completely shattered any lingering hope she had. Right, Seraphina loved bamboo shoots the most. She knew, and her husband knew too. How ridiculous that for three years, Julian had never bothered to learn what *she* liked or disliked to eat. She’d thought he was just careless, but it turned out: a willing heart needs no teaching, an unwilling heart will never learn, no matter how much you try. Enough. If everything was fake, what was there left for her to hold onto? After leaving the house, she immediately called her professor. “Professor, I’ve decided to take part in the study abroad program.” The professor on the phone sounded both surprised and delighted. “Why the sudden change of heart? Didn’t you say you wanted to focus on family after marriage?” “There’s no marriage, and no family,” Hazel said firmly. In ten days, she would exit this love game.

During dinner, Julian constantly served Seraphina food. “Seraphina, eat more. Isn’t Hazel’s cooking wonderful?” “Julian, you’re so lucky! You married such a great wife like Hazel. I heard everyone saying you two are a match made in heaven!” She heavily emphasized “match made in heaven,” with a strong hint of jealousy. To appease her, Julian secretly held her hand under the table, gently stroking it. This scene, of course, didn’t escape Hazel’s eyes. She watched their interaction beneath the table with a blank face, but her heart ached so much she could barely breathe. Just two days ago, her husband had shown her affection. Now, he was giving that same affection to another woman. Oh, no, that wasn’t right. Julian never had any real affection for her; it was all a pretense. But it didn’t matter. In ten days, everything would be over. Just then, Seraphina suddenly let out a startled cry, “Ah!!” Then, before Hazel’s eyes, Seraphina broke out in a full-body rash, looking incredibly horrifying! Seraphina’s breathing became rapid, and she cried out in pain, “Hazel, what did you put in the soup? I’m having an allergic reaction!” No sooner had she spoken than Julian shot up, angrily stirring the soup with a ladle. In a moment, he fished out a dried scallop. “Hazel Miller, don’t you know Seraphina is allergic to seafood? Why would you put dried scallops in the soup?” Hazel’s eyes widened, astonished by Julian’s reaction. Julian also realized his reaction was a bit too much. His eyes darted nervously, and he quickly tried to save face. “I… I was just too angry for a moment. Don’t misunderstand. I just didn’t want Seraphina to have an incident in our home. Otherwise, you’d feel guilty, wouldn’t you?” Hazel didn’t expose his lie. Instead, she said, “I didn’t buy any seafood. I don’t know what happened.” “Hazel, what do you mean? Are you implying that I’m trying to frame you?” Seraphina wailed, “Julian, what’s wrong with Hazel? She’s suddenly like a different person. She never used to be like this.” “I didn’t—” “Smack!” Julian slapped her hard across the face, roaring with a fierce expression, “Hazel Miller, you are truly malicious! Seraphina is your sister! Without her, where would you be today? How could you treat her like this?!” Hazel was knocked into the corner of the table by the slap, and blood immediately streamed from her head. But Julian didn’t even glance at her. He scooped Seraphina into his arms and rushed out of the villa. Hazel covered her face, silently shedding tears. Even though she had already known about their relationship, her heart still ached to the point of suffocating. It didn’t matter. She was leaving this place soon anyway. That night, Hazel was packing her things in her room when Julian suddenly burst in, panting. He violently grabbed her hand. “You need to come to the hospital with me right now, to take care of Seraphina!” “But—” Julian saw her packing, narrowed his eyes, and asked, “What are you packing for? Where are you planning to go?” “…Nowhere.” Hazel was dragged to the hospital by him. Seraphina had already woken up but looked a bit weak. “Since you caused Seraphina’s allergic reaction and hospitalization, you’ll stay here and take care of her for me!” Julian ordered forcefully. Then he turned to Seraphina, his voice incredibly gentle. “Seraphina, I have some urgent company matters to attend to. Will you be a good girl and wait for me here?” Her husband’s tender side stabbed Hazel’s heart. Only after he left did she let out a self-mocking bitter laugh. “Seraphina Hayes, you’re not allergic to seafood at all, are you?” Seraphina instantly dropped her weak demeanor, smiling provocatively. “That’s right!” “And what I overheard about you two in the room, that was intentional too, wasn’t it?” “That’s right!” “Why?” Seraphina played with her hair, a malicious smile on her face. “I thought it would be fun. I wanted to see how far Julian would go for me.” A surge of anger rushed through Hazel. She clenched her fists tightly, trembling with rage. To treat her as a piece of their twisted love game, and for the other person to be so brazen about it! But then she remembered the Miller family’s kindness to the orphanage. Hazel swallowed her anger, thinking, *If they want to play, I’ll play this love game with them for the last ten days. Consider it repayment for the Millers’ generosity.* “Want to try?” Seraphina raised an eyebrow. The words had barely left her lips when she suddenly fell from the bed, crashing hard onto the floor. She cried out, “Hazel, I’m sorry! I wasn’t trying to seduce Julian. Please don’t hit me—” Hazel’s eyes widened. Before she could even process what was happening, a sharp, stinging slap landed hard on her face. Julian, who had somehow burst in unnoticed, stood there with a furious expression. “Hazel Miller, have I spoiled you too much, perhaps? First, you intentionally caused Seraphina’s allergy, and now you’re trying to hit her? How can you be so vicious?!” “I—” Before she could explain, Julian kicked her in the back of the knee, snarling, “Get down on your knees and reflect! You won’t stand up until Seraphina is discharged from the hospital!”

Her husband was like a completely different person. Hazel knelt on the floor, large tears silently falling. Faced with such baseless accusations, she had initially wanted to explain, but then she remembered their twisted relationship, and all the words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat. *Forget it.* Whatever she did, she knew it was all part of their game. Why bother with such pathetic efforts? Seraphina was discharged three days later, and Hazel had knelt for three days. Upon returning home, Julian perhaps remembered his role as a loving husband and tried to comfort Hazel. “Hazel, I punished you for your own good. Otherwise, how would Seraphina’s parents see you? Do you want them to withdraw their funding from the orphanage?” “Don’t worry, I’ll always be your husband. As long as you’re obedient, I’ll love you as always.” “Seraphina, after all, is your nominal sister. Can you just be a little more accommodating to her? I believe you can do it. My wife is a generous and kind person!” If she had heard these words before, Hazel would have been moved to tears. But now, hearing them, she only felt like he was treating her like an idiot. For the past two days since they returned, Julian had resumed his act of an affectionate, loving husband, though his performance was even more clumsy than before. Clumsy as it was, it only made Seraphina’s gaze toward Hazel even more venomous. Hazel continued to quietly pack her belongings in her room, admonishing herself not to let those two affect her emotions anymore. Yet, the thought of her three years of devotion being utterly wasted made tears stream down her face, her heart filled with bitterness. Perhaps only the people at the orphanage truly cared for her in this world? Thinking this, Hazel decided to visit the orphanage before she left. The thought of Director Evans and the children at the orphanage brought a flicker of joy to Hazel’s bitter heart. Director Evans had always been wonderful to her since she was little, like a mother. And the children were like her younger siblings. Though an orphan, she had never felt lonely at the orphanage; instead, she had been incredibly happy. The next morning, she quickly tidied her things, composed herself, and prepared to leave. As she went downstairs, she saw Seraphina and Julian playfully bickering. “Julian, look, does this dress look good on me?” “Beautiful, beautiful!” “What about this jacket?” “Beautiful! Everything looks beautiful on you!” Hazel noticed the sofa piled high with shopping bags, all filled with expensive luxury brands. Julian had bought Seraphina many clothes, shoes, and handbags. She couldn’t help but glance at her own outfit, all inexpensive items that cost just a few hundred. Julian had once said he disliked women covered head-to-toe in luxury brands, and that he loved her simple, unpretentious style. Now she saw it was just because he didn’t want to spend money on her. Where there was love, there was money. Julian truly didn’t love her at all. Just then, the two of them noticed Hazel about to walk out the door. Julian frowned. “Where are you going with all those bags?” Hazel answered truthfully, “I… I want to visit Director Evans and the children at the orphanage.” Seraphina feigned innocence, asking, “Oh, why do you need to take so many bags to the orphanage? Hazel, you’re not taking the things Julian bought to give to the orphanage, are you?” “No, it’s not! These are all things I bought myself, just some children’s clothes and shoes!” To prove she wasn’t taking anything from the house, Hazel immediately opened her bag. Inside were indeed children’s clothes and shoes. However, Seraphina then whined, “Julian, what does Hazel mean? What do you mean ‘she bought them herself’? Didn’t you give her the money? And now she’s using your money to buy so many things for the orphanage? How can she be so wasteful?” Julian’s eyes narrowed, and he demanded angrily, “Hazel Miller, have you been using my money to help the orphanage all this time? What do you take me for? An ATM?!” “No, no!” Hazel hurried to Julian, carrying the large and small bags, looking rather disheveled. She said sincerely, “Julian, I didn’t spend much. These clothes and shoes are all very cheap. The children at the orphanage aren’t picky; they can wear these inexpensive clothes!” She then weakly pointed to one of the luxury brand shopping bags on the sofa. “Just one bag of clothes from here would be enough to buy ten bags of children’s clothes and shoes…” Who knew Seraphina would interject again: “Children’s clothes and shoes may be cheap, but no matter how cheap, it’s still Julian’s money, isn’t it? Don’t you think it’s too much to just take his money and buy clothes for the orphanage?” Before, Hazel might have righteously declared she was Julian’s wife, so what if she used his money? But ever since she learned their marriage certificate was fake, she could no longer utter such words. She hung her head, looking embarrassed and humble, asking, “Julian, can I give these clothes and shoes to the orphanage?” Julian’s heart skipped a beat. When had he ever seen Hazel so humble? Perhaps out of reluctance, he was about to agree, but Seraphina interjected again: “Julian, rules are rules. Do you want to raise Hazel to be a wasteful Mrs. Thorne? Whose money just grows on trees?” She paused, then put on a show of magnanimity. “How about this? I’m not stopping you from giving these clothes and shoes to the orphanage. After all, I care about those children even more than you do. But you can’t just spend money without earning it, can you? You need to put in some labor!” “Labor? What kind of labor do I need to put in?” Seraphina pointed to the newly bought clothes. “You can wash all these clothes. But the fabric of these clothes is very delicate, so you’ll have to hand wash them!”

Tears welled up in Hazel’s eyes. She had only ever hand-washed Julian’s clothes. Seraphina’s demand now was clearly meant to humiliate her. “Julian, do you really want me to hand-wash Seraphina’s clothes?” Julian’s tone was cold. “What’s so bad about washing clothes? It’s just as Seraphina said, you just want something for nothing!” The phrase “something for nothing” felt like a harsh slap across Hazel’s face. For three years, to better care for Julian, she had quit her job and devoted herself to being a full-time wife. Though she didn’t work outside the home, she kept their house meticulously organized, ensuring Julian always had a meal ready when he returned from work and neatly ironed clothes to wear when he left. Yet, all this effort, in his eyes, was “getting something for nothing”? Hazel swallowed her heartache and tears, taking a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll earn this money with labor!” She resignedly took Seraphina’s clothes to hand-wash. The icy water, sharp and biting, covered her hands. Tears fell, one by one, into the water. Hazel was sobbing uncontrollably. Just then, she noticed a kingfisher brooch on Seraphina’s clothes, identical to the brooch Julian had given her for her birthday two years ago. Except Seraphina’s brooch was heavier, and the gems on it sparkled with a more brilliant fire. In an instant, a chill spread through her entire body, and her heart felt like it was being slowly flayed. So, everything Julian had given her was fake. His sincerity was fake, their marriage certificate was fake, and even a simple brooch was fake! After washing the clothes, she returned to her room and unhesitatingly threw her own brooch into the trash can. Along with the fake marriage certificate, she tore it into pieces and tossed it into the bin. Hazel handed the washed and dried clothes to Seraphina, saying to both of them coldly, “Can I take the children’s clothes now?” “Ah!!” Seraphina suddenly shrieked, pointing to a barely visible tiny black spot on the clothes. “My new clothes are ruined! How am I supposed to wear them now?!” Hazel quickly interjected, “But the stain isn’t obvious. It doesn’t affect them at all!” “Julian, this is a limited-edition dress you bought for me, and now it’s stained! How can I wear it?!” Julian indulged Seraphina completely, turning to Hazel. “Go wash these clothes again!” “But…” Hazel’s eyes welled with tears, and she gasped, choking out, “I’ve only ever washed *your* clothes before. When have I ever washed anyone else’s?” Perhaps that sentence jogged Julian’s memory, and a flicker of reluctance appeared. He tried to reason with Seraphina. “Seraphina, let’s just forget it. I’ll buy you another one.” Seraphina was furious, but her eyes quickly darted around, and she came up with a new idea. She smiled, looking perfectly understanding. “Hazel, I heard you’re going to a class reunion tomorrow, right? I don’t think you have any nice clothes. Why don’t I give you this dress, so you can make a splash at your reunion tomorrow?” Hazel was too upset to go to the orphanage and instead chose to rest at home for a day. This university reunion was set at a bar. Hazel went to the reunion wearing the expensive dress Seraphina had given her. She had never worn such a fine dress before. It was laughable, really. She’d never realized that Julian, who constantly claimed to love her, hadn’t even bought her a single decent piece of clothing or jewelry. And she, foolishly and happily, had been immersed in that ‘love.’ How pathetic, how pitiful, how ridiculous! At the reunion, everyone was clinking glasses and boasting to each other. Hazel huddled in a corner, silent, trying to make herself invisible. She didn’t want to talk to anyone; mainly, there was nothing to say. Yet, someone still noticed her. “Hey, isn’t that Hazel Miller? I heard you married into a wealthy family and became a socialite?” This single comment immediately drew whispers and gasps from the crowd. She and Julian had kept their marriage quiet, so hardly anyone knew she was married. “No way? Hazel Miller, weren’t you from the orphanage? How could you marry into a wealthy family? She couldn’t possibly be a mistress to some rich guy, could she?” “Hahahahaha! Look how expensive that dress she’s wearing is! How could *she* afford it? She definitely must be a rich man’s mistress!” “Julian Thorne is rich and handsome. Why would he ever look at a woman from Hazel Miller’s background? If you ask me, he and Seraphina, the Miller family’s eldest daughter, are the perfect match! So, Hazel Miller, are you really a mistress?” These malicious words filled Hazel with shame and indignation. She suppressed her emotions and calmly stated, “I’m not a mistress. I am Julian Thorne’s lawfully wedded wife.” However, no one believed her. Just then, someone sharp-eyed saw Julian and Seraphina entering the bar and shouted, “Mr. Thorne, Mr. Thorne, please come over! Hazel Miller here says she’s your wife. Is that true or not?!” Hazel had never so desperately hoped Julian would confirm their marriage. She asked expectantly, “Julian, tell them. Am I your wife?”

Julian didn’t answer. Instead, he fell silent, then chuckled. “What kind of joke is this?” These words plunged Hazel into an icy abyss. She closed her eyes in despair. She knew it. Why would Julian ever come to her rescue? She was merely a tool for Seraphina to test Julian’s loyalty… Although she had long anticipated such a situation, her heart still ached uncontrollably. Her body trembled slightly, and her eyes stung. The surrounding classmates, fueled by his denial, began to insult Hazel even more savagely. “I knew it! How could someone from Hazel Miller’s background be Mr. Thorne’s wife? If you ask me, Mr. Thorne and Miss Miller look like a real couple!” “Exactly! Mr. Thorne and Miss Miller are so perfect for each other—a match made in heaven, truly. Hazel Miller, you have no shame!” Hearing these words, Seraphina demurely covered her mouth and giggled, then exchanged a glance with Julian. They both smiled at each other, appearing incredibly harmonious and well-matched. Hazel’s blood ran cold. Looking at the man and woman before her, tears welled in her eyes. The mockery from the crowd continued. “Hazel Miller, you’re disgusting! To stoop so low and try to latch onto a rich man for money!” “Why choose to be a mistress when there are so many other things you could do? Are all people from orphanages as shameless as you?” “No way? Hazel Miller, you were so good at school back then. Not only do you shamelessly claim Mr. Thorne as your husband, but you’re secretly a mistress? Tsk tsk tsk, having a classmate like you is truly an embarrassment!” These words were like knives, piercing Hazel’s heart. Tears finally streamed down her face. Hazel, strong and resilient, said each word distinctly: “I am not a mistress! I am Julian Thorne’s wife!” But Julian turned his head away, still choosing to ignore her. Hazel closed her eyes again in despair. This was the husband she had been married to for three years, allowing others to falsely accuse her without a single reaction. Just then, a slice of cake suddenly splattered onto her face. The perpetrator smiled maliciously and said, “Calling someone else’s husband your own and being a mistress—how shameless can you be?” As soon as she finished speaking, the other classmates found their outlet, continuously throwing cake and food from the tables onto her body and face. Wine and drinks were all splashed on her. Some even went as far as to tear off her clothes. “How dare a mistress like you wear such expensive clothes?” “Strip off all her clothes! A mistress like Hazel Miller deserves to be punished by righteous people like us!” “Mistresses don’t deserve to wear expensive clothes!!” A class reunion instantly devolved into a bullying session. Hazel’s clothes and dress were quickly ripped to shreds, barely covering her. Her head was even shoved into a cake. She weakly cried out for help to Julian, “Jul… Julian, save… me…” She didn’t know if Julian felt a second of pity, only that he stared blankly at her, still doing nothing, as if watching an irrelevant spectacle. At that moment, Hazel’s heart died completely. Three years of a loving marriage, all turned to dust. Finally, Hazel was taken away by an ambulance. Before getting into the ambulance, she glanced at Julian. Her eyes no longer held any love, only cold resolve. Julian remained stunned, his fingers slightly curled, tips turning pale. He couldn’t explain what was wrong with him, only that he suddenly felt a pang of pity for Hazel. “Julian, what’s wrong?” “Nothing… nothing…” Seraphina’s eyes darkened, then filled with venom. *Hazel Miller, just you wait!* After Hazel Miller returned from the hospital, she was utterly dejected, completely ignoring Julian and Seraphina, not a word or a glance for either of them.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298701”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #后宫Harem #重生Reborn