Category: English

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.

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Everyone in the capital city used to say Aubrey Vance was fortunate, that she’d married a wonderful husband. Caleb Vance, Chief of the Elite Security Task Force, was a rising star. Accomplished and exceptionally capable, he was the man every woman dreamed of. He was cold and distant to everyone, yet his sole tenderness was reserved for Aubrey. But only Aubrey knew that Caleb’s heart had long been claimed by another woman. Aubrey’s eyes were red when she found Serena Harrison outside the State Department. Before she could even speak, her wrist was seized in a death grip. It was Caleb. He dragged her towards their home, his strength frightening. “What kind of scene are you trying to create here? Get in the car, now!” Aubrey struggled. “I need to find Serena, to get to the bottom of what happened to my father all those years ago!” “That case was closed ages ago!” Caleb’s voice was devoid of emotion. “That was a rivalry between their fathers, it has nothing to do with Serena. Stop making things difficult for her!” Aubrey scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her. “I’m not making things difficult for her! I just want the truth! Make her father, Mr. Harrison, come and face me!” “Aubrey, stop making baseless accusations.” Caleb’s brows furrowed into a tight knot. “Serena is a vital diplomatic talent, just returned from studying abroad. She can’t afford any negative publicity!” “Your father’s case was handled by the authorities a long time ago. Why are you still clinging to this? It won’t do you any good.” “I will not let it go!” Aubrey stared into Caleb’s eyes, wanting to say more. He knew how much this festered inside her— *“Slap!”* A sharp, stinging sound. Aubrey’s face was knocked sideways, a fiery pain erupting on her cheek. She looked at him, utterly disbelieving. “You… you hit me? For her?” Caleb looked at his own hand, momentarily stunned, a flicker of regret crossing his face. But he quickly hardened his expression, resuming his righteous demeanor. “If I hadn’t slapped you, how would you have calmed down? Stop being so irrational.” “Serena just returned, and I’ve been assigned by command to protect her. If you cause any more trouble, I’ll have to handle this officially!” That single slap shattered the last vestiges of hope in Aubrey’s heart. Aubrey didn’t argue with Caleb any further. That very night, she took a train back to the county precinct where her father had once worked and submitted a transfer request. Mr. Hayes, an old comrade of her father, was overjoyed to see Aubrey. “Aubrey, I’m so glad you’re transferring back and reopening your father’s badge number! All us old timers are thrilled!” Then his expression shifted, a hint of worry in his voice. “But your husband is with the Elite Security Task Force in the capital. If you come back here, won’t you two be separated?” Aubrey’s hand paused. She offered a dry laugh. “Mr. Hayes, I’ve taken a week off to finalize my divorce.” Mr. Hayes was momentarily stunned but didn’t press further. He simply patted Aubrey’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. All of us here, your uncles and mentors, will look out for you.” Aubrey’s nose stung. She took a deep breath and strode out of the police department. Returning to the home she’d lived in for years, Caleb’s scent still seemed to linger. Aubrey pulled open a drawer and dumped out all the old items inside. Faded photographs, letters he’d written to her, and the bullet casing ring he’d made with his own hands. She was lost in thought when the door burst open with a *bang!* Caleb stormed in, radiating a chilling aura. He snatched the photos from her hand, glaring at her fiercely. “Aubrey! Why did you run back to the county without telling me? Why haven’t you answered my calls for the past two days?” “Are you still obsessed with what happened, looking for your father’s old comrades to go after Serena again?” “I’m telling you, they’re old men. No matter how far they try to reach, I’m in the capital. If they think they can hurt Serena, they’re dreaming!” His eyes were bloodshot as he gripped her wrist, his force so strong it felt like he might crush her bones. Aubrey endured the searing pain in her hand, staring coldly at him, a sarcastic smile twisting her lips. “What’s wrong? Is she feeling guilty? Afraid I’ll uncover something by returning to the county?” Caleb knew she was talking about Serena, and his face darkened further. He thought she was still jealous, still throwing a tantrum. He looked down and saw the red marks his grip had left on Aubrey’s wrist, finally softening his tone. “Aubrey, don’t be like this. While I do have personal feelings for Serena, my primary duty in assisting her is to complete the mission assigned by command. It’s for the country, for…” “Stop using that as an excuse!” Aubrey cut him off directly. “Caleb, aren’t you disgusted with yourself?” Caleb was already at a loss for words, knowing he was in the wrong. He suddenly swept Aubrey into his arms, roughly tossing her onto the bed. The next second, his hot body pressed down on hers. Aubrey’s lower abdomen had just endured a catastrophe; she hadn’t even fully recovered from the miscarriage yet, and her body ached terribly. She struggled with all her might. “Let go of me!” “Caleb, stop pretending you care! Don’t touch me, you make me sick!” Caleb saw Aubrey’s resistance, and anger surged through him. How *dare* she say such things? She used to blush at his slightest touch. Now she found him disgusting? Caleb scoffed. “Stop playing innocent! Isn’t this just because you feel neglected and are trying to get a rise out of Serena? I’ll satisfy you right now!” “It’ll save you from constantly throwing jealous fits and interfering with my work!” Aubrey’s body was incredibly sore; she was no match for Caleb. But even so, she fought back with every ounce of strength. The thought of his tenderness towards Serena made her stomach churn. Just then, the phone by the bed rang, its sound piercing. Caleb’s movements froze. He got up to answer the call, his voice instantly softening. “Serena? What’s wrong? Don’t rush, I’ll be right there.” He hung up, not even glancing at Aubrey on the bed. He grabbed his jacket and rushed out. The door clicked shut, and silence descended upon the room once more. Aubrey lay on the cold bed, dizzy and disoriented. Caleb didn’t return all night, and Aubrey lay there, fully clothed, enduring the entire night. Chapter 3 The next morning, Aubrey changed into casual clothes and went to the police department. Her residency was still registered in the capital, and with her job transferred to the county, her residency would need to be moved as well. Just as she was about to enter the department, Aubrey saw a few familiar figures across the street. Caleb and Serena stood side by side under a large oak tree, with Officer Miller, Caleb’s aide, standing nearby. Even from a distance, Officer Miller’s loud voice carried clearly. “Caleb, you and Serena were so good together back then. Now that she’s come back for you, why don’t you make a move?” Serena hung her head, a faint smile on her lips. Officer Miller pressed on. “Serena studied abroad, she’s a highly educated talent, now a junior diplomat. She’s beautiful, so many people are asking about her!” Caleb’s brows were furrowed, and he was about to speak, but Serena, blushing, spoke first. “Officer Miller, don’t talk nonsense.” “Caleb is married. It wouldn’t be good if Aubrey heard that.” As she spoke, a hint of worry clouded her brow. Officer Miller seemed deeply sympathetic, unconsciously raising his voice. “You don’t understand! He doesn’t have those kinds of feelings for Aubrey. They’re just settling for each other!” Aubrey looked at Caleb from afar. He didn’t refute it. Instead, he abruptly changed the subject. “Enough. It’s more important to take care of Serena’s business. I still have to get back to my post later.” Serena chuckled softly. “You’re truly too kind, both of you.” The three walked side by side, a sight that sent a sharp pang through Aubrey’s chest. Leaving him was a rational decision. But her heart, it was disobedient. It wasn’t like a faucet that could be turned off at will. All she could do was tell herself, *It’s okay. The pain will fade soon.* Aubrey entered the police department first. After greeting her old colleagues, she handed her household registration booklet to the counter. “I want to transfer my residency out of the capital.” No sooner had she spoken than a soft, sweet voice came from behind her. “Hello, officer. I’m here to apply for a residency transfer.” Aubrey turned around, directly meeting Caleb’s deep, unfathomable eyes. His face was devoid of emotion, his voice giving no hint of his feelings. “You’re transferring your residency out?” Caleb was always like this. He wouldn’t ask why she was back in the county, wouldn’t ask why she was transferring out. It was as if any decision she made had nothing to do with him. Aubrey casually retrieved her registration booklet. “Yes.” “You’re processing her transfer in? Perfect. I’m transferring out, making room for her.” Caleb’s gaze darkened, but he said nothing. Aubrey sighed inwardly. He truly didn’t care. Caleb glanced at her casual clothes, remembering her miscarriage, and his voice dropped a few tones. “Your body hasn’t even fully recovered, and you’re causing trouble again? Did you follow me just to argue? Can’t you make a little less fuss?” Aubrey was about to say something when Serena, who had been at the counter, suddenly walked back, looking wronged. “Caleb, the officer at the counter says my documents are incomplete, so I can’t process it.” She saw Aubrey standing beside Caleb and her tone suddenly softened, pleading plaintively. “Aubrey, he’s your colleague. Could you… could you help him out?” “My current department requires capital residency to get official benefits…” She hadn’t finished her sentence before Aubrey cut her off. “I’m sorry, Serena. Rules are rules. They apply to everyone; there are no exceptions.” “Next time, please bring all your documents.” Serena’s eyes immediately welled up, and she stood there helplessly, looking utterly wronged, as if she’d been bullied. Caleb’s brows instantly furrowed into a tight knot. “If she can’t process it, she can’t process it. Do you need to be so rude to her?” Aubrey raised her eyes, her voice slightly hoarse. “Chief Vance, don’t you always say that without rules, there’s no order?” “If one person gets special treatment, then everyone will expect it in the future, right?” Caleb was choked by her words, unable to retort. “This isn’t some major principled matter. Why are you being so aggressive?” “We’re all colleagues. It’s something you could easily handle, so why stick to the rules so strictly?” Aubrey was utterly stunned. Caleb Vance, Chief of the Elite Security Task Force, a man known for his strict self-discipline and rigid adherence to orders, whose private life was as meticulously structured as a ruler. But when it came to Serena, all rules, all principles, simply vanished. Serena, tearful, whispered from the side, “Please don’t argue. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have made such an unreasonable request…” Caleb immediately comforted her. “It’s not your fault.” Aubrey forced a smile. If it wasn’t Serena’s fault, then it must be hers, right? Of course. When you’re not loved, everything you do feels wrong. An indescribable surge of injustice welled up in her throat, and her eyes quickly misted over. She turned and walked quickly towards the inner offices. By the time she finished her paperwork and emerged, Caleb and Serena were no longer in the lobby. Only the murmur of her colleagues’ gossip drifted over. “Did you see her? That was Chief Vance’s first love. She’s really beautiful.” “No wonder Aubrey’s transferring out. Who could stand that?” “What makes that woman better than Aubrey? Aubrey’s amazing, a top investigator at the department!” “You don’t get it. Women who are too strong aren’t good. Men like those soft, sweet ones who can flirt…” Aubrey didn’t dare look up, walking quickly out. She feared someone would see her reddened eyes. She didn’t stop until she reached the main entrance, then she paused, turning to look at the Wall of Honor outside the police department. Her photo hung there, in uniform, looking dashing and resolute, with a long list of awards beneath it. Aubrey looked at her reflection in the photo, wiped away her tears, and whispered to herself. “Aubrey, remember, you became a police officer not to be liked by any man.” “You have more important things to do. Look up, move forward. For your father, you must be strong!” Her dream was to be a good police officer, to uncover the truth behind her father’s unjust case. And then, like her father, to uphold justice, fight evil, and protect the innocent! Aubrey straightened her back and walked out the police department doors. Chapter 4 It was still early, and Aubrey, having left the police department, suddenly didn’t know what to do. In all her years in the capital, her heart had been solely focused on her work and Caleb. She hadn’t really explored the city on her own. She had once playfully tugged on Caleb’s arm, saying she wanted to go boating in Northlake Park, wanted to see the sunset from Hilltop Garden. But Caleb always put her off, citing his busy schedule. Aubrey followed the crowd, unknowingly visiting many places. Northlake Park, Hilltop Garden, the Department Store… All the places she’d wanted to go with Caleb but had been repeatedly refused, she now visited alone, one by one. Aubrey stopped abruptly outside the Culture Palace. Caleb was walking into the movie theater with Serena. The chalkboard outside the cinema announced the day’s screening: *Love on Mount Lushan*. It was a romance film, one she had wanted to see. But when she’d asked Caleb, he’d said, “Given our positions, it’s not appropriate to spend all our time watching these romantic things.” But she hardly ever watched them. Caleb seemed to have forgotten that they had never once been to the movies together. Aubrey leaned against the wall, watching Caleb hand Serena a cream popsicle as they walked in, shoulder to shoulder. She offered a helpless smile. It turned out Chief Vance wasn’t busy; he just wasn’t busy *with her*. It turned out she, his wife, wasn’t allowed any special treatment. Aubrey simply let her mind wander, strolling aimlessly until she found herself home. By the time she pushed open the door, it was half past five. Caleb was already back. In their three years of marriage, his military duties kept him so busy that he’d never been home this early. Aubrey asked, “So early? No need to look after her anymore?” Caleb didn’t answer. Aubrey glanced at the sunset outside the window, speaking to herself. “I walked around a bit today. The capital is really vast!” Caleb flinched, his brows unconsciously furrowing. “We agreed I’d take you when I had time.” Aubrey recalled all the unfulfilled promises and simply chuckled softly. “I realized that many things, I can do by myself.” A peculiar, unidentifiable feeling stirred in Caleb’s heart. He skipped the topic. “Tonight, let’s eat at the classic restaurant downtown. Serena insisted on treating us to dinner.” He added, “A few of my comrades will be there too. It’s not just her and me.” Aubrey’s brow subtly twitched. She didn’t want to go, not at all. She didn’t even care how many people would be at the dinner, or if Serena would be alone with Caleb. “What? You don’t want to go?” Caleb noticed her hesitation, and his tone instantly turned cold. “Serena feels a little bad about today’s incident and genuinely wants to treat you to dinner. You’re unwilling to go?” “Aubrey, are you trying to make us look ridiculous? To make Serena think you’re narrow-minded and still holding a grudge?” “Everyone knows we’re married. How can a wife not attend? Won’t people think you’re bothered by Serena?” “Do you really want to see her talked about behind her back?” Aubrey looked at the pressure in his eyes and finally conceded. “Fine, I’ll go.” Caleb breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing her hair as he often did. “Give me a moment to shower and change.” When Caleb emerged from the room, he had changed out of his uniform. White shirt, black pants, hair still damp, even freshly shaven. He looked incredibly refreshed. Aubrey forced a smile. It seemed not only women primped for those who pleased them; men did too. She remembered once complaining that Caleb’s stubble was scratchy, and he’d lectured her then, telling her to focus on her work. By the time they arrived at the classic restaurant, Serena and the others were already there. Caleb’s comrades were seated in the private room. When they saw Aubrey, they greeted her warmly as “Chief’s wife.” Only Officer Miller was busy pouring tea, seemingly oblivious to her presence. Aubrey didn’t mind and found a seat. Halfway through the meal, a plate of stir-fried chicken chunks was brought out. Serena saw it and naturally served Caleb a piece with her fork. “Caleb, you love this the most. Eat more.” Caleb’s hand, holding his fork, paused. He said in a deep voice, “Eat your own. Don’t worry about me.” He said that, but still put the chicken in his mouth. Serena then seemed to realize Aubrey was present, suddenly looking up with an apologetic expression. “Aubrey, Chief’s wife, please don’t misunderstand, we…” She stopped mid-sentence, her face gradually turning red, looking distressed and unsure how to explain. Aubrey finished her sentence for her. “I know. You two were first loves.” The entire private room fell silent. No one had expected Aubrey to bring it up so directly. Serena’s face turned from green to pale. But Aubrey smiled faintly, as if stating the most ordinary fact. “But that’s all in the past. Now, we’re all comrades, pure and simple. Helping each other, looking out for each other, is only right.” “Let’s eat!” Forks clinked again, but everyone at the table was lost in their own thoughts. Caleb’s eyes were shadowed, lost in thought. Serena also settled down, making no more subtle gestures. After a few rounds of drinks, one of Caleb’s comrades raised his glass. “Come on, it’s rare for Chief Vance and his wife to join us for dinner. Let’s all drink a toast!” Serena coughed lightly, delicately covering her mouth. “Oh dear, I… I can’t drink much. My throat hasn’t been feeling well lately.” Caleb’s gaze immediately fell on her, with a hint of concern. He turned to Aubrey, his tone calm but unyielding. “Aubrey, Serena isn’t feeling well. Please drink on her behalf.” Aubrey’s body stiffened. Drink on her behalf? She had just had a miscarriage, her lower abdomen still ached, and her body hadn’t fully recovered. He was actually asking her to drink for Serena! Aubrey’s face paled. She looked at Caleb, searching for a trace of hesitation or pity in his eyes. But Caleb’s eyes held only Serena. “Drink it. I know you can handle your liquor. Is it so hard to help Serena?” he spoke again, his voice deeper. Seeing this, the other comrades also started urging her to drink. Aubrey’s hand trembled as she picked up the glass. Under everyone’s gaze, she tilted her head back and downed it. The pungent liquor slid down her throat, burning her esophagus, and her heart. As soon as the alcohol hit her stomach, she immediately felt dizzy, and her stomach began to ache. The comrades around them exchanged glances, the atmosphere becoming even more subtle. They had expected Aubrey to cause a scene, but she had drunk it down so readily. Caleb ignored his wife’s pale face, pouring a bowl of soup for Serena. “You haven’t been well lately. This soup is good for you, drink more.” Serena’s lips curved slightly. “Mmm, Caleb, you’re still as thoughtful as ever.” Aubrey swayed, almost falling. She clenched her hands tightly under the table, her nails almost digging into her palms, finally regaining her composure. After dinner, Serena suddenly smiled and invited everyone. “It’s still early. Why don’t you all come over to my place for a bit?” She added, a little shyly, “Actually, today is my birthday.” “I was afraid you wouldn’t want to come, so I only dared to say it now.” Everyone chuckled and agreed to go. Caleb, without asking Aubrey’s preference, pulled her along with him. Upon arriving at Serena’s apartment, while she was in the back room boiling water, Caleb walked over to Aubrey. He lowered his voice, with clear reproach. “Aubrey, you shouldn’t have said those things at the dinner table earlier.” “Serena isn’t married yet; how will she face people later? You embarrassed her so much, and she’s a sensitive person…” “How many times do I have to tell you? Your fathers’ old feuds are their business. It has nothing to do with her. Stop deliberately making things difficult for her!” Aubrey looked into his eyes and asked very seriously, “So, do I need to apologize to her?” Caleb was silent for a moment, then his tone softened, but his words were even more hurtful. “Yes.” “Not only do you need to apologize, but I also hope you’ll talk to her and comfort her. She must be very upset right now, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.” In an instant, a thick layer of mist clouded Aubrey’s eyes. She suddenly let out a soft laugh, but a clear sniffle came with it. “Caleb, do you remember what day it is today?” Chapter 5 Caleb frowned, asking confusedly, “What day?” Today was her father’s death anniversary. He didn’t remember. Aubrey shook her head, a smile still on her lips. “Never mind.” “Caleb, let’s get a divo—” Her words were abruptly cut off by a sharp scream. Serena’s hot water kettle *clanged* to the floor, splashing scalding water onto her foot. Before Aubrey could react, the man beside her had already rushed past everyone. Caleb was known for his composure. But at this moment, the panic in his eyes was something Aubrey had never seen. He didn’t even wait for someone to bring the car, instead bending down to scoop Serena into his arms and striding rapidly towards the nearest hospital. At the hospital, a group of people crowded around Serena like stars around the moon. “It’s nothing serious, just a minor burn. Apply some ointment, and it’ll heal in a few days.” Caleb, who had been guarding the door of the hospital room, finally let out a sigh of relief when he heard the doctor’s words. A nurse helped Serena walk away. Caleb strode over to Aubrey, who was in a corner, his face as cold as ice. “Aubrey, come with me.” Aubrey was silent for a moment, then looked up. “Caleb, I have something to say to you.” Caleb frowned deeply, his eyes cold. “Whatever it is, say it later.” “Right now, come inside with me and apologize to Serena.” Aubrey flinched, staring at him in disbelief. “Apologize? Why should I apologize?” “Did I push her? Did I scald her? She couldn’t hold the kettle herself, and that’s my fault too?” Caleb’s eyes became even more accusatory. “You’re still being sarcastic!” “If you hadn’t said those things at dinner, making Serena distracted, how would she have gotten hurt?” “Go and admit your mistake to her. It might make her feel better.” Aubrey’s hands trembled slightly as she countered, “So you think her injury is my fault?” Seeing Aubrey’s pale face, Caleb felt a pang of guilt, but thinking of Serena, he hardened his expression again. “If we’re to trace the cause, you also bear some responsibility.” “Go apologize. Whatever you want to say to me, I’ll listen seriously later.” Aubrey stared fixedly at Caleb, and a laugh escaped her, but there was no mirth in her eyes, only tears that streamed down her face. Caleb had never seen Aubrey like this. He instinctively reached out to wipe her tears. But Aubrey sharply turned her head, avoiding his hand. “Yes, I was wrong.” “I shouldn’t have been foolish enough to marry a man who didn’t love me at all.” Caleb tried to step closer, but she stopped him with a raised hand. “Don’t come near me.” Between them, it was as if an unbridgeable chasm had opened. “Caleb, let’s get a divorce.” She laughed freely. “It’s time for me to pay for my mistakes.” After she spoke, she saw a momentary blankness and helplessness on Caleb’s face. It took him a long time to find his voice. “Aubrey, don’t say things you don’t mean.” “If you don’t want to apologize to Serena, then don’t. Just don’t be like this.” Aubrey smiled, her eyes misty with tears. “I’ve never been more serious than I am right now.” Even at this point, he still thought she was saying it out of anger. He truly had never understood her. “Let’s go home and talk, okay?” Caleb’s voice held an urgency he hadn’t even noticed himself. “You must have misunderstood something…” Aubrey closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, they were clear. “Alright, let’s go back first.” She also didn’t want to make a scene in a hospital, for all to know. His status was special; a divorce required his consent and military approval before paperwork could be processed. Just as they were about to turn, Officer Miller’s voice suddenly came from behind them. “Caleb, where are you going? Serena is looking for you.” Caleb paused, then frowned and looked back. “Tell her I’ll see her tomorrow.” No sooner had he spoken than Serena’s muffled sobs and screams erupted from the hospital room. Caleb didn’t hesitate for a second, turning and rushing inside. Aubrey smiled, her face showing indifference. She turned around, tilted her head back slightly, and forced the mist from her eyes. Tears, like anything else, had their worth. If no one cared, they were shed in vain. Chapter 6 Aubrey returned home alone. This home, which she had personally decorated and once believed she’d live in forever, now felt like an ice-cold vault.

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The coastal breeze whipped Scarlett’s wedding gown around her as she embraced her childhood friend, Julian. The crowd around them chanted in unison, “Marry them! Marry them! Marry them!” Julian looked at Scarlett with a gaze so full of adoration it twisted something inside me. He knelt on one knee, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. Clutching my aching chest, I turned and walked away. “Honey, I’m back!” “This business trip absolutely killed me.” Scarlett burst through the door two nights later, rushing towards me the moment she stepped inside. If I hadn’t been on the same business trip, if I hadn’t seen her and Julian intimately dressed in wedding attire with my own eyes… Perhaps, I might still believe that her entire world revolved around me as she ran into my arms. I sidestepped, avoiding her embrace, my face a mask of indifference. Scarlett’s steps faltered. A flicker of annoyance crossed her eyes. “Honey, why the long face? Are you upset because I was gone for too long?” She put on a sweet act, her arms gently opening, trying to melt into my embrace, just like she’d done countless times before. I remained silent. Before, whenever she’d pull that hurt, sweet act, I’d drop everything instantly, my world revolving around her. But now, I just sat there, unmoving. Scarlett’s face crumpled with feigned hurt, her eyes slowly welling up. “Honey, why are you treating me like this?” Her voice cracked, as if I were the one who had wronged her. “I have things to do. I’m going to rest.” Instead of heading to our bedroom, I turned towards the guest room. I barely stepped inside before Scarlett followed. She wrapped her arms around my arm, her soft body pressing against me. “Hmph, I even bought you a gift! And you’re giving me the cold shoulder the moment I get back?” With that, she held up an exquisite gift box. “Look! I bought you a watch. Do you like it?” She opened the box as she spoke, revealing an expensive men’s watch. But I knew this watch all too well. It was from a series I particularly liked, and Julian, who constantly tried to one-up me, had also expressed his admiration for this exact model to Scarlett. Scarlett had even promised to get him one for his birthday. Just this morning, I’d seen a photo Julian posted on his Ins story. He was wearing another, even more expensive watch from the same series, with a caption boasting that Scarlett had specially picked it out for him. Another photo showed a discarded watch in a trash can. It was the exact one Scarlett was holding in her hands. “Is it appropriate to give me something Julian threw away?” I asked, my voice chillingly cold. Scarlett’s face instantly paled. She quickly stammered, “I’ve always treated Julian like a brother. Giving him a watch… you’re not really upset about that, are you?” “I’m not particularly bothered, I just want a divorce,” I stated calmly. Scarlett froze, her face etched with disbelief. In the past, even if she’d just been angry and said she didn’t want to talk to me, I couldn’t bear it. But this time, I was the one suggesting divorce. “Liam, do you even know what you’re saying?!” Scarlett’s voice shot up, a clear tremor in her last words. “You want to divorce me over *this*?!” Her tone was a mix of anger and bewilderment. “It’s just a watch! Even if the one I gave you was discarded by him, it’s still worth a lot! I was willing to spend millions on you, and you’re still angry?” I couldn’t help but want to laugh. When did our relationship start being measured by money? She was always like this, never thinking she was in the wrong. If she couldn’t argue with me, she’d blame everything on me. I glanced at her dispassionately, unable to say anything more. “You’re absolutely beyond reasoning with!” she spat, then stood and left the guest room. I stood there, looking out at the bright sunny day, my thoughts drifting back a few years. I remembered how we met. It was outside a shopping mall. I was working a part-time promotional gig for the mall, wearing a uniform and a bunny ear headband because they thought I had ‘the look’. I was handing out flyers when I saw a few sleazy guys harassing Scarlett, their hands reaching for her face. No one around seemed willing to step in. Without hesitation, I rushed over and punched one of the jerks to the ground. But they outnumbered me. To protect Scarlett, I took some hits. Finally, my head was struck by a stick, and I blacked out. The thugs fled. Through the haze, I felt Scarlett cradling me, crying out amidst the noisy crowd. She was so gentle, so soft. She was the first person who had ever cried for me. Chapter Two After that day, I was left with lingering effects – occasional headaches in stressful situations. But I never regretted it. Because in my heart, she was the one worth fighting for, worth protecting with everything I had. Later, Sinclair Corp. came to our university to recruit, and Scarlett personally hand-picked me.

From the start, I knew Scarlett chose me only to repay a favor. And to avoid any rumors about her, I poured all my passion and effort into my work. Professionally, we were clearly defined as boss and subordinate. But in private, she loved calling me “Mr. Bunny,” and would always pester me for piggyback rides, saying that being carried by me was when she felt safest. Later, we naturally fell for each other. But Scarlett’s family elders didn’t approve. She fought fiercely against her family’s wishes, and that’s how our marriage came to be. The Sinclairs’ precious daughter marrying me, a man from an ordinary background, was seen as settling for less and an embarrassment in their eyes. So, we had no lavish wedding, just a quiet ceremony at City Hall. In public, I couldn’t even stand too close to her, as her family worried it would damage their reputation. With my work abilities and achievements, I should have been promoted to Department Head long ago, but the Sinclairs adamantly opposed it, keeping me as a low-level employee. For Scarlett, I endured all of it. She said that outside, she could be the formidable CEO Scarlett, but at home, she wanted to be my sweet girl. I thought we would live happily ever after. Until three months ago, when Julian returned from overseas. Scarlett took me to pick him up at the airport. The moment they reunited, Scarlett actually threw her arms around Julian in a tight embrace. In front of the bustling crowd, Julian excitedly swept Scarlett into his arms and spun her around. Anyone watching would have thought they were long-lost lovers reuniting. Scarlett, fearing my jealousy, quickly explained that they were childhood friends, and she saw Julian as a younger brother. Julian, knowing how to play the game, called me “bro” like we were best friends and even brought me a gift. At the time, I was foolishly naive and didn’t think much of it. Soon after, Julian joined the company. Despite knowing nothing about the business, he begged Scarlett to make him a Director. Scarlett knew that position meant everything to me, yet she still gave it to Julian. From then on, the two of them were inseparable at the company, both in public and private, appearing uncomfortably close. Though I felt uneasy, I believed Scarlett whenever she offered an explanation. Until that day, when I saw her in a wedding gown, embracing Julian tightly, and facing the crowd’s shouts of “Marry them!” She didn’t even object, not even a single word of explanation or an attempt to distance herself. I loved her, but I couldn’t love her to the point of losing myself and my dignity. My heart was completely dead. I wanted a divorce. I don’t know how long passed before I fell into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by a familiar scent. “Honey, I’m starving. Can you make me breakfast?” Scarlett’s nose gently brushed my cheek. I pushed her face away. This face, which once mesmerized me, now filled me with disgust. Scarlett stumbled, nearly falling. Her brow furrowed. “Are you serious? You threw a tantrum yesterday, and I came here specifically to make up, to give you an out, and you push me away?”

I ignored her, silently getting up and heading to the bathroom. Scarlett called after me, “Liam, what is your attitude? I’m not going to argue with you this time, but if you ever do that again, I’ll…” “You’ll what? Divorce me? Fine. Let’s go to City Hall right now.” “Are you out of your mind? When did I ever say I wanted a divorce?” “Liam, what’s gotten into you? You’ve been acting weird since yesterday!” Scarlett finally lost her composure, her emotions erupting. I gave her a cold glance. “Didn’t you and Julian already make your intentions clear on the beach?” Scarlett froze, her expression instantly flustered. Her words tumbled out disjointedly. “You couldn’t possibly know! I already had PR delete everything from that day!” “I was there that day. I saw it all with my own eyes.” “I saw Julian holding you tight, the crowd chanting for him to marry you, him kneeling, and you smiling back at him. Everything you both did, I saw it all.” “No, it’s not like that!” “Listen to me, honey, there’s a misunderstanding! Julian and I…” Chapter Three “Enough! No explanation is needed. I don’t care what his reason was, even if he was dying – if you had any respect for me, you wouldn’t have agreed to such inappropriate requests!” Scarlett’s face hardened. “I don’t need to explain myself, because to me, Julian is just a friend. I swear, I have never betrayed you!” “Emotional infidelity is still infidelity, Scarlett. Whether it’s a lingering glance or a physical act, the color of betrayal still feels the same to me.” I said calmly, “Scarlett, we’re getting a divorce. You should prepare yourself.” With that, I turned and left. Upon arriving at the office, I immediately immersed myself in work. Even though our department revolved around me, my workspace was cramped, a constant reminder of my undervalued position. I wanted to leave, but I couldn’t. I had signed an agreement that prevented me from resigning before the project was completed, or I would face severe consequences. Just then, a man approached. It was Kevin, Julian’s assistant. Kevin casually tossed a folder onto my desk, saying arrogantly, “Liam, your design draft was rejected. You’re paid so much, yet you can’t even handle a simple task? What exactly do you do around here?” He was Julian’s lackey, constantly finding ways to provoke me. Afterward, Julian would play the good cop, then go to Scarlett to score points, taking every opportunity to belittle me. I was used to it and ignored him. The design draft I’d given Julian was just a throwaway. He had no authority to decide on truly important projects. Suddenly, I felt a sudden splash. Kevin had picked up my water bottle and poured the entire contents over my head. “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me talking!” Even the calmest person would lose their temper. I barely stood up when a searing pain shot through my head. I fumbled in my pocket for my medicine bottle but couldn’t find it anywhere. “What’s with this reaction? Saying a few words and you’re already faking an illness? Pathetic for a grown man!” Kevin sneered. My colleagues froze, too scared to intervene. Kevin was known for making people’s lives hell. “What’s going on?” Julian walked in. Kevin immediately fawned over him. “Mr. Julian, you see? I just said a few words to Liam, and he poured water on himself to fake being sick.” Julian smiled, feigning concern while subtly twisting the knife. “Liam, as a key technical expert, professionalism is essential. Faking illness is not good behavior.” He took two steps closer, leaning in and whispering in my ear, “Headache acting up again, huh? When are you finally going to drop dead, Liam? Hurry up and die, so I can be with Scarlett, haha.” “You!” The headache intensified, and I collapsed onto my desk. A female colleague, Chloe, seeing my distress, rushed over to help me find my medication. She quickly located the pill bottle and bent down to put the medicine in my mouth. However, Kevin suddenly grabbed Chloe’s head, forcing her face towards mine, making it look like she was kissing my cheek. Then he shoved her, sending her tumbling right into my arms. “What are you doing?!” Scarlett’s furious voice suddenly echoed, like a wife catching her husband cheating.

That was Julian’s calculating move. Seeing Scarlett approach, he deliberately set me up. This way, the usually assertive Scarlett would get angry. And he, in turn, could seize the opportunity to console Scarlett. I had no energy to explain, but Chloe had kindly helped me. My silence would only drag her down with me. “I’m not feeling well. She was helping me find my medicine,” I said, standing up, trying to explain. Kevin, seeing his chance, eagerly spun a false narrative. “CEO Scarlett, don’t let Liam trick you. I just walked by, and he was harassing a female colleague!” Scarlett’s face instantly darkened. She gave me a cold glare, then turned to Chloe for confirmation. “Is that true?” Chloe looked flustered. Kevin stood nearby, threatening her with his eyes. She gritted her teeth, clearly torn, and then gave me an apologetic glance. “Yes…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. I sighed, understanding her difficult position. “Liam, how could you do this?” Scarlett’s tone was filled with disappointment. “Even if you’re a key technical expert, you can’t just harass my female employees!” Julian feigned a sigh beside her. “I heard you’re married. Imagine how heartbroken your wife would be if she found out.” I had just taken the medicine, feeling a slight relief, but this argument made me feel unwell again. “I’m really not well. I need to go to the hospital immediately.” I struggled to take a step. But Kevin reached out to block me. “You can’t leave. Who said you could just walk out?” “Let go of me!” I forcefully struggled out of his grip, accidentally falling to the ground. I noticed Julian’s foot subtly pulled back, and it clicked instantly. Chapter Four “Liam, you’re such a faker. You always play the tough guy, but now you’re suddenly so fragile?” Kevin sneered. Julian, meanwhile, feigned concern. “Don’t just stand there, someone help Liam up.” But Scarlett coldly ordered, “No one move! If he likes pretending to be sick, let him pretend!” I gasped, the searing pain in my head making it almost impossible to breathe. I could only weakly whisper, “Please… call an ambulance…” Scarlett paused. “What’s he saying?” Kevin immediately twisted the facts. “CEO Scarlett, he’s actually cursing you out…” “Enough!” Scarlett snapped, cutting Kevin off. Just then, Chloe bravely stepped forward to clarify. “CEO Scarlett, he’s saying to call an ambulance! Liam suffers from severe headaches; everyone in our department knows.” Scarlett finally realized. She quickly ordered, “Get him to the hospital! Now!” Kevin still tried to stir trouble. “CEO Scarlett, don’t worry, he’s definitely faking it.” “You shut up!” Scarlett glared at Kevin. The pungent smell of hospital disinfectant was the first thing that brought me back. By my bedside, Scarlett and Julian were practically glued together, heads bent in conversation, their faces alight with an inappropriate intimacy. I silently shifted. Julian was the first to notice I was awake. He suddenly put on a pained expression, his body gently twitching. “Julian, what’s wrong?” Scarlett asked, clutching him anxiously. “Sister Scarlett, my chest feels so tight, like I can’t breathe.” Julian said weakly. “I’ll get the doctor!” Scarlett hastily stood up, her gaze sweeping over me for only a brief moment before she hurried away. The doctor soon arrived. Seeing that I was also awake, he started to ask about my condition, but Scarlett cut him off. “Doctor, don’t mind him. Please check on my brother first, he’s in worse shape!” I smiled bitterly. This was the woman who swore to spend her life with me. The nurses wheeled Julian away, Scarlett following closely, never once looking back at me. I shook my head, my resolve for divorce strengthening further. I forced myself to sit up and left the hospital alone, returning home. I grabbed a bite to eat, then started packing my belongings. A little later, Scarlett also returned home. She rushed into the bedroom. Seeing me still there, her expression softened slightly. “Honey, are you feeling better? Is your head still hurting?” she asked gently. I truly wanted to laugh. She had abandoned me to take care of her “dear brother,” and now she asked this question? Didn’t she find herself ridiculous? Such an act! I gave her a cold glance, continuing to pack my clothes. “Scarlett, at the hospital, your choice said it all. Stop pretending.” “Liam, don’t say that. I really was worried about you,” Scarlett’s voice held a hint of panic. “Scarlett, from the moment we met until now, I’ve never asked you for anything. But now, I’m begging you, release me. Let’s get a divorce.” “No! I only ever loved you!” Scarlett hugged me from behind, her face pressed against my back. “In your heart, Julian is more important than I am. Even strangers could see there was something going on between you two.” I pried her hands away and turned to face her. “Let’s get a divorce. That way, you two can be together without any qualms.” Just then, the doorbell rang. Julian, dressed in a hospital gown, appeared at the door, looking extremely fragile. “Sister Scarlett, I was scared being alone at the hospital. Can I stay here tonight?” he asked cautiously. Scarlett looked at him, surprised and full of sympathy, then turned to me. “Liam, Julian is scared. Let him stay for one night.” I laughed. “So he gets to pretend to be sick and needs comfort, but I, who am actually dealing with a medical condition, am just supposed to fend for myself? Is that it?” “Whatever. We’re getting divorced anyway.” I picked up my suitcase, ready to leave. Scarlett grabbed me, pleading, “Liam, don’t be like this. Julian is just sick and wants to feel safe. Do you really have to get a divorce over this?” “Scarlett, whether he came tonight or not, divorce is inevitable. Besides, he’s not an orphan, does he not have his own home? Why does he have to come here?” I said coldly. Chapter Five “Sister Scarlett, Liam, please don’t fight. I’ll just go.” Julian feigned an attempt to leave. “You’re not going anywhere!” Scarlett stopped him sternly, then glared at me. “Liam, I’m letting Julian stay here. Do you have a problem with that?” “I have no problem, because we’ve already decided to divorce,” I said calmly, unwilling to argue further. Scarlett stomped her foot in anger. “Why are you so stubborn? I love you, Liam! Julian is just my brother!” I let out a soft laugh. “Scarlett, I’ll give you a choice. Send him away and promise to cut off all contact, and I won’t bring up divorce again. Otherwise, agree to the divorce.” Scarlett was torn. Julian couldn’t help but complain, “Bro, why are you so petty? You’re seriously jealous of me?” “Don’t mind him!” Scarlett said softly to Julian, then glared at me. “Liam, don’t be so unreasonable!” I shook my head and turned to leave, my heart feeling nothing. At this time of day, the sounds of families having dinner echoed from every household in the neighborhood. Watching the warm lights and hearing the sounds, I thought back to all my moments with Scarlett, all the love and promises we once shared, now all empty. Ever since Julian came back, everything had changed. She was no longer my Scarlett. The moment I saw her in a wedding gown, intimately intertwined with Julian, I completely gave up on her.

The next day, I went to work as usual. I needed to finish this project quickly so I could leave Sinclair Corp. sooner. Soon after I arrived, Kevin appeared at my desk again. He stood with his arms crossed, smugly saying, “Liam, how do you still have the nerve to show up at work?” I put down my pen and leaned back in my chair, responding as calmly as possible: “I’ll submit my resignation after I finish this project, which I’m sure Julian would be happy about. So, if I were you, I wouldn’t cause trouble right now. Instead, you should help me finish this project efficiently.” Kevin paused, clearly realizing my words weren’t empty threats. But then, he sneered: “But I think if you can’t finish the project and leave, your reputation in the industry will be ruined, and it’ll be tough to find another job. Mr. Julian would probably prefer that outcome, wouldn’t he?” As he spoke, he reached out to touch me. I grabbed his wrist and twisted hard, then kicked him. He cried out and fell to the floor. I grabbed the water bottle from my desk and smashed it against his face. “Your mouth just loves to run, doesn’t it?” “You want to mess with me? Don’t you know who you’re dealing with!” “Do you really think being Julian’s lapdog means you can bark at everyone?” I spoke with force, each word seeming to accompany a crack against his teeth. Design department colleagues heard the commotion and gathered, but no one stepped forward to stop me. Kevin usually lorded his power over everyone, and he’d made many enemies, but everyone was too scared to speak out. Soon, Julian rushed over, his face pale, shouting, “Call the cops! Why are you all just standing there? Call the cops!” “Security? Get over here and restrain Liam!” Julian was clearly terrified. I was known for my calm demeanor, and no one had ever seen this violent side of me. “Don’t call the police!” Scarlett suddenly stormed through the crowd, her tone sharper with Julian. “Calling the police will affect the company’s image!” “But CEO Scarlett, Liam attacked me!” Julian protested. Scarlett took a deep breath and looked at me. “Liam, I didn’t realize you were so violent…” “From the first day he joined, he’s constantly caused me trouble. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, so I just recorded our conversation. You can listen for yourself.” I calmly opened my phone and played the recording of Kevin and me. Scarlett’s expression instantly became complicated. She even glared at Julian, realizing he was behind all this. I stood up and met Scarlett’s gaze. “Being targeted like this every day, if I kept letting it happen, I might as well just resign. So, do you still think this is violence? I’m just defending myself!” “Hmph, you didn’t ‘tolerate’ anything. I think you’re the most vicious one,” Julian sneered from the side. I pointed at him. “Shut your mouth! If I wasn’t vicious, how do you think I protected Scarlett from those thugs back then, fighting off several of them alone? My condition is a result of that day!” At these words, the whole office erupted. No one had known about that part of Scarlett and my past. Someone whispered, “What exactly is the relationship between Liam and CEO Scarlett?” I didn’t answer, just looked at Scarlett, waiting for her reaction. Chapter Six Scarlett took a deep breath, and to everyone’s surprise, she took my hand and said, “I am Liam’s wife. We’ve been secretly married for years. We didn’t make it public because he didn’t want special treatment.” At these words, the whole office erupted. Kevin, lying on the floor, also stared wide-eyed, terrified. But I pulled my hand away, stating calmly, “CEO Scarlett is right, but we are indeed getting a divorce soon, and I’ll be resigning once this project is complete. So, everyone can just pretend nothing happened.” This time, the shock in the room reached its peak. They couldn’t understand why I would divorce Scarlett. I ignored Scarlett’s pale face, crouched down, and patted Kevin’s cheek: “Here’s a lesson for you, Kevin. When your boss tells you to target someone, you’re just a disposable pawn. You’ve already made yourself dirty.” I turned to Julian. “Mr. Julian, shouldn’t Kevin be fired?” Julian gritted his teeth. “Kevin is my assistant. He’s very capable. I won’t…” But Scarlett cut him off. “Fire him. Immediately.” I stood and looked at Julian. “Sinclair Corp. doesn’t tolerate scandals. A project director instructing his assistant to bully a key technical expert—that would cause too much damage if it got out.” Julian trembled with anger, but was speechless. I added, “But I guess it doesn’t matter. You have the capital to be reckless, don’t you? Who can resist a man as popular with women as you?” At that moment, Julian’s face visibly drained of color, then turned a furious shade of crimson. He froze, his lips trembling slightly. It was clear he wanted to say something, but before he could, Scarlett’s icy glare stopped him. Helpless, he could only glare at me with seething hatred. In his infinite rage, this seemed to be his only outlet. I ignored him, turned back to my desk, and opened my computer to continue working. The sooner this project was done, the sooner I could leave this place. Aside from us, the direct participants, the other employees stared wide-eyed, utterly bewildered. The entire office was thick with tension and unease. “CEO Scarlett, if there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.” Julian forced a smile, greeted Scarlett, and turned to leave. The atmosphere in the office was clearly not to his liking. “Mr. Julian.” Just then, Scarlett called out to Julian’s retreating back, breaking the awkward silence in the office. “CEO Scarlett, do you have any other instructions?” Julian stopped, a wide smile plastered on his face as he looked at Scarlett. Scarlett stood there, her gaze lingering on me for a moment before she looked at Julian and said coldly: “Mr. Julian, due to your staffing error and the negative impact it has had on the company, I’ve decided to suspend you. You can go home tomorrow and rest.” 6. **Boom!** Scarlett’s voice wasn’t loud, but it still sparked a small murmur of discussion in the quiet office. Everyone looked at Scarlett and Julian in astonishment. No one had expected Scarlett to impose such a severe punishment on Julian. Julian stood frozen for a long moment, then looked at Scarlett, his face incredulous. “Scarlett, are you crazy? You’re suspending me for *this* incompetent waste of space?” “Incompetent waste of space? What gives you the right to call him that?” Scarlett sneered at Julian, then said with a stern face: “Liam is Sinclair Corp.’s technical core. The entire company’s operations are built upon the foundation Liam established. The company can exist without a Director, but it cannot exist without Liam.” At that moment, Julian was so choked by Scarlett’s words that he couldn’t speak. He stared intently at Scarlett, frozen for a few moments, before finally gritting his teeth and nodding heavily: “Fine, since CEO Scarlett has made her decision, I respect the company’s punishment.” “Good. Suspension is indefinite. Go home and wait for further notice.” Scarlett’s expression was cold, her icy gaze more chilling than a summer air conditioner. Julian looked at the cold Scarlett, clenching his fists tightly. Then he abruptly turned, pushed through the crowd, and left the office in disgrace. Though I had heard their conversation and knew Scarlett was doing this to get back at him for me, I didn’t look up at either of them, my fingers still rapidly tapping on the keyboard. I understood that Scarlett’s actions, while ostensibly defending me, were actually a way to manipulate me. Chapter Seven For my sake, she could make anyone in the company leave. That way, if I ever wanted to leave the company, I would be painted as the villain. Scarlett didn’t bother me again. Instead, she walked over to my side, the earlier coldness melting from her face as she looked at me with a warm smile: “Liam, don’t forget the family dinner my parents arranged. Make sure you’re not late.” “Scarlett, don’t put on a show for everyone here. I told you we’re getting a divorce. You don’t need to do this.” I still didn’t look up, my voice flat as I rejected her enthusiasm. To prevent myself from being emotionally manipulated again in the future, I had to make my stance clear now. Hearing my answer, Scarlett visibly froze for a moment, even her breathing hitched. But only for a moment. Her face quickly returned to its warm expression. She leaned in gently and whispered in my ear: “Honey, this entire company is your life’s work. Can you really bear to abandon the empire you built with your own hands just for your stubbornness? And you have a team, you have colleagues who fought alongside you. Can you bear to see them lose their livelihoods because of you?” At that moment, I, who thought I could face all this calmly, felt my heart twist with a familiar ache. She was right. Those were the things I cared about most. It seemed my guess was right. She was resorting to emotional manipulation. My fingers paused on the keyboard on my desk. After a moment, I nodded heavily: “Whatever you say.” After these few soft words, my fingers once again tapped the keyboard, and I continued working without looking up. Nothing lasts forever, and I had to take responsibility for my own future. I didn’t want to live like this anymore. Seeing my resolve, Scarlett said no more. She stood up and turned to leave. Her heels clicked crisply on the floor, echoing through the office. *Tap, tap, tap…* At that moment, it was like a predator marking its territory, declaring its dominance to everything around. 7. During lunch, the atmosphere in the office remained incredibly tense. Everyone seemed to be still reeling from the morning’s events. My colleagues dared not speak, only occasionally glancing my way, their eyes filled with a thirst for gossip. “Liam, are you and CEO Scarlett… really getting a divorce?” Daniel, a colleague I usually got along with, walked over, holding a cup of coffee. I gave him a bitter smile, saying nothing, just nodding gently. “Ah…” Seeing my silence, Daniel awkwardly chuckled, took a sip of his coffee, and turned to leave. “Liam, did what happened yesterday make CEO Scarlett misunderstand something? I’m willing to go to her office and explain again… I really was just worried yesterday; I didn’t mean anything else.” Chloe, the female colleague who had helped me find my medicine yesterday evening, walked over, her face full of apology. “It’s okay. This has nothing to do with you. If anything, I should thank you.” I looked at Chloe, shaking my head slightly, letting out a long sigh. Chloe looked at my tired face, biting her lip. She wanted to say something but ultimately didn’t, sighing before she left. I watched Chloe’s retreating back, gently rubbing my temples. The dull throb of yesterday’s headache still lingered, and today’s aggravating events made my mind feel like a complete mess. Julian’s provocations, Scarlett’s threats, the undercurrents in the company… All of it felt like an invisible net, trapping me tighter and tighter. In the afternoon, the project team held a meeting. As the lead technical expert, I reported on the progress to senior management as usual. In the conference room, Scarlett sat at the head of the table, her gaze occasionally sweeping over me, carrying an unsettling tenderness. I tried my best to ignore her, focusing on explaining the project details. Just as I was about to conclude, an unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke up. “Mr. Knight, your project progress seems to be lagging.” I looked up and saw a middle-aged man in a suit. He sat next to Scarlett, his smile friendly, yet exuding an unsettling pressure. “This is Mr. Davies, a representative from Cloud Corp.” Seeing the confusion in my eyes, Scarlett smiled and explained, “Cloud Corp. is one of the investors in this project, so Mr. Davies is concerned about the progress.” I frowned, looking at the unfamiliar man. A sense of unease rose within me. Chapter Eight Although Cloud Corp. was a partner of Sinclair Corp., I had never heard of any external involvement in the investment details of this project. Now, this man suddenly appearing felt like someone with ill intentions.

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I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. They said his research group had an 80% attrition rate, and he’s rumored to have reduced enough grad students to tears to form their own support group. Curiously, I sniffed the air. Usually, strict p I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. eople aren’t necessarily bad, but they often have a pungent or cold scent. But Julian Harrington… He carried a heavy, bitter scent, like an over-brewed, forgotten coffee, a deep, acrid bitterness that, for some inexplicable reason, made my heart ache with a strange pang of sympathy. I froze. He wasn’t a bad person, but he wasn’t happy either. After the orientation, compelled by a strange impulse, I fo I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. They said his research group had an 80% attrition rate, and he’s rumored to have reduced enough grad students to tears to form their own support group. Curiously, I sniffed the air. Usually, strict people aren’t necessarily bad, but they often have a pungent or cold scent. But Julian Harrington… He carried a heavy, bitter scent, like an over-brewed, forgotten coffee, a deep, acrid bitterness that, for some inexplicable reason, made my heart ache with a strange pang of sympathy. und myself trailing Julian. He walked quickly, nodding curtly to the many students who greeted him along the way, stingy even with his smiles. I hid around the corner of the corridor, watching him enter his office. The door hadn’t closed properly. After a moment of hesitation, I pulled out a box of matcha nougat crackers I’d made last night. I’d planned to snack on them myself, but now… he looked like he needed something sweet more than I did. When the hallway was empty, I tiptoed in, placing the nougat crackers on the most conspicuous spot on his desk. I even attached a sticky note: “A little sweetness always helps. – Willow, Chemistry.” Done, I turned to leave, then suddenly remembered my USB drive was still plugged into the office computer. I quickly rushed back to get it. When I returned, the office door was ajar, and low voices drifted out. “Professor Harrington, this collaboration benefits both parties. Why be so stubborn?” It was a middle-aged man’s voice. My steps faltered, and instinctively, I sniffed. An intense, putrid stench, more acrid than rotting fish. A dangerous smell. I held my breath, peeking through the crack in the door. Julian Harrington stood by the window, his back to the door, and said coldly, “Mr. Hayes, experimental data is not within the scope of negotiation.” The man, referred to as Mr. Hayes, sneered, “Young man, don’t be ungrateful. Do you really think you can hold onto such a huge project alone?” Julian Harrington remained silent. Mr. Hayes leaned in closer, whispering, “I heard… your father hasn’t been well lately? I might be able to help with the Harrington family matters.” The air instantly chilled. Julian Harrington slowly turned around, his eyes behind the glasses cold and terrifying. “Are you threatening me?” Mr. Hayes grinned, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare. I’m just reminding you.” They faced off for a few seconds. Mr. Hayes snorted, then turned and left. I quickly hid behind a potted plant in the hallway corner, my heart pounding so fast I thought it would burst out of my chest. Only after his footsteps completely faded did I let out a sigh of relief. Just as I was about to sneak away, a low male voice suddenly spoke behind me. “Seen enough?” I froze instantly. Julian Harrington held the box of nougat crackers, a slight curve on his lips, but no humor in his eyes. “Sending me so many sweets, are you trying to make sure I don’t flunk you out even if I need insulin?” He asked slowly, “Hmm? Willow?” 2 I froze, my mind flashing with frantic thoughts: *Oh no, oh no, oh no…* Caught eavesdropping, then busted red-handed delivering the nougat? This was a top-tier social suicide moment, straight out of a reality show. Julian Harrington stood right in front of me, looking down with a half-smile on his face. I swallowed, and managed to stammer, “P-Professor Harrington, hello…” He raised an eyebrow, saying nothing. The air solidified. Bravely, I pointed to the nougat crackers in his hand: “Um… are they good?” As soon as I said it, I wanted to slap myself. What kind of idiotic question was that?! Julian Harrington seemed surprised by my question. He paused, glanced down at the nougat, then looked back at me: “Haven’t tasted them yet.” “Then… would you like to try one?” I chuckled awkwardly, “I made them myself, I promise, it’s seriously so good!” He studied me intently, his gaze so deep it felt like he could read my every thought. His scrutiny made my scalp tingle. I instinctively took a step back, only to hit my heel against the wall and almost trip. Julian Harrington reached out a hand to steady me. I quickly regained my balance, my heart racing like I’d just run a mile. “Why did you bring me sweets?” he asked. “I…” My mind went blank. I could only stammer out a few words, “I want to use my sweetness to make sure you’re not bitter anymore.” The moment the words left my mouth, I froze. Julian Harrington froze too. In that instant, I thought I smelled the heavy bitterness on him lessen just a tiny bit. But quickly, he resumed his usual indifferent, ice-cold expression. “Bitter? You know me that well?” “I do!” I nodded, “Your name is Julian Harrington, you’re the nightmare professor in the Chemistry Department, your research group has an 80% attrition rate, and you once made an entire class of grad students cry. You’re also rated as the top campus crush by all the female students, with an eight-pack…” Mid-sentence, I clammed up. *Crap, I said everything I shouldn’t have!* Julian Harrington, however, chuckled. “Looks like my reputation isn’t so good,” he said. I forced a laugh, “N-no, not really…” He looked down at the nougat crackers in his hand, then suddenly asked, “Your name is Willow?” “Yes, Willow from Chemistry.” I answered honestly. He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. “How much did you hear outside the door earlier?” My scalp tightened. I immediately shook my head, “Didn’t hear anything! My ears aren’t working right!” “Your ears aren’t working, but your nose is super sensitive?” He gave a half-smile. I: “…” *Seriously, how does this guy always nail the important stuff?* Julian Harrington didn’t press further. He slowly unwrapped a nougat cracker and took a bite. I watched him nervously. He chewed a couple of times, then nodded slightly: “It’s very sweet, indeed.” I sighed in relief. Just as I was about to speak, he continued, “However, eavesdropping on a professor’s conversation, and then sneaking into their office to leave sweets…” My heart leaped into my throat again. He said calmly, “By rights, this should result in disciplinary action.” My heart just sank. *Goodbye, scholarship!* “But…” He changed his tone, “I happen to have a project right now that requires someone with a sensitive sense of smell.” I blinked. “Huh?” “The potential application of specialized olfaction in chemical analysis.” He looked at me, “Interested in joining my research group?” I was stunned, unable to process it for a moment. Julian Harrington’s research group? That’s the absolute pinnacle of the Oceanview University Chemistry Department, a place countless people would kill to get into! “C-can I…?” I stammered. “Didn’t you say your sense of smell was sensitive?” he countered. “It is pretty sensitive…” I mumbled, “But aren’t you afraid I’ll be clumsy and mess up the experiments?” Julian Harrington gave a faint smile: “Don’t worry, if you mess up, I’ll just have to dissect your nose for science.” I: “…” *He has a dark, witty side, doesn’t he?* Seeing my silence, he added, “The research group offers good benefits, monthly stipends, and the lab has 24/7 access to coffee and desserts.” Huh? Desserts? Coffee? I immediately brightened, instantly forgetting my earlier nervousness: “Really?” He nodded: “Really.” “Then… then I’m in!” I agreed without hesitation. Julian Harrington seemed to have anticipated my answer. He chuckled softly, then glanced at his watch: “Tomorrow morning at eight, Experiment Building B. Don’t be late.” He turned to leave after saying that. I quickly called out, “Wait! What about Mr. Hayes… will he come bother you again?” Julian Harrington paused, turned his head, and said coldly, “That’s not for you to worry about.” I wanted to ask more, but he had already strode away with his long legs. My heart was racing, my hands trembling. My emotions took a long time to settle. 3 First thing the next morning, I went to the experiment building. Standing outside the lab door, I took more than ten deep breaths before mustering the courage to knock. The door opened. A guy with black-rimmed glasses poked his head out, scrutinizing me. “Hey, are you…?” “I’m Willow. Professor Harrington asked me to report today…” “Oh! You’re the genius girl with the super sense of smell?” The guy looked surprised, then enthusiastically pulled me in. “Hi, I’m Leo, a second-year grad student. I mostly slack off in this group.” The lab was spacious and bright. Leo gave me a quick tour, introducing a bunch of names. I was so overwhelmed I only remembered Chloe and Sam, the senior students. “Where’s Professor Harrington?” I asked. Leo pointed to the inner office, “He’s in there, but right now he’s…” Before he could finish, the office door opened, and Julian Harrington emerged. The lab instantly fell silent. Everyone stood up in unison. Julian Harrington scanned the room, then glanced at me. “You’re here?” I nodded, feeling a strange flutter of nervousness. He walked up to me and handed me a stack of papers. “First, review the experiment protocols. This afternoon, Leo will teach you the basic operations.” I took the papers and stared, dumbfounded. It was a thick stack, at least fifty pages. “That much?” The words slipped out. Julian Harrington raised an eyebrow. “Problem?” “N-no…” I answered softly. He nodded, then turned and left. “Willow, you recorded this data wrong!” “Willow, that’s not how you use a centrifuge!” “Willow, you can’t touch that reagent with your bare hands!” Three days later, I had officially become the group’s favorite and its resident target for teasing. “Willow! Come smell this sample for any odd smells!” Leo waved a test tube at me. I sighed, resigned, and leaned in to sniff: “Acetaldehyde is too high. Did you guys forget to add the inhibitor?” The lab instantly erupted in cheers. “Genius! Just saved us half an hour on that chromatography analysis!” “Willow, you’re the GOAT!” Before I could even bask in the glory, someone lightly tapped the back of my head with a folder. Julian Harrington had appeared behind me. “Willow, your job is to assist with experiments, not to be a human detection device.” I hunched my shoulders. “Oh…” “And you all…” He scanned the room. The lab instantly became silent. “If I hear anyone shout ‘GOAT’ again, everyone gets an extra data set to analyze.” Everyone scattered like startled birds. I secretly sniffed Julian Harrington’s scent. I noticed the bitterness on him was much fainter today, replaced by a subtle hint of… caramel? *Strange, did he eat candy today?* “What are you staring at?” He suddenly turned, and I almost bumped into his chin. “N-nothing!” I quickly held up my lab notebook to hide my face. “I’m studying diligently!” He snorted softly, then tapped the instrument in front of me with his long, slender finger. “The centrifuge parameters are set wrong. Do you want to launch the sample into orbit?” I looked closely and almost fainted. I had accidentally added an extra zero to the rotation speed. “I’m sorry! I’ll fix it right away!” Julian Harrington sighed, reached out and took my wrist, guiding my fingers as he re-entered the parameters on the control panel. The caramel scent on him became even more distinct, so pleasant that for a moment, I forgot to breathe. “Got it?” He released my hand. I nodded, my mind buzzing with: *His hands are so nice… wait, no, I got the parameters!* “Professor Harrington!” Chloe poked her head out from the inner office. “The NMR results you wanted are ready!” He acknowledged her, then glanced at me again before leaving. “Make another mistake and you’ll write a ten-thousand-word apology.” I: “…” 4 *Is this the legendary nightmare professor?* *Alright, I’m in love.* Lunchtime arrived. Clutching the last serving of sweet and sour pork ribs I’d managed to snatch from the cafeteria, I was surrounded by the research group, subjected to an intense interrogation. “Spill it! What’s your relationship with Professor Harrington?” Leo slapped his fork on the table. “He personally teaches you how to operate instruments?” Chloe looked heartbroken. “Last year, when I made an operating error, he made me copy the safety protocols twenty times!” I stuffed a piece of pork rib into my mouth, mumbling indistinctly, “Maybe… because I’m clumsy?” Everyone gave me a look that screamed, “Do you seriously expect us to believe that?” “I know!” Sam slapped his thigh. “Professor Harrington must be craving your nougat! Last time, I saw his office drawer was full of those nougat cracker wrappers!” I nearly choked on my rice. *He actually ate them?* *And he collects the wrappers? Talk about a secret softie!* “But speaking of which…” Leo said mysteriously, “Do you guys know why Professor Harrington is so strict?” We all shook our heads in unison. “I heard he was screwed over by his own advisor back then. His experimental data was plagiarized, and he almost didn’t graduate. That’s why he has zero tolerance for academic misconduct now…” I suddenly remembered the conversation I’d overheard outside his office that day. *Mr. Hayes, was he also trying to…* “Willow.” A cool voice came from behind. I was so startled I dropped my fork. “P-Professor… good to see you!” Everyone instantly stood up. Julian Harrington gave a slight nod, then gestured for me to follow him. “Come to my office after you finish eating.” When I nervously arrived at his office, he was still buried in grading papers. “Sit,” he said without looking up. I obediently sat down, unable to resist secretly taking a deep breath. *This caramel scent, it’s really so good…* “Smelled enough?” he suddenly asked. I froze. “W-what?” He looked up, his eyes behind the glasses glinting with a hint of amusement: “Your little bloodhound nose has secretly sniffed around at least seven times since you stepped in.” My face instantly flushed hot. *Does this guy have a built-in radar or something?* “I… I just…” “Take a look at this.” He pushed a document toward me. I looked down. It was a non-disclosure agreement. “Starting next week, you’ll be involved in the development of a new type of molecular sieve. This project has a make-or-break agreement with the Hayes Group.” I sharply looked up: “That Mr. Hayes from that day…” “Clever.” He gave a slight smirk, “So, once you sign this agreement, there’s no backing out.” I signed my name without a second thought. When I looked up, our eyes met. “Aren’t you going to ask why I chose you?” “Because my nose is useful?” I ventured. He chuckled softly, and ruffled my hair: “Because you were the only one who said I was bitter.” The gesture was too intimate. My brain instantly short-circuited. Even more shocking, in that exact moment, the bitterness on him suddenly faded, and that caramel scent became incredibly prominent, intensely sweet, like freshly made toffee. By the time I came to my senses, I had, as if by some strange impulse, blurted out the words: “Professor Harrington, you just… smelled a little sweet?” The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to bite off my tongue. *What was that audacious, almost brazen thing I just said, Willow?!* Julian Harrington froze. The office was so quiet I could hear my own deafening heartbeat. Just as I was considering whether to jump out the window and escape, he suddenly took off his gold-rimmed glasses. *Oh no, they say when Professor Julian takes off his glasses, things are about to get serious!* “Willow.” He slowly leaned in, close enough for me to count his eyelashes. “Do you know what happens in a lab when you tell your professor he’s sweet?” I frantically shook my head. He grinned mischievously: “You get penalized by having to sort through all the experimental data, alone.” I: “…” *Help! This professor is both sweet and utterly shameless!* 5 Monday morning, I sneezed the moment I walked into the lab. “What’s wrong, Willow? Catch a cold?” Leo handed me a tissue. I shook my head, wrinkling my nose as I looked around: “Don’t you guys smell it? A… rotten smell, it’s awful!” The lab members exchanged confused glances. Chloe sniffed hard: “No, I don’t smell anything.” The sickening stench of decay grew stronger. I followed the scent to the doorway. A girl in a tight black dress stood there, looking around. That smell, it was exactly like Mr. Hayes, who had threatened Julian Harrington in the office that day! “Excuse me, is this Professor Harrington’s research group?” She said in a high-pitched voice, “I’m Skylar Hayes. My dad is Mr. Hayes from the Hayes Group. Professor Harrington specially approved me to join the group.” I rolled my eyes. *How could Julian Harrington agree to let someone like her join the team?* At lunch in the cafeteria, I poked at the rice on my plate, completely losing my appetite. I couldn’t help but ask Leo, “That Skylar, why is she suddenly in our group?” “I heard she’s an exchange student. Her family donated a building to the university.” Leo looked gossipy. “Her dad seems to know Professor Harrington.” My fork clattered. *Know him? Mr. Hayes was threatening Julian Harrington!* Back in the lab that afternoon, Skylar had already made herself at home, mingling with everyone. She handed out popular lipstick shades to the girls and the latest game skin redemption codes to the guys. “Hi, Skylar.” Chloe enthusiastically greeted her. “Let me show you around the lab? We…” “No need.” Skylar smiled, cutting her off, then glanced at me. “Excuse me, would you mind showing me around?” She walked towards me, that putrid stench washing over me. I instinctively recoiled. “I… I’m busy! I have an experiment…” I turned to flee. “Willow, project done?” Julian Harrington walked towards me. Before I could even speak, Skylar latched onto him like a shark smelling blood. “Professor Harrington!” She resumed her high-pitched voice. “Long time no see, you look even more handsome!” Julian Harrington frowned, then gave me a cold glance. “Show the new student around the lab.” I gritted my teeth and walked over, suppressing my disgust as I stood next to Skylar. Her cheap perfume, mixed with that putrid stench, was absolutely suffocating. “Let’s go,” I mumbled, walking quickly ahead. Skylar jogged to catch up: “You’re Willow, right? I heard your sense of smell is super sensitive?” I ignored her, heading straight for the lab bench. “Oh dear, how do I use this instrument?” She reached out to touch the centrifuge. “Don’t touch that!” I slapped her hand away. “It’s dangerous!” Skylar’s tears came instantly. She looked at me pitifully, “Why are you being so mean… I just want to learn…” The lab fell silent. Everyone stared at us. My head buzzed with anger. *Her acting skills, they’re wasted if she’s not an actress!* “What’s going on?” Julian Harrington walked over. Skylar immediately teared up, “Professor Harrington, Willow seems to dislike me…” Julian Harrington looked at me. “Explain.” “She touched the instrument without permission!” I pointed at the centrifuge, “And she…” I abruptly stopped myself, almost blurting out “She smells awful.” “And what?” Julian Harrington raised an eyebrow. “And… she…” I stammered, then suddenly had an idea, “She’s wearing nail polish! Lab Safety Rule #9: No nail polish when handling instruments!” Skylar’s face changed. She instinctively hid her hand behind her back. Julian Harrington gave a faint smile: “Skylar, go wash it off.” After Skylar reluctantly left, Julian Harrington quietly asked me, “What’s really going on?” 6 I couldn’t help but complain in a low voice, “She stinks!” “How does she stink?” He suddenly leaned closer. “Like her dad?” My eyes widened in shock: “How did you know…?” “A guess.”

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That year, when I was seventeen, I discovered I was the real heiress of a prominent family. But after I swapped places with the girl who’d been living my life, something strange began to happen. My biological parents, the Harringtons, saw their business plummet, while my previously struggling adoptive parents, the Millers, became incredibly prosperous. Turns out, Serena, the girl who took my place, was a walking good luck charm. Wherever she stayed, that family would flourish. So, both my adoptive and biological parents clung to Serena. “Serena! You’re our only daughter now!” I watched them coldly from the sidelines, but I didn’t tell them the full truth— Serena was indeed a living good luck charm. But her charmed life was only good until she turned eighteen. After her eighteenth birthday, she would become a harbinger of ruin. When I returned to the Harrington estate, Serena had just been thrown out. She only managed to grab a backpack, and a woman who looked like a housekeeper impatiently shoved her. “You imposter! The real heiress is coming home today. Now get out!” Serena’s face was red with shame and resentment, just as my biological parents came out to greet me. She immediately screamed at them. “Dad, Mom, are you really abandoning me?!” Mr. Harrington didn’t even glance at her. He spoke blandly. “I’ve arranged a sum of money for you. Consider this our final settlement for the years you were with us. The Harringtons owe you nothing more.” Mrs. Harrington looked conflicted, but she also said, “Serena, take care of yourself from now on.” Serena’s eyes filled with even more anguish. She stumbled downstairs, almost tripping at the bottom of the stairs. I reached out and steadied her. “Are you okay?” I asked, genuinely concerned. But she just stared at me blankly. The next second, she figured out who I was and angrily yanked her arm away. “You’re Maya? Don’t pretend to be kind!” She yelled at me. “Do you think being the real heiress makes you special? I’m telling you, you’ll all regret this! You’ll come crawling back, begging me!” With that furious declaration, Serena spun around and ran off.

After returning to the Harrington estate, my biological parents treated me incredibly well. They gave me credit cards to swipe as I pleased, bought me expensive jewelry and designer bags, and even set up a trust fund for me. But their generosity didn’t last long. Their business ventures were plagued by one misfortune after another, leaving them struggling to keep their heads above water. “What did you say?” At the breakfast table, my father slammed his hand down after taking a phone call, his voice filled with fury. “Our newly signed artist is in trouble again? That, plus the plane crash last month, and the food poisoning incident… how many times has this happened in just two months?!” “Lower your voice,” my mother scolded him, then turned to pat my hand. “Maya, your father and I need to discuss work. You can go back to your room.” I nodded obediently, preparing to leave the dining room. But as I reached the stairs, I suddenly remembered I’d forgotten my phone. Just as I was about to turn back, I overheard my father’s voice. “Honey, what do you think is going on? Ever since Maya came to live with us, our business has been plagued by such strange occurrences. It’s like we’re cursed! Do you think… maybe Maya and I just don’t have good karma together?” “Don’t be ridiculous!” My mother instinctively retorted, but her tone was laced with uncertainty. “But things have been truly awful lately. Several of our subsidiaries have already gone bankrupt. If this continues, our cash flow will dry up completely…” I heard my father furiously kick the coffee table. He shouted. “No, this can’t go on! I need to find a mystic to take a look!”

The next day, I went back to visit my adoptive parents. Unlike Serena’s hostile departure from the Harrington estate, my adoptive parents had cried their eyes out, holding my hands and telling me they’d always be my mom and dad, urging me to visit whenever I could. So, I went back. But to my surprise, the house was empty. Not only that, all the flowerpots and shoe racks that used to be by the door were gone, as if they’d moved out. I was startled and went to ask Mrs. Gable, our next-door neighbor. “Oh, Maya, didn’t you know?” Mrs. Gable looked surprised too. “Your parents struck it rich recently! They moved into a big mansion with their biological daughter!” I was still reeling from the shock of them moving without telling me when the elevator door next to me suddenly opened. I heard my adoptive mother’s familiar voice. “Serena, you left something at the old house. I told you I’d get it, it’s so hot, why did you come yourself?” I looked up and saw my adoptive mother warmly embracing Serena as they stepped out of the elevator. They looked up and saw me, their smiles freezing. “Maya?” My adoptive mother frowned. “What are you doing here?” Her guarded, distant attitude was a stark contrast to the mother who had cried, begging me not to leave. I subtly furrowed my brow but still spoke honestly. “Mom, I came back to see you and Dad.” But to my surprise, my adoptive mother frowned even harder when she heard my words. “Don’t you dare call me that,” she said coldly. “I am Serena’s mother. You are nothing to me.” I froze. It was then I noticed that in just one month, my adoptive mother had transformed completely. Not only had her style changed, but she was covered in expensive jewelry and designer clothes, looking utterly transformed. More importantly, the expression on her face was like that of a stranger I’d never known. I was shocked by her change, but my adoptive mother paid me no mind. She simply spoke gently to Serena at her side, “Serena, go get your things.” Serena nodded obediently and quickly went into the house. She came out with a potted succulent and left with my adoptive mother. As they entered the elevator, I heard Serena pretend to innocently ask my adoptive mother. “Mom, why didn’t you talk to Maya more? It looked like she came back specifically to see you.” And my adoptive mother, completely unconcerned if I would overhear, immediately spoke with disdain. “We raised her for so many years, and everything went wrong. The moment she left, your father’s business started to pick up. If you ask me, she’s a jinx. I hope I never get entangled with her again!” I watched the elevator doors slowly close. In that moment, a certain bond in my heart snapped completely.

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I was on maternity leave, taking it easy at home, when I suddenly got a SnapChat friend request: “Be careful of your husband, he’s going to kill you.” “Crazy!” I couldn’t help but curse, hitting ‘decline’ immediately. Right after, the friend request popped up again: “Trust me, I’m trying to help you.” After I declined it again, they didn’t give up: “David is going to take you on a trip soon, then he’ll make his move to get the insurance money.” Even though they sounded convincing, I didn’t buy a word of it. Our relationship, David’s and mine, wasn’t something a stranger’s few words could shake. I really wanted to type back a furious reply, but just then, I heard the front door open. David was home. I put my phone down and went to greet him, deciding to ignore the weird message for now, though I couldn’t shake the bad feeling. “Honey, you must be tired from work. The baby and I missed you so much at home.” As I spoke, I gently touched my belly. David set down his briefcase and walked over with a smile, pulling me into a half-hug. He’d always spoiled me, and since I got pregnant, he wouldn’t even let me cook dinner; he’d come home and make it himself. “What do you feel like eating tonight, sweetheart?” “Anything you make, I love it all,” I replied sweetly. I really was so happy with him. “How about some porridge then?” “Sounds good.” I leaned against the doorframe, watching his every move. Touching my belly again, I truly felt like the happiest woman in the world. Then, that mysterious friend request flashed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of annoyance. Could someone be jealous of my happy life and trying to mess things up on purpose? The thought made me even angrier. I wanted to vent to David and get it off my chest. Just then, David finished rinsing the rice and put it in the pot. He washed his hands and saw me standing by the doorframe, so he walked over to me. His eyes were just brimming with love. With one hand on my waist, he guided me forward. “Why are you standing here? You’ll get tired. Go sit in the living room; the porridge will be ready soon.” “I just want to look at you more,” I whined playfully, letting him gently guide me to the living room sofa. David picked up a fruit knife from the table, intending to peel an apple for me. Even though I said I didn’t have an appetite, he insisted: “Even if not for yourself, you have to eat some fruit for the baby. That way, our little one can grow up healthy.” I thought David made perfect sense and nodded obediently. That’s how much David loved me, he spoiled me like a princess. “Oh, honey, I wanted to tell you earlier about…” I was halfway through complaining about the friend request when David cut me off. He looked at me with sudden excitement, as if something just occurred to him: “Sweetheart, how about we go on a trip next week?” “Huh?” I was stunned. Then he quickly followed up: “The company gave me a perk—a two-person trip to Bali! It’ll be so romantic. We never even went for our honeymoon, so this time we can really enjoy ourselves.” “Oh, and I know of a really fun spot in Bali. I’ll look it up right now…” David finished speaking, shoved the peeled apple into my hand, and grabbed his phone to start researching. I looked at the apple in my hand, then at his incredibly excited face, and just froze. Why would he suddenly bring up a trip? Before, David had always told me to rest at home and avoid going out too much during my pregnancy. Now he was suggesting a trip, and to such a far-off place? The words from that SnapChat message earlier flashed in my mind, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. David noticed my change in expression and came closer, gently patting my shoulder with concern. “Honey, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?” Looking at his smiling eyes, I involuntarily flinched. “N-Nothing… I’m fine.” “Are you sure nothing’s wrong? Do you want to see a doctor?” David continued to respond tenderly. But my skin just crawled. Was all his tenderness and thoughtfulness a facade? “No, really, I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.” I forced down my panic, trying to put on a calm smile, just spouting a casual lie. David didn’t press further. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Then make sure you get some good rest after dinner. I’ll tuck you in, okay?” “Okay…” David usually tucked me in, it was one of our little marital traditions. Normally, I loved it, but now, hearing him say it, all I felt was resistance. During dinner, David clearly noticed my distraction, but he didn’t say anything, probably still thinking I hadn’t rested well. Watching him walk off to take a shower, I let out a shaky breath, immediately pulled out my phone, and added the mysterious person. “Who are you, and how do you know David wants to kill me?” My fingers trembled as I typed. There was no immediate reply. The minutes felt like hours. “Heh, what, you believe me now?” His tone was mocking. “Cut the crap. Why do you say David wants to kill me? Do you have proof?” I didn’t waste time with him, cutting straight to the chase. “Who are you really?” My fingertips trembled as I typed. “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that David will kill you during your Bali trip for that accidental death insurance payout.” He knew David was taking me to Bali! I was utterly shocked! My heart was pounding, but when I replied, I tried to sound defiant. “Ha, you think I’d believe you? My husband and I are deeply in love; David would never do such a thing!” Even as I retorted, my stomach started churning. “You really trust your husband that much?” “Heh, if you want to bet on it, we’ll see.” Reading his message, I couldn’t help but shiver. I couldn’t gamble with my own life. Better safe than sorry. Did David really want to use my life to defraud insurance? I immediately started looking into any insurance policies under my name. If David had actually bought one for me, it would definitely be traceable. In the few days leading up to the trip, I tried to act normal, but secretly, I began investigating insurance information. I searched almost everywhere, but there was absolutely no insurance under my name! “Seriously, what a psycho!” I couldn’t help but curse. I really didn’t know who was playing such a sick joke, pulling such a damn prank. If I found out who it was, I’d never let them off the hook!

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After catching my wife cheating, I lost myself to a chilling fury. Six months later, my mother-in-law jumped from a building, my father-in-law suffered a heart attack, my brother-in-law was jailed, and my wife became infertile. They would never know that it all began with a single pair of high heels. It all started half a year ago. I was a delivery driver. This was my last delivery of the day, and my body was exhausted, but my heart pounded with wild excitement. I’d won the lottery! Ten first-prize tickets, totaling over ten million dollars! After the 20% tax deduction, I still had over eight million dollars left! I symbolically donated ten thousand dollars, and that afternoon, as I walked out of the lottery center, I felt like I was floating. Finally, I could share a beautiful life with my wife. But I’m a man who finishes what he starts. All deliveries for the day had to go out. Yet, as evening fell and I was about to make my final delivery, fate played a cruel trick on me. On a shoe mat by the door of one of the apartments, I saw my wife’s high heels. They were a custom-made birthday gift from me, engraved with her initials. C.M. – Chloe Miller! What were Chloe’s shoes doing here? A knot of suspicion tightened in my gut. Then, from inside the apartment, came the sound of a woman’s wild moan! “Mr. Davies, you’re so much better than my worthless husband. I’m utterly blissed out!” The words hit me like a sledgehammer. It was Chloe’s voice! My lips trembled. I raised my hand, ready to pound on the door, but stopped. What if they didn’t open? Was I just going to stand here, listening to them, like some pathetic idiot? A sudden, chilling calm washed over me. Chloe was cheating. This marriage was over. But I’d bought the lottery ticket while we were still married. By law, she’d be entitled to half of that almost eight million dollars. My lip twitched. Chloe was morally bankrupt. I wouldn’t give her a single penny. Not only that, I would make her lover pay too. To confirm it was truly Chloe inside, I called her from just outside the door. Her custom ringtone echoed from within the apartment. She immediately hung up and, a moment later, sent me a SnapChat message. “What is it? I’m in a meeting!” I stared at the message, a cold sneer twisting my lips. A meeting? At her lover’s lair? I didn’t reply. Instead, I snapped a photo of the delivery slip. The resident was a man named David Davies. I left the package by the door, then turned and walked away. From this day forward, there would be no peace for us. I changed the password on my newly opened bank account, a password only I knew, and kept the card hidden close to my body. Then, with an unnerving calm, I returned home. My mother-in-law, Brenda, my father-in-law, Arthur, and Chloe’s younger brother, Kyle, were already at dinner. They barely acknowledged my presence. Brenda wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Go take a shower, quick! Look at you, all filthy. You’re ruining my appetite.” My lip twitched, but I said nothing. Arthur tapped his fork against his plate. “You haven’t given us the grocery money this week. Look at what we’re eating!” I glanced at the table—meat and vegetables, far better than what I usually ate on the road. Still, I remained silent. Kyle, Chloe’s brother, got agitated. He stood up, his voice rising. “Mom and Dad are talking to you! Can’t you show some respect? I swear, I don’t know why my sister even married a loser like you. No money, no talent.” Exactly! This was Chloe’s family. They clung to me like parasites, draining me dry. I used to be a white-collar worker. Through my own hard work, I bought a three-bedroom apartment, putting Chloe’s name on the deed. After that, Chloe moved her parents and brother from their hometown. Later, I lost my job and became a delivery driver. From then on, the entire family treated me with even more contempt. I earned about nine hundred dollars a month, most of which went straight to Chloe. Yet she still treated me coldly, and her whole family constantly mocked and sneered at me. Before, I had no backbone. I could only endure their insults. Now that I had money, I wouldn’t let these leeches off the hook. If I was going to get revenge, I was going to savor every moment of it. I smiled, a slow, guileless grin, ignoring the three of them. I went straight to my room and began to meticulously plan my payback. A little while later, Chloe returned, looking tired, those glaring high heels still on her feet. She saw me lying on the bed, and her face twisted in rage. She pointed at me and yelled, “Who told you to lie on the bed with your clothes on? Are you filthy? “How many times have I told you, no bed without a shower! Are you trying to defy me? Get down right now! You’re not sleeping in my room tonight. Go sleep on the couch!” Chloe’s face was flushed, clearly still glowing from her recent ‘refreshment.’ When I didn’t move, she got even angrier. “I must have cursed eight lifetimes to end up with you! This is my damn karma! Do you even look like a man anymore? Get out!” I stood up, intending to go shower, but Chloe angrily snapped that she needed to shower first. She probably wanted to wash off the filth. Bitch. That night, I lay alone on the couch, listening to Chloe on FaceTime with someone, her voice incredibly intimate. My heart was unnervingly calm as I plotted my next move. A plan to destroy them, body and soul.

The next day, I went to my workplace and quit my job. Then I hired a private detective, giving him the address and phone number of the David Davies guy from yesterday, along with a photo of Chloe, and told him to investigate. Later, I saw a news report about a local lottery winner—me. Wearing a goofy costume and holding a sign displaying my over ten-million-dollar win, I looked ridiculous. I scrutinized the photos, confident no one would recognize me. My revenge plan was officially in motion. I started with Chloe’s younger brother, Kyle. He was in his early twenties, fresh out of college, unable to find a job, and spent his days loafing around. Chloe was a classic “brother-obsessed” type, giving Kyle five hundred dollars a month for pocket money – equivalent to half our household’s monthly expenses. My first step was to get Kyle out of the house and “motivate him to strive for success”! I had the private detective arrange a setup: a woman would “accidentally” meet Kyle. Just as they were about to enter a motel room, the woman’s “husband” would burst in! Caught red-handed, Kyle fell to his knees, begging for mercy, and blurted out his family’s contact information. That same day, I brought Arthur, Brenda, and Chloe to the motel. Kyle was beaten to a pulp, his face bruised and swollen. A burly man, looking like a mob boss, sat casually on the bed, smoking a cigarette, while a beautiful woman sobbed beside him. Brenda and Chloe rushed to Kyle, hugging him and wailing uncontrollably. Arthur’s face turned beet red with fury. He shouted at the man, “How dare you hit my son? I’m calling the police! You’ll pay for his medical bills!” The man casually flicked his cigarette butt. “Your son tried to sleep with my wife. How do you propose we settle this?” Brenda angrily stood up, acting like a complete shrew. “That’s because your wife was flaunting herself, seducing my son! You can’t control your own wife, and you blame my son?” Chloe’s face was flushed, and she glared. “This isn’t over! You hit my brother, and you’ll pay the price!” The man smirked. “Fine, go ahead and call the police. We’re not afraid of public embarrassment. “But as for your brother, fresh out of college, seducing a married woman… I’ll post it all online. Your whole family will be famous!” “You!” Everyone in the family, except me, was trembling with anger. Kyle was the absolute jewel of that family; they couldn’t stand for his reputation to be tarnished. Chloe crossed her arms, her voice cold. “So, what do you want?” The man grinned slyly. “He slept with my wife, so I’ll sleep with his sister. How about it?” I raised an eyebrow. This jerk wasn’t sticking to the script. He must have been taken by Chloe’s looks. “Dream on!” Chloe glanced at me, then snapped at the man. He continued to smile. “Alright, then just give me a thousand bucks. They didn’t actually do anything before I showed up, after all.” The man had clearly prepared this in advance. A thousand dollars wasn’t much. They feared Kyle’s reputation if they called the police, and Kyle getting a beating was a good lesson for him. Chloe helplessly turned to me for money. As if I’d give her any! I awkwardly mumbled that I hadn’t been paid yet. Chloe cursed me as “useless” then SnapChated a thousand dollars to the man. Only then did she leave with Kyle. She had no idea that I’d paid ten thousand dollars to set this whole thing up! I sighed inwardly. This was just an appetizer. The main course hadn’t even begun. Kyle felt humiliated and kept his head down, but seeing his demeanor, I knew this step had been successful. He wanted to escape this cage. He wanted to get rich. Back home, Arthur didn’t criticize his son. Instead, he started yelling at me, calling me a coward for not stepping up, a pathetic loser for not even defending my brother-in-law. Brenda droned on incessantly, complaining that a grown man didn’t even have a thousand dollars in his pocket, and his wife had to pay when there was trouble. Chloe found their nagging irritating and became even more hostile toward me. My heart remained utterly undisturbed. That night, I continued to sleep on the couch. Chloe was tainted. I would never touch her again. Chloe frowned, clearly preoccupied with something. The next day, I woke up early and left, depositing my lottery winnings into several different bank accounts. I used to be a senior programmer, and in my younger, more rebellious days, I was part of an activist hacker group. Even while delivering packages, I never stopped learning, earning several important certifications. These skills would be invaluable to my revenge. That day, the private detective informed me that he had successfully entered David Davies’ apartment and installed several hidden cameras. If they met again, he would definitely get the evidence. Everything was proceeding as planned. My expression was neutral, devoid of emotion. My heart was utterly broken and disillusioned with this family. Once I had the evidence, I would get my revenge. I would make Chloe and her parasitic family pay. Even though I was rich, I wouldn’t leave them a single penny. Step one was complete. Time for step two. That evening, I invited Kyle out for drinks. Kyle, still sporting a black eye, came along. He ordered the most expensive dishes and started chugging beer. Kyle scoffed. “Brother-in-law, did you hit the jackpot? Daring to treat me to dinner? Aren’t you afraid of Chloe yelling at you?” I smiled. I told him I knew of a way to get rich, and asked if he’d be interested. Kyle’s eyes lit up. He eagerly pressed me for details. I’d recently received a call from an old college acquaintance, telling me to go south to “make money.” I knew my acquaintance was trying to scam me, so I figured I’d pass this “opportunity” on to Kyle. I told him a former colleague had contacted me, asking me to be a “trader” at an offshore foreign company. He’d just sit in front of a computer all day, earning five thousand dollars a month, with a year-end bonus. But I couldn’t leave my current job, so I’d recommended him instead. Did he want to go? Kyle’s face beamed at the mention of five thousand dollars a month, just sitting at a computer. He didn’t notice my cold smirk throughout my explanation. Still, I pretended to be cautious. “After all, it’s an old colleague. Whether it’s reliable is another matter. Maybe you should think it over. But don’t tell your sister I told you, or she’ll yell at me for sending you so far away.” Kyle laughed. “Brother-in-law, you’re just too timid. Chloe has you wrapped around her finger. A grown man afraid of his wife? I really want this job, but I don’t have any money. Brother-in-law, could you lend me some travel expenses?” Even facing his doom, this guy wanted to squeeze me for money one last time. I “hesitated” for a long time before SnapChating ten thousand dollars to Kyle, reminding him not to tell his sister. Kyle laughed and agreed. That night, Kyle got drunk, muttering about getting rich and earning his mother’s and sister’s respect. I watched him, smiling, but said nothing. A hothouse child, longing for the outside world, but utterly unprepared for its dangers. The night passed without incident. Kyle left, pocketing the ten thousand dollars I’d given him. He even sent Chloe a SnapChat message: “Sis, I’m off to work. If I don’t make something of myself, I won’t come back!” Chloe was panicked. She frantically FaceTimed Kyle, but his phone was off. The whole family searched like mad, but found no trace of him. A day later, Kyle finally FaceTimed Chloe. “Sis, don’t worry. I’m just playing around with some friends for a couple of days. I’ll be back soon. I’m in a border town.” Seeing that Kyle was safe, and surrounded by friends, Chloe relaxed, though she still lectured him. I observed the entire exchange. The first part of my plan for Kyle was complete. Next, it was Arthur’s turn. I watched the old man, picking his teeth after finishing his meat, scrolling through videos of beautiful women on TikTok. I’m skilled in coding, and decoding. Yesterday, I used a specialized program to uncover all the family’s secrets and private information. Arthur had two SnapChat accounts. One had his actual profile picture. The other featured a handsome, middle-aged man. He listed his age as 42 and spent his free time chatting with pretty women. He’d even secretly gone on dates behind Brenda’s back. But as soon as they saw Arthur in person, the women always cursed him out and ran away. This old pervert was quite the player. He had strongly opposed Chloe marrying me. To buy this apartment, I’d emptied all my savings. My father even sold our family home in the countryside, leaving my parents living in a rundown shack. Even though I’d won the lottery, I needed to deal with Chloe’s family first, then I could properly care for my parents. Through the private detective, I contacted a nightclub dancer, paid her ten thousand dollars for some photos and videos, and told her she’d need to send voice messages and video chat if needed in the future. The woman winked at me, saying she’d do anything as long as it wasn’t illegal. I registered a new SnapChat account, using a profile picture of a seductive, well-preserved woman, filling the feed with alluring photos. Then, I started chatting with Arthur. Arthur was ecstatic that a female netizen was actively chatting with him. He sent red envelopes and emojis, acting utterly impatient. When he suggested a video call, I simply forwarded the account details to the nightclub dancer. Everything fell into place seamlessly. Arthur was quickly reeled in. As for his requests to meet, I just smiled and replied, “Soon! Just a little longer!” The real show was only just beginning!

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Midnight. One AM. I was jolted awake by a sudden burst of “Happy Birthday” from the dorm room across the hall. I stepped out to take a look. Through the glass doors of their balcony, I could faintly make out the flickering glow of candles and a huddled group of figures. I rolled my eyes, utterly speechless. *Are these people insane?* Celebrating a birthday in the dead of night, they’d accidentally set the place on fire with all those candles and no proper lighting. Still fuming, I went to the bathroom, then returned to my room, grabbed a pair of earplugs, shoved them in, and drifted back into a restless sleep. The next day, we were all woken by screams. That’s when we found out: there had been a massacre in the dorm room across the hall. Ten students in that single dorm room. None survived. **1** Midnight. One AM. I was jolted awake by a sudden burst of “Happy Birthday” from the dorm room across the hall. I stepped out to take a look. Through the glass doors of their balcony, I could faintly make out the flickering glow of candles and a huddled group of figures. I rolled my eyes, utterly speechless. *Are these people insane?* Celebrating a birthday in the dead of night, they’d accidentally set the place on fire with all those candles and no proper lighting. Still fuming, I went to the bathroom, then returned to my room, grabbed a pair of earplugs, shoved them in, and drifted back into a restless sleep. The next day, we were all woken by screams. That’s when we found out: there had been a massacre in the dorm room across the hall. Ten students in that single dorm room. None survived. The police quickly sealed off our university campus and took everyone to the station for questioning. Students from dorms near the crime scene, especially, were interrogated thoroughly. I was one of those singled out. They led me directly into a separate interrogation room, though thankfully, it wasn’t like something out of a crime show, with bright lights glaring and officers barking orders. Noticing my nervousness, the officer tried to reassure me, telling me not to worry and just to tell them everything honestly. I nodded, telling them everything I knew, leaving nothing out, and biting back the urge to ask how the victims had died. Honestly, I figured it was either carbon monoxide poisoning or alcohol poisoning. There was no way someone just barged in and stabbed them all to death, right? After I gave my statement, Detective Miller, the more stoic officer, walked out. Officer Ben, the other one, told me to wait a bit longer for further notice. As he organized his notes, he started making small talk. His chitchat was mostly about how I’d managed to resist my nosy instincts and hadn’t dragged my roommates out to peek at the drama. I gave him an incredulous look. “It was the middle of the night! I was exhausted. Someone was just being dramatic, celebrating a birthday. What’s so exciting about that? It’s not like someone was screaming on their balcony at 3 AM.” Officer Ben chuckled awkwardly at my eye-roll, then slyly asked, “So, if you’d known a murder was going to happen in their dorm, would you have watched a little longer?” “Yeah, probably… I mean, I’d have tried to warn them, to prevent something bad from happening… But who could have known something like that would occur? Speaking of which, I’m really curious: was it carbon monoxide poisoning? The fire in their room looked pretty big that night.” I replied. “Haha, that question… is classified,” Officer Ben said with a wink. “…Seriously?! So you were just trying to trick me?” My eyes widened. He nodded calmly, and a wave of indignation washed over me. Before I could retort further, Detective Miller returned, leading another student in. He motioned for me to leave. Reluctantly, I got up and walked out. I thought that would be the end of it, or at worst, another trip to the station for more questions. I never expected to be summoned again the very next day. Puzzled, I returned to the police station and walked into that familiar interrogation room. “Cassidy, are you certain you saw fire and heard birthday singing from the dorm across the hall that night?” The officer asked me again, seeking confirmation. I nodded firmly, a little confused why they kept asking. Surely they weren’t suspecting *me* of arson just because I saw a flicker of light? “You said you were woken up at 1:40 AM, right?” they pressed. “Yeah, 1:44 AM, actually. I’m a little superstitious; I always avoid numbers like that. That night, I literally watched my phone until it turned 1:45 before I got up to go to the balcony.” I nodded cautiously, feeling a prickle of suspicion that they were targeting me.

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My husband’s first love was seriously ill, and every day he secretly took the meals I cooked to her, treating me like his personal, unpaid maid. When our son found out, he didn’t side with me. Instead, he helped my husband hide it, and even accused me of having a dirty mind and being petty. The father and son were in cahoots, playing me for a fool. I watched them with cold eyes, deciding to finally get rid of both of those jerks. The moment Mark walked through the door, he ordered our son, Liam, to wash the dirty lunchbox he’d used for lunch. Liam was a senior in high school, a crucial year for college admissions. Hearing this, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. I glared at Mark, who was sprawled on the couch. “What, are your hands broken? You need to order our son around just to wash a lunchbox?” Mark didn’t say a word. Liam, holding the lunchbox, chuckled, “It’s fine, Mom. Dad works hard all day. I should wash his lunchbox.” Liam headed to the sink, but he gasped as the cold water hit his hands. Seeing his hands turn red from the cold, I sighed. “Go on, I’ll do it.” Liam didn’t argue much, just said, “Thanks, Mom,” and left the kitchen. I tossed the lunchbox into the sink. Just as I was about to turn on the faucet, a splash of red on the spoon caught my eye. A clear red stain was printed on the milky-white ceramic spoon. I wiped it with my finger, and most of the red came off. As a woman, I knew a lipstick stain when I saw one. For years, Mark had always complained that my cooking was bland. But lately, he’d been asking me to cook more light, nutritious meals, insisting he needed to take them to work. Considering Mark’s sudden change in taste, I thought to myself, there had to be something fishy going on. The thought of Mark ordering me around like I was his personal chef, demanding this and that every day, made my anger boil. My mind was still reeling from the frustration when Liam’s voice suddenly broke through. “Mom, is dinner ready? I’m starving!” I snapped back to reality, looking at the spoon in my hand. I pulled out my phone and took a few pictures. I knew Mark too well. If I confronted him now, it wouldn’t lead anywhere. He’d come up with a hundred excuses and justifications. I needed solid proof.

As soon as the food was on the table, Mark grabbed his lunchbox and started piling things in. He poured out most of the chicken soup, took a few forks of vegetables, and then started on the steamed fish. The fish wasn’t very big to begin with, and he only took the best parts, leaving behind mostly the head and tail. Normally, I would have yelled at him already, but today, I just watched him in silence. Liam couldn’t help but glance at me; he really loved that fish. Just a few days ago, when Mark was shamelessly serving himself like this, I’d scolded him every time. And every time, Liam would try to calm me down: “Mom, Dad works so hard every day, it’s only right that he eats more.” Listen to that. As if I didn’t work every day, as if my job wasn’t tiring. Whenever I got angry at Mark’s laziness, selfishness, or hypocrisy, Liam would always side with his dad, telling me to be more understanding, just like his grandma. Fine. You two have your father-son bond, and I’m just the villain. So today, I didn’t care. I had no energy to care. Mark wasn’t stupid. Seeing my prolonged silence, he sensed something was off. He quickly picked two pieces of fish from his lunchbox and put them in Liam’s bowl. “Son, eat more. Try to get great scores on your college entrance exams and make your mother proud.” I couldn’t help but scoff. “What do you mean ‘make *me* proud’? Whatever he achieves is for himself.” Mark “tsk”-ed, annoyed. “Isn’t that just a way of saying it because you work so hard taking care of him? What’s got your panties in a twist today?” I wasn’t in the mood to argue with him. Instead, I looked at his overflowing lunchbox. It was a three-tiered container. One layer was filled with most of the chicken soup and chicken, another with most of the fish, and the last with rice. The remaining small portion of chicken and fish, all the good bits, had gone into Liam’s bowl. I had spent hours cooking, and all that was left for me were the chicken head and fish tail. Oh, wait, the fish tail was gone too; Mark had taken it. How ironic. My meal tasted like cardboard, but the father and son were chatting happily. They seemed to share a secret, talking in riddles right in front of me. In the past, even if I knew they wouldn’t tell me, I would have asked what they were talking about. But today, I was just so tired, so utterly exhausted that I barely had the strength to swallow my food. I ate only a quarter of my half-bowl of rice, and no one seemed to think anything of it. After dinner, both of them left the table as usual. Seeing that I wasn’t clearing the table as I usually did, Mark resorted to his old trick: “Liam, go wash the dishes.” Liam obediently stood up, collected the dishes and forks, and went to the kitchen. Then he turned on the faucet and called out, “It’s so cold!” But unlike usual, I didn’t tell him to leave. Liam endured washing a few dishes, then came out and said to me, “Mom, the water’s really cold, and I still have a lot of homework tonight…” “I’m not the one telling you to wash the dishes,” I said, looking at Liam. “Mom washes dishes like this every day, and I also think the water’s really cold.” Liam opened his mouth, then reluctantly went back to the kitchen. Mark lay on the couch like a king. “Who made you mad today? Don’t bring your outside problems home. Liam didn’t do anything to you.” I looked at the man sprawled on the couch, and a wave of disgust washed over me from the inside out. This disgust had been building for a long time, ever since I had witnessed his laziness, selfishness, and hypocrisy again and again. But before this, the disgust had always been suppressed. Because “that’s just how life is,” “it’s just a small thing, don’t overreact,” “all men are like this,” “just endure it and it will pass.” This disgust had been stifled and held back by suffocating conventions, until today, when it finally erupted. I gagged, a dry heave directed at Mark’s face. Mark frowned. “What’s wrong with you?” I stood up, gathered the trash, and muttered, “You’re stinking up the place. I’m going to take out the trash.” Mark grumbled, “Why are you taking out the trash so late at night?” He didn’t offer to do it, nor did he offer to come with me. I breathed a sigh of relief.

The dash cam in Mark’s car had been broken for half a month. When he told me, I urged him to get a new one right away, but he said he was an experienced driver and didn’t need it. Looking back, that must have been when things started to go wrong. I uninstalled my car’s dash cam and put it in his. I’d bought a very small dash cam back then to save money, and now it was coming in handy. After doing all this, I quietly waited for Mark to slip up. And slip up he did, the very next day. During his lunch break, Mark drove to the hospital. Everything started to make sense. Because that woman was sick, he had been subtly asking me to cook light and nutritious things. On the way to the hospital, I was still thinking that after I caught him in the act, I’d divorce him later. Liam’s college entrance exams were next semester, and he was under a lot of pressure. As a mother, I couldn’t ignore my son’s future just for immediate gratification. I also thought that no matter what, I should keep this from Liam for now. What I didn’t expect was to run into Liam directly when I arrived at the hospital. Liam was talking to a girl next to him and didn’t see me. The girl was quite pretty, with big eyes and fair skin, very much like a face I remembered. My heart skipped a beat. I quickly asked the nurse nearby, “Do you have a patient named Michelle Smith here? I’m her friend, and I’d like to see her.” The nurse said, “Michelle Smith is on the fourth floor of the inpatient department, room 402.”

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I was a transmigrator. Right from the start, the plot jumped to the climax: my wife telling me she was in love with someone else and wanted a divorce. The original plot had me begging, pleading, and making a huge scene, refusing to let her go no matter what. That story would have led to a series of love-hate dramas, ending with me meeting a violent death at the hands of her new lover. *** “Alex Thorne, let’s get a divorce! I’m in love with someone else. Even if we force ourselves to stay together, we’ll never be happy.” “You might get my body, but you’ll never get my heart. And honestly, you won’t even get my body!” Hearing those familiar lines, I was a bit dazed. I opened my eyes and realized I’d somehow transmigrated into a book. According to the memories flooding my mind, the story had reached the point where the female lead, Seraphina Dubois, wanted a divorce from me. In the original plot, I was supposed to make desperate attempts to cling to her, refusing the divorce at all costs. I’d even spout threats like, “I’ll only divorce you over my dead body!” Which, naturally, made Seraphina hate me even more, to the point where she couldn’t even stand to look at me. I quirked a smile. As absurd as it all sounded, I could still roll with it. I looked at the divorce papers. If I agreed to the divorce, Seraphina, as the future heiress of the powerful Dubois family, would give me $3 million as compensation. My current self? Just an average guy, barely making $2,000 a month. By the book, I couldn’t earn that much in a lifetime. Divorce? Seraphina and I never had any real feelings for each other. Our marriage was nothing but a twist of fate to begin with. Now Seraphina had found her true love and was even willing to compensate me. Why would I say no? Just as Seraphina looked utterly disappointed, even furious, I calmly stated, “Sure, let’s do it.” Then I decisively signed the divorce papers: “Should we go file the paperwork now?” Seraphina froze, unable to believe her ears. Seeing me actually sign my name seemed to stun her even more. “You’re agreeing to the divorce?” She’d expected a huge fight, not this easy acceptance. “Of course! I can’t just hog a spot I’m not using, right? Besides, we were husband and wife in name only. No real intimacy, so no harm done to either of us!” “Speaking of, when will that compensation hit my account?” Having thoroughly read the original plot, I knew that in about a year or two, I’d rejoin my real family. A family that the Dubois clan couldn’t even hold a candle to. Unfortunately, the original ‘me’ wasn’t so lucky; he died before he could be recognized. Right now, my main goal was to live well, live freely, then reclaim my birthright and enjoy a better life. Everything else? Just background noise. “Uh… alright, let’s just go to the county clerk’s office then.” Seraphina was surprised, but still took me to the office. We finalized the divorce without a hitch. Seeing the $3 million deposit notification from my bank, I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. “Ex-wife, since you’re so generous, let’s keep in touch! I can help with anything else, but romance? Nope. Bye now!” Seraphina’s mouth twitched. She clearly couldn’t grasp why I was acting this way. I didn’t bother to explain. I just went back, packed my ridiculously sparse belongings, and left without a second thought. First things first, I used the money to buy a fully furnished luxury apartment downtown. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, my next-door neighbor came out. “Alex Thorne? Is that really you? Don’t tell me your wife kicked you out?”

It was true, but it still stung to hear it. I turned around and saw the woman who used to be my ex-wife’s arch-rival. Isabella Montez, I think her name was. Because of my relationship with Seraphina, Isabella often made snide remarks or tried to mess with me. Running into her now was hardly a good sign. I pursed my lips, jumping to conclusions. “You’re a wealthy heiress. Why are you buying a small apartment here when you could live in a mansion?” Isabella looked me up and down, her smile deepening when she saw my suitcase. “Looks like you really did get kicked out, didn’t you? Alex Thorne, what’s this? Did you finally wise up and decide to stop being a kept man?” My eye twitched. “Isabella Montez, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all! When was I ever a kept man?” Isabella scoffed. “Fine, play tough. Let’s see how long that lasts.” … Since the apartment was fully furnished, I could just move right in. That evening, I bought some groceries from the supermarket, planning to treat myself to a nice meal. I also figured I should start looking for something to do. I could be chill, but I couldn’t just do nothing. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. I walked to the door and saw Isabella again. She was holding several takeout containers, all looking warm. “Want to share a drink?” I was a bit surprised but couldn’t really refuse, so I let her in. Isabella, being a Montez heiress, was used to being pampered. She just had to snap her fingers, and someone appeared with every kind of drink imaginable in my apartment. We sat across from each other at the dining table. Maybe it was my imagination, but Isabella seemed to be thoroughly surveying my place. Finally, she contentedly opened a bottle of red wine. “Cheers! To your newfound single status!” I paused, then realized that with Isabella’s connections, finding out about my divorce would have been incredibly easy. Still, her actions were a little out of character. Was she scheming something? Especially those eyes of hers, full of a mischievous glint, clearly showing she had something up her sleeve! Just then, the doorbell rang again. I wondered why. I’d just moved in, and hardly anyone knew where I lived. Why so many visitors? I opened the door and found… Seraphina Dubois? For some reason, Seraphina’s eyes were red. She reached out to grab me. “Alex Thorne, come back with me.” I didn’t understand what was going on, but I instinctively stepped back, refusing her touch. “We’re divorced, Sera. You shouldn’t be grabbing me like that. We need to set some boundaries.” Seraphina clenched her jaw. “I know, but I have no choice.” “My grandfather is sick. He’s in the ICU. He always liked you the most. Please, I’m begging you, go see him. It might help him recover.” Mr. Dubois had always been kind to me. Our marriage, in fact, was largely due to his efforts. But according to the original plot, he wasn’t supposed to get sick at this time. What was happening? Could it be that the news of my divorce from Seraphina had upset him? Seraphina seemed to guess my thoughts and nodded heavily. “Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. But no matter what, just come with me now!” I was conflicted. On one hand, I didn’t want any more ties to my ex-wife. On the other, I didn’t want to disregard an old man’s kindness. Suddenly, Isabella appeared. Without a word, she wrapped her arm around mine and playfully nudged me. Then, as if to deliberately stake her claim, she said, “Seraphina, you’re divorced from Alex now. Is it really appropriate to be clinging to him like this?” Alex? The way she said my name was a little too intimate, wasn’t it? Before I could react, Seraphina noticed Isabella, and her beautiful face instantly darkened. “You! Isabella Montez, why are you with Alex Thorne? And why are you being so intimate?” Seraphina couldn’t wrap her head around it. This man she’d always looked down on seemed to have undergone such a drastic transformation. Isabella kept up the provocation, boldly tracing circles on my chest. “Why?” “A man and a woman, alone in an apartment, having a candlelit dinner late at night. What do you think, Seraphina?” Seraphina looked as if she’d been struck by lightning. She froze, completely stunned, before turning and stumbling away, utterly devastated.

I quickly pulled my arm away. Watching Seraphina’s retreating back, I didn’t feel heartbroken. But I did feel that Mr. Dubois’s illness was somewhat connected to me, and I couldn’t truly be heartless. “Isabella, thanks for bailing me out just now, but I still need to go to the hospital.” She pinched my arm, frustrated beyond belief. “I was trying to help you save face, and you’re just going to go running back? Haven’t you had enough of being a simp?” My previous status with Seraphina had invited constant insults, and Isabella had genuinely been helping me. I looked at her, helpless. “It’s about loyalty and respect. Mr. Dubois has always been good to me. Now that he’s sick, I can’t just ignore it.” Seeing my resolve, Isabella, despite her displeasure, could only sigh. “Fine, go ahead then! What a waste of my time. You don’t deserve this good wine; I’ll drink it myself!” I just smiled, half amused, half exasperated. I suddenly found Isabella’s temper quite charming. At the hospital. Seraphina and I arrived at the room one after the other. Thankfully, it wasn’t his time. Mr. Dubois had already been moved from the ICU to a private room. When he saw me, the worry on his face finally eased a little. “Alex, you’re here? Grandpa knew you were a good boy.” I leaned closer, pouring him a glass of water. “Grandpa, are you feeling any better?” “You’re getting older now; you shouldn’t get so stressed or upset. It’s not good for your health.” Mr. Dubois nodded, taking a shaky breath. “Grandpa knows. Grandpa’s still waiting to hold his great-grandchildren!” Then he glared indignantly at Seraphina. “You’re getting too big for your britches, young lady!” “If you still consider me your grandpa, then you’ll remarry Alex at once! I don’t approve of your divorce!” Seraphina tried to defend herself. “Grandpa, I…” The next second, the hospital room door was pushed open from outside. It was Julian Blackwood, Seraphina’s new boyfriend. He was the heir of a prominent family, skilled at feigning kindness. As soon as he appeared, he took Seraphina’s hand, their fingers intertwined. Julian: “Mr. Dubois, Sera can agree to anything else, but not this. We’re already planning to get married.” Mr. Dubois, who had just managed to calm down, now looked like he was about to spit blood. His chest heaved violently, a painful sight. “You… you scoundrel! Didn’t your family teach you any manners?” “You want to marry my granddaughter? Over my dead body!” Seraphina instinctively pulled her hand away. For some reason, she felt particularly uncomfortable. She shot Julian a glance. “What are you doing here? I thought we agreed you wouldn’t come?” I stood by the bedside, helping Mr. Dubois calm his breathing. Who knew Julian would drop another bombshell? “If I didn’t come, my future wife would be running off with someone else.” “Mr. Dubois, your tactics won’t work. Sera can only marry me, because she’s already carrying my child.” I froze again. What? According to the original plot, this was impossible. But Julian’s expression was so confident and calm. Even I couldn’t help but doubt my memory. Had… I remembered wrong? This time, Mr. Dubois completely lost it. He slammed the cup in his hand to the floor and coughed up blood. “Seraphina Dubois! How dare you? You’re pregnant with another man’s child? What about Alex’s reputation?” Seraphina tried to explain, but Julian gave her no chance. “Mr. Dubois, you’re not looking so good. Don’t stress yourself out. I’m certainly better than that kept man. Wouldn’t it be better for Sera to marry me?” In the end, Julian was escorted out. Seraphina was also cast out. Mr. Dubois looked utterly guilty and heartbroken. “It’s all my fault for not raising my granddaughter properly. How could she do such a thing?” My heart remained unmoved. I never had any love for Seraphina anyway. Leaving the hospital, I let out a long breath. I hailed a taxi and went home. But to my surprise, as I reached my door, I saw a drunken girl squatting outside. It was Isabella. She seemed to have had a lot to drink, muttering incoherently to herself. “Alex Thorne, are you an idiot? She doesn’t want you, and you’re still chasing after her?” “Alex Thorne, you big jerk, I have pride and dignity too, you know? You… you fool!” I gently patted Isabella’s shoulder, my voice tinged with helplessness. “Isabella, how much have you had to drink? Why are you having a meltdown outside my apartment?” Hearing my voice, Isabella braced herself against the wall and slowly stood up, staring intently at me, as if trying to see right through me. Then, before I could react, she used her drunken strength to pin me against the door! I was dumbfounded. What… what was this girl doing? Isabella reached up and pinched my cheek, quite hard. It hurt, and I couldn’t help but wince. “Ouch.” She poked me again. “It’s really you, Alex Thorne?” I nodded. “Who else would it be? Is there another me?” As soon as I said it, Isabella stood on her tiptoes and kissed me! I was completely stunned. This?! This wasn’t in the plot either?!

She held tightly onto my arm, as if afraid I’d run away. “Alex Thorne, I have a temper too, you know! You’re divorced now, and from this moment on… you’re not allowed to go near anyone else!” Honestly, Isabella was even prettier than Seraphina, and her personality was so vibrant. With her being so forward, any man would find it hard to resist. Including me. Which made what happened next feel utterly natural. I have to say, the master bedroom in this apartment certainly had a huge bed. If I hadn’t understood before why Isabella cared so much about whether I was divorced, Well, after that night, I definitely got it. This girl… she actually liked me? When did that happen? She hid it so well; I never suspected a thing! Heh, this was quite the pleasant surprise. That night, Isabella and I clicked perfectly. The next day, it was late morning before Isabella and I finally woke up. Isabella opened her eyes, saw me, and immediately froze in shock. As if remembering something, she quickly pulled back the covers, and almost fainted from what she saw! “I must be dreaming, right? Yes, I’m definitely dreaming…” she murmured, trying to convince herself. I gave her my best aggrieved look. “Isabella, you’re not going to try and ditch me, are you?” “Last night, you were so intense, so assertive; you didn’t even give me a chance to say no… Are you going to pretend you don’t know me today?” Isabella hadn’t expected such a move from me and was speechless. I pretended to be angry and got up, putting on my clothes. “If you really don’t want to take responsibility, then just leave.” Isabella panicked. Though the whole situation was unexpected, she didn’t dislike it one bit. “Wait, Alex Thorne, I never said I wouldn’t take responsibility!” Having gotten the answer I wanted, I turned around, a playful smile already back on my face. “You silly girl, I was just kidding. But… since you’ve already ‘had’ me, I’ll take responsibility for you.” “From now on, I’m your boyfriend, and you’re my girlfriend.” “You… you did that on purpose!” Isabella was both annoyed and shy, finally pulling the covers over her head, saying nothing more. I rubbed my stomach, which had been grumbling all night. “I’ll go make some food. You get some more sleep.” Luckily, I was a decent cook. One Seraphina left, and an even more charming Isabella arrived. Thinking about it, this was practically a dream life, wasn’t it? I was busy in the kitchen for a while, planning to impress my new girlfriend with my cooking skills. Unexpectedly, there was another knock on the door. I walked over and opened it, only to see Seraphina, her cheeks red, as if she’d been slapped. Even with makeup, some marks were visible. I was a bit surprised and cut straight to the chase. “Yesterday, the doctor said Grandpa’s condition is stable. As long as he doesn’t get too stressed, he’ll be fine. Do you need something else?” Seraphina didn’t speak. I didn’t want Isabella to misunderstand; she was my current girlfriend, after all. “If you’re not going to say anything, I’m going to close the door.” Seraphina panicked. Before, I had always spoiled her, giving in to her every whim. She had never experienced such treatment. But all of this was her own doing. Seeing that I was really about to close the door, she quickly pushed it open. “Alex Thorne, I’m not pregnant.”

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