Category: English

My mother always said my whole life was built on sheer luck. When I got first place on an exam, she’d say, “You’re a good guesser.” When I won a gold medal, it was, “The judges must have been blind.” When I was accepted into Kingston University, she told everyone we knew, “The girl has no real talent. She’s just lucky!” So, on my first day of school, she handed me a book of scratch-off tickets. “Since you’re so lucky,” she said with a thin smile, “you can rely on luck for your living expenses.” “You get one book per semester. Whatever you scratch is what you get. That’s fate.” “And just to make sure you don’t come crying to me when you’re broke, I’m blocking you. I’ll add you back next semester.” And with that, ignoring my desperate pleas on the other end of the line, she blocked all of my numbers. Left with no other choice, I started scratching two tickets a day. On a good day, I’d win twenty, maybe fifty dollars. Most days, I won nothing. I survived by secretly fishing my roommate’s expired cookies out of the trash can. During the last week of the semester, I was severely anemic. As I used the last of my strength to scratch the final ticket, I had to laugh. My mother was right. I really was lucky. … My vision swam with black spots; everything had a double image. The book of five-dollar scratch-offs my mother had given me was like a countdown to my own demise, and only one ticket remained. The thirty dollars I’d won before had been stretched to its absolute limit, even living on nothing but steamed buns and pickled vegetables. Two weeks was all it could last. My stomach felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, cramping with a dull, persistent ache. I called my mother, clinging to one last sliver of hope, but reality slapped me with a bucket of ice water. Still blocked. She hadn’t unblocked me. Desperate, I borrowed a phone from a student I didn’t know and dialed her number again. “Mom…” Before I could say another word, her sharp, cruel voice cut through the line. “If I remember correctly, you still have one ticket left, don’t you? Don’t come crying to me about being broke. I’m not falling for it! If you’re so capable, then use that same ‘luck’ you used to get into college and win scholarships!” The line went dead. I tried calling back, but the phone was turned off. The last scratch-off ticket felt heavy in my hand. I was terrified to scratch it, terrified that it would be another loser. When I started the semester, I was a healthy weight. Now, I was severely malnourished. At five-foot-five, I weighed only eighty pounds. The veins showed blue through my translucent skin. I got back to my dorm room. It was empty. My steps were unsteady as I shuffled toward the trash can. It had become a habit, checking to see if my roommates had thrown out any leftovers or expired food. It was how I had survived most of the semester. Just as I started digging through the trash, the door swung open. “Ugh, Zoe, are you digging through the trash again? That’s disgusting.” My roommate Dana’s voice made my face burn with shame. I snatched my hand back as if the bin were red-hot. Her eyes fell on the scratch-off tickets on my desk, and understanding dawned, followed by undisguised contempt. “I seriously don’t get you. How can you have such a bad gambling addiction? You’d rather dig through trash for food than stop buying those things!” “Even if you love scratching tickets, couldn’t you at least get a part-time job to feed yourself?” “Whatever. I guess it’s just my bad luck to be stuck in a room with someone like you.” With that, Dana glanced at the last bite of cake in her hand, tossed it into the trash, and walked out. I was dizzy with hunger, my head buzzing. I didn’t have the energy to wonder if her act was one of pity or humiliation. I pounced on the trash can like a starving animal and retrieved the piece of cake. I devoured it, shoving it into my mouth. Hot tears streamed down my face, mixing with the cake crumbs, creating a taste that was both salty and bitter. I couldn’t blame her for thinking that. She didn’t know that before school even started, my mother had printed flyers with my face on them and distributed them to every shop around campus with a single instruction: Do not hire this girl for part-time work. She had cut off all my escape routes. “Isn’t she lucky? Then let her rely on luck to eat,” my mother had said. I wondered if her face held the same mocking expression as Dana’s. I had tried to explain countless times that it wasn’t luck. Every award, every accomplishment, was the result of my own hard work. But she never believed me. To her, everything I achieved was just “luck.” Two simple words that erased all of my effort. The last bite of cake settled in my stomach, and the dizziness subsided slightly. My eyes returned to the final scratch-off ticket on my desk. I made my decision. With trembling hands, I began to scratch. As the silver coating peeled away, my heart sank with it. Until the very last line. The prize amount: $20. My heart died completely. That meant I had to survive on twenty dollars until my mother gave me a new book of tickets next semester. Clutching the ticket, I left the dorm to cash it at the lottery stand outside the campus gates. I had just stepped out of the building when I heard the stern voice of my academic advisor behind me. “Zoe Miller!” I turned. When he saw the scratch-off ticket in my hand, the disappointment on his face deepened. “Someone told me about this, but I didn’t want to believe it. You got into this university with one of the top ten entrance scores in the state. How could you become obsessed with games of chance?” “Look at your grades now. You’re failing almost every class! You are a profound disappointment!” “Consider this conversation a warning. If you continue down this path, I will have no choice but to follow university regulations and recommend your expulsion.” I stood there under the blazing sun, listening to his lecture. The energy from that single bite of cake was already gone. I started to sway. “Zoe?!” His expression shifted from anger to alarm. “Are you alright?” He glanced at my skeletal hands and sighed. “Let me take you to the cafeteria to get something to eat. And please, stop spending your food money on lottery tickets. You can’t live your life waiting for a miracle.” I didn’t refuse his offer. At this point, anyone who gave me a meal was my savior. Dignity? Pride? They were worthless when you were starving. I hadn’t eaten a proper meal from the cafeteria all semester. I’d only ever bought plain steamed buns and drank the free hot water. I had no energy to pay attention in class; the words on the blackboard swam before my eyes like tadpoles. My grades had plummeted, and my pride was in pieces. After devouring the meal, I felt much better. I could walk without stumbling, and my mind felt clearer. I thanked my advisor and turned to leave, but he stopped me, his brow furrowed. “Where are you going?” I held up the crumpled ticket. “To cash this in. Otherwise… I won’t have anything to eat.” “Zoe!” he exclaimed, his anger returning. “Have you already forgotten everything I just said?” “Or are you deliberately defying me? Do you want to be expelled? I shouldn’t have bought you that meal. Maybe if you truly starved, you’d understand the gravity of the situation!” “Give me that ticket. It’s time to cut your losses!” He held out his hand, his expression demanding and unyielding. I quickly hid the ticket behind my back. “Sir, I really can’t give this to you. You don’t understand.” He slammed his hand on the table. “You’re a lost cause! I’m telling you right now, if you don’t hand it over, I will go back to my office and issue a formal demerit and disciplinary action against you!” I lowered my head, my nails digging into my palms. After a moment of internal struggle, I bowed to him. “I’m sorry, sir. I really can’t.” Ignoring his shouts behind me, I turned and ran towards the lottery stand as fast as my weak legs could carry me. The woman at the counter took my ticket and rolled her eyes. “Seriously, what an addict,” she muttered. “Wasting her parents’ hard-earned money like this.” A bitter taste filled my mouth. If I told her this ticket was my living expense, the only thing keeping me alive, she’d probably think I was even crazier. “QR code,” she said impatiently, holding up her phone. I took out my own phone, its screen a spiderweb of cracks, and was about to open my payment app when a thought struck me. Suddenly, I didn’t want to cash it in anymore. “I’ve changed my mind,” I heard myself say. “I’d like to exchange it for a new one.” The woman gave me a massive, undisguised eye-roll, then tore off another five-dollar ticket and threw it on the counter. “Hopeless. How did Kingston University ever accept a student like this?” I had heard words like that so many times—from my roommate, from strangers, from her—that they no longer stung. I took the new ticket, thanked her, and turned to leave without scratching it. I hadn’t taken more than a few steps when my phone rang. The screen displayed a single word: “Mom.” I froze. That name felt like a relic from another lifetime. “Hello?” I answered just before the call ended. Her sharp, acidic voice immediately filled my ear. “Hmph. I thought you had too much pride to answer my calls.” “You should be done with the book of tickets I gave you. How much did you win on the last one?” “Twenty dollars,” I said truthfully. The sarcasm in her voice deepened. “Tsk. I guess you really are lucky. You’re not dead yet.” I couldn’t take it anymore. “Mom, do you have any idea how I’ve been surviving this semester? On handouts from my roommate and scraps I find in the trash! If my advisor hadn’t bought me a meal today, I would have collapsed and ended up in the hospital!” I thought hearing about my suffering might change her mind. Instead, she laughed. “So? Are you trying to brag about how lucky you are to have a nice roommate and a kind advisor?” “Zoe, I’m trying to teach you a lesson! You can’t rely on handouts!” “If you can get into Kingston on luck, then you can certainly eat a full meal on luck. It shouldn’t be that hard, should it?” Tears burst from my eyes. I screamed into the phone, my voice raw with pain. “I got into Kingston, I won those competitions, because I worked for it! I never once said I got in because I was lucky!” My outburst only made her more impatient. “Stop pretending. Hard work? I gave birth to you; I know exactly what you’re made of. When I was pregnant with you, I deliberately fell down a few times and couldn’t even get rid of you. If that’s not luck, what is?” Her words froze the blood in my veins. It was the first time she had ever said it so plainly, so cruelly. I had heard the whispers from relatives. When she was pregnant, a village doctor told her she was having a girl, and she didn’t want me. Abortion techniques weren’t as advanced back then. She didn’t have the courage to go through with it, so she gave birth to me. But the delivery was difficult, and she had to have a hysterectomy. She could never have another child. Because of that, my father divorced her. All the pieces clicked into place. Rage and grief exploded inside me. “If I had known I’d be living off scratch-off tickets, do you think I would have chosen to be born?” “Now you’re complaining?” she sneered. “Fine. From now on, I’ll buy you the two-dollar tickets instead.” “Since you’re so lucky, it’ll save me some money!” With a sharp click, she hung up. She had probably blocked me again. I walked back to my dorm in a daze and stared at the new ticket for a long time. Finally, I gathered my courage and began to scratch. The first line: nothing. The second line: nothing. The third… nothing. With only the last line left, I closed my eyes and scraped randomly at the ticket. After a long moment, I opened them, my hands trembling. I had won. The prize box read… $500,000! A storm of emotions swirled in my chest, but overwhelming it all was a wave of pure, unadulterated joy. The grand prize had to be claimed at the central lottery office. Wasting no time, I shot out of my room and started running. Thankfully, it wasn’t far from the university. I didn’t have money for a bus, but I made it there in half an hour on foot. Even as the money was transferred into my account, it felt like a dream. I stared at the string of numbers on my banking app, tears streaming down my face. I went to the most expensive restaurant in the city and ate until I was full. The other patrons stared at me, at my skeletal frame and ravenous eating, like I was a ghost back from the dead. My mother was right. I really was lucky. After wandering the city all day, I returned to my dorm to the sound of my phone ringing. It was her. “Zoe, darling, did you win the lottery?” The affectionate nickname sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn’t remember the last time she’d called me that. Even when I got into Kingston, her reaction had been lukewarm at best. “Win what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her tone immediately soured. “Zoe Miller, don’t you play games with me! I saw it on the news! A grand prize scratch-off was claimed in the city today. I recognized your back in the photo! I’d recognize you even if you were a pile of ash.” I cursed myself. In my excitement, I had only thought about claiming the prize and getting a hot meal. I had forgotten to disguise myself. “You’re mistaken. It wasn’t me.” I hung up before she could reply. She called again and again, but I didn’t answer. Finally, I blocked her number. I thought that would be the end of it. The next morning, I was shaken awake by Dana. “Zoe, get up! Something terrible has happened!” Her next words jolted me fully awake. “Your mother is on the roof of the science building. She says if you don’t come to see her, she’s going to jump!” All sleepiness vanished. I leaped out of bed and ran outside, still in my pajamas, my hair a mess. “I am here to expose my daughter, Kingston University student Zoe Miller!” my mother’s voice shrieked from above. “She has always been a gambler, relying on luck, with no respect for her own mother!” “And now that she’s won the lottery, she wants to cut me off! Does a student like this deserve to be at Kingston?” Even though it was early, the campus was already dotted with students on their morning jogs. Everyone stopped to watch the spectacle. Some people cursed my name, some looked on with envy, but most just watched with the detached curiosity of a crowd at a circus. I looked up at the crazed figure of my mother on the rooftop. I opened my mouth to shout for her to come down, but the words died in my throat. She said I was a gambler. Fine. This time, I’d bet on her. I’d bet she didn’t have the guts to jump. I turned and walked away from the crowd, back to my dorm. I sat down at my desk and wrote an application for an overseas research program. I won the bet.

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My daughter was mowed down on the campus promenade by a drunk, speeding trust-fund brat. Her femur was shattered. Multiple ribs were broken. She was, and still is, in a coma. His parents requested a meeting to settle things. Her tone was a blade of arrogance, sharp and self-assured. “Ava,” she said, “just sign the liability waiver. Let’s not drag this out and ruin my son’s future.” A wildfire of rage consumed what little reason I had left. I snatched the papers and threw them back in her face. “You can go to hell.” A smirk played on her lips as she looked up at me from her seat. “The law is quite clear. Even in a wrongful death suit, the payout is rarely more than a couple of million. Your daughter isn’t even dead. How about we cover the medical bills and add two million on top of that?” She slid a black credit card from her wallet, flashing it like a trophy. “I’m sure you’ve never seen one of these. It’s an Amex Centurion. Invitation only.” My eyes locked on the card. On the unique, custom filigree pattern in the corner. A pattern I knew intimately. It was the birthday gift I had given my husband. For a sickening moment, I tasted blood in the back of my throat. I swallowed it down, my gaze turning lethal. “Name a price for your son’s life,” I said, my voice dangerously calm. “I’m buying.” 1 When I first arrived at the hospital, my legs nearly gave out. My daughter, Maya, was a fragile doll wrapped in white, lying still and silent in the ICU. The machines breathed for her. The police officer showed me photos from the scene. Maya and two other girls, their limbs bent at unnatural angles like broken marionettes. Their white university sweatshirts were stained a horrifying, deep crimson. The doctor’s words echoed in my head. She walked right up to death’s door. A fraction of an inch closer… After three days of holding vigil by Maya’s bedside, I got a call from the academy. The parents of the boy who did this wanted to meet. I found her in the headmaster’s office, a woman dripping in jewels, scrolling idly on her phone. She glanced up, her expression one of utter boredom. “You must be Ava, Maya’s mother. Sit.” She slid a document across the polished mahogany table. A liability waiver. “Let’s not waste time. Sign this. My son has a bright future, and I don’t want this… incident… to interfere with it.” The arrogance was suffocating. The entitlement, absolute. The image of my daughter, blood-soaked and broken, flashed behind my eyes. An inferno of rage burned away the edges of my sanity. My hands trembled, not from fear, but from a fury so profound it threatened to tear me apart. I gripped the papers, and with a guttural scream, ripped them to shreds, throwing the pieces in her face. “Your son is a monster. You’re dreaming if you think I’ll let this go!” I lunged at her, a primal urge to claw that smirk off her face, to make her feel a fraction of my pain. Why should the one who caused all this suffering sit there so high and mighty, so utterly untouched? The headmaster and another teacher, who had been standing by like useless statues, finally sprang into action, grabbing my arms. “Mrs. Harrison, please, calm down,” one of them pleaded, as if I were the one out of line. “Mrs. Vance is here in good faith, to find a resolution.” Audrey Vance calmly brushed the paper scraps from her silk blouse, her eyes glittering with derisive pity. “I’ve already had my people look into you,” she said, her voice smooth as venom. “Your daughter wears clothes from Zara and Gap. Non-designer. I’d wager you’re a typical working-class family.” “The law is quite clear,” she repeated, as if lecturing a child. “Even in a wrongful death suit, the payout is rarely more than a couple of million. Your daughter isn’t even dead. How about we cover the medical bills and add two million on top of that?” She leaned forward, a conspiratorial gleam in her eye. “Two million dollars… that must seem like a lottery ticket for a family like yours. Think about it. If you save a hundred thousand a year, it would take you twenty years to earn that. One little accident, and you get it all at once. You should see this as a blessing, our little act of charity. Don’t be greedy. It’s unbecoming.” I stared at her, the hatred in my soul so potent I could feel it radiating from my skin. My whole body shook. “Your son was drunk, street racing on a campus promenade. He critically injured three people and hurt dozens more. The only place his future belongs is in a prison cell for the rest of his life!” Audrey feigned a theatrical arch of her brow, then let a chilling smile spread across her face. “Have you ever heard the expression, ‘Money makes the world go ‘round’?” she purred. “And I have more than just money. I have influence. Why do you think this story hasn’t blown up on the news or social media? Because I…” She flattened her palm and pressed it down, a gesture of absolute power. “…had it suppressed.” As if for emphasis, she produced the black card again, her eyes shining with smug triumph. “Do you know what this is? The Amex Centurion card. You need a net worth in the hundreds of millions to even qualify. A number you can’t even fathom.” My gaze fell again on the familiar, custom filigree in the corner. The world tilted on its axis. My heart, already shattered, plunged into an abyss. That was the supplementary card I had given my husband, Mark. His mistress was trying to use my own money to buy my daughter’s life. The last few weeks clicked into place with horrifying clarity. A month ago, Mark asked for a birthday present. A new luxury sports car. I’d said yes. The model he described matched the one that hit my daughter. Three days ago, the head of my company’s PR department mentioned Mark had requested a full-court press to contain a “negative social media narrative.” Lost in my grief over Maya, I’d approved it without a second thought. A metallic tang of blood filled my throat again. I swallowed it down. My voice, when it came out, was glacial. “Then what’s the price for your son’s life? Name a number. I’m buying.” 2 For a split second, a flicker of genuine shock crossed her face. Then, she let out a short, sharp laugh. “Heh.” “I know you’re upset about your daughter, but tantrums won’t solve your financial problems. And really, what kind of money could you possibly have?” My gaze was unblinking, heavy as stone. “Name a price.” The surprise returned, quickly replaced by a dawning, greedy comprehension. “Oh, I see. You think two million is too low. Fine. Three million. Any more than that, and frankly, your daughter just isn’t worth it.” I repeated myself, my voice flat and devoid of emotion. “I said, I want to buy your son’s life. Give me a number.” She sized me up, from my simple black dress to my worn-out shoes, and then burst into full-throated laughter. It was a cruel, mocking sound. “Ten million,” she finally gasped, as if it were the funniest joke she’d ever heard. “If you can produce ten million dollars, you can have my son’s life. Ha! But people like you… you couldn’t save that much in a hundred lifetimes.” I nodded slowly. “Ten million. It’s a bit steep for a piece of trash, but fine. His life is mine.” I pulled out my phone and sent a single text to my assistant. Audrey scoffed. Even one of the teachers felt the need to intervene. “Mrs. Harrison, please, be reasonable,” he said, his tone placating. “The Vances are not people you can afford to provoke. You could lose everything—your daughter’s medical coverage, even your job.” I’ve always taught Maya to be modest, to be humble. The teachers at this elite academy, however, were masters of kissing up and kicking down. No one here knew that I was the chairman of the board of Apex Innovations. That my husband, Mark, the company’s CEO, was merely its public face. “I’ve recorded our entire conversation,” I said calmly, looking at Audrey. “And I’d like the teachers present to act as witnesses to our agreement.” That finally seemed to get under her skin. Her face hardened. “Fine. You want to play hardball? You won’t get a single penny. And let me tell you something else. My husband has already dispatched Apex Innovations’ chief legal counsel, David Klein, to handle this. The man has never lost a case in his life.” I nodded again. “Perfect.” The teachers were now looking at me as if I’d completely lost my mind. “The poor woman’s cracked from the trauma,” one whispered to another. “It’s a shame. A real tragedy. But to go up against the wife of Apex’s CEO? In this city, everyone knows they can move mountains.” Just as Audrey’s smugness reached its peak, the parents of another victim arrived. Audrey repeated her offer to them, the same cold speech, the same dismissive tone. The father’s face was a mask of anguish and indecision. “We can’t sign it, honey,” the mother sobbed. “We can’t. Our little girl… there isn’t a single part of her that isn’t broken. How can we just let that monster walk away? I can’t live with it!” The father sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “But the treatments… we need the money. And how can we possibly fight a family like that? If we don’t sign, we’ll probably get nothing at all!” The mother’s cries intensified. “My baby… why did this have to happen to her?” As the father reached for the pen, his hand trembling, I stood up and blocked his path. “Don’t sign it,” I said, my voice firm. “She has no money to give you. I will personally cover all of your child’s medical expenses—every treatment, every surgery, for as long as it takes.” The couple stared at me, bewildered. Audrey shot me a furious glare. “What nonsense are you spouting? This card,” she brandished the Amex, “can handle two million, ten million, whatever I want, in an instant.” A teacher grabbed my arm, frowning. “You’re not just refusing the money for yourself, now you’re interfering with others. They’re being much more sensible than you.” My eyes were like ice, but a slow, cold smile touched my lips. “So confident, are we?” I turned and took the other parents’ hands in mine. Looking at their grief-stricken faces, my own tears finally fell. We are all just parents, wanting to protect our children. “Ask her to run the card right now,” I whispered to them. “If she can’t, it means she’s lying.” The couple squeezed my hands back, their sorrow momentarily replaced by a flicker of resolve. They nodded. The academy’s finance officer was quickly summoned with a POS terminal. “We can process the payment now, and the school will transfer the funds directly to the parents’ accounts.” Audrey held her head high, swiping the black card with a flourish. A mechanical female voice announced, “CARD DISABLED.”

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My husband is one of the world’s leading hypnotists. But when the woman he could never forget killed someone in a car accident, he hypnotized me to clear her name. “Clara is fragile,” he whispered, his voice a soothing poison. “She’s terrified of prison. Just forget this memory and take her place. When you get out, I’ll make it up to you.” Our five-year-old son nodded along. “Besides, you’re just a useless housekeeper. When you go to jail, Aunt Clara can finally be my real mom!” A serene smile touched my lips. I gave them their wish. I forgot them completely. But now that I’m free of them, my memory wiped clean, they stand at my door every day, begging me to just look at them one more time. 1 After serving eleven months, I walked out of the prison gates. My husband, Adrian, was waiting for me with our son. “Let’s go home. We’re here to pick you up.” He patted the little boy’s shoulder. “Leo, go help your mother with her things.” “No way!” Five-year-old Leo ducked behind his father, sticking his tongue out at me. “She’s a convict, not my mom! My mom is Aunt Clara.” He tugged on Adrian’s sleeve. “Dad, isn’t it Aunt Clara’s birthday today? Let’s go celebrate with her. I don’t want to see some jailbird.” Adrian’s face paled. He shot me a panicked look. “Evelyn, he’s just a child. He doesn’t know what he’s saying. Don’t take it to heart.” I shook my head. “I won’t. He’s just a boy with a father who never taught him any manners.” “What?” Adrian froze, his eyes snapping to mine. “Evelyn, how can you say that? This is Leo.” Leo burst into tears. “I don’t want a convict for a mom! I want Aunt Clara! Dad, let’s go! Send her away! We don’t want her home!” He wailed, watching me through his tears. When he saw my expression was nothing more than a mild frown, he cried even louder. Adrian was flustered. “He’s crying. You should comfort him. You used to dote on him more than anything.” He was right. The person I supposedly doted on was calling me a convict and rejecting me as his mother. It was a good thing I couldn’t remember them. How agonizing would it be to be stabbed in the heart by the people you love most? “I don’t remember you,” I said. “Adrian, let’s get a divorce.” It was the only logical path. We go our separate ways, and everyone is better off. Adrian went rigid. A stiff, forced smile stretched his lips. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re not getting a divorce. You’re just suffering from temporary amnesia due to the trauma. You’ll remember soon.” He leaned closer, his voice confident. “We are the people you love most in this world. Once you remember, you won’t be able to leave us. Let’s go home. You need to rest.” He brought me to a three-story villa. I scanned the property, but it stirred no memories. If it weren’t for the fact that the house was filled with things I recognized as my own personal habits and preferences, I would have doubted I’d ever lived there at all. So, I really had lost my memory. No wonder I couldn’t recall the details of the car accident. I explored the villa, trying to jog something loose. As I pushed open the door to a cluttered attic, a figure who had been sneakily following me lunged forward, shoving me inside. I crashed into a pile of junk, and boxes and old furniture came tumbling down on top of me. An old chair leg struck my forehead, and a sharp, hot pain made me break out in a cold sweat. Clutching my head, I looked back at the culprit standing in the doorway. “You really are a spoiled little brat. Is your father dead? Is that why you turned out like this?” Leo’s face, which had been pale with shock, twisted into a look of disgust when he heard me insult his father. “It’s your own fault for coming back today. It’s Aunt Clara’s birthday. Dad and I are celebrating with her. You’re not going to ruin it!” With that, he stepped back and slammed the door shut. I heard the distinct sound of a lock clicking into place. A sense of dread washed over me. I scrambled to my feet and banged on the door, telling him to open it, but Leo just giggled and ran off. “You’re a bad woman! You can just stay in there forever!” 2 I kicked the door in frustration as the attic was plunged into darkness. Almost immediately, a wave of discomfort washed over me. The enclosed space felt like drowning, stealing the air from my lungs. I slid down the door, slumping to the floor as the world spun around me. A phantom hand seemed to be squeezing my throat. “Open the door…” I rasped, weakly pounding on the wood. The suffocating panic was so overwhelming that I could no longer feel the throbbing pain in my forehead. My eyes fluttered shut, and I fell into unconsciousness. When I woke up, I was in a hospital. My head was bandaged. A thin, lanky boy was standing over me. “You’re awake. Do you want some water?” His eyes were clear and bright as he leaned down. The clothes he wore were faded from countless washings. When he noticed me staring, he grew visibly flustered. A small smile touched my lips. “Did you save me? Thank you.” The boy shook his head quickly, stammering, “N-No need. I was just delivering a package and heard a noise from the attic, so I called the police.” He pointed towards the door, where two police officers were standing. “Well,” I said, turning back to him, “either way, you’re the one who found me. Thank you for saving my life.” The boy’s face turned bright red. He waved his hands dismissively and hurried out to get the officers. They explained the situation, I expressed my gratitude, and they left. I learned that the boy who saved me was eight years old. His name was Sam Lee. His parents had passed away two years ago, and he was supposed to go to an orphanage, but he had run away. He survived by running errands and delivering packages for people in the neighborhood for a few dollars. I was speechless. After a moment, I looked at him and asked, “Sam, would you like to come home with me?” He looked up, his eyes wide and hopeful. “Can I?” “Of course.” He nodded frantically. “Yes, I want to. I really do.” “Good. We’ll go home as soon as I’m done here.” After my IV drip was finished, I took Sam back to the apartment my parents had left me. It was a cozy three-bedroom, not huge, but warm. Sam was a whirlwind of help, carrying boxes and cleaning rooms without a single complaint—a world away from a certain brat I knew. A wave of contentment washed over me. This was the kind of son I should have had. After we finished unpacking, I went to the kitchen and made a pot of braised pork rib noodles. The rich aroma filled the small apartment, and Sam’s eyes lit up. “It smells amazing.” He took a bowl and filled it to the brim with pork ribs, placing it in front of me. “You’re hurt. You need to eat lots of meat to get better.” Then he sat down and served himself a small portion of plain noodles, eating them quietly. I looked at the stark contrast between our bowls and couldn’t help but ruffle his hair. “I need to recover, but so do you. You’re a growing boy. You need meat even more than I do.” I spooned a generous helping of ribs into his bowl. Sam let me fuss over him, his face flushing a happy pink as he nodded. “Okay. Thanks, Mom.” A week passed. I completed the adoption paperwork for Sam and enrolled him in a local school. He was officially Sam Evans now—coincidentally, the same last name as his birth mother. I figured it was fate. That weekend, I planned to take him shopping for new clothes. But early that morning, my phone began to ring, shrill and insistent. Adrian’s cursed name flashed across the screen. 3 I hung up without a second thought. He called back twice more, and I rejected them both. A moment later, two text messages came through. It was Adrian. “Where are you?” “The housekeeper said you haven’t been home all week. Where did you go?” Where I went was none of his damn business. I promptly blocked his number. It took him an entire week to notice I was gone. If Sam hadn’t found me, I would have been dead in that attic. I blocked every possible way he could contact me, then took Sam to the mall. We both picked out several new outfits. As we were about to leave, Sam’s gaze fell on a display of matching parent-child outfits in the window. “Want to try them on?” I asked, a smile tugging at my lips. He nodded shyly. “Alright, let’s go try on our matching outfits.” I changed quickly and waited for Sam outside the dressing room. And just my luck, that’s when I ran into Adrian and his entourage. He saw me and froze. “Evelyn? What are you doing here?” I ignored him, my gaze sliding away indifferently. Adrian’s expression faltered, a hint of guilt in his eyes. “I know about what Leo did, locking you in the attic. I’ve already punished him. I’m making him apologize.” He motioned for Leo, who shuffled forward and mumbled a half-hearted, “Sorry.” I laughed softly. “Locked me in an attic for what could have been a week, and a simple ‘sorry’ is supposed to fix it? Why not wait until I’m dead and burn some paper offerings as an apology instead?” Adrian’s face stiffened. He clearly hadn’t expected me to be so confrontational. Leo’s face was pale as he stared at the floor. Clara, the woman standing beside them, stepped forward as if she couldn’t bear to watch. She took my hand, her voice soft and persuasive. “Sweetie, Leo didn’t do it on purpose. Why make things so hard on a child? Blame me. After my birthday, I begged them to take a week-long trip with me. That’s why we didn’t realize you were gone.” She smiled sweetly. “How about this? You just got out of prison. We’ll throw you a welcome home party. It’ll be our apology and a way to wash away all the bad luck. What do you think?” Adrian’s face lit up. “That’s a great idea, Clara. Very thoughtful.” Neither of them noticed how the surrounding shoppers and store clerks took a subtle step back, their eyes now filled with a mixture of fear and disgust as they looked at me. I sneered. So, they locked me in an attic and ran off to play with the other woman? I yanked my hand away from Clara’s, disgustedly brushing off my new clothes. “What could possibly be more unlucky than running into you? My husband and son are tangled up with you. If you like them so much, tell him to divorce me. I’ll gift-wrap them both and send them over to you.” Clara’s face turned ashen. She never imagined I would be so blunt in public. The crowd’s scornful gaze immediately shifted from me to her. “Oh, she’s the other woman. So shameless, hooking up with someone else’s husband and son.” “Look at them. I honestly thought they were the family.” “The man’s no good either. Parading his mistress in front of his wife. How pathetic.” “So trashy. If I were the wife, I’d be furious.” Listening to the whispers, Adrian’s expression turned ugly. “What nonsense are you spouting? There’s nothing going on between Clara and me! Go home and reflect on your behavior, now!” Clara’s eyes welled with tears as she explained weakly, “Sweetie, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not trying to take Adrian and Leo from you. I just… I can’t bear to see them so lonely.” “Bullshit! You shameless homewrecker!” someone from the crowd yelled, spitting in her direction. 4 “The husband yells at his wife to protect his mistress, and the mistress makes pathetic excuses. Are you two even human?” “Scumbags like you deserve each other. Get lost before you blind us all!” Assailed by the crowd, Adrian and Clara looked increasingly cornered. Clara looked like she was about to faint. Leo, his face red with anger, rushed forward. “Don’t you bully Aunt Clara! Apologize to her!” He lunged at me. But before he could touch me, another small body slammed into him, knocking him aside. “Mom, are you okay?” Sam stood in front of me like a protective lion cub, glaring at the three of them. I shook my head, stroking his hair. “I’m fine, sweetie. Don’t worry.” “Mom?” Leo scrambled up from the floor, his face a mask of disbelief. When his eyes landed on our matching outfits, his expression morphed into one of shock and heartbreak. Suddenly, he launched himself at Sam, scratching and hitting him. “Who’s your mom? She’s my mom! Stop calling her that!” he shrieked. “You’re not allowed to wear matching clothes with her! Go away! Go away!” He tore frantically at Sam’s new shirt. Sam, who had been about to fight back, froze when he heard Leo’s words, letting the blows rain down on him. That silly boy. I strode over and pulled Leo off him. “Your mother is over there. Don’t get confused.” I held Sam close and glared at Adrian. “Control your little demon. If he causes any more trouble, I’m calling the police.” Adrian’s jaw was tight. “Evelyn, he’s your son!” Sam immediately wrapped his arms around my waist and shot them a defiant look. “I’m Mom’s son.” Leo looked like he was about to attack again, but Adrian held him back, shaking his head at me in disappointment. “Evelyn, you’re being completely unreasonable. When you get your memory back, you’re going to regret this.” “That’s right, sweetie,” Clara chimed in, comforting the crying Leo. “Even if you’re jealous that Adrian and Leo are nice to me, you shouldn’t just pick up some stray off the street and call him your son. Think of how much that hurts Leo!” I looked at her coldly. “Where’s your father?” “What?” She was taken aback. “I asked where your father is,” I repeated patiently. “I’d like to find him, slap him across the face, and ask him how he raised a daughter with no class, throwing around words like ‘stray.’” “You! How dare you say I have no class?” Clara sputtered, her face crimson. “I’m talking about you, Miss Other Woman.” A smirk played on my lips as I took Sam’s hand and started to walk away. I called back to the sales clerk, “This man is paying for our clothes. His son ripped my son’s shirt, so he owes us a new one. My outfit is for emotional damages.” Behind me, I could hear Leo’s heartbroken sobs. “You don’t remember me? Well, I don’t like you anymore! I never want to see you again! Waaaaah!” I didn’t even bother to turn around. Back home, Sam apologized guiltily. “Mom, I’m sorry. I made my… I made that boy sad. Maybe you should go check on him?” “What does that have to do with you?” I said, exasperated. “He started it. What’s wrong with me protecting my own son? Besides, he’s the one who didn’t want me. He’s not lacking for attention. You, on the other hand… does that long scratch on your neck not hurt?” I pulled him over to treat the wound. The tears he had been holding back all day finally fell. That night, I got a call from an unknown number. It was Adrian, using the housekeeper’s phone. “Evelyn,” he said, his voice demanding, “Leo is sick.” “Oh.” “‘Oh’? What’s that supposed to mean? Aren’t you worried? Aren’t you coming to see him?” “I’m not a doctor. Is he going to magically get better if I look at him? Is there anything else? If not, I’m hanging up.” I disconnected before he could reply, catching the sound of a child’s crying just before the line went dead. But what did that have to do with me? Another week went by.

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In my darkest year, the company’s new CEO launched a full-scale, aggressive pursuit of me. He promoted me, took me to dinner, and declared, “Cole Young stole my business, so I’m going to steal his girl. It’s only fair.” I chewed on my steak, thinking. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that Cole already had a cherished love, a girl he’d been hung up on for years. He showered me with money and affection. I let it happen, half-heartedly playing along, coasting through six months of a numb, loveless arrangement. Then, at a gala, she returned. His long-lost love was back in the country. Urged on by the crowd, she blushed and linked her arm through Cole’s. My stomach dropped. I met the CEO’s confused gaze. The next second, Cole spoke. He toyed with the pink scrunchie on his wrist, his eyes landing coolly on me. “I have a girlfriend.” And just like that, I was even more lost than before. Because we had broken up two years ago. 1 It was the sixth month of Liam Hayes’s relentless pursuit. Our “relationship” had finally taken a small step forward: I had agreed to see a movie with him. He looked moved enough to cry. He turned away, muttering under his breath, “She’s so hard to get. No wonder Cole Young is so obsessed with her.” He handed me a hot milk tea to warm my hands, then placed a soft cushion on my seat. “Your period is in a couple of days, right?” he said, his voice full of concern. “Is work too stressful? I’ll have them turn down the AC in the office. Is there anything you can’t eat right now?” I waved a hand dismissively, my eyes fixed on the screen. “Don’t go to the trouble.” A shadow passed over his eyes. He’d misunderstood. “Is it because Cole did it better? Did he know you better?” I paused, swirling the warm tea in my hands. The sweetness, the flavor—it was exactly how I liked it. I could tell he’d done his research. “No,” I said. “You’re great.” A ripple of memory disturbed the calm surface of my mind. The truth was, Cole had never cared about those kinds of details. He was always busy, always exhausted. And he had a girl tucked away in his heart, a girl he thought about every single day. The first time he ever bought me a milk tea was to thank me. The day before, he’d cancelled a meeting at the last minute and hopped on a flight to see Clara Lane. When his mother found out and was about to explode, I’d covered for him. He’d shoved the drink into my hand. “Thanks,” he’d said flatly. “Let’s get dinner tonight. I don’t like owing people.” I’d caught a cold from running around for him that day. He hadn’t noticed the drink was iced. That night, my cough was so bad I had to cancel. “Aria, did you just compliment me?” Liam’s eyes lit up. He pressed his advantage. “Is the movie good? I spent a long time picking it out.” “It’s fine. I don’t really watch movies.” He froze. For a second, I thought he was about to figure something out. But then he just pulled out his phone and started typing in his notes app. Watching a romance movie with a girl increases intimacy. Can’t believe Cole Young is so clueless. This is my chance to get ahead! I smiled but said nothing. It wasn’t that Cole was clueless. He just didn’t want to watch movies with me. We didn’t speak for the rest of the film. 2 “You know, that male lead is the worst! I have zero sympathy for him.” “If you have a problem, just say it! It’s not that hard!” I fumed. Liam quietly cut my steak, sometimes looking down at the plate, sometimes up at me, a gentle smile on his face. A few frustrated tears welled in my eyes. “What do you think? You have to be on my side!” “Of course!” Liam blinked. “It’s just… I’ve never seen you this emotional before. It makes me happy.” He said it like a profound discovery. “My research says that people only show their true emotions to those they feel safest with!” I was taken aback. I realized that over the past six months, I had grown comfortable with him. Our conversations had become easy, relaxed. We were around the same age, with the same strange tastes. Liam was in his early twenties, a pampered rich kid who’d been dropped into our company as the new CEO. When he first arrived, he was full of ambition, ready to conquer the business world. He’d immediately run headfirst into the calm, experienced wall that was Cole Young. He lost every time. Then, one day, he’d gotten a tip from somewhere. He’d found me, the girl who made coffee and ran errands, and declared through gritted teeth, “You’re his girl, aren’t you? I’m going to win you over!” For the past six months, he’d stopped pulling all-nighters on projects and instead dedicated his energy to studying me. “If I can win over the woman he loves,” he’d reasoned, “then taking his projects will be a piece of cake.” Thinking about it now, it was almost funny. Cole had grown up with nothing. He was quiet, reserved, and had always fought to be number one. He’d nearly worked himself into the ground building his company from scratch. It would be strange if he lost to a sheltered rich boy like Liam. As he paid the bill, I put down my fork and tested the waters. “So, what made you think I was the one he… loved?” After all, in the three years Cole and I had been together, he had been, at best, lukewarm. We were never officially public. Liam suddenly went quiet, turning his face away. “Because… because I saw him once, carving a jade bracelet.” I blinked. “He’d go to this jade shop every day after work, sit under the warm light, and just carve for hours. And then… I saw you wearing it once.” The memory was hazy. A bracelet? I couldn’t quite recall. Cole had given me many things, but each gift was transactional, a way of keeping the score even. If I ordered him a cake, he’d give me earrings. If I picked him up in a storm when he was drunk, he’d give me a necklace. They were all bought by his assistant, placed silently on my nightstand. They weren’t cheap, but they weren’t special, either. The only time he put any thought into a gift was right before he flew to London to see Clara. Only then would he pick up his phone and choose something himself. Seeing my silence, Liam’s jealousy flared. “He’s just good at pretending. I treat you way better than he does. He barely even comes to see you anymore!” “Hmm,” I said noncommittally. As we were walking, he spotted a claw machine. “Aria, which one do you want?” he asked, his eyes wide with excitement. I wanted to tell him the truth. He was too good for this charade; I didn’t want to deceive him. But watching him concentrate so fiercely on winning a stuffed animal for me, a strange feeling stirred in my chest. “You’d better not regret this,” I mumbled. He didn’t hear me. He pulled a fluffy bunny from the machine and tucked it into my arms. “Don’t worry. Your boss is a pro. A few tokens are nothing to regret.” 3 A month later, I went to Norway for a business trip and landed a small project. It was an opportunity I only had because Liam had promoted me. The day I returned, it was snowing in the city. He was waiting for me downstairs, rubbing his hands together to stay warm. I gave him a scarf I had knitted myself. He was overjoyed. “There’s a gala tonight,” he said. “I need a date.” “Okay.” I didn’t think much of it. At the event, I followed quietly behind him. I found a delicious dessert and casually offered him a bite. “Do you want to try…” Before I could finish, Cole Young walked in. Our eyes met. Neither of us expected him to be there. Liam froze for a second, then took my hand, a possessive, deliberate gesture. “Thanks, Aria.” I looked down, letting him hold my hand. Cole probably wouldn’t care anyway. But he stood there for a long time, his gaze burning into me. Someone asked, confused, “Mr. Young, there are seats inside. Why are you standing by the door?” Liam stepped in front of me, a smug smile on his face. “Aria, let me give you your coat. Wouldn’t want you to be bothered by any creeps…” He was just about to provoke Cole when a bright, feminine voice called out from the doorway. “Cole! Wait for me!” A beautiful, stylish woman in stilettos hurried over. “What’s wrong? Did my talking about marriage make you shy?” The room buzzed with excitement. “Wow, you two are moving fast! No wonder Mr. Young has been working so hard these past few years.” “Of course! She’s his long-lost love, the one he’s been hung up on for years. Think of all the plane tickets he’s bought back and forth.” Cole’s expression remained unreadable. Clara Lane blushed and naturally linked her arm through his. She was back. It was all so sudden. I had been bored, just observing the drama. Now, Liam looked from me to her, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. “And this is?” Someone explained, “That’s Mr. Young’s true love. He’s been secretly in love with her for years. She just got back, so it’s normal that you wouldn’t know…” “Excuse me, I have a girlfriend.” No one expected Cole to speak. He said it calmly, as if discussing the weather. The entire room fell silent. All eyes went to his wrist. Where a cute, pink scrunchie was wrapped around it. I stared at it, completely baffled. I remembered begging him to wear it once, and he’d just rubbed his temples and said, “Are you a child?” Besides, we had broken up a long time ago. Clara’s smile froze. She awkwardly removed her hand. She had never met me, but she knew he’d had a girlfriend at some point. “Sorry,” she said, forcing a laugh. “You never told me about her. I thought you two had broken up.” In the silence, Cole walked past me as if I wasn’t there. He stared directly at Liam and suddenly smiled. But his words were for the room. “Since this is a dinner party, let’s all take a seat.”

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The night before my engagement to the ascetic heir of the city’s elite, I dreamed of a talking weasel. It claimed to be the Shen family’s guardian spirit, worshiped for a century. In honor of my impending marriage, it had come to grant me three wishes. My heart pounded. I was about to speak when several lines of text materialized before my eyes. 【High-energy moment ahead! The imposter is about to make her wishes!】 【LOL, she has no idea she’s the fake heiress who was switched at birth. The guardian spirit only protects the true Shen bloodline!】 【Whatever she wishes for, the blessings will ultimately be transferred to the real heiress, Lily Shen.】 【Grabbing my popcorn. The female lead’s journey to a life of effortless victory is about to begin!】 I masked the ice in my eyes and offered a faint smile as I made my wishes. “I wish for the ascetic heir to cancel his engagement to the Shen family.” “I wish to be cast out of the Shen family with nothing to my name.” After hearing my words, the weasel stared at me intently. “Little one, why would you be so cruel to yourself?” I simply smiled. Cruel? Oh, this is just the beginning. 1 The night before my engagement to Julian Pei, a weasel materialized in my bedroom. “I am the guardian spirit of the Shen family, worshiped for generations. In honor of your impending marriage, I am here to grant you three wishes.” I shot upright, digging my nails into my palm. The sharp sting confirmed this was no dream. My voice trembled. “Is this real? Can you grant any wish?” “You need only speak it.” A wish for “a happy marriage with Julian” was on the tip of my tongue when the text appeared again. 【Here we go! The imposter is about to foolishly wish away her blessings.】 【She thinks she’s the chosen one, but she has no idea this is all part of the real female lead Lily Shen’s master plan.】 【The spirit protects the true Shen bloodline. This one is just some stray switched at birth.】 【The better her wishes, the more our girl Lily will gain when the truth comes out.】 The words were like a bucket of ice water, shocking me into clarity. Lily? I thought she was the daughter of our deceased nanny. Through these pop-up comments, I learned that the main character of this world was the true heiress, Lily Shen. I was merely a side character, cannon fodder meant to pave her way. She had known her true identity for ten years but had kept it hidden, waiting for this exact moment. As soon as I made my three wishes, all the honor, the education, and the marriage I had fought so desperately for would be transferred to her. My hands clenched into fists. No wonder my adoptive parents had only ever shown me endless severity, never an ounce of warmth. They said a Shen daughter must be elegant and accomplished, so they forced me through daily ballet practice. One wrong step, and the switch would fall without mercy. They said a Shen daughter must have an outstanding education, so I slept only four hours a night. One point less on an exam meant being locked in the basement for three days without food. Worse, they sent me to a special institution to be taught how to please a man. I gritted my teeth, swallowing every tear and humiliation, until I finally became the person they wanted me to be. Yet, they never offered a single word of praise. All their tenderness and indulgence were reserved for Lily. More than once, I had confronted them, my eyes red with unshed tears. They would always sigh, “This is for your own good. You are a Shen. You must be the best. Only by becoming strong enough can you have everything you want. As for Lily… she doesn’t need all this.” Only now did I understand. It wasn’t that she didn’t need it. It was that they had planned all along for me to be her stepping stone. 2 Seeing me remain silent, the weasel grew impatient. “Dilly-dallying… I’ve never seen one like you. Still haven’t decided on your first wish?” The floating text scrolled again. 【This is hilarious. She’s actually thinking about it, like a prize is just going to fall from the sky. Wishes beyond your station will backfire, you know.】 【Greedy people don’t live long. This villainess is destined for an early grave!】 A fire ignited within me. According to the spoilers, Lily would eventually take everything from me and live happily ever after with Julian. I, on the other hand, would suffer a karmic backlash for my “greedy” wishes and end up dead in a ditch. I took a deep breath and smiled. “For my first wish… I wish for the city’s ascetic heir, Julian Pei, to cancel his engagement to the Shen family.” The moment the words left my mouth, the comments exploded. 【Is she insane? Didn’t she scheme for years to get this engagement? Why cancel it?】 【How is our girl Lily supposed to get together with her dream guy now?!】 【The guardian spirit won’t grant a wish that harms the female lead’s interests, right?】 【But the rules say it can’t interfere with mortal affairs. Whatever Seraphina wishes for, it has to grant!】 Seeing that, a satisfied smile touched my lips. As long as it could be done. This engagement was, indeed, something I had fought for. But it was never something I truly wanted. The Pei family was the wealthiest in the city; every elite family was desperate to marry into it, and the Shens were no exception. But Julian’s mother, Eleanor Pei, was notoriously difficult, her standards for a daughter-in-law impossibly high. For years, no one had met her approval. To win her over, I researched her every preference. I learned she loved desserts, so I studied under a master pastry chef and delivered fresh cakes to the Pei estate every morning. I heard she had a standing appointment at a beauty salon, so I would always arrive before her to ensure everything was perfect. After three months of these “coincidental” meetings, her gaze finally softened, and she invited me to a family dinner. Even seated at that coveted table, I didn’t dare drink a sip of water. I watched her every expression, placing the dishes she desired onto her plate. My devotion paid off. The engagement was mine. But no one knew that I had zero interest in my fiancé, Julian. I had thought that if marriage was my inescapable fate, I might as well wish for a peaceful one. But now that I had a chance to change it, I had no intention of sinking into that mire. The weasel froze for a moment, then asked uncertainly, “Are you sure? Once you make this wish, your enviable engagement will truly be gone.” I met its gaze and nodded firmly. “And the other two?” it asked. I thought for a moment, then shook my head. “I haven’t thought of them yet. I’ll find you when I do.” It said no more, its form flickering before vanishing into thin air. 3 I slept soundly. At dawn, my adoptive parents woke me. “Seraphina, there will be over a hundred media outlets live-streaming the engagement party today. You cannot make a single mistake.” My mother’s voice was grave as she fastened a jade necklace around my neck. The cool stone against my skin made me wonder if last night had been a figment of my imagination. Just then, a beautifully dressed Lily walked in. Seeing her, my mother immediately rose to embrace her. “Oh, my Lily, you look so beautiful today…” Lily gently tugged on her sleeve. “Auntie Shen, don’t say that. Today is my sister’s engagement. I just don’t want to embarrass the family.” Watching their natural, affectionate display, a chill passed through my eyes. My heart remained suspended until the ceremony began. Was it really just a dream? In the next second, Julian took the microphone and announced to the entire hall, “I am canceling my engagement to Seraphina Shen! She is not the real daughter of the Shen family. Her mother was nothing more than a former nanny.” He then turned to Lily, his gaze softening. “The true heiress of the Shen family is Lily, and she is the one who should be engaged to me.” The venue erupted in an uproar. A small smile played on my lips. It wasn’t a dream. My wish had come true. 【It’s over! Lily’s plan is ruined. Even though Julian likes her, he’s a total mama’s boy. If Eleanor Pei says no, he’ll definitely back out.】 【Eleanor is so picky. There’s no way she’ll accept Lily now, with her being a total nobody.】 【It’s all Seraphina’s fault for not playing by the rules! Who wishes to cancel an engagement like that?】 【Poor Lily! Julian meant well, but he messed everything up. Our girl must be heartbroken!】 You wanted to use me as a stepping stone? Then let me take a piece of you first. The Shen family’s faces turned ashen. Lily, as if startled from a trance, quickly grabbed my arm. “Sister, don’t listen to him! I have nothing to do with him, I’ll go talk to Julian right now.” I wiped away a tear that had escaped from holding back my laughter, my voice choked with emotion. “It’s alright, Lily. You are the true heiress. You are the one who deserves to be with Julian. He likes you, too. You have my blessing.” Hearing this, Julian looked at me with a flicker of appreciation for the first time. He took Lily’s hand. “That’s right, Lily. We couldn’t be together before because of your status, but now that you’re the true Shen heiress, my mother will definitely approve!” I almost laughed out loud. The heiress title was merely an entry ticket. In Eleanor Pei’s eyes, his “perfect” Lily was likely far from qualified. As expected, Eleanor’s face was a mask of ice as she turned and left without a word. Lily was left speechless, her hand clutching Julian’s woodenly. Back at the Shen villa, my adoptive mother offered hollow comfort. “Seraphina, we never imagined you weren’t our daughter. But don’t worry. You’ve called us Mom and Dad for so many years. Nothing will change. You can continue to live here.” My father chimed in, “That’s right. Your biological parents died saving us. It’s our duty to raise you. From now on, you and Lily will be treated the same. You are both our daughters.” Even my brother, Leo, looked pleased. “From now on, I’ll have two sisters to dote on me!” I should have known. They would never let me go so easily. Fine. The show, after all, was just beginning. 4 Without my help, if Lily wanted to marry into the Pei family, she’d have to do it herself. But the Pei family’s gates were not so easily opened. She tried to see Eleanor Pei several times, only to be unceremoniously thrown out by security each time. Desperate, she began to imitate me. She forced herself to learn ballet to improve her posture, but her body was as stiff as a board. After a few days, she gave up. My mother then hired tutors for her, hoping to cram knowledge into her head. But the dense pages of English text were like hieroglyphics to her. Catching the tutor’s disdainful glance, she tore all the books to shreds. Etiquette lessons were even worse. She had to bite down on a chopstick constantly to maintain a perfect smile, and even eating required tiny, delicate bites. Finally, after another dizzy spell from hunger, she exploded. “Why are you only teaching me this now? It’s all your fault!” she shrieked, shoving my mother. Caught off guard, my mother fell to the floor, her own anger flaring. “Lily, you’re the one who refused to learn! You said you had a way to make everything Seraphina had yours! Who knew things would turn out like this?” Leo couldn’t help but point a finger at her. “You have the nerve to blame Mom? You’re useless! The same teachers taught you both. Why could that bitch learn it and you can’t?” Lily hated being compared to me. She trembled with rage. “You’re one to talk, you idiot who only got into school because Dad donated a building! Without me, you’d all be nothing!” Before she could finish, Leo lunged at her, and they began to fight. My mother pretended to break them up, but she shielded her son the entire time. I stood outside the door, quietly enjoying the drama. The next second, the door was yanked open. Lily caught the smile I hadn’t yet managed to hide, and her eyes turned vicious. “Seraphina, you knew all along, didn’t you? You deliberately made that wish to the spirit so Julian would cancel the engagement!” I looked up, feigning the perfect amount of confusion. “Sister, are you exhausted? Perhaps you’re hallucinating. There are no such things as spirits in this world.” I even tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “There, there. If you’re tired, you should rest.” Failing to get a rise out of me, Lily’s lips trembled with fury. “Fine, don’t admit it! I’ll have Dad cancel your credit cards right now. Let’s see how tough you are with no money!” She immediately called our father, her voice thick with tears. “Dad, Seraphina said that even though I’m your real daughter, you only love her. She said all the family money is hers…” My father’s roar came through the phone. “That ungrateful wretch! We are merciful enough to let her stay, and she dares to bully my daughter! Don’t cry, Lily. I’ll cancel her cards right now and teach her a lesson!” After hanging up, Lily tilted her chin smugly. “Seraphina, you better learn your place. I am the rightful heiress of this family now. If you cross me again, I’ll have you thrown out.” The comments appeared again. 【Our girl is a genius! Cut off Seraphina’s money, and she’ll have to wish for more from the spirit. Then Lily will have endless cash!】 【The Shens are so cheap. They wouldn’t even buy Lily a luxury car, talking about ‘maintaining a frugal image.’ But then they bought their son a multi-million dollar yacht. Such hypocrites!】 【Don’t worry, Lily already swapped out the real Leo ages ago~ The entire Shen fortune will be hers soon enough!】 So that was it. Lily’s primary goal was Julian. But her parents, while appearing to support her, were actually paving the way for their son, Leo. And they had no idea their precious son had been replaced. A genuine smile bloomed on my face. “Well then, dear sister,” I said gratefully, “I’ll have to count on you for that.” Lily stared, confused. “What?” I didn’t answer, simply turning and walking away. Now, it was time for my counterattack.

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Believe it or not. I, a somewhat obscure internet “Pick-Me Girl,” was offered five hundred million dollars by the richest couple in New York City to be their daughter-in-law. Why? Because their son, Liam Stone, the city’s golden boy, refused to be a prince and instead chose to be a simp for a broke “campus beauty.” “We wouldn’t mind if that girl truly loved our son,” Mrs. Stone scoffed. “The worst part is, she keeps rejecting him while exploiting his status to funnel benefits to her own family!” Mr. Stone added, clearly frustrated. “Our son seems to have a thing for manipulative girls. So, we decided to find the ultimate ‘Pick-Me Girl’ to beat her at her own game—fight fire with fire!” Honestly, I felt a little offended at first. But staring at that black card loaded with five hundred million dollars, I decided to accept the arduous task of “saving the billionaire’s simp son.” When I saw the file on the target, I laughed. This “little witch” was none other than my manipulative stepsister, the one I defeated years ago. Chapter 1 The love story between New York’s prince, Liam Stone, and the poor campus beauty, Chloe Shen, was legendary. He had money and power but chose to be a doormat; she was broke but acted high and mighty, rejecting him 999 times! Their romance, straight out of a Wattpad novel, garnered a massive fanbase. There were even fan clubs dedicated to them. Everyone shipped them hard, just waiting for Chloe to finally say yes! Consequently, any girl with “ulterior motives” who tried to get close to Liam was ripped apart by their rabid fans. But on my first day transferring to their elite university, I leaked the news that I was Liam’s fiancée. So, the moment I walked into the classroom, a bucket of ice water drenched me from head to toe. My long hair plastered to my face, my mask soaked. The class erupted in laughter. Chloe Shen walked in from the hallway, eyes wide with feigned innocence. “Are you okay? It’s just that everyone loves me so much, they couldn’t accept you right away. Please don’t blame them.” A girl behind her sneered, “Chloe, you’re too kind. This woman is obviously here to steal Liam, and you’re still worried about her?” Several boys stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “We poured the water. It has nothing to do with Chloe. If you’re going to be a homewrecker, don’t blame us for being rude!” Any normal person would have run away crying after such humiliation. I just sighed inwardly. Years later, and Chloe’s tactics haven’t evolved a bit. Today, big sister is going to teach you what a true “Pick-Me Girl” looks like. My pale fingers trembled as I removed my soaked mask, gently brushing the wet strands of black hair from my cheek, revealing a face that was fair and delicate. The moment they saw my face, I heard gasps around the room. Chloe looked like she’d seen a ghost, her face draining of color. My eyes reddened slightly, and I bit my lip, my voice choking up. “I didn’t mean to ruin your relationship. The engagement was arranged by our parents. I’m nobody; I don’t have the power to refuse.” “Chloe, you can rest assured. I won’t fight you for him, and I couldn’t win even if I tried.” I looked up at the boys staring at me, my voice filled with loneliness. “I just wanted to come to the big city, study, and make friends. But now, everyone hates me. What should I do…” The classroom fell dead silent. The boy who was hostile just moments ago turned as red as a boiled lobster, stammering. “I… I’m sorry. My name is Mark. I’d love to be your friend.” Even the girl behind Chloe softened her expression. “Don’t cry. We didn’t mean it like that.” Chloe hadn’t expected me to diffuse the situation with just a few sentences, turning the tide in my favor. She stared at me, as if possessed, her face twisting as she screamed. “Sarah Shen! It’s you, you bitch! Why are you showing your face here?!” I shrank behind Mark like a frightened rabbit. “What’s wrong with Chloe? Does she not like me?” Mark frowned, shielding me from the hysterical Chloe. “Chloe Shen, this isn’t her fault. You don’t need to take your anger out on her.” This action triggered Chloe further. She rushed at me like a madwoman and slapped me hard across the face. As I fell backward, I saw a figure sprinting toward us. The fish had taken the bait. Chapter 2 As predicted, I fell into a warm, broad embrace. The man looked detached as he steadied me and then let go. “Are you okay?” I lifted my fragile neck, clearly in pain but pretending to be strong. “I’m fine. I just lost my balance.” Sure enough, the moment our eyes met, he paused for a second. But to Chloe, this looked very different. “Liam! Why did you hug her? Is this bitch seducing you again?!” She screamed and charged at me once more. But before she could touch me, Liam grabbed her arm. “Chloe, what is wrong with you today?!” “Sarah is just a fiancée my parents decided on verbally. The only person I love is you.” “But if she gets hurt because of you, my parents will hate you even more. How can I marry you then?!” A flicker of impatience crossed Liam’s eyes, but he still patiently explained everything to Chloe. Mark spoke up for me. “Yeah, Sarah has been nothing but polite. Why did you hit her, Chloe?” Chloe was panting heavily. Realizing the situation was turning against her, she forced a smile uglier than crying. “I’m sorry, Sarah. I mistook you for someone else.” I stole a glance at Liam and lowered my head dejectedly. “It’s okay. I was the one who intruded.” Liam glanced at me subtly, seeming a bit uncomfortable. He took a box out of his pocket and handed it to me, speaking briefly. “A welcome gift. My mom asked me to give it to you.” Then, he opened a fancy shopping bag he was holding and took out a palm-sized velvet box, handing it to Chloe. “I bought this with my allowance. Whatever others have, you have too.” Chloe’s tense expression finally relaxed. Seeing the ruby jewelry set inside, she beamed with joy. “Thank you, Liam! I love you so much!” I opened my box. Inside was just a simple, semi-luxury hair clip. The difference in importance was clear. Chloe glanced at me, barely hiding her smugness. “Wow, your hair clip is pretty too. Put it on.” Under everyone’s gaze, a few crystal-clear tears rolled down my cheeks. Mark looked at me nervously, and even Liam’s smile faded significantly. “Thank you, but I can’t accept it.” Liam was confused. “Why?” I looked up, my eyes filled with inferiority and loneliness that pierced him. “Chloe is the future mistress of the Stone family. Of course she deserves the best—clothes, jewelry, bags. She deserves it all. I’m just a kid from the countryside. Being able to go to the same university as you guys is already a blessing. How could I dare ask for more?” I wiped the tears from my cheeks vigorously and handed the box to the girl behind Chloe, smiling bravely and sincerely. “Pretty sister, I think this suits you better than me. As a good friend, Chloe has so much jewelry but didn’t give you any. So, I’ll give you my hair clip.” Knowing Chloe, she was never generous. Sure enough, surprise flashed across the girl’s face. “Thank you! No one has ever given me such a precious gift!” “I’m Jenny. Sarah, we’re best friends from now on. Come to me if you need anything!” Because of my self-deprecation, no one doubted the sincerity of my gift. A hint of appreciation flashed in Liam’s eyes. Chloe looked awkward, holding her jewelry box in mid-air, unsure whether to offer something or not. With this one move, I earned sympathy and provided emotional value to others. Chloe, on the other hand, left an impression of being stingy and petty. As we were leaving, Liam stopped me and stuffed a card into my hand. “The Stone family owes you. Don’t sell yourself short. Use this money to buy something you like.” My ears turned slightly red, and I nodded shyly. Chloe glared at me with venom in her eyes but said nothing. It wasn’t until I walked out of the school gate that I realized why Chloe had held back. Walking briskly toward me were my biological parents. Chapter 3 “You ungrateful wretch! Why aren’t you in the mental hospital? Did you escape to ruin your sister’s life again?!” I was slapped hard across the face. The woman with the mean face raised her hand to hit me again, but Liam frowned and blocked her. “What’s going on? Do you know each other?” I covered my face, looking fragile and helpless. “Uncle, Auntie, do we know each other?” Chloe was grinding her teeth in hatred. “Liam, you don’t know. Sarah is my mentally ill sister! Five years ago, she turned our home upside down, so Mom and Dad kicked her out. She holds a grudge. Now she’s changed her identity to get close to us, definitely trying to destroy my life and steal you!” “But I knew you wouldn’t believe me if I just pointed it out, so I called Mom and Dad to catch her in the act.” A look of confident triumph flashed in Chloe’s eyes as she looked at me with mock pity. “Sister, has your condition worsened? Looks like we need to send you to a mandatory care facility this time.” My father, Mr. Shen, also looked at Liam fawningly. “Yes, son-in-law, this wretched daughter of mine is crazy. She might hurt Chloe. Please don’t let her off easily.” Saying that, the two of them tried to drag me into a car parked on the roadside. I didn’t show the terrified expression they expected. Instead, I widened my eyes, revealing a hint of envy. “If only I really had parents…” Then I shook my head, tears swirling in my eyes but stubbornly refusing to fall. “Chloe, I know you hate me. But you are a princess in the sky, loved by parents, protected by Liam. You deserve the best.” “And me? I’m just a countryside girl whose parents died. Coming here to study is already a gift. How could I dream of fighting you for the position of Mrs. Stone?” “Why do you have to make up such lies to slander me?” Liam actively spoke up for me. “Sarah is the orphan of my father’s comrade. She grew up in the countryside. You’ve mistaken her for someone else.” He probably didn’t even realize his attitude toward me had shifted from indifference to protection. Mrs. Shen stomped her foot in anger. “You slut! Still denying it! You lived in the Shen house for over ten years; I can find proof!” But the more she searched her phone, the paler her face became. “Impossible… how is this possible…” Chloe also leaned in anxiously, but no matter how they searched, they couldn’t find a single photo of me. Joke’s on them. I dared to show my face because I was fully prepared. The Shen family hated me, so they naturally wouldn’t keep photos of me. And with the Stone family’s help, any remaining evidence was wiped clean. “Enough! How long are you going to make a scene?!” Liam looked impatient. He already disliked Mr. and Mrs. Shen, and now even Chloe looked unpleasant to him. “Liam, don’t you believe me? Sarah really is my crazy sister.” Chloe panicked. Liam rubbed his temples in frustration. “I thought you were different from your parents. But what are you doing? Dragging your whole family to frame an innocent girl, rubbing salt in her wounds. I’m so disappointed in you.” Chloe was about to speak, but I gently took her hand, full of understanding. “Chloe, I grew up without parents, so I know how painful it is. You mistook me for your sister because you haven’t visited her in a long time and miss her. Go visit her more often when you have time; she must miss you too.” With one sentence, I solidified my kind persona. And pointed out how the Shen family mistreated their other daughter. I could feel Liam’s gaze shift from pity to heartache. And heartache is often the beginning of falling in love. Chapter 4 Someone filmed me being slapped and posted it on the campus forum. Many people started defending me. “Sarah is the fiancée engaged by the Stone family. Technically, Chloe is the homewrecker, right?” “I’ve disliked Chloe’s arrogant attitude for a long time. Her dad is just new money who got lucky because Liam liked her. What’s she so proud of?” Of course, there were people calling me a “white lotus” and a “Pick-Me Girl.” But by the next day, all negative comments about me would vanish. I knew this was Liam’s doing. These days, his attitude toward Chloe had cooled significantly. He stopped driving her to and from school and stopped sending gifts every other day. Living in the Stone mansion, I saw Liam constantly. He would occasionally buy me small gifts, and I would post them on social media with grateful captions. Life was calm, but the seeds of affection were slowly sprouting. However, someone couldn’t sit still. Her former sycophants were now my friends, and even Liam was ignoring her, sometimes laughing and chatting with me instead. Chloe was going crazy. A week later, she stopped me on my way home from school. “Sarah, I’m really sorry about the other day. Are you free today? I want to treat you to dinner to apologize.” I didn’t miss the dark glint in Chloe’s eyes, but I nodded and agreed. You couldn’t beat me five years ago. Now? You’re dreaming. Chloe chose a very private restaurant. It was just the two of us in the VIP room. As soon as we sat down, a strange smile curled her lips. She picked up her phone and dialed, her voice filled with tears and panic. “Liam, come save me! Help!” I sensed something was wrong. As I stood up, a group of thugs burst through the door, blocking me in. Chloe messed up her collar and looked at me triumphantly. “When Liam gets here and sees me being bullied while you stand there unharmed, who do you think he’ll blame?” The thugs laughed lecherously at Chloe’s signal. “Sarah hired us. She wanted to ruin Miss Shen’s purity.” I was pinned to the chair, unable to move. Chloe waited leisurely for the show to begin. Soon, chaotic footsteps echoed in the hallway. I knew that if Liam saw this scene, a wedge would be driven between us forever. Even if I proved my innocence, the doubt would remain. And Chloe could use Liam’s guilt to regain her position. “Chloe, I’m here to save you!” The moment the door burst open, the thugs released me and rushed toward Chloe to play their part. At that exact moment, I bit down hard on a thug’s hand, my voice stubborn and desperate. “Don’t touch my friend, you scum!” The thug yelled in pain and flung me away. “Bitch, get lost!” I used the momentum to fall backward. My forehead slammed into the sharp corner of the table with a sickening thud. Shattered glass exploded at my feet, cutting my skin and drawing blood. Compared to Chloe, who was just screaming, my injuries made everyone gasp. Meeting Liam’s gaze, I smiled with satisfaction and humility, not hiding the love in my eyes. “Don’t be afraid. I protected the girl you love.” Before my consciousness faded, I saw Liam’s expression—shocked and bewildered. When he rushed toward me without even glancing at Chloe, I closed my eyes in relief. Chloe Shen, you lost again. And this time, you lost everything.

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1 Zoe, Adrian’s mistress, spun a twisted tale: that my daughter Annie, born with a lucky star, had stolen the very breath from her own child’s lungs. The next day, my seven-year-old Annie was forced to take Zoe’s place in a game of Russian Roulette. I dropped to my knees, begging them to spare my daughter’s life. But Adrian just sneered. “She’s got luck on her side, anyway. What’s the big deal if it makes Zoe feel better?” he said, his voice cold. “If Zoe’s happy, she won’t be giving me a hard time.” I could only watch in horror as Zoe placed the bet: one hundred million dollars. A million for every pull of the trigger. One hundred shots. Lady Luck only smiled on my Annie thirty-six times. On the thirty-seventh, a bullet tore through her head. But Adrian hadn’t even stayed to watch. By the seventh click of the empty chamber, he had already swept Zoe into his arms and carried her off to their suite. My screams were torn from my throat, a raw, primal sound that he later told me had served as his aphrodisiac. When he finally emerged, flushed and satisfied, he sauntered over and patted my cheek. “You know, your crying… it sounded so real. It was a real turn-on,” he praised. “Relax. The gun was never loaded. It was just a show for Zoe. A way for her to get some closure.” … Zoe’s child and my Annie had been in the same hospital, both critically ill. My Annie survived. Her daughter did not. Ever since, she’d clung to the insane delusion that my daughter’s good fortune had somehow siphoned the life from her child. “If your daughter hadn’t sucked all the good luck out of the room, my son would be alive!” Zoe would shriek. Adrian said nothing, but the next day, Annie was on that yacht, a sacrifice in a sick game. By the time I arrived, she was already strapped to a large, rotating wheel, her small body spread-eagled. To keep her from struggling, heavy-duty restraints bound her wrists, ankles, and neck. When she saw me, her voice, already raw from crying, cracked. “Mommy, help me! Mommy, I’m not a jinx, I’m not!” My Annie, who was always so careful about her appearance, was so terrified she couldn’t stop hiccuping. And her father, Adrian, watched as if the child on that wheel were a stranger, his expression a mask of indifference. My heart shattered into a million pieces. I surged forward to free her, but Adrian’s security guards blocked my path, their arms like steel bars. “Adrian! Are you insane? That’s your daughter!” I lunged, my fingers twisting in the fabric of his expensive collar as I screamed in his face. He shoved me away without a second thought, his arm instantly wrapping around Zoe’s waist, pulling her close. “Marissa, you’re the one who chose that hospital. You’re the one whose daughter drained the life from Zoe’s child. You both owe them this!” Then he turned to Zoe, his voice melting into a tender murmur. “Zoe, my love. Tonight is all about you.” Zoe shot me a triumphant smirk over his shoulder. I stared at the man before me, a stranger wearing my husband’s face. Just then, a crew member approached with a set of numbered paddles and a revolver. Zoe picked up a paddle, her movements light and airy. “I imagine Mrs. Lacy isn’t familiar with this little game, is she? It’s not your typical Russian Roulette. See, there’s only one bullet in the chamber, but you get a million dollars every time you pull the trigger on an empty slot. And there’s no limit to how many times you can play.” She purred, her eyes glinting. “I wonder just how much money Annie’s famous luck can make for Adrian tonight.” She lifted the paddle marked ‘6’ and kissed it. A revolver holds six rounds. Logically, if the first five shots were blanks, the sixth was a guaranteed kill. My daughter’s luck wasn’t an infinite shield. A chilling dread washed over me. I looked to Adrian, my eyes pleading, but he refused to meet my gaze. Zoe’s voice dripped with malice. “Tell you what, Mrs. Lacy. If you kneel down right now, slap your own face, and scream ‘I’m a homewrecker,’ I might just consider letting your daughter go.” Adrian said nothing. His silence was his consent. My eyes found my daughter, small and terrified on that wheel. I didn’t hesitate. The cold deck met my knees. Fearing Zoe would find some excuse to back out, I struck myself hard, the force splitting my lip. Blood filled my mouth. “I’m a homewrecker! I’m a homewrecker! I’m a homewrecker!” The whispers and stares of the other guests were a sharper pain than the sting on my cheek. In that moment, Zoe looked more like the lady of the house than I ever had. Zoe laughed, a bright, cruel sound. “To think the high and mighty Marissa Lacy could look so pathetic.” She paused, savoring the moment. “Fine. I forgive you.” A flicker of hope ignited in my chest. “I forgive you,” she continued, her smile widening, “but my son can never forgive Annie.” “So…” “I’ll bet one hundred million!” From heaven to hell in a single breath. A hundred million. One hundred pulls of the trigger. My Annie, my poor Annie… BANG! The deafening roar of the gun snapped me back to reality. A man in a black suit stood with the revolver, its barrel still smoking, pointed at my daughter. Annie was too scared to even cry anymore. “Adrian! Zoe! You’re monsters! Animals!” I thrashed against the guards holding me down, desperate to reach her. Zoe dissolved into tears, burying her face in Adrian’s chest like a frightened child. “Oh, darling, it’s so loud! I’m so scared!” Adrian’s face hardened into a granite mask. He snatched the gun from the crewman and, without a word, aimed it at Annie and fired five more times in quick succession. “NO! ANNIE!” I screamed, my eyes locked on her. She was still alive. By some impossible miracle, her luck had held. The sixth chamber had been empty. My vision swam with black spots. I gasped for air, my mind racing, searching for a way—any way—to save my child. “You’re so good to me, darling,” Zoe cooed, pressing a kiss to Adrian’s lips, her hands roaming over his chest. A flicker of raw lust crossed his face. He scooped her into his arms, ready to leave. But after two steps, he paused and looked back over his shoulder. “See that all one hundred shots are fired,” he commanded the crew. “I want to see just how lucky my daughter really is. Let’s find out if she’s really some kind of monster who feeds on the fortune of others.” Annie heard him. The light in her eyes, already dim, flickered and died. She understood. Her own father wanted her dead. Yet, she managed a weak, trembling smile for me. “Don’t cry, Mommy. Even if Annie dies, you have to keep living, okay?” She closed her eyes, surrendering to her fate. The cold-blooded executioner resumed his task. Click. The 7th shot. Click. The 8th. Click. The 9th… Each empty click was a hammer blow against my heart. But I couldn’t look away. I couldn’t let my daughter think I had abandoned her too. I begged them. I kowtowed until my forehead was bloody. I promised them fortunes. Finally, my pathetic, broken state earned me a sliver of pity from one of the crew. “Ma’am, the yacht is in international waters now. No one can stop this unless Mr. Lacy gives the order. We don’t want to end up as shark food.” I knew it was hopeless, but it was my only chance. Annie, hold on. Mommy will save you. My limbs felt like lead, but I crawled, inch by agonizing inch, to the top deck, to their suite. As I neared the door, I could hear the obscene sounds from within. “You’re such a little devil…” My daughter was facing a firing squad, and her father was indulging in his sordid pleasures. I beat on the door with my fists. “Adrian, I was wrong! I’ll sign the divorce papers! Just let Annie go! Please, you’re going to kill her!” The noises inside paused for a second. “What are you making a scene for? Annie’s not going to…” His voice was swallowed by the sickening, wet sounds that followed. “Adrian, darling,” I heard Zoe’s sultry whisper through the door. “Your wife is so desperate to see you, she’s even offering a divorce. It’s actually kind of thrilling, isn’t it? Your wife begging outside while your true love is in your arms.” Her words were answered by the rhythmic, brutal slam of bodies against the headboard. I threw my own body against the door, screaming apologies to Zoe, but my desperation only seemed to fuel their passion. The sounds from within grew louder, more frenzied. My despair was their stimulant. When I stumbled back to the lower deck, a crewman looked at me with a flicker of pity in his eyes. He told me they had just fired the 32nd shot. They had slowed down as much as they dared. Annie’s eyes had been closed, but she opened them when she heard my footsteps. A sad understanding dawned on her face. Tears welled in her eyes. “Mommy, being your daughter… that was the real luck. The best luck I ever had.” BANG! The 33rd shot. “Mommy, when I’m gone, you have to divorce him. I know you only stayed with him for me… but he’s not a good man.” BANG! BANG! The 34th and 35th. “I’m only seven… but these seven years with you, Mommy… they were the happiest.” BANG! The 36th. She seemed to sense it was coming. She glanced at the revolver, its barrel now glowing faintly red from the repeated firings. “Mommy.” “I want to go home.” “I love you.” “Next time… I want to be your little girl again.” BANG! The 37th shot. This time, Lady Luck turned away and wept for the child she could no longer protect. A single, deafening crack. I thought I would scream. I thought I would faint from the pain. But I did nothing. I felt nothing. It was as if my soul had been ripped from my body, leaving an empty, silent void. The long torture was over. They finally unstrapped Annie’s body from the wheel. My vision began to fade to black. The last thing I saw was a splash of crimson spreading across the floor as her small, limp body was laid on the cold deck. No one would ever call me ‘Mommy’ in that sweet voice again. The little girl who always said, “If you and Daddy divorce, I’ll choose you, Mommy,” was gone. The shock was too much. My world didn’t just go silent; it went dark. I had gone blind. I don’t know how long I stood there, or how I managed to carry Annie’s body back to our cabin, sightless. I carefully, fumblingly, wiped her clean and dressed her in her favorite dress. My Annie, always so neat, so beautiful. I avoided touching her head. I held her cooling, stiffening body in my arms. I held her for a long, long time. Then, a thought broke through the fog. “Divorce,” I murmured. “Go home. We have to go home.” My phone was gone. I found a crew member and had them print a copy of a divorce agreement for me. I felt the thin stack of papers. All this time, I refused to sign, wanting to give Annie a complete family. And that refusal had killed her. I would take my Annie home. I wanted nothing more to do with that disgusting animal. As for revenge… I bowed my head, and a cold plan began to form. A crew member led me back to Adrian’s suite. The door swung open just as we arrived. The cloying, acrid smell of sex rolled out in a wave. Even the crew member took a hasty step back. I didn’t need eyes to imagine the depravity that had taken place. Adrian’s voice, thick with satisfaction, floated out. “You know, your crying last night… it sounded so real. It was a real turn-on. And don’t worry, the gun was never loaded. It was just a show for Zoe.” His words ignited the dead embers of my heart into a raging inferno. I raised my hand and, guessing his position, swung with all my might. CRACK! The force of the blow sent a numbing jolt up my arm. “Adrian! Annie is dead! You killed her! Her own father killed her!” In my rage, I didn’t realize I had struck Zoe, who had been standing in the doorway. “Ma’am, I… I was just so heartbroken about my own son… I only wanted to scare her a little! I never meant to kill her!” Zoe wailed. Adrian’s hands closed around my throat, squeezing. “Do you really think I’d fall for such a pathetic act?” he snarled, his voice dangerously low. “There were no bullets in that gun. Zoe just wanted to give her son’s spirit some peace. Are you using our daughter to play games, to fight for my attention? Look at yourself! Have you no shame?” The more he spoke, the more convinced he became, any flicker of doubt extinguished by his own rage. “Tie her up,” he commanded his men. “And hang her off the back of the yacht. Let the sea cool her head.” A rope was crudely tied around me, and I was thrown into the deep, dark ocean. The icy shock of the water was so cold it felt like a thousand needles stabbing my skin. The yacht’s wake crashed over me again and again, dragging me under, choking me. Even as I clamped my mouth shut, the salty, bitter water forced its way down my throat. And in that moment of agony, a memory surfaced. Years ago, when I was learning to swim, I accidentally swallowed a mouthful of water. He had panicked, pulling me from the pool with tears in his eyes, forbidding me from ever trying again. But that memory, like the foam on the waves, was fragile and fleeting. It vanished instantly. He had murdered our daughter to please his mistress. And because I’d slapped her, he was now trying to drown me to appease her. My body temperature plummeted. Just as I felt the last of my consciousness slipping away, I was hauled back onto the deck. A crew member handed me a towel and a cup of hot water. “Mr. Lacy is putting on a fireworks display for Miss Zoe all night,” he said quietly. “A deMarissation of his love.” I felt nothing. If Adrian dropped dead in front of me right then, I might have laughed. I had them print a new divorce agreement and send it to him. I hadn’t even had the chance to get his signature before he’d had me thrown overboard. Once feeling returned to my limbs, I stumbled back to my cabin. I began speaking into the empty room, as if Annie were still there. “Annie, Mommy’s back. Sorry I took so long. You’re not mad at me, are you?” “Annie, I heard everything you said. As soon as he signs, we’ll get off at the next port. I’ll take you home.” My hands reached for the center of the bed where I’d left her. I froze. It was empty. Annie’s body was gone. A frantic, primal fear seized me. I tore the room apart before summoning the ship’s purser. The purser glanced around nervously, then lowered his voice. “Ma’am… Miss Zoe had your daughter’s body taken away a little while ago. She said… she said she was going to sell her organs to buy a few new handbags. I tried to call you, but I couldn’t get through.” I grabbed the wall to keep from collapsing. Of course he couldn’t reach me. At that moment, I was being dragged through the ocean by my own husband. Zoe wouldn’t even leave my daughter’s body in peace. The purser left me standing alone in the silent room. The thought of Annie’s small body being cut into pieces sent a wave of nausea through me. A hot, coppery taste filled my throat. “Well, if it isn’t the grieving Mrs. Lacy.” It was Zoe. She stepped close, taking my hand and placing it on the supple leather of a new designer bag. Her voice was as soft as silk, but her words were laced with venom. “Annie was worth quite a bit, you know. I was finally able to buy this limited edition piece. Paid in full.” She leaned in, her breath hot against my ear. “This is your fault, Marissa. You wouldn’t sign the divorce papers. You’re a washed-up hag, but you just had to cling to Adrian, using your daughter as an excuse. So I had to get her out of the way. She was blocking my path to a life of luxury.” Her words were daggers, twisting in my heart, gutting me. What else did I have to fear? I had nothing left. I coughed, and a spray of blood splattered onto the floor. A strange lightness filled me, a surge of adrenaline and pure, unadulterated rage. I launched myself at her, my hands, my teeth, my nails becoming weapons. Her screams were music to my ears. “Give me back my Annie! GIVE HER BACK!” “Zoe!” Adrian rushed into the room. He yanked me off her and slapped me across the face. Zoe collapsed into his arms, sobbing. “Adrian, I was just worried about her! I came to see if she was okay, and she tried to kill me!” I stumbled, my hands flailing in the darkness. The purser caught my arm, steadying me. “Take me to Annie,” I begged him, my voice a broken whisper. “I’ll give you anything.” It was only then that Adrian noticed my vacant, unfocused eyes. He saw that I was blind. A thick, suffocating unease enveloped him. Why was Marissa suddenly blind? And where was Annie? “Darling,” Zoe whimpered, “is she going to start saying Annie’s dead again? I just saw her playing on the deck today.” Adrian shook the absurd, terrifying thought from his head. He pulled out the divorce papers, scrawled his name across the bottom, and threw them at me. “Keep up the act. Just keep it up. I have never seen such an unfit mother. You keep saying your daughter is dead, aren’t you afraid you’ll actually curse her to death?” “You are not worthy of being my wife!” He held Zoe and walked out. I made a phone call. I liquidated all my assets, my shares in his company, and made several other arrangements. I gave every last dollar, every piece of jewelry I owned, to the purser. In return, he gave me a small, heavy box. An urn. I stood on the deck, the signed divorce papers in one hand and the urn in the other. Adrian was hosting a grand banquet, so the deck was deserted. “Annie,” I whispered to the box, “Mommy is useless. I can’t take you home.” “Annie… next time, I’ll be your mommy again.” As a kaleidoscope of fireworks exploded across the night sky, I clutched the urn to my chest and stepped off the edge, into the cold, dark sea. Adrian Lacy, may we never meet again, in this life or the next.

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My stray cat, whom I regularly feed, dragged in a half-dead white snake as a “gift.” I nearly fainted from shock, but then a barrage of floating comments appeared before my eyes: [No way! The snake-shifter male lead was supposed to be saved by the kind-hearted heroine! Instead, he got dragged in by a stray cat as a present for its human?!] [Damn it! That stray cat is useless! Bad kitty! Poor snakey!] [The biggest catch just fell into the villainess’s lap! This white snake guy is loaded. Whoever saves him gets the gold!] My eyes lit up instantly! I grabbed the snake and rushed inside. A snake that drops gold coins? Finders keepers! 1 After cleaning the white snake’s wounds, I placed him in a glass terrarium. Looking at the snake, which was nearly six feet long, I felt a shiver of fear. This is considered a pet snake? Someone clearly misunderstands the definition of “pet.” I thought pet snakes were supposed to be as thick as a few fingers. I rummaged through my kitchen and found a few pieces of raw meat in the freezer, tossing them into the terrarium. The white snake flicked its tongue, glanced at the frozen meat, and turned away disdainfully, coiling itself up. “It’s not gourmet, I know, but I’m broke. Since you’re my pet now—” Before I could finish, the white snake suddenly raised its head. [LMAO! Look at the shock in his golden eyes! Did he hear that right? Who are you calling a pet?!] [Male Lead: I was forced here! Forced! Do you understand?!] [Damn it, where is that culprit cat?] The culprit, a fat orange tabby named Garfield, ignored everything and happily crunched on kibble nearby. Crunch, crunch, yum, yum, crunch. Delicious. [Male Lead: I will not eat this cheap trash like that fat cat!] [I’d rather starve!] [What’s the point of living if I have to eat this garbage?!] This snake has some nerve. Being picky isn’t a good habit. I ignored the snake, went to the kitchen, made myself some instant noodles, cracked an egg into it, and added two leaves of lettuce. A balanced, luxurious meal! Just as I finished slurping, the doorbell rang. I shuffled to the door in my slippers. Through the crack, I saw my neighbors—Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Lee—armed with brooms and spatulas, looking fierce. “Daisy! Where’s the snake?!” “Don’t hide it from us! Someone saw that orange cat drag a snake into your apartment. You’re a girl living alone; we came to help!” Their eyes locked onto the terrarium in the living room. “That’s the white snake! Don’t be scared, we’ll kill it for you!” As they raised their weapons, the white snake panicked. It pushed the lid open with surprising force, its scales rustling against the floor as it slithered straight into my bedroom. Not the bedroom! Mr. Zhang and the others charged in after it. “Where is it?” Mr. Zhang rubbed his eyes. I pretended not to see the white coil on the ceiling light fixture. “It probably escaped,” I lied to Mr. Zhang. “That snake doesn’t bite. Besides, you know I love animals. I was thinking of getting a pet anyway.” Mr. Zhang dropped his can of bug spray. “A girl keeping a six-foot snake? Aren’t you afraid it’ll crawl into your bed at night?” I forced a smile, my fingers digging into the doorframe. “Just for fun. And… and for self-defense.” Mr. Zhang looked at me, exasperated. “Well, if that’s the case, then—” Crash! The ceiling light and the snake fell together. Before anyone could react, the white snake wrapped around my body, rubbing its head against my cheek affectionately. “See? I told you it makes a great pet.” 2 The comments scrolled by frantically, filling my vision with mockery directed at the male lead: [His arrogance lasted exactly one second.] [Slap in the face! Male Lead one second ago: I will never be a pet. Next second: Why can’t I be a pet?] [Look at how tight he’s holding on! He’s terrified Mr. Zhang will turn him into snake soup!] [I admit, I’m jealous of the snake. The villainess’s body is fire!] [Am I the only one looking at her waist? Drop the workout routine, sis!] … The neighbors left, shaking their heads. I tugged at the snake’s tail, trying to peel him off me. He wouldn’t budge. The white snake blinked curiously, as if discovering a new continent. Its tail rubbed against my skin. Its tongue flicked against my neck. The snake stared at me for a moment, then nuzzled into the crook of my neck. When its golden vertical pupils met mine, I swear I saw a faint blush. I sighed helplessly. “Um, can you get down? I can’t breathe.” Only then did the white snake slither down. On its way back to the terrarium, it bumped into the wall three times and the table leg twice. [Help! The snake boy is so satisfied his brain short-circuited!] [The virgin snake boy just experienced happiness for the first time in twenty-something years.] [Overheating warning! He was so arrogant wrapping around her, now he can’t even walk straight! Hahaha!] [So innocent? Did he already name their future snake babies just from that hug?] [Emergency! My snake seems to have concussed himself from happiness!] 3 Maybe it was my “self-defense” comment. Since that day. When I left for work in the morning, the white snake would be waiting at the door. When I came home, he would follow me everywhere. Eating at the table. Sleeping in the bed. My already cramped apartment felt even smaller. Maybe it was Big Data listening, but since I got the snake, TikTok only recommended snake content to me. Snake habits, snake species, even… snake anatomy… But I wasn’t interested in snakes. I was only interested in money. I kept scrolling. Suddenly, a video of a guy with abs flashed on the screen, tagged “Black Snake.” “Sister, do you like a black snake like me?” The shameful voice echoed in my apartment. I shivered. Okay, fine. I’m interested in money and men. My morals were hanging by a thread called “poverty.” Just as I hit “like” and opened the comments to type “Big Data knows me well,” the white snake slithered over. With a flick of its tail, it swiped the screen. It selected: Show less like this. Then, satisfied, it slithered over to the other side of my bed. I pondered his motivation. Hm. Probably the same reason Garfield hates when I feed other stray cats. Instinctive possessiveness. 4 News of my pet snake spread through the neighborhood fast. The aunties and uncles held a meeting and decided that relying on a snake for protection wasn’t a long-term plan. They concluded that a single girl living alone must be insecure to keep a snake. So the next day, they showed up with a stack of photos of eligible bachelors. “This one makes good money. Short, but his parents are locals. Not bad looking.” “This one is tall and handsome, but his job is unstable.” Auntie Sun asked me, “Daisy, what’s your type? You have a stable job, you’re pretty, and you don’t have parents to worry about this for you. We’re your family now. Tell us what you want!” I’m shallow. Life is already hard; if my husband is ugly, I might just give up. I looked at the photos. There was a guy named Simon Shen. Handsome, and younger than me. “Him. I like handsome guys.” Auntie Sun beamed. “Got it! Arranging it!” They happily planned the first date location and left. I closed the door and turned around to meet a pair of staring snake eyes. Under his gaze, I felt guilty, like a cheater. Auntie Sun quickly set up the date. As I was getting ready to leave, the white snake suddenly wrapped around my waist. “No. You can’t come.” Raising this snake was temporary. I had my own life, and I was serious about finding a boyfriend and getting married. Bringing a snake? Absolutely not. But the snake wrapped tighter, his eyes refusing to take no for an answer. I pulled hard on his tail to unwind him. “Stop it.” But seconds later, he was back. Helpless, I had to postpone the date.

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My mother was a spoiled princess. I spent my whole life taking care of her. Yet, when my father’s mistress lunged at me with a knife, she didn’t hesitate to step in front of me. I woke up, and I was eight years old again. She was admiring her freshly manicured nails, ordering me to make her dinner. I silently cooked an eight-course meal with two soups. She was shocked: “Did you poison it?” I put some food in her bowl and said seriously: “I approve of you dating Uncle Julian.” Chapter 1 Vivian exploded. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows knit together as she slammed her chopsticks onto the table. “Julian? What kind of nonsense is going on in that little head of yours?” I: “…” I silently handed her a clean pair of chopsticks. She eyed me suspiciously. “You little brat, did you break something?” I hesitated for a few seconds, then pulled the chopsticks back out of her hand. She nodded knowingly: “I knew it. You’re trying to prank me.” I opened my arms to her: “Mommy, hug.” Vivian was clearly freaked out. She stared at me in disbelief, skepticism written all over her beautiful face. After a long pause, she poked my cheek with a long, manicured nail. “What are you babbling about? Go stew me some bird’s nest soup.” My lips trembled. I wanted to cry. She froze, frantically grabbing a handful of napkins and throwing them at my face. “Hey, hey, what are you doing? trying to guilt-trip me?” Just then. The front door of the villa opened. A tall, slender man stood silhouetted in the doorway. The room fell instantly silent. I stared at him quietly for a long time before opening my mouth: “Dad.” Vivian glanced at the man, snatched the chopsticks back from my hand, and started eating as if nothing happened. The man walked in coldly, heading straight for the study upstairs. As he passed the dining table, he paused slightly. “You don’t need to go to the banquet tonight.” Slap. The chopsticks were slammed onto the table. Vivian sneered, “Then who are you taking?” My mother was breathtakingly beautiful. Before she married, she was the famous, vibrant beauty of the upper-class social circle. Even after marriage, her beauty hadn’t faded a bit. Natural beauty combined with high-end maintenance made her even more charming. Even now, angry as she was, she looked stunning. But despite this, my father’s gaze hadn’t lingered on her for a long time. The man frowned slightly. He didn’t answer her question, his steady steps carrying him upstairs. As the study door closed. Vivian threw the chopsticks. The next second, she stood up to flip the table. I watched her silently. At the last second, she stopped. Vivian pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and smiled with an unreadable expression: “You’re getting a new mom soon. Happy?” I stared at her for two seconds, then walked up and snuffed out her cigarette. She froze completely. Then she screamed. “Are you crazy? Why did you put out my cigarette?” She grabbed my hand. My fingertip was burned raw. Her fingers trembled. She pulled out her phone to call the family doctor. After hanging up, she gritted her teeth: “I swear, you watch too many cartoons and think you’re made of steel?” I whispered: “Don’t smoke. It’s bad for your health. And if you smoke too much, you won’t be pretty anymore.” Vivian looked at me with complicated eyes while she looked for an ice pack. She huffed, “Even if your mom was ten times uglier, there still wouldn’t be a woman more beautiful than your mom, got it?” I endured the pain and looked at her quietly. I thought so too. Everyone in our circle thought so too. But my dad fell in love with that plain-looking girl by his side. Those uncles would whisper behind our backs: “Richard married such a beautiful wife, yet he doesn’t cherish her. That’s Vivian, the woman so many men dreamed of marrying back then.” But then they’d add: “But wild flowers always smell sweeter than house flowers. Plus, Vivian has a kid and isn’t young anymore. It’s understandable.” When their kids first whispered these things to me, I didn’t understand. I only heard “Dad” and “Mom,” so I repeated every word to my mother. Vivian’s expression didn’t change. She just rolled her eyes: “You’re gossiping at such a young age, what a bright future you have. If you have time for this, go learn some more words.” But after I left, she would lock herself in her room, smoking and drinking. The next day, she’d act as if nothing happened, booking spa appointments and ordering tonic soups from the kitchen. Later on, I stopped repeating those words. Chapter 2 “What are you arguing about?” Richard stood on the second floor, looking down. Vivian glanced at him and applied the ice pack to my hand. I hissed in pain. Richard’s gaze moved from my hand to the cigarette butt on the floor. His expression was cold. “Can’t even take care of a child?” Vivian looked annoyed: “Don’t act high and mighty. Just get lost.” Suddenly, she paused. “That necklace at the auction a few days ago… were you bidding against me?” Richard met her gaze. She smiled sarcastically. “Didn’t you know? Your little mistress is already parading it around town.” “She’s not my mistress,” Richard said, his thin lips pressed together in displeasure. “Right, right, she’s your true love.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Wishing you eternal happiness.” Richard exhaled, slowly walking downstairs. “We’re going to the banquet together tonight.” As if Vivian expected this, she chuckled, slowly draping her arm over his shoulder and exhaling into his ear, “Beg me, Mr. Jiang.” Richard took a step back, his body slightly tense, warning: “The child is here. Don’t be ridiculous.” She let out a bored “Oh” and said to me, “Go upstairs. The doctor will come to your room.” After I closed my bedroom door. I heard a vase shatter outside. I sat at my desk and opened my diary from memory. Eight-year-old me had a terrible relationship with Ms. Vivian. No fatherly love growing up, and barely any motherly love either. While other kids were being cuddled, I was already serving tea to my mom. She never cared about my life, spending every day elegantly dressing up, doing her hair, nails, and facials. Occasionally, when maternal instincts struck, she’d read me skincare tips. Any event requiring a parent was attended by the butler, Grandpa Lee. Later, I often thought my existence was unwelcome. I wasn’t the child of the woman my father loved, and maybe my mother often regretted having me, as my birth had damaged her body. … I flipped to the last page of the diary. [Lucas invited me to play the day after tomorrow. I want to go, but Uncle Julian will be there. I hate Uncle Julian. He always looks at Mom weirdly.] Sixteen-year-old me reading what eight-year-old me wrote felt complicated. Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I cleared my throat. “Come in.” Vivian walked in, followed by the family doctor, who opened his kit to bandage me up. Vivian sat naturally on my bed. She paused. “Do you want to go to the banquet tonight? Your grandparents want to see you. It’s fine if you don’t go; it’s a mixed crowd.” I thought for a moment. Uncle Julian would be there. I had to go scope out the situation. I nodded: “I’ll go.” Vivian shrugged. “Suit yourself.” After the doctor finished, Vivian went to prepare her gown. Watching her slender back, I couldn’t help but speak: “Mom.” She froze, awkwardly rubbing the goosebumps on her arm. “…What is it?” I pouted. “I don’t have a suitable dress.” Vivian liked expensive, exquisite dresses, but I only cared about comfort. I wore T-shirts and shorts everywhere. And I never let her pick my clothes. I only liked bright, flashy colors like red and green. Vivian turned around in shock, looking like she’d seen a ghost. “Really? You really want to wear a dress?” She came over and felt my forehead, muttering, “No fever.” My lip trembled, tears welling up. “Other kids have pretty dresses, but I don’t!” She looked at me blankly. “You… you can’t blame me for that. Every time I mention your outfits, you get mad.” So eventually, she stopped caring what I wore. “I don’t care. I want a dress.” I wiped a tear. She had never seen me like this and was stunned for a moment. “Fine, I’ll have someone prepare it. But I’m telling you now, you have to wear dress shoes with it. No sneakers. Tsk, stop crying…” Chapter 3 I sat next to Grandma, watching Vivian holding onto Richard’s arm. The surroundings were noisy. Her wavy hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a red mermaid gown. She was dazzling. Compared to her bright smile, Richard seemed much colder. Grandma glanced calmly in their direction, then looked away. She pinched my cheek. “Our little Ellie is finally willing to wear a dress. You’re growing up.” Grandpa looked over sternly, shaking his head. “Girls should dress like this. Vivian loves dressing herself up but doesn’t care about her daughter.” Grandma agreed. “Yes, I’ve told her so many times to get Ellie some decent clothes, but she never listens.” I spoke up weakly: “Grandpa, Grandma, it was me who didn’t like wearing dresses.” Grandpa scoffed. “That’s because she didn’t raise you right.” I paused, wanting to argue. Just then, someone poked my arm. I turned around, surprised: “Lucas…” Lucas smiled and greeted: “Hello Grandpa, Grandma. Hi Ellie.” Grandma smiled. “Good boy.” I followed Lucas to the corner to eat desserts. He stuffed a mini cake into my mouth, then scolded me: “Why didn’t you come to the amusement park yesterday?” I: “…” I scratched my head. “Had a fight with my mom.” He paused, then said slowly: “Oh, that’s understandable.” Lucas had soft brown hair, red lips, and white teeth. Wearing a mini suit, he looked serious yet cute. I stared at him. In my past life, for the next eight years, Lucas and I became total frenemies. I thought his dad was eyeing my mom, so I never gave him a break. He always mocked my ugly clothes and called me airheaded. But looking back now, those noisy days were some of the few colorful moments in my life. I grabbed his hand and asked deeply: “Do you think my clothes are ugly?” Lucas took a step back, stuttering. “Huh? Today… today you look pretty good.” I shook my head. “What about before?” He fell silent. The quiet corner contrasted sharply with the noise elsewhere. I sniffled, eyes turning red: “They all say I’m an ugly duckling, that they don’t like me, that I’m not as pretty as my mom…” He anxiously pulled me closer. “Who said that? You’re pretty. You’re the prettiest!” “Really? Every day?” I asked. He nodded, then scratched his cheek shyly. “Yeah. They’re talking nonsense. Tell me who said it, and I’ll go settle the score.” I paused. Too many people said that. From my childhood to adolescence, countless people compared me to Ms. Vivian, saying I wasn’t as pretty as she was as a child, didn’t inherit her beauty, wasn’t a beauty in the making. But… why compare me to others? Why compare me to my mother? I sighed. And stuffed a mini cake into Lucas’s mouth. Suddenly. There was a commotion nearby. I saw the gentle girl in the white dress. A glass of red wine had been spilled between her and Vivian. Both dresses were ruined. Everyone knew it was the girl’s petty trick, but Richard didn’t stand by his wife. My grandparents would only blame the daughter-in-law who wasn’t blood-related. I gritted my teeth in anger. Just as I was about to step forward, Lucas held my hand. We saw a man leisurely appearing in the center of the storm. Wearing a low-key luxury silver-gray suit, he raised an eyebrow lazily. “Ms. Zhong’s dress is ruined.” The girl’s face paled slightly, hiding behind Richard. She spoke softly: “Mr. Chi, hers is red, mine is white…” Implying the stain on her dress was more obvious. “Who knocked over the glass? Do we need to check the security footage?” Julian chuckled lightly. Richard’s eyes were cold. “This is my family matter. It has nothing to do with you.” Julian’s expression froze slightly. I gritted my teeth and pulled Lucas forward. People made way for us. I enunciated clearly and crisply: “I swore an oath with Lucas. He’s my brother now. So Uncle Julian is my Godfather!” I nudged Lucas, and he nodded immediately: “Yes!” Dead silence. Only Julian’s lips curled slightly. He put one hand in his pocket. “Heard that? Now Ms. Zhong’s matter is my family matter too.” The onlookers gasped. Richard’s face suddenly darkened. “Godfather?” Lucas and I nodded solemnly in sync. “Pfft.” Vivian, who hadn’t spoken, laughed. Her red lips curved; she seemed amused by us. But she didn’t deny it. Richard grabbed Vivian’s wrist, pulling her to his side. His mood was unreadable, but a suppressed hostility radiated from him: “Ms. Zhong? Mr. Chi, you should call her Mrs. Jiang.” “You manage a lot,” Julian drawled, then turned to a waiter. “Take Ms. Zhong to change.” Richard wouldn’t let go. Vivian smiled faintly. “Husband, not letting go?” The girl hiding behind Richard whispered: “Mr. Jiang, my dress is dirty too.” Richard frowned darkly. After a long moment, he let go. Then he turned and personally led the girl to the lounge. The drama ended, and the crowd dispersed. Only Lucas, Uncle Julian, and I remained. I looked up. Julian happened to look down, his peach blossom eyes watching me with unreadable emotion. Just then, a waiter bowed slightly beside me. “The Old Madam invites you over.” I froze, then turned to meet Grandma’s strict gaze. Lucas pulled me. “Don’t go.” I shook my head. Chapter 4 “You intentionally embarrassed your father!” Grandma hit my back hard in anger. “Where are your manners?” He wasn’t embarrassed; my mom was. I said quietly: “Grandma, who is that woman? Why did dad not blame her for spilling wine on mom’s dress?” Grandma frowned. “As the head of the group, your father must be magnanimous.” I didn’t speak again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Julian drinking glass after glass of wine. I heard that everyone thought my mom and Julian would end up together, but they missed each other in the end. Julian hasn’t married to this day; Lucas was adopted from a relative. I rubbed my chin in thought. Just then, I saw Lucas sneaking off somewhere. I immediately started to follow. Grandma grabbed me, displeased. “Don’t run around. Sit here nicely.” “I need to use the bathroom!” I bolted away. I followed Lucas to the lounge. He didn’t notice me. I hid by the crack in the door. Voices came from inside. Vivian said lazily: “You said your family was struggling, so I introduced you to the company. I showed you kindness. Why make everyone look bad in a setting like this?” Silence inside. Then the soft voice said: “It was Mr. Jiang who showed me kindness, promoting me to secretary. The salary is several times higher than my old job.” Vivian laughed. “Okay. Love, money, you have both. What else do you want? The position of Mrs. Jiang?” No answer. After a long time. “I’m pregnant,” the girl whispered. “Sister, you lack nothing. Give him to me. I don’t want my child to be born without a father.” The sound of a coat rack falling over. Probably kicked by my mom. Seeing Vivian finally lose control, the girl’s smile became a bit more genuine: “I checked. It’s a boy. Mr. Jiang and I are looking forward to his arrival. He even bought baby supplies in advance.” Slap. A crisp sound. The girl sighed: “Hit me. Mr. Jiang will be the one hurting.” Her gentle voice finally couldn’t hide the triumph: “Ms. Zhong, when you condescendingly gave me charity back then, did you ever imagine you’d be kicked out of the Jiang family with your daughter like a dog?” I gripped my dress tightly. But suddenly, a white light flashed in my mind. Wait, she was never pregnant! If she was really pregnant with a boy, forget her asking for status, Grandma would never let her grandson be illegitimate. My expression hardened. Then I met Lucas’s eyes. He stepped back, surprised to see me right next to him. Lucas was silent for a few seconds, then awkwardly whispered in my ear: “It’s okay. If your mom doesn’t want you, I’ll ask my dad to adopt you too. I won’t let you be homeless.” I froze, touched, and held his hand: “Thank you.” His fingers curled. Suddenly, a tall shadow fell over us. “What are you doing?” Richard looked down coldly. I jumped, smiling sheepishly. “Dad, we were worried about Mom, so we came to check.” “We?” Richard sneered, lifting me by the scruff of my neck with one hand. “Stay away from this kid.” Lucas gritted his teeth and ran off. The door opened. The girl threw herself into Richard’s arms with a red handprint on her face, sobbing without speaking. Vivian stood inside, smiling but not smiling. Seeing me, she immediately put out her cigarette. I: “…” Richard frowned, asking Vivian: “You hit her?” Vivian glanced over lazily: “Hitting her hurt my hand.” For some reason, Richard’s calm brow darkened. The girl was incredulous: “What are you saying? You hit me…” “Enough.” Richard interrupted coldly. “Since you don’t want to stay here, I’ll send someone to take you back.” With that, he signaled the bodyguards to take the girl away. The sobbing continued, fading into the distance. Richard walked closer to Vivian, his voice flat: “Satisfied?” Vivian stared at him for two seconds, the fake smile gone from her face. Finally, she mocked herself. “You make me sick.” She pushed Richard aside and walked out in her high heels, still wearing the wine-stained mermaid dress. Richard had his back to the door; I couldn’t see his expression.

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Just because I was pregnant, his widowed sister-in-law threatened to kill herself. To appease her, my husband insisted I have an abortion, just to put her mind at ease. “Eleanor is just so lonely since my brother died,” he told me. “I’m just taking care of her for him, giving her a child. Don’t overthink it.” When I refused, he drugged me and took me to the clinic himself. When I woke up, my eyes were burning with tears. “Samuel, just because she was unhappy, you’ve made me lose three children!” He was impatient. “It’s just a baby. We can have another one later.” “For now, Eleanor needs to prepare for the pregnancy, so I’ll be staying with her. I’ll come back after she conceives.” He and Eleanor left together, hand in hand. A month later, Eleanor returned, one hand resting on her still-flat stomach. “I’m pregnant,” she announced. “You’ll have to take good care of Samuel for me now.” I burned the letter in my hand. It was from the city. The wedding date is set. I’m coming to get you. … 1 Samuel glanced at the smoldering paper in the hearth. “What are you burning?” My voice was flat. “Nothing.” He looked at me, a flicker of guilt in his eyes, and reached for my hand. “Phoebe, I know you’re still angry about what happened.” “But you shouldn’t have used your pregnancy to provoke her.” “You know how fragile she’s been ever since my brother and nephew died in that accident.” “This is for the best. I give Eleanor a child, she has a new reason to live, and our lives can finally be peaceful.” “If you want a baby that badly, we’ll have our own next time.” “No, thank you.” I pulled my hand away. This wasn’t the first time he’d forced me to abort our child because of Eleanor. The thought of my three lost babies made it hard to breathe. He wanted to make amends, but I was done. Samuel thought I was just sulking. He tried to coax me again. “It’s just one baby… Eleanor promised that after the child is born, she’ll leave us alone. We can have as many as we want then.” “She’s being so generous about it. Why are you still holding a grudge?” Eleanor, standing beside him, added with a soft smile, “Yes, Phoebe, please don’t be upset.” I almost laughed out loud. We were husband and wife, but we needed an outsider’s permission to have a child. It was a sick joke. I took a deep breath and handed him the divorce papers I’d prepared. “Samuel, let’s file for divorce.” Seven years of my life, three of my children. It was the price I paid for loving the wrong man. It was time to walk away. As I grabbed my packed suitcase, Eleanor’s eyes lit up. Samuel didn’t see it. He was staring at the papers, his whole body shaking with rage. Eleanor lowered her gaze, the picture of innocence. “Phoebe, I know you’re angry with me, but you don’t have to resort to these games. The baby is innocent.” That snapped him out of it. He tore the papers to shreds. “Don’t think you can manipulate me, Phoebe,” he sneered. “And don’t forget, if it weren’t for me, a disgraced tycoon’s daughter like you would have nothing!” The words were a dagger in my heart. In this new era, my family’s past was a stain. Samuel, on the other hand, had come from nothing, a former militia man who had clawed his way up to the rank of Commander. He truly believed I owed my comfortable life entirely to him. Seeing my silence, his tone softened. “Alright, Phoebe. Let’s just forget this. Stop making a scene.” “Eleanor and I have discussed it. We’re going to have a ceremony, to give the unborn child a name.” “But don’t worry,” he added, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world. “We’ll get a ‘divorce’ as soon as the baby is born. You are my only real wife.” Eleanor’s expression darkened for a split second. “The reception is today. We’ve already arranged everything. You’ll come with us, as a witness. With you there, people won’t gossip.” He tried to take my arm, his voice turning gentle. “After the ceremony, I’ll move back in. Eleanor has just conceived, so I need you to take good care of her.” I ripped my arm away, trembling with fury. “Samuel, she’s carrying your child, and you want me to be her nursemaid?” His eyes flashed. “You’re my wife! What’s wrong with looking after my sister-in-law and my child? Besides, when the baby is born, it’ll have to call you ‘Auntie’ anyway.” I sucked in a breath. “I refuse! I told you, I want a divorce!” Samuel’s face hardened. Before he could speak, Eleanor sighed, her voice thick with emotion. “Phoebe, are you still holding this against me? If you hate me, I’ll leave. I’ll never come between you and Samuel again. But please, I beg you, let me keep this baby. It’s the only thing I have to live for.” “Please don’t use these tactics to force Samuel to get rid of another one…” She looked as if she was about to drop to her knees. Samuel rushed to her side, pulling her up, his voice urgent and tender. “Eleanor, this isn’t your fault. You don’t need to kneel to her.” The way he looked at her, full of concern… it was the same way he had looked at me, all those years ago when he first told me he loved me. He soothed Eleanor, then turned to face me. His eyes were ice. “Don’t push your luck, Phoebe.” “We’ve both told you, this is temporary. The baby and Eleanor are no threat to your position. What more do you want?” “The ceremony is about to start. I don’t have time for this. Let’s go.” He glanced at his watch and reached for me. I slapped his hand away and turned to leave. That was the last straw. He grabbed the heavy thermos from a nearby table and smashed it over my head. CRACK— The world spun. A dull, blooming pain exploded at the back of my skull. I froze, stunned. After a few seconds, I reached up to touch the spot. My fingertips came away slick with red. Slowly, I turned to look at him. Samuel stared for a moment, then his face hardened again. “You asked for this.” “I told you, today is the ceremony. I don’t have time to play your games!” He shoved me violently toward the door, then called for two of his men. They manhandled me into the back of a pickup truck waiting outside. Eleanor, holding his arm, climbed in after me. “When we get there, you keep your mouth shut,” Samuel warned. “You’ll tell everyone that you and I divorced a long time ago, and this has nothing to do with Eleanor. If you damage her reputation, don’t blame me for what happens next.” Rage ignited inside me. “Samuel, when will this end? I told you, I want a divorce—” SLAP— His hand cracked across my face before I could finish. “Phoebe, you can have your tantrum after today!” The blow left my head ringing. He looked at me with disgust, then pulled a piece of cloth from the dashboard and threw it at me. “Wipe the blood off your face. Don’t give people the wrong idea.” I looked down. The cloth… was a pair of women’s panties. I went rigid. Eleanor noticed and snatched them back, a strange mix of embarrassment and playful annoyance on her face. “Samuel, I thought you put these away. Why are they still here?” He glanced at them, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. “Must have overlooked them.” He grabbed a clean rag and tossed it to me. The thought of what they had done in this truck made my stomach turn. I moved to get out. Samuel’s voice was a blade of ice. “Phoebe, disobedience has consequences.” I remembered the last time. Because Eleanor had complained my cooking was bland, he had poured a pot of scalding soup over my shoulder. I was covered in blistering burns, but he forbade the local clinic from treating me. I spent two weeks in agony, fighting off infection and fever, until my body finally gave out or gave in. The right side of my shoulder is still a mass of scarred tissue. The memory made me sink back into my seat. Seeing my submission, Eleanor smiled and leaned against Samuel, starting a cheerful conversation, asking if he was tired, asking if the baby was bothering him. I knew she was trying to provoke me. To make me lash out so Samuel would punish me again. It was an old, familiar game. But this time, I just closed my eyes. My lack of reaction seemed to annoy Samuel. His face fell. The ceremony was being held at the Officer’s Club in the city. When we arrived, my legs were unsteady. He shot me a look of contempt. “You’re a mess. Clean yourself up.” “And when you get inside, you behave.” He nodded to his two men, then let Eleanor lead him into the club. The summer sun beat down, making my head spin even more. I licked my cracked lips and forced myself to walk inside. The room was filled with Samuel’s friends and colleagues. When he and Eleanor entered, cheers erupted. When I followed, the room fell silent. Everyone stared. “She came?” someone whispered. Eleanor spoke up, her voice clear. “I invited Phoebe to be our witness today.” The guests exchanged uneasy looks, then forced a few laughs. Their eyes, when they looked at me, were filled with scorn. “She still has the nerve to show her face? Shameless.” Eleanor smoothed things over. Samuel stood beside her, his arm around her. They were both dressed in their finest—Eleanor in a smart, tailored suit and polished shoes, her face glowing. I, on the other hand, looked like a ghost, my hair matted with blood, my face deathly pale. “Right! This is a joyous occasion!” someone shouted. “Commander, Ms. Eleanor, congratulations!” Eleanor smiled, tightening her grip on Samuel’s waist and glancing at me. Then she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. The crowd roared. “Another one! Another one!” Samuel blushed but leaned in and kissed her fully on the lips. They melted into each other, oblivious to the world, lost in a deep, passionate kiss. The guests cheered and clapped, their eyes darting to me, hungry for the drama. They all knew how desperately I loved Samuel. In the past, I’d chased off any woman who showed an interest in him. When he first brought Eleanor to live in the compound, I had lost my mind, screaming, smashing things, even threatening him with a knife to make him send her away. To everyone here, I was the crazy one. But now, I just stood there, perfectly still. All I could think was, They’re so in love. Maybe now he’ll finally agree to the divorce. After a moment, as if just remembering I was there, Eleanor pulled away. “Samuel, Phoebe is watching. This isn’t right…” He glanced at me, unconcerned. “Who cares about her?” Eleanor patted his arm playfully, then looked at me with an apologetic expression. “Phoebe… don’t be angry. Samuel didn’t mean it.” “I’m not angry.” I offered a faint smile. “Seeing you two so happy, I can only wish you the best.” I looked at Samuel. “If you truly love each other this much, you should have signed the papers a long time ago, for her sake.” His face went cold. Eleanor looked panicked. “Phoebe… don’t misunderstand. Samuel and I are only doing this for the baby…” “After the baby is born, I’ll leave him.” Someone in the crowd scoffed. “Are you crazy, Phoebe? The Commander and Ms. Eleanor are in love. They have a child on the way. And you’re still trying to break them up?” “Don’t you know that makes you the other woman?” The speaker was Corporal Davis, one of Samuel’s subordinates and his biggest supporter. None of his men thought my background was good enough for him. “Please, don’t say that about Phoebe…” Eleanor pleaded, tears welling in her eyes. “It’s all my fault…” Seeing her cry, Samuel’s heart melted. He comforted her for a long moment before turning his fury on me. “Phoebe, how many times do I have to tell you to behave?” “Eleanor has the kindest heart. Does it make you happy to see her cry?” I knew he only had eyes for her. It didn’t even hurt anymore. “You’re right. My mistake. I’ll leave.” I turned to go, but Eleanor rushed forward and grabbed my arm. “Phoebe, no… I should be the one to leave, not you…” I tried to pull my hand free. In the next second, her expression changed. She threw herself backward, crashing into a nearby table. A pot of hot tea overturned, splashing onto her arm. She screamed in pain. “Eleanor!” Samuel shoved me aside and ran to her. The force of his push sent me stumbling into a chair, the corner digging sharply into my back. Pain flared through my body, aggravating my existing injuries. “Samuel…” Eleanor whimpered, cradled in his arms, a red blotch already forming on her skin. “It’s not Phoebe’s fault, it was me…” Her words were meant to sound like a defense, but they only fueled Samuel’s rage. “Phoebe! Do you have to be so malicious? Do you have to hurt her?” “Fine. Words don’t get through to you. Maybe I need to teach you a lesson you’ll remember!” He cupped Eleanor’s injured hand, his voice dropping to a gentle whisper. “Eleanor, she hurt you. What should her punishment be?” Eleanor feigned reluctance. “Samuel, we shouldn’t…” His voice was grim. “You’re too kind! A vicious woman like her needs to be punished!” “Even if you wanted her dead, she would deserve it!” The guests stared at me with amusement and contempt. A chill washed over me. The whole situation was laughable. Ten years together, seven years of marriage, and he didn’t have a shred of trust in me. Eleanor didn’t even have to try. She won without a fight. Finally, Eleanor spoke, her voice laced with false sympathy. “The hot water spilled on me… so I suppose it’s only fair she gets the same.” Samuel didn’t hesitate. “Davis,” he commanded. “Fetch a bucket of hot water!” Davis ran to the kitchen and returned with a steaming bucket. My pupils shrank. I backed away instinctively. “Samuel! You’ll kill me!” “You know my health is poor…” A few years ago, during a major flood, he had been on the front lines and gone missing. I had searched for him for three days and nights, wading through the floodwaters. A falling tree had crushed my leg, but I ignored the pain and kept searching until I found him. The wound became infected from the contaminated water, and I was hospitalized for three months. Ever since, my immune system has been compromised. I’m prone to infections and allergic reactions. A major burn could be a death sentence. He paused. But then Eleanor moaned beside him. “It’s fine, Samuel, I’m okay…” His expression hardened. “You hurt her first. This is what you deserve.” “If you die, you’ll have brought it on yourself!” My heart clenched. I stared at him in disbelief. When he had learned how badly I was injured saving him, he had cried, staying by my bedside, caring for me himself, terrified I would have the slightest discomfort. When the doctors told him about the permanent damage to my health, he had held me, his eyes red, and promised he would protect me, that he would nurse me back to health no matter how difficult it was. But now… everything had changed. He nodded at Davis. Davis and another man blocked my path. He smiled cruelly, advancing with the bucket. Seeing the steam rising from the water, I tried to run. They grabbed me and forced me to the floor. “Ms. Xie,” Davis sneered, “if you just accept your punishment, it will be over quickly. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee things won’t get… messy.” I shook my head, screaming for help. No one moved. They all knew who held the power here. Davis laughed, and lifted the bucket. SPLASH— A wave of scalding water crashed over me. I curled into a ball, trying to shield my head with my back. Searing pain exploded across my skin. I screamed. The world went dark at the edges. I lay on the floor, my body convulsing. The air filled with the sickening smell of burned flesh. It felt as if my skin was being peeled off. Davis laughed again. “Well, look at that, Ms. Xie. I didn’t know you could breakdance.” The crowd joined in the mockery. My body twitched in agony, a roar filling my ears. Through the haze, I heard Samuel’s voice, cold as a blade. “You deserve it! You hurt Eleanor, you pay the price!” I struggled to lift my head, my vision blurred with pain. I could only see his distorted, monstrous silhouette. Nothing remained of the man I once loved. I stared at him, a white-hot hatred consuming me. He knew what he had done to my body, how fragile I was. And still, he did this, just to please her. “You’re right. It is my fault.” “My mistake was ever knowing you.” My empty, numb gaze seemed to unnerve him. A flicker of doubt crossed his face, but he quickly suppressed it. “Still unrepentant, Phoebe?” “It seems you haven’t suffered enough!” He snatched another bucket of hot water from Davis and poured it over me. A piercing scream ripped through the club. Every cell in my body was on fire. My exposed skin was blistering and peeling away. Still not satisfied, he grabbed my raw, burned hand and dragged me in front of Eleanor. “If you still won’t admit you’re wrong, then you will kneel here and beg for her forgiveness!” “Nine hundred and ninety-nine times. We’ll be done when you’re done!” I was numb with pain. I looked up at him. “If I do it, will you sign the papers?” His eyes blazed. He couldn’t understand why I was being so defiant. In the past, he only had to raise his voice, and I would crumble. Today, I wouldn’t break. I repeated, “Promise me, and I’ll do it.” He looked like he wanted to strangle me. Eleanor put a hand on his arm. “Samuel, just agree. She’s in a pitiful state.” He took her hand, his voice softening. “Alright. Whatever you say.” Then he glared at me. “Fine, I promise!” Eleanor shot me a triumphant look. “Phoebe, this is your only chance. Don’t waste it.” I fought through the pain, forced myself to my knees, and began to bow my head to the floor. One after another. Blood and sloughed-off skin smeared the tiles. My whole body felt like it was splitting open. It was a horrific sight. I continued like a machine, feeling nothing. Samuel’s expression, however, grew darker and darker. Someone in the crowd murmured, “This is too much…” “She shouldn’t have crossed Ms. Eleanor. Everyone knows she’s the Commander’s whole world.” Eleanor beamed at the comment and kissed Samuel again. I ignored them. My indifference seemed to spoil his mood. Suddenly, he spoke. “Phoebe is badly hurt. If she keeps this up, she might actually die.” “How about this instead? If she drinks a cup of urine, I’ll call it even.” She smiled sweetly. “They say urine is a natural antiseptic. It would be good for her wounds.” My head snapped up. Before I could speak, Samuel said, “Enough.” For a second, I thought he’d found his conscience. But then he continued, “We’ll do as Eleanor says. She’s a teacher. She knows what she’s talking about.” “This is for your own good,” he added, as if granting me a great favor. I laughed, a silent, broken sound. I was a fool to think he had any humanity left. He would do anything to please her. My laughter seemed to make him uneasy. He lowered his voice. “Phoebe, just drink it, and we can go back to how things were.” “After the baby is born,” he whispered, “we’ll be happy again.” I smiled. After torturing and humiliating me for her, he thought we could just go back? Seeing that I wasn’t responding, his patience wore thin. “Davis! Hold her down! Make her drink it!” Davis and two other men pinned me. Eleanor returned with a bowl of foul-smelling liquid and handed it to Davis with a smirk. “Don’t waste it, Phoebe.” Davis brought the bowl to my lips. The stench made me gag. I shook my head, struggling, fighting with everything I had left. The movement tore at my burned skin, and fresh blood welled up. Samuel’s voice was suddenly gentle. “Phoebe, it’s for your own good.” “Be a good girl. After you drink it, I’ll take you to the hospital.” I stared at him with pure hatred, but Davis forced my head toward the bowl. The overwhelming pain and humiliation finally consumed me. A wave of blackness washed over me. I coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed. I was dying. The last thing I saw was Samuel’s panicked face rushing toward me.

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