Category: English

My mom, Lorelei, couldn’t handle my dad David’s cheating. She tried to take her own life by opening the gas valve. She didn’t die, but I, Aubrey, was burned and disfigured saving her from the fire. Seven years later, Lorelei found a new boyfriend, handsome and rich. A week before her wedding, she started packing my bags. “Look, don’t blame me for being heartless, okay?” she snapped. “You look like a monster. What if you scare my boyfriend’s daughter?” “I’ve raised you for years; I’ve paid my dues. It’s your dad’s turn to take responsibility now.” Then, she dropped me and my luggage at my dad’s apartment complex. I was terrified waiting there because I’d dropped my mask and hat in Lorelei’s car. When I thought to chase her, she sped up, eager to get rid of me. I stumbled and fell while desperately trying to catch her, making my already disfigured face look even worse. After scrambling back to my feet on all fours, Lorelei’s car was gone. So I could only crouch on the ground, burying my face deep in my knees. But thankfully, it wasn’t long before a middle-aged man ran over, panting. He called out tentatively, cautiously. “Aubrey.” I quickly looked up. What met my eyes was a stranger. Seeing my face, the man paused for a moment. But after a brief second, he said, “Hello, I’m Mr. Thompson, your dad’s good friend.” “Your dad’s away on a business trip today, so he asked me to pick you up.” The man’s voice was quite loud at first, but maybe it was because I was staring at him. His voice grew softer, almost a whisper. I’d encountered this scenario many times. Ever since I was disfigured saving Lorelei from the fire, it’s always been like this. The first time I returned to school after being discharged from the hospital, with my face covered in twisted scars, Ms. Davies, my homeroom teacher, was on the podium, trying to prepare the class emotionally. She was telling them not to give me strange looks or treat me differently. She spoke passionately and fiercely, but the moment I stepped into the classroom, Ms. Davies was just like this man; her voice hitched, then she stammered a few times, finally forcing the words out to the class. “Okay, cl-classmates… let’s give Aubrey a round of applause for re-returning to school.” A scattered applause echoed through the classroom. But no amount of clapping could hide the shaken, terrified stares that followed me. After that, there were two kinds of people in my class. Some felt sympathy for what I’d been through. Others were terrified, saying I looked like a horrifying monster and were scared if I even looked at them. But no matter what kind of person they were, in the end, no one was willing to interact with me. Even my best friend, my best deskmate, grew distant. I once overheard them talking in the restroom. “Ugh, it’s not that I don’t want to be Aubrey’s friend anymore, but I’m genuinely scared. Every time she looks at me, I have nightmares when I get home.” So, already used to such gazes, I calmly bent down, picked up my luggage, and said, “Let’s go.” The man paused for a second before snapping out of it and quickly followed me. “Aubrey, is your suitcase heavy? Uncle Thompson can help you with it, okay?” I simply shook my head slightly and then lowered my head again, pulling my collar up to hide my face. Seeing my action, the man quickly rushed ahead of me. Watching him, I felt a pang of derision. I wondered why he was so silly. Did he think his large build would somehow make me less noticeable? But he didn’t know that every step of the way, I was met with stares from children and adults alike, stares that openly labeled me a monster.

The man took me to a two-bedroom apartment. It wasn’t large, but it was exceptionally clean. The room was filled with family photos of my dad, a woman I didn’t know, and a little boy. Even with a quick glance, I could tell it was a warm, loving home. It was exactly like the cozy scene with Lorelei, her boyfriend, and his daughter eating at McDonald’s. As soon as we entered, the man invited me to sit on the sofa and eagerly went to pour me some water. But he fumbled around, but couldn’t find the kettle. Seeing his frantic search, I calmly spoke up. “I don’t like interacting with strangers. You can go now.” The man froze slightly, the smile on his face stiffening. But after a moment, he tried to appease me. “Alright, alright, if that’s the case, then I’ll head out.” Then the door slammed shut. It wasn’t until I heard the man’s footsteps fade away that my rigidly upright posture finally softened. After a moment of daze, I pulled out my phone, intending to send Lorelei a SnapChat, to tell her I had arrived at my dad’s. But as soon as I opened my phone, I saw Lorelei’s SnapChat post. “Waiting for my daughter to get out of school.” The accompanying picture was of a little girl with a backpack walking out of school. My fingers tightened around my phone. A suffocating, bitter ache rose in my chest. I held it back, forcing myself to switch from the SnapChat interface to a food delivery app. Just as I was about to order some masks and hats for myself, I remembered Lorelei hadn’t given me any money. Three days ago, she told me she’d already spoken to my dad, and that he would be responsible for all my future tuition, miscellaneous fees, and living expenses. So, she wouldn’t be giving me my allowance for the month. My eyes felt raw, and I had to lie down on the sofa to swallow back my tears. With nothing else to do, I started to daydream. Thinking of nothing, yet seemingly everything. It wasn’t until the sun had set that a little boy’s voice suddenly echoed from outside. “Mommy, is my big sister really coming to live with us? That’s great! I’m definitely going to show her my new Ultraman!” Hearing the noise outside, I immediately sat up on the sofa, straightening my back. Remembering I wasn’t wearing my mask, I frantically pulled my collar up, trying to hide my face in a messy scramble. But I was too late. As a hurried sound of the door opening echoed, It was immediately followed by a startled scream. “Ah! A ghost!” Then came the sound of a boy wailing. My heart seized, and I scrambled to my feet. The woman who entered was a bit plump, dressed in clothes that weren’t particularly trendy. She glanced at me frantically, then picked up the wailing child. She must have been scared too, her voice trembling slightly. “I… I’m so sorry, Aubrey. I… I didn’t know you were already home.” “Your dad called me and said… said you weren’t coming until tonight.” After saying that, she turned to gently comfort the little boy in her arms. “Leo, don’t cry. What did Mommy tell you before? Do you remember?” “This is your big sister, Aubrey! Weren’t you most excited for her to come?” The boy’s crying subsided with the woman’s soothing, but after cautiously peeking at me, he clung to his mom’s neck even tighter and started crying again. His mom looked at me apologetically. “I… I’m so sorry, Aubrey. Your little brother, he’s just a little boy, he doesn’t understand yet.” Actually, she didn’t need to explain. After Lorelei found a boyfriend, she once brought his daughter home. That day, I was sick with a cold and hadn’t gone to school. As soon as the little girl saw a “ghost” in the house, she was so scared she started wailing like a banshee. Lorelei immediately panicked, rushed over, slapped me, and angrily picked up the little girl, storming out of the house. When she came home that night, she made a rule for me. Whenever I was home, except for using the restroom or eating, I had to stay in my room. Not wanting to be annoying anymore, I spoke up amidst the little boy’s cries. “Where’s my room?” The woman’s eyes flickered slightly, then she pointed to the bedroom closest to the bathroom. I pursed my lips, said nothing, and turned to drag my suitcase to the room Elara had assigned me.

For the next three days, other than eating and using the restroom, I hardly left my room. I spent my days either studying or reading. Occasionally, the happy shouts of the little boy from outside would make me pause my pen. It made me think of when David hadn’t cheated yet. Back then, every day when he came home from work, my dad would carry me on his shoulders, and I’d hold a doll in my arms, shouting with joy that Dad’s shoulders were my very own pumpkin carriage. Then, from the kitchen, I’d hear Lorelei’s nagging. She’d ask David why he wasn’t taking me to clean up yet. She’d say I was always getting into mischief all day long. Back then, I’d always giggle with laughter on Dad’s shoulders. Perhaps life was too beautiful back then, so beautiful that even now, tears welled up in my eyes. Staring at the blurred words, I hastily pulled at my sleeve to wipe them away. But the more I wiped, the more the ink bled on my homework, the more the words blurred on my page. It seemed I don’t deserve good memories. Two more days passed. One afternoon, there was a knock on my door. The moment I heard it, my body instinctively tensed. I straightened up, stood, and went to open the door. Elara was standing there, holding the little boy’s hand, looking at me with an appeasing smile. “Aubrey, Auntie Elara bought you something.” Saying this, she handed me a plastic bag. I looked down and saw sanitary pads. She saw my expression and quickly said, “Aubrey, Auntie Elara saw you were using toilet paper in the bathroom, I’m sorry, so I took the liberty of getting you some.” “Oh, and do you not have any money on you? Can I get your SnapChat to send you some money via PayPal?” I looked at her plastic bag, hesitating. But thinking about how uncomfortable it was using toilet paper, I finally took the plastic bag from her hand. I also complied, pulling out my phone to add her on SnapChat. After doing everything, I closed my door. But within a few minutes, Elara knocked again. “Aubrey, Auntie Elara made you a warm herbal drink for your cramps. Would you like to open the door and drink some? It can really help ease the pain.” “Girls your age often get bad cramps.” Listening to Lorelei’s voice through the door, I clenched my fists tightly. This reminded me of two years ago, when I first started my period. My periods were irregular, and the cramps were so bad I’d be rolling on the floor in agony every time. Back then, I cried and begged Lorelei to take me to the doctor. I told her I was in so much pain, so much pain. My mom snapped at me, annoyed: “You’re so dramatic! It’s just period pain, what’s the big deal? “When do I have time to take you to the doctor? Even if I did, I wouldn’t want to. “Ever since you were disfigured, every time I take you out, I feel like a criminal. Strangers stare at me all the time; it’s utterly humiliating! “And besides, I’m going on a trip with my boyfriend today, I don’t have time.” “If you’re really in so much pain, there’s some brown sugar in the fridge. Just mix it with hot water and drink it.” After saying that, Lorelei grabbed her bag and walked out the door. That night, due to severe cramps and a persistent high fever, I almost died at home. It wasn’t until I crawled out and knocked on a neighbor’s door that she took me to the hospital, and I barely clung to life. When Lorelei was called to the hospital, Her first reaction wasn’t to comfort me. It was anger. “Aubrey, why are you so much trouble? I leave for a second and something happens to you.” “I must have been cursed in a past life to have such a jinx for a daughter!” Thinking of the despair I felt lying in that hospital bed back then, A sudden surge of anger, I don’t know why, erupted in my chest. Loudly, angrily, I yelled at the woman outside the room. “I don’t want it! Go away!” It was a long time before I heard the woman’s retreating footsteps outside. And the moment those footsteps disappeared, tears streamed down my scarred face. That night, I didn’t go out for dinner. Elara came to my door several times. Each time, I thought she was going to knock. But each time, she only stood at my door for a moment before leaving. It wasn’t until midnight that I suddenly saw a SnapChat post from her. “Hey ladies, any advice on how to communicate with a teenage daughter?” My fingers tightened around my phone. The word “daughter” hit me like a ton of bricks, stabbing deep into my heart. Ever since I was disfigured, Lorelei had never publicly acknowledged me as her daughter. Even when she took me out, she wouldn’t let me call her mom. When others asked, she would only introduce me as a relative’s child. When we were alone, she explained it to me. She said if people knew she was my mom, they would condemn her, saying what kind of mother lets her young child get so horribly burned. She also said that my disfigurement was all David’s fault. If David hadn’t cheated and divorced her, she wouldn’t have tried to take her own life, and I wouldn’t have become… this monster. So, I couldn’t guilt-trip her, my mother. If I wanted to hate someone, I should hate David. And hate the woman who was now posting on SnapChat, calling me her daughter.

I initially thought after I yelled at Elara yesterday, She wouldn’t bother with me anymore. After all, she and I were essentially rivals, and now I was like a burden, intruding on her happy family. But to my surprise, the next morning, she knocked on my room door again. First, she told me breakfast was by the door. I didn’t answer. Around mid-morning, she knocked again, saying she’d prepared some fruit for me and left it outside my door. I still didn’t answer. It wasn’t until almost noon that the door was knocked on again. I was incredibly annoyed. I climbed out of bed and went to open the door, ready to shout, when I saw the little boy standing there, looking pitifully, his eyes brimming with tears, holding an Ultraman figure. “Big sister, my Ultraman’s leg is broken! Mom won’t fix it for me, but she said you can!” With that, the little boy rushed forward and clung tightly to my leg. “Please, big sister, help me fix my Ultraman! My Ultraman is broken, I’m going to be so heartbroken!” My pant leg was smeared with the boy’s snot and tears. Just as I stood there, flustered, Elara stood at the end of the hallway, holding a spatula, yelling at me. “Aubrey, quickly go comfort your brother! He’s being so annoying!” “I’m cooking right now, I don’t have time!” With that, Elara disappeared back into the kitchen. My hands clenched slightly. It took me a few seconds to find my voice. “Give me the Ultraman.” The boy, like a seasoned actor, instantly stopped crying. Fearing he’d see my face and start crying again, I took two steps back, ready to close the door. The boy, however, zoomed past me, darted into the room, kicked off his shoes, and rolled twice on my bed. “Big sister, come here quickly! Fix my Ultraman on the bed!” My fingers tightened around the Ultraman figure again. But seeing that the boy hadn’t been scared into crying, I sat down sideways on the bed, my feet on the floor, my upper body stiff. As soon as I picked up the Ultraman, the boy suddenly launched himself into my arms. “Big sister, I want you to hold me while you fix it!” The sudden warmth against my chest made my body instantly tense. Even my fingers holding the Ultraman trembled. Ever since I was disfigured, I hadn’t had such close physical contact with anyone. After all, Lorelei wouldn’t even look at me after I was disfigured, let alone hug me. And everyone else just found me repulsive, a monster. They would even walk several feet away from me if we were on the same path. But before I could react, the boy kissed my scarred face. “Big sister, I like you.”

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At the party, my asthma flared up. I fumbled for my emergency inhaler. But the bottle was empty. Brandon explained: “Layla said she had a really scratchy throat, so I just handed her your inhaler. You know, for a quick fix. Chew on some throat lozenges, it’ll help.” My breathing was already getting harder and harder. “She has a dry throat, can’t she just drink some water? You guys are trying to kill me!” He frowned, annoyed. “Can you just stop being so dramatic? You always make yourself out to be some delicate flower. Layla’s right, you’re just playing victim.” I didn’t argue anymore. I sent a message to my mom: “My asthma’s acting up, but Brandon gave my inhaler to Layla.” Brandon saw the message and brushed it off. “You’re doing this again? Always running to your mom, are you in elementary school?” He snatched my phone, held it high above his head, looking down at me. I tried to get it back. The moment I stood up, my vision went black, and I stumbled back down. “My asthma’s attacking, please, help me!” I gasped, trying to explain. Just then, Layla walked over, not forgetting to wave my inhaler in her hand. “Oh, Avery, my little princess, are you *really* that bad off? Or are you just trying to get some attention?” “Ugh, I told Brandon we shouldn’t have girls at our guy’s night. Always so emotional, always trying to stir up drama between each other.” I gasped for air, staring intently at Layla. She was Brandon’s childhood friend. She was always one of the guys, super comfortable hanging out with them, even calling them “bros.” Brandon had mentioned Layla to me more than once, always praising her for being a “true tomboy.” At first, I actually had a good impression of the easygoing “guy’s girl” Brandon talked about. After our relationship became stable, Brandon took me to meet his circle of friends. Layla would always act so friendly towards women. “Oh, Brandon, you’ve got good taste! Where did you find this little angel?” “Aww, girl, come here for a hug! Let’s ignore these stinky boys.” But I always felt Layla’s eyes on me, subtly, with a hint of malice. Her methods were clever. She talked about female solidarity, but her actions always subtly isolated me. For example, she would always bring up their childhood memories at parties. I couldn’t interject and could only sit silently to the side. Then, she’d casually joke with me. “What’s wrong, princess? Are you upset because I’m talking to Brandon?” I had mentioned to Brandon that I felt uncomfortable. But Brandon would just call me petty. He’d say Layla was just trying to lighten the mood, and I was too sensitive. Now, however, Layla’s malice was completely undisguised. “A princess will always be a princess, won’t she? Are you upset that we’re not all fawning over you, so you’re faking being sick?” The guys around us burst into snickers at her words. “I’m really not feeling well, give me the inhaler!” I raised my voice. Seeing my state, the room went silent for a second. Then, a more explosive round of jeering erupted. Layla placed her hand on Brandon’s shoulder. She watched me struggling to breathe, laughing so hard she almost fell over. “Oh, wow, she’s putting on quite a show, Brandon. Are you actually feeling sorry for her?” The others egged Brandon on. “Yeah, Brandon, you’re not going to be scared of your wife after you get married, are you?” “Don’t embarrass us, man! You’re the one in charge. If your girl acts up, you gotta put her in her place!” Brandon couldn’t stand being provoked like that. He stiffened his neck, not looking at me. “Who feels sorry for her? She needs to be taught a lesson, always looking for trouble.” I couldn’t breathe. I desperately pulled at Brandon’s sleeve, guttural “hoarse” sounds escaping my throat. “Help… me…” Seeing me like that, Brandon hesitated. But Layla spoke up again. “Alright, alright, Avery, we’re all just straight-up guys here. Nobody’s falling for your damsel-in-distress act.” Knowing it was useless to talk to him, I tried to leave the room. But as soon as I managed to get my body up, Layla shoved me back down. “The party’s not over yet, how can you leave? That’s just rude!” Her grip was strong. Before I knew it, the back of my head hit the wall. *CRACK!* My head spun even more. I didn’t even have time to react. Layla screamed first.

She covered her mouth, speaking dramatically. “Oh? You’re so manipulative, aren’t you?” “I barely touched you, and you intentionally hit your head against the wall just to frame me.” Hearing that, Brandon’s eyes grew even more impatient. “Avery, you’re going too far.” I bit my lip, trying to stay conscious. “I have severe asthma. If you don’t want someone to die, then stop this right now.” My throat burned, every breath felt like inhaling shards of glass. But Layla dangled the inhaler in front of my eyes, tauntingly, then dramatically took a deep puff. “Can’t give it to you, my throat’s dry.” “And I gotta say, you get what you pay for. This thing feels amazing.” I struggled to raise my hand to snatch it. She laughed, raising her hand high to avoid me. “No. Not giving it to you.” I was so enraged that my vision went black again. Brandon stood by, arms crossed, watching. “Look at you, acting like a beggar. Layla’s just using it for a bit, don’t be so petty.” “Layla’s seen your medical report. You don’t have asthma; you’re just a little short of breath.” I forced myself to calm down. “Brandon, you’ve seen me during an asthma attack, haven’t you? Why would I lie about something like this?” Before Brandon could answer, Layla interjected. “Of course, for attention! In this day and age, there are always those attention-seekers faking illnesses.” “Heh, Avery, are you like those ‘little angels’ online who also claim to have depression?” Hearing that, Brandon’s friends burst into even louder laughter. Someone whistled. “Brandon, your girlfriend is so petty and uptight. She’s nothing like Layla’s easygoing vibe.” “Yeah, you’ll have your hands full if you marry her.” I gasped for air, using my last bit of strength to reach for the inhaler in Layla’s hand. But just as my fingertips were about to touch it, she deftly dodged backward. I lost my balance and fell forward onto the carpet. “Oh dear, what a realistic performance!” Layla exclaimed dramatically. Then she crouched down and whispered, in a voice only I could hear. “Hehe, hurry up and die. Once you’re gone, Brandon and I can finally be together.” She stood up, intentionally raising her voice. “Avery, stop messing around, get up! Everyone’s waiting for you and Brandon to do a shot together!” Brandon started to feel something was wrong. He stepped forward and helped me up. “What’s wrong with you? Are you really not feeling well?” “Help… me…” I struggled to utter a few words. My hand gripped Brandon’s wrist hard, only broken gasps escaping. “In… inhaler…” Brandon’s brows furrowed tightly, his eyes finally showing a hint of panic and struggle. He looked at Layla. “Layla, maybe give her the thing.” Layla’s face immediately fell. She stubbornly hid the inhaler behind her back, stamping her foot in annoyance. “Brandon, are you blind? She’s clearly faking it! Have you forgotten how she used to throw tantrums like a spoiled brat?” Then, she suddenly yelled at the others. “See? These women always act like this to compete with each other. Brandon totally fell for it!” The guys around us immediately chimed in. “Brandon, Layla and us grew up together. She wouldn’t try to hurt you, would she?” “Girls like her, you know, they just like to make trouble. Can’t spoil her.” Brandon’s expression changed. His hand supporting me loosened a bit. I could feel his hesitation. On one side, my agonizing illness. On the other, Layla and their provocations. “But… her face looks really pale…”

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The Day My Heart Broke Harper had fallen for her brother’s friend. He was six years her senior, so she’d kept her crush a carefully guarded secret. Until one time, she just couldn’t resist stealing a kiss from him in the dim light while he was drunk. As she turned to flee, she crashed into his suddenly open eyes. He lazily lifted his eyelids. “Want me to teach you how to kiss, huh? Too bad I’m not interested in little girls.” Her face flushed crimson, but she still gathered her courage. “So you think I’m too young? That’s okay, I’ll grow up!” He paused, then smiled. “Alright then. When you turn 22, if you still like me, I’ll consider it.” In that moment, her heart pounded like a drum. From then on, she clung to him every day until she turned 22. She couldn’t wait to find him and have him fulfill his promise, but at the VIP room door, she heard a baby’s cries. She froze for a few seconds, then focused her gaze. Adrian Knight was holding a wailing baby, trying to soothe it. The circle of guys around him all covered their ears, looking utterly tormented. “Adrian, you’re really going all out. To reject that little girl, you actually got a baby to pretend you’re a dad?” Harper’s mind buzzed, then went completely blank. “What else?” Adrian Knight’s voice held his familiar lazy drawl. “She’s 22 today, here to claim that old promise.” “You really dislike Harper that much? The girl’s actually pretty good, beautiful and sweet, and she’s totally devoted to you…” “It’s not about liking or disliking her.” Adrian Knight’s voice suddenly deepened. “You guys know who I’ve always had in my heart.” The VIP room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in knowing laughter. “Willow! No wonder… I’m telling you, you overthink too much. With a face like yours, who wouldn’t be smitten? Willow couldn’t possibly say no, could she? You just cherish her too much.” “All these years, I didn’t know how to say it, afraid I’d lose her as a friend if I did. Harper’s situation… it’s a good opportunity, actually.” Adrian Knight’s voice was laced with a smile. “I told Willow there’s a girl who’s been clinging to me, and I don’t know how to get rid of her. I asked her to pretend to be my girlfriend for a while. Then, I’ll show up with her and this ‘borrowed’ baby in front of that little girl, and we’ll even stage a wedding. That way, Harper will give up on me, and it’ll also help move things along with Willow. After the fake wedding, I’ll confess my feelings to Willow right then and there.” Hearing Adrian Knight’s two-birds-one-stone plan, everyone ‘tsk-tsked’ in amazement, unable to stop themselves from pounding the table in approval. Amidst the burst of laughter, no one noticed Harper standing outside the VIP room. The cake box slipped from her hands, hitting the ground with a dull thud. She no longer had the courage to push open the door. Tears streamed down her face as she turned and ran, her mind a blur. The rain outside the club was heavy. Harper ran quickly, letting the downpour drench the dress she had carefully prepared.

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Aurora Evans had secretly sent Adrian Thorne’s sugar baby out of the country. That very night, he retaliated by kidnapping her parents, demanding the sugar baby’s whereabouts in exchange for their lives. Adrian shoved his phone in front of her. On the screen, her parents were tied to chairs, a ticking time bomb strapped to their chests, the digital countdown relentlessly dwindling. 00:59:59 00:59:58 He sat across from her, impeccably dressed in a suit, his long fingers lightly tapping the table, as if waiting for a mundane contract to be signed. “Aurora, you have fifty-nine minutes.” His voice was calm, almost tender. “Tell me, where did you send Seraphina?” A cold dread seeped into Aurora, her throat constricting, unable to utter a single word. This was his third time asking. The first time, he asked where Seraphina Reed had gone. She remained silent. The second time, he gripped her chin, his thumb caressing her lips, his voice low and dangerous: “Aurora, stop being childish.” Now, the third time. He was using her parents’ lives to force her. “Adrian…” Her voice trembled. “Those are my parents. They’re the most important people to me…” He let out a soft laugh, but his eyes were terrifyingly cold. “Oh really? Then when you sent Seraphina away, why didn’t you consider how important she is to *me*?” Aurora stared at him, a sudden, bitter laugh catching in her throat. Important? He had told her those other women were just for fun, easy to discard once he tired of them. He had sworn she was the only one he truly loved. But now, for Seraphina Reed, he was willing to kill her parents. “Adrian,” her voice was hoarse, unrecognizable. “If I don’t tell you, will you really let them die?” He leaned slightly forward, his dark eyes reflecting her pale face. “You can try me.” Aurora trembled uncontrollably, tears splashing onto the table. She couldn’t fathom how things had spiraled to this point. Adrian Thorne, who had once loved her so genuinely. Years ago, she was just a girl from an ordinary family, while Adrian was the heir to one of the most powerful families in the city’s elite circles, privileged from birth, entitled and arrogant, never one to bow down to anyone. Yet, he fell in love with her at first sight. His pursuit of her became a grand campaign of declarations of love, each one a sensation that swept through the city. Giant rose displays lowered by helicopter, LED confessions plastered across the entire financial district, even a city-wide fireworks display just for her on her birthday. She was moved, but her parents vehemently opposed the match. They knew too well what elite circles were like—powerful men always had their wives at home, but plenty of flings on the side. The love of the privileged was never a fairytale. They wanted her to marry someone from a similar background, but Adrian knelt at her family’s doorstep for an entire day and night, shedding all his pride, just for a chance to marry her. Her parents eventually softened. After their marriage, he pampered her beyond measure, accommodating her every whim. When she had painful periods, he’d fly back overnight from abroad just to make her special comfort tea. She casually mentioned wanting that specific pastry from the old bakery on the other side of town, and he’d drive halfway across the city to get it for her. She thought she had married the right man. Until, she first heard the name “Seraphina Reed.” It was Adrian’s assistant who mentioned it in casual conversation, talking about a college student who had staged a fall during Adrian’s speech to get his attention, a trick as old as time. Aurora smiled, dismissing it. After all, countless women tried to snag him, but he had always been devoted to her. But the second time she heard it, it was in bed. He was above her, and in the throes of passion, he whispered, “Seraphina.” In that moment, she felt as if she’d been plunged into an icy abyss. She confronted him, but he held her, explaining that he *had* considered taking Seraphina as a sugar baby, but it was just a casual fling to keep on the side. “Everyone in our circle does this, Aurora. You’re still the one I love most, that will never change.” But then, he became increasingly blatant. He bought Seraphina jewelry, gifted her luxury homes, and even took her to private parties. The rumors spiraled, becoming the talk of the town. She cried, she argued, but he no longer soothed her as he once did. He’d just coldly say, “Stop being unreasonable.” Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and sent Seraphina out of the country. But she never expected his reaction to be so extreme. He kidnapped her parents, strapped bombs to them, all to force her to reveal Seraphina’s whereabouts. “She’s in Switzerland.” Her voice trembled. “Zurich, in that villa under my name.” He stared at her for a few seconds, as if judging the truthfulness of her words, then pulled out his phone and made a call. Once confirmed, he grabbed his suit jacket, his steps urgent, ready to retrieve Seraphina. “What about my parents?” She lunged, grabbing his sleeve. “You promised you’d let them go if I told you!” He turned back to her, his gaze indifferent. “The abandoned factory in the South End. Go find them yourself.” Aurora stumbled out the door, driving frantically towards the South End. When she found them, there were only ten minutes left on the bomb’s timer. Her parents were tied to chairs, their mouths gagged. The moment they saw her, they shook their heads wildly, urging her to leave. She rushed over, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the ropes, but the bomb’s countdown ticked like a death knell. 00:03:2

00:03:20 She couldn’t untie them, tears streaming down her face in desperation. Her father suddenly shoved her with all his might. She staggered back. The next second, he forcefully launched his body into the bomb— “Dad—!!!” The explosion was deafening, the heatwave knocking her off her feet. She fell heavily to the ground, her vision blurring crimson. … When Aurora next awoke, she was in a hospital. Her parents had suffered severe injuries, but thankfully, they were alive. She knelt beside their beds, weeping as she apologized. “I’m so sorry… I chose the wrong man…” Mrs. Evans weakly raised a hand, stroking her daughter’s hair. “Foolish girl, you can always start over.” Aurora shook her head. “He won’t let me go.” After first learning about Seraphina, she couldn’t accept it and had considered divorce. But every time she drafted divorce papers, Adrian tore them up. He claimed Seraphina was just a fling, that he’d eventually cast her aside, that Aurora was his true love, and he’d never let her leave. Mr. Evans held her hand. “No, Aurora, there’s something you don’t know, and he’s probably forgotten too. The night we agreed to your marriage, your mother and I made him sign a divorce agreement.” She froze. “If he ever betrayed you,” Mr. Evans’ voice was soft, “the agreement would become effective, and you could divorce him immediately. Our family… would then disappear forever.” Aurora was stunned, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. Her parents had prepared a failsafe for her all along. … The next day, Aurora did two things. First, she, along with Mr. and Mrs. Evans, took the signed divorce agreement to a law firm. After reviewing it, the lawyer nodded. “The agreement is valid. The divorce is effective immediately.” Second, their family initiated the paperwork to completely erase their identities. Once the identity cancellation was complete, Aurora Evans would no longer exist in this world. And Adrian Thorne would never find her! Learning that the cancellation process would take half a month, Aurora discussed it with her parents and decided to return to Adrian’s mansion for the time being. For these two weeks, she had to stay by Adrian’s side, unable to let him detect anything unusual. Otherwise, with his ruthless methods, none of them would be able to escape. Upon returning to the villa, Aurora began to pack her things. The cherished photos, Adrian’s love letters to her, the souvenirs they’d bought during their travels together… she threw them all into the fireplace. Flames devoured the past, as if burning away a ridiculous dream. The next day, Aurora went to the backyard. There was an entire grove of sycamore trees, which Adrian had planted for her himself. He said sycamores symbolized fidelity, like his love for her, never fading. Aurora picked up an axe and chopped them down, one by one. The house staff stood at a distance, daring not to approach or stop her. The dull, grating sound of tree trunks breaking was like a stubborn obsession being violently severed. On the third day, Aurora went to the Lover’s Cliff on the mountain. A padlock, engraved with their names, hung there. Years ago, Adrian had held her, throwing the key off the cliff, saying they would be locked together forever. Now, Aurora used pliers to simply snip the chain. The lock fell to the ground with a sharp clink. She turned and left, never looking back. When she returned to the villa, there were two more people in the living room. Adrian sat on the sofa, and Seraphina leaned into his embrace, her face pale, looking as fragile as if a gust of wind could blow her over. Aurora walked past them expressionlessly, heading straight upstairs. “Stop.” Adrian’s voice came, cold and sharp. Aurora paused, not turning around. “Do you know why I brought her back?” he asked. “Don’t care.” “After you sent Seraphina out of the country, she struggled to adapt to the local environment and didn’t sleep well for days.” His tone was reproachful. “Aurora, apologize to her.” Aurora finally turned around to face them. The fragility on Seraphina’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a triumphant smirk in her eyes. “What if I don’t apologize?” Aurora asked calmly. “It’s fine, it really is…” Seraphina said, her voice soft and weak. “It’s okay if I suffer a little. After all… you’re the wife.” Adrian immediately pulled her closer. “Didn’t I tell you not to be so understanding?” He kissed the top of her head. “From now on, I’ll pamper you. You can do anything you want.” Aurora forced a twisted smile, finding it utterly sarcastic. A maid brought in a bowl of calming soup, specially prepared for Seraphina. Just then, Adrian’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and said softly to Seraphina, “You always get a headache when I talk business. I’ll take this outside. You drink your soup.” With that, he rose and left. Aurora stood rooted, her heart feeling as if it had been struck by an axe. He never used to discuss business out in the open, because of confidential information. But now, for Seraphina, he would even change that habit. Only Aurora and Seraphina remained in the living room. The feigned fragility on Seraphina’s face instantly vanished, replaced by the arrogance of a victor. “See?” she sneered. “Even if you are Mrs. Thorne, and you used your position to send me away, Adrian’s body and soul are both with me.” Aurora looked at her blandly. “You want him? He’s yours.” Seraphina paused, then flared with anger. “I don’t need you to *give* him to me! He’ll be mine alone eventually, and your position will be mine too!” Seeing Aurora unmoved, she became even more furious. Just then, Adrian’s footsteps were heard from outside. A hint of viciousness flashed in Seraphina’s eyes. She suddenly picked up the bowl of steaming hot calming soup and deliberately splashed it all over herself! “Ah!” she shrieked, tears instantly welling up. When Adrian rushed in, this was the scene he witnessed. Seraphina was drenched and disheveled, the soup dripping from her clothes, and she was crying as if her heart would break. “Aurora Evans!” His brows furrowed with barely concealed rage. “Not only will you not apologize, but you dare to do this to her?!” “I didn’t do it.” Aurora said calmly. “You can check the surveillance cameras.” “Fine, check them!” he sneered. Seraphina immediately grabbed his arm, sobbing. “Adrian, it’s not Aurora’s fault… I shouldn’t dream of staying by your side. I’ll leave right now…” As she took a step, Adrian yanked her back. “I finally got you back, and now you want to leave my sight again? Are you trying to kill me?” He held her tightly, as if clutching a lost and precious treasure. Then, he looked at Aurora, his eyes terrifyingly cold. “I will get justice for this.” Aurora was locked in the cold storage. As the bodyguards dragged her inside, she struggled desperately. “Adrian Thorne! Check the cameras! I didn’t do it!” He didn’t even spare her a glance, just coldly stated, “No need to check. I only trust her.” The cold room door slammed shut. Darkness and frigid air instantly engulfed Aurora. She curled up in a corner, shivering, but her heart felt even colder than the room. Was this what he meant by saying she was the one he loved most? Aurora’s tears fell uncontrollably. She was always sensitive to cold. After they married, Adrian spent a fortune installing a constant temperature system in their home, even the outdoor courtyard was perpetually spring-like. In winter, he would warm her icy hands and feet in his embrace, laughing, “I’ll keep you warm like this for the rest of our lives.” Thinking back now… Vows were probably only true the moment they were spoken. The next day, as Aurora was almost losing consciousness from the cold, the cold room door finally opened. A bodyguard stood expressionless at the doorway. “Mr. Thorne said that if there’s a next time, the punishment won’t be this lenient.” She leaned against the wall, staggering out, trembling all over, her teeth chattering. There wouldn’t be a next time. Soon, she would make him disappear from her world completely. That evening, Adrian’s assistant delivered a gown and jewelry, saying she needed to attend a charity auction gala. Aurora went. Then, at the entrance to the ballroom, she saw Seraphina Reed. Seraphina was wearing a haute couture gown, and around her neck was a diamond necklace that Adrian had bought at an auction last month for a seven-figure sum. Aurora stopped and looked at Adrian. “She’s here too. Why do you still want me to come?” His expression was bland. “I hadn’t intended to bring her, but she’d never seen this kind of event and wanted to come, so I brought her.” He paused, his tone casual. “Aurora, don’t be so petty.” Aurora’s body trembled slightly. She wasn’t being petty. He simply hadn’t considered how much she would be talked about and mocked, having the legitimate wife and the sugar baby appear together. Adrian walked straight in with Seraphina, who intimately linked her arm through his, a sweet smile on her face. People around them whispered. “Mr. Thorne and his wife have such a great relationship, they’re so well-matched.” “You’ve got it wrong. *That* one is Mrs. Thorne. The one next to him… is just a sugar baby.” The person awkwardly glanced at Aurora, then mumbled, “But Mr. Thorne is so good to her. He dressed her in authentic designer, while the wife got a ‘gift with purchase’… no wonder I got them confused.” Aurora clenched her hands, her nails digging deeply into her palms. Once the auction began, Aurora casually bid on a few items. But no matter what she bid on, Seraphina would add just one dollar to her price. Low laughter rippled through the room. “The legitimate wife being bullied by the sugar baby—that’s a first…” Aurora’s face remained impassive. She simply made a “no limit” bid gesture. A “no limit” bid meant that no matter how high the price went, she would take the item, no cap. Seraphina’s face paled. She clutched Adrian’s sleeve, feigning distress. “Adrian, I really love this one…” Adrian frowned, looking at Aurora. “Aurora, let her have it.” “No.” “She can’t make a ‘no limit’ bid, but I can, because I’m your wife, and we have joint marital assets.” She looked at Seraphina, her voice laced with sarcasm. “No matter how much he gives you, you’ll never compare to me.” Seraphina’s eyes immediately reddened. She stood up abruptly. “You…” The next second, she suddenly covered her face, crying, “Yes, you’re his wife… I’m just a hidden sugar baby, I shouldn’t have such foolish hopes… Adrian… let’s just end this!” With that, she turned and ran. Adrian’s face changed drastically. He grabbed Aurora’s wrist, his grip so powerful it felt like her bones would shatter. “I told you I’d get tired of her eventually! Did you have to force her away?!” Aurora looked at him calmly. “What she does, or doesn’t do, is none of my concern.” His eyes darkened. He flung her hand away and strode out, chasing after Seraphina. Aurora stood still, the gazes around her either mocking or pitying. But she didn’t care. Anyway, she would be leaving soon. But the next morning, Aurora was jolted awake by a news alert on her phone. 【BREAKING! CEO Adrian Thorne’s Wife’s 999 Intimate Photos To Be Auctioned Publicly At Sotheby’s!】 Her blood instantly froze. Those photos… only Adrian had them. Aurora shakily dialed his number, her voice hoarse. “The photos… you put them out?” On the other end of the line, Adrian sneered. “Don’t you love making ‘no limit’ bids?” “If you don’t want others to see those photos…” his voice was cruel, “then get over there, and make ‘no limit’ bids on every single one!” In the background, Seraphina’s sweet voice cooed, “Adrian… is that Aurora? I… I should still leave, I shouldn’t stay by your side…” “Don’t be silly.” His voice instantly softened. Then, intimate kissing sounds came through the phone. “I already stood up for you. Try leaving again, I dare you.” The call ended at some point. Aurora felt as if she’d been plunged into an ice cave. She rushed to the auction site. The moment she pushed open the doors, she was trembling. The room was filled with men, and on the large screen, her intimate photos scrolled. There was her sleeping profile, which he once said was adorable and saved specially; There was her back while showering, which he coaxed her to take, saying he could look at it when he missed her; And there were naked bed photos of her covered in hickey marks, when he said it was proof of his love for her. At the auction, the men’s covetous gazes glued themselves to Aurora, their whispered comments slicing into her ears like knives. “That figure… tsk tsk, Mr. Thorne is truly blessed.” “I heard Mr. Thorne used to be deeply in love with Mrs. Thorne. Why would he sell her intimate photos now?” “Got bored, I guess. These elite wives, glorious on the surface, but behind the scenes…” Every word was like a knife plunging into Aurora’s heart. She suddenly remembered how possessive Adrian used to be. That year they vacationed on a tropical island, she wore a backless dress. When a man glanced at her twice, Adrian immediately dragged her back to the hotel, pinning her against the floor-to-ceiling window, possessing her while coaxing her to shout, “Aurora Evans belongs to Adrian Thorne.” And now, to stand up for another woman, he personally sold her intimate photos for these men to gawk at! She bid on them one by one. Each time she pressed the bid button, her heart grew colder. By the time she won the last photo, her love for him was completely exhausted. As she walked out of the auction house, her phone rang. “Did you enjoy your ‘no limit’ bidding spree?” Adrian’s voice was mocking. Aurora clutched her phone, her nails almost digging into her palm. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll divorce you by doing this?” His tone was remarkably flat, as if speaking to a difficult child. “You can’t. Aurora, if I don’t sign, the divorce won’t happen.” She remained silent. He had clearly forgotten that she held a signed divorce agreement he had already approved.

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“Mom, Mr. Sterling, my application to study abroad has been accepted. I’m leaving.” In the quiet living room, Willow’s voice was light and soft, like a single drop of water falling into a still pond. My mother, Eleanor, across the sofa, beamed with joy. “It’s already accepted? When are you leaving?” “In ten days.” Eleanor hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Amidst her excitement, a hint of reluctance flickered in her eyes. “Then I’ll go pack your bags right away. It’s your first time going so far, and to a foreign country at that. I’m just so worried. I contacted a friend from years ago; her son is in London too. If you need anything, just reach out to him. Don’t worry about bothering him, we kind of set you two up as a joke when you were little. See if you get along; if you do, that’s great, if not, just be friends.” Willow nodded. “Okay, Mom.” Eleanor looked surprised. “Willow, you agreed? And your previous boyfriend… did you finally break up?” Willow immediately fell silent. Mr. Sterling instantly understood something and slammed his hand on the table. “He never wanted to come back and meet us. He clearly wasn’t serious about you. It’s good that you broke up with a boyfriend like that!” “Boyfriend? What boyfriend?” A voice abruptly shattered the heavy atmosphere in the living room. The three of us turned at the sound and saw Julian, who had just pushed open the door. He was all in black – a crisp black shirt, tailored black trousers – tall, lean, and exuding an aura of effortless, almost dangerous elegance. Every move he made, every glance, spoke of a refined, almost arrogant grace. Willow’s body trembled slightly. She stood up and greeted him, “Brother.” Julian hummed meaningfully, dropped his car keys, and went upstairs. That evening, Eleanor prepared a lavish dinner and even opened a bottle of red wine. She raised her glass, smiling warmly at the three of us, ready to announce the good news. “Come on, come on, let’s all celebrate tonight, celebrate Willow who’s about to…” Willow sensed something was off and quickly interrupted her. “Mom, this wine tastes a little bitter. Is it expired?” Expired? Eleanor looked surprised; it definitely wasn’t expired. But Willow had already used the excuse of getting new wine to pull her into the kitchen. “Mom, please don’t tell Julian about my plans to go abroad yet.” At first, Eleanor found it a bit strange. But remembering her stepson’s constant care for her daughter, she gradually understood the inseparable bond between siblings. She nodded in agreement. After quickly eating a few bites, Willow got up and returned to her room. After showering, she lay on her bed and slowly drifted off to sleep. Until precisely midnight, when someone else appeared beside her. A scorching breath fell on her neck. The next second, soft lips pressed against her, gently nipping, and a cool dampness completely woke the drowsy Willow. Her body stiffened. She instinctively pushed him away, her voice urgent and resistant. “Julian!” “What’s wrong? Your family’s setting you up with a boyfriend, so your brother can’t touch you anymore?” In the darkness, Julian curved his lips, but no warmth reached his eyes. His voice was lazy to the extreme. “All these years with your brother, and you think you can just freeload?” Willow knew he misunderstood, but she didn’t explain. Julian’s face, in that endless silence, turned cold. He reached out and pulled her into his embrace. “Willow, have I ever told you not to date other guys? You’re mine, and only mine.” Feeling the burning heat from behind, Willow didn’t want to argue with him, so she lied, “It’s my period. I don’t feel well.” Upon hearing her soft explanation, Julian’s expression softened slightly, but he still frowned. “Didn’t your period just end? Is it back again? Fine, I won’t touch you tonight. Get some sleep.” With that, he held her tightly in his arms. Listening to his calm, peaceful breathing beside her, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. No one knew that her boyfriend was her brother, Julian Sterling! At twelve, when Mom remarried into the Sterling family, she and Julian, Mr. Sterling’s only son, became step-siblings. At fourteen, she called him brother, he called her sister. To outsiders, we were the picture of perfect siblings. At eighteen, her secret crush diary, filled with his name, was discovered. He leaned casually against her desk, eyes sparkling with amusement, reading the diary again and again. Then he caught her hand as she tried to snatch it back, and kissed her blushing cheek. At twenty, we tasted the forbidden fruit for the first time. Once we crossed that line, there was no turning back. We developed a taste for forbidden fruit, and it became an uncontrollable craving. By day, we were siblings. By night, we secretly entwined, bound to each other against all odds. Willow had always been a good girl. Being with Julian was the only wild thing she had ever done in her life. She loved Julian so much that she even thought it wouldn’t matter if they never made their relationship public. They could secretly go abroad and get married someday. But all those fantasies came to a crashing halt half a month ago when she overheard him talking to his friends. It was pouring rain that day. She ran to bring Julian an umbrella. Just as she was about to open the private room door, she heard his friend’s voice. “Julian, what are you going to do about your stepmother’s daughter? Didn’t you say you’d just play with her for a bit and then dump her? Why haven’t you broken up yet?” “Yeah, weren’t you just getting with her to get back at her mom for marrying into the Sterling family? Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft.” Revenge? He was with her not because he liked her, but for revenge! Willow’s face went completely pale. Her head buzzed, and her whole body started to tremble uncontrollably, but she stubbornly refused to leave, wanting to hear Julian’s reply. Until the next second, Julian’s cold, cruel voice reached her ears, word by word. “If I don’t play with her a little longer, how can I make her suffer more?” In that moment, everyone in the room burst into laughter, and I stood outside the door, feeling like the bottom had dropped out of my world. So, he didn’t like her. Being with her, calling her his girlfriend, spending every night entangled with her—it was all just an act of revenge because he resented her mother for taking his mother’s place?! Mom still had to live in the Sterling household, and she couldn’t cause a huge scandal. After much thought, the only solution she could come up with was to escape, to leave this home, and to leave him. So she applied to study abroad. Now, only ten days remained until her silent departure. Looking at the countdown reminder on her phone, Willow raised her hand and pulled Julian’s arm from around her waist. A few minutes later, he hugged her again. When she pulled away, he unconsciously pulled her back. Her patience was exhausted after repeatedly pulling away. She simply grabbed a pillow and placed it between them. This time, he finally settled down. Willow also had some peace. She knew that soon, their story would come to an end. She no longer belonged to him, nor was she his private possession anymore. The 8 AM alarm clock promptly woke Willow from her dream. She opened her eyes and saw that the spot beside her was empty. Fearing their parents might find out, they had agreed that Julian would come at midnight every night and leave promptly at 5 AM. They had lived this way for five years. But soon, they would just be siblings. He wouldn’t have to sneak around anymore. After changing, she went downstairs and immediately saw a strange woman sitting on the sofa. Eleanor warmly waved her over, calling her closer, and excitedly introduced her. “Willow, come here, this is your brother’s girlfriend. Go pour our guest a glass of water.” Serena stood up cooperatively, extended her hand, and smiled, her eyes crinkling. “You must be Julian’s sister, right? Nice to meet you. Even though it’s our first time meeting, I often hear your brother talk about how great you are.” Willow’s palm trembled slightly. She glanced at Julian but said nothing, turning to get water for Serena. She poured a cup of hot water. Just as she was about to carry it out, Julian walked in. He wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning down as if to kiss her. Willow quickly turned her head, dodging him. “Don’t mess around. Your girlfriend is outside.” Julian raised an eyebrow, pecking her lips. “Are you mad? I forgot to tell you, she’s just a childhood friend. She moved abroad when she was little and only came back a couple of days ago. My dad’s been pushing me to get married, so I just brought her here to act as a distraction.” “You should know best who my real girlfriend is, right? Hmm?” Willow listened quietly for a while, showing no expression, just a casual nod to humor him. Seeing her indifferent reaction, a hint of surprise flashed in Julian’s eyes. He had expected to spend a long time coaxing her this time. After all, in the past, when other girls sent him love letters and she found out, she would get so jealous she’d cry until her eyes were swollen shut. When he discovered it and asked, she wouldn’t admit it, and he had to try every trick to get one or two honest words out of her. She had convinced herself that their forbidden relationship was unacceptable to the world, and she could never openly stand by his side as his girlfriend. So she never dared to question him, nor did she ever get angry. She would just hide under the covers and sulk alone. This time, it was the exact same situation, yet her reaction was so calm. It made Julian feel a pang of doubt. He was about to ask, but Willow didn’t give him a chance to speak. She just took the cup of water out. After breakfast was ready, the family sat down as usual. Serena was seated next to Julian. They chatted and laughed, reminiscing about childhood memories, looking incredibly close. Serena had lived abroad for several years and loved runny fried eggs. When Julian found out, he picked up the fried egg from his bowl and placed it in hers. She immediately showed a shy, girlish expression, then put her partially eaten fried egg into his bowl. Julian instinctively glanced at Willow.

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“Ms. Anya, you’ve successfully purchased the private island. It’s completely secluded; once you’re there, no one will ever find you. Also, your bespoke family experience has been arranged. They are all professionally trained and will offer you absolute, unconditional love.” The respectful voice of the attendant came through my phone. I hummed in response. “I’ll move in after I’ve taken care of everything here, in about 30 days.” I hung up and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was ethereal in a pure white wedding gown, countless sparkling rhinestones adorning it, hinting at its exorbitant value. “Ms. Anya, are you done trying on the dress? Mr. Thorne has been waiting outside to see you.” The soft voice of the shop assistant pulled me back to reality. I paused, then answered, “I’m ready.” With my reply, the assistant stepped forward and pulled back the curtain. I turned at just the right moment, meeting Damien Thorne’s gaze. He was waiting outside, and I clearly saw a flicker of awe in his eyes. “Anya, you’re so beautiful.” He froze for a second, then walked over and hugged me, his voice thick with emotion and a slight catch. “Seven years, and I’m finally going to marry you and bring you home.” How deeply must someone love you to get so choked up when they’re about to marry you? As I was lost in thought, the assistant next to me enthusiastically chimed in, “Ms. Reed, Mr. Thorne personally helped design this gown! He even hand-picked every single rhinestone. Each one would fetch a fortune at auction, and this dress has ninety-nine of them!” “Usually, men get impatient waiting while their fiancées try on dresses, but Mr. Thorne has overseen everything himself and never complained once. He truly adores you, Ms. Reed.” Listening to the assistant detail Damien’s efforts, I couldn’t help but look at him. His eyes, whenever they met mine, were always brimming with love and tenderness, utterly unlike the aloof, unattainable persona of the elusive scion of the city’s most powerful dynasty, as portrayed in the media. So, not only the entire world, but even I had been fooled into believing he genuinely loved me. After the dress fitting, we left the bridal boutique together. He thoughtfully opened the car door for me, placing his hand protectively over the top of the frame to prevent me from bumping my head. Only after making sure I was safely inside and the door was closed did he get into the car from the other side. As the car slowly pulled away, Marcus, Damien’s assistant, began to report something to him. “Mr. Thorne, the opportunistic woman who tried to get close to you has been dealt with. She won’t be appearing in the city ever again.” Damien sharply reprimanded him, “Keep these matters private. Don’t upset Anya.” Then, he quickly and gently took my hand. “Anya, please don’t be angry. That woman didn’t even touch me. Her perfume scent lingered, so I washed ten times before coming home. I’m not dirty at all. You know my heart has only ever been for you all these years.” I knew he wasn’t lying. Given his wealth and status, countless women had tried to get close to him over the years, but he had handled every single one perfectly, never crossing a line. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to be happy. I merely forced a small smile. “I know.” Damien didn’t notice my subtle shift. He gently squeezed my hand, then pulled out his phone to deal with some work. Suddenly, he saw something that made his expression change slightly. “Stop the car!” The screech of tires ripping against asphalt followed the abrupt brake. Before I could even ask what was happening, Damien pushed open the car door and got out. “Anya, something urgent has come up. Marcus will take you home first, alright?” It was a question, but it was clear he wasn’t giving me a second option. He left me, rushing off in a hurry. I watched his retreating back silently, then pulled out my phone and tapped into Seraphina Reed’s SnapChat. A minute ago, she had updated her status. It was a picture of a swollen, red ankle, captioned with five simple words: “Sprained my ankle, it hurts so bad.” Seeing that post, and remembering Damien’s barely concealed panic just now, my eyes welled up. I couldn’t understand why everyone in my life seemed to favor my sister, Seraphina. I’d had two fiancés. The first was Sterling Vance, heir to the Vance Corporation. Our families had arranged our engagement when we were children. I fell for him at first sight, trailing after him since we were kids, but Sterling only had eyes for Seraphina. He despised me, his fiancée. That went on for seven long years. Finally, broken by his coldness, I gave up all hope and turned to Damien Thorne, who had always silently stood by me. All those years, I chased Sterling, ending up utterly shattered. Every time, it was Damien who wiped my tears. He appeared as my devoted savior, silently caring for me, asking for nothing in return, always there if I turned around. So, I cleaned out my heart, letting Damien in. I thought this time, I’d finally chosen the right person. But on the eve of our wedding, I accidentally overheard Damien talking to one of his friends. “You don’t even like Anya Reed, are you really going to marry her?” Damien’s voice, husky and laced with alcohol, replied, “Yeah. Only then can Seraphina be happy.” His friend sighed. “Seriously, you’re one of a kind. A fool for love. Not only have you secretly liked Seraphina for years, but after finding out she liked Sterling Vance, you went and pursued Sterling’s fiancée, Anya Reed, just so Seraphina could have her happily ever after as Mrs. Vance.” “And now you’ve succeeded. Anya Reed is finally out of the way for your beloved. But do you even realize the consequence of what you’re doing? You’re throwing away your own life.” Damien’s voice was low, yet filled with immeasurable devotion. “As long as Seraphina is happy, I’d do anything.” I stood outside the door, listening to those words. It hit me like a thunderbolt! It was only then that I understood: Damien Thorne’s seven years of pursuit and tenderness towards me had all been a lie. His true beloved was also Seraphina Reed. How noble he was, willing to sacrifice his entire life for Seraphina’s happiness! He’d hidden it so well that I never once suspected his years of devotion were an act, never imagined he pursued me only to make way for Seraphina. That night, I cried my heart out, drenched in the rain. Growing up, my parents always favored my sister, Seraphina, never showing me any real affection. Later, my fiancé also loved Seraphina, never reciprocating my feelings. Now, even Damien Thorne, the only one who seemed to genuinely love me, was also in love with Seraphina. Everyone loved Seraphina Reed. No one loved Anya Reed. That day, I made a decision. If there was no one in this city who loved me, then I would go to a secluded private island, pay to customize a family—parents and a boyfriend—just for me. I would leave this place completely and live my life in peace. Even if the parents and boyfriend I bought were fake, their lifelong companionship would be enough. From now on, Mom and Dad, Sterling Vance, Damien Thorne — they would all have nothing to do with me! The car soon stopped in front of the villa Damien had prepared for our wedding. After getting out, I started packing. I threw out everything that belonged to me in that house, destroying every trace of my presence there. Then, I began preparing to sever all legal ties. Only by making myself untraceable could these people never find me again! I gathered all the necessary documents, only to realize the most important one, my vital identification documents, wasn’t with me. Left with no choice, I had to return to the Reed family home. An hour later, I stood at the entrance of the Reed residence. It was my home, yet I didn’t have a key. Even knocking required a great deal of courage. Because I knew my biological parents didn’t welcome me. The housekeeper who answered the door was slow to arrive. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw Mr. and Mrs. Reed pacing the living room, visibly agitated. Hearing the door open, they rushed over. The moment they saw it was me, their faces twisted in disgust. “What are you doing here?” “Since you haven’t been back in years, why are you suddenly barging in now? Why can’t you be more like Seraphina? You’re from the same mother, yet the difference is like night and day!” The familiar scolding washed over me. I’d heard that voice for over twenty years, and now I truly couldn’t bear to hear it anymore. My expression remained indifferent; I acted as if I hadn’t heard a thing. I walked straight upstairs, found my vital identification documents, put them into my bag, and came back down. Seeing my calm, almost detached expression, Mr. and Mrs. Reed grew even more furious, their words growing increasingly venomous. “What, you’re ignoring everything your mother and I say now? Do you have any respect for us? You’re utterly disrespectful, how could we have given birth to such a disgrace?!” Just as they were in the middle of their tirade, the front door suddenly opened again. Damien Thorne walked in, carrying Seraphina Reed. His eyes immediately met mine, standing in the center of the living room. I glanced at their intimate pose, then calmly shifted my gaze away. My eyes were so placid, yet a sudden panic surged in his heart. He hastily put Seraphina down and walked towards me. “Anya, please don’t misunderstand. Seraphina sprained her ankle, and I just happened to be in the neighborhood, that’s why I carried her back…” He didn’t finish, and I didn’t bother to expose his transparent lie. “Sterling is away on a business trip right now, otherwise I wouldn’t have troubled Damien. Sister, please don’t mind.” Seraphina, barely set down and already being doted on by Mr. and Mrs. Reed, was not to be outdone. Her words were meant as an explanation, yet they reeked of subtle boasting. “It’s my fault, I suppose. Being spoiled by Mom and Dad since childhood, even a slight sprain hurts terribly. Luckily, Damien arrived in time. He blew past several red lights to take me to the hospital and then carried me back. It was such a hassle for him.” As Seraphina spoke, her eyes twinkled, fixed on me, trying to provoke a breakdown or an argument. But I remained impassive, taking none of it to heart. Not getting the reaction she wanted, Seraphina’s eyes sparkled with a new idea. “If it wasn’t for Damien, my ankle would be even more swollen. Since we’re all home now, why don’t we just stay and have dinner together? As a thank you!” Her tone was lively and effervescent, a stark contrast to my silent presence. No one bothered to ask my opinion; they simply made the decision for me, opting to stay for dinner together. But when all the dishes were prepared and laid out, and I stood by the dining table, I saw that everything served was Seraphina’s favorite — spicy food. I wasn’t surprised; I simply sat down quietly. In the past, I had once mildly mentioned to Mr. and Mrs. Reed that I had a sensitive stomach and couldn’t handle spicy food, but their reply had been a dismissive, “Don’t be so fussy.” Later, when I was with Damien, he always paid attention to my preferences and even learned many soothing dishes for my stomach. But this time, although he sat beside me, his eyes were solely on Seraphina. At the slightest sign, he would quickly offer her a napkin or serve her food. I suddenly recalled that in the past, even when Damien came to the Reed house specifically for me, his gaze would often subtly drift towards Seraphina. On Seraphina’s birthday, he would subtly probe or feign casual interest in her preferences. When Seraphina had a fever or was sick, he would always claim he had urgent company business and had to leave. I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Damien’s attention to Seraphina had always been so obvious, how could I have only realized it now? But no matter how much he liked Seraphina, he should never have used me as a tool. His blatant deception, using years of my life, hurt me even more than Sterling’s rejection. Dinner ended, and I hadn’t eaten much. On the way back, we were silent. I was thinking about severing all legal ties, and he, about reliving his moments with Seraphina. Finally, I broke the silence. “I’m not going home. I’m going somewhere else.” My voice finally pulled Damien back from his thoughts. Hearing my words, he quickly refocused and gently asked, “Anya, where are you going? I’ll come with you.” “No need.” I shook my head, declining his offer. But he held my hand, stubbornly insisting, “No, I can’t let you go alone. I’d be worried.” I couldn’t refuse, so I ultimately let him have his way. I didn’t explicitly state the destination, merely opened my navigation app and showed him. There wasn’t much traffic on the road, so we quickly neared our destination. Just as we were about to turn in, Damien’s phone suddenly rang. As soon as he answered, Mrs. Reed’s voice came through. “Damien, Seraphina’s wound is inflamed, and she has a bit of a fever. Can you take her to the hospital again?” “I’ll be right there!” He was about to anxiously turn the car around when he suddenly seemed to remember something, and looked at me, conflicted. “Anya, I…” He opened his mouth, hesitating, and just as he was about to say something, I spoke first. “Go ahead. It’s just a short walk from here, I can manage.” With that, I opened the car door and got out. Seeing that I had already gotten out, his concern for Seraphina ultimately took precedence. He restarted the car and sped away. Watching his car disappear into the traffic, I remained silent for a long time, quietly swallowing the bitterness in my heart. Damien, if your car had just driven a little further. You would have found that I was going to the Registry Office to sever my legal ties. You would have seen the signs of my departure. But you didn’t. Because you didn’t care. The process of severing my legal ties was quick. After completing it, I took a cab back to the villa. Not long after, Damien came in, carrying a box of red bean pastries, his face full of apology as he looked at me. “Anya, you’ll be marrying me soon. Then Seraphina and I will be family, which is why I’ve been looking out for her more. Please don’t misunderstand, I’ve pursued you for so many years, you should know that my heart is only for you.” I couldn’t understand how his acting could be so flawless. This particular red bean pastry shop was in the south of the city, requiring a trip across half the city. Its unique flavor meant there was always a continuous stream of customers, and you often had to wait in line for over three hours to get a single box. To ensure Seraphina got what she wanted, he went to such lengths, perfectly embodying the “devotion” others spoke of. Only, that devotion wasn’t for me, but for Seraphina. I was tired. I simply didn’t have the energy to keep playing along. I shook my head, refusing his gesture for the first time. “I’m not feeling well. I’m going to rest.” With that, I turned and walked back to my room without looking at his expression. Damien paused, clearly noticing I wasn’t in a good mood. But he didn’t think much of it, assuming I was still angry about him leaving to find Seraphina. To appease me, he canceled all his work for the next few days and took me out on dates. We had candlelit dinners, he accompanied me shopping for luxury items, and finally, he bought movie tickets for us to watch a film together. As soon as we settled into our chosen seats, a group of girls walked into the theater. And the person surrounded by them was unmistakably Seraphina Reed! Although his expression remained unchanged, I clearly felt his mind wander. His gaze repeatedly drifted towards Seraphina, not far away. The movie was already halfway through, but seeing his distracted look, I guessed he hadn’t absorbed a single thing. It wasn’t until I called his name that Damien finally snapped back to attention. “What is it, Anya?” “I’m not feeling well. Let’s go home.” My voice was light, as if I genuinely felt unwell and was just suggesting an early departure. He glanced at Seraphina, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but still chose to stand up and leave with me. But just as we stepped out of the cinema, a sudden commotion erupted behind us. A surging crowd, accompanied by chaotic shouts, rushed towards us. “Fire! The cinema is on fire!” Upon hearing what they were shouting, Damien’s face turned ashen. Just as he was about to rush against the human tide, he saw the girls who had entered the cinema with Seraphina also running out. He quickly stopped them, asking each one, his voice laced with uncontrollable panic and desperation, “Where’s Seraphina?!” At his urgent question, the girls exchanged glances. After a moment of frantic recollection, their faces paled, and they stammered out, “Seraphina… she… she might still be inside…” At their words, a furious rage instantly surged within him, burning away all his reason. He roared, “Didn’t I tell you to look after her?!” Before he even finished speaking, he didn’t bother to talk to them further. He lunged, determined to rush into the burning cinema. He hadn’t run far before the driver stopped him. “Mr. Thorne, the fire is too big, you can’t go in. Rescue personnel will be here soon…” But the driver’s words of caution were cut off by Damien’s furious yell, “Get out of my way!” With that, ignoring everyone’s attempts to stop him, he ran against the tide of people, straight towards the cinema! The moment rescue personnel arrived, Damien finally emerged, covered in blood, carrying an unconscious Seraphina Reed. He carefully, tenderly, placed her on a stretcher. Only after confirming Seraphina was safe did he collapse. His collapse fully exposed the severe injuries on his back. The gruesome wounds, bloody and raw, made even me, who thought I could no longer feel pain for him, well up with tears. Not out of pity, but from a sudden rush of memories. Back then, Damien pursued me for a long time. I wasn’t truly heartless, ignoring his efforts. It was just that I couldn’t let go of Sterling Vance, and thus couldn’t accept Damien’s advances. Until one time, I suddenly fainted and was rushed to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with kidney failure. I called my parents, crying, begging them to get tested for a match. Mr. and Mrs. Reed flatly refused, saying they were going on a trip with Seraphina. They even added that kidney failure wouldn’t kill me, and if it did, they’d wait until I was dead before they were notified. My own biological parents mercilessly hung up on me. Desperate, it was Damien who quietly got tested, then just as quietly went into surgery. After the operation, I learned he had donated his kidney. I cried by his bedside for a long time. The first thing he saw when he woke up was my tear-streaked face. He immediately pulled me into his arms, saying over and over, “Shh, don’t cry, I did it willingly.” But hearing those words, I cried even harder. In that moment, I thought perhaps I should give up that pointless waiting and look at the person who was truly there for me. But just as I succumbed to his tenderness and fell completely in love with him, I discovered it was all a deception. Now, looking back, he had always been someone who would fight for love, but the person he was always willing to fight for was Seraphina Reed. Damien was severely injured this time and spent a long time in the hospital. I, who once would have cried endlessly over his slightest injury, this time refused to even mention visiting him in the hospital. Even when his assistant came to tell me Damien wanted to see me, I pretended not to hear, busying myself with my own affairs. Until one night, I was half-asleep when I suddenly felt a weight on me. Startled, I opened my eyes to find Damien holding me tightly. He was wearing a striped hospital gown, clearly having escaped from the hospital. A bandage was wrapped around his forehead, indicating his injuries weren’t fully healed, yet he held me close, silent and unwilling to let go. I struggled a few times, pushing him away before I spoke. “Why are you back here?” “I missed you.” His voice was muffled as he buried his head in the crook of my neck, pouring out his longing. He paused, then spoke again, a hint of complaint in his tone. “Didn’t you get the message I sent through Marcus? Are you not coming to see me all these days because I went to save Seraphina?” “I’m sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have left you to go find someone else. But she is your sister, after all, and the situation was quite urgent at the time, that’s why I went for her. But I promise you, you’re the only one I’ve ever loved, from start to finish. Any extra concern for Seraphina was purely because she’s like a sister, absolutely no other intentions!” “Anya, please don’t be angry with me, okay?” Damien spoke with such sincerity that if I hadn’t known who he truly loved, I probably would have believed him. His frantic return wasn’t out of concern for my feelings at all. He was afraid I would see through his feelings for Seraphina, afraid our wedding would hit another snag, afraid Seraphina wouldn’t get her wish. Honestly, he didn’t need to keep up this act. He could relax. Soon, Soon, none of these people would have anything to do with me. I would completely vanish from their lives and live happily ever after with my customized family. Even if they were fake, the real ones had never given me an ounce of love anyway, so what did “real” or “fake” even matter? “I’m not angry.” I looked at Damien, explaining earnestly. I paused, as if afraid he wouldn’t believe me, then added, “I just caught a cold recently, and I didn’t want to infect you, so I didn’t visit.” “You caught a cold? Did you catch a chill? Is it serious?” Hearing that, he showed no intention of avoiding me. Instead, he pulled out his phone and quickly did something. “It seems a bit colder lately. Do you not have enough clothes? I’ll have someone send over some new seasonal clothes for you.” His movements were too fast for me to stop him. But then I reconsidered; fine, let him buy whatever he wants. I wouldn’t use them anyway. Worst case, when I leave, I’ll just leave them all for his beloved. Thinking this, I didn’t dwell on the matter. “I’m fine. You just take care of yourself. Your injuries aren’t fully healed; you should go back to the hospital.” My words sounded like concern, but my expression remained neutral, making it sound more like I was trying to get rid of him. Damien felt a strange unease, but he didn’t know why, thinking it was just his imagination. He obediently rose to leave. But as he turned around, he saw me still lying in bed, with no intention of accompanying him. Immediately, he refused to move. When I looked at him, he spoke, a hint of complaint in his voice: “If you’re not coming with me, then I’m not going.” After a stalemate, I sighed and resignedly got up, changed, and went downstairs with him. At the hospital, Damien remembered I said I had a cold, so he quickly found a doctor. He only relaxed after being told it was nothing serious and I just needed rest. Because his injuries weren’t healed, he stayed in the hospital for a few more days. During this time, Damien clung to me constantly. Wherever I went, he followed, even waiting nearby when I went to the restroom. Every time the hospital nurses saw one of us, they would subconsciously glance around and always find the other nearby. And every time, I would hear people around us sighing. “Mr. Thorne and Ms. Reed have such a strong relationship. I wish I could find a boyfriend who treats me so well.” “Who wouldn’t? But for that, you’d better go to sleep. You can have anything in your dreams.” … I absorbed the murmurs and discussions around me, but felt nothing. Envious? In love? Only I knew it was all an illusion. His clinginess now wasn’t because he truly loved me. It was just that my behavior had been unusual lately, and he was afraid of another hitch before the wedding. After all, in his mind, if this wedding didn’t go smoothly, I might go back to pestering Sterling Vance. And then, how could his beloved Seraphina find happiness? A few more days passed, and Damien finally recovered and was discharged from the hospital. As soon as we got into the car, his phone rang. It was a call from one of his friends. “Damien, there’s a meteor shower tonight. Bring Anya and let’s all hang out?” Meteor showers were rare, and since he was invited along with me, Damien didn’t hesitate and immediately agreed. I didn’t want to go, but afraid he’d sense my detachment, I went along. When we arrived, I found that not only Damien’s friends were there, but also Seraphina Reed. The moment I saw Seraphina, I keenly sensed the wild joy in Damien beside me, but he quickly composed his expression, making his concern for Seraphina imperceptible. Night slowly fell, revealing tiny specks of stars. Suddenly, a meteor streaked across the sky, followed by more and more. People who came to watch, whether in groups like us or couples on a date, gasped in wonder at the sight of the large meteor shower. After a brief burst of exclamations, everyone quickly closed their eyes and made a wish. At that moment, a vendor pushed a small cart through the crowd. “Want a wishing bottle? Write your wish on a slip of paper under the meteor shower, and I’ll hang it on the tree for you. It’ll make your wish come true even faster!” Although we knew such claims were baseless, seeing Seraphina’s eagerness, everyone bought one. When it was Damien’s turn, he bought all the wishing bottles. His friends couldn’t help but tease him. “Damien, you bought so many wishing bottles, can you even write all your wishes? Share a few with me?” “Seriously, Damien, you already have everything. Why do you need so many wishes? That’s just greedy!” Damien curved his lips into a smile, then turned to look at me, his eyes brimming with tender affection. “I don’t need anything, but I hope Anya can have everything she desires.” At his words, another wave of murmurs and teasing rose. “Damien, you really are the ultimate simp among us, a total slave to his wife!” Someone else might have blushed or been shy in the face of such teasing, but I, the subject of conversation, simply looked at the cart full of wishing bottles and said nothing. Seeing me diligently writing my wish, Damien leaned in curiously. But as soon as he glimpsed a single word, I quickly hid the slip of paper. “It won’t come true if you see it.” Hearing that, he didn’t insist further, instead reaching out to gently ruffle my hair. “Anya, your wish will definitely come true.” I smiled, saying nothing, but wholeheartedly agreed with him in my heart. Yes, my wish would definitely come true. As I slipped the paper into the wishing bottle, I opened it one last time to confirm. There was only one line of text on it. *May Anya Reed and Damien Thorne never meet again in life or death!* By the time Damien finished writing all the wishes for the huge pile of wishing bottles he’d bought, the meteor shower was almost over. Just as we were about to leave, a gasp rang out. I turned to see Seraphina Reed slumped on the ground, her eyes red with distress. “I think I sprained my ankle again. It hurts so bad…” At her words, everyone immediately swarmed around her. Damien could no longer maintain his composure, pushing through the crowd and rushing to her. He hoisted her onto his back and headed down the mountain. I didn’t say a word to stop them. Instead, as they all surrounded Seraphina, I turned and walked up the mountain alone. I found the vendor who had helped us hang the wishing bottles and transferred another sum of money to him. “Sir, can you help me take down all those wishing bottles I just hung up?” Not long after, I returned to the mountaintop with the retrieved wishing bottles. I found a random spot to sit down and began to open Damien’s wishing bottles, one by one. “May Seraphina be happy and joyful year after year, and all her wishes come true.” “May Seraphina be joyful and triumphant, and all things be possible.” “May my beloved Seraphina live a life of blessings, free from illness, and meet only good people.” “May my beloved girl, Seraphina Reed, live a life of joy and peace.” … Ninety-nine wishing bottles, ninety-nine wish slips. Every single slip bore Seraphina’s name. Not a single one mentioned me. My eyes welled up. Finally, I left the scattered wishing bottles on the ground and turned to walk down the mountain. As soon as I reached the bottom, I saw Damien pacing restlessly. Seeing me, he rushed forward and pulled me into a tight embrace, his voice filled with lingering fear. “Anya, where did you go? I came down the mountain and couldn’t find you anywhere! Thank goodness you’re alright. From now on, you’re not allowed to leave my sight for a single step!” Seeing his anxious demeanor, his friends gathered around, teasing and trying to smooth things over. “We told him there’s only one way down the mountain, Anya would be fine, but Damien just wouldn’t believe it. He really does lose his head when he’s worried!” “You wouldn’t believe it, Anya, Damien was so frantic when he realized you hadn’t come down, he was almost in tears, a grown man!” Their words seemed intended to prove how much Damien cared about me, yet my gaze drifted past them, straight to Seraphina Reed at the very back. Her foot was clearly bandaged, and her emotions had stabilized considerably. Listening to their words, her eyes held an inexplicable air of smugness. That knowing smile on her lips, as if she, too, saw through Damien’s true feelings, was a subtle taunt – *See? Everyone says he loves you, but in truth, I’m the one he cares about most.* A sharp surge of humiliation welled up inside me, which I then forcefully suppressed. It’s okay. All of this will be over soon. Not long after that day, Seraphina’s birthday arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Reed spared no expense, booking an entire cruise ship for her birthday banquet and even inviting Damien and me. They had completely forgotten that my birthday was on the very same day. I was used to it, but on the day we received the invitation, Damien hesitated to accept. “That’s your birthday too. Maybe we shouldn’t go?” I could tell he really wanted to attend, but in front of me, he had to patiently keep up the act. I took in his hesitation and granted his unspoken wish. “It wouldn’t be good not to go. Let’s go.” He struggled to suppress his joy, pulling me into a hug, his words full of apology. “I couldn’t spend your birthday alone with you this year, but I’ll make it up to you next year.” I let out a soft laugh at his promise. Next year? There wouldn’t *be* a next year. In just a few days, I would completely vanish from their world. At the birthday banquet, Seraphina, dressed in the latest haute couture gown, was surrounded by everyone, showered with compliments, truly the center of attention. Sterling Vance, who had been away on business, finally returned to the country. He stood beside Seraphina in a sharp suit, a picture-perfect couple. When it came time for gifts, everyone presented their carefully prepared presents. Mr. and Mrs. Reed and Sterling, being closest to Seraphina, naturally drew the most attention with their gifts. And they didn’t disappoint, presenting everything from expensive jewelry to nationally limited-edition supercars. When it was Damien’s turn, he produced a certificate. As everyone looked puzzled, he opened the certificate, revealing a splendid, rose-hued nebula within. “Seraphina, you already have everything. After much thought, I believe this is what suits you best. From today on, the naming rights to this nebula are yours.” This gesture immediately sparked gasps throughout the room, and discussions erupted. “To buy the naming rights for a nebula, Mr. Thorne must have gone to great lengths!” “I’d say Mr. Thorne is absolutely smitten with Ms. Reed, so his love for her extends to everything connected to her, even a grand birthday gift for her sister.” … The murmurs of admiration were endless, but only I knew that his meticulously prepared gift wasn’t born out of extending his love to Seraphina’s family. It was for his true beloved. Unwilling to stay in the main hall, I went out onto the deck for some air. The sea breeze ruffled my hair, and my long-suppressed heart finally felt a degree of ease. Seraphina chose that moment to approach. She stood behind me, her eyes filled with disdain and mockery, but her words were dripping with boastfulness. “Sister, what should I do? It seems not only Sterling, but Damien, too, loves me.” I couldn’t understand. From childhood, she had already taken everything I possessed: my parents’ favoritism, my friends, my crush, and now, my fiancé… Why wouldn’t she leave me alone? Why did she continue to flaunt herself so openly in front of me? I thought that, and I asked her that. Hearing my question, Seraphina didn’t even bother to hide her disdain. She curved her lips into a smile. “No reason, really. I just love seeing you suffer. And I’m so happy, because I’ll get to see it again very soon.” I frowned, just about to ask what she meant, when the next second, Seraphina suddenly grabbed my hand, pulling me with her into the sea. Seawater engulfed my mouth and nose. I instinctively tried to call for help, but the gushing water choked me, a sharp pain searing my throat. The icy touch invaded my senses bit by bit, and the terror of death instantly consumed my mind. As I was churned and tossed by the waves, I saw that people were finally noticing the commotion. Soon, several more splashes sounded. Mr. Reed, Sterling Vance, and Damien Thorne—all three jumped in. But without hesitation, they all swam straight for Seraphina! From the distant cruise ship, I could faintly hear Mrs. Reed’s frantic screams: “Save Seraphina! Make sure you save Seraphina!” In that moment, a crushing despair of being abandoned by everyone washed over me. I closed my eyes, resigned to death’s embrace. But just then, the sound of swimming grew closer, as if someone was approaching me. I vaguely opened my eyes, only to freeze when I saw the face. It was Sterling Vance. I didn’t have time to wonder why Sterling was saving me before my consciousness was completely swallowed by darkness. When I woke up, I was already in the hospital. I blinked my dry eyes, my gaze shifting from the pure white ceiling to the man sitting by my bedside. After confirming several times, I still couldn’t believe it. The only person by my side was Sterling Vance. I hid my surprise and spoke calmly. “Aren’t you going to see Seraphina?” “I just came from there. She has a crowd of people around her, Damien Thorne is there too.” Sterling had expected me to react strongly to the mention of Damien, but to his surprise, I remained expressionless. My next words were merely to dismiss him. “Then you should go too. I prefer peace and quiet.” When my words fell, the man beside me remained motionless. I glanced at him, slightly puzzled. “Is there something else?” “Don’t marry Damien Thorne.” Sterling was silent for a long time, seemingly choosing his words, but eventually, he spoke. Once he started, the rest poured out. “He doesn’t love you at all. He only got close to you to make room for Seraphina!” With the secret on his chest finally revealed, he seemed to feel a sense of relief. But when he looked at me again, he saw my expression hadn’t changed, still perfectly calm and unruffled. As if I had known all along. In an instant, his eyes widened in shock. “You already knew?” “If you have nothing else to say, then leave.” I didn’t answer his question, still urging him to go. But he didn’t leave; instead, his reaction became even more agitated. “You knew and you were still going to marry him? Are you out of your mind?” At his words, I laughed. “What does it matter to you? Haven’t I already broken off our engagement and given you back to Seraphina, who you’ve always held in your heart?” At that, Sterling was speechless. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. He should have been happy, but lately, whenever he looked at Seraphina, he couldn’t help but think of me, who used to trail after him. Even in his dreams, it was me. In the midst of the silence, Damien Thorne suddenly pushed open the hospital room door. The moment he saw Sterling, his face darkened instantly. “Sterling Vance, what are you doing here?” With him present, the conversation naturally couldn’t continue. Sterling gave me a deep look, and ultimately said nothing, turning to leave. He hadn’t gone far when Damien anxiously embraced me. “Anya, I’m sorry. It’s not that I didn’t save you; I just mistook someone else for you at the time.” “Please don’t be angry with me. From now on, I won’t care about Seraphina anymore, and you won’t have anything to do with Sterling, okay?” “You finally stopped loving him and agreed to be with me. If you get involved with him again, I’ll truly go mad.” Listening to Damien’s fragmented apologies, my face remained calm, I said nothing. As I closed my eyes, only one thought remained in my mind: *Let all of this just end quickly.* In the following days, perhaps to demonstrate his resolve, Damien didn’t visit Seraphina again, nor did he pay any attention to news about her. He simply stayed by my side, constantly bringing me all sorts of gifts to try and win my favor. And this continued until the night before the wedding. That evening, I inexplicably began packing my belongings. Damien saw me but didn’t think much of it, even offering to help me pack. But as he packed, he realized that everything I was putting into the boxes were things he had given me during his pursuit. Hundreds of photos he had taken of me; Letter after letter he had written for me; Gift after gift he had sent me; Finally, he found a memo pad. He opened it, only to discover it was filled with my preferences. 1. Anya has a sensitive stomach, can’t eat spicy food. Learn 365 soothing dishes for her. 2. Anya is afraid of thunder and always forgets her umbrella. Always be there for her before it rains. 3. Anya loves cherries. Plant an entire backyard full of cherry trees for her. 4. Anya is lonely. No matter when, if she turns around, you must be there. … Damien read out the full memo pad, item by item. By the end, he let out a soft laugh. “Anya, it was so hard to win you over. I’m glad I persevered.” Looking at his earnest expression, I couldn’t help but feel a little dazed. He really had done so much to pursue me. If I hadn’t personally heard those words from him, perhaps it would be hard for me to believe that this devoted Damien was thinking of someone else entirely when he was with me. Damien didn’t notice my subtle shift. He reached out and hugged me. “Anya, I’m finally going to marry you and bring you home. Tell me, after today, will you finally be mine…” I shook my head. No. From the moment you deceived me, it was clear there would be no future for us. Just then, the butler walked in. “The bride and groom shouldn’t see each other before the wedding. Young master, you should head to the hotel now.” Hearing the butler’s words, he remained motionless, still holding me tightly. “I want to stay with Anya.” The butler looked at him, distressed. “Young master…” As he was about to continue persuading him, Damien’s phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller ID, he paused, then finally released me and walked to the side to answer the call. I didn’t know what was said on the other end, but when he returned, his attitude had changed. He just held me, reluctantly. “Anya, see you tomorrow.” I knew he wasn’t leaving because of the butler’s words, but because of that phone call. It was Seraphina Reed calling him. But I didn’t try to stop him. I just watched his back disappear out the villa door. Then, I moved all the packed boxes to the front yard of the villa. I had already instructed the housekeepers to prepare a fire pit. Although they didn’t know why, they didn’t ask, simply placing the fire pit in the garden. Now, I threw the contents of the boxes into the fire pit one by one: photos, memo pads, diaries. As the last photo was tossed into the flames, I watched the ashes, a faint smile on my lips. Damien, all our memories are burned away. And we, too, have no future left. In the vast darkness of the night, no one noticed the bride of tomorrow walking out the door with a suitcase, resolute, without looking back… I got into the car without looking back. The moment the vehicle started, I snapped my phone’s SIM card in half and threw it out. No one loves Anya Reed? Then I will love myself! Goodbye forever, this city. Goodbye forever, everyone. There were no direct flights to the private island. I had to fly to the nearest country and then take a boat. By the time I arrived at the private island, whose ownership had already been transferred, a full day and night had passed. A manor, built according to my specifications, was already there on the island. I just needed to move in. My funds were plentiful, and when I first considered coming to the island, I had already thought about how inconvenient it might be to travel in and out. So, I simply bought a yacht. Although I doubted I’d need to leave the island much, I wasn’t sure if my purchased parents and boyfriend would feel the same, so it was better to be prepared. Pushing open the manor gates, I found the facilities fully equipped. I looked around, quite satisfied. This would be my home from now on. I pulled out my phone, about to ask when my customized family would arrive, when the villa’s front door suddenly opened from the inside. A handsome, refined young man appeared before me. Seeing me, he paused, but quickly understood my identity. He flashed a smile, stepped aside to invite me in, and called out to the other two inside. Having been told their employer would arrive today, the three had been waiting for a long time. Once I was inside, the other two also introduced themselves. “My name is Eleanor Grey, I’m your customized mother. And this is Arthur Grey, your customized father.” The first to speak was a kind, elderly woman, who also introduced the man beside her. When it was the young man I had first met’s turn, he spoke before the woman could. “Hello, I’m Caleb Hayes, your… customized boyfriend.” *** Damien Thorne and Anya Reed’s wedding was set for the city’s grandest hotel. This highly anticipated wedding banquet saw almost every prominent figure in the social circle in attendance, all eager to witness this momentous occasion. It wasn’t until the wedding was about to begin that a breathless staff member finally rushed to Damien, whispering in his ear. Those in the audience couldn’t hear what they were saying, but they could see Damien’s smiling face suddenly freeze, then gradually darken. He waved the person away, then turned, avoiding the gazes of those below. “Mr. Thorne, the wedding is about to start, but the bride hasn’t arrived yet. Perhaps you should check if something has happened?” Recalling the staff member’s words, Damien felt his heart hammering in his chest. The unsettling feeling that had lingered since yesterday intensified. He pulled out his phone, found the number he knew by heart, even without saving it, and dialed. After a long series of beeps, the call was abruptly cut off. In that instant, his heart plummeted. But Damien couldn’t believe it. He stubbornly redialed her number. This time, he only heard the ‘call in progress’ tone. He was in disbelief. Was he… blocked? He then called the villa. After a few rings, it connected. Without waiting for a greeting, he went straight to the point. “Where’s Anya? Have you seen her? Did she forget the wedding time? Go remind her, the wedding is about to start…” By the end of his sentence, Damien’s voice grew softer, losing its conviction. Anya was never someone without a sense of time, let alone blocking his number. Yet, he still hoped to hear a different answer from the housekeeper. There was a frantic commotion on the other end, as if people were being dispatched to search for her. But soon, a nervous voice came through. “Young master… Ms. Reed wasn’t found in the villa, but the housekeepers found… her wedding dress burnt to ashes in the garden, and the wedding ring you gave her…” At those words, Damien’s mind went blank. He rushed to the stage, oblivious to everything else, his gaze sweeping the audience. When he realized Sterling Vance was also absent, that tense string inside him instantly snapped. He frantically dialed, his mind consumed only by the fact that Anya had run away. He didn’t care about anything else. In front of everyone, he bolted out of the banquet hall, leaving all the gasps and commotion behind. Sterling Vance answered quickly. Hearing Damien’s breathless voice, he was a little puzzled. Just as he was about to ask, Damien’s near-hysterical voice came through. “Where are you?” The bride hadn’t appeared, and the groom had publicly walked out. The entire wedding banquet instantly dissolved into chaos. Ultimately, Mr. and Mrs. Reed went on stage to stabilize the situation. No one had expected this highly anticipated wedding to end in such a way. After sending the guests away, Mr. and Mrs. Reed made several inquiries and learned that Anya had run away first, leading to this farce. They immediately frowned. “She’s truly a trouble-maker. Even her wedding ended like this. What a disgrace to our family name!” Mr. Reed’s face was dark, but Mrs. Reed considered things more deeply. She glanced at Seraphina, who stood beside her, looking utterly oblivious, and a sudden unease stirred within her. “Anya and Damien were getting along so well, but now she’s suddenly run away. Sterling didn’t show up today either. Could it be that she regrets giving up Sterling and has gone to pester him again?” Her initial thought was a mere guess, but as she spoke it aloud, the others found it increasingly plausible. Their faces changed instantly, and they rushed towards the Vance family home. People often exhibit uncanny synchronicity in the wrong circumstances. The few who knew about the situation all assumed Anya had run away to find Sterling. Luckily, Sterling was not at the Vance residence at that moment, preventing a scene where everyone converged on his home. Sterling had not expected that just the thought of Anya marrying someone else today would leave him so gloomy. Especially knowing she was fully aware of Damien’s intentions, yet still chose to marry him, had only intensified his frustration. So, he went to a club owned by the Vance family. Upon entering the private room, he ordered a table full of drinks and proceeded to drown himself in alcohol. He didn’t want to attend her wedding; he didn’t want to see her walk down the aisle to someone else, uttering those words, “I do.” Drowning in his drunken stupor, he suddenly received a call from Damien Thorne asking for his location. His mind was hazy, unable to comprehend why the person who should be getting married was calling him. An address slipped out directly. Just as he was about to ask something, Damien had already hung up, so fast that Sterling, whose mind was already unclear, thought everything that had just happened was merely a hallucination. He picked up his glass again, poured a full one, and drank it all in one gulp. The thought of breaking off his engagement with Seraphina grew stronger with each drink. He stared fixedly at his phone on the table, a voice echoing in his mind, urging him to pick it up. Just as he was about to dial Mr. and Mrs. Reed’s number, the private room door was kicked open with a bang. Blinding light streamed into the dimly lit room. If it weren’t for the scattered liquor bottles and Sterling, sitting on the sofa, phone in hand, motionless, Damien might have thought he had come to the wrong place. Frowning, he switched on all the lights in the room. The sudden brightness made Sterling instinctively shield his eyes. But as soon as he raised his hand, Damien rushed forward, taking three steps at a time, to stand before him. “Where’s Anya? Has she come looking for you?” Hearing Anya’s name, Sterling’s mind cleared for a moment. Looking at Damien’s angry face, he suddenly smiled. “Isn’t Anya at her wedding with you? Why aren’t you at your wedding, running around looking for me?” As the words left his lips, Sterling seemed to finally grasp the implication of what Damien had said. He suddenly stood up, his eyes wide with shock. “What do you mean?” Seeing that Sterling was indeed unaware, the anger on Damien’s face faded, leaving only confusion. Although Anya had grown up in the city, she had no friends due to her introverted, timid, and insecure nature. She hadn’t come to Sterling, and given the Reed family’s character, they would never help her escape the wedding. So, where else could she have gone? “Anya… she’s gone… She burned the wedding dress and the wedding ring, and disappeared without a trace…” Damien collapsed onto the sofa, his eyes staring blankly ahead, his gaze unfocused. Sterling, too, was incredulous upon hearing this. After all, even when he had told Anya that Damien had no genuine feelings for her, she hadn’t considered leaving. But it was precisely this memory that made a flicker of insight cross his eyes. So, it wasn’t that she didn’t care who Damien loved; it was that she had already planned to leave? But she hadn’t come to him after leaving. So where could she have gone? Sterling was lost in his thoughts, completely oblivious to his sudden silence catching Damien’s attention. It wasn’t until his collar was suddenly grabbed, and Damien’s face loomed large before him. Damien’s eyes narrowed, carrying a dangerous glint, and his voice was chilling. “You know where she is?” All of Sterling’s drunkenness evaporated in that instant. He grinned, a hint of malice in his smile. “I don’t know where she is, but I know why she ran away from the wedding.” Damien froze, his grip loosening slightly. He instinctively asked, “Why?” After all, he still had no idea what Anya was thinking. He had assumed she ran away to find Sterling, but now that it proved otherwise, a pang of annoyance, mixed with a surge of jealousy, churned within him. He didn’t even know why Anya ran away, so how could Sterling? But Sterling opened his mouth and delivered an answer that was a fatal blow to Damien. “Do you remember the day she woke up after falling into the sea? Guess what we talked about during the time we were alone?” Looking at Sterling’s expression, Damien felt his heart hammering in his chest. Unease and anxiety intertwined within him. Finally, in a panic, he stumbled, wanting to flee. He was actually afraid to hear the answer. But Damien’s frantic steps couldn’t outrun Sterling’s voice. Seeing that he wanted to run, Sterling no longer held back, striking directly at Damien’s heart. “I told her that you approached her not out of love, but for another purpose. I told her that the person you truly loved was Seraphina Reed, and that marrying Anya was just to make her clear the way for Seraphina. Now, guess again, what was her reaction after I told her?” The last sentence was a question, but it was clear Sterling had no intention of waiting for an answer. He answered himself directly. “She wasn’t surprised, wasn’t sad, and didn’t disbelieve me. Before I told her, she already knew. Back then, seeing her utterly unresponsive, I thought she loved you so much she didn’t even care that you didn’t love her, that you approached her with ulterior motives.” “At that time, I was quite jealous of you.” “But now, it seems I was wrong. She wasn’t simply letting it go; she was just waiting for the most opportune moment to strike the hardest blow against you.” As Sterling’s last words fell, Damien’s figure had completely vanished outside the private room door. He seemed not to have heard him, yet as Sterling slowly walked to the doorway and watched Damien hurriedly descend the stairs, the desperate scramble to escape in his back said it all. He felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. He wasn’t the only one who had wronged Anya Reed, so why should he be the only one suffering? In fact, compared to Damien, his actions were at least not as despicable. Sterling looked back at the messy private room, called for someone to clean up, then walked directly out of the club. The cool night air brushed his cheek. He exhaled a heavy sigh, looked at the number he had been about to dial before Damien arrived, and then turned off his phone screen. He hailed a cab. Since a wedding escape had happened, if he wasn’t mistaken, Mr. and Mrs. Reed and Seraphina would probably all be at the Vance residence now. Those people’s speculations about Anya were not much different from Damien’s. Fifteen minutes later, he pushed open the door to the Vance family home and saw the three members of the Reed family sitting neatly on the living room sofa. He let out a sardonic laugh. See? He was right. Hearing the door open, the Reed family’s gazes instantly shifted. Seeing that he had returned alone, they still looked behind him, unwilling to give up, trying to find Anya’s tracks. “She didn’t come looking for me,” he shrugged and said. Sterling’s words, however, did not earn the Reed family’s trust. Mr. Reed frowned, his eyes filled with disapproval. “If she didn’t come to you, where else would she go? With her personality, she doesn’t even have a single friend in this city, a disgrace of a girl, and now she’s caused such a scene.” Mrs. Reed echoed her husband’s words, her expression cold and annoyed. If an outsider saw her, they might think Mrs. Reed and the Anya she spoke of were not mother and daughter, but enemies. “With her timid, shrinking demeanor, what else can she do besides snatching things from Seraphina? Sterling, I know you’re too soft-hearted, but you don’t need to cover for her in this matter.” Seraphina leaned against Mrs. Reed, her gaze fixed on Sterling, a smile playing on her lips, but her eyes held no warmth. She didn’t know why Sterling was suddenly helping Anya, but she knew she had to do something, otherwise, Sterling’s heart might truly drift away. “Sterling, marriage is no child’s play. Since Sister agreed to marry Damien, how can she act so childishly at the wedding? If you know where Sister is, please tell us quickly. We can’t just let her continue acting recklessly, can we?” Looking at the three of them united in their shared condemnation, Sterling was somewhat dazed. Were they really Anya’s family? Now that she had disappeared without a trace, no one was worried about her safety; instead, every word was an accusation. It was laughable that he hadn’t noticed any of this before. Had Anya truly grown up in such an environment for over twenty years? How much pain must she have accumulated? He didn’t know, but at this moment, he refused to be an accomplice any longer. “Uncle and Aunt, I truly don’t know where she is right now. But I do have something I’d like to discuss with you.” Seeing all their gazes fixed on him, he cleared his throat and delivered the words he had prepared. “Uncle and Aunt, I want to break off my engagement with Seraphina.” At his words, everyone in the room froze. No one had ever imagined that Sterling Vance, who had previously insisted on breaking off his engagement with Anya Reed to marry Seraphina, would suddenly propose breaking off *this* engagement. After a brief愣怔, Seraphina’s eyes immediately welled up. She, too, was utterly bewildered, unable to understand why he had returned from a short outing with such a declaration. Instinctively, she blamed Anya, who was now nowhere to be found. “Sterling, did Sister say something to you? I…” But her words were cut off by Sterling. He frowned, his eyes filled with confusion. “If I remember correctly, I just said that Anya didn’t come looking for me. Moreover, even if she did, what could she possibly come to tell me?” Not wanting to see their cherished daughter distressed, the stark contrast between Sterling’s aggressive demeanor and Seraphina’s pale lips and tear-filled eyes irritated Mr. and Mrs. Reed. They quickly went to Seraphina’s side, comforting her softly. Mr. and Mrs. Vance, who had been observing the drama, finally realized what their son had said. They quickly tried to smooth things over. “Son, what nonsense are you saying? This is no joke! Marriage isn’t child’s play; you can’t just break it off like that. Right, Sterling? Apologize to your uncle and aunt immediately! And Seraphina, look at how upset you are!” Hearing Mrs. Vance’s words, Mr. and Mrs. Reed’s expressions softened slightly. Remembering Sterling’s earlier statement, they couldn’t help but scoff again. “What good words could that Anya Reed possibly have? All day long, it’s just excuses or trying to snatch things from Seraphina. Not a trace of a proper older sister.” Mr. and Mrs. Reed’s complaints continued, one after another, but they failed to resonate with Sterling. He only found it ironic. No wonder Anya chose to leave alone. With such parents, such a sister, such a fiancé, anyone would want to escape as far away as possible. This was good. Let Anya bloom in her own light. Five years later. After closing off her private island for five years, Anya Reed finally opened it for visitors for the first time. Of course, the private island was no longer called the private island. After much searching, Anya named it “Reunion Isle.” *Life’s partings and meetings are always so; let us rejoice when we meet.* She had bid farewell to a mistaken past and met the right people here. She felt the name was perfectly fitting. Reunion Isle had a beautiful environment, which caught the eye of a director vacationing nearby. After months of negotiation, he finally got permission to film on the island. However, Anya also set conditions: they could film on the island, but they couldn’t damage the environment, nor could they film her family without permission. The director readily agreed to the first condition, but hesitated slightly at the second. Because the director’s variety show opted for a live broadcast premiere, with an edited version for replays, it was inevitable that some things might be missed. After discussion, they both compromised. During the live broadcast, filming would try to avoid the four of them. If they accidentally appeared on screen, the director would have people blur them out immediately. Subsequent broadcasts would also edit out any scenes where they appeared. Anya then decided not to quibble over brief appearances. A month after the contract was signed, the director brought the guests to the island. Since their identities had been disclosed beforehand, no one dared to make any trouble in Anya’s presence, and they generally tried to avoid meeting. However, living on the same Reunion Isle, it was unavoidable that they would appear on camera. Fortunately, the director kept his word, blurring them out promptly whenever they appeared. Anya didn’t take it to heart. Until… after the variety show became a massive hit, a blurred screenshot went viral across the internet. Damien Thorne didn’t usually pay much attention to entertainment news. But for the past five years, he had searched every place imaginable, all to no avail. He couldn’t even trace where Anya had last been seen on the day she disappeared. Only after a thorough investigation did he discover that Anya’s identity information had been canceled half a month before their wedding was supposed to take place. That meant she had been planning her departure for at least half a month. Shocked and distraught, he felt immense regret. His Anya had been planning her departure without his knowledge, meticulously for so long, yet he had shared a bed with her daily, completely oblivious. It was only then that Damien realized his feelings for Seraphina had long been depleted by unrequited devotion, much like Anya’s feelings for Sterling. Love required reciprocity. He had poured ten years into a hopeless pursuit. For Seraphina’s happiness, he had even gone to another woman, playing the role of a suitor madly in love with Anya. But the person he spent every day with was her, the person he had promised forever to was her, and when he was sick or injured, she was always by his side. No matter how much Damien resisted, he had to admit that he had actually fallen in love with Anya long ago. It was only stubborn obsession, only his habit of chasing Seraphina’s footsteps, that had prevented him from seeing his own heart. He wanted to find Anya, wanted to tell her that his love for her had become real. Five years of relentless searching, five years of repeated failures, had shattered his confidence into countless fragments. Even Sterling Vance, who later chose to break away from his family to call off his engagement with Seraphina, began to mock him, laughing at his foolish pipe dreams and his overestimation of himself. Damien had asked him why he was so determined to break off the engagement. Sterling said he hadn’t seen his own heart clearly back then and had made the wrong decision. Now that he finally realized it, he didn’t want to make another mistake. But when it came to mistakes, Sterling wasn’t the only one; Damien had made an even greater one. But unlike Sterling, who chose to let go, Damien wanted to return to Anya’s side. That photo went viral across the internet under these circumstances. Someone was watching the variety show when they saw Caleb Hayes, who appeared for a second before being quickly blurred out. The blur was fast, but not faster than netizens’ eyes and lightning-fast screenshotting skills. A blurry image was quickly posted online. “This man is so handsome! I need all his information in three minutes!” The post garnered many supportive comments and sparked a lot of discussion online. By rights, Damien wouldn’t usually look at such entertainment news, but for the past five years, he had tried every method to find Anya. By the end, he naturally wouldn’t ignore the most widespread channels of information. So, the photo found its way to Damien. He initially didn’t pay much attention, it was just a picture of a man. But for some reason, he couldn’t resist taking a closer look. In that glance, he saw a woman tending to a flowerbed in a blurry corner of the enlarged image. Even though it was so blurred he could barely make out her features, Damien inexplicably felt it was Anya. To confirm his suspicion, he contacted the director through the variety show’s brand representative. The director, suddenly approached by a CEO worth hundreds of millions, thought his show had found another patron. He quickly accepted the friend request. Just as he was wondering how to initiate a conversation without appearing arrogant or too subservient, Damien’s message came through. “Where was this filmed?” Attached was the screenshot that had gone viral online. Realizing Damien was trying to inquire about the island’s owner, the director hesitated. If he told the truth, he might build a good relationship with this CEO. But it was a private island, and if he divulged information without permission, his crew might be kicked off the island. The island owner was already displeased about the photo spreading. Thinking this, he reluctantly refused Damien’s inquiry. “I apologize. We have an agreement with the owner, and I cannot disclose her personal information.” He still couldn’t bring himself to delete Damien, so after much deliberation, he put his phone aside and didn’t pay it any further attention. Seeing that the director was stubbornly refusing to reveal any information, Damien didn’t get discouraged. Instead, he became even more convinced that the woman was Anya Reed. Sterling Vance had the same thought, but his actions were more decisive. Before the variety show began, it was announced that it was being filmed on a private island. Combining this with the already aired segments, he quickly narrowed his focus to a specific region. He flew directly to North America and, armed with the photo, inquired with countries that sold islands. It wasn’t long before he located Anya’s private island. He docked his boat by the island’s shore but didn’t go ashore. He simply waited silently on the boat. Anya didn’t think much of it at first. These days were when supplies usually arrived on the island. Seeing a yacht dock, she assumed the provisions had come and quickly went to the shore with Caleb Hayes. To her surprise, when they rushed over, it wasn’t supplies they found, but Sterling Vance, standing silently on the deck. “Anya!” I turned to leave, but he called out to me. His voice was soft and gentle, yet inexplicably complex. I didn’t turn back, but I also didn’t leave. I just stood there quietly, waiting for him to continue. There had been no opportunity for us to have a proper conversation for a long time. Sterling didn’t care about my attitude towards him. At least from his perspective, seeing me again was already a blessing. But if he could find me, Damien Thorne certainly could too. So he cleared his throat and said earnestly, “I actually only came to tell you two things. Seraphina and I broke off our engagement, and… Damien Thorne might also come looking for you. Anya, do you… want to come home?” Hearing that, I turned back, a little puzzled. “What does your broken engagement with Seraphina have to do with me?” My rhetorical question left Sterling momentarily speechless. As he tried to explain, I had already turned away, no longer looking at him, and didn’t answer his other question. And that question… *Home?* Hearing that word, I found it somewhat amusing. This was my home now. Where else could I go back to? As for Damien Thorne, as long as he didn’t set foot on my island, he could go to the moon and it would be none of my business. I reached out and took Caleb Hayes’s hand. I didn’t linger, walking directly towards the island. Sterling recognized him. That was the man from the photo that went viral online. Seeing their hands naturally clasped, a slight pang of bitterness touched his heart. So, in these five years, she truly had found someone else and no longer needed them. But then he smiled wryly. She had never truly needed them, or rather, when she did need them, they had never been there for her. The island’s terrain wasn’t complicated. From the boat, he could clearly see the guests filming nearby and the villa in the opposite direction. Evidently, the filming had deliberately avoided that area. It seemed that the viral photo was indeed an accident. He turned back to look at Anya, walking away. The manor gates opened, and an older man and woman emerged. Their demeanor was gentle and kind. The four of them stood together, looking remarkably harmonious, just like a true family of four. “Anya, I wish you happiness.” He murmured that phrase, then turned and waved. The boat restarted, slowly pulling away from the island, eventually disappearing into the boundless horizon. On the island, the variety show’s filming had reached its final day. After today, Reunion Isle would return to its usual tranquility. Not only Anya Reed felt relieved, but also Eleanor and Arthur Grey. While they weren’t averse to interacting with others, they disliked being on camera, especially after Caleb’s accidental appearance and subsequent screenshot. They grew even more cautious. Fortunately, the crew was very considerate, mostly filming on the other side of Reunion Isle. Even so, they all breathed a sigh of relief knowing the crew was leaving. I also sighed, deciding I wouldn’t accept such ventures again in the future. “Anya, hurry inside, lunch is ready.” Eleanor Grey was still wearing her apron, smiling sweetly, and Arthur Grey, who followed close behind her, was also beaming. “Eleanor made your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs today. Come try some, it won’t be as good cold.” After five years, my interactions with them had become much more natural. Eleanor and Arthur had always wanted children but, unfortunately, neither could conceive. After becoming my customized parents, they truly loved me as their own child. Through our time together, they grew even more fond of me. I was sensible, filial, and well-behaved. Even though they were hired, I treated them with exceptional respect. They had heard I was also an orphan, which only strengthened their belief that we were destined to be a family. It happened that they had no children, and it happened that I had no parents. The dinner table was filled with warmth and laughter. Caleb Hayes sat beside me, attentively serving me food and peeling shrimp. The island was rich in seafood, but I found it too much bother to eat. It was Caleb who later realized I simply didn’t like handling it, and he naturally took over the task. After eating my fill, I went to the other side to watch the variety show’s filming. Since it was the last day, the production team was uncharacteristically lenient with the guests. A group of young men and women laughed and played, creating a lively atmosphere. I recalled that over these past five years, aside from supply deliveries, there had been almost no other visitors. After all, it was a private island; without my permission, others couldn’t come ashore. It had indeed been a long time since it was this lively. Lost in thought, Caleb came over with a fruit platter. Seeing me staring off into the distance, he offered the platter to me, then sat casually on the ground beside me, not bothering with a chair. “Here.” I didn’t take it. I was sitting on the ground too, with no table. If I took the plate, I’d have to hold it constantly, and I didn’t want to, so I simply didn’t reach for it. I just looked at him, opening my mouth slightly. Understanding my unspoken request, Caleb smiled, speared a small piece of fruit with a toothpick, and fed it to my mouth. I happily accepted it. In the past, I had no privilege to be willful and was accustomed to putting others first. But here, I was the center of attention and had the privilege to be spoiled. Coupled with the genuine affection from Eleanor and Arthur, and Caleb, I had grown a bit lazier. But I felt it was a good thing. Damien Thorne didn’t come alone. With him were Mr. and Mrs. Reed and Seraphina Reed. The Reed family hadn’t fared well over the years. Sterling Vance had started his own venture, and the first thing he did after succeeding was to compete with the Reed family in the market. They had wanted to stabilize their position through marriage alliances, but Seraphina, spoiled rotten by them, was extremely headstrong. After Sterling broke off their engagement, she threw daily tantrums at home. They, too, doted on their youngest daughter and couldn’t bear to force her into an arranged marriage. Worse, their eldest daughter’s two engagements had failed, and then she had completely disappeared without a trace after canceling her identity. They didn’t even know where to look for her. If Damien hadn’t told them he had found her, they would still be unaware of this unfilial daughter’s whereabouts. Mr. and Mrs. Reed secretly resolved in their hearts that when they met her, they would thoroughly reprimand this unfilial daughter. They had heard she bought her own island and lived so luxuriously, yet she hadn’t thought to help her own parents. Their expressions were already unpleasant on the boat, and upon seeing the discreetly luxurious manor on the island, their anger festered. They completely forgot Damien’s earlier instruction to resolve misunderstandings with Anya peacefully. But perhaps there were no misunderstandings between them to begin with. The day I saw Sterling, I guessed Damien would eventually find me. I even wondered if I should hide, but then I thought, they were just some unimportant people. I really had no need to hide from irrelevant people, as if I were someone to be ashamed of. But I truly hadn’t expected Damien to bring Mr. and Mrs. Reed with him. Initially, I had never understood why. Back in the city, I was always the extra person. My parents didn’t love me, my sister rejected me, the person I loved loved my sister, and the person who “loved me” actually loved my sister too. Shouldn’t my departure have been exactly what they wanted? Why did they have to put on such a show, pretending to be frantic about finding me? Was this performance so important, so crucial that even after I, the supporting character, had left the stage, he still had to play out the final act? But I only thought about it briefly. If I couldn’t understand, I wouldn’t dwell on it. Anyway, from now on, they would have nothing to do with me. Whatever they wanted to do was entirely up to them. Damien and his group arrived quickly. When they reached Reunion Isle, we were having breakfast. The door was suddenly pounded on, then just as abruptly, the noise stopped. Not long after, a gentle knocking replaced it. I had just begun to frown when Caleb Hayes stood up to open the door. The door swung open, and the moment he and the people outside came face to face, they all froze. Damien had actually started regretting bringing Mr. and Mrs. Reed when they began pounding on the door. But now, seeing someone else inside my house, a furious jealousy ignited his reason. His chest heaved violently, indicating his extreme agitation. If he hadn’t yet seen me, he might have already resorted to violence. “Who is it?” At the thought of me, my voice drifted from inside. Damien didn’t care who this man at the door was. The moment he heard my voice, his gaze repeatedly swept the interior, hoping to see the person he was looking for. And the moment my voice was heard, Mr. and Mrs. Reed, whom he had brought along, couldn’t even hold back. They completely disregarded their composure and started shouting. “You rebellious daughter! Now you’re pulling a runaway act! Five years, and you haven’t come home once. Do you have any respect for us, your parents?!” “Aren’t you ashamed enough? Get out here and come back with us!” Damien hadn’t even had time to stop them when Seraphina, who had walked in with Mr. and Mrs. Reed, also spoke with her falsely innocent charm. “Sister, I know you’re angry with me, but no matter how much you sulk, you can’t abandon Mom and Dad! They’ve been frantic looking for you these past few years. Come home with us now!” Seeing these people, who claimed to be Anya’s family, immediately launch into insults, Caleb Hayes, with all his good temper, finally snapped. He sneered, “Where did these dogs come from, barking at people for no reason?” He moved his body further, completely blocking Damien’s view of the interior. Before they could erupt in anger, he added another chilling warning, “This is Anya’s island. Trespassing without permission, especially not in your country, means you might end up in a shark’s belly.” His cold gaze swept over them, striking a momentary fear into the four outside, but it was quickly replaced by rage. “Who are you?! How dare you…” Bluntly rebuked, Damien was furious. Just as he was about to say something, the door slammed shut. Damien, who had been about to step forward, ended up getting a nose full of dust. None of the rejected group had expected to be unceremoniously dismissed without even seeing me. Inside, because Mr. and Mrs. Reed and Seraphina hadn’t bothered to lower their voices, I still vaguely heard parts of their conversation despite the distance. So when Caleb approached, saying a group of liars claiming to be my relatives had arrived, my face showed no surprise. Instead, I explained for them, “They’re not liars.” My words caused everyone in the dining room to look at me, puzzled. After all, when I had arranged for my customized family and boyfriend, I had said I was all alone. So how was it that now… Before they could figure it out, a violent pounding on the door suddenly started again. Caleb frowned deeply. Just as he was about to go and send them away again, I shook my head at him and got up to open the door myself. Whatever their reason for coming, I had to clarify things with them. Naturally, I was the most suitable person to face them. I walked to the front alone. The violent pounding and those unfriendly words just moments ago made Eleanor and Arthur, and Caleb, all uneasy about letting me face them alone, so they hurried after me. When they caught up, I had just opened the main door. Whether it was a loss of control from pounding, or if they had intended to strike, the moment the door opened, a slap came flying towards me. Caleb’s heart lurched, fearing I would be hurt. But I was prepared. The instant the slap descended, I stepped to the side, and all that was heard was the thud of flesh hitting the ground. Mr. Reed, having lost face in public, his complexion alternating between pale fury and flushed rage, scrambled awkwardly to his feet, gasping for breath, almost unable to speak. Seraphina quickly rushed forward to help him up, her eyes full of disapproval, her voice thick with accusation. “Sister, how could you treat Dad like this? Dad is an elder, after all. If you have a problem, just take it out on me, why do you have to do this to Dad? He’s getting old; if anything happens to him, can you bear the responsibility?” Mrs. Reed was also visibly anxious. Only after seeing Seraphina help Mr. Reed up did she relax. When she turned to me, a surge of uncontrollable fury pierced through her. “Anya Reed, you unfilial daughter, how could I have given birth to such a heartless thing! Not only did you snatch Seraphina’s fiancé, but you even dare to lay hands on your father! You truly are not half as sensible as Seraphina!” She angrily stepped forward, raising her hand to slap me. But her raised hand never landed. Caleb Hayes, who had followed closely behind me, blocked it. Then, with a slight push, she stumbled backward. Luckily, Damien Thorne was quick to catch her, preventing her from falling flat on her face as well. This, in turn, fueled their rage even further. Not only did they curse me, but also Caleb and the others, incessantly yelling that we had no manners and demanded we all leave. I paid no attention to their insults, my gaze turning towards Damien Thorne, who was pushed to the back of the group. My expression was indifferent. The moment our eyes met, he looked into mine, not with the excitement and joy he expected, but with annoyance and coldness. Not like lovers reunited after a long separation, but like complete strangers. Damien felt a pang of deep unfairness. He had purposely brought the Reed family here, initially thinking that after years of not seeing them and Seraphina, we could catch up. He knew our past relationship wasn’t close, but they were still family, and what parents and children held grudges overnight? Couldn’t they just talk it out? So, on the way, he had specifically instructed them not to be so aggressive when they met me, to sit down and talk things through. Mr. and Mrs. Reed and Seraphina had all readily agreed. He truly hadn’t known they would start a scene like this! But if he were truly honest, Damien knew this was his fault too. So he managed to suppress the bitterness in his heart and reorganized his words before speaking. “Anya, it’s been a long time.” Damien had missed me terribly, thinking of our reunion every waking moment for five years. But countless failed attempts had made him almost believe he would never see me again. Now that we finally met again, he had countless words he wanted to say to me, but he didn’t know where to begin. But while he wanted to reminisce, I, the Anya he had longed for, had no interest whatsoever. “You brought them here just to make trouble for me? Damien Thorne, aside from running away from the wedding, have I ever wronged you? The person you love wasn’t me to begin with, and your claims of loving me and wanting to marry me were just to stop me from hindering Seraphina and Sterling Vance, right? I’ve already chosen not to dwell on how you deceived my feelings for Seraphina, couldn’t we just call it even? Why do you insist on appearing in front of me again?” I paused, then turned to look at Mr. and Mrs. Reed and Seraphina, who were still glaring at me, my voice filled with bewilderment. “You say I’m unfilial, but have you ever fulfilled a single day of your responsibilities as parents? Have you ever treated me like your daughter? And you say I snatched things from Seraphina? That’s laughable. No matter what it was, if Seraphina liked it, I always had to give it to her—my room, my academic achievements, your love, my friends, my lovers. I gave everything to her. Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? From now on, you’re only her parents. Sterling Vance, Damien Thorne, whether it’s the person she wanted or the things she desired, what did she not get? What else do you want me to give?” By the end, my emotions were running high. These two speeches encapsulated the heartbreak of my past twenty-odd years. My chest heaved violently, yet my words left everyone present in stunned silence. Caleb Hayes had guessed there was a story behind me, but I hadn’t told him, so he pretended not to know. Even if our remaining lives were intertwined, he had never intended to pry into my secrets. He had never imagined that the truth hidden in that past, which we all instinctively avoided, would be like this. He stepped forward and gently took my hand. His warm touch banished the cold from my palm. Eleanor and Arthur Grey also approached, shielding me. Although they had initially been confused upon learning I had birth parents, and their relationship with me began purely as a financial arrangement, they had, after all, cherished me as their own daughter for five years. Now that they knew my history, their eyes were filled with overwhelming pity. Sensing their concern, I couldn’t hold back, my eyes reddening. I squeezed their hands tightly in return. It was only at this moment that Damien and his group finally saw this family in its entirety. Their relationship was clearly not that of employer and staff. My accusations against them still echoed in the air. Seeing my clear dependence on these people now, Mr. and Mrs. Reed’s eyes twitched. A sense of unease rose within them, and they instinctively blurted out, “What do you mean by this?” Hearing their voices, my attention returned to them. Looking at their disheveled state, I suddenly laughed. I spread my hands, then pointed to each person beside me, introducing them. “He is my husband, legally protected. They are my parents, also in the legal sense. And as for you, you actually ceased to have any connection with me five years ago.” At my words, they all froze, utterly unable to believe their ears. Damien’s face was filled with incredulity. He unconsciously released Mrs. Reed’s hand, stumbling a few steps forward, trying to grab my hand. But Arthur Grey blocked him, slapping his outstretched hand away, his brows deeply furrowed. “Say what you need to say, but don’t get handsy here.” Arthur had no goodwill towards these people now. They had children, then neglected them, favoring one to the extreme, yet still claiming to be my parents. From the moment they arrived until now, had a single kind word left their lips? Especially this Damien Thorne, who acted like he loved Anya, yet didn’t even know her family situation, and still dared to bring such parents to her doorstep, prattling on about “long time no see.” What a hypocrite. Arthur used considerable force, making Damien’s wrist sting. He bit down hard to keep from crying out, but while he could endure the physical pain, the anguish in his heart was unbearable. He didn’t dare to get closer. Instead, from behind Arthur, he explained to me, his face pale, “Anya, no, it’s not like that. Actually, I had already fallen in love with you even before you left. I was just too slow to realize it. But in these five years you’ve been gone, my heart has been ripped to shreds every single day. I dream of seeing you again, of telling you that I truly know I was wrong. Can you give me another chance?” Looking at his heartbroken expression, I felt absolutely nothing. I watched his performance in silence, calculating how much genuine emotion he had in that moment. After all, with his acting skills, he could fake 100% love for me even while loving someone else. Who knew if his words now were true or false? Seeing I didn’t answer, Damien’s gaze fell on my hand, tightly clasped with Caleb Hayes’s. He seemed to suddenly understand something, and his expression grew agitated. “I know, you’re just still angry with me, right? Anya, I’m sorry, can I apologize to you? I’ve checked, he’s just someone you hired with money, but our seven years together were real! Look, I even brought our wedding rings. I had yours re-forged and engraved with our names. I promise you, from now on, whatever you say goes. You don’t like the Reed family? I won’t associate with them anymore either. Please… Anya, don’t leave me…” By the end of his plea, his voice was choked with sobs. His overly sincere performance made Arthur and Eleanor hesitate. Could he truly love Anya? They turned to look at Caleb Hayes, a hint of apprehension in their eyes. Their relationship with me was born of money, and they couldn’t be sure if five years of companionship could truly replace Damien Thorne, who had been by my side for so long in the past. My feet shifted slightly. I stepped past Arthur. Caleb’s heart lurched. He instinctively tightened his grip on my hand. I turned back, gave him a small smile, and patted his hand reassuringly. “Wait for me.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298584”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I’d been with the crime lord for six years. But on my birthday, he brought home another girl. He was covered in blood, and the dainty girl was tucked safely in his arms. From that moment on, he, who had indulged my every whim, never spared me another glance. Everyone assumed I was heartbroken, utterly devastated by my unrequited love for Julian. I just smiled, fiddling with the watch on my wrist. I was an undercover agent for the police, planted deep within the West Coast’s largest criminal enterprise. All these years I’d spent by his side were to put him behind bars. How could I possibly… fall for him? Late at night, the mansion was still blazing with lights. I sat on the sofa, relighting the candles on the cake. “Anya, don’t wait up.” “The boss said he won’t be coming…” The lighter clicked open and shut in my hand, a flicker of flame springing to life then dying. I stared at the tiny fire. “If he doesn’t come back, I’ll just keep waiting.” “He promised to spend every birthday with me. What kind of excuse is breaking that promise?” “…” But in reality, the clock on the wall already showed three in the morning. He wasn’t coming back. I was stuck in the mansion with a whole bunch of his men, just waiting. To those who knew, I was waiting for him to celebrate my birthday. To those who didn’t, it looked like I was waiting for him to start a war. Finally, just a second before the clock struck four AM, the roar of a car engine echoed from downstairs. “Anya! The boss is back!” Someone rushed upstairs, shouting the news to me. I stood up, walking to the banister and looking down. Yes, he was back. I frowned, asking the man who stood downstairs, watching me with an unreadable expression. “Julian, who’s the woman in your arms?”

Julian had a long knife scar, tracing from his eyebrow down to his cheekbone. It was still bleeding freely. Looking at it now, it only added a touch of savagery to his otherwise refined and handsome face. I reached for some gauze to dab at his wound, but he caught my wrist. “Anya, have I been too lenient with you all these years, hmm?” His fingers traced my pulse point, lingering. That’s just how he was; all his ruthlessness and threats hidden beneath tender gestures. I lowered my eyes. “Lenient? I don’t think so.” He chuckled softly, his thumb rubbing my radial bone, light and languid. “Really? Then why did you call so many people to my house…?” “Someone might think I’m running a mob.” As if he *wasn’t* a mob boss. He clawed his way up from a life of constant violence and bloodshed, his empire built on a mountain of bodies and broken lives. Oh, but now he’d gone legit, transformed into a celebrated young entrepreneur. The newspapers were full of praise, calling him a rising star. It made me sick to my stomach. “Who’s the girl you brought back?” I didn’t struggle hard, just enough for him to release my hand. And successfully changed the subject. But he simply arched an eyebrow, carefully avoiding my gaze. “None of your business.” He stood up, taking the gauze from my hand, then leaned down to press a kiss on the corner of my lips. “You have time to worry about what woman I bring home…” “But no time to worry about how I got this wound, huh?” He finished, biting my neck lightly, almost as punishment. “All that effort for nothing.”

The wind in Arcadia Bay was particularly strong these days. Or perhaps it was just this abandoned building I was in, letting drafts in from every corner. In the distance, I could faintly hear the sounds of punching and kicking, but someone beside me offered a cigarette. I pushed it away. “Julian doesn’t like me smoking.” … “Find out everything you can about the girl Julian brought back last night.” I turned to the man beside me. He’d been with me since I joined the organization. They called him Leo Hayes, for his rank, but I usually called him Leo. He’d been with me so long, he’d started saying things others wouldn’t dare. “Anya, sigh…” “You’re the smartest woman I know.” “So, you should understand that love, that kind of thing, shouldn’t be a part of our lives.” “…” He stood beside me, hands shoved in his pockets, watching the desolate, ruined lot with me. “Which one of us hasn’t got blood on our hands?” “The boss might be going legit now, but he’ll never marry someone with blood on their hands like us.” “We’ve all taken the fall for him, and he treats us well for it, sure. But a proper, legitimate place in his life? A title? That’s never going to happen…” Yes, Julian trusted me so deeply, pampered me so much all these years, precisely because I’d taken the fall for him. Over the years, the blood on my hands was substantial enough that sometimes, in the dead of night, when I looked at myself, I saw the vengeful spirits coming for me. Sometimes, I even forgot my true identity. An undercover agent, a nail driven deep into the dark, a long, deadly fuse. Thirteen years of my life, bought with the blood of my comrades. No one came to the abandoned building, and the sounds of fighting had long since stopped. I looked up, gazing at the bright white clouds against the clear sky. I didn’t care how many women Julian had; I was only afraid. Afraid that decades of careful preparation would be ruined by an unpredictable factor. “Come on, let’s go meet the little girl he brought back.” I turned to the man behind me.

Unlike the lingering cries in the abandoned building, Julian’s mansion was quiet and peaceful. As I entered, I saw a girl with braided hair, lying on the sofa reading a book. Seeing me, she startled, immediately becoming reserved. “You…” The girl’s eyes darted away when she saw me, then she lowered her lashes. “Are you… the boss’s wife?” I was surprised by her words and sat down beside her. “No.” “Oh…” The girl shrank back into the corner, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. “I thought only a woman as beautiful and outstanding as you could be worthy of Julian.” “…” There was a wide-eyed, almost childish innocence in her gaze. I grimaced inwardly. Another girl completely taken in by Julian’s facade. Just as I was about to reach out and pat her head, someone suddenly called out. “Anya, the boss said you’re not to touch Ms. Carter.” The guard appeared quickly, stepping in front of me. If not for the lingering respect, he would’ve practically dragged me away. “Please, don’t come to this mansion again. It belongs to Ms. Carter now.” The girl, startled, curled up even tighter, and I simply raised an eyebrow. Tsk, tsk, such a high level of protection. “Fine, I’m leaving.” Julian had brought back many women over the years, but she was the first to be protected like this.

“Anya, this is all the information we could find.” In the car, Leo leaned over to hand me a file. The information was sparse, but even this little bit was probably what Julian *wanted* me to find. Ms. Carter’s full name was Lily Carter. She was three years younger than Julian. And she grew up in… the same area as Julian. Before Julian brought her back, she worked at an orphanage. Her record was spotless, practically screaming “innocent hothouse flower.” “The boss seems… different with her.” Leo whispered in my ear. Indeed, this Lily Carter—could she really be Julian’s ‘white moonlight’—that pure, untainted love in his dark, twisted world? I bit my nail, thinking. As far as I knew, Julian had very few weaknesses left. He had no parents, clawed his way up from the bottom, even joined this organization later than I did. Young, yet ruthless. I’d watched him climb, then stuck with him, choosing the right man, and also the wrong one. Right, because I became his confidante; cutting me off would be like severing his own arm. Wrong, because… I hadn’t anticipated his explosive rise. By the time I realized it, it was too late. My thoughts were interrupted by Leo’s next words. He clapped my shoulder. “The boss said…” “He wants to eat your cooking.” “…” If Julian wanted to eat, I had to cook for him. I offered a slight smile and told the driver to turn around. To the grocery store, to buy ingredients.

The mansion where Lily Carter stayed was just one of Julian’s many insignificant properties. The place I was in now was the closest thing to Julian’s “home.” A simple apartment building, yet under the watchful eyes of countless bodyguards. I carried the groceries upstairs alone, then washed vegetables, boiled water, and cooked. Julian had eaten every delicacy imaginable, so why would he be so fond of my homemade food? But every time he watched me cook, his gaze would stick to me. It truly gave the illusion of a wife and husband, making my stomach churn. This time, I was preparing fish on the cutting board when he suddenly embraced me from behind. I hadn’t even realized he was there. “Don’t touch me, I smell fishy.” “Fishy where?” He chuckled, brushing my hair aside, playfully toying with my earring. I turned on the faucet, washing the fish blood from my hands. “Not cooking anymore? We can do it after, if you want.” His kisses rained down on my neck. I shifted uncomfortably, half-resisting, half-yielding. Until my gaze met his eyes—bright, fragmented. Even his smile was a practiced, dangerously charming thing. I lowered my eyes, finally pushing him away. “Are you mad?” He asked, slightly teasing, pinching my cheek. “Didn’t give you a birthday, and now you’ve turned into a little pufferfish?” “Who’s a pufferfish…?” That was a genuine retort, but he just tapped my nose. “You, my little pufferfish. All puffed up and prickly, stubborn, and… heartbreaking.” “…” The marble countertop was still clean. He lifted me and placed me on it. He leaned down and kissed me, everything around me spiraling into chaos. I couldn’t breathe, my fingers digging into his sleeve. Until he finally pulled back, smiling down at me. I suddenly realized I was still so young; I didn’t even understand what his smile meant. “Do you know why I was so injured when I brought Lily Carter back that day?” “Because she had something interesting.” He pulled a photo from somewhere, handing it to me. I smoothed it out, staring at the image. “Anya, don’t you think this is fascinating?” He spoke next to my ear, his soft chuckle clearly audible. “She said she’d seen you. She called you… Officer Miller.” The photo showed me in a police uniform, posing with children from an orphanage. He leaned down, kissing the tip of my nose. “Hm? Sweetheart, care to explain?” “…” I looked down, staring at the photo. The tofu soup on the stove was still bubbling softly. He watched me silently, as if not wanting to miss a single one of my expressions. After a long moment, I chuckled, lifting my hand to punch his arm gently. “What’s the meaning of this? Julian, have you forgotten…?” “I graduated from the police academy, I just got… kicked out later.” When they first set up my cover, they’d considered the possibility of my police academy past surfacing. So the department simply gave me the identity of someone permanently expelled from the academy for disciplinary issues. He looked down at me, his eyes dark. I was pressed tightly against the countertop. I wondered if this incredibly paranoid lunatic would pick up the knife from the cutting board and stab me. Until he let out a soft laugh. He rubbed my waist, not too gently, not too roughly. “Oh? Really?” “My apologies, I completely forgot.” “…” He released his grip on me, smiling easily. He even had the leisure to take the ladle from the pot and stir the soup. “Dinner won’t be long, will it?” “I’m so hungry, Anya.” Even as he said it, his gaze was fixed intently on me. I pressed my lips together, straightened my clothes, and nodded. As I smoothed my shirt, I understood why he’d rubbed my waist just now. My back was already drenched in sweat.

That meal, at least for me, was tasteless. In fact, every day I spent with Julian was tasteless. I longed to put those silver handcuffs on this man’s wrists. I thought about it every single day, to the point of madness. Until a light, lazy voice broke my thoughts. “Anya, a shipment will be docking at East Harbor tomorrow. I need you to handle it personally.” I looked up, meeting the man’s eyes across the dinner table. “The buyer is very cautious. Go alone; don’t bring anyone.” “…” I paused, subconsciously asking him. “What kind of shipment?” He stared at me, smiling mysteriously. I knew then that I shouldn’t ask. Julian was always like this, even keeping things from me. Otherwise, collecting evidence these past few years wouldn’t have been so slow. I nodded, picked up my bag, and headed for the door. “Okay, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head out. I…” But as I passed him, he caught my wrist. “Why are you so distracted today?” His fingers casually brushed my pulse point, showing no intention of letting me go. I managed a bitter smile. “I just finished dealing with a subordinate this afternoon. I’m probably… a little tired.” He didn’t speak, but he also didn’t release me. The room fell completely silent. I could only feel his thumb stroking my wrist, again and again. Until his voice softened. “Stay tonight, hmm?” In that instant, my first thought was to refuse. “No, I have things to do tomorrow… Mmph.” Then I was abruptly pulled into his arms, pressed against the dining table, his kisses raining down on my neck. The dim, yellow light flickered, and in my panic, I met his eyes. He was always like this when he was aroused. Controlled, yet his eyes were red. Frenzied, yet… restrained.

I barely slept all night. So, it was no surprise that I woke up late the next day. The bedsheets were tangled, and the man was no longer beside me. I got up, then tried to clear my chaotic thoughts, and took a shower. The deal Julian mentioned was scheduled for midnight tonight at East Harbor. So I still had time to get ready, but before that, I needed to think about two things. First, what exactly was Lily Carter to Julian, and what was her motive? If she truly was Julian’s ‘white moonlight,’ that would be great. Then Julian would have a weakness, and an enemy with a weakness would be far less threatening. If she wasn’t, then it would be a huge problem. She was coming for *me*, trying to take me down. Why, I didn’t know. Whether she could become an ally, I also didn’t know. Second, had my identity been exposed to Julian? This was my biggest fear. Julian was utterly unpredictable; no one knew his next move. Everyone in the game feared him because he’d invite you for tea while he was simultaneously plunging a knife into your back. As I pondered, my hand instinctively went to the phone card hidden in the inner pocket of my bag. This was given to me by the department—my last resort. That year, Chief Jenkins had clapped my shoulder and told me that if there ever came a day when I couldn’t continue my undercover work, I should call this number. The department would do everything to protect me, even if it meant pulling me out of a wolf’s den. But if I made that call, everything would be for nothing. Everything I’d sacrificed. Six years of endurance, the blood of my comrades, every step I’d taken against justice. I would become a criminal in the eyes of the law, because all those sacrifices would have been for naught. I dreamed of putting handcuffs on Julian’s wrists, I dreamed of it constantly. After flipping that phone card countless times, I finally closed my eyes. And put it back in the inner pocket.

Eleven thirty PM. My car sped down the empty highway. Even before arriving, I could almost smell the salty, damp air of the sea. I parked my car, facing the port. Several black sedans were already there. Their headlights glared directly at me. To be honest, it was impossible for me not to notice something off about this mission. But how could I defy Julian? Defy him, and I’d be exposed. I got out of the car, hands in my trench coat pockets, squinting at the man sitting on the hood of one of the cars. He was my contact for this deal. They called him Big Roman on the streets; true to his name, he was ruthless and insane. And I heard he had a lot of dirty business… “Looks like my ‘delivery’… arrived perfectly?” He swaggered down from the car, sizing me up. His gaze made me uncomfortable, but I still calmly handed him the box from the back seat. “The goods are here. Check them yourself.” He merely raised an eyebrow, looking at me. “Ms. Miller, could you please open the box for me?” His eyes were still glued to me, a leering smile on his face. I think that’s when I truly knew something was wrong. But with those car headlights aimed directly at me, where could I go? The box was opened, revealing heavy stones inside. His hoarse, perverse laugh pierced my eardrums. “Heh heh, Ms. Miller…” “Don’t you understand yet? The ‘goods’…” “Are you.”

“Julian! I want to see Julian!” “You can’t do this to me! Let me see Julian!” “Julian! Julian! Julian!” The iron shackles on my wrists rattled loudly, but the only reply was the drip, drip, drip of water from the corners of the room. I swallowed, realizing my throat was raw from screaming. I huddled in the corner, not because I was scared, but because… I was cold. Yes, I’d suspected Julian was onto me for a while. But I truly couldn’t understand why he would sell me out so decisively. Putting aside any feelings we might have had over the years, just for all the things I’d done for him, he should have trusted me more. He just sold me out? Because of a few words from Lily Carter? I instinctively started biting my nails, but the more I thought, the more tangled everything became. The only thing I could be certain of in this mess was that I couldn’t die. I couldn’t die, no matter what, because the mission wasn’t complete. So now, the only one who could save me was Julian. That’s why I kept shouting his name. I couldn’t decipher his feelings for me all these years, but one thing was clear: no one would willingly spend five birthdays with a stranger. Especially not a monster like Julian, who had lost all humanity. So, even if it was a gamble, I had to try. As I relentlessly screamed his name again, someone finally opened the iron door. “Seriously, aren’t you tired of screaming?” “Julian’s not coming to save you! Damn it, if the boss wasn’t planning to sell your organs.” “I’d really like to have some fun with you.” “…” I gasped, staring intently at the man. “Let me see Julian…” “Damn it, I told you there’s no…” Just as the man’s foot was about to kick me, someone suddenly stopped him. It was… Big Roman. “Let me see Julian! I have something to tell him!” There was no response, so I raised my voice. “I said I want to see Julian! Julian!” My handcuffs rattled with a loud clang, until at one point, a low, calm voice came from above me. I stopped. “What’s all the noise about?” “Anya, who are you trying to charm?” “…” I truly hadn’t expected Julian to be here. So, the moment I heard his voice, I froze for no reason. Not even the tips of his shoes were dusty. I, covered in dirt, had to crane my neck to look at his pristine figure. “Julian, why do you suspect me?” “I’ve been with you all these years. Why would you suspect me without even asking?” “Did you ever consider that Lily Carter, she… she framed me…” I tried to make my expression as sincere as possible, until he knelt down in front of me. His fingers gently caressed my cheek. Anyone watching would think he was comforting his lover. “Even now, I still find myself going soft for you, Anya.” “Anya, blame it on… you provoking me.” The hand caressing my jaw slowly moved to my neck, and he gradually tightened his grip. I slowly found it harder to breathe, staring into his eyes, just staring. They were like a dark, bottomless abyss, revealing no depths, no ravenous beast lurking within. Until he suddenly released me. I fell to the floor, coughing violently. Through my blurry vision, I heard his voice, directed at Big Roman. “She’s all yours to play with.” “…” I coughed, my eyes fixed on his pristine pant leg. Before he left, those were the last words I spoke to him. “Lily Carter definitely lied to you.” “Why won’t you… believe me?” He left. After the resounding clang of the lock, the basement returned to silence. It felt like everything was over, and before me lay a path leading to hell. But was it truly over?

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The woman who inspected me said I was a once-in-a-century find, a true enchantress in bed, designed for unparalleled pleasure. And so, I was delivered to the most powerful arms dealer in the region, right onto his bed. “No… it’s too much, I can’t take it…” Feeling that terrifying heat, my face went deathly pale with fear. But the man just chuckled, relentless, pushing deeper until there was nowhere else to go. My vision blurred, and my mind went blank. “Don’t worry, your surprise will be unimaginable.” The man bent down, biting hard on my earlobe, his voice a sinister whisper, “Tell me, who’s better, me or Rhys?” … Right after graduation, tricked by a promise of a high-paying job, I was sold into a lawless territory in Southeast Asia. It was pure hell. Every girl there was broken beyond recognition. The moment I arrived at the compound, a group of thugs swarmed me, tearing at my clothes, threatening to live stream their vile ‘entertainment’. Their lewd laughter plunged me into utter despair. Just as I was about to bite off my tongue to end it all, a gunshot rang out. A man’s deep voice declared, “She’s mine.” No one dared to challenge him. Later, I learned his name was Julian. He was the king of this hellhole. On the surface, he was a respected business magnate, but secretly, he controlled half of the region’s darkest dealings. Trembling, I clung to the hem of his pants. For the next seven years, I transformed from an innocent girl into the most venomous rose in his empire. By day, I handled his dirty business, deflecting dangerous threats. By night, I entwined with him, surrendering myself, enjoying a tenderness he showed to no one else. Everyone said Julian adored me, that marrying me was only a matter of time. Until that day. He’d just found his release when he pushed me away, rising from the bed. His voice was as dispassionate as if he were discussing the weather: “Three days from now, at the Gray family banquet, you’ll sleep with Rhys Carter.” “Only if Seraphina sees it with her own eyes will she give up and come back to me.” It was like a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head; my blood turned to ice in my veins. “Seraphina is a germaphobe; she won’t touch anything someone else has touched.” “Here’s a packet of powder. Find a way to get Rhys Carter to drink it. I’ll arrange the room, and then I’ll bring Seraphina to catch you.” Seraphina Gray, the eldest daughter of one of the region’s four powerful families. And his unattainable ideal, the woman he truly loved but couldn’t have. Her heart and soul were only for Julian’s sworn enemy, Rhys Carter. Over the years, Julian had argued with her countless times because of this. The fiercest fight they’d ever had was when Julian took a knife for her. His wound hadn’t even been bandaged, but Seraphina couldn’t wait to rush off to see Rhys Carter. Julian went absolutely ballistic. He, still wounded, went to the compound, looking to vent his rage on some disobedient captives, when he stumbled upon me, about to be defiled. Perhaps to spite Seraphina, he staged a dramatic rescue. From then on, I became his constant companion, his shadow. He wanted to prove to Seraphina that the genuine affection she trampled on was something others desperately craved. The good things she disdained, someone else would cherish. So, after that, with jewels and designer clothes, I lacked nothing Seraphina had. Anything she didn’t have, I had double. At one cocktail party, a spoiled rich kid, drunk, flirted with me. Julian put a bullet through his jaw. He made an enemy of that family, and when ten armored cars surrounded us, he still smiled, reassuring me, “Scared? Next time anyone dares to touch you, I’ll kill their entire family.” From then on, everyone in the underworld knew that the girl by Mr. Julian’s side was untouchable. Hearing it so often, even I started to believe in the illusion that maybe, just maybe, he truly loved me. Until now, seeing the icy indifference in his eyes, I knew the truth. The last spark of hope in my heart shattered. I took the packet of powder he offered, nodding calmly. “Okay.” Julian paused while putting on his shirt, seemingly surprised by my compliance. “You can refuse if you don’t want to. After all, you’re a girl, your reputation matters.” As he spoke, he reached out to pull me into an embrace, but I stepped back, avoiding him. I clutched the powder, my knuckles white. “I’m willing.” His hand hung in the air. He gazed at me for a long moment before shrugging with a faint smile, “Suit yourself.” Then, just like countless times after our intimate moments, he helped me put on my underwear. His hot breath brushed my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “I know you’re easily embarrassed. Just take off your jacket for show, you don’t actually have to go through with it.” He gently stroked my hair, his tone both tender and cruel. “If you pull this off, I can grant you one wish. Anything.” I looked up at his handsome face, a faint smile playing on my lips. “Okay, thank you, Mr. Julian.” As the sun rose, the lingering warmth of the previous night’s intimacy slowly faded to cold. As I turned to leave, he suddenly called out, “Cassie.” It was the same soft whisper he used during our most passionate nights. He stood against the light, his eyes deep. “If you ever fall for someone, tell me. I’ll prepare your dowry… We can part ways amicably.” Seven years ago, at eighteen, Julian rescued me, barely clothed, from the clutches of those monsters. From the first moment I saw him, I knew we weren’t meant for a future together. These seven years I’d had with him felt like stolen moments, a bonus I never deserved. I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and forced a smile. “Okay.” Perhaps out of guilt, Julian splurged at an auction, buying me a pair of exquisite jade bracelets. As he was putting them on my wrist, Seraphina burst in, crying. She shoved me aside. I fell to the ground, the bracelets shattering, leaving a ghastly gash on my arm. “Rhys Carter said he hates me!” Her face streaked with tears, she cried, “He actually had his bodyguards throw me out!” Normally, if anyone dared to touch a hair on my head, Julian would make them wish they were dead. But at this moment, he merely glanced at my bleeding hand, then gently cupped Seraphina’s face, wiping away her tears. “After all these years, you still haven’t given up?” he scoffed. “Rhys Carter left the country just to avoid you, and you chased him abroad without an ounce of shame.” Seraphina angrily hit his chest. Julian’s expression darkened, then softened as he coaxed, “Chasing a man requires strategy. Throwing yourself at him like that will only make him look down on you.” Seraphina pouted, hurt. “Then what should I do?” Julian’s lips curved into a smirk as he looked at me. “Rhys Carter loves your rosewater pastries the most. Go prepare some, and say Miss Seraphina specially learned to make them for him.” Although Julian and Rhys were bitter rivals, their families had long-standing ties, so they maintained a facade of civility. Rhys Carter would always visit Julian’s estate whenever he returned to the region. The meals served to him were always prepared by my own hands. He had praised my cooking more than once. I thought, perhaps this was also why Julian believed I could get Rhys Carter into bed. As I got up to prepare, I heard Seraphina’s harsh sneer, “Is this the trash you picked up from that dirty place?” “Weren’t you treating her like a treasure, holding her in the palm of your hand? Now you actually dare to order her around?” Julian chuckled softly, “Are you jealous? Marry me, and everything she has will be yours.” “Forget ordering her around; she can be your maid if you wish.” My heart felt as if it had been pierced by a sharp blade, the pain so intense it almost suffocated me. In the kitchen, the maids who used to flatter me now bowed their heads, pretending not to see me. Everyone understood: I was out of favor. I arrived at Carter Corp. I walked straight to Rhys Carter’s office without any obstruction. Unlike Julian’s domineering, oppressive presence; Rhys Carter was coolly aristocratic, his shirt meticulously buttoned to the collar, his suit impeccably tailored. There was no trace of the ruthless killer he was rumored to be. He was looking at documents when I entered, appearing even more distant and cold than three years ago. His trembling subordinates quietly retreated. I hesitated, then spoke, “Mr. Carter…” “Get out.” His voice was devoid of hesitation, but then he saw me and abruptly stopped. “Julian sent you?” “It was Miss Seraphina. She heard you love rosewater pastries, and specially…” Before I could finish, he suddenly pulled open a drawer and took out a red velvet box. He rose and walked directly towards me. I thought he was leaving. Just as I was about to ask him to stay, he handed me the box. “Is this for Miss Seraphina?” I asked, bewildered. “It’s for you.” Rhys Carter took out a necklace from the box, reached around, and fastened it around my neck himself. I stood there, stunned. He used to send me gifts, but I always thought it was out of respect for Julian. As I left, I cautiously asked, “Mr. Carter, Miss Seraphina’s birthday banquet in three days…” “Do you want to see me there?” he interrupted, asking instead. I instinctively nodded. A smile touched his lips. “Good. If you want to see me, I’ll definitely be there.” My heart fluttered, and I almost fled in a panic. Just outside the Carter Corp doors, I bumped into Julian, who was rushing over. His expression was tense. He grabbed my arm, pulling me closer. “Why did delivering a simple package take so long? Did Rhys Carter give you trouble?” His gaze fell on the necklace around my neck, and his face instantly darkened. “Mr. Carter sent it…” I whispered in explanation. Julian ripped it off immediately. I cried out in pain. Then, he ordered his men, “Buy ten identical ones and send them to Mr. Carter. My woman never wears gifts from other men.” Julian was angry. But I didn’t understand why he was angry. Wasn’t Rhys Carter showing interest in me exactly what he wanted? Back at Julian’s estate, Julian roughly pulled me, pushing open the door to a guest room. Meeting my questioning gaze, he irritably loosened his collar. “Seraphina will be staying here for a few days. She liked your room, so you can make do here for now.” I nodded, silently beginning to pack my belongings. In my ears, he was cursing Rhys Carter’s despicable character, accusing him of stealing his woman. Suddenly, he stopped talking. I looked up and met his deep, penetrating gaze. I knew that look all too well; he would always stare at me like a hungry wolf when desire stirred within him. “Mr. Julian, you should go back,” I quickly said. “Miss Seraphina is waiting for you in her room.” He didn’t listen. He simply took off his shirt. “Did Rhys Carter agree to go to the birthday banquet?” “Yes.” Julian’s movements paused. After a long moment, he said, “Remember, it’s just an act. Don’t let him actually touch you.” On the night of the banquet, getting close to Rhys Carter was easier than I’d imagined. The notoriously cold and aloof underworld figure seemed to have no defenses against me. “Try this.” I handed him the juice I had drugged. Rhys Carter was about to drink when he suddenly looked up at me. “Have you thought this through?” My heart leaped, but I pretended not to understand what he meant. Watching him drink it all, I helped him up and led him to the suite upstairs. My hands trembled uncontrollably as I took off his clothes. “Cassandra.” He suddenly opened his eyes, which seemed to burn with a fierce fire. His body was scorching hot, the heat radiating through our touching skin, threatening to melt me. I frantically tried to escape, but he pulled me into his arms. “Mr. C-Carter…” Rhys Carter’s intense gaze locked onto me, like he was assessing his prey. Suddenly, he cupped my chin and kissed me hard. It was wilder, more brutal than any kiss Julian had ever given me, with a suffocating invasiveness. I instinctively struggled, but then my mind flashed back to that day in the compound, to my utter despair. It was Julian who appeared in time, giving me a second chance at life. Fine, I thought. Consider this repaying his kindness. I closed my eyes, letting the man have his way with me. Rhys Carter’s kisses moved lower, leaving crimson marks on my collarbone and chest. My body slowly awakened. I gradually lost control, hearing only the pounding of my heart and the soft sounds of our mouths. It wasn’t until a sharp sting brought me back to reality that I realized things were spiraling completely out of control. One passionate encounter. Rhys Carter still wouldn’t let me go; he had drunk every last drop of the drugged wine. The effects of the drug would likely last for a long time. Sure enough, the next second, the man kissed me deeply again. I tried to break free. But suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the door. The door was violently kicked open from the outside. My body stiffened, and I instinctively held the man tighter. Rhys Carter also reacted, immediately pulling the blanket over me. But… it was already too late. Seraphina’s scream pierced the air: “You… you actually!” Julian stood in the doorway, his face terrifyingly dark. He stared fixedly at my exposed shoulder, his hands clenched into fists. But in the end, he said nothing, turning to chase after Seraphina. Only the gawking guests remained, pointing and whispering: “Is that Mr. Julian’s kept woman? She dared to sleep with Mr. Rhys.” “I heard Miss Seraphina was going to confess her feelings to Mr. Rhys today, and this ruined everything.” “She’s just a cheap whore from the criminal compound, easily seducing any man.” The cruel whispers rose and fell. Rhys Carter swept a gaze over the crowd, and they immediately fell silent. After the door closed, Rhys Carter’s aura instantly turned cold. He slowly and deliberately buttoned his shirt, as if the earlier passion had never existed. I knelt quietly on the rumpled sheets, awaiting the judgment of this terror of the underworld. Unexpectedly, my heart was eerily calm. It felt like I had finally unburdened myself of a heavy load. Whether Rhys Carter wanted my life or to make me wish I were dead, I would accept it. “Cassandra,” he suddenly said, “let’s get married.” I looked up in shock, only to see his eyes darkened. “The Carter family rule is that a man, apart from his wife, cannot touch other women.” I had no right to refuse this marriage. After the scandal broke, Carter Corp’s stock plummeted. Rhys Carter couldn’t let it go unaddressed. I didn’t know what methods he used to pressure Julian’s family. Even with their fear of Julian’s ferocious and ruthless nature, they could only hide the truth from him and give me the title of “an adopted daughter of the Julian family.” They put me in a wedding dress that very night, hastily arranging a wedding no one blessed. But everyone had worried too much. After that night, Seraphina was devastated, threatening to become a nun. Julian stayed by her side, not caring in the least about my fate. On the customary post-wedding visit, three days after the wedding, Rhys Carter suddenly said, “Julian has proposed to the Grays for Seraphina.” My fingers dug into my palm. It took me a long moment to squeeze out the words, “Mr. Julian finally got what he wanted… that’s good.” Rhys Carter stared at me intently for a long time. He suddenly reached out, and I reflexively flinched. “We’re in the car…” His fingertips hovered in the air, catching a single tear.

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President Julian Vance always loved bringing his friends home for dinner, claiming it made us feel more like a family. As I served a table full of dishes I’d cooked, one of his friends grinned and spoke up. “Mrs. Vance truly has the grace of the one and only Mrs. Vance!” My expression didn’t change. I playfully asked, “Oh? So there’s some petty little ‘other woman’ you’re comparing me to?” His friends froze, a flicker of panic in their eyes. Julian, however, just laughed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t listen to their nonsense. Besides you, who else in this world is worthy of being my wife?” Watching his nonchalant act, I smiled. But as I turned to walk away, I dialed a number. “Alex, Julian Vance is cheating. Let him rot in prison.” My brother on the other end of the line was silent for three seconds. “Clara, are you sure? Julian, he couldn’t have…” I slipped off the wedding ring from my left hand. The diamond dug painfully into my palm, a sharp echo of the pain in my heart. “We’ve been married for ten years. Every single one of his cufflinks, I had custom-made in Italy.” “But today, he’s wearing a cheap plastic flower. Alex, do you still think I’m wrong?” “You know I won’t tolerate any injustice. Expose all his dirty laundry to the world. And while you’re at it, get me the best lawyer. I want a divorce.” Hearing my words, Alex grew furious. “Consider it done.” Half an hour later, my phone pinged with an encrypted file. I clicked open the first photo: a sweet-faced girl in a white shirt, looking utterly charmed, was clinging to a man’s arm, her face beaming. On the wrist peeking out from her sleeve, I saw it—a wolf’s head tattoo, exactly like Julian’s. I didn’t hesitate. I immediately drove to his company. Minutes later, a girl with long, straight black hair, dressed in a white skirt, hurried out. I glanced at her employee badge: Willow Hayes. The moment she saw me, her face instantly drained of color, and she instinctively yanked her hands behind her back. But I still saw it: a custom-made Swiss watch. Last year, around my birthday, I received a notification for a Swiss purchase. A watch worth four-hundred-thousand dollars. A necklace valued at seven-thousand. The necklace was still carefully kept at home. The watch was on her wrist. I let out a cold laugh, cutting straight to the chase. “Ms. Hayes, your husband seems to have the same taste as mine. Even your custom-made watches have the exact same design.” Willow trembled at my words. Her painted lips gaped and closed for what felt like an eternity before she finally managed to stutter, “Y-yes… I guess men just have similar taste.” Her knuckles were white as she clutched the fabric of her dress. “Enough. Stop pretending.” “You’re the one they call the ‘other woman,’ aren’t you?” Seeing me lay it all out, Willow began to tremble even more violently, her panic palpable. “Please, don’t misunderstand. Mr. Vance just had another low blood sugar episode and fainted, and I merely helped him. His friends thought I was very attentive, and they were just joking around.” “I’m truly sorry if I caused any misunderstanding.” With that, she even exaggeratedly bowed ninety degrees to me. She put on the most pathetic, ‘poor me’ act. If I hadn’t witnessed her manipulative tactics with Julian myself, I might have actually fallen for it. Half a month ago, she posted a video on Ins. A man was swiping his card at a luxury car dealership next to a Porsche. Her caption read: “A man’s love is where his money goes.” Meanwhile, I was at home, burning with a fever so high I was drifting in and out of consciousness. I called Julian, asking him to take me to the hospital. He sounded flustered for a second, but then his voice turned hoarse, as if he was suppressing something. “Honey, I’ll have the housekeeper take you. I have something urgent here I can’t leave.” An hour later, I was in the hospital being resuscitated, suffering from pneumonia. She, however, posted a photo of herself lying in a car, a man’s perfectly sculpted abs visible, adorned with suggestive red marks. The caption: “New car and you, both forever branded as mine.” When Julian finally showed up, his shirt buttons were haphazardly fastened. He slumped by my bedside, his eyes red. Back then, I naively thought he was genuinely worried about me. But now I knew it was just the cheap guilt of a man who’d been cheating. A wave of nausea washed over me. *This* was the kind of cheap trash Julian thought was worth betraying me for? Too disgusted to watch her pathetic act any longer, I turned and left. But just as I got into my car, Julian called. The moment I answered, his voice was panicked. “Why did you suddenly decide to come to the office?”

“Why?” I started the car, asking casually. “Just had a contract to discuss, that’s all. Is there something you’re afraid I’ll find out?” Julian didn’t seem to expect such a question. His breathing hitched, and after a few seconds of silence, his voice softened, adopting his usual coaxing tone. “Honey, what are you talking about? I don’t have any secrets from you. It’s just that my office is a mess, and I’d have asked someone to tidy it up if I knew you were coming.” “Besides, how could I ever betray you? You can check anything you want.” Hearing that, I was somewhat surprised. Willow hadn’t told him I’d confronted her. I flipped through the evidence on my phone, listening to him rationalize. Three gigabytes of data, every single day somehow linked to Julian. Last Valentine’s Day, he claimed to be on a business trip abroad and couldn’t call, but he was actually with Willow, watching the Northern Lights. When my father was critically ill, I called him over thirty times, all unanswered. He was celebrating Willow’s birthday then. “I believe you, but what about that watch?” Seeing me bring it up, Julian seemed to relax a little. His voice moved closer to the receiver, a forced intimacy in his tone. “That watch? I fainted at the office, and Willow happened to pass by and took me to the hospital.” He paused, then added, “She stayed with me all night, so I bought her a watch as a thank-you. I just forgot to tell you about it.” Forgot? He seemed to forget a lot. Not just that, but also the three days and nights they spent in a hotel penthouse suite that same night. He forgot that too. A cold laugh echoed in my mind. “She’s quite meticulous, isn’t she? Even the black shirt you wore the day you fainted—she washed it, ironed it, and returned it spotless the next day.” Julian on the other end clearly stiffened, his breathing momentarily catching. Then he chuckled, trying to brush it off. “Isn’t she though? Such a thoughtful young woman.” “See, you’re always so suspicious. You’re the only one in my heart, honey.” His voice was close to the receiver, full of forced intimacy. “After this busy period, I’ll take you to the Maldives for a make-up vacation, just the two of us. How does that sound?” That gentle tone used to melt my heart, but now, it only made me sick. “Sounds great.” I gazed out at the passing city lights, my voice as calm as if discussing the weather. “But you focus on your important business first. Don’t let me get in the way.” “Nothing is more important than spending time with you, honey.” Julian’s voice held an eager, pleading note, but my heart grew colder and colder. Not because Julian had betrayed me and cheated, but because I couldn’t believe they’d been putting on this act right under my nose for so long. My grip on the steering wheel tightened. I fought the urge to confront Julian then and there. I wanted him to admit his relationship with Willow in front of everyone, then utterly ruin both of them. I mumbled a few noncommittal words and ended the call. Just then, Willow’s Ins account updated. The screen showed her in a complex, diamond-studded wedding gown, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Another mistress tried to cause trouble today, wanting to take my place. Mr. Vance is making it up to me—he’s finally going to marry me!” “I only mentioned wanting a castle wedding, and he bought me an entire castle!” She hooked her lips, and the camera casually swept over a property deed. “And these wineries! He actually wants me to manage them!” “How could a little airhead like me possibly do that? Luckily, Mr. Vance promised to accompany me to assert my authority, so no one tries to bully me because I’m young!” Watching the video, seeing the property deed with my French name printed on it, a wave of pure fury surged through me. Those wineries were a coming-of-age gift from my brother.

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During a family dinner with our parents, my husband’s junior, Seraphina, threw a projected delivery bill onto the table in front of me. She declared that she was having my husband’s baby, and demanded I split the one hundred and sixty thousand dollars for the delivery and postpartum care. I stared at my husband, utterly stunned. I desperately hoped he would offer an explanation. Instead, he took Sera’s hand and turned to me, saying, “Sera is so lonely. I promised her a child, my own flesh and blood. As my wife, it’s your responsibility to share the expenses. Stop trying to shirk it.” In that moment, a chilling realization hit me. Nine years of marriage—it was all a pathetic joke. Some people truly belong in the trash. Just as we settled in for dinner with both our families, my husband’s junior slammed a bill onto my face. She stood, chin lifted high, a smug, triumphant smirk plastered across her face, like she’d just won the damn lottery. “Alex wants me to be a surrogate for him. I’ve calculated the costs from pregnancy to delivery, plus postpartum care—it comes to a hundred and sixty thousand. We’ll split it.” A suffocating silence descended upon the dining table. My parents, who had been clinking glasses and chatting cheerfully with my in-laws, froze, utterly bewildered. I stared at my husband, speechless. I prayed he would tell me it was all a sick joke. We were a couple, married for nine years, and we had always been childfree by choice. Now, someone else was having his child, and I hadn’t even known about it. I couldn’t believe this was real. But there he was, my husband, his fingers intertwined with another woman’s. His gaze on me was cold, ruthless. “Chloe, this child will be my flesh and blood. As my wife, it’s your responsibility to cover half the expenses. Stop trying to dodge it.” Emboldened by Alex’s support, Sera Blackwood shot me a defiant look, then lightly kissed Alex’s lips right in front of me. Then, she produced a signed agreement. “Regarding me having Alex’s child, I have three conditions.” “First, from now until I give birth, you must serve me well until the baby arrives safely.” “Second, after the baby is born, to help me care for the child, Alex will stay with me on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He can only return to you on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You are not allowed to be jealous.” “Third, Alex’s and my child will be his sole heir and will inherit all of his assets. To guarantee the child’s inheritance rights, you must undergo a tubal ligation.” Listening to her outrageous demands, my parents finally snapped out of their initial shock. My mother’s face darkened, and she couldn’t hold back her anger. “What absurd nonsense are you talking about!” She turned to my in-laws. “Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, aren’t you going to do something about this?” Sera scoffed. “My godparents have already agreed to this.” Alex’s parents had long treated Sera like their own daughter. At her words, they both chuckled and nodded. “Yes, we are already aware of this matter.” Mrs. Sterling even tried to reason with me. “Chloe, you know that Sera’s father, Professor Blackwood, was Alex’s mentor. His only dying wish was for Sera to be cared for, to have a protector. Alex is merely honoring that wish.” “You’re an educated woman, you understand what it means to show gratitude, don’t you?” I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “This repulsive affair, you call it gratitude?” Alex’s face immediately darkened. “Chloe, this is a notification, not a negotiation!” “Sera will be the mother of my child. If you speak to her like that again, don’t blame me for breaking ties with you!” I stared at him, utterly incredulous. “Alex, say that again!” He rolled his eyes in annoyance. “Chloe, I’m just trying to repay a debt of gratitude. Can’t you stop being so dramatic?” “Besides, Sera is intelligent, studious, and a high-achiever. Her excellent genes are more deserving of being passed on.” “Excellent genes?” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Her excellent genes led her to sleep with a married man?” Sera’s eyes immediately welled up. Alex shot up from his seat, shielding Sera. “Sera comes from an academic background. What do *you*, a small-town girl, know about such things?” “Besides, you refused to have my child, and now you’re going to deny me one from someone else?” A sharp pain pierced my heart. His words infuriated me completely. Before we got married, he was the one who insisted he was childfree and would never have kids. To support him, I also chose to be childfree. For nine years of marriage, my parents had subtly hinted a few times for us to have children sooner. I had always shut them down, just to avoid putting any pressure on him. Now, it was becoming his reason to condemn me? In that moment, I finally understood: nine years of marriage was nothing but a cruel joke! If he didn’t want to make it work, then none of us would! I shot to my feet, slamming my hands onto the table and flipping it over in one swift, furious motion. Plates clattered, and a rainbow of sauces and food splattered all over Sera and Alex. Sera shrieked. Alex’s face turned beet red with rage. Before he could speak, I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. Then I looked at Sera. “This garbage? I don’t want him anymore.” “You want him? He’s all yours!” “Alex, we’re getting a divorce!” I enunciated each word clearly, then turned and walked away. My parents, their faces grim, rose and followed me. Only a chaotic mess remained, and the pale faces of the Sterling family. Alex trembled, roaring at my retreating back. “Chloe! How dare you divorce me? You think that scares me?” “I’m telling you, go ahead and divorce! I’ll be just fine without you!” I didn’t look back. I hurried away from the Sterling house with my parents. I didn’t want to stay in that toxic place for another second! Alex, once you’re rid of me… Your good days are over too! After dropping my parents home, I returned to the house Alex and I shared, intending to pack my things. But as I reached the door, I saw all my belongings tossed outside, like trash. The door lock’s code had been changed. I called Alex, but he didn’t pick up. I had no choice but to try a SnapChat video call. It connected. But the person on the other end was Sera. She was sprawled across *my* wedding bed, wearing *my* favorite nightgown, her chest half-exposed, covered in fresh hickeys. Seeing me, she arched an eyebrow, her expression smug and taunting. “Alex and I are busy making babies, is there something you need this late?” I was about to speak when she casually dangled her hand. My vision blurred as I saw the diamond ring on her finger. It was my wedding ring, the one Alex and I had exchanged, a unique piece I had crafted myself. Just days ago, Alex had claimed he was taking it to be cleaned and polished. I never imagined he’d give it to Sera. Even the decorative items I used to place on the nightstand had been replaced by intimate photos of her and Alex. There were pictures of them kissing, and others of them embracing. Noticing my gaze, Sera flashed a wide smile. “Oops, my bad, Chloe. Alex said this house is mine now, and all that old junk shouldn’t be here, so I had your things thrown out.” I clutched my phone, my knuckles white. Taking a deep breath, I asked, “Where’s Alex?” She blinked. “Alex? Oh, he’s in the shower.” She sighed dramatically. “You know, Alex is so insatiable. He kept insisting on another round. I’m just… waiting for him.” A wave of nausea washed over me. “Oh, right. Alex said since you’re the one who asked for the divorce, you should just take your things and leave.” “After all, he bought this house.” Before I could reply, Alex emerged from the bathroom, stepping into view. He was wrapped in a towel from the waist down, his upper body bare, his chest covered in red marks. His eyes still held traces of lingering desire. He immediately pulled Sera into his arms, his hands roaming over her. Sera feigned embarrassment. “Alex, Chloe’s watching.” Only then did he notice me. His face instantly changed, becoming annoyed. “Didn’t you want a divorce? Why are you crawling back in the middle of the night? This place has nothing to do with you anymore!” The fury in my chest finally erupted. “Alex, don’t forget, I put up the money for this house! And the startup capital for your company? I sold two tech patents for that! Even your first major deal came through my connections! Did you really get so full of yourself just because people call you ‘Mr. Sterling’? What right do you have to kick me out?” Alex had been on his high horse for too long; it had been ages since anyone ripped off his facade. Hearing me expose his dirty secrets, his face twisted in extreme ugliness. “Chloe, don’t flatter yourself! Everything I have now, I earned myself, and it has nothing to do with you! On the contrary, if you hadn’t married me, someone from your humble origins, would you be enjoying this good life now? For nine years, you and your parents have bled me dry. What right do you have to bark at me?” My heart ached with a searing pain. I looked at his face, contorted with rage, and my last shred of hope died. “Alex, for these nine years, every single penny my parents and I spent, I earned with my own two hands! Without me, do you really think an incompetent fool like you could be where you are today?” He gritted his teeth, seething. “I’m a high-achiever, how dare you talk about me like that? Do you honestly think the company can’t function without you? Chloe, who the hell do you think you are!” “You want to cause a scene, huh? Fine! I’ll give you one! Tomorrow, we’re filing for divorce, and you’re out of the company! I’ll show you that the company runs just fine without you!” “Alex, since you’re showing no mercy, don’t blame me for doing the same!” “Your company? It’s going down!” I sneered and was about to hang up the video call. Alex was so furious he stomped his foot, roaring just before the call ended. “Chloe, you think you’ll have a good life without me, without the company?! I’ve already spoken to every company in A-City! You won’t find a single job here! I’m going to make sure you can’t survive!” I hung up the video call without hesitation and turned to leave. I was afraid if I waited another second, I’d lose control and storm in there to destroy those two scumbags. The next day, I drafted divorce papers and went to the company to find Alex. Just as I reached the company entrance, I was stopped by a security guard. I frowned. “I’m the company’s Vice President…” The guard sneered, cutting me off. “Vice President of what? Early this morning, the company issued a notice—you’ve been fired!” “And, Mr. Sterling gave specific instructions: Chloe and dogs are barred from entering here from now on.” I clenched my fists, my chest aching with rage. Just then, Sera and Alex walked out together. Sera’s voice dripped with mock concern. “Oh, isn’t this Vice President Chloe? Why aren’t you going in?” Before I could speak, she feigned surprise, covering her mouth. “Oh, right, I forgot. Alex fired you. You’re a nobody now.” The security guard chuckled obsequiously beside her. Alex wore a sneering smile. I took a deep breath, pretending not to hear, and fixed my gaze on him. “I’m here to discuss the divorce.” A glint flashed in Sera’s eyes. Alex scoffed, pulling out an agreement and handing it to me. “I already prepared the divorce papers. Sign them.” I took them and glanced at the contents. My temples throbbed. “You want me to walk away with nothing?” The divorce agreement stated clearly that Alex wouldn’t leave me a single asset! How *dared* he? Alex smirked coldly. “What else did you expect?” Sera crossed her arms. “Isn’t that obvious? This is Sterling Corp. Everything you’ve enjoyed before was Sterling family property. What right do you have to claim any of Alex’s assets?” “Alright, if you want to save some face, just sign it.” Seeing me hesitate, Alex sneered, “I knew you wouldn’t let go of your comfortable life. Why the act earlier? Chloe, if you humbly agree to cover half of my expenses for Sera’s delivery, and go to the hospital for that tubal ligation, I might just give you another chance. Otherwise…” “No, I’ll sign.” I cut him off abruptly, pulled out a pen, and swiftly signed my name. Alex’s face was grim. “Chloe, you actually…” “Alex!” He hadn’t finished his sentence.

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