Category: English

Everyone knew the acclaimed actor, Julian Reed, and the rising starlet, Fiona White, were practically smitten with each other. He spent her birthdays with her, showered her with gifts, and protected her career in the cutthroat entertainment industry. They were just one step away from making it official. Until my personal blog, filled with sweet memories of Julian and me, was dug up. Suddenly, the internet exploded with a torrent of abuse: “Who’s this nobody trying to cling to fame?” “Get lost, delusional fangirl!” But then Julian left a comment for me: “Haze, please come back. Let’s start over.” I can’t come back, Julian. I’m already gone. 【June 24, 2024, Sunny. Julian Reed, I don’t like the tenth-anniversary gift you gave me. I’m mad. It’ll take ten kisses to make me feel better.】 It was a necklace, from one of my favorite niche designers. I loved her philosophy: nothing in this world is meaningful unless it’s unique. So, she only ever made one of each piece. One of a kind, irreplaceable. I’d always wanted a piece of her work. I once showed Julian a bracelet, telling him how much I loved it. He sat there, chin propped on his hand, gazing at me with such tender affection. “Hubby will buy it for you, Haze. Anything you want, I’ll get it.” The memory was still so fresh, it could have been yesterday. But today, he’d given me a necklace. Not the bracelet I’d been dreaming of. A wave of disappointment twisted my already aching stomach, making me feel irritable. I put down the necklace, met his eyes, and asked, “Why isn’t it that bracelet?” His expression flickered with panic for a second, but he quickly covered it up. He said with a feigned regret, “I’m so sorry, Haze. I was too late; that bracelet had already sold.” “This necklace is beautiful too. It’ll look stunning on you.” I stared into his carefully composed eyes, managing a bitter smile. Julian Reed. Julian Reed. I never wear necklaces. Had you forgotten? After what happened, how could I ever dare to wear one? That night, Julian pulled me close in bed. He pressed soft kisses to the back of my neck, feigning endless tenderness. “Haze, happy tenth wedding anniversary.” In the darkness, I gave a mocking little tug at the corner of my mouth. Julian, today isn’t our tenth wedding anniversary. Yesterday was.

I knew exactly where that bracelet went. A photo of its owner, wearing it, was sitting quietly in my phone. The sender had no name attached, but I knew exactly who she was. Fiona White, the rising starlet, my husband’s on-screen partner. They’d played a couple in a TV series that became a massive hit, shooting them to stardom. Now, they were reuniting on screen for a movie. She had added me on SnapChat a year ago and, ever since, would send me messages from time to time. Showing me just how good my husband was to her. When she struggled with a scene, he’d break it down line by line, rehearsing with her late into the night. He’d shield her from aggressive toasts and the pressures of industry gatherings, making sure she didn’t touch a drop of alcohol. He’d connect her with renowned directors, helping her climb from a complete nobody to the rising starlet she was today. She didn’t miss a single sweet detail between them, sending me every last bit of it. Until yesterday. Yesterday was my and Julian’s tenth wedding anniversary. It was also Fiona’s birthday. Julian didn’t come home. He went to celebrate with her. That evening, I received another message from her. A photo. A slender wrist adorned with an antique-looking bracelet, distinctive and unforgettable. The very bracelet Julian had promised me. 【Sister, don’t you think this bracelet is beautiful?】 【Julian got it for me.】 【I just mentioned it casually, and he gave it to me without hesitation.】 【Honestly, I can’t handle him. He’s going to spoil me rotten.】 I didn’t reply. I never replied to her messages, but she still persisted, happily sending them for an entire year. Perhaps she was certain I’d read them. And I always did. I watched my husband grow closer to another woman, doting on her, pouring all his energy into her. I used to dismiss Fiona’s messages. Did she even know what Julian and I had been through? We’d been married for ten years; our lives were intertwined, our existence woven into each other’s. He’d rescued me from a bleak childhood, and he’d promised to love me forever. I thought Julian and I would endure, steadfast, against anything. After all, in this vast world, we only had each other. I never imagined that after just ten years, his heart would begin to wander. He started noticing the scenery along the path, attempting to walk with someone else.

【August 19, 2024, Cloudy. Julian Reed sent me a dress, a backless style, so dramatic. He said he wanted me to wear it for him. He’s such a pervert.】 Julian sent his assistant to deliver the dress. It was incredibly sexy, exposing a large portion of my back, definitely not for everyday wear. While my roles were often glamorous, often villainous characters, or femme fatale roles that were all flash and no substance, that wasn’t my everyday style. Julian called me, patiently coaxing, “Please, Haze, my sweet wife, I miss you. Will you wear it and come see me?” He kept badgering me for ages, and eventually, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. I agreed. He said he’d be off set late, asking me to meet him at room 1407 in the hotel at midnight. The way he enthusiastically gave me instructions reminded me of when we were eighteen. We were both just starting college, having been together for only a year. He’d always hold and kiss me, murmuring about when we’d be adults, how he was about to explode from holding back. I could feel it—his words, his touch, his gaze, even his very soul, craved me. I reveled in that craving. He made me feel like my existence in this world had meaning. He was my reason to live. Julian Reed was Hazel’s reason to live, from eighteen to thirty-two. Always. At midnight, I wore that dress and knocked on the door of 1407. But it wasn’t Julian who opened it; it was a strange old man. We stared at each other for a moment in the doorway before his gaze turned lecherous, raking over me. Julian then appeared from behind me, pulling me away as he told the old man, “My apologies, Director Thompson. My assistant sent her to the wrong room.” Back in Julian’s room, he held me close, and we spent the night wrapped in each other. Half-asleep, I heard his faint whisper: “I’m sorry, Haze.”

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The day I returned home after a long trip, the news of my lawyer husband, Julian, throwing a lavish birthday party for me was all over the news. But the night before my birthday, a message popped up on his phone: “It’s been five years. I’ve been waiting for you.” Julian pushed me away, his face etched with guilt. He claimed the firm had an urgent case, and he was specifically requested to handle it. “Sera, I’m so sorry. My managing partner just notified me about an emergency business trip. I won’t be able to celebrate your birthday with you tomorrow.” Seeing him leave without a moment’s hesitation, I secretly activated the tracking app on his phone. Watching the red dot on the screen slowly move, I discreetly hailed a cab and followed right behind him. I had just been appointed as the firm’s managing partner myself, and I’d specifically approved his leave. How could there be an “emergency case” assigned to him? I was going to find out who he was so desperately rushing to see at midnight.

Julian’s car finally stopped at the Grand Ballroom of the Riverside Manor. I immediately drove over. From a distance, I could hear countless fireworks exploding. As I got closer, I saw ribbons filling the air, blurring everyone’s faces. Two servers pushed a cake, taller than any person, towards the main table. “Happy Birthday, my wife! Happy Fifth Wedding Anniversary!” My heart lurched violently. That was Julian’s voice! And he was calling the woman in his arms his wife! Fifth wedding anniversary? Wasn’t that with me? As the ribbons fell, my breath caught in my throat the moment I clearly saw the woman’s face! Chloe! How was the daughter of our housekeeper here? The compliments of the crowd erupted: “I heard Mr. Julian’s doting wife is the heiress of the prominent Sterling family in our city. Seeing her today, Miss Sterling is truly extraordinary!” “Yes, indeed. Miss Sterling and Mr. Julian are childhood sweethearts, a picture-perfect couple, truly made for each other!” Since when did Chloe become the heiress of my family, the Sterling family of this city?! I don’t have any older or younger sisters! It was true that she and Julian were childhood sweethearts, because Chloe’s mother was originally a housekeeper for Julian’s family. But because Julian liked Chloe, his family fired her mother. My family was the one who took them in, mother and daughter! I, out of kindness, even arranged for Chloe to work at the law firm. Though it was just for printing documents, I made sure she was well-paid. But I was gone from the city for just half a month, and now Chloe had magically transformed into Miss Sterling and Julian’s wife! “Thanks to Miss Sterling’s efforts, Sterling & Associates managed to land multi-million dollar cases!” “Mr. Julian is truly blessed!” They exchanged happy smiles, just like the hero and heroine in a syrupy-sweet romance novel, so sweet it was sickening. Just then, Chloe gripped Julian’s hand, her face blushing as she said: “Julian and I grew up together. We’ve been in love for 20 years!” “Julian was worried that media gossip would affect my life, so he kept our relationship private.” Julian smiled, silently assenting. The guests nodded, an “oh, I see” expression on their faces. I laughed. No wonder Julian always kept me out of the public eye, even hiding our relationship at the firm. It was all to let Chloe shed her identity as the housekeeper’s daughter and take my place! To solidify her status as Miss Sterling, she even had to steal my birthday! Since he loved Chloe so much, I’d grant these scumbags their wish. I’d divorce him immediately! I walked forward, step by step, and saw Julian putting his arm around Chloe’s waist, talking confidently: “Besides not wanting Chloe to be harassed, the Sterling family values discretion, especially for its daughters.” “What? I never knew the Sterling family had such a rule.” “Julian, when did you get another wife behind my back?” I shouted, and the noisy hall instantly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Julian almost instinctively, immediately let go of Chloe. His face turned a mix of green and white, lost in thought. I quickly stepped forward, snatched the red wine glass from his hand, and splashed it all over his face: “What? Your ‘business trip’ took you straight into another woman’s arms?”

“Seraphina, what the hell is wrong with you!” Julian snapped back to reality, wiping the red wine from his face, trembling with rage. His face was flushed with anger, but his flickering eyes couldn’t hide his guilt. Before I could question him further, Mr. Davies, the chief lawyer from a rival firm, incited the crowd’s anger: “Security! Why are you letting any crazy person in here!” “This is a top-tier legal networking event. Who do you think you are, impersonating Mrs. Julian and slandering our Mr. Julian?” “You’re deliberately damaging someone’s reputation. Apologize now!” The junior lawyers, eager to follow suit, chimed in: “You’ve come to the wrong place to throw a tantrum! We deal with law here. There are plenty of legal ways to sue you!” “Mr. Julian is too kind to bother with you, but we must uphold justice!” I let out a sarcastic laugh, looking at Julian: “You want to ‘bother with me’?” “Setting everything else aside, Mr. Big-Shot Lawyer, living together as husband and wife, that de facto marriage, it already constitutes bigamy. You wouldn’t be unaware of that, would you?” “Just now you said ‘fifth wedding anniversary,’ that could get you two years, you know!” Chloe’s eyes instantly welled up, and she shrank into my husband’s arms, looking pitiful: “Sera, please don’t make trouble for Julian. It’s all my fault…” Seeing Chloe’s teary-eyed look, Julian immediately flared up, giving me a cold warning: “Seraphina, what nonsense are you talking about bigamy? Get home, now!” That phrase, “Get home,” made everyone present smell gossip, and they began to scrutinize me with renewed curiosity. I scoffed: “Afraid your fake wife can’t handle the truth?” “Sera! Even though your mother worked for Julian’s family and took care of him since he was little, you’re going too far!” Chloe raised her voice, righteous indignation coloring her tone. “Even if you like Julian, he and I have a baby on the way! Please, stop trying to ruin my family, I’m begging you!” “I felt sorry for you and got you a job at the firm. Why are you so ungrateful?” I was stunned, utterly bewildered. Weren’t those *my* lines? Chloe had no shame! Julian, seeing the suspicion in everyone’s eyes, added solemnly: “I always kept my distance from Seraphina. I never imagined she’d be so shameless, causing a scene like this. I apologize for the embarrassment!” “Seraphina, if you keep this up, don’t blame me for firing you and kicking you out of my house!” It was then that everyone finally dismissed their doubts, whispering amongst themselves: “So she’s the Julian family’s housekeeper? No wonder she said ‘get home’ earlier.” “She looks decent, but she’s just a gold-digger trying to sleep her way to the top! Spreading rumors about Mr. Julian’s bigamy, she’s got a death wish.” “Women like that will do anything to climb the ladder, forget selling themselves, they’d disown their own parents.” Listening to these words, I playfully looked at Chloe, whose smile grew increasingly stiff. To be insulted directly and still manage to smile, Chloe was quite something. I nodded, giving Chloe a disdainful look: “You’re absolutely right. People like that will disown their own parents to climb the ladder!” “Chloe, wouldn’t you agree?” “What did you say when you first seduced Julian, got thrown out by his family, and begged me to take you in?” “Is marrying my husband and bearing his child your way of repaying me?”

Chloe’s face flushed crimson. Before I could expose more of her ugly deeds, someone suddenly pushed me from behind. I fell, hitting my head on a table corner. A warm trickle of blood flowed out, and my vision blurred with pain. Opening my eyes, I saw a woman dressed to the nines smash a piece of cake into my face: “Pfft! What rubbish are you spouting!” “Chloe clearly looks like a lady from a good family. With your housekeeper’s poor, trashy appearance, how dare you lust after Mr. Julian?” Chloe’s face was full of smug satisfaction: “Exactly! I secured three multi-million dollar cases in one month. If a mere housekeeper like you could easily impersonate me, then my Oxford Law PhD would be meaningless.” Haha, Chloe was trying to steal every single bit of my identity! “Yeah! Housekeepers should stick to housekeeper duties, not try to seduce the master.” “Chloe, we can’t keep people like this around. If she dares to impersonate you today, who knows what she’ll do tomorrow!” “If you love seducing men so much, stop being a housekeeper and go sell yourself instead.” I looked at Julian. He was cold-faced, nonchalantly swirling the wine in his glass. “Julian, do you remember what you said when you were pursuing me? You said you’d love me forever, protect me forever.” “Now you just watch them humiliate me?” Julian’s expression quickly shifted, until finally, his voice, cold and unfamiliar, pierced through me: “If you hadn’t insisted on making a scene, would it have come to this?” Chloe got even more emboldened: “Julian told me you’ve been constantly harassing and seducing him. He only tolerated you because your mother worked for his family for over a decade.” “But fabricating rumors about Julian’s bigamy is just too much!” “I declare, I declare Seraphina dismissed. Sterling & Associates does not keep ungrateful vipers!” Ungrateful viper? I looked at Julian: “Are you sure Chloe was the one who secured those deals?” “For Sterling & Associates to be where it is today, who was it that went out and developed clients? Who burned the midnight oil organizing case files? And who secured ten multi-million dollar deals, one after another, to solidify the firm’s position?” “Julian, do you dare tell everyone?” Julian’s face showed a flicker of apprehension and hesitation. The next moment, I heard Chloe say: “To give you a chance to develop, we did let you talk to these clients in the early stages. But all those cases were problematic, and Julian and I had to clean up your mess in the end.” Hearing this, Julian seemed to genuinely believe that he and Chloe had saved the day and secured the deals. His expression turned cold: “Seraphina, I’ve indulged you too much. You actually dare to claim Chloe’s achievements as your own!” After Julian’s words, everyone’s gaze turned even more contemptuous: “A mere administrative assistant who just makes coffee and prints documents, trying to steal credit from Miss Chloe? That’s like a fly growing wings and thinking it can touch the sky!” Julian gripped Chloe’s hand: “If you resign now and hand over Mr. Sterling’s contact information to Chloe, we won’t pursue the bigamy rumors against you.” My heart turned cold. My husband, who had shared my bed for five years, was waiting here to scheme against me? So they were eyeing the nearly twenty million dollars in legal fees from the three massive cases I brought in! He’d played such a grand game to please his mistress! I shook my head, chuckling. Julian had miscalculated. His mistake was in underestimating my family. They were too low-status to realize that my family, the Sterling family, *was* the wealthiest family in the city! And the clients for those multi-million dollar cases? They were all my Grandfather! As Miss Sterling, it was time for me to deal with these imposters who had sullied my name. I smiled and said: “You’ll get the number right away.” “But, you two wouldn’t possibly think that a couple of incompetent fakes like you could land Mr. Sterling’s cases, would you?” “Julian, you can use me up and toss me aside? But let me remind you, ungrateful vipers never come to a good end!” “I’ll send the divorce papers to your email shortly.”

“Seraphina, are you insane? You’ve gotten addicted to acting like Mrs. Julian, like a rich heiress?” “What divorce! My wife has always been Chloe.” Julian gritted his teeth, trembling. He was in too deep now, forced to keep up the lie. I crossed my arms, watching them like a spectator at a comedy. Around me, quite a few people subtly changed their demeanor, becoming more respectful towards me. Their whispers, in the now quiet room, were remarkably clear: “Seraphina also has the surname Sterling. Could it be that Chloe is actually the mistress?” “I heard the real Sterling heiress is very low-key. Isn’t Chloe’s outfit, covered in logos, a bit too deliberate?” Hearing this, Chloe’s smile faltered, and she glared at me furiously: “Seraphina, I have an Oxford Law PhD. How dare you, a high school dropout with no real smarts, utter such outrageous claims!?” “I’m calling Grandfather Arthur Sterling right now to show you how a professional handles multi-million dollar cases!” Seeing her so confident, those opportunists started observing again. “Seraphina, I can’t believe how calculating you are. You know Mr. Sterling is notoriously hard to reach, yet you provoked Chloe into calling him in front of everyone!” “No wonder we almost fell for your tricks, what cunning tactics!” “Since you claim you handled those multi-million dollar cases, then show us proof.” “I ask you, is your name listed as the client on *any* of those cases?” My heart sank. No wonder Julian always sweet-talked me into putting the cases under his name, claiming it was to build a reputation for Sterling & Associates. It was all for this day, to steal everything from me and give it to Chloe! My identity as Miss Sterling, my status as Mrs. Julian, my Oxford PhD (which he knew I was pursuing), even the cases I handled for him—he wanted to steal it all! I laughed self-deprecatingly. How blind was I to have loved such a scumbag for five years? Seeing my silence, the entire room full of sycophantic lawyers began to attack me: “Talks a big game, but can’t produce a shred of evidence! Pathetic, stop pretending!” “This crazy dog, impersonating Miss Sterling and biting at everyone, get the security to throw her out! She’s disgusting!” A few sleazy men exchanged lewd glances and started to surround me: “No need for security. We’ll drag her out and teach her a good lesson ourselves, then she’ll be docile!” Meeting their naked gazes, I felt a chill run through me and trembled as I backed away. Julian frowned slightly, a hesitant look on his face. “It’s just a little lesson to make her remember. We’re all lawyers in this city, nobody will go too far.” Hearing this, Julian seemed to be given a green light, and turned his head, no longer looking at me. A bald man, Frank, grabbed my wrist, his eyes lingering on my chest. I used all my strength to yell: “Let go!” “I am the granddaughter of Arthur Sterling, the wealthiest man in the city! Dare to touch me, and you’ll regret it!” Everyone present froze for a second, then burst into uproarious laughter! “That’s hilarious! The little housekeeper is really getting into her acting!” “You know what, with a scream like that, she almost has the demeanor of an heiress!” Frank tugged me, dragging me out, while two other men seized the opportunity to grope me. “Alright, alright, go ahead and act like the rich man’s granddaughter. Just let us have some fun.” Tears in my eyes, I looked at Julian and screamed: “Julian!” “Stop them right now! My family, the Sterlings, can help your family rise, and we can also make you disappear overnight!” Julian turned to look at me, his eyes devoid of any emotion. He simply said, “Oh.” “Seraphina, blame your bad luck. The daughter of a servant should not dream of being Mrs. Julian, should not dream of replacing Chloe.” Frank, hearing this, became even more brazen, his hand reaching into my blouse and fondling me wantonly. “Mr. Arthur Sterling has arrived!”

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My CEO husband, Damian Thorne, promised to take me to the ocean for our wedding anniversary. But then a hurricane hit. I waited for over two agonizing hours in the fierce wind and rain, and he never showed. Finally, a text popped up: *emergency business trip, can’t make it.* Yet, moments later, Chloe Summers, his intern, posted a video on Ins: My usually pampered husband was barefoot, helping local workers transport seafood. Her caption read: “My CEO husband isn’t afraid of a little hard work!” I smiled, then liked and commented: “So diligent, a true role model for us all.” The company WhatsApp group instantly blew up, everyone wondering if I’d finally snap. Damian called, his voice tight with suppressed fury: “Seraphina! What was the meaning of that comment? Were you trying to humiliate Chloe?” “What’s wrong with me helping her family move some fish during a hurricane? You, with your silver spoon, wouldn’t understand real struggles.” “Delete the comment now. I’ll take you to the ocean in a few days.” A wave of nausea washed over me. I commented back: “No thanks. I’m not interested in watching the ocean with someone who’s already been *rolling in the muck with a certain swine*.” Yes, Damian Thorne was tainted. I was done with him.

“Seraphina, are you insane? I’ve been explaining this for ages, can you just stop making a scene?” “No need to say anything else. Let’s get a divorce.” I closed my eyes, my voice flat. “Why are you so jealous again? I told you, we’re just colleagues. During a hurricane, I couldn’t just leave a young girl to work in the rain, could I?” “The ocean isn’t going anywhere, but what if she gets sick from the rain?” He seemed to forget that I was the one who went to meet him. And now I was trapped on an isolated road, stranded by the hurricane. Icy rain, driven by the hurricane, lashed furiously against my face. I cut him off, seething. “I’m still stuck on Oceanfront Road, and the water’s up to my ankles.” Hearing I was in danger, Damian’s voice took on a hint of urgency: “Wait for me, I’m coming to get you right away.” What should have been a thirty-minute drive, Damian made in twenty. He got out, looking disheveled from the rush. The moment he saw me, his eyes filled with concern and worry. He strode forward, scooped up my soaking wet body, and started walking towards his car. But even in the twelve-grade wind, the cheap perfume scent clinging to his clothes wouldn’t dissipate. It stung my nostrils, wave after wave. I was about to speak, but then Damian’s phone rang. It was Chloe’s special ringtone. He almost instinctively dropped me, answering the call. “Oh, Damian, I think I have a cold. My head feels so dizzy.” Damian’s brows furrowed, his eyes filled with worry and concern. He fumbled frantically in his pockets for the car keys. Then he cooed softly to Chloe, a tenderness in his voice I’d never heard: “Sweetheart, wait for me at home, I’ll take you to the hospital.” The arm that had been holding me suddenly released, and I fell back into the mud with a splash. He opened the car door, got in, and without a backward glance, urged me: “Get in, quick!” Gritting my teeth against the searing pain, I struggled to my feet. Just as I was about to get in, the car door slammed shut automatically, catching my clothes. My heart clenched. I immediately pounded on the door, but Damian, desperate to reach Chloe, had completely forgotten I even existed. As the car started, I lost my footing and fell heavily to the ground. The vehicle dragged me, speeding off in the rain. Mud lashed at me like knives, tearing at my skin. The scenery blurred past, and it felt like my insides were being ripped out. The soul-piercing agony made me howl in torment. I was dragged for hundreds of feet until my clothes ripped, and I collapsed in the mud. Looking down, the flesh and blood on my legs mixed with the muddy water, and the pain was so intense I lost consciousness. I lay there on the ground, helpless and desperate, my last shred of illusion about Damian shattered. Later, a kind stranger who passed by drove me home. As soon as I got home, I saw Chloe @everyone in the SnapChat group: “My Ins post today was just a joke, I hope no one misunderstood. Thank you, Mr. Thorne, for not holding it against me and rushing to take me to the hospital.” This wasn’t an explanation; it was a blatant brag. I put my phone down and disinfected my profusely bleeding wounds. Tears streamed down my face, hot and stinging amidst the agonizing pain. “Seraphina, where did you run off to?” Footsteps approached, and Damian walked into the room, his voice accusatory, bringing with him the damp, chilling air. Seeing my bloodied, mangled wounds, his impending lecture died in his throat. He frowned. “How did you get yourself into such a state?” He stepped forward, about to inspect my wounds. I turned away, avoiding him, and sneered, “You really don’t know how I ended up like this?” Who invited me to watch the ocean during a hurricane? Who left me stranded by the sea for Chloe? And who dragged me for hundreds of feet with their car?! Damian nervously touched his nose, yet still adopted a self-righteous, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ stance: “I told you, Chloe and I are completely innocent. I just helped her because I felt sorry for a struggling small-town girl trying to make it in the city. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do!” Seeing I didn’t speak, his voice grew colder, and he questioned me as if I were the one in the wrong: “Seraphina, do you have to pick a fight with me today? And after all I did, preparing an anniversary gift for you.” He said, and with an angry huff, aggressively shoved a soaking wet gift box towards me. The box knocked over the iodine on the table, soaking my freshly bandaged wound. The flood of suppressed hurt and indignation finally broke. I swung the box with all my might, smashing it into Damian’s face: “I don’t want your damn gifts!” Every time he messed up, he’d buy me a gift to placate me, but I later found out they were always Chloe’s discards. Damian’s temple was gashed, and a trickle of blood immediately appeared. He cried out in pain, clutching his eye. I slapped the divorce papers onto the table: “It’s past midnight. Our anniversary is over.” “Our marriage is done.”

“Seraphina! Don’t push your luck!” Damian warned, his voice low and dangerous. I retorted, “*I’m* pushing my luck?” Whether it was the searing pain in my legs or the chilling realization in my heart, large tears streamed down my face. Seeing me cry, Damian’s expression softened: “Let’s not talk about that now. I’ll take you to the hospital.” He started to reach for me, but I instinctively recoiled. My wound hit the table leg, and the bandage instantly turned crimson. “Get out! I don’t need you to take me! Remember this: we’re already divorced!” The moment he abandoned me, gravely injured, to take Chloe, I stopped trusting him completely. Damian’s fists clenched, his body trembling. Then, with a roar of suppressed fury, he slammed the door and left. After Damian left, I drafted my resignation letter and sent it to HR. HR was incredibly shocked, replying with a dozen messages, saying he couldn’t approve it without Damian’s permission. I braced myself for a standoff with Damian. But within a minute, my resignation was approved. It seemed Damian no longer had any feelings for me whatsoever. The next morning, I went to the office to pack my things. All my colleagues were gossiping about my resignation. I ignored them, focusing on my packing. Suddenly, Chloe slammed a half-empty bubble tea down in front of me, her lipstick stain still on the straw: “Seraphina darling, can you print this contract for me? I’ll buy you a bubble tea.” Chloe looked at me with a smirk of provocation. I stood up and immediately splashed the bubble tea onto her face: “I’ve resigned, and I’m divorced. Stop with your roundabout attempts to flaunt that trash Damian and disgust me!” The sticky bubble tea dripped from Chloe’s hair, and she looked pathetic, her eyes welling up. Damian rushed over, his heart aching as he meticulously wiped her face with tissues. His gaze turned icy, sharp as a blade, when he looked at me: “Seraphina, you’ve gone too far! Apologize to Chloe, now!” A flicker of triumph crossed Chloe’s eyes. Then she tugged at Damian’s sleeve, shaking her head: “It’s not Seraphina’s fault, Mr. Thorne. I just wanted to share my favorite bubble tea, but I forgot she’s a sophisticated city girl and, well, *different* from me.” Damian looked at Chloe’s tearful face, veins throbbing in his neck, and raised his voice: “Just because you were born in the city makes you superior? Gives you the right to trample on others’ kindness?” “Drink that bubble tea off the floor!” Hearing his words, the colleagues, who had been openly eavesdropping on the drama, all turned to stare. My eyes reddened as I looked at Damian, backing away step by step. He grabbed my wrist and forced me down onto the floor. The bubble tea on the ground was now a muddy mess. “Apologize!” Damian commanded. I bit my lip hard, shaking my head. Damian suddenly remembered something, his eyes hardening, his voice turning chilling: “Seraphina, why are you always defying me lately?” “If you still refuse to apologize to Chloe… you’ll need to *reflect* on your actions.” He tightened his grip on my wrist and dragged me towards the warehouse. I pulled with all my might to free my hand, but his grip only grew tighter. Damian yanked me into the hot, cramped warehouse. He looked around, then pinned both my hands with one of his, while picking up a dusty rope from the corner. My eyes reddened, and I shook my head, “Damian, you can’t.” Before I could finish, Damian had already tied my hands, securing them with a knot that was impossible to undo. He lightly bit the back of my hand: “Seraphina, you’ve been too spoiled lately. You can stay here and think about what you did wrong…” “I didn’t do anything wrong…” He placed his index finger over my lips, making a shushing gesture: “Shh, think clearly before you speak.” Then, with a sharp *rip*, he tore off a piece of duct tape and sealed my mouth. I twisted, trying to run while he adjusted the tape. But he yanked the rope, pulling me back and pushing me onto a chair. He brutally secured me to the chair, the rope wrapped dozens of times around me. I writhed and struggled, but I couldn’t move. The wounds on my legs bled again. Damian slammed the heavy metal door shut. From beyond the door, his voice, muffled but cutting like an icy blade, drifted in: “You better reflect deeply. You can come out when you realize your mistake!”

I gasped for air, my heart spasmed violently. Damian knew I had a heart condition and that heatstroke could be fatal, yet he deliberately locked me in a 104-degree Fahrenheit (40-degree Celsius) warehouse. My clothes were drenched in sweat, and I was so weak I was on the verge of collapsing. I don’t know how long passed before the warehouse door finally opened. Damian walked in, his expression neutral. He removed the tape from my mouth and untied me: “Seraphina, don’t let it happen again.” I frowned, confused, then saw Chloe leaning against the door, watching me with a taunting smirk: “Seraphina dear, I accept your apology.” I clutched my chest, my voice, dry and frail, was like a ghost’s whisper: “What apology?” As the rope fell to the floor, my body went limp, and I collapsed into Damian’s arms. His voice softened: “I’ll take you back.” My whole body tensed. I used all my strength to slap Damian across the face: “Let go of me!” Damian’s icy gaze pierced me. Seeing my pale face, he clenched his fists and stormed out in a fit of pique. Full of confusion, I leaned against the wall and walked out of the warehouse, only to find all my colleagues looking at me with strange, contemptuous eyes. Some even spat at me with righteous indignation. Moments later, my phone vibrated incessantly. The entire company WhatsApp group was buzzing about the ‘confession letter’ I supposedly wrote: “I was wrong. I apologize to Ms. Chloe Summers. My suspicion, jealousy, and shamelessness have hurt her…” My fists clenched tight. Damian had forged my confession letter, painting me as a shameless, vile wretch! In the past, I would have gone ballistic and confronted Damian. But now I was tired. Nothing mattered more than getting divorced. Ignoring my belongings, I grabbed my bag and left. At the exit, Chloe blocked my way: “Seraphina dear, you’re so pathetic!”

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Right after summer break started, my husband, Julian—an internationally renowned sculptor—suddenly bailed on me. He claimed a surge of inspiration meant he needed to lock himself away in his studio to create, and therefore, couldn’t attend my art exhibition in Paris. But that very afternoon, I saw Julian post a photo on SnapChat for the first time ever. In the picture, his usual young nude model, Chloe, was straddling something, her eyes hazy, dazed. The shot was taken from below, looking up, incredibly intimate, leaving too much to the imagination… The caption read: “He took this.” I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping me, and commented: “Oh, classic artist, right? So much ‘aesthetic.’” Immediately, the buyers’ collection SnapChat group exploded. Friends among the collectors started screenshotting and reposting, placing bets on when I’d finally lose it. When Julian called, he was still gasping for breath, as if he’d just finished a strenuous workout: “What’s with your passive-aggressive comments? Chloe is my muse, we’re making art!” “Stop thinking such dirty things all the time! This is art! But then again, a mediocre painter like you wouldn’t understand art.” “Go apologize to Chloe right now. I’ll attend your next exhibition with you.” Next time? I sneered and hung up. After this exhibition, the waiting period for my divorce would be over.

Julian probably never imagined I’d dare hang up on him. Immediately, a barrage of calls followed. I blocked and deleted his number. The world was finally quiet. I didn’t even need to think; he must be absolutely furious right now. “Ms. Skylar, you personally orchestrated your husband’s sculpture exhibition, shouldn’t Mr. Julian come up and say a few words…” Looking at the swarm of reporters below the opening ceremony, I offered a faint smile: “He’s dead. Can’t make it. Please feel free to look around.” Ignoring the crowd stunned by the news of his ‘death,’ I stepped down and checked my phone, only to see a new message pop up in the buyers’ group. Julian had invited Chloe into the group chat. Chloe, the ‘muse,’ tagged everyone: “My hand slipped, and I posted something inappropriate on Mr. Julian’s SnapChat. So sorry if it caused any trouble.” Hah. That apology, was it truly sincere? I let out a cold laugh. Julian immediately posted in the group: “We were engaged in normal artistic creation. You don’t need to apologize, only those who don’t understand art would get the wrong idea!” Seeing the man himself openly defending his ‘muse,’ the buyers, who were scrambling for sculptures, stopped lurking and quickly chimed in with support: “Don’t blame yourself, Miss Model, no need to apologize. After all, there’s probably only one petty person in this entire group, no need to pay her any mind.” “Exactly! Thanks to Miss Chloe, we get to see Master Julian in such glorious form!” “Master Julian, why don’t you just sculpt a nude pair of the two of you? I’ll pre-order it, price is negotiable!” Over the past two years, his sculptures had been hyped up to astronomical prices, and not one could be found. The buyers in the group were too busy praising Julian to do anything else, so of course, they sided with Chloe. If putting me down could earn them the master’s favor and a sculpture, they’d happily go all out. Even though more than half the buyers in the group were my connections, they still fawned over Chloe. What could I do? Julian was the sculpting master, and Chloe was his new darling he wanted to promote. And I, a mere art academy teacher and his agent, was, at best, just a glorified, love-blinded assistant. Gritting my teeth, I exhaled slowly, put away my phone, and dutifully surveyed the exhibition hall. I’d only walked a few steps when Chloe FaceTimed me, her tone utterly impolite: “Skylar, Professor Julian said to return home as soon as the exhibition is over to rough-sculpt our new piece.” “Let him sculpt it himself!” I laughed in anger. Every time Julian claimed inspiration, he’d make me rough-sculpt the plaster according to his ideas, and then he’d do the fine carving and polishing. I understood his ‘hard work,’ so I always helped him with those menial tasks. Had he gotten addicted to using me? Chloe’s voice dripped with arrogance: “But Professor Julian and I will both be completely nude models…” My face darkened, and I frowned: “What do you mean?” “It’s that explicit, dual-pose sculpture the buyer in the group pre-ordered. Professor Julian agreed, he said he wants you to sculpt it for us. Skylar, can you come home quickly? The buyer is pushing for it,” Chloe said, her voice dripping with insolence. I felt a wave of powerlessness, like I couldn’t slap her through the screen. Was it the buyer who specifically requested an explicit sculpture, or did Chloe just want to stir something up with her art academy professor? When Julian needed a model, Chloe had shamelessly begged and pleaded with me until I hired her. Out of consideration for her being a student, I even made sure she had some coverings, and to ease her fear, I was always present during Julian’s sculpting sessions. Yet, she just kept shedding more and more, even getting Julian to strip with her. Now she wanted me to sculpt their live explicit art? “Julian didn’t tell me about this. I can’t do that job. Besides, I’m very busy in Paris. If the buyer is in a hurry, tell his assistant to sculpt it for you. His skills are better than mine!” With that, I hung up before she could reply, then blocked her number again. It was laughable. Did Julian even remember I was his wife? Making me watch their live erotic scene? Purely to disgust me. A surge of pent-up frustration with nowhere to vent, I went to the restroom and splashed water on my face. Just as I came out, the venue manager trotted over, holding his phone up: “Ms. Skylar, Mr. Julian is calling you.” That persistent pest… Knowing Julian was bound to explode again, I took the call but didn’t bring it to my ear.

“Is Master Julian calling just to yell at me? Then I’m hanging up.” I dabbed my face with a tissue, my tone flat. “I admit, making excuses and breaking the appointment was wrong, but that’s no reason for you to disrespect Chloe.” “Right now, unblock both of us. Otherwise, our marriage is over.” My fingernails dug deep into my palm. I truly hadn’t expected Julian to be the one to propose divorce first, one day. I was about to agree, but then Chloe’s suggestive voice drifted from the background, as if she’d struck a pose and was asking Julian how it looked. I felt a wave of nausea: “Your muse is calling you, Master Julian. You two go wild with your art. As an outsider, I won’t interfere.” “After all, I’m the only one with a filthy mind, and you two are perfectly pure.” Julian flew into a rage: “We are!” “Chloe is a low-income student. I just want to give her a chance to get exposure and earn money. What’s wrong with me, her professor, helping her out? What are you making a fuss about?” Chloe’s voice grew closer on the phone, her soft, alluring breaths audible: “Professor Julian, what do you think… about this pose?” The next second, Julian seemed to pull the phone away, his tone infatuated: “Yes… that’s the feeling. You lie there, don’t move, I’ll be right there.” Then, he leaned closer to the microphone, his voice suddenly deepening: “I’m giving you two days. Get your ass back from Paris immediately and rough-sculpt for us. Otherwise, whether it’s at home or the Art Academy, I’ll make sure you’re out!” The line went dead. I realized how terribly wrong I had been. Wrong to think that personally organizing an exhibition would somehow reign in his wild ways. I should have guessed the outcome the moment Julian, without even looking, hastily signed our divorce papers. After returning the phone to the manager, I left the exhibition early and, back at the hotel, checked my phone. Countless missed calls and messages flooded in, all inquiring about Julian and Chloe’s two-person sculpture. The group had blown up my mentions, densely packed with people reserving sculptures, some even offering millions, tens of millions, with no upper limit. The buyers were in a frenzy, demanding a definitive answer from me. But I would get my divorce decree tomorrow. What answer was there to give? With a few quick taps, I left the group and immediately sent my resignation to the Art Academy’s HR department. The message showed as ‘read,’ but there was no response. I called, but the line was busy. Puzzled, I started packing my luggage. But just as I finished, the Dean of the Art Academy called. He said the art entrance exam questions had been leaked, and someone had reported me for accepting bribes and compromising the fairness of the exams. At that moment, many parents of students who failed the exams were causing a scene at the school gate. For a second, I thought my mind had just short-circuited. They were sensible words, yet I couldn’t make sense of a single one. “Dean Miller, could the student have reported the wrong person? I’m just a teaching assistant; I’ve never even been assigned to proctor an exam. How could I possibly have the ability to leak exam questions?” But then the Dean sent me a three-page long accusation letter. Reading the contents, my hands trembled with fear. I forgot to check out of my room and frantically bought a ticket back home. When I rushed into the Dean’s office, dusty and disheveled, I immediately demanded to confront the accuser. Dean Miller said nothing, merely bringing out the witness: a close acquaintance of Chloe’s, the student who claimed to have offered the bribe—Maya. “Dean Miller, she’s a close acquaintance of Chloe’s. Chloe and I have deep-seated animosity; it’s possible she’s framing me.” “Enough!” Julian suddenly pushed the door open, storming in and yelling at me without any verification: “Framing? You just hate her and want to drag Chloe down!” “Skylar! I thought you were just overly jealous, but still had professional ethics as a teacher. I never imagined you’d actually be corrupt!” “Do you know how important the fairness of the art exams is? You’re destroying the futures of other candidates! A selfish and greedy person like you doesn’t deserve to be a teacher, and certainly doesn’t deserve to be my wife!” I instantly froze, my heart feeling as if it had been brutally split in half by an axe. After a long moment, I managed to speak, my voice rough: “Julian, in your eyes, am I the kind of person who would accept bribes from students?” Julian stared at me coldly, his gaze filled with murderous hatred: “Otherwise, what? The USB drive with my exam materials from my study is missing.” One sentence sealed everything.

Instantly, everyone in the office looked at me with disgust. “I’ve never seen any USB drive!” I squeezed out my rebuttal through gritted teeth. I did indeed manage Julian’s study, but for nearly a year after Chloe appeared, he had explicitly forbidden me from entering it again. Only Chloe, however, could come and go freely! Unwillingly, I continued to defend myself, but with Professor Julian’s testimony, everything was quickly decided. Dean Miller immediately issued a termination letter, and a group of student parents spat at me. Dejected and downcast, I was just being ushered out of the academy building when an unknown student parent slapped me to the ground with a “smack!” “You shameless bitch! Stripping naked to seduce my son, how can the Art Academy have a slutty teacher like you! Aren’t you afraid of corrupting the students? I’ll tear you apart for acting like a slut!” The woman shrieked, lunging at me, straddling me and furiously beating me. My face stung with pain, and my vision gradually turned red, but I still saw Julian standing on the steps in front of the building. He casually glanced at me, then walked away. Finally, the woman was dragged away by security, but the crowd continued to point and whisper about me. I had just stood up, trying to ask what was happening, when a trending topic on a phone was shoved in my face. The headline read: **【TRENDING# An Art Academy Teacher, Skylar, Publicly Posts Nude Photos on School Forum, Intending to Seduce Male University Students】** Underneath were countless nude photos, all posted on the school forum in my name. The comments section had millions of shares, cursing me, saying I didn’t deserve to be a teacher, and demanding I leave the academy. From beside me, Chloe’s sugary-sweet mockery drifted over: “Professor Skylar, so you’re even trashier than I am?” I suddenly turned my head and saw her glance at the blood on my face, then her gaze fell on the termination letter, and she exclaimed. “Oh dear, have you been kicked out of school?” Wasn’t this all her doing? What’s with the act? Stepping back, I scoffed coldly: “What goes around comes around, Chloe. I just don’t have the evidence yet, but you will pay for what you’ve done!” Did she think everything would be fine just because Julian helped her commit perjury? I only hoped she’d still be smiling so smugly when we got to court. Chloe’s face stiffened, a flicker of guilt flashing in her eyes. But seeing me about to leave, she immediately put on a disdainful, haughty expression and accused me: “Skylar, you openly accepted bribes, corrupted your teacher’s ethics, and ruined the school’s reputation! How dare you just walk away?” “Today, you must get on your knees and apologize to all the teachers, students, and parents! Otherwise, you’re not leaving!” As she shouted, more and more people gathered. I tried to leave, but she held me in a death grip. “Get off me!” I frowned deeply, violently shaking her off, but Chloe, using my momentum, suddenly fell to the ground and shrieked. “Ah—Professor Skylar, don’t hit me!” The next second, someone kicked me away, and I was in such pain my insides felt scrambled. “Skylar! How dare you bully Chloe again!” Julian withdrew his foot, carefully helped Chloe up, his features scrunched up, full of heartache. He was always like this, always blindly taking Chloe’s side, never bothering to understand the truth. The girl nestled in his arms, like a frightened little rabbit, timidly said: “Professor Julian… I’m fine. Professor Skylar, it was just an accident that…” As she spoke, the man opposite grew even angrier, glaring at me as if I were a heinous criminal. “Skylar, are you even human? You openly cheated on me, and you’re always bullying Chloe. How exactly did she offend you?” “Now, apologize to her immediately!” Meeting his cold, almost cruel gaze, I stood my ground fiercely: “You want me to apologize? Fine, then tell everyone right now who went into your study and stole the USB drive?” “You tell me, and I’ll apologize to her immediately.” Hearing this, Julian’s breath caught. He glanced at my battered state, then leaned closer, his tone softening: “Alright, I know you didn’t do it, but the situation has blown up. What do you expect me to do? Chloe is still a student; I can’t ruin her future.” “And what about me! You can just ruin my future!” My eyes narrowed. In that instant, anger, fury, and even a touch of unbelievable grievance and a coldness in my heart, surged through me. I loudly questioned him, questioned this man I had shared a bed with for seven years. Never had my heart felt so utterly cold! Noticing my voice was too loud, drawing eager, prying looks from those around us, Julian panicked slightly. He urgently ordered me to lower my voice. But the next moment, my voice was extremely soft: “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” I thought, since I’d brought up divorce, he would surely take it seriously. But I was wrong… “Alright, don’t use divorce to threaten me. Can you really bear to divorce? I didn’t cheat, Chloe is just work. Stop while you’re ahead, don’t make a fuss!” He wanted to say more, but then Chloe let out a cry of pain. Julian didn’t even make me apologize anymore. He picked her up and ran towards the infirmary, blatantly disregarding the student-teacher boundaries. It was fine. If they didn’t care, then neither did I. I found a random hotel to stay in, and the next day, I headed straight to the courthouse and picked up my long-awaited divorce decree. The last step to sever all ties with Julian was to go home, pack my things, sell the house, and then leave for good. But “Unlock Failed—” My keypad lock suddenly wouldn’t open.

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“Chloe, I step out for a minute, and you’re really living it up, aren’t you?” Liam’s voice on the phone was tight with barely suppressed fury. Having a blast at a bar with my best friend, draped over male escorts, acting like a drunken fool, and then posting it all on SnapChat. What’s it like for your brand-new husband to see that? My family was relentless, practically hounding me to get married. So, I ended up in a marriage of convenience with someone I’d only known for two weeks, a guy I’d met on a blind date. The day after our wedding, Liam left for a business trip, no fixed return date. During his absence, I truly let loose. Maya and I were having a blast at the bar, and in a burst of joy, I just waved my hand and ordered a few male escorts to join us for drinks. Moments later, a whole line-up of drop-dead gorgeous guys stood before me. Broad shoulders, narrow waists, long legs – every single one of them a perfect specimen. And their sweet talk? Calling me ‘honey’ and ‘darling’ had me absolutely beaming. After a few stiff drinks, I was seeing double. I clung to a male escort, acting like a drunken fool, and Maya couldn’t even stop me. Then I pulled out my phone, took a selfie with a guy on each arm, and clicked over to SnapChat to post it. Just a few minutes after I posted, my phone buzzed. That familiar contact name popped up, and it was like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head. I sobered up instantly. It was a message from my husband, the one who’d been on a business trip since our wedding and who I’d barely seen since. “Chloe, I step out for a minute, and you’re really living it up, aren’t you?” Me: …Uh… wait… I can explain… My best friend, Maya, was incredibly sympathetic to my plight, even wondering if Liam was gay or… incapable. Why else would he abandon such a gorgeous wife to practically marry his job? Suddenly, Maya sprang to her feet. “Do you think Liam has someone else on the side? That’s why he just leaves you here, ignoring you?” Liam and I had no real emotional connection. He pursued his career, I indulged in my pleasures. We pretty much lived separate lives. I was perfectly content with the current situation: living the high life, plenty of cash, and no one breathing down my neck. The next second, Liam’s mom, my mother-in-law, called. I paused, frowning in thought. What was going on? “Chloe, I saw your SnapChat post. I know Liam has been too busy to spend time with you lately. I’ve already given him an earful and told him to clear his schedule and spend some quality time with you.” I let out an awkward chuckle. “Mom, no, it wasn’t like that, that was me…” How was I supposed to explain this? Waiting for answers.

Oh, great. I’ve really messed up now. To avoid a complete disaster, I decided to surrender. I quickly deleted the SnapChat post and sent Liam a message. “Sorry, my hand slipped, I posted by mistake.” I didn’t get a reply for ages after sending the message. So, I pulled Maya back into drinking. A few more drinks, and my face was flushed, I was swaying on my feet. “Maya, I’m going to the restroom.” “I’ll go with you.” Maya quickly stood up and steadied me, a worried look on her face. In my state, going alone felt a bit risky. “No, I can manage. I’m not drunk.” After I was done, I splashed some cold water on my face at the sink. The chill instantly brought me back to my senses. I straightened up, only to see an incredibly handsome man suddenly appear behind me. I froze for a good five seconds. He was tall and broad-shouldered, impeccably dressed in a crisp white shirt and dress pants. His features were deep and refined, his eyes calm and distant. His sharp profile looked utterly cold in the dim bar light. Liam stood before me, his brows furrowed as he took in my boozy state, reeking of booze. I tilted my head, confused. “Liam? What are you doing here?” Then I couldn’t help but let out a little burp, my legs giving out slightly as I swayed to the side. Liam quickly reached out and steadied me, as if afraid I’d face-plant. His voice was flat. “The bar owner is a friend of mine. He told me he saw my wife all over other men and asked if our marriage was okay!” “…” Maya, seeing I hadn’t returned, rushed to the restroom to find me. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw me leaning against Liam’s shoulder, safe and sound. Maya nervously cleared her throat and avoided my gaze. “Well, uh, I’ll leave you to it. I’m heading back.” Terrified Liam would hold her accountable for ‘kidnapping’ his wife for a night of wild partying, she grabbed her bag and made a run for it. Liam gave a brief nod, then scooped up my much-too-pliant frame and headed for the exit. But a member of the bar staff suddenly ran over, stopping Liam. “Sir, the male escorts this lady ordered haven’t been paid for yet. Would you like to settle the bill?” Liam looked at the bill, then turned to his assistant. “…” His assistant got the hint immediately and stepped forward to pay.

The next day, bright and early. I woke up from a deep sleep, the hangover from last night was awful. The strong liquor felt like fire searing my throat, accompanied by throbbing headaches. I struggled to push myself up and sit. Seeing my familiar bedroom, my racing heart finally settled. I must have drunk too much, and Maya brought me home. I threw off the covers and went to the living room for water, only to see Liam sitting on the large sofa. I blinked, thinking I was mistaken. He was wearing casual loungewear, his long legs casually crossed. Sleek, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, and he was intently reading a book. Warm sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft, shimmering halo around him. I was a little stunned, mumbling his name aloud. “Liam?” Liam looked up at the sound. “Awake?” But the memory of yesterday flashed in my mind, and I asked, a little sheepishly, “You… aren’t going to work?” He glanced at me, his voice calm. “My mom said I was always working and not spending time with you. She stopped all my work for this period and told me to focus on you.” “…” Liam set his book aside, then picked up a small piece of paper from the sofa beside him and walked towards me. He held the paper out to me, his gaze deep and unwavering. “Yesterday. Explain yourself.” In the quiet air, Liam’s low, magnetic voice broke through, carrying an almost imperceptible chill, his eyes radiating a dangerous intensity. I looked closer and saw it was the bill for the male escorts I’d ordered last night… I thought he was asking me for money. “I’ll pay you back… Don’t be so petty!”

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My best friend and I got married at the same time, both joining the same powerful family. She married the rising media mogul, Noah Hayes. I married the hotshot CEO, Liam Hayes. But as sisters-in-law, our married lives were anything but happy. Her husband, who she’d once saved, was constantly rumored to be secretly bankrolling models and influencers. And my husband? He was a notorious playboy, always surrounded by women. So, Chloe and I just looked at each other. “Divorce!” “Done! Let’s do it together!” Tossing our divorce papers aside, Chloe and I felt utterly liberated. We grabbed a crew of handsome bodyguards and headed out to paint the town red. So they like playing with a constant parade of women? Well, I can play too! Everyone said the two Hayes brothers were seasoned players, keeping up appearances at home while juggling countless affairs on the side. And they were right. For instance, one day I went to see Liam, only to be stopped and humiliated by his assistant, Scarlett. She claimed I was constantly spoiled and arrogant, and that the CEO had long since forbidden me from entering the company. Right after that, Chloe went to see Noah and was blocked at the door by one of his junior models, Mia. Mia went on and on about how Chloe and Noah were totally mismatched, gloating that we should watch how Noah was going to turn her into a top star. I immediately tried to call Liam, again and again, but he never picked up. It was the same for Chloe. Those two really were brothers; they ignored our calls and read our messages without replying. I remembered all the rumors from our circle over the years. People whispered that both brothers already had someone special in their hearts, but because those women weren’t as prominent as Chloe and me, they couldn’t marry into the family. So they married us to fill the void, which was why they’d been so cold to us after the weddings. What’s worse, these rumors were often used by other women to humiliate us, and Liam and Noah knew about it. But they never denied it; instead, they tacitly allowed those women to get away with it. After being humiliated by Mia, Chloe and I coincidentally ran into each other back at the Hayes mansion. We exchanged a look, and the same thought clicked in both our minds. I stated firmly, “I want a divorce!” “Do it! If you’re divorcing, I’m divorcing too!” As a pampered princess who’d been showered with love and attention since childhood, the biggest slights I’d ever endured were after getting married. The attitudes of the people around our husbands reflected exactly how those men truly felt about us. Because they didn’t value us, the people around them felt free to be disrespectful. “There are plenty of fish in the sea, you know. It’s not like we can’t survive without them.” We were fuming, but we hadn’t completely lost our minds. I quietly contacted a lawyer, while Chloe researched travel destinations. For the rest of the time, we laid low, waiting for the perfect moment. That evening, Liam finally came home, carrying a bottle of my favorite perfume. He acted as if nothing was wrong, sticking to me like glue. Every now and then, he’d complain about how exhausting his day at the office had been, how difficult the new hires were… Then his hands moved to my head, gently massaging it. His voice and expression showed no sign of anything amiss. But what he didn’t know was that I knew him too well; whenever he felt guilty, his ears would turn an extra shade of red. He was testing the waters, trying to see if I was angry. If he’d just been direct and explained himself, maybe I wouldn’t have been so mad. But he had to try and cover his tracks, only making it more glaringly obvious. People really do change. Even if we truly loved each other, it changes. No exceptions. That night, listening to his breathing beside me, I couldn’t sleep a wink. In the pitch black, I stared at the silhouette of the chandelier on the ceiling, a bitter ache throbbing in my heart.

Liam and I were college classmates. We were both studying in the business school. Not only were our families equally powerful, but we’d also fallen for each other over time, always competing for the top spot in school. In the end, our relationship blossomed into marriage, forming a true power couple. Even after we graduated, our story became a legend on campus. Everyone said Liam and I were the perfect match. I used to believe that too. But after we got married, I realized I was wrong. He was always surrounded by a constant parade of women: today it was a business partner, yesterday it was his assistant, and the day before that, countless others… Though there was never any “substantive” relationship, he treated them like “confidantes,” and that was enough to make me sick. It wasn’t that I hadn’t confronted him, but every time, he’d address my concerns with a lot of talk, but never actually resolve anything. “They’re just work contacts.” “Don’t overthink it…” “You know, Riley, you’re the only one for me…” “I’m exhausted, let’s not talk about this anymore.” He always had a lot to say, but he never once truly solved the problem. If I wasn’t his only one, then I refused to be just one of many. So, the next morning, Chloe and I started preparing for our planned trip. While we were out shopping for essentials, we ran right into Mia, Noah’s junior model. She was picking out jewelry, and when she saw Chloe and me, her smile was laced with challenge. “Chloe, did you two fight after you went home last time?” “I might have been a bit aggressive with my words last time. Please don’t be angry, big sis. Men are busy building their careers out there, so we women should be more sensible. Otherwise, when we get older and our looks fade, we might just get replaced by someone younger and prettier.” “Especially since Mr. Hayes has so many young models and influencers under his wing.” Her implication was clear: Chloe was old. And there was an even deeper meaning: that “we women” part sounded like she was hinting at some “other” relationship with Noah. That was the last straw! Chloe, with her fiery temper, was ready to jump in and physically confront her the moment Mia finished speaking. But I couldn’t let her do something that would leave a paper trail. I stepped in first, giving Mia a resounding slap across the face. “What? You think being a mistress gives you a superiority complex?” “Daring to provoke the actual wife right to her face – which sugar daddy gave you that much audacity?” I watched her eyes flutter back for a split second, and the tears welling up, and I knew she was hiding something. Sure enough, right after I slapped her, I heard footsteps behind us. Chloe and I turned to see Noah. He didn’t even glance at Chloe. He walked straight to Mia’s side, saw her swollen red cheek, and then turned to look at me, his face filled with anger. “My brother must have spoiled you rotten, making you so lawless.” Chloe, worried I’d clash with him head-on, quickly stepped in front of me. “This isn’t Riley’s fault, she started it, you—” Her words were cut off mid-sentence. “You’re still defending her? Can’t I tell right from wrong myself?” “What’s gotten into both of you? No wonder my brother’s so disappointed.” What’s gotten into us? Hearing his accusing tone, even speaking for Liam’s “disappointment,” my anger flared even more. If I wasn’t so outnumbered, I would’ve gladly slapped him too. Chloe was even angrier than me, and her grip on my hand tightened. “Noah Hayes, if you have eyes and aren’t using them, why don’t you donate them?” “Before we got married, you could tell when I was upset just by looking at me. Now that you’ve got people under your wing, you see me being bullied and just dismiss it as me ‘playing around’!” Noah paused for a moment, his tone softening slightly. “Talk to me properly.” Chloe took a deep breath. She pointed at Mia’s nose. “Fine. Fire her, and I’ll talk to you properly.” “After all, it’d be more convenient for you. You can keep her at home after you fire her, stashing her away like a secret mistress, right—” The next second, a loud smack echoed, stinging my ears. Noah had heavily slapped Chloe’s hand away. “Shut up! Don’t project your filthy thoughts onto others!” Noah hadn’t held back at all, and Chloe’s hand instantly turned red and swollen. He looked at it, his eyes momentarily wide with shock. He started to open his mouth to explain, but then he seemed to think of something and swallowed his words. “If you keep acting this childish, we’ll get a divorce.” “And you, Riley, you’d better listen to my brother.” With that, he left with Mia. Chloe watched their retreating backs, and tears streamed down her face. She buried her face in my shoulder, sobbing, her tears quickly soaking my top. She choked out, “But he wasn’t like this before, was he?” “How could he change so suddenly?” Chloe and Noah had known each other even longer. They were childhood sweethearts. Chloe had even taken a knife for him once. Back in high school, the Hayes family was targeted for revenge, and the attackers went straight for Noah, who was still a student. Chloe felt something was off and insisted on walking with him. Later, on the way, she realized the danger, and quietly called the police. When the police arrived and busted the kidnappers, one of them, unnoticed for a moment, lunged at Noah with a knife. Chloe blocked it, and because of that, her hand could never hold a paintbrush steady again. From then on, Noah became extra clingy with Chloe. He got a little better as they grew up, not openly clinging, but subtly pursuing her. He’d quietly close in. He even secretly stopped boys from confessing their feelings to Chloe. Liam told me all this later. I used to think their relationship would be even more solid than Liam’s and mine. After all, they had a “beauty saves the hero” story with life-or-death stakes. But her love story, just like mine, had rotted away.

I comforted Chloe, and we continued buying our supplies. When we returned to the Hayes mansion, laden with bags, Maria, the housekeeper, curiously asked what we were doing. I brushed her off, saying we were going on a trip. My legal team had already discreetly prepared our divorce agreements. Both Chloe and I wanted a clean break. As for half of the marital assets, we couldn’t care less; we just wanted it over with quickly. Married cleanly, leaving cleanly. Not taking a single thing that made me sick to my stomach. After exchanging a glance, we each called our families, simply explaining the state of our marriages. Chloe and I got along so well, partly because our family backgrounds were similar, and partly because we were both the youngest daughters in our families, showered with immense love. My family had an older brother in addition to me. My brother, Dylan, listened to my reasons for wanting out and exploded with anger. “Liam Hayes, that rotten bastard! Next time I see him, I’ll break his legs. Good for you for divorcing! I support you wholeheartedly.” After hanging up, I signed the divorce papers and left them on the bedroom table. Then, Chloe and I got busy. I packed up all my personal belongings that I could take. Anything I couldn’t pack, I arranged for my family’s driver to pick up. By the time the Hayes housekeeper realized something was amiss, Chloe and I were already walking out the door with our suitcases. Just before boarding our flight to France, my brother called again. “I’ve got a surprise for you, sis! I guarantee you’ll be thrilled!” Hearing his mysterious tone, I was incredibly curious. Later, I found out that Dylan had arranged a team of handsome bodyguards for Chloe and me, and they were all incredibly well-built. Hmm, I was indeed very satisfied! Men like to play with a constant parade of women, right? Well, I can have hot guys travel with me…

The moment Chloe and I landed and turned on our phones, we were bombarded with countless missed calls. Some from Liam, some from his brother. But I ignored them all. I blocked both their numbers, just like they had done to us. After a night’s rest at the hotel, the bodyguard team Dylan arranged arrived. They were indeed the type to make your heart pound! There were the “wolf-dog” types, the “puppy-dog” types, the “aloof and cool” types… Their looks were no worse than the Hayes brothers, and they had something more: They were obedient. Not only were they professional bodyguards, but they could also double as local tour guides. When we went shopping, they’d even carry our bags – a small gesture Liam hadn’t done for me in years. But what truly captivated me was how sweet-talking they were. “Miss Riley, you should try the local cuisine here. If you don’t like it, I can personally cook for you. I’d be happy to prepare your meals for the duration of your trip.” “Miss Chloe, you seem a bit tired recently. I know a little about traditional remedies. If you trust me, I can help you with a regimen.” “Or if you have anything bothering you, please don’t hesitate to tell me…” They were thoughtful and comprehensive in every aspect. So much better than those two useless brothers. While eating at a famous viral restaurant, we even stumbled upon Mia’s livestream. It infuriated Chloe so much she decided right then and there to start her own livestream, create an account, and see what she was missing. After deciding on a title, Chloe found the perfect lighting and, with me by her side, started broadcasting. I have to admit, with a media mogul for a husband, Chloe was quite professional in this area. She brought out a few of the high-value bodyguards, drawing in more and more viewers to the livestream. Since it was a platform popular in our home country, most of the audience were Chinese-speaking viewers. Chloe and I chatted with them, introducing the restaurant’s signature dishes. We were having a great time. Until a few unfriendly foreign users approached us during our meal. They saw Chloe and me, walked straight over, and started to flirt offensively. When we rejected them, they didn’t care what we were doing; they just got angry and rushed towards us. One of them actually reached out and touched my face. Another even tried to slip his hand under my clothes. Their greasy faces suddenly made Liam look handsome. My mood, which had been perfectly fine, was ruined by these jerks. I immediately had Chloe point the livestream camera at them. Then I smiled at them, and replied in English: “I will report this to the embassy. If I don’t receive a proper apology, I will pursue this matter to the fullest extent.” Their faces changed instantly. They tried to threaten us. But they hadn’t even finished the thought before our bodyguards stepped in. The men seemed flustered; they hadn’t expected us to have so many people. And that’s when they finally noticed we were livestreaming. They clearly didn’t want to get into trouble with our country’s embassy, knowing how fiercely protective they are of their citizens. So, they apologized to us. The one who had touched me was even punched by his friends as a lesson. Only then was the matter settled. Back in the livestream, the comments section was even more active. “OMG, these ladies are absolutely owning it abroad!” “Totally! They messed with the wrong women!”

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For ten years, Julian built his empire on my back. And for ten years, he loathed my very existence. After my death, he seized my family’s company and married his childhood sweetheart. On their wedding day, Ryder, my childhood sweetheart who later became my arch-nemesis, detonated the venue. Before the flames consumed everything, Ryder smiled and said: “She’s dead. You two get to waltz into success? No such luck in this world.” When I opened my eyes again, I was back ten years ago. The day I dragged Julian to meet Ryder and break off our engagement. He looked at me with an indifferent expression: “Are you sure? You really want to break our engagement for *him*?” “Aria, I never go back on my word.” “Are you sure you want to break our engagement for that… *thing*?” The familiar, cool male voice echoed in my ears. I was still lost in the aftershocks of that explosion. The overwhelming, fiery red light felt like it could even scorch my soul, floating suspended in the air. Ryder, a gun in hand, stood amidst the flames, pulling the trigger. He flashed a smile at a shocked and furious Julian: “She’s dead. You two get to waltz into success? No such luck in this world.” … In that moment, the invisible shackles on me suddenly vanished. Something new clicked in my mind. Turns out, in my previous life, I was the toxic second lead in some twisted ‘redemption’ story. I fixated on Julian, then a struggling student. I leveraged his mother’s medical bills, twisting his arm into accepting my “sponsorship” and, by extension, me. Julian believed I had humiliated him with my money, and he hated me for years because of it. After we married, he plotted to seize my family’s company, all while carrying on a secret affair with his childhood sweetheart. Later, he slowly drove me insane, sent me to a mental hospital, and watched me fall to my death. Then, he reinvented himself as a newly minted mogul and married his childhood sweetheart.

I finally understood. Ryder and I were inseparable, practically joined at the hip since we were kids. So how, in my previous life, did I suddenly lose my mind and fall for Julian the moment he appeared? Snapping back to reality, my gaze swept around the room. I saw the parents from both families, each with their own complex expressions. And then there was Ryder, sitting on the sofa, his features sharp and cold, looking up at me slightly. It suddenly clicked. In my previous life, this was the day I completely broke off with Ryder. Our families, the Montgomerys and the Fosters, were old friends. Today was supposed to be one of our regular get-togethers. But I was late, and I brought Julian with me. I opened my mouth, demanding to end my engagement with Ryder: “I’ve never liked you. Besides, I already have a boyfriend.” “So, you’re here to break off our engagement, for *that*?” Ryder adjusted the gold frames of his glasses. His gaze landed on Julian beside me, openly disdainful. Julian straightened his back, retaliating: “What are you so proud of? You’re just a little better off than me, thanks to your family.” “A little better?” Ryder curled his lip, a mocking smile twisting his features. “You’d do well to remember, if Aria hadn’t brought you, you wouldn’t even have the right to stand here and speak to me.”

That jab sliced right through Julian’s already fragile ego. In my previous life, I watched his eyes sting with humiliation, and my heart just *ached* for him. I immediately stepped in front of him, lashing out at Ryder, my words venomous and unthinking. I called him deluded, clinging. “Don’t think I don’t know. That guy in high school who wrote me a love letter mysteriously got his leg broken in a car accident, you did it, didn’t you?” “Ryder, you’re disgusting. I can’t even look at you.” “Besides your family name, what exactly makes you better than Julian?” I spewed so many nasty things, but Ryder didn’t say a word in response. He just sat there, still and silent, like a statue carved from ice. After a long silence, he pressed a hand to his glasses and calmly said: “Fine. I agree to break the engagement.” … Julian turned to me, his voice icy: “Miss Montgomery, did you bring me here just to be humiliated?” I dug my nails into my palm, forcing my mind out of the chaos of rebirth. Hearing his words, I suddenly chuckled: “Humiliated? Ryder was just stating facts.” “You’re just a plaything, Julian. He wouldn’t waste his breath on you. You’re seriously overestimating yourself.” The living room fell silent. Everyone stared at me, bewildered. Two steps away, on the sofa, Ryder’s head snapped up. Behind his glasses, his eyes, as clear and fragile as polished glass, held unconcealed astonishment. “What did you say?” Julian’s expression turned utterly mortified. “I said, you didn’t actually think you were better than my fiancé in any way, did you?” “He’s always ignoring me during business deals, and I get annoyed, so I just used you to get under his skin.” I dropped his hand, recoiling as if he were something repulsive. I issued my dismissal, “Now, get out.” Julian stared at me, disbelief etched on his face. But our butler, who had quickly caught on, promptly escorted him out. Before leaving, he spat a threat: “Aria Montgomery, I’m not some toy you can pick up and put down whenever you like.” “Next time, even if you beg on your knees, I won’t take you back.”

His confidence was… hilarious. I almost choked. But I had no time for Julian. I scurried over to Ryder, dropping to my knees beside him. It was only much later, in my previous life, after we broke off the engagement, that I learned Ryder had been admitted to the hospital that very night. He’d been sitting on the sofa the whole time, not getting up, because his stomach issues had flared up while he was away on a business trip. But he’d pushed himself to rush back, despite the pain, because he really wanted to see me. And the first thing I did when I saw him was demand to end our engagement. I was such an idiot. Our eyes met, and a flicker of understanding, then mocking amusement, crossed Ryder’s face. He scoffed, “Trying to make your boyfriend jealous again?” I couldn’t blame Ryder for thinking that. In my previous life, I *had* pulled stupid stunts, using Ryder to provoke Julian and prove Julian cared about me. Now, I could only soften my voice and play dumb: “Boyfriend? What boyfriend? Ryder, I only have you as my fiancé.” He looked down at me. “I don’t feel well. Could you come with me to the hospital first?” Ryder suddenly frowned: “What’s wrong? Are your period cramps acting up again?” I blurted out without thinking: “…Yeah, period cramps.” He tilted his head, looking at me. “Today isn’t your usual cycle.” Julian and I had been giving each other the silent treatment for ages. I hadn’t expected him to still remember my period cycle. My heart swelled with a sudden rush of bittersweet emotion. “Um… well, it just came early, you know?” I gently tugged on his sleeve, giving it a little shake. “I need a pain shot. Will you come with me, please?” Ryder didn’t say anything, lost in thought for a moment. Then he calmly agreed: “Alright.”

Once we were in the car, I called the driver and didn’t let Ryder drive. He didn’t argue, just sat beside me in the back seat. But there was still a person’s width between us. I asked softly, “Ryder, are you angry with me?” He curved his lips ever so slightly. A self-deprecating chuckle, “How could I dare.” Those four words sent an overwhelming wave of guilt washing over me. In my previous life, controlled by the story’s influence, my parents couldn’t stop me and watched as I married Julian. I tirelessly propped up his company with my family’s wealth, never complaining. Because Ryder always competed with Julian, always poaching his projects. I came to see him as my arch-nemesis. In those ten years of my previous life, the few times we met, I was always cold and dismissive, never giving him a kind look. “Ryder.” I sniffed, my voice thick, suddenly saying, “It’s been two months. Did you miss me?” Ryder glanced at me. He didn’t say anything. I felt a bit awkward, so I tried to make small talk: “You didn’t even bring me a gift this time.” “Last time I did. You said my things were dirty and threw them away.” He finished coldly, then turned his head away, closing his eyes. A clear sign he was reluctant to engage with me further. The last time Ryder returned from abroad, he brought me a box of rubies. As he handed them to me, he’d casually said, “Make some little trinkets. Don’t spend all your time with low-class trash.” Both the rubies themselves and Ryder’s words had pricked Julian’s male pride. So, to make Julian happy, I had immediately thrown the box of gems back at Ryder. “I don’t want your dirty stuff!” … Thinking about it, I closed my eyes in despair. In my mind, I cursed the original plot for being so unbelievably stupid, it felt like it was scribbled by someone with a serious head injury. In reality, I could only slowly, tentatively, inch closer to Ryder. I turned my body, pressing against him, resting my chin on his shoulder, and whispered, “Actually, Ryder, I have something to tell you…” My warm breath feathered against his ear, stirring the loose strands of hair by his ear. Ryder suddenly opened his eyes, reached up, and gently but firmly pulled me away by the back of my neck. “Whatever game you and Julian are playing today, I’m not interested. Don’t waste your breath.” He frowned, then paused slightly. “And stop moving around if you don’t feel well.” Ryder’s face was stern and cold when he scolded me. But I, quick-eyed, noticed his earlobes and the curve of his neck were flushed a deep crimson. He’d even shifted into a slightly awkward position. “Ryder.” I tested the waters, calling his name. “You wouldn’t… you aren’t…” “Just sit still.” He lowered his lashes, concealing the tumultuous undercurrent of desire in his eyes, his voice a little hoarse. “My business is not yours to worry about.”

By the time the car stopped outside the hospital, the icy, tense atmosphere between Ryder and me had eased considerably. Thinking of his stomach pain, I made an excuse, wanting him to help me, and linked my arm through his. But then, a sweet voice, edged with furious indignation, suddenly cut through the air beside us: “Aria Montgomery!” I turned to see Chloe, Julian’s childhood sweetheart, storming up to me, glaring angrily. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You deliberately had Mrs. Davis’s medication cut off just to force Julian to bow to you!” She glanced behind me, and her eyes welled up instantly. “You said before, if I disappeared, you’d ask that renowned oncology specialist to take on Mrs. Davis’s case. Are you going back on your word now?” “Chloe.” Julian quickly walked past me, pulled Chloe behind him, shielding her. Then, he lowered his gaze, speaking in a hushed, almost groveling tone. “Aria, it’s all my fault. I’m not angry about what you did to me today, just don’t make things difficult for Chloe and my mom.” “From now on, I’ll do whatever you say.” It suddenly hit me. In my previous life, that specialist who treated Julian’s mom? I’d arranged it through the Foster family connections. “No…” I hadn’t even had a chance to speak. My arm suddenly felt empty. Ryder pulled his arm free from mine, his eyes lowered, a mocking, cold, bone-deep frost in his gaze. “So this is why you suddenly wanted me to bring you to the hospital.” “Aria, this is what you wanted to tell me, isn’t it?”

That sharp, cold look Ryder would get, yet fragile as shattered glass, was all too familiar to me. In my previous life, every time I clashed with him for Julian’s sake, he would look at me exactly like that. Back then, bound by the original plot, my mind was solely focused on Julian. I only found Ryder’s dramatic airs incredibly annoying. Now, my heart ached, and I instinctively retorted: “No, it’s not.” But he didn’t look at me again, only at Julian, his voice chillingly cold: “If you look down on me so much, then show some real capability. You’re not embarrassed, dragging my fiancée into this charade just to get treatment for your own mother?” Julian gritted his teeth, a flicker of humiliation in his eyes. “You, Foster, don’t think you’re so great.” He clenched his fist, his voice cold, “One day, you’ll pay for what you said today.” Ryder ignored him and walked away without looking back. I was about to chase after him when Julian grabbed me: “…Aria.” He looked at me, his eyes slightly downcast, his voice a little hoarse, “Aria, it’s all my fault, don’t be angry anymore.” When his chilling fingers closed around my wrist, I thought of everything in my previous life and felt like a cold, venomous snake had coiled around me. “Don’t touch me! You’re disgusting!” Thrown off guard by my sudden rejection, Julian looked utterly stunned. Clearly, he couldn’t believe it. After all, in the past, no matter how angry I was, as long as he softened his tone even slightly, I would give in without question. “Aria…” He was about to say something else, but I forcefully cut him off: “Since you’ve always felt my money was an insult, then transfer the eighty thousand dollars I spent on your mother’s medical treatment to my account within three days.” “Let me see just how much backbone you really have.”

I practically sprinted in my heels, finally catching up to Ryder at the hospital entrance. “Ryder!” I tugged on his sleeve, panting. Before I could even speak, he turned his head. “Aria, we do have a history.” “But that doesn’t mean you can leverage it to make me endlessly compromise for your boyfriend.” He finished coldly, trying to pull his sleeve back, but I held on tight: “It has nothing to do with him!” “Okay, I admit, I didn’t come to the hospital because of period cramps. I wanted to bring you here—your stomach issues flared up again, didn’t they?” “Ryder, don’t think I don’t know, you never eat properly when you’re on business trips!” He looked at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes, his gaze slowly scanning my face. As if trying to discern the truth from my expression. Seeing his expression soften slightly, I quickly pressed my advantage. I dragged him, practically pulling him into the examination room. The doctor, looking at his test results, frowned deeply: “Chronic gastritis requires special attention to diet. Especially when you don’t feel well, don’t just tough it out. Come to the hospital as soon as possible.” “You’ll need an IV drip for two days.”

Sunlight streamed through the glass window, illuminating the room. Once only Ryder and I were left in the ward, the air suddenly grew quiet. I ordered some porridge for delivery. When it arrived, I blew on each spoonful to cool it before feeding it to him. Ryder’s eyelashes were lowered, lost in thought. “The doctor said you need to eat something, or your stomach will feel worse when you get the IV.” I reminded him, and he finally looked up at me. His eyes, catching the sunlight, reflected a shimmering light. “…Okay.” He responded softly, finally opening his mouth. After he’d eaten half a bowl of porridge, Ryder motioned for me to put the bowl down. “My phone.” I handed him my phone, puzzled, and watched him key in a string of numbers. “What’s this?” “Director Harrison’s number. The oncology specialist you were so keen on hiring.” I looked up sharply, seeing Ryder’s slightly pale face and a faint, bitter smile on his lips. I suddenly understood. Even now, he thought I had an ulterior motive. “You brought me to the hospital; I’m giving you what you want. We’re even.” “I don’t want next time, when you come to beg me for his sake again, for you to bring this up and say you felt disgusted just watching me eat my porridge.” “Aria… I’m human too.” The sunlight slanted in, painting a rare fragility across his sharp features. My chest tightened painfully, and I couldn’t speak. I remembered the incident Ryder was referring to. Three months ago, Julian’s studio wanted a project, and Ryder was the client’s decision-maker. So I pestered him relentlessly, cooked him a meal, and even brought him gifts. Just as Ryder was looking pleased, I asked him, “Could you just… ease up a little and give that project to Julian’s team?” The smile on Ryder’s lips vanished instantly. He put down his chopsticks and looked at me: “So, you came to see me today, still for your boyfriend?” “Julian really is capable!” I tried to argue, but his voice, cold and firm, cut me off. “Capable people don’t need to go through the back door to secure projects.” “Go home. I’ve already reviewed the proposal and made my decision.” “I won’t choose him.” Ryder stood up, pulled out his chair, and practically threw me out. I lost my temper, pointing at him and yelling: “If it weren’t for Julian, I wouldn’t even want to see you!” “Just watching you eat my food makes me sick to my stomach!”

Through my blurry vision, a hand suddenly reached out, wiping away the wetness from my eyes. Only then did I realize I was crying. Ryder withdrew his hand, saying faintly, “Don’t feel wronged. After today, I won’t look for you again.” “Aria, we’re even.” I had a track record, so it was normal for him not to trust me. While trying to convince myself, I forced back my tears and looked at Ryder earnestly: “I’m sorry.” He paused, surprised: “Matters of the heart can’t be forced. No need to apologize.” “When we get back from the hospital today, I’ll explain everything to your parents. We’ll break—” His words were cut off by my sudden kiss. Ryder’s eyes snapped open, staring at me in disbelief. I awkwardly pressed my lips against his for a moment, then pulled back slightly, panting softly, tugging at his collar. “Don’t… don’t say break off the engagement.” I steadied myself and continued, “Ryder, whether you believe it or not, all those things with Julian before? I didn’t want to do them.” “I brought you to the hospital simply because I saw how pale you looked and was worried about you.” He looked down at me, the tumultuous emotions in his eyes obscured by his long lashes: “Is this your new tactic?” I suppressed the bitterness in my heart: “My life, our shared history—we’ve known each other for as long as I’ve been alive. So you have to believe me.” “If you don’t believe me—” “I’ll kiss you again.” I said, leaning in again. But Ryder pressed against my forehead, stopping me in time. His breath was incredibly close, his voice a little hoarse: “Aria, do you know what you’re doing right now?” I answered, “Yes, I know. I’m doing what we did when we were eighteen.” That sentence was like a fuse, igniting everything. Instantly burning away all reason between Ryder and me.

The night after graduation, my family held a special dinner to celebrate. I drank a few glasses of champagne and, feeling tipsy, dragged Ryder into my room. I asked him, “What does kissing feel like?” “…” He looked at me calmly, “Aria, you’re drunk.” I got a little upset: “Don’t change the subject! If you don’t tell me, I’ll go find some other—mph!” Before I could finish, Ryder suddenly gripped my chin, leaning in to kiss me. A faint scent of lemongrass wafted from him. It was probably the cologne I’d given him for his birthday that year. His lips and tongue, and the pad of his thumb pressing against my neck, were searing hot. My head was spinning, and soon I could only cling to his shirtfront, forced to endure the overwhelming heat that followed. Ryder’s voice was laced with a dark, surging desire: “…That’s what kissing feels like.” “Want to go deeper, Aria?”

Back then, we were so good, so incredibly close. I always thought I’d marry Ryder after college. But after I started university, the moment I saw Julian. I was possessed, as if by a ghost, and dragged into the whirlpool of the original plot.

“He’s just lying in a hospital bed, how did the IV drip get dislodged?” The nurse came to re-insert Ryder’s IV, then, still worried, reminded him, “No more moving around, okay? You only have one more bag left.” Ryder nodded calmly. It was me, sitting beside him, who rubbed my burning ears. After the nurse left, I apologized softly: “…I’m sorry.” I’d been so caught up in the kiss that I’d pressed on Ryder’s arm, dislodging the IV needle. Blood had stained the entire adhesive patch red. He glanced at me: “No need to apologize.” “So, do you believe me now?” “Depends on your performance.” Despite his words, his tone had already softened slightly. Near the end of the month, Ryder went to a neighboring city for a business trip. Even though I was back at university for classes, I made sure to text him whenever I could. I was actively proving to him that he was the only one in my heart. Ryder’s birthday was approaching. That afternoon, I wanted to go to the mall to pick out a gift for him. Suddenly, I saw a familiar figure in the distance. It was Julian. Because of the harsh words exchanged at the hospital that day, he hadn’t contacted me in days. I was actually happy about the reprieve. But now, during what should have been a busy time at his studio, he was walking into a garden restaurant with a young man. My heart tightened, and I hurried forward a few steps. The moment I entered, the man happened to look up. It was like a lightning bolt struck me, and I froze. This man… wasn’t he Marcus, the one who, in my previous life, had partnered with Julian to ruin Ryder and the Montgomery family?

I secretly followed them, hiding behind some greenery, and overheard their conversation. “Ryder’s already in Seaside City. Looks like he hasn’t discovered the project is problematic.” “Project?” Julian scoffed, his voice chilling, “I want more than just his company. I want his life.” … In my previous life, I often found it strange. Ryder, born into the Foster family, was the most brilliant child of his generation. He earned his MBA from a top business school at twenty, then returned home to take over the family company. How could such a Ryder repeatedly lose to Julian, eventually having most of his family’s company swallowed? Was it just because Julian had a protagonist’s halo? Or did he possess some special information? What was this Seaside City project they were talking about? Countless questions swirled in my mind. I desperately wanted to ask Ryder, but I was afraid that an early confrontation with Julian might accelerate the original plot, pushing Ryder towards his fated end. After much thought, I decided to start with Julian, to gather information. To prevent Ryder from falling into danger under the influence of the original plot.

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The first time Julian cheated, he dragged his mistress, Celeste, in front of me, his eyes blazing, and told me to do whatever I wanted with her. Loved him with a ferocity that bordered on madness, I chose to forgive his “accidental” mistake. The second time he cheated, I sent the woman overseas, ordering her never to return. The night of our engagement party, Julian choked me, pressing a dagger against my lower abdomen. His eyes were wild as he demanded, “Where is Celeste? Do you know she’s pregnant?” “I couldn’t control my own primal urges; if you want to be mad, be mad at me. Celeste is just a young girl, she shouldn’t have to suffer for this. I’m begging you, just let the baby be born safely, and I swear I’ll never see her again.” “You’re scared of childbirth, right? So let’s just claim the one Celeste is carrying as ours, okay? Don’t worry, the child will see *you* as its mother, that’s my solemn vow to you.” The knife tip pierced my skin, a warm trickle of blood blooming on my stomach. I smiled at him, and told him exactly where Celeste was. The door slammed shut. Trembling, I pulled out my phone and dialed that familiar number. “You were right this time. Can you still help me out?” On the other end, Liam cursed under his breath, his voice laced with exasperation. “Why didn’t you say so sooner? I’m already out of the country, how am I supposed to help you now?” “Audrey, I swear, you’re brilliant, but falling for the same guy’s tricks *twice*? Did you just completely abandon all common sense when it came to love?” Pressing hard on the wound in my abdomen, my voice grew increasingly bitter. “I’m sorry. I owe you this time. I’ll give you thirty percent of the profits on our next joint project. Is that enough?” Liam immediately perked up, his interest piqued. “Send me the time, send me the location. I’ll be there, guaranteed.” “And next time you have a ‘collaboration’ like this, remember to call me! You’ll get your money’s worth, I promise.” I sent the full wedding plan to Liam. He swiftly replied with an ‘OK’ emoji. Our once-perfect bridal suite lay in ruins, smashed by Julian, a mirror image of my heart. After tending to my wounds alone, I stumbled out of the villa. I had just checked into the hotel when Julian’s call came through again. The hum of the airplane was loud, but I still caught the suppressed fury in his voice. “Audrey, I’m on a flight overseas right now, I can’t be with you tonight. Get some rest. I’m sorry, I was just too emotional earlier, I never meant to hurt you.” “Is your injury serious? Should I send my private doctor over to check on you right now—” “No need.” I cut him off, my voice chilling. Julian’s tone instantly darkened. “Audrey, didn’t I tell you? What happened between Celeste and me was an accident. I was drugged and mistook her for you. Now that it’s happened, I have to take responsibility. Do you really expect a Julian family child to be born abroad?” “You forgave me once before, didn’t you? Why are you being so dramatic this time? Our wedding is in a week, just calm down tonight.” Staring at my SnapChat conversation with Liam, I said icily, “No need. I won’t be marrying you.” “Julian, I told you, I don’t tolerate infidelity.” Just as I was about to hang up, he exploded. “Not marrying me? What kind of joke is that? The engagement party is over, the whole world knows the Julian and Peterson families are uniting. And now you say this? Are you trying to blackmail me with our alliance?” “Audrey, we grew up together, you know who I am. If I hadn’t been set up, I would never betray you!” “They say third time’s the charm, but I’ve only messed up *twice*! After the baby’s born, I swear Celeste will vanish from your life forever. Isn’t that enough?” Tears welled up, and a bitter smile touched my lips. “So what? You want me to wake up every day to a child you had with another woman, a daily reminder of your mistakes?” “Julian, I can’t do it. I’m sorry.” With that, his furious roar echoed through the phone: “Fine. Remember what you said. Let’s see if you regret it!” “What man of my standing *doesn’t* have affairs? I’ve given you Celeste to deal with however you see fit – what more do you want from me? If you can’t handle it, then leave! I’m done arguing about this!”

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Our family carries a generational curse. The more one person gives in a marriage, the more the other will pay back tenfold after divorce. So, when Julian Hayes brought his pregnant secretary home on our ninth wedding anniversary, I didn’t cry or make a scene. Instead, I greeted him with a radiant smile. Julian casually instructed me: “Serena has a delicate palate; no repeating meals for her, ever again.” “She’s easily scared and needs company when she sleeps. Pack your things, move into the guest room.” At his words, everyone burst into laughter. “Mrs. Hayes? More like the CEO’s mistress’s nanny!” I lowered my head, desperately trying to suppress the triumphant smirk that threatened to lift my lips. They had no idea. The deeper Julian wounded me now, the more devastatingly the curse would rebound on him after the divorce. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face then. In our nine years of marriage, I never once mentioned the curse to Julian. When we first got married, we were madly in love. I firmly believed he would never betray me. And I truly believed we would never divorce. Until I caught him cheating. The first time I discovered his infidelity, I asked for a divorce. But he locked me in the master bedroom of our villa for five days and four nights, exhausting three entire bottles of something. He explained, his face a mask of helplessness, “Claire, people in our social circle sometimes need a change of pace.” My friends also tried to convince me, claiming it was an unspoken rule in elite circles. No matter how deeply a couple loved each other, the wife had to silently accept her husband having a kept woman outside. They said the others were just temporary toys, and Julian’s true heart still belonged to me. But then Serena Stone appeared, and I knew he was genuinely in love. The first time I truly realized it was on my birthday. Julian shamelessly brought Serena along to the ski resort. Serena cooed at Julian, whining that the snowstorm was too heavy and she wanted my goggles. I refused to give them to her. “Does Mr. Hayes not even have enough money to buy his little mistress a pair of goggles? Why does she have to steal mine?” Serena burst into tears the moment she heard that. Julian instantly panicked. To soothe her, he ordered his men to strip me bare and abandoned me on the mountainside. After six hours in the snow, when rescue finally arrived, I felt utterly numb, dead inside. Later, when Serena found out she was pregnant and simply mentioned wanting my peace-and-luck bangle, Julian immediately demanded I hand it over. But he knew perfectly well that the bangle was a precious relic from my deceased parents. Meeting my reddened eyes, he was coldly indifferent: “Name your price.” What was nine years of a humiliating marriage, one that dragged me through the mud, truly worth? I couldn’t be bothered to calculate. I removed the peace-and-luck bangle and placed it on Serena’s wrist. I said to Serena: “May your baby be safe and sound.” Hearing my ‘blessing,’ Julian, for once, unexpectedly offered me an olive branch: “Claire, if you just behave, my child will be your child.” No sooner had he finished speaking than the bangle on Serena’s wrist suddenly slipped off and shattered. Seeing Serena’s leg cut, Julian scooped her up like a princess. He barked orders at Mr. Thompson to call the family doctor. I turned to leave, but he gripped my wrist with a cold glare: “Apologize.” “What—” Before I could finish, he dragged me to my knees at Serena’s feet. My knees scraped against the fragments of the bangle, staining the pristine white floor crimson with my blood. Seeing the bloodstains, Julian’s eyes flickered with disgust, and he released me. “You deliberately broke Serena’s bangle and caused her injury. Don’t you think you should apologize to her?” After marrying Julian, the words “I’m sorry” had become my mantra. The soup was too bland, I’m sorry. Worried he was drunk and unwell, I bothered him with a text message, I’m sorry. Accidentally seeing Serena’s text inviting him to a hotel, thus ‘invading his privacy’—my sincerest apologies… Biting the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, I resignedly straightened up. After bowing a full 180 degrees to Serena and apologizing three times, I looked at Julian with an empty gaze. I asked softly: “Is that enough?” Staring at the blood at the corner of my mouth, his chest visibly heaved for a moment: “Claire, Grandfather Hayes, your biggest protector, isn’t here to save you. Who are you putting on this pathetic, disgusting act for?” Before I could reply, the family doctor rushed in. Shoving me out of his way, Julian led the doctor straight to Serena.

While his eyes were filled with nothing but Serena, I quickly walked out the front door, desperate to leave. However, before the iron gate could open, two bodyguards suddenly appeared, forcibly taking me back to the villa. In the study, Julian had me bound securely. He ordered someone to pierce my arm with a needle as thick as a child’s arm. Through the half-open door, I heard the doctor say to Julian: “Mr. Hayes, while both your wife and Ms. Stone have RH-negative blood, a rare type, Mrs. Hayes has a history of heart disease since childhood. Forcibly drawing blood could trigger acute shock. I think it would be better to go to the hospital first, and then proceed with a transfusion for Ms. Stone’s anemia…” “Don’t bother trying to persuade me.” Julian said coldly: “Your only task is to ensure Serena’s health. As for the rest, I know what I’m doing.” Hearing Julian’s approaching footsteps, I slowly closed my eyes. “Does it hurt much?” His voice was uncharacteristically comforting: “Just bear with it a little longer. It’ll be over soon.” I turned my head away, unwilling to waste my breath on him. After extracting 800 milliliters of blood, my lips had turned purple. At that moment, Serena, lying in the master bedroom, suddenly coughed. Hearing the sound, Julian immediately stopped the doctor from pulling out the needle, demanding he draw double the amount of blood. The doctor, sweating profusely, informed Julian that if they continued, I would likely die. After a two-second hesitation, Julian merely said: “Serena is pregnant; the pregnant woman comes first in everything.” “But…” I cut off the doctor’s protest: “Draw it. Just let me leave once you’re done.” Looking at my bloodless face, Julian’s eyes filled with cold fury, and he opened his mouth to speak. He was about to demand if I was done throwing a tantrum. Was I really going to run away from home over such a minor issue? Serena’s sweet, whiny voice chimed in: “Julian, honey~” And instantly, he was drawn away. After that, I collapsed from blood loss and was hospitalized. I didn’t realize then that, a month later, I would be back in the hospital again.

It started one evening when Serena suddenly blocked my bedroom door. She held a black bottle in her hand, eyeing me up and down with disdain: “Claire, I didn’t think you could endure so much. I’ve brazenly taken over your life and made you the laughingstock of the entire elite circle, yet you’re still stubbornly clinging to the Hayes family, refusing to leave.” “Then again, your grandmother died last month, didn’t she? Without that powerful protector, you’d be clinging to Julian like a drowning person to a life raft, wouldn’t you?” At this, Serena suddenly remembered something amusing: “Claire, remember that day you were crying and begging Julian to fly you by helicopter to the hospital to see your grandmother one last time? Do you know why he refused? Because, darling, he’d promised to take me to the beach to watch the sunset that day. Look, this kissing photo on my phone screen? That’s when we took it.” *Smash!* I knocked Serena’s phone from her hand, my patience snapping, and gripped her neck. The bottle in Serena’s hand slipped, and I immediately caught a strong whiff of gasoline. In the struggle, a flustered Serena accidentally ignited the gasoline on the floor. Thick smoke billowed, and flames raged. Having just been discharged from the hospital, I quickly became weak from the smoke, collapsing to the ground. That’s when I heard Julian’s voice: “Claire!” Followed by the maids’ frantic shouts of protest: “Sir, it’s too dangerous inside, you can’t go in yet! Wait for security to bring the fire extinguisher before—” “Get out of my way! Claire is still in there!” He, after all, disregarded the danger and rushed into the burning house. He just didn’t expect Serena to be in there too. “Julian, darling, help—”

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I was so damn lonely. So, when I stumbled into this twisted game, I embraced it. The long-haired ghost who actually *listened* to me? She became my little sister. The Shadow Boss who didn’t *hate* me? He was my husband. And those ancient spirits, the ones who could slice through players like butter but actually ate my cooking? They were my parents. First time we met, my new sister and I were playing cat’s cradle. The Shadow Boss was over there, smirking. I got mad. “Don’t you dare laugh! You try it, you can’t do any better!” The Shadow Boss’s shadowy form rippled, solidifying into distinct limbs, and he glared at me, his teeth gritted. “Are you saying *I* can’t?” 0A flash of blinding white light, and I was standing in a perfectly ordinary village. A creepy mechanical voice whispered in my ear. “Welcome to the ‘Happy Hill Village’ dungeon. “Survival time limit for this dungeon: 7 days. “Initial players: 30; Currently alive: 30. “May your game be… unpleasant~” I’m a total social butterfly when I’m scared of being alone, so seeing a whole crowd of people crammed together just made me even more excited. I looked around, first spotting a student girl who was openly weeping. “Waaah, where am I? I want to go home!” I immediately rushed over, threw my arms around her, and tried my best to comfort her. “It’s okay, it’s okay! Look, we’re all here together, it’s actually pretty great, hahahaha!” Next to us, a blonde guy named Brendan, with a short temper, snapped at me. “Do you even know where this is? What’s so great about being stuck here?” Just then, a man and a woman, Seraphina and Jax, introduced themselves as veteran players. They kindly began to explain things to us. This was an infinite-flow game, only for those who had already passed away. If you cleared all the dungeons or accumulated the legendary 9999 points, you’d earn the right to be resurrected. The moment “resurrection” was mentioned, someone instantly pressed for details. “So, how many points do we get for clearing one dungeon?” Seraphina explained. “It depends on your ‘Scare Value’ when you clear it. If your Scare Value hits 100, you die instantly. If you clear it with 99 Scare Value, you only get 1 point. And so on.” Scare Value, as the name implied, was how terrified you were. Veteran players, once they got the hang of the game, could usually keep their Scare Value below 60. I rubbed my chin, then asked, “What if you clear it with 0 Scare Value? Do you get 100 points then?” The moment I said that, in places I couldn’t see, countless bullet screen comments were mocking me. [This newbie is full of big talk! Happy Hill Village is an S-rank dungeon, these new players aren’t even a warm-up for the big boss!] [Oh no, this random match-up only has Seraphina and Jax as veterans. Looks like another total party wipe. Hope they last long enough to scout some info for us.] [Wasn’t Sterling from the First Guild taken out here last time? He lasted until the sixth day, but then…] 0

Soon, it was time to pick our rooms. According to the system’s hints and requirements, Happy Hill Village was essentially a role-playing horror dungeon. The village had a total of 30 houses, stretching from the mountainside down to the foot, lined up along a narrow path. House number 1 was at the foot, closest to our gathering point at the old village hall, and the numbers got higher as you went up the mountainside. Only one player could occupy each house. Each house was inhabited by strange entities, who would take on various intimate roles related to the player. And, over the course of these seven days, they would constantly look for opportunities to scare the players. The two veteran players moved first, choosing houses number 1 and 2. Clearly, lower numbers meant safer houses. So, the smarter players quickly followed suit, snatching up the houses with smaller numbers. I, on the other hand, excitedly wandered through the crowd without picking anything, until I was the last one left. Only house number 30 remained for me. Banking on the fact that I couldn’t see them, the bullet screen comments went wild again. [This newbie is dead for sure. Everyone knows, the higher the number, the higher the Boss’s level.] [Especially number 30, it’s packed with ultimate Bosses, known as the House of Death.] I practically skipped to house number 30. Looking around, I found it wasn’t all that different from a normal house. Except for some eerie algae growing on the walls, a pile of bones in the corner, and the whole place being pitch-black since the lights weren’t on yet. But hey, it was a detached house! And it came with the family I’d always dreamed of! You see, in real life, I’d always been so lonely. Everyone thought I was crazy, and no one ever wanted to hang out with me! I walked to the door and, without hesitation, knocked loudly, shouting, “Open up! Your favorite girl is home! If you don’t open the door, I’m practically starving!” Not only were the other players waiting nearby stunned, but even the bullet screen comments were shocked. [She’s practically asking for a death wish, isn’t she? Look around, every other player is politely knocking or waiting patiently for the ghost to be in a good mood and open the door.] [I can’t watch this brainless idiot anymore, I’m out.] [No, wait! Keep watching! I want to see how she dies!] 0

I flashed a smile at the player from next door, number 29, without bothering to explain my thought process: These were my family members, after all. Of course, I’d act as naturally as possible. Would I seriously go back to my real home and politely say, “Hello, is anyone home? Please, would you mind opening the door for me?” The knocking stopped, and the door creaked open. Before I could even glimpse the interior layout, a dark figure suddenly lunged at me, its wet, long hair coiling around my neck. But I felt not a shred of fear. To me, what was the difference between this and a small animal getting close and clinging to you? Wow, so enthusiastic! Giving me such a tight hug on our first meeting. I actually felt a little shy, which was rare for me, and hugged the figure back just as tightly. “Hehehe, I *knew* you liked me too! I like you super much!” As I hugged, I started feeling a little dissatisfied. Why were there only bones under my hands? No flesh at all! “Why are you so skinny? Has someone been hurting you? Don’t be scared, Big Sis will sort it out for you!” The bullet screen comments immediately exploded in outrage: [Lady, open your eyes and see who you’re declaring love to! That’s a horror boss! And who would dare hurt *her*? She’s the one hurting players!] [Don’t worry, once *he* gets home, she’s dead.] Too bad I couldn’t see those comments. Even if I could, I wouldn’t have cared. Right now, I was holding a precious family member who hadn’t run away at the sight of me! I excitedly hugged her, my mouth chattering non-stop. “From now on, I’m your Big Sister, and you’re my Little Sister!” “Little Sis, Little Sis, do you want me to braid your hair? I’m super good at it!” The little girl’s hair, which had been wrapped around my neck, unconsciously loosened. Even her pale face, devoid of color before, flushed pink. She shyly whispered, “Yes, please.” I immediately hugged her excitedly, pulling her into the house and seating her on the couch. I started braiding her three-to-four-meter-long hair into long pigtails, even taking a clip from my own hair to secure two little top knots. When I turned back, with her hair no longer in the way, I could finally see that she was an adorable little girl. I hugged her again, even more thrilled, giggling and calling her “Little Sis.” This time, the little girl didn’t try to struggle. She even leaned in and kissed my cheek. Her tiny voice said, “Thank you, Big Sis.” She called me Big Sis! I had an adorable little sister now! This was totally epic! You have to understand, in my real life, I never had any family. Even the kids in the park, their parents wouldn’t let them play with me. Just as I finished comforting my brand-new sister, Elara, and was about to play my favorite game, cat’s cradle, with her, the system announcement came through: “Initial players: 30; Currently alive: 20.” Unbelievable. Ten people had died right after the game started. I heard my phone pinging, so I opened it. Turns out everyone was exchanging information in the SnapChat group, like how the other players had died. For instance, Brendan, the short-tempered blonde, had chosen a relatively safe number 10 house. But the moment he knocked, a grotesque monkey-spirit emerged, offering him strangely shaped food. Brendan, in his surprise, immediately ate the food, only for his whole body to suddenly begin rotting away, eventually turning into a shriveled skeleton. Through the half-open door, other players had seen more skeletons, grinning ominously at them. Witnessing all this, pretty much all the new players’ adrenaline levels shot up. Now, besides Seraphina and Jax, everyone’s Scare Value was at 50, and it was only the first day! Another player, Mr. Henderson, a middle-aged man, had died instantly the moment he stepped through house number 20’s door, his Scare Value skyrocketing to 100. The other players had died in all sorts of bizarre ways, either killed by the creepy entities or simply scared to death. Of course, none of that concerned me. I, on the one hand, marveled at how fragile these people were, and on the other, pestered Elara to play cat’s cradle with me. Just as I was trying to cheat and restart for the tenth time, an icy presence suddenly enveloped me. In the boundless, swirling darkness, a masked head floated in mid-air, staring at me with chilling indifference, letting out a cold, cutting laugh. 0

I spoke before he did: “What are you laughing at? You couldn’t even manage it if you tried!” Then, my new sister Elara’s chilling voice rang out too: “You’d better not touch her. I want to keep this Big Sister to play with for a long time.” The man let out another cold laugh, and the black mist suddenly flung Elara away, slamming her against the hard wall, leaving a human-shaped dent. “Who gave you permission to speak to me like that? Do you actually think of yourself as my sister?” I couldn’t stand it. I scrambled off the couch and pounced, muttering, “Who gave *you* permission to speak to a child like that? What kind of brother are you?” I slapped out a hand, determined to show him that violent parenting was unacceptable. But my hand slipped. Instead of knocking over the floating head, I knocked off the mask covering his face. When that handsome, stern face appeared before me, I immediately threw myself at him. “Oh my god! I knew it the moment I saw you! You’re my destined husband!” “Even if you’re a bit short and don’t have hands, it’s okay. I’ll take good care of you.” “We’re a family now, loving each other, forever and always!” The bullet screen went wild: [Help, what is she saying?! How dare she say that to the Big Boss?!] [Finally, the Shadow Boss is here! He’s supposed to be the strongest Boss in Happy Hill Village! Sterling died by his hand back then.] [The Big Boss is actually blushing! Take a bite!] [You’re just hungry.] The entire livestream was waiting for the man to snap my neck. Just like he did with other players. 0

Unexpectedly, the next second, he solidified, towering over me. The black mist gradually organized itself into the shape of his limbs. Then he leaned close, his hand, encased in a black latex glove, lifting my face. He even brushed his thumb across my chin. “You want to take care of me? And be with me forever?” “Maya, do you know what you’re saying?” The man suddenly called my name, his voice raspy, like it had been smoked, sending a shiver through my heart. I immediately clung to him, wrapping myself around him. My hand casually reached inside his black suit, only to find he was wearing a black bodysuit underneath. While it was a shame not to make intimate contact with abs, the thought of him being a darkly mysterious man with a hidden intensity, thoroughly wrapped up, made me like him even more! “Of course, I know. ‘Forever and always’ means…” The next second, my sister Elara, who I’d just peeled off the wall, came charging over. She shot the man a hateful glare, then looked at me with innocent eyes. She spoke in a tiny, sweet voice, “Big Sis, I’m hungry!” Who could possibly resist that?! I immediately tumbled off the man and scrambled into the kitchen on all fours. From behind me, I heard clanging and crashing sounds, probably the two siblings having a real heart-to-heart. I couldn’t help but marvel, what a close bond! This is exactly how a family should be, full of love and affection! When I emerged from the kitchen, all the broken things in the house had been put back in their place. Only the human-shaped dents in the ceiling and walls were a bit of an eyesore. But I selectively ignored them, placing the meal I’d prepared on the table. My cooking skills were no joke; the siblings licked their plates clean. When I went to the bathroom to shower, I thought I heard them having a brotherly-sisterly chat: “I agree to keep this woman. She’s actually quite entertaining.” “And her cooking is much better than those two. But they’re coming back tomorrow. They won’t hurt Big Sis, will they?” “They’re useless anyway. We might as well kill them.” “Hehe, agreed. You do the killing, I’ll keep watch for you.” After my shower, I confidently claimed the master bedroom. I sneakily poked my head out from under the covers, watching the dark figure sitting motionless on the couch, showing no intention of getting into bed. A lonely, cold bed for one. So, I excitedly jumped out of bed and suggested, “Husband, let me help you take off your clothes!” Bullet screen: [Is this even allowed on air?] […A friend of mine was asking.] 0

Even more absurd, the Shadow Boss, God knows what he was thinking, didn’t resist at all. He just raised an eyebrow at me. He probably thought I was all talk. But my actions speak louder than words! Before he could say anything, I’d already unbuttoned his suit jacket and was seriously trying to distinguish between his pecs and abs. The terrifying Big Boss froze, and so did the bullet screen. [Speaking of which, that Big Boss does have a really good physique, huh.] [But it feels kinda weird. Who wears a black bodysuit under a suit?] I also found it strange. Even stranger was that I couldn’t find a zipper on this bodysuit no matter where I looked; it was as if it was fused with his body. Suddenly, the Big Boss’s voice came from above me. “Don’t bother looking. That’s not clothes, it’s part of me.” He paused, seemingly waiting for me to scream in terror. But unfortunately, I guess I’m just wired differently. My eyes lit up. “A mysterious, wrapped-up hunk! I love him even more!” He gazed at me, then suddenly scooped me up into his arms, holding me close as if drawing warmth from me. “Do you want to leave, Maya?” I answered, “No, I don’t…” I had family here who didn’t shun me. Why would I want to leave? “I’ll help you,” he said, completely ignoring me. But it didn’t matter. I’d just talk louder. “I still don’t know your name!” The man seemed to recall something unpleasant. He hugged me tighter, his voice hoarse. “I don’t remember my name. If you’d like, you can give me one.” With that, he put me back in bed and went to sleep in the guest room. I widened my eyes, about to yell that he hadn’t given me a goodnight kiss, The next second, black, living-like hair spread across the entire bed, suddenly wrapping me inside it. “Big Sis, ignore that gloomy monster. Tonight, Elara wants to sleep with Big Sis.” It was Elara. I immediately forgot the sadness of no goodnight kiss and turned to hug her tightly. Who gets it? My new sister was so soft, super comfortable to cuddle. But I didn’t forget to educate the little one: “You shouldn’t call your brother an old monster. We’re family, we can’t say things that hurt our family.” Elara giggled, pushing the hair away from her face to reveal a scarred face. “But I’m a little monster too. My family never liked me either, and they even slashed my face like this~”

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