Category: English

My sister Scarlett has always had this thing about taking what’s mine—started when we were kids and never stopped. When we were little, she pointed at my trophy and spoke her first real sentence. “I want it.” Before I could even blink, Mom and Dad pried that trophy right out of my hands and handed it over. In middle school, she set her sights on the bike I’d slaved away at part-time jobs for months to buy. “I want it.” Again, Mom and Dad took it away without a second thought—left me walking to school all through middle and high school. That phrase became her superpower over the years, letting her take just about everything that mattered to me. Every time, I’d cry and fight back, but it was useless. Mom and Dad always, always took her side—like my feelings didn’t even exist. This holiday season, I brought my boyfriend Liam home to meet the family. Scarlett pointed straight at Liam and said those three words that had haunted me my whole life. “I want him.” The words barely left her mouth before Mom and Dad fixed him with that same sharp, calculating look I knew so well. Sure enough, Mom grabbed my arm next second, her voice oozing that entitled tone I’d grown to hate. “Scarlett hasn’t dated anyone since college. She finally likes someone—just let her have him, okay?” Dad nodded along enthusiastically. “That boyfriend of yours is a real catch. Him and Scarlett would make a great couple.” Liam stood behind me, looking completely dumbfounded. He nudged my back gently, his voice dropping to a disbelieving whisper: “Hazel, is this some kind of sick joke? They want me to be with Scarlett? This is insane!” A bitter laugh escaped me—dry, humorless, and completely hollow. Ridiculous? Please. This was just another Tuesday in our house. My whole life, Scarlett had stolen everything from me—trophies, my bike, even my parents’ love. Now they wanted me to hand over the person I loved most? After college, I moved away for work thinking distance might fix their obvious favoritism. Maybe they’d miss me, show me a little real affection for once. But now I saw how wrong I’d been. They hadn’t changed one bit. If Scarlett wanted something—even my happiness—they’d yank it away without hesitation. I took a deep breath, shoving down the disappointment burning in my chest. “Fine. She can have him.” “Hazel, don’t be dramatic… Wait, what? You’re agreeing?” Dad’s scolding fizzled out, his face going slack with shock. His surprise wasn’t unwarranted. Back then, I’d scream and cry, even starve myself to protest when Scarlett took my stuff. But this time, I was just exhausted. If they wanted to cater to Scarlett’s every demand, fine. I didn’t have the energy to fight anymore. Mom’s face lit up instantly, a huge relieved smile spreading across her face. “Hazel, you’ve really matured! Such a thoughtful daughter!” Liam finally caught on. He jumped up, grabbing his jacket, voice shaking with anger. “Hazel, what am I to you? Some toy you can just hand off? Your whole family’s crazy!” With that, he stormed for the door. Mom and Dad tried to call him back, but all they got was a loud slam. The door crashed shut hard enough to rattle the walls. My heart shattered along with that loud noise—into a million tiny pieces. I really loved him, but in this family? I couldn’t even hold onto the person I cared about. Scarlett didn’t even bat an eye at Liam leaving. She never actually liked him—she just got off on taking what was mine.

Right then, a sharp, twisting pain hit my stomach. I needed to lie down in my room for a minute. As I turned to go inside, my eyes accidentally flicked to the wall. There was this empty spot staring back at me—bright and painful. My chest tightened. A photo was supposed to be there. It was me with Mom and Dad at our kindergarten field day. Back before Scarlett was born, their eyes were only on me. That photo was my last real connection to this family—my most precious memory. I hurried back into the living room, voice tight with urgency. “Mom, Dad—where’s the photo that was on my bedroom wall? Did you move it?” Mom was watching TV and shrugged casually, like it was no big deal. “Oh that old thing? We gave it to Scarlett. She needed a family picture for a school project, so she took it.” I spun around to Scarlett: “Where is it?” She didn’t even look up, tone totally dismissive. “I threw it out after I finished the project. Duh. It’s just some stupid old photo, right? Why are you yelling at me?” “That was *mine*! How could you just throw it away? Do you have any clue how much that meant to me?” Years of built-up hurt and anger exploded in that moment—I couldn’t stop myself from raising my voice. Scarlett finally looked up at me, rolling her eyes like I was being ridiculous. “I threw it out ’cause I didn’t like looking at it. So what?” Her total lack of care pushed me over the edge. I stepped forward and shoved her hard. Mom was there in a second, yanking me back and slapping me across the face. My cheek burned instantly, head snapping to the side from the force. “Hazel, are you out of your mind! How dare you push Scarlett! I should’ve known that nice act earlier was fake!” Mom kept shoving me, backing me up until my back hit the wall with a thud. “You selfish brat! Fighting over some dumb photo? You actually hit your sister!” I tried to speak, but a sudden, crippling pain shot through my stomach—making me double over groaning. Mom heard me but just crossed her arms and scoffed. “Oh please, now you’re faking it? I barely touched you and suddenly you’re putting on a show?” Scarlett got up from the couch, strolled over, and whined to Mom. “Mom, Hazel’s being so mean! You have to make her apologize!” Mom’s face softened right away, petting Scarlett’s hair gently. “There there, sweetie. You’ll get whatever you want—she’s being so disobedient.” Scarlett looked at me—my face was twisted in pain by then, cold sweat dripping down my forehead. A little smirk crossed her face as she spoke slowly. “Hazel works at that company with good benefits, right? Why doesn’t she just give me her job? Then I can earn money to help take care of you guys.” She wanted to steal my job too? That job was from four years of busting my butt in college and countless late nights at work. That job was my only way out of this house—my chance at a real life! Dad’s eyes lit up when he heard that. “Scarlett’s so thoughtful, always thinking of us. Hazel’s just selfish, running off right after graduation like she couldn’t care less about her family.” Mom nodded along, “We’ll go with you to help you get settled in, sweetie.” Then she turned to me, face hardening. “Hazel, you heard her. Call your boss first thing and tell them Scarlett’s taking over after the holidays.” I grabbed my stomach, shaking from the pain. But my heart hurt even worse than my stomach.

Why? Wasn’t I their daughter too? “Mom, Dad—am I even your daughter? Why do you always take her side?” I forced the words out, barely able to speak. Before Mom and Dad could answer, Scarlett cut them off, squatting right in front of me with this self-righteous look in her eyes. “You got Mom and Dad all to yourself for years before I was born. Isn’t it my turn to get their love now? That’s only fair.” So that was her excuse for stealing everything from me. Just because I was born first? Mom jumped in right away, “Scarlett’s right. Hazel, stop stalling. Give Scarlett your job or I’ll disown you!” I was in so much pain I could barely stand, my lips turning white. “Mom, my stomach really hurts. Please—can we go to the hospital first?” Mom looked me up and down, scowling. “Now you’re faking being sick? Convenient timing—right when we ask you to give Scarlett your job. Can’t you be unselfish for once?” Of course she didn’t believe me. I leaned against the wall, forcing myself upright. I couldn’t count on them to take me to the hospital—I had to go alone. I shuffled toward the door, each step shooting pain through my stomach. But Dad stepped in front of me, face red with anger. “Didn’t you hear your mother? You’re getting more and more disrespectful! Where do you think you’re going? Trying to run away again? It won’t work this time!” Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the bedroom. His grip was so tight my wrist throbbed and turned red instantly. The pain in my stomach left me too weak to fight back. Once we got to my room, he threw me onto the bed. “You’re grounded tonight! Think about what matters more—your job or your sister!” He slammed the door shut and locked it behind him. I lay there curled in a ball, trying to ease the sharp pain in my stomach. My mind felt foggy, replaying everything Mom and Dad had said and done today. Their cold faces now mixed with the loving ones from my childhood, making me break out in a cold sweat as I shook uncontrollably. The pain made me black out—I wasn’t sure if I fell asleep or passed out from agony. Early next morning, I woke up to the sound of suitcases being packed in the living room. As soon as I came to, the pain was worse than ever—like someone was twisting a knife inside me. Mom and Dad opened the door and walked in, already sounding angry. “Did you make a decision yet? Have you called your boss?” I knew something was really wrong. The pain was so bad I could barely talk, so I just begged. “Mom, my stomach hurts so bad—I’m not lying. Please, just take me to the ER first. I’ll give Scarlett my job…” Mom and Dad looked at my pale face and sweaty forehead, exchanging a look like they weren’t sure what to do. But then Scarlett pushed the door open, sounding annoyed. “Are you doing this on purpose? You don’t want to give me your job, so now you’re trying to ruin Mom and Dad’s ski trip?” Scarlett’s words made Mom and Dad stop hesitating right away. Mom gave me this grossed-out look. “I knew you were lying! I almost fell for it!” I used my last bit of strength to reach for Mom’s hand.

“Mom, please—just believe me this once…” But Mom didn’t even look at me. She grabbed Scarlett’s hand, ready to leave. “Yesterday you refused to give Scarlett your job, and now you’re faking being sick for attention? You’re being ridiculous!” “If you want to keep faking, go ahead. We’re done with your drama.” Then they walked out of the room. My hand froze in the air, still reaching for help as I watched them leave. From outside, I could hear all three of them laughing happily. “Dad, I heard that ski resort is huge! You have to take tons of pictures of Mom and me!” “Don’t worry, I’m an amazing photographer!” “Let’s go! The car’s waiting downstairs.” Right after, I heard the front door close. I collapsed back onto the bed, helpless, and felt blood trickle from the corner of my mouth. If this kept up, I was going to die. I bit down hard, fumbling for my phone in my pocket, shaking so bad I could barely hold it. I needed to call 911. I’d just pressed “9” when a Snapchat notification popped up. It was from Scarlett. I opened it—a selfie of all three of them in the car. Mom and Dad had their arms around Scarlett, all grinning like nothing was wrong. Their happiness felt like a knife in my chest. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I coughed up blood, splattering the phone screen. The screen went black, stuck on that stupid selfie, and wouldn’t turn back on. I had no strength left. The phone slipped from my hand, landing right in front of me. Their smiling faces stared back at me from the dark screen. The pain in my stomach got worse and worse. I couldn’t move, and everything started to fade. Finally, in so much pain, I stopped breathing. Suddenly I felt weightless. I floated above the bed, looking down at my body curled up there, and shook my head. I never thought coming home for the holidays would kill me. But maybe it was for the best. Liam, my parents, my job—everything that mattered was gone. Living just meant more of this. At least death was an escape. But even after dying, I was stuck in this house. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t leave. I was stuck in that bedroom, watching my body get colder and stiffer each day, still curled up like it was in pain. Meanwhile, Mom, Dad, and Scarlett were out having the time of their lives—they didn’t come home for days. I looked at my face on the bed, all twisted up, and tried to smooth my forehead. But my hand just went right through. Right. I was dead. I forgot. A few days later, I finally heard the front door open. They were back—Mom, Dad, and Scarlett—talking all excited about their trip, like nothing was wrong. Mom finally noticed the smell and frowned when she saw my bedroom door was still shut. “What’s Hazel doing now? I texted her we were coming home today! Why does it smell so gross in here? What’s she been up to?” She called my name a few times at the door. When I didn’t answer, she stomped over and threw the door open. “You’re being such a brat! Can’t even answer when I talk to you!” She kept yelling as she pushed the door all the way open. When she saw me lying on the bed, she got even madder. She marched over, grabbed the blanket, and was about to yank it off.

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After developing anorexia, my weight plummeted from 120 pounds to a terrifying 70 pounds. Mom and Dad poured everything into my treatment, bringing home boxes of outrageously expensive supplements and tonics. Before long, our savings ran dry, and daily life became a constant struggle. Daisy’s clothes grew faded and threadbare, and our meals were reduced to oatmeal and cheap fast-food burgers. If she even dared take a sip of my leftover supplement, Mom and Dad would snap at her, scolding her relentlessly until she cowered, tears streaming down her face. Later, on the day Daisy got her Ivy League acceptance letter, our family brought out my supplements to share with her—for the first time ever. But by then, I couldn’t even swallow water. “Mom, Dad, I really can’t eat…” “You have to eat, even if you can’t!”Dad suddenly exploded, grabbing the warm liquid supplement roughly and forcing it into my mouth. “Do you realize how much we’ve all sacrificed for you? Daisy hasn’t had a decent meal since she was a little girl!” Mom’s eyes were red, her voice shaking. “Is it really that hard to just eat something? What do we have to do to get a moment’s peace?” As I gagged, their expressions filled with frustration. Watching their angry retreating backs, I slowly lifted my gaze, a strange sense of relief washing over me. Mom, Dad, Daisy… For so many years, I’ve been a burden to you, and I’ve suffered too. It’s time to put an end to all this.

The living room floor was a mess as Mom and Dad pulled Daisy toward the door. Their voices tight with frustration and disappointment: “Come on, Daisy, we’re taking you out to celebrate. Today’s your big day—don’t let this ruin it.” Mom gave me a look of profound disappointment and let out a heavy sigh. “You really need to get your act together.” Daisy hesitated, her steps faltering as she turned back to look at me, uncertainty clouding her eyes. She opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but Dad tugged her away. “Let’s go. There’s no point talking to someone like her.” The front door slammed shut, muffling the sounds from outside. Sticky liquid supplement spilled everywhere, while Daisy’s bright red acceptance letter lay abandoned on the table. I knelt slowly, my fingertips brushing over the cold, shattered ceramic pieces. The sharp edge sliced my skin, drawing blood beads, but I felt nothing. Memories from the past two years came flooding back. After I got sick with anorexia, Mom and Dad poured everything they had into my treatment. To pay my medical bills, they worked construction jobs during the day and ran a street vendor stall at night, working nonstop until their backs ached too much to stand straight. They emptied our savings to buy those ridiculously expensive supplement boxes, gritting their teeth through every sacrifice. They worried I wasn’t getting enough nutrients, so they even stopped buying fruit for themselves. They’d come home covered in dust, exhausted to the bone, yet still force a smile and ask if there was anything I felt like eating. Daisy was the one who stayed by my side most days. With Mom and Dad leaving for work early, she became my lifeline. Knowing how I struggled with food, she’d experiment with gentle, easy-to-swallow soups, spoon-feeding me one tiny bite at a time. She was always so patient, coaxing me softly: “Lily, just one bite, okay? You need your strength.” When I really couldn’t swallow, her eyes would fill with heartache, but she never pushed too hard. After taking care of me, she’d sit at her desk late into the night, studying with her lamp burning until the early morning hours. She carried the burden of looking after me while pouring all her energy into her studies. Now she’d finally gotten into a top university. It should’ve been our family’s proudest moment, but I’d ruined everything. I remembered Mom and Dad’s quiet sighs in the living room early yesterday morning. “Daisy’s heading to college soon. Tuition and living costs aren’t cheap. And Lily’s supplements are so expensive—she can’t go a day without them. How are we going to manage the money?” “What else can we do? I’ll just take another job. Every little bit helps. We can’t let our girls suffer.” Those words hit me like a sledgehammer, crashing down on my heart. The wrinkles around Mom and Dad’s eyes, their graying hair, their calloused hands. Daisy’s dark circles, her patched clothes, her worn-out shoes… All their misfortunes, all their hardships—they were all my fault. I didn’t want to be sick. I didn’t want to be a burden. But I couldn’t help it. I leaned against the wall, slowly standing up. My 70-pound body felt as light as a feather, swaying with the slightest movement. I cleaned up the mess in the living room, smoothed out Daisy’s acceptance letter until it looked perfect, and placed it neatly on the table. I turned and walked into my room, locking the door behind me. From the bottom of my drawer, I pulled out a utility knife—the one I used back when I used to draw. Before I got sick, Daisy used to beg me to teach her how to draw. Those were such happy times. But later, I couldn’t even hold a paintbrush anymore. All that warmth and hope had long since been worn away by two years of illness and hardship. Lying on the bed, I took a deep breath. When the blade broke my skin, the first sensation wasn’t pain, but an icy coldness. Blood slowly seeped from the wound, dripping onto the sheets. I didn’t flinch. Instead, I gently rotated my wrist. Letting the blade go a little deeper, as if that could truly cut all the ties. Pain washed over me, but inside, I felt a strange sense of relief. As my consciousness blurred, I saw Mom and Dad’s faces, and Daisy’s eyes when she used to feed me. I wanted to tell them I was sorry. I wanted to ruffle Daisy’s hair and tell her to eat well and study hard from now on. But I couldn’t say anything. I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t cherish you, but I can’t be a burden anymore. Blood kept flowing, my body grew colder by the minute, and the last bit of my consciousness was swallowed by darkness. I said a final goodbye to this family I loved so deeply but could no longer help.

The darkness faded completely, and I felt myself being lifted by the wind. When I opened my eyes, I realized I was a wisp of a soul floating in a restaurant. I immediately spotted Mom,Dad, and Daisy at a table not far away. On the table were their favorite comfort foods: steak, mashed potatoes, and pasta—all the things Daisy used to love but hadn’t had since I got sick. But there was no joy of celebration on their faces. The atmosphere was heavy, a stark contrast to the lively chatter around them. Daisy kept her head down, mindlessly pushing food around in her bowl, her eyes darting frequently toward the restaurant entrance. I floated beside them, instinctively reaching out to touch Daisy’s head. But my hand passed right through the air. Mom picked up her fork, placed a piece of steak in Daisy’s bowl, her eyes full of heartache. “Daisy, eat up. These past two years,Dad and I haven’t done right by you.” Daisy pushed the meat to the side of her bowl, her voice muffled: “Mom,Dad, let’s just go home. I’m worried about Lily.” Mark rubbed his sore shoulder, his voice heavy with exhaustion and frustration: “What good does worrying do? We work from dawn till dusk, just wanted to celebrate with you properly for once.” “But she throws a fit. This family’s been dragged down like this—when will we ever catch a break?” He spoke, then pressed a hand to his throbbing temples. The red veins in his eyes were clearly visible. Mom’s eyes were red too, her voice tight: “Don’t pay her any mind. Today’s your day, Daisy. You’ve worked so hard these past few years. Once Lily gets better, everything will be okay.” Even as she said it, Mom’s eyes held an unshakable despair. They all knew in their hearts I was a bottomless pit. Two years of pouring in all their savings, and not even a glimmer of improvement. My condition showed no signs of improving—my muscles were starting to atrophy, and I’d vomit at the sight of food. Our house couldn’t have any meat or strong flavors; it was plain rice and cheap frozen dinners every day. None of them knew when this kind of life would end. I floated in the air, seeing the exhaustion on all three of their faces, my heart aching to the point of suffocation. It was a pain a thousand times worse than cutting my wrist. It’s okay, Mom,Dad. I’ve already made the choice for you, given you the answer. Those painful days won’t go on forever. Daisy bit her lower lip, silent for a long time, finally looking up hesitantly: “Mom,Dad, what if… I just don’t go to college? Lily’s treatment is important, and tuition is so expensive. I don’t want to add any more burden to the family.” Those words hit everyone like a sledgehammer. I floated in the air, frantic, wanting to scream “No!” But my voice couldn’t reach their ears. No one knew better than me the weight of that acceptance letter. Countless nights studying until dawn, eating plain sandwiches and instant noodles, wearing faded school uniforms—all to earn her future. How could she give up so easily? Tears immediately filled Mom’s eyes. She pulled Daisy into a hug, her voice catching. “Don’t be ridiculous, Daisy! You worked so hard for this—how can you just throw it away?” Mark also clenched his fists, his eyes full of heartache and guilt. “Don’t worry, Daisy. Mom and I will handle Lily’s medical bills and your tuition. You don’t need to stress about this. Just focus on your studies.” Their promises didn’t lighten the mood; if anything, the atmosphere grew heavier. Mark quietly lowered his head, opened his phone contacts, and messaged construction site bosses one by one, his tone humble and desperate. “Boss, any work available lately? Anything at all—I can do it.” I could clearly see the exhaustion and helplessness in his eyes. For us, his daughters, he’d long since swallowed all his pride. Mom picked up her phone too, secretly scrolling through job listings. On the screen was a janitorial job posting: “4 AM to 7 AM, daily pay.” She scrolled quickly, her fingertips trembling slightly, but she didn’t dare let Daisy notice. Overwhelming sorrow washed over me. Because of me, this family had already been through so much. At least now, maybe my choice could finally help this family. Daisy couldn’t take it anymore. She lifted her head from Mom’s hug, sniffling: “I need to go back and check on Lily, just to make sure she’s okay.” Mom and Dad fell silent, eventually just sighing heavily and nodding. Mom grabbed a takeout container, quietly packing up the leftover food, murmuring: “I’ll take some for Lily too, just in case she feels like eating.”

Pushing open the front door, they found the once messy living room spotlessly clean. Seeing the tidy living room, Mom’s expression softened. She gently knocked on my bedroom door: “Lily, did you clean up the room?” When there was still no response from inside, she spoke again, her voice full of remorse: “I was in a bad mood earlier, got too worked up. That was my fault. Will you open the door? We won’t make you eat anything, we just want to see you.” Daisy joined her at the door, speaking softly: “Lily?” But still, no one answered. Mark stepped forward and patted Mom’s shoulder, sighing: “It’s okay, let her have space. She’s upset right now—anything we say won’t help.” He looked at the closed bedroom door, disappointment lingering in his eyes, but he didn’t say anything else. Regret hit me suddenly. I shouldn’t have died at home, not like this. They’d already been burdened by me for two years. Now my death would leave them with a lifetime of trauma in such a cruel way. I frantically floated into the room, staring at the cold body on the bed. I wished I could rush over, pick up my body, and carry it far away so they’d never find it. But my hand passed through again and again—I was completely helpless. I could only pray desperately in my heart: Don’t check on me, don’t find me, please? I don’t want to hurt you anymore. Daisy knocked on the door repeatedly, but still got no response from me. Her nose stung, thinking I was angry with her. She ran into the living room, carefully taking a nutritional drink from her backpack—she’d bought it with half a year’s scholarship money. She hurried back to the bedroom door, her voice full of hurt and pleading: “Lily, are you mad at me? Please don’t be mad, okay?” “I bought this special nutritional drink for you. The store clerk said it’s really easy to drink and absorb. Please open the door? Just one sip, and I’ll stay with you.” She stared stubbornly at the bedroom door, but inside there was still only silence. I floated beside her, watching her teary eyes, my heart aching with urgency and sorrow—but there was nothing I could do. Mom and Dad watched the scene, their faces a mix of heartache and helplessness. Mom walked over and gently pulled Daisy’s arm: “Daisy, stop knocking. Lily probably just needs some quiet. Why don’t you go back to your room and get some sleep?” “You’ve had a long day too. Get some rest. Tomorrow, when Lily’s feeling better, things will be okay.” But Daisy shook her head fiercely, refusing to move. “I’ll wait for Lily. She hasn’t eaten anything today. What if she gets hungry? I’ll wait until she opens the door and has just one sip before I sleep.” Mom and Dad saw how determined she was and finally stopped trying to persuade her. They still had to get up early for work tomorrow and couldn’t stay up all night. They exchanged a look, sighed softly, and went back to their room to rest. The living room lights dimmed, leaving only a faint glow by the doorway illuminating Daisy’s thin figure.

At the crack of dawn, Mom and Dad, looking exhausted, got up early to head to the construction site. But as soon as they stepped out of their bedroom, they saw Daisy still leaning against my door, curled up asleep. Mom’s heart twisted. She hurried over and knelt down. She reached out and felt Daisy’s forehead—the burning heat made her eyes instantly water. She stood up suddenly, pounding angrily on the bedroom door, her voice furious: “Lily! Open this door! Daisy stayed up all night for you and now she has a fever! How can you be so heartless—you won’t even open the door?” “Look at her! What have you done to her?” Daisy was jolted awake by the pounding. She groggily pulled Mom’s hand, her voice hoarse and weak. “Mom, I’m fine… don’t yell at Lily…” She tried to push herself up, but her body felt weak and she collapsed back down. In that moment, the guilt Mom and Dad had bottled up for so long came rushing to the surface. For two years, they’d poured all their energy into my illness and neglected Daisy. Daisy had always sacrificed for me, given everything for me, carried the family’s burdens alongside us. Looking at Daisy’s flushed face, then at the tightly shut bedroom door,Dad’s exhaustion and pent-up frustration erupted. He suddenly raised his foot, kicking the bedroom door frantically, howling in despair: “What do you want from us? How far do you have to push us until you’re satisfied? Do you want to drive us all to the edge?” “What did we ever do to you? What did Daisy ever do to deserve this?” His shouts echoed through the house, but behind the door there was still only silence. I floated nearby, regret and despair nearly consuming me. I wanted to say “I’m sorry,” but the words couldn’t reach their ears. Then Daisy suddenly frowned, sniffed sharply, and her face went pale. “Mom,Dad—I think I smell blood…” Those words hit Mom and Dad like a thunderbolt to the chest. The silence in the house instantly filled them with a terrible premonition that chilled them to the bone. It was something they’d never even let themselves imagine. Mark reacted first, staggering into the study and yanking a spare key from the back of a drawer. This can’t be happening. She has to be okay… All three of them prayed silently. Mark’s knuckles whitened as he clutched the key, his hand shaking violently. The key slid into the lock with a soft click, and everyone’s heart jumped into their throats. When they pushed open the bedroom door, all three froze instantly. The air seemed to stand still. The next second, the expensive nutritional drink shattered on the floor.

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Five years after I severed ties with my family, I finally earned enough money to buy an apartment by moving bodies. While waiting for my paycheck, I ran straight into my brother, Brandon. He was there to pick out a burial plot for Tiffany, the adopted daughter’s dog. He gave an awkward laugh: “Five years, huh? How have you been since you left home?” I glanced at the black card in his hand. “Doing okay. Not as well as Tiffany’s dog, of course.” He was spending $100,000 on a grave for Tiffany’s dog, while my apartment would only cost $300,000. Brandon’s voice was strained and stiff: “You clearly can’t handle a tough life. If you just apologize to Tiffany, I’ll let you come home.” I shook my head, carefully tucking my money into my pocket. Go home? I scoffed. My real estate agent just sent me a message. I’d have my own home very soon. 0 I left the funeral home. On my way to meet Maya, my agent, I grabbed a small cake. I hadn’t walked far from the bakery when I suddenly felt a hand clamp around my wrist from behind. I jumped in surprise. The cake slipped from my grasp, falling to the ground and shattering. When I turned back in anger, I was caught off guard by my brother’s dark eyes. I froze. His voice was cold and hard: “Don’t you have anything to explain to me?” Annoyance surged. I pulled my hand free. “Explain what?” He pursed his lips, looking me up and down. “You’re my sister. How can you work at a funeral home? You might not find it unsettling, but I find it humiliating!” I squatted down to pick up the cake. “I earn my money through honest work. There’s nothing humiliating or unsettling about that!” He grabbed my wrist again, forcefully pulling me to my feet. “Aurora, do you really have to talk to me with that attitude? You’re the one who decided to leave five years ago. Haven’t you gotten over it yet?” My patience was worn thin. I yanked my hand away. “You’re the one who can’t get over it, Brandon! We have nothing to do with each other anymore, can you just leave me alone?” His face completely darkened. “Mom is sick, and she’s been missing you terribly. How can you be so heartless? Don’t you feel any guilt towards her?” Always me being heartless. Five years ago, Tiffany commanded her dog to attack and kill my cat. All I did was hit that dog once. And Brandon slapped me across the face. Even then, he’d said: “It’s just a dog, it doesn’t know any better. How can you be so cruel?” I cried hysterically, my face buried in my hands, pleading with Mom for help. But she doused my hopes with a bucket of cold water. “That cat of yours was just a stray you brought from the country, and it scratched up all the sofas.” “If a cat like that dies, it dies. What’s there to cry about?” Those two sentences were the last straw. I completely lost hope in them and proposed severing all ties. Brandon’s face was grim as he asked: “Over such a trivial matter? Are you serious?” Trivial? My eyes were red, tears falling silently. The cat was just the spark. It was the final straw that broke me. From the moment I returned to that family, Tiffany had always made things difficult for me. And my own mother, my own brother? Not once did they stand by me. Tiffany claimed I stole her money. They’d search me, search my room. Even when they found nothing. They wouldn’t make her apologize. Because I’d lived in the country for twenty years, my hands were always chapped with frostbite, and my face easily flushed red. So she took photos of me and posted them in our shared SnapChat group, leading everyone in mocking me. At twenty, I was still very self-conscious. I hid my chapped, red hands behind my back. And kicked her in the chest. That was the only time I ever laid a hand on Tiffany. The result? That very night, Mom made me kneel in the snow. And write “I’m sorry” a hundred times. My feelings for them had been burning down since I first rejoined that family. Three years, and they were finally consumed. Lucky’s death solidified my decision to leave. I resolutely dropped out of that prestigious school and entered the workforce. As I left, Brandon’s face was ashen as he threatened: “Think this through. Without this family, you’re nothing.” “One word from me, and you won’t even find a job!” I said nothing. I only took the two outfits I’d brought from the country. After that, began my long journey of job searching. At Brandon’s instruction, I did indeed hit rock bottom everywhere. No matter the job, I’d be fired within two months, for various reasons. But it only took a year. I found my own way out. Moving bodies at a funeral home, $500 per corpse. Though there were many rules, I excelled at it. In four years, after expenses, I’d saved $150,000. I was very satisfied. Brandon in front of me now had the same angry expression as when I’d left home five years ago. Looking at his face, a wave of disgust rose from the depths of my heart. “The heartless one is someone else. From now on, let’s pretend we don’t know each other.” Saying this, I bent down again to pick up the cake, then turned to leave. His cold voice drifted into my ears: “No matter what, you can’t continue that job.” “Tiffany is already a member of the New York Animal Protection Society.” “And then there’s you. A disgrace!” 0

I ignored him. I threw the ruined cake into a trash can. Then I bought two milk teas. I was delayed a bit on the way. Maya smiled when she saw me. “Aurora, here’s the contract. Take a look.” I handed her a milk tea, a little embarrassed. “I’ve delayed you. I bought you a cake, but a dog ruined it on the way.” Her smile didn’t fade; she was very gracious. “It’s okay. Good news will definitely come your way from now on!” My heart warmed, and I picked up the contract, reading it clause by clause. Truth be told, I didn’t understand most of it. But I felt that for something so important, I needed to read it longer. The family couldn’t give me a sense of security. Instead, they made me feel like an outsider. After severing ties, I desperately wanted my own home. It had become an obsession. Maya waited patiently for me to finish reading before handing me a pen. “If there are no problems, you can sign.” I nodded, just about to take the pen, when her phone rang. She said it was a company call, smiling as she answered. The next second, she froze. “Fired? What… what did I do wrong?” A bad premonition surged in my heart. My heart instantly leaped to my throat. Sure enough. After Maya hung up, her eyes slowly welled up with tears as she looked at me. “You have such a powerful brother. He can make me lose my job with just a few words. Why are you still looking at apartments?” My pupils constricted. I quickly explained: “I cut ties with my family a long time ago!” “That person must have been Brandon. He and I—” “I think you’re just messing with me!” She shot up, enraged, snatching the contract from my hand. She grabbed the milk tea, intending to throw it at me. But in the end, she only threw it beside me, her eyes red. The milk tea cup exploded at my feet. I wanted to explain again. As I opened my mouth, she had already stormed out. I stood there stunned for a long time. Then I took out my phone and called Brandon. The call connected quickly. I couldn’t control myself and shouted: “What do you want?! Messing with me is one thing, but the agent is innocent!” “Sister…” Tiffany’s voice came through the receiver. “Brother is busy handling Lucky’s funeral. You can tell me if you have anything to say.” 0

Tiffany and I naturally had nothing to say to each other. I was about to hang up the phone. She suddenly said: “Sister, I actually forgave you a long time ago.” “Brother and Mom miss you very much. Just come home.” As her words fell, Brandon’s voice came through the receiver: “Whose call is it?” “It’s Aurora. I’m trying to persuade her to come home.” “What a show.” I coldly cursed, then hung up the phone decisively. Thinking that no matter what, I should still try, I went to the real estate company. Maya had already left. I found their boss and explained my relationship with Brandon in detail. I pleaded with him not to fire Maya, explaining it was all because of me. The boss looked troubled. “Your brother paid a very high compensation package.” “Actually, Maya leaving doesn’t affect her ability to find another job.” “Getting such high compensation is a good thing.” His implication was that Maya had to be fired. I felt like I’d fallen into an ice cellar, my blood chilling. I once again realized that confronting Brandon would only lead to my defeat. After a long pause, I pursed my lips and asked: “Can I still buy that apartment?” “That one has already been bought by your brother , along with several similar ones nearby. He reserved them all.” The boss pulled out two brochures and handed them to me. “You can take a look at these developments.” “The price is similar to the previous one, it’s just a bit farther out…” “I’ll take this one.” I casually pointed at one on the brochure. Then I took out the $10,000 paycheck I’d just received and handed it over. The boss looked at me strangely as he pulled out a money counting machine. After verifying that the money was all there and legitimate, he handed me the contract. This time, I didn’t read much, just flipped to the last page and signed. The boss hesitated. “The deposit for this one is $20,000. Did you see that clearly?” “Yes, give me some time.” The boss sighed: “I really don’t understand what you and your brother are thinking. You’re family, why make such a scene…” I didn’t want to listen. I picked up my bag and left, calling the funeral home owner. “I’m coming in to work today.” He was surprised. “Didn’t you say you were taking two days off?” “Not anymore. I won’t be taking any days off for the next two months.” “Alright then, just come in as usual.” After hanging up, I contacted Maya. She didn’t answer my calls, so I had to apologize to her via text. I don’t know how many times I said “I’m sorry.” Finally, she replied with one sentence: 【Forget it, let’s just pretend we never met.】 When I tried to send another message, it was a red exclamation mark. I held my phone, stunned for a long time. I didn’t go to work until the afternoon. There weren’t many people at the funeral home. I walked in and saw Tiffany and Mom. They were hugging an urn and crying sorrowfully. It must have been Lucky, already cremated. I subtly averted my gaze and walked towards the working area. The boss had told me earlier in the afternoon that I only needed to move one body today. I accurately found the deceased’s family. Under their guidance, my colleague and I lifted the body together. However, just as we were about to place it in the coffin, Brandon’s voice suddenly rang out behind me: “Aurora! Why are you still working here!” Before I could react, my arm was forcefully yanked. My grip loosened, and the body fell with a thud. It hit the ground.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “352401”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #狼人Werewolf #重生Reborn

The night before my wedding, Liam Caldwell’s adopted sister, Chloe, suddenly turned pale and nauseous. He frantically scooped her up and rushed her to the hospital. Half an hour later, my phone rang. “She’s pregnant,” Liam’s voice was disturbingly calm. I was about to offer congratulations, but then he continued, “It’s mine…That night, she’d just broken up with her boyfriend. She was drenched and shivering from the cold. I just held her to keep warm, I never expected…” “We need to keep this from Mom and Dad. I’m bringing her home to take care of her. We’ll figure things out after the baby is born.” “The wedding will have to be postponed for a year. You can go explain and apologize to the guests.” My throat tightened. I couldn’t squeeze out a single word. He continued, “Oh, and one more thing. You need to quit your job immediately. Chloe needs someone to look after her. We can’t have any accidents in these next few months.” I suddenly chuckled, “Alright.” He hung up, satisfied. But he had no idea, I’d made a bet with someone else. If I wasn’t married by my thirtieth birthday, I’d marry him. And today? Today was my thirtieth birthday.

Maybe my calmness was too abnormal. Just three seconds after he hung up, Liam called again. “Ava, I’m so sorry. I know I was wrong first. But you have to believe me, I only see Chloe as my sister. The baby was truly an accident.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Such tender sibling affection. Stripping down in bed to keep warm? How touching.” The other end of the line went silent for a beat, then I heard his resigned sigh. “I understand you’re angry. You can curse me, hit me. But Chloe is still in school, unmarried and pregnant, and can’t reveal who the father is…” “She’s an orphan. Even though Mom and Dad adopted her as their own daughter, the Caldwell family would never accept this. They’d definitely kick her out.” “So I was hoping, you could claim the baby as yours. Since you’re quitting your job and staying home anyway, no one would suspect it’s not yours.” I tilted my head back, forcing the tears welling in my eyes to retreat. My voice came out dry and rough. “Liam, maybe we shouldn’t get married after all.” “Not get married?” He fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly roared, “Ava, are you kidding me? Didn’t you say we’d been together for five years, and you were hounding me to set a wedding date as soon as possible?” “Now everyone in our social circle knows you’re my fiancée. Do you think marriage is a game? Ava, when did you become so stubborn?” I could almost see his forehead creased in a frown. Sure enough, the next second I heard him threaten, “Ava, I’m asking you one last time! Are you really not going through with this wedding?!” My fingers clenched tightly around my phone. I gave a bitter smile. “Yes, I don’t want you anymore, Liam.” He let out a cold laugh. “I don’t have time for your childish tantrums. Do whatever you want!” The call was abruptly cut off. I stood in the center of the banquet hall. Under the shocked gazes of hundreds of guests, I tore off my veil and ran out. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell quickly blocked my path. Mr. Caldwell was the first to speak, “Ava, what on earth are you doing? Just because Liam took his sister to the hospital, you’re going to ruin this wedding? Make the Caldwell family a laughingstock in front of hundreds of guests?” Mrs. Caldwell snorted, chiming in, “I told him it wasn’t a good match from the start. Your family is nothing but nouveau riche, completely unworthy of a distinguished classical music family like ours!” “But Liam insisted, so I couldn’t do anything. And look, didn’t it turn into a complete joke today!” Mr. Caldwell sneered, “It’s probably for the best. Saves us the trouble of her temper offending people and ruining the Caldwell family’s reputation later.” Liam was clearly in the wrong first, yet these two were turning around to blame me. I clenched my veil, my fingertips trembling. “Liam canceled the wedding. As for the specific reason… you two should ask him. I’m too humiliated to say.” Hearing that it was Liam’s decision, they only seemed to grow more self-righteous. “Even if Liam canceled it, you’re the bride! You just run off without saying a word? Shouldn’t you apologize to everyone present?” “How did your parents raise you? You don’t even understand basic social graces. How could you ever be a daughter-in-law of the Caldwell family?” I took a deep breath. “I won’t be marrying into the Caldwell family. If you two have nothing else, please move aside.” “You!” Their faces instantly changed, clearly not expecting such defiance from me, who had always been so compliant. I ignored them, walking directly around them towards the dressing room. Mrs. Caldwell yelled furiously behind me, “You uncouth witch!” In the dressing room, someone was already waiting. It was… him.

His fitted sportswear accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs. Sunlight streaming from the side outlined his sharp silhouette. Only the dark circles under his eyes betrayed him; he probably hadn’t slept well. Seeing me enter, he straightened up, arms crossed, that familiar, infuriating smirk playing on his lips. I averted my gaze. “Didn’t someone swear he’d never attend my wedding?” He suddenly leaned close, his warm breath brushing my ear. In the moment our eyes met, I caught a glimpse of the stubborn boy from ten years ago. “A bet’s a bet, Ava.” I kept my lips sealed. He instantly looked anxious. “You forgot?!” “I don’t care. We’re getting married in three days. If you don’t show up…” He paused, as if bracing himself. “I’ll move in with the Millers and never leave!” With that, as if afraid to hear my refusal, he swiftly slipped out the door. I suddenly burst out laughing. That idiot. Of course I remembered the bet. Our families had been close for generations, we’d grown up together. We were too familiar to ever be lovers. Ten years ago, he confessed his feelings to me. I told him we should just be friends. He looked utterly heartbroken, insisting on making a bet with me. I never thought, in the end, I would lose. Just as I changed out of my wedding dress, Liam sent me a photo. All my belongings were piled outside the villa entrance like trash. That pink teddy bear my mom made me stood out the most, carelessly stuffed into a transparent plastic bag, stinging my eyes in the sunlight. “Move your stuff out immediately!” “If you don’t, I’ll have the maids throw it away.” I stared at the screen, my fingertips chilling. He knew exactly how to manipulate me. I could give up other things, but that pink teddy bear my mom made me by hand? I had to get it back. “Okay, I’m coming.” My mom had spent three months making that plush teddy bear. Someone who never touched a needle and thread, her fingers were pricked and dotted with blood. The night before the wedding, she had smiled, handing me the teddy bear, “My dear, I want you to be happy forever.” “In your new home with your husband, think of this little bear as me.” But when I arrived, the entrance was empty. Only half an hour had passed. I had clearly said I would come. Was he really so eager to kick me out? A surge of fury rushed through me. I pushed open the villa door and stormed inside. The moment I pushed the door, I felt a chill to my bones. Chloe sat on the edge of the dining table. Liam had his hands on her waist, his face pressed against her swollen belly, his gentle expression blinding. “Honey,” Chloe suddenly whispered, “the baby kicked me.” Liam immediately pressed closer, a curve on his lips I’d never seen before. “Such a little rascal, just like you when you were small.” When he looked up, his gaze was soft enough to melt. “I hope the eyes are just like yours.” Chloe smiled, pursing her lips. Liam expertly pressed a kiss to her lips, his tone suddenly filled with guilt. “Are you really sure you want to leave after the baby is born? You know… you could stay. I can take care of you and the baby. Such a tiny baby, how can it grow up without its birth mother?” Chloe placed her index finger on his lips, shaking her head. “If I don’t leave, what about Ava?” Hearing my name, Liam clearly froze, then his expression darkened. “Her? She’s just acting out of spite by saying she wants to break up. Once the baby is born, she’ll come begging me to help raise it. A businesswoman’s daughter like her, she only cares about profit, she has no dignity whatsoever.” “Have you forgotten how she shamelessly chased after me to be my girlfriend? That repulsive face of hers, it still makes me sick to think about it.” My tears fell silently. So, my brave confession all those years ago had actually disgusted him all this time.

The Caldwells were a renowned classical music dynasty in New York. Liam was the most promising young violinist in the city. Five years ago, he came to my father with his violin, seeking investment for a musical theater. My father praised him effusively and specifically introduced him to me. I fell in love with him at first sight, shamelessly insisting on learning the violin from him. He was so angry he pointed at me and yelled, “Stupid, absolutely no talent!” I grinned cheekily, “Then be my boyfriend, we’d complement each other perfectly, right?” He glanced at Chloe, head bowed, tears in her eyes, then suddenly took my hand, giving a self-mocking laugh. “Fine.” I jumped up in joy and hugged him, completely missing Chloe’s retreating figure as she ran out, and the instant stiffness in his arm. Now I understood. His heart had always belonged to Chloe. No wonder he later refused to teach me the violin, not even letting me into his music room. My heart felt raw. I wanted to turn and leave, but then I remembered the pink teddy bear my mom had sewn for me—I couldn’t abandon it. “Ava!” Liam suddenly turned, a sneer twisting his lips. “What are you doing standing at the doorway? Your things have been thrown out. Are you regretting it now?” I dug my nails into my palm. “My teddy bear? Give it back to me.” He froze for a second, his face growing even colder. “A worthless teddy bear, why would I care?” “My mom made it by hand,” my voice started to tremble. “Give it back, and I’ll leave immediately.” Seeing that I was on the verge of tears, he frowned. “You’re crying? Are you sick? Is it really that big of a deal?” “Yes, it is!” I yelled, tears finally streaming down. Liam tugged at his tie in frustration, about to say something. Chloe, beside him, suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly spoke up, “Ava, please don’t yell at Liam. I told the maid to put your things in the guest room.” As she spoke, she gently stroked her belly, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. “Please don’t move out? If it’s because of this baby… I, I can get rid of him. His arrival was a mistake to begin with. None of you welcome him…” Before she could finish, she was sobbing uncontrollably. “I forbid it!” Liam’s voice was almost out of control. He trembled as he pulled Chloe tightly into his embrace, then turned and glared at me fiercely. “She can leave, but don’t you dare lay a hand on my child! Right now, you and the baby are my everything!” “Ava, if this is why you came, then get out of my house!” I let out a cold laugh and walked straight to the guest room. The teddy bear was carelessly tossed on the floor, stained with grime and vomit. Its original light pink plush fabric was now utterly filthy. My fingers trembled as I pointed at the teddy bear. “Chloe, explain yourself!” She shrank her neck timidly. “I didn’t mean to. I just suddenly felt nauseous…” As she spoke, she bent down to pick it up. “Don’t be angry, I’ll wash it clean for you.” But just as she bent over, she cried out in pain. “Ah! My stomach hurts so much.” Liam lunged forward, roughly shoving me to the floor. My head hit the bedpost with a heavy thud. The moment excruciating pain exploded, warm liquid trickled down my temple. I bit my lip, making no sound. I just looked at Liam, a faint smile playing on my lips, wanting to see if he had a heart at all. He held Chloe, his stern eyes filled with extreme disgust. “How much? I’ll pay! I’m begging you, stop being so unreasonable. Do you really get a sense of accomplishment from tormenting Chloe and me with something so insignificant?” My heart felt like it had been pierced. He had always been cool and distant with me, but he had never looked at me with such eyes. Now, he must truly hate me. Suddenly, it all felt pointless. Why bother staying here to annoy him further? I gave in. The teddy bear was ruined. I didn’t want it anymore. And this tainted man, I didn’t want him either. I pushed myself up. “Liam, I don’t lack money.” As I turned to leave, he suddenly grabbed me, a hint of helplessness in his expression. “You’re not in a good mood today. Go back to your parents’ for a few days to cool off. I’ll come pick you up in three days.” I shook off his hand and quickly walked away. This home we had built together for years, I was merely a fleeting guest after all. … Back home. I had already explained the wedding fiasco to Mom and Dad. Seeing me return, Mom breathed a sigh of relief. “Darling, I should actually thank heavens! What if you’d only discovered this after the wedding? What then?” “The Caldwells always look down on us merchants as tasteless, yet their distinguished music family raised such shameless people!” Dad sighed softly. “Don’t talk about that now, our daughter is upset. I’ve already instructed my assistant to withdraw all investments from Caldwell Music Theater. From now on, our family will have nothing to do with the Caldwells!” I was just hesitating whether to mention Ryan when Mom suddenly said, “Oh, by the way, Ryan was here today. He wants to marry you.” She took a velvet box from the coffee table drawer. “That boy certainly moves fast.” Opening the box, inside was the sapphire necklace, a cherished heirloom of the Hayes family. It was then that I truly realized, the wedding in three days, Ryan was serious.

That evening. Chloe sent me a message. “I’m moving out right now, and I’m not keeping the baby either.” “You and Liam have five years of history, it can’t be ruined because of me. I would feel guilty my whole life.” I stared at the screen and sneered. If she wanted to make a scene, she could go talk to her brother. Why bother me? I replied: “Do what you want.” Then, I swiftly blocked her. After doing all that, I leaned against the floor-toceiling window, lost in thought, a lingering sense of melancholy in my heart. My phone suddenly vibrated. Ryan’s FaceTime invitation popped up. “Ava,” his eyes sparkled on the screen, “give me a heart sign.” I was stunned. “Why so sudden…?” “I don’t care,” he insisted, pulling his face closer to the camera. “Right now.” Amused by his childish expression, I quickly made a heart sign, feeling goosebumps rise on my own arms. He immediately clutched his chest, closed his eyes, and made an exaggerated, blissful expression. When he opened his eyes again, he suddenly winked at me with his right eye. My heart skipped a beat. “Look outside, my return gift for you.” He chuckled softly, and the FaceTime call ended abruptly. Outside, the night sky suddenly lit up. Hundreds of drones formed a twinkling heart, then transformed into a line of words: “Happy Birthday, Ava.” Tears instantly blurred my vision. Today’s chaotic drama had made me forget my own birthday. But he remembered. As for Liam, every year on my birthday, he would only send me a music video of a “Happy Birthday” violin piece he had once performed. “My music videos are very precious,” he would always explain. “It’s an honor for you to hear it.” This year, he flat out said, “Planning the wedding is too busy, no time to send you a MV.” But the “wedding planning.” I tried on wedding dresses alone at over twenty stores. I compared over thirty quotes to book the hotel. I stayed up late writing over three hundred handwritten invitations. The only time he participated was when I tried on my main gown; he grudgingly spared five minutes, but spent the entire time checking his watch. Turns out, he never loved me. It had always been obvious. Later, as I was sleeping, my phone vibrated. Groggily, I pressed the answer button. Liam’s voice roared through the phone, “Ava, get to the hospital immediately! Chloe’s in trouble!” I instantly woke up. Was her message serious after all? When I rushed to the hospital room, I saw Chloe resting comfortably against the headboard, Liam gently peeling an apple for her. They looked like a picture of serene domesticity, while I stood there in slippers, half my foot slipping outside the door, feeling like a clown. Seeing me, Liam suddenly erupted, dragging me to the bedside. “Kneel before Chloe!” I looked up in shock. Before I could even react, my knee was hit hard. My kneecap slammed against the floor, the excruciating pain making me unable to move for a moment. “Liam! Are you insane?!” I glared at him fiercely. His eyes blazed with terrifying fury. “Chloe slit her wrists!” Chloe began to sob on cue. “I sent Ava a message to apologize, but she blocked me. She must hate me so much, she doesn’t want to see me anymore. What’s the point of me living…?” Though I detested her, I didn’t want to be responsible for someone’s death. I quickly looked at her. There was a half-centimeter long cut on her wrist, covered in antiseptic, already scarred over. This was a suicide attempt? I quirked my lips. “Liam, if I had come tomorrow, would her wound have already healed?” He instantly exploded. “Ava! How can you be so malicious? If I hadn’t found her in time… do you know the consequences of a pregnant woman losing too much blood?” His concern must have clouded his judgment. A tiny scratch made him panic so much, yet he completely ignored the blood flowing from my forehead. He must really love Chloe, truly. I frowned, silent. This seemed to completely enrage him. He threw the fruit knife at me, snarling. “Since you think it’s no big deal, then cut yourself in the same spot, and taste the pain yourself! This is what you owe Chloe!” I stared at him incredulously. This was the man I had loved devotedly for five years. In that instant, my heart turned completely cold. It was just a cut, wasn’t it? I’ll give it back to her, then. Lowering my gaze to hide the tears in my eyes, I picked up the knife and lightly drew it across my wrist. Chloe shrieked in terror. I struggled to stand up, holding my bleeding wrist out to Liam. “Is that enough?” Blood dripped continuously. His eyelashes fluttered rapidly. He gave a look of disdain. Then he turned to comfort a startled Chloe, muttering curses under his breath. “Why would you cut so deep? You’re hopelessly clumsy.” I smiled soundlessly, stumbling towards the door. He suddenly called out, “Ava, go home and reflect on your actions! In three days, I’ll come pick you up.” I laughed, tears streaming down my face. Liam, we’ll never see each other again.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “352402”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #狼人Werewolf #重生Reborn

The day I had my traumatic delivery, Damon Thorne was globe-trotting with his mistress. When he finally came back, he just handed me divorce papers. “Sign them, Ashley. I specifically waited until you recovered before bringing up the divorce. That’s pretty considerate of me, right? By the way, I don’t want the kid, cuz Serena will give me plenty of kids later.” I didn’t say a word. Just took the pen and signed. Besides, I had my own wedding to get to, with the man I actually loved. Three months later, right after my wedding, the hospital administration called me back for an emergency. Apparently, the female patient suffered a rupture of the corpus luteum following sexual intercourse with multiple partners. I pushed open the door and took one look. And wouldn’t you know it? Lying on the operating table was none other than my ex-husband’s mistress. I looked down, carefully checking the patient’s name. Serena. I’d really thought Damon found some perfect, pure love. Turns out his taste runs a little… wilder than I’d imagined. I remembered the day I gave birth. I’d hemorrhaged badly due to complications during labor. The doctors kept frantically calling for my family. But Damon’s phone remained unreachable. Photos of him and Serena, cozying up in and out of hotels, were plastered all over social media. I nearly died that day. When I finally woke up, Damon appeared. His face held a hint of impatience. “Ashley, why do you always have to make such a mess of yourself? You’re an Oxford-educated doctor, for crying out loud. Did you have to have this baby for me? I don’t even like it. Your idea of using a child to secure your place is just pathetic.” He hadn’t even finished speaking when his phone rang. He answered it without a hint of hesitation. “Serena…” The voice on the other end cut him off. “Damon, is my birthday surprise ready? You said you were just going to check on that old hag at the hospital. It’s been half an hour, why aren’t you back yet? I heard she even hemorrhaged? Damon, hurry back. Don’t let her problems get to you.” Damon chuckled. “Only Serena cares about me. I’m coming right back. The birthday gift has been ready for ages. I promise you’ll be screaming my name so loud you won’t be able to walk straight for days!” Damon walked out as he spoke, not sparing me another glance. Of course, it never occurred to him to even look at our child. Thankfully, I wasn’t too heartbroken. After confirming the baby was perfectly fine, I could finally talk to Mr. Hayes, Damon’s grandfather, about the promise we made. I called him myself. “Mr. Hayes, the baby is safe. May I leave now?” My marriage to Damon was forced by his grandfather. I originally refused, but that very night, my parents were in a car accident. While not life-threatening, I couldn’t refuse anymore. Mr. Hayes had promised that if I gave them a worthy heir, he wouldn’t stand in the way of a divorce. The truth was, I’d had a boyfriend for ten years at that point. He knew the truth and had been waiting for me all this time. After my call, Mr. Hayes sighed. “I’ve seen the news these past few days. A forced relationship never thrives, so I’ll let you go. But you’re still weak, so I’ve arranged for a professional nursing team. Please recover fully before you leave.”

Serena’s screams pulled me back to reality. I quickly assessed her condition. Severe lacerations down there, with a nasty infection already setting in. There were even signs of tissue necrosis. This was way trickier than I’d anticipated. She was convulsing from the pain but still swearing. “Idiots! All of you are useless! You can’t even handle a little scratch like this? I’ll have this hospital shut down by tomorrow, I swear!” “And those damn men! None of them are any good! They get their fun and bolt, leaving me here to suffer! Once I get out of here, I’m going to rip them apart!” I put on my sterile gloves, my face expressionless. “Ms. Serena, you need immediate surgical debridement.” As soon as she heard “surgery,” she ignored her pain and continued to curse. “Surgery? Who gave you permission to use a knife? I’m warning you, if you dare leave even one scar on me, you’ll regret it! I’m supposed to wear a designer gown! I’m marrying into a rich family!” She glared at me, her eyes vicious. “Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to ruin me, are you? I’ll have you know, my fiancé is practically a billionaire! He could have all of you fired with a single phone call!” I cut her off. “It’s too early to worry about that. If we don’t operate immediately, the infection will spread. Forget getting married, you could lose your ability to have kids permanently. Hell, you could even die.” I was simply stating the facts objectively. For patients like her, sympathy was useless. The nurse beside me handed over the consent form, and Serena snatched it, tearing it into tiny pieces. She shrieked hysterically, “Sign what?! No! I’m not signing anything! You quacks are trying to ruin me! I’ll sue you all! I’ll make sure you lose your licenses and your careers!” Suddenly, as if remembering something, her eyes turned venomous, glaring at me. “Who the hell are you? You think you’re good enough to operate on me? Get your chief of surgery in here, now! Or my fiancé will tear this whole damn hospital down!” If my job wasn’t to save lives, I wouldn’t bother with her. I wasn’t in the mood to waste time talking. “Honey, I’m probably the only doctor in this whole hospital qualified to be your lead surgeon. Now, where’s your family? Someone needs to sign this.” At the mention of family, Serena clearly panicked. “Family? I don’t need family. I can make my own decisions.” “Just do the surgery! If you delay my recovery, can you bear the consequences?” I reminded her again. “By protocol, surgery requires a family member’s signature. Where is your fiancé?” Serena’s face twisted. “You’d all better keep your mouths shut. If a single word about this gets out, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable lives!” I raised an eyebrow, but didn’t press further. I’d seen this kind of thing too many times in the hospital. I simply placed the consent form in front of her. “Think fast, make a decision soon. Time’s ticking. After I’m done saving your life, I still need to go back and finish my wedding…” My words were cut off by a man’s voice suddenly coming from behind me. “Married? Who are you marrying? You’re getting married just three months after our divorce?!”

Damon, flanked by four black-suited bodyguards, blocked the operating room doorway. His designer suit accentuated his lean, powerful build, and he radiated an intimidating presence. “Ashley, did you hear me talking to you?” “What? Only three months divorced and you don’t recognize your ex-husband?” His gaze swept past me, and before I could answer, his face immediately changed when he saw Serena on the operating table. Serena lay there with an oxygen tube, her face deathly pale. Damon’s eyes instantly filled with heartache, and the icy chill in his voice was directed right at me. “Ashley, what did you do to her?! She was perfectly fine when she left this morning! What are you people pulling behind my back?!” Serena weakly lifted a hand, reaching for Damon. “Damon! She’s trying to kill me!” Her voice was raw and broken. “She was stirring a scalpel in my stomach! She even said, ‘One more cut, and you’ll never have kids again!’ I begged her to stop, but she just kept going, I thought I was going to die from the pain…” Before she could finish, she suddenly coughed violently, her chest heaving. The monitor began to emit a sharp alarm. She gasped for air, then shrieked with all her strength, “It’s your ex-wife, Damon! Damon, she’s just jealous! Jealous that I can give you children, jealous that I’m going to be Mrs. Thorne!” I raised my hand, tossing the blood-stained gauze into the medical waste bin. Then I picked up the surgical record and slowly waved it in front of Damon. “Mr. Thorne, a ruptured abscess in her lower region led to sepsis. If your fiancée had arrived forty minutes later, she’d be in the morgue right now.” Before Damon could take it, Serena snatched it away. “Damon, she’s lying! She’s deliberately framing me! Because she knows you divorced her for me, she’s using her position to get revenge!” Serena yanked out the IV needle on the back of her hand. “Damon, look! She deliberately missed the vein, and she left bruises all over my body, even on my neck!” “She even threatened me! She said she’d send my medical records to all the media, so everyone would know that you married a woman inferior to her!” I turned my head to look at Serena. She did indeed have bruises all over her body. But these were already there when she arrived at the hospital. Clearly, they were marks of passion. Damon hugged her, then stomped on the surgical record lying on the floor. “Ashley, you tried to blackmail me into marrying you using Grandpa’s medication and failed. Now you want to destroy Serena?” He scoffed. “St. Jude’s Hospital? And you think you’re fit to work here? It seems I was too lenient with you when we divorced, letting you get away with touching my woman. Ashley, clearly you haven’t learned what happens when you cross Damon.” As he finished speaking, two bodyguards quickly stepped forward and twisted my arms behind my back. I was forced down in front of Damon and Serena. I looked up at him, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Damon, aren’t you curious why she’s so desperate not to have surgery?” The bodyguards tightened the restraints on my hands, the straps cutting into my skin, sending sharp pain through my body. I was still recovering from a traumatic childbirth and was even still breastfeeding; I was far from healed. The bending motion made my abdominal pain flare up. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead as I forced out each word, “She has seventeen handsome men contacts saved in her phone. Last week, she was with three different guys in hotels. Go ahead, call your private doctor, and ask him how serious a ‘promiscuous’ lifestyle can be!”

“You’re lying! You’re trying to frame me!” Serena finished, tears streaming down her face, as she burrowed into Damon’s embrace, looking utterly wronged. She sobbed, “Damon, she’s gone too far, using her position as a doctor here to spread false accusations about me! You know I’ve always been with you. How could I have anything to do with other men, let alone get infected with some virus! Damon, are you just going to let her bully me like this? You have to get revenge for me…” Damon’s face grew darker and darker as she accused me. “Drag her to the underground freezer! No one is to let her out without my order!” The bodyguards dragged me towards the fire escape. I struggled, but their grip only tightened. The pain made the stairs seem to wobble before my eyes. “Damon! You’ll live to regret not believing me!” Behind me, Serena’s sobs grew louder. “Damon, make her disappear quickly. I don’t want to see her again. If she finds out we’re getting married soon, she’ll definitely try to ruin our wedding.” Damon soothed her. “Shh, baby, trust me. I won’t let anything happen to our wedding. You’ll be the most beautiful bride in the world.” “…” The freezer door slowly swung shut. Inside, at negative fifteen degrees Celsius, the cold pierced my body like a thousand icy needles. I curled up next to the freezer unit, pounding on the door. “Damon, let me out! This is illegal! You’re breaking the law! Let me out, now!” My flimsy surgical gown offered no protection against the biting cold, and my vision began to blur. I don’t know how long passed, but suddenly, Damon’s voice echoed in my ears. “Have you learned your lesson? Will you dare to do it again? Ashley, don’t think for a second that just because you gave birth to a child for me, you can mess with my woman. Today, you’re going to learn what happens when you cross me.” Damon stood outside the freezer room, holding Serena in his arms, princess-style. She was bundled in Damon’s suit jacket, her face still ghostly pale, but a flicker of calculation danced in her eyes. Serena snuggled closer into Damon’s arms. “Damon, it’s so cold here. Do you think she’ll freeze to death?” I’d seen her report. I knew her condition was critical. She should worry about herself, and how much longer she had to live, instead of me. “But she’s so mean, she made me suffer so much. A little freezing is what she deserves.” Serena looked up at Damon, her tone laced with feigned fear. “I’m really scared she’ll get out and retaliate against me. In the operating room earlier, the way she looked at me was terrifying, like she wanted to devour me alive.” Damon held her, glancing at me, his voice hard. “With me here, she can’t touch you.” Serena’s eyes welled up again. “But I’m afraid she’ll hold a grudge and spread rumors about my private life being ‘improper.’ Everything she said earlier was obviously made up. She’s just jealous of me, deliberately slandering me…” “It wouldn’t be good if it affected you and Thorne Industries.” “Damon, please don’t believe her nonsense. You’re the only one for me. She just wants to stir up trouble between us so she can get back with you.” My teeth chattered slightly from the cold, my whole body ached, and my brain was starting to shut down. “Serena… why don’t you unlock your phone for Damon… let him check your hotel records from last week…” “Shut up!” Serena shrieked, her voice suddenly much louder. “Damon, look! She’s still spouting lies! I didn’t do anything! She’s framing me!” She deliberately leaned further into Damon’s embrace, accidentally snagging her wrist on a bruise, and instantly cried out. “Ah… it hurts… Damon, I don’t want to hear her voice anymore!” Damon’s eyes grew colder, and he commanded, “Set the temperature to the absolute lowest. Let’s see if she still feels like running her mouth.” The bodyguard at the door immediately complied. The cold intensified abruptly, and white frost condensed on the metal cabinet walls. A metallic taste filled my mouth, and my fingernails scraped a raw, grating sound against the icy metal wall of the freezer. Just as my vision started to black out… Damon’s final warning echoed in my ears. “Ashley, when you learn to behave, I’ll let you out. Otherwise, you’ll never leave.” My consciousness began to fade, my whole body frozen and immobile. I used my last ounce of strength to speak. “Damon… let me out…” But he just turned and walked away with Serena in his arms. Just as they were about to leave, the corridor door was violently thrown open. Nurse Davis burst in, a stack of lab reports clutched in her hand, her voice frantic: “Serena’s HIV test came back positive! All instruments in the operating room must be destroyed immediately!” She slammed the papers down. “You’ve all been exposed to her blood! Get yourselves to PEP treatment now, before it’s too late!” Damon’s hand instantly froze in mid-air, the color draining completely from his face. “What did you say?! How is that possible?!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “352403”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #狼人Werewolf #重生Reborn

I used to believe Julian and I had a love that could weather any season, sharing both sweetness and hardship. When he bought me that one dollar comb, I would be moved to tears. That was until the day I saw him step out of a luxury sports car, surrounded by an entourage, and walk into a private club. Only then did I realize my three years of devotion were just an elaborate performance, a long con to win over the true object of his obsession, his first love. So when he handed me that cheap comb again, I replied with a calm voice, “Thanks.” Then, I quietly submitted my application for the academic research program. Aurora POV “Professor Hayes, I’ve made up my mind.” My voice was flat. A few seconds of silence hung on the line. “The Pathfinder Project is a fully enclosed research program, requiring a seven-year uninterrupted commitment. Aurora, are you sure? What about your boyfriend…?” “I’m sure,” I cut him off. “I’ve decided to break up with him.” As soon as the words left my lips, the lock turned. I hung up immediately, without a second thought. Julian pushed the door open, saw me putting my phone down, and casually asked, “Who were you chatting with?” “A friend.” I slipped my phone into my pocket. He didn’t seem suspicious. He pulled a small box from his jacket’s inner pocket and handed it to me. It was another wooden comb. The cheap wood reeked of acrid paint, hitting me like a slap. It seemed like these cheap trinkets were all he ever gave me. “Do you like it?” he asked. I took it, opened the box, and glanced inside. “Thanks.” I offered only a calm word of gratitude. Julian’s movements faltered. The old me would have instantly hugged him, my eyes welling up, calling him silly, telling him I worried about him wasting his money. But today, I couldn’t muster any reaction. I just watched him, expressionless. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Nothing,” I said, putting the comb back in its box. “Just… I feel bad about you spending. Aren’t we supposed to be saving up? For a house and our wedding after graduation?” His expression visibly relaxed. He reached out to ruffle my hair, just like he always did, his voice softening. “Got it.” He turned and headed into the bathroom. I heard the shower start a moment later. A few minutes passed before I walked into the bathroom, pretending to get a towel. His clothes lay in the laundry basket, his phone on the sink counter. The screen suddenly lit up. A new message popped up. It was from Tiffany Sinclair. The content was brief: “Thanks for the clover brooch.” A photo was attached below it. My gaze drifted from the phone screen to the small wooden box on the dresser. Inside, the $1 comb lay silently, a stark contrast. Steam filled the bathroom, fogging the mirror. I stared at my blurry reflection, a humorless smile twisting my lips. Actually, I had learned the truth a week ago. That afternoon, I was working my part-time job at a coffee shop. At 3 PM, Julian Vance, who was supposedly working at a used bookstore across town, appeared at the entrance of the private club opposite the coffee shop. A silver-gray sports car pulled up. He stepped out of the driver’s seat. He was wearing a perfectly tailored dark suit, completely unlike the faded, worn-out T-shirts and jeans he usually wore. At the club entrance, people quickly greeted him, surrounding him. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor, watching him disappear inside. Half an hour later, I went downstairs to the breakroom for water. The hallway was quiet, but a few art students were chatting, and I heard every word. “Wasn’t that Julian who just went in? The heir to that huge family?” “Didn’t he always say he was working odd jobs for living expenses?” “Working? Please. That’s called ‘slumming it’ for him. He’s been playing the poor student act for three years, all for Tiffany’s sake.” “Isn’t Tiffany with another guy?” “That’s why he’s copying him. They’re seeing who can endure more by finding someone even poorer and more ‘ordinary.’ Aurora Lee is the perfect example, isn’t she?” Ordinary. I thought of all the gifts he’d given me. Wooden combs, braided bracelets, cheap earrings… All of it combined probably cost less than $300. For three years, we’d shared a cramped and stuffy rental apartment. I always believed it was a love forged in shared struggles and simple joys. But now I knew, it was just a carefully orchestrated, three-year-long performance. A rich kid’s elaborate show, designed to provoke the woman he truly desired. Even more ridiculous, Tiffany and I used to be friends. She always looked at me with a complicated expression, listening to me recount our humble yet sweet daily life, saying I worked too hard. Now I understood. That wasn’t sympathy. It was pity. That winter, the first snow fell. I excitedly called him, wanting him to come out and watch the snow with me, just like we did when we first got together. The phone rang for a long time, unanswered. I stood alone under that old tree, all night long. Snow settled on me. When I went back, I fell ill. For an entire week, he didn’t send a single message or make a single call. After I recovered, for some inexplicable reason, I found myself scrolling through Tiffany’s Ins feed. The latest post was a photo. In the picture, a familiar hand was peeling an orange for her. That hand… I knew it all too well. That faint scar on his ring finger… I’d traced it countless times. The caption was just one line: “Turns out someone still cares for me.” The sound of water in the bathroom stopped. Julian walked out, wrapped in a towel, his hair still dripping. I had already returned to my desk, turned off my phone screen, and picked up a book, pretending nothing had happened.

Aurora POV When I came out of the shower, Julian was leaning against the headboard, looking at his phone. Seeing me, he put his phone down, pulled me into his arms, and his kisses were already on my neck. But I felt nothing. The old me would have hugged him back, kissed him passionately. Now, I just felt a little sick. “I’m not feeling so great,” I said. “Don’t really feel like it tonight. Let’s just get some sleep.” He glanced at me, then didn’t press the issue. “Get some rest.” “Mm.” The next morning, I started packing. The couple’s mugs with our initials, sitting on the shelf, went straight into a trash bag. Next were two matching plaid shirts; I didn’t bother folding them, just crumpled them into a ball and shoved them into the bin. The couple’s keychains hanging by the entrance – I took my keys off the table and tossed the clumsy little bear charms away. All the paired items, one by one, I cleared them out. “What are you doing?” Julian frowned, watching me. I looked back at him, my voice flat. “Everything’s old. Time for new things.” With that, I picked up the trash bag and walked out. The door softly closed behind me. I went downstairs to throw out the garbage, and my landlady, Mrs. Davis, called. “Aurora, what’s going on with you and Julian? Why are you suddenly saying you’re moving out?” Her voice was urgent, with the sounds of cooking in the background. “Something came up. We won’t be living here anymore.” I walked under a tree, looking up at the sunlight filtering through the leaves. “Can’t you two just talk things out? Couples argue, it’s normal,” she began to persuade me. “Julian is such a good guy. Remember that popular bakery? The line was so long, but he waited two hours for you, came back drenched in sweat. And your old desk lamp was completely broken, but he fixed it for you, didn’t he? A boyfriend like that is really rare, you should think carefully.” I listened, but didn’t respond. Yes. So good. Good enough to fix a cheap old desk lamp with his own hands, just to make me believe in his sincerity, all part of his act. Waiting in line for two hours? Probably because Tiffany liked that bakery. I couldn’t help but feel ironic. “We’re really over,” I cut her off, my voice firm. “Please handle the move-out process according to the contract. As for the deposit, just follow the standard policy.” With that, I hung up the phone. When I returned to the rental, Julian was already dressed and changing his shoes. Just then, my phone rang. Tiffany’s name flashed on the screen. I answered, putting it on speaker. “Aurora…” Her voice on the other end was tearful. “Mason and I had a fight. I really can’t take it anymore. Can you please come stay with me…?” Julian’s hand, tying his shoelaces, froze. He turned his head, his gaze fixed on my phone, his body unconsciously leaning forward a step. I saw his reaction clearly, and my heart sank. I spoke into the phone, deliberately slowing my pace, softening my voice. “Don’t rush, tell me slowly. What happened? I have a few things to do here, can I come see you this afternoon, okay?” Before I even finished, Julian urgently cut me off. “Go now.” He lowered his voice, but it was laced with urgency and command. Seeing me just look at him, he seemed to realize his lapse, and added, “She’s alone and her emotions are unstable. It wouldn’t be good if something happened. I’ll drive you.” I watched him calmly. Watched the urgency on his face that he hadn’t quite managed to hide, watched his undisguised concern for another woman. “Aren’t you supposed to be working at that used bookstore across town this morning?”

Aurora POV Julian clearly froze. “The store’s doing inventory today, so we’re closed.” His lie tumbled out, so quickly he barely had time to think. He couldn’t meet my eyes. As soon as the words were out, he turned, grabbed the keys from behind the door, and urged, “Come on, let’s go, don’t waste any more time.” He pulled my wrist out the door and onto a creaky old bicycle. I knew he’d bought that bike for fifty bucks from a graduating senior; it was just one of his props for maintaining his ‘poor student’ image. The wind was strong, blowing straight into my collar. Sitting on the back, I clearly saw that in his haste, he’d buttoned the top two buttons of his shirt incorrectly, his collar askew, lending him a look of disheveled absurdity. But he was oblivious, putting all his strength into his legs, pedaling furiously toward Tiffany’s apartment. Bouncing on the bumpy back seat, watching his slightly hunched back, the past three years suddenly flooded my mind. Countless times, he’d done this, using the excuse that “loving me means loving my friends” to drag me along to clean up Tiffany’s messes. Tiffany’s cat got lost, he stayed up all night helping her search; Tiffany’s computer broke, he rushed over in heavy rain to fix it; Tiffany wanted to see a concert, he’d always manage to get two of the best tickets, then bring me along, calling it “accompanying her together.” Each time, he’d offer the most righteous-sounding reasons. “She’s your best friend. If I take care of her a bit more, you’ll be more at ease.” I truly believed him back then, even feeling touched that I had such a considerate boyfriend. But now, sitting on this familiar old bike, feeling his frantic anxiety for another woman, I only found it utterly laughable. Tiffany’s apartment was a mess. She lived in the most luxurious apartment building downtown, her monthly rent more than ten times ours. Right now, in this expensive space, designer bags and clothes were strewn everywhere. Tiffany sat on the costly wool rug, barefoot, her exquisite makeup smeared with tears, crying. Julian, seeing the scene the moment he entered, instantly filled with concern. He completely forgot I was behind him, strode over, knelt down, picked up a slipper nearby, and gently put it on her foot. Then, he pulled out tissues, carefully wiping her tears, his voice lowered, full of coaxing. “There, there, stop crying. Your eyes will get all puffy.” Under his coaxing, Tiffany’s sobs gradually subsided, and she leaned into his shoulder. I stood by the doorway, quietly watching this tender scene, quickly figuring out the cause. She was crying simply because her boyfriend, Mason Stone, wouldn’t buy her the latest limited edition platinum handbag. I saw through it instantly: it was just her usual rich-girl tantrum, her go-to tactic to manipulate her boyfriend. I watched, stone-faced, as Julian pulled out all the stops, from telling lame jokes to brewing herbal tea, to promising to “teach” Mason Stone a lesson, finally managing to make Tiffany laugh through her tears. To make her completely happy, Julian suggested taking her out to sea for a change of scenery. On the private dock’s yacht, as soon as we boarded, a server greeted us with champagne. Tiffany immediately became a princess surrounded by admirers, joyfully soaking in the flattery from Julian’s wealthy friends. “Tiffany, you look stunning today!” “Julian, you’re too good to her! To make you happy, he even booked Mr. Qin’s yacht!” Tiffany’s face bloomed into a radiant smile again, fully enjoying the queen-like treatment Julian had arranged for her. I was squeezed to a corner at the stern of the boat. My foot accidentally caught on a rope, and I nearly fell. I steadied myself, gripping the cold railing, and looked up. Everyone’s focus was on Tiffany and Julian. No one noticed my presence. As evening fell, the yacht sailed into open waters. The wind on deck grew stronger. Tiffany complained about the cold, snuggling into Julian’s arms like a spoiled child. Julian immediately took off his suit jacket and thoughtfully draped it over her. I was also cold. My cold hadn’t completely cleared, so I could only stand a few steps away, quietly pulling my thin jacket tighter. A huge wave suddenly crashed, hitting the side of the boat, splashing a large spray of water. Julian instinctively turned, shielding Tiffany completely with his body, blocking all the splashing seawater. I stood right behind him and was drenched from head to toe. Icy seawater dripped from my hair, soaking my shirt, which clung tightly to my skin. My lingering cold immediately worsened, and I shivered uncontrollably. I looked up and saw Julian looking down at Tiffany with concern, gently asking if she was startled, or if she got wet. From the moment we stepped into Tiffany’s apartment, Julian’s gaze had continuously revolved around her. Not once, not even for a second, had it fallen on me. I was like a ghost, completely invisible in his world.

Aurora POV Night fell. Above the yacht, hundreds of drones ascended, performing a spectacular light show for Tiffany against the night sky. Shimmering, colorful patterns transformed in the air, from roses to dolphins, eliciting gasps of surprise from the deck. Tiffany shrieked with delight, grabbing Julian’s arm excitedly. I knew this was Julian’s arrangement. Finally, the drones formed a giant heart in the night sky. In the middle of the heart was Tiffany’s name. The atmosphere on deck reached a climax, everyone started cheering and catcalling. The light show hadn’t even finished when Tiffany’s phone rang. It was Mason Stone. Her face lit up with a smile as she answered, speaking softly and sweetly into the phone. She ignored Julian’s movements beside her, disregarded him completely, and hurried off the yacht, holding up her skirt. As soon as she left, the group of friends dispersed. The smile Julian had prepared for her froze on his face, then vanished. He irritably grabbed a champagne glass from the table and smashed it onto the deck. He turned around, then noticed I was still standing there. He immediately composed himself, quickly walked over, and pulled me into his embrace. “Pretty, isn’t it?” he asked, referring to the lights in the sky. Over his shoulder, I looked at the fading pattern in the sky, softly hummed in agreement, then pushed him away with little strength. “Make a wish,” I said, looking up at the gradually dispersing drones, breaking the awkward silence. Julian paused, then followed my suggestion, closing his eyes and pressing his palms together. A few seconds later, he opened his eyes and looked at me. “I wish for Aurora and me to be together forever, to graduate smoothly, and to get married smoothly.” I mimicked his posture, closed my eyes, and made a silent wish: I wished that after I left Julian, he and I would never cross paths again, for the rest of our lives.. “What did you wish for?” “If I say it out loud, it won’t come true.” The next day, I went to the university administration and signed the confidentiality agreement for the Pathfinder Project. The day after that, I resigned from my part-time job at the translation company. Just before my shift ended, my supervisor handed me a Manila envelope and asked me to deliver an urgent package to an important client. The address led to a mansion in the hills. I took a bus for over an hour, then walked twenty minutes along a winding mountain road before finding the grand, carved iron gate. I tidied my sweat-dampened collar and pressed the doorbell. A few seconds later, the heavy gate slid silently open. It was Julian who opened the door. He stood there in soft silk loungewear, his hair still damp. This version of him was a stranger, utterly different from the confident man he had been last night and from the guy who wore cheap T shirts every day. When he saw me, his entire body froze.

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At Alpha Evan’s birthday party, my foster mother, Brenda, planned to drug Alpha Evan’s heir, Kyle, with a powerful aphrodisiac. Her goal was to force a mating with Kyle for my foster sister, Lydia. But Alpha Evan had lost his true mate years ago, and Kyle was his only heir. He was fiercely possessive of Kyle; countless women who had tried to seduce Kyle met gruesome ends at his hands. In my last life, to protect Lydia, I shattered the drugged glass and helped Lydia escape the party. Later, at a different gathering, Kyle found out I was his true mate. Lydia, furious at losing the chance to become the future Luna, completely lost her mind. And me? On the eve of my wedding, my foster mother locked me in the basement: “You knew Lydia loved Kyle! Why did you steal her man? You’re just a lowly Omega! You don’t deserve to be Luna!” She stripped me bare, then summoned a group of vicious Rogue wolves and left me to their mercy. After three days and three nights of unspeakable torment, my foster mother threw me off a cliff, leaving me for the wild beasts to tear apart and devour. They, however, leveraged Kyle’s grief and love for me to extract a hefty compensation. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my foster mother was about to drug Kyle.

My head throbbed, a dull ache refusing to dissipate, as Brenda’s venomous scolding pierced my ears: “Anne, you idiotic Omega! How dare you ruin our plan?! I should have left you to rot in the gutters where I found you!” Kyle lay there, barely conscious, sprawled on the bed, clearly intoxicated. I instantly realized I had been reborn. I had tried to stop them from drugging Kyle, and in return, Brenda had bludgeoned me senseless with a heavy stick. Jason’s eyes glinted with a wicked malice. “Anne, know your place! You’re nothing but a stray we dragged off the streets!” Lydia dabbed at her eyes, her face a mask of feigned innocence, looking utterly heartbroken: “Anne, you knew how much I liked Kyle! I can’t believe how cruel you are. Not only are you jealous of my Beta bloodline, but you also tried to steal the man I love!” Brenda’s face was a mask of icy fury. After listening, her brow furrowed even deeper. “Damn it! I shouldn’t have brought a worthless hussy like you to the party in the first place!” Watching them, looking like they wanted to kill me, I almost laughed. Lydia, despite her Beta bloodline, was incredibly lazy. She never participated in warrior training, choosing instead to be obsessed with partying. Kyle never even gave her a second glance. But my foster parents believed a woman’s allure was her only true power. Soon after adopting me, my foster parents faced bankruptcy, almost losing everything. It was me who scoured the wilderness for medicinal herbs to sell, pulling our family back from the edge of ruin. Yet, they always despised my Omega bloodline. I was worried they’d face Alpha Evan’s punishment, but they just thought I was jealous of Lydia. Thinking of this, I stopped struggling. “If you’re so determined to push Lydia onto Kyle’s bed, then I see no reason to stop you! As for the consequences, you’ll have to deal with them yourselves!” Brenda crossed her arms, letting out a cold scoff. “Finally, you’re facing reality! Lydia is a Beta; only she is worthy of becoming the future Luna of the Fullmoon Pack!” Brenda carefully poured the powerful aphrodisiac she’d bought from a shady witch into the wine glass. My heart hammered in my chest. Such a massive dose of the aphrodisiac—Kyle would never be able to handle it. A month ago, Kyle had been severely wounded by silver during a skirmish with Rogues at the border. Alpha Evan had been frantic, summoning every healer in the Pack to save Kyle. Only after Kyle’s body was completely cleansed of the toxins did Alpha Evan finally relax. If Kyle’s body suffered another emergency because of this aphrodisiac, everyone at the party would face Alpha Evan’s wrath, and likely death! My brow furrowed, a chill running down my spine as I tried to reason with them. “That dosage is huge! Aren’t you worried about Kyle’s body?” Lydia immediately gave me a venomous glare. “Kyle has Alpha blood! That little bit of medicine won’t do anything to him! Ultimately, you’re just bitter that I’m about to become Kyle’s mate!” “Enough!” Brenda roared at me. “Anne, you’ve already wasted our best chance to drug him. If you dare mess with our plan again, I’ll send you straight to a brothel right now!” Richard shoved me away with a sneer. “Get lost, you good-for-nothing hussy!” I stumbled, almost falling to the floor. Jason sidestepped, a flicker of disgust in his eyes. Swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth, I turned to leave the room. Forget it. Their lives had nothing to do with me. But as soon as I took a step, Lydia barricaded my escape.

“Mother, Anne can’t leave here. We have to lock her up to prevent her from spilling our plans.” Jason blocked my path. “Lydia’s right. Just in case, it’s better to keep her confined.” Brenda’s brow furrowed. “But what if someone finds out…” Lydia stamped her foot in frustration. “Mother, don’t forget, we used Anne to lure Kyle into this room! Who knows, maybe they were already secretly involved! It’s better if Anne dies. Once Kyle falls for me, no one will stand in my way!” I suddenly froze. Lydia’s words were so strange. In my previous life, I met Kyle unexpectedly after Alpha Evan’s birthday party. He discovered I was his mate and then fell madly in love with me. But that was after the party. Lydia shouldn’t know Kyle is my mate yet, should she? So why did Lydia know to use me to lure Kyle? Richard immediately agreed with Lydia’s suggestion, his eyes gleaming with greed. “Do as Lydia says! As long as we succeed in securing Kyle, sacrificing a foster daughter means nothing.” I clenched my fists. They had completely lost their minds. I had to leave immediately. But Jason was quicker, grabbing my arm. “Stop, Anne! If you want to live, you’ll cooperate with us!” I struggled fiercely, but Brenda seized a heavy vase and brought it crashing down on my head. “Why are you wasting words on her? Lock her up! Kill her now! Our family doesn’t need a lowly Omega foster daughter!” A wave of dizziness washed over me, and blood streamed down my forehead. Before I could cry for help, Brenda delivered another blow, panting heavily. “Who told you to play tricks, not only being jealous of Lydia but also trying to seduce Kyle!” Richard stood by, silent, but his eyes were filled with approval for Brenda. Lydia put on insulated gloves, took out silver handcuffs, and cuffed me. The moment the silver touched my skin, it burned intensely, making cold sweat seep from my forehead. I curled into myself, writhing in pain. Lydia, triumphant, directed them. “What are you waiting for? Tie her up!” Jason immediately bound my limbs, shoved a piece of ragged cloth into my mouth, and threw me into the utility closet. Lydia’s voice, a venomous hiss, cut through the silence. “Anne, you low-born Omega, you only got Kyle in the last life because of sheer dumb luck! Now it’s my turn.” “Not this time, bitch. You won’t stop me!” Turns out, she had been reborn too!

A cold laugh bubbled in my chest. This time, she deserved to face Alpha Evan’s fury. Brenda squeezed Lydia’s hand. “Lydia, the revival of our family depends entirely on you! Make sure you get pregnant with Kyle’s heir tonight! Our family’s future depends on it!” Jason excitedly declared. “Once you become Kyle’s mate, don’t forget to recommend Richard and me to Alpha Evan so we can become his Betas!” Richard narrowed his eyes, which were filled with ambition. “Then, our family will wield real power within the Pack!” Lydia smirked triumphantly. “Don’t worry, I’ve been taking fertility drugs for a week. And today is my ovulation day. I guarantee I’ll get pregnant! Kyle is Alpha Evan’s only heir. Once I’m carrying Kyle’s child, Alpha Evan will grant me anything I want!” Listening to their absurd plotting, I almost laughed. Half a month ago, Kyle’s body had just fully recovered. A female Beta had invited him to a private pool party and even posted a half-naked photo of Kyle on social media. Alpha Evan was furious when he found out and immediately made her family bankrupt. He was an absolute tyrant when it came to control. He would never allow Kyle to date or sleep with any woman without his knowledge. He even forced women to take contraceptives every time Kyle was with them. Alpha Evan had once said that only Kyle’s true mate was worthy of carrying his family’s heir and becoming the future Luna. Lydia’s actions would only lead to much more disastrous consequences. Everyone left the room, leaving only Lydia and Kyle. And I was locked in a utility closet within the room. They planned to bury me alive after the party ended tonight. Through a narrow gap in the cabinet door, I saw Lydia throw herself onto Kyle’s barely conscious form, her hands already tearing at his clothes. Then she straddled Kyle’s waist. “Kyle, I’ve always admired you. Now, I finally have you.” Under the drug’s influence, Kyle began to go into heat, his eyes bloodshot, emitting pained roars. Lydia greedily stroked his muscular body, then slid her hand between Kyle’s legs. My blood ran cold, sweat prickling my skin! I couldn’t let Lydia’s twisted plan succeed. I wanted to scream to wake Kyle, but my mouth was taped shut. I struggled with all my might, but the burning from the silver handcuffs almost made me faint from pain. Just as I plunged into despair, I heard Lydia’s shriek of pure terror: “Ah! Why is there so much blood?!” Immediately after, I heard rapid footsteps approaching from outside. Kyle had been gone for so long; Alpha Evan must have sensed something was amiss and rushed to find him! A surge of triumphant relief washed over me. Lydia seemed to realize something was wrong too. She immediately got off the bed and covered the blood on the bed with a blanket. Just then, the room door was kicked open. Alpha Evan loomed in the doorway like a thundercloud. His brow furrowed, and he roared: “Where is Kyle?!” Lydia’s face turned ashen with fright, unable to speak. Brenda quickly rushed into the room, a sickly sweet smile plastered on her face. “Alpha Evan, this is my daughter, Lydia. Kyle seemed to take a liking to her at the party today, which is why he invited her to the room for a drink and a chat.” I found it laughable. It was Lydia who had tried to talk to Kyle, but he couldn’t even be bothered to give her a second glance. Alpha Evan’s expression turned to stone. He shoved Brenda aside and strode further into the room. “Then where’s my son?!” Lydia clumsily, frantically blocking his path, a desperate attempt to stall him. “Alpha Evan, Kyle isn’t in the room! He got drunk and went out to the terrace for some fresh air.” No sooner had she spoken than a pained roar came from the bed. It was Kyle’s voice.

Alpha Evan quickly walked to the bed and ripped back the covers. Kyle lay naked on the bed, a crimson mess beneath him, staining the bedsheets. Alpha Evan was furious. He kicked Lydia in the chest. “Damn you! You wretched slut! What did you do to Kyle?!” Lydia spat out a mouthful of blood. Brenda and Richard’s faces turned ashen, their legs suddenly weak, threatening to give out. “It was Anne who did it! She seduced Kyle into this room and drugged him with an aphrodisiac! I was just passing by, discovered her crime, and wanted to help Kyle!” Alpha Evan’s gaze swept the room, missing my hidden form, but an Alpha’s nose never lies. He knew I was here. He immediately ordered the Beta warrior standing behind him: “Open that utility closet!” A Beta warrior immediately pried open the lock of the utility closet and removed my silver handcuffs. I didn’t immediately explain. Instead, I took out an antidote from my pocket, intending for Kyle to take it. Lydia, however, slapped me hard. “You wretch! What are you giving Kyle? Are you going to keep poisoning him?!” Brenda cried and threw herself in front of Alpha Evan. “Alpha Evan, you see? It was all Anne’s dirty work! Lydia was framed by her! We saw through her plan long ago, which is why we rushed here to expose her!” I let out a cold laugh. “Kyle ingested a potent aphrodisiac, and his wolf is suffering immensely right now. This antidote will completely alleviate the symptoms of his heat.” Brenda sharply challenged me. “Anne, you’re not a doctor! How could you know how to cure him? You’re lying!” I faced Alpha Evan’s fury directly. “I grew up in the wilderness, learning to forage for medicinal plants to survive. I once had a fortunate encounter with Dr. Frank, a renowned healer, who taught me how to make medicine and save lives.” Everyone was shocked, but soon their faces twisted into sneers of open contempt. Because Dr. Frank was the most famous healer in the Fullmoon Pack; even Alpha Evan respected him greatly. Lydia immediately scoffed at me. “Anne, you’re finished! Dr. Frank is also attending the party tonight. Your lies are about to be unmasked!” Alpha Evan glanced at me, then immediately told a Beta warrior: “Summon Dr. Frank to this room at once.” I finally sighed in relief. When Dr. Frank arrived, he immediately vouched for me. “I did indeed teach Anne medical skills. The medicine she has is perfectly fine and can indeed treat Kyle.” Then, Dr. Frank didn’t forget to praise me. “Anne, your medical skills have improved even further!” Lydia and Brenda completely panicked. Dr. Frank continued: “It’s a good thing Anne had this antidote prepared. This aphrodisiac is extremely potent. Kyle was already injured by wolfsbane poison before and hadn’t fully recovered. This aphrodisiac almost killed Kyle’s wolf.” Alpha Evan’s face was dark, his gaze sharp, filled with barely contained fury. “Damn it! Who drugged Kyle?!” Lydia pointed at me. “It was Anne! Otherwise, why would she have an antidote in her hand?” Brenda immediately agreed. “Exactly! She’s just guilt-ridden, Alpha Evan! Desperate to cover her tracks by offering some fake remedy! And I personally saw Anne lure Kyle into the room; the waitress can testify!” Alpha Evan looked at me, his eyes filled with murderous intent. “Bring that waitress here!” Sure enough, when Stacy walked in with her head down, she adamantly claimed I was the one who lured Kyle into this room. Since Lydia had been reborn, she had clearly planned this whole thing out, every detail meticulously set up, intending for me to die at the party. Alpha Evan was furious. He ordered his Beta warriors to take me to the dungeons. “She dared to attempt to murder the Pack’s only heir! No trial is necessary! I’ll execute her personally!” But I wasn’t panicked at all. I scanned each of my foster family’s faces: mockery, schadenfreude, and a flicker of relief. There wasn’t a flicker of compassion for me in any of their eyes. “That Omega deserves to be punished! Let her learn that a worthless Omega like her can never be worthy of Kyle!” Just then, Kyle’s voice came from the bed: “It wasn’t Anne… My wolf, though clouded by the potion, was still aware enough to witness what truly happened. It has already shown me the truth.

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Our pack of shifters, we all suffer from a strange, burning hunger. If we don’t find our true mate by the age of eighteen, we’re plunged into an endless heat cycle. Last month, I turned eighteen. But tragically, I searched every corner of our pack and couldn’t find my mate. Almost every night, I could catch the potent scent of my cousin, Diana, and her mate, Zephyr, making love. It was pure torment! Slowly, I began to fantasize about Zephyr’s touch, his kisses, even the thrill of his fangs sinking into my skin. Then came that trip back to her parents’ home with Diana, the train rattling through the wilderness. In the dead of night, Zephyr actually pinned me beneath him, his blazing Alpha scent consuming me instantly… It was Christmas Eve when Diana invited me to her family’s place. Only when we got to the station did I realize her partner, Zephyr, was coming along to meet her parents too. My mouth fell open slightly. Zephyr was a solid six-foot-three, his powerful Alpha physique radiating an almost suffocating presence. His gaze landed on me, scrutinizing, laced with a raw, primal interest. I knew exactly how I looked. As an Omega, I’d developed faster than others my age. Tonight, the V-neck top I wore showed off my curves unmistakably. My short skirt felt almost nonexistent, leaving me utterly exposed before such a powerful male. He stood behind me, his gaze like a physical touch, burning my skin. It dawned on me, a little too late, that with his superior height and senses, I probably couldn’t hide a thing. I instinctively pulled my top closer, my cheeks flushing. He subtly shifted his eyes, then offered to grab some supplies for the journey. Watching him walk away, his steps—the gait of a top predator—were full of power and control. I couldn’t help but whisper to Diana, “I heard… Alpha mates have to endure incredibly strong… physical needs. Is that true?” A flush spread across Diana’s face, mixed with a hint of fatigue. “Absolutely. Zephyr’s strength and possessiveness are beyond ordinary. Every coupling feels like a conquest.” She lowered her voice, a touch of boastfulness in it. “His physique… it’s far beyond a regular Alpha.” I gasped. My heat-driven instincts made me shiver with both fear and curiosity. To be pinned beneath a being like that… My gaze involuntarily tracked Zephyr. Even when he simply walked, the Alpha’s oppressive aura hit me in waves. They say Alphas are completely different when aroused… I secretly imagined his potential size, and my legs instantly felt weak. Such a powerful presence… what would it feel like to be beneath him? Diana had mentioned Zephyr’s needs were incredibly intense. No wonder every time I saw her, she carried the scent of deep satisfaction, mingled with exhaustion. Lost in thought, Diana leaned in, winking. “You haven’t found your mate yet, have you, Selene? Want to… experience the difference of a top Alpha?” My breath hitched, and I bit my lip, my heart pounding like a drum with my heat’s insistent urges. “Diana! Don’t joke like that!” But when I looked up, I caught Zephyr’s eyes. At the words “haven’t found your mate,” a flash of intense, predatory darkness crossed his gaze. Finally, we boarded the train. Diana had booked a private sleeper cabin. It was just the three of us in this section, a curtain at the entrance providing some privacy. She and Zephyr lay on the opposite berth. Diana leaned against him, scrolling through her phone, while Zephyr’s hand roamed freely over her waist and back—a possessive gesture from an Alpha to his claimed mate.

The sight made my cheeks burn, and I ducked my head, staring at my phone to hide my embarrassment. Yet my gaze kept drifting, drawn irresistibly to them. Diana wore a tight purple dress today, outlining her powerful curves perfectly. In barely ten minutes, I’d already seen Zephyr’s hand disappear under her skirt multiple times. When he withdrew it, his fingertips gleamed with a slick dampness. Diana’s cheeks were flushed, and she murmured softly, “Selene’s still here…” Night deepened, and most passengers in the cabin were asleep. The attendant dimmed the lights, and Diana, without hesitation, straddled Zephyr’s waist, pulling him into a deep kiss. I unconsciously licked my dry lips, my thoughts a tangled mess. Eventually, sleep overpowered my racing mind, and I fell into a deep slumber. I didn’t know how much time had passed when Diana’s voice woke me. Opening my eyes, I saw the overhead lights were on again. Diana gave me a playful wink. “Selene, are you hungry? Could you grab us three meals from the dining car?” I glanced at the undeniable bulge between Zephyr’s legs and instantly understood. “Okay,” I mumbled. As soon as I climbed down from my berth and left the compartment, Diana’s muffled moans reached my ears. To give them ample time, I deliberately ate my meal in the dining car before returning. But as I lifted the edge of the curtain, I saw Diana still rising and falling on Zephyr. They were too engrossed, completely unaware of me outside the curtain. I instinctively took a step back, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away. The blush-inducing sight made my mouth gape unconsciously. Such a position actually existed… My legs felt weak, and I slid down, leaning against the partition, unconsciously rubbing my knees in time with the faint rhythm emanating from within. About fifteen minutes later, the sounds inside finally quieted. I took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and stepped in. My foot caught on something, and I stumbled, sending all the meal boxes in my hand crashing onto my berth. A strong arm quickly steadied my waist. I looked up, directly into Zephyr’s close proximity—the barely concealed evidence of his arousal beneath his bathrobe swayed with the rocking of the train. My entire face instantly flushed crimson. Diana quickly came over, carrying the faint musky scent of their lovemaking. “It’s fine, you can sleep with us for a bit, we’ll be there soon anyway.” “Huh?” My heart gave a sudden leap, but my mind uncontrollably flashed back to the glimpse I’d caught of Zephyr’s size. A secret anticipation stirred within me. Diana leaned closer, her breath still carrying the lingering scent of their intimacy. “Zephyr and I have a double berth, it’s wide enough. Three people can fit.” Looking at my messy bed, I bit my lip. “…Alright.” I had intended to sleep on the outer side, next to Diana, but she insisted I sleep in the middle, saying both of them got hot easily. I had no choice but to compromise. Zephyr was tall, his muscles well-defined. Only after all three of us lay down did I truly feel the crampedness of the middle position. I lay with my back to Zephyr, his solid chest continuously brushing against my spine with the train’s movement. Never having been this close to a male, I gradually felt my body heating up from his touch. These past few years, busy with work, I’d never had a partner. This was truly my first close contact with an Alpha. Diana, perhaps having expended too much energy earlier, fell into a deep sleep shortly after lying down. Zephyr, however, was still awake, seemingly checking his phone. Before, I could have talked to Diana to ease the awkwardness. Now, trapped between the two of them, I could barely even turn over. My body grew hotter and hotter for some reason, my cheeks burning intensely. The train lurched violently, and I involuntarily flipped halfway over, finding myself face-to-face with Zephyr. But he was so tall that my gaze only reached his broad chest. Then, my lower abdomen was pressed against by something hard and hot. Could this be…?

I couldn’t help but swallow, suppressing the rising heat within me, wanting to shift positions. A low, muffled groan suddenly escaped from above me, instantly making my ears burn. “Sorry…” I cleared my throat, glancing back at Diana; she was fast asleep. When I looked up, I saw Zephyr’s face was flushed. He shook his head. “It’s fine. The train’s just bumpy. I’ll move further in.” He shifted his body, and that hot, hard object beneath him brushed against my inner thigh, almost imperceptibly. My mouth was dry as I turned over, a wave of warmth rushing through my core. The sheer size and dominant presence of an Alpha… I dared not dwell on it. I couldn’t help but clamp my legs together, taking a deep breath to compose myself. Just as I created a little distance from Zephyr, the train entered a tunnel, bringing another bout of jostling. I swayed, losing control and sliding into his arms. The next second, I felt my hips fully embraced by him, and I instinctively shifted my waist. Oh my god— I was wearing a short skirt, and the hem had ridden up to my waist. His hand, I don’t know when, had clasped my waist, and his breathing grew heavy and hot, as if he was desperately trying to restrain himself. Another jolt, and I crashed completely into his embrace, letting out a stifled moan. Thankfully, the train horn suddenly blared— I turned my head, my face flushed, meeting Zephyr’s deep, dark eyes. He licked his lips, his gaze predatory, like he was locking onto his prey. “This train… it’s so shaky,” my voice trembled. I frantically shifted toward Diana, pretending not to feel the burning heat pressing against my lower back. My entire body was already slick with sweat. The air was thick with his Alpha scent, making my heat symptoms even more intense. I bit my lower lip, forcing my eyes shut. What do I do? I can’t hold it in anymore… I want him badly…

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During a zombie clearing mission, I got infected protecting my team. My girlfriend, Chloe, who was also our captain, used “fairness” as an excuse to give the only antidote to a team member who’d snuck out and gotten infected. Her eyes red, she promised me: “Alex, trust me. I’ll find an antidote for you within the three-day incubation period.” I gritted my teeth against the searing pain burning inside me and nodded. The next day, she actually did bring back an antidote. But just a second before the serum could be injected into my veins, Brandon, a team member who’d never even left the camp, suddenly frowned. “Chloe, my head hurts so bad… I’m so scared I might be infected.” Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Chloe didn’t hesitate. She handed that antidote to Brandon. “Brandon is a team member. If something happens to him, it means I’m an incompetent captain.” “Alex, you’re the deputy captain, and my boyfriend. For the sake of fairness, I have to give the medicine to Brandon.” I saw the flicker of triumph in Brandon’s eyes and Chloe’s unyielding expression. I almost laughed–a bitter, furious laugh. For fairness? Fine. She’ll soon realize she’s nothing without me.

Chloe didn’t even spare me a glance as she handed Brandon the antidote. “Brandon, the antidote is for you first.” Her tone was as casual as if she were handing him a bottle of water. Brandon took the antidote, a flicker of unconcealed triumph in his eyes. Chloe then handed me a small bottle of cloudy, transparent liquid. She avoided my gaze. “It’s a suppressor. It’ll buy you some more time.” That cheap suppressor was utterly useless for an infection of my severity. My voice was eerily calm. “You know this won’t help me.” Chloe’s eyes darted away, and she frowned. “Alex, don’t be dramatic. Brandon is weak. What if he really is infected…” I cut her off with a cold laugh. “He hasn’t been on a single mission since joining the team, and he has no wounds. How could he possibly be infected?” Chloe’s voice rose. “That’s just on the surface!” “You know the zombie virus has a three-day incubation period! As captain, I have to be responsible for every team member!” “You’re my boyfriend, and the deputy captain. If I give the medicine to you and not him, what will the other team members think of me? How can I lead this team? I have to be fair!” Always the same excuse. The gray-white veins on my right arm were slowly creeping towards my shoulder, and the burning sensation under my skin was growing more intense with each passing moment. I stared at her, taking a deep, ragged breath. “So, my life is less important than your authority? You’re just trying to fob me off with this pathetic suppressor?” Chloe’s face shifted. “What kind of talk is that? I promised I’d go to the West District Research Facility tomorrow and bring back an antidote!” “Can’t you just trust me one more time?” Before the apocalypse, in military academy, Chloe and I were the perfect team. She commanded, I charged. She made the plans, I executed the details. Everyone said we were meant to be. On graduation day, she told me on the training grounds: “Alex, you can trust me completely for the rest of your life.” After the apocalypse hit, I helped her build our survivor squad, willingly taking the role of deputy. I let her take all the credit, and I took all the risks. Three years. The team grew from seven to over forty. She became Captain Chloe, revered by everyone. And what did I get in return? A litany of “fairness,” an endless “next time.” If my powers hadn’t vanished after getting infected, leaving me zombie bait outside, I’d never rely on her to find an antidote. I felt a deep weariness. “This isn’t the first time you’ve promised.” She grabbed my hand, her eyes pleading. “This time, I swear!” “Just like every mission before, when you trusted me with your back. Alex, trust me one last time.” I looked at that hand, the one that used to tightly grip mine through hails of bullets, and heard myself say: “Fine. One last time.” Chloe visibly relaxed. “You go get some rest. I’ll arrange tomorrow’s team and route. Everything will be fine tomorrow.” I turned and left, without looking back. As soon as I stepped outside, I heard Brandon’s hushed voice: “Chloe, he was so scary just now. What if he’s already…” Chloe’s tone was soothing. “Don’t be scared, he’ll be fine for now.” Back in the isolation room, I leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. The burning sensation in my right arm grew steadily worse. This was my second day infected with the zombie virus. According to the usual infection progression, I should be showing early signs of muscle rigidity and sensory degradation by now. But I wasn’t. Apart from the burning and occasional sharp pangs, my mind was unnervingly clear. The strangest thing was, I felt something awakening inside me. From the distant ruins, zombie roars echoed, rising and falling. That wasn’t the sound of a small horde. The camp’s outer defenses, without my powers to reinforce them, wouldn’t hold for long. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Tomorrow would be the third day. Chloe, this is the last chance I’m giving you.

The moment dawn broke, I burst out of the isolation room. The gray-white veins on my right arm now covered half my shoulder. Overnight, the stench of decay in the air seemed to have thickened. I could feel the zombies closing in. Without my primary combat strength, the camp would fall, sooner or later. Chloe’s room door was ajar. I pushed it open. And froze. Chloe was curled up on a simple cot, and Brandon was lying beside her, both covered by the same blanket. Brandon’s arm was around Chloe’s waist, and she was nestled in his embrace, sleeping soundly. My mind went blank for three seconds. Then it exploded. “Chloe!” I roared, then charged in, yanking Brandon up and slamming my fist into his face. Brandon shrieked, tumbled off the bed, and his nose instantly gushed blood. Chloe jolted awake, her face turning ashen at the sight. “Alex! What are you doing?!” I pointed at Brandon, my voice trembling. “What am I doing?” “You’re asking me what I’m doing?! Chloe, look at what you two are doing!” Brandon scrambled up, clutching his face, and hid behind Chloe. “I just… last night, I suddenly had symptoms of infection, and I was scared, so I came to talk to the captain about the antidote…” I laughed, a humorless sound. “And that required you to be in the same bed? To be hugging someone else’s girlfriend?” Chloe shielded Brandon, her eyes showing a flicker of panic, but mostly anger. “Alex, that’s enough! Brandon did show early infection symptoms last night. Is it wrong for me, as captain, to look after a team member?” “We didn’t do anything!” I stared at her disheveled collar. “Chloe, do you take me for a fool?” Chloe’s voice suddenly sharpened. “Look at yourself right now! Paranoid, impulsive, violent! Do you even remember you’re the deputy captain?!” I froze. I remembered, before the apocalypse, in the military academy infirmary. I’d pushed myself too hard in training, aggravating an old injury, and spiked a fever of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Chloe skipped an entire afternoon of classes, staying by my bedside, changing my compresses, giving me water, finally falling asleep curled up beside my bed. When she woke, she said: “Alex, if you dare die before me, I’ll chase you to hell and beat you back to life.” Back then, her eyes held tenderness, and the raw fear of losing me. Now? She looked at me, her eyes icy. “Today’s mission is crucial. I don’t have time to argue with you. Brandon, prepare to move out.” Brandon immediately nodded, wiping the blood from his nose as he walked out. As he passed me, he shot me a triumphant, taunting look. I grabbed Chloe’s wrist. “You’re taking him?” Chloe pulled her arm away. “He knows the West District terrain.” “Alex, in your current state, how can I trust you with the team?” “You just wait here at camp. I’ll bring back the antidote.” She adjusted her gear and left without a backward glance. I stood rooted to the spot, looking at the empty room, at the blanket still warm with their body heat. The power within me suddenly surged violently, and the gray-white veins instantly spread to my chest. My skin felt like it was tearing apart, the burning sensation threatening to consume me. But I held on. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms, blood dripping from between my fingers. Chloe, you chose him again. Then this is where we end. I stumbled back to the isolation room, leaning against the wall, gasping for air. I was now absolutely certain this infection was not normal. From outside the window, I heard the sound of an engine starting. I walked to the window and saw three modified SUVs drive out of the camp gate. Chloe sat in the passenger seat of the lead vehicle. Brandon was next to her in the back. Brandon leaned over, talking to Chloe. She laughed – a relaxed, unguarded laugh. It had been a long time since I’d seen her laugh like that. The convoy disappeared at the end of the ruins. I closed my eyes. Chloe, if you don’t return before sunset today, You will regret your choice today.

I endured the burning pain and waited until nightfall. Whispers spread that unusual, large-scale zombie movements had been sighted. And I could only watch, helplessly, hoping Chloe would bring back the antidote soon. The sun dipped below the horizon, and scattered emergency lights flickered on in the camp. Finally, engine roars echoed from the distance. Three vehicles, not one missing. My heart pounded. She was back. I rushed downstairs, hurrying to the center of the camp. The car doors opened. Chloe was the first to jump out, then the other team members, and finally, Brandon. My gaze was fixed on their hands. Chloe’s hands were empty. Brandon’s were too. Team members unloaded several supply crates, but there was no antidote. My breath hitched. “Where’s the antidote?” My voice sounded raw, barely a whisper. The area instantly fell silent. Chloe’s eyes flickered, then she avoided my gaze. “The antidote… we… we found it.” My heart lifted. She bit her lip. “But on the way back, we ran into a zombie horde. Brandon, protecting the supply vehicle, accidentally got scratched.” “It was an emergency, so I had to use the antidote on him first.” I looked at Brandon. He immediately raised his bandaged hand, a look of profound guilt on his face. “Alex, I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to…” “Which hand?” I asked. Brandon froze. “Wh-what?” I took a step closer. “How deep is the wound? How much blood did you lose?” “Are there any signs of infection?” Brandon’s eyes darted frantically to Chloe. Chloe stepped in front of Brandon. “Alex! He’s already hurt, and you’re still interrogating him?” I ripped open my collar, revealing the gray-white veins that now covered my chest. “Chloe, look at me. I can barely last until midnight.” “And your ‘injured’ Brandon? His voice is strong, his eyes are clear. Does that look like an infection?” Several team members lowered their heads. Marcus, a team member, muttered quietly, “Actually, Brandon could have easily dodged that…” “Marcus!” Chloe snapped, sharply. But it was too late. I understood everything. Brandon did it on purpose. Chloe had given the antidote to him again, choosing Brandon once more, right in front of the entire team. I spoke softly. “Chloe, you abandoned me for him again.” Chloe’s face went white. “I didn’t abandon you! I just…” I smiled, a tired, bitter smile, and spoke softly, my exhaustion overriding my anger. “Just because, as captain, you have to be responsible for every team member? Just because you have to be fair?” “Or is it just that I was never truly in your heart at all?” She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Brandon grabbed her arm. “Chloe, does Alex not believe me? I really am infected, look…” He made to remove his bandage. Chloe pressed his hand down. “Don’t move!” Then she turned to me, her eyes filled with disappointment. “Alex, you disappoint me so much. Brandon is a team member, he was hurt. Was I wrong to save him?” “Were you expecting me to just let him die before you’d be satisfied?” “Exactly. You did the right thing. A captain should be like that. Fair. Just.” Chloe stared at me, dumbfounded. I watched her protect Brandon, watched Brandon’s triumphant sneer from behind her, watched the other team members’ glances – some pitying, some evasive. The power within me suddenly thrashed. But I held it back. I continued, my voice flat, like stagnant water. “So, now that this ‘team member’ is about to turn, Captain, how do you plan to take responsibility?” A deathly silence fell over the camp. All eyes were on Chloe. Her face cycled through several emotions, finally settling on a grim resolve as she gritted her teeth. “I’ll keep looking. There’s another one in the North District…” “Too late,” I cut her off. She fell silent. Brandon spoke softly, just loud enough for everyone to hear. “Chloe, Alex is too dangerous like this. What if he suddenly turns…” Chloe’s body stiffened. I looked into her eyes, those eyes that once held so much love, now filled with struggle and hesitation. The power within me surged again. This time, I could barely suppress it.

“Alex.” Chloe finally spoke, her voice dry and raspy. She straightened her spine. “You’re the deputy captain. You know the rules.” “Before an infected person turns, they must leave the camp. Or… the captain must deal with them personally.” Deal with them personally. Those three words, spoken so lightly, felt like daggers piercing my heart. The surrounding team members stirred uneasily. Some turned away, unable to watch. Some quietly stepped back. Others had already rested their hands on their weapons. Brandon, pressing close to Chloe, whispered, “Chloe, you have to think about the whole team… Alex, in this state, what if he really suddenly…” “You shut up,” I snapped, staring at him. Brandon flinched, shrinking further behind Chloe. Chloe took a deep breath. “I’ll give you a choice. First, leave now.” “Second,” her hand moved to the dagger at her waist, “I’ll help you.” Help me die. I looked at the hand gripping the dagger, the same hand that once led me down the military academy’s tree-lined avenues, the hand that had clung to mine relentlessly on the first night of the apocalypse. Now, it wanted to end me. The power within me surged wildly, the gray-white veins spreading to cover half my face. I took a deep breath, the pain inside me sharpening my focus. “I choose option one. I’ll leave.” My voice was so calm, it even surprised me. Chloe visibly deflated with relief. But Brandon spoke up again, his voice a little louder this time. “Chloe, you can’t just let him go like that! His gear, his supplies—they all belong to the team! What if he takes all that stuff and the zombies get it…” Chloe frowned. “Brandon! That’s enough!” Brandon raised his voice. “I’m just stating facts!” “He’s not the deputy captain anymore, he’s an infected! How can team resources be given to an infected person to take away?” A few team members exchanged glances. Some nodded, some shook their heads. Just then, a short, shrill scream ripped through the air from the camp’s outer perimeter. Everyone looked towards the sound, panic flashing in their eyes. Chloe immediately dispatched a few team members to investigate. Then, she looked at me, her gaze complicated, and spoke with difficulty. “Alex, your gear… it has to stay.” I laughed. Laughed until tears welled in my eyes. I nodded. “Fine. Take it all.” I started to unequip. Tactical vest, combat knife, backpack, food, water. Each piece, I tossed to the ground. The clatter of metal on the ground was jarring in the silence. Chloe turned her face away, unable to look at me. Brandon’s eyes, however, gleamed, fixated on the pile of gear like a hungry wolf on meat. When I was done, I was left with only a standard combat uniform. “Is that enough?” I asked. Chloe’s lips trembled, but she couldn’t speak. Brandon chimed in quickly. “Yes, plenty! Chloe, just let him go!” Chloe finally looked at me, something flickering in her eyes. “Alex, I’m sorry, but I have to…” I cut her off. “Don’t bother. From today on, we’re even. We’re done.” “Chloe, you’d better start thinking about how you’re going to manage your camp and your team without me!” Her body stiffened. I didn’t look at her, or anyone else. I turned and walked towards the camp gate. The gray-white veins had already spread to my left cheek. The power within me was thrashing wildly, threatening to tear me apart. Every step felt like walking on razor blades, but I walked straight, without looking back. Behind me, I heard Brandon’s excited voice. “Chloe, this gear can be redistributed now…” Then Chloe’s choked, furious command: “Shut up!” I walked out of the camp and entered a section of ruins I’d observed to be relatively safe these past few days. The power within me could no longer be suppressed. It erupted with a roar. Excruciating pain tore through every fiber of my being, like my bones were being shattered and then reassembled. I collapsed, curling into a tight ball on the ground. The gray-white veins writhed wildly beneath my skin. Everywhere they spread, my skin cracked, oozed blood, scabbed over, and then cracked open again. Zombie roars echoed from the distance, drawing closer and closer. But I couldn’t move. My consciousness was slipping, my body burning. Chloe, Brandon, I’ll be waiting for the day you come begging to me. Then, I fell into boundless darkness.

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When I was young, my husband died in an accident. I became a high-rise window cleaner, risking my neck daily, dangling hundreds of feet in the air, sacrificing everything to put my son through school. After thirty years of relentless work, I finally made it to the day before my son’s wedding. I’d planned for this to be my last job, a final hurrah before retirement. But as I was cleaning the hotel’s exterior, I glanced inside and saw a wedding taking place. It was my son, Justin, and his fiancée, Chloe. And standing beside the happy couple, acting as parents? My long-dead husband, Ben Carter, and my best friend of many years, Stella Vance! I rubbed my eyes hard, then looked again, straining to confirm. The man standing next to my son was undeniably my deadbeat husband, Ben Carter! His face wasn’t as young as I remembered, but I’d know that face anywhere, even from the grave! Yet, here he was, my supposedly dead husband, resurrected and standing on stage at my son’s wedding. He and Stella Vance were holding hands, gazing at each other with sickening sweetness. A whirlwind of confusion and raw emotion churned inside me. My hands trembling, I fumbled with the safety harness, unclipped myself, and practically clawed my way into the grand hall. The MC announced it was time for the groom’s speech. My son, Justin Carter, started with a heartfelt declaration of love for his fiancée, Chloe Thompson. Then, taking her hand, he turned to Ben Carter and Stella Vance. He dropped to one knee, declaring with deep emotion: “I, Justin Carter, wouldn’t be where I am today without the meticulous upbringing and guidance of my parents. Especially my mom, Stella, you worked so incredibly hard raising me. You truly deserve all our gratitude, and Chloe and I promise to take good care of you from now on!” Stella’s eyes welled up with tears, visibly moved. Ben took the microphone. “Justin Carter is the pride of our family, the embodiment of our love. Now that our son is married, we hope you two will cherish each other and stay devoted, just like Stella and I have.” Through the crowded hall, I watched this absurd scene, dumbfounded, my mind reeling, threatening to shatter into a million pieces. Who raised Justin Carter? Who was whose true love? For a moment, I wondered if these past years had all been nothing more than a nightmare. The guests below were visibly touched, infected by the father and son’s emotional speeches. Everyone envied Stella, who had such a wonderful husband and son. No one noticed me as I stumbled, then started walking, towards the stage. Chloe was the first to see me. Her eyes wide with shock, she whispered, “What’s Maya doing here?” The other three heard her and turned their heads to face me. I walked straight towards them. Stella’s face went pale, and she instinctively took a step back. Ben reflexively shielded her. I stared at Ben. “Someone tell me, what the hell is going on?” Justin nervously glanced at the audience below, then stepped forward, grabbing my sleeve. “Mom, I’ll explain everything later, but please, just leave for now…” He started to pull me off the stage. I violently shook him off, my voice sharp with fury. “Mom? Which one of you is my mom?” The audience gasped, their faces a mixture of surprise and confusion. Justin clapped a hand over my mouth, motioned for security to drag me off stage, then turned to the audience and apologized. “Folks, I apologize, but it seems some crazy woman is spouting nonsense!” With that, he had them escort me out. Once backstage, I furiously confronted Justin and Ben, demanding an explanation. Justin just ignored me. “Enough! I’m telling you today, in my heart, Stella Vance is the only mother I acknowledge!” “Just look at yourself, you’re a disgrace! Do you really think you belong with us?” “No wonder Ben preferred to fake his death rather than stay married to you!” The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing my breath. “That’s right, Stella is the only woman I’ve ever truly loved. We’ve been together for ages. My marriage to you? It was just because I pitied Stella, didn’t want her to suffer through childbirth.” Ben put an arm around Stella and stepped forward. “Since you know the truth now, let’s be frank. From now on, it’s Stella, Justin, and me. You have no part in our lives anymore.” “Ben…” Stella leaned against Ben, feigning fragility, but a smug, victorious smirk twisted her lips.

My eyes immediately fell on the familiar gold bracelet on Stella’s wrist. It was a gift I’d bought, scraping together every penny from my hard labor and even selling my own jewelry. Justin and I had gone from store to store, picking it out together. He had even promised to get me an even bigger and better one someday. “Why do you have that bracelet?” Justin said, righteous indignation in his voice, “It’s a gift I bought for Stella. Chloe approved of it.” My rage finally erupted. I lunged forward like a madwoman, trying to rip the bracelet off her wrist. “That bracelet is mine! Give it back!” Stella shrieked. Ben and Justin scrambled to surround her. In the ensuing struggle, someone shoved me, sending me tumbling out the window. I had dangled countless times from high altitudes, faced numerous emergencies, but my safety harness had always saved me. This time, there was no safety harness. The chilling reality of plummeting to my death finally hit me. I heard a sickening thud as the back of my head struck the ground. My consciousness faded… In the haze, scenes from the past thirty years flashed before my eyes. Ben had faked his death and had been living with Stella all along. And Ben’s parents, Jack and Sophie? They knew everything. I was the only one kept in the dark! When I opened my eyes again, I found myself thirty years in the past. I was at Ben’s funeral. His parents sat on the floor, wailing. “Oh, why are we so unlucky? Justin is so young; how will he live without his father?” I wiped away my tears and spoke calmly. “Don’t worry. I’ll raise Justin. You two can go back to your old house in the countryside.” The wailing stopped abruptly. Both of them stared at me, stunned. A cold, bitter laugh escaped my lips internally. Let’s see how they keep up their act now. If it weren’t for the memories I’d seen in my dying moments, I never would have known they were in on Ben’s fake death from the very beginning, deceiving me for all those years. In my previous life, I pitied the elderly couple, imagining them helpless and alone. I’d been talked into selling our house, giving them all the money for their retirement. I worked tirelessly, drifting from place to place, with no fixed home. Meanwhile, they turned around and gave that money to Ben, allowing him and Stella to buy another house. This time, they wouldn’t get a single dime from me! Jack, Ben’s father, looked displeased. “You just lost your job. You can barely support yourself. How will you raise a child?” I seized the opportunity to respond. “You’re right, it’s tough right now. Perhaps Justin should stay with you in the countryside for a while. Once I find a stable job, I’ll bring him back. Does that work?” Sophie, Ben’s mother, looked at me with feigned sympathy. “Even if you get a job, you can’t care for a child alone. Why don’t you sell the house first? Your livelihood is more important…” If I didn’t know the truth, I might actually believe she was concerned for me. I feigned surprise, a hurt expression on my face. “This house is the only thing Ben left behind, a keepsake. Besides, it’s meant for Justin someday. How could I sell it? Justin, don’t you agree?” Justin had always been self-serving, even as a child. He was only eight years old now, too young to understand all the hidden agendas. What he was thinking was written all over his face. My words provoked him, and just as I expected, he became agitated. “This is what Dad left for me! You can’t sell it!” He threw a tantrum on the floor, crying loudly. Jack and Sophie, having no choice, had to humor their precious grandson and dropped the subject of selling the house. After the funeral, they took Justin back to the countryside. I quickly took Ben’s death certificate, transferred the house deed into my name, and then went to the government to officially revoke his identity and household registration. In my previous life, consumed by grief for Ben, I’d delayed revoking his documents and eventually forgot about it. The result? I never discovered he was alive, allowing him to live a lavish life for years. He liked to play dead, didn’t he? Well, I’d make him truly dead to society!

A few days later, Stella Vance came to see me. In my previous life, she’d pretended to be my kindhearted best friend, offering comfort to the grieving widow. All the while, she was in cahoots with my husband, conspiring to deceive me. I bet they’d been making a fool out of me the entire time. Just like now, Stella put on a show of sympathy. “It’s been so long, Maya. I can’t believe this happened. It’s such a tragedy.” I replied blandly, “It’s in the past. I’m not one to dwell in sorrow.” Stella feigned delight, grasping my hand. “That’s good. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to move on.” My eyes immediately recognized the familiar ring on her finger. I had seen an identical ring in Ben’s bag shortly before he “died.” At the time, he’d sworn it was a surprise for our wedding anniversary. In my previous life, after his death, the ring had vanished. Later, when I saw a similar ring on Stella’s hand, I’d been overcome with emotion and mourned all over again. Now, everything was clear. I pretended to notice it by accident. “Your ring is beautiful, but it looks… familiar.” Hearing this, Stella’s expression became flustered. “It-it’s a gift from my boyfriend.” “Your boyfriend is very sweet. I hope I can find a good boyfriend who treats me well too.” Stella looked stunned. “What boyfriend?” I smiled. “One has to move forward, you know. I can’t stay single forever, can I?” As expected, Stella became frantic. “You’re thinking of remarrying? What about Justin? How could you do that to Ben’s memory?” Watching her anxious face, I almost burst out laughing. Of course, she’d be anxious. If I remarried, who would be their cash cow, feeding this family of vampires? Seeing that I wasn’t joking, Stella’s face changed drastically, and she hurried away. Soon after, Sophie’s call came through, and she immediately launched into a furious tirade. “Maya, Ben hasn’t even been gone that long, and you’re already thinking of abandoning your husband and child? Do you even have the decency to face your son?” Then I heard Justin’s tearful voice from the other end. “Mommy, I want Mommy! I don’t want Mommy to marry someone else!” I asked Sophie to put Justin on the phone. Sophie, thinking I’d softened, quickly handed the phone to him. I feigned remorse. “Sweetie, Mommy is useless. I can’t even support myself, so I have to marry someone else. What can I do? Your daddy is dead, after all. This won’t be your home anymore, but I’ll still visit you sometimes…” Justin yelled into the phone, “Mommy, don’t marry anyone else! Daddy isn’t dead! He’s alive and well!” Before he could finish, Sophie snatched the phone back. “The child’s babbling nonsense, don’t take him seriously!” She hung up immediately. I didn’t bother with it. I packed my things and went to a party. Thanks to this house, many people seemed interested in me, the “widow.” A few days later, while I was having dinner with a guy a relative had set me up with, a man suddenly stormed in, enraged. “Maya, that’s enough! Stop making a scene and come home with me!” I cast a sidelong glance at Ben Carter, but said nothing. It was Leo Miller, the man across from me, who stood up. “Excuse me, who are you? Is there a problem?” Ben’s rage turned into a sneer. “I’m her husband! She’s my wife! Our marital affairs are none of your business!” Leo was amused. He turned to me. “Didn’t you tell me you were a widow? What, did your ex-husband just rise from the dead?” I replied calmly, “I don’t know him. My husband died years ago, and his identity has been officially revoked.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “352398”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #狼人Werewolf #重生Reborn