Category: English

I worked part-time during college to make ends meet. I found a job, but rumors spread around campus that I was working in an unsavory industry. Years later, as if fulfilling their assumptions, I became a VIP room manager at a nightclub. At a class reunion, my former classmates mocked me with cold remarks. But the infamous lawyer Mr. Yates, known for his stern demeanor, unexpectedly knelt before me in his crisp suit— 0 “Ava, please, save me a room tonight…” I started working at Horizon, the city’s most popular nightclub, after graduating college. My job was VIP room sales, mainly booking private rooms and selling drinks. I was approaching 30 and had worked my way up to sales manager. Our team, mostly young women, consistently performed well. Lisa’s team also did well, though they occasionally had off nights. On those evenings, she would start bombarding me with messages on Snapchat as early as 5 PM, frantically saying: “Ava, how many rooms has your team booked? We only have three so far. If we’re really struggling by tonight, can you lend us some of your bookings? Next time there are difficult clients, I’ll have Angela and the girls help out with drinks.” Lisa was nine years my senior, a veritable cougar with permed reddish-brown hair. We got along well, mainly because of her straightforward personality. And I was even more direct than her. Horizon was the largest and liveliest nightclub in the city. There wasn’t much scheming between the sales teams, since besides Lisa and me, the only other sales manager we regularly dealt with was a man. We called him Chris. Chris was also easy to talk to and treated us all like sisters. At 7 PM, Horizon opened for business. The girls arrived one by one through the back entrance, gathering in the dressing room. Some still had remnants of last night’s makeup, mascara smudged around their eyes. Others arrived bare-faced in tank tops, carefully applying skincare in front of the mirror. Those who weren’t skilled at makeup could pay $30 for the part-time makeup artists to do a pretty look. The makeup artists brought basic foundation, but the girls usually requested to use their own MAC or Armani products. Of course, some didn’t bother, like the new college student on my team. She was introduced by her classmate Tina to work part-time. The girls here all used stage names. Tina’s real name was Chloe, a sophomore in college. Her friend had already picked out a name before coming – Mandy. Mandy looked a bit plain, with small eyes and a hesitant demeanor. Initially I didn’t want to take her on, but Tina clung to my arm and pleaded: “Come on Ava, let her stay. Her dad has cancer and is in the hospital. They’ve used up all their savings and are in debt. They can’t even afford her living expenses. She really needs the money.” I sighed reluctantly, “Not everyone is cut out for this line of work. Looks are secondary – with makeup, no one looks too bad. But in other aspects, do you really think she can handle those clients?” I’ve always been good at reading people. This girl was too naive – unlike Tina, who was lively and socially savvy. Tina had been working part-time here for almost a year. She was clever and could hold her liquor well. I once asked her why a nice girl like her would work in a place like this. She blinked innocently and said matter-of-factly: “I don’t have enough money. My mom only gives me $100 a month. One set of skincare products alone costs $180. Plus all the cute bags and shoes – who doesn’t like shopping for designer brands at the mall?” I’ve seen all kinds of reasons girls work in nightclubs, each more outlandish than the last. In Lisa’s group, there was a girl called Hannah who came to work here because of her boyfriend. The guy was constantly unemployed, lying around at home playing video games all day. So she came to work at the nightclub to support them both. Girls like that were rare. It usually took hitting rock bottom before they’d wake up. More common were girls like Mandy, who came to work here because they desperately needed money. And they needed a lot of money. Like my best friend at Horizon, Angela. She was already working here when I first started. Originally it was because she fell victim to an online shopping scam and maxed out her credit cards. She managed to pay off her debts and left for a year. But when I became a sales manager in charge of a team, she came back. This time it was because she got caught up in an online romance scam. She was brainwashed and took out all kinds of loans. Now she owed over $100,000. Then there was Yolanda, a 26-year-old single mom. She divorced due to domestic violence and was raising two kids on her own. Everyone had their reasons for working in nightclubs, but not everyone was suited for it. But Tina kept insisting, even promising: “No one is born cut out for this industry. Don’t worry Ava, Mandy is very adaptable. I can help her. How about this – let her try for a few days with me guiding her. If you’re still not satisfied then, you can let her go.” Because of that, Mandy really did end up staying. She didn’t have great features, so she always carefully had her makeup done by the makeup artists. I have to say, with makeup she looked quite innocent and sweet, a bit like that Korean actress with small eyes, Jung Da-bin. I knew that agreeing to keep her was partly because of what Tina said – “No one is born cut out for this industry.” Every evening around 6-7 PM, the two large dressing rooms and changing rooms would be bustling with noise and activity. In the end, everyone would emerge dolled up and glamorous. When changing, if they couldn’t reach the clasps on their bras, they’d even call Chris over to help. After it all quieted down, I would usually light a cigarette in the dressing room, exhaling smoke as I stared at my solemn reflection in the mirror, feeling strange and distant. I once told Tina: “When I was in college, my monthly living expenses were only $50. You’re still young, so those designer skincare products and bags aren’t necessities. You’ll have chances to buy them in the future.” Tina dismissed this, simply telling me: “Times are different now, Ava.” Times may be different, but some truths remain the same. As the famous quote from Zweig’s “Marie Antoinette” goes – “All the gifts bestowed by fate have their price tag already marked.” Some people are born with everything, silver spoons in their mouths. Others are born with nothing, in abject poverty. We all enter this world differently. Life has no rehearsals or scripts. Once a path is walked, it cannot be retraced. That’s why we should cherish the good cards we’re dealt. And when dealt a bad hand, we must study it carefully and play to win big. It would be a shame to only play a bit part on the stage of your own life. As I stared into the mirror lost in thought, cigarette smoke swirling, I couldn’t help but wonder what my era was like. At 20, I seemed to be like Mandy – introverted and reserved, walking with my head down in silence. The difference was, I had no friends at school back then. And because of a boy’s impulsive confession, I became a public enemy, subjected to insults and abuse. Then I would naturally think of Zack, that little troublemaker who shone a light into my long, dark life. In my memories, he smiled at me backlit, forever young. Those thick, unruly eyebrows. The hint of mischief in his eyes. Even after all these years, the memory remained vivid and alive. Those recollections would make me irritably stub out my cigarette. I’d spend a few minutes composing myself, then walk out of the dressing room as if nothing had happened. I’d hold a quick meeting with my team in the main hall. Then everyone would get to work, welcoming clients amidst the lavish and bustling atmosphere of the nightclub. The same routine every night – singing karaoke, playing dice games, drinking, whispering in ears…VIP packages with expensive liquor on the table. As long as the clients’ dirty jokes and wandering hands didn’t go too far, the girls could flirtatiously fend them off. Nightclubs nowadays are different from before. I still remember 10 years ago when Frank partnered with someone to open a karaoke club. Back then it was truly chaotic, breeding grounds for criminal activity. The clubs had nude shows, erotic dances, almost becoming a seedy industry chain. There were other unsavory dealings too. Frank felt helpless at the time – he wanted to establish roots in the city, but there were people he had to rely on. Many things he didn’t want to do, he had no power to refuse. Fortunately, he’s made it big now and gone legitimate. In both legal and illegal circles of the city, mentioning his name now inspires a degree of fear. Frank owns many businesses – restaurants, clubs, tech companies…Perhaps knowing how hard it was to go clean, he’s completely distanced himself from any illegal activities. Take Horizon for example. Despite being a nightclub, it was even nominated as one of the “Top 10 Civilized Establishments” in the city’s year-end evaluations. I’ve long known that Frank is a ruthless man. Horizon operates until 2-3 AM. By closing time, everyone reeks of alcohol. Some of the more energetic girls will invite others out for late night snacks after work. I rarely join their after-work activities. When faced with enthusiastic invitations, I just smile and say: “You girls go ahead. I’m getting old and can’t keep up with you young ladies. I need to rest or I’ll get wrinkles.” I’ve always had trouble sleeping, so I usually go straight home. There are always lots of taxis waiting outside Horizon at that hour. Lately when leaving, I’ve made a habit of glancing towards the east end of the street. Sure enough, for a week now, that black Mercedes has been waiting there at the same time. The person inside seemed to notice me. A tall, straight figure got out of the car. From a distance, the man stood with his hand on the car door, gazing over steadily. I ignored him and got directly into a taxi, giving my address. After arriving at my apartment complex and paying the fare, I unsurprisingly saw that Mercedes had followed me here. For most people, this might seem scary. But not this man. His name was Ethan Yates, a lawyer. More specifically, he was a well-known lawyer in the city. Ethan came from a good family and graduated from law school at Kingsley University. His father was a judge and his mother worked for the prosecutor’s office. He was famous even in school. While getting his master’s degree, he worked with a law firm in Southport on a high-profile forensic evidence case, with the university’s recommendation. Two years ago, he co-founded Kingsley Law Firm with some college classmates. He specialized in criminal defense and handling complex legal matters. I knew a lot about him, not just because I also went to Kingsley, but because I had just dumped him a week ago. “Dumped” may not be the right word, since we were never really in a proper relationship to begin with. Two months ago, their law firm helped the CEO of Qishi Group win an economic dispute case. The CEO booked a room at Horizon and insisted on inviting the lawyers to celebrate. The room was booked through Angela, so the commission went to our team. The CEO generously ordered the Hennessy package, so I went to offer some toasts. That’s how I met Ethan. The large private room was packed, with the CEO and his group all seated. Amidst the clinking glasses and dazzling lights, the lively atmosphere was in full swing. I exchanged some pleasantries with the CEO, who then introduced me to Ethan. “Ava, I hear from Angela that you also graduated from Kingsley? Come, let me introduce you to Mr. Yates – a fellow alumna, and quite a beauty too.” The room was crowded and I hadn’t noticed him at first. But when our eyes met, the air seemed to freeze for a moment. There’s always a certain chemistry between people. Ethan was young and handsome, in a way befitting an elite lawyer’s proper image. Sleek, impeccable hair. A smooth forehead and high nose bridge. Thin lips pressed together. Handsome, faultless features. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, looking scholarly and refined, while also cleverly concealing the sharp glint in his deep-set eyes. One glance was enough for me to know something should happen between us. Rumor had it that Ethan never drank and had a cold personality. Whether for work or in private, he was said to rarely smile. That night, true to the rumors, he had been dragged there by another partner at the firm. He didn’t drink a drop of alcohol the whole time, and no women were seated next to him. It was clear he disliked such occasions. Though his face remained impassive, his occasionally furrowed brow betrayed his irritation. Fortunately, I came to his rescue. I sat down next to him, meeting his inquiring gaze. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Yates.” “You also graduated from Kingsley?” Ethan’s voice was cool and low. He turned slightly to look at me, light reflecting off his glasses and illuminating his dark pupils with a deep, mysterious glow. When a man takes initiative to ask questions about a woman, it means he doesn’t dislike her. I’ve always known I’m good-looking. After years in the nightlife industry, the smile on my face was polite and gentle. If I wanted, that gentleness could take on a flirtatious edge. I had graduated from Kingsley a year ahead of him, so I suppose I was his senior. Ethan must have been very puzzled as to why a Kingsley graduate would be working at a nightclub. I didn’t need to explain this to him. If he was interested in me, he’d find out everything with a bit of digging later. That night at closing time, I took the initiative to ask if he could give me a ride home. He sat in the car looking at me, raising an eyebrow. His gaze was deep and unreadable. In the end, he silently allowed me to open the passenger door. When we arrived at my apartment, as I was getting out, I asked with a smile: “Want to come up for coffee?” It was a clear invitation. We were both adults, no need to beat around the bush. I looked at him openly, my expression calm. As if it didn’t matter whether he refused or not. He pressed his lips together, eyeing me. Finally he said: “Do you live alone?” “Of course.” “…Do we need to stop by a convenience store first?” “No need, I have supplies at home.” I smiled coyly at him, deepening the curve of my lips: “Plenty.” Our eyes met. Ethan frowned. In that moment, he was hesitant and conflicted. I could guess what he was thinking – on one side, the shackles of morality. On the other, an attractive woman with good chemistry, nonchalantly propositioning him. And he happened to be single, at an age when passions run high. He was a lawyer, not a saint. So he took the bait. Mr. Yates was quite restrained at first. But once we got upstairs and he took off those glasses and loosened his shirt, he was every bit the wolf in sheep’s clothing. He was gone when I woke up the next day. By the time I got up it was already 11 AM. There was a stack of cash on the nightstand. Perfect. We both got what we wanted, no need for emotional baggage on either side. I sat in a chair on the balcony. As the midday sun blazed, I lit a cigarette, examining the tiny ember at the tip. Just before it burned out, I took a deep drag. The feeling of smoke filling my lungs was strangely satisfying. 0

A few days passed with no word from Ethan. But half a month later, I made an excuse to seek him out. It started with that girl Mandy getting her head smashed with a bottle. The man who hit her was called Harvey, a regular at Horizon. We usually called him Mr. He. That’s right, he was a rich second-generation heir. And he was infamous in the city for his arrogance. When I rushed over after hearing the news, I pushed open the door to see Mandy crouched on the ground clutching her head, blood seeping through her fingers. Tina and the others stood to the side, faces pale, not daring to make a sound. Seeing me enter, the young heir narrowed his eyes and sneered: “Ava, am I short on cash or stingy with tips? Why the hell are you sending me these prudes? Playing hard to get when I’m trying to drink with them. Who do they think they are, trying to act all chaste in a place like this?” I didn’t need to guess what happened. Keeping a smile on my face, I went over to help Mandy up. “I’m so sorry Mr. He, we’ve ruined your good time. Please don’t be angry, we can talk this out. Let me call someone to take the girl to the hospital first. That bottle was no joke.” Chris and the others who had rushed over took Mandy away. I gestured for Tina and the rest to leave too, leaving only myself and the floor manager Ryan to smooth things over. I’ve known Ryan for over a decade, back when Frank was just starting out in the city. He was about the same age as Frank, a gruff man in his late 30s. For him, this kind of scene was nothing new. Good-naturedly, Ryan chatted with Harvey for a bit, then said: “The girl was out of line, she definitely needs more training. But Mr. He, we’re living in a society of law and order now. Hitting people is still not right, no matter what.” Harvey was young and arrogant. He retorted dismissively: “I was just trying to scare her. Who knew she’d be dumb enough not to dodge. Fine, I hit her – I’ll pay the medical bills, that’s that.” Rich people are always so fearless. I smiled and said: “Mr. He, that blow was no joke. It’s a concussion at the very least. The bill won’t be less than $70-80,000.” “What? How much did you say?” Harvey looked at me like he’d heard a joke, laughing coldly. “You think you can just name a price? Who do you think you are?” “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ll be paying not just medical bills, but emotional damages too. If the poor girl is traumatized for life, that shadow will follow her forever.” I smiled calmly as I watched his face grow increasingly dark. Then I added: “If Mr. He thinks the price is too high, how about I call Frank and let him discuss it with you?” I’ve said before, in this city, mentioning Frank’s name always inspires a degree of fear. Harvey stared at me, his expression flickering between anger and uncertainty. Finally he let out a laugh. “Fine, whatever price you name. I’ve got plenty of money. Next time if I accidentally hit you on the head, we’ll use the same rate to settle up.” The threat in his words was clear. I just smiled silently as I looked at him. Ryan frowned first. “Mr. He, you can’t say things like that.” Harvey laughed heartily. “It’s just a joke, why so serious? Ava’s no ordinary woman, how could I dare touch her? Would Frank let me off if I did?” He was right. He wouldn’t dare touch me. Everyone knew that Ava, the sales manager at Horizon, was under Frank’s protection. In fact, many people booked rooms through me as a way to get on Frank’s good side. Ryan drove me to the hospital. Tina was crying when she saw me: “I’m so sorry Ava, I didn’t know Room 503 was Harvey’s. He came late, and when he arrived he specifically asked for Mandy to drink with him. There was nothing I could do no matter what I said.” She felt very guilty. When Mandy first started, I had repeatedly instructed Tina to only let her into rooms with familiar, well-behaved clients until she got used to the work. There were clear finger marks on Tina’s face from being slapped, no doubt by Harvey as well. I patted her shoulder reassuringly. “It’s alright. Look on the bright side – now Mandy will have money to pay for her dad’s medical bills.” Mandy wasn’t seriously hurt. The diagnosis was a moderate concussion, requiring a few days in the hospital. As I expected, she was quite willing to settle privately. No one turns down money. Especially such a large sum. After leaving the hospital, I went straight home. Checking the time, it was almost midnight. After some thought, I called Ethan at this hour. I had found his number on the law firm’s official website. When he picked up, his voice was cool and low as usual, with a hint of annoyance at being woken up: “Hello, who is this?” “Mr. Yates, this is Ava from Horizon Nightclub.” “…” Ethan didn’t speak. He seemed to have woken up fully, falling into a brief silence. I laughed lightly. “I’m sorry, one of our girls was just assaulted. I wanted to consult you on whether we can press criminal charges for intentional injury.” “Where are you right now?” “Um, I just got home from the hospital.” I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out into the dark night. A smile slowly curved my lips. “I don’t know if you could come over at this hour. I can tell you all the details of what happened.” About half an hour later, in the dead of night, Ethan arrived as requested. When I opened the door wearing a lace camisole dress and holding a bottle of wine, he raised an eyebrow, as if expecting this. I smiled too, my damp hair falling loosely around my ears. I raised the wine bottle. “Want a drink?” “I don’t drink.” “Oh? What happens if you do?” He gazed at me intently, moving closer to grip my waist. Lowering his head to my ear, he let out a soft laugh. “I go crazy.”

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After the car crash, I lost my memory. Four powerful, elite men, each claiming to be the love of my life, were practically tearing each other apart, throwing fortunes at me. Julian Sterling, the billionaire CEO, emptied luxury boutiques. Liam Knight, my boy-next-door childhood friend, bought my favorite art gallery. Caleb Thorne, the A-list celebrity, booked Times Square for my birthday. And Dr. Elias Thorne, my attending physician, became my most comforting, unwavering support. They spoiled me rotten, like a princess everyone envied. Julian Sterling, his eyes blazing with possessiveness, clutched me close, his voice husky: “Anya, forget them. You can only be mine.” They didn’t know. The car crash was my design. The amnesia was an act. I just wanted to see how these four culprits, who had shattered my family and destroyed my life in the past, would tear each other apart and drown in the carefully constructed pond I’d built for them. The sterile, suffocating scent of disinfectant clung to everything, inescapable, in the pure white hospital room. I opened my eyes. Four handsome faces, each harboring their own secrets, swam into view. “Anya, you’re awake?” Dr. Elias Thorne, my attending physician, was the first to speak. He wore a crisp white coat, his eyes, framed by delicate gold-rimmed glasses, held a perfectly calibrated concern – just enough to appear caring, but not too much. He reached out to check my forehead, but another large, well-defined hand intercepted him mid-air. “Dr. Thorne, please mind your boundaries.” Julian Sterling’s voice was like ice. He exuded an almost palpable sense of intimidation, an aura that screamed ‘stay away,’ yet his gaze toward me held a burning, possessive intensity. “Anya, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?” Before I could answer, a clear, boyish voice cut in. “Mr. Sterling, Anya just woke up. Don’t scare her.” Liam Knight held a thermos, his eyes gentle. He was my boy-next-door, my childhood friend. “Anya, I made you your favorite homemade broth.” “Everyone, move!” A man, practically swallowed by a baseball cap and dark sunglasses, pushed his way in, tearing off his disguise to reveal a face so stunning it felt unreal. It was Caleb Thorne, the superstar. He cupped my face, his charming eyes full of heartache: “My little queen, you’re finally awake. You scared me to death.” Four men, four different poses, yet all looked at me with the same possessive gaze, as if I were their property. I blinked blankly, perfectly portraying vulnerability and helplessness, my voice light and soft: “Who… are you all? And… who am I?” “Amnesia?” Four voices spoke in unison, their shock barely concealed. Dr. Elias Thorne was the first to react. He immediately regained his professional composure as a doctor and began to examine me. Julian Sterling’s face was a thundercloud, dark enough to drip. He swatted Caleb Thorne away as he leaned in, staring intently at me: “Anya Sterling, don’t play games.” I flinched, a whimper escaping my lips as tears immediately welled up. “Julian Sterling!” Liam Knight instantly stepped in front of me, glaring at him. “Can’t you see Anya’s scared? How can you still push her when she’s like this?” Caleb Thorne exploded too: “Hey, Sterling! Try yelling at her one more time? I’ll have my fans crash your company’s website so hard, it’ll never recover!” The air in the room crackled with tension. I hid behind Liam, peeking through the gap in his shoulder, my eyes cold as I watched the farce unfold. How pathetic. In my previous life, it was these four men. Julian Sterling launched a hostile takeover, bankrupting my family’s company. My father’s hair turned stark white overnight from the stress. Liam Knight, for his family’s gain, stole our company’s most vital trade secrets, delivering a fatal blow to my father. Caleb Thorne used his public influence, fabricating baseless scandals that dragged my mother’s reputation through the mud. She eventually succumbed to depression and passed away. And Dr. Elias Thorne, my father’s most trusted physician, forged a health report, concealing the heart problems my father developed from prolonged overwork, ultimately leading to his sudden collapse and death in his office. My family was shattered, utterly destroyed. I went from being a golden girl, destined for greatness, to nothing more than dust on the street, eventually run over by a runaway truck. Given a second chance at life, how could I ever forget? I remember everything, every single detail. This crash, this amnesia – they were just the first act, the grand opening of the revenge I’d orchestrated just for them. Dr. Elias Thorne’s final diagnosis was that I had suffered hippocampal damage due to severe head trauma, resulting in memory confusion and loss. “Simply put, she doesn’t remember anyone,” he said calmly, pushing up his glasses. Julian Sterling’s brow furrowed deeply, forming a sharp ‘V’ shape, clearly not believing it. Liam Knight breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes overflowing with tenderness. Caleb Thorne, however, rushed to my bedside, grabbing my hand: “It’s okay if you don’t remember! Baby, from today, I’ll chase you all over again!” Like a startled deer, I nervously pulled my hand away, whispering, “I… I want to be alone for a bit.” It was my subtle way of telling them to leave. Caleb Thorne tried to say more, but Liam pulled him away. Julian Sterling remained rooted to the spot, his deep dark eyes fixed on me, as if I were a valuable, yet enigmatic, artifact. After a long moment, he simply said, “Get some rest,” and turned to leave. Finally, the hospital room fell silent. The vulnerability and confusion instantly drained from my face, replaced by a chilling, dead silence. I pulled back the covers and walked to the window. Below, beside four luxury cars, the four men were locked in a standoff. I couldn’t make out their expressions, but I could easily imagine their ugly faces, battling each other over me. Oh, how truly perfect. In the last life, you all ganged up to push me into the abyss. In this life, you’ll tear each other apart, for me. My hospital room became a silent battlefield during my stay. One day, Julian Sterling would send every single haute couture piece from the current season. The next, Caleb Thorne would hire out an entire Michelin-starred chef team, just to make me a special, comforting meal. Liam Knight took the sentimental approach, bringing old childhood photos and trinkets every day, trying to jog my memory. Dr. Elias Thorne, meanwhile, used his position, claiming “the patient needs quiet rest” as an excuse to block the other three from my room, monopolizing his time with me. “Anya, they’re too loud. It’ll affect your recovery,” he said, skillfully peeling an apple, his voice sickeningly sweet, almost too gentle to be real. “With me here, no one can hurt you.” I took the apple, giving him a sweet, dependent smile: “Dr. Thorne, thank you. I only feel safe when I’m with you.” The smile in his eyes deepened. Safe? How could I forget? In my last life, my father, too, trustingly put his health in your hands, only for you to personally bring about his death. Dr. Thorne, don’t rush. Your comeuppance will be delivered, little by little, by my own hands. Just then, the hospital room door burst open with a bang. Julian Sterling stormed in, radiating a frosty aura. Behind him, two bodyguards directly restrained Dr. Elias Thorne, who had tried to block them. “Since when did my woman become your responsibility?” Julian Sterling walked up to me and scooped me up without a word. I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck. “Julian Sterling! Put her down!” Dr. Elias Thorne, Liam Knight, and Caleb Thorne, who had rushed over, roared in unison. Julian Sterling sneered, holding me like a conquering king, surveying his vanquished rivals with disdain. “From today on, Anya Sterling will be staying at my private hospital.” Julian Sterling’s private hospital felt more like a luxurious cage. A top medical team was on call 24 hours a day, nurses were always available, and everything in the room was decorated in my favorite style. He placed me on the soft, luxurious bed, looking down at me, his voice brooking no argument: “From now on, you’ll live here. You’re not allowed to see anyone without my permission.” He wanted to isolate me completely, to claim me as his own. I bit my lip, my eyes reddening, looking on the verge of tears: “Who… who are you? Why are you holding me captive?” “I’m your man.” He pinched my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Anya Sterling, you’d better remember quickly. My patience has limits.” His gaze was too aggressive. I fearfully turned my face away. He, however, thought I was scared of him. A flicker of annoyance crossed his eyes, and he softened his tone: “I just… care about you too much.” A cold sneer formed in my heart. Care? In my last life, he also used this same unyielding posture to swallow my family’s company. He had said, “The Davies Corporation, I’ll take it. And you, I’ll take you too.” So domineering, so cruel. I lowered my eyes, my long lashes concealing the hatred within. When I looked up again, my eyes were glistening with unshed tears. “My head hurts…” I clutched my head, weakly collapsing into his arms. Julian Sterling panicked, as expected, and immediately called for a doctor. Seizing the moment he turned, I swiftly sent a message to Liam Knight using the tiny phone hidden in my nail. Just one word. “Save me.” Liam Knight arrived faster than I expected. He wasn’t alone. He brought my “parents” with him. Of course, they were actors I’d hired. When the hospital room door was pushed open, Julian Sterling was spoon-feeding me soup. “Mr. Sterling, we appreciate you looking after our Anya, but now, we’re taking her home,” my “father” said sternly, his tone neither obsequious nor arrogant. My “mother” directly rushed to my bedside, taking my hand and crying as if her heart would break: “My precious darling, you’ve suffered so much!” Julian Sterling’s face immediately darkened. I seized the opportunity to show affection and dependence on my “parents,” hiding in my “mother’s” embrace, looking timidly at Julian Sterling, as if he were a kidnapper. “Mr. Sterling, Anya’s current condition requires the company of her family.” Liam Knight stood behind my “parents,” smiling gently, yet with a hint of challenge. It was a checkmate move. No matter how domineering Julian Sterling was, he couldn’t forcibly keep me in front of my “elders.” He stared intently at me, like a provoked lion. I met his gaze, my eyes pure and innocent, but inside, my heart was roaring with triumphant laughter. Julian Sterling, do you think you can win by locking me up? In this game, I set the rules. I was “successfully” taken back home. A villa I had rented under a fake identity. After sending Liam and my “parents” away, I immediately opened the surveillance monitors in the room. On the screen, Caleb Thorne was throwing a tantrum in his apartment, smashing an expensive vase. “Useless! All of you, useless! You couldn’t even keep track of one person!” His agent trembled beside him. On another screen, Dr. Elias Thorne sat in his office, repeatedly reviewing my medical records, his eyes dark and unreadable. As for Julian Sterling, he didn’t return to his company. Instead, he drove to a cemetery in the suburbs. My parents’ graves. He stood before their headstones for a very long time, rain soaking his hair and shoulders, yet he remained motionless. I turned off the monitors, the smile on my lips growing colder. Only now you come to play the hypocrite? Isn’t it a bit too late? Julian Sterling, everything you inflicted upon my parents, I will make you pay back tenfold. My phone vibrated. It was a message from Liam Knight. “Anya, are you asleep? Don’t be afraid. I’m here for you now.” I replied with “Good night,” then blocked him. The fish were on the hook. Next, I’d let them tear each other apart. The next day, an entertainment headline exploded across the internet. #A-Lister Caleb Thorne Suspected New Relationship, Female Identity Unknown# The accompanying picture showed a “cozy” photo of Caleb and me in the hospital corridor. The angle was tricky, making it look like he was passionately embracing me. I had deliberately leaked this photo to a rival media outlet through a private detective. Caleb Thorne’s fans immediately went wild, unleashing a torrent of curses and insults directed at the blurry female figure in the photo. “Who’s this bitch? How dare she seduce my bias!” “Oppa, clarify this now! You would never fall for someone like this!” Caleb Thorne’s call came through immediately, his voice anxious: “Anya, don’t look at the news, it’s all fake. I’ll have my PR team handle it right away!” I said, my voice choked with tears: “Caleb, I’m so scared… they’re all cursing at me…” “Don’t worry, baby, I’ll figure something out.” After hanging up, the curve of my lips grew wider and wider. Caleb Thorne, you care most about your career and your fans. Now, I’ll make you destroy it yourself. Caleb Thorne’s so-called solution was to hold a live stream. In the live stream, he looked haggard, his eyes bloodshot. He admitted the person in the photo was me, but claimed we were just “friends.” “She just went through a car crash and is very weak. Please don’t bother her anymore.” He bowed ninety degrees to the camera. His fans were heartbroken and expressed their understanding, then began attacking the media outlet that leaked the photo and the “mastermind” behind it. The blame was cleverly directed towards Julian Sterling. Because the photo’s background was Julian Sterling’s private hospital. “It must be that Sterling guy’s doing! He wants to drive our bias away!” “Sterling Corp is blacklisted for life! Boycott all Sterling products!” Julian Sterling’s PR team was in a frenzy, and his company’s stock price plummeted. When he called me, his voice was laced with suppressed fury: “That photo… was it your doing?” I burst into tears, feigning distress: “I don’t know… I don’t know anything… Mr. Sterling, please let me go, okay? I just want a peaceful life…” The more heartbroken I cried, the more agitated he became. “Alright, stop crying,” he said stiffly, trying to soothe me, then hung up. I knew he was already suspecting Caleb Thorne. Excellent. The first seed of distrust had been sown. The situation escalated even more intensely than I had anticipated. Caleb Thorne’s fans were incredibly aggressive. They not only cyberbullied Julian Sterling but also doxxed Liam Knight and Dr. Elias Thorne, labeling them as “entangled male sidekicks.” A story of love and hate among four people was spun into countless versions online. I, the “amnesiac protagonist,” became an object of universal sympathy. Liam Knight was the first to lose his composure. He directly issued a statement on his family’s corporate social media, clarifying his relationship with me and warning netizens to stop spreading rumors, or face legal action. This statement, undoubtedly, only added fuel to the fire. “Oh, the main character is finally making an appearance? Is he declaring war on Mr. Sterling and Caleb Thorne?” “Knight Industries? Never heard of such a small company. Daring to chase clout?” Liam Knight’s mask of gentle composure cracked for the first time. He found me, his eyes bloodshot: “Anya, come with me. I’ll take you away from here, to a place where no one knows us.” I looked at him and gently shook my head: “Liam, I’m not going anywhere.” I paused, then asked with an innocent tone: “Do you… also think I’m a lot of trouble?” He immediately panicked: “No! That’s not what I meant! Anya, I just…” “I just want to protect you,” he finally said. I smiled. Protect me? In my last life, you used those very words to deceive my father’s trust, then stabbed our family in the back with the cruellest blow. Liam Knight, your devotion is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever witnessed. At the center of this fiasco, Dr. Elias Thorne was, ironically, the one who held his composure best. He didn’t issue any statements, nor did he come looking for me. He simply sent a message promptly every day, reminding me to take my medication and rest, as if the turmoil outside had nothing to do with him. But I knew he cared more than anyone. I deliberately didn’t reply to his messages. On the third day, he finally couldn’t resist and appeared at my doorstep. He looked a bit haggard, and his white coat was slightly disheveled. “Anya, why didn’t you reply to my messages?” He grabbed my wrist, his grip a little too tight. I winced in pain: “Dr. Thorne? You’re hurting me.” He seemed to snap out of it, as if jolted awake, quickly letting go. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes: “I’m sorry, I… I was just so worried about you.” “Are you okay? Don’t believe what they’re saying online.” He explained anxiously, “Liam and I… we’re innocent.” I looked at him and suddenly smiled, a radiant, innocent smile: “Dr. Thorne, I believe you.” I tiptoed, leaning close to his ear, and whispered in a voice only we could hear: “I believe you, just like my dad believed you.” His body instantly stiffened. Dr. Elias Thorne’s face went deathly pale in an instant. He stared at me, his eyes filled with shock, fear, and a hint of disbelieving scrutiny. I maintained my innocent smile, as if what I’d just said was merely an accidental remark. “Dr. Thorne, what’s wrong? You look so pale,” I asked with concern. He opened his mouth, but not a single word came out. He stumbled away, looking utterly broken and defeated. I closed the door, the smile on my face freezing inch by inch. Dr. Elias Thorne, are you scared now? Don’t rush, this is just the beginning. I will make you crumble, little by little, in endless suspicion and fear. That night, Julian Sterling invited me to dinner. The venue was a private club with excellent discretion. He pulled out my chair, personally served me food, and adopted a very humble posture. “Anya, I was out of line before. I was too eager,” he said, pouring me a glass of juice, his tone softer than ever before. “I’ll clean up the mess online. They won’t bother you anymore.” I lowered my head, stirring the juice in my glass, saying nothing. “I know you don’t remember,” he paused, his voice a little hoarse. “But we used to be… good.” I looked up, meeting his deep eyes, and asked softly, “What was our relationship… before?” He was silent for a long time before he finally said, “I was your… greatest love.” I almost burst out laughing. Greatest love? Julian Sterling, your audacity knows no bounds, it’s truly astounding. “Is that so?” I tilted my head, feigning curiosity. “Then what about Liam? And Caleb? And Dr. Thorne… they all said they were the love of my life.” Julian Sterling’s face darkened: “They’re all lying to you.” “And you?” I pressed, “Are you telling the truth?” He was stumped, a hint of awkwardness flashing across his handsome face. I pressed my advantage, using an innocent cruelty to tear open his feigned devotion. “Mr. Sterling, you all say you love me, but your ‘love’ makes me so uncomfortable.” “Caleb’s fans curse at me, Liam tries to force me to leave, you lock me up, and Dr. Thorne is acting weird.” I put down my glass, stood up, and looked at him earnestly. “If this is love, then I’d rather not have it.” With that, I turned and walked away, without a hint of hesitation. Leaving Julian Sterling sitting alone at the empty dinner table, his face impossibly grim. I knew my words, like a sharp thorn, had dug deep into his heart. He would start to reflect, to scrutinize the other three. And once the gears of suspicion started grinding, there was no turning back. When I got home, Liam Knight was waiting at the door. He saw me step out of Julian Sterling’s car, and the tenderness in his eyes instantly faded, leaving only disappointment and hurt. “Anya, you still went to see him,” he said softly, his voice trembling slightly. I didn’t explain, just said tiredly, “Liam, I’m exhausted.” He stopped me, asking stubbornly, “Why? You know what kind of person he is!” “What kind of person is he?” I countered. “And what kind of person are you?” Liam Knight froze. I looked at him, saying each word clearly: “You all say you love me, but everything you do hurts me.” “I can’t tell who’s good and who’s bad.” “Liam, tell me, who should I trust?” I tossed the ball back to him. He looked at my clear, bewildered eyes, and all color drained from his face. Yes, what right did he have to criticize Julian Sterling? At the vultures’ feast, carving up the Davies family’s legacy, Liam Knight had also been a guest at the table. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, turning away dejectedly. Watching his forlorn back, I felt no joy, only an icy coldness that permeated my bones. It wasn’t enough. Far from enough. The next few days passed quietly. The four men seemed to have reached some unspoken agreement; none of them came to bother me again. But I knew that beneath the calm surface, strong undercurrents surged. Julian Sterling began secretly investigating Knight Industries’ financial situation. Caleb Thorne used his connections to gather evidence of Julian Sterling’s tax evasion.

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We got married less than two weeks after meeting through a blind date. For the first three months after the wedding, we slept in separate rooms. Then one night, he knocked on my door. His voice was husky: “It’s time we consummate this marriage.” Lucas and I had just gotten our marriage license and were driving home. Halfway there, the car suddenly stopped. Lucas unbuckled his seatbelt and said, “Wait here, I’m going to buy something.” “Buy what? Are you feeling sick?” “No, just some essentials.” Left alone in the car, I relaxed my tense nerves. It felt surreal – we were really married now. Lucas and I had met through a blind date set up by my aunt. She had enthusiastically told me: “He’s handsome, from a good family. His parents are both high-ranking government officials.” “He also works for the government, as a detective…” If I didn’t agree, I knew my other aunts would all come knocking with more suggestions. So I reluctantly nodded. When we met, he was just as my aunt described – handsome, nearly 6’2″ tall, with piercing eyes like a hawk. But when he furrowed his brow, he looked fierce and serious. I didn’t dare look up at him. The date didn’t last long, with barely any conversation before we parted ways. I thought that was the end of it, but three days later my aunt called to say he wanted to meet again. I frowned, not really wanting to go. But thinking of Lucas’s intimidating face, I was afraid to refuse in case he showed up at my door. I decided to meet once more to clearly explain my feelings. He suggested meeting at the movie theater. When I arrived, Lucas was already there. He wore a khaki trench coat over a white shirt, with long straight legs ending in black leather shoes. He had a bit of an English gentleman vibe. He seemed less fierce than last time. While waiting in line for tickets, he leaned down close to me. I was suddenly enveloped by the faint scent of his body wash. “Do you want popcorn and soda?” I shook my head, just wanting to get the movie over with. During the film, Lucas was very attentive. He didn’t say anything unnecessary or make any suspicious moves. He was quite well-behaved. As the movie neared its end, I breathed a sigh of relief. When we came out, it had started pouring rain outside with thunder and lightning. The wind carried moisture in the air. Lucas’s car was parked across the street, still some distance away. I hadn’t expected it to rain tonight, so I was going to get wet either way. I decided to just put my bag over my head and make a run for it. Suddenly my wrist was grabbed firmly, almost painfully tight. Lucas quickly loosened his grip when he realized. “Sorry.” He took off his coat: “Use this over your head.” “Let’s go together.” Lucas was tall, so his coat was big enough to cover us both. “Move in closer.” We were very close, our skin occasionally brushing. When my arm accidentally touched his hot chest I quickly pulled it back. Half of Lucas’s body got soaked. His wet hair clung to his forehead, looking a bit messy. “Are you cold?” I shook my head. “You should dry off quickly. Be careful not to catch a cold tomorrow.” The car arrived home as the rain gradually stopped. I unbuckled my seatbelt and forced a faint smile: “Thanks for today. Go take a hot shower when you get home to ward off the chill.” I got out of the car, and the door on the other side opened too. “Did you need something else?” “I’m free this weekend. Want to grab dinner together?” I was about to refuse, but seeing Lucas’s sharp eyes, I swallowed my words. I nodded in agreement. Before our weekend dinner plans, Lucas and I unexpectedly met again due to an incident where a student’s parent violently attacked a teacher. It happened suddenly – I was walking and replying to a message when an angry-looking parent rushed out wielding a stick. “Are you Ms. Wilson?” I nodded, not fully processing what was happening. The stick came down hard on my shoulder. “My child is in the hospital with a concussion because of you…” I let out a muffled cry and collapsed. I tried to speak but my voice was stuck in my throat. I was confused – we always treated those kids like precious treasures, never hitting or scolding them. How could I have beaten a student? The parent was in a rage, about to bring the stick down on my stomach when Lucas appeared and forcefully kicked him away. Lucas was in his police uniform, his face dark with anger. The parent was taken to the police station while Lucas brought me to the hospital. My right shoulder was injured, with bruising and swelling over a large area. “It’s not too serious. I’ll apply some medicine and give you some ointment to use at home daily.” Lucas frowned, his expression grim. The nurse who had been sneaking glances at Lucas earlier now didn’t dare make a sound, her hands shaking as she applied the medicine. “Gentle–” The nurse’s hands were trembling like a sieve. I looked up. Lucas’s expression wasn’t much better, looking quite fierce. I felt helpless. “Why don’t you wait outside?” He gave me a cool look, nodded, and turned to leave, closing the door behind him. The school principal called to express concern. “Principal, this counts as a work injury right? I can’t even lift my arm to write now.” “Take a few days off to rest at home. Come back when you’re healed…” While I felt wronged by the whole incident, hearing I could take a few days off work lifted my mood considerably. In the hallway, Lucas stood ramrod straight with his arms crossed over his chest, thin lips pressed tightly together. He drew many glances, but his intimidating aura kept people from approaching. “Thank you for today. How did you show up so quickly?” “I happened to be in the area on business.” That night as I was about to sleep, my phone screen lit up. Lucas had sent a message: “The investigation results are in. The injured child just started middle school and was struggling academically. His family is also poor. A teacher deliberately targeted him, punishing him harshly in class for not completing homework. After school, the teacher called him to the office and warned him not to tell anyone. When the parent got home from work, he found the child unconscious and took him to the hospital where they discovered a concussion and other injuries. When questioned about who did it, the student made up a teacher surnamed Wilson…” I read it, feeling conflicted. Teachers’ ethics really needed improvement. I glanced at the time and sent a message back: “You’re still not off work?” “I am. About to shower.” “…” “Rest well. Good night.” “Good night.” As I got to know Lucas better, I found him to be very polite and gentlemanly in his speech and manners, aside from his intimidating demeanor. I thought marriage to someone like him would probably be quite nice. So when Lucas called two weeks later to ask if I wanted to get married, I didn’t hesitate long before agreeing. Lucas tossed a large cardboard box labeled “health products” into the backseat. I didn’t think much of it. There was also a bag of fresh fruit on top which he handed to me. I opened it to find many plump, glistening lychees. I peeled one and popped it in my mouth. As I bit down, the sweet juices burst forth, filling my mouth with a delicious aroma. My mood instantly lightened. Once I started eating them I couldn’t stop, devouring over a dozen in one go. I sighed contentedly at how sweet the lychees were, my fondness for Lucas growing even more. Our new home was a large apartment, simply but elegantly furnished with high-quality pieces. Lucas carried a box into the bedroom. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and I could faintly make out the deep red bedspread contrasting starkly against the white walls. My hazy state of mind suddenly cleared as I realized – tonight would be our wedding night. The thought made my heart race. I felt awkward and flushed bright red. Before this, my only “relationships” had been with fictional characters. I’d never even held hands with a guy in real life. Lucas emerged from the bedroom and glanced at me, furrowing his brow. “Not feeling well?” I shook my head, saying sheepishly, “Just a bit hot.” I opened the fridge and asked, “What do you want for lunch?” He unbuttoned his shirt and rolled up the sleeves, revealing muscular forearms. He looked slightly surprised. “You can cook?” When we’d visited Lucas’s family before, they had a private chef who made amazing Suzhou cuisine. He nodded and smiled. “I learned to cook for myself when studying abroad. Eating out was too expensive.” Lucas cooked in the kitchen while I busied myself organizing clothes in the bedroom. I opened the closet to find dresses hanging neatly, with a row of new lingerie sets below. The tags were still on – clearly pre-prepared. As I bent to take clothes from my suitcase, I noticed the box he’d brought back from the pharmacy earlier was open. The tape had been removed. I peeked inside to find it full of contraceptives in various flavors. My face instantly flushed red. There was also an unopened box on the nightstand, seemingly prepared specially for tonight. It was hot, and I’d started sweating just from moving around a bit. My hair felt sticky and I didn’t want Lucas to see me looking so disheveled. I grabbed some clothes and quickly ducked into the bathroom to shower. When I came out feeling fresh, Lucas was just coming out of the kitchen, a delicious aroma wafting into the living room. His eyes lingered on me for a moment before quickly looking away. “You showered?” “Yeah, it was too hot earlier and I got all sweaty.” The table was set with braised fish in vinegar sauce, stewed pork ribs with yam, tofu and vegetable soup, and a small dish of pickled vegetables. My mouth watered at the sight. I couldn’t help but give Lucas a thumbs up. “Lucas, you’re amazing! This is Michelin star level!” “So good!” I’d planned to act ladylike in front of him, but the food was just too delicious. I couldn’t resist having an extra bowl of rice.

Lucas got an urgent work call in the afternoon and had to leave in a rush. I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling more at ease by myself. I napped until late afternoon and saw a message from him: “Sorry, I won’t be back for dinner tonight.” I went down to the convenience store to buy some snacks, then watched a movie and read for a while. Looking up at the clock, I saw it was nearly 10pm. I frowned and sent him a message, but got no reply. He must be too busy. I spent my wedding night alone. Lucas called to tell me he’d be away for the whole week – there were new developments in the case and he had to drive to another city overnight. I said I understood. Before we married, my parents had warned me about the demands of Lucas’s job and told me to be understanding and accommodating. For the next few days I ate alone, slept alone, played on my phone alone. I almost forgot I was a married woman. One afternoon as I was returning home from work with a bag of oranges, I ran into a neighbor I’d met recently. He was a university professor with a refined air and gentle smile – the type I used to like. “Off work, Ms. Wilson?” I nodded. “Which middle school do you teach at?” I smiled and named my school. “What a coincidence, my nephew goes there. It’s a good school…” We chatted casually as we walked. Just as I was about to close my door, I realized I’d forgotten to buy cold medicine. I’d left the window open last night and woke up with a stuffy nose after kicking off the covers in my sleep. Ryan mentioned he had some cold medicine and kindly brought over two boxes. I felt bad accepting them and gave him a few oranges from my bag. After showering, I went to the living room to get some water and take the medicine. Suddenly I heard the door handle turn. My heart clenched in fear – a woman living alone, hearing someone at the door… The door opened. It was Lucas. He stood in the entryway changing his shoes, which were muddy. His clothes were wrinkled and he looked exhausted. My racing heart calmed. I asked with concern, “Have you eaten?” His voice was hoarse: “I grabbed something on the way.” Lucas stared at me intently. I looked down and realized why. Home alone, I’d thrown on a thin silk nightgown. The loose fabric clung to my curves, threatening to slip off my shoulders. Most importantly, I wasn’t wearing anything underneath. I took a deep breath and calmly went to the bedroom. I closed the door and quickly changed into long sleeves and pants. Less comfortable, but I felt safer. When I came out, he was drinking water. Our eyes met and his gaze seemed meaningful. I nervously looked down and sat on the couch hugging a pillow. “I’m going to shower,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. Lost in thought, I heard his voice from above me. I mumbled a vague “Mm-hmm.” The shower ran for 8 minutes before the bathroom door opened. Lucas came out wearing a loose white t-shirt and black shorts. His tall, lean body was on display – muscular arms and legs clearly visible. He went to the fridge for water, tilting his head back as he drank. I watched his Adam’s apple bob. “Not going to bed?” His hair was still damp, clinging to his forehead. His dark eyes seemed misty as he stared at me. I felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, my face growing warm. “It’s too early, I want to watch TV for a bit.” Lucas glanced at me, then calmly walked to the entryway and flipped a switch. The lights went out, plunging the living room into darkness. The only illumination came from the TV. The couch dipped as he sat next to me, our legs touching. I was suddenly enveloped by the heady scent of his masculine pheromones. My whole body tensed, palms sweating nervously. I tried to subtly scoot away. He suddenly turned and pulled me into his arms, strong hands gripping my shoulders tightly. I stiffly turned my neck, saying softly, “Maybe we should go rest in the bedroom for a bit.” When he’d first come home, I’d noticed dark circles under his eyes and stubble on his chin. He looked exhausted. Lucas slowly shook his head. “I’ll watch TV with you for a while first.” The living room fell silent again. I’d put on a disaster movie. At first I struggled to focus, but soon got drawn in. As the credits rolled, I heard steady breathing beside me. I gently nudged him. “Lucas–” Before I could finish, he jerked awake and grabbed my arm. In the darkness, his eyes were sharp and cold, brows furrowed fiercely. “Ow–” Lucas paused, then immediately let go. I stared at him wide-eyed, shrinking back. Realizing he’d overreacted, Lucas quickly apologized: “Sorry, it was a reflex.” In his line of work, even the slightest disturbance put him on high alert. Though I understood, I still felt unsettled. If he’d gripped any harder, I wouldn’t be able to hold a piece of chalk tomorrow. Still shaken, I put a hand to my chest. I managed a dry “It’s fine, just be more careful next time.” Seeing his distress, I felt a pang of sympathy. I couldn’t help adding: “Really, don’t worry about it. Go get some sleep.” As I spoke, I yawned and headed to my room. I glanced back to see Lucas hadn’t followed. I lay down and pulled up the covers. The bedroom door opened and I tensed slightly. Lucas came in with a glass of warm milk. “Mom said you need this to sleep well.” I quietly thanked him as I took the glass. Under Lucas’s watchful gaze, I silently drank the entire glass of milk. “I’m turning off the lights.” “Okay.” He reached for the switch, then lay down. I scooted to the very edge of the bed, almost falling off. Moonlight filtered softly through the thin curtains into the bedroom. The room was filled only with the sound of steady breathing. Lucas rolled over– I held my breath. “Does your hand still hurt?” I shook my head, my voice stiff: “It’s…fine now.” After a while, Lucas spoke again, his voice low and husky: “Emma–” “Hmm?” “Move over a bit, you’re about to fall off.” “Oh.” I inched over bit by bit. When the thin silk of my nightgown brushed against his hot skin, my back stiffened and I broke out in a sweat. The room’s intimate atmosphere intensified. I didn’t dare move my legs. Just as I was about to roll over to put some distance between us, Lucas reached out and pulled me into his arms, pressing our bodies tightly together. My face burned hot. He wore a t-shirt, but I could feel the heat radiating from his body. Sweat started to bead on my forehead. This position was uncomfortable. I turned onto my side. Our eyes met– His pitch-black eyes looked calm, but I could feel the heat in his gaze. Feeling like things were about to progress if I didn’t say something, I gently pushed against him and tentatively said: “Um, Lucas, can we sleep in separate rooms? I toss and turn a lot and get up at night. I might disturb your sleep.” There was a long silence beside me. Finally, his calm voice said: “Alright, I’ll sleep in the guest room.” I was taken aback that he agreed so quickly. “Lucas, you’re not upset are you?” He chuckled and shook his head. I breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.” Lucas’s voice softened: “Emma, I know we rushed into marriage. You still need time to adjust. I respect your choice, but I hope you won’t make me wait too long.” He got up and took fresh bedding from the closet to the guest room. That night I dreamed Lucas and I were rolling from one end of the bed to the other. It felt so real that my face was still flushed when I woke up. I scratched my head, wondering why I’d had such a dream.

Lucas knocked on the door: “Emma, breakfast is ready.” I usually didn’t have much appetite in summer mornings. But seeing the sesame noodles, scallion pancakes, and mung bean porridge on the table made my mouth water. “Lucas, what time did you get up to make all this?” “6am.” I had been sound asleep at that hour. My face reddened slightly in embarrassment. I picked up a spoon, about to add sugar to my porridge. He brought over a glass of water first: “Don’t eat yet, drink some warm water first. It’s good for you.” I looked up at him. Only then did I notice his hair was damp and his face slightly flushed. He wore athletic shorts and a t-shirt, the front soaked with sweat. I could faintly make out the lines of his body under the shirt – all muscle, but lean rather than bulky. “Did you go for a run earlier?” He nodded. “Mm. You eat first, I need a quick shower.” Without the comparison, I wouldn’t have realized how lazy I was. I decided I’d cook dinner tonight. I couldn’t let him do everything. … After work I stopped by the supermarket. I bought some groceries, having asked Lucas’s mom what dishes he liked. Passing the frozen section, I saw ice cream on sale. I tossed six pints into my cart. By the time I got home it was dark outside, and I was alone in the house. I finished cooking, but Lucas still wasn’t back. I glanced at the clock – he should be off work by now. Just as I was about to call him, my phone rang. “Emma, I have to work late tonight. I might get back pretty late.” “Okay, have you eaten?” “I’m busy right now, I’ll grab something from the cafeteria later.” “Get some rest early, don’t wait up for me. Remember to lock the door.” “Captain Lu…” I heard someone calling him on the other end. We only chatted briefly before he hung up. I looked at the steaming beef and lotus root rib soup on the table. I went to the kitchen and packed some food in a thermos… I took a taxi to the police station. When the guard asked who I was, I said I was Lucas’s wife. It felt a bit awkward saying those words – I felt embarrassed. The guard’s eyes lit up when he heard that. He enthusiastically led me inside. When I saw Lucas, he was poring over case files with a cigarette in his mouth, brows furrowed. I squinted slightly – this was the first time I’d seen Lucas smoke. I’d never smelled smoke on him before, so I assumed he didn’t. Lucas looked up and saw me, seeming surprised. He quickly took a final drag of his cigarette and stubbed it out in the ashtray. He jogged over, took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. His gaze was deep, hiding a smile. Someone nearby started teasing: “Captain, who’s this?” The guard laughed and said, “It’s the Captain’s wife.” “Captain got married? When are you treating us to the wedding banquet?” “Quick, look – the Captain’s wife brought him dinner!” It was my first time at the police station and I felt nervous. A group of young, energetic officers in training called out greetings, addressing me as “sister-in-law”. It was quite lively. My face turned bright red from the attention. Lucas smiled faintly and said, “Thanks Uncle Li. We just got our marriage license recently, haven’t had the wedding yet. I’ll invite you all when we do.” The guard smiled and left, telling us to spend some time together. Lucas’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “There’s watermelon inside. I picked it up from a farm earlier – it’s very sweet.” I held up the thermos and smiled. “I made a couple dishes and brought them over.” We went inside and Lucas closed the door. He took out a watermelon, wiped it clean, and quickly cut it in half. He stuck a spoon in one half. His dark eyes stared at me intently. Feeling shy under his gaze, I tried to make conversation: “This watermelon is too big, I can’t finish it all.” “If you can’t finish, leave it here. I’ll eat it later.” My face reddened slightly. Growing up, only my dad would eat my leftovers. Now there was a second man willing to do so – it felt strange. “Hurry and eat your dinner. The food won’t taste as good if it gets cold.” “Have you eaten?” I shook my head. I’d been so eager to bring the food over that I hadn’t eaten yet. “I’ll eat when I get home.” Knowing he had a big appetite from all his training, I’d packed extra food. He took out a pair of disposable chopsticks from a drawer and handed them to me. “Let’s eat together.” Lucas put a slice of beef in my bowl. “Eat more, your waist is too thin.” His blunt words startled me and I choked. Lucas’s mom had said he liked spicy food, so I’d added extra Sichuan peppercorns and chili when cooking. Now as I choked, I felt awful. My face turned red as I coughed, breaking out in a sweat. Lucas hurriedly stood up and patted my back to help me breathe. “Have some water.” I gulped down water from the cup he handed me, finally managing to catch my breath. I looked up at Lucas. His brows were deeply furrowed, expression serious. He looked a hundred times fiercer than usual. “You can’t handle spicy food. Don’t use so much chili when cooking.” I felt wronged. “I only made it spicy because you like it.” “And I only choked because you said something shocking.” He fell silent and walked out the door. Did we just have our first fight? I watched his figure disappear into the night through the window, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss. Eight minutes later, Lucas returned carrying a bag filled with various candies. Acting as if nothing had happened, he unwrapped a lemon flavored candy. “Open your mouth.” The sweet and sour candy melted on my tongue, making the spiciness fade. Lucas asked gently, “How is it? Feeling better?” I nodded. “You shouldn’t eat this dinner. I’ll make you something when we get home.” I felt bad for misjudging him earlier. “It’s okay, the lotus root soup isn’t spicy. I can eat it with rice.” “Alright, I’ll eat the spicy beef. You drink all the soup.” “Wait for me to finish up work and we’ll go home together.” Lucas ate quickly, polishing off his meal in 5 minutes. He sat down at the computer, looking focused. I don’t like having people around when I’m working, so while Lucas reviewed case files, I got up to take a walk outside. I ran into one of his coworkers – tall, handsome, and very friendly. “Hey sis, let’s exchange contact info. I’ll add you to our family group chat.” “Our Captain never had a girlfriend before. The bureau chief tried to set him up once, but the girl thought he was too intimidating and busy…” James was quite funny, able to make me laugh with just a few words. “Emma, time to go.” Lucas stood behind me, tall and straight-backed, holding his briefcase and the thermos. “Bye sis!” I smiled and waved goodbye to James.

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After I started dating Leo, my Good Luck System suddenly vanished. Meanwhile, his childhood friend, Brittany, rocketed from dead last in her class to number one. She even won a ten-million-dollar lottery, earning everyone’s envy. But my life became a nightmare. I was constantly drained and plagued by bad luck. That’s when it hit me: Leo had transferred my Good Luck System to his childhood friend. I confronted them, but Leo just shrugged. “Chloe, you had such an amazing system and weren’t using it properly. I transferred it to Brittany so it could be put to good use!” Brittany was even more arrogant. “Wondering why you’ve been so unlucky lately? Because I also have a Bad Luck System.” “If you don’t want to die, I suggest you shut up.” I just smiled. They didn’t believe me, but my Good Luck System had a specific rule. Abusing it would lead to a backlash. Plus, the Good Luck System had chosen me as its true owner. What was mine would always be mine. I was just waiting for the day they’d regret everything!

Even after I stopped arguing, Brittany wouldn’t let me leave. She declared she was going to teach me a lesson and ordered Leo to do it for her. “Leo, it’s our first day together. Why don’t you personally give her a little lesson?” Leo hesitated for a second, then nodded. In less than a moment, my insides screamed with pain. Leo completely dropped his simp act. His voice was condescending. “Chloe, how does it feel to be in excruciating pain?” “They say cancer pain is the absolute worst kind. My grandpa had it. Now, you’re experiencing it for him, so I guess I can feel like I’m doing something good for my family.” I grabbed Leo’s sleeve, my hatred boiling. I wanted to tear him apart. He let me pull him closer, taking a perverse pleasure in my agony. “You honestly thought I pursued you because I liked you? I just wanted to confirm if that Good Luck System was really yours.” “Chloe, I never liked you. I hated that aloof attitude of yours.” The torment left me speechless. I watched Brittany lean against Leo’s shoulder, her voice soft. “Leo, you don’t blame me for making you use your last transfer ability, do you?” Leo ran a hand through Brittany’s hair, a doting smile on his face. “Of course not. I know what you’re thinking. This way, no one can ever take your Good Luck System away.” “This ability only had two uses anyway, and both were well spent.” Brittany’s smile grew wider. She confidently promised Leo, “Leo, don’t worry. I’ll share my good luck with you.” As she promised, Brittany didn’t forget to trash-talk me. “I would never be as selfish as Chloe!” “She actually said abusing the Good Luck System would cause a backlash! She must think we’re idiots!” They gazed at each other, lovingly, right in front of me. Just then, a classmate ran over to say the awards ceremony was starting and told Brittany and me to head over. Brittany vanished in an instant. This was a national math competition. The department faculty had been counting on me, really grooming me to win. But on the day of the competition, I tripped over absolutely nothing and missed the whole thing. Brittany came back with the trophy. The department threw an awards ceremony, and Brittany became the faculty’s new darling. I walked with heavy steps, my forehead beaded with sweat from the pain. Brittany rushed over to support me, exclaiming, “Oh my god, Chloe, are you sick? Do you need a doctor?” The department head immediately looked at me with concern. After all, I was still one of their star students. Seeing me like this, they immediately called the school nurse and took me to the infirmary. Brittany smirked, telling the department head, “Chloe, the award ceremony is starting and you’re sick? What a coincidence. The doctor will know if you’re really ill when they get here.” In that instant, I understood Brittany’s game. This transferred pain wouldn’t show up in any medical tests. The department head would just think I was faking illness to skip the ceremony. Suddenly, the Good Luck System’s voice echoed in my mind. “Host, Brittany is trying to harm you again!”

My eyes lit up. The pain in my body significantly lessened with the Good Luck System’s words. “You… you mean you’re coming back?” I was so excited I stammered. The system’s voice was low, “Not yet, Host, but soon. Brittany just needs to abuse me one more time before I can return.” “But she’s been using me too much these past few days, so the backlash is coming for her soon!” “Oh, and guess what? Brittany’s Bad Luck System has already been subdued by me! It can’t come out and help Brittany cause any more trouble.” My heart swelled with joy, and a smile unconsciously curved on my lips, even as the pain washed over me again. I cried out a few times, but before I could ask if it could ease my suffering, the school nurse arrived. Brittany dragged Dr. Alex over to me. “Dr. Alex, can you tell if Chloe is genuinely sick?” Dr. Alex’s voice was cool and steady. “She’s not sick.” Brittany got the answer she wanted and raised her voice. “Aha, Chloe! You’re faking it! Just because I won, you’re intentionally trying to skip the award ceremony, aren’t you?” The department head looked at me strangely. Dr. Alex scoffed. “Brittany, didn’t you hear my tone just now? How would I know what illness she has without examining her?” “Why are you so eager to say Chloe is faking it?” Brittany was stumped. The department faculty realized their mistake and quickly told Dr. Alex to take me for an examination. The dean cleared his throat. “Well, then, let’s postpone the awards ceremony for another day.” Brittany stood there, dumbfounded. Dr. Alex took me to the examination room. I was about to thank him for what happened earlier when he pulled out a bottle from a cabinet, poured out a pill, and quickly popped it into my mouth before I could react. It melted instantly on my tongue. I didn’t even have a chance to spit it out. Before I could question him, the pain in my body vanished. I stared at Dr. Alex, wide-eyed with surprise. “I’m all better!” He gave a slight smile. “No need to thank me. I have a Special Healing System.” Our eyes met. I understood what Dr. Alex meant and muttered to myself, *So many people are binding systems these days.* But I really was lucky. *I wonder if Brittany will be furious when she finds out!* As I thought that, a gust of wind swept by. The bottle of medicine Dr. Alex had placed on the table was snatched by Brittany, who then swallowed its entire contents. Right after that, Leo rushed in, breathless. “Dr. Alex, please check Brittany! She’s not feeling well!” Entering the room, Leo also saw Brittany, who had just downed the whole bottle of pills. He frowned, a hint of accusation in his voice. “Brittany, why are you taking random medicine?” Brittany was drenched in cold sweat. She pointed at Dr. Alex. “He cured Chloe!” Leo didn’t stop her, but his gaze at me was filled with resentment. Ten minutes later, Brittany’s furious roar echoed through the room. “Chloe, you poisoned me!”

Brittany’s loud shout drew the department faculty, who hurried to the scene. Brittany was already slumped on the floor, her face contorted in pain. I looked at Dr. Alex, who shrugged and said four words: “I can’t help her.” I almost burst out laughing. I knew Brittany was suffering from the backlash. Leo knelt beside her, gazing at her with loving eyes. “Is the medicine not working?” Brittany was sweating profusely, shaking her head frantically. She turned to the faculty. “Teachers, please control Chloe! She’s going to kill me!” The teachers didn’t question me. Instead, they asked Dr. Alex to examine Brittany. After a thorough check, Dr. Alex presented the results to everyone. The conclusion was that Brittany was perfectly healthy. Brittany became even more convinced I had harmed her. “It was Chloe! Chloe tricked me into taking this medicine!” “Chloe, you must be in unbearable pain too right now, you’re just faking it to trick me into taking the medicine!” I sneered. “Brittany, words mean nothing. I could say you’re slandering me!” “There’s surveillance in this room. It’ll be clear who’s lying and who has ill intentions.” The department faculty nodded and had the surveillance footage pulled up. After watching it, Dr. Alex spoke. “Chloe had a headache, and this is headache medicine. Who knew Brittany would snatch it and take it all herself?” Brittany’s face turned beet red as she tried to argue, “You’re lying! You clearly said you had a Special Healing System, and besides, Chloe’s ‘illness’ wasn’t a headache at all!” Brittany was spiraling out of control. The faculty members were normal people; they had no idea what a “system” was. After Brittany’s prolonged tantrum, even the most patient department faculty couldn’t help but get angry. “Brittany, while the department is pleased you won an award, that’s no excuse for you to target Chloe like this!” “The award ceremony doesn’t need to be postponed. It’s canceled altogether.” The faculty didn’t linger. Only Chloe, Dr. Alex, Brittany, and Leo remained in the room. Hatred flickered in Brittany’s eyes. She once again demanded to know what I had “poisoned” her with. I stated the truth again. “I told you, it’s the backlash from abusing the system, isn’t it?” Brittany still didn’t believe me. Her eyes narrowed. “Chloe, you’re a classic case of not seeing the coffin until you’re in it!” “Since we were classmates, I’ll let you choose how you die.” “Do you want to be crushed by something falling from a height, run over by a car, or stabbed by thugs?” I smiled faintly. “Sorry, I choose none of the above.” Brittany still didn’t realize her Bad Luck System was gone. “You don’t get a choice!” “If you don’t choose, I will. Let’s go with getting run over. That’ll be a beautiful sight.” “People like you don’t deserve to live!” I was about to tell Brittany to stop dreaming when a voice cut in. “Yeah!” A crowd of classmates suddenly poured into the room. They surrounded Brittany, united in their resentment towards me. “Brittany, we just heard what happened. We totally believe Chloe hurt you.” “Yeah, Chloe’s so selfish. She’s nothing like you, Brittany, so kind and beautiful.” … I looked at each person speaking: Ashley, my desk-mate, and Jessica, my childhood friend. They used to be my best friends. After Brittany won the lottery and handed them a few crumbs, they all turned on me and sided with Brittany, isolating me instead. Yet, I had never treated them badly before. I never even used the Good Luck System to win a lottery myself. I only used it a handful of times, always to help others. Brittany, her face pale from the backlash, lifted her chin, basking in their compliments. Leo lifted his eyelids slightly and addressed the students surrounding Brittany. “Since you all think Chloe is so despicable, why don’t you beat her up and let Brittany vent her anger?” Ashley and the others hesitated. Brittany’s face darkened. “You won’t even help me with something this small? Are you not truly my friends? You can forget about getting any more favors from me in the future!” Ashley and the others began to step closer to me. Beyond disheartened, I spoke calmly. “If Brittany is so great, why doesn’t she share her good luck with all of you?” Ashley and the others froze. When Brittany won the lottery with the Good Luck System, she gave Ashley and the others benefits every day.

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My wife has always been cold and distant. In the ten years we’ve been married, she’s never said she loves me. Before I died, I discovered a love letter she had been preparing for years. But my name wasn’t on it. It turns out she was only indifferent towards me. After getting a second chance at life, the first thing I did was cancel our engagement and help her deliver the love letter. She turned red with anger and yelled at me for the first time: “Jack, who asked you to meddle in my business?” 0An hour before the elevator accident, I was cleaning the attic when I found a yellowed love letter. The handwriting was familiar, as was the signature. But the name at the beginning wasn’t mine. It was a love letter Fiona had written to another guy. In the moment the elevator fell, I was still thinking— I never got to know who the man she liked was, what he looked like, or if he was much better than me. When I woke up again, the sun outside was blinding. My head was fuzzy, and my friend William sighed beside me: “You’re finally awake. You scared me to death earlier. Luckily, someone reacted quickly and brought you to the infirmary.” The boy in front of me, wearing a high school uniform, made me feel disoriented for a moment. Seventeen-year-old William? The warm sensation on my hand told me this wasn’t a dream. I really had been given a second chance at life! Footsteps echoed from the doorway, and a figure emerged from the light, appearing before me. “Are you okay?” Fiona looked at me coolly, holding bread and milk in her hands. Familiar memories suddenly flooded back. That’s right, I had overslept that day and didn’t have time for breakfast. I fainted during PE class due to low blood sugar. Fiona handed me the food and watched me eat. That morning, Fiona’s class had a physics quiz, but she skipped it because of me. Later, she was scolded by her homeroom teacher. At seventeen, I was still lost in the fantasy that she cared about me, but with my 32-year-old mindset, I now knew clearly that Fiona was only taking care of me because she had promised my father. Fiona’s father and my dad were war buddies. After Fiona’s father died in the line of duty, her mother took the compensation money and ran off. My dad, seeing Fiona alone and helpless, took her in and raised her. Because she was dependent on us, she always listened to my dad and never dared to disobey. From that day on, Fiona became my little shadow. Everyone teased us behind our backs, saying I had an obedient childhood sweetheart. Later, when my dad noticed my feelings, he joked about Fiona becoming our daughter-in-law. She didn’t say a word. Back then, I thought she was just shy and reserved. Now that I think about it, I was such a fool. During class, I was distracted, constantly replaying the events of my past life. I didn’t want to ruin Fiona’s life again. Perhaps if we didn’t get married, she would be happier, and I wouldn’t die either. After the evening study session, the teacher kept us for an extra ten minutes. When class was finally over, students rushed out in a flurry. As I packed up my things, I saw Fiona waiting for me at the door, her head lowered as she looked at her error correction book. The light shone on her, making her appear even more aloof and cold. As we walked out of the school building, silence hung between us. Fiona was always like this – cold, indifferent, as if nothing interested her. I watched her back and suddenly stopped in my tracks. “Fiona, you go ahead. You don’t need to walk with me anymore, and you don’t have to wait for me in the future either.” “Why?” “No reason.” You’re free, Fiona. I headed towards the back street of the school, planning to buy some exercise books to improve my lackluster math skills. The person behind me caught up, asking coolly: “Jack, what’s wrong now?” “Is it because I arrived too late this morning? Or you didn’t like the milk I bought? The store only had that flavor left…” The moonlight shone on her, cold and clear. Her gaze seemed to say: What are you up to now? I tried to explain: “It’s really not that. The college entrance exam is coming up soon, everyone’s time is precious. You don’t need to waste yours on me. I need to study hard too.” Fiona stood there, stunned. It was probably the first time she had heard me say something like this. I used to love sticking close to Fiona. I didn’t get into North City University, but Fiona did. However, because of a single comment from my dad, she chose to stay in our hometown with me. At the time, I foolishly thought she liked me and just wouldn’t say it out loud. She must have regretted it, after all, that was her dream university. 0

Fiona didn’t follow me this time. I walked into the bookstore and picked out a few workbooks suitable for my level, along with a composition guide. When I went to pay, I realized the money in my pocket was gone. Puzzled, I retraced my steps through the store but couldn’t find it. I wasn’t sure if it had been stolen or if I had dropped it somewhere. I sighed, planning to come back and buy the books tomorrow. As I turned to leave, I bumped into someone. “Whoa!” the person exclaimed, dropping their comic book but managing to protect the bowl of barbecue in their hands. “I’m sorry.” “It’s you again?” The familiar voice and intonation caught me off guard. I looked closely and realized it was Sophie. My best friend from university – how did I run into her now? “What a coincidence, classmate. My friend and I took you to the infirmary when you fainted this morning. Are you feeling better?” “Oh… yeah, I’m fine. Thank you…” I was caught off guard, never realizing we had such an encounter in my previous life. Sophie picked up her comic book and, noticing my hesitation, took the books from my hand and paid for them along with hers. “I saw you wandering around the store earlier, like you were looking for something. What’s up, did you lose your money?” I nodded quickly, impressed by her observation skills. No wonder she would become a criminal investigator in the future. I told her I’d pay her back tomorrow, but Sophie waved it off. “Just treat me to a meal tomorrow, and we’ll call it even.” As we walked out onto the back street, the night had grown quiet with only a few students passing by. Noticing a group of delinquents smoking together not far ahead, I turned to Sophie and offered to walk her home. I went to the garage and retrieved a black motorcycle. After dropping her off at her building, the roar of the motorcycle finally died down. She was worried about disturbing the neighbors and asked me to keep it down when leaving. I smirked, “Can’t keep it down, I’m afraid. My baby’s just that powerful.” “…” That came out sounding weird. When I got home, I ran into Fiona at the entrance of our apartment complex. Strange, didn’t I tell her to go back first? How come she’s even slower than me? Fiona and I went up together, an inexplicable pressure building in the silence. As the elevator doors closed, she suddenly spoke: “Is that girl the reason you’re trying so hard?” “…No, we just happened to meet.” “What a coincidence.” Her tone was flat, as if she didn’t care much, so I didn’t bother explaining further. Back home, Fiona would usually finish her homework and then take a shower. While she was in the bathroom, I snuck into her room and found the love letter. She always hid things in the same place – under a stack of books. Easy to find. I opened the letter, pondering who this “Lucas” could be. Maybe it was someone from her class? Given how cold she always is, I doubt she’d ever catch up to anyone else. Well, why don’t I give her a hand? 0

The next day, I went to school with dark circles under my eyes. After investigating all night, I discovered there were no boys named Lucas in Fiona’s class, only two girls with that surname. Math class went by in a blur again. Even with a second chance at life, the problems I couldn’t solve before were still beyond me. It seems the gap between Fiona and me was destined to remain unbridgeable. At lunch, I was about to go meet Sophie when I found Fiona waiting for me at the classroom door, holding a bag of my favorite roast chicken. “Didn’t I tell you not to wait for me anymore? You should do whatever you want.” “Oh.” She handed me the bag. “Thanks, but you don’t need to buy this for me in the future.” “…” Fiona looked at me, puzzled, and sighed slightly: “Jack, what have I done to upset you? You’ve been avoiding me lately.” “It’s not your problem, it’s mine. I’ve just realized some things.” I walked towards the cafeteria, then remembered something and turned back to her seriously: “By the way, when my dad said you should be my wife, he was just joking. You don’t have to take it seriously or listen to him too much.” “Fiona, good luck with your college entrance exam. Go to your dream university.” “…” Fiona frowned, as if not understanding why I was saying all this. I arrived at the cafeteria where Sophie had already found a table and was waiting for me. “What’s this?” Sophie glanced at the bag in my hand. “Roast chicken. Here, you can have it. Thanks for helping me yesterday.” “Hey, no need to be so formal.” Sophie waved it off but couldn’t resist the aroma of the chicken and ended up eating a drumstick. One thing led to another. She was eating with gusto, her mouth covered in oil. I was about to remind her when a cold voice interrupted. “So this is why you had to get rid of me. You two are dating?” Sophie nearly choked in surprise. I turned around to meet Fiona’s cold gaze, feeling as if I’d been caught cheating. No, no, we’re not a couple anymore. “It’s not like that. We just met, we’re just classmates…” I was telling the truth, but Fiona impatiently cut me off: “You don’t need to explain to me. “I won’t tell Uncle about this. There’s no need to avoid me in the future.” She said coldly, turning away with a hint of anger. Sophie came back and quietly asked me who that was. Seeing her gossipy look, she probably thought Fiona and I were a couple. I briefly explained our situation, and Sophie nodded in understanding. “Oh, childhood sweethearts, huh? She seems to care about you a lot.” “…It’s not like that.” Fiona couldn’t wait to get rid of me.

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I was bound to a system. It told me I was the female lead in a sweet romance novel, and my childhood friend was the male lead. But the story had gone off track. The system demanded I win over the male lead, achieve a sweet ending, and save the world. Yet, after three years of trying to pursue him, Jaxon detested me. The moment he saw me, his face was filled with impatience. He even frequently hurled insults my way. Finally, after I approached him proactively one more time, he said: “You act like such a simp, constantly clinging to me. It’s genuinely sickening. I like Luna. Can’t you just like someone else?” “Host, detecting you have one opportunity to change your target. Would you like to switch?” “Switch! Switch immediately! Switch right now! I should have switched ages ago!” I instantly replied to the system. Whatever the reason for changing targets, I was immensely grateful. “Host, please wait. Retrieving data…” I waited intently for the system’s reply. Completely ignoring the dog-like human beside me. Jaxon was handsome, with a wild aura. His big, bright eyes were so clear and soulful, he could make a brick wall seem romantic. But at this moment, his slightly reddened thin lips curled in scorn, spitting out cruel words without mercy. “You always act like some kind of stalker, following me around and obsessing over me. It’s disgusting. Do less of that from now on.” “Ah, yes, yes, yes.” The disgust in Jaxon’s eyes deepened. He turned his head away, as if I were something dirty, beneath his notice. I secretly rubbed my hands together, buzzing with anticipation, waiting for the system to churn out a new target for me. Jaxon and I were childhood friends. We’d known each other since we were five, and it had been sixteen years. When I first learned Jaxon was my target, I was secretly happy for a long time. At five, Jaxon protected me from other kids bullying me. He didn’t say a word and took on three of them, then got a good beating. Even though he lost badly, I was completely unharmed. At eight, I fell out of a tree in the wilderness and hurt my leg. Jaxon cried the entire way as he practically dragged me home. Though I ended up more injured from the dragging, he didn’t abandon me when I was scared. At fourteen, my first period started, and I was so mortified I couldn’t even bring myself to go to the restroom during class. It was him who took off his jacket to cover me and, blushing, went to the supermarket to buy me pads. … Before I turned eighteen, I was the only girl in Jaxon’s circle. Back then, he genuinely treated me so, so well. I liked him. I thought he liked me too, at least a little bit. I imagined if Jaxon was the target, we’d quickly achieve our happy ending. Never thought… Three years. A full three years. His favorability for me just kept plummeting, and honestly, mine for him did too. It must be in the negatives by now. I sincerely prayed in my heart. “Oh, all-powerful deities, Buddha, Saints above, please, please, grant me a normal, handsome guy, at least 6 feet tall, with a killer physique for a target!” “I’d willingly trade thirty years of Jaxon’s life for it!” Jaxon said impatiently, “I’m never going to be with you in this lifetime. Now get lost.” I didn’t even clearly hear what Jaxon said, just casually brushing him off, “Mm, okay, okay.” I focused on my silent prayer, this one just my safety net. “God, please grant me a normal target. I, your humble servant, would trade thirty years of Jaxon being forced to eat kale for it. Amen.” Jaxon looked at me for a moment, slightly surprised, then disdainfully turned away again. Jaxon’s friend, Leo, came to find him: “Jax, Luna, the campus queen, is waiting for us in the VIP booth. Let’s go!” “Alright.” Leo: “Jax, I just heard Elara say she’s not going to bother you anymore. You really don’t care?” Jaxon scoffed, “Do you believe that? It’s just a new trick to get my attention.” “You watch, in a few days, when that doesn’t work, she’ll be sticking to me like glue again.” “She loves me too much to let go.” Leo: “That’s our Jaxon, always knows how to handle his women.” “Enough. Why are we talking about her? It’s disgusting.”

Standing in place, I stared at the system panel. “Host, your new target is Caleb.” Caleb was the school’s academic genius, smart and from a good family. He and Jaxon were hailed as the school’s male idols. He was the secret crush of countless girls at school, but because he was so outstanding, few dared to confess. Most importantly, Caleb was over 6 feet tall, handsome, I hadn’t seen his physique but it must be good, and he had no rumored relationships, completely single. I laughed out loud in delight, deciding I’d visit a temple and light some incense when I got a chance. I had to properly thank all the deities. I started gathering information on Caleb’s whereabouts, planning to orchestrate a casual encounter. I heard Caleb was at the library. I found a pretty floral dress, put on light makeup, and tied my hair into pigtails. Going for a pure and innocent vibe. I grabbed a book I’d borrowed before, planning to use returning it as an excuse to make an impression on Caleb. But just as I was about to head out. I got a call from Jaxon. He immediately started giving haughty orders: “Luna wants desserts from the Sweet Haven. Go buy a few, and pair them with some boba tea. Deliver them within half an hour.” I wasn’t angry at all. Honestly, if I truly let myself get angry with Jaxon, I’d probably explode and become a walking drama bomb. “Jaxon, find someone else or go buy them yourself. I’m busy, I don’t have time for you.” Jaxon completely ignored me, finished his spiel, and hung up: “Hurry up, I’ll only wait half an hour. Even when you’re playing hard to get, know your limits.” Psychopath, narcissist, self-absorbed jerk. Ugh, such a turn-off!!! I cursed him under my breath and blocked his number. Not having to deal with Jaxon the Maniac, watching him throw a fit, was simply wonderful. Finally, I wouldn’t have to worry about getting stress-related illnesses anymore. At the library, I pretended to stand there returning a book, but my eyes were scanning nonstop, trying to pinpoint Caleb’s location. Soon, I found him. It wasn’t that my eyesight was exceptional; it was that Caleb practically glowed, and his handsomeness was on a whole other level compared to everyone else. I secretly made a decision to work on my complexion when I got back. Otherwise, standing next to him, I’d just be the background, like a firefly next to a street lamp. Alright, next up, the approach. The most inconspicuous yet noticeable accidental encounter in a library is probably standing on opposite sides of the same bookshelf as Caleb, pulling out a book, and then our eyes meeting. When our eyes met, I should subtly smile. It was both sweet and romantic, and easy to execute. Ugh, darn it, that trick wouldn’t work. The school bookshelves were double-layered; you’d have to pull out two books to make eye contact. The chances of Caleb and I simultaneously pulling out opposing books and achieving that “across the bookshelf eye contact” feat were too low. And if I pulled a book after he did, just to meet his eyes, it would be too obvious. Gotta think of something else. Got it! The bookshelves are so tall; it’s perfectly normal for me not to reach a book. Caleb is such a tall, strong guy; he’d probably be happy to help a delicate girl like me grab a book, right? As long as he helps, we’d have a connection, an excuse to talk to him, ask for his help, invite him to dinner. One thing leading to another, we’d get to know each other, and feelings would develop. Hey, if it works, it works. Once I had a plan, I immediately put it into action. I walked to a bookshelf not far from Caleb, randomly picked a book, and began to stand on my tiptoes, reaching for it, putting on a full show of being able to touch it but not quite grab it. But after reaching for a while, no one came to help. I subtly turned my head, using my peripheral vision to see what Caleb was doing. Only to find that spot empty. I stepped back from the bookshelf and saw Caleb already seated in the reading area. I inwardly grumbled that he was so oblivious. I went to the fiction section and picked out a romance novel that suited my taste.

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The day I received my wife’s diagnosis, she suddenly installed a camera in our bedroom. That night, I saw her swear on the phone: “I won’t let him touch me again. I’ve sent you the account and password. You can log in and check anytime.” “I’ve decided to stay chaste for love.” Watching her flushed, impassioned face, I silently put the diagnosis report into the shredder. Stay chaste for love… Well, let’s make it a lifetime then. When I saw the letters “ALS” on Arianna’s diagnosis report, I nearly lost my balance. Three months ago, Arianna was injured in a hiking accident. During her hospital stay, I had the doctors do a comprehensive checkup, hoping for peace of mind. I never expected such a result. “ALS currently has no cure. We can only use medication to slow its progression, but the final outcome is irreversible,” the doctor said, looking at me sympathetically. Arianna was the quintessential career woman. Beautiful features, but not delicate. Her every move exuded a composed and elegant feminine charm. As a renowned divorce lawyer, she was brilliant and rational despite being a woman – a steel magnolia in her colleagues’ eyes. In private life, she was disciplined and routine-oriented, enjoying fitness and hiking, extremely particular about quality of life. I couldn’t bear to imagine someone like her becoming a helpless ALS patient in the future. Sitting on a street corner, watching the endless stream of people, I slowly stood up after a long while. I had made up my mind. As husband and wife, we should face everything together. No matter what she becomes in the future, I will face it with our son by her side. It was dark when I got home. Our son Ethan was quietly playing chess in his room. At seven years old, he had reached the level of chess master and had been interviewed on TV as a “child prodigy”. “Have you eaten?” I asked him gently, adjusting my mood. “Yes, the nanny made pork rib soup today,” he replied without looking up, focused on the chessboard. “Where’s Mom?” “She went for a run.” Ethan was quiet by nature, speaking concisely and clearly. Just like us. Two hours later, as I was lying in bed debating whether to tell Arianna about her condition, she came back. Wearing a hoodie and yoga pants, her whole figure looked graceful and spirited. I became anxious, “It’s only a few degrees outside, why are you dressed so lightly?” One of the precautions the doctor had mentioned today was that ALS patients produce less heat due to muscle atrophy and shouldn’t get cold, as it would accelerate the disease progression. Arianna’s face was expressionless as she said flatly: “This is how I always dress for running.” She opened the box in her hand and took out a camera, setting it up on the dresser opposite the bed. Pointing right at the bed. I was a bit confused. “Why are you suddenly installing a camera?” “There have been some burglaries in the neighborhood. Having surveillance is safer.” “Aren’t you worried about privacy?” I asked hesitantly, knowing Arianna was extremely concerned about personal privacy. She glanced at me and scoffed: “Privacy? Who’s interested in your privacy?” Various emotions swirled in my heart, but I didn’t want to argue with her. Before bed, she lay down with her back to me, far away, clearly too exhausted to talk. I sighed inwardly. She had just finished a high-profile celebrity divorce case. Let her relax for now that the pressure was off. In the middle of the night, I woke up suddenly, my mind unsettled. The bed beside me was empty. Arianna wasn’t there. I felt a surge of panic and got up to look for her. On the balcony, she was making a phone call in the night breeze, wearing only a thin nightgown. I hurried over with a coat. “I won’t let him touch me again…” Her soft voice reached me, and I paused. “I’ve sent you the password and account. You can log in and check anytime.” “I’ve decided to stay chaste for love.” Through the glass, I stared blankly at Arianna. This usually elegant and proud woman was now overflowing with intense emotion. Watching her flushed, impassioned face, I slowly processed the logic of her words. For a moment, I felt like I didn’t know her at all.

Arianna was quite uninhibited in the bedroom. Elegant and proper during the day, demanding at night. In recent years, as her stress increased dramatically, she had to be meticulous and airtight in her words and actions as a famous female divorce lawyer. As a result, she increasingly lived in a closed-off mode. Only in the intimate moments of the night, when she was panting with desire in my ear, could I find traces of that shy girl who used to blush at the sight of me. We were classmates in a graduate seminar. She pursued me. The proud and vivacious girl only had affectionate, shy glances for me. I fell for her quickly. Later, I stayed at the university as a psychology professor. She started as a salaried lawyer and worked her way up to partner, becoming a nationally renowned female divorce lawyer earning millions a year. We had many similarities in personality: Emotionally stable, rational and pragmatic, objective and calm, particular about quality of life, willing to work hard for our ideals. I had a stable and respectable job that allowed me to take care of the child and family. She was successful in her career, soaring in her professional field. Married for eight years, we respected each other and achieved together, living in a million-dollar apartment with an easy-to-raise “genius” son. You could say we were an enviable family. But half a year ago, she suddenly changed. She had a habit of night running. She used to leave at 8 pm and return at 9 pm, then shower and spend half an hour of family time. Like clockwork. But six months ago, she suddenly started leaving at 7 pm and not returning until 10 pm. When she came back, she seemed exhausted and went straight to bed after showering. Family time was naturally cancelled. I asked her why her night runs had become so long. She said flatly, “The case is at a dead end. Staying out longer helps clear my head.” Mental labor can sometimes be more tiring than physical labor. I understood. Later, she seemed to suddenly lose interest in intimacy. Not only did she no longer initiate, but she repeatedly rejected me, citing being “too tired”. I thought it was because of her stress and was very worried. That’s why after she was hospitalized for the hiking injury, I strongly urged her to take a break from work and recuperate for a while, and had the doctors do a full checkup. But now it seems the situation was not as I had imagined… I lay back in bed, staring at the ceiling in the dark with wide eyes. Her words earlier made her seem like a stranger, and the expression on her face felt even more unreal. So much so that after suffering two major blows today, intense curiosity overrode what should have been feelings of heartbreak and anger. I was really curious. What kind of man was on the other end of that call, to make Arianna, who had become utterly rational in recent years, behave like that? I’ve always been direct in my actions. The next night, I slipped sleeping pills into her milk.

As she slept heavily, I used her finger to unlock her phone. I found yesterday’s late night call number and looked at it for a while until something clicked. I had seen this number before. Three months ago, after Arianna was hospitalized for her hiking injury, I asked the police for the contact information of the first person who found her and called for help, wanting to express my gratitude. This was the number the police gave me. I have an excellent memory, especially for numbers. I couldn’t be wrong. I called the number in front of the police officer, and a man answered. His voice was steady, his manner gentle. He said there was no need to meet, and thanks were unnecessary. He said this was what any normal person would do. After hanging up, the police officer smiled and told me that while others might ask for a reward, he definitely wouldn’t. I asked why. The officer said he recognized the man during questioning – he had been in the news as the “Most Devoted Husband”. “He’s had a hard life too. His wife became completely paralyzed from a sudden illness at their wedding, leaving behind a 7-year-old son from her previous marriage. He didn’t abandon her, taking care of her day and night for thirteen years, while also raising that child alone. His wife passed away last year, and he finally got through it. Now he runs a small food stall selling lamb soup at the entrance of the suburban park.” “How could someone with that kind of moral character accept your reward money!” I nodded in admiration at the time, “My wife was lucky to have met him.” Now, in the dead of night, I held the phone for a long while, then opened the photo gallery. I don’t know if Arianna was confident in herself or trusting of me, but she had hardly hidden anything. What greeted my eyes was a screen full of photos of a man. The same man. A small stall lit by warm lamps under the starry night sky. The man had handsome features and a warm smile. He was either cutting ingredients, ladling soup, or chatting with customers. Every scene exuded warmth and an air of peaceful contentment. In the hundreds of photos, the man’s clothing changed from short sleeves to thick cotton jackets. The time span was half a year. The third day, I went to the suburban park and sat down at the small stall with a sign that read “Zack’s Lamb Soup”. I watched Zack from a short distance away. He was crouched in front of a flower bed, speaking softly to a stray kitten. Two women stood in front of his stall, joking: “Zack only has eyes for these cats and dogs. He’s not even trying to make money anymore.” Zack hurriedly stood up, explaining apologetically in a gentle voice: “I’m sorry, I just felt bad for them and got too absorbed. I didn’t see you there.” One of the women waved her hand, “You’re doing a good deed. These strays treat this place like home. They know you’re soft-hearted and all come to you for food. It’s a heartwarming scene – we enjoy watching it too.” After the two women left, I walked over. “One bowl of lamb soup, please.” Zack responded with an “Ah” and smiled as he ladled the soup for me. Across the rising steam, I quietly observed him. About 35 or 36, tall and well-built, with handsome features. Dressed simply but neatly, with gentle eyes and a friendly smile. His whole being exuded the warm and steady charm of a mature man. “It’s your first time here, friend. I’ll add some extra lamb lung for you to try.” I sat at the small table, slowly savoring the flavor. My mind kept wrestling with one question. Would someone like Zack, with his background and character… Would he do something like interfere in someone else’s marriage? Would he?

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He Left Me To Die, Then Begged For My Love I nourished a beast-hybrid bodyguard with my very lifeblood. For six years, I cherished him, poured out my entire heart, only to receive a single cold declaration in return: “Don’t ever think you can tame me.” During the Great Beast Uprising, he shielded another girl, letting me be trampled underfoot. He was *my* bodyguard, for crying out loud. Yet he always, *always* abandoned me. He even coiled his scorpion tail tightly around my throat, forcing me to use my precious blood to revive that girl. He didn’t know that every drop of blood I shed meant a piece of my life force withered away. He didn’t know this was my final breath, my last remaining lifespan. “Aurora, I swear I’ll make it up to you, I’ll be everything you want. Please, save her.” The arrogant beast-hybrid, who had always scorned submission, finally knelt before me, acknowledging me as his master. My fingers were fading, turning translucent against the light. “But… there was no ‘us’ anymore. No future.”

Ryder’s scorpion tail thrashed wildly, his eyes glazed over, consumed by pure bestial rage. He was in a frenzy. “Ivy…” Even then, with me bleeding out, he still whispered *her* name. I let him bite into my arm. Only when my blood flowed down his throat did he slowly calm. “Thank you…” I didn’t whine or complain about the pain like I usually would. Instead, I pushed him away, wiping the remaining blood onto a withered plant. The dry, shriveled leaves instantly burst back to life. Another chunk of my life force had drained away. “I’m moving near the lab. You’re my bodyguard; you have to come with me.” Ryder flinched. “But…” “I feed you my blood every month, Ryder. It’s not so you can run off to deal with Ivy’s wild episodes.” His chest was covered in love bites and hickeys. I forced my gaze away, my eyes burning with unshed tears. The accusation was on the tip of my tongue. But it twisted, becoming a threat instead. “Don’t forget your duty. If anything happens to me, the Federation won’t let any of you off the hook.” The world had ended. The ecosystem was shattered, and food plants were on the brink of extinction. I was the Federation’s only botanist. “Understood.” Ryder lowered his gaze. “I’ll go out first, then.” As he reached the door, I called out to him. “Ryder, what do you think we are to each other?” He stopped. His broad shoulders shrugged. His tanned muscles tensed, and on his waist, the indelible mark of a ‘discarded genetic experiment’ was still visible. If I hadn’t risked half my life to save him back then, he’d be long dead. “Employer and bodyguard. You give me blood; I protect you.” It was the answer I expected. No matter how much I gave, his heart wouldn’t hold even an ounce of space for me. Why force it? He wasn’t Julian. He wouldn’t cherish me, not truly. No matter how much he looked like him, he wasn’t him. Tears blurred my vision. I tried to wipe them away, but my fingertips were already fading, turning translucent. “I might not be able to pay your salary anymore.” **I’m fast disappearing.** Ryder didn’t take it seriously. “Then I’ll just find another employer.” He took long strides and left, leaving the door ajar and me, quietly sobbing. I always joked with him. But this time, it was real.

I’d just woken up, and Ryder was already standing by the front door, ready to go. “Your clothes are all here. The files are organized too.” His brow was slightly furrowed, and his strong, bony fingers pushed back a stray lock of hair as he meticulously checked the luggage. “The calming incense got a bit damp, so I didn’t bring it. I’ll buy you a new one later.” “I packed your plushie in a separate bag…” “Throw it away.” I said flatly. That plushie, Ryder had given it to me. It was meant for Ivy. She refused it, and then he just passed it on to me. The pathetic thing was, I’d treasured it. Ryder paused, looking stunned. “Why? Didn’t you like it? Just keep it…” This was the first time he hadn’t obeyed my order. “Ryder!” The girl skipped into the small yard, light on her feet, and threw herself into Ryder’s arms. “Thank you so much for yesterday! I came to thank you in person.” Ryder stiffened, his hands hovering awkwardly, unsure where to place them. His ears, unseen by her, burned bright red. His scorpion tail was held high, as if afraid to accidentally hurt her. I glanced at the back of my hand. Last night, his venomous stinger had grazed me, leaving my hand red and swollen, almost breaking the skin. Perhaps I was just used to it, but I barely felt any pain. “Oh! Is this that plushie I didn’t want?” Ivy picked up the beautifully wrapped plushie, examining it. “How did it get here? Did you give it to Aurora?” Ryder glanced at me. He hesitated. “Uh… no.” I turned my face away, my hand hanging by my side unconsciously clenching. He said, “I just forgot to throw it out when I was home. It’s trash, really.” His scorpion tail flicked. The plushie was sent flying into the overflowing trash bin. Its soft, plush face, still plastered with a cheerful smile, rolled into the depths, becoming soaked and soiled. “I knew it! Why would you give my unwanted junk to Aurora?” Ryder’s eyes flickered to my pale face, a tremor running through his pupils before he quickly looked away. I couldn’t tell if it was guilt, or a flicker of pain. He was afraid Ivy would misunderstand. So he chose to hurt me. And, of course, what comparison was there between us? Even gifts, I only got what she didn’t want. I unclenched my hand. My palms were marred with crescent-shaped indentations from my fingernails. “Throw away all my luggage. I’ll buy new things.” “I don’t want any of it anymore.” I looked at Ryder. “And that includes you, Ryder. I don’t want you anymore.”

I applied to the Federation for a new bodyguard. “Are you sure?” The Commander chuckled. “Ryder is the one you risked half your life to save, Miss Aurora. It took half your blood, you know.” “And where you knelt and begged before the Elders, green grass has sprouted. I bet that beast-hybrid doesn’t know that, does he?” “That failed genetic experiment, he wasn’t worth risking your life for.” “Oh, I forgot. He looks just like your childhood sweetheart, Julian. No wonder…” I was determined. I would replace Ryder and never be entangled with him again. The next day. My new bodyguard from the Federation arrived. It was a tiger beast-hybrid, even taller and more imposing than Ryder. His long, snow-white tail curled around my luggage. “Greetings, Miss Aurora.” I cleared out the room I’d prepared for Ryder and let the tiger beast-hybrid move in. I was explaining his duties when the doorbell rang. I didn’t open it. Ryder waited for a while, assuming no one was home, and tried the passkey himself. “Password incorrect.” He thought he’d misheard. He tried again. “Password incorrect.” He began to pound on the door. I was tired of it. I told the tiger beast-hybrid to get rid of him. A thunderous crash shook the entire house. I rushed out to find Ryder and the tiger beast-hybrid locked in a furious brawl, tearing down the very front door in their struggle. “Stop it!” Ryder looked up, his jealousy so thick it felt like it could drip from his eyes. His scorpion tail plunged forcefully into the tiger beast-hybrid’s side. I heard a strangled gasp, and the tiger beast-hybrid crumpled, his skin visibly turning purplish-blue. “Are you insane?!” I slapped Ryder across the face. His head snapped to the side, a few drops of blood flying. Only then did I notice the bloody gouge on the back of his head where the tiger beast-hybrid had clawed him. “Who is he?” Ryder glared, his eyes fixed on the other man. “My new bodyguard.” I helped the tiger beast-hybrid up, swiftly cut my arm, and pressed it to his lips, letting him drink. Ryder’s eyes went crimson. “I’m your bodyguard.” His defiance deflated. He stood there, utterly lost, especially when I offered no response. Even his scorpion tail drooped. “I’m your bodyguard…” “You can’t protect me,” I said coldly. “Get out.” He stood rooted to the spot. Perhaps realizing how terrible he’d been before, his lips trembled, unable to form a single word of protest. “I can…” “I promise I’ll protect you properly from now on, I’ll protect you with my life…” The glass reflected Ryder’s face, his jaw tight, his gaze locked onto me. He didn’t even blink, despite the blood streaming into his eyes. “Give me another chance.” The tiger beast-hybrid stirred. He pushed past me and bolted for the door, terrified of another sting. “Aurora, no one’s better suited for this job than me,” Ryder took a step forward. “I *can* protect you.” I was silent for a long moment. I looked at him. “You said you’d protect me with your life.” Ryder nodded frantically, like a bobblehead. “I promise.” I could feel my life force slipping away. I was inexplicably exhausted, sleeping longer and longer hours. Even the plants in the lab weren’t responding to my touch as they used to. “I’m tired. I’m going home.”

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I had been in a contract marriage with Noah, the incubus CEO, for three years without any real relationship. The day I proposed divorce, he calmly agreed, but suddenly pop-up comments appeared above his head: “You psycho, the chains and toys in the basement are already customized to her size. Stop pretending to be a gentleman.” “Girl, the second you sign those papers, you’ll wake up in an intimate situation with that creepy guy you hate.” “Oh boy, the captivity play is finally coming! With all that pent-up hatred, it’s gonna be intense! Isn’t an incubus supposed to have barbs? Little miss evil deserves to have her eyes roll back…” “Sigh, you fool. If you had just been a bit nicer to him these past few years, this love-crazed psycho would’ve worshipped the ground you walked on. Now his love has twisted into hatred…” My hand trembled as I was about to sign. I looked up at the expressionless man before me: “Um, maybe we shouldn’t get divorced after all.” 0 “What?” Noah’s thin eyelids flickered slightly, his tone indifferent. His nonchalant attitude made me wonder if I had imagined those pop-up comments. I took a deep breath, put down the half-signed pen, and scrambled for an explanation: “I suddenly don’t want a divorce anymore. We’ve been together for three years, we’re used to each other’s presence. To be honest, I think I’d miss you…” As I trailed off, the man’s expression grew increasingly confused. I lost my confidence and my voice got softer and softer. My marriage to Noah had been an accident. Five years ago, ever since a poor intern named Tina Su joined the company, my smooth-sailing life had fallen apart. My childhood sweetheart, who had promised to take care of me for life, fell for her instead. He publicly broke off our engagement, humiliating me. Even my usually doting parents inexplicably took Tina’s side. Consumed by jealousy, I impulsively married Noah Song, the rumored cold and vicious incubus CEO that everyone avoided, just to prove I wasn’t unwanted. For three years after the wedding, I kept trying to get back at Tina but failed miserably each time. Either Noah would find out and stop me in advance, or my schemes would backfire spectacularly. Recently, my attempts to frame Tina were exposed. I became a social pariah, with many friends cutting ties. I knew Noah had always despised my vicious behavior and favored Tina. I figured I might as well dump him first before he could abandon me like the others. It would at least make me look more in control. When I texted about wanting a divorce, Noah was in the middle of an important meeting. But he called back almost immediately. “Reason?” His voice came through the phone. I laughed maliciously: “Last time I accidentally saw your tail when the bathroom door wasn’t closed properly. It was all slimy and gross.” So now when I said I “couldn’t bear to leave him”, it was so unconvincing that even I didn’t believe it… “You’re sure you don’t want a divorce?” Instead of the expected cold laughter, the man’s deep voice snapped me back to reality. “I don’t want to divorce for now.” I studied Noah’s expression, but saw no trace of joy on his face. “As you wish.” After a few seconds, he took the half-signed divorce agreement on the table and put it through the shredder. The pop-up comments appeared again: “What’s going on with the evil female lead? Did she suddenly grow a brain?” “Is Lily finally wising up and planning to use Noah? It might be too late though, his hatred has already taken root.” “Who says it’s too late? The timing is perfect! Didn’t you see how pleased he looked when he shredded those divorce papers? That paper shredder cracked me up, the guy is so afraid she’ll change her mind!” “Keep it up girl, don’t stop! Go all in! Noah’s a psycho incubus with no morals, and you’re the villainess. You two are made for each other. If you win him over, taking down Tina will be a piece of cake!” 0

It took me an afternoon to process everything. I finally understood that the world I lived in was actually a romance novel. Tina was the female lead, while I was the evil supporting character destined to be imprisoned to death by the male lead. No wonder everyone who got close to Tina was drawn to her, as if the whole world revolved around her. There was too much information to take in today. After showering that night, I opened my phone hoping to relax my mind a bit, only to see an onslaught of hateful comments. All my social media accounts had been flooded. Netizens were defending Tina and criticizing me. My ex-fiancé Ethan sent me a Snapchat message: “Lily, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’re just using these dirty tricks to try and force me to leave Tina and be with you.” “Hah, all this trouble just to see me? Fine, you win. Meet me at the usual place Friday afternoon!” I didn’t reply. I blocked him and turned off my phone screen. The pop-up comments scrolled by: “I’m not trying to whitewash her, but the villainess’s actions aren’t completely unreasonable. A proud princess of a wealthy family, overnight her parents, lover, and friends all became obsessed with another girl and ignored her. I’d go crazy too if I were her.” “The villainess is beautiful and rich, why does she keep losing to the female lead who can’t even tell Word from Google Docs? This stupid novel has no logic…” “If I were the author, I’d slap some sense into the female lead, punch the male lead twice, lock up the villainess with the psycho second male lead, and not let them out of the basement until they have 8 kids. How’s that?” “…” Not good at all. After calming down, I prepared for bed. Just as I took off my underwear, the bedroom door suddenly opened. Noah’s gaze traveled up and down my body. I quickly grabbed my robe and covered myself. “Sorry, you didn’t lock the door.” Noah stared at me intently, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Black scales flickered across his skin. Incubi involuntarily reveal their true form when aroused… The word “Get out” was on the tip of my tongue. But I saw the pop-up comment: “I can already guess the villainess is going to say ‘get out’ with a look of disgust on her face. What a waste of a good woman. This is how the second male lead’s love gets eroded bit by bit.” “Lily, be gentler with your husband! If you slap him now, your mouth is going to suffer greatly in that basement later. Split lips are very painful, you know.” Warned by the pop-up comments, I quickly changed my tone and gave Noah a slight smile: “It’s okay, hon-” Noah was about to leave the room but stopped in his tracks. His eyes darkened as he waited for me to finish. Damn, it was those pop-up comments constantly saying “hubby” that threw me off… “Hurry up and say it! One ‘hubby’ and he’d give his life for you. The female lead would be nothing.” “Can we not make the second male lead sound so cheap? After three years of cold violence, he definitely hates the villainess more than he loves her. Besides, didn’t you guys forget? The second male lead imprisoned the villainess to death to protect the female lead.” The pop-up comments split into two arguing factions. I raised an eyebrow, wanting to test the validity of this information. I decided to flirt a bit: “Noah, do you think I have a nice body?” “It’s alright.” The man lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable. “You stubborn idiot, you won’t get a wife by being so tight-lipped. No wonder the villainess still likes the male lead after marrying you for so long. You kind of deserve it.” “Is it just me or does the villainess suddenly not seem to hate the second male lead anymore? Are we evil couple shippers finally getting some good content??” Not giving up, I took a step forward and teased: “How would you know if you haven’t looked properly?” “I don’t need to look.” Noah replied coldly, but his fingertips involuntarily curled, the joints turning slightly pink as he nearly tore holes in his pants. I never noticed before how cute this man looked when he was shy. I noticed Noah’s collar was messed up and reached out to fix it for him. “Don’t touch me.” A cold warning sounded above my head. Harsh. I froze, remembering the arguing pop-up comments from earlier. It made sense. I had never shown Noah any kindness these past three years. Meanwhile Tina was like a little sun, always warmly encouraging him to overcome his trauma. It was normal for Noah to hate me. I laughed self-deprecatingly and withdrew my outstretched arm: “Remember to close the door on your way out. I’m going to sleep.” The man closed the door, but instead of leaving, he walked towards me step by step. His breathing grew increasingly hot and heavy, his eyes reddening from the effort of holding back. I finally realized something was wrong: “Noah, what’s wrong? Do you have a fever?” Pop-up comment: “More accurately, he’s in heat… Noah, don’t fall too hard! The villainess was just casually flirting, and you’ve already triggered your mating season early.” “Mating season?” I muttered to myself. How did I never know Noah had a mating season in our three years of marriage? Pop-up comment: “The villainess is so clueless, she actually thought the second male lead was asexual. Hello, he’s an incubus! Plus you have an amazing body and the best looks in the whole book. He just didn’t want to force himself on you.” “During previous mating seasons, Noah would steal one of your worn clothes and hide away, not letting you see him.” “Speaking of those clothes, they’re in quite a pitiful state now, nearly worn through by the well-endowed second male lead…” I stared blankly at the scrolling comments, feeling like I was looking at a screen full of censored text. So earlier when he didn’t let me touch him, was it because of his mating season? Noah buried his face in the crook of my neck, nuzzling back and forth restlessly. His pale skin flushed red with desire, weakening his usual aloof aura. Before, I had been so focused on getting back at Tina and trying to win back Ethan that I never really looked at Noah properly. I didn’t realize this man could be so breathtakingly handsome. His features were even more exquisite than those of TV stars. 0

“There’s… medicine and syringes in the study drawer… go get them…” Noah’s voice was broken and intermittent as he tried desperately to hide the patterns and scales emerging on his body. Looking at the man pushed to his limit, his lips bitten bloody, his clothes soaked with sweat and clinging to his body, outlining tantalizing abdominal muscles… I suddenly changed my mind. Three years of sleeping alone in an empty bed, while I may not have the intense urges of an incubus, I was still a normal person with needs. Although the first clause of our marriage contract, which I wrote myself, stated: No romance, only money. Taking advantage strictly forbidden. But I was the morally bankrupt villainess, wasn’t I? What use did I have for keeping promises… Having made up my mind, I gently patted the man’s face and whispered: “Noah, remember to be gentle.” “Don’t touch me, I’m dirty…” Noah’s whole body trembled at my touch, but he still clung to his last shred of self-control. “But I want to…” I took off my robe, used my fingertips to wipe the blood from his lips, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. Pop-up comments: “What’s going on, the villainess actually made the first move!” “That face pat, ahhhh, I’m so invested! Sister, do you need another dog?” “Love mixed with hate, perfection. Love born from hatred, even better!” “My heart is racing, my hands are shaking, are our villainous couple finally going to do the deed?!” The moment our lips touched, Noah immediately took control. His large warm hands gripped the back of my head. The air was forcibly stolen from my lungs, making my legs go weak. A thick black “rope” had wrapped around my waist at some point. It was too tight, causing me some pain. I let out a muffled groan and tried to push it aside. “I’m sorry, don’t… don’t look…” Noah snapped out of his daze, his pupils contracting sharply as he desperately tried to hide the tail that had emerged due to his arousal. Before I could react, the man had already fled the room in a panic. Soon, I heard the sound of drawers being rummaged through in the study next door. The air filled with an indescribable medicinal smell. Leaning against the wardrobe, I gasped for fresh air while reading the scrolling pop-up comments: “Noah, you coward, get back here! I’ve already taken my pants off, why are you running?” “Enough, am I the only one who feels bad for the second male lead? He’s been bullied and humiliated since childhood for being an incubus. He was overjoyed to marry his dream girl, only for her to find him disgusting too. Of course he’d be insecure.” “Villainess, my dear child, did you really have to act disgusted by his true form at a time like this? He’s really about to break.” It’s not like that, I’ve been wronged! I really just wanted him to loosen his grip a bit… 0

The next morning, Noah was nowhere to be found when I woke up. As I ate my breakfast sandwich, I took a deep breath and opened my phone after a 3-second mental preparation. To my surprise, all the hateful comments seemed to have evaporated overnight. The media outlets that had criticized me most harshly even had their official accounts suspended. One of the few media friends I was still in contact with sent me a photo of my parents visiting their company, with the caption: “It’s all taken care of.” I smiled. I knew my parents wouldn’t really abandon me. After all, they had always stepped in to smooth over all my big and small troubles before. Pop-up comment: “I can’t believe it, every time the second male lead quietly helps the villainess, he has to give all the credit to those good-for-nothing in-laws…” “Noah, the champion of the CEO world at washing underwear with a cold face. When his wife is in a good mood, he happily serves her. When his wife is in a bad mood, he coldly serves her.” “What a shame, the villainess doesn’t understand anything. She was so blatantly disgusted last night. Even though she avoided divorce for now, she probably can’t escape her fate of being forcibly imprisoned in the end.” Shocked, I shifted my gaze from the pop-up comments to my phone screen. I stared at the photo of my parents for a full ten minutes before finally noticing signs of Photoshop… I opened Snapchat and scrolled to the very bottom to find Noah: “Are you free today? I have something to discuss with you.” He replied instantly: “Wrong person.” “…” “No, it’s not~ Hubby~” This time he replied much slower: “I’m very sorry about last night, for letting you see those disgusting things. I’m very busy today. If you want a divorce, contact a lawyer first.” “No no no,” I quickly refuted, “It’s not about divorce.” Noah: “Alright, see you this afternoon.” Pop-up comments: “LOL, ‘divorce’ – no time. ‘Not divorce’ – see you this afternoon.” “That was close, the villainess narrowly avoided the dark room play again. Why do I feel like she’s becoming self-aware and trying to save herself?” “Why do I have a feeling something bad is about to happen at this plot point, but I can’t quite remember what…”

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Before my business trip, I left my daughter an unlimited black card. My only rule was for her to spend at least five million a month, to cultivate good spending habits. At first, I thought that if my daughter spent well, it would motivate me to earn more. But after a while, something felt off. She bought hundreds of luxury items in three days, ten villas in five, and yesterday, she even bought 100 adult novelty toys. I secretly flew back to investigate. But to my horror, as soon as I landed, I was informed that my daughter had been hit by a car while scavenging for anything to sell and was in the hospital, unable to even pay for her medical bills. The nurse’s voice on the phone was laced with blame: “Ms. Cross, I’ve never seen parents as neglectful as you. If you don’t come soon, you might not see your child again!” My heart pounded as I rushed to the hospital, where I found her frail and emaciated body. As my heart ached, my phone suddenly pinged with a notification: the black card had just been used for a high-end spa. I immediately stopped my assistant from canceling the black card, a faint smile playing on my lips. She likes swiping cards, does she? Then let her swipe to her heart’s content!

I got off the plane, holding a meticulously chosen birthday gift, my mind filled with fantasies of my daughter’s adorable face when she saw the surprise. But as soon as I exited the airport, I checked my phone to find over a dozen missed calls. My phone rang again. I picked it up without thinking. “This is Crestwood Hospital. Are you Skylar Cross’s mother?” “She was hit by a car on the street yesterday while scavenging for anything to sell and was rushed to our hospital.” “She’s been revived, but you need to pay the medical fees.” I froze, completely stunned, as if struck by lightning. “How is that possible?” I blurted out, instinctively. The nurse’s voice on the other end suddenly grew louder: “You’re not trying to bail on the bill, are you? Get to the hospital and pay up, or we’ll have to throw your daughter out to fend for herself!” Then, she slammed the phone down. Confusion and alarm surged through me. I immediately told my driver to head to the hospital. How could Skylar be scavenging for anything to sell? Even if she ran out of money, with a nanny at home, she wouldn’t go hungry. And with an unlimited black card, how could she not afford medical bills? As soon as the car stopped, I sprinted to her room, where I saw my emaciated daughter lying on the bed. Her arm and right leg were broken, encased in thick plaster casts, making her already delicate limbs look even thinner. When she saw me, her once dull eyes instantly welled up with tears. I went over and pulled her into my embrace, patting her back to comfort her. “It’s okay, sweetheart, don’t be scared. Mommy’s back.” Her face was covered in bruises and swelling, and her exposed arms were full of scars. In just one year, my vibrant little princess had turned into this. My daughter’s tears poured out of her. She clung to my shoulder, sobbing, “Mommy, the nurse said today’s the deadline. If we don’t pay the medical fees, they’re going to throw me out.” Her tears burned my chest, making my heart clench. I stroked her hair and asked softly, “Didn’t Mommy leave you a black card? How could you be out of money?” Her small body trembled. Only with my encouraging gaze did she finally speak: “Brandon snatched my black card and gave it to Cassidy. He said I didn’t deserve to be a Thorne family heiress, or to be with him.” Brandon Miller was the son of Doris Green, our nanny. Cassidy White was the child who was swapped at birth, and they had grown quite close. Many people said Brandon was meant to be the Thorne family’s future son-in-law. After Skylar was found, I was worried she’d be unhappy, so I immediately sent Cassidy out of the mansion, giving her enough money to live comfortably for a lifetime. I thought I had been more than fair and generous with her. I never imagined these ungrateful vipers would dare to bully my daughter. I’ll make them regret it. Seeing my daughter’s timid and haggard appearance, my heart twisted in agony. “Mommy won’t let them get away with this. No one will ever dare to bully you again.”

Just as I finished speaking, a grim-faced nurse stormed in and threw a bill onto the bed. Her eyes practically rolled into her head: “Pay the medical fees quickly, don’t think you can get away with it!” I looked at the stale, dim, multi-bed ward, and the filthy bed my daughter was lying on. I couldn’t take it anymore. With one phone call, the Dean, along with dozens of medical staff, rushed in. The nurse’s face paled. “Your attitude towards patients makes you unfit to work here. You’re fired.” After the Dean’s declaration, he immediately bowed deeply and respectfully to me, apologizing profusely. “Ms. Cross, it was our oversight. We’re so sorry your daughter was subjected to such treatment.” Only then did the nurse realize who she had angered. She tried to plead, but security guards dragged her out. I declined the Dean’s offer to transfer rooms and made another call. Less than ten minutes later, a professional medical team arrived and escorted Skylar to a private car. My sharp, efficient assistant followed behind me, her heels clicking against the floor. She reported respectfully: “During your absence, Brandon Miller started his own company, claiming to be your future son-in-law to gain advantages.” “He said you would eventually let him inherit the company and took many projects from our firm.” “He also claimed he only recognized Cassidy White as his fiancée. Cassidy has taken possession of all the assets you prepared for your daughter, and… she even kicked your daughter out of the Thorne family mansion.” The more she spoke, the colder my expression became. I had seen some cleverness in Brandon. I’d paid for him to attend the most exclusive private academies since he was little. He got a little kindness and thought he was hot stuff. Cassidy had lived a heiress’s life for over a decade in my daughter’s place. Not only did she feel no guilt, she tried to usurp her rightful place. I clenched my fists. They seemed to have forgotten what I was capable of. No one messes with Victoria Cross’s daughter! Just then, my phone buzzed with another black card spending alert. I opened it to see an entry fee for an auction. “Ms. Cross, do you need me to cancel this black card immediately?” my assistant inquired. I curved my lips into a smile: “Not so fast. Just cancel it before seven tonight.” “Also, Skylar and I will be attending tonight’s underground auction.” “Understood, Ms. Cross. I’ll make the arrangements right away,” my assistant replied respectfully. They like money, do they? I’ll give them a grand gift soon enough. “Also, investigate how Skylar got those injuries.” Thinking of the numerous scars on my sweet daughter, I felt both furious and heartbroken. The chilling aura around me startled Skylar. She cautiously tugged at my sleeve. “Mommy, are you mad at me?” “I’m sorry, Mommy. I won’t say bad things about my sister anymore. You can give her anything.” “Please don’t abandon Skylar.” Seeing her timidly trying to please me, my nose stung. What had they been feeding her?! How could I ever abandon her?! “Mommy isn’t mad at her sweetheart. Mommy’s mad at herself for not protecting her precious daughter better.” “No one can snatch what belongs to Skylar, and how could Mommy ever abandon you?” Hearing my words, her eyes suddenly lit up, sparkling brighter than stars. Soon, though, she lowered her head again, murmuring, “But Brandon said Mommy would definitely prefer the more excellent Cassidy, and if I wasn’t obedient, I’d be sent away.” “He’s the son-in-law chosen by Mom and Dad. Whoever he chooses is the Thorne family heiress.” I chuckled coldly. Where did Brandon get such confidence? He was Skylar’s senior in school, seemingly excellent in both character and academics. Young girls usually liked that type. At the time, I was worried Skylar wouldn’t know anyone when she first came back, so I allowed Brandon to continue living in the Thorne mansion to look after her. I hadn’t expected to let a wolf into the house. I lifted Skylar’s chin, looking at her tear-filled eyes. I said each word carefully: “Skylar Cross, you are the only child of the Cross and Thorne families. You will inherit everything we have.” “There’s no such thing as that ‘sister’ nonsense, and you don’t need some husband to help you. You will be the future CEO.” “Did you get that?” The little girl’s brow gradually relaxed, and she nodded vigorously. That’s more like it.

At seven in the evening, I took Skylar into the opulent and dazzling auction house, located nine floors beneath the city center. Here, anything could be bought. “Distinguished guest, please proceed to the third-floor private rooms.” A hostess in a sleek, elegant gown saw me present my badge and immediately greeted us respectfully. This badge wasn’t something you could obtain with just money; it required both wealth and power. Fewer than five guests were allowed on the third floor. The people on the first floor were multi-millionaires, yet they were lucky to even get a regular seat. “Eat up.” The private room was filled with expensive, exquisite pastries and thousands of dollars worth of drinks. I handed a plate of delicate butterfly-shaped pastries to Skylar. Through the one-way glass, I saw Cassidy White and Brandon Miller among the crowd on the first floor. Cassidy was surrounded by her entire class like a princess. Seeing her fair, supple skin and the latest designer couture, then looking at my frail daughter, My heart felt like it was being constantly twisted by a knife. The auction quickly began. Cassidy announced it was her birthday and she wanted to buy something extravagant for everyone. Every time she made a bid, I would relentlessly raise the price. “Who’s that on the third floor, always going against me? Aren’t they afraid of offending the Thorne family?” Cassidy sounded annoyed, seeing an accessory that was originally one million suddenly inflated to five million. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Money is just a number. Once it’s over, I’ll find out who they are and make them pay,” Brandon said gently, pulling out a black card to soothe her. Skylar looked at me nervously, seeing me only bid up prices but never buy anything. Thinking she might want something, I, as if by magic, pulled out a black velvet box. “Those things outside are all common. This is the birthday gift Mommy prepared for you, sweetheart.” “See if you like it?” She took it, stunned. Inside was a rare emerald necklace, once worn by a British princess. It was one-of-a-kind and utterly priceless; all the items in today’s auction combined couldn’t buy it. “It’s too precious, I don’t deserve it…” The girl didn’t even dare to touch it. I took it directly from the box, my voice brooking no argument. “Only you deserve it, my little princess.” I personally fastened it around her neck, speaking seriously. Like she had received a priceless treasure, she hugged me for the first time. “Thank you, Mommy.” *Thank you, Mommy, for not despising me, utterly worthless as I am.* A wave of warmth spread through my chest. I resolved to give her the best of everything. Anyone who had bullied her would face severe consequences. After a brief mother-daughter chat, I took a work call. When I returned, I saw Skylar surrounded on the first floor. “Skylar Cross, Cassidy didn’t even invite you. Why are you so thick-skinned, tagging along?” “Today, Miss Thorne is treating the whole class to an experience, and she’s bought something extravagant for each of us, but that doesn’t include a little street rat like you!” “What cheap garbage is that around her neck? So green, it looks totally fake.” The short-haired girl spoke, and directly yanked the necklace off Skylar’s neck, leaving a bruised, bleeding mark. “I bet she’s still dreaming of being a rich heiress. She even has the nerve to say she’s a Thorne family member, hahaha!” A jock said this, and everyone burst into laughter, throwing insults at her, a barrage of “bitch” and “imposter.” In the chaos, someone snatched her crutch, and several hands pushed her to the ground. Seeing this, I instantly understood how Skylar had gotten her injuries. “Stop!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297248”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance