Category: English

My fiancé was trapped by hundreds of venomous snakes in the exhibition center. A massive python was coiling around him, tightening its grip with each turn. Its slick scales rubbed against his skin as it constricted, causing his veins to bulge and his breathing to become labored. Several starving king cobras had even brazenly slithered up his legs, attempting to crawl into his waistband. His brother Samuel, red-eyed, pleaded with me: “Rachel, you know better than anyone how dangerous these snakes are! You’re the only one who can control them now. Please, go save him!” My best friend Claire, her eyes also red with panic, cried out: “Rach! Those vipers are deadly! Lucas is your fiancé! For the sake of your future happiness, please go rescue him!” I casually opened a bag of chips and a can of soda, watching my fiancé’s struggle with a cold smirk: “No need to get your panties in a twist. Sit back and enjoy the show.” 1 My words exploded like a bombshell among the crowd. “Is that Rachel woman insane? She’s just standing there doing nothing! Two lives are at stake!” “Now I understand why they say women who handle snakes are heartless! She’s not even human!” “What the hell! Lucas must have been blind to fall for such a vicious woman!” Samuel immediately knelt before me, his eyes brimming with tears: “Rachel! I’m begging you! I’ll kowtow to you! Last year, Lucas almost fell off a cliff while collecting snake venom for you. He even gave up an arranged marriage for you. How can you treat him like this?” I stepped aside, letting him fall flat on his face. “Save your groveling. My family’s ancestors would roll in their graves if I accepted that.” Seeing that I wouldn’t budge, my best friend Claire put on a righteous expression: “Sis! If you won’t do it, I will!” “Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let Lucas be in such danger!” With that, she took a deep breath, pulled out a bamboo flute, and started playing as she walked towards the mass of snakes. Surprisingly, the agitated snakes seemed to calm down under her music. Even the python wrapped around Lucas loosened its grip slightly. [Way to go! Now that’s a true heroine! That Rachel doesn’t even deserve to shine her shoes!] [Now this is a damsel saving her knight in shining armor! I’m falling for her already!] Claire couldn’t help but let a smug smile creep onto her face. But in the next second, a king cobra suddenly reared up, letting out an angry, piercing hiss! As if on cue, the entire mass of snakes erupted into chaos again. Countless serpents frantically slammed against the glass enclosures. The glass was instantly covered in cracks, on the verge of shattering completely and unleashing the snakes onto the crowd! “Ahh—!” People scrambled backwards in panic. “W-what’s happening? Why did the snakes go berserk again? Was the music wrong?” Seeing the king cobra lunging towards her, Claire no longer cared about Lucas. She crawled away from the center of the exhibition, tumbling to a stop at my feet like a dead dog. I set down my soda can and nudged her arm with the tip of my shoe, sneering: “Amateur hour’s over. Stop embarrassing yourself.” Claire’s face instantly turned the color of a ripe tomato. Samuel rushed to help Claire up, then turned to berate me in front of the crowd: “Everyone, look! This is the heiress of the Zhou family animal sanctuary!” “Not only does she refuse to save a life, but she’s also mocking her best friend who tried to help!” “She’s deliberately stalling, wanting Lucas to die! She even wants to let the snakes loose and kill everyone here!” His words ignited the crowd’s fury. [You beast! She’s a psychopath! She won’t save him herself and won’t let others save him either. She wants to drag everyone down with her!] [Someone call the police and arrest her! This is attempted murder!] [Mr. Lucas, you can’t marry a woman like that! I feel dirty just looking at her!] Facing the crowd’s condemnation, I didn’t even bat an eye. I just smirked coldly at Claire on the ground. “You want me to step in and save him? Fine.” “Just kneel down, kowtow to me three times, then slap yourself and shout ‘I’m an ungrateful wretch’ three times.” “Then I’ll go save your dear Lucas.” 2 As soon as I said this, everyone looked at me like I was insane. [Is she crazy?! What kind of demand is that?] [A man’s life is at stake, and she’s making her best friend kneel and kowtow? What kind of grudge is this?] [God, how could Lucas fall in love with such a heartless demon! It’s terrifying!] Samuel was stunned for a moment, then shouted with even more indignation: “Rachel! You’ve gone too far! Claire risked her life to save your husband, and she’s even pregnant! How can you treat her like this? Have you no conscience?” I just smirked and settled back into my lounge chair, opening another bag of chips. “The solution’s right here. Take it or leave it.” Claire glanced at Lucas, who was once again surrounded by the snakes. “Claire, save me!” Lucas cried out, his eyes filled with tears. Finally, she gritted her teeth and put on a long-suffering expression. With a loud thud, her knees hit the tile floor in front of me. Then she bent down, slamming her forehead against the ground. “Thud!” “Thud!” “Thud!” Three loud, heavy kowtows left a purple bruise on her forehead. She then raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face. “Slap!” “I’m an ungrateful wretch! I’ve betrayed Rachel! I don’t deserve her kindness!” “I’m an ungrateful wretch!” “Slap!” “Slap!” Each slap was crisp and loud, filled with humiliation. I watched her swollen cheeks with glee, bending down to pat her face as I laughed so hard tears nearly came to my eyes. “That’s a good girl. See how easy that was?” “If you’d been this obedient from the start, none of this would have happened.” My laughter stung the onlookers, who were furious: [Devil! She’s nothing but a devil!] [I’ve never seen such a vicious woman in my life! Someone record this and post it online! Let everyone see her true colors!] [Mr. Lucas! Listen to us! This woman will ruin you!] But I seemed not to hear their curses. I stood up lazily, stretching and even adjusting my collar. Only then did I put my fingers to my lips and let out a sharp whistle from deep in my throat. “Shhhh—” Instantly, all the frenzied venomous snakes froze in place. A second later, they all turned around, retreating like the tide. In just a few seconds, they cleared a path straight to Lucas. Everyone was stunned speechless by this scene, their mouths hanging open. However, I didn’t even glance at Lucas. I just walked up to Claire, who was still kneeling, and kicked her arm. She stumbled and fell to the ground. Looking down at her, I smirked: “What are you waiting for? Your dear Lucas is scared stiff. Go help him up.” 3 A flash of humiliation crossed Claire’s eyes. Samuel quickly ran over to help her up, glaring at me: “Claire, let’s go! Don’t bother with this narrow-minded bitch! She’s not fit to shine your shoes!” The audience also reacted: [Holy shit! So she could control them all along! She deliberately didn’t step in just to watch her friend kneel and kowtow! ] [That’s disgusting! She had the ability but didn’t use it earlier when lives were at stake. Instead, she used this opportunity to humiliate her own friend! Her heart must be made of stone!] [This kind of woman deserves to be struck by lightning! She’ll meet a bad end!] Claire and Samuel walked into the center of the exhibition hall, humiliated. They supported Lucas on either side and led him out of the venue. Lucas slumped weakly into a chair backstage, his whole body still trembling. Concerned onlookers immediately crowded around, offering water and tissues: [Mr. Lucas, are you alright? Don’t be afraid, we’re all here for you!] [Don’t take it to heart. Marrying a woman like that would ruin your life! You deserve better!] [That’s right! Break up with her immediately! We can all testify today that she’s a complete scumbag!] Lucas shook his head at the crowd, his voice weak but with a hint of magnetism: “Thank you, everyone. Really, thank you all.” “Please don’t blame her. Rachel, she’s… she’s not usually like this…” “She must not be feeling well today, or maybe she was upset seeing Claire rush in, feeling like she lost face…” “She didn’t mean it. She still cares about me deep down.” His “turning the other cheek” attitude further ignited everyone’s anger and sympathy: [Look at that! What a good man!] [Even at a time like this, he’s still defending that vicious woman! Sir, you’re too kind! You’re wasting your love on her!] “It’s not like that, Rachel usually…” Lucas hadn’t finished speaking when Claire beside him let out a sharp scream, her face contorted in pain. Everyone followed his gaze. Large patches of blood were seeping through Claire’s white dress! “My stomach, my baby… my baby…” She went limp, sliding off the chair. The scene instantly descended into chaos. [Oh my God! She’s bleeding! Call an ambulance! It might be too late if we wait!] [She risked her life to save someone while pregnant! If she loses the baby, it’s all that vicious Rachel’s fault!] People scrambled to comfort Claire while Samuel immediately pulled out his phone to call 91

I stood outside the chaos, watching everything unfold with cold eyes. I pulled out the unfinished bag of chips from my pocket and emotionlessly ate another one. As if the woman suffering wasn’t my best friend. Paramedics loaded Claire onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. Samuel immediately started a livestream. The camera focused relentlessly on Claire’s pale face and the blood on her dress. “Everyone, do you see this? Claire might be having a miscarriage!” “It’s all because of that beast Rachel! She deliberately refused to save her own fiancé, forcing Claire to step in. She scared Claire and her baby!” “She’s trying to kill her fiancé and her best friend’s child!” Samuel followed all the way to the hospital, raising his phone in the ward with bloodshot eyes, shoving a miscarriage report in front of the camera. “It’s gone, the baby’s gone…” “The doctor said it was a miscarriage caused by extreme shock to the mother. We got here too late, couldn’t save it…” “Rachel! You don’t deserve to be human!” In an instant, the hashtag #SnakeParkHeiressHeartlesslyCausesFriend’sMiscarriage rocketed to the top trending topic. The entire internet was condemning me. [Scum! Trash! She should be put down!] [Even tigers don’t eat their cubs! This woman is worse than an animal!] [Boycott the Zhou family animal sanctuary! The animals raised by someone like her must be evil too!] [Poor Ms. Claire, poor baby. May there be no pain in heaven, and no such inhuman women either!] [I’m reporting her by name. Relevant authorities must thoroughly investigate! We can’t let such a dangerous person remain in society!] Faced with the torrent of abuse on the screen, I just brushed some chip crumbs off my hands. Then I looked at the camera with a cold smile. “Miscarriage? That’s getting off lightly.” 4 [What the fuck! Did I hear that right? Did she just say she should have killed her best friend and the baby? Is this something a human being can say?] [Viper’s heart! I can’t find words to describe this demon anymore!] [Why doesn’t she just die? This scum living in the world is an insult to all normal people!] [Ban her! Don’t let her appear in public ever again!] Samuel was clearly both shocked and delighted by my self-destructive response. He immediately seized the opportunity, pounding his chest and stomping his feet at the camera: “Everyone, did you hear that? This is her true feelings!” “She doesn’t care at all about Claire and Lucas’s lives! She just wants them dead!” He started frantically tagging various internet celebrities and influencers online, calling for them to come to the hospital. “I call on all righteous friends to come! Use your influence to speak up for poor Claire and the innocent Mr. Lucas!” “We must unite and absolutely cannot let this vicious woman go unpunished!” “What happened to her best friend today could happen to any of us tomorrow!” Soon, a group of influencers wielding selfie sticks rushed to the hospital. They surrounded Claire lying in the hospital bed, with Samuel and Lucas on either side, crying to the camera about my crimes. Lucas held Claire’s hand with a grief-stricken face: “Claire is too kind-hearted. When she rushed in, she was only thinking about saving me, not considering herself or the baby at all…” Samuel had a look of grief and indignation, his fists clenched tight: “My poor sister! She gave her whole heart, but was used by that vicious Rachel, losing her child. I, Samuel, have failed her!” “I truly regret it! I never should have helped Rachel set her up with Lucas!” “If it weren’t for me, Lucas wouldn’t have met a snake-hearted woman like Rachel! Now poor innocent Claire has been dragged into it too!” He finished speaking with tears in his eyes, garnering a wave of sympathy: [Samuel, this isn’t your fault! You’ve been speaking up the whole time! It was that vicious Rachel who stood by and watched!] [That’s right, you just misjudged her character! That witch Rachel was too good at disguising herself. You’re all victims!] “No, it’s all my fault. I failed to protect them. When Lucas was surrounded by snakes and Claire, a frail woman, rushed in, how scared must she have been?” This true brother squeezed out a tear in anguish, while I pushed open the door and walked in. Whoosh—! All the influencers immediately turned their cameras, shoving lenses and microphones in my face. [Rachel! How dare you show your face!] [You murderer! Why did you refuse to save your fiancé?] [Did you plan to kill them all along? Did you want Claire to miscarry?] [Give us an explanation! You owe the whole internet an answer!] Sharp questions flew at me from all sides, but I just smirked: “That’s right, I did hope she’d miscarry.” “Oh my God! Did you all see that? This is her true face. She really did want to kill her own best friend!” Samuel immediately pounced on me like a dog that had caught the scent of blood, while I just picked up the miscarriage report. I smiled, my gaze pointedly sweeping towards Lucas beside her. “I’m very curious.” “Claire, my best friend for ten years, when did you get a boyfriend without me knowing?” “You’re with me every day, not even going on dates. How did you suddenly get two months pregnant?” “This lost child, whose was it really?”

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On my twentieth birthday, the girlfriend I’d been with for three years pushed me from a high-rise building. “Finally rid of you, you pathetic loser,” she spat, her voice chillingly cold. In that last moment, I watched as my so-called best friend wrapped an arm around her, both of them smirking down at me. I had loved her for three years, and she tried to murder me. A crushing wave of despair washed over me, and I closed my eyes in resignation. Then, I was reborn. I reclaimed the family keepsake that proved my identity, taking back what was rightfully mine as the heir to a wealthy fortune. Now, she was on her knees, pleading, “Asher, please, save me. Please?” In my past life, my girlfriend tricked me into meeting at a guesthouse, claiming it was for my birthday. After she and Liam Thorne drugged my drinks until I passed out, I woke up tied to the top floor of a high-rise. My eyes fluttered open, slowly clearing. Liam stood there, his arm around Chloe Miller, both of them staring down at me with utter contempt. “Awake, are we?” she said, her voice dripping with venom. “Good. Any last words? If I’m feeling generous, I might even grant one.” They both chuckled, leaning into each other. Chloe’s sharp, hyena-like laughter sent shivers down my spine. I’d never seen her like this before. The wind on the rooftop was fierce, whipping against my face, filling me with dread. I turned my head, gazing down at the dizzying heights and the tiny, ant-like figures below. My heart hammered with terror. One step, and I would plummet from this building, splattering into a bloody mess on the pavement below. The image of that gruesome scene made me tremble. I glared back at them. They were still grinning, as if my life meant nothing. My fear morphed into a burning rage. I roared at her. “Chloe Miller!” “I was so good to you! Why would you betray me? How could you be so cruel?!” They wanted me dead, and I didn’t even know why. My legs began to give out, my mind shattering with despair. One was the girlfriend I’d loved for three years, the other, my childhood best friend. “Why?!” Her eyes turned vicious as she stepped closer. “Because you’re a worthless garbage! Poor, and utterly worthless. Why would I ever be with you?” “Do you know, Asher, every time my friends asked about my boyfriend, I couldn’t even bring myself to talk about you.” “You were an embarrassment!” I stared up at her, disbelief etched across my face. Behind her, Liam Thorne smirked, slowly walking toward me. A large hand pressed down on my head, pushing me closer to the edge. My eyes burned red with defiance as I glared back at him. “Since you’re so pathetic, I’ll tell you a little secret, Asher.” “No, wait, it should be Asher Thorne, right? The Thorne family’s—second young master.” I gasped, my tense body went slack. I almost tumbled off the building. As I steadied myself, I finally saw what he held in his hand. It was the carved bead I’d worn around my neck for years! The one he’d been asking me for! Could it be?! A wave of shock slammed into me. I met his smiling eyes. He’d used this bead to claim my identity, to become the young master in my place! “Liam Thorne! You treacherous bastard!” I roared at him, my voice raw and hoarse. “Hahahaha! Looks like you figured it out! Let me tell you, Asher, you deserved every bit of it!” “You have to die. Only then can I truly rest easy.” He stepped closer, and Chloe, still smiling, joined him. Knowing the truth, tears of bitter rage streamed down my face. I stopped struggling, my heart filled with hatred for them, and even more, for my own stupidity! “Thud—” They both shoved me. I plunged into the air, clutching my fists, closing my eyes, my heart burning with vengeful hate… “Asher?!” My eyes snapped open. A hand waved suddenly in front of my face. The raw agony of that last moment made my body tremble, and I instinctively grabbed the nearby table for support. My chest heaved, and I gasped for air, desperate to fill my lungs. When I calmed down, I looked around, slowly realizing that I hadn’t died. The vivid terror and burning fury still seared through me. My body still trembled, and I wrapped my arms around myself. “What’s wrong, Asher? You look so pale.” I snapped back to reality. Liam Thorne and Chloe Miller, those two dreadful figures, were standing right in front of me. Chloe reached out a hand, a worried look on her face, to wipe the beads of sweat from my forehead. But recalling her monstrous grin on the rooftop sent a cold shiver down my spine. I dodged her hand, taking a step back. “So, Asher, can I have that bead?” Liam asked, his handsome face creased with a slight frown. I lowered my gaze, picking up the smooth, brown bead hanging around my neck. My initial ‘A’ was carved into it. My mind raced. I was back. Back to the day he’d asked for this very bead. I remembered then. His birthday was approaching, and he’d outright asked for it. He claimed he’d been having bad luck lately and wanted something to bring him good fortune, and my bead had caught his eye. My heart lurched. I clutched it tighter. Seeing my nervous expression, he actually tried to grab it. He tugged at the cord around my neck, refusing to let go. I tightened my grip on the bead, glaring at him, seething. “No!” I roared. My drastic reaction made both of them look up in surprise. Liam flinched, staring at me with stunned disbelief. It was then I realized how loud I’d been. It was probably the first time I’d ever raised my voice like that. “Asher, it’s just a bead, right? Just give it to Liam,” Chloe said. “He’s been so unlucky lately. He’s been sick three times this month and still isn’t feeling well.” Three times in one month? I scoffed inwardly. So, they were already hooking up back then? She remembered the exact number of times he’d been sick. “No…” My anger from earlier had faded, and I weakly pushed back. Seeing my softened demeanor, Liam’s tense posture visibly relaxed, as if he’d let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He’d been wary of me. “I’m sorry, Liam, but I’ve worn this since I was a kid. I can’t imagine being without it.” “I’ll get you a different gift.” Silence hung in the air. I wondered if he knew the significance of this family keepsake yet. It wasn’t until I turned to leave that I caught his reflection in a mirror behind me—his face twisting into a malicious sneer, his eyes dark with menace. Only then did I realize. He knew. And he was doing this on purpose.

Outside, Chloe looped her arm through mine, just like she always did, chatting and laughing. But she’d just sided with Liam. They were clearly hooking up. I pulled my arm away with disgust. She flinched, then pretended it didn’t bother her. Suddenly, she giggled, pulling out her phone and letting out a gasp of envy. “Asher! Look at this bag! It’s gorgeous!” She shoved her phone screen in my face. It was a designer bag worth thousands. Seeing my silence, she pouted cutely, mumbling, “Ugh, it’s way too expensive. I guess I can only dream.” “Even though everyone else in class has one, there’s nothing I can do.” Her eyes welled up, threatening to spill over. I scoffed inwardly. In my past life, I’d been completely taken in by that innocent, pitiful act of hers. She always made me feel like I owed her something, mentioning how other people had new bags and new makeup. Every time I saw her look so miserable, my heart would soften, and I’d want to do everything in my power to make her happy. So, despite being financially strapped, I would work multiple part-time jobs, eating only ramen and cheap sandwiches for days, just to scrape together enough money for her gifts. I still remembered that rainy winter day. I was out with an umbrella, handing out flyers, soaking wet and utterly miserable. My hands and feet were numb with cold, but I forced myself to visit every shop, humbly begging them to take a look at the flyers. I’d only made fifty bucks that afternoon, but the bag she wanted cost fifteen hundred. Later, walking home from work, I passed a fried chicken place. My legs felt heavy, glued to the spot, as I stared longingly at the golden fried chicken, practically drooling. But I thought of her gift and her happy smile, and I held back, even though I hadn’t eaten meat in six months. After a month, I finally saved enough to buy the bag and gave it to her as her birthday gift. She giggled with delight when she received it, spinning around, saying she was the happiest girl in the world. At the time, I thought all my hardship was worth it. Because for someone who grew up in an orphanage like me, she was my only family, the only girl in my heart. Now, looking back, I just feel utterly stupid. A true lover wouldn’t let you go hungry for days, wouldn’t ignore your struggles, wouldn’t be clueless about your whereabouts. She had only ever been using me. Silence stretched between us. Seeing my indifferent expression, she looked a little lost, on the verge of tears. I frowned, letting out a weary sigh. “Chloe, I’m out of cash.” “I can’t even afford a meal tomorrow.” Her body stiffened. She forced a twitch of a smile, but no words came out. It wasn’t until her phone rang that she quickly said, “Asher, I think my roommate is looking for me. I gotta go.” She wiped her eyes, then turned and scurried away. Watching her fleeing back, I let out a soft, mocking laugh. I’d skip meals for what she wanted, but she wouldn’t even spare me enough for one meal. I truly was a pathetic clown. I clenched my fists, the hatred in my heart deepening. Looking at the smooth bead around my neck, I decided it was time to get things back on track. I was going to claim my true identity.

I arrived at the Thorne family’s grand mansion and pressed the doorbell. I’d been here once before, in my past life, for Liam’s party. Back then, he’d invited me to celebrate him finding his family. “Hello, who are you looking for?” A kind-faced housekeeper opened the door. When she saw the bead around my neck, her eyes widened in astonishment. She quickly turned and shouted, “Madam! He’s here! He’s here!” The door remained open, and I stepped inside. I stopped just at the entrance to the living room. After the housekeeper exchanged a few words with Madam Thorne, Eleanor suddenly looked up, her eyes wide as saucers. She was practically supported by the housekeeper as she slowly walked toward me. She stared intensely at the bead around my neck, then swept her gaze over my face. “You’re home. You’re finally home!” she cried, a bright smile breaking across her face. I noticed the streaks of silver in her hair. At that party, I’d heard that Madam Thorne had been searching for her child for over a decade, losing sleep every night because of him. Even after so much time, she’d never given up. The tender love in her eyes when she looked at Liam then had made me envious. I wished I had a mother too. My eyes welled up, blurring my vision. My heart ached. My mother must have suffered so much. “Mom—” A deep, resonant voice spoke from behind Eleanor. I looked toward him. It was my brother, Julian. His lips parted slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He froze for a second, then rushed forward and wrapped me in a tight hug. “My little brother.” A scene of profound brotherly affection. He patted my head and chuckled. “Come, sit down. Talk to Mom.” He murmured softly, and Mom pulled me down beside her. She told me that when she was busy starting her business years ago, she’d left me with Julian. But he hadn’t watched me carefully enough, and I’d been snatched. She’d searched endlessly, running to countless cities, visiting numerous orphanages, but I was nowhere to be found. I listened in silence, noticing the discomfort on Julian’s darkened face. Slowly, he spoke, a hint of self-reproach in his voice. “Little brother, I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have endured so much hardship…” I gave him a comforting smile. “Bang—” The living room door burst open. Liam Thorne rushed in, looking flustered and covered in a fine sheen of sweat. He gasped, panting, “He’s an impostor!” Eleanor, who was holding my hand, flinched. She looked between us, her eyes wide with disbelief. Just then, Chloe Miller emerged from behind Liam. She cowered forward, looking at me with a strange mix of fear and pleading. Her next words sent a fresh wave of ice through me. “Asher, please, just give Liam back his bead, okay?” Her words hit me like a physical blow. My mind went blank, and a deafening buzz filled my ears. I realized they were conspiring to frame me. Liam was still trying to snatch my identity.

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That summer when I was 18, Ryan took my virginity. I endured the pain, but secretly felt happy all night long, thinking my six years of secret love had finally come to fruition. Until the next day, when I overheard his friends teasing him: “Not bad, you scored with the class beauty.” I felt embarrassed and was about to quietly leave. Then I heard Ryan’s casual reply: “I want to pursue the school beauty, but I’m afraid she’ll think I’m too inexperienced. “So I’m using Mia to practice my skills first.” I didn’t say anything. At the last moment before the deadline, I silently changed my college application from New York to Florida.

Ryan’s words hit me like a bolt from the blue, completely catching me off guard. My mind went blank instantly. On such a hot summer afternoon, I felt chills all over my body. The conversation in the classroom continued. The others seemed stunned for a moment before speaking again. “As expected of Ryan, even the class beauty is just practice for him.” “Doesn’t that make her like, you know, a maid for ‘special services’ in those old wealthy families?” Ryan laughed carelessly: “Don’t talk nonsense. It’s not like she’s losing out.” Someone immediately agreed. “That’s right, the class beauty has gotten a bit thin. Compared to the school beauty, her figure is…” Ryan irritably threw a book at him, interrupting his comment. “It was just a moment of impulse. The mood was right, and she seemed to be struggling to hold back too…” The others exchanged knowing looks and teased him: “Who would’ve thought the class beauty was the sultry type.” “Tsk tsk, it’s our Ryan’s irresistible charm. Might as well eat the meat right in front of you.” “The class beauty has been chasing after Ryan for so many years. I guess she finally got her wish. She probably wanted to jump him long ago.” The laughter in the room grew noticeably louder. I bit my lip hard, my hands clenched into tight fists. It took all my strength to keep steady and not collapse at the classroom door. Footsteps approached from the end of the hallway. I snapped back to my senses and fled the scene in a panic. In my confusion, I hid in a bathroom stall.

Tears of heartbreak and humiliation were already flowing freely. Ryan’s words echoed in my mind over and over, nearly destroying all of my self-esteem. If I hadn’t heard it with my own ears, I never would have believed that he was the same person who had been so passionately intimate with me just last night. So it turns out you can do such intimate things even without love. Even in the most passionate, irrational moments, it’s possible to lie and deceive. What I foolishly thought was the culmination of our relationship was nothing more than a joke to others. The more I cried, the more upset I became. But I didn’t dare make any loud sounds. My body kept shaking uncontrollably. After a long while. My phone buzzed with a message notification. It was from Ryan. [Take a cab home yourself. My class is having a party tonight, so it’s not convenient for me to take you.] I didn’t reply. He added another message. [Remember to buy the morning-after pill yourself. I’m too busy today. Make sure to take it, be good.] I stared at these two messages for a long time, speechless. Last night, from dusk till dawn, Ryan had worn me out over and over again. Before falling asleep exhausted in each other’s arms, he had whispered twice: “I wasn’t fully prepared for our first time. I’ll definitely buy you the pill tomorrow.” He even reminded me that girls need to protect themselves, and that I must take the morning-after pill or it could be very harmful to my body. At the time, I thought he was being so responsible towards me. I thought I had finally found my happiness. But now… In an instant, I sobered up considerably. I pinched my palm hard, forcing myself to stop crying. I wiped away my tears, composed myself, and left the bathroom. Too embarrassed to go to the pharmacy, I just ordered the pill online. After the delivery driver left it at the door, I waited a long time before I dared to sneak out and retrieve it. After swallowing the pill with tears in my eyes, I seemed to lose all my strength. I just sat numbly on the carpet, staring blankly. Ever since Ryan’s family moved in next door, I had followed him around like a little puppy for ten years. I had never imagined what a world without him would be like. I didn’t dare to imagine it. But from now on, I would be alone. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, lights came on one after another, then gradually went out. I don’t know how much time passed before my best friend Lily video called me. “Mia, why didn’t you come to our class party with Ryan tonight? “That Claire from the liberal arts class showed up instead. She’s been clinging to Ryan while you’re not here. The two of them are being so gross.” Lily turned the camera to show me.

In a dark corner of the private room, Ryan and Claire, the school beauty, were sitting very close together. Claire was wearing a crop top and tight jeans tonight, showing off her slim waist and long legs. The two of them were clearly separated from the rest of the group. Even when they talked, it looked like they were whispering sweet nothings to each other. The flirtatious atmosphere was palpable even through the screen. My chest tightened uncontrollably. Ryan had just said this afternoon that he wanted to pursue her. It seems he had already succeeded by evening. Claire drew a “Truth or Dare” card that required her to do push-ups with a guy on top. She had to choose a male participant. Unsurprisingly, Ryan immediately volunteered. Everyone started cheering and teasing them. Claire’s face turned red as she obediently lay down on the sofa. Ryan positioned himself above her and easily did dozens of push-ups. He was very restrained the whole time, carefully avoiding touching Claire’s body. Until the very last one, whether he finally lost his strength or did it on purpose. He couldn’t hold himself up and collapsed directly on top of Claire. The screams around them grew even louder, nearly taking the roof off. Ryan and Claire’s faces turned even redder. Amid the crowd’s frenzied cheering, Ryan simply lowered his head and kissed Claire. The two of them made out passionately, oblivious to everyone else. It went on for a full three minutes before they reluctantly separated. During those endless three minutes, I stared at the screen unblinkingly, so shocked I almost forgot to breathe. My heart felt like it was being torn apart. I wanted to cry, but I had cried too much earlier without drinking water, so I had no tears left. “Tsk tsk tsk, Mia did you see that clearly? They were French kissing with tongue and everything. He’s totally into her.” Lily sighed as she turned the camera and left the private room. She found a quiet corner and earnestly advised me: “Mia, don’t blame me. If I didn’t let you see it with your own eyes, you wouldn’t give up on him.” My throat was dry and the sounds I made were barely audible. “Mm, I don’t blame you.” I only blame myself for being so stupid for so many years. I thought that since I was always allowed to follow Ryan around, that position by his side would always be mine. “I just can’t stand Ryan. What gives him the right to string you along for years, knowing you like him, pretending to be an innocent boy while watching you fall deeper and deeper. “Now you’ve seen it clearly. I really hope you’ll seriously reconsider. Don’t let him waste another four years of your life in college…” “I won’t, Lily.” I interrupted her, stating calmly. “I won’t give myself another chance. “Lily, I’ve decided. I’m going to college in Florida with you. “But you have to promise to keep it a secret for now.”

After saying that, to prevent myself from hesitating again, I opened my laptop in front of her. Without any hesitation, at the last minute before the deadline, I changed my first choice to that famous university in Florida. Lily was of course overjoyed. She had been begging me to apply to the same school for a long time. But when we first started high school, I had already made a promise with Ryan that we would work hard together and go to his dream school in New York after the SATs. That’s where his favorite aerospace program was. So even though I didn’t particularly like the cold North, and didn’t have much interest in that engineering-focused school, for all three years of high school, I still made it my goal. After being neighbors for so many years, both sets of parents were happy for us to go to the same college. Everyone, including me, thought that Ryan and I would naturally become a couple after we became adults. But now, I couldn’t find any reason to go to New York anymore. Or rather, after today, if I still clung to Ryan like before. I would despise myself. Now I just wanted to hide far away. It didn’t matter where, as long as Ryan wasn’t there. If he was in the North, then I would go South.

Before bed, I filled the entire bathtub, wanting to thoroughly wash myself clean. But when I took off my clothes, the bruises on my skin were still very visible. Memories of last night came flooding back uncontrollably. The scorching heat of the young man’s skin as we embraced tightly, the burning breath in my ear as we made love, the lingering warmth still seemed to surround me. I shook my head vigorously, trying to get rid of these wild thoughts. I found the roughest loofah and scrubbed my skin over and over again, only stopping when my whole body turned red. Clumsily trying to erase this most shameful memory of my life. As a result, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t sleep well all night. Ryan indeed didn’t send any more messages. Breaking the habit we’d had for six years, ever since we got phones, of saying goodnight to each other without fail. This was for the best. It would have happened sooner or later anyway. Might as well start detoxing from tonight. I dozed off fitfully until nearly dawn. The next morning while I was still sound asleep, I suddenly felt someone plant a light kiss on my forehead in my dream.

I woke up with a start. But what I saw when I opened my eyes was a familiar chin and Adam’s apple. The scent enveloping me from above was Ryan’s favorite cedar fragrance, along with a faint, unfamiliar hint of lemon. I had almost forgotten, Ryan still knew the passcode to my front door. Seeing that I was awake, Ryan simply moved lower, chuckling as he tried to kiss my lips. I hurriedly turned my head to avoid it. I pushed him away and retreated to the other side of the bed. Ryan was stunned for a moment, then laughed at me: “Why so shy now? Hmm?” I didn’t say anything, just pulled the covers over my head. Ryan scolded me while trying to pull off my blanket. “Mia, you’ve gotten bold, huh? You didn’t even say goodnight to me last night, and you dared to turn off your phone and go to sleep. “Now you’re hiding from me?” He deftly slipped under my covers. Before I could react, he had wrapped me in his arms. “Be good, how many times have I told you not to skip breakfast. “I went for a 30-minute run specially to get you those crab roe buns you love. I queued for ages. “Do you want to get up and eat now, or do you want to… be eaten first…” His breath was very close to me, and his hands started roaming. Fully awake now, I struggled desperately. But at 5’3″, I was no match for a 6’2″ man. I really couldn’t understand what he was thinking. He already had Claire, why was he still messing with me? After struggling hard for a while, I was panting heavily. I hadn’t broken free, but was held even tighter. “What are you throwing a tantrum about now? “Are you angry? Just because I didn’t take you to the party last night? Such a trivial thing?” I didn’t say anything. He buried his face in the crook of my neck, laughing out loud. “Let me guess, your good friend Lily tattled to you? “It was just a game, is that worth being jealous over? “Why are you still like before, getting all sulky whenever I get a little close to other girls.” I was furious beyond words, with no idea where to even begin. Remembering what I learned during freshman orientation, I suddenly raised my knee and kicked him between the legs, then quickly ran off the bed while he was in pain. “Mia!” Ryan gritted his teeth, his face turning red. I hurriedly threw on a shirt over my pajamas and rushed to the living room. I didn’t want to be in the same room as him, especially not my bedroom. Not long after, Ryan also came out, looking both angry and helpless. After a long while, he seemed to suddenly remember something and casually asked: “By the way, you took the pill yesterday, right?” “Don’t cause any trouble. We can’t explain it to our parents.” Ryan walked to the dining table and picked up a soy milk, handing it to me. “Be good, eat something before you get angry. Your stomach isn’t great to begin with.” I didn’t say anything, nor did I take it. Ryan’s hand holding the soy milk hovered in the air for a long time before he finally lost patience. “What exactly is the matter? “Mia, even if you’re throwing a tantrum, there should be a reason and a limit, right?” I coldly replied: “I’m not worthy.” Ryan got angry too, slamming the soy milk down hard on the coffee table. He used too much force. The plastic cup cracked and all the soy milk instantly spilled onto the carpet. “What do you mean? “Who do you think you are, Mia? “We just slept together once by mutual consent, and now you want to control me? Don’t you know how suffocating that is?” His tone was unprecedentedly fierce. In an instant, tears streamed down my face without any buildup. Yesterday’s humiliation and grievances all came rushing back. Ryan seemed unprepared for my sudden intense crying and was at a loss for what to do. He apologized regretfully: “I’m sorry, I drank too much last night. I spoke impulsively just now.” Ryan crouched down beside me as he spoke, reaching out to wipe away my tears, but I dodged him again. He was stunned, his hand frozen in midair. Just as he was about to continue comforting me, his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at it once, his expression changing drastically. He immediately got up to leave. “I have an urgent matter to attend to. Calm down by yourself first. “We’re in college now. You can’t always act like a child. Who else could put up with that in the future?”

Less than half an hour after he left, Lily sent me a screenshot. It was Claire’s social media post. [Claire: Just said I was hungry, and a loving breakfast magically appeared! Feels like my crush and I are moving towards each other~] The photo showed packaging identical to the crab roe buns on my dining table. I didn’t reply. I just silently wiped away my tears and crouched down to carefully clean up the soy milk Ryan had spilled. After trying for a long time, I sadly discovered that the stain had seeped deep into the wool carpet and couldn’t be removed no matter what. In a fit of anger, I simply threw out the entire carpet. It was the one Ryan and his parents had carefully chosen and carried back for me after an entire afternoon of shopping during their trip to Nepal anyway. While I was at it, I gathered up all of Ryan’s things left at my place, as well as all the big and small gifts he had ever given me. I even collected all our photos together. It took me all day to pack everything up and throw it away. I guess he wouldn’t want these old things anymore either. After Ryan left that day, there was no news from him for several days in a row. I suppose things were going well with the school beauty. Or maybe he was waiting for me to give in first. In the past, I had always been the one to make up first after every cold war, without exception. But this time I didn’t reach out to him. There was no need to reach out anymore. I blocked his SnapChat and phone number, changed my home’s door passcode, and deleted all my social media accounts. After doing all this, I called my parents who were away on business trips. I told them I wanted to visit my aunt in America during the summer break. My plan was to spend the summer there, then go straight down south with Lily to start college when the break was over. Except for Lily, no one else knew I had applied to a school in Florida. This plan should perfectly avoid any chance of running into Ryan. Mom still teased me on the phone, “Oh my, are you and Ryan going on vacation together?” I made up an excuse to deny it, not wanting to explain too much. I just told her I wanted to spend time with my aunt and grandmother. I begged Dad to buy me a ticket on the soonest flight. I was planning to fly out that very night. As I was leaving, I unfortunately ran into Ryan’s mom at the entrance of our building. She warmly greeted me: “Mia, why are you alone here? Didn’t Ryan come to pick you up? “Didn’t he say he was taking you skiing in New Zealand? Go and have a great time, Auntie fully supports you two.” I was a bit confused. During our intense SAT prep period, I had indeed mentioned to Ryan that I wanted to go skiing in New Zealand to experience winter in the Southern Hemisphere. But given our current situation, how could we possibly go on a trip together? However, I was running out of time, so I just hastily made some vague replies before leaving. But what I didn’t expect was that at the airport, I actually ran into Ryan.

He was with a group of friends. Claire was there too. Ryan was carrying a woman’s handbag in one hand, his other arm around Claire’s waist. They were walking at the back of the group. From time to time Claire would turn her head to say something to him, and Ryan would always cooperate, patiently bending down to listen. Not like with me. Ryan had always been a head taller than me since we were kids, and he kept getting taller. When I was with him, I always had to jump up and down and lift my head to talk to him. It turns out he will lower his head for someone he truly cares about. I took a deep breath. Telling myself I must have some dignity. Whatever he does has nothing to do with me anymore. If I keep overthinking, I’ll slap myself. But there seemed to be only one path to the departure gates. I could only follow far behind them. Finally, we reached a fork in the path. Ryan seemed to be getting a bit distracted. He made several phone calls that didn’t go through, then fiddled with his phone for a while. In the end, he borrowed a friend’s phone and walked to a nearby restroom with a gloomy expression. Not long after, my phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number. “Mia, you’re really angry this time, huh? You won’t reach out to me unless I contact you first? “You even blocked me? “If you have the guts, then just keep not contacting me. Let’s see who will take care of you when you’re all alone in an unfamiliar place in New York.” Ryan’s tone was harsh as he berated me nonstop. I didn’t say anything. There was really no way to respond to that. But Ryan seemed to get even angrier. “I won’t say much more. Hurry up and add me back on SnapChat. “I’m about to go abroad with some friends for a couple days, so I might not be reachable by phone. Don’t worry and cry.” I couldn’t be bothered to say a single word to him. I hung up the phone immediately and turned it off. From a distance, I watched Ryan return to his group with a dark expression. He angrily pulled Claire along, no longer hesitating, and headed straight for the left departure gate. I sighed and turned to walk towards the right.

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It was three years after my death when my wife, Seraphina Hayes, demanded my kidney for her childhood sweetheart, Julian Thorne, again. She arrived at my old place, donation papers clutched in her hand, only to find strangers living there. Desperate, she tracked down my landlord, Mr. Henderson, to find out where I’d gone. But he just told her: “Liam? He’s long gone! Heard he died from a full-body infection after a kidney surgery. Couldn’t afford the meds, so he just… faded away.” Seraphina scoffed, refusing to believe him. She accused Mr. Henderson of being in cahoots with me, trying to trick her. Her brow furrowed, and she sneered coldly: “It was just a kidney donation, wasn’t it? How could someone *die* from that?!” “Tell him this: if I don’t see him at the hospital tomorrow, he can forget about getting another penny of child support for that kid!” With that, she stormed off, radiating fury. Mr. Henderson watched her retreating figure, then sighed, a weary sadness in his voice: “But that child… he died from his illness a long time ago too. His ashes are still at the funeral home, unclaimed.” 0

I floated above, watching Seraphina Hayes stomp into my old apartment complex, her heels clacking a furious rhythm. Three years. She still wore perfect makeup, but the usual coldness in her eyes sharpened into something truly cruel. “Hey, where’s Liam Miller? I just went to his place, and the tenants told me he moved out!” Seraphina’s blood boiled just thinking about the rude new tenants. She grabbed Mr. Henderson, who was just leaving, her voice sharp and accusatory, lashing out like a whip: “Where’s Liam living now? Don’t you dare tell me you don’t know!” Mr. Henderson, a man in his sixties, flinched at her belligerence. He frowned. “Liam Miller? He…” “Spit it out! I need to see him, now!” “Your urgency won’t help! Liam’s long dead, dear. Heard he died from a full-body infection after a kidney surgery. Couldn’t afford the meds, so he just… faded away.” “Wh… what, dead?!” Seraphina’s face froze for a beat. She clearly hadn’t processed his words. But after a flicker of hesitation, her sneering disdain returned. “Hah! You’re in cahoots with him, aren’t you? Trying to fool me? Listen to this!” She pulled out her phone, quickly tapping open a voice message. Julian Thorne’s sickly sweet voice drifted from the speaker: “Seraphina, I’ve checked with the surgeon. The operation was a success. Liam was transferred to a regular recovery room. But he’s been upset with me since the last surgery, so I guess he’s using all sorts of excuses to avoid donating another kidney this time…” Seraphina let out a harsh laugh, shoving her phone screen in Mr. Henderson’s face. “Hear that? The doctor said he’s fine! What’s the point of making up such pathetic lies?!” Mr. Henderson’s face clouded. “Why would I lie? Liam is truly…” “Shut up!” Seraphina snapped, her voice shrill. “Liam Miller is a selfish, despicable man! He wouldn’t help Julian, and now he’s got people in on his act? Julian needs his kidney. What right does he have to hide?!” Her attitude enraged Mr. Henderson. His voice turned cold. “How can you be so unreasonable, young lady? The man’s gone, and you’re still here, throwing a tantrum!” But Seraphina was focused solely on Julian. She didn’t listen, just kept raging. “You tell him this: if I don’t see him at the hospital tomorrow, he can forget about getting another penny of child support for that kid!” She spun around and left, her heels clacking like angry drumbeats against the pavement, as if venting all her fury on the ground. Mr. Henderson watched her go, shaking his head. He sighed softly. “But that child… he died from his illness a long time ago too. His ashes are still at the funeral home, unclaimed.” I floated in the hallway, listening to his words, my ghostly heart clutched by an unseen hand. Leo, my son… he never got to see his mother one last time, not even when he died… Seraphina exited the complex, pulling out her phone to call Julian. Her voice instantly softened. “Julian, don’t worry. I’ll make sure that bastard Liam gives you his kidney! If he tries to hide, I’ll make sure he never sees that kid again!” On the other end, Julian coughed weakly, feigning concern. “Seraphina, don’t be too hard on him… after all, he was your husband.” Seraphina scoffed. “Husband? Him? He’s not even fit to be called that! If you hadn’t gone abroad back then, why would I have ever married a good-for-nothing like him?!” I floated behind her, listening to those words. My very soul trembled. So, in her heart, I wasn’t even worthy of being called a “husband.” “Daddy…” Lost in thought, I suddenly heard a tender voice. Looking down, I saw Leo floating beside me. His tiny hand gently tugged at my shirt. He looked up, his big eyes filled with confusion. “Why does Mommy call me a bastard? Does she not like me?” My heart lurched. I instinctively shook my head. “No, sweetheart. How could Mommy not like you?” “Then why did Mommy never come to the family sports day at kindergarten?” Leo pouted, his voice dropping. “All the other kids had their mommies with them…” My throat tightened, words caught painfully inside. In an instant, memories flooded back, a crushing tide— Seraphina and I, we once truly loved each other. We met at an industry conference. It felt like fate, love at first sight for both of us. Our courtship, our marriage—everything felt so natural. I still remember her hands trembling, clutching the pregnancy test, the first time she found out. She was shy and excited as she threw herself into my arms: “Liam, we’re going to be parents!” Back then, I thought I’d found the love of my life. But just four months into her pregnancy, Julian came back from overseas. When she got his call, the milk cup in her hand shook so much she dropped it. I’d heard his name from her before, sometimes. But I thought, it was just the past. Since she chose to marry me, she would know her boundaries, take care of our family. I never imagined that from then on, she would grow colder towards me, constantly making excuses to go out. It escalated to early mornings, late nights, even not coming home at all. What truly broke my heart was when she secretly booked an abortion appointment, wanting to get rid of the baby. I even considered divorce. But every time I saw her, I’d remember the days when we were so deeply in love. I longed for her to come back to me, even begging her on my knees. Only then did she reluctantly agree to keep the child. But after that, she always carried the faint scent of a strange man’s cologne. It wasn’t until she was seven months pregnant that Seraphina got into a car accident. The baby was born prematurely, so tiny and fragile in the incubator, like a frail, abandoned kitten. But during her hospital stay, she only allowed Julian to be with her. That bastard took advantage, lying to her that the baby hadn’t made it. And she believed him! She even sighed in relief! I’ll never forget what she said then: “This is for the best… Julian doesn’t like kids. We can start fresh…” In that moment, my heart turned to ice. I secretly took Leo home, deciding never to tell her the truth— I was terrified she would do something to harm our child for the sake of her so-called “love.” But fate is cruel. When Leo was eighteen months old, Seraphina accidentally ran into us, father and son, at the mall. She froze, her face instantly draining of color. Without a word, she rushed forward and slapped me across the face. “Liam Miller, whose child is this? Are you cheating on me?!” I desperately tried to explain it was our son, but she refused to believe me. Julian, standing nearby, fanned the flames: “Seraphina, that kid’s eyes don’t look anything like yours. How could he be yours?” From then on, she started calling Leo “the bastard.” No matter how I explained, even showing her the birth certificate, she was convinced it was proof of my infidelity. “Daddy?” Leo’s voice pulled me back to reality. He tilted his head, looking at me. “Why are you crying?” Only then did I realize my ghostly essence was trembling. So… ghosts can feel heartbreak too. I crouched down, trying to hug him, but my arms passed right through his translucent body. “Leo, Mommy doesn’t dislike you. She just… forgot.” “Then let’s go tell Mommy, okay?” Leo’s eyes sparkled. “Tell her I’m her baby! She’ll definitely remember!” I looked at his innocent, hopeful gaze, my chest aching so much I couldn’t speak. Just then, Seraphina’s phone rang. Julian’s weak voice came through the receiver: “Seraphina, the doctor says I can’t wait… the surgery has to be by tomorrow at the latest…” Seraphina gripped her phone, her eyes hardening. “Don’t worry. I’ll tear this city apart to find Liam Miller, even if I have to turn it upside down!” I floated above, watching this mother and son— One filled with innocent hope, the other consumed by bitter hatred. Suddenly, an invisible force pulled me, following Seraphina’s car. It seemed my soul was still bound to this cruel woman, unable to break free. *** I followed Seraphina to the hospital, my transparent body passing through walls, floating outside Julian’s hospital room. Julian lay in bed, his face ghostly pale, like a sheet. Seeing Seraphina enter, he weakly reached out.

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When I took the kids for their routine pre-school check-up, I unexpectedly found out that my stepson, Liam, had leukemia. I immediately contacted the bank, desperate to get a loan for a bone marrow transplant. But my daughter, Bella, suddenly piped up, “Dad, when we go in, just say *I* have leukemia.” The moment we walked through the door, Bella dropped to her knees in front of my wife, tears streaming down her face. “Mom, I want to live. Please, save me.” I knew this was Bella’s test, and my eyes were glued to Eleanor’s reaction. If she said *anything* about treating Bella, I’d sell everything I owned to cure Liam. But if Eleanor couldn’t stand by me through this hardship, then I’d have no choice but to watch Liam’s illness with cold indifference. Eleanor helped Bella up, but I caught a flash of resentment in her eyes. She sighed, looking at me with a weighty tone. “I already know about Bella’s leukemia. You know our financial situation… maybe we should just… let it go.” I quickly cut in, “The child calls you Mom, after all! How can we just let it go?” Liam, who was engrossed in his game, impatiently interjected. “So what if she calls her Mom? She’s not her *real* daughter.” His utter lack of concern sent a chill down my spine. After we remarried, I was so worried he wouldn’t adjust that I gave him everything, the very best. I never imagined he wouldn’t just fail to protect his sister, but would say something so heartless. I was shaking with rage, standing up and pointing at him, demanding, “Bella is your sister! Just because she’s not biological, she doesn’t deserve to be saved?” Eleanor, clearly annoyed, pulled me back. “Enough! Why are you yelling at Liam? Forget the astronomical cost of a bone marrow transplant, even a single round of radiation therapy costs tens of thousands. This is a bottomless pit with no end in sight.” She glanced at Bella, whose tears were still wet on her cheeks, and spoke coldly. “Blame Bella for her bad luck, I guess. I know you like having a girl, but if it comes down to it, we can just have another one.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I spoke, my voice laced with urgency. “Leukemia isn’t as terrifying as you think. Early treatment can be covered by insurance. Are you just going to stand there and watch the child…?” She crossed her arms, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Your child is a child, but Liam and I are outsiders? We’re just living together, you know. Don’t be so selfish, okay? If it were Liam who was sick, I would absolutely divorce you and bear the responsibility alone. I would never drag you down.” “Besides, you’d sell the house and car to treat this money pit, and she’ll just get married off eventually anyway, right? How much can you get back from a dowry?” She looked at Bella with disdain, letting out a scornful scoff. “But you can’t just…” Before I could finish, Liam violently slammed his phone screen onto the couch and roared. “Ugh! So annoying!” “I’ve said it a hundred times, she’s not getting treated! You’ve completely messed up my character in the game! If you bother me again while I’m playing, I’ll pull your oxygen tube when you’re old!” Liam was like a furious little beast, his eyes wide, looking at me as if I were his enemy. Suddenly, I felt Eleanor had a point. If I risked everything—selling the house and car—to save Liam, and then had to worry about him not taking care of me in old age, would saving him really be worth it? Lost in thought, Eleanor handed me divorce papers. “What’s the meaning of this?” My heart sank. Only an hour or two had passed since the test results came out, and she already had the divorce papers ready! “Leukemia treatment is astronomically expensive. I don’t want my child to live a life of hardship with you. Sign this, and let’s go to the registry office to get divorced.” Just one glance sent a shiver down my spine. She not only demanded that I leave with absolutely nothing, but also that I pay monthly child support for Liam. I lightly tapped my finger on the table, my eyes fixed on Eleanor. “Why should I walk away with nothing?” Eleanor’s expression was one of complete righteousness. “All these years, I’ve been a stay-at-home mom, taking care of the child. I’ve lost my ability to work. Isn’t it only right that you compensate my son and me?” I spread my hands. “After the divorce, you won’t have to take care of the child? Won’t you still need to find a job?” A look of urgency flashed across her face: “Jobs are so hard to find these days. Until I find one, don’t you think you should give me some financial security? Otherwise, how will a single mother and her child survive?” “Didn’t I give you your ‘financial security’ before we even got married? Now that we’re talking divorce, why should I care how you survive?” I genuinely couldn’t fathom how she could say such things. The wedding gifts given before marriage were security, the pre-marriage jewelry was security. Now, if I were the one at fault, she’d seize my property as security. And if a child got sick, she’d take the security and continue her life. As a family, shouldn’t we share risks? Why was a human life worth less than a so-called comfortable life? When she heard I wouldn’t leave penniless, Eleanor started acting hurt again, wiping away tears and sobbing. “Children cost a lot of money, and I don’t have any other income. How are a single mother and her child supposed to survive? After all these years as husband and wife, shouldn’t you take full responsibility?” Wasn’t I responsible enough? The moment I found out about Liam’s illness, I contacted the bank to apply for a loan, ready to sell everything to pay for his treatment! Now, the tables were turned. I just wanted to hear her say *one word* about saving my daughter, just one word! But her? One moment she was calling my daughter a worthless money pit, the next she was demanding I leave with nothing. Was that *my* lack of responsibility? Seeing that I wouldn’t budge, Eleanor sat next to me, took my arm, and softened her voice.

“I treat her like my own daughter too. I don’t mind you treating her as long as it doesn’t cost *our* family’s money. But what if? What if we spend all that money and she doesn’t make it? We need to think about our future, right?” “Divorce is a last resort. Just hand over all the property to me for safekeeping first. Bella isn’t my biological daughter, so after the divorce, I won’t have any obligation to care for her. Even if she really doesn’t make it, you can declare personal bankruptcy, and then we can remarry. That way, your future will be secure, won’t it?” I scoffed internally. The moment she learned my daughter was sick, she was in a frantic rush to divorce me and split the assets. But she *did* remind me of something. Right now, I have a parental obligation to Liam. After a divorce, no matter what, I wouldn’t have to bear any responsibility for him. I looked at the divorce papers. If Eleanor was determined to let Bella go untreated, then I wouldn’t reveal that *her* son was the one who was sick. “I’m not one to fight over a bit of property. We’ve been through so much these years, don’t you trust me?” Seeing my silence, Eleanor raised her voice, asking incredulously. “It’s only been two hours since the medical report came out, and you already have the divorce papers ready. How can I trust you?” Hearing me say that, she instantly exploded. “Honey, honestly, how have I treated Bella all these years? Now she’s become a burden on the family, and isn’t what I’m doing for *our* future?” Each word, “burden,” made my face turn ashen. I pointed at Eleanor, my voice stern. “She’s a living, breathing person, not a burden!” Seeing me on the verge of exploding, Liam forcefully pushed Bella. My already frail daughter was knocked hard to the ground, crying out in pain. “You old man, if you yell at my mom again, I’ll kill her! She’s just a waste of money living anyway!” Liam shrieked at me hysterically, his eyes filled with a ferocity I’d never seen before. I’d never seen such a vicious side to Liam. Turns out, his previous obedience was all an act. He was nothing but an ungrateful monster! Liam pointed at my nose and cursed. “What? You wanna lay a hand on me? Go on, try it! Domestic abuse can make you lose everything, you know!” My fists clenched, wanting nothing more than to slap him across the face. I’d been better to him than my own daughter for four years, and I even thought about getting a loan for his bone marrow transplant! “Come on, hit me here! Do it!” He patted his own face, acting crazed. “Liam, how have I taught you? Kneel!” Eleanor’s stern voice rang out. She turned to me, her voice softening. “My son is being unruly. I’ll make him apologize to his sister right now.” The moment before so arrogant, Liam gnashed his teeth and knelt in front of Bella, deliberately turning his head away, his face full of resentment. Eleanor squatted in front of Bella, gently smoothing the stray hairs from her temples. “Bella, your brother was just impulsive. I’m making him apologize to you. We’re a family, we should be understanding of each other, right? I know what just happened makes you feel wronged, but Mommy feels wronged too!” “A minor illness is one thing, but this is leukemia! Do you want to make Daddy, Mommy, and your brother live a life of hardship with you, or do you want to become a star in the sky, watching us be happy every day?” “But… as long as our family is together, I’ll be happy,” Bella said with innocent sweetness. “Bella, you’re still little, you don’t understand,” Eleanor sighed deeply, shaking her head. “We’re just an ordinary family, we simply don’t have the money to treat you! Didn’t Dad always say not to bother others? I’m not your real mother! Why should I suffer with you?” “Think about it, during treatment, you’ll be hooked up to tubes, in pain and discomfort. Our family’s entire savings will be spent on you alone. Daddy and Mommy will be busy to death every day, and your brother will be mocked at school for not being able to afford designer brands. Is that what you want?” I glared at Eleanor through gritted teeth. She truly was a woman with a viper’s heart. Knowing she couldn’t convince me, she turned to manipulate my daughter. When I found out Liam was sick, I was willing to take out a loan to save him. But when it came to my daughter, she was actually convincing her to die! “Thump!”

The next second, Eleanor, her face haggard, dropped straight to her knees in front of Bella, weeping uncontrollably. “Please, honey, Mom is begging you. Our family really doesn’t have that much money. Can we just not treat it? We’ll make sure you’re happy for the time you have left. I’m still young, I don’t want to beg on the streets!” “Yeah, sis, I just accidentally pushed you earlier, and I apologized. Can you just die without dragging me down?” Liam, still kneeling beside them, added. “But what if? What if I get better, can things go back to how they were?” Bella looked at Eleanor, still hopeful and innocent. Eleanor grew impatient, her voice sharp as she massaged her forehead and retorted, “How many ‘what ifs’ are there? Even if you get better, can the money spent on you be brought back?” That simple sentence extinguished the last flicker of hope I had for saving Liam. “We’re just ordinary people, we only get one chance to gamble. If we lose, our lives will be ruined because of you alone. When you said ‘face it together,’ weren’t you just trying to drag us down with you?” “Mommy and your brother are people too. We don’t ask for great wealth, just a stable life. Can’t you be considerate of Mommy?” With that, she even managed to squeeze out a few fake tears. Liam quickly handed her a tissue, then stood up and glared at me. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Both of them are selfish, they don’t consider our feelings at all!” “Mom, you two should get divorced immediately. I don’t want to go to hell with these two selfish people!” Watching them, I couldn’t help but reflect on their words. Yes, why should I gamble my entire future and Bella’s future for a slim chance at saving *her* son? Seeing that Bella couldn’t be swayed either, Eleanor stood up and looked at me coldly, speaking her true thoughts. “There’s only one illness in this world: poverty. I’m terrified of being poor. I’m just looking out for my own best interests.” I looked at her假惺惺 (hypocritical/feigned) demeanor with a bitter smile, shaking my head helplessly. As for the truth about Liam’s illness? If she was going to look out for her own interests, why couldn’t I? “You’re right. I don’t need you to bear any of this.” Hearing me say that, a glimmer of delight flickered in Eleanor’s eyes. She quickly handed over the divorce papers, striking while the iron was hot. “It’s best if you understand. We’re both thinking of the children, so there’s no need to blame each other.” Just then, my phone rang. It was the bank. “Mr. David, we’ve reviewed your credit score and spending history. Your approved loan amount is fifty thousand dollars.” Hearing the call, Liam’s face changed. “You took out a loan? Why didn’t you discuss something this big with my mom?” Eleanor’s face contorted. “Oh, I see now. I finally understand you. You never considered Liam and me family at all! Confess honestly, were you planning to use that loan to treat that worthless money pit and make *me* share the debt with you?” “I can’t believe you’re this kind of person. We’re getting divorced anyway, can’t we just be civil to each other?” I looked at her helplessly. “We’re getting divorced anyway, what’s wrong with me taking out a loan to treat my child on my own?” Eleanor stared at me, her neck stiff, and shouted. “What’s wrong? If you take out a loan for her treatment now, it becomes shared debt, and *we* have to bear it too!” Liam wasn’t to be outdone, threatening, “You old man, if you make my mom take on that debt, I’ll strangle that b*tch! I’m underage, so I won’t even go to jail!” I turned to look at him, a chill running through me at the venom in his eyes. This little devil would say *anything* to avoid debt! Eleanor patted my shoulder. “I don’t care if you want to take out a loan for treatment, but don’t make me share the debt, okay?” With words like that, I truly felt that all my efforts for them over the years were worthless. If Bella hadn’t had the foresight to test them, I would probably have been completely fooled. I sighed. “Alright then, let’s get divorced now. I’m in a hurry to get the money for treatment. This house goes to me, and the rest of the assets go to you, how about that?” Hearing me say this, Eleanor, barely concealing her smile, modified the agreement and watched intently as I signed the divorce papers. I pulled out the notarized prenuptial agreement from the cabinet and handed it to her. Eleanor looked at the pre-marriage property notarization, and her smile slowly froze. “What is the meaning of this?”

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“Aria, I’m over it.” Leo rolled off the couch, chin tilted defiantly, an arrogant smirk playing on his lips. I froze, my hand instinctively flying to my shirt buttons. “Okay.” “Okay?” “It’s too late now. Taxis are expensive,” I said, reaching for the bag he’d tossed onto the table, pulling out my phone to check the time. “You can leave tomorrow morning.” His beautiful eyes fixed on me, saying nothing. “If you can’t wake up,” I added, my voice incredibly soft, “tomorrow afternoon works too.” He reached out, grabbing my outstretched hand. His six-foot-plus frame suddenly loomed, an overwhelming presence. “You’re something else, Aria,” he whispered close to my ear. The next morning, squeezed onto a packed subway during rush hour, my SnapChat groups exploded with messages. The reason? A famous actress had been caught on camera late at night, spending time in a wealthy heir’s apartment. I work in entertainment media, and this concrete proof was absolutely explosive. Blake Davis, from the Davis family, worth hundreds of millions. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth. “Maybe she’ll actually marry him,” a colleague grumbled to me. “No, she won’t,” I replied curtly. “How do you know?” Because I’m Blake Davis’s wife. Or, to be precise, his ex-wife. It took everything I had to marry Blake. The subway pulled into the station, and I squeezed out like a sardine, accidentally dropping my earbuds. I turned back to see them on the ground, stepped on a few times. Before I could even pick them up, the train doors closed. Rushing to clock in, I sped to the office, barely catching an elevator. But then it beeped loudly, overloaded, and under everyone’s watchful eyes, I had to step out, defeated. Ah… my perfect attendance bonus… With a sigh of resignation, I waited for the next elevator. Pulling out my phone, I saw a text from Leo from fifteen minutes ago. He’d ordered breakfast delivery to my office and told me to remember to answer the rider’s call. I swiped up and saw a missed call from an unknown number five minutes ago. Must be the delivery rider. I’d missed the call. I called back, but it was immediately hung up. After a moment, a text came through: “In a meeting. Hold on.” A meeting? I texted back: “Delivery rider? Just leave it at the front desk, thanks.” I turned to walk towards the front desk when my phone rang. I answered, speaking quickly, “Hi, I’m at the company entrance. You can just bring it over.” There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a calm, unbothered voice. “Rider?” Blake Davis. My feet froze. The last time we’d spoken felt like a lifetime ago. Six months, to be exact. “Is there something you need?” I asked. “Come back to the family estate tonight,” he said. Divorcing him was my idea. He, however, thought I was throwing a tantrum. “Is that all you’ve got?” His eyes held an impatient sneer. “Short on cash again?” He’d found a convenient reason for my actions. Meeting my serious gaze, his brow furrowed. “Is this supposed to be amusing?” He leaned back in his chair, narrowing his eyes. I handed him the divorce papers. He stared into my eyes, like a dangerous predator, and I felt his anger slowly radiating from him. Provoking him, it seemed, had become my source of perverse pleasure in our dysfunctional marriage. But now, it all felt so utterly meaningless. “Stop the drama, just sign,” I said, my voice flat, lightly tossing the agreement onto the table. He watched my actions, then actually chuckled, as if he’d seen right through me. His tone was full of mockery: “Sign? Why wouldn’t I sign?” He seemed convinced I was just trying to manipulate him into staying. I watched as his pen quickly scrawled across the agreement. Once he was done, I reached for it, but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me hard into his embrace, a sensation both strange and unsettlingly familiar. “Leave with nothing but the clothes on your back,” he whispered in my ear. “Let’s see how long you last without me.” “Aria, coming over tonight?” I received Leo’s text just before leaving work. I didn’t reply, putting my phone away and heading to a ride-share with two large bags of groceries. In the car, I thought about it, then picked up my phone to text back. “Busy.” The car pulled up to the outer perimeter of the upscale gated community. The security guard at the gate wouldn’t let us in. I rolled down the window and greeted the guard. He immediately broke into a smile. “Mrs. Davis, it’s been a long time!” As soon as I stepped inside the front door, I caught the rich aroma of pork rib and lotus root soup. Mrs. Davis, the housekeeper, carried the groceries into the kitchen. Then Mrs. Davis, Blake’s mom, quickly untied her apron and rushed into the living room. “Aria, you’re back?” “Mom,” I said, changing into slippers as I walked over. “Smells like pork ribs. So good.” “Yes, it is! I specially simmered it for you this afternoon.” Mrs. Davis was meticulously well-preserved, her skin smooth and glowing, making her look no older than her early thirties. “Oh, Aria, why are your dark circles so heavy? Is work very tiring?” “It’s fine,” I said, sitting on the sofa. “Just used to staying up late.” “Well, that won’t do,” Mrs. Davis said, sitting beside me, her expression serious. “Your health is the most important thing. I always tell Blake to stop making you work so hard, but he always says I’m being meddlesome. Oh, I’ve watched you grow up since you were little, you’re dearer to me than a daughter. It’s just Blake’s personality isn’t good, he doesn’t know how to care for people.” Mrs. Davis held my hand, talking softly and incessantly. “Mom.” Blake’s voice came from behind us. “You’re back?” Mrs. Davis turned. “Oh, why are you two still arriving separately?” “I came from the office,” Blake said, turning to go upstairs. Six months had passed. His voice felt almost like a stranger’s to me. My phone vibrated. It was Leo. “Can’t sleep without you, Aria.” I turned off my phone screen. Mrs. Davis turned back to me. “Are you two staying at the family estate tonight?” “Depends on him,” I said. Mrs. Davis nodded, then remembered something and got up to go to the kitchen. I opened my phone and replied to Leo. “Then don’t sleep.” Blake handed me a bowl of lotus root soup. When my fingertips brushed his, there was a strange, uncomfortable sensation. His gaze flickered to my face for an instant, then away. “Stay at home tonight,” Mr. Davis, Blake’s grandfather, said. “I have something tomorrow,” Blake said, “so no.” Mr. Davis put his bowl down with a thud, which prompted a few coughs. The air suddenly thickened. Blake continued eating as if nothing happened. “Her company is on the north side of the city. Commuting from the family estate would take two hours.” The atmosphere eased slightly. Mr. Davis turned to me. “Still doing that job, dear? “Are you adapting well?” Mr. Davis asked with concern. “If it’s too much, just let Blake lighten your load.” “It’s fine, Grandpa. I’m very used to it.” Blake drove me home. “You’re driving yourself?” I asked from the passenger seat, awkwardly breaking the silence. He said nothing. Always like this. My words, he’d selectively answer. I ran my fingers along the right car window frame. It had been too long since I’d ridden in such a nice car. The feel was so smooth. He turned his head to glance at me, just a fleeting look. Like a royal decree. We drove through the city night, the car silent. Suddenly, a phone rang. Blake answered it. The car was too quiet, so I, sitting in the passenger seat, heard the woman’s voice on the other end crystal clear. She was whining, begging for company. His beautiful eyes flickered to me, an imperceptible glance. Not from guilt, just a test. “I’ll be there tonight,” he said, his tone neither warm nor cold. The woman on the other end was clearly overjoyed, rattling on endlessly. “Don’t call while driving,” I said, my voice low, but it instantly silenced the woman. Blake, however, chuckled. He said a few more words, then hung up. “Deliberate?” He couldn’t help but ask, turning the steering wheel. Heaven’s honest truth, I was only thinking of my own life. “When we were married, I never cared about you seeing other women,” I raised my eyebrows. “We’re divorced now, what business is it of mine?” His car was as cold as he was. I reached out to turn on the heating, but he slapped my hand away. “Outside air circulation,” he said, pressing a button, glancing at me. “Your perfume is suffocating.” “I’m not wearing perfume,” I retorted. Red light. He reached to touch my head. I instinctively flinched back. His hand paused, then he sneered coldly, quickly pulling it away. “Your hair.” I touched my hair, brought it to my nose, and sniffed. Ah, I understood. It was the smell of shampoo from Leo’s apartment. A men’s fragrance. I lowered the strand of hair I’d picked up and looked at Blake. He was waiting for my explanation. I turned my head to the window. “We’re divorced.” Things I didn’t care about before, there was even less reason to care about now. He remained silent. The car was terrifyingly quiet. “Subway station, get out,” he said. I opened my phone to check the time. “The subway’s not running now.” Twelve thirteen AM. “Can you call a taxi?” He pulled the car over to the side of the road, his voice laced with annoyance. “Get out.” He saw I hadn’t moved. “What? Can’t you understand me?” His tone was harsh, like a prelude to an explosion of anger. I met his dangerously intense gaze. He was waiting for me to back down. But I only wanted to challenge his limits even more. I smiled, my fingers lightly tapping on the comfortable window frame. “You get out,” I said. “What?” He didn’t react, turning to look at me, still with that impatient expression. “What? You don’t understand me?” I smiled back at him. He finally understood, his eyebrows furrowing. “What’s wrong with you—” He didn’t finish his sentence, putting on a look of not wanting to argue. “Stop messing around, get out. “I’ll reimburse you for the taxi,” he sighed faintly. I laughed. “You get out, I’ll reimburse *you* for the taxi.” That really pissed him off. “What are you doing?!” “Oh, you don’t know how to call a taxi yourself?” My voice was gentle. “Then I’ll call Mr. Chen to come pick you up, okay?” I made to call, but his large hand covered my phone. “What do you mean?” His breath brushed my ear. I leaned back slightly, pulling away from him. “We’re already divorced. If you want to wait for the right moment to tell your family, I can help you play along. “But that doesn’t mean I have to put up with your terrible temper anymore.” I shook my phone at him. “How many years have you used this trick of telling me to get out of the car?” He tried to snatch my phone, but I held it tightly. He stared deeply at me, as if recalling something, his grip leaving a red mark on my wrist. He snatched my phone, brushing past my ear, and slammed it against the car window. “Keep messing around if you dare.” Then he turned and got out of the car. I picked up my phone, moved into the driver’s seat, and drove off without looking back. I drove the car to Leo’s apartment’s underground garage. I turned to him. “What happened to your forehead?” He rubbed his forehead. “Nothing, just bumped it.” Ouch, his face is so handsome, it’d be a shame to scuff it. “Worried about me?” He leaned in closer. Seeing I didn’t speak, he asked again, “Where did you get the car?” I turned off the engine and handed him the car keys. “It’s yours.” He raised an eyebrow. “Got guts now? Where’d you steal it from?” I pressed the car keys into his hand, ready to get out. My wrist was suddenly grabbed. But he didn’t dare use force, afraid of hurting me. “What do you want?” I asked him. “Don’t you want to try?” “Try what?” “What do you think?” He smiled broadly, rubbing my wrist. The next morning, I was woken by my phone ringing. Muffled under the covers, I didn’t want to move. Didn’t want to go to work, didn’t want to get up. Leo got up, took the phone, and handed it to me. Then he pulled me into his arms, his warmth enveloping me. “Hello, who is this…” My voice was muffled from under the blankets. “Do you know there’s surveillance in my car?” That woke me up. I tried to push Leo away and get up, but his big arms and legs bundled me in, holding me down. I coughed abruptly, glancing at the caller ID. Blake Davis. Ugh. “I didn’t,” I cleared my throat. “Now you do,” the voice on the other end said. What kind of person is that? Installing surveillance in his own car. “Aria, can I drive you to work?” Leo drowsily leaned against the bathroom door frame, following me like a puppy. “You have morning classes,” I said, washing my face. “Hurry up and go to school.” Leo walked behind me, unable to open his eyes, just resting his head on my shoulder. “No, you’re heavy,” I nudged his head away. His hair was fluffy, truly like a dog’s. “Beep, beep, beep,” he murmured, his voice slightly deeper in the morning. “What are you doing?” I splashed warm water on his face. He rubbed against my neck. “Hold on, I need to recharge.” I pushed him away, exasperated. I grabbed my bag, ready to brave the subway. “Oh, right,” I said before leaving. “You can drive that car whenever you want, but there’s a camera inside. Find it and take it out.” “Camera?” He leaned against the door, seeing me off. “Aria, you really have a lot of tricks up your sleeve.” **Part Two** At eight PM, Julian returned to the country. S11 Club. Just before clocking out, I received a SnapChat from Blake. Read, then deleted. “Can’t find it.” Leo called me when I had just gotten back to my own apartment. “Can’t find what?” I asked, wedging the phone between my ear and shoulder as I changed shoes. “The camera,” Leo said, his voice laced with amusement. “Alright, Aria, are you messing with me?” I paused. “You really can’t find it?” “I’ve searched everywhere,” he said. Music was loud on his end, like someone was calling him. “Are you coming to see me tonight?” he asked. “No.” I hung up. My phone showed exactly eight PM. Time for my online class. I opened my TOEFL notes and began speaking English to my kind foreign teacher on the computer. “Why not?” Blake’s voice held no discernible emotion. “There’s no camera in your car,” I said, taking a sip of water, changing the subject. “Were you testing me?” “Why are you so guilty?” he asked me. “What do you care?” I countered. “I care?” His emotions finally showed some fluctuation. “You *want* me to care?” He’d stated a question as a declarative sentence. It was his usual blind self-confidence. The foreign teacher on the computer called my name, pointing to his watch, signaling that the break was over. “Are you seeing foreigners now?” Blake sneered. “Is this all you have left? “It won’t work,” he said. “When did you start English classes?” He looked displeased, the car stopped at a red light. Outside, the city night was cold under a fine, misty rain. “Six months ago,” I said, looking out the window. Blake’s profile was reflected in the glass. Half an hour ago, he’d appeared at my apartment door, wearing the same expression. Only angrier. “Why are you learning English?” he asked me. “Why are you at my apartment?” I asked him. He turned to look at me, his eyes carrying the unique mist of a cold night. The mist would spread, clinging to my skin in the confined space of the car. “Why do you think?” he said, his tone mocking. Green light, the car moved. His expression cleared, returning to his usual calm and restraint. Julian was still as youthful as ever. “Let’s wish CEO Sterling a happy thirty-third birthday!” As soon as I entered the private room, I heard people shouting inside. Julian looked over the crowd and saw me, and then he saw Blake standing behind me. “Well, CEO Sterling’s sister is here,” someone called out. I was pushed forward, facing him directly. He was wearing a cream-colored cashmere sweater. He raised his hand as if to place it on my head, his eyes briefly sweeping over Blake, then settling on my shoulder.

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I was the human shield, personally chosen by *him*, the unhinged prince of the underworld, to protect his precious childhood sweetheart. Five years into our marriage, I was captured for the nineteenth time by one of his former business associates. Caleb Thorne led his men to rescue me. He’d barely been negotiating with the associate for two minutes when his childhood sweetheart, Seraphina Hayes, called. “Caleb, my friends and I made a bet. I’ll give my first kiss to the first man who comes for me. I hope that man is you.” “Are you coming or not?” The moment Caleb rushed off, a pair of iron fists smashed my ribs. An immense wave of pain swallowed me whole. Just like the previous eighteen times, his men took over the associate’s demands, then sent me to the hospital. In the car, I heard them complaining, wondering when I’d stop upsetting Seraphina. Saving me every time was such a hassle, they said. I didn’t even have the strength to cry. The mission to save the ruthless crime lord failed. The system was about to forcibly erase my memories. Caleb Thorne, I won’t bother you ever again.

The doctor’s warning was grim. “Ms. Vance, your last shattered rib fracture was already life-threatening. Now, your rib cage has been crushed again.” “If you don’t rest properly, even the slightest mistake could lead to a massive hemorrhage. You could bleed out and die instantly!” I listened, then spoke with extreme calm. “Understood.” The doctor shook his head and left. The system’s voice chimed in. “Mission failed. All memories, including yours, will be forcibly erased.” “Or do you want to try again, take on a different identity to save him?” I refused. “Erase them.” “Erasure protocol initiating. Everyone’s memories of you will be retained for a final 48 hours.” In my previous life, I was in a vegetative state until I died of old age. After transmigrating, I cherished my family, friends, and lover even more, becoming the irreplaceable good daughter, best friend, and wife in their hearts. And I loved Caleb Thorne without reservation. But all those beautiful memories were about to vanish, all because the mission failed. On a whim, I opened Seraphina Hayes’ social media account and found a video she’d uploaded. The house in the video was the one Caleb bought for our wedding. On screen, Seraphina was making a special lunch in her custom-made, exquisite kitchen. Her pale neck bore several soft pink adhesive bandages, and a sparkling diamond ring on her finger flashed frequently on camera. She patiently and meticulously explained the cooking steps, her voice so gentle it seemed to embrace everything. “My boyfriend proposed last night! This diamond ring is from him, and the bandages are to cover…” “He’s very possessive, and pretty intense in… *that* department.” Seraphina flashed a blissful smile. “I didn’t realize he’d waited for me for so long.” A tall, imposing silhouette of a man appeared in the video. He ripped off the bandages from Seraphina’s neck, revealing the intimate marks beneath for all to see. “I want everyone to know you’re mine.” The video abruptly cut off. The comment section exploded with screams: [This official announcement video is too explicit!] [Our goddess has been chasing this mysterious guy for ages, so glad they’re finally together today! Goddess, update more about mysterious bro in the future.] Seraphina picked out comments mentioning Caleb Thorne to reply: “My fiancé’s job is special, so he can’t show his face. Knowing he loves me is enough.” A moment later, Seraphina uploaded another video. In it, Seraphina got splashed with oil while cooking. The man leaned his arrogant head down and sucked her wound. “I can’t stand to see you hurt. From now on, let the maids do all this.” “Okay, I’ll do whatever you say.” The camera didn’t show either of their faces, but the gasps and heavy breathing still gave away their actions. [These two are just too sweet!] But then someone questioned: [How come that voice sounds like Caleb Thorne, the underworld prince from that infamous Dark Web list a while ago?] That comment only appeared for a second before it was forcibly deleted. My head spun, and before I could think much, I fell into a deep sleep. In my dream, I remembered finding a pile of used pink adhesive bandages in the study. I thought they were trash, so I threw them into the bin. But Caleb Thorne was furious, ordering me to pick up all 99 bandages from the trash, not missing a single one. I only found 96, so he confined me for three days. I developed claustrophobia after being held captive by his associate. In the dark room, I pounded on the walls relentlessly, only to hear his gentle voice on the phone. “Seraphina, don’t be angry. I’ll have all 100 soon. As for Elara Vance, I’ll teach her a good lesson.” Caleb’s chillingly cold voice startled me awake. I opened my eyes, blinded by the reflection of a diamond ring. I turned to see Seraphina Hayes, dressed in a pristine white dress, chugging down a bowl of nourishing broth. The maid stammered, “Ms. Vance, Ms. Hayes said she’s been feeling a bit weak lately and needed some blood nourishment, so she took the broth.” “Oh, I’m so sorry, big sister. I’ve been using up too much energy in bed lately, so I accidentally finished it all.” Though Seraphina’s words were apologetic, her face was clearly smug. “You won’t blame me, will you, big sister?” Seraphina deliberately scraped her ring hard against my skin. I cried out in pain and slapped her hand away. Caleb Thorne walked in just as Seraphina stumbled to the floor, meekly apologizing to me. “Elara Vance, you’re lying in bed and still can’t keep the peace? Seraphina went out of her way to visit you!” The maid started to say something, but Seraphina was quicker, collapsing into Caleb’s arms. “Caleb, it’s all my fault. I felt dizzy walking into the room and saw the nourishing broth, so I drank a bit too much. I didn’t mean to finish it… big sister just got a little upset with me, don’t be angry…” Her eyes reddened with remorse, and Caleb’s heart ached. “How many good things has Seraphina given you? It’s just a bowl of broth, why are you being so petty?” Good things? Caleb meant the dirty, ruined hand-me-downs Seraphina had tossed aside for me? Caleb turned and instructed the maid: “Seraphina’s been feeling weak lately, always saying she has no energy. Since your broth suits her taste, you’ll come to the villa specifically to make broth for Seraphina from now on. As for Elara…” “She needs to watch what she eats!”

The maid obediently left. Caleb looked at Seraphina, his cold demeanor from earlier completely gone as he pulled her into his embrace. “Last night you kept complaining about your back hurting, but today you’re apologizing to someone and it’s suddenly fine?” Seraphina blushed and playfully punched Caleb’s chest. “How can that be the same? Last night was… in bed.” They treated me like air, flirting shamelessly as if I weren’t even there. I thought I’d feel sadness or anger, but now, everything had turned to numbness. Perhaps it was the system’s forced memory erasure taking effect, but I couldn’t even recall what it felt like for Caleb to love me. Soon after, the doctor came to examine me. Caleb’s men kept rushing him. “It’s just a broken rib, right? How serious can it be? I don’t want to be stuck here babysitting you all day.” So, after receiving the doctor’s assurance that I was “barely fit for discharge,” they drove me back to my residence and dumped me there. Scenes like this played out countless times every day. Caleb’s men only saw me as a tool, a human shield for Seraphina. I took my own medicine back at the villa. My stomach ached dully with hunger, but the villa was empty. Even the maid who was supposed to cook for me was gone. Caleb called, his voice cold as he announced: “That maid you picked out for yourself was attentive, but she didn’t do a thing for Seraphina. You’re forbidden from having a maid for three months. That’ll teach you a lesson!” “Seraphina hasn’t been feeling well lately, so I called your family doctor over to her place. It’s just a minor injury for you, I’m sure you’ll recover with some rest.” He didn’t leave anyone to take care of me. Did he expect a freshly discharged patient to fend for herself? I gave a bitter laugh. “Okay.” “After this week, I’ll send the doctor back.” “Okay.” The voice on the other end paused, sounding deeply annoyed. “Are you done yet? How long are you going to keep making a fuss over a bowl of nourishing broth?” “You promised before we got married that you’d be Seraphina’s human shield willingly. You’ve been ‘Mrs. Thorne’ for a few years now, but you really think you’re my wife? Stop dreaming. Seraphina is my true princess.” I nodded blankly. “Okay, I know.” He seemed surprised for a moment, then sounded satisfied. “That’s more like it. If you need anything, just tell the butler.” A woman’s voice quickly drowned out his brief gentleness. “Caleb, I’ve been waiting for you for ages.” Caleb hung up without hesitation. The countdown now showed 24 hours remaining. I found some food the maid had left in the fridge. For some reason, the electricity and water were cut off. The food was clearly on the verge of spoiling, and I couldn’t heat anything, but I was so hungry my stomach hurt. I wolfed it down. Seraphina Hayes’ latest video popped up automatically on my phone. I meant to swipe it away but accidentally tapped on it. The video’s background seemed to be a high-end restaurant. This time, Seraphina had not only several adhesive bandages on her neck but also on her arms and waist. Seraphina closed her eyes, making a wish in front of a cake. Suddenly, violin music began to play. The camera panned to the side, revealing huge bouquets of roses. Nestled within the roses was luxurious, high-end jewelry. Seraphina cried tears of joy, happily throwing herself into Caleb Thorne’s arms. Caleb gently smiled, wiping away her tears, and personally placed the necklace around her neck. The comments brimmed with envy: [Mysterious bro is so handsome! Goddess and him, forever together!] Seraphina replied in the comments: “My fiancé is the most handsome man in the world. He wants to give me nothing but the best.” “He waited for me for a long time, and last week, I finally decided to marry him.” “We’re holding our wedding ceremony next month, and we’ll be live-streaming it for everyone.” The screen’s light shone on my face. As I ate, my stomach twisted in excruciating pain. I suddenly caught sight of Seraphina’s message at the bottom of the bowl. [Elara Vance, I deliberately had the maid cut off your water and electricity, and left spoiled food in the fridge. You didn’t eat it, did you?] My stomach had been messed up from being starved for days during my captivity by Caleb’s associate, making me unable to eat anything unclean. My stomach instantly churned, and I threw up. Just then, Caleb Thorne called. I opened my mouth to ask for help, but was met with a furious torrent of scolding. “Elara Vance, for a bowl of nourishing broth and a few maids, you actually posted Seraphina’s info on the dark web’s infamous list!” “If Seraphina loses even a single strand of hair, I swear I’ll make your life a living hell!” I clutched my lower abdomen, shaking my head. “It wasn’t me, Caleb. My stomach hurts, can you come—” “It’s not you *again*? Besides you, who else has that travel photo of Seraphina? It was a photo of you and Seraphina together, and you cunningly cropped yourself out, leaving only her!” “And you’ve been to the restaurant Seraphina and I ate at today. Who else would expose her location?” “I even saw you following Seraphina’s social media account.” Caleb’s voice dripped with blatant disgust. I even suspected that if I appeared before him, he’d force me to kneel and kowtow to Seraphina. Just last month, Seraphina said she was scared of thunder and wanted me to stay with her. The moment I approached her bed, she deliberately kicked me off. That day, I was made to humiliate myself until my lips were split and bleeding before Seraphina finally, softly, said it was ‘okay’. Today, Caleb once again pinned the blame on me without a second thought. My forehead was sweating with pain, but I desperately tried to explain, “I really didn’t…” On the other end of the phone, Seraphina shrieked in terror, “Caleb, I’m so scared, is someone coming to kill me?” The call disconnected. My face pale, I dialed 911. The next moment, Caleb’s men kicked open the door. But they weren’t there to save me. Instead, they dragged me up. “It’s your turn again today to take the fall for Seraphina.” An ambulance siren wailed outside. I struggled desperately. “I don’t feel well, I need to go to the hospital.” The men exchanged glances and burst into laughter. “This Elara Vance really is just as Seraphina said—she’s faking it.”

Caleb’s men forcibly seated me on the restaurant’s top-floor open-air terrace, making me eat alone. “Didn’t you say you were hungry? Seraphina specially ordered all of this for you.” Caleb said coldly, then went into the safe room with Seraphina, his voice full of doting affection. “Don’t be scared, no one can hurt you.” Caleb held her in his arms, gently comforting her. Seraphina seemed as fragile as a baby bird. “Caleb, will big sister Elara blame me if she finds out I’m using her as a human shield?” “She wouldn’t dare. You even personally ordered her meal. You haven’t done anything wrong to her.” Seraphina’s voice grew even softer. “But won’t you think I’m too selfish? I’m afraid you’ll dislike me…” “Never. You’re the kindest woman I’ve ever met. I’ll love you forever, and be with you my entire life.” Through the constant gnawing pain in my stomach, I heard their intertwined gasps and heavy breathing. I couldn’t ignore it, even if I tried. Looking at the exquisite meal in front of me, I didn’t dare touch my fork. From time to time, Seraphina’s sweet laughter drifted to my ears. “Caleb, don’t do that. Big sister is still outside, and she is your wife, in name at least.” Caleb’s voice was dismissive as he pulled off Seraphina’s clothes. “This was always a fake marriage, meant to protect you. She’s ungrateful enough to try and harm you. What she’s getting now is a bargain!” I couldn’t tell if it was from stomach pain or heartbreak, but tears dripped onto the back of my hand. I just felt pathetic and ridiculous. Time passed, minute by agonizing minute. I endured it, half-conscious, half-delirious, until the sounds from the safe room finally ceased. I asked in a hoarse whisper, “It’s past midnight. Can you take me to the hospital?” One of the men looked uncomfortable, hesitating for a moment, about to agree. Caleb suddenly kicked open the safe room door and grabbed my hair. “Who told you to leave your seat? Are you in cahoots with someone, deliberately trying to harm Seraphina!” Half an hour ago, Seraphina had inexplicably disappeared. I shook my head blankly. “I’ve been right here the whole time. I didn’t leave. Your men can vouch for me…” But his men said, “She went to the restroom halfway through.” I sharply lifted my head, unable to understand why he was lying. Caleb’s eyes flashed with cold malice, asking almost savagely, “Who did you send a message to?” “I didn’t. It wasn’t me.” He kicked my lower abdomen. A fierce wave of pain made me curl up on the ground. “Still faking it? Seraphina just went to the restroom too. If you don’t tell the truth, don’t blame me for getting rough!” Just then, his phone rang. After answering, Caleb strode out. “Found Seraphina. Bring Elara Vance.” Caleb thought the driver was too slow, so he took the wheel himself, speeding like a madman, yelling Seraphina’s name. My hands and feet were bound. I was tossed around, repeatedly hitting the floor of the car, crying out in pain, but he didn’t even glance at me. When we arrived at the abandoned factory, Seraphina was tied to a pillar, trembling with fear. “Caleb, I’m so scared! Save me!” Caleb’s expression instantly changed, turning to his former associate with furious eyes. “Anyone you want me to deal with, I’ll agree. I can even hand over my wife to you as a hostage.” The associate smiled, satisfied. “No problem.” As I was shoved towards the associate, Caleb held Seraphina, his face beaming with the joy of finding something lost and precious. The associate immediately slapped me. My head snapped to the side, and all I saw was Caleb walking away with Seraphina. It was like this again. He didn’t look back, not even once. The associate savored the expression on my face, then walked over and brutally ground his leather shoe onto my hand. He then ordered his men to mercilessly break both my legs. I screamed in agonizing pain. “Just kill me!” But the associate just laughed. “You’re a hostage. If you die, what will I use to control Caleb Thorne?” “Caleb Thorne even handed his wife over to me. It seems he’s not without weaknesses.” I quickly said, “You’re wrong. He doesn’t care if I live or die.” But the associate showed me a contract Caleb Thorne had signed. “Stop acting. He agreed to my cooperation for you. With you in my hands, he’ll have to listen.” The associate held me captive, ensuring I wouldn’t die, yet constantly making me scream in agony. Eventually, I was numb, my throat hoarse. He then plunged a dagger through my shoulder blade, recording the scene and sending it to Caleb Thorne. A day and a night later, Caleb finally sent a voice message. “Don’t hurt my wife. I’ll do anything.” But in the background, I heard Seraphina Hayes’ sweet laughter. A chill instantly permeated my heart. If he truly cared about me, why didn’t he come to save me? The associate, having received a reply, became even more excited, carving countless cuts into my body to threaten Caleb Thorne. “If you don’t come now, your wife will bleed to death.” My body was slowly losing strength, but I smiled. I looked at the countdown, which showed three hours remaining. Caleb Thorne, I’ll soon forget you completely. But then, an alarm blared at the associate’s villa. Caleb Thorne’s men flooded in, apprehending the associate and handing him over to the police. “Where’s Elara Vance? Where is she?” Was Caleb Thorne here to save me? Before I could even feel happy, I heard them discussing: “Caleb Thorne truly went berserk for his beloved. He wasn’t even going to bother, but when he heard the associate touched Seraphina’s face, he set up the whole scheme to kill everyone, just to get revenge for her.”

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My intention in marrying Julian Thorne wasn’t pure. Yes, I liked him, but more importantly, he was the world’s leading cardiothoracic surgeon. So, I used every trick in the book to lure him, to make him forget Seraphina, the woman who truly held his heart, and willingly marry me. After we got married, he was like a devout believer. He held my hand and promised to personally perform my heart transplant surgery, to give me a second chance at life. Just when I thought he had fallen in love with me, Seraphina got into a car accident. He rushed off to operate on her, completely forgetting that today was the day he was supposed to perform my heart transplant. I was already prepped, sedated, and had been lying on the operating table, waiting for him for what felt like forever. The waiting room light outside the operating theater went out. I lay on the cold gurney, feeling the warmth of life draining from my fingertips, little by little. The familiar, agonizing pain in my chest intensified, each breath feeling like glass shards scraping my windpipe. The head nurse walked over, her face etched with professional pity. “Mrs. Thorne, Dr. Thorne had a more urgent emergency surgery come up. Your procedure will have to be postponed.” I nodded, unable to utter a single word. The heart meant for me, chilling in its preservation box, had only a few hours of viability left. And my life? Only a few hours remained, too. My phone vibrated. It was my brother, Liam. He immediately roared into the phone, “Chloe! Where is that bastard, Julian Thorne? I just got word, the donor family has signed, and the heart is on its way!” I opened my mouth, but the sound that came out was hoarse and dry. “Liam, he… he went to save someone.” A deathly silence hung on the line, then an even louder roar. “Save someone? Who is he saving? That woman, Seraphina Dubois?! Does he have any idea how much money our family spent, how many connections we pulled to find that perfect match for this heart?! This is your life!” Liam’s voice trembled with fury. I knew every word he said was true. To keep me alive, our family had poured almost everything we had into this. Julian Thorne had said that with a perfectly matched heart, he was ninety-nine percent sure he could save me. I once thought he was the light in my life. Now, I knew he was also the devil who personally pushed me into the abyss. “Mrs. Thorne, do you need a sedative?” The head nurse looked at me with concern. I shook my head, my vision starting to dim. The door to the operating room, usually a symbol of hope, now seemed like the entrance to hell—cold and despairing. On the TV at the end of the hallway, an urgent news bulletin flashed. “Renowned pianist Miss Seraphina Dubois was involved in a serious car accident this afternoon. Her condition is critical, and she has been rushed to Metropolitan Hospital for emergency surgery. The lead surgeon is none other than her fiancé, the internationally acclaimed cardiothoracic specialist, Dr. Julian Thorne…” Fiancé? The ink on my marriage certificate hadn’t even dried. It turned out that in his heart, I didn’t even deserve the title of his wife. A bitter, metallic taste filled my throat, and I violently coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining the pristine white sheet. Liam burst into the room to this exact scene. His eyes were bloodshot, like a furious lion. “Where is Julian Thorne?” I weakly pointed to the television. Liam slammed his fist into the wall, plaster flaking down. He stared at me, asking each word deliberately, “What did he say to you before he left?” I recalled Julian’s departure. He’d received a call, his face instantly changed, and he’d grabbed his jacket, bolting out the door without even a backward glance. Only a chilling sentence hung in the air from the doorway. “Wait for me to come back.”

I didn’t wait for Julian Thorne to return. Instead, his mother, my mother-in-law, arrived. She wore an expensive designer suit and a massive diamond ring the size of a pigeon’s egg. Her face was etched with undisguised contempt. “Chloe Maxwell, where’s my son?” She stood imperiously beside my bed, as if scrutinizing a soiled object. “He… he’s in surgery.” “Hmph, at least you have some self-awareness.” She sneered. “Seraphina is a million times more important than you are. It’s only right that Julian went to save her. Someone like you, on the verge of death, shouldn’t drag him down.” The pain in my chest was nothing compared to the agony her words inflicted. I looked at this elegant, imposing woman and suddenly felt ridiculous. It was she who had approached my family, claiming to admire me, hoping I would marry Julian. She’d said she would cherish me like her own daughter. All that warmth, all that affection, had been a lie. “Today was the day of my heart transplant surgery,” I stated calmly, simply stating a fact. “So what?” Eleanor Thorne rolled her eyes, her tone incredibly sharp. “It’s just a heart. If it’s gone, find another. Seraphina is an internationally renowned pianist! If her hands were crippled, that would be a loss to the entire world!” She paused, her gaze turning even more malicious. “Ultimately, you’re just bad luck. If it weren’t for you, Julian would have married Seraphina ages ago. You should just die now and stop occupying the Mrs. Thorne position, you’re an eyesore.” I closed my eyes, refusing to look at her ugly face any longer. Liam pushed the door open, entering just as she finished speaking. His body radiated a terrifying aura of rage as he slowly advanced toward Eleanor. “Say that again.” Eleanor flinched back, startled by his intensity, but quickly straightened her posture. “Did I say something wrong? This sickly girl is clearly not good enough for my son! If you know what’s good for you, sign the divorce papers now and stop delaying my son and Seraphina’s perfect future!” “Smack!” A crisp slap echoed through the hospital room. Liam had put all his strength into it; Eleanor’s face instantly swelled, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. She clutched her cheek, screaming in disbelief, “You dared to hit me! You uncultured brute!” “I’m hitting you, you disrespectful hag!” Liam was furious. “Is my sister’s life worth nothing in your eyes?! Your family didn’t contribute a single penny for that heart, and now you speak so lightly of it!” “You… you’re talking nonsense! What money?!” “That heart cost the Maxwell family thirty million dollars! We bought it from an overseas channel to give my sister a chance to live!” Liam’s voice was filled with a mix of tears and fury. “Now, that chance has been personally destroyed by your son!” Eleanor’s face instantly turned ashen.

Julian Thorne returned late that night. He took off his blood-stained surgical scrubs, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but a triumphant joy was unmistakable in his eyes. “Seraphina’s surgery was a success.” He walked to my bedside, his tone flat, as if merely discussing an insignificant matter. He noticed my pale face and the dried pool of blood on the bedside table. His brow furrowed slightly. “What happened?” “Julian Thorne, let’s get a divorce.” I used every ounce of my strength to utter those words. He froze, seemingly taken aback by my bluntness. “Chloe, don’t be ridiculous.” He reached out to touch my forehead, but I turned my head, avoiding his touch. “I’m not being ridiculous.” I looked at him, my eyes icy cold. “That heart is no longer viable. I don’t have much time left. I don’t want to be Mrs. Thorne when I die.” His face finally darkened. “Just because I didn’t operate on you?” He looked directly at me, his gaze tinged with scrutiny and impatience. “Seraphina’s condition was more urgent than yours. I’m a doctor; I had to make the optimal choice.” “Optimal choice?” I laughed, tears streaming down my face. “So, my life isn’t a life, is that it?” “Chloe, can’t you be more rational?” He raised his voice. “A heart can be found again. If anything happened to Seraphina’s hands, her entire career would be ruined.” He was the epitome of male arrogance, always so full of himself. Liam walked in from outside, a file in his hand. He threw it directly into Julian’s face. “Julian Thorne, this is the heart’s purchase contract and transfer records. Thirty million, not a penny less. Either you pay up, or we’ll see you in court.” Julian looked at the contract, his pupils contracting sharply. He turned to me, his eyes filled with shock and inquiry. “You bought it?” I didn’t answer him. Yes, he had always assumed this heart was a free resource, obtained through his connections and reputation. He reveled in the glory of being a savior, never realizing the immense sacrifice my family had made behind the scenes. “The money, I’ll pay.” Julian’s voice turned cold. “But the divorce, I won’t agree to it.” He looked at me, his gaze deepening. “Chloe, you are my wife. That will never change.” He turned and left, his back resolute. But in his eyes, I caught a fleeting glimpse not of love, but of calculation. My heart sank completely. He didn’t want a divorce because he loved me; he wanted it because I was still useful to him. But what use could I possibly be? I was a woman on the verge of death. The next day, a nurse secretly slipped me a note. On it, only one line was written: Seraphina’s car accident was fake.

My world completely crumbled at that moment. Fake? The accident that cost me my chance at life, the one he rushed to so selflessly, was fake? I clutched the note, my knuckles white from the force. The agonizing chest pain returned, more violent than ever before. I felt like a fish thrown onto shore, gasping for air, but only inhaling despair. Liam rushed in. Seeing my state, he immediately pressed the emergency call button. Doctors and nurses swarmed into the room, connecting various instruments to me. Through my blurry vision, I saw Liam’s bloodshot eyes. “Chloe, hang in there! Your brother’s here!” I grabbed his hand, using my last ounce of strength to press the note into his palm. “Investigate…” One word, and all my energy was gone. I drifted into unconsciousness. When I woke up again, I was in the ICU. Julian Thorne was sitting by my bedside, holding my hand. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked utterly exhausted. Seeing me awake, a flicker of joy crossed his face. “Chloe, you’re awake.” His voice was hoarse, tinged with a hint of lingering fear. If he wasn’t acting, I almost would have believed he genuinely cared. I pulled my hand away, looking at him coldly. “Julian Thorne, you sicken me.” His body stiffened, the expression on his face frozen. “Chloe, I know you’re still angry.” He took a deep breath, attempting to explain. “This time was my fault. I promise, I’ll find you a new heart source as quickly as possible. I will save you.” I looked at him and suddenly laughed. “You save me? How will you save me? By fabricating another lie, by making me wait in vain again?” His face turned grim. “Chloe, what on earth are you talking about?” “Seraphina’s car accident was fake,” I stated, each word clear and deliberate. His pupils abruptly constricted, a flicker of panic in his eyes, quickly masked. “Who told you that? Don’t listen to their nonsense.” “Whether it’s nonsense or not, you know perfectly well.” I stared into his eyes, not missing any subtle change in his expression. “Julian Thorne, what exactly are you after?” He fell silent. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous. “Chloe, some things, you don’t need to know.” He stood up, looking down at me, his gaze as cold as a surgical scalpel. “You just need to remember, you are my wife. Without my permission, you can’t go anywhere, and you certainly cannot die.” He leaned closer, whispering in my ear. His tone wasn’t a lover’s murmur; it was a demon’s pronouncement. A chill ran through me. I finally understood. He wasn’t trying to save me; he was trying to imprison me. This man was a madman.

Liam arrived. He brought the answers I craved. “Seraphina never had a car accident. That day, she just fainted from low blood sugar. The reason Julian rushed over so desperately was because a senior elder in Seraphina’s family had a sudden heart attack and specifically requested him to perform the surgery.” Liam’s voice was filled with anger and disdain. “That elder is the head of the Dubois family, and also the target Julian has been trying to curry favor with.” So, for his career, for currying favor with the powerful, he had unhesitatingly sacrificed me. How ridiculous. I once thought that marrying a doctor would bring me closer to health. But I never imagined that he would be the one to personally push me toward death. “Chloe, let’s go.” Liam’s eyes were filled with an unbearable heartache. “We’ll go abroad. Your brother has already arranged for the best medical team. We won’t beg him anymore!” I nodded, tears silently tracing paths down my face. But we had underestimated Julian Thorne’s shamelessness. As we prepared to leave, he appeared with a group of bodyguards, blocking the hospital room door. “Julian Thorne, what is the meaning of this?” Liam shielded me behind him, glaring at Julian. Julian didn’t look at Liam; his gaze fell directly on me. “Chloe, I told you, without my permission, you’re not going anywhere.” His voice was calm, but the obsession and madness in his eyes were chilling. “Julian Thorne, this is unlawful imprisonment!” Liam trembled with rage. “I am her husband. I have the right to decide her treatment plan.” Julian’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Mr. Maxwell, if you continue to obstruct me, I won’t hesitate to have security escort you out.” The bodyguards behind him took a collective step forward, their presence intimidating. I pulled back the impulsive Liam, looking at Julian, and asked, word by word, “What exactly do you want?” He slowly walked toward me, raising his hand, his cold fingertips brushing my cheek. “I don’t want anything.” His voice was eerily gentle. “I just want you to live, well, and by my side.” I looked into his bottomless eyes, and a terrifying thought surged through my mind. He didn’t want me to live. He wanted me to be unable to live, and unable to die. “You’re insane!” I pushed him away with all my might. But he used my momentum, grabbing my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like my bones would shatter. “Chloe, don’t force my hand.” His voice turned chilling. “I have many ways to make you compliant. You wouldn’t want to find out.” Liam could no longer hold back and threw a punch. The room instantly erupted into chaos. Bodyguards and Liam’s people started to brawl. Julian clutched me tightly, dragging me into his embrace. I struggled desperately, but it was no use. In despair, I saw Liam get hit from behind, collapsing slowly. “Liam!” I let out a piercing shriek, and my vision went black. I lost consciousness again. I was taken back to our matrimonial home by Julian Thorne. Here, it wasn’t so much a home as a luxurious cage, built with money and power.

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My mom kept hounding me to get married. With no other choice, I put on a meek and docile facade. I never expected that a remote blind date would get me noticed by a refined-looking, mixed-race guy studying abroad. He’d been living overseas for years and rarely came home. “I’ll give you a six hundred sixty thousand dollar bride price. No dowry needed. The condition is, you take care of my daughter back home.” He looked composed, yet he spoke so casually about having an illegitimate daughter. I feigned composure, but inside, my heart soared. Rich, a house, and instant motherhood with none of the pain. The marriage was settled immediately. From then on, I was back to my favorite games – Call of Duty, Apex Legends – and racing, with my little shadow in tow, living my best life. Until one day, my expat husband called, asking what talent our daughter could perform at her preschool parent-teacher conference. I looked at the keyboard in front of me: “Maybe… play the… keyboard?” He laughed heartily on the other end, then sent me a media video— A neon race car sped across the finish line. I opened the door, pulled off my helmet, tossed my hair, and flashed a wild grin. “Wife, are you a gentle, docile painter, or a rebellious, flamboyant race car driver?”

I froze first. Then I cleared my throat and said in a saccharine-sweet voice, “All I know is I’m your good wife!” I tried to laugh it off, brushing him away. As I spoke, my eyes darted around: the luxurious decor of the mansion, the top-of-the-line computer setup, and the cabinets full of snacks within reach. This life was pure bliss. I remembered ‘docile’ was one of Jax’s conditions for marriage. My head instantly throbbed. I quickly added, “Honey, you have no idea how scared I get when I drive. I just need your warm chest to comfort me.” “Instead of saying that, why don’t you just come home sooner and be with me?” I whined playfully, my throat constricting from the effort, and immediately hung up. I shook my head, trying to stay calm. This race was just a regional competition. How did Jax get news of it? Unless… I secretly glanced at my four-year-old daughter, who was playing house in a pile of toys. Then, I immediately dismissed the thought. That little girl listened to me more than anyone. If that was the case, how on earth did Jax find out?

A year ago. My mom was relentlessly pressuring me to marry, even going as far as showing up at my racing club, interrupting my regular training. With no other choice, I dyed my hair black, straightened it, put on a dress, and started going on blind dates. In the remote video call, Jax wore gold-rimmed glasses, looking refined and easy to handle. And from the pictures he’d sent, he was one of those guys who looked slim in clothes but muscular when stripped down. He was supposedly an American expat, making extra money working freelance on foreign film sets. His biggest quirk? He had an illegitimate daughter. She was notoriously quiet and had already scared off several nannies. But I was an expert at charming people, and lying didn’t make me bat an eye. I could be a perfect hostess and an amazing cook, not to mention great with kids. Jax was very satisfied with me. He immediately flew back to the States overnight to officially tie the knot. As for my mom, she’d already been blinded by the sheer amount of money. The first day I moved into the mansion, I was mentally prepared. I was afraid that the rumored little terror would jump out from somewhere and attack me. But before I could even knock, a soft, tiny little one walked out from inside.

The little girl’s hair was loose, and her innocent doe eyes stared straight at me. She was wearing loose, pink pajamas. It felt like she was… a little neglected. I frowned. “Chloe, Auntie will make you something delicious, okay?” With that very first sentence, I had the little girl hooked. Jax said she had a strange temper, but all I saw was this tiny pink bundle devouring her food, looking utterly adorable. I fed her meal after meal every day, completely winning her over. However, there was one exception. My thoughts spun back. Chloe had abandoned her toys at some point and stood in front of me, pouting innocently. I smiled, reaching out to pinch her cheek. How could Chloe be the one who leaked it? Jax must have found out from somewhere else. Looks like I need to pay attention to security cameras next time. “Sweetie, are you fussy about bedtime again? Auntie will tuck you in!” It was like a switch had been flipped. The child scurried around the house like a little mouse. She ran and yelled, “Oh no, the witch is coming!” I fought to keep my lips from twitching— “Chloe, why aren’t you being good!” After hearing me, she dug out the toy AK I’d bought her from the toy pile: “Look, a gun!” The little rascal must have loaded a fake bullet without me noticing. “Oof—” It stung when it hit me. I rubbed my forehead, speechless, looking at the way she held the gun. Isn’t this exactly how my Call of Duty trainees hold theirs? Great. If Jax found out I wasn’t just racing, but also teaching his daughter how to “fight” at home… Would he divorce me and demand the bride price back?!

I knelt in front of the little one. “Chloe, you can’t point a gun at your teammates. From today on, the gun is confiscated!” I rarely called her by her full name, and my usual smiling face was gone. The little girl froze, her innocent gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and confusion. I took the gun, but then cut her a small piece of cake. “Sweetie, you need to sleep! You’re still growing.” I patiently wiped the cream from her lips. This child had only one flaw: she hated sleeping. In the first few days I was at Jax’s house, she’d sway from exhaustion but refuse to get into bed. The discomfort of being sleepy made her wail. So, when Jax said the previous nannies couldn’t stand her crying, it wasn’t entirely Chloe’s fault. Because of this, I had to pull out all the stops to coax her to sleep. I read her fairy tales, and she’d say, “Why did the Little Mermaid have to die for the prince? Was he really that handsome?” I put on sleep-inducing cartoons, and she’d say, “Are they mute? Why aren’t they talking?” It wasn’t until I put on a classic old movie that she started to snore before she could even complain. This little one was… interesting. But even classic old movies eventually end, and Chloe wasn’t easy to fool, so I put on a long-running historical drama for her. She slept, alright, but then I started binge-watching shows all night. Everything from historical epics and family sagas to modern romances and thrillers. It was normal for me to love watching them, but as for Chloe— “I’m looking for my dad!” Jax? My expat husband, living it up overseas, how could he appear in a TV show? I pulled Chloe into my arms: “Sweetie, if you miss Daddy, we can FaceTime him.” The child shook her head. “Daddy has to go to heaven and earth, he doesn’t have time to answer the phone.” I raised an eyebrow, my lips twitching. Jax really could say anything, couldn’t he? He should be more realistic when coaxing a child. If he could go to heaven and earth, I’d be the Queen of the World. After that conversation, my gaze softened towards Chloe even more. Her mother was nowhere to be found, and her dad was full of empty promises. As her stepmom, I had to give it my all. My attention to Chloe became almost 24/7. But kids have their secrets too. “Why are you fiddling with your watch and hiding from me?” I teased Chloe, who was crouched in the corner. Her face was full of surprise, one hand covering her smartwatch, the other covering her mouth. She shook her head frantically. Thankfully, I wasn’t interested in uncovering a child’s secrets. It just made me feel even more anxious whenever Chloe left my sight.

My internal clock hadn’t adjusted yet, and by midday, my eyelids were already drooping. “Auntie, why don’t you go sleep?” I waved my hand. “No way. This mansion is too big to leave a kid alone.” “But Daddy said you’d become the biggest danger in the house if you kept getting so little sleep.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s got a sharp tongue, doesn’t he?” “Wait…” Chloe and I stared at each other, her eyes wide. She was clearly flustered. She avoided my gaze. “Daddy calls me sometimes.” “Good for him. He has a great daughter back home, he should call often.” I didn’t think much of it, my drowsiness at its peak. “Sweetie, time for a nap.” The two of us, one big, one small, squeezed onto the pink bed. I quickly drifted off to dreamland. So, I was completely unaware of the rustling sounds coming from the living room outside. Chloe, sleeping beside me, immediately opened her eyes and sat up. Her face was filled with wariness. Two years ago, she was still in a country full of foreigners. Her dad left early and came back late every day for filming. She lived in a big house with her nanny, Amy. One night, she was woken by sounds outside. Peeking through the door crack, she saw Amy and a tall man engaging in highly inappropriate behavior on the dining table. Just then, the front door opened. It was her exhausted father, home at last. Even if her dad could go to heaven and earth, in his fatigued state, he was quickly subdued by the man, who was much taller than him, and the large Amy. In the deep gloom of the night, Chloe, through the door crack, met her struggling father’s gaze. Her dad suddenly stopped resisting. Tears welled in his eyes, and his lips moved, soundlessly mouthing, “Don’t speak.” The two bad people dragged her dad into the garden outside. After a choked scream, hurried footsteps grew closer and closer. Chloe, terrified, scrambled back into bed. In the darkness, Amy and the burly man walked in. Chloe tightly shut her eyes. Only when the footsteps completely faded did Chloe dare to peek out. That night left Chloe with a nightmare, a deep imprint. From then on, she couldn’t sleep, or if she did, she couldn’t sleep deeply. The terror buried deep within her never truly faded. Chloe glanced at me, biting her lip. She tiptoed to the door and immediately locked it. During this time, Chloe’s feelings for me had grown increasingly complex. Her mother had died in childbirth, and the care I gave her was something she had never experienced since birth. My affection came with guidance and education. This time, she didn’t want to be a coward anymore. “Chloe.” A deep male voice sounded from outside the door. Chloe’s face lit up with surprise. She opened the door and threw herself into the man’s arms: “Daddy Jax!” Jax glanced into the room at the sleeping woman. He picked up Chloe and then carefully closed the door. They sat cross-legged on the sunny balcony. Jax carefully examined the little person in front of him. “You’ve put on a little weight, and your hair is tied up properly now!” Jax smiled fondly, feeding a peeled orange segment to Chloe. Chloe smiled sweetly: “Are you really planning on coming back to the States?” “I’m thinking about it.” Jax nodded with a smile. He was currently preparing for Director Alpha’s new film. As the only Asian face in it, and a mysterious character whose identity hadn’t been revealed yet. There was constant speculation about him. If he was lucky, this movie would be his breakthrough work to establish himself in Hollywood. But now… Jax’s gaze shifted to the nearby bedroom door. During these past days, Chloe had been sending him many pictures and videos of his new wife through her smartwatch. Chloe, usually quiet and highly cautious, had, through their daily interactions, been influenced by his new wife and gradually opened up. Compared to her initial dotting wife persona, her dashing and bold appearance on the race track made Jax even more curious. He had worked hard on foreign film sets for years, meeting countless people, but only his new wife’s vibrant energy completely captivated him. As for acting, Jax still had some confidence. “Auntie is very good.” Chloe wrinkled her nose at the sour orange but obediently swallowed it because Auntie said it was rude to waste food. Jax curved his lips into a smile. He nodded. “Yes, she truly is good.” A wave of emotion swelled in his chest. He pulled Chloe into his arms. “Chloe, did you think about the past again?” “Mm…” The little girl’s voice trembled slightly. Jax gently patted her back. “It’s safe at home. For the next week, I’ll be here, and Auntie will be with you too.” While Cassidy napped, Jax went back to the master bedroom to change out of his windbreaker jacket. The hot shower washed away the fatigue of a ten-hour flight and jet lag. As he stepped out of the bathroom, I happened to wake up and walk into the kitchen— “Sweetie, Mom will make you some afternoon snacks, okay?” Chloe, perhaps intentionally, smiled and said yes, without mentioning Jax at all.

After my nap, I felt completely refreshed. I was humming a tune, holding a rolling pin. Suddenly, a man’s low chuckle echoed in my ears. “CLANG—” All my expressions froze on my face. I looked upstairs, bewildered. I squinted, holding the rolling pin, and started walking upstairs. Chloe grabbed my hand. My nerves tightened as I turned to her. “Be a good girl, sweetie. Auntie’s just going to handle something. Don’t be scared!” The sound came from inside the master bedroom. I took a deep breath, gathered my courage, and pushed open the door. The next second, what I saw— Dark skin, broad shoulders, a narrow waist. His massive pecs rose and fell with each breath, and below them, a sculpted eight-pack made my heart pound. I subconsciously swallowed hard. My hand holding the rolling pin went limp. All I wanted to do was yank off that short white towel around his waist. My gaze moved up— “Hon… honey?” Instantly, I felt myself flush crimson from head to toe. After two dry laughs, I turned to leave, but his large hand wrapped around me, pulling me into the bedroom. He held me from behind, his strong body enveloping me. I could clearly feel his heart thumping against my chest. For a moment, it felt like our hearts were beating in sync. “Let go first! Jax, why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?” I was a little annoyed at being tricked. But he held me tighter, burying his head in my neck, his warm breath fanning against my collarbone. I couldn’t help but shrink my neck, but then I heard his soft chuckle. “Jax!” I snapped, trying to break free, but he held me in a vice-like grip. Without thinking, I lowered my head and bit Jax’s arm hard. Even his arm was pure muscle; it hurt my teeth. Jax laughed, his voice full of indulgence: “Alright, stop messing around! I just wanted to surprise you.” “Then where’s the gift?” The words popped out before I could stop myself, and I instantly regretted doing something so out of character. Jax smiled and nodded— “Of course, my dear Mrs. Cassidy.” His voice deepened, and he lowered his head, kissing my neck. I couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp. The temperature in the room instantly shot up. Jax exhaled raggedly, as if desperately suppressing something, and finally let go of me completely. His exposed skin was flushed crimson.

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The Prince of the Eagle Clan and the Prince of the Merfolk have come of age. As human princesses, my sister and I are to be married off to form alliances. My sister Willow chose the handsome and gentle Merfolk prince. I married the fierce-looking Eagle prince. A year later, I returned to my homeland triumphantly riding on Hawk’s back. Willow, however, looked pale and frightened as she glanced at Finn. When Willow and I were alone, I saw the wounds on her body. Just as I was about to help her seek revenge, Willow suddenly plunged a dagger into my body. When I opened my eyes again, Willow and I had returned to the day we were choosing our husbands. Before Willow could speak, Hawk eagerly said he wanted to marry her. Willow looked surprised and delighted, hastily agreeing. I raised an eyebrow and smiled. It seems we’ve both returned. Me? I’m an expert at taming beasts! “Aria, Willow, the two princes have arrived. Mind your manners!” a familiar voice called out. I was momentarily confused, then looked towards the cold expression of our father on his throne. In an instant, I understood – I had been reborn! My sister Willow was sitting beside me, muttering to herself. “We’re back! We’re really back! It wasn’t a lie after all!” I calmly picked up the teacup in front of me and took a small sip. How interesting. It seems I have this ungrateful sister to thank for this second chance at life. Willow leaned in close to whisper to me. “Sister, this time I will win Hawk’s love and enjoy all the glory. While you? You’ll be stuck living among stinking fish!” In my past life, Willow had tearfully shown me her injuries, claiming Finn was cruel and violent. She said she was covered in wounds and feared for her life. After all, she was my sister. Out of kindness, I had offered to help “tame” Finn for her. But as I turned away, Willow stabbed me in the back. I looked at her in shock as she pulled out the knife, her face twisted with hatred. She stabbed me again and again, finally slashing across my eyes. I let out an agonized scream. Willow just laughed, grabbing my chin and sneering: “Aria, why should you always be on top? Why should your life be better than mine? Even in death, I want you to suffer horribly.” The feeling of my eyeballs rupturing still lingered. I blinked and looked at Willow. Willow was grinning triumphantly, about to speak again when Hawk and Finn entered together, just like in my past life. Our father then gave his opening speech: “Princes, Aria and Willow are my most exceptional daughters. I will not arrange their marriages for them. Young people should decide such matters for themselves!” As soon as Father finished speaking, Willow eagerly stood up. But before she could say anything, Hawk spoke up, very different from his cold demeanor in my past life: “Princess Willow is beautiful and virtuous. I, Hawk, humbly request Princess Willow’s hand in marriage from Your Majesty!” Willow froze for a moment, then couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her face. Seeing Father look her way, Willow quickly curtsied. “Father, I also favor the Eagle Prince and am willing to marry him! Besides, my sister is delicate and frail. The Eagle Clan rules the skies and requires great strength. I fear my sister may not be able to handle such a demanding life!” Willow spoke excitedly, not noticing Hawk’s twitching lips as she called me weak and frail. Father nodded approvingly, agreeing with Willow. “Such grace and consideration! Truly befitting a princess!” You senile old fool, isn’t that basically insulting Finn by implying he’s weak? However, Finn still stood there smiling gently as always, though his teeth seemed to gleam a bit brighter. I had to admit, the Merfolk were renowned for their beauty. Finn’s face was truly captivating. When he smiled warmly, it was as if he could steal your soul away. No wonder Willow had fallen for him at first sight in my past life, eagerly choosing Finn before either prince could speak. On the way back to my chambers, Willow caught up to me. “Sister, the Merfolk Prince is so incredibly handsome. You’re so lucky! Though I wonder how long your frail body will last in his bed?” The malice in Willow’s eyes was almost palpable. She seemed eager to see me suffer a miserable fate. I replied with feigned confusion: “Sister, the Merfolk Prince seems very gentle. It’s the Eagle Prince who looks fierce. You should take care to protect yourself!” I truly hoped my sister would protect herself well. It would be a shame if she didn’t survive long enough for me to get my revenge! In my past life, I had married Hawk. He took me to the eagle’s nest high in the mountains. Before I could recover from the dizzying flight, I was overwhelmed by altitude sickness. I was violently ill, my head spinning. To make matters worse, the eagles relieved themselves right off the edge of the cliff. I nearly tumbled off to my death. At first, I couldn’t adapt to the eagle clan’s ways at all. But beast-men aren’t known for being gentle or considerate. The eagles were volatile and quick to anger, especially Hawk as their leader. I suffered greatly in those early days. It took half a year before I grew accustomed to the physical effects of living at such high altitudes. Only then could I begin the process of taming Hawk bit by bit. Long before I knew I would marry into a beast clan, I had begun studying their habits and weaknesses. Whether eagle or merfolk, I needed to know my enemy to survive comfortably. If Willow thought Hawk had a good temperament just because she saw me riding on his back when I returned home, she was in for quite a surprise. Her days would certainly be… eventful. Ever since the great war a thousand years ago, the royal families ruling the sea, land and sky were required to intermarry every hundred years. Though the eagle and merfolk clans were powerful, they had very small populations and struggled to reproduce. Humans may be physically weaker, but we are extremely fertile. The beast clans coveted this trait, which is why they demanded marriages with the human royal family. But since humans have much shorter lifespans than the beast clans, they always wait for the beast princes to come of age before arranging the marriages. This generation, it was Willow’s and my turn. In my past life, I had managed to tame Hawk. This time… well, aren’t merfolk beasts too? Taming beasts is my specialty!

Willow gave me a meaningful look before walking away. Soon, the day arrived for Willow and I to be married. Though we called it a wedding, it really just involved us walking out of the palace gates in red bridal gowns. The rest of the journey would be handled by our respective husbands-to-be. In my past life, as soon as we exited the gates, Hawk had grabbed me and taken flight. By the time we reached the eagle’s nest, I felt like my soul had been scattered to the winds. Then came the suffocating altitude sickness! Now, Willow and I walked along the palace pathway with our future husbands at our sides. Willow suddenly turned to Finn and said sweetly: “Brother-in-law, you must take good ‘care’ of my sister!” Finn blinked at her words, then replied gently: “Of course!” Willow beamed with satisfaction. Well, I couldn’t let that pass unremarked. I looked at Hawk and said: “Brother-in-law, I’ll be very upset if my sister isn’t… happy!” Willow was still smiling smugly, completely missing how Hawk’s body instinctively trembled when I addressed him. “Don’t worry, Princess. I will take good care of the Second Princess,” Hawk replied. Hearing this, Willow looked even more pleased as she strode ahead of me towards the palace gates. By the time I reached the outer gates, Willow and Hawk had already disappeared. I hope my sister’s beautiful black hair has a safe journey! Finn and I took a carriage towards the nearest coastline. Inside the carriage, Finn gazed at me tenderly. Predators are driven by hunger and lust. I was feeling a bit… restless. I shifted closer to Finn, taking his hand in mine. “Husband, you must behave yourself from now on!” If he misbehaves, I might get even more excited. Finn’s usually smiling eyes widened in surprise. He clearly hadn’t expected me to act this way. Then his smile broadened, revealing sharp fangs. “My lady, I’m thirsty. You know merfolk can’t be away from water for long!” As he spoke, Finn’s handsome face drew closer to my neck, burying his head there as if in an intimate embrace. I wrapped my arms around Finn. “Thirsty? Let me help you with that!” When I felt a slight pain on my neck, Finn’s body suddenly trembled. He jerked his head up, glaring at me furiously. I raised my hand to his lips, letting drops of blue liquid fall. “Drink up. Your own venom shouldn’t kill you, right?” Finn yanked out the dagger hidden behind his back and tossed it aside. Scales appeared around his ears as his teeth grew even sharper. He was transforming in his anger! Finn’s slender hand suddenly gripped my throat tightly. A wicked smirk played across his lips. “My lady, perhaps I should find out if your blood tastes sweeter?” I managed a strained smile and rasped out: “Go ahead!” There was a sudden squelching sound of a blade piercing flesh. Finn clutched his partially transformed tail in agony. A dagger was firmly embedded in it. I rubbed my sore neck. “My apologies. I prefer blades and always carry a few on me!” Finn held his wounded tail, his fake smile completely gone. The merfolk’s weakness lies in their tails, especially when on land. A wounded tail saps much of their strength. The scales on a merfolk’s tail are extremely tough. Ordinary human weapons can’t easily penetrate them. But everyone has their vulnerable spots! If my aim had been off by even an inch, I might have lost any chance at future “happiness”. “Finn, you won’t dare kill me outright. And if you try to torture me, well, remember I am your mate now.” I glanced meaningfully at his injured lower half. “It would be quite unfortunate if I were to… slip up one day!” Finn stared at me expressionlessly, then resumed his gentle demeanor. The carriage moved swiftly. Soon Finn and I arrived at the coast. After swallowing a water-breathing pearl, I unhesitatingly jumped into the sea with Finn. Perhaps due to the blood from Finn’s wound, we didn’t encounter a single fish on the way to the merfolk palace. The beast clans were incredibly efficient. As soon as Finn and I reached the merfolk palace, the bonding ceremony began. A new water-breathing pearl was hung around my neck. With that, the ceremony concluded. Three days after the bonding, I was to return home and present this new pearl to my father.

But I never expected Willow to return as well, riding on Hawk’s back. Willow clung to Hawk’s arm. Though her face was somewhat pale, she still lifted her chin haughtily when she saw me, deliberately showing off some faint marks on her neck. “Sister, Hawk truly cherishes me so much. We’re blissfully happy now. I think I’ll soon be carrying the next little prince or princess of the Eagle Clan!” Then Willow made a show of looking behind me. “Oh my! Sister, did you come back alone? Where is your husband? Didn’t he accompany you?” Of course, your brother-in-law is recuperating from his injuries! “Sister, you and your husband seem so close. I’m truly, deeply envious!” Willow took my words as genuine jealousy. She turned to Hawk and cooed: “Darling, I’ll give you a child very soon!” Beast-men place great importance on offspring. Hearing Willow say this, Hawk’s gaze towards her grew even warmer. I was rather curious how Willow planned to lay an egg! In my past life, Hawk couldn’t even look at me without his legs going weak, let alone consummate our marriage. I’d never witnessed the egg-laying process. How intriguing! “Sister, when the little eagle prince or princess is ready to hatch, be sure to invite me to watch. I’m so curious how humans lay eggs!” Willow glared at me angrily. “Aria, I swear I’ll have a better life than you this time!” I handed the water-breathing pearl to Father, intending to leave immediately. But thinking of Willow left me feeling unsettled. So I changed course and went to find Hawk instead. When Hawk saw me, he instinctively took half a step back. I mentally rolled my eyes. Just because I plucked all his feathers once, was that any reason to be so afraid of me? “It’s been a while, brother-in-law!” Hawk steadied himself, seemingly remembering this wasn’t his past life. He put on an intimidating front. “Princess Aria, we just saw each other today!” I sat down in a chair, popping a grape into my mouth. “Hawk, the grapes you picked from South Mountain were much sweeter.” Hawk’s expression changed drastically. His pupils dilated as he stared at me. “You… you…” When I returned to the Merfolk, Finn’s wound had almost completely healed. What disappointing news. Fortunately, within three days I received some good news. Willow had fallen from the eagle’s nest. Though Hawk managed to save her in time, she still broke her leg! Trading all his feathers for one of her legs seemed like a fair exchange! I was in a good mood and decided to seek out my absent merfolk husband. I called for a servant girl. “Where is His Highness?” Without even looking up, the girl replied curtly, “Don’t know!” Her tone was full of impatience. How delightful! That evening, as I was enjoying some fish soup, Finn stormed in angrily. He knocked the bowl out of my hands. “Aria, you truly have a heart of venom! Using my clan’s servant girl to make soup – are human princesses really so delicate that my merfolk can’t afford to keep you?” I ladled myself another bowl of soup. “What are you talking about, Your Highness? How could I possibly cook a merfolk servant? This is just ordinary fish. See for yourself!” Finn’s anger subsided slightly as he frowned. “Where is Snow Grace? Why haven’t I seen her?” Ah, so that servant was called Snow Grace. I pointed to a bloodied, lifeless body in the corner. “Snow Grace is right there! You misunderstood me, Your Highness. I don’t eat fish that have gained sentience. It’s unsanitary!” Finn stared at me in disbelief. He suddenly stood up, then immediately collapsed to the ground. I set down my soup and walked over to Finn, clearly seeing the fear growing in his eyes. “I hadn’t planned to kill that servant girl. But she called me a lowly human and spat at me. It would have been remiss not to kill her.” Ever since my mother died, I knew that only by being strong could one avoid being manipulated. Only by inspiring fear could one gain respect. This palace was filled with an incense of my own making. The antidote was hidden in the fish soup. “Your Highness, I’ve heard that every member of the Merfolk has a heart scale. They’re incredibly precious. Is it true that possessing a merfolk’s heart scale allows one to control them?”

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