Category: English

A month before the wedding, my fiancé, Declan, wanted to have a child with his deceased brother’s wife, Briar. He said it was to carry on his brother’s line. I didn’t scream or break down. I simply sent a calm text, asking: “Briar has many ways to have a child, why does it have to be with you?” But the next second, he FaceTimed me, furious, accusing me of being unreasonable: “My brother entrusted her to me on his deathbed, and she knows no one here. She only has me to rely on. What’s wrong with me having a child with her?” “Besides, it’s just IVF, Sera. It’s not like anything else will happen. We’re still getting married.” I smiled as I replied: “No need. My groom has changed. I’m happy to step aside for both of you.” … The room buzzed with nosy stares, openly scrutinizing me. Several people tried to speak, but the words seemed to catch in their throats. I knew what they wanted to ask: Briar’s belly was growing bigger, but the child inside wasn’t her deceased husband Brandon’s. It belonged to my fiancé. That was already explosive news. And the fact that I hadn’t made a scene, not a single protest, made it even crazier. Finally, an old classmate from high school couldn’t hold back and broke the silence: “Sera, did Declan get delayed on the way? Why isn’t he here yet?” I didn’t even lift my head. “He and I are no longer together. We broke up.” Everyone froze for a second, then burst into laughter. “You’ve got to be kidding! Everyone knows how perfect you two were. You were practically at the altar, how can you just break up like that?” Yeah, right? We’d been through so many tough times together. How could he change now, just when our lives were finally settling down? Before I could reply, the door suddenly swung open. It was Declan who walked in this time, but right behind him was the other star of the gossip, Briar Davies. Declan didn’t even glance at me. He pulled out a chair, helped Briar sit down, and then spoke: “Briar’s had some stomach pain, so I took her to the hospital to make sure the baby was okay. We’re a bit late.” The smiles on everyone’s faces instantly froze. Our classmate awkwardly scratched his nose. “What’s that supposed to mean? It’s only been a few days, and you’re already parading a new woman around?” Declan, as he cleared a fork for her, replied nonchalantly: “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just helping Brandon look after Briar. There’s nothing going on between us.” Even an idiot wouldn’t believe that. Our classmate quickly tried to smooth things over: “Alright, alright, enough joking around. Sera’s been waiting for you for ages, go sit next to her!” But he didn’t budge, completely unfazed, and his voice took on a hint of disdain: “Can she even compare to Briar? Briar’s pregnant, of course, she needs special care.” Then, ignoring everyone’s uncomfortable expressions, he whispered in her ear: “Don’t worry. I’m here. No one will dare bully you.” The once lively atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point. This reunion was supposed to be for us to catch up. I thought Declan wouldn’t go too far. Who knew he’d have the audacity to bring his mistress, completely disrespecting me? Their gazes turned from curiosity to unconcealed pity. Yet, I sat there, quietly eating, as if I hadn’t noticed them at all. Declan was clearly displeased with my behavior. He put down his fork and said sharply: “After dinner, you can take a taxi home yourself. I’m taking Briar home. I don’t have time for you.” Briar immediately bit her lip, looking terrified. “Sera is your future wife, after all, and I’m just the mother of your child… You should take her home first…” From her tone, you’d think I was the mistress. I put down my fork and slowly looked at both of them. “Don’t bother. My boyfriend is already waiting for me downstairs.” ### Chapter 2 Declan wouldn’t believe it. He thought I loved him so deeply, willing to give him everything, that I’d never fall for someone else. But when he followed me downstairs and saw the conspicuous Rolls-Royce, he couldn’t help but exclaim: “Th-this… How is this possible?” I rolled my eyes. “So clueless.” Under everyone’s astonished gazes, I got into the passenger seat and drove off. Declan’s face was so grim, it looked like it could drip water. Briar sighed. “Sera is really something. Even if she wanted to make you jealous, she shouldn’t spend so much money hiring someone to put on a show! Besides, how much would it cost to rent such a nice car? She doesn’t appreciate how hard you work to earn money, Declan…” Declan found an excuse to save face. He nodded, shaking his head helplessly. “She’s just too vain. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so unhappy with her. Whatever. As a husband, I should be tolerant of my wife, since we’re getting married soon, right?” But after he finished speaking, no one fawned over him as they usually would. Instead, everyone found an excuse to leave. After all, a man who abandons his devoted fiancée and openly brings his mistress to a gathering? No one had any respect for that. I was packing my things at home when he kicked the door open, reeking of alcohol. “Seraphina Hayes! What the hell are you doing?!” The sudden noise startled me. I whipped my head around and glared at him. “What’s wrong with you?! Why are you suddenly back? Aren’t you supposed to be staying at Briar’s tonight?” Ever since his brother died, he’d moved in with her under the guise of “looking after his brother’s widow.” Him showing up suddenly today could only mean trouble. He punched the wall. “I’m interrupting your date with your little fling, aren’t I?! Tell me! Who was that man who dropped you off today?! Where did you find that actor?!” I sneered. “Are you deaf? I already told you that’s my boyfriend. Can’t you understand plain English?” Declan froze, then his eyes darted around. “You think I can’t see through your tricks? You’re just mad I’ve been neglecting you lately, trying to embarrass me at the reunion, right?” “Briar already saw through your little schemes. Stop pretending!” I laughed, a humorless sound. “You’re both insane.” Seeing that I wasn’t going to respond, he, agitated, came closer to me. “Seraphina, can’t you have some sympathy? Briar has been through so much recently. I’m the only one she can rely on. If even I abandon her, how will she survive?” I stopped what I was doing and looked at him seriously, retorting: “So my feelings don’t matter? Have you ever considered how I feel, parading her around in public again and again?” My question stunned him for a moment. Then he awkwardly turned his face away. “You’re being unreasonable. It’s not like I’m not going to marry you…” What was going on in his head? He was so utterly shameless, yet he still expected me to marry him. I decided not to waste another word on him. I held out my hand to him. “Give me the house key.” He frowned. “Don’t you have your own?” I slapped the property deed onto the table. “Open your eyes and look closely. My parents paid for this house. We’re breaking up now, are you still going to cling on?” Declan lost his temper too. He threw the key on the floor. “I knew it! Your family never thought I was good enough! I’m telling you, Seraphina, don’t act like this. It won’t be long before you’ll be begging me on your knees to come back!” I picked up the key and pointed to the door. “You can leave now, or I’ll call the police.” He was so red-faced with rage that he slammed the front door, making the whole house shake. ### Chapter 3 Even though we were about to get married, my parents’ teachings meant we always slept in separate rooms. Since he was leaving, I definitely needed to clear out his room. Halfway through tidying up, a photo suddenly fell out from a hidden layer in the bookshelf. I picked it up, a little confused, but my eyes widened the moment I saw the image. The photo showed a young Briar and Declan, smiling brightly at the camera. Declan’s arm was tightly around Briar’s waist; their intimate posture hinted at an unusual relationship. In the background of the photo, there I was, crouching on the ground, busy picking up trash Declan had carelessly thrown away. So, they had been secretly involved since way back then. I, poor fool, had been completely in the dark, and almost wasted my entire life on him. Thinking about it, I trembled with anger, hating myself for being so blind. I’d actually believed their story of “pure friendship.” The next moment, Declan’s backup phone started ringing, its sound echoing through the room. Seeing “Briar” on the caller ID, I hesitated for a moment, then answered. Declan was clearly with her; why was she calling me? But I soon had my answer. Over the phone, I heard the intimate sounds of a man and a woman. “Declan, you just saw Sera, and now you’re doing this with me… isn’t that bad…?” Briar complained seductively. Declan’s voice was filled with impatience. “Don’t even mention that pathetic woman. Not only does she have zero passion, she just pisses me off. If it weren’t for her family’s money, I would have dropped her ages ago!” “You’re so much better, sweet and smart. I really want to be with you forever.” Briar sighed. “Sera would hate me even more if she knew. Ugh, I don’t even know what I did wrong.” Declan snorted. “You don’t need to worry about her. She’s been my little lapdog for years, she can’t live without me. Forget me having a child with you; even if I brought the baby home for her to raise, she wouldn’t dare say a word.” Even though I had prepared myself mentally, hearing the man I’d loved for years speak about me with such disdain still made my heart ache uncontrollably. That youthful period of my life? I’ll just consider it completely wasted. After a long session of intimacy, Declan finally got up reluctantly to shower. Briar seized the opportunity to grab the phone and gloat at me: “You heard it all, didn’t you? If you know what’s good for you, you’ll just leave.” I smiled faintly. “If he truly loved you that much, why didn’t he get together with you sooner?” “But then again, you two pathetic, cheating dogs are a match made in hell. Of course, I’m going to step aside for you. Just looking at Declan makes me sick!” Briar’s voice turned into a shriek. “You!” I cleanly hung up the phone. I packed up all his belongings and threw them out. I couldn’t stand to have his things in my house for another second. My phone suddenly lit up. It was a message from him. 【Tomorrow’s a good day. Shall we get our marriage license?】 I was a little surprised. 【Isn’t that too fast?】 He replied instantly. 【I just want to marry you quickly, afraid my princess will change her mind. Then I’d have nowhere to cry.】 I couldn’t help but shake my head with a smile. This man, honestly. ### Chapter 4 By the time Declan finally remembered he had a fiancée, I had already moved into a new home and was preparing for all our wedding arrangements. Without my “interference,” he felt an unprecedented sense of freedom. Not only did he accompany Briar on many adventures they’d dreamed of in their youth but couldn’t pursue due to their “status,” he also posted various travel photos on Ins: 【As long as you’re by my side, even doing nothing feels like bliss.】 I had begged him countless times to go with me to the Arctic to see the Northern Lights, but he always refused, claiming he was too busy with work. Now, a photo of him kissing Briar under the Northern Lights had become his Ins profile background. As Briar’s belly grew, she became less satisfied with just having what was in front of her. “Declan, can you really bear for our child to be called illegitimate for life? Don’t you want to hear him call you ‘Dad’?” “Think about what Brandon said to you on his deathbed – to take care of me for life! If I raise this child alone, how will I manage? You’d be letting Brandon down!” Declan could resist once or twice, but under her constant barrage of “sweetness and logic,” he gradually wavered. “But what about Sera? Our families have already sent out the invitations. Are you asking me to break off the engagement?” Briar leaned into his chest, tracing circles. “Sera is so understanding, she’ll surely understand your difficulties. Besides, if she’s willing, the three of us could live together! And she’s so rich, with her help, we could give our child a much better life.” Declan was completely convinced. He hugged her tightly. “You’re right! She loves me so much, she’ll never want to leave me. We’ll use this to pressure her; she’ll agree to whatever I ask.” Briar, her plan successful, giggled endlessly. “I knew you cared about me the most. When we get married, I’ll definitely repay you properly.” “I’m so lucky to have met you. Otherwise, after Brandon died, I don’t know how I would have survived.” Men are such suckers for flattery. Just a few sweet words, and he was floating on air, thinking he was the greatest man in the world. But that feeling didn’t last long. He stood at the door, saw the changed lock, and completely panicked. “Seraphina Hayes! I know you’re home! Get out here! You’ve got some nerve changing the locks!” “I’m telling you, our wedding has to be canceled. Briar’s child can’t be without a father, and you only have yourself to blame for being a barren hen!” Still no answer. The house was eerily silent. He grew increasingly impatient. “I’m talking to you, did you hear me? Don’t think you can escape by pretending not to hear. But if you’re really that heartbroken to leave me, Briar and I have discussed it. The three of us can live together.” “You can transfer twenty thousand a month to us for living expenses, and publicly, I can still call you my wife. How about it?” Still no response. He touched his nose. “Is she really not home?” He pulled out his phone and dialed my number. After a few rings, it finally connected. Excited, he repeated everything he’d just said. The other end was silent for a few seconds, then a lazy, drawling voice replied: “My wife’s in the shower. Talk to her tomorrow if it’s important.” ### Chapter 5 When I came out of the bathroom, I saw Asher lounging on the couch, casually spinning my phone in his hand. “Guess who just called you,” he said.

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The day Julian’s plane supposedly crashed into the ocean, I shattered. I jumped into the churning water after it, only to be rescued and then told it was just an April Fool’s joke. Before I lost consciousness, I heard the taunting voice of his mistress. “Julian, sweetie,” Chloe purred, “your wife, Aria, is absolutely madly in love with you. She’d go completely ballistic if she knew you were playing this trick on her, wouldn’t she?” He chuckled, a light, dismissive sound. “Go ballistic? Aria’s been so quiet, like a mouse since the baby. Just don’t let her find out about this, alright? This was just my final test of her devotion.” Everyone around them laughed, promising they wouldn’t breathe a word. I lay on the stretcher, unable to shed another tear. Julian didn’t know it, but this was my last chance for him, too.My love for him was officially zeroed out. I woke up in a hospital bed, a perfectly peeled apple sitting on the bedside table. Usually, when I got sick, Blake never even bothered to show up. He’d just send his assistant with a pile of expensive supplements. Seeing the indifferent expression on my face, he picked up a slice of apple and held it to my lips. “Happy I didn’t die, are we?” I turned my head away, catching a glimpse of a faint mark on his neck. My voice was calm. “Blake, let’s get a divorce.” His hand paused, then he popped the apple slice into his mouth. He crunched on it loudly, his eyes filled with mockery. Then, right in front of me, he made a call. Soon after, his assistant brought Leo in. Leo had grown taller in the few months I hadn’t seen him. But he was still distant from me. Less than a month after I gave birth to Leo, Mr. Smith took him away. I only got to see him on holidays when we had dinner at the family estate. I knew exactly why Blake had brought Leo here. In the past, whenever he’d gone too far with his antics outside, and I’d stew in silence, refusing to speak to him, he’d send our son to placate me. I can’t count how many times he’d pulled that stunt. But now, that old trick of his? It no longer works on me, not anymore. Seeing Leo, who had rounded out a bit, I didn’t smile. Leo frowned in displeasure, a spitting image of a miniature Blake, and even the way he said my name carried Blake’s dismissive tone. “Zara Clark, you’re still so uptight and boring. Daddy, I don’t want to be here. I want to go back and have Ms. Riley play building LEGOs with me…” Ms. Riley? No wonder he never called me Mom. He’d already found someone else to be his mother. Blake’s eyes turned icy. Leo obediently shut his mouth and burrowed into my arms. “Daddy was mean to me!” Usually, I’d defend Leo, but this time, I pushed him away. “Go tell your Ms. Riley about it.” Those two faces, so eerily identical, froze. I continued, my voice firm. “Blake Smith, I’m serious about the divorce. I’m not joking.” A flicker of anger crossed his eyes, quickly turning into a sneer on his lips. “You’re playing with fire, Zara. Push me too far, and you’ll regret it. You’ll never see our son again.” No wonder he hadn’t reacted when I first mentioned divorce. He must have thought I was just playing games. I remembered last year, when he’d gotten caught up in a scandal with a minor celebrity who ended up in the hospital with a serious internal bleeding incident that landed her in the ER, and I tried to divorce him. He locked me in a room and didn’t let me see Leo for six months. That’s when I finally learned my lesson. It was also then that I finally realized I couldn’t love him anymore. “Blake, I’m moving out of the Smith house once I’m discharged.” I stated again, my gaze locked directly with his. Noticing that I wasn’t just throwing a fit, his expression turned grim. “You want a divorce? Let’s see if you even have the guts to pull it off.” Only after he left with Leo did I pick up my phone and text that unfamiliar number. “I’ve thought it over. I’ll leave after the dance competition next week.” After being discharged from the hospital, I returned to the Smith family estate to pack a small bag, then headed straight to the dance studio. Since I’d made my decision, I didn’t want any more tangled connections with Blake. The moment I walked in, I was met with a chorus of complicated stares.

“Clara, what did you do to upset Mrs. Sterling?” My colleague, Sarah, pulled me aside, her voice filled with worry. “She not only snatched your competition spot but also got the boss to fire you.” Mrs. Sterling? My gaze followed hers to the elegant figure on the stage. Sienna was dressed lavishly, looking every inch the wealthy socialite. I almost forgot, she always introduces herself as “Mrs. Sterling” at the dance studio. Right now, she stood with her chin high, basking in the envious stares of the crowd, when suddenly her eyes found me in the shadows. “Clara, I’m truly sorry, but my dance skills are probably more suited for the competition than yours. So, the boss gave me the only spot for the dance championship.” I didn’t care how much she messed around before, but this competition meant everything to me. I absolutely couldn’t give it to her. “Sienna, what exactly is your ‘skill level’? Is your dancing only good enough to perform for men? And do you dare tell everyone your real identity?” She used to be just an online influencer, an aspiring streamer who only got into this high-end dance studio through Julian. She’d always been so careful around me before. Now, she dared to act so brazenly? I couldn’t stand it. Sienna’s face flushed crimson, unable to utter a word, tears welling in her eyes. Just then, a hand wrapped around her waist from behind. Julian looked at me, his gaze intensely oppressive. “And who are *you* to ask?” My lips moved, but a bitter taste filled my throat. His mother died because of me. Nine years of marriage, even bearing him a son, wasn’t enough to repay that debt, that life lost. Once, when he was drunk, he’d gripped my throat and hissed: “Clara, you married into this family to atone, not to live a life of luxury. Don’t you ever forget your place!” Seeing me lost in thought, Julian leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Clara, if you want to keep this job, you’ll obediently move back to our house.” Only then did I realize that he was the “boss” Sienna had mentioned. He gave my competition spot to Sienna and then threatened the studio owner to fire me. He was forcing me to bow, to take back my words about divorce. Seeing my unwavering resolve, Julian’s lips curled into a cold sneer. “So, your wings have grown strong, have they? You think you can just fly away from my control? Then I’ll break those wings, and we’ll see how you fly.” He made a phone call. A SnapChat message from Chloe, my best friend, popped up almost instantly. “Clara, I think I messed up. I just got promoted last month, and now my supervisor called me into the office, saying they’re letting me go…” My lips pressed into a tight line. I went to pack my things. As I left, I heard Sienna’s mocking voice. “Clara, you’re still relying on a man, just like me. And here I thought you had so much backbone, so much independence?” My hand, gripping the handle of my suitcase, paused. I refused to back down. “Did you forget, Sienna? He and I aren’t divorced yet. He’s still my husband…” Suddenly, Julian seized my arm. “Clara, who gave you the guts to bully Sienna right in front of me? And those warnings I gave you, have you forgotten all of them?” My heart felt like it had been pierced by a needle. Since we got married, he had never publicly acknowledged me as his wife. Outsiders only knew he was married, and he was never short of beautiful women by his side. Since I couldn’t participate in the dance competition anyway, there was no need to wait another week to leave. Thinking this, I felt a slight sense of relief. Before heading back to our house, I stopped by a lawyer’s office and printed out a divorce agreement. Then I sent a text message to that particular number. “No need to wait a week. I’ll be gone in two days.”

Back at Dominic’s sprawling estate, I sat on the sofa, lost in thought. Dominic rarely came home this early. He stood by the foyer, his gaze locking with mine. It was like looking at my past self. After work, I’d sit in the living room, waiting until deep into the night, just for my husband to finally come home. I’d smile, stepping forward, attentively taking off his coat and even his shoes and socks. “Honey, are you tired today? I learned a new massage technique, do you want me to…?” For years, beyond teaching at the dance studio, my entire world revolved around him. A constant cycle, yet I never received even a flicker of warmth from him. Now, stepping away and looking back as an outsider, I realized how incredibly foolish I’d been. Seeing my lack of reaction, Dominic frowned. “What are you thinking about? Running away?” I found it almost amusing. “If I wanted to run, what would you do?” He strode towards me, urgently pushing me onto the sofa, expertly changing the subject. “You don’t like our son? Then let’s have a daughter. Daughters are sweeter, they can keep you company. Maybe then things will be better for you here.” When I first married into his family, the household staff saw how coldly Dominic treated me. They took my gentle nature as a sign of weakness, piling all the unpleasant chores onto me. In those years, I deeply loved Dominic and never once complained to him. He saw my predicament but simply didn’t care. My thoughts snapped back to the present as my nightgown was torn away. His kisses landed on my skin. Fierce and dominating, carrying a clear sense of punishment. No matter how he tried to provoke me, I felt nothing. It turned out, when you no longer loved someone, your body just… shut down. Dominic seemed to lose interest and got off me. “Amelia, I know your body. This isn’t how you react.” He gripped my chin, scrutinizing me. “Tell me, have you been with another man?” Dominic was a notorious womanizer, but he had a twisted sense of ownership. He couldn’t stand the idea of any woman *he’d touched* being desired by another man. There was a security guard at the dance studio who enjoyed watching me dance. Dominic caught him once, and the studio owner fired him that very day. Dominic even had him arrested on false accusations of harassment. I bit down hard on my lip, then laughed through the humiliation. “Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. I’ve slept with every single man at that dance studio. Are you going to have them all arrested too?” Dominic’s eyes narrowed, his voice rough. “Is that so?” Suddenly, he scooped me up, carrying me towards the bathroom. He actually suspected me! “Since you’re so dirty, then let’s get you cleaned.” He tossed me into the bathtub, aiming the spray nozzle at my face as icy water poured down. Goosebumps erupted all over me. I struggled, but couldn’t push his hand away. Under the shock of the cold water, my PTSD flared. Images of my parents’ plane crash, when I was thirteen, flooded my mind. I trembled uncontrollably, curling into a ball in the corner. Dominic again thought I was faking it. “Amelia, don’t forget why you married me. You’re not here to enjoy life; you’re here to atone!” That same broken record, words he’d spat at me countless times before. It was our usual dynamic. Almost every single word he uttered was laced with malice.

When David saw the vacant look in my eyes, how I was swaying, as if I’d hit my head against the wall, he finally panicked and scooped me onto the bed. “What’s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell…?” “David, you’ve put me through hell long enough. Let’s just set each other free!” Rage surged through me. I hurled the divorce papers from the nightstand straight at his face. He stared at the signature line, then scoffed, a cold sneer on his lips. “You’re in such a hurry to divorce me. Do you have another man waiting outside?” I bit my lip, refusing to answer. He didn’t press. Tears streamed down my face. Thankfully, after tomorrow, I would finally be free. The next day, David sent me a message. “If you want me to sign, come to the Hilton Hotel, Suite 708. I’ve had a servant prepare an outfit for you.” It was a stunning, figure-hugging designer dress, accentuating my curves perfectly. I pushed open the suite door, and a crowd of people stared at me, their chatter dying down. Chloe’s smile was particularly dazzling and sharp. “Sarah, Mr. Davies wanted to see someone dance, but I twisted my ankle. I’m so sorry, but it seems you’re our only hope.” The man’s gaze fell on me, devouring me like a predator. This was David’s intention all along: for me to dance for Mr. Davies. “Sarah, you want a divorce, don’t you? I’ll grant it. Just dance until he’s satisfied, and I’ll sign the papers, just as you wish.” He whispered each word distinctly into my ear. Then, he shoved me towards Mr. Davies. Mr. Davies wrapped an arm around my waist, his eyes glazed over. “Everyone says Miss Sarah is a great beauty, and I’ve finally witnessed it today. Don’t worry, I promised Mr. King that I’ll only touch you at most. I won’t actually do anything to you. If you dance to my satisfaction tonight, I’ll agree to take on the King Group’s contracts for the second half of the year.” I looked at David in utter disbelief. Everyone in the industry knew Mr. Davies was a notorious creep, known for his inappropriate behavior with women. The last woman sent to him, supposedly, ended up in the hospital with severe injuries. I struggled free from Mr. Davies’s embrace, but before I could run a few steps, David seized me. “Sarah, stop being so dramatic, okay? It’s just a touch, it’s not like it’ll kill you or leave a mark. This is your leverage for the divorce.” So this was the price of my freedom! The moment the suite door clicked shut, utter despair consumed me. The heavy, sweet scent of an aphrodisiac filled the room, making me feel hot and restless. A hand snaked around my waist from behind. I grabbed a wine bottle from the table, intending to smash it over his head, but he swiftly caught my hand, twisting it back. The bottle shattered against my forehead, and I fell to the floor, a button ripped from my collar. The desperate thought of biting off my tongue to end it all flashed through my mind, but then my parents and sister’s faces appeared before my eyes. “Sweetie, it’s our fault for not being there as you grew up.” “Sister, just live. Live well.” Like a beacon in the darkness, I opened my mouth and bit down hard on Mr. Davies’s finger. He groaned in pain. I seized the chance, yanked open the suite door, and bolted out. As I dashed down the corridor, I passed another suite, its door slightly ajar. David had Chloe pinned against the wall, kissing her wildly. “David, darling, shouldn’t we go check on Sarah? I’m worried about her…” “What’s there to worry about? I already told Mr. Davies he wouldn’t dare touch her. Besides, I wanted to use this opportunity to punish her. She’s been too defiant lately.” I was about to push open the door and confront them when Mr. Davies’s bodyguards found me. They dragged me back inside. My heart turned to ash. Consumed by utter despair, I just threw myself against the wall. Before losing consciousness, I thought I saw my parents and sister smiling at me again. Mom, Dad, Sister, it seems I might break my promise. Your little Sarah is coming to find you. An hour later, David opened the door to Suite 708. He expected to find me there, apologizing. His footsteps suddenly froze. I was nowhere to be seen. Only shards of broken glass littered the floor, and bloodstains. The cleaning staff were whispering. “That girl earlier, she had it awful. Almost lost her innocence. She wouldn’t take the humiliation; she took her own life by smashing her head against the wall…” David refused to believe I was dead. He drove to Mr. Davies’s private estate. Mr. Davies had bandages on his forehead, and a private doctor was tending to his wounds. Seeing David, Mr. Davies looked visibly shaken. “I didn’t even do anything! She just ran into the wall herself. You can’t blame her death on me.” David’s face darkened terrifyingly. “Repeat what you just said!”

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His First Love Returned. I Walked Away. I’d been with Julian Hayes for five years, married for three. It was only then I realized how utterly ridiculous my love was, compared to Julian’s first love. I was in the hospital, undergoing an abortion procedure, while he was setting off fireworks across Metropolis, celebrating his first love’s return. Holding the consent form, the moment I signed my name, I finally decided to let Julian go. More importantly, to let myself go. The day Brittany Hayes returned. Fireworks lit up the sky over Metropolis all night, and the entire high society was celebrating her. I scrolled through the vibrant posts on Ins, the explosions outside perfectly mirroring my mood. A complicated, unspeakable emotion welled up inside me. “Ms. Green.” The doctor held out a consent form, placing it in front of me. “If you agree, just sign here.” My face was devoid of expression as I took the form from her hand. The doctor offered another reminder. “Ms. Green, your uterine lining is thin. If you terminate this pregnancy, it might be very difficult to conceive in the future…” The doctor looked at the frail girl before her, a pang of sympathy in her chest. She had witnessed firsthand how desperately I’d tried to have a child over the past three years. She saw the light in my eyes dim bit by bit, and her heart ached for me. But she was an outsider. She couldn’t pass judgment. I stared at the abortion consent form, my heart clenching so hard I could barely breathe. Still, I maintained my composure, thanked the doctor after signing, and she left with a sigh, not saying another word. Silence returned to the ward. A quiet world, starkly contrasted by the vibrant celebration outside my window. I opened SnapChat, scrolling to Julian Hayes’s chat, and saw his latest reply: [Brittany’s back. Let’s not keep the baby.] Julian was my husband, and my benefactor. He was the man who’d brought me out of the impoverished countryside, the perfect gentleman I’d loved and been captivated by my entire life. Julian and I had been together for five years, married for three. Three years ago, it was Julian who told me he wanted a child, a child with me. It was Julian who, with a tender look, asked me, “Will you give me a child?” Julian caressed my stomach. “Here, we’ll nurture the precious fruit of our love.” I’d had a few drinks; liquid courage filled me. I stood on my tiptoes, kissed his lips, and looked at him with adoration. “I will.” Like a shy, wild thing, I lightly nipped at his throat. I actively shed my nightgown, and Julian lifted me into his arms, carrying me to bed. We became one. That night. Julian whispered, “Alice, I won’t let you regret this.” He gently kissed my forehead. “I love you.” I was so incredibly happy then, my dream of marrying the man I loved most had come true. I was Mrs. Hayes. Just as my idealized love seemed to materialize, Brittany Hayes returned. Brittany was the Hayes’s foster daughter, Julian’s younger sister. I’d always thought of them as just siblings. I had no idea. Brittany wasn’t just a sister; she was Julian’s true love from his youth. The one etched into his heart, the regret Julian had to abandon due to concern for his reputation and others’ judgment. Brittany crashed my wedding, overturned my wedding cake, and ripped apart Julian’s and my wedding poster. She screamed, attracting everyone’s attention, wild and utterly shameless. I watched, stunned, as Brittany stood on the rooftop, forcing Julian to choose. “Her or me. You can only pick one.” Brittany yelled, disregarding the Hayes family’s reputation. “If you go through with this wedding today, I’ll jump.” Brittany pointed at me, terrified, and shrieked, “You slut! You seduced my brother while I was abroad! You shameless hussy, you don’t deserve to be my sister-in-law!” “You pauper, don’t think I don’t see through you. You’re just a bitch who used this as an opportunity to climb up. I’m telling you, as long as I’m here, you’ll never have a moment of peace. I won’t let you off easy.” Brittany reduced me to nothing. I couldn’t react. I couldn’t understand why Julian’s sister harbored such malice towards me. Then I heard Mr. and Mrs. Hayes scold Brittany for being childish, then they turned to comfort me. “Don’t worry, we’ll handle her.” Just when I thought Julian would surely take my side, I saw Brittany step into thin air, a single tear falling from her eye. “Brother, if you don’t want me, then I might as well have never existed in this world.” As Brittany teetered on the edge, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes panicked, and Julian, ignoring everyone present, pushed me aside and rushed to her. Julian held Brittany tight, as if she were his entire world. He looked at her with a tenderness that spoke of finally reclaiming a lost treasure. He told Brittany. “It’s off.” “The wedding, it’s off.” He spoke as if afraid of hurting her. “Whatever makes you happy. Anything you say.” I watched my beloved husband abandon me for another girl. He held her close, comforting her with words that felt like daggers to my heart. My chest ached with dull pain. I closed Julian’s chat. Then I saw a message Brittany had sent me a short while ago: a flight ticket and a voice message. Brittany’s voice said: “I heard you’re pregnant. My apologies, but I can’t stand any outsiders in the Hayes family, besides me. Not even a baby.”

Brittany was gone for three years. For three whole years. She wasn’t allowed to return to Metropolis, forced by Mr. and Mrs. Hayes to stay abroad. She was blocked from all news regarding me, yet she still managed to find out my situation. Brittany wouldn’t let me live a carefree life. Because, in her eyes. Julian was hers. Listening to that voice message, I still found it laughable. Laughing at my own foolishness, and at my misplaced sincerity. In the midst of the lively night sky outside my window, the phone in my hand suddenly rang. My heart leaped. Seeing the caller ID, my nose stung, and I pressed answer. It was Julian. Julian’s end was noisy; his voice sounded cheerful, happy. He asked me. “Where are you?” “Brittany’s back, why aren’t you here?” “As my wife, aren’t you being a bit neglectful? Are you still holding a grudge about what happened three years ago?” Julian started explaining on Brittany’s behalf. “Brittany’s still a child. She’s spoiled, and she doesn’t know any better. You’ve suffered so much since you were young, don’t you understand how hard-won your current life is?” He was right. In Julian’s eyes. I was sensible and thoughtful, a girl with a wonderful temperament. Because I knew how difficult my journey had been to get to this point. Because I’d seen the hardships of life, seen children in the slums often go hungry. I naturally understood how precious everything I had today was. But Julian. He wouldn’t understand that I never cared about these material things. All I cared about was Julian. I only cared about Julian, who had been the spring in my desolate world, breathing life into a soul that felt barren. I sniffled, trying to sound as calm as possible. But I couldn’t stop a sob from escaping. I quickly covered my mouth, afraid Julian would hear. Just then, a nurse walked into the room. “Ms. Green, you can head to the operating room now.” My eyes welled up with tears, and a torrential downpour raged in my heart. The storm swept away the few remaining specks of warmth I had shared with Julian. Julian’s and my child was about to go to another world. The only remaining link between us would also disappear. I hated to let it go. I wanted so badly to ask Julian why he was so cruel to me. But then I heard Julian’s voice, tinged with concern, ask me. “Are you sick?” Julian walked a few steps to a quieter spot, and finally, the noise subsided. He seemed to have heard something about ‘surgery’ and instinctively pressed. “What kind of sickness? Why didn’t you tell me?” Julian was about to ask further when someone called out to him. “Bro.” Brittany had followed him, her voice full of complaint. “They’re all bullying me. Come on!” “Make them understand I’m not easily messed with. I have backup!” Brittany clung to Julian, refusing to let go. Julian saw her hugging his arm, and couldn’t bring himself to refuse. A thought crossed his mind: *What could be so urgent for Alice?* *I can go see her after this, it’ll be fine.* Julian agreed with Brittany. “Okay, brother will get revenge for you.” Julian spoke into the phone. “If you’re not feeling well, have Mrs. Gable make you some chicken soup and look after you. I’m busy here, so I can’t talk anymore.” Julian hung up. The noise from his end ceased abruptly. A bitter smile played on my lips. Staring at the disconnected call, the words stuck in my throat – *Can I keep this child?* – ultimately remained unsaid. I followed the nurse into the operating room. Looking up at the fluorescent lights, before the doctor administered the anesthesia, I heard her ask, “Should we notify family?” I shook my head. “No need.” I held onto my last breath. “I don’t have any family.”

As I drifted into unconsciousness, I vaguely felt cold instruments enter my body. I tried to struggle, to keep this child, but only tears fell. The child was like an accident. Coming and going in a rush. When I woke up, the ward had suddenly become noisy. I slowly blinked, looking at Mrs. Hayes sitting by my bedside, her eyes red as she asked, “Such a big thing, why didn’t you discuss it with us?” Julian sat beside Mrs. Hayes. His face was unreadable. Mrs. Hayes hit him again, scolding him, “What kind of husband are you? Your wife is in the hospital having an abortion, and you’re out messing around!” Julian remained silent, letting Mrs. Hayes hit him. I tugged at my dry throat, wanting to tell Mrs. Hayes to stop. But I didn’t have to. “Stop it!” Brittany stood in front of Julian. “She chose to have the abortion herself! What does that have to do with Julian? Who knows what shady things she was doing behind his back! If she didn’t have a guilty conscience, why would she secretly get rid of the baby like this?” Brittany’s words were like a dull knife stabbing into my chest. I looked at her in disbelief. She met my gaze, not an ounce of guilt in her eyes, but rather a righteous indignation. “You tell me.” “Did you cheat?” Brittany reached out to grab my hand. “What did my brother ever do to you that you would do such a thing behind his back, and then let him be swallowed by gossip?” Brittany’s grip was strong. With a slight tug. A searing pain shot through the back of my hand, blood splattering from the torn vein. The IV drip still hanging was roughly pulled out, and I winced in pain. “That’s enough.” Julian called out to Brittany. “Stop causing a scene.” Julian’s gaze fell on the back of my hand. He pressed the nurse’s call button. “She hasn’t recovered yet. Let her rest.” Julian sent Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes, and Brittany away. Brittany refused. Brittany was still throwing a tantrum. But Mrs. Hayes pinched her ear, and the ward finally fell silent amidst Brittany’s wails. Julian watched the nurse arrive, saw her stop the bleeding on my hand, and re-insert the needle. Then he heard the nurse say, with a look of disgust, “Honestly, the things people do these days.” Julian understood the nurse’s sarcasm. But his refined upbringing wouldn’t allow him to argue with a young nurse in such a setting. He saw the nurse out. Closed the door. Pulled up a chair and sat in front of me. He looked at my pale, sickly face, an indescribable feeling in his heart, like damp, heavy cotton stuffing his chest. He felt suffocated. “Alice.” Julian’s hand, hanging by his side, clenched. He looked at the person on the hospital bed. “Explain yourself.” Julian held my medical records. He had read many books, seen countless proposals and contracts. He was a man who had faced many situations, but never before had a scene made him feel so choked up, so breathless, simply by sitting there. It felt as if something incredibly important was slipping from his grasp. “If I hadn’t heard ‘operating room’ over the phone, if I hadn’t sent someone to check on you, how much longer would you have kept it from me?” Julian’s voice was tinged with anger. “Today it’s an abortion. What about tomorrow?” Julian, with his natural air of authority, could exert immense pressure when looking at someone without expression. I looked at him. I couldn’t decipher what Julian was thinking. He was the one who didn’t want this child. He was the one who wanted to give up this child. Now, why was he questioning me? Was it to solidify his position in front of his family, to avoid being seen as the villain?

I was physically and mentally exhausted, and I didn’t want to argue with Julian in this atmosphere. I had already lost the urgency to argue for a definitive answer from Julian, the desperate yearning for his complete sincerity. I answered Julian with silence. Julian felt like he was punching a cotton ball. Just as I was about to close my eyes, he grabbed my chin, his voice deepening. “Tomorrow, are you planning to move out? The day after, are you planning to swallow up Hayes Corp too? What are you thinking?” “Can you stop acting like a mute?” Julian’s presence was heavy. The faint scent of alcohol mixed with a woody base note on him was usually pleasant. Normally. Whenever I smelled Julian’s scent, I always slept soundly. But today, I detected another scent on him. It was Brittany’s perfume. A wave of nausea unexpectedly rose in my stomach. The moment Julian leaned closer, I pushed him away with all my might, clutching the edge of the bed as I started to vomit. “Get away!” I vomited until I felt lightheaded, tears streaming down my face. I hated Julian. “Get away!” My emotions suddenly broke. I had constantly told myself to hold back, told myself that even if I was abandoned, even if I became a stranger to Julian, I should do so gracefully. While Julian and Brittany celebrated, with fireworks lighting up the entire city. Recalling their intimacy, and my child, reduced to a bloody mess under the blade. I hated Julian, deeply, deeply. He could choose not to love me. He could be devoted to Brittany. He could marry any woman in this world. But why did he have to trample on my sincerity? I had only one heart in my life, and Julian had taken it, treated it like a toy, and smashed it to the ground again and again. I witnessed, with my own eyes, how my heart was torn to bloody shreds. How could I not hate Julian? “Get out!” I broke down. I shrieked hysterically at Julian, “Get out!” I saw a rare flash of confusion on Julian’s face, a rare moment of helplessness. I grabbed the flowers and nutritional supplements Mrs. Hayes had brought, all on the bedside table, and hurled them at Julian. “Get out!” I threw everything I could, and when Julian still didn’t react, I finally couldn’t bear it, curling into a ball under the blankets, sobbing like a wounded animal abandoned by the world. Besides crying. It felt like I couldn’t do anything. Couldn’t keep anything. I was so miserable, so miserable. Julian watched me cry, watched me, devoid of my usual composure, throw things at him. His expensive suit was crumpled, stained with water. He was confused for a moment. *What was she making such a fuss about?* *She made a mistake, why is she making a fuss?* Julian looked at her, curled into a ball, sobbing uncontrollably. A sharp pang went through his heart. But he still couldn’t understand why someone who had made a mistake would dare to cry in front of him. He had left the party. He had left his friends, and told his family not to disturb her peace. She wasn’t grateful, but was instead throwing a tantrum at him. “Alice Hayes.” Julian, despite being disheveled, still stood tall, his aristocratic aura strong. “Have I given you too much leeway?” Julian walked to the edge of the bed, abruptly pulled back my blanket. He roughly yanked me out from under the covers. “Who do you think you’re throwing a tantrum at?”

Julian pulled me to face him. He saw the brokenness in my eyes. He looked at me. It was as if he saw the light in my eyes dim, and he paused for a moment, his hands still. As if he was afraid to see me like this. He took a step back. Then, he saw my eyes fixed stubbornly on him, and I said with defiance, “Of course I understand that I have no right to be angry with you.” It wasn’t that I didn’t understand. After Brittany crashed the wedding. I knew that I could never compare to Brittany. And I couldn’t rival Brittany’s presence throughout Julian’s entire childhood and youth. I was late, I missed the best years of Julian. But, I always held onto hope. As long as I stayed with Julian a little longer, as long as I treated him a little better. As long as Julian was willing to let me stay, I would eventually help him move past the past and slowly come to my side. I would always have a chance to enter Julian’s heart, to become the person in his heart. I had always held onto a fragile hope for this marriage, because I always felt that Julian truly cared for me. In the three years without Brittany. Julian would hold an umbrella for me in the rain, and would take me to see the ocean and the snowy landscapes. He would drive from the south side of the city to the north side just because I said I liked a certain dessert, waiting in a long line for me. We had lived like an ordinary couple. Not all of our memories were unpleasant. But then. “Mr. Hayes.” My heart was tearing inch by inch, the broken glass on the floor reflecting years of my own pathetic delusion. “Do you remember the house you prepared in advance for the baby?” From the day Julian decided to have a child, he had looked at countless houses in Metropolis, finally choosing a luxury penthouse apartment perfectly suited for a family. The day he took me to see the house, the weather was bright, and sunlight streamed into the living room. Julian hugged me from behind, his head resting on my neck, breathing warmly. “In the future, this apartment will be our child’s welcome gift.” “It’s the first present Daddy will give her.” Julian said. “I hope it’s a girl, like you – quiet and sweet. I’ll spoil her like a princess.” That day. The sunlight cast Julian’s shadow, his silhouette overlapping mine, like an inseparable, perfect match. My heart filled with sweetness, and I began to imagine. What kind of mother I would be. What kind of father Julian would become. I eagerly awaited this child. I awaited. What I believed was the fruit of Julian’s and my love. I couldn’t wait to tell Julian the good news. For the first time, I disregarded etiquette and rushed into Julian’s office. But I didn’t see Julian, only heard his secretary mention that Julian had gone to pick someone up, his sister was back. Brittany Hayes was back. It hit me like a lightning bolt. I sat frozen on the couch, unable to process anything. By the time I came to my senses, I was already dialing Julian’s number. I wanted to tell Julian. They had a child. They had their own baby. But Julian didn’t answer. I called many times, but he still didn’t answer. I couldn’t find Julian, but on Ins, I saw a post from someone else: Julian and Brittany hugging at the airport. Julian’s face was soft with a gentle smile, looking at Brittany with doting affection. 6. Brittany and he looked like a couple. My heart plummeted. I stood up from the sofa, walked to the office door, and heard the secretary whispering. “Mr. Hayes has always liked his foster sister. It’s just that his parents separated them, believing their relationship would be criticized, which is why they sent her away. Otherwise, how would this country bumpkin have had a chance to climb up?” “If you ask me, I’d prefer his sister too. She’s outgoing and generous, nothing like that pauper, who always looks like death warmed over, as if everyone owes her a million dollars. Ugh!” Julian and I were mismatched. I had always known it. The first time I went with Julian to meet his friends, I was mocked as an uncultured pauper. Some even joked about Julian’s bad taste, saying he ignored the jewel at home to rummage for trash. I had my pride; how could I not care? I looked at Julian, hoping he’d say something for me. Julian just smiled, squeezed my hand, and told me, “Don’t mind them. These people are used to being wild, their words aren’t pleasant, but there’s no malice.” He always knew they were scrutinizing me with malice. He also knew I was constantly the butt of jokes in their circle. But even knowing this. Julian never thought to defend me. It wasn’t that Julian didn’t understand, it was simply that Julian didn’t think it was worth arguing with his friends over. So much so. I thought Julian was just like that. Polite in any situation, for any reason, with anyone. He didn’t like to make things awkward, so I comforted myself, *Julian is just naturally like this.* But then I saw Brittany cause trouble, hitting his good friend’s sister. His good friend, enraged, demanded an explanation, yet Julian, unreasonably, tore into his friend, shielding Brittany in his arms. It was then I realized. Julian wasn’t ignorant, wasn’t incapable, wasn’t against it. It was just that I wasn’t worthy. I wasn’t Brittany, I wasn’t Julian’s exception or special treatment. I didn’t have that privilege, so I naturally didn’t receive Julian’s doting affection. I looked at Julian, his expression flickering with a hint of guilt when I mentioned the baby. But he quickly composed himself and asked her, “What do you want to say?” I didn’t want to say anything, nor did I want to argue anymore. My voice was very soft, my expression very calm. “Could you come with me to see the house again?” My eyes were still red-rimmed, my throat felt ripped, hoarse beyond recognition. “I prepared a gift for the baby there. I want to see it, if that’s okay?” Julian was about to agree. His phone, resting nearby, rang. It was Brittany. Brittany had recorded a voice reminder on his phone herself. So, when the phone rang, Julian instinctively reached to hang up, but I interrupted him. “Aren’t you going to answer?” My expression was calm, tear streaks still on my face, making me look fragile and pitiful. Julian felt a flicker of guilt. “It’s nothing major.” “Brittany was just worried about you,” Julian always instinctively defended Brittany when she was mentioned. “She’s a bit wild, but she truly has no ill intentions.” “Don’t mind her.” Julian looked at me. “Her words today were only because she didn’t want me to be blamed by the family, and besides, you were the one who made the mistake in this matter.” Julian’s protectiveness was obvious. How could I not understand? I silently looked at Julian, making him more and more uneasy. When Brittany’s call rang again, he picked up his phone, not daring to look at me. 7 “I’ll take this. Maybe it’s something from home.” He didn’t wait for my response, grabbing his phone and stepping out of the ward. It was late at night. The corridor was quiet. The ward door was left ajar, a tiny crack letting the white light from the corridor reflect into the room. Like a long string, it carried Julian’s voice from the other end. Julian’s tone was reassuring, entirely different from how he spoke to me. His voice was so gentle it could melt butter, and every now and then, soft laughter escaped him. His laughter echoed in my ears, like countless tiny needles piercing my heart, making it ache so much I could barely breathe. Not long after. I saw Julian hang up the phone, but he lingered outside, reluctant to come in. My heart already understood. When Julian finally came in after a few minutes, I, being the understanding one, spoke up for him. “Go.” Julian lowered his head in shame, wanting to explain, but feeling that any words would be futile. He simply picked up his now-damp jacket and told me, “I’ll be back soon.” Julian walked to the door, then paused. “When you’re discharged,” He spoke as if out of guilt, seeking to compensate. “I’ll go with you.” Julian left. The ward fell silent again. The previous liveliness vanished. I looked at the mess on the floor, propped myself up from the bed. I picked up my phone and dialed the number of Zara, the sister who had left our village with me years ago. The call connected quickly. Zara’s gentle voice came through. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” The moment I heard Zara’s voice. All the unresolved, painful emotions hidden deep in my heart came flooding in, overwhelming me. They turned into a torrent of tears that streamed down my face. I tried hard to stifle my sobs, but I couldn’t hold back, bursting into desperate tears. “Sis…” I choked for a long time, calling her, “Sister, I don’t want to stay in this city anymore.” “Can… can you take me away?” Before. Zara had come looking for me. Zara’s mother was bought by Zara’s father for $4,000, and that’s how Zara came into the world. Zara’s mother hated her. But she also constantly instilled in her the idea that men were untrustworthy. This led Zara to develop the notion from a young age that she had to escape the countryside. And the year she escaped. I helped her. After I received a scholarship and left the countryside, I studied desperately, participated in competitions. I worked part-time whenever I could, and later saved a sum of money. The day I took Zara away, I gave her all my savings, telling her to live a good life. At that time, Zara said. “If one day, you need me, I will give you everything.” Zara never approved of the unequal love between Julian and me. So, she had tried to persuade me. But I was deeply in love, I couldn’t hear or see anyone else but Julian. It was my own fault. I cried, asking Zara, “Can I still go with you?” Zara agreed without hesitation. “I’ll come pick you up right away.” When she learned I had an abortion and Julian was still with Brittany, she was furious. “He’s an animal!” Still, she respected my wishes. After I said I wanted to say a proper goodbye to Julian, Zara agreed. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll take you.” Since Brittany returned. Whenever I opened Ins, I always saw Julian and Brittany attending various events together. Julian broke his promise. Even on the day I was discharged, he didn’t spare a single moment to visit me. Even though I knew Julian wouldn’t come. Every time a doctor or nurse opened that door, I would instinctively look outside. Instinctively hope, then retract my gaze, suppressing the disappointment in my heart, pretending nothing had happened. 8 The day I left the hospital. The Hayes household was bustling. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes were there. Brittany sat at the dining table. Seeing me, she said impatiently. “Finally, she’s back.” Brittany’s tone was accusatory. “It just goes to show, country people have no manners. She knows we’re having a family dinner today, but she drags her feet, making everyone wait for her.” Mrs. Hayes raised a hand and slapped Brittany. “If you can’t say anything nice, shut up. Do you want to go abroad for another few years of ‘further education’?” Brittany felt wronged by the slap. “Mom!” Then, seeing Mrs. Hayes unresponsive, she went to tug on Julian, who had just stepped out of the elevator. “Bro, Mom always hits me when I talk. Aren’t you going to do something?” Julian gently patted Brittany’s hand, asking what happened. Then he looked up and saw me, standing by the door with my luggage. Julian’s expression froze, and his hands stilled. His eyes flickered. He finally remembered that today was my discharge day. Mrs. Hayes had even reminded him that morning to pick me up. But, because Brittany said her stomach hurt that morning, he panicked and called the family doctor to examine her. The doctor checked her thoroughly. But couldn’t find any reason. Later, Brittany hugged his arm and pouted, saying, “I probably just didn’t eat. I’m hungry.” Brittany swayed his arm. “Brother, you’re not mad at me, are you?” Julian was a little annoyed. But seeing Brittany was fine, he ultimately sighed in relief. More than being angry, Julian cared more about Brittany’s health. So, with that delay, it was already noon, and I had returned by myself. Julian’s heart skipped a beat. He was actually afraid that I would see him being too close with Brittany. He immediately withdrew his hand from Brittany’s shoulder and walked to me. “I was just about to pick you up.” Julian explained. “Why didn’t you wait for me?” Mrs. Hayes saw the scene and chimed in. “Julian had the housekeeper buy all your favorite dishes this morning. You must be tired from your hospital stay, come sit down. Let’s have a nice family meal.” I looked at the interaction between Julian and Brittany, my disappointment deepening. I couldn’t believe Julian didn’t notice Brittany’s constant hostility towards me, nor did I believe he was unaware of her cold sarcasm. He wasn’t unaware. He simply didn’t want to see it, nor did he want to displease Brittany for my sake. In Julian’s heart, the one he truly loved and cared about most was only Brittany. A bitter smile touched my lips, and I didn’t respond to Julian. I didn’t wait for him not because the doctors were about to leave, and I’d have to wait until the afternoon. Instead, I turned to Mrs. Hayes and said, “Okay, thank you, Mom.” I followed Mrs. Hayes to the dining table. Julian’s expression stiffened slightly. He couldn’t describe the feeling in his heart, so he just followed. Brittany, however, rolled her eyes at me. “So dramatic.” I sat at the dining table, looking at the array of dishes, all of which had cilantro, which I detested. My forks were in my hand, but I didn’t know where to start eating. Julian had already picked up a shrimp and placed it in my bowl. “Eat more. I remember you love shrimp.” Julian’s polite and attentive gesture made everyone at the table pause their movements. Mrs. Hayes looked at Julian with an unreadable expression. Even Mr. Hayes’s face showed displeasure. Only Julian was oblivious. “Why aren’t you eating?” “No appetite?” Julian maintained his remaining gentlemanly demeanor, smiling at me. I stirred the white rice in my bowl, then placed the shrimp on the side plate, my voice very faint. “Mr. Hayes, I’m allergic to shrimp.” “…….” Julian was momentarily at a loss. Brittany was quicker, snatching the shrimp from the side plate. “You’re so fussy. I love shrimp. I’ve loved it since I was little.” 9 “And I’ve never seen anyone get an allergy. A country bumpkin, so many demands, she really thinks she’s a socialite.” Brittany chewed on the peeled shrimp. Her mockery of me was undisguised. I was used to her targeting me like this. I watched Brittany eat her shrimp, the bitterness in my mouth intensifying. I suddenly didn’t want to tolerate it anymore. “Brittany Hayes.” I put down my forks. “Whether I’m a country woman or not, it’s not for you to judge.” “In this family, you should at least call me sister-in-law. You don’t even know basic etiquette,” My voice was very calm. “Do you want people to say that the Hayes family has a bad reputation, or poor upbringing?” Brittany couldn’t stand it when people called me her sister-in-law. In her eyes, Julian belonged only to her. Never to anyone else. As soon as she heard those words, she couldn’t help but explode. She picked up her forks and hurled them at me across the table. “You country bumpkin, what right do you have to make me call you sister-in-law?” “What right do you have to be my brother’s wife, to be my sister-in-law? What do you think you are?” Brittany grabbed the tablecloth, flipping the entire table over. “You’re just a cheap woman, climbing into my brother’s bed with dirty tricks! Do you really think my brother cares about you, or that my parents genuinely consider you their daughter-in-law?” Seeing Brittany about to go even crazier. Mrs. Hayes sharply reprimanded her. “Shut up!” Brittany still wouldn’t stop. “My parents only used you to silence outside rumors! My brother just used you to vent his loneliness and boredom because I wasn’t here! In the end, you’re nothing but a tool!” Brittany’s voice was sharp. It echoed throughout the Hayes’s living room. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes’s faces were ashen with rage, and Julian’s face turned pale. Only I remained, sitting in my seat, stained with the soup that had splattered when Brittany threw the forks. The soup dripped down my forehead, mixing with my fringe. I looked up at Brittany, calmly picking up my water glass that had rolled a few times on the floor. Then I opened the cap and splashed it at Brittany. But. The scalding tea didn’t land on Brittany. The moment Julian noticed my movement, he instinctively moved to protect Brittany. Julian held Brittany tightly, the hot water scalding his back. He hissed in pain, then turned, furious, to scold me. “Are you crazy?!” Julian stood in front of Brittany. “She’s still just a child, she doesn’t know any better. Don’t you know any better?!” Julian listed my faults. “Are you going to argue so much with a child? Are you even fit to be her sister-in-law?! Have you forgotten basic etiquette and manners?!” I looked at Julian, then at Brittany, who was hiding behind him, smirking triumphantly at me. Suddenly, I felt so tired. It wasn’t that I hadn’t fought for it. Before, when I learned about Julian and Brittany’s past relationship, I had also fought. I told Julian. From now on, I would be with him, I would be his ultimate support. I wouldn’t let Julian be caught in a dilemma again. Whenever Julian needed me, I would bravely fight for him. At that time, Julian looked at me, and his eyes, too, held a light. Julian’s eyes, too, were filled with starlight. He smiled, pinching my cheek. “What foolish talk. Do I really need you to protect me? Since you’re with me, you’re my person. No one out there can bully you. From now on, I’ll always stand by you.” 10 In the beginning. Julian used to protect me. In college, some people mocked her for being a country bumpkin, an uncultured pauper. They told me to go back to the countryside and never come out. At that time, I was ridiculed, isolated, and mocked. It was Julian who stood in front of me, just as he stood in front of Brittany today, shielding me behind him, telling those people, “When you belittle others, you’re already the ones without class.” Julian appeared before me like a guardian. I looked at Julian, and for the first time, felt a ripple in my calm heart. For the first time, just looking at someone, made my heart flutter. Julian told those people. “She is part of the Hayes family, she is my person. When you try to bully her, consider if you can afford to offend the Hayes family in Metropolis.” The Hayes family of Metropolis. Renowned. Who wouldn’t know the Hayes family? Those people quickly apologized and fled. I stood there, at a loss, until Julian gripped my shoulders, making me look up. He told me not to be afraid, to bravely accept everything. It was Julian who whispered in my ear. “As long as I’m here, you don’t have to be afraid.” As long as he was there. I wouldn’t have to fear anything. I looked at Julian, who was tightly shielding Brittany. I wondered if he could still remember how he once protected me in his arms, treating me like a treasure no one could bully. My chest ached. I still felt sad because of Julian. I was still that unaccomplished girl. Still the girl from the village, who revolved entirely around Julian. I looked at Julian. Amidst his anger, I asked him, “Then what should I do?” I stood up. The spot where I was hit was red. It made me look especially disheveled, causing Julian to falter for a moment. How could he have forgotten that I had just been discharged? How could he scold me like this? Guilt flooded his heart. Meeting my gaze, he instinctively averted his eyes. “Forget it.” Julian couldn’t look at her. “Don’t let it happen again.” He was afraid to look at me, afraid to face me. He suddenly acted like a fugitive, dropping a quick, “You women’s drama is such a pain.” Then. Julian walked away without looking back. Brittany, seeing Julian didn’t help her continue to scold me, stomped her foot in frustration. She glared fiercely at me: “Don’t get too smug. My brother will always be mine, and you’ll never take him!” “Bro.” Brittany kicked a chair, expressing her anger, and chased after Julian. In the dining room. Only I, Mr. Hayes, and Mrs. Hayes remained. Mr. Hayes was a man of few words, but Mrs. Hayes comforted me. “Brittany didn’t do well, it’s our fault for not raising her properly. I’ll talk to Julian too. Don’t take it too much to heart.” Seeing no reaction from me. Mrs. Hayes took out a card. “You’ve been wronged. Take this and buy yourself something nice.” Mrs. Hayes was generous. Every time Brittany hit me or did something outrageous, Mrs. Hayes would give me a card. Over the years, the cards I stored in my cabinet could almost make a stacking game. I looked at Mrs. Hayes’s beautiful hands, her jeweled nails sparkling. Those were hands I had never seen in the slums. Beautiful, delicate, so captivating I couldn’t look away. Completely different from the women in the slums, the women she had seen since childhood were rough, tanned, not allowed to eat at the table. How could they be like Mrs. Hayes, radiant and elegant, like a queen out of a fairy tale? But a queen, after all, was not my mother. I took the card and thanked Mrs. Hayes. I assured her I wouldn’t take these things to heart. I saw relief and a sigh of contentment in Mrs. Hayes’s eyes, but no pity.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298965”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My Ex-Husband’s Karma The day I received my husband’s ALS diagnosis. I found out he was cheating. He filed for divorce: “I’ll leave with absolutely nothing. She’s not after my money; she just loves me for who I am.” I didn’t cry or make a scene. I just quietly put away the diagnosis. “Fine. I hope she lives up to her word when the time comes.” After all, not having to care for him when he’s bedridden later? I couldn’t be more thrilled. At the divorce court, by the clerk’s window. “You have a one-month waiting period. Once you’ve made your decision, you can come back to finalize the divorce.” As the clerk finished speaking, a red stamp landed on the divorce cooling-off period receipt. I glanced up at the clock on the wall. Three minutes past ten in the morning. It had been less than 24 hours since I discovered my husband, Alex Davies, was cheating, to him filing for divorce, to us now processing it. Just as efficient as when we decided to get married after only three months of dating. Snapping back to reality, I watched Alex take the receipt. His distinctly jointed fingers folded it neatly, his fingertips still displaying the practiced precision of a lawyer. “Don’t forget to come back in a month to finalize the divorce. And don’t regret it.” His brows were furrowed, as if he feared I might try to cling on. I nodded. “I know. You shouldn’t regret it either.” Alex didn’t say another word. He looked down, engrossed in his phone, replying to messages. The familiar smile and tenderness in his eyes were unmistakable. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him look like that. When we first started dating, he used to smile at me that way too. But somewhere along the line, his gaze toward me became nothing but cold and indifferent. I used to think it was because he was overworked, never imagining his affection had simply been redirected to someone else. The drive home was silent. Once we arrived, Alex’s car was parked outside. He started packing his belongings, putting them into the trunk. Not long after, a woman’s voice drifted from a distance: “Alex! What are you doing?” I looked over and immediately saw Tiffany. The woman Alex had sworn wasn’t after his money, only his heart. Seeing Alex packing, Tiffany grabbed his arm. “Alex, you’ve already divorced Jade! She should pack her own things!” As she spoke, Tiffany’s displeased gaze flickered towards me several times. I leaned against the doorframe, watching her suitcase. I instantly understood. It seemed Alex hadn’t mentioned to her that he was leaving with absolutely nothing. I couldn’t help but remind her. “Ms. Tiffany, why don’t you take a closer look? Whose things is he packing?” Tiffany finally noticed it was all Alex’s stuff. Her face stiffened. “Alex, why are you moving your things?” Alex took her hand and explained. “I’ll be living with you from now on, of course, I need to move my things.” Hearing this, Tiffany looked at me incredulously. “Jade, Alex bought this house outright! If anyone should be moving out, it should be you!” I looked at Alex. Quickly, Alex pulled Tiffany closer. “Tiffany, I’m leaving with nothing, but don’t worry. Everything she has now, we’ll have later.” The words “leaving with nothing” seemed to hit Tiffany hard. The expression on her face faltered. But hearing Alex’s last sentence, Tiffany’s face softened, as if she’d thought of something. “Alright, I trust you.” Then, Tiffany started helping Alex pack his luggage. I just stood by, watching quietly. I knew Alex, as a lawyer, was a master at securing his own interests. Tiffany probably thought “leaving with nothing” was some sort of ploy, and that I’d eventually have to give everything back. Too bad. This time, Alex’s decision to leave with nothing was a meticulous calculation of assets, a signed agreement, and notarized. Alex was eager to be with Tiffany. But the mere loss of the house was already causing such a strong reaction from Tiffany. It seemed her claim of “not being after his money” was largely exaggerated. Once most of his things were packed, Alex turned to me. “I’ll move the rest of my stuff out within the month.”

After that, he left with Tiffany. After he left, the spacious apartment felt empty. When we got married, I once thought this would be the home where Alex and I would spend the rest of our lives. But I never expected that after only three years, this home would be broken. Every corner of this apartment held memories of Alex and me. I couldn’t bear to live here anymore. Ultimately, I put the house up for sale on a resale platform. Just after I finished listing it, Alex’s partner, Marcus, called. As soon as I answered, Marcus asked, “Jade, are you and Alex really getting divorced?” I simply hummed in agreement. Marcus sighed. “You worked so hard to help him build his career, and things were just starting to get better.” “Alex is just infatuated right now. He’ll come back to you once he’s over it. It’s not worth throwing everything away for a junior assistant he’s only known for half a year.” His words were all about persuading me to reconsider, not to make a decision I’d regret. But the one who was determined to divorce was Alex. If he didn’t want me to be with him anymore, how could I stay by his side? Silently, I took out Alex’s diagnosis from my bag. ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Yesterday, when I received this diagnosis, I was heartbroken and distraught over him suffering from such a terrible illness. But now, I felt a strange sense of relief. When people do bad things, they always get their comeuppance. I pulled out a lighter, ignited it, and watched the diagnosis burn to ashes. Staring at the flickering flame, I told Marcus, “Don’t worry, I won’t regret it.” After all, Alex had no future left. I thought explaining it to Marcus would be enough. But I hadn’t expected him to be so persistent in trying to mend my marriage with Alex. He called again, asking me to come to their law firm to drop off some case files Alex had left at my place. After some thought, I agreed. Firstly, to put an end to his tiresome attempts, and secondly, to use this opportunity to definitively close this chapter. When I arrived at the firm, I stared at the “Summit Law” sign, lost in thought. When Alex first founded this firm, he’d pointed to that very sign and told me, “Jade, this is the starting point of my career. I’ll give you a better life someday!” Back then, no one could have imagined that the beginning of his career would mark the end of our marriage. I shook my head, clearing the images from my mind, and stepped inside. As soon as we met, Marcus said he’d take me to Alex. But as we approached Alex’s office, through the clear glass door, we saw Tiffany leaning against his desk, handing him a coffee. Their eyes were locked, and they didn’t notice Marcus and me standing outside. Just as Alex took the coffee, his hand trembled uncontrollably, spilling the brown liquid onto some documents. I watched him frown, seemingly surprised by his hand’s sudden unsteadiness. But Tiffany quickly wiped it clean with a tissue, not forgetting to playfully scold him, “Do you like me that much? You were staring so hard your hand got unsteady!” Alex didn’t think much of it, affectionately taking Tiffany’s hand to flirt. “Who can blame me when you’re so beautiful?” They were about to kiss right in front of us. My heart clenched. I couldn’t bear to watch another second. I turned, handed the case files to Marcus, and walked away. Marcus awkwardly followed. “Jade, Alex has been under a lot of stress lately. He was just momentarily tempted…”

I quietly cut him off. “Marcus, you don’t need to make excuses for him. And please, don’t waste your time trying to fix things anymore.” “I’m going to be completely honest with you today. Alex and I will never, ever get back together.” Marcus fell silent, his gaze fixed blankly behind me. Realizing what that meant, I turned and met those familiar eyes. Alex was standing behind me, having heard my words, and his face was grim. He stared at me intensely, then twisted his lips into a cold sneer. “Jade, that trick won’t work on me.” I flinched, then an endless bitter ache swelled in my chest. The reason he thought I was playing hard to get was simply because he was convinced I loved him and couldn’t leave him. I looked at him quietly, and spoke softly. “Alex, don’t worry. I can love and I can let go. Since I agreed to divorce you, I won’t bother you anymore.” Just then, the elevator doors in front of me opened. I stepped inside directly, but as the doors closed, my tense body relaxed for a split second. Scenes of him and another woman, so loving, flashed relentlessly before my eyes like a slideshow. My heart still felt like it was being twisted by a knife. To this day, I still didn’t understand how he could fall in love with someone else so easily… But my pride wouldn’t allow me to beg. When I got home. The real estate agent was showing the house. The location Alex bought was excellent. I had only listed it on the resale platform a few days ago, and already many people had come to view it. Today, the buyer was even more straightforward, signing the preliminary contract on the spot. After receiving the deposit, I immediately assured them, “Don’t worry, I’ll move out within the next two days and make sure the house is spotless.” Over the next two days. I quickly bought an apartment closer to my hospital and hastily cleaned out the house. As for Alex’s other belongings that he hadn’t managed to take, I sent them all to his law firm via cash-on-delivery. Just as I finished packing the last box and was about to call the agent to hand over the keys. Alex showed up at my door. He stood in the doorway, not stepping inside, and informed me with a stiff tone. “Mom and Dad are calling us home for dinner tonight.” I paused for a moment, then looked at him. “Correction. They are *your* parents now, not mine.” Alex’s face darkened slightly. “We haven’t finalized the divorce yet. Why are you so harsh towards them?” My head buzzed. I could barely believe my ears. Harsh? I never thought the person I loved most would use that word to describe me. All words caught in my throat. I couldn’t utter a single syllable. Alex simply led me to his car. The passenger seat had a sticker Tiffany had put on it, reading ‘Tiffany’s Princess Seat.’ I froze, turning stiffly to the back seat. “I’ll sit in the back.” The drive was unusually quiet. In truth, this had been the norm for the past six months of our marriage. We were supposed to be the closest people, yet we were worse than strangers. My heart ached with sharp, recurring pains. That evening, at the Davies family home. Mrs. Davies kept piling food onto my plate, launching into her age-old topic. “Jade, you and Alex have been married for three years now. When are you planning on having a baby?” “You’re a woman, dear, there’s no need to push yourself so hard with work! Being a doctor is exhausting! Why don’t you just quit and focus on starting a family?”

This kind of talk hadn’t stopped since Alex and I got married. Before, for Alex’s sake, I had listened to it all, endured it. But now… I put down my forks, looked at everyone in the Davies family, and spoke softly— “Mrs. Davies, you should save those words for Alex’s next wife.” “I came here today to tell you that Alex and I have already filed for divorce.” Taking advantage of the Davies family’s stunned silence. I continued to reveal, “And the reason for our divorce is because your son, Alex, cheated on me with his assistant! He chose to leave with absolutely nothing himself. I don’t owe your family anything!” Alex’s face instantly paled. He turned to me. “Jade!” He seemed not to have expected me to completely disregard his reputation and spill everything. The atmosphere became instantly silent. Mrs. Davies’s hands trembled as she looked at Alex. “Alex, is what she’s saying true?” Alex paused for a moment, then nodded honestly. “Tiffany is a very sweet and lovely girl. I’ll bring her back in a few days; you’ll definitely like her when you meet her.” He admitted it so candidly. A self-deprecating smile touched my lips. Yes, Alex was the type of person who couldn’t bear to see the woman he deeply loved suffer any injustice. When we were dating, he was just as eager to introduce me to his family, just as eager to marry me. And now, he was doing the same for Tiffany. Unexpectedly, his words angered Mr. Davies, who had remained silent until then. “How dare you bring a mistress into this house! I’ll disown you! What kind of decent woman breaks up someone else’s family at such a young age?” His beloved was insulted, and Alex’s face instantly darkened. “Dad! Tiffany and I are truly in love!” His response was a resounding slap across his face from Mr. Davies. “Our family has never had a divorce, let alone a second marriage! What will people think of us? It’s disgraceful!” Mr. Davies cared most about appearances and reputation. He didn’t truly care about my marriage with Alex; he just didn’t want to be embarrassed. Alex was stunned by the slap, speechless for a long moment. Mr. Davies then looked at me. “Jade, we don’t air our dirty laundry in public! This time, Alex was wrong, and we apologize on his behalf. Please don’t hold it against him!” “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure he breaks it off with that woman completely!” “Since your cooling-off period hasn’t passed, go cancel the divorce papers quickly.” After Mr. Davies finished speaking, he gave Mrs. Davies a meaningful look. Mrs. Davies immediately came over and took my hand. “Exactly, exactly! Jade, if you don’t want children, then don’t have them for now. Our family’s problems should be settled within these walls. Why make such a fuss about divorce?” Alex stood by, clearly displeased, but held his tongue out of respect for his parents. He was always like this. For three years of marriage, it was always me who played the ‘bad guy’ by standing up to the elders. This time, let me be the ‘bad guy’ for him one last time. I pushed Mrs. Davies’s hand away. “I’m sorry, but I’m not that generous. I can’t accept a husband whose heart isn’t with me.” Seeing my resolute attitude, Mrs. Davies faltered, then began to pull rank as an elder. “Jade, Alex cheated when he was married to you. Have you ever thought about your own problems?” “It’s probably your fault for not keeping your husband happy. Aren’t you embarrassed for letting him stray like this?” My heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, a tingling pain spreading through me. But on the surface, I just gave a light laugh. “He’s the one who cheated. What do I have to be embarrassed about?”

After saying that, I pulled my hand from Mrs. Davies’s grasp, picked up my bag, and left the Davies family home. But I’d only taken a few steps. Alex chased after me from behind. “Jade! Stop!” He came up to grab me, but his hand suddenly froze mid-air. This was an early symptom of his ALS. I watched him quietly, simply asking, “What else?” Alex’s brows furrowed tightly for a moment, then quickly returned to normal. He questioned me, “Jade, you’re just deliberately trying to ruin Tiffany’s reputation, aren’t you? Now my parents won’t accept her. Are you satisfied?” I looked at Alex. In that moment, I suddenly couldn’t remember why I had ever loved him. The lover in my memory spoke to me softly, with extreme tenderness. But now, he glared at me, as if I were his enemy. After years as lovers, I never imagined we would come to this. My eyes finally reddened, and I couldn’t help but ask him, “Alex, when you chose to cheat, you should have expected this day, shouldn’t you?” Alex’s face stiffened. And I didn’t say anything more to him, walking away with long strides. The next day was my day off. I completed all the transfer paperwork and moved into my new home. I also invited some friends and colleagues over for a housewarming party. As the atmosphere grew lively, they raised their glasses to me, cheering. “To our Jade’s new home!” I smiled, clinking my glass. “To my new life!” From that day on, my life became much calmer. I blocked all contact numbers for Alex’s family, only keeping his number so I could find him on the day we finalized the divorce. I thought I would have no further contact with them. Until a week later, in the early hours of the morning, I saw Alex on a gurney in the emergency room at the hospital where I was on call. He was curled up on the emergency stretcher, clutching his upper abdomen, his face as white as paper beneath his suit. My brow furrowed. I knew at a glance that he was having a stomach attack. Ever since he opened his law firm, Alex’s eating habits had been erratic. I used to remind him to eat on time, and whenever I had a moment, I would even cook him light, stomach-friendly meals and bring them to his firm. It seemed without my reminders, he hadn’t taken care of his body, and it quickly deteriorated. I reached out to palpate him, but the next moment, my hand was sharply pushed away. It was Tiffany, who had accompanied him. Seeing that I was the attending doctor, her face registered displeasure. “Why are *you* here? Aren’t there any other doctors?” A stinging pain shot through the back of my hand. And Alex, pale on the stretcher, didn’t say a word to stop his ‘girlfriend’. My heart turned cold. I stood at the emergency room door, looking at them. “Right now, I’m the only doctor on call in our department. Do you want him treated, or not?” Tiffany pursed her lips, remaining silent. Based on my professional ethics as a doctor, I continued to press on Alex’s upper abdomen, observing his reaction. Once I had a grasp of the situation, I turned to meet Tiffany’s eyes. “If you want another doctor, that’s fine. Either transfer him to another hospital, or wait here until 8 AM when the other doctors come on duty.” At this, I looked at Alex, who was in a semi-conscious state from the pain. “It’s up to him if he can hold on until then.” Tiffany was furious but understood that leaving or waiting for another doctor to come on duty was unrealistic. His condition would only worsen. She could only agree. An hour later. I finished treating Alex, completed my duties, and went home.

The next day. I returned to his room to conduct post-operative examinations. Upon entering, I found him alone in the room; Tiffany was nowhere to be seen. A post-op patient has limited mobility and needs care, so someone should at least be by their side. I recorded Alex’s data, frowning as I asked him, “Why are you alone? Isn’t anyone looking after you?” Alex was propped up on the bed, his lips pale, his voice hoarse. “She went to get me some food.” No sooner had he spoken. Tiffany walked into the room, carrying a bowl of spicy wontons, steaming hot and fragrant. She held up the bag in her hand, enthusiastically showing it to Alex. “Alex, I bought your favorite wontons! I waited in line for ages to get them!” Alex’s already pale face stiffened. Looking at the wontons, topped with a thick layer of chili oil, I still felt compelled to remind her from a doctor’s perspective. “Ms. Tiffany, he just had surgery. His diet should preferably be bland.” Upon hearing my words, Tiffany’s eyes immediately reddened, and her face showed displeasure. “Jade, what do you mean? Are you just jealous of me taking care of Alex? Don’t try to stir up trouble between us!” *Don’t listen to the doctor, then suffer the consequences.* I was speechless and couldn’t be bothered to say more, so I just looked down and wrote in the patient’s chart. It was Alex who lowered his eyes and reached out to hold Tiffany’s hand. “Tiffany, my stomach isn’t really up to spicy food right now. You should eat those wontons yourself. I can order some porridge for delivery.” Tiffany’s voice wavered with hurt. “But I went all that way to get them for you, and now you won’t eat them…” Alex immediately soothed her. “Don’t cry. When you cry, my heart aches.” The hand holding my chart trembled. He had said those exact words to me countless times before. When I was curled up in pain from my period, when I was upset because he was late for a date, when he hurt me during intimacy… Every time, he would gently hold me in his arms, tenderly kiss away the tears from my eyes, and then tell me, “Don’t cry. When you cry, my heart aches.” But now, he was using those very words to comfort another woman, right in front of me. I didn’t know how I managed to leave the room. It wasn’t until I was in the hallway outside that Dr. Liam, a colleague, called out to me. “Dr. Jade, could you help me look at this patient’s CT scan? Something feels off.” I walked over, about to take the report from his hand. Unexpectedly, a child suddenly darted out of a nearby room and ran straight into me. Unprepared, I stumbled back a few steps, right into Dr. Liam’s arms. Dr. Liam instinctively steadied me. I regained my balance and opened my mouth to say, “Tha…” Before I could finish, Tiffany’s surprised shriek came from nearby. “Jade! How can you be hugging another man during work hours! What kind of behavior is that?” I frowned and turned my head. Alex, still in his hospital gown, stood with Tiffany at the room entrance, his face utterly dark. Tiffany, however, glared over here and sneered again, “Alex, look! She made you leave with nothing, but she was probably the one who cheated first!” My face tightened. Dr. Liam beside me quickly frowned and explained, “What are you talking about? That was just an accident.” But Alex gave a cold, mocking laugh. “How convenient. How did Jade just *happen* to fall right into your arms?” Seeing that Dr. Liam was about to explain further, I stopped him. “Dr. Liam, please go on with your work.”

I didn’t want my personal affairs to involve a colleague. After Dr. Liam left, Tiffany kept chattering. “Alex, since Jade wronged you first, then leaving with nothing is just too unfair to you.” Alex merely stood in the doorway, his gaze fixed on me, dark and intense. I didn’t listen any further. I walked directly to them and looked Tiffany straight in the eye. “Tiffany, as a lawyer’s assistant, you should know that defamation carries legal consequences.” Tiffany’s eyes darted away, about to protest. But Alex spoke first, his tone full of mockery. “Jade, aren’t you brave enough to admit what you’ve done? That’s not how the word ‘defamation’ is used.” I felt utterly bewildered. “What have I done?” Alex sneered, a tight smile on his lips. “You’re still playing dumb at this point, so I’ll be direct!” “Jade! That baby you intentionally aborted six months ago, do you dare say it was mine?” *Boom.* It hit me like a thunderclap. A chill crawled from my feet up my spine, leaving me utterly cold. I looked at the man before me in disbelief. “So that’s why you suddenly became cold to me six months ago? You suspected me of betraying you?” Alex gritted his teeth. “It wasn’t suspicion, it was a fact!” I froze, feeling a dull, unbearable ache in my chest. Six months ago, Alex and I had a child. But this child wasn’t in our plans, and I was entirely focused on my work at the time. I had indeed mentioned to Alex that I didn’t want the baby. However, I ultimately decided against the abortion; after all, it was a life. Yet, during a patient resuscitation, I couldn’t save the child. During my hospital stay, Alex was very cold to me. I thought he was angry and resentful. So I suppressed all my grievances and pain, even humbling myself to apologize and seek reconciliation. But from then on, he became even more distant. He started staying out, citing work as an excuse. He even forgot our wedding anniversary, forgot my birthday. I never blamed him. I only blamed myself for not protecting our child. But now I realized, Alex had thought I betrayed him all that time! My eyes reddened. I stared intently at the man before me, almost grinding out the words. “Every day, besides work, I came home to cook for you. How dare you accuse me of cheating?” Alex scoffed, laughing in exasperation. He pulled out a video from his phone. “Fine, then how do you explain this?” I peered at the screen. In the video, Dr. Liam and I walked side-by-side into a hotel in the dark of night, and walked out together only at dawn. Alex’s voice was hoarse with hatred. “Jade, you told me that day you had an important surgery to perform. But what kind of surgery needs to be done in a hotel?” A cold wind swept through the hallway, chilling my heart to the bone. I looked into his eyes, feeling only disappointment and ridicule. “If that’s the case, why didn’t you ask me for clarification then?” Hearing this, Tiffany quickly interjected to smooth things over. “Jade, it’s my fault. I was the one who advised Alex not to confront you directly. After all, you wouldn’t have admitted it anyway…” I cut her off without ceremony. “Tiffany, this is between Alex and me. Please don’t interfere.” Tiffany fell silent, looking at Alex with a wronged expression. And Alex, naturally, shielded her behind him, sneering at me. “You wanted proof, didn’t you? The evidence is so clear now, what else do you have to say?” — CUTOFF POINT —

I looked at this man, who, after three years of marriage, had no trust in me whatsoever. I felt nothing but coldness. Tears fell from my eyes without my knowing. I awkwardly wiped them away, then quickly looked down, searched for a news article on my phone, and handed it to him. “That day, we performed an emergency surgery in that hotel! The story even made the news! There’s still a banner from the family hanging in our department office. Do you want to go see it?” The news had gone viral at the time. I had wanted to show it to Alex immediately. But he had said, “I’m already so tired from work. I’m not interested in reading any news.” His single sentence extinguished my desire to share. If only Alex had cared a little more about me, about my work, he would have known the truth. But back then, I suppose his heart was already elsewhere. I looked at his shocked face, yet felt no sense of relief from the misunderstanding being cleared up. After a long pause, I lowered my eyes and gave a bitter laugh. “Alex, the one who betrayed our marriage, from beginning to end, was only you.” After saying that, I put away my phone and left the hospital room. Two days later, Alex was discharged. I put all my energy into my work, no longer paying attention to them. My next encounter with Alex was two weeks later, outside the courthouse. At this point, only one week remained until our divorce cooling-off period ended. This time, our hospital was involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit. I was testifying as a witness for the hospital, and Alex was our hospital’s defense attorney. In court, with irrefutable evidence and Alex, a golden-tier lawyer, on our side, the lawsuit was won without a doubt. After the hearing, I was preparing to go home. Alex followed and called out to me. “Jade, wait.” I couldn’t avoid him, so I asked in a professional tone, “Mr. Davies, is there anything else?” Hearing how I addressed him, Alex’s expression faltered. After a moment, he squeezed out the words from his throat. “About before… I was wrong. I misunderstood you. I’m sorry.” I frowned, falling silent. A belated apology was useless for our current situation. Clearing up this misunderstanding wouldn’t mend our broken relationship, nor would it change the fact that he had fallen for someone else. I shook my head. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.” Alex sighed. “I wanted to ask, do you still have the recipe for the medicinal porridge you used to make for me? My stomach hasn’t been feeling well these past few days. Tiffany isn’t very good at cooking these things, so I thought I’d try making it myself.” After only two weeks out of the hospital, he had lost a lot of weight. It seemed Tiffany truly wasn’t very good at taking care of people. My expression softened, and thinking that he would soon be gravely ill, I finally agreed. “Alright, I’ll send you the recipe when I get home.” As I finished speaking, I turned to leave. But Alex called out to me once more— “Oh, and one more thing! Last time you asked me to get a check-up at your hospital, are the results back yet?” I froze. Before I could reply, Tiffany’s figure ran over from not far away. She linked her arm through Alex’s, asserting her claim to him. “Jade, the case is over. What are you still trying to talk to my boyfriend about?” And Alex, as usual, tacitly allowed Tiffany’s assertion of ownership. My heart tightened. I swallowed the words on my tongue, and simply looked at Alex. “You can go to the hospital yourself to ask for your check-up results when you have time.” I didn’t want to get involved in their romantic drama, so I turned and left. Behind me, I could still hear Tiffany’s angry questioning. “Alex, what were you just talking about with her? Do you still like her?”

Immediately followed by Alex’s helpless reply: “Tiffany, can you please stop being so sensitive? I was just asking her some things. I truly have no feelings for her anymore.” Tiffany’s voice suddenly became shrill: “You’re the one who didn’t make me feel secure. How can you blame me for being sensitive?” And Alex’s tone now carried a hint of weariness: “Tiffany, you’ve checked my phone thoroughly, my salary card is with you, and you’ve even deleted all my female friends. What more do you want me to do?” So they fought too… But perhaps these arguments were sweet for Alex, just as mine had been for him. None of that had anything to do with me anymore. I quickened my pace, leaving their voices far behind. The next day was Saturday. I planned to go to the mall to pick out a birthday present for my best friend, Sarah, whose birthday was coming up. In the jewelry store, ornaments were abundant, dazzling the eyes. As I focused on selecting, I heard Tiffany’s sugary voice. “Jade, what a coincidence!” I looked up towards the source of the voice, feeling like I had run into an old enemy. At the entrance, Tiffany was walking towards me, her arm linked with Alex’s. I had no desire to get entangled with the two of them, so I started to leave. But Tiffany blocked my path. “Jade, Alex and I were just about to pick out wedding rings. Since it’s such a coincidence, why don’t you help us choose?” The words “wedding rings” pierced my heart like a sharp knife. Alex and I hadn’t even officially finalized our divorce yet. And he was already so impatient, bringing her to buy wedding rings. Did he not want to show me even basic respect anymore? I looked at Tiffany’s deliberate display of gloating, biting back my emotions with all my might to keep from losing composure. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me, his ex-wife, to help you choose wedding rings, would it?” Alex looked somewhat uncomfortable, but Tiffany quickly interjected. “It’s fine, Jade. Your taste is so good, any ring you pick will be perfect.” I gave Alex a self-deprecating glance. —*Not all choices are good, sometimes there are missteps, like choosing a husband.* I directly raised my hand and pointed to a million-dollar diamond ring in the center of the display case. “I think this twelve-carat ‘Heart of the Ocean’ is quite nice.” At my words, both their faces changed. Alex had just left with nothing. He couldn’t afford something so expensive. Indeed, Alex looked in the direction I pointed. When his eyes met the price tag, his face stiffened for a moment. His gaze shot at me like a cold arrow. “Jade, are you deliberately trying to humiliate me?” But I found it laughable. They were the ones who had deliberately provoked me first, yet in the end, he could accuse me of humiliating him. I clenched my hands, lowering my eyes as I softly said, “Alex, you yourself once said that the person you love deserves the best things in the world, didn’t you?” Alex’s expression froze. He stiffened. But quickly, he waved his hand grandly, and actually pulled out his credit card. “You’re right, Tiffany, I’ll buy it for you!” At these words, Tiffany’s eyes instantly lit up. She hugged Alex and kissed him. “Alex! You’re so good to me!” Their affectionate display made the store clerk smile just as brightly. Only I stood there, unable to smile. Alex probably didn’t remember that he had promised to buy me this ‘Heart of the Ocean’ a long time ago. But back then, neither he nor I had much money, and I said we’d get it later. Yet, it turned out that if he truly wanted to buy something, he would find a way, even without money. His love for Tiffany seemed far deeper than his love for me. It appeared the person I deeply loved had never truly loved me back. Just thinking of that made my heart ache as if it had been brutally torn apart.

I couldn’t stay there for another second. After having the gift I’d chosen for Sarah wrapped, I left the store directly. Unexpectedly, that evening I received a call from Alex. “Jade, did you sell our house?” His incredulous voice carried a hint of sluggish drunkenness. I knew he was drunk. In the past, when he drank for business, his tone was always like this. But I didn’t know what he was doing now. He had just splurged on Tiffany during the day, so why would he come home to *our* “home” completely wasted at night? But I no longer wanted to guess at his emotions. My tone turned cold. “Yes, the house is mine now. How I handle it is none of your business, is it?” Alex was silent for a moment on the other end of the line, then asked again, “Where are you living now? I want to see you.” I remained silent, then refused again. “There’s no need. We’ll see each other naturally in a few days when we finalize the divorce.” With that, I was about to hang up. But Alex’s voice came urgently through the phone— “Jade, I regret it! I don’t think Tiffany and I are that suitable. Can we… not get divorced?” My heart skipped a beat, but I knew clearly it was just a casual remark from a drunk man. “Alex, you’re drunk.” “No, I’m not!” Alex’s emotions became agitated. “Jade, I know what I’m saying sounds a bit thick-skinned, but please don’t hang up. At least just listen to me for a bit, okay? I really have no one else to talk to.” This was the first time Alex had ever shown me such a vulnerable side. But it was all because of another woman. I asked him hoarsely, “What do you want to say?” Alex’s voice was raspy. “Do you know? I liked Tiffany because she was young and vibrant, she adored and relied on me. Her whole world revolved around me. That’s something entirely different from you.” I had nothing to say. Yes, I was a doctor, and I was busy every day. But I had foolishly believed that our independent careers, balanced with our leisure time spent together, was the ideal state for our marriage. A mutual understanding. But the truth was, he had grown tired of me long ago. I managed a bitter smile. “But from the very beginning, didn’t you know what kind of person I was?” The other end of the line fell silent. I took a moment to compose myself before saying, “But all that’s in the past. In five days, you’ll finally be with Tiffany, the woman you love. Don’t worry, I won’t stand in your way.” However, these words didn’t seem to make Alex happy. He sighed on the phone, then changed the subject. “But after Tiffany and I actually started living together, I realized she only knows how to have fun, not how to run a household.” “When I had a stomachache, I just asked her to get me a glass of water and some medicine, and she said I was treating her like a maid!” “She can’t cook, and she never cleans the house. Every day I come home from work, not only do I have to clean up after her, but I can’t even get a cup of hot water!” Alex’s long-suppressed emotions poured out like a flood. I was somewhat surprised. This Alex seemed a completely different person from the mature, steady man I remembered. Before our marriage fell apart, our interactions were extremely harmonious; arguments were almost nonexistent. Now, it seemed that perhaps it was only because he didn’t love me that he could remain so emotionally stable. I suppressed the endless bitter ache rising in my heart and offered a practical suggestion. “Those are minor issues. You can hire a housekeeper to solve them.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298954”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

Dumped By My Husband, I Hit The Jackpot After returning from a three-month company training program, I found my husband gone, the locks changed, and a stranger opening the door. One question was all it took to learn the house had been sold. Unable to reach Jake, I headed to my in-laws’ place, only to find the entire run-down neighborhood dark and deserted. My in-laws, Mark, and Brenda, all had their phones switched off. I panicked, not knowing who to call. No one in the family SnapChat group bothered to reply. My ride-share driver told me the old houses there were being torn down for a redevelopment project. They ran off, terrified of having to share any money with me. But what they didn’t know was that my parents had hit the lottery for three hundred million dollars, and I wasn’t scared anymore. Not one bit. Three months ago, my company sent me away for training, promising a promotion and a significant pay raise upon my return. Jake and I had been married for two years. Our salaries weren’t high, so we planned to save up for a couple more years before having kids. This trip meant a substantial boost to my income, so I agreed without hesitation. Just last night, I had FaceTimed Jake, and we were planning our happy future with kids. He even said he’d pick me up from the train station today. But when I got off the train, he wasn’t there, and he wasn’t answering his phone. I thought he’d simply forgotten, but when I took a cab home, I found him gone, and our smart lock had been changed. I wondered if the old lock had broken, and he’d replaced it, but he hadn’t told me. After knocking for ages, a scruffy, bearded man opened the door, asking angrily who I was. I flinched and asked him the same, checking the house number to make sure I wasn’t at the wrong place. He claimed to be the owner, saying the house had been sold ages ago. He even asked if Jake and I had argued, because why else would my husband sell the house without telling me? A whirlwind of thoughts flashed through my mind, then it all went blank. I pulled out my phone and dialed Jake’s number again. Pick up, pick up, Jake, just pick up! What’s happening?! I crouched in the hallway, phone in one hand, anxiously chewing on my thumbnail, completely at a loss. I quickly sent him SnapChat messages, but my hands were shaking too much to type. I ended up sending a barrage of ten or so voice messages, asking where he was, why someone else was in our house, when it was sold, why I knew nothing… A storm of questions raged in my head. No reply. In desperation, I quickly called Mr. and Mrs. Miller. But their phones were all switched off! This sent me into an even greater panic.

I quickly grabbed my things, hailed a cab, and headed to my in-laws’ old, dilapidated house, less than half a mile from ours. As the car got closer, the neighborhood grew darker, not a single light shining anywhere. “Why isn’t there a single light on?” I blurted out. “Oh, it’s a redevelopment project. Didn’t you know? Everyone’s moved out. What’s a young woman like you doing here? Are you here to pick something up?” “Redevelopment? No, I had no idea. When did this happen?” “Just the last couple of months. I heard the compensation money had already hit their accounts, and some families had even moved abroad!” “What?!” “We’re here. It’s really dark, miss, be careful.” The driver was nice enough. I thanked him and got out. I switched on my phone’s flashlight and stumbled my way to my in-laws’ old place. The yard was a mess, and I couldn’t see much inside, but it was definitely empty. Still, I hammered on the door, just to be sure. Luckily, I had a spare key. I fumbled for my keyring and unlocked the door. The moment I stepped inside, I jumped. You’d think the place had been ransacked. The house was a complete disaster, as if a hurricane had swept through it. Pots, pans, dishes—everything was scattered everywhere. I quickly called Mark and Brenda, but they still didn’t answer. Jake and I rarely contacted his relatives after we got married, so I naturally didn’t have their numbers. I could only reach out to Kevin, his oldest friend. Kevin said: “His parents got twenty million dollars from the redevelopment project. Jake sold *our* house for six hundred thousand. And his brother Mark, his wife Brenda, and the rest of the family – all five of them – they’ve gone abroad.” “You… you’d better figure out a place to stay for now. That’s all I can tell you.” With that, he hung up. What kind of sick, twisted plot was this? Had Jake’s entire family just abandoned me like this? I stood there amidst the wreckage of what used to be my life, trying to process it all, utterly incredulous. Was this real? Just yesterday, we were so happy. I looked around and suddenly felt a profound chill. The world was so big, but where was my home?

I walked to the nearest motel, my stomach rumbling. Ha. Just yesterday, Jake said he’d take me out for a fancy dinner when I got back. How ridiculous. My husband’s family had run off with twenty million six hundred thousand dollars. What were the odds? I went downstairs to the convenience store and bought a cup of instant noodles. Honestly, most people in this situation probably couldn’t eat or sleep, but I devoured mine without missing a beat. After eating, I lay on the bed and felt a sudden sense of physical relief. After all, I’d been on a train all day, dragging my suitcase around, and then dealing with this completely devastating news. My body finally relaxed, but my mind was a jumbled mess. Why? How could they? For the two years we were married, I’d been frugal, buying cheap skincare and hardly any new clothes, all to save more money. But Jake? He made just $3,200 a month, and that money would vanish on gas, cigarettes, and stupid video games. I couldn’t count on him to contribute to the household. Utilities, HOA fees, and heating bills were all my responsibility. Every morning, I had to get up and make breakfast, because if he wasn’t eating breakfast, he wouldn’t bother making any for me either. I ate lunch at work. In the evenings, when I worked late, he never waited for me; he’d just eat at his parents’ place and come home. I worked overtime five days a week, while he barely worked and spent all his time gaming. All this hard work, I never thought much of it. Marriage was about mutual tolerance, after all. But when I found out they’d gotten twenty million dollars and then dumped me, everything suddenly seemed so ridiculous, so terrifying, so pathetic. I worked so hard, all for the sake of having children with a man like that. I picked up my phone to send a SnapChat to my mom, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell her the truth. I didn’t want to worry her and Dad. Oh, how I longed for my parents’ freshly baked pastries, or their famous twisted bread sticks. Tears welled up as I thought about it. I couldn’t imagine how furious and worried they would be if they knew. That night, I kept calling Jake every so often until 2 AM, when his phone finally switched off. He actually switched it off! He must have seen my calls and SnapChat messages, but instead of giving me an explanation, he just shut his phone off! How was that different from betrayal? No, it *was* betrayal! I almost wished he’d cheated, so I could yell and scream at him. But now I couldn’t reach him, couldn’t yell at him, and still didn’t understand anything. This feeling was truly too painful, too helpless. I eventually fell asleep, still crying. I woke up the next day and called in sick to work. At this point, the situation seemed set, so I started thinking about how to find Jake’s family. I looked online; you couldn’t report someone missing until after 24 hours. So I agonized in the motel, waiting for the time to pass. Since they deliberately made themselves unreachable, I had no choice but to call the police. I don’t know how I made it through that day. As night fell, the motel’s already dim lighting made the room feel even quieter. I turned on the TV, and it happened to be the lottery drawing. I thought, given everything, I should have bought a ticket earlier. I gave a bitter laugh. I hadn’t given up trying to contact the five of them, calling each number, sending SnapChat messages and group messages, but still, no one answered. But why *her*? Why did they take Brenda, but not me? It was beyond infuriating. Perhaps because I’d spent the day searching for “redevelopment compensation distribution,” “missing persons,” “marriage,” “assets,” and “divorce” related topics. My YouTube feed was suddenly flooded with lawyer recommendations. I casually followed a lawyer with several million followers who was livestreaming. He was from around here. I figured a local lawyer would be easier to communicate with. After his livestream ended, he sent me a private message asking what help I needed, so I sent him the whole story. He said we’d have to find the family first before dealing with anything else. I asked about his fees, and he said he was quite expensive—$200,000. That didn’t even include other miscellaneous costs. Damn, I thought, I wouldn’t be able to afford a lawyer even if I found them. I did have some savings, but his older brother, Mark, borrowed $200,000 from us before the holidays and still hadn’t paid it back. I was left with only $120,000. It was money my parents had saved as my dowry. I really didn’t want to spend it.

“Chloe! We won! We won! We hit the jackpot!” “Won what? What did you win? Slow down.” “Your dad and I passed a lottery stand yesterday and bought a $20 ticket, just like we always do. We just checked the numbers, and we got them all right!” Hearing this, I jumped up and down on the bed, ecstatic. I was so overwhelmed with excitement, I didn’t know what to do. “Really? Are you sure? Did you both check it right? How much did you win?” “We don’t know, but all the numbers were correct!” I quickly sat down and meticulously double-checked the lottery numbers and ticket ID my mom had sent me. No mistake! It was real! I immediately sent a private message to Mr. Sterling, asking him to be my lawyer. The next day, I rushed out to buy a mask and a change of clothes, and even bought a full-body mascot costume to wear when claiming the prize. I completely forgot about reporting Jake missing; I’d leave everything to the lawyer. I quickly booked a train ticket home to my parents’ place, fearing they might get overwhelmed by the process. When I got home, they had prepared a feast of all my favorite dishes. Tears streamed down my face. I didn’t know if I was crying from the pain of Jake abandoning me or the joy of the lottery win. My parents thought I was acting strangely; why was I crying when it was such good news? But they didn’t ask further, just urged me to sit down and eat. I ate two bowls of rice, and they kept telling me to slow down. Being with my parents felt so wonderful. After dinner, I sat on the sofa, thought for a moment, and decided to tell them everything. After I finished, they were stunned and absolutely furious. “What kind of family is that?! That bunch of good-for-nothing freeloaders, suddenly rich, just abandons their daughter-in-law? That’s despicable!” my dad said, slamming his fist on the table. “I didn’t want you to marry into that family in the first place, but I couldn’t talk you out of it. I never thought they’d do something like this. Oh, to think we won the lottery, such wonderful news, only for this to happen,” my mom said sadly. “It’s okay, Mom and Dad. I’ve already found a very good lawyer in our city, and he’ll handle everything. It’s just that I only have the $120,000 dowry you gave me when I got married, and the lawyer’s fee is at least $200,000.” “We have money! Even if we hadn’t won the lottery, the money your dad and I saved would be enough for you to hire a lawyer, let alone now that we’ve won. “We’ll support you no matter what. Don’t worry, with your dad and me here, we saved this money for you, didn’t we? You don’t have to be afraid of anything.” I couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into loud, unrestrained sobs. My parents transferred $180,000 to me, bringing my total to $300,000. The next day, we packed our things and drove to the state capital, where we met my lawyer and paid him. Then we went to complete the lottery claim procedures. A week later, my parents received the prize money. They had won a staggering $360 million! After paying the 20% tax, we were left with a solid $288 million. After discussing it as a family of three, we decided to donate $80 million to charity. After all, it was lottery winnings; giving back to charity felt right, like it would bring us peace of mind.

My parents immediately wanted to give me the rest of the money, but I refused. Because even though Jake had abandoned me, I was still legally married. If they transferred the money to me, it would become marital property, and there was no way I was letting my parents’ money become that scumbag’s money. Soon, the lawyer contacted me, saying he’d found Jake and his family of five. They were living it up in a lavish resort in the Caribbean, and the lawyer immediately sent me the address. To be safe, I set off for the Caribbean with my legal team. My parents wanted to come too, but I worried they’d get even angrier if they saw Jake’s family. When we arrived at their place, it was truly luxurious! A sprawling villa, a huge parking lot, and a yard that looked like an entire forest. When I saw them, they were splashing around in the large swimming pool in the yard! So, they were this happy after ditching me. Had they forgotten I even existed? Wait. No, there were six people. The closer I got, the more my rage surged, threatening to burst when I finally saw clearly. I wanted to unleash a bomb on that pool, to blast them all straight to hell. The lawyer noticed my emotional shift and quickly pulled me back. He warned me not to be impulsive and to follow his instructions. I took a moment to compose myself, exchanged a glance with the lawyer, and walked forward again. They saw me and stopped playing. Jake, his potbelly sticking out, jumped out of the pool in a flash. He strode towards me. “What are *you* doing here?” “What am *I* doing here? Shouldn’t *you* be explaining what *you’re* doing here first?” “You were away on your trip, so we came to have fun. How did you find us?” At that moment, his parents also walked up to me, followed by Mark and Brenda. “Your family is truly harmonious, aren’t you? Did you forget you even *had* a wife? Did you two forget about your youngest daughter-in-law? Did you two forget about your sister-in-law? “This place must cost a fortune, right? Where did you get the money to stay here? What happened to our house? What about your old house, you two? Explain everything to me!” “Why are you so loud? Your tone is so crude, so beneath this place. “Besides, what kind of daughter-in-law talks to her mother-in-law like that? Speak to us in a softer voice. You’re not worthy to yell at us.” His mother spoke first. “You still remember you’re my mother-in-law? I thought you’d already erased me from your family records! I remember my residency was tied to yours, all four of you, after we got married.” Hearing me mention the residency, their faces showed a mixture of panic and a strange expression. I almost laughed at the sight. “What residency? Why are you bringing that up?” his dad said. “Why am I bringing up residency? You all know perfectly well why.” “You found your way here, so you must already know about my parents’ old house redevelopment. That’s right, the compensation was twenty million dollars. “But that money belongs to my parents, not to us. What does it matter if your residency was tied to ours? Don’t even think about claiming a single cent of it.” “I wasn’t trying to claim your paltry compensation money. But what you did was utterly shameless, wasn’t it?” “What’s shameless about it? And you said ‘paltry’ compensation money? That was twenty million dollars! “You, a penniless nobody from that humble bakery, have you ever even *seen* that much money? You probably couldn’t even comprehend it, could you?” His mother started to verbally attack me. She was beyond unreasonable. “Forget about the twenty million for a second. What about our house?” “That wasn’t *our* house, it was my parents’ house! They bought it for me *before* we got married. You have absolutely no claim to it.” “No matter who bought it, that was our home! We’re still married, and you sold the house without telling me? I come back from my business trip, and you vanish, not even asking where I’m eating or sleeping?” “You’re a grown woman; why would I ask? If you’re hungry, just go back to your parents’ run-down bakery and munch on their pathetic little pastries! Hahahahaha!” After my worthless excuse for a husband said that, the rest of those shameless people all burst into laughter. I clenched my fists, wanting to punch him square in the face. He was infuriating! “When was *our* house bought by your parents before marriage? Clearly, they only paid a $100,000 down payment before marriage, and I transferred the remaining mortgage payments to you every month. “The title was in your name, but I was the one actually paying the mortgage. How can you say it’s theirs?” “Since they made the down payment, it’s *theirs*. And sure, you paid the mortgage, but our money was marital property, so it’s basically like *I* paid it. So, I say the house is *mine*.” “Now you know about marital property? Then do you know that the redevelopment compensation money is *also* marital property? Is your family so incredibly hypocritical? “Do you know that I also have a share in that compensation? You ran off just to avoid giving me my share? Are you planning to hide in the Caribbean for the rest of your lives? Never going back home?” “Go back home? Of course not! The old houses were demolished, our house was sold, and I even quit that pathetic $3,200 a month job. See this villa in front of you? We bought it. We’ve decided to live here from now on.” “Bought it? Your ‘whole family’ will live here, and those words don’t include me, do they?” “And who’s that woman in the pool? I’ve never seen her. Don’t tell me she’s part of your family now too?” “Don’t worry about it so much. I’m going inside to get something. You just wait here.” With that, he walked towards their grand villa.

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After six months away on a work assignment, I came home to find my pet hamster dead. I couldn’t just bury it. I decided to preserve it, make a specimen so it would always keep its cute, round shape. But as I carefully began the dissection, I froze. The hamster’s lungs were completely black. That wasn’t a short-term discoloration; it was the result of prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke. But my wife and I never smoked. For the past six months, who had been living in my home? I didn’t *want* to suspect my wife, Lily Evans. I knew that trust was the bedrock of any marriage. That’s why we never installed surveillance cameras, and we certainly never checked each other’s phones. But perhaps I’d overestimated people. I scoured every corner of the room, finding no trace of smoking. No lighters, no ashtrays, nothing. Was I wrong about her? Was the hamster just sick? But then, my gaze fell on the wallpaper. I remembered it clearly: behind the sofa, there was a small ballpoint pen mark where I’d accidentally scuffed it. Now, it was gone. The wallpaper had been replaced. *That’s it!* If someone had been smoking in the room for an extended period, the wallpaper would undoubtedly be yellowed. Lily had thought of that and replaced it before I returned. I called her. She answered quickly, her voice sweet and gentle: “Honey, what’s up?” “Why was the wallpaper in the living room changed?” I tried to sound casual. “Oh, that.” She chuckled. “New wallpaper, new mood, you know? You’ve been gone for six months; the house needed a fresh look.” Her tone was perfectly natural, utterly devoid of guilt. “Oh, right, I booked a table at your favorite restaurant for tonight to welcome you home. Make sure you dress to impress!” I hung up, my mind reeling. After much thought, I posted on a relationship advice forum: **[Away for six months, came home to find my hamster dead, lungs totally black. My wife and I don’t smoke. Should I suspect her of cheating?]** Replies flooded in almost immediately: **[Bro, is this even a question? 90% chance she’s seeing someone else.]** **[Look for details, any extra men’s items?]** **[Useless. I’m a woman, and I’m cheating right now. Those clues would be long gone, you think I’d leave them for you to find?]** **[Whoa, TMI, lady! We don’t need *that* level of honesty!]** **[Listen to me: slip the building’s security guard a few hundred bucks and ask if anyone’s been coming and going from your place.]** I stared at the replies, a cold dread washing over me. Distracted, I changed for our evening date. Lily had booked my favorite restaurant and, smiling, handed me a beautifully wrapped gift box. I opened it. It was the mechanical watch I’d been wanting for ages. She didn’t like spicy food, but she’d ordered a table full of fiery red dishes for me, constantly sipping water to douse the flames. A pang of guilt struck me. Maybe I was overthinking things. Mid-meal, I couldn’t hold it in any longer and brought up the hamster: “Our hamster died. Did you know?” She nodded, her face falling into a sad expression. She reached across the table, taking my hand to comfort me. “I was going to tell you. It got sick a while ago. I took it to the vet, but they said it was too far gone. Don’t be sad, honey. We can always get another one.” Her voice held no trace of panic. Again, I wondered if I had wronged her. After dinner, we walked out of the restaurant. I reached for her hand, and she instinctively flinched back. It was a slight movement, but I felt it distinctly. I looked at her. She froze for two seconds before extending her hand again, clasping mine herself. She smiled. “You’ve been gone for six months, I’m just a little out of practice.” I said nothing. I remembered what one of the forum users had said. He told me to initiate physical contact with my wife. If she showed even a hint of physiological repulsion, there was a 99% chance she was cheating. We walked hand-in-hand to the parking garage. By our parking spot, a young man was engrossed in his phone. He looked up, surprised to see me, then immediately smiled and called out, “Good evening, Dr. Miller.” I stopped. It was Lucas Hayes, an intern from our hospital. Lucas then nodded to Lily: “Good evening, Dr. Evans.” Lily smiled back. “What a coincidence.” Something felt off. Lily and I were both doctors, but in different departments. She worked in outpatient care, while Lucas rotated through inpatient services. Logically, he shouldn’t know her. They chatted casually. Lucas kept pushing up his glasses, revealing the Patek Philippe on his wrist. I recognized it instantly. It was *my* watch. Only ten like it existed in the world, each with its own engraved serial number.

I said nothing. But I understood. The kid was deliberately showing it to me. I smiled, putting my arm around Lily’s shoulder. “We should go.” Once we were in the car, she chattered incessantly, telling me about her past six months. My mind wasn’t in it. I dropped her off at our front door but didn’t get out. I just told her something came up at the hospital, and I had to go back, so she should head upstairs alone. I returned to the hospital. I knew my car had a GPS tracker. Lily, ever cautious, would have likely sensed my suspicion. If I parked the car in the neighborhood, I wouldn’t catch anything. I was gambling. I remembered Lucas’s eyes earlier. I bet he was too smug, too impatient to wait. Just past midnight, I pulled out my phone and sent a message to my mother, asking her to call Lily for a casual chat. Ten minutes later, I dialed Lucas’s number. “Dr. Miller? Is everything alright?” His voice sounded surprised. I heard muffled noises in the background – a fan, and a woman’s voice. I recognized it. It was Lily. Nothing more needed to be said. It was just as the forum user warned: once the seed of suspicion is planted, every subsequent event only confirms its truth. I immediately started digging. First, bank statements, then PayPal and SnapChat transfer records. Months of transactions, reviewed one by one. No abnormalities. No large transfers out, no unfamiliar accounts. I checked our credit cards. Also clean. All daily expenses, no extra spending or loans. This was odd. Cheating, but not moving assets? Lily was incredibly materialistic. She’d fought with me for ages about our shared marital assets when we first got together. She was beautiful and had many suitors. She chose me largely because of my financial stability and background. Not touching our joint assets? That didn’t fit her style at all. I continued my investigation and finally discovered that my research paper document had been tampered with. It contained years of my accumulated core findings. Unpublished experimental data and my unique surgical method. If the surgery was successful, it would not only be the peak of my career but would also redefine industry standards. Lily, of course, knew the importance of this paper. Now, the modification time on the document had changed. The file had been opened, and a full copy had been made. I stared at the screen, my expression unreadable. I knew what they were planning. In two months, there would be a major public surgery, live-streamed internationally. Lily intended to give my surgical method to Lucas, letting him achieve overnight fame in front of countless cameras and esteemed experts. Then, they would completely cut me out. *Excellent.* This was far more ruthless than simply moving assets. The next day at work, I saw Lily by the conference room door. I noticed her clothes beneath her lab coat had been changed. She was clever, using such a subtle detail to imply she’d been home last night. As if to tell me I was imagining things. I smiled, walked up to her, put my arm around her waist, and leaned in to kiss her. She subtly recoiled. “So many people around.” As I leaned closer, I distinctly caught the scent of smoke. *Got it.* That afternoon, I was doing rounds with a few interns. Lucas stood at the front. I casually asked a few case-related questions. He answered thoroughly, even proactively suggesting two different treatment plans. Dr. Peterson, who was with us, nodded approvingly: “Excellent. Very promising.” Lucas, seizing the opportune moment, meticulously explained a detail about post-operative care. Dr. Peterson patted his shoulder: “Keep up the good work. You’ll have a spot here one day.” Dr. Peterson had never thought much of me. He found me too temperamental, said I never played his games, never buttered him up or pandered to his ego. But my competence was undeniable, so he couldn’t actually touch me. I knew he’d been itching to replace me. We reached the last patient room. Lying inside was my mother-in-law, Mrs. Evans. Her chart above the bed read “Elective Surgery.” Lily had insisted that I personally perform this surgery, saying she trusted no one else. Elective, huh? I glanced at the highly praised Lucas. Well, then, I’d choose a very special date for her surgery. I returned to my office. A few minutes later, Lucas knocked. “Dr. Miller, can I have a few minutes of your time?” He entered, standing before my desk with a smile. “Dr. Miller, Dr. Peterson said my performance was excellent. Could you fast-track my permanent position?” I looked at him. “Internship periods are fixed. You still need to pass the internal hospital assessment.” He sneered. “Sir, isn’t skill the most important thing?” I stared at him. “Skill is important, but a person needs to know their place.” His smile widened. “Positions are given by others, but they can also be taken.” I leaned back in my chair, saying nothing. He took a step forward, lowering his voice. “Some opportunities, whoever seizes them first, wins.” The air in the office grew heavy. He stared straight at me, showing no sign of backing down. I didn’t avert my gaze either. A minute later, he smiled again and turned to leave.

A week later, there was a city-wide medical conference that Lily and I both had to attend. I intentionally left early, pretending I’d forgotten my Patek Philippe, and asked her to bring it to me at the venue. When I arrived, she very naturally handed me the watch. I looked down, fastened it on, and said nothing. The hall was crowded. Lucas was there too. He was smiling and chatting with others, and on his wrist was that same watch, identical to mine. I nudged Lily. “Look, his watch is just like mine.” She feigned surprise. “Oh, my goodness, it really is! But it looks much better on you than on him.” I didn’t respond, just glanced at her. I’d already noticed. The watch on my wrist was fake. She had given my real watch to Lucas and bought me a fake one. She was treating me like an idiot. The hospital director droned on from the stage. I lowered my head and scrolled through Ins. Lucas had posted many updates. A picture from three months ago showed a close-up of a wrist. The watch face was clear – my real watch. The caption read: **[Thanks, sis, for the affirmation. You’ve given me a goal to strive for.]** A photo from ten days ago showed a partial view of a dining table, with a slender hand picking up food. I recognized that hand. It was Lily’s. The caption: **[Wish time could just stop here.]** Yesterday’s post was a back shot: a woman in a white coat, hair loose, brightly lit by the sun. The caption: **[Waiting for sis to get off work.]** I scrolled through them, one by one. None of them were directly explicit, but every single one bore Lily’s undeniable mark. Lucas was usually a social butterfly, with dozens of likes on his photos. But not on these. Because he’d set up a private group – these posts were only visible to *me*. He was doing this on purpose. He was telling me: *Your watch is mine, and so is your wife.* Someone at the conference called my name for a speech. I stood up and walked to the stage. I saw Lucas turn his head to look at Lily. Their eyes met. But I pretended not to see anything. In the days that followed, I continued to live normally with Lily. I kept writing my paper, and I silently watched them copy it. Soon, the day of the surgery arrived. That morning, I went to the garage to get my car as usual. As soon as I started the engine, the tire pressure warning light came on. The left rear tire had been punctured. All the air had leaked out. I feigned panic and called Lily: “Honey, what do I do? My tire’s flat!” She paused for two seconds, then her voice became even more frantic than mine: “Oh no! What are we going to do? Today’s surgery is so important, you won’t make it!” “Well, someone else will just have to take over for you.” Like someone pushed to despair, I said, “Then let someone else take over.” I hailed a cab, but not long after we set off, the car was rear-ended. *Heh.* I sneered. They were being incredibly thorough. Ten minutes later, Lucas sent a message. **[You’re finished.]** I slowly typed back four words: **[No, *you* are.]** My divorce lawyer picked me up, and we drove straight to the hospital. But I deliberately avoided the surgical area, letting them believe I was still stranded on the road, fixing my car. I had already arranged for someone to give me real-time updates on their movements. Lily was helping Lucas adjust his mask and gloves: “This is a golden opportunity today. Do a great job.” “When the time comes, just say you wrote that paper and Dr. Miller plagiarized you.” “His surgical steps are written out clearly. There’ll be no problem!” Lucas wrapped his arm around her neck and kissed her forehead forcefully. The surgery began. It was then that I unhurriedly walked to the entrance. A few nurses were whispering at the door: “Dr. Hayes is set this time. Dr. Peterson and Dr. Evans are really pushing for him.” “With so many people watching, if this goes well, he’ll be famous.” “It’s such a shame for Dr. Miller.” Minutes ticked by. Initially, he performed smoothly. But twenty minutes later, panic broke out inside. The monitor’s alarm blared suddenly. A nurse shouted, “Patient is hemorrhaging heavily!” Lucas’s voice was laced with panic: “Pressure, more gauze… How do we stop the bleeding?” Dr. Peterson snapped, “Replace him! Quick, replace him!” Lily frantically interjected: “Lucas is on the operating table for the first time! Replacing him now would crush his confidence!” “Besides, the patient isn’t in critical condition, it’s just a little extra blood. If no one gives interns a chance, how will they ever grow?” I chuckled softly. “Are you sure?” “Why don’t you check the patient’s name?” Lily looked at the patient’s chart, and her face instantly turned ashen.

“Ryan… you… you have to save my mom!” I pushed open the operating room door. Lucas, incredibly, still didn’t want to yield. “I… I can still…” I stepped behind him. “Get out.” I took his instruments, operating with swift precision, stabilizing the bleeding point. The blood pressure gradually returned, and the steady beeping of the monitor resumed. Two hours later, the surgery concluded perfectly. —*That* was the difference. Of course, I hadn’t told them that all of this was part of my plan. The paper they stole was a deliberately altered, fake version. The surgical steps seemed detailed, but in the method for handling blood vessels, I’d embedded a subtle trap. Anyone who had performed this surgery before would immediately recognize that the technique there was incorrect. But for an imposter, eager for quick success and lacking foundational knowledge, it was a heaven-sent shortcut. The moment Lucas got his hands on that fake paper, I knew he would follow it without question. After the surgery, Lily rushed up to me. “How’s my mom?” Actually, I had originally orchestrated this surgery to give my mother-in-law the opportunity for global attention. But Lily, sensing something was wrong, had quietly swapped her mother with another patient. She knew her little lover might not be able to handle such a high-pressure situation. She couldn’t let anything happen to her mother. I, without a change in expression, had swapped them back. Let her own mother be Lucas’s guinea pig. My mother-in-law had never given me a moment’s peace. Right after we got married, she’d said in front of all our relatives: “Lily is our family’s treasure. She’s never suffered a day in her life, so don’t expect her to take care of you. You’ll have to bear most of the burden.” I bought a house, bought a car, and invited her entire family to live with us. But once they moved in, she went around telling everyone that *her daughter* had bought the house. She came to stay with us for what was supposed to be a week but ended up staying for three months. Any milk or fruit I bought for the fridge, she’d say she didn’t like and pour it out. But if something serious happened, I was always the first one she called. Her brother lost hundreds of thousands in the stock market, and she called me at three in the morning asking for money. Once she got the money, she started complaining that I kept too much personal savings, implying I was up to no good. Even so, I never spoke ill of her to anyone. For holidays, gifts were always plentiful. When her relatives needed medical care, I personally arranged the best rooms for them. I had fulfilled my duties as a son-in-law. And today, I had saved her life. Back in my office, I pulled out a divorce agreement and placed it in front of Lily. “Sign it.” She froze for a second, then immediately forced a laugh. “Honey, what’s wrong? Is there some misunderstanding?” “You’re being silly. Lucas is just a colleague. Why are you imagining all this nonsense? You men are even more petty than us women.” I said nothing, just stared at her. “Why did the hamster die?” I asked. She stiffened, frowning. “Didn’t I tell you already? It got sick! Little animals have short lifespans anyway, and maybe you fed it too many treats and it overate.” She refused to admit anything. I knew, of course, that if I opened Lucas’s phone gallery right now, I’d find the evidence. If I hadn’t set this trap today, he’d probably be basking in the glory of a successful surgery, and perhaps even parading Lily around, bragging to me. But I wasn’t in a hurry. Presenting evidence now would only lead to her crying and begging for mercy. I didn’t want mercy. I wanted her to be utterly incapable of recovering.

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It was the third year after Liam and I broke up when I journeyed to Mount Cinderpeak. But an avalanche… it buried me forever beneath the cruel, unforgiving snow. In the fleeting moment before oblivion claimed me, an angelic whisper brushed against my ear. “Eleanor, you performed many good deeds in your life, so you may enter heaven. I grant you three days to finish anything left undone.” When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back in the car, next to a body that had long since grown cold. I understood. The angel had given me time to handle my own affairs after death. Watching the snow drift down, I buried the last photo of Liam and me in a snowdrift. “Liam, I came to the mountains. But you broke your promise.” I opened the trunk, carefully arranged my own body inside a suitcase, then packed it with crushed ice and thick snow to keep it cold. Once all that was done, I called Veridian City Funeral Home. “Hello, I’d like to book funeral services for three days from now.” “The deceased’s name is Eleanor.” The angel wanted me to handle everything, so I had to drive back to Veridian City and prepare myself a dignified funeral. With everything arranged, I drove slowly along the icy, snow-covered road. After a few turns, I noticed a car stalled ahead. A woman in a white down jacket stood in the middle of the road, waving. I had no choice but to pull over. As I rolled down the window, she removed her mask, revealing a pale, delicate face. “Chloe?” I gasped in surprise. My high school deskmate, whom I hadn’t seen since graduation, unexpectedly appeared here. Chloe was equally delighted to see me. “Ellie, it’s so good to see you here!” “My boyfriend’s car broke down. The insurance company can’t send a tow truck until tomorrow. Can we catch a ride with you?” I hesitated. After all, I was already dead; having living people in the car with me felt… wrong. But then I thought, performing good deeds might earn me favor from above. So, I agreed to their request. Chloe quickly waved towards the Maybach stuck in the snow, and a man in a black trench coat approached. Just one glance, and I froze. In the three years since Liam and I broke up, I’d imagined our reunion countless times. I never expected that when we met again, I’d already be dead, and Liam would be someone else’s boyfriend. As Liam walked closer, my heart fluttered, and I pulled my gaze away. Chloe smiled, linking her arm through his: “Liam, this is my high school friend, Eleanor. It’s such a coincidence running into her today. We can all go back to Veridian City together.” Hearing Chloe’s introduction, a storm of bittersweet emotions churned within me. I watched the man before me, the boyish awkwardness gone, replaced by the steady composure and maturity of an adult. The “long time no see” caught in my throat, refusing to be spoken. Just as I was about to speak, Liam pulled a credit card from his pocket and handed it to me. “Ms. Eleanor, this is for gas. My girlfriend gets car sick, so please, you can ride in the back.” His icy tone instantly choked me. I didn’t take the card. “I’m sorry, but I prefer to drive my own car. You two can take the back seat.” As I shut the door, I heard Chloe whisper to Liam. “Ellie is kind enough to drive us home. How can you be so rude, as if you’ve known each other before?” Liam’s eyes, dark and deep as midnight, narrowed. “Never met her.” Those three simple words made my heart clench, a painful, rhythmic squeeze. I drove calmly, unwilling to let my emotions show. Right. There was no going back. Whether we knew each other or not, it didn’t matter anymore. On the way, Chloe suddenly spoke. “Ellie, what brings you to Mount Cinderpeak?” My hands tightened on the steering wheel. “It was a place my ex-boyfriend and I promised to visit three years ago. So, I wanted to come.” After a long pause, Liam’s deep voice broke the silence. “Ms. Eleanor, don’t get distracted while driving. You can’t afford to be responsible for anyone’s life.” His sharp words brutally pierced my already frozen heart, instantly jolting me back to reality. He was right. I was already dead. What was the point of bringing up a three-year promise to Liam now?

Chloe glared at Liam. “Ellie, don’t mind him. He’s been acting weird all day, like he’d swallowed a firecracker.” “But Ellie, once we leave Mount Cinderpeak, where are you headed? Are we going the same way?” Through the rearview mirror, I secretly watched the man I’d thought of countless times in sleepless nights. My voice was hoarse. “No. Once the car reaches Veridian City, I need to attend a funeral.” The air in the car thickened with a sudden, palpable gravity. Chloe’s expression sobered. “Since we’re riding with you back to Veridian City, we’ll accompany you to pay our respects. After all, the deceased deserves it.” I glanced at Liam, seeing his silent, uncommitted expression, and my grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. I had no family, no friends. If someone attended my funeral, perhaps I wouldn’t feel so alone when I passed on. “Thank you.” I continued to drive at a steady pace. The snow chains grated against the icy ground with a rhythmic shush, and the vast white expanse of snow obscured the road ahead. In the back seat, Chloe leaned into Liam’s embrace, but couldn’t resist asking about my past relationships. “Ellie, why did you break up with your boyfriend back then? I remember you were so in love with him; your SnapChat stories were always filled with little love notes to him.” I paused for a moment. “His friends said I was pathetic for trying to please him. He didn’t deny it, and I just… lost interest.” Three years ago, after college graduation, I’d pulled two all-nighters to help Liam design his job application portfolio. Just as I was about to give it to him, I overheard his friends badmouthing me. Their words were incredibly harsh, but Liam merely swirled the wine in his glass, not bothering to refute a single thing. In fact, there was a hint of smug satisfaction in his expression. It was in that moment that I realized how utterly pointless it all was. Chloe immediately sat upright from Liam’s arms. “How could they be like that? That’s so messed up!” “But then again, you can tell a lot about a guy by the company he keeps. Ellie, you were right to break up with him.” Listening to Chloe’s indignant words, I gave a faint hum of agreement. “Mmm.” Liam, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. “Relationships are between two people. Ms. Eleanor, that’s a pretty flimsy reason to break up, don’t you think?” I didn’t reply. Chloe, beside him, was already annoyed. “What do you know? Some guys are just so awful that they make their girlfriends sick of them!” “Liam, if any of your friends ever talk badly about me, you *have* to defend me, or I’ll never forgive you.” Liam’s jawline tightened slightly. After a long moment, he squeezed out a single word. “Okay.” Outside the window, the snow fell harder, blurring the windshield into a white haze. With poor visibility, I turned on the cold air to clear the glass. Chloe in the back seat blew into her hands, rubbing them together. “It’s so cold in here, Ellie. Can you turn on the heater?” I thought of the body in the trunk and took a few hand warmers from my bag, handing them to Chloe. “The heater can get stuffy. Use these to warm your hands.” As Chloe took them, her fingers brushed against my icy cold ones, and her eyes widened in surprise. “Your hands are freezing! What if you catch a cold without the heater on?” I paused slightly. I was already dead; having no body heat was normal. But how was I supposed to explain that to her? Just then, Liam leaned forward, extended his long arm, and switched on the car’s heater. “Ms. Eleanor, getting sick up here in the mountains can be life-threatening. You offered us a ride, so you’re responsible for our safety.” Hearing his usual domineering tone, I sighed inwardly and said no more. The only sound was the crunching of the tires on the snow. After what felt like an eternity, we finally drove out of the heavily snowed-in road and reached a town at the base of the mountain. Liam looked out at the darkening sky and said, “It’s too late. We’ll stay here for the night.”

I frowned slightly. “No, I need to get back to Veridian City within three days. I can’t stay here overnight.” Chloe pointed at the thick snow outside, her face full of disapproval. “It’s dark and snowing heavily. Driving at night isn’t safe. We can’t prioritize speed over our lives!” My gaze swept towards the back of the car, and I made a decision. “I’ll keep driving. You two can stay in town and book plane tickets back tomorrow.” The tires made a muffled thud in the snow as the car stopped in front of a guesthouse. I unlocked the car doors, motioning for them to get out. But Liam pressed the ignition button, killing the engine, and pulled out the car keys. “The heavy snow has closed the city. All trains and flights are grounded.” “Ms. Eleanor, you already promised to travel with us. A person should be honest and keep their word.” He said, then got out of the car and opened the driver’s side door, gesturing for me to step out. “Don’t worry, it’s just one night. It won’t delay your funeral.” Chloe also tried to persuade me. “Drowsy driving is really dangerous. We’re also going back to Veridian City with you for the funeral, so we can’t have any accidents.” I had no choice but to follow them into the guesthouse. It was freezing cold and rooms were scarce; we only managed to book one twin room. I initially thought of just toughing it out in the car for the night, but then I figured if Liam wasn’t awkward, why should I be the one feeling awkward? Inside the room, Chloe went to the bathroom to shower first. Liam and I sat on separate beds, each on our phones, a clear boundary between us. The sound of rushing water filled the bathroom. Liam suddenly looked at me. “It’s been three years. Aren’t you going to unblock me yet?” I paused slightly. “Since we’ve broken up, there’s no need for further contact.” Liam’s expression turned cold. “Right. A good ex should act like they’re dead.” His words were laced with thorns, especially that word, ‘dead,’ which made me uncomfortable again. “Liam, if you can’t talk respectfully, there’s no need for us to travel together.” All I wanted now was to get my own body ‘home’ and finally put an end to my life. Running into them on the way was an accident, and I’d keep my promise to give them a ride. But I didn’t want Liam to affect my emotions right before I disappeared. Perhaps my tone was too firm, as Liam’s expression became a bit unnatural. “I still need to transfer the gas money to you. It’s not too late to block me after we get back to Veridian City.” I hesitated for a moment but then opened my SnapChat blocked list. Seeing the single user profile there, my fingertips trembled slightly as I unblocked Liam. I found myself instinctively tapping into his profile, checking his recent posts. To my surprise, Liam, who used to dislike posting about his daily life, had been updating his posts every day. The latest post was a back-shot of him and Chloe holding hands, embraced, on Mount Cinderpeak. [The golden morning light kissed the peaks. I found her on Mount Cinderpeak.] The post was made on March 22nd at 6:33 AM. That was the exact moment I was buried in the snow—my time of death. I scrolled down, seeing every post on Liam’s profile, all documenting his affectionate moments with Chloe. They watched the Northern Lights in Iceland, scuba-dived in Bali to see fish, and saw the lavender fields in Provence… Every place I’d never got the chance to explore with Liam, Liam had taken Chloe to every single one of them. A pang of bitter sadness tightened its grip on my heart. After Liam finished transferring the money, he leaned back on the sofa, looking at his phone. “You used to post three times a day. How come you haven’t updated your profile at all?”

My body stiffened. My own SnapChat activity had stopped the day we broke up and hadn’t been updated since. “Didn’t feel like it.” I couldn’t help but ask him. “What about you? You never used to like posting. Why so many updates these past two years?” Liam looked up at me. “People change. You, more than anyone, should know that.” I dug my nails into my palm, the sharp, familiar pain anchoring me back to some semblance of calm. Yes, people change. When we first started dating, I tried countless ways to get Liam to post a picture of me on social media. But Liam would never agree, saying: “Happiness is between two people. No need for everyone to know.” Yet now, for Chloe, he updated his profile every single day. Some people had moved so far ahead, while I was still stuck in the same place… Just then, Chloe emerged from the bathroom, playfully asking Liam to help her blow-dry her hair. The whirring sound of the hairdryer seemed to blow all the moisture in the room straight into my heart. I went into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and stood there blankly. I couldn’t tell if the water on me was hot or cold. It seemed that ever since my revival, I could no longer feel the world’s temperature. That night, Chloe and I slept in one bed, and Liam took the other. But in the middle of the night, Chloe quietly got out of bed and went to the opposite side. I heard some rustling, followed by soft moans and gasps. “…Go easy, don’t wake Ellie…” No sooner had Chloe spoken than the rocking of the wooden bed intensified, bumping harder. I didn’t sleep a wink all night. When I woke up in the morning, Liam and Chloe were no longer in the room. Snowflakes were falling again, and the world outside the window was a pristine white. I looked at the SUV in the parking shelter, worried that the ice in the trunk might have melted prematurely from the heater being on all day. I asked the guesthouse owner for a bucket of crushed ice, then shoveled a layer of fresh snow from outside, wanting to add more ice around my body. However, as I stepped out with the ice bucket, I saw Chloe and Liam standing by the rear of the car, holding a large bag. They were fumbling, trying to open the trunk. “Ellie, I’m just putting something in the back.” My heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, I tried to stop them. “Don’t open it!” As my words fell, a ‘click’ echoed. The trunk popped open, and the black suitcase came into everyone’s view— I quickly stumbled over and pressed the trunk down. “Just put your things in the front. The trunk is already full.” Chloe glanced at the black suitcase and mumbled softly. “It’s stuffed to the brim. You really have a lot of luggage…” She placed her bag in the back seat and clapped her gloved hands, shaking off bits of snow. “Ellie, let’s go get breakfast.” I shook my head. “You two go ahead. I need to reorganize my luggage.” Chloe nodded, linked her arm with Liam’s, and they walked off. Once they were gone, I reopened the trunk. I refilled the crushed ice around the suitcase, then pressed a layer of snow on top. After all that, I gently ran my hand over the suitcase’s surface, as if caressing my own body. “Sleep, just a little longer. We’ll be home soon…” Done with my task, I returned the bucket to the guesthouse reception. When I returned to the car, Liam and Chloe were walking side by side. “Ellie, you took so long. I brought you some soy milk and baozi. Eat it while it’s hot.” Looking at the breakfast Chloe offered, I hesitated. Although I now had a physical form, I was essentially a dead person. I had no breath, no heartbeat, and couldn’t even perceive temperature. Could I even eat these things? As I wrestled with my dilemma, Liam spoke in a deep voice. “Chloe burned her hand buying you this soy milk. Don’t disappoint her.”

As soon as I looked up, I met Liam’s unyielding gaze. Chloe also looked a little embarrassed. “Ever since I’ve been with Liam, he’s always prepared my three meals a day. This is the first time I’ve actively bought breakfast.” Her genuine words left me at a loss for a reply. “Thank you.” I gently accepted it, offering my thanks. But given my condition, I ultimately didn’t eat it. Once in the car, I continued driving south. The snow thinned out, and the long-awaited sunlight pierced through the clouds, warming me slightly. After four hours of driving, we reached a small town. The navigation system warned me about driver fatigue and suggested a rest stop. I pulled the car into an open-air parking lot. Chloe, excited, looked at the scattered shops ahead, linked her arm with Liam’s, and got out of the car. “Ellie, Liam and I are going to look around. We’ll be back in half an hour.” Liam glanced at me, then proactively took Chloe’s hand. After they left, I noticed a local photo studio nearby. Thinking I hadn’t prepared a death portrait yet, I instinctively walked inside. The owner enthusiastically introduced me to various traditional outfits. “You’re so beautiful, you could take some stunning photos in a traditional mountain robe.” I shook my head. “I just need a simple seated photo, no costume changes.” My request was modest, and the photographer quickly took the picture. I looked at the color photo on the computer screen and told the owner. “Could you please convert this photo to black and white for me?” The owner looked a bit surprised. “Black and white photos aren’t usually for happy occasions… Is this for…” I smiled bitterly. “It’s for a funeral portrait.” As soon as the words left my lips, a forceful tug suddenly pulled my hand from behind. I turned around, meeting Liam’s indignant eyes. “What funeral portrait?” I hadn’t expected Liam to appear then. I subtly pulled my hand back. “My funeral portrait.” Liam’s expression stiffened, a sneer almost overflowing from his eyes. “What’s the point of using such a lie to deceive people?” I hadn’t expected my honest confession to be dismissed as a mere lie by Liam. Regardless of whether he believed me or not, it no longer mattered. I brushed back the strands of hair the wind had messed up, my voice so light it seemed to scatter. “I was just kidding. It’s for a friend’s funeral portrait.” Then, I looked at the owner. “Is the photo color adjusted?” The owner looked at us both in surprise, then lowered his gaze to the computer screen, momentarily confused. “Why did the photo suddenly get overexposed…? Ma’am, we might need to retake it.” I walked over to the computer, only to see that the originally clear photo had somehow become blurry. It looked as if something had obscured it, making it impossible to distinguish who was in it. I couldn’t help but glance at my own faintly dissipating hand and let out a bitter laugh. “Never mind. Let’s just leave it.” I was a dead person now. Even if I took a thousand, ten thousand more photos, they probably wouldn’t come out clear. I was about to head back to the car, but Liam stopped me. “Chloe wants to take some snow wedding photos here. We’ll leave after we’re done.” Hearing that, I really frowned. We’d clearly agreed to leave after a half-hour rest. Why the sudden change to wedding photos? “I need to get back to Veridian City quickly. I don’t have time for delays.” Liam furrowed his brow slightly. “Taking wedding photos is a big deal for Chloe and me. How can you call that a delay?” Seeing his tone, I felt a surge of anger. “Liam, your big life events have nothing to do with me!” “But this funeral is the most important event of my life, and I have to be there on time!” “It’s just your friend’s funeral. Is it really necessary to rush like this? We can make up the time on the highway.”

Liam sounded a bit impatient. As the atmosphere grew tense, Chloe approached, wearing a pure white wedding gown. “Ellie, don’t be angry. We’ll only take one set of snow wedding photos, then change immediately and leave. It won’t take long.” Despite her somewhat pleading gaze, I still refused. I told them they could rent a car locally and take their time. A wedding is a woman’s once-in-a-lifetime event, and wedding photos are something she cherishes forever. But if it meant I couldn’t even complete my own funeral after I died, what was the point of the time the angel had granted me? Besides, I knew Liam was probably behind this. After so many years together, I knew his vengeful nature. But I was already dead. Why should I compromise for this man? Because of my insistence on leaving, Chloe changed her clothes. She said she’d already taken several sets of snow wedding photos on Mount Cinderpeak anyway, so this spot wasn’t essential. The atmosphere grew stiff for a while. The three of us returned to the car. Chloe yawned endlessly, wanting to lie down and rest alone in the back seat, so Liam sat in the passenger seat. The drive was quiet as the white SUV merged onto the highway leading to Veridian City. The snow outside had stopped, and a fine drizzle mixed with cold wind lashed against the windshield, creating streaks of water. I focused on driving. In the back, Chloe stretched and sat up. Seeing the navigation indicate we were nearing Veridian City, she suddenly spoke with emotion. “Ellie, it was so good meeting you on this trip. Otherwise, Liam and I would still be stranded on the mountain.” “You absolutely have to come to our wedding.” My hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Let’s talk after we get back to Veridian City.” But Chloe didn’t pick up on my subtle refusal. Instead, she had a new idea. “How about you be my bridesmaid?” As soon as her words fell, Liam and I spoke in unison. “No!” At the same time, the car lurched violently, slamming into the guardrail. “Bang—!” I quickly gripped the steering wheel, managing to pull over safely into the emergency lane. Liam immediately unbuckled his seatbelt and got out to check on Chloe. “Chloe, are you hurt anywhere?” Chloe, still shaken, shook her head. “I’m fine, but my stomach hurts a bit. I think my period is coming…” Liam immediately prepared hand warmers for her. I got out to inspect the car, finding only the front bumper damaged, nothing serious. I breathed a sigh of relief. Just as I was about to get back into the driver’s seat, Liam already beat me to it, pulling the car door open. “Your nerves are shot, and your focus is easily divided. I’ll drive the rest of the way.” This time, I didn’t refuse. The closer we got to Veridian City, the more ethereal my soul-body became. I worried I wouldn’t be able to drive this last stretch properly, so I could only entrust it to Liam. I was about to go to the back seat, but Liam told me to sit in the passenger seat directly. “Chloe’s on her period; she needs the space to rest.” I paused slightly, then silently sat in the passenger seat. The rain pattered down, obscuring the view outside the window. Once Liam was driving steadily, Chloe brought up the previous topic again. “Liam, why didn’t you want Ellie to be my bridesmaid?” Liam’s eyes darkened for a moment but said nothing more. I thought of my awkward past with Liam, and my own dissipating body. My voice was a little dry. “A tarot reader once told me my stars weren’t aligned, so it’s bad luck for me to be a bridesmaid.”

Chloe didn’t expect me to say that, and her face showed disapproval. “That’s all nonsense, come on! You’re such a good person, how could your stars be bad? Ellie, trust me!” “I’m a good judge of character. Your future boyfriend will be just as wonderful as you are, and you’ll be just as happy as I am.” The car swayed slightly. I instinctively glanced at Liam, noticing the veins on his hand, gripping the steering wheel, stood out starkly. I moved my pale lips, responding softly. “Perhaps.” But whether I was happy or not, that would only be in the next life. My current life had already ended at the age of twenty-six. There was no future for me anymore. The scenery along the highway blurred past. A sign indicated only 1 kilometer left to Veridian City. Just as I was lost in thought, my phone received a border-crossing message from Veridian City. [Welcome Home to Veridian City! Heaven’s Gates Funeral Services are honored to assist you.] My breath hitched, and it felt like a ball of fire was lodged in my chest. The heat crawled up from my chest, scorching me so much that even my fingertips trembled. Liam noticed something was off and turned his head to look at me. “What’s wrong with you? Your face is so pale.” I bit hard on my lower lip, weakly shaking my head. “Nothing.” Seeing my ceaselessly trembling body, Liam raised his right hand and directly touched my forehead. “Why are you so cold?” Then, he turned on the car’s heater, and a wave of warm air hit me. I thought of the body in the trunk and reached out to turn it off. “I don’t need the heater…” Liam swatted my hand away, turned the steering wheel, and drove the car directly into a highway rest stop. “You’re shivering like this. Are you trying to freeze and catch a cold?” Chloe’s comforting voice also came from the back seat. “Yes, Ellie, you need to take care of yourself. Let’s rest at the service area for a bit.” After I finished speaking, once the car was parked, I got out and went to the restroom. Liam walked to the passenger side and opened the car door. “I’ll take you into the service area for some hot water and to find a clinic to see a doctor.” I shook my head, unwilling to get out of the car. “No need. I know my own body.” Liam, without a word, grabbed my hand, intending to pull me out of the car. But as he touched my wrist, his face instantly changed. “Why don’t you have a pulse?” I remembered Liam, who’d studied pre-med in college, and quickly pulled my hand back. “It’s just cold; my pulse isn’t very clear.” I instinctively explained, unwilling for Liam to notice any more clues. My phone rang. I picked it up and saw it was a call from the funeral center. Avoiding Liam, I walked to the back of the car and answered. “Hello, we need to process the cremation certificate. Can we confirm the name of the deceased one more time?” I reached out and gently brushed the trunk, my voice a little hoarse. “Eleanor.” “Okay, for the funeral, we need a family member to greet the hearse into the hall and hold the deceased’s portrait. Will that be you…” Hearing the staff member’s inquiry, I blurted out. “I have something important, I can’t be there.” The other end of the phone hesitated for a moment. “If you’re not coming, who will be bringing the deceased? And who should we designate as the family representative?” Snow began to fall again, sparsely. I reached out, catching a snowflake, and looked at Liam, who was also on the phone not far away. “Her friend, Liam, will be delivering the body. It’s in the SUV’s trunk right now.” “As for the funeral and memorial service procedures, he will handle everything.” After hanging up the phone, I felt my body become much lighter. Liam, this time, this is our real goodbye…

I sat back in the passenger seat, quietly waiting for Chloe to return before we set off again. But after Liam hung up his phone, he walked directly to the driver’s seat. He got in the car and started the engine. Seeing him about to leave, I quickly spoke. “Chloe isn’t here yet.” “Chloe won’t be traveling with us anymore. A driver will pick her up soon.” He said, then fastened his seatbelt. My phone received a SnapChat message from Chloe. [Ellie, my mom said it’s disrespectful for a girl on her period to attend a funeral, so she wants Liam to represent me and accompany you. We’ll get together another time.] I replied with an ‘Okay,’ my heart a mix of emotions. Liam was already driving, continuing on the highway. The car was quiet, and we could hear each other’s breathing clearly. I curled my hands slightly, turning my head to look out the window. Suddenly, Liam’s question broke the silence in my ear. “After the funeral, where are you planning to go?” I paused, unsure how to answer. Once the funeral ended, I would completely vanish from this world. Where I went next depended on the angel’s arrangements. “I don’t know.” I said honestly. Liam gripped the steering wheel tightly, his dark eyes swirling with emotion. “Eleanor, don’t you have any plans for your life? Have you just been living day by day all these years?” I lowered my eyes, my voice barely a whisper. “I guess so.” After all, my life had already ended. Every minute, every second I now lived was a gift from the angel. Thinking of Liam and Chloe, who were about to walk down the aisle. I thought for a moment, then spoke the heartfelt blessing brewing inside me. “Liam, I wish you and Chloe an early happy wedding and a lifetime of happiness.” The car suddenly lurched. Liam’s jawline tightened further. “Eleanor, what do you mean by that? When we were together, you never cared about my affairs!” “Now that we’ve broken up, you’re faking well wishes?!” I hadn’t expected such an intense reaction from him. For a moment, I was confused. “Don’t you want my blessings?” Liam stepped on the gas, and the car’s speed surged to 120 mph. “Now I’m finally sure. You truly never loved me.” The scenery outside flew past as the white SUV sped along under the twilight sky. I gripped my seatbelt tightly, feeling a little out of breath. The atmosphere in the car was suffocating. I didn’t know what else to say. Had I loved him? If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been stuck in the same place three years after our breakup, going to the snow-covered mountains alone… But now, what did it matter if I had loved him or not? I was dead, and he was getting married, wasn’t he? A few hours later, the car exited the Veridian City tollbooth. A funeral home hearse was parked by the roadside, the driver waving at the white SUV. Liam pulled over and rolled down the window. The staff member presented his ID and said. “Hello, Mr. Harrison? This is the memorial service guest list for Veridian City Funeral Home. Please sign here.” Liam looked a little confused. “Why do I need to sign?” The staff member politely replied. “This was Ms. Eleanor’s request.” Liam glanced at me, resting in the passenger seat, and silently took the form, signing his name in the bottom right corner. After signing, Liam followed the hearse towards the funeral home. The closer we got to the funeral home, the lighter I felt. A long-forgotten sense of drowsiness slowly crept up from deep within me. I knew my time was running out. Through the car window, I watched the scenery outside. The bustling crossroads, the sky filled with twilight hues, and the skyscrapers piercing the clouds… Everything I saw, I etched deeply into my memory.

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My Secret Revenge: The Billionaire’s Son Who Played Mute The day I was diagnosed with cancer, I indulged myself. I picked up a poor, mute college guy. He was cool and distant, but incredibly adventurous. To please him, I pushed my body to its absolute limits. Bungee jumping, car racing, diving, skydiving… Everything I shouldn’t do, I did with him. My savings quickly dwindled. While waiting to die, I secretly went to the hospital to sign organ donor forms. I planned to donate my heart to his ailing mother after my death. But then, on the Chief Doctor’s desk, I saw a photo of him wearing a luxury watch. The Chief Doctor smiled, “This is my son. A top student. But he loves playing games. Lately, he’s been pretending to be broke and mute as part of some role-playing game.” “He even said the girl he’s been playing with is old-fashioned and boring, and he’s ready to find a new playmate.” I laughed, tears streaming down my face, and tore up the donation forms. “I’m willing to join the new cancer drug trial, but on one condition.” “I want your family, the Evans, to adopt me.”

The moment I saw Julian’s photo, I felt like a lightning bolt had struck me. He leaned languidly against a yacht railing, a luxury watch on his wrist, surrounded by various beautiful women. One pretty girl snuggled into his arms, wearing a matching watch. It was the exact same face, yet utterly different from the Julian I knew. I remembered the Julian who had rubbed his eyes that morning, signing for a good morning kiss. My temples throbbed as if drills were boring into them, and my vision blurred with pain. *Ding.* My phone vibrated. It was a message from Julian. “Lena, I handed out flyers for half the morning today and earned thirty bucks. I bought you a bracelet.” I tapped the picture, and my breath hitched. I recognized that bracelet. Last night, I’d accidentally found a velvet gift box in his backpack. Inside was an exquisite, beautiful four-leaf clover bracelet. But the identical one on my screen now had chipped plating and a crooked gem. It was clearly the cheapest knock-off. So, Julian bought a genuine one worth 50,000, then a thirty-dollar dollar-store trinket. The dollar-store trinket was for me. What about the 50,000 one? Was it for the girl on the yacht? I suddenly remembered looking at that bracelet a bit too long in a mall display last month. Julian immediately signed to me: “I’ll buy it for you when I have money.” Now he had “bought” it. I thought of the other gifts I treasured in my tiny apartment’s cabinet. Faded earrings, a cashmere scarf with loose threads, a bag with an embroidered ‘JY’ tag… He seemed especially keen on buying me cheap, counterfeit versions of designer brands. Before, I’d just thought he didn’t recognize those brands. Now, I realized he was doing it on purpose. Or even worse, for every genuine item he bought for another girl, He’d get me, the “old-fashioned and boring” big sister, a cheap, barely-worth-anything junk item. What a hilarious way to mess with me. *Ding*, my phone vibrated again. “Why aren’t you replying? Don’t you like it?” I slowly typed: “I like it. Thank you.” Julian quickly sent another picture, a promotion for a ski resort: “Let’s go skiing this weekend. They’re having a sale.” “Oh, and a few of my friends are coming too. You don’t mind, do you, big sis?” I looked at the so-called sale price: $199 per person, not including equipment rental. It was the money I could make from one night of food delivery. I stared at the screen and suddenly laughed out loud, my eyes burning with tears. It seemed that in moments of extreme absurdity, people really do want to laugh. Dr. Evans across from me looked at me strangely. “Are you alright, dear?” I put away my phone. “Nothing. Just saw a joke. It was really funny.” “Let’s continue discussing the new drug trial.”

Due to the nature of the medication, the drug trial process would be extremely painful. And the chances of a cure were very low. Therefore, no patient was willing to gamble on that tiny survival rate. With the project approval deadline approaching, Dr. Evans, as one of the drug’s developers, was anxious. When I offered to try the drug, her eyes lit up, then she asked, confused: “Why are you making such a request?” Suppressing the gnawing pain in my chest, I forced a smile. “My parents always favored my sister; I’ve never felt any real family love.” “And,” I pointed to a photo frame, “I also want a handsome younger brother.” Dr. Evans glanced at Julian’s photo and smiled knowingly. “Alright. If you can endure the three-year trial period, I’ll make you my daughter.” My goal achieved, I let out a sigh of relief. After signing the non-disclosure agreement, Dr. Evans looked at me meaningfully. “Fight to stay alive.” I nodded vigorously. “I will.” I turned to look out the window at the magnolias on the branches. They were beaten down by the fine snow, looking weary and drooping. Yet, they stubbornly clung on. Just like me, I had planned to die this winter, but the pain had jolted me back to life.

I didn’t reply to Julian’s messages again. Even when he later sent, “Can we just say I borrowed it from you for now?”, I ignored him. I sat on the couch, quietly waiting for him to come home. It was past nine when Julian appeared. His handsome face was a stormy mess. He threw his keys heavily onto the shoe rack, making a harsh clanging sound. Before, in such moments, I would walk over, gently tug his sleeve, and sign to him: *Are you mad?* Then he would deliberately put on a stern face, waiting for me to coax him. But not today. I sat on the couch, flipping through my hospital re-examination reports. I had never told Julian about my illness. He thought I just had severe anemia. At this moment, I suddenly wanted to know, what if he knew I was dying? Would he regret all the ways he had played me? I pricked up my ears, hearing him place a glass heavily on the kitchen counter, then deliberately slamming the fridge door. He was waiting for me to speak, waiting for me to give in like before. But this time, I just silently clutched the lab reports, the paper rustling between my fingers. Julian completely missed my expectation. He only cared about *his* expectations. Seeing that I still wouldn’t give in, he finally couldn’t take it anymore. Julian grabbed his jacket, gave me a cold glance, and signed: “I’m going back to school to stay.” I didn’t stop him. The moment the door slammed shut, I got up and followed him out. He made a call at the apartment complex entrance, his cool, deep voice carried to my ears by the night wind: “Kyle, pick me up.” “Where else would I be? At that old hag’s place.” “Call Amber too. I have a gift for her.” This was the first time I had heard Julian’s voice. Usually, I could only hear a few involuntary, choked gasps escape his throat during our intimate moments. Even those few sounds, I could tell how sexy they were. I had asked him how he lost his voice, if there was any chance of a cure. He tugged at his lip as he signed: “I got sick and burned my vocal cords. Doctors say there might be hope abroad, but the medical bills would be over a million.” At the time, I thought: when I die, I’ll donate my heart to his mother. Then, for my other organs – corneas, kidneys, whatever – I’d find buyers beforehand. No matter what, I had to raise enough for his medical expenses. Making him speak again became my last wish. Now I wasn’t dead yet, but I had already heard his voice with my own ears. Both ridiculous and pathetic.

Julian entered an exclusive club. The security guards at the door bowed and fawning over him; he was clearly a regular. I followed him in. Standing in the shadows of the hallway, I peeked through the half-open private room door. Inside, the lights were dim, and liquor bottles were piled on the table. The moment Julian walked in, someone on the sofa immediately started teasing: “Well, well, Julian, not with your older sister tonight?” He scoffed, loosened his tie, and tilted his head back, guzzling half a glass of wine. “I’ve been with her too much lately. She’s forgotten who she is.” The girl I’d seen in the photo, Amber, leaned closer, her fingers ambiguously tracing his collarbone. “Julian, do you have something for me?” Julian pulled out a gift box from his pocket. “Here, have it. Something to play with.” Amber opened it, pouting slightly, clearly not thrilled. “Isn’t this last year’s style?” Julian glanced at it. “Yeah, I was going to give it to *her*.” “What? What? I thought you only gave her dollar-store junk?” The group of rich kids quickly crowded around. “Julian, you didn’t develop feelings after sleeping with her, did you?” I stood in the shadows by the door, clenching my trembling fists. Julian was silent for a moment, then slowly blew out a smoke ring. “What are you talking about? An old-fashioned, stingy old woman like her? Do you think I’d be interested?” “I was just thinking, I’m tired of playing anyway, the reveal will happen in a few days.” “To be fair, she wasn’t bad to me, so I’ll just fob her off with this outdated piece.” Another round of mocking whispers and jeers erupted from the crowd. I was meters away, yet it felt like I was plunged into a bottomless abyss. “Julian, actually, that girl isn’t ugly, she’s quite delicate-looking. After you break up, if I comfort her while she’s heartbroken, I might be able to win her over, right?” Amber slapped Chad, the guy with the bleached hair who spoke. “No way, that girl looks sickly. What’s your taste?” Chad chuckled. “I just like delicate beauties… Julian, does she actually have an illness?” Julian swirled his wine glass. “What illness could she have? Just a little anemia, she’s just being dramatic.” Amber covered her mouth, giggling. “Exactly! Julian, you swapped her medicine on her nightstand a while ago, and she still hasn’t noticed, has she?” Her sweet, mocking laughter, like a nightingale’s song, pierced my ears like needles. No wonder my disease progression had accelerated. It was because Julian had swapped the expensive specialized medicine I’d scrimped and saved to buy! A wave of metallic heat surged in my throat. I covered my mouth, desperately swallowing it down. Inside the private room, Julian seemed agitated, checking his phone repeatedly. Amber leaned onto him. “Julian, why aren’t you paying attention to me?” Julian pinched her chin, laughing flirtatiously. “What’s the rush? I’m just waiting to see when Lena gives in. Are you jealous?” “Don’t worry, she’s about to be history.” He finished, then leaned down and kissed her. A burst of whistles and laughter erupted in the private room. I stood outside the door, my fingers digging hard into my palms, yet I felt no pain. I slowly took out my phone and sent him a message: *I’ll take you all skiing this weekend.* Almost immediately, a deafening cheer erupted from the private room. “Damn! She replied!” “Julian, you won again!” Julian lazily held up his phone, the screen light reflecting his triumphant smile. He waved it at everyone in the room and said: “See? What did I tell you? She can’t live without me.” Amber giggled, collapsing into his arms. “You promised, Julian. After skiing, you’ll take her to my family’s hotel for my birthday party, then announce your identity, and then announce our relationship.” Julian paused, then bit her ear. “Of course.” After they finished their intimate moment, he bent down and tapped on his phone. Soon, I received a reply: “Okay. I’m busy with classes these next few days, so I won’t be back. See you at the ski resort this weekend.” I replied with a single “Okay.” Then I turned and left. The club hallway was long, and my shadow stretched long and thin, profoundly lonely. The night wind was still cold, but this time, I didn’t cry.

Back in my cramped rental, I packed up all of Julian’s things. What he gave me, I threw in the trash. What I gave him, I burned or shredded. Not a single scrap was left. I opened my most cherished “bucket list” photo album and tore out each picture— The first time bungee jumping, Julian had an arm around my pale face, flashing a peace sign at the camera; The first time car racing, I got out of the passenger seat with trembling legs, and Julian, dressed in his racing suit, stood by the car door, reaching out to me; The first time diving, I fainted on the beach, and Julian nervously gave me CPR; The first time skydiving, I clung to the plane door, refusing to let go, and Julian forcefully pushed me from behind… All those “first times” for me were “last times.” All those things I’d risked my life to do with him, I thought they would become his cherished memories for life. But they were all just part of his routine. All the things I crossed off my bucket list, then rewrote as his “unfinished business,” Were all just things he took for granted. Looking at the empty album, the bitter knot in my chest finally dissolved into tears, flowing out uncontrollably.

The weekend arrived as scheduled. When I got there, Julian and his friends were already geared up. From a distance, a group of them stood outside the ski rental hall, laughing and roughhousing. As I got closer, I realized there were far more than just “a few friends” as he’d said. All the familiar faces from the private room were there. Julian was the first to see me. He walked over, signing apologetically: “I’m sorry, big sis. I didn’t expect so many classmates to come.” “If you didn’t bring enough money, I can put it on my credit first.” I looked into his amber eyes and slowly shook my head. “It’s fine. I have enough.” Amber intimately linked her arm through mine. “Lena is so awesome, big sis! So rich!” The others joined in with their feigned enthusiasm. “Thank you, big sis!” “Big sis, you’re so beautiful and kind!” I could tell not a single word was heartfelt. Their eyes scanned me back and forth, like they were evaluating a fake that was about to be exposed. Julian glanced at them, the corners of his mouth tensing slightly. When it was time to pay the deposit, I pulled out a stack of scattered banknotes from my bag. There were crumpled fifty-dollar bills, and ten-dollar bills with curled edges. Amber exaggeratedly gasped, “Wow! Lena, big sis, you didn’t smash your piggy bank, did you?” I calmly nodded. “I did.” Julian’s head snapped towards me. He knew about that piggy bank. I had bought it when we first got together, specifically to save for our “travel fund.” I told him that when we saved enough, we’d go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. He had smiled then, signing: *Sounds great! I also want to go to Antarctica to see penguins.* At the time, I didn’t respond. What he didn’t know was that I only had enough time left to save for that one trip to Iceland. I wanted to see the Northern Lights at the last journey of my life. I wanted Julian to accompany me on the final trip of my life. But now, the jar was empty. Julian stared at me. “We’re not going to Iceland?” “We are,” I replied casually. “I found other ways to make money.” Everyone around us immediately started teasing, feigning congratulations for my “newfound wealth.” Only Julian’s face grew darker.

Amber volunteered to guide me. “Newbies fall easily. I’ll teach you, big sis.” Julian glanced at her and nodded. “Amber is a great skier, follow her.” He trusted her. Seeing their glances back and forth up close, I finally understood that some gaps were like an unbridgeable chasm. Even if I built a bridge to the heavens, I couldn’t reach him. Amber led me towards the beginner slope, but halfway, she suddenly veered off, heading towards the edge of a steep, deserted slope. “Big sis, there are too many people here. Let’s go somewhere emptier.” I had no objections. I knew she had something to say to me. While we were paying earlier, Julian had kept his eyes on me. But she had kept her eyes on Julian. I wanted to hear what this girl, who was also playing me for a fool, would say. If I could, I also wanted to tell her: *You are already so talented. Even without playing these backstabbing games to pit women against each other, you could still receive so much love.* But she didn’t give me that chance. Amber took my hand, her voice growing colder. “You heard everything that day, didn’t you, big sis?” “I saw you hiding by the door, like a rat in a gutter.” I gripped my ski pole, not answering. Amber scoffed. “I thought you would end things voluntarily. I never expected you to be so shameless, willing to be played for a fool just to cling to Julian.” “Do you know how much Julian despises you?” “He said you’re old, ugly, and dirt-poor, that you even buy your underwear from dollar stores.” “That scarf you gave him? He threw it to Buddy, my dog.” “Oops, I guess I never told you, Buddy is my dog.” The edge of the ski slope was right there, and beyond it was a bottomless snow pit. Amber didn’t stop. I realized what she was about to do and tried to stop her, but I couldn’t shake her off. “You’re crazy!” Amber chuckled, then suddenly sped up and slammed into me. A sharp pain exploded from my chest. I fell almost uncontrollably into the snow pit. My ears felt like they were filled with water, and I vaguely heard Amber screaming from above: “Ah! My leg!” Loud, chaotic sounds quickly approached. Many people must have gathered around. They were shouting Amber’s name. It must be her friends. “She pushed me!” Amber cried, tears streaming down her face. “I was just trying to teach her, but she deliberately harmed me!” I lay at the bottom of the pit, a searing pain in my right leg. Snow foam poured into my collar, making me shiver with cold. I tried to get up, but the snow was too soft; every struggle made my body sink deeper. I wanted to deny it, but as soon as I opened my mouth, bloody froth gushed out. I could only look up, hoping Julian would glance down at me. But he didn’t. Neither did any of those people. The footsteps quickly faded away. They acted as if they didn’t remember I existed. They abandoned me at the bottom of the pit. My phone vibrated. It was a text from Julian: “You are so malicious. Amber was just trying to teach you how to ski. Was it really necessary to do something like this just because I was getting a little close to her?” “I really misjudged you.” I read these two messages repeatedly. After reading them for the fifth time, I suddenly understood. No matter how I struggled or hesitated, or found excuses for myself, The end result would still be Julian discarding me like trash. He didn’t even believe me. How could he possibly love me? I waited in the snow pit until the sky turned completely dark. My phone rang again. “Amber’s birthday party is tonight at the Blue Flame Resort. Come apologize.” I laughed, then turned and called Dr. Evans. “Dr. Evans, it’s Lena.” “Could you please pick me up at the north slope of the ski resort? I’ll send you the coordinates.” “After that, let’s go straight to the research center. My illness seems to have worsened.” She agreed quickly. After hanging up, I deleted all of Julian’s unread messages. Above the snow pit, aurora-like neon lights twinkled in the night sky. What a pity, I thought. We were supposed to see them together in Iceland. If I’m lucky enough to see him again, I should call him ‘brother’ now.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298958”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

Every time my wife brought her assistant into our bedroom, she’d make me kneel by the bed, waiting. If the assistant didn’t know what to do, she’d even make me guide them through it. Each time, I’d obediently wait for them to finish, then step forward to fetch them drinks. Eleanor would grip my neck, her eyes burning with a twisted intensity: “Don’t you feel jealous?” I’d shake my head. I even thoughtfully prepared their Durex. Eleanor, furious, would unleash her rage on me, forcing me down onto the bed, over and over again. The next morning, I’d still be there, kneeling by their bed. She’d clench her jaw, her voice dripping with contempt: “You’re a grown man, Callum. You’re truly despicable!” I’d just look at her and smile. She still didn’t know, but I was dying. Coming home, the scene on the couch was one I’d witnessed countless times. Noah had his back to me. Hearing my footsteps, he turned, a sneering, provocative smile playing on his lips. Eleanor deliberately let out sounds loud enough for me to hear. I acted as if I saw nothing, tied on my apron, and headed into the kitchen. I chopped vegetables, waiting for the sounds from the living room to cease, then turned to clean up after them. Noah’s throat always seemed dry afterward, needing honey water to soothe it. I’d silently kneel, presenting the honey water to him with both hands, like some ancient, subservient attendant. Eleanor was touching up her makeup, glancing at me, her brows furrowing in irritation. “Crash!” Noah deliberately loosened his grip as he took the glass. The scalding honey water shattered on the floor, splashing all over me. “Oh! Bro, are you okay?” He rushed to help me up, but not before viciously pinching my arm. I gasped, sucking in a sharp breath. He leaned his head towards me. Eleanor couldn’t see the cruel expression on his face, nor the threatening glint in his eyes: “How could you be so clumsy, Bro? If you don’t want to serve, I can do it myself. No need to make such a fuss.” I gritted my teeth, suppressing the pain, and forced a smile: “How could I trouble you with something like this?” Saying that, I escorted him back to his seat, while I knelt to clean up the mess. My hands and knees were covered in small cuts. The honey water stung, making me tremble. But I bit back the pain, acting as if I felt nothing. I even lifted Noah’s foot to wipe away the sticky honey water. “You can go home.” Eleanor tossed Noah’s clothes at him. “Ms. Kingston?” “There’s nothing left for you here.” Noah shot me a resentful look, then put on his clothes and the Patek Philippe watch Eleanor had bought him, and left. I remained kneeling on the floor, utterly silent. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to get up; my knees were cut, and moving them sent sharp pangs through me. “Do you still have nothing to say?” Eleanor’s voice was cold. I shook my head. She clenched her jaw. “It’s just the two of us here. I can assure you there are no listening devices!” “Truly nothing.” Eleanor snapped her cigarette in half. She grabbed my neck with one hand, while the other held up a photo of a woman: “You and I both know she’s the killer. Why won’t you testify? What’s your relationship with her?” I looked at the woman in the photo and let out a bitter laugh: “I don’t know her.” “Then why are you protecting her?” I met Eleanor’s furious gaze head-on: “I’m not protecting anyone.” She shoved me roughly to the floor, pacing back and forth in agitation. “Hasn’t my brother been good enough to you?” Thinking of Leo, my eyes welled up. I shook my head: “He was the best friend I ever had.” She grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at her: “Is this how you repay him? By letting the animal who killed him get away with it?” I couldn’t speak. Her anger flared as she slammed photos of Leo’s brutalized corpse in front of me. The horrific sight of my dear friend, covered in wounds and hanging from a tree, made me gasp and cover my eyes. That image was the nightmare of my life. “You can’t bear it either, can you?” She forced me to look at her: “Then tell me what that vile woman did! “I promise you, as soon as you testify, I’ll send Noah away!” My eyes were red, but I managed a slight smile: “No need.” Her hand, gripping my shoulder, froze. “Are you really willing to watch him and me do *that* right in front of you, forever?” “It doesn’t matter.” “Slap!” A stinging slap landed hard on my face. Her fists trembled uncontrollably: “Callum Kingston, you’re truly despicable!” “You’re truly despicable…”

That sentence felt like another burning slap on my face. The Eleanor I knew in the past would never have uttered such words. Back in school, if anyone dared to mock my grades, she’d stand with her hands on her hips, forcing a dozen people to apologize to me. After we married, her care was boundless. If my fingertip had a tiny scratch, she’d hold it and blow on it for ages. I genuinely believed we’d continue like that forever. That she’d always love me so deeply. “Eleanor…” I couldn’t help but speak her name. She spun around, a flicker of hope in her eyes. I tried to get up but fell heavily to the floor. My heart ached with sharp pangs, and a sudden flashback brought Leo’s death before my eyes. I clutched the fabric over my heart, looking up, only to see the door slowly opening from the outside. Noah had never left. He peered down at me through the crack, then raised a finger to his lips, making a “shhh” gesture. “What were you going to say?” Eleanor waited, her gaze fixed on me. I shook my head. She walked towards me: “You definitely have something to say.” “Ms. Kingston.” Noah’s voice called from outside. Eleanor’s body tensed. Yet, she remained rooted to the spot, waiting for me to speak. I glanced at Noah’s anxious face, then pulled out a box of Durex and held it out: “Don’t forget these.” Eleanor laughed, a harsh sound born of sheer fury. She hurled the box of Durex at my face, then turned and walked away. Noah was the one who closed the door. His red lips curled into a satisfied smirk as he watched my conflicted expression. He slammed the door shut. I leaned against the wall, clutching the fabric over my heart. Not yet… I had to wait a little longer, just a little longer. I searched every room in the sprawling estate before finally finding a small first-aid kit to treat my wounds. For the next month, Eleanor didn’t come home. Then, one day, the front door was suddenly kicked open. Eleanor rushed in, supporting a bloodied Noah, followed by a team of professional private medical specialists. This team had originally been meant for me, given my poor health. They had been dismissed shortly after Leo’s death. Eleanor paced anxiously outside the room, listening to Noah’s pained cries. She suddenly grabbed me, her grip like iron: “Why did you push him down the stairs?” I froze, stunned. “Did you know I was over a month pregnant and deliberately targeted him?” I looked towards Noah in surprise. His sharp brows were slightly furrowed, and he didn’t look particularly pained, yet his wails were exceptionally piercing. He shot me a threatening look. I suddenly smiled: “Yes, what about it?” Eleanor seemed taken aback. She carefully studied my expression: “Do you know what you’re saying?” “I do.” “Aren’t you going to explain yourself?” “There’s nothing to explain.” “If you admit it, I will sue you for aggravated assault.” My body stiffened. I looked at her, a hint of surprise in my eyes. She stared fixedly at me: “Either you tell me the truth about my brother’s death, and I can overlook this.” I glanced at Noah. I took a deep breath: “You will know.” Hope flared in her eyes. “But not now.” Her grip on my shoulder tightened fiercely, and her eyes reddened: “What is your relationship with that killer? You’d rather go to jail than betray her!” “I told you, Eleanor. I have no relationship with her.” A person in extreme anger can sometimes lose the ability to speak. She gritted her teeth and nodded: “Do you think I won’t dare to sue you?” I just looked at her. She shoved me away.

Three days later, I received a court summons. The moment I pleaded guilty in court, Noah raised an eyebrow, a triumphant smirk on his face. Only Eleanor’s face was chillingly grim. She had specifically hired the most elite lawyers. After meticulously picking through legal clauses and over-interpreting my actions, they stretched my sentence directly to eight years. She came to visit me. “If you testify for Leo, I have ways to pull some strings and get you out.” I just smiled and looked at her: “Ms. Kingston, take care of yourself.” I likely wouldn’t be leaving this place alive. Her breath hitched. A look of pain crossed her face: “You know perfectly well! That night, it was just that vile woman and the two of you! You saw everything, didn’t you?” I remained silent, an unspoken acknowledgment. “Back in high school, when you could only afford one meal a day, Leo used his own allowance to eat with you. Have you forgotten all that?” Tears welled in my eyes, but I shook my head: “No.” “Then why won’t you speak?” My eyes were red as I looked at her: “Not yet.” “Do I have to die before you’ll say anything?” I still shook my head. It wasn’t her who would die; it was me. By then, without a word from me, the killer would be brought to justice. But if I told her that, I feared she would lose her mind. If all went as planned, the truth of the case would be revealed while I was in prison. But less than a month later, the court inexplicably overturned my conviction and declared me innocent. I was released from prison, utterly confused. Eleanor stood waiting in front of a Rolls-Royce. On the way home, we didn’t exchange a single word. Only after we entered the house did I say to her: “Thank you.” She paused, her steps faltering. Without looking back, she walked upstairs: “Callum Kingston, you’re truly despicable.” I smiled. But tears streamed down my face. Eleanor needed to focus on her pregnancy, so she stopped bringing men home to flaunt in front of me. We lived in the same house but were like strangers. Even when we met face-to-face, she’d pretend not to see me, walking straight past. She wouldn’t touch the food I cooked anymore. I showed no reaction, simply continuing to do my own things in silence. Finally, a month later, she couldn’t take it anymore. She knocked on my door herself, a slight scent of alcohol on her. “Let’s talk properly.” Her eyes were slightly red. I invited her in. We rarely sat together so calmly, as we did today. “I’m begging you, please testify for Leo, okay?” Her tone was utterly subservient: “If you agree, I can abort the baby. I can even give you my fortune.” I shook my head: “No need.” “Who exactly is Serena to you?” Serena, that vile woman who led people to kill Leo. “I’ve said it many times, I have no relationship with her.” “How can I believe that?” Her eyes reddened: “You’d protect Leo’s killer for someone you have no relationship with?” I looked directly into her eyes: “Eleanor, on the day the baby is born, you will surely know the truth.” “I can’t wait another day!” She suddenly stood up, agitated: “Callum Kingston, if you don’t explain yourself today, I’m cutting all ties with you!” My heart clenched violently. Eleanor’s expression was no joke. I pursed my lips, then nodded: “Alright.” I’d spent long enough by her side. It was enough. Her breath hitched. Her hand gripping my shoulder trembled slightly. “Say that again.” “Us separating, that’s fine too.”

She laughed, a profoundly bitter sound: “Do you think I’m joking?” I didn’t answer. She slammed the door and left. That night, divorce papers were shoved in front of me. I was to leave with nothing. I picked up the pen to sign. But she grabbed my wrist, stopping me. “Think carefully before you sign.” I nodded: “I have thought about it.” Then I slowly began to write, her hand still gripping my wrist, slowly lowering as my signature formed. The moment the agreement was signed, she snatched it away, a quick, defiant gesture. Her face was full of disappointment: “I misjudged you.” I closed my eyes. That very day, I was driven out of the estate. With no money to spare, I found a small 300-square-foot rental room. And I quietly waited for the moment of my judgment. I could almost see Serena being brought to justice on the day I died. My breathing became erratic, my hands trembled. Then, I could finally go to Leo, bringing with me the justice he deserved. But that moment didn’t come. Instead, Eleanor’s bodyguards arrived. They dragged me back. The first thing I saw was Noah, covered in blood, lying on a bed. Blood covered his lower body. Dark circles rimmed Eleanor’s eyes; she hadn’t slept in what seemed like ages. Seeing me, she slapped me hard across the face: “Didn’t you say you didn’t care if I kept the baby? Didn’t you say you’d accept anything? “Why did you destroy his dignity as a man!” I was utterly stunned. Noah trembled in pain: “Bro… if you didn’t want me to have a baby with Eleanor, I could have left. Why did you have to torment me in such a cruel way, to completely destroy me?” Eleanor kicked me hard in the knee, forcing me down to the ground: “I will find those thugs you hired and ensure those animals who did this to him die a horrific death! “But… you, I can give you a chance.” She lifted my chin, squeezing my jaw until it ached: “As long as you’re willing to testify, I can have my team defend you, reduce your prison sentence by a few years.” Cold sweat streamed down my face from the pain. I managed to speak with difficulty: “I’m afraid… I can’t do that.” “What do you mean?” “Because I’m dying.” She laughed, a harsh, furious sound: “At a time like this, you’re still protecting that vile woman, Serena? “Let me tell you, I won’t give you another chance. You will testify, whether you want to or not!” With that, she grabbed my hand and viciously snapped my ring finger. My wedding ring was still there. I let out a heart-wrenching scream. “Will you speak?” She gripped my chin: “What exactly did Serena do to my brother that night?” I was drenched in sweat: “You’ll know when I’m dead.” Her eyes turned bloodshot. She seemed to think I was challenging her. “Do you really think I wouldn’t let you die?” My index finger, too, was broken. “Will you speak?” “Kill me.” Tears streamed down my face: “Kill me, and you’ll know everything.” Her eyes were terrifyingly red. She nodded: “Fine, I’ll grant your wish.” She picked up a wrench. And aimed it at my fingers. “No… Eleanor, wait… Ahh!!” One by one, all ten of my fingers were brutally smashed. But what hurt even more was my heart. I lay on the ground, my lips turning purple. Eleanor’s hand, holding the wrench, trembled slightly: “If I hurt you, I’ll go to jail with you.” I coughed up a mouthful of blood, my mangled fingers using their last strength to rip off my shirt buttons. “You want to know the truth? I’ll give it to you.” Seeing the hideous scar on my chest, Eleanor’s wrench clattered to the floor with a “thump!” “Callum?” She stared at the gruesome scar over my heart, utterly stunned.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298959”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My husband’s ex-girlfriend, Candace, had illegally operated in financial trades, causing my clients colossal losses. In their fury, they brutally mangled my hands, leaving me permanently disabled. I was rushed to the hospital. In my last hazy moments of consciousness, I heard Julian, my husband, whisper to the doctor: “Just save her life. As for her hands… they’d be better off useless.” The doctor, confused, replied: “But Ms. Scarlett’s hands can still be saved!” Julian’s voice was cold, like it had been dipped in ice: “Only if her hands are ruined will she completely exit the trading market. That way, Candace can finally become Chief Analyst this year.” “Once the storm passes, I’ll spend my entire life making it up to her.” “Isn’t being Mrs. Julian more valuable than a mere analyst’s career?” The anesthetic flowed into my veins, and my world plunged into darkness. So, all his tenderness and consideration these past years were just to pave the way for his first love. It’s just a Chief Analyst position. Candace wants it? She can have it. Julian? He can have her too. All of it. I want none of it.

After my wounds were stitched, Julian and his assistant didn’t leave. His assistant whispered, “Mr. Julian, Scarlett’s hands are ruined. She can’t possibly threaten Candace’s position anymore. Do you really need to let those reporters in to take more photos?” Julian’s eyes were chillingly cold: “Of course I know that, but I won’t gamble with Candace’s future. Only by completely destroying her reputation can I truly be at peace!” “Once she’s Mrs. Julian, I’ll naturally make sure these scandals disappear.” The hospital room door swung open, and several reporters with cameras surged in. I curled up on the bed in terror. The blinding flashbulbs, the acrid smoke, the cloying perfume—it all merged into a suffocating assault. Even the sterile cold of the VIP room made me want to gag. “She seems to be waking up? Should we give her another sedative?” Ben, the assistant, hesitated: “The dosage is already beyond the limit. Another injection could be life-threatening.” Julian commanded coldly: “Do it! I’ll take responsibility if anything happens!” “But…” Ben still hesitated, but Julian snatched the syringe and, without a moment’s pause, pushed the liquid into my vein. I forced my eyes open, seeing the cold indifference in his gaze, utterly devoid of warmth. Tears silently streamed down, and I plunged into darkness once more. When I next awoke, it was two days later. Julian stood outside the room, on the phone, his voice clearly audible – “Pay more. Make those photos go viral, keep the buzz alive until Candace secures that Chief Analyst position.” For Candace, he was truly sparing no effort. The Julian before me was a stranger, terrifying. I didn’t dare open my eyes, pretending to still be asleep. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart, the pain almost suffocating me. I had loved him without reservation, yet he had personally pushed me into this abyss. I actually, foolishly, believed he truly cared for me when he frantically carried me into the ER that day. But it was all his meticulously crafted design! After that hospital door closed, it wasn’t salvation waiting for me, but hell itself! I used to command the financial markets, a master strategist. Yet, in the end, I was undone by the very person I trusted most. It’s just a Chief Analyst position. Candace wants it? She can have it. And that position, and Julian – I want none of it! From now on, I will never appear in his world again!

When I woke up, Julian threw the photos that had gone absolutely viral onto my bed. He feigned a look of deep pain: “Scarlett, I know this must be a misunderstanding.” “Don’t worry, I’ve already got my PR team working on it. Soon, these photos will be wiped from the internet entirely.” In the photos, my face was clearly visible, my clothes disheveled, surrounded by several unfamiliar men. The background was a private room in a high-end club. The headline blared: “Female Investment Banker Allegedly Sleeps Her Way Up, Financial Industry’s Dark Side Exposed.” “Those who hurt you, I’ve already sent them all to prison.” Julian picked up his phone. “But the negative publicity has already affected the company’s reputation, and with your hands unable to do high-frequency trading anymore…” “Forget Chief Analyst, the company can’t even hold onto your position.” “Candace, bless her soft heart, fought tooth and nail to secure this opportunity for you.” Steal my position, ruin my reputation—is *that* what she calls a “soft heart”? “The company’s decided to use your case as internal training material, a cautionary tale for all new hires.” My voice trembled: “So… you agreed to this?” Julian shook his head: “I don’t think that’s impactful enough.” “Candace suggested you share your ‘lessons learned’ at the morning meetings every day.” “It might be humiliating at first, but when you see new hires avoid making your mistakes because of you, you’ll feel… gratified.” My vision blurred; I could barely see Julian in front of me. How did we become like this? It feels like just yesterday, when we first started dating, he’d get jealous if I had one too many drinks with a client. He’d always step in front of me if a male client got too close. Five years. We clawed our way up from entry-level traders, supporting each other every step of the way, finally carving out a place for ourselves in this cutthroat financial world. Now, just because Candace suggested it, he arranged for my humiliating photos to be taken, and wants me to publicly rip open my own wounds? “Julian, what did I do wrong?” Tears streamed down my face. “I absolutely refuse this arrangement. We’re over!” I struggled to get up, but a searing pain shot through my right wrist. Julian said impatiently: “Don’t be ridiculous! Candace stayed up all night to come up with this plan. Is this how you repay us?” Just then, Candace, in her ten-centimeter Jimmy Choo heels, pushed the door open. The scent of Chanel No. 5 instantly filled the entire space. Seeing my disheveled state, she curled her red lips in a triumphant smile: “Julian, what’s going on here?” Julian sneered: “Still thinks she’s a star trader, offended that the opportunity we’re giving her isn’t ‘dignified’ enough.” Candace sighed, feigning sympathy: “Scarlett, you’re practically useless now. What firm would trust their capital to a trader who can’t even type?” “Besides…” She shook her phone. “Now the entire internet is flooded with your scandalous photos. The financial world absolutely despises this kind of scandal.” I let out a cold laugh: “Since you think it’s so great, why don’t *you* become the cautionary tale? After all, you want to snatch everything, so take this opportunity too.” “Especially since…” I stared at her meticulously manicured nails, “this idea was *yours*. You’d be able to ’empathize’ with the experience even more, wouldn’t you?”

“Scarlett!” Julian’s furious voice exploded through the empty office. He grabbed my collar, slamming me hard against the wall. His right hand flew up, a sharp whistle of air preceding the brutal slap across my face. *SMACK!* The crisp sound of the slap was excruciatingly loud in the silent office. I stumbled back a few steps, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of my mouth. “Are you out of your damn mind?! Did losing your right hand make you lose your brain too?! I never knew you were so malicious!” Julian’s eyes were bloodshot, veins throbbing at his temples, all traces of his usual composed financial elite persona gone. I slowly wiped the blood from my mouth, a cold laugh escaping my lips: “Malicious? Who really took those pictures anyway, and—” “Shut up!” Julian roughly cut me off. “Candace has been looking out for you every step of the way! Do you know how much those photos cost the company? Clients withdrawing funds, stock prices plummeting – the board wants to know who’s responsible! If you hadn’t willingly stooped to visiting places like that, those photos never would have gotten out!” I stared directly into his eyes: “Julian, can you look me in the eye and say *I* had those photos taken?” His gaze visibly flickered, his Adam’s apple bobbed uncomfortably. But quickly, that handsome face reverted to its usual cold ruthlessness. “Don’t play innocent here!” He yanked open a drawer, pulling out a stack of papers and flinging them at me. “Look at your employment contract’s supplementary clause! Any employee’s personal actions that damage the company’s reputation will result in a twenty-million-dollar fine!” Papers scattered across the floor, my signature emblazoned on the top sheet. I bent to pick up the contract, my fingers trembling uncontrollably. So, from the very first day we started dating, he had been planning this all along. Not only did he make me sign this exorbitant penalty clause, but he also transferred all my savings away under the guise of “joint investments.” He had calculated, precisely, that I couldn’t afford to pay, which is why he dared to push me so ruthlessly. “You must publicly review your actions at tomorrow morning’s meeting, so the entire company can learn from your mistakes.” Julian adjusted his tie, his tone suddenly softening: “Scarlett, please don’t make this difficult for me.” That familiar “Scarlett” sent a sharp pang twisting in my stomach. Once, he always called me that late at night after we worked overtime, and then, as if by magic, pull out my favorite Tiramisu from his briefcase. “Don’t worry, Mr. Julian.” I fought back tears, straightening my back. “I’ll… perform exceptionally well.” He nodded, satisfied, and turned to leave. Just then, Candace, in her ten-centimeter Jimmy Choo heels, pushed the door open. The scent of Chanel No. 5 instantly filled the entire space. “Julian, the board members…” She feigned surprise, covering her mouth. “Oh dear, Ms. Scarlett is here too.” Julian immediately adopted a tender expression, naturally wrapping an arm around Candace’s slender waist: “It’s all handled. Shall we go?” Candace flashed me a victor’s smile, her lips, painted with CL red-bottom lipstick, moving as she spoke: “Oh, and Scarlett, remember to dress formally tomorrow. After all, it’s going to be live-streamed on the company’s internal network.” Watching them walk away hand-in-hand, I bit down so hard on my lip, I tasted blood. The next morning, at 6 AM, I stood by the HR department’s door. My resignation letter was already crumpled in my bag. The elevator chimed open, and Candace, swaying her hips, stepped out. Her new Givenchy Fall collection suit made her look both sharp and alluring. “Well, well, isn’t it our ‘star trader’?” She deliberately raised her voice, causing several early-bird colleagues to glance over. “Weren’t you going to resign? What, slinking back already?” She leaned close to my ear, her warm breath caressing my neck: “Or perhaps… the men in that private room didn’t satisfy you that night?” I snapped my head up, meeting her malicious gaze head-on. The timid intern who used to trail behind me with reports, shyly calling me ‘Ms. Scarlett,’ had vanished completely. *SMACK!* My hand moved faster than my brain, but just as it was about to connect with her cheek, it was caught in a vice-like grip. Candace’s perfectly manicured nails dug deep into my bandaged wrist. The excruciating pain made my vision blur. “A trader without her right hand? Can’t even throw a punch, it’s like a tickle.” She maliciously ground her nails into my wound, and blood quickly seeped out, staining the gauze. “If that little slap affects my trading performance today, what do you think… Julian will do to you?” She flung my hand away, then elegantly pulled a wet wipe from her Hermes bag to clean her fingers, as if I were something dirty. The crisp click of her heels gradually faded away. I leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the floor, the searing pain in my wrist shooting straight to my heart. At 7:30 AM, Julian was setting up the projection equipment in the trading hall. The massive LED screen cycled through company promotional videos, among them, clips of me accepting the “Best Trader” award years ago. “Where’s Scarlett?” He checked his watch for the third time, impatience in his voice. “The market’s about to open, the morning meeting *must* start on time! How can someone with this level of discipline be trusted with client funds?” Ben, the assistant, stammered: “We’ve called her three times, but no one’s answering…” Julian irritably loosened his tie and slipped into the fire escape to call Candace. “Baby, how about we go to ‘The Summit’ tonight? That role-play you mentioned wanting to try…” His voice suddenly turned syrupy. “Yes, just like in those photos… you play the drunk client, I’ll be the attentive manager…” “Every time I see your eyes red with pleading, I just…” His breathing grew heavier, and his other hand unconsciously unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt. Suddenly, Ben burst in, panic-stricken: “Mr. Julian! It’s bad! Security says… says Scarlett went to the rooftop…” Julian’s expression froze instantly. The next second, like a furious lion, he lunged for the elevator, frantically jamming the ‘up’ button: “Damn it! Seal off the news immediately! Notify security… No, I’ll go myself!” When he kicked open the rooftop safety door, the first rays of morning sun were piercing through the clouds. The wind on the thirty-eighth floor was fierce, whipping my white blouse around me. “Scarlett!” His voice was tinged with genuine fear for the first time. “Get your ass down here! I don’t care about the twenty million! Do you hear me?!” I looked back at him one last time, the man I’d loved for five years, his tie crooked, his composure shattered. How pathetic. Even now, all he cared about was the company’s reputation. “Julian.” I said softly, “You will never, ever get that Chief Analyst position.” Amidst the blaring police sirens. I spread my arms wide, just as I had when I made my first foreign exchange trade, embracing this grand, magnificent fall.

“She shouldn’t be in her room, should she? Didn’t I assign people to watch her? Are all of you completely useless?” Julian’s voice carried from the end of the hallway, accompanied by hurried footsteps. I stood at the edge of the rooftop, the gauze on my right wrist fluttering gently in the wind. A faint tingling sensation came from my fingertips— It was a lingering effect of the nerve damage; the doctors said I’d never be able to perform high-frequency trading again. “Mr. Julian, we truly couldn’t stop Ms. Scarlett, she insisted on going to the rooftop…” Ben’s voice trailed off. I closed my eyes, feeling the thirty-eighth-floor wind howl past. Three days ago, I was sitting in the trading hall, my fingers dancing across the keyboard, processing hundreds of trades every minute. And now, all of it was gone. “Scarlett!” Julian’s voice, as he pushed open the rooftop door, brought me back to reality. He was in a sharp suit, his tie flapping in the wind, his face etched with that familiar look of worry— A look that once made my heart race, but now only disgusted me. “What are you doing standing there? Get down from there, now!” He extended a hand to me, his voice carrying just the right amount of urgency. I slowly turned, seeing the hospital security guards and Ben following behind him. Julian was always like this, playing the part perfectly, leaving no loose ends. Just like he arranged for angry clients to injure my hands, just like the words he spoke to his assistant outside the operating room. “Julian.” My voice was soft, but loud enough for him to hear, “Do you even grasp what it means for a high-frequency trader to lose their right hand?” His expression stiffened for a moment, then he quickly put on that gentle face again: “Scarlett, don’t overthink things. The doctors said your hand will recover. Let’s go home, okay?” “Recover?” I laughed, holding up my bandaged right hand. “Permanent nerve damage, 70% loss of fine motor skills – is *that* what you call ‘recovery’?” Julian took a step forward, and I immediately retreated, my heel already hanging over the edge. Gasps rose from below. Someone had spotted us on the rooftop. “Scarlett! Don’t do anything foolish!” Julian finally revealed his true fear. “I admit I was wrong. I shouldn’t have let you take the fall for Candace, but I truly love you!” “Love?” I scoffed. “You only love the ‘Mrs. Julian’ who could pave your way. Now that I, the trader, am ruined, it’s exactly what you wanted, isn’t it?” The wind picked up, scattering my hair. I looked down at the crowd gathering below, then at Julian’s ashen face. In that moment, I suddenly didn’t want to die— At least not if it meant letting him get what he wanted by getting rid of me. “Scarlett, please…” Julian’s voice trembled. “Think about our future…” “Future?” I slowly stepped away from the rooftop edge, stopping in front of him under his surprised gaze. “Alright then, let’s talk about our future.” Julian sighed in relief, reaching out to steady me, but I pulled away. I looked him straight in the eyes: “I have only one condition – I want to see Candace.” “That…” He hesitated. “She’s not available right now…” “Then there’s nothing to discuss.” I turned, ready to walk back to the rooftop edge. “Fine! Fine! I’ll arrange it!” Julian quickly agreed. “I’ll have her come see you tomorrow. Just come back to the room with me first.” I let him help me off the rooftop, already planning my next move in my mind. What Julian didn’t know was the first thing I did after waking up in the operating room. I had asked the nurse to contact an old friend for me – Mr. Davies from the Financial Regulatory Authority. Back in the hospital room, Julian diligently poured me water and tucked in the duvet around me. He seemed to have reverted to being the considerate husband he once was. I closed my eyes, feigning rest, listening to him make a hushed phone call on the balcony. “Candace, you have to come to the hospital tomorrow… Yes, she’s demanding to see you… I know it’s risky, but she’s emotionally unstable right now… What? No! If she actually jumps, the media will dig deep into *why*…” I silently curved my lips into a smile. Julian always prioritized profit, even over his first love. The next afternoon, Candace arrived as expected. She wore a Chanel suit and carried an Hermes bag. Her makeup was so meticulously applied, she looked ready for a financial summit, not a hospital visit. “Scarlett.” She stood by the bed, a facade of concern on her face. “I heard you’re not doing so well?” I didn’t answer, just stared at her red-polished nails— Those hands that were now operating the keyboards in the trading floor, in place of mine. “Mr. Julian is very worried about you.” She continued, an undisguised triumph in her tone. “He said that once you’re discharged, you can focus on being Mrs. Julian, and he’ll leave the trading department to me…” “Candace.” I interrupted her, my voice surprisingly calm. “Do you know what high-frequency trading absolutely despises?” She paused: “What?” “Emotional trading.” I slowly sat up. “A trader swayed by emotions will eventually blow up their account.” Candace’s face changed slightly: “I don’t understand what you mean.” “You will.” I smiled. “Oh, and thank Julian for the gift he sent me.” “Gift?” I held up my right hand: “This ruined hand, it’s the best gift he could have given me.” Candace left in a hurry, clearly startled by my words. I picked up the phone from the bedside table and dialed Mr. Davies. “Mr. Davies, it’s Scarlett. Regarding the suspicious trading records for account MH6703, I have some new findings…” After hanging up, I gazed out at the blue sky. Julian thought destroying my career would control me, but he was wrong. The most important lesson I learned in the financial market was – always have a hedging strategy. And now, my revenge plan had only just begun.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298960”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn