Category: English

When my friend sent me a video from a private lounge at a high-end club, I was watching the recording of my daughter’s kindergarten performance. In the video, my wife, Chloe, had her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and beside her was her childhood sweetheart, Blake. Amidst the deafening music, Blake leaned in and kissed her. Around them, friends screamed and cheered them on. Chloe didn’t push him away. In fact, as he pulled back, she drunkenly licked her lips. The camera shook, sweeping across scattered items on the floor—it was her Hermès bag, zipper wide open, revealing a picture of our family of three inside. I turned off the video and called her. Her sweet, yet slightly impatient voice came through: “It was just a game, Liam. You’re not going to be petty about it, are you?” I smiled. Then I’d show her just how petty I could be. Games, after all, come with consequences. I texted my fund manager directly. The next second, Chloe’s call came through, which I promptly ignored. She called my assistant next. Mark politely replied, “My apologies, Ms. Henderson, Mr. Hayes is currently with an important client.” Playing hard to get? As if I couldn’t play that game too. Within half an hour, my office door was violently thrown open. Chloe, in her high heels, stormed over to me, her face contorted with rage, and slammed her phone onto my desk. “Liam Hayes, are you insane?! Stellar Tech was supposed to be our family business, Henderson Corp’s, next big acquisition! Are you trying to destroy us by shorting it now?!” The elegant and poised Chloe, who always presented herself as the epitome of grace, lost her composure for the first time in front of me, looking like a furious, scorned woman—all for her childhood sweetheart. I slowly set down my fountain pen and looked up at her beautiful face, twisted by anger. “You have twenty minutes.” “What?” “Kick him out of your car, then send that car to be destroyed,” I said calmly. “That passenger seat is where my daughter always sits, *her* spot.” Ten minutes later, Mark sent me a photo. Chloe’s white Maserati was being fed into the massive compressor of a metal recycling plant. I immediately notified my fund manager: “Close out the position and transfer all profits to a charity foundation.” Then, I sent Chloe a picture. The landscape painting in her study—her most treasured piece, a priceless, one-of-a-kind masterpiece by a famous artist—was now my canvas. I’d drawn a ridiculous turtle on it with a marker. “Chloe, this is also a game. Remember, this is your first warning. Next time, you’ll face the consequences.” On Chloe’s end, there was dead silence. I knew she must be absolutely furious. But I was even angrier. Our marriage began with love. I had single-handedly supported the nearly bankrupt Henderson Corp, turning Chloe from a sheltered heiress into a renowned beautiful CEO in the business world. I thought our relationship was solid as bedrock. But she, with her own hands, had smashed a crack through it. The millions that evaporated in an instant? That was just the beginning. That night, Chloe didn’t come home. The next day, I had Mark dig up all the information on Blake, then headed directly to the private club where they’d arranged to meet.

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After my wife was reported for embezzlement by a business rival, I took the blame and went to prison for her. She promised she would wait for me at our home, but she never visited me even once. I thought she was just busy and didn’t think much of it. Until the day I was released, I saw my wife leaning against another man’s chest, happily watching a boy and a girl playing in the yard. No wonder she had no time to see me – she was too busy living her happy new life. I sacrificed four and a half years in prison, thinking I was protecting her. But she didn’t care at all. The little boy made eye contact with me as I crouched behind the iron fence. He turned and shouted excitedly: “Mommy, Daddy, look! There’s a homeless man begging!” The man looked over at me, and I felt my heart turn cold. Wasn’t he Henry Shaw, the one who had reported my wife all those years ago? … Henry pulled the two children behind him and looked up warily. “Go play with mommy, kids.” The two children bounced over to my wife’s side. Claire just frowned as she stared at me. Henry reached out to pat my shoulder, hesitated for a few seconds when he saw my ragged clothes, but still completed the greeting between men. “Next time you come to our house, remember to call ahead. You showing up like this… almost scared the kids.” “I remember you weren’t supposed to be out of prison this early.” Henry pulled out a cigarette and offered it to me. I didn’t take it. “Got out early for good behavior,” I muttered, the words tasting bitter. “The deed to this mansion is in my name.” The fruits of my years of hard work had become Henry’s gift, handed to him on a silver platter. Henry fell silent. He lit the cigarette and smoked it himself. Claire walked over, and Henry’s free hand naturally draped over her shoulder. Claire looked me up and down, making me uncomfortable. She let out a soft sigh, her expressive eyes gazing at me: “You’ve lost weight.” As if we were long-lost lovers reuniting. I wanted to ask her if she still meant what she said years ago, if she had thought of me at all in these long days. Henry suddenly clapped his hands, cigarette dangling from his lips. “I almost forgot! Look at my scatterbrain. It’s all because your son riled me up.” “Sweetie, stop eating.” He picked up the dog bowl covered in the family pet’s drool and tossed it arrogantly at my feet. He blew a contemptuous puff of smoke in my face. “Lambert, I’m not trying to insult you. Our dog’s monthly food budget is definitely way more than what you got in prison. The quality is much better too.” “I just want to satisfy my curiosity. I heard that people who’ve been in prison for a while will eat even rotten vegetable roots with gusto. I want to see if it’s true that you’ll eat anything now.” I had come on an empty stomach, rushing over as soon as I was released because I wanted to see Claire quickly. But I certainly wasn’t so desperate as to eat rotten vegetables with relish, like he claimed. I just never imagined that Claire already had two children. She had long forgotten me and my sacrifices. Henry treated me like less than human, and Claire smiled along indulgently. [Paywall] I angrily grabbed Henry’s collar with one hand. “What are you so smug about? Setting up my wife, stealing my family – I haven’t even settled accounts with you for that yet!” Claire’s nails scraped my arm as she impatiently said: “Andrew Lambert, Henry was just joking with you. Why are you overreacting like this?” I forced down the bitterness in my heart and let go. As soon as I released him, Claire hurried to Henry’s side, carefully straightening his collar. “Claire, aren’t you going to explain anything to me? Him and those twins…” Claire glanced at her watch, her tone cold and distant. “We’ll discuss this minor issue later. It’s time for Nathan and Haley’s swing session at our house.” They treated me like I was invisible, walking away hand in hand. My anger felt like it was hitting cotton – no one cared. Claire pulled out a $100 bill from between her phone and case, tucking it into my hand. “Thanks for your hard work these past four years. Treat yourself to something nice.” I stood there stunned, holding the $100 bill. Keeping cash between the phone and case was a habit I’d had for years. It started when Claire and I were on vacation once. She fainted from heatstroke, my phone was dead, and I had no cash on me. I had to ask many passersby before borrowing money from a girl who had issues with Claire. Her condition was slapping me once for $5. From then on, to be prepared for emergencies, I would check every morning that we both had cash behind our phones. Claire’s actions still had traces of my influence, but she no longer loved me. Only this house we had lived in for years told me that our loving past had truly existed. I swallowed the acid in my heart, found the key under the doormat, and prepared to go inside to change into slippers. The housekeeper suddenly loudly scolded me. “Mr. Lambert, what are you doing? There are muddy footprints all over the tiles. Can’t you think about how hard it is for us to clean?” The housekeeper was someone I had hired from my hometown. She had been very grateful to me at first. I never imagined that in four and a half years in prison, it wasn’t just Claire whose heart had changed. I ignored the housekeeper and picked up a pair of slippers. She exclaimed again: “Mr. Lambert, you’re breaking the rules again. Those slippers are for guests!” I was about to lose my temper when she ran back and brought me a pair of my old shoes, along with two red plastic bags to use as shoe covers. She patted my back like an elder. “Mr. Lambert, don’t be angry with me. I have to follow the orders of whoever pays my salary, right?” “Your things… the madam had me pack them all in the storage room. You should take that pile of junk and move out quickly.” I shook my head and went to the storage room. Expensive watches and custom suits were carelessly piled on the floor. But on the spotless top shelf of a glass cabinet sat a shoebox. I carefully took it down, only to find shredded cloth shoes inside. The uppers had several burn holes, with traces of cigarette ash. When I came out holding the shoebox, the happy family of four had returned. Seeing my unhappy expression, Claire came over and felt my forehead. “You don’t have a fever. Why do you look so unwell? I’ll have the housekeeper make you some chicken soup later.” “I just discussed it with Henry. We’ve known each other for so many years, so you can continue living in our home. We won’t force you out onto the streets.” I stepped back to avoid her touch and opened the shoebox. “Who ruined my shoes?” Claire glanced at them. “The ones your mom made for you, right?” I nodded. Claire pointed at me and let out a clear laugh. “Henry, he’s treating a pair of $20 cloth shoes like a treasure.” “Who could stand this mama’s boy, wearing the same ratty shoes every day, putting them in the safe when it rains. Why doesn’t he just live with his mom forever.” The little boy who had been hiding behind Henry bravely stepped forward, raising his hand high. “I did it! Don’t blame my mommy.” He seemed very proud. Claire gently ruffled his hair. “If you break someone’s things, you have to pay for them. Go buy him a new pair.” Then she said to me resignedly: “Andrew Lambert, don’t quibble with a child. He’ll buy you a new pair, so let it go.” The chubby boy ran over with an alligator skin wallet, taking out a handful of coins and scattering them on me. He grinned, looking very much like Henry when he smiled. Claire praised the boy for being sensible, but when she looked at me again, her brow furrowed. “This matter is over now. What child isn’t naughty sometimes? Your old-fashioned cloth shoes – $20 is already generous of him.” Henry gestured mysteriously with his cigarette. The shoes were placed too high for a 3-foot-tall child to reach. And there were cigarette ashes on them. Claire followed my gaze, playfully punched Henry, then turned to me with an icy expression. “You don’t suspect Henry did it, do you? Even if he knew that ratty shoe was your family heirloom, Henry wouldn’t bother touching your junk. Just have your mom make you another pair.” She won’t be making any more. This was the last pair of shoes my mom had sewn for me. In those bitter years I spent in prison, only my mom visited once. She specifically instructed me to treat Claire well in the future. But was it me who didn’t want to have a good life with Claire? In the five years I longed for her… She was laughing in another man’s arms. Claire ignored me and picked up her child. “Baby must be hungry. Let’s go eat. Honey, you come quickly too.”

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Once again, I was beaten bloody by my unpredictable wife, Gwen. As I lay there, on the verge of being beaten to death, my adopted daughter didn’t shield me as she usually did. Instead, she sat nearby, casually counting money with a smirk on her face. It was the money I had saved for a house, penny by penny, from sweeping streets and collecting garbage. “Mom, don’t kill him yet,” she said. “While it’s still dark, let’s dump him on the road. If this cripple gets run over by a car, we might be able to scam some money.” The mother and daughter dragged me by my crippled right leg and threw me onto the road. As I lay dying, I desperately tried to crawl away. But my father, George, and my brother, William, came and dragged me back to the middle of the road. Through my blurry vision, I saw my adopted daughter hugging my father and brother, unable to contain her laughter. “Dad, once the cripple is dead, we can finally acknowledge our true relationship!” I widened my eyes in disbelief. Could it be that the abandoned child I had raised with such difficulty was actually the illegitimate daughter of one of them? Before I could understand the truth, a speeding truck ran me over. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day I found my adopted daughter.

“Waa! Waa!” The familiar cry of an infant felt like a blunt knife scraping against my nerves. I coldly looked towards the bundle in the corner. In my previous life, I had picked up this ungrateful child because I felt sorry for her. To buy her formula, I walked 10 miles to the city. Because she wanted pizza, I worked through a three-day fever with my body shaking from chills. When she had diarrhea, I carried her through flood waters to the hospital. I slipped and broke my right leg, leaving me with a lifelong limp, but I had no regrets. I raised her with countless drops of blood and sweat. In the end, she pushed me into hell with her own hands. I stared at the bundle in the corner of the alley, my nails digging deep into my palms, almost drawing blood. Resisting the urge to strangle the little ingrate, I quickly ran back home with my backpack. I took a bite of the hard bread. Even though it scratched my throat, it tasted sweeter than honey. In this life, I hadn’t yet been hit by Gwen with a beer bottle, losing three teeth. I wouldn’t speak with a lisp or spill food while eating porridge. My elbow hadn’t been shattered, causing my hand to shake uncontrollably when holding things. My right leg was fine too. I wouldn’t have to crawl like a dog, dragging a crippled leg to pick up fallen bread from the ground. “Creak!” The door to the west room opened, and William came out rubbing his eyes. Seeing me eating, his eyes immediately widened. His voice rose, “Brother! How come you’ve come back empty-handed!” I slowly and deliberately spread a generous amount of lard on the bread. Life in the countryside was hard. I never dared to eat such good things as lard, saving it all for William and our father, George. All because of our grandfather’s instructions. He said that my father and brother had always been weak, and as the eldest grandson, I should take care of them more. So I worked like a tireless ox. In the countryside, I rushed to do all the dirty and tiring work for George and William. Under the scorching sun, I went to dry grain and weed for William. At night, I forced my aching back to carry manure for George. My hands were always covered in blisters. I was grateful if I could sleep four or five hours a day. I was always afraid they might catch a cold or get sick from the wind and rain. But in return, I was schemed against for a lifetime. I tilted my head back and took a big bite of the lard-covered bread. The rich oily fragrance slid down my dry throat. “I just went out to weed, of course I came back empty-handed,” I said, glancing at him inconspicuously and sneering. “What, did you expect me to bring back something dirty and unsavory? I can’t do that kind of profiteering!” William frowned angrily, rushed out, pulling back the curtain. There was a “clang” from the yard. William had kicked over the vegetable washing basin, shouting for dad.

George and William whispered for a while. Then they hurriedly left the house. Not long after, they started shouting dramatically in the yard. “Oh my! Whose child is this?” My father held the bundle with a pitying look. “Oh, poor baby! How could you be abandoned here?” He heard my footsteps and immediately turned to look at me. His eyes were so “kind” and “righteous” that he looked like a saint incarnate. “Lucas, come quick and see how pitiful this child is. We can’t just stand by and do nothing!” George rushed over in three quick steps and tried to shove the bundle into my arms, muttering, “Hurry and take the child to the village clinic.” “I don’t know how long this child has been abandoned. I see hoof prints on its body. Quick, go check if there’s anything wrong.” I glanced down. The bastard child born of an affair. Its face was purple-red, its cries weak, as if it might die at any moment. I desperately suppressed the cold laughter in my heart. In my previous life, George had persuaded me with this “saintly” face. He earnestly persuaded me to give up my chance to return to the city. To be stuck in this backwater village for a lifetime. For this bastard child, born of either him or William with some loose woman. My whole life was ruined! I suddenly stepped back, avoiding his hand, and spoke calmly. “Dad, my bones ache all over. I don’t want to go out.” George’s face immediately changed. “Lucas! How can you be so heartless?” he said, gritting his teeth and suppressing his anger, as if I were some unfilial son. “This child will die if no one takes care of it! Can you bear that?” “How have I taught you all this time? You must have a conscience in everything you do.” “Good deeds will be rewarded, and turning a blind eye to someone in need will have consequences!” William quickly joined in, pretending to persuade me. “Brother, don’t you always say you’re tired? Just bear with it for a bit. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda…” Ha! So he knew I was exhausted every day from working for him? I looked at George and William’s hypocritical, self-righteous faces and suddenly laughed. “Brother, you’re so kind. Why don’t you take the child to the clinic yourself?” “The money is in the drawer. You can’t just stand by and do nothing.” “I’m aching all over from working for you. If I faint while carrying the child and accidentally drop it, now that would really be a sin!” The cries of the little bastard in the bundle were growing weaker. My father and brother glared at me. They looked like they wanted to devour me alive. My father’s face turned iron-gray, his fingers tightly pinching the bundle. As if he wanted to strangle the child inside. William panicked too, like a chicken with its throat squeezed. “Brother! What are you saying! Dad’s old, and I’ve always been weak. How could we handle the back and forth?” I clenched my fists and leaned against the doorframe, sneering. “We’re all born of the same parents. So I’m the only one with thick skin and a cheap life, is that it?” “All the dirty and tiring work has always fallen to me.” “You two get to be kind-hearted living Buddhas, while I’m destined to be a beast of burden?” George trembled with anger. All traces of kindness and civility had vanished. He looked like he wanted to tear me apart. “Lucas Young! You ungrateful wretch!” “Do you think you can start complaining now that you might get to return to the city?” “If you don’t take care of this child today, I’ll go around the village shouting, let everyone know you turned a blind eye to someone in need!” I stared at him and spoke slowly and deliberately. “Do whatever you want.” This life, no one will use “conscience” to pressure me again!

In my previous life, I listened to their devilish words. I took that little bastard to the clinic. Right after, I was pointed at and gossiped about. They spread rumors that I, a young man, was suddenly carrying a child for no reason. It was almost certain that the child was mine, born of an affair with some woman. George and William spread rumors about me everywhere. It was just when they were selecting young people to return to the city. A young person’s moral conduct was an especially important selection criterion. Because of these baseless rumors, my chance to return to the city was revoked. This time, I absolutely won’t have anything to do with that little bastard! Unexpectedly, though I didn’t look for trouble, trouble found me. Just as I was packing to return to the city, the yard gate was suddenly kicked open from outside. Gwen stood at the door holding the blood-covered little bastard, cursing loudly. “Lucas Young! You shameless scoundrel!” “You sweet-talked me into bed and got me pregnant!” “Now you want to go back to the city, so you abandoned your son, not caring if he lives or dies. How can you be so vicious!” My blood instantly froze. In my previous life, it was this crazy woman who made me live worse than death for twenty years! I walked out of the house. Half the village had already gathered at the door. Gwen, who had beaten me for half my life, stood guarding the door, cursing loudly. Back then, because I adopted that bastard, my reputation was ruined and I couldn’t return to the city. George decided to have me marry Gwen, a widow in the village who was over ten years older than me. I didn’t want to. George acted like the family patriarch. He said with my reputation as a scoundrel, I couldn’t marry a girl from a decent family anymore. Marrying Gwen would at least give the child a mother, so he wouldn’t be bullied as a single parent child. He tol a singled me not to only think of myself, but to the child’s welfare. Later he simply sent the bride price to Gwen on his own. He forced me to marry Gwen. Although Gwen was older, she treated the child I had adopted very well, like a real mother! As time passed, I resigned myself to my fate. I planned to settle down, raise the child, and live my life with Gwen. Just because I helped a young widow whose husband had died young carry two bags of grain while she was pregnant with her late husband’s child, I was beaten. Gwen dragged me to the yard, grabbed my hair and smashed my head against the millstone. In front of the neighbors, she cursed and spat at me. “Lucas Young, you’re really shameless! I didn’t look down on you for being a scoundrel when I married into your family!” “You ungrateful bastard! You dare to steal women from me! Is that little slut pregnant with your child?” Faced with Gwen’s hysterical behavior… I desperately tried to explain that I just saw someone in need and wanted to help, as we’re all neighbors. But she didn’t believe me at all. She insisted I couldn’t change my scoundrel ways, that I was seducing young wives! She even picked up a stick and beat my right leg, crippling me for life. Not a single relative or neighbor was willing to help. They despised me even more for being no good. I had been unfaithful before marriage, having an illegitimate child with some loose woman. After marriage, I still wasn’t an upright person. They all felt that a dirty scoundrel like me who fooled around deserved to be beaten. At the time, George and William were watching from the side. Neither of them came to pull Gwen away. At the time, I thought they were just scared by the crazed Gwen. I was even afraid my blood would splatter on them. Now that I think about it, it’s really laughable. Every time George and William came to see me, Gwen would find an excuse to beat me viciously. Whenever I really couldn’t take it anymore and wanted to divorce Gwen, George and William would always persuade me: “For the sake of how good she is to the child, just endure it. It’ll get better with time. The child can’t be without a mother!” I believed these words, swallowed my tears and pain, gritted my teeth, and continued living with Gwen. As my adopted daughter grew up, she looked more and more like Gwen, but I didn’t think much of it. I just thought that after being raised for so long, it was natural for a child to resemble their adoptive parents. I thought it was because the child was close to her parents.

Gwen’s ability to turn black into white… Made me suffer for a lifetime. I didn’t expect that in this life, she would directly throw mud at me. The villagers watching couldn’t help but point at me and criticize. Their spit nearly drowned me. “Even a tiger doesn’t eat its cubs. This man’s heart is really vicious!” “The child was crying and almost dying at the clinic, yet he still has the nerve to pack his bags!” “Ptui! Scoundrel! You deserve to be condemned!” “I just heard at the clinic that this child’s ears were trampled deaf by either sheep or donkey hooves. Who knows if his brain was damaged too!” “To have such a father, what terrible luck!” The accusations from all sides made my head buzz. Memories of a lifetime of being unable to hold my head high, always inferior to others, flooded back. I tasted blood in my throat. The words “scoundrel” and “scum” kept drilling into my brain. George rushed over and slapped me hard across the face. He still smelled of the clean soap I had risked my life to buy for him, working in the mountains breaking rocks and pulling carts like a donkey. He pointed at my face and cursed righteously. “How could I have given birth to such a shameless son!” Blood dripped from my split lip onto the snow. My face stung and burned. George leaned back, as if he had suffered a great injustice. “It’s all my fault as a father for not teaching you well. How could you do such a despicable thing!” “Our Young family has been upright for generations. Now we can’t even face our ancestors underground!” The uncles and aunts tried to persuade him. “You can’t control grown children! How can you watch over him all the time!” “When a boy grows up, if he wants to fool around, how can you as a father stop him? You can’t tie him to your waist.” William quickly chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. “Brother, even if you really want to return to the city, you can’t mistreat the child like this!” “I’ve always told you to be upright and responsible, but you just wouldn’t listen…” The corner of a brand new dress shirt peeked out from under his coat. It was the shirt I had exchanged thirty work points for, just so I could return to the city looking presentable. He had stolen it and was wearing it himself. But never mind, I stole something of his too! William deliberately lifted the blanket, exposing the child’s festering ears. The crowd instantly exploded. Several strong men looked like they wanted to beat me with sticks. Someone spat in my face. I immediately dropped to the ground and started rolling around. Like a mad dog, I bit anyone who tried to pull me away. “Gwen! You say I had an affair with you! What proof do you have?” Gwen snorted coldly and pulled out a pair of men’s underwear from her labor reform cloth bag. “You scoundrel! Do you dare say these aren’t yours!” “And you have a birthmark on your left buttock!” The crowd’s curses became even more vicious. The village chief was so angry he stamped his feet. “You’ve completely ruined our village’s reputation! You still want to return to the city? Keep dreaming!” “We’d rather give the spot to William than to scum like you!” The smiles on William and George’s faces were barely concealed. I got up from the ground, wiped the blood from my face. I tore open the pocket of my clothes and took something out, holding it up. “What a coincidence, I have some evidence too.”

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In my previous life, my sister Hazel always encouraged me to skip classes, stay up all night gaming, and sleep during lessons. Whenever I tried to study, she would mock me for being a goody-two-shoes. But behind my back, she was burning the midnight oil and secretly studying with top students during holidays. When the college entrance exam results came out, Hazel successfully got into an Ivy League university. After graduation, she landed a job at a top tech company and married a programmer earning six figures. Meanwhile, I barely scraped by in the exam, disappointing our parents who sent me off to work in a factory. I ended up marrying a good-for-nothing who abused me during pregnancy, leading to my tragic death during childbirth. After I died, Hazel spoke at my funeral, saying I was actually quite smart but didn’t apply myself to studying. She claimed all my misfortunes were self-inflicted, unlike her who knew from a young age to study hard and change her fate through education. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself sitting in a gaming cafe, in the midst of an intense match with my teammates. I shook my foggy head, grabbed my dirty backpack, and ran home. Back at the house, Hazel was diligently writing under a desk lamp. Seeing me return, she quickly hid her papers and asked, “Sis, why are you back so early? You left the team one player short, what about your teammates?” It had always been her who called me to the gaming cafe, while she pretended to be tired and went home to study in secret. I took out my brand new textbooks and pinned my target university on the wall. Hazel immediately flew into a rage: “You want to get into Harvard? How dare you even think about Harvard?” Not only would I get into Harvard, but I would also make her understand that natural talent isn’t something she could catch up to with mere hard work. I looked at the “Pentakill” screen on the computer, smelling the strong odor of cigarettes and sweat, hearing my teammates cursing at our loss. I couldn’t believe my eyes as I looked around. I had been reborn, back to when I was seventeen, a month before the first mock exam in my senior year. I picked up my dirty backpack from the floor and ran out, ignoring my teammates’ anxious questions behind me. I had promised to help them reach the top rank, and my leaving meant certain defeat for them. But my future was far more important than their fleeting victory. Ignoring everyone, I ran home as fast as I could. It was already 1 AM, but the light in Hazel’s room was still on. Her shadow was projected on the window, her hand moving rapidly across paper. I pushed open her bedroom door, startling her. She hurriedly tried to hide the papers under her arm. I had my phone out, recording the whole scene. Faking a yawn, I asked, “Weren’t you tired? Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Trying to appear calm, she said, “I woke up to use the bathroom and realized I hadn’t packed my bag. I’m just packing up and then I’ll go to sleep.” The light in Hazel’s room went out, and I turned on my long-unused desk lamp. I took out my textbooks, which didn’t even have my name written in them yet. In my previous life, I had barely scraped by into high school thanks to last-minute cramming in middle school. Hazel, shocked at my sudden studiousness, told me that being good at studying wasn’t cool – hanging out with the popular kids was what mattered. There was an expensive class at our school, full of students from rich and powerful families who got in through money rather than grades. Believing Hazel’s words, I started skipping classes to game with them every day. We took pride in who was the best gamer. With a little effort, I became the top player among them. But what I didn’t know then was that they were all rich kids who would transfer to international programs in junior year and study abroad for senior year. After returning, they would work in their family businesses. My parents were just ordinary office workers. Without getting into a good university, I could only work in a factory. I was pretty, so as soon as I started at the factory, a guy named Jake took a liking to me. I told Hazel about it, and she encouraged me to pursue true love. She said love couldn’t be measured by money, and as long as Jake loved me, true love could conquer all. I believed her and had a child with Jake before marriage, without even a proper engagement. We hastily got our marriage certificate. But as soon as we were married, Jake started abusing me verbally and physically. Whenever he got drunk, he would say that Hazel and I had the same mother, so why was Hazel so outstanding while I was as dumb as a pig. I cried as I thought back to the past – I used to be the more brilliant one. I could solve any problem at a glance and had a photographic memory. My middle school teachers couldn’t believe how poorly I did in the high school entrance exam. Later, when I was in labor, Jake refused to let me have a C-section, leading to the death of both me and the baby. During labor, I called Hazel countless times, but she always said she was busy. As soon as I died, she showed up immediately. At my funeral, everyone sighed about how the former little genius had ended up like this. Hazel pretended to be heartbroken as she told everyone, “My sister was actually very smart, but she didn’t like studying. Everything that happened to her was her own doing. Unlike her, I knew from a young age to study hard and changed my fate through education.” After everyone left, Hazel gloated and revealed the reason for her deception. It turned out that I had always been smart, and our parents’ attention had always been on me. She was so jealous that she went crazy and used my trust in her to set me up. This time, I absolutely wouldn’t fall for it again. I wanted to show her that talent is talent, and it’s not something she could surpass just by working hard. I took out some paper, wrote down my goal of getting into Harvard, and stuck it on my desk. I took out my freshman textbooks and started reading from the first page. By 3 AM, I had finished two books, the knowledge already taking root in my mind. I slept for two hours, then got up and was the first to enter the classroom to start the morning reading. By the time my classmates arrived one after another, I had already memorized two volumes of freshman and sophomore English vocabulary. “Iris is actually studying, how strange!” “There’s only half a year left until the college entrance exam, no matter how hard she tries now, it’s useless. At most she might get into a community college.” “With her grades, even a public community college would be difficult. She’ll probably have to pay high tuition for a private one.” I ignored others’ idle chatter. When the exam results came out, everything would be clear. Hazel, as usual, entered the classroom just as the bell rang. As soon as she saw me, she asked, “Sis, why didn’t you wake me up this morning?” “From now on, I’ll be at school at 5 AM every day. If you can get up, come with me. If not, set your own alarm.” Hazel asked curiously, “You don’t study, what are you coming so early for?” Lucas, sitting behind me, excitedly told Hazel, “Your sister came early to memorize English vocabulary. She seems to have memorized two books already. I don’t know what’s gotten into her!” Hazel was stunned for a moment, then angrily said, “Sis, we’re just here to get a diploma. After graduation, let’s work in a factory together. I’ve already checked, if you work well in an electronics factory, you can earn over $3,000 a month!” I took out my phone and showed her the video: “If the factory is so good, why are you secretly studying at night?” Hazel’s face immediately turned pale when she saw the video. Lucas snatched my phone and pointed at Hazel, shouting, “You little liar, Hazel! No wonder you always run off in the middle of our gaming sessions. So you’ve been secretly studying at home!” “You study in secret and still only score in the 400s, your brain must not be very good, huh?” Hazel’s face turned red with anger. She opened her textbook and started memorizing vocabulary. She repeated one word over and over more than a dozen times but still couldn’t remember it. After school, I still accompanied the rich kids to the gaming cafe. I wouldn’t cut ties with them – after graduation, they would all be valuable connections for me. In my previous life, all the relationships I had worked hard to maintain ended up benefiting Hazel in the end. After leading them to five consecutive victories, I rushed back home. My parents saw me come home and sarcastically remarked, “Oh, you actually know how to come home early. Didn’t you say you’d rather die in the gaming cafe?” “If you have the guts, stay there every night and don’t come out. Let’s see what you get in the college entrance exam.” In my previous life, my parents had tried everything to get me to study properly. But I believed Hazel’s words and just wouldn’t listen. As a result, my parents gave up on me and, apart from not letting me starve, stopped caring about me. After I died, they were heartbroken for a long time. My mom even stayed in the hospital for an extended period. I suddenly knelt down in front of my parents: “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry. I was foolish before. I will definitely study hard and get into a good university.” My mom looked at me in surprise, turning away to wipe her tears. My dad quickly helped me up: “Good, it’s good that you know to study. Dad always knew you weren’t bad at heart. Although there’s not much time left, just do your best. Worst case, we can always have you repeat a year.” I nodded: “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. I can get in on the first try. I’m going to get into Harvard.” At this moment, Hazel came out of her room with a textbook: “Sis, why are you back? Didn’t you go to the gaming cafe with Lucas and the others?” She deliberately walked over to me and immediately covered her nose: “Oh my, Sis, the cigarette smell on you is so strong, it’s choking me!” My mom came over to smell me too, then immediately slapped me across the face: “I knew you couldn’t change your ways. You just came back from the gaming cafe and you’re lying to us about studying hard. With your scores barely over 200 in every test, and still skipping class to game, if you could get into Harvard, even a pig could get into Harvard!” Dad sighed in disappointment and went back to the bedroom with Mom. With no one else around, Hazel finally showed her true colors: “Sis, don’t waste your effort. You only have half a year, you can’t surpass me. I’ve been holding back – my real level is definitely not just 400 points.” I gave a cold laugh and went back to my room to study. Actions speak louder than words. I would use my results to show everyone my true ability. We had a small test every week. Although I was improving, I still couldn’t pass. Hazel stopped pretending and showed her true level, directly scoring second in the class and tenth in the grade. The homeroom teacher praised me for improving, saying I had hope of getting into a public vocational college. I looked at Hazel’s test paper – she couldn’t solve the most difficult questions. Her brain really wasn’t up to par. Hazel put her test paper in front of me, deliberately showing me her score: “Sis, look, full marks in English, 129 in math!” “Let me see yours. Tsk tsk, 59 in math. Not bad, not bad. If the full score was 100, you’d be just one point away from passing. Too bad our full score is 150, and you need 90 to pass.” “Oh my, you’re a bit unbalanced. You got 60 in language. Hmm, you’re better at liberal arts than sciences.” Lucas tried to persuade me: “Iris, you’re not cut out for studying. Just give up. You haven’t been pulling all-nighters gaming with us lately. Without you, we keep dropping ranks.” Hazel pretended to scold Lucas: “How can you say that about my sister? My sister is going to get into Harvard.” As soon as Hazel finished speaking, the class erupted in laughter: “A total score of less than 400, getting into Harvard? That’s hilarious!” “Does she think Harvard is run by her family, that she can just go whenever she wants?” I ignored them and took out practice exam papers to work on. Suddenly, our homeroom teacher burst into the classroom like a whirlwind. The teacher put a stack of scratch paper on my desk: “Iris, is this your scratch paper?” I nodded. The teacher excitedly hugged me: “Genius, you’re a genius!” “The principal always said I was mediocre and could only teach regular classes. Who would have thought I could produce a student capable of getting into Harvard!” Hazel looked at the teacher in shock: “Mr. Johnson, my sister has improved in this test, but her total score is only 397. How could she possibly get into Harvard?” The teacher patted my shoulder: “She can, she definitely can. Your sister is the smartest person I’ve ever seen.” Lucas muttered quietly: “Has Mr. Johnson gone crazy?” The first mock exam soon arrived. After the results came out, the school-wide rankings were posted in the corridor. Hazel ranked 20th in the grade, while I ranked 988th. Hazel immediately started mocking me: “Oh, our future Harvard student has made quite an improvement. You’ve reached 988th in the grade.” The students all laughed. The grade director stood nearby and said meaningfully: “Iris should be first in the grade.” Hazel looked at me hatefully: “Even though you’re doing so poorly, why does everyone still believe in you? I don’t believe you can go from barely over 200 to 700 points in half a year.” I leaned close to her ear and said, “Let me tell you why they all believe I can get into Harvard!” I put all my test papers and answer sheets in front of her. Her eyes grew wider and wider. “This is impossible!” “It’s absolutely impossible. You must have cheated. I’m going to report you.” On my answer sheets, I hadn’t done any of the simple, basic questions. But I had solved all the more difficult ones. And of the questions I had solved, Hazel had only gotten half right. Hazel ran to the principal’s office with my answer sheets. She burst in without knocking: “Principal, I want to report Iris from Class 12 for cheating in the mock exam.” Sitting across from the principal were all the subject teachers from our class. Seeing Hazel and me, the principal beckoned me over: “Iris, you’ve come at the right time. We were just analyzing your situation. Can you explain why you didn’t do any of the simple questions, but solved all the difficult ones, and even used simplified methods?” “I just started trying hard, and I didn’t want to discourage the average students by immediately scoring first in the grade.” I deliberately glanced at Hazel and continued, “I wanted to take it slow, so I only did the questions I thought were worth doing. I’ll perform properly in the third mock exam and the college entrance exam.” The homeroom teacher smiled and said, “See? Iris’s approach is exactly as I guessed.” The principal immediately decided to transfer both Hazel and me to the advanced class. We both refused. I felt I could do well anywhere, while Hazel wanted to stick to her plan of leading me astray. After school, Hazel brought Lucas and the others to block my way: “Sis, let’s go to the gaming cafe for an all-nighter tonight. I have a ranking match.” I readily agreed and led them to five consecutive wins. Just as I was about to go home to study, a man who looked clearly seven or eight years older than me stood beside me, bending over to embrace me from behind. “Your operation still has some problems. Let big brother teach you how to play.” I quickly slipped out from under his armpit, the strong body odor almost making me throw up. “Who are you?” Hazel quickly explained: “Sis, this is Jake. He’s the toughest guy in our area. With him protecting you, absolutely no one will dare mess with you.” Jake took out a cheap cigarette, lit it in what he thought was a cool manner, and blew out a smoke ring. “Iris, I’ve taken a liking to you. You’re my girlfriend now. Come on, let’s go home.” Hazel smiled and handed me my backpack: “Sis, it’s your lucky day that Jake likes you. Go with him quickly. I’ll cover for you with Mom and Dad.” Jake reached out to grab me, but I quickly dodged: “Don’t touch me.” Jake grinned, showing a mouthful of yellow teeth, looking very excited: “Why are you pretending? Your sister said you throw yourself at any guy you see.” Lucas grabbed my hand, letting me hide behind him: “I don’t care who you are, Jake. Get lost. If you dare touch a hair on Iris’s head, I’ll kill you.” Everyone was looking at Jake. He might have felt his authority was being challenged and became enraged. Cursing, he lunged at Lucas. In the end, we all ended up at the police station. Lucas was bruised. Jake was worse off, with a broken nose, crying and whining at the police station for the officers to help him. My parents arrived at the police station and immediately started scolding me: “You’re not only ruining yourself, but you’re also dragging your sister down. How many times have I said, you can ruin yourself if you want, but don’t make Hazel become like you.” My mom was about to hit me but was stopped by the police. “Mrs. Summers, please calm down. The situation isn’t what you think.” Afraid that the police would tell my mom the truth, Hazel’s lips quivered and she cried to my mom: “Mom, my sister has improved recently. She even scored over 400 points. I thought as long as she didn’t go gaming, she could keep improving. When I saw her go to the gaming cafe again, I called her to come home. Who knew she had a boyfriend from the streets, and we got into a conflict.” “Mom, I don’t want to watch my sister ruin herself. Why don’t you send her to an internet addiction treatment center? When she’s cured and comes back, she can take the college entrance exam again. I’m sure she can get into Harvard then.” My mom looked at me and sighed: “Ah, I guess that’s the only way. Iris used to be so smart. It’s all because of those games that she’s become like this. I’ll contact the center tomorrow.” Lucas, his head wrapped in bandages, rushed in front of my mom to explain: “Auntie, don’t listen to Hazel’s nonsense. Today it was Hazel who actively called Iris to game. That Jake guy was also brought by Hazel, trying to force Iris to be his girlfriend. Iris didn’t agree, so I got into a fight with Jake.” Hazel looked at Lucas in horror, her eyes darting around before she burst into loud sobs: “Lucas, I know you have a crush on my sister, but you can’t slander me for her sake! How could I possibly know someone like Jake?” If my sister hadn’t been hanging around gaming cafes all the time, how would Jake have targeted her? Maybe my sister already had something going on with him. My mom, without listening to reason, slapped me again: “You’ve disappointed me too much. It’s bad enough that you don’t study well, but now you’re mixing with these unsavory characters. We must send you to the internet addiction treatment center. It’s a good chance to cut ties with that Jake guy too.” Hazel stood behind my mom, looking at me smugly.

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Blake Donovan said my body was a curse, yet his lucky charm. The rougher he was in bed, the smoother his career went. So, every day, blindfolded, I endured his demands, his forceful advances, whenever and wherever. After the seventh tearing, I was back in the hospital. That’s when I overheard a nurse calling me an “elite-tier pleasure object.” Fury surged through me, I wanted to confront them, but then I heard my fiancé talking to his friends. “How did you tear Amelia Vance up again, Blake? My turn when she heals?” “Amelia Vance is a godsend! I only used her once, and I got a raise and a promotion!” Blake softly kissed Scarlett Hayes’ forehead, speaking with a casual indifference that chilled me. “She’s getting so much more *accommodating* now. Don’t worry, she’ll be good to go again in no time!” Everyone chuckled, a dark, knowing sound. Scarlett playfully smacked Blake’s chest. “You guys are so bad, Professor Donovan! Aren’t you afraid Amelia will find out and break off the engagement?” Blake carefully pulled her onto his lap, gently pinching her cheek. “You’re all that matters to me.” “Women like her are cheap. I treat her like this every time, and she still loves it. You think she’d ever leave me?” His words were met with universal agreement. “I’ve been with so many women, but she’s the most obedient, the softest.” “She just lets us do whatever we want. Even when it hurts, she only cries. Honestly, I’m kinda hooked.” “It hurts so bad, but she screams so sweetly. Blake, can we try that last game again next time? She won’t die, and a little blood just adds to the thrill!” But Blake’s face darkened. “I told you, if you want to play this game, you follow my rules!” “No matter what, she’s *my* Amelia Vance now.” “She chased me for three years. She’d probably lose her mind if I left her. She’s been with me, after all. I can’t just let you guys completely ruin her.” The others didn’t dare push it. “You’re right. Blake’s such a stand-up guy. Otherwise, he wouldn’t share such a prize with us.” “Blake, why don’t you share some tips? Where do you find such obedient women?” Blake just curled his lips into a cold, emotionless smile. “She’s just… cheap. She loves it when people are rough with her.” “Just give her a little sweet talk afterward, and she’ll hand you her heart.” They continued to discuss their “experience” with me. I felt like I’d been struck by lightning, my body frozen, hands and feet as cold as a corpse. What were they talking about? Blake and I had known each other since we were ten, together for twelve years. He treated me like a precious gem. After we started dating, even my parents saw him as their successor. I’d stepped back from my lab, handing over my half-finished research, practically putting him on a pedestal as a genius doctor, celebrated and admired. He said he was too busy, that he didn’t have enough time for me, and he wanted to make it up to me. So, no matter how rough he was during our intimate moments, I thought he was just too passionate. Even after being torn multiple times, I bit my lips until they bled from the pain, yet I never wanted him to stop. Turns out, it was all just my wishful thinking. The thought of him whispering sweet nothings in my ear last night made me sick to my stomach. My body weak, I leaned on the wall, struggling to stand, when I heard Scarlett’s suggestion. “Oh, Amelia Vance is so rare, a masochist like her. I’ve never seen one before!” “Blake, can I observe too?” She looked around at the men, a wicked grin on her face. “To thank Amelia for ‘helping’ me, I specially invited a master from abroad for her. He’ll definitely make her even more vibrant and resilient.” Blake’s gaze fell on a man who had been quiet and unassuming. I instinctively looked over, and our eyes met. He mouthed something, but I quickly looked away, unable to make it out. Blake hesitated. “No more tearing. The doctor said if she gets hurt again, it won’t heal properly.” Scarlett, though, grew even more excited. “Tearing makes it more fun! Besides, if it doesn’t heal, just use another spot, right?” Blake intimately pecked her lips. “Alright, whatever you say. I’ll make sure you have a blast.”

“If she gets hooked, I’ll announce that she cheated on me. You’ll owe me a new fiancée then.” Scarlett giggled sweetly, burying herself in his arms. Everyone offered them congratulations. Only I remained hidden in the corner, my heart shattered by the truth. I returned to my hospital room, my phone ringing several times. It was such a short distance, but with every step, the pain in my body felt like dancing on knife-edges, and cold sweat drenched me. I gripped the bed rail, waiting for the worst of the pain to subside. Just then, the hospital room door swung open. Blake, phone in hand, rushed in with a worried expression and scooped me up into his arms. His movements were too rough, tearing at my wounds. The scent of roses made me nauseous. “Why didn’t you answer my calls? Are you still mad at me?” I closed my eyes, hesitantly clinging to his sleeve. “Blake, do you only love me?” He froze, not answering immediately. “Are you overthinking things again? I told you, you’re the most important person in my heart.” “I have things to do back at the lab. Be a good girl, don’t make me worry too much.” He placed me on the bed. My face was pale as I begged him. “I don’t like it here. I want to go home.” Blake was still gentle with me, but I saw the deep-seated disgust in his eyes. “Be a good girl. Our engagement party is in three days.” “How can you attend looking like this? Rest up, don’t overthink.” He was used to domineeringly arranging everything for me. Just then, someone gently knocked on the door. Almost instantly, Blake let go of my hand and eagerly opened the door. Scarlett poked her head in, their eyes met, and they shared a knowing smile. “Professor Donovan, is Amelia still throwing a fit? Don’t be childish, Amelia. Your health is most important.” The girl who had once been so poorly dressed was now vibrant and charming, yet I felt nothing but utter repulsion. I turned my head, but she actively leaned into Blake’s embrace, her voice filled with feigned disappointment. “It seems I shouldn’t have come.” “Amelia, I know you don’t like me. I can go back to my hometown and never bother you two again.” I watched coldly as she cried, pressing herself against Blake. She knew exactly what she was doing. But Blake gently held her, his brow furrowed as he looked at me, his face disapproving. “How long are you going to keep being so childish?” “Scarlett works so hard, she’s so ambitious. It wasn’t easy for her to get out of her small town. How could you be so cruel as to ruin a girl’s life?” So, it was okay for her to ruin my entire life? I felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity. Last time, the research I’d spent three months perfecting was stolen by him and given to Scarlett, who was about to graduate. Not only did Scarlett get credit for the paper, but I also had to appease the other team members and take all the blame. This year, on my birthday, I waited for him on the mountaintop as we’d agreed, to watch the sunrise together. But it wasn’t until I almost fell off the cliff that I saw on his Ins stories that he’d stayed up all night cooking soup for her because her stomach hurt. Time and time again. It seemed ever since Scarlett appeared, he always broke his promises. I used to think that after more than a decade as childhood sweethearts, no one could ever come between us. But that was just what *I* thought. Blake didn’t wait for me to back down, and his face also hardened. “It’s not always the weaker person who’s right, Amelia. You’ve truly disappointed me!” He roughly yanked my leg. A sharp, piercing pain, like a knife twisting in my flesh, tore through me the next second. I could barely speak. “Call… call a doctor…” My pale face made him want to touch me, but he didn’t dare. Scarlett, though, grabbed his hand, looking at me disapprovingly. “Amelia Vance is so lucky. Someone even spoils her when she’s faking it.” “But I think this looks so bad, so immature.” Blake’s concern instantly turned to contempt. He stared at me coldly. “Amelia Vance, you look truly pathetic like this. Stop faking it!” I felt myself getting wet beneath me, my strength completely drained. I reached out, trying desperately to press the call button beside the bed. But as soon as my finger touched it, someone’s hand clamped over my mouth and nose. “It’s nothing, just the patient in Bed 2 playing a prank. You don’t need to worry about her.”

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One year into our marriage. I found out my husband was actually a rich guy. It’s just… he looked exactly like a guy in the financial newspaper. When I confronted him, he just laughed and said, “Lots of people look alike, but not everyone has my eight-pack abs.” “…” Ugh, he was so right. I absolutely *loved* my husband’s eight-pack abs. “Violet.” Rhys’s arms wrapped tightly around my waist, his handsome face buried in my neck. I heard his low chuckle and reached out to push him, but my hand landed right on those solid eight-pack abs. A shock like electricity ran through my palm, my breath hitched, and my heart pounded. “Rhys…” The word slipped from my lips, soft and sweet, my eyes swimming, practically dripping with desire. He lifted his head, bracing himself on either side of me, hovering as he smiled. The slight upturn of his foxy eyes held a hint of raw desire, tinged with red. His thin lips parted, and he lowered his head, kissing mine fiercely, taking charge without a moment’s hesitation. “Good girl, call me Daddy.” … Just like that, I called him Daddy all night long. The next morning, I almost missed work. When I finally dragged myself out of bed, my darling husband was still sprawled out, sound asleep. Ugh, he looked like a god in repose, absolutely stunning. Looks like it was up to me to bring home the bacon. My best friend, Harper, said I was hopelessly gone, and I admit it. Ever since I met Rhys, I’d been a total prisoner of love. “You’re completely wrapped around his finger! That dog Rhys is like some manipulative siren, whispering nonsense in your ear, and you just do whatever he says without a second thought!” Every time I met Harper, she called my husband a dog. I just put up with it. What else could I do? She’s been my best friend since we were kids. “My lunch break is almost over. Can we talk about something else?” I checked the time. This woman had been going on for nearly an hour. Harper sighed, her expression like she was thoroughly disappointed in me. “What is that dog Rhys even thinking, letting you, a woman, go out and earn money while he hides at home sleeping? What’s up with that?” “I’m happy to.” Only I truly know what’s best for me. Rhys has his good points, and others just wouldn’t understand. Rhys and I met completely by chance. As the old saying goes, it was truly meant to be, the best possible arrangement. A year ago, my company had a team-building trip to beautiful Miami Beach. That evening, I was strolling along the shore by myself when I saw a crowd of people gathered, arguing loudly. Right in the middle was Rhys. Under the moonlight, his unfairly perfect face practically glowed like something carved from moonlight, looking awkwardly innocent. His long, slender fingers held a crab claw like it was a piece of art. He was wearing the most ridiculously loud Hawaiian shirt and baggy shorts, but on him, it looked unbelievably stunning. It was love at first sight, and I was completely, hopelessly sunk. Like quicksand, there was no pulling me out. Turns out, poor Rhys hadn’t brought any money for dinner, and the owner thought he was trying to dine and dash. Was there any justice in the world? What’s wrong with a gorgeous person eating a little food? I dug into my own wallet and helped him out. But it hurt for a while because he’d ordered a whole king crab feast. Harper said I was totally bewitched by Rhys. I couldn’t help it. He was too handsome, and I was too much of a sucker for a pretty face. He promised he’d pay me back, but I honestly never expected him to. I was playing the long game. There had to be a reason for us to meet again, right? Then I found out we lived in the same city. Fate is just like that, wonderfully mysterious. Later, we got closer and closer. I felt the time was right to take things to the next level, but then I got nervous and totally butchered my words. “Can we do, friends?”

It was like a sudden clap of thunder; we both just froze. “No, no, no! I mean, can we *be* friends? Not *do*… Why would I say something like that? I…” Ugh, explaining only makes it worse. I was just digging myself deeper. Oh no, I sounded like a pervert! Rhys reached out and took my hand. His palm was large and strong, warm and solid. He looked at me, serious and sincere. “You don’t really know me yet. The truth is, I…” “I know.” I understood his awkwardness. He still hadn’t paid me back for that dinner in Miami. And after that, whenever we went out, I always rushed to pay. Sigh, I guess the heavens are fair. They gave him perfect looks but made his life so… poor. “I’ll support you.” I was serious. More real than pure gold. From the very first moment I saw him, I was utterly captivated. I’m a total sucker for a pretty face, and I guess that means I’m doomed to give my all. Rhys’s eyes widened in surprise. His foxy eyes, usually so subtle, now popped wide open. He probably didn’t expect me to be so direct. Maybe he needed to think about it. It was a big deal, after all. My expression dimmed, and my heart sank. To be honest, I wasn’t rich either. With me, he’d have food and clothes, but it was far from a life of luxury. The next second, my chin was gently lifted, and his soft lips pressed against mine. Between whispered kisses, Rhys chuckled softly. “It’s a deal.” Once we started, there was no stopping us. It was like a fuse had been lit, and we just exploded. The most important thing was how incredibly compatible we were, especially in bed. Those eight-pack abs, in particular, were the death of me. Just being in the same room felt like a commitment, and our eyes meeting was pure intimacy. Every day was hot and fiery. As for going directly to the courthouse to get married later, I swear I wasn’t the one who suggested it. We didn’t have a wedding. We just went out for a nice dinner together the night we got our marriage certificate. The beginning was tough, but the rest was much smoother. Our lives together were sweeter than honey, so happy it made some people green with envy. Like my best friend, Harper. “Did you even listen to a word I said? You’re a great girl, but why are you so clueless? Have you really thought this through? You’re going to support him for life?” Harper scolded me too. I nodded. “For life.” The words themselves sounded happy. Harper waved her hand, telling me to get lost. “Alright, I’m going. Talk later!” I grabbed my bag and blew her a kiss. “Violet Hayes, mark my words, one day he’ll drain you dry.” I took my best friend’s “blessing.” No, thanks! Hope neither of us ever ends up like that.

I’d been at my company for four years, but my position was lower than some of the new hires. The reason? Everyone knew. I’m tall and slender, with fair skin and a pretty face. When I first joined the company, I was the center of attention for quite a while. That ended the moment I got married. Everyone here was civilized; they knew there were certain lines you didn’t cross. But some people weren’t like that. They were just predators, taking whatever they wanted. My boss, Mr. Sterling, had hinted at things repeatedly, but I always played dumb and brushed him off. Today, though, it seemed that wasn’t going to work. “Director Sterling, I need to go home and have dinner with my husband tonight.” I pulled my hand away, smiling as I politely refused my boss’s invitation. That old creep practically had his dirty thoughts tattooed on his forehead. It was sickening. He’d already taken advantage of almost every woman in the office, it was just a matter of how much. “Violet, what about tomorrow then?” “I’m on a diet tomorrow. No dinner.” I blurted out without thinking. Dealing with workplace harassment is a vital skill for modern women. The old creep’s face instantly darkened, and he slammed a file onto the desk. “Redo this! I want to see it before the meeting tomorrow morning, or else, Violet Hayes, you can forget about your bonus this month!” I kept a smile on my face as I bent down to pick up the huge stack of files from his desk. These were materials I’d spent a week organizing. He hadn’t even looked at them before tossing them back, clearly trying to mess with me. If it were the old me, I would have thrown it right back in his face and walked out. But times were different now. I had a husband to support at home. If I quit, we’d both starve. Ugh, money problems can really crush you. After a whole day of hard work, it was already dark when I got home. In early spring, the mornings and evenings still felt like winter. The wind bit at my face, making my skin sting. After an hour of battling rush hour traffic, I finally dragged my half-dead self through the door. Our place wasn’t big, a cozy two-bedroom apartment, but it was warm and comfortable. “Wifey, you’re back! Quick, wash up and change. Dinner’s ready!” Rhys was wearing a cartoon apron, his clothes a sportswear set bought on sale at the mall, and on his feet were blue bunny slippers that matched my pink ones. He came out of the kitchen carrying steaming dishes, a warm smile on his face. His smile was like sunshine after a storm, melting away all my fatigue. I sniffled hard, suddenly feeling like all the grievances I’d suffered outside didn’t matter. A good partner protects their loved one from any pain. Seeing him so peaceful and domestic, I decided I could handle anything the outside world threw at us. “What’s wrong? Hurry and wash your hands. Come taste today’s special Rhys-style home cooking.” His goofy look made me laugh, and I happily trotted off to the bathroom to wash my hands. On the dinner table were what Rhys considered “home-cooked meals.” “Are we having Boston lobster today?” I absolutely refused to believe my meager salary could afford him buying gourmet meals home every few days. Yesterday, it was abalone. The day before, ginseng chicken soup. The day before that…

Rhys skillfully cracked open the lobster and placed the tender meat on my plate. “It’s lobster alright, but it’s local. The seller’s wife just had a baby, he needed to rush home, so he sold it cheap.” It sounded suspiciously similar to his excuse yesterday. Yesterday, the abalone seller’s son got married, so it was a day for everyone to celebrate. The day before that, he’d helped someone catch a chicken, and the owner kindly gave him one. These kinds of miracles seemed to happen to him every single day. “How do you run into such good luck every day?” I was baffled, taking a bite of the lobster meat. The delicious flavor melted in my mouth. So good. Rhys flashed his perfect white teeth at me, then smoothly popped a piece of meat he’d just pried from a crab claw into my mouth. “No choice, I’m just too charming and my luck is too good. Sellers practically chase me to feed me.” I chuckled, nodding. He wasn’t wrong, but then I thought about it again and felt something was off. “Then why don’t you buy more?” Rhys shook with laughter, reaching over to wipe a crumb from the corner of my mouth with his thumb. “My dearest wife works so hard, eat more.” I giggled sweetly, thoroughly enjoying his service. Cute, he’s got some conscience after all. He fed me until I was full, but he barely ate anything himself. The fruit after dinner was plump and glistening, sweet and refreshing, not at all cloying. “Honey, what’s this fruit you’re giving me?” Rhys had me lay with my head on his lap, feeding me the nameless, delicious fruit. “I don’t know, I picked it by the side of the road.” The food in my mouth instantly lost its appeal. Didn’t this guy worry about poison? “I tasted it beforehand; it’s perfectly fine. Good, right?” He saw right through my thoughts. “I’d eat it even if it was poisoned.” I turned and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face in his eight-pack abs. Harper was right. Rhys was a total charmer, keeping me utterly bewitched every single day. But hey, I totally fell for it. I loved it. I’d happily die in his arms, and I’d be a happy ghost. This comfortable, easy life… if only I didn’t have to be controlled by work, how perfect would that be? “No more eating. I still have work to do. If I don’t finish tonight, that old creep at my company will definitely make my life miserable again.” I reluctantly climbed off his lap. Ugh, life isn’t easy. “Is it that boss of yours again?” Rhys frowned, his expression instantly darkening. “You bet. Just looking at him makes me want to puke sometimes. Honestly, I really want to quit, sigh.” I patted his head. I didn’t tell him about the harassment; he’s a guy, I didn’t want him to feel his dignity was threatened. Rhys suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist, flipping us over so he was pinning me on the couch. His eyes bore into mine, filled with fire and fury. “Then just quit.” I froze for a second, then burst out laughing. He’s like a naive prince, totally out of touch with real-world struggles. Every single thing costs money! “Come on, I’ll go do some work. Just one hour, okay? One hour.” I coaxed him, enjoying our little game. But Rhys wouldn’t play along. Between soft kisses, he whispered in my ear, seducing me, “You know me, one hour is nowhere near enough…” “Rhys, just give me a bit, okay? Just a little while.” I blinked my eyes, a pleading look on my face. “No.” His kisses fell like rain, pouting like a stubborn child. “Honey… my sweet husband…” I gasped, feeling myself melting into a puddle, practically liquid. I tried to dodge his kisses, but he kept landing them perfectly. “I know.” He was so shameless, and I was so flustered. This husband, he was perfect in every way, but seriously, exhausting in the best way. …

The next day at the company, a bombshell dropped out of nowhere. That old creep, my boss, Mr. Sterling, was fired. I silently cheered, “Oh yeah!” I’d been expecting to get chewed out today. I hadn’t even touched the work I brought home yesterday, because Rhys had kept me pinned down, *massaging* me for hours and hours, sending me straight to dreamland. Who knew the tables would turn so quickly? In just one night, that old creep was out. It was truly cause for celebration! I immediately sent a SnapChat to my darling husband, sharing the good news. He sent me a selfie. In the photo, he was wearing the sportswear I bought him, out for a run downstairs, playfully making a finger heart at me. Sunny, handsome, full of energy. And the best part? This man was *mine*. A powerful sense of satisfaction washed over me. My subconscious urged me to work even harder, to keep him pampered and perfect, so he could continue to bless my life. The new boss was a woman, in her early forties, and very kind. To get off on the right foot, she was treating everyone to dinner after work. I couldn’t refuse, but I was really worried about Rhys back home. I called him and sent him messages, but I couldn’t relax during dinner. Tonight, the boss was treating us to a buffet, which was nice. Everyone could pick what they liked. But nothing here was as good as what we had at home. The abalone wasn’t big enough, the chicken soup wasn’t fresh enough, and I had to wait in line for lobster. A colleague next to me chatted, but my mind was entirely on Rhys, so I was a bit distracted. “Violet, have you heard that our company is going to be acquired?” I shook my head, listlessly poking at the food on my plate. Ugh, not as good as what my husband makes. “How can you not care? Our department is buzzing about it!” My colleague looked completely surprised, making me feel bad for not asking. “What happens if we’re acquired? Will I be laid off? Will I get a raise? Is the new boss handsome?” My colleague shook her head like a bobblehead, totally confused. “Exactly! Everything’s unknown, so I don’t get why you’re all whispering about it.” My colleague scratched her head, then nodded, seemingly agreeing with my point. I finally put an end to that topic. I speared a strawberry and popped it into my mouth. Ugh, it was… indescribable. “Why does this strawberry taste like nothing? It’s nowhere near as good as what my husband buys, and it’s even worse than the wild berries he picks from the roadside.” My colleague leaned in, intrigued, bumping my shoulder. “Tsk, tsk, look at you, Ms. Big Shot. Three sentences and it’s all about your husband. You’re such a husband-bragger! Violet, you’ve been married for about a year, right? We’ve never met your husband. Why don’t you invite him to join us tonight?”

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The night of my 18th birthday celebration, my sister, Isabelle, disguised as me, slipped into my boyfriend Alex’s bed. Lost in the haze of passion, Alex, still just a young man, sensed something was off. His face contorted with pure disgust as he ordered her to get out. At 22, on my wedding day, Isabelle arrived in a wedding dress, loudly inviting Alex to elope with her. Alex calmly instructed security to escort her out, but I saw a flicker of raw emotion in his eyes. At 23, when I was holding my positive pregnancy test, my heart swelling with joy, Isabelle stepped in front of Alex, taking a blade meant for him from some business rivals. The blow damaged her spine, leaving her unable to dance ever again. By her hospital bed, Alex gently kissed Isabelle’s hand, promising to take care of her for the rest of his life. Later, I quietly ended my pregnancy and filed for divorce. Alex’s eyes were filled with guilt, but he eventually signed the divorce papers. “I’m sorry, Chloe. Isabelle only has me.” At 25, I returned for his and Isabelle’s wedding, a dazzling diamond ring sparkling on my finger. Alex, his eyes bloodshot, cornered me. “Don’t find a fake just to spite me. This ring was designed by Ayu, known as ‘The Divine Pen,’ for his wife. How could it be on your hand?” “Guess why he’s called Ayu?”

The Miller family and the Dubois family were set to join in marriage. In the engagement photos released, my sister, Isabelle Dubois, wore a radiant smile, while my ex-husband, Alex Miller, looked at her with doting affection. Actually, this was the second time they’d been photographed together in wedding attire. The first time was at my own wedding. Alex stood by my side in his groom’s suit, while Isabelle, in a wedding dress, stood opposite me. She smiled brightly, extending a hand to my husband. “Alex, will you elope with me?” My wedding ended abruptly and messily, but their story had just begun, painted in bold, dramatic strokes. Back then, Alex had the security escort her out. Now, after all that back and forth, they were finally together. Some busybody dug up old photos from my wedding, capturing the scene of two women fighting over one man: “If I were Chloe Dubois, I wouldn’t even dare to show my face back at the Dubois family home. She wasted a loving couple’s time for years.” “Isabelle Dubois is just too kind-hearted, still caring about her sister. She even specially invited her back for the wedding.” “Isabelle Dubois is still too naive. Isn’t she afraid Chloe Dubois still harbors feelings for Alex? Especially now that Alex Miller is the head of the Miller family; so many people want to cling to him.” It seemed everyone sided with Isabelle Dubois. My name is Chloe Dubois. But my sister’s name is Isabelle Dubois. It was clear that Isabelle was the family’s precious gem, the apple of their eye. And I was the one blamed for my mother’s death during childbirth. When registering my name, my father casually pointed to a random name on the registration desk’s list – Chloe. The clerk paused, a hint of pity in her eyes. And so, I was named Chloe. My name could be changed, but my family’s affections never would. From childhood, anything Isabelle wanted, she eventually got. And anything that was mine, Isabelle wanted. Alex was an exception. Despite Isabelle’s endless attempts to lure him away, Alex remained unmoved, steadfastly choosing me. For Isabelle’s sake, my father even stooped so low as to beg Alex. “The Dubois family will be inherited by Isabelle. If you choose Isabelle, the Dubois family is willing to give up fifty percent of its profits.” Alex tightly gripped my trembling hand, his voice firm and resolute. “Mr. Dubois, my marriage is not a commodity. My alliance with the Dubois family is solely because I love Chloe.” After the wedding, due to Isabelle’s outrageous behavior, many families interested in her backed out. My father, fearing Isabelle’s sadness, sent her to London to study dance. I once thought I was lucky, having stubbornly grown for years, finally chosen decisively by someone. However, the time when passion fades is when the real test begins. It was another thick, sultry night. Alex’s voice was hoarse as he coaxed me for another round, his hot breath caressing my collarbone. A special notification sound rang out. Alex froze for a moment, glancing quickly at his phone. Then, the ravenous beast of a man transformed back into the polished, suited professional. He kissed the sweat from my forehead. “There’s a problem with business in the city. I need to go check it out.” After Alex left, I idly flipped through the books on the shelf. It felt like destiny. A book from the very top shelf, which I usually couldn’t reach, just happened to fall, revealing the corner of a photo tucked inside. I pulled it out casually, and froze. It was a photo from my wedding with Alex. But the main subject in the picture was Isabelle, her hand outstretched dramatically towards Alex. The photo looked like it had been repeatedly caressed, its edges already frayed. On the back of the photo was Alex’s bold, flourishing script: “Maybe I’ll never find love this raw and passionate again.” Clutching the photo that weighed a ton in my hands, I called Alex. His voice was as gentle as ever. “Chloe, the weather in the city is very dry. My mouth is swollen from being overworked. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water at home, okay?” I said okay, then calmly hung up. Alex was lying. He didn’t notice, but in the background, Big Ben chimed. He was clearly in London. The city where Isabelle was. The day I decided to divorce him, Isabelle took a knife for Alex, blocking an attack from his enemies. That knife wound damaged her spine, leaving her lower body paralyzed. Isabelle could never dance again. When I rushed to the hospital, Alex was tightly holding Isabelle, sobbing and promising to take care of her for the rest of his life. Seeing me arrive, Isabelle deliberately hooked her arm around Alex’s neck, trying to kiss him. Alex saw me and frantically tried to pull away, but he couldn’t bring himself to push away Isabelle, whose eyes were brimming with tears. They kissed passionately, a long, silver thread of saliva stretching between their lips when they finally pulled apart. I turned to leave, but after only a few steps, the world spun around me. When I woke up again, the nurse chided me disapprovingly. “You’re two months pregnant, and you still haven’t been eating properly. You fainted from low blood sugar. Luckily, you were at the hospital.” My mind went blank. I didn’t know how to face this tiny life. No matter what, Alex had to know. “Alex, we have a…” “Chloe, you’re too reckless.” Alex rushed in, his face full of disapproval. He didn’t even have the patience to let me finish a sentence, much less notice my pale face. My father, whom I hadn’t seen in ages, reached out to hit me. Alex stopped him, but my father pointed at me, spitting venom. “You curse! Your sister is already in that state, and you have the audacity to fake illness just to drag Alex away!” A chilling desolation settled deep in my soul. This was my family, my beloved. Perhaps seeing how truly awful I looked, Alex stopped my father’s tirade. “It’s alright, Dad. Isabelle needs someone there. We should go back quickly.” Watching them walk towards the door without a backward glance, I spoke again. “Wait.” This time, Alex frowned, a flash of impatience crossing his face. “Chloe, I’ll come back to see you in a bit.” “No need.” I spoke calmly. “Alex, let’s get a divorce.”

After getting the divorce certificate, I quietly ended my pregnancy alone. Taking the large portion of assets Alex had divided for me, I found a picturesque little town in Switzerland to recover. They found me an eyesore; two years passed, and not a single phone call came from my closest relatives. I was content with the peace and quiet. Until recently, when my sister called. “Chloe, Dad is seriously ill. Come back to see him one last time.” Dying? Well, that might be worth going back to enjoy the show. So, I boarded a flight home. When I arrived home, the dark, oppressive clouds hung very low, signaling an impending storm. As soon as I pushed open the door, my eyes fell on vivid red celebratory decorations. My father sat solemnly on the couch, his stern gaze sweeping over me. Isabelle seemed oblivious, clinging affectionately to my father’s arm, playfully coaxing him, and his usually strict gaze instantly softened with doting affection. I’d lived through such blatant favoritism for over a decade, and the pain had long since dulled. But clearly, he was perfectly healthy. “Father, I heard you were seriously ill?” I raised an eyebrow, smiling as I looked at my sister. “You brat!” A glass cup whizzed past my forehead, shattering into pieces. A sharp sting on my forehead, and I turned to leave. My sister seemed to react just then, quickly rolling her wheelchair to my side, affectionately grabbing my hand. She had changed so much. Before, she was always arrogant and overbearing with me. Now, she appeared much calmer on the surface, but her eyes held a hint of deranged madness and a sick obsession. I guessed that being unable to dance ever again was a huge blow to her. After all, once, simply because a dance teacher praised my talent, she secretly scattered marbles on the stairs. Luckily, someone discovered Isabelle’s actions and warned me. But I still followed Isabelle’s unspoken wish and fell. I controlled my fall, making it not too light, not too heavy, but pretending it was very serious. I missed the chance to participate in the dance competition. From then on, I deliberately hid my talents, choosing to be Isabelle’s shadow. How could such a fiercely competitive person like her endure needing help even with basic bodily functions? My sister forced a gentle smile. “Chloe, on such a joyous day, what silly things are you saying?” At this point, there was nothing I didn’t understand. They had tricked me into coming back to witness Alex and Isabelle’s wedding. Meeting my sister’s hidden smugness and challenging gaze, I replied calmly and sincerely, “Then, congratulations to you both in advance, sister and brother-in-law. May you have a hundred years of harmony and many children.” Isabelle’s challenging smile froze on her lips. The person who had just opened the door and stepped in paused, his steps faltering for a moment. “Alex!” My sister called out cheerfully. Two years had softened Alex’s youthful sharp edges, adding a newfound tenderness. He walked past me, his hands behind his back, and knelt in front of Isabelle’s wheelchair. His familiar voice carried a doting tone I’d never heard before. “Guess what today is?” My sister chirped with delight and pride. “I smell it! It’s jasmine!” Alex took the jasmine flowers he’d hidden behind his back and placed them in Isabelle’s arms. He seemed to notice me only then, giving me a polite nod. “Chloe’s back.” We just looked at each other, and I smiled and nodded. Isabelle linked her arm through Alex’s and enthusiastically invited me, “My wedding is next week. Why don’t you stay here at home until then?” “No need.” I refused directly. Isabelle immediately looked wronged, her eyes filling with tears. “Chloe, are you still mad at me and Alex for being together…?” Seeing my sister cry, Alex frowned at me. It was clearly a warning, yet his eyes held a mix of curiosity and secret delight. “Don’t worry, brother-in-law is just brother-in-law. I’ll attend the wedding.” Alex’s lips tightened into a thin line, and Isabelle’s face was a picture, like she’d just swallowed a lemon. It was strange. I was doing exactly what they wanted, yet the two in front of me looked unhappy. But soon, it was my turn to be unhappy. As I prepared to leave, the dark, oppressive clouds finally unleashed a torrential downpour. The rain was too fierce; I had no choice but to stay the night. At dinner, facing a group of truly sickening faces, I had no appetite. At night, I tried to force myself to sleep, but my stomach rumbled like thunder, protesting. Creeping into the kitchen in the dark to find something to eat, I accidentally knocked over a glass. Before it could fall, a large hand with prominent knuckles caught the cup mid-air. Alex remained in his forward-leaning posture, catching the cup, trapping me between him and the counter. His voice was slightly hoarse. “How can I be at ease when you take such poor care of yourself?” Closer now, he saw the wound on my forehead. “Does it hurt?” He reached out to touch it, but I pulled away. A fleeting flicker of pain crossed his eyes, and Alex’s voice held a dangerous edge. “Did he hit you again?” “It has nothing to do with you.” “How can it have nothing to do with me!” I looked directly into Alex’s eyes, watching his agitated emotions cool inch by inch under my steady gaze. “I apologize. I was worried Isabelle might overthink things earlier, but I still want to ask you, how have the past few years been for you?” “Without you, I naturally haven’t been able to sleep, my heart ripped to shreds.” As Alex looked on in shock, I grabbed his tie, pulling him towards me. “Satisfied with that answer?” “Brother-in-law.” Ignoring the now petrified Alex, I turned and went upstairs. Only when I was safely tucked into the soft bed did I finally let out a long breath. His distressed expression when he saw my injury didn’t seem feigned, just like the young man who, years ago, would furiously lash out for me whenever he saw me hurt. Alex had been mature beyond his years, yet his first act of rebellion was hitting my father. Although the Miller family was more powerful than the Dubois family, my father was still an elder. That time, Alex was pressured by his own father to apologize, and though the cane lashed fiercely against him, he bit his lip and didn’t utter a sound. Later, as I cried while applying ointment to his bloody, bruised back, my tears falling onto him, he could still smile and wipe away my tears, saying it was worth it. But nothing lasts, not even the purest joy of young love.

At five in the morning, everyone in the Dubois family mansion was awakened by a violent knocking at the door. I looked down from my second-floor window. A long convoy of cars almost surrounded the mansion. A team of well-trained men in black suits and sunglasses emerged from the vehicles. I leisurely sipped my tea to perk up, knowing it had nothing to do with me anyway. Until I saw the person who stepped out of the lead car. I choked on my tea. Oh, crap! Just as I was about to hide behind the curtains, I met a pair of charming eyes that crinkled with amusement. I dragged my luggage and scrambled downstairs. Halfway down, Alex grabbed my arm. “Something’s not right outside. Don’t run around.” Before he finished speaking, the door swung open. Julian Thorne wore a mask, his hat brim pulled low, revealing only a pair of slightly narrowed, alluring eyes. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Alex and me wrestling, and the curve of his eyes deepened. The angrier this man got, the brighter his smile became. A shiver ran down my spine. I shook off Alex’s hand and practically launched myself into Julian’s embrace. “You were in such a hurry to see me?” “My wife just returned to the country and immediately met up with her ex-husband. Who wouldn’t be in a hurry?” A wave of guilt washed over me, silencing my retort. Alex’s voice, thick with suppressed anger, broke the silence. “Chloe, who is he?” Julian raised an eyebrow, giving Alex a sidelong glance. “Clearly, the current one.” Alex was about to say more when the sound of a wheelchair rolling broke through. Isabelle laughed lightly, covering her mouth. “How thoughtful of Chloe to hire actors overnight for our entertainment. It really is quite amusing.” Alex’s tense expression relaxed, a “I knew it” look crossing his face. “Tch.” Julian couldn’t help but chuckle. The next second, he saw the red swelling on my forehead, and his smile froze. “Acting, huh? I like it.” Julian crooked a finger, and a swarm of bodyguards surged forward. “Next up, we’re going to demonstrate how to teach these rotten relatives a painful lesson.” In the ensuing chaos, Julian swept me up with one arm and turned to leave. I hooked my arms around his neck. “Quite the dramatic entrance.” “Hmph, I was in such a rush to catch you, I didn’t even bother with much fanfare.” “Oh, poor you,” I teased.

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Introduction: “When he marked my sister in public, I swore – one day, I will make him kneel down and lick my high heels.” At the funeral three years ago, my destined partner tore my dignity apart in public. I thought his brother was salvation, but I didn’t know that I was just the most ridiculous pawn in the game of power. Now, I broke the wolf badge, and my red lips brushed his Adam’s apple: “Dear, now it’s my turn… to play with you.” When the flame of revenge is ignited, when the former enemies tremble and bow their heads – I want to let them know that the abandoned female wolf will eventually become the queen of the entire wolf pack. At my father’s funeral, a moment that should have been dedicated to mourning our fallen Alpha was instead desecrated by the ultimate betrayal. Before the entire Silverhowl Pack, my mate, Kael, cast me aside without hesitation. He didn’t whisper his rejection in private, nor did he offer even a shred of dignity—no, he made a spectacle of it. Right there, in front of my father’s casket, he knelt before Lyra, my father’s bastard pup, and claimed her as his. The hush that fell over the pack was broken not by murmurs of sympathy, but by gasps and sneers, and then—the final cruelty—a screen flickered to life. The recording left nothing to the imagination. Lyra and Kael, tangled together in the throes of their bond, moving with primal desperation. Every moan, every whispered promise of devotion, rang through the ceremonial grounds like a death knell. My death knell. I stood motionless, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged beast. The humiliation was suffocating. Wolves exchanged glances, some in amusement, others in pity, but none intervened. I, Selene Nightbane, the true heir of the Moonveil Pack, had been reduced to nothing more than a discarded promise. Then came a voice, deep and commanding, slicing through the oppressive weight of my disgrace. “Get. Out.” Stormfang stepped forward, radiating dominance, his golden eyes burning with something unreadable. A single word from him sent Kael flinching, his smug expression faltering. Lyra shrank behind him, but Stormfang’s authority left no room for defiance. “You’ve dishonored this pack enough,” he said, voice devoid of warmth. “Leave now, before I make you.” Kael hesitated, but Lyra tugged at his sleeve, whispering something that made his jaw tighten. Without another word, they turned and slunk away, the weight of Stormfang’s presence crushing them beneath its force. Then, to my utter shock, he turned to me. He sank to one knee, his gaze steady and unwavering. “Selene,” he murmured, his voice softer now, meant only for me. “Let me stand beside you. As your Alpha. Your protector. Your mate.” I had lost everything. And so, with shaking fingers, I took his hand. Three years later… A week before the mating ceremony, fate once again delivered its cruelty. Passing by Stormfang’s study, I heard voices—low, tense. I should have walked away. I should have ignored it. But something in my blood went cold, and I lingered by the door, ears straining. “Alpha Granville, there are other ways to claim the Moonveil Pack. Binding yourself to Luna Nightbane is too dangerous. Isn’t this too great a risk?” The voice belonged to his Beta, uncertain yet cautious. A pause. Then Stormfang’s reply, calm and deliberate. “Once she is mine, she will lower her defenses. Lyra was meant to have her place in the pack long ago. If I must claim Selene to secure it, then so be it. For Lyra, I will do whatever is necessary.” A sharp, numbing chill seeped into my bones. Three years of loyalty. Of trust. Of believing that I had found salvation in the arms of a mate who had saved me when no one else would. And it had all been a lie. The tea in my hands trembled, sloshing over the rim. Scalding liquid spilled over my skin, but I barely registered the pain. If I was nothing more than a stepping stone, then perhaps it was time I let them have what they wanted. Inside the study, Stormfang sat at his desk, absently flipping through the territory transfer agreement, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. “Luna Nightbane’s mother is nearing the end. She won’t make it much longer. Selene will insist on her attending the ceremony, and when she’s gone, the Moonveil Pack will be vulnerable. She’ll come to me, desperate, with no one else to turn to. That will be the perfect moment to strike.” “Are the agreements in place?” Stormfang’s gaze flicked to his Beta, who hesitated, fingers gripping the stack of documents. “Alpha… Lyra is still an Omega-born pup. This is brutal, even for us. Luna Nightbane has been nothing but loyal to you. She trusts you. If she finds out that all of this was just to put Lyra in power…” “Enough.” Stormfang’s voice dropped to something colder, deadlier. “Lyra is the rightful heir. If I hear ‘Omega-born pup’ from you again, I’ll strip you of your rank myself.” The Beta exhaled slowly. “Understood. I’ll finalize the paperwork. I just hope you don’t regret this.” Stormfang leaned back, expression unreadable. “Erase the funeral footage from three years ago. Selene must never find out the truth.” Then—a creak.The hair on the back of his neck rose.A shadow flickered past the doorway. Selene. I stumbled back, my breath uneven, my pulse roaring in my ears.So the public humiliation, the mating video, the whispers and jeers—they hadn’t been Kael’s doing alone.Stormfang, the mate who had saved me, had orchestrated it all.A strangled laugh built in my throat, bitter and hollow. I thought of my mother’s final moments, the way her frail fingers clutched mine, whispering, “Trust Stormfang. He will protect you.” Safe? I had spent three years believing a lie .A faint click echoed from the study as the door opened. I barely had time to wipe my face before his voice reached me. “Selene?” I turned, forcing my lips into a brittle smile. “I… I brought you tea, but I spilled it.” Stormfang’s brows furrowed as he stepped closer. The scent of whiskey clung to him, his movements slow but deliberate. He cupped my face, his thumb brushing along my cheek. “You’re trembling.” His golden eyes searched mine. “Are you unwell?” Yes. I was sick—sick of being played, sick of being manipulated. But I simply shook my head. For now.

“These tasks are better left to the Omega attendants. You’ve been at Luna Mother’s bedside every day, tending to her yourself. That’s more than enough. If you exhaust yourself, I won’t be able to bear it.” Stormfang’s voice carried its usual warmth, his tone gentle yet firm. He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine—a familiar gesture, one meant to soothe and reassure. But the comfort I once found in his touch had long since faded. His warmth no longer reached me. Could someone truly go to such lengths for another? Could they sacrifice their own desires, weave an intricate web of lies, and play the role of a devoted mate for years, all while their heart belonged elsewhere? I shut my eyes, but it didn’t stop the sting in my chest. Silent tears traced cold paths down my cheeks. Stormfang barely noticed. His steps were unsteady, the scent of whiskey clinging to his breath. I guided him to the bed, covering him with a thick fur-lined blanket. The alcohol did its job quickly—his breathing slowed, deepened, and within minutes, he was lost to sleep. Still kneeling by the bedside, I reached for his phone, my fingers hesitant but steady. One try. That was all it took. The screen unlocked instantly. The passcode was Lyra’s birthday. My breath hitched, but I pushed the rising dread aside and opened their messages. The screen was filled with confidential documents—pack land records, alliance agreements, strategic reports. From the moment my father, the Alpha of Moonveil, took his last breath, it had never ceased. Not for a single day. Every territorial dispute he had mediated, he had sent to Lyra, preparing her. Every negotiation with rival packs, he had passed along, laying the groundwork for her future. Even the Alpha authority transfer contract had been drawn up years ago. Stormfang wasn’t waiting for Luna Mother’s condition to improve. He was waiting for her to die. Waiting for me to step aside and surrender my birthright into his hands. I opened his private album, my heart hammering painfully against my ribs. Every image, every captured moment, was of Lyra. She was radiant, basking in the glow of pack gatherings, standing by Kael’s side at strategic meetings, her smile ever-present. And Kael—he looked so much like his brother, so much like Stormfang, it was no wonder the deception had been seamless. Beyond the pictures were endless records of rare artifact acquisitions. Jewelry, ancient relics, ceremonial trinkets—all purchased at rogue auctions, all sent to Lyra under Stormfang’s name, falsely credited as gifts from his Alpha-brother. A love hidden in plain sight. Subtle. Extravagant. Woven into every insignificant detail. It was a knife lodged deep in my chest. I recognized the jewelry brands, the auctioned artifacts. They were nothing more than tribute from the black market traders, gifts to secure Stormfang’s favor, yet he had given them to me, spun them into romantic gestures. I let out a breathless, humorless laugh, one that tasted of self-mockery. There was no point in searching further. Instead, I picked up my phone and sent a message to the Elders’ Council, summoning them for an Alpha succession meeting in three days. By then, I would claim what was mine. For three years, Stormfang had stolen from me—my trust, my future, my place in the pack. It was time he returned everything. I didn’t sleep. When dawn arrived, I washed my face, letting the icy water erase all traces of emotion. As I finished, a message popped up in the pack’s work chat. Stormfang’s reaction was immediate. “Selene? Since when did you take an interest in pack affairs? Luna Mother’s health is still fragile. Didn’t we agree that I’d handle things for you? You shouldn’t burden yourself. If you fall ill, she’ll blame me for not taking better care of you.” I stared at his message, at the concern so effortlessly woven into his words. Lies came naturally to him. I set my phone down and let a slow, unreadable smile stretch across my lips. “It’s nothing. I must’ve accidentally turned on notifications. I’ll switch them off. You have a meeting for the territory expansion today, don’t you? You shouldn’t keep them waiting.” He studied me for a moment, his sharp golden eyes searching mine. Then, as if reassured, he exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing. Gently, he pulled me against him, his arms firm around my waist. “Thank you for understanding, my Luna-to-be. I need to finalize these alliances so we can focus on our mating ceremony.” I said nothing. Simply lowered my gaze and powered off my phone. “You’re going to the clinic today, right? Pick up the meal I ordered from the packhouse kitchen. I had them prepare something special for you. You’ve lost weight.” “I’ll bring some for Luna Mother too.” I used to believe his attentiveness was love. That his concern was real. Now, I saw it for what it was—an excuse to keep me out of his way. If he truly cared, would he have barely visited Luna Mother in an entire year? Would he have left her care to outsiders, refusing to even check on her himself? He hadn’t done it for my sake. He had done it to keep me distracted. To make sure I never turned my gaze where it truly mattered. He had orchestrated everything—ensuring I never stood in Lyra’s way. No more. This three-year deception ends today. I rushed to the clinic, but I hadn’t even stepped into the ward when hushed voices drifted through the hallway. The nurses’ gossip stopped me in my tracks.

“The Moonveil Pack holds one of the strongest bloodlines in all of Silverhowl, yet after a full year of so-called treatment, they still haven’t arranged a proper healing ritual for their Luna? When I went in to change the bandages, I could barely stand the sight—she looks as though a strong wind could carry her away. How can her own pack be so indifferent?” “Shh, lower your voice! Don’t ask questions that will get you into trouble. The Granville Pack has already given orders—even the Pack Healer knows better than to intervene. It’s obvious they’ve decided to let her waste away instead of giving her a real chance at recovery. They even replaced her wolfsbane antidote with diluted herbal tonics. At this rate, she won’t survive the next few days.” “The strongest pack in Silverhowl… and yet, they refuse to save their own Luna. How heartless can they be?” The words clawed through me like jagged fangs sinking into my chest. My vision blurred as I bolted down the hallway, barely aware of the startled whispers left in my wake. I burst into my mother’s den at the pack clinic, my heart hammering violently against my ribs. The woman who once commanded warriors with a single glance now lay motionless, her frail form swallowed by the oversized furs draped over her. The vibrant energy that had once made her the heart of the Moonveil Pack was nothing more than a flickering ember, struggling against the dark. I had been by her side every day. I had watched over her, spoken to her, held her hand through the worst of it. And yet—I had still failed to see how quickly she was slipping away. The monitors beside her blared warnings in frantic bursts, each alarm tightening the noose around my throat. Even as the strength faded from her, even as the scent of death loomed ever closer, she reached for my hand. “Selene…” Her voice was barely a whisper, her fingers cold as they curled around mine. “I won’t be able to see you take your rightful place as Luna… but Stormfang is a strong Alpha. After I’m gone, he will protect you. Call him… I need to speak with him one last time.” Tears streamed freely down my face, but I forced myself to nod, pressing a trembling kiss to her knuckles before tucking the blankets securely around her. Then, without wasting another second, I ran to find a healer. The Pack Healer’s face was grim as he examined her, his fingers pressing lightly against her wrist. When he finally spoke, his voice carried the weight of inevitability. “She’s too weak. Her wolf has receded beyond our reach. At this stage, she wouldn’t survive a full healing ceremony. The best we can do now… is prepare for her farewell ritual.” The words sent a deep, searing pain straight through my chest, but I swallowed my anguish and drove straight to Stormfang’s territory. Just as I reached the doors to his war room, I halted, my breath catching as Lyra’s voice drifted toward me, silk-smooth and laced with feigned concern. “Stormfang, you’ve done so much for me these past few years. But the former Luna still lingers. If you let me oversee the expansion project, my sister will surely take issue with it.” Stormfang’s voice followed—low, steady, but edged with something I couldn’t quite place. “She is my Beta’s sister. Helping her is only natural. Sign the papers. You’ll need to get accustomed to handling pack affairs sooner or later. As for the Luna… she won’t be a concern for much longer.” A flicker of triumph flashed in Lyra’s tone before she masked it with a carefully crafted sorrow. “The former Luna won’t recover? That’s truly unfortunate… I should visit her today. Even if she never saw me as her daughter, I still want the chance to say goodbye properly.” My fury ignited in an instant, tearing through my veins like wildfire. I shoved the door open with enough force to send it slamming into the wall. “Don’t bother with your fake sympathy,” I spat, locking eyes with her. “She doesn’t want to see you.” Stormfang’s chair scraped against the floor as he rose to his feet, his expression shifting from unreadable to outright alarm. He was already walking toward me, hands slightly raised in placation. “Selene, why are you here? You’re misunderstanding. Lyra only mentioned it in passing. There’s nothing for you to be upset over.” Lyra remained seated, an infuriatingly composed smile playing at her lips as she waved a delicate hand. “Nightbane,” she purred, as though we were old friends, “long time no see.” I didn’t acknowledge her. Didn’t even look at her. Without another word, I turned and made my way toward the stairs. But Stormfang wasn’t willing to let it go. “Selene, wait!” He followed after me, his voice filled with urgency. “You’re taking this the wrong way—Lyra has nothing to do with Luna Mother’s condition. Don’t let anger cloud your judgment.” I stopped walking, turning my head just enough to meet his gaze. He looked… desperate .How ironic. This was the same male who had stood before the entire pack three years ago, offering me his hand in my moment of humiliation. The same male who had promised me security, promised me loyalty. Now, I knew the truth. He hadn’t saved me. He had merely positioned me as a pawn. I forced a smile, one that barely reached my eyes. “Relax, Stormfang,” I said softly. “I’m not unreasonable. I won’t meddle in the affairs of the Granville Pack. I was just on my way to visit Luna Mother and thought I’d stop by to see you. Since you’re busy, I won’t take up your time.” The tension in his shoulders visibly loosened, and he exhaled, even offering a small nod. “I appreciate your understanding,” he murmured, personally escorting me to the door. I left without another word. But before I could reach the clinic, my phone rang. I barely had to glance at the screen before dread coiled in my stomach. It was the Pack Healer. His voice came through, quiet yet devastating. “Luna Nightbane… I’m sorry. Your mother… she’s gone.” I slammed on the brakes, my car skidding to a halt at the side of the road. A wave of anguish and fury crashed over me all at once, a storm so violent it nearly swallowed me whole. For a long time, I sat in silence, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. Then, with painstaking resolve, I turned the car around. Not to the clinic. Not to my mother’s lifeless body. To the Moonveil Pack’s ancestral home. It was time to reclaim what was mine. I packed my mother’s belongings in silence, my movements careful, reverent. And then—just as I was placing the last item into a wooden chest—a shadow fell over me. Lyra stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, a slow smirk playing on her lips.

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Seven days before the wedding, my fiancé, my childhood sweetheart, proposed to the impoverished student he’d been sponsoring. I didn’t cry, didn’t make a scene. I simply stood there, in front of everyone, and wished them eternal happiness. His buddies tried to persuade me to be generous, to fulfill Chloe Miller’s long-held wish. He, Ryan Sullivan, was furious, accusing me of blowing things totally out of proportion. He glared, his eyes ice cold, practically daring me to beg for forgiveness. He looked down at me, condescendingly, and said, “I told you I’d come back and marry you after I helped Chloe finish everything on her wish list. You haven’t been good.” I knew. That was the last wish. I deleted those thirty-three wishes from my notes, my heart finally dead. Then, I dialed a number. “I’m willing to marry you.” The man on the other end of the line chuckled. “Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.” The cold wind cut right through me, and a dull, twisting ache tightened in my chest. From the upstairs private room, bursts of cheering drifted down to my ears, wave after wave. My fists were clenched tight, trembling uncontrollably. I hadn’t walked more than a few steps when Chloe Miller came running after me. “Alice, I never meant to ruin your relationship. Please don’t be mad at me, okay? I’ll give Ryan back to you! I… I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” Her eyes were teary, and her nose was red, like a startled bunny. I scoffed, watching her performance unfold. “I don’t need him. You two deserve each other, you utterly disgusting pair.” Chloe kept apologizing. “Alice, just hit me! Kill me! I shouldn’t have ever shown up here!” She dropped to her knees with a thud, then grabbed my hand, trying to force it to slap her face. But before I could even touch her, Ryan’s grip tightened fiercely around my wrist. A sharp, stinging slap echoed in my ears. I was stunned. A burning sensation spread across my cheek. He was shaking with rage, pulling Chloe protectively into his arms, wrapping his jacket around her. His voice was impatient, laced with irritation. “Alice, didn’t I warn you not to mess with me? You’ve changed. When did you become so obsessed with tearing other women down? Making me lose face in front of everyone like this.” “I only see Chloe as a little sister. Besides, this is my last night with her. After this, I’m all yours, understand?” Ryan’s eyes, those beautiful, familiar eyes I once loved, were now filled with nothing but disappointment. My own eyes burned. Ryan and I grew up together. When I was younger, I was in my ‘main character’ phase, a bit cringey, honestly, always calling myself a princess. He’d play all sorts of goofy characters, or my brave knight, carrying me on his back and boasting to other kids that I was his one and only little princess. He never wanted me to shed a single tear, or suffer even the slightest injury. Once, when I was hospitalized with a high fever, he stayed by my side for two days straight, not eating or drinking. He said he wished he could die for me, that he’d go to hell and beg the King of the Underworld to grant me a lifetime free of illness and misfortune. The privileged son of the Sullivan family even learned to do laundry and cook, all to take better care of me. I looked at Ryan’s face, feeling increasingly like he was a stranger. Had I changed? Perhaps Ryan himself hadn’t even realized it, but ever since Chloe appeared, his heart had already sailed across the ocean for her. Seven years ago, when Ryan and I first started dating, we decided to do something meaningful to celebrate. Chloe Miller was someone I spotted right away – a brilliant student, but with a tragic background. We brought her into our lives, helped her get into the best high school in the city, and promised to sponsor her all the way through college. At first, Ryan would complain about her to me. He’d say she was slow, clumsy, and had no common sense. He swore he’d never be interested in her kind. He predicted she’d have a tough time in the real world. The same girl he despised back then, he now cherished more than anything. I used to tell him to quit smoking, but he’d just grin and say he’d naturally quit when we were ready for kids. Then he’d light up one cigarette after another right beside me. Until the smoke made Chloe cough a few times. He quietly put it out, and from that day on, I never saw him smoke again. “Ryan, let’s cancel our wedding.” One week. That was enough time for me to pack my things and leave him. And to find a new groom.

“Alice, why are you being like this? Ryan just wants to fulfill Chloe’s dreams, that’s all.” “Yeah, Chloe’s had it rough all these years. It’s just a few wishes, you’re being so petty.” Ryan’s cronies, who had followed him out, chimed in, talking over each other. Even Blake Sullivan, Ryan’s younger brother, whom I had always had a soft spot for, spoke up. “Sis-in-law, my brother isn’t even married to you yet, you’re acting way too entitled.” “Don’t you believe my brother could drop you in a second? You’re just yesterday’s news, who’s going to pick you up now?” He finished speaking, and a few of them exchanged glances, then burst into snickers. Ryan, still holding Chloe close, scoffed mockingly. “Are you really sure about this? Don’t come crying and begging for my forgiveness later.” I was genuinely exhausted. I didn’t want to argue with them anymore. Just then, a familiar Maybach pulled up nearby. Without a word, I opened the passenger door and got in. Ryan’s face instantly crumpled like he was constipated. He roared, “Alice! Get out of there right now! We can still talk this through!” Julian Blackwood let out a soft chuckle, then leaned over to help me fasten my seatbelt. “Take me home first. I need to pack some things.” “Okay. Pack everything clean.” After so many years together, Ryan had given me a lot of expensive things. I called a luxury consignment store and arranged for them to pick up all my bags and jewelry. There was so much that they could only take a portion, promising to return for the rest tomorrow. I rubbed my throbbing temples, ordered some takeout, and started scrolling through Ins while I ate. My eyes landed on a kissing photo. Ryan was tenderly cupping Chloe Miller’s face, his gaze full of deep affection. Then, there were videos his friends had posted in their SnapChat group. The two of them were passionately kissing amidst cheers and whistles, the sickening sound of their kissing making my stomach churn. I felt like I was going to throw up. I immediately left the group. The next second, Ryan’s call came through. “Alice, we were just kidding around, how many times have I told you? These are my best friends, and you just left the group without a word. Are you planning to never speak to us again?” I just hummed softly. “What do you mean by that?” Blake’s voice cut in. “Don’t worry, bro, she won’t. She’s too dependent. She’ll be begging you to add her back in a couple of days.” I hung up the phone and let out a light, cynical chuckle. In the past, I really would have swallowed my pride and begged them, but not anymore. I needed to get far, far away from them. That night, as I tried to sleep, the wedding photos on my bedside table and dressing table felt like burning eyesores. I immediately took them down and replaced them with a photo of Ryan and Chloe that I found in his study. Ryan should probably thank me for that. The next morning, Ryan came back, looking surprisingly refreshed. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he lifted his chin, looking at me confidently. “I knew you’d be waiting for me here at home, Alice.” “Alice, I really should have come back to you yesterday. It was all Chloe’s fault, she said she was afraid of the dark, so I stayed. It won’t happen again, I promise…” His expression froze when he saw the luxury consignment people carrying my bags away. He looked at me, a tense worry in his eyes. “Alice, why are you selling the things I gave you?” I replied calmly, “They were taking up too much space. I’m making room for new things.” He happily took my hand. “Good. I’ll get you new ones.” I frowned and pulled my hand away. He seemed to have completely misunderstood my meaning. I was talking about making room for Chloe’s things. I was moving out.

Ryan claimed he’d played games all night and hadn’t slept well, so he wanted to catch up on some sleep. He tried to pull me towards the bedroom. If I hadn’t caught a glimpse of the hickey on his collarbone, I might have almost believed his pathetic lies. “Alice?! What is this?” “Are you doing this just to piss me off? Where are our wedding photos?” He pointed furiously at the empty spot on the wall, his eyes bloodshot. “Threw them out.” Ryan’s body stiffened for a moment, his fingers trembling. “I’m already so tired, why do you keep making trouble? I’m sorry, I’ll apologize, okay? Just put the photos back.” “I don’t have feelings for her. I’m just purely helping her complete her wish list.” In the beginning, I, too, naively believed that Ryan was just doing Chloe Miller a favor. When she had a stomach ache, he personally cooked porridge and fed it to her. When the power went out, he stayed with her all night. He took her to the amusement park that *I* had always wanted to go to. He even went to the lingerie store with her and personally helped her pick out her underwear. Every single one of these things was on Chloe’s thirty-three-item wish list. She had personally sent it to me, neatly arranged, one scandalous wish after another. She sent it to me, then quickly unsent it. Claiming she had accidentally tapped the wrong person. That was the moment I finally understood how utterly stupid I had been. There was nothing innocent about their relationship anymore. “The cleaning lady took them away to dispose of them.” Ryan’s expression instantly shattered. I chuckled again. “We can take new ones later.” With Chloe. His warm hand gently placed itself on my shoulder. “Good. We’ll take even better ones in the future.” Just then, a sudden phone ring broke the awkward silence. It was the real estate agent for secondhand homes. She was asking if I was truly serious about selling the house. Because I was putting it on the market for almost half its value. All these properties Ryan had transferred to my name when he proposed. A large riverside penthouse, a suburban villa, and two four-bedroom apartments in prime downtown locations. “Yes, I’m really selling. The contract’s already signed. Please find a buyer as soon as possible; I need the money urgently.” Realizing something was terribly wrong, Ryan’s grip tightened on my wrist. I gasped, sucking in a sharp breath of pain. He seemed not to notice, his voice urgent as he questioned me. “Who was that on the phone?” “The agent.” “You’re selling houses? Which ones?” Seeing the panic on his face, I felt a secret thrill. I had originally intended to tell him, but now I just wanted to watch Ryan squirm, completely in the dark. “Someone asked me to inquire about them.” A faint trace of color returned to his pale lips. “That’s good.” “Alice, all my time belongs to you now. I won’t let Chloe bother us again.” I raised an eyebrow, but before I could voice my doubts, Ryan took another call. A few minutes later, he rushed out the door in a panic, not even bothering to change his slippers. I waved dismissively. And continued to pack my luggage. It wasn’t until I was almost done that Ryan called, attempting to explain himself. “Alice, Chloe’s depression has flared up again. I’m afraid she’ll do something stupid, you know she has suicidal tendencies.” I scoffed. “You don’t need to tell me. I don’t want to know.” From the other end of the line, Chloe’s sobbing voice drifted through. “Alice, I’m so sorry, I can’t control myself. I just want to end it all…” “That way, you can be with Ryan forever…” “Yeah, then die. Honestly, nobody really cares.” I held the phone, marveling at how well Chloe could act. My psychologist had clearly told me that Chloe was perfectly healthy. A sudden burst of noise came from the other end. Then, Chloe’s heart-wrenching sobs mingled with Ryan’s enraged roar. “Alice, you are truly evil! I wish I could rip you open and see if your heart is made of iron!” “You are the root cause of Chloe’s depression!” “If you hadn’t constantly misunderstood her, why would she have become like this?! Do you only find happiness by driving her to her death?!” I said, “Yes.” “You’re amazing,” he said through gritted teeth. *Slam!* The phone went dead. Ryan had probably thrown his phone. But that wasn’t my concern. There were still four days until our wedding, and I had finished packing all my belongings. Only a few minor things were left to handle. Soon, I would say goodbye to Ryan completely. I had moved some of my luggage out, waiting for the moving company to arrive. But Ryan got there even faster. His face was ashen, contorted into a terrifying mask of rage. He looked at my luggage, then scanned the empty, echoing room, his voice trembling. “Where are you going? Alice, tell me you’re not leaving me, right?”

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The day of the class reunion, my CEO husband deliberately lost a game. With his buddies egging him on, he was ready to get his marriage license with his first love and post about it on SnapChat. Everyone in the room started cheering, and my husband impatiently pulled out the divorce papers, demanding my cooperation. “It’s just a game, don’t take it too seriously.” I stayed silent for a long time. Everyone thought I was about to explode. Instead, I took the divorce papers and said calmly, “A divorce is fine, but I need you to do three things.” He agreed instantly, rushing me to sign, even eagerly promising, “Forget three things, I’ll do three hundred if you just sign. And when we get remarried, I’ll give you a lavish wedding!” But he had no idea. The moment he decided to divorce me, my mission had already failed, and I was about to be eradicated by the System. Only by completing the three tasks the System assigned could I survive. Watching me sign, my husband, Jackson Hayes, gleefully put away the divorce papers. Everyone exchanged glances, a smirk of satisfaction playing on their faces. It was only then that I understood. This class reunion was an elaborate trap, set just for me. On the virtual screen behind Jackson, four blood-red words screamed: “CONQUEST FAILED.” The System’s electronic voice drilled into my mind: “Host, only by remaining married to your conquest target for seven years can you offset the cost of a life-for-a-life deal. You are now an hour and a half short of seven years. In 48 hours, you will be eradicated.” Its tone shifted. “However, seeing your pathetic state, if you complete three tasks within the deadline, you can survive.” “Now, initiating Task One.” “Make Jackson Hayes confess his love to you in public.” I let out a laugh. I’d just signed the divorce papers, and now the System wanted him to confess his love to me? Ashley Miller stood up, her pretty face tight. “Jackson, if you agree to Chloe’s unreasonable demands because of me, then I’m willing to be punished! I’ll drink three shots of tequila!” Jackson’s eyes were filled with heartache. “It’s fine. She can’t cause any trouble.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. Seven years ago, on our wedding day, Jackson had planned to run away for love, but Ashley had run off with all his savings. After that, he became convinced I was behind it, and we’d been at odds ever since. Childhood sweethearts turned bitter rivals. I thought that if I just truly loved him, I could eventually win him over. In the last two years, he had almost accepted our situation. He even knew to come home early to celebrate our wedding anniversary. But then, Ashley came back. That’s when I realized he’d never forgotten her. He even orchestrated this whole setup just to marry her. He’d even forgotten that today was our seventh wedding anniversary. Now, the seven stolen years were finally to be returned. But I still wanted to live. I spoke up. “Jackson Hayes, the first thing I want you to do is confess to me.” “Confess to me exactly how you confessed to Ashley Miller back then.” Jackson froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. The private room erupted. “Chloe, don’t be ridiculous! You’ve already signed the divorce papers, there’s no need to be so petty and embarrass Jackson!” “Jackson, don’t listen to her nonsense! She’s just trying to cause trouble!” It was ironic. These people had received countless favors from me, and now, seeing the Hayes Corporation’s growing influence, they wouldn’t stop mocking me. Ashley’s face was flushed with indignation. “Chloe, you really are just messing with him! Jackson, I won’t let you suffer this humiliation!” My nominal husband confessing to me was a humiliation in her eyes? I coldly surveyed the room, then yawned. “I’m talking to Jackson Hayes. Is it your place to interrupt?” “Jackson Hayes, if you don’t confess, I’m leaving. I won’t even bother getting the divorce certificate.” Having been together for years, I knew his temper. His brows furrowed, and he said impatiently, “I thought you were being sensible today. Turns out you just came up with a new trick. If I confess, you’ll obediently go get the divorce certificate?” It seemed he was truly desperate to marry Ashley and make it official. “Yes.” Jackson’s face darkened. He spoke as if bracing for death. “Chloe, be with me. I’ll buy you two bottles of milk every day and warm them with my body heat, so you always drink them at room temperature…” Ashley’s eyes welled up with tears. She murmured, “Jackson, you still remember.” Everyone in the room couldn’t help but applaud, marveling at Jackson’s deep affection, how after eight years, he still remembered the moment he confessed to Ashley. As the two stared into each other’s eyes, their gazes growing more intimate, I felt my stomach churn. I left my seat. “I have to go. Something came up.” Behind me, the room erupted in laughter, mocking me for digging my own grave. As I walked out, my best friend, Sarah, who had somehow heard the news, found me at the restaurant. She immediately started yelling. “Did you really sign the divorce papers with Jackson Hayes? Are you crazy? You gave up a marriage with a billionaire’s son to marry him, kneeling until your knees were raw. And now you’re just divorcing him, letting that scumbag Ashley take advantage?” I stayed silent. Back then, the Hayes family was on the verge of bankruptcy. To help Jackson, I abandoned the billionaire’s son and resolutely married him. My parents were furious and disowned me. I was ostracized by my family. As the wife, I couldn’t interfere in any Hayes family affairs, leaving me in an awkward position. But when Ashley returned, Jackson immediately arranged for her to be Vice President, even entrusting her with billions in funds. Love and dislike were truly obvious. My killer heels had chafed my heels raw, and I shifted uncomfortably. I couldn’t help but mock myself. “You think she’s a scumbag, but Jackson treats her like a treasure. What can I do?” Sarah sighed, supporting me and giving me strength. “Men are like shoes. If they don’t fit, we change them!” As she spoke, Jackson came downstairs, lovingly rubbing Ashley’s head. “Ashley, let’s go take our wedding photos first, then buy rings. When we get the license, I’ll pick you up with a thirty-car convoy!” His gaze met mine, and Jackson’s lips thinned into a tight line. His voice was icy. “Chloe, two more things. If you’re playing games, I won’t go easy on you!” I lowered my eyes and gave a bitter laugh. He didn’t know I’d wanted to avoid him for ages. I was only in contact with him to stay alive. Watching him walk away, I called out to the System in my mind. “Is this task completed?” “Barely satisfactory,” the System’s tone remained unchanged. “Now, initiating Task Two.” “Go on a date with Jackson Hayes for one day.”

My foot slipped. “Are you serious? It’s a miracle Jackson can even tolerate me today. If I ask him to go on a date with me, he’ll think I’m just messing with him!” The System was cold. “Host has no right to question. You may choose to abandon the task and be eradicated.” In the dead of night, I tossed and turned, thinking about the System’s task. *Bang!* Jackson kicked open the door, dragging me off the bed. In the darkness, his furious eyes glowed eerily bright. “Are you happy now? Because of the scene you caused today, Ashley went home sick. I took care of her until past midnight before her fever broke!” I pried his hand off me and forced a smile. “It was just a game. Couldn’t you have called it off? Who would actually take a CEO like you seriously?” Jackson choked, then sighed softly. “It was just a game. Why wouldn’t you cooperate?” I said carelessly, “The second thing is, tomorrow, you cancel all your work and spend the day with me.” Jackson’s face instantly turned cold. “Chloe, are you pushing your luck? You’re really taking advantage!” He slammed the bedroom door shut and left. My mouth felt bitter. I knew this would be the outcome. The next morning, he still knocked on my door with a scowl. “I lost a million today because of you. What do you want? Hurry up and say it.” Because of me? More like because he wanted to get his marriage license with Ashley as soon as possible. The System told me the date wasn’t important; the key was for Jackson to spend six continuous hours with me. I took Jackson to the mall to kill time. All the way, he was glued to his phone, never looking up. Occasionally, he would stop at women’s clothing stores or luxury boutiques, waving his hand to buy a lot of things. All of them were for Ashley. In seven years of marriage, he had never bought me anything. The dress I was wearing was pilling from too many washes. To retaliate against me, he even competed with my family’s business. My dad called me a traitor, and the industry blacklisted me. No one knew that despite my outwardly glamorous appearance, I lived on a meager salary from online freelance work. By midday, Jackson was visibly impatient. I quickly took him to a hotpot restaurant. Just as we ordered, his expression changed as he looked at his phone. He made a call, his voice filled with worry and urgency. “How can you not eat? You don’t have an appetite without me there? Okay, I’m coming back now!” He turned, grabbed his jacket, and rushed to leave. “Urgent company matter. I’m heading out.” I knew this had to be Ashley’s doing. “Will you come back?” My task wasn’t finished yet. He thought for a moment, then nodded. “I will.” But I didn’t expect him to come back with Ashley. Jackson carefully looked after Ashley, feeding her and wiping her mouth, like he was nursing a bedridden patient. They looked like an affectionate couple, and I was just a random person sharing their table. Whatever I wanted to eat next, Ashley would point to and demand for herself. I had no appetite and set down my forks. She looked triumphant, saying with exaggerated sweetness, “The dishes Jackson feeds me taste exceptionally sweet…” Under the table, she deliberately stepped on my foot. I hissed in pain, but Jackson ignored it. Fortunately, we only needed to watch a movie to complete the six hours, so I endured her. Who knew there were only two tickets left at the movie theater? Ashley spoke first, her eyes red-rimmed. “Jackson, you and Chloe go watch. I know she’s deliberately using the divorce as an excuse to spend time with you, but it’s okay, I won’t be a third wheel! I’ll leave now!” Jackson panicked, quickly pulling her back. “What are you talking about? Forget this stupid movie. I’ll spend the whole afternoon with you instead. How about I make it up to you?” I said patiently, “Jackson Hayes, just watch one movie with me, and I’ll let you go. I promise I won’t bother you anymore.” But Jackson pushed me away violently, and the popcorn I was holding scattered everywhere. “Chloe, stop acting! I’ve told you I could never like someone as selfish and conceited as you. Ashley is generous and kind and doesn’t blame you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll indulge you. I’ve already been more than generous by spending time with you at the mall today!” He took Ashley’s hand and turned to leave. “Warning! Host is neglecting mission. Electric shock punishment. Please persuade Jackson Hayes to return within one minute.” The next second, a powerful current coursed through my body. I instantly collapsed, my knees hitting the ground with a loud thud, my whole body convulsing. Almost biting through my tongue, I pleaded with all my might, “Jackson Hayes! Please, watch the movie with me, or I’ll die, please…” Jackson whirled around, seeing me on my knees. His pupils contracted, and he instinctively took a step forward. “Jackson, you go. Chloe is usually so healthy, but she suddenly fainted. She must be really sick. Go with her, don’t mind me.” Ashley suddenly spoke. Jackson’s steps halted, his expression turning cold. “Chloe, now you’re faking falls? Don’t pretend to be weak. Don’t make me look down on you even more.” He abandoned me. No matter how I called out, he never looked back. After a long time, the System’s punishment ended. My face was deathly pale, like I’d just been pulled from water. Many people gathered around, offering to take me to the hospital. The System warned me sternly, “Task Two completion is only fifty percent. If Task Three is not perfectly completed, Host, you will still be eradicated.” The panel changed, displaying only one line of text: “Make Jackson Hayes propose to you.” I gave a desolate laugh, losing all strength and collapsing to the ground. This was an impossible task. When I opened my eyes again, I was in the hospital. Sarah rushed to bring me water, her eyes full of sympathy. “The doctor said your organs are failing, and you won’t live more than three days. Does Jackson know? Is this why you’re divorcing him?” I knew this was a side effect of the System’s punishment. Three days? Only twenty-four hours left. I didn’t want to beg and have Jackson pity me. After all, I was once a privileged heiress; I had my pride. I shook my head. “No, Sarah. As a best friend, I want to ask you something. After I die, just tell everyone I went abroad to travel and settle down. Don’t let anyone see how miserably I died.” Sarah’s eyes turned red. She wiped her face. “When the avalanche happened, you saved Jackson Hayes’s life, but he thought Ashley saved him. He misunderstood and tormented you for all these years. You—” My phone on the table rang urgently. It was Jackson. Sarah answered, unable to help but blurt out, “Jackson Hayes, do you know Chloe is sick!”

I struggled to get up and stop her. On the other end of the line, Jackson paused for a second, then scoffed coldly, “Did Chloe tell you to play along? What’s a fall going to do?” “Tell her to hurry up and say the last thing she wants so we can get it over with. I don’t have time for her drama.” Seeing how impatient he was, I took the phone and said seriously, “The third thing is very simple. You just have to propose to me.” *Crash!* A harsh noise came from the other end of the phone, as if something had fallen. Jackson panicked. “Ashley, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!” The next second, he lashed out at me. “Chloe, are you crazy? Are you out of your mind? I’m not playing with you anymore. Go get the divorce certificate or don’t, I don’t care. Anyway, in thirty days, we’ll be automatically divorced. I’m not like you, I’m not desperate to live. I can wait!” He hung up. My heart ached. I knew Jackson wanted to get rid of me, but I never knew he loathed me so much. The System was still urging me to complete the task. But now, I didn’t even have leverage over him. What else could I do? Fatigue washed over me like a tide. Even if I knelt and begged Jackson, he would just think I was pulling stunts. If that was the case, I might as well die with dignity. With that thought, I called him. He answered impatiently. “If you’re still talking nonsense about wanting me to propose, just go die!” He didn’t know he would speak a prophecy. My voice was flat. “I was just kidding. See you tomorrow morning at the courthouse.” Jackson sounded surprised. “That’s it? You’re being so straightforward? Are you really that kindhearted?” “Don’t want to? Fine then.” “No! You better not be playing games!” He agreed hastily. Nine o’clock in the morning, in front of the courthouse. Jackson started yelling at me for being one minute late. “Chloe, what are you pulling now? You really were faking yesterday. They say bad apples never spoil, you’ll probably live to be a hundred!” His buddies all looked on with mocking expressions. They were all waiting for Jackson and Ashley to get their marriage license, specifically holding confetti ready to celebrate. I found it amusing. In the past, when Jackson and I had agreements, he was never on time, repeatedly breaking promises and intentionally watching me flounder for his amusement. Today, I was only one minute late, and he was so agitated. “Yes, I was on purpose. I’ve changed my mind. The third thing is, I want you to carry me inside to get the divorce certificate!” It was less than a hundred yards from the entrance. Jackson looked at me suspiciously. “That simple?” Ashley still rushed out to object, as if I were committing some heinous crime. “Jackson is a CEO! How can you treat him like a servant and make him carry you? We don’t need this divorce certificate, I’ll wait for Jackson forever!” Everyone else’s faces also turned ugly. “Chloe, you’re too shameless! This is clearly a deliberate obstruction! I think you just don’t want the divorce certificate!” I curved my lips into a smile, perfectly at ease. Jackson, however, said decisively, “Fine. But if you pull any more stunts once we’re inside, I’ll make your life a living hell.” He walked up to me. I jumped onto his back without a second thought. Jackson let out a surprised “Hmm.” I was too light. Frighteningly light. Back then, I had a bold personality. I loved racing, hiking, rock climbing, and my muscle mass was not to be underestimated. He subconsciously asked, “Are you starving yourself?” I said faintly, “Just disgusted by you and Ashley to the point of losing my appetite.” Jackson twisted his lips. “That’s enough, Chloe.” When we got married, he was held down by ten bodyguards as he was dragged into the courthouse, forced to get the marriage certificate, his face filled with disgust. Now, he walked steadily towards the courthouse, step by step, but it was to divorce me. In a daze, I remembered seventeen years ago. Jackson got caught in an avalanche while skiing. I rushed into the snowfield regardless of the danger, my throat raw from shouting, until I finally found him. At that time, he had snow blindness, and his leg was injured, making him unable to stand. I half-carried, half-dragged him down the mountain for a day and a night, even cutting my wrist to feed him my blood to help him regain strength. In a blur, Jackson’s hot tears dripped onto my neck. “You’re so good to me. I’m going to marry you!” I chuckled, coaxing him not to break his promise. By the time we reached the bottom of the mountain, I should have frozen to death from hypothermia. That’s when the System bound itself to me. It said that my love for Jackson was truly great. As long as I could stay married to him for seven years, it would grant me health and longevity. I agreed, secretly thrilled, thinking it was a free pass, and that we would surely be happy. But I didn’t expect that when I woke up again, I would see him confessing to Ashley in front of the entire school. He said he would marry me. But what I waited for was his endless gratitude towards Ashley. I tried to explain, but he didn’t believe me. “The one who saved me was gentle like a goddess. You’re so crude and overbearing, how could it be you!” Snapping back to reality, I whispered into Jackson’s ear, “Jackson Hayes, we’re even now.” He stopped walking. “What did you say?”

My throat tickled, and I coughed up blood. The System’s punishment yesterday had ruined my internal organs. Even as I covered my mouth, a drop of blood splattered onto Jackson’s neck. He roared with rage. “Chloe, are you trying to die? Coughing on my neck, how disgusting! Wipe it off!” I wiped the blood from the corner of my lips, pushed his head back to face forward, and said calmly, “Look straight ahead, don’t look at me.” Jackson quickened his pace, approaching the divorce registration window. Before he could put me down, I jumped off myself, grabbed a tissue, and wiped his neck. He still looked unsatisfied, pulling out tissue after tissue, as if he’d touched something filthy. I couldn’t help but speak. “Jackson Hayes, since you’ve decided to be with Ashley Miller, then don’t let her down.” Jackson frowned, finally looking at me properly. “What are you talking about? It’s only been one day, and you’re already so petty you can’t stand it? Don’t worry, when this game is over, I’ll give you a lavish wedding. I won’t break my promise.” I curved my lips into a weak smile. On the divorce agreement, I fumbled to find the spot to sign. My eyesight was the worst of all my failing organs. Jackson took my finger and pointed to the spot, scoffing, “What’s wrong with your eyes? Are you so sad about divorcing me that you cried yourself blind?” I snorted. “I just got a sty from being exposed to you and Ashley’s sickening display.” Since Ashley returned, I hadn’t bickered with him like this in a long time. Jackson angrily shoved me. “Chloe, you still have such a sharp tongue!” I groaned, taking a moment to recover. His expression suddenly changed. “Are you really sick?” I pretended nothing was wrong. “No. Hurry up and finish the paperwork. I’m planning to travel abroad for a few days. There are plenty of fish in the sea, why obsess over one flower?” Everyone hearing this couldn’t help but snicker, looking at me with expressions that screamed, “Stop acting,” full of disdain. Jackson’s face remained ugly. He suddenly stood up. “No divorce.” “No divorce?” Ashley gasped in surprise, then her eyes welled up with tears, and she said plaintively, “Jackson, if you can’t bear to, it’s okay. I’m willing to be punished. I just have a slight alcohol allergy, I won’t die. I’ll go buy the tequila now!” I was speechless, not understanding what Jackson meant. I deliberately provoked him. “Don’t bother. Or are you really reluctant to let me go?” Jackson, as expected, couldn’t stand the provocation and quickly signed the papers. “If it weren’t for your sickly, pathetic face, I…” He stopped speaking. Then, with a grim face, he took the divorce certificate, turned, and sat down with Ashley at the marriage registration window. Everyone gathered around them, their faces joyful. My business here was done. I turned to leave, but Jackson suddenly called out to me. “Don’t go, wait until Ashley and I get our license and post on SnapChat. Then I’ll marry you again right away!” Divorce then remarry, did he think this was a game? I perfunctorily acknowledged him and walked out of the courthouse. On the virtual screen, the countdown showed thirteen hours left, enough time for me to handle my affairs. But I didn’t expect my vision to turn blood-red. “Host Chloe Davis, mission failed. Detected official divorce. Countdown reset to zero!” I never imagined the System had this up its sleeve. I leaned against the courthouse doorframe and crumpled to the ground.

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