Category: English

1 The city’s golden boy got shot down by the campus queen, so he offered to pay me, the shot girl, to drink with him. I was about to refuse when my beat-up old phone suddenly rang. “Mom, don’t be an idiot. This is your one shot at marrying into money.” The little girl’s voice, startlingly clear, came through the speaker. She claimed to be my daughter from ten years in the future. “Just have one drink with the prince, and you’ll get a black card. Instantly.” “If you get all high and mighty and turn him down, in ten years, you’ll be dragging me to sleep under a bridge!” I froze. Get rich just by having a drink? Why didn’t you say so sooner? I hung up and plopped down next to the golden boy, Conrad Sterling. “I’ll drink with you all night long,” I declared. “We’re not leaving ’til one of us is under the table.” … With that, I grabbed Conrad’s glass and downed it in one go. Impressed by my nerve, he pulled out a black card and slapped it on the table in front of me. “Keep me company tonight, and this card is yours. Spend whatever you want.” My eyes lit up. I reached for it, but the campus queen, Melanie, smacked it out of my hand. “Sophie, you have no shame, do you? You’re actually going to take it?” “Let me warn you,” she sneered, “just because I don’t want him, doesn’t mean you can have what’s left.” I ignored her, scrambling on the floor to find the card. Conrad saw this and a smug smile spread across his face. “See that, Melanie? You might not want it, but plenty of people do!” “I’m done being your simp. Tonight, Sophie is all I want.” Melanie shot me a venomous glare before storming off. Clutching the black card, I was so overcome with emotion I could have cried. The girl claiming to be my future daughter… she wasn’t lying. She’d told me on the phone that the one thing Conrad couldn’t stand right now was rejection. If I just accepted his offer, I’d get the black card and be able to pay my rent and tuition. I’d thought it was some new kind of scam, but I was already so broke I was selling shots in a bar. What did I have to lose? Now, with the card in my hand, I finally believed her. She really was my daughter from the future. Conrad was still studying me, and I tried to remember what my daughter had said. “The prince has a huge ego. He loves to be flattered.” “When he’s drunk, make sure you take him back to your apartment.” I brushed myself off, stood up, and gave Conrad my sweetest smile. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling. It’s the honor of a lifetime to meet someone so generous.” My flattery worked. He was so pleased that he bought out my entire sales quota for the night. He got hammered, ranting about how Melanie had no taste. I played along, stroking his ego. “It’s her loss, passing up on a great man like you.” “She’s the one with no taste, no class. Don’t you ever doubt yourself because of her. You’re amazing.” Meanwhile, I was nursing apple juice, matching him glass for glass. Once he was completely wasted, I hoisted him onto my back and hauled him to my tiny rental. My phone rang again. “The prince is a total germaphobe. Get him cleaned up, fast.” “He’s been starved for affection his whole life. You have to use this opportunity to show him what a warm, loving home feels like.” I couldn’t help but ask, “How do you know so much? And how are you even calling me?” My daughter’s little voice sounded frantic. “I can’t explain much. Just answer the phone whenever I call and do exactly what I say.” “Otherwise, my future is eating moldy bread, and yours is starving to death under a bridge.” She also gave me a solemn warning: I had to protect this phone at all costs. It was the only way she could contact me. Looking at Conrad, sleeping soundly, I made a promise to myself. I would seize this chance and change our destiny. 2 The next morning, I placed a bowl of hangover soup in front of Conrad. “I got up early to make this for you. It’ll help with your headache.” “I also made some porridge and pancakes. You can have some if you’d like.” The aroma of the food filled the small room, and Conrad’s eyes suddenly turned red. “Thank you for taking care of me. It’s… it’s been a long time since anyone was this kind to me.” My own eyes welled with tears. “No, thank you.” “I was about to be evicted for overdue rent. Your card saved the only home I have.” He glanced around at the shabby surroundings. “Why do you live in a place like this?” When he learned I was an orphan who had put herself through grad school by working odd jobs, like selling shots at the bar, his expression softened with a mixture of pride and protectiveness. “Keep the card,” he said. “You don’t have to pay me back. Use it for whatever you need.” “I was going to give it to Melanie anyway, and she would have just thrown it back in my face. It’s better off with someone who actually needs it.” During breakfast, Conrad devoured everything, praising my cooking nonstop. I seized the opportunity. “If you don’t mind how simple this place is, you’re welcome to come over for a home-cooked meal anytime.” Just as my daughter had said, he was desperate for affection. He immediately added me as a contact and promised he’d visit often. The moment he left, my daughter called. “See? I told you not to put onions in the pancakes! Perfect for the prince’s taste, right?” “Now, use that card to invest in yourself. Especially your hair! You can’t marry into a rich family with frizzy hair like that!” Don’t you worry, my sweet girl. I am the most coachable mom in the world. That day, I quit my job at the bar and signed up for everything: salon treatments, a gym membership, a whole new wardrobe. Around dinnertime, my daughter’s voice chirped through the phone again. “Don’t expect the prince to chase you. He won’t lower himself.” “You have to be proactive. He loves it when people fuss over him.” I immediately sent Conrad a text: [Make sure you eat a proper meal after drinking so much. You don’t want to get a stomachache.] He replied instantly. He complained that his office only had terrible takeout options, nothing as good as my pancakes. I typed back with a smile: [If you don’t mind, you could come over for a simple dinner tonight.] And so, that evening, I saw Conrad again. He polished off every last bite of the savory fish soup and stir-fried pork I made. From that day on, my tiny apartment became Conrad’s private diner. He noticed the changes in me—my new confidence, my polished appearance. Sometimes, I’d even use my graduate-level knowledge to offer him advice on his business dealings. It didn’t take long for us to grow closer. He offered to help me find a new place to live. “I’ve picked out an apartment for you near my office. It’ll be easier for me to come over for dinner every day, and you’ll be more comfortable.” When my daughter heard, she was even more excited than I was. “Congratulations, Mom! One step closer to marrying into the family!” “But first loves are hard to forget. You need to make him give up on Melanie for good.” After some careful thought, I anonymously paid a few students to spread a rumor around campus. “Did you hear? Conrad Sterling is seeing that Sophie girl now.” “He even bought her an apartment. I guess she’s his new little canary.” As I expected, three days later, Melanie cornered me. “Everyone, come look!” she shouted, making a scene. “This is Sophie! She acts all innocent and pure, but behind closed doors, she’s the biggest slut of them all!” 3 All eyes turned to me, a mixture of shock and judgment on their faces. Melanie scoffed. “You think sleeping with him a few times will make him fall for you? Dream on! He’s just using you to make me jealous!” “Once he’s tired of you, let’s see who’s crying then.” Amidst the whispers, I let my eyes fill with tears, a single, perfect drop tracing a path down my cheek. Melanie gritted her teeth. “You manipulative bitch. Who are you putting on this little pity show for?” Just then, a cold voice cut through the crowd. “Melanie, I never knew you were such a vicious person.” Seeing the utter disappointment in Conrad’s eyes, I fought to hide a triumphant smile. Ever since I’d started the rumors, I’d been feigning illness, asking Conrad to pick me up from campus every day. I had orchestrated this entire scene for him to witness. “Melanie, let’s just pretend I never liked you,” he said, his voice flat. “I was wrong about you.” Melanie stomped her foot in frustration. “Stop pretending, Conrad! I know you’re just using her to get to me!” “Break up with her right now, and I’ll consider giving you another chance to chase me!” Her arrogant, condescending tone was the final straw. “Shut up!” Conrad roared. He pulled me behind him, his voice booming with authority. “Sophie is a decent, hardworking woman. If I hear one more person spreading rumors about her, they’ll be hearing from my legal team.” A gasp went through the crowd as Conrad grabbed my hand and led me to his Rolls-Royce. He gently wiped my tears away. “I should have made things clear with Melanie sooner. Then you wouldn’t have had to go through this.” I squeezed his hand, my voice trembling. “Thank you for defending me. I must have done something truly good in a past life to deserve someone as wonderful as you.” Conrad’s gaze intensified, and the air between us crackled with a new, charged energy. After that day, our relationship deepened. Once I moved into the new apartment, he spent more and more time with me, eating almost every meal at my place. Whenever our bodies accidentally brushed against each other, a faint blush would creep up his neck. Even though I’d bought a new smartphone, I treasured my old, beat-up one. Thanks to my daily calls with my daughter, everything was going according to plan. But I was growing more and more curious about this sweet, clever girl of mine. “Where am I, ten years from now? And who’s your father?” “Are you still eating moldy bread? If I marry Conrad, will your life change instantly?” But every time, her answer was the same. “Time is short. I’ll tell you everything later.” “Just remember, the only way you’ll be happy is if you marry Conrad!” But to marry him, I had to break the comfortable pattern we’d fallen into and make our relationship official. I wracked my brain, searching for an opening. One day, as I was leaving a spa, a lavishly dressed woman stopped me, her eyes raking over me with disdain. “So you’re the shot girl who seduced my son?” 4 I was completely blindsided by Conrad’s mother. Both he and my daughter had told me that his father had passed away young, and his mother had always been consumed by her career, paying little attention to him. I never thought she would be an obstacle. Seeing my stunned silence, she sneered. “Just as I thought. A classless nobody from the sticks.” She threw a stack of papers in my face. “A dirty little shot girl, dreaming of climbing into the Sterling family?” “I will not let my son ruin the family name with a woman like you.” I noticed her assistant in the background, secretly filming with her phone. Suddenly, I realized. This was it. This was my chance to seal the deal with Conrad. I immediately schooled my features into an expression of righteous indignation. “Mrs. Sterling, you can humiliate me, but you can’t hurt Conrad!” “He’s never known what a warm home feels like. Now that he’s finally found some happiness, you want to tear it away from him.” “You’re his mother! How can you be so cruel?” Her face flushed with anger. “You’re an orphan. What gives you the right to speak to me like that?” “Don’t push your luck. Here’s ten million dollars. Get out of his life. Now.” I stood my ground, my voice firm. “I’m not saying this for money! I’m saying it because I care about him!” “I will never leave Conrad. I’m not like you. I could never bear to see him all alone!” Enraged, she slapped me across the face. A sharp, stinging pain bloomed on my cheek, but inside, I was ecstatic. This was it. I’d won. She pointed a finger in my face, spewing a torrent of insults. Before she left, she shot me one last warning. “You think you can steal my son? It’s not that easy!” The moment she was gone, my daughter called, her voice full of concern. “Mom, does your face hurt? I’ll blow on it for you.” “You’re so smart, Mom! His mother wanted to film you being a gold digger, but you completely turned it around on her.” “Just you wait. The prince will be there any minute to confess his love!” I carefully preserved the red handprint on my cheek, waiting anxiously. And once again, my amazing daughter’s prediction came true. Less than half an hour later, Conrad burst in. Seeing the mark on my face, he pulled me into a tight embrace, his voice choked with tears. “I saw the video… I’m so moved… This is the first time anyone has ever chosen me, the first time anyone has ever stood up for me.” “Be my girlfriend, Sophie. I promise I’ll love you with all my heart.” I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and passionately returned his confession. To show his commitment after we made it official, Conrad immediately transferred the apartment deed into my name. He then started planning a grand banquet, declaring he would officially announce our relationship to the world and show his mother he was serious. My daughter could barely contain her excitement. “After the banquet, you’ll be the prince’s fiancée, the envy of the whole world!” “So, Mom, when are you and the prince going to make a baby? I can’t wait to meet you!” A wave of tenderness washed over me. My sweet girl, I can’t wait to meet you, either. After all, without her calls, none of this would have happened. Filled with anticipation, I got into the car headed for the banquet. But when I walked into the hall, I froze. It wasn’t Conrad waiting for me. It was his mother. And Melanie. Seeing the malicious glint in Melanie’s eyes, a jolt of fear shot through me. At the same moment, my phone began to ring frantically. “Mom, you need to get out of there right now—” Before my daughter could finish, Melanie lunged forward and snatched the phone from my hand. “As long as I’m here, you will never marry Conrad Sterling!” CRASH. The phone shattered into a million pieces on the marble floor.

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Today, I was filming a scene with the notoriously icy, A-list actor, Julian Mercer. When it came time to hold hands, I felt something unexpected. He was… reacting. Physically. I froze. Pulling my hand away felt wrong, but letting him keep holding it felt even worse. Because sitting right behind the monitor, watching every frame like a hawk, was my ex-husband, the famous director Wyatt Hale. His face was currently a shade darker than death, while the surrounding crew members were trying very hard to hide their expressions of pure, unadulterated gossip. 1 Even though Wyatt had directed three movies back-to-back for Summer Rose, taken her to fashion shows in Paris, and bought a luxury love nest, no one thought I would actually divorce him. After all, I had been with him when he was a nobody. Now that he was a “Gold Medal Director,” everyone assumed I, the woman who loved him to death, would never let go of the fruits of my labor. But I was the one who proposed the divorce. He refused, dragging it out for two years. At a high-end jewelry gala, I ran into Summer. She brushed past me with her chin held high, unable to resist a jab. “Lexi Shaw, did you know? He says I’m better than you in every way. On screen, and in bed.” As the cameras panned toward us, she flashed a sweet, innocent smile, looking every bit the junior admiring her senior. I beamed back, radiant. “In that case, Miss Rose, your acting skills are truly top-tier. After all, Wyatt is painfully mediocre in bed. You’ve had it rough.” Summer’s face cracked. I reached out and scratched her chin gently, like I was petting a kitten. With the flashbulbs blinding us, I leaned in and whispered in her ear: “Why don’t you convince him to sign the divorce papers? It would save you from being called a homewrecker every day.” Summer turned pale. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and posed for a gracious photo. That night, Wyatt came back to our Beverly Hills villa, holding the photo of me and Summer. “Summer is just a kid. You’re a triple-crown winning actress; why bully her? Where’s your dignity?” I slammed the divorce papers in front of him again and uncapped a pen. Wyatt sighed and took the pen. “It was my infidelity. I can leave you the money and the assets. But you… you can’t find anyone else.” “Wyatt, whether I find someone else is none of your business.” He put one hand in his pocket, looked me over with arrogant confidence, and scoffed. “Forget it. You’re practically frigid anyway. In this world, besides me, no man would put up with you. Lexi, just wait a few years. When I’m bored of her, I’ll come back.” With that, he scribbled his signature on the papers. 2 A month later, I joined the cast of Wyatt’s new film. This contract had been signed years ago. It was supposed to be my movie. But Wyatt had slashed the script to pieces, elevating Summer to the lead and using me as a stepping stone to boost her career. Before filming started, my agent and the producers fought tooth and nail. Summer marched onto my trailer, flashing an eight-carat engagement ring. It was a ring I had seen with Wyatt years ago. Back then, he was broke. I had chosen a one-carat ring instead, telling him, “One carat is beautiful. It means you’re the one.” “Lexi,” Summer gloated, “Wyatt said money was tight, but he borrowed from friends because he refused to let me suffer. Think about it. What do you have?” I took a calm sip of my coffee. “Not much. Just several villas under his name, ten million in cash, and a chunk of his company stocks.” Summer’s mouth twitched, but she suppressed her rage. The trailer smelled of rich, freshly brewed coffee. I looked at her. “Want a cup, Miss Rose? These beans are Colombian. Quite good.” Summer smiled tightly. “Lexi, don’t think just because you have an Oscar you can be a diva. The whole crew is waiting for you. Do you know how much money is lost for every day of delay?” The production assistant stepped onto the trailer. He looked at me with pleading eyes. “Ms. Shaw, Wyatt was wrong… I apologize on his behalf… but please, give him some face. The producer said the next project will be a good one for you…” I had expected this. I’ve been in this industry a long time; I’ve swallowed my pride before. Emotions are a luxury I quit long ago. Besides, giving Summer more screen time wouldn’t help if she couldn’t carry the emotional weight of the role. Bad acting is embarrassing no matter how many lines you have. “Just this once,” I said. The PA looked like he’d been granted amnesty. Just then, my agent stepped onto the trailer. She took a deep breath, looking like she’d just won the lottery. “The male lead has been replaced. It’s Julian Mercer.” Julian Mercer. He won Best Actor at Venice at twenty-two. He had swept every major award globally and was notoriously reclusive. My agent looked at me. “Julian said he liked the original script. The investors agreed. We are shooting the original script.” 3 Outside the cast hotel, a crowd of Summer’s rabid fans had gathered. Every day, when Summer left for set, they would scream and snap photos. Summer would wave with that sugary smile. “Ahhh! My daughter! She waved at me!” “Summer and Wyatt standing together… it’s giving Mafia boss and his baby girl. I’m obsessed.” “Wyatt lost interest in Lexi ages ago. Who wants a damaged woman?” “Yeah, I heard women with Lupus can’t have kids. Useless.” “I heard Wyatt loved Lexi so much he donated a kidney to her back in the day. What a devoted man.” I met Wyatt the year I recovered from Lupus, right after my kidney transplant. The line that moved me most was when he said, “Lexi, I’m grateful I met you when you were fragile. Otherwise, a guy like me would never have had a chance.” Later, when he was caught leaving Summer’s apartment, he spent a fortune buying the photos. He thought I leaked them. So, he “accidentally” revealed my medical history. He planted the fake story about donating his kidney to gain sympathy, then announced the divorce, implying he wanted kids and I couldn’t provide them. Perhaps fearing backlash against Summer, he hadn’t officially announced their relationship. But their “CP” fans were already shipping them hard. Wyatt looked at Summer with doting eyes amidst the screams. Then he looked at me with feigned innocence, as if he wanted no part of the drama. Nausea rose in my throat. I tossed my coffee cup toward a trash can. I missed. The entire contents splashed onto a tall man in a white coat. 4 The brown liquid soaked into the pristine fabric. The wind rustled through the trees. He smelled of cold cedar and winter air. “Oh my god! Julian Mercer!” “He’s even more handsome in person!” “I can’t wait to see him act with Lexi!” “There’s some weird chemistry there already.” I had a tissue in my hand, but I didn’t reach out to wipe him down. I put it away. “I’m sorry. I’ll pay for the coat.” When Wyatt shot his first indie film, Julian had already won his second Silver Bear in Berlin. We had watched the livestream together. My eyes hadn’t left Julian’s face. Wyatt had been jealous then. “I knew you liked that type.” Now, Wyatt watched helplessly as Julian extended a hand to me. “It’s just a coat. No worries. Ms. Shaw, a pleasure.” I shook his hand lightly. “Mr. Mercer, the pleasure is mine.” His assistant rushed over to take the coat for cleaning. As Julian took it off, a worn leather passport holder fell out of the pocket. It flipped open. Inside was a passport photo of a girl in a British high school uniform. Me. Young, bright, and unscarred. Sharp-eyed crew members saw it, but no one dared to speak. Julian calmly picked it up and closed it. “Just got off the plane. Forgot to pack it away.” 5 I was in the studio taking promotional stills. When it came time to select the photos, Wyatt cleared the room. His eyes were glued to my face. “Happy now? You get to work with Julian Mercer.” I stared at the monitor, ignoring him. “Don’t get any ideas. So what if you’re an award winner? You’re a divorcée. A family like the Mercers only marries into old money. Give it up.” To avoid scratching his face, I took off my ring. Then I slapped him. My hand stung. Two years ago, when he first started sleeping with Summer, I screamed and fought. Wyatt enjoyed it. It made him feel important. Later, my heart went cold, and I stopped reacting. “Wyatt, I took this job to repay a favor to the producer. I have no obligation to listen to your barking.” Wyatt looked stunned, then almost aroused by the violence. “Lexi, are you jealous? Do you… do you regret divorcing me? If you say the word, I won’t marry anyone else.” I replayed the producer’s begging in my head and held back my vomit. Outside, Summer was peeking anxiously. I calmly put my ring back on. Summer walked in, eyeing Wyatt’s red cheek. She assumed we were fighting about her engagement ring. “Lexi, are you throwing a tantrum because Wyatt bought me a diamond? You’re divorced. He left you the assets. Is this necessary?” Wyatt put on his impatient, arrogant mask. “Summer, Lexi is your senior. Learn your place.” Summer looked at him with puppy-dog eyes and shut up. Wyatt smirked, satisfied. The dynamic was suffocating.

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After getting rejected by the campus belle, Seth hired me to be his sycophant. My job description included, but was not limited to, shamelessly fawning over him to restore his shattered male ego. Finally, the day came when the campus belle got jealous. I excitedly pulled up my payment QR code. “Money! Pay up!” Seth’s face darkened, and he snapped my phone in half. 1 The night Seth confessed his feelings to the campus belle was quite the spectacle. Rumor has it he worked three part-time jobs around the clock for three months to buy 999 roses. The result? The campus belle elegantly flicked her long hair and gently declined: “Seth, why do this? This kind of grand romantic gesture is clearly beyond your means. It doesn’t move me; it just makes me feel pressured.” That night, the school forum exploded: 【Who does that broke loser Seth think he is, even dreaming of the campus belle?】 【The campus belle is so beautiful and kind. She must be so annoyed by shameless poor guys like him, but she was still so polite!】 As evening fell, the crowd on the athletic field dispersed, leaving Seth’s solitary figure behind. He smoked for half an hour, then suddenly turned and kicked at the magnificent bouquet of rainbow-dyed Ecuadorian roses. “Dude, watch the flowers—” I yelled, waving my arms. Seth’s raised leg froze mid-air. He teetered for a moment before regaining his balance. He lifted his heavy eyelids and looked at me, his lips pressed into a thin line, saying nothing. I trotted over. “Hey, if you don’t want these flowers, can I have them?” Seth frowned in annoyance, turned, and walked away. A grin split my face. I took off my jacket and gathered the massive bouquet in my arms. Ignoring the thorns pricking my skin, I hauled the flowers to the night market next to the school. “The Rolls-Royce of roses, Ecuadorian rainbow roses! Freshly flown in from South Africa! Not 199, not 99, just 9 bucks a stem today! Come and get ’em!” I work part-time at a flower shop. I was the one who delivered Seth’s confession bouquet. 999 roses, at $199 a stem. My boss had offered Seth a discount. Seth refused. “My love doesn’t need a discount.” My boss was thrilled to have found such a sucker. He told me I could clock out after the delivery. Since the delivery was on campus, I decided to stick around and see who the lucky girl was. Unsurprisingly, it was the campus belle, Amelia Thorne. She’s been the campus goddess since freshman year—gentle, elegant, with a legion of male admirers. I had no idea Seth was one of them. I’d heard his name before. He was famous, mainly for his looks. He had the sharp, defined features and broad-shouldered, long-legged build of a comic book hero. Drop-dead gorgeous. But he was supposedly poor. Hence his nickname: the “Handsome Pauper.” But that afternoon, I’d seen him drop twenty grand at the flower shop without batting an eye. I had no idea what kind of part-time job paid that well in three months… or what it involved. It was Valentine’s Day, and the night market was bustling. Lots of girls were selling roses, but their ordinary red roses were no match for my luxury galaxy-themed bouquet. My phone kept chirping:【Venmo payment received: $9.】 It was the sweetest sound. I was in the middle of a transaction when Seth pulled up on his electric scooter. He put one long leg down, stopping right in front of my stall. His expression was unreadable. My phone chirped again:【Venmo payment received: $9.】 I panicked, wishing I could muffle the sound. Seth’s eyebrow twitched. He gave me a thumbs-up. “Impressive.” Then he got back on his scooter and rode off. 2 With less than a hundred roses left, Seth returned. This time, he wasn’t on his scooter. He was driving a flashy blue Aston Martin. The roar of the engine made my customers turn their heads. Seth beckoned to me. “Hey, you. Get in. I need to talk to you about something.” “I can’t,” I refused. “I haven’t sold all my flowers.” “I’ll buy the rest.” He scanned my QR code with his phone. 【Venmo payment received: $1,990.】 Holy crap! He really was the purest-bred sucker I’d ever met. Buying back the flowers he’d thrown away, at the original price. I gathered the remaining flowers and scrambled into his car like the good little lackey I was. Seth took me to a high-end, minimalist bar. “What’s your name?” he asked, fiddling with his car keys and glancing at me. “Lily Bell,” I answered. “Alright, Lily Bell. You need money? I’ve got a job for you. Interested?” “I don’t sell my body or my ‘talents’,” I said, crossing my arms. He scoffed. “You? Not my type.” Seth laid out his plan. Tonight’s public rejection had been a major blow to his pride. So, he wanted to hire me to be his fawning, sycophantic girlfriend. He wanted to get his dignity back. “Why me?” I asked. “You’re the most shameless girl I’ve ever met. You’re perfect for the job.” “If you’re so rich, why were you pretending to be poor?” A faint blush crept up his neck. “In high school, I got tired of all the attention. I just wanted to be a normal person.” But with his looks, “normal” was never an option. The “Handsome Pauper” title was born. And tonight’s confession had been the ultimate humiliation. “To hell with the ‘Handsome Pauper’!” Seth cursed. “Lily Bell, your job is to fawn over me as much as you can. You get paid per fawn. Five grand a month, base salary.” “We need a contract,” I said. “Done. It’s effective tonight.” 3 We signed a six-month contract. That night, I posted on my social media: 【Even my dreams smell like you~ Seth, won’t you please look at me?】 The picture was of me, holding the hundred-plus roses, looking utterly captivated. The scene of Seth’s confession had already been plastered all over the school forum. The sea of galaxy-themed roses was unforgettable. So, it didn’t take long for people to recognize the flowers as the ones Amelia had rejected. Someone screenshotted my post and put it on the forum. The comments were brutal: 【Seriously? Picking up someone else’s rejected flowers? Where’s your self-respect?】 【The sycophant’s sycophant. Lily Bell is officially at the bottom of the food chain.】 #Seth’sSycophantLilyBell went viral. None of it bothered me. I sent a screenshot to Seth. RedRose:【How’s that? Satisfied with the results?】 Seth immediately sent me a thousand dollars:【Not bad. Keep it up.】 RedRose:【Should I bring you breakfast tomorrow? I’ll be at your dorm at 6 a.m. sharp. I’ll make sure every guy there is jealous of you.】 Seth sent back a sparkling gold thumbs-up emoji. I smiled. This is what you call professional competence. 4 The next morning, I was waiting outside Seth’s dorm with an assortment of breakfast foods. Students passing by pointed and whispered: “Look, that’s the shameless Lily Bell.” “Wow, she’s here this early to bring Seth breakfast. What a suck-up.” I calmly took out my vocabulary app and started studying. Seth didn’t emerge until 7:50. I immediately plastered a huge smile on my face and rushed over. “Seth! I brought you breakfast! I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got a little of everything.” Seth’s voice was icy. “Don’t do this again. I’m not interested in you.” My eyes immediately welled up. “Liking you is my decision. I don’t need you to respond.” The guys behind Seth looked like their eyes were about to pop out of their heads. “Damn! Seth’s got some serious game!” “Isn’t that Lily Bell the top student in the software engineering department? I heard she’s a campus beauty too. And she’s willing to throw herself at him like this.” Seth snatched the breakfast from my hands and tossed it to his friends. “It’s all yours.” “Thanks, Seth!” they cheered. Then, Seth and his entourage walked away, leaving me biting my lip, my gaze following him until he was out of sight. Once he was gone, I pulled out my phone. RedRose:【How was that? My acting skills are pretty good, right?】 Seth sent me five hundred dollars:【You deserve an Oscar.】 Seth:【I have an early class in Building One tomorrow. Save me a seat.】 RedRose:【You got it!】 After Seth had parked his luxury car on campus last night, his rich-kid status was undeniable. So, a new prefix was added to my title: Gold-Digging Sycophant. The next day, I went to Building One early and saved him a seat in the front row, center. Prime real estate. As I looked up, I saw Amelia Thorne, floating into the classroom in a white knit dress, looking ethereal. I think she glanced at me, but I’d just spilled soy milk on my pants and was busy wiping it off. Seth strolled in right as class was starting. I waved enthusiastically. He saw me, his expression unreadable, glanced behind him, and then reluctantly sat down. “Boss,” I chirped. He sent me the money, then gritted his teeth. “Lily Bell, I told you to save me a seat. You saved me a seat in the front row?” “Huh? Where did you want to sit?” I was confused. “The back row, you idiot.” “Does the back row even need saving?” “Of course it does!” He then ignored me. I thought for a moment, then poked his arm. “Boss, your goddess is sitting behind us.” Seth’s expression flickered. He shot me a look. “Quick, fawn over me!” Sycophant Lily, at your service. I stuck a straw in an unopened carton of soy milk and offered it to him. He reluctantly took a sip, then pushed me away with a cool air of indifference. I gave him a pathetic, wounded look, making sure the students in the back got a good view of my crestfallen profile. Then, I tore open a chocolate bar and tried to feed it to him. He just kept twirling his pen, ignoring me. I gently nudged his arm. Before Seth could say anything, the old professor at the front of the room exploded: “If you want to have a lovey-dovey moment, do it outside! Don’t disrupt my class!” The classroom erupted in laughter. I blushed and hung my head. The professor wasn’t done. “And you, young lady, I don’t believe you’re in this major, are you?” The next second, I covered my face and ran out of the classroom. The laughter grew louder. Someone even started banging on their desk. The whole fiasco was quickly posted on the school forum. 【Seriously, does Lily Bell have no shame? I’m embarrassed for her!】 【Seth’s Aston Martin is worth over seven hundred grand, and he’s so hot. Of course Lily Bell is going to cling to him for dear life.】 【Gold-digger! Sycophant!】 I sent a screenshot to Seth:【Boss, look, the results are amazing. And when I ran out, I saw the look on Amelia’s face. She was glaring at me. You know what that means? She totally regrets rejecting you. Boss, you’ve got a shot!】 A moment later, two thousand dollars appeared in my account:【Stay calm. Don’t get cocky. Pride comes before a fall.】 RedRose:【You’re so wise, boss!】 5 Saturday afternoon was the big basketball game. Seth was the star player. As a dedicated sycophant, I naturally had to perform my duties in public. I stood on the sidelines, holding a bubble tea, my face a mask of excitement. “Go, Seth, go!” Hearing me, Seth took off his baseball jacket, revealing his muscular biceps. I, along with all the other girls in the stands, let out a collective, star-struck shriek. Seth just smirked and tossed his jacket at me. It landed on my face. Besides the pleasant scent of his laundry detergent, there was something hard and sharp in his pocket that hit me right in the corner of my eye. Tears sprang to my eyes. My grip loosened, and the bubble tea spilled all over my chest. I was wearing a light blue shirt. The brown stain spread quickly, leaving a dark, embarrassing mark on my prominent chest. The referee blew the whistle, and the crowd cheered. The game had started. Hiding my face under Seth’s jacket, I carefully put it on, backward, to cover the stain. By the time I’d blinked back my tears and re-emerged, my face was once again a mask of carefree adoration. “Go, Seth! I love you!” Seth raised an eyebrow and gave me a condescending smile. Of course, this micro-expression was immediately captured and posted on the forum. 【Damn, Seth couldn’t care less about her, and Lily Bell just keeps on fawning.】 【She’s actually wearing his jacket? Is she that desperate?】 【She’s so pathetic.】 During halftime, Seth ran over for a drink. I handed him the bubble tea. He took one sip, and his face darkened. “Who told you you could wear my jacket?” His voice was stern, angry. “My shirt got wet, so I—” Before I could finish, the coach called him back to the court. As he left, he shot me a warning look. “Lily Bell, don’t cross the line.” We’d played this game many times before. I fawned, he acted disgusted. It was all a performance. But this time, I knew he wasn’t acting. He was genuinely angry. The condescension, the derision in his eyes—it was real. There was also a hint of the cold, detached superiority of someone who was used to being on top, who saw right through me. A chill ran down my spine. A wave of shame I couldn’t name washed over me. I clenched my fists and texted my roommate, Chloe. RedRose:【Code red! Spilled bubble tea on my shirt. Can you bring me a jacket?】 Chloe:【Babe, I’m out right now, but I just ran into Leo. I told him to go save you.】 RedRose:【You’re a lifesaver.】 A few minutes later, Leo arrived at the gym. His voice was warm, his demeanor gentle. “Your roommate said you got your shirt wet. I was worried you’d catch a cold, so I rushed over. You can wear mine for now.”

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1 For three brutal months, the entire company had been in a death march for Black Friday, and we’d pulled it off. Sales had shattered the ten-million-dollar mark. But at the celebration party, the finance department delivered the gut punch: we were actually $500 million in the red. Just like that, every employee’s bonus was wiped out. My CEO husband, Jeff, however, looked completely unfazed. “The numbers are right,” he explained, a casual wave in his voice. “It was Mary. When she was updating the product listing, she accidentally priced a $3,000 item at $3.” He gently ruffled the hair of the intern standing beside him, Mary Summers, his tone dripping with indulgence. “She’s just a girl. Inexperienced.” Mary seized the opening, wrapping her arms around his and blinking innocently at me. “I’m just a silly girl, Ava. Please don’t be mad.” She snuggled closer to him. “Jeff already said it doesn’t matter if we make a profit. If it makes me happy, then that five hundred million was money well spent!” My blood pressure skyrocketed. I pulled out my phone and fired off a company-wide memo on the spot: 【Effective immediately, by a majority shareholder veto, CEO Jeff Gimpel is terminated.】 【The company will be pursuing legal action against Mary Summers and Jeff Gimpel to recover the full extent of the damages.】 … “Ava Rowan!” Jeff slammed his champagne flute onto the marble floor. It shattered, sending shards of glass skittering across the room. “Who the hell gave you the nerve to send that memo? You think you can fire me?” he roared, his face contorted with rage. “Open your eyes and look around! I’m the goddamn CEO of this company!” I slowly lifted my gaze to meet his, my voice a blade of ice. “I felt like it, so I did. Who you are is irrelevant.” “And it’s not just about firing you,” I added coolly. “You and your little intern owe the company five hundred million dollars.” “You—!” He was so furious his eyes were bloodshot, his finger jabbing the air inches from my face. “Ava, retract that memo right now! For the sake of our marriage, I’ll let this slide!” “Otherwise,” he hissed, “I’ll have you thrown out of this building myself, and you won’t see a single goddamn cent!” The air in the room turned to ice. The employees who had come to celebrate were frozen in shock, too scared to even breathe. Only Mary pouted, her voice a pathetic whimper. “It’s all my fault, I’m so stupid. I must have misread the price.” She tugged at Jeff’s sleeve. “Jeff, just hit me if it makes you feel better. Please don’t fight with Ava…” Jeff’s expression melted instantly. He stroked her hair, his voice softening to a purr. “Silly girl, how could I ever blame you? You’re too adorable. It’s only five hundred million. Think of it as your tuition fee.” Watching them, a wave of nausea churned in my stomach. Mary was Jeff’s childhood friend. I’d always known they were close, but I’d swallowed his bullshit about them being like brother and sister. Now, it was painfully clear. They were just a pair of cheating dogs. I took a deep, steadying breath, forcing down the inferno in my chest. Each word was deliberate. “Jeff, you and Mary will pay back that five hundred million. Every last cent.” “Money, money, money! Is that all you ever think about?” He scowled, his face a mask of disgust. “You have the soul of a cash register. It’s vulgar. Pathetic.” His words were so absurd I almost laughed. He didn’t care about five hundred million dollars? Of course not. He was playing the big shot with my money. And what about our team? The entire company had poured their blood, sweat, and tears into Black Friday for three months. Did their effort mean nothing to him? “Jeff,” I said, a vein throbbing in my temple as I gestured to the anxious employees behind me. “You can insult me all you want, but that money represents every single person’s bonus in this room. Are you really going to let their hard work go up in smoke?” The room erupted. “Yeah! What about our commissions?” “We worked overtime for three months straight! We were counting on that money for the holidays!” “The company can’t just screw us over like this!” Jeff’s face darkened with irritation. “What’s all the noise?” he snapped, waving a dismissive hand. “It’s just a bonus. Look at you all, so pathetic.” He scanned the crowd with contempt, then lifted his chin with an air of magnanimity. “Fine. I’ll cover it. Not only will you get your bonuses, I’ll double them! We’ll just take it out of my year-end dividends.” 2 Instantly, the employees’ faces were plastered with fawning smiles. They scrambled over each other to sing his praises. “Mr. Gimpel, you’re so generous! I knew you wouldn’t let us down!” “See? A company needs a real man like Mr. Gimpel at the helm! Ms. Rowan, with all due respect, you’re just too inexperienced for this!” “Ms. Rowan, why don’t you just apologize to Mr. Gimpel and Ms. Summers? We can all put this behind us.” I stared at the sea of faces that had turned on me in a heartbeat. The cold reality was almost comical. I was fighting for their money, and they wanted me to apologize? What a bunch of thankless snakes. My fists clenched. I turned my gaze back to Jeff, a glacial smile forming on my lips. “What are you even talking about, Jeff? You don’t own a single share in this company. What dividends are you talking about? What money are you going to use to pay anyone, let alone double?” His brow furrowed, his tone dripping with entitlement. “I know I don’t have shares, but your dividends are my dividends, aren’t they?” “It’s all marital property anyway,” he declared. “I’m the man of the house. I decide how we spend our money.” I froze for a second, then let out a sharp, humorless laugh. So, he gets to throw away a fortune, and I’m supposed to foot the bill? I took a deep breath, my voice as cold as a tomb. “Keep dreaming, Jeff. My money has absolutely nothing to do with you.” “We have a prenup,” I stated flatly. “And you cheated. The moment I file for divorce, your debt is your problem, and your problem alone.” The color drained from Jeff’s face. “You’d divorce me over money? Ava, I can’t believe you!” I couldn’t be bothered to argue the point now. “I repeat, you have no dividends. But the money has to be repaid. Should we take it from your personal accounts?” A small, mocking laugh escaped my lips. “Oh, but wait… you don’t have any money in there, do you? Maybe I should just sue. Send you and your little tramp to prison for a few years?” “Ava!” he roared, utterly incensed. “Are you insane? You’d sue me?” Mary stepped forward, her face a mask of indignation. “Ms. Rowan, how could you say that? And… there’s no way Jeff doesn’t have money!” She thrust her hand forward, displaying a massive gemstone ring for all to see, her posture radiating arrogance. “Everyone, look! This was my birthday present from Jeff. This ring alone is worth three hundred million dollars!” Gasps rippled through the crowd. “Three hundred million! Mr. Gimpel is loaded!” “Is that the legendary ‘Heart of the Ocean’? I thought there was only one in the world!” “That’s it! He caused a huge scene at the auction last week to get it for her!” My eyes flickered to the ring, a sarcastic curve to my lips. The real Heart of the Ocean was sitting in my family’s vault. This knock-off Jeff had spent a fortune on was probably worth less than three hundred dollars. And as for Jeff himself? He was a kept man. His entire lifestyle was funded by my family’s trust. One phone call from me, and his bank account would be zeroed out. I sat down, feeling perfectly composed, and locked my eyes on him. “Alright then. If Mr. Gimpel is so magnanimous, he can pay everyone’s bonuses right now. Along with the five hundred million the company lost.” “Fine!” he spat, shooting me a look of pure loathing before turning to the crowd. “Don’t you worry. Your little bonuses are pocket change to me.” He pulled out his phone, and under the watchful eyes of everyone in the room, began to process the transfer. A ghost of a smile played on my lips. Because just a few moments ago, I’d had his accounts completely drained. 3 Mary sat down, casting a smug glance in my direction. “Really, Ava, was all this necessary? It’s not like Jeff can’t afford it. You’re just damaging your relationship.” My eyes snapped to her, cold and sharp. “The only thing damaging our relationship is you. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the homewrecker tree.” The smile on Mary’s face froze, then shattered. Her mother had been the other woman, and it was the one thing she couldn’t stand people mentioning. Her features twisted in fury, and she lunged, her hand raised to slap me. I caught her wrist in a grip of iron and flung her to the floor. “You want to hit me? You don’t have the right,” I snarled, dropping into a crouch and grabbing the collar of her dress. “Today, I’m going to find out just how thick your skin really is.” Without another word, I unleashed my fury, one vicious slap after another across her face. Crack! Crack! The sharp sounds echoed in the silent room. Red welts bloomed on Mary’s cheeks. Her shrieks pierced the air, stunning everyone into statues. Jeff was the first to break the spell. He rushed forward, pulling her behind him as if she were a damsel in distress. Mary clung to him, her voice a choked sob. “I’m sorry… Jeff, it’s all my fault… I don’t know what I said to make Ava so angry…” Jeff’s eyes were blazing with fury. “Ava! What gives you the right to hit her? Do you have any idea—” “I’ll hit whoever I want,” I cut him off impatiently, rising to my feet. “Jeff, you were supposed to be paying people. It’s been a while. Did you pay them?” I paused deliberately. “Or could it be… you can’t afford to?” “Hilarious!” he scoffed, as if I’d told the world’s funniest joke. “I make eighty grand a minute. You think I can’t afford this chump change?” An employee immediately pushed his way to the front, his face slick with a sycophantic grin. It was Kevin Miller, a mid-level manager known for being a spineless, opportunistic parasite. “Exactly! Mr. Gimpel spent three hundred million on a ring for Ms. Summers without blinking an eye! Ms. Rowan, you really shouldn’t worry your pretty little head about it!” He turned to Jeff, rubbing his hands together. “Mr. Gimpel, sir, why don’t you transfer my bonus first? You know, just to show certain people what real power looks like.” Jeff nodded, his posture arrogant as he pulled out his phone again. “Fine. Today, you’re the first to get paid.” His fingers danced across the screen. But a second later, they froze. His expression grew darker and darker. Kevin peered at the screen and let out a strangled cry. “Mr. Gimpel… why does your balance say… zero?!” “What? No way! Kevin, you must be seeing things!” Mary leaned in, her face etched with suspicion, but her expression went rigid the moment she saw the screen. After a long moment, a look of realization dawned on her face. “Oh, I know!” she exclaimed. “It must be from when Jeff bought me this ring! The transaction was so large that his account has been temporarily frozen. It’s a security measure.” Jeff, grasping at the lifeline, nodded firmly. “Exactly! What’s the panic? The system will reset in a few days. You’ll all get your money. I won’t short you a dime!” I met his gaze, a slight smile on my face. “Why wait a few days? Everyone’s anxious for their money now. If it’s just a temporary freeze, let’s all go down to the bank. We can do an in-person transfer right away.” 4 “Fine! Who’s afraid of you?” Jeff shot me a withering glare and immediately dialed his phone. “Mr. Davis? I need to make a transfer in the hundreds of millions today. Get everything ready for my arrival.” With that, he hung up and marched out, a procession of hopeful employees trailing behind him like a royal entourage. At the bank, the manager, Mr. Davis, was waiting with his staff lined up, ready to serve us tea and coffee. “Mr. Gimpel, a transfer of this magnitude requires a brief approval process,” he said obsequiously. “What a hassle!” Jeff frowned. “Do I, Jeff Gimpel, really need to go through these formalities?” He lounged on the plush sofa, his gaze drifting out the window to the luxury shopping district across the street. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Mary, how about I take you shopping while we wait? Didn’t you say you wanted that limited-edition handbag?” Mary practically leaped into his arms, her voice syrupy sweet. “Oh, yes! Thank you, Jeff! You always spoil me!” Pleased with himself, Jeff glanced at the eager employees behind him and waved his hand magnanimously. “Everyone, come along! Today, everything is on me!” The bank lobby erupted in cheers. “Mr. Gimpel is the man! A true leader!” “See, Ms. Rowan? I bet you regret how you spoke to him now, don’t you?” I simply sat back and took a sip of my tea, a knowing smile playing on my lips. The real show was just beginning. Seeing my silence, Jeff must have mistaken it for remorse. He looked at me, his tone condescending. “Since you realize you were wrong, I can be forgiving. My card is still frozen, so you can front the money for everyone’s purchases. I’ll pay you back.” I let out a cold, sarcastic laugh. “I’m not as extravagant as you, Mr. Gimpel. I’m just worried you… won’t be able to pay it back.” He clicked his tongue in annoyance. “How could I not pay it back? As soon as the bank lifts the hold, I’ll pay you back triple. Happy now?” I didn’t even bother to look at him, turning my head away. “Mr. Gimpel! Use my card! I’ve got you!” Kevin Miller scurried forward, his face beaming. “Sir, about that… triple repayment… you’ll remember, right?” “I always keep my word!” Satisfied, Jeff took Kevin’s card and led the stampede into the shopping mall. Every time Mary pointed at a luxury item, Jeff would swipe the card with a dramatic flourish. Before long, Kevin’s card was maxed out. Seeing their chance, other employees eagerly offered up their own credit cards. “Mr. Gimpel, use mine! Spend whatever you want! Just… please remember… triple!” “Don’t be so noisy! This is pocket change!” Jeff waved his hand, buying up merchandise as if he owned the entire mall. The other employees, meanwhile, were grabbing armfuls of designer goods, all waiting for Jeff to pay. Only when every last credit card was declined did Jeff reluctantly lead his followers back to the bank. Mr. Davis rushed over as soon as he saw them. “Mr. Gimpel, the approval has been expedited. I just need your account information.” Jeff handed over his details with an air of unshakeable confidence. But as the minutes ticked by, Mr. Davis’s face grew paler and paler, a fine sheen of sweat breaking out on his forehead. He approached Jeff, trembling, his lips moving but no words coming out. Jeff chuckled. “What’s wrong? Did the number of zeros in my account scare you speechless?” Mr. Davis wiped his brow, his voice shaking. “Mr. Gimpel… it’s not that there’s too much money…” “It’s… it’s because your account… it’s completely empty. There’s nothing in it.”

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Before I could even process the grief of my miscarriage, I accidentally overheard Ethan Vance talking to the doctor. “Find a way to remove my wife’s uterus. Make sure she can never get pregnant again.” Then, he gently stroked another woman’s stomach, his voice softening into something tender. “Create the best prenatal care plan for her. I want her child to be the heir to the Vance empire.” I recognized the woman. She was the new star streamer Ethan’s company had just signed. My blood ran cold. I never imagined the man who once loved me more than life itself could betray me like this. So, I left a divorce agreement on the table, granting them their twisted version of a happy ending… 1 Walking back to my hospital room, I felt like a zombie. My brain kept replaying the scene I had just witnessed. My husband, who treated me like a princess and loved me to the bone, was cheating on me behind my back. He was ordering doctors to remove my uterus. And he did it knowing full well that all I ever wanted was a child. A nurse passing by shot me an envious look. “Her husband rented out this entire floor just so she wouldn’t be disturbed. He hired private nurses for her every need, and that wasn’t enough—he insisted on staying by her side 24/7. I’ve never seen a man love his wife so much.” “When she miscarried and hemorrhaged, his eyes were swollen from crying. I heard they were high school sweethearts. To marry her, he even transferred all his family assets into her name.” If this were the past, hearing this would have made me feel like the luckiest woman alive. But now, it felt like a fly was stuck in my throat. Nauseating. Just then, Ethan’s furious voice erupted from a nearby room. “Useless! All of you! You couldn’t even watch one person? If anything happens to Sarah, I’ll kill you all!” Ethan rarely lost his temper. The last time he got this angry was when I fell seriously ill. He took me to every specialist, nearly smashed up a hospital in frustration, and even threatened to die with me if I didn’t make it. I watched the veins bulging on his forehead, but I couldn’t feel the same emotion I once did. I just said flatly: “Ethan, I’m here.” The moment he saw me, Ethan’s eyes lit up. He rushed over and pulled me into a tight embrace. “Sarah, where did you go? Why didn’t you tell me? I thought something happened to you.” His voice trembled with genuine fear. There wasn’t a hint of falsehood in it. I pushed him away gently. “The room was stuffy. I just went out for some air.” He finally exhaled, but he didn’t let go of my hand. Then, he took a bowl of medicine from a nurse and spooned it gently to my lips. “Babe, time for your medicine.” Looking at the dark brown liquid, a chill ran down my spine. The scene from earlier flashed in my mind. “It’s bitter. I don’t want it.” In the past, Ethan never refused my requests. But this time, he was strangely insistent. “If you don’t take your medicine, you won’t get better, and we won’t be able to have a baby. Didn’t you always want to give me a baby?” He knew a baby was my weakness. He was betting that if he used a child as bait, I would bite. But I didn’t trust him anymore. I slapped the bowl away. “I said I don’t want it.” Ethan’s gentle face froze, a flicker of displeasure crossing his eyes. I thought knocking the medicine away would save me, but the next second, everything went black. I lost consciousness. When I woke up, it was the next morning. A sense of dread washed over me. I lifted the blanket and looked down. Sure enough, there was a fresh surgical scar on my stomach. My world collapsed. I wanted to scream at Ethan, but before I could, he explained: “Babe, you fainted last night. The doctor found cancerous cells in your uterus, so I had them remove it.” Afraid I wouldn’t believe him, he showed me a pathology report. It clearly stated my uterus was cancerous. If I hadn’t heard him give the order myself, I might have been fooled. Staring at the angry scar on my belly, my heart felt like it had been ripped in two. Only despair remained. Ethan hugged me, his voice full of pain. “Babe, I know you wanted a child, but your health comes first. I can’t lose you. If it comes down to it, we can just adopt.” 2 I opened my mouth to speak, but the door pushed open. Nina walked in carrying a fruit basket. “Sorry to interrupt. I’m here representing the company to visit Mrs. Vance.” Nina was the new streamer Ethan’s entertainment company had just signed. She was beautiful, had a perfect body, and was incredibly charismatic. Every stream she did brought in millions for the company. No wonder Ethan liked her. Ethan’s expression didn’t change. He nodded coolly at Nina, then turned his attention back to me. But I knew that beneath this calm surface, turbulent currents were raging. I turned my back to them and lay down, suppressing my emotions. “I’m tired. I want to rest.” I thought Nina would leave, but she stayed. She sat quietly next to Ethan, watching over me. Ethan sat on the edge of the bed, massaging my legs. Nina sat obediently nearby. It looked like a harmonious scene of a loving couple and a respectful employee. But no one saw what was happening under the bed. Nina was rubbing her leg against Ethan’s. Ethan didn’t pull away. He let her touch him until she got too bold. Only then did he grab her thigh to stop her. But Nina didn’t give up. She hugged Ethan from behind, nuzzling him like a cat. Ethan glanced at me to make sure my eyes were closed and my breathing was even. Once he was sure I was asleep, he grew bold. He spun around, pressed Nina onto the side table, grabbed her neck, and kissed her. He pulled away quickly, his cold eyes warning her to behave. But Nina was fearless. She wrapped herself around him again. Ethan couldn’t resist any longer. He glanced at me one last time, then took Nina’s hand and led her out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut, I opened my eyes. Ethan would never have guessed that the glass window reflected everything. I saw it all. I followed Ethan and Nina to a secluded corner. Hiding behind a pillar, I peeked out. Ethan had his hand around Nina’s throat, his voice low and angry. “Didn’t I warn you to behave in front of Sarah?” Nina didn’t flinch. She rubbed her cheek against his arm coquettishly. “But you’ve been so busy with her these last two days. The baby missed you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Mr. Vance, didn’t you always want to try it outside? Let’s do it. There are no cameras on this floor, and your wife is asleep. No one will know.” Before Ethan could respond, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Ethan froze for a second, then cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss. “Ethan, be gentle… the baby…” “Shut up. I know what I’m doing.” I didn’t dare watch what happened next. As I fled, the sounds of their intimacy echoed in my ears. My heart felt like it was being shredded. The pain was excruciating. The man who said he only loved me, who promised to spoil me for a lifetime, was hooking up with another woman behind my back. It felt like an invisible hand had slapped me across the face. The shame was overwhelming. My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the floor, pathetic and broken. 3 A passing nurse rushed over to help me up. Seeing the tears on my face, she assumed I was in pain from the fall. “Mrs. Vance, please don’t cry. If Mr. Vance sees you like this, he’ll be heartbroken.” Looking at the nurse’s concerned face, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I broke down sobbing. When I finally cried myself out, I went back to my room and slept. When I woke up, Ethan still wasn’t back. But Nina was standing at the foot of my bed, her face dark. Gone was the respectful employee. She looked at me with disdain and sneered. “You saw what happened, didn’t you? Ethan loves me. I’m already pregnant with his child.” I clenched my fists, trembling. “How long have you been together?” Nina held up three fingers, smugly. “Three years. He met me at a dinner party three years ago and fell in love at first sight. He spent the whole night with me. He only transferred his assets to you because he felt guilty. That money belonged to me and my baby. You stole what was ours.” I bit my lip hard to stop myself from slapping her. Seeing my restraint, Nina grew bolder. “Do you think he loves you? Actually, he comes to me every night after you fall asleep. Even though I’m pregnant, he won’t stop. To be honest, the day you miscarried, he wasn’t at a business dinner. He was in my bed. He can’t live without me now. If you’re smart, you’ll divorce him.” Her words triggered a memory from the day I miscarried. I was in so much pain I passed out multiple times, almost dying from blood loss. The doctor called Ethan ten times. He didn’t answer. Eventually, he turned off his phone. When he came back the next day, he knelt by my bed, claiming he was at a dinner, slapping himself for not being there for me. In reality, while I was screaming in agony, he was enjoying himself with another woman. The last shred of hope I had vanished. My heart turned to ash. Seeing my defeat, Nina gloated even more. Hands on her hips, she announced: “Ethan is throwing a wedding for me tomorrow. It’s going to be grander than yours ever was. Make sure you come drink to our happiness!” With that, she strutted out like a victorious rooster, chin held high. Watching her leave, a sharp pain pierced my chest. The world went black, and I fainted again. When I woke up the next morning, Ethan was sitting by my side, eyes red. He pulled me into a hug, his voice choked with emotion. “Sarah, you’re finally awake. You scared me to death.” The image of them in the supply closet flashed through my mind. Nausea rose in my throat. I pushed him away. “I’m fine.” Ethan froze, hurt flashing in his eyes. I looked at his tear-filled eyes and asked the question that had been weighing on me for days. “Do you remember what I told you before we got married?” Before the wedding, I told him: If he ever fell in love with someone else, just tell me. I would step aside. But if he lied to me, I would disappear from his world forever. Ethan nodded without hesitation. “Why are you asking that? Did I do something to upset you?” He stood up abruptly and barked at the nurses behind him. “Bring every woman I’ve had contact with recently in here!” Moments later, my room was filled with over a dozen women—nurses, maids, and Nina. Nina stroked her belly, looking at me with triumph. Ethan clasped his hands behind his back and ordered sternly: “Tell my wife exactly how you interacted with me recently. Be detailed!” “Mrs. Vance, the last time I saw the Young Master was to hand in your meal plan.” “Mrs. Vance, I only saw him when he asked me to bring incense from home to the hospital.” “Mrs. Vance, the boss called me to change your IV drip.” One by one, they reported. Every interaction revolved around me. They looked at me with envy. When it was Nina’s turn, she said coolly: “I haven’t seen Mr. Vance since I dropped off the fruit basket yesterday. Don’t worry, Mrs. Vance. The boss only has eyes for you.” 4 It sounded like a compliment, but I heard the mockery loud and clear. I laughed bitterly and signaled them to leave. Having “proven” his innocence, Ethan relaxed. He sat on the bed, took my hand, and said earnestly: “Sarah, you know I only love you. I would never look at another woman.” I hummed a flat response, ignoring the disappointment in his eyes as I pulled my hand away. Ethan seemed to remember something and added: “Sarah, I have to go on a business trip tomorrow. I can’t be with you. But my phone will be on 24/7 for you. Call me if you miss me.” His confession of devotion seemed flawless. I suppressed my disgust and nodded. “Drive safe.” I caught a flash of guilt in his eyes before he whined: “But I don’t want to leave you. Even though it’s just one day, I don’t want to be apart for a second.” “When we adopt a kid, I’ll just hand the company over to him so I don’t have to travel and leave you.” If I didn’t know he was spending the next 24 hours marrying Nina, I might have been moved. Finally, Ethan kissed my forehead reluctantly and left the room. The moment he was gone, I checked myself out of the hospital. I went home, packed my things, left a signed divorce agreement on the living room table, and boarded a plane to Switzerland. Before takeoff, I deleted and blocked all of Ethan’s contact information. I cut him out of my life completely. Sitting on the plane, watching the city I had lived in for thirty years shrink beneath me, the heavy stone on my heart finally lifted. Ethan Vance, goodbye forever. I arrived in Switzerland the next morning. After doing some research online, I picked a bed and breakfast to stay in. Meanwhile, Ethan was holding his wedding with Nina. Moments before entering the chapel, he called the doctor to check on me. The doctor told him I had been sleeping since he left and had asked not to be disturbed. They were waiting for me to wake up. Hearing this, he finally entered the chapel with peace of mind. But for some reason, his mind was filled with images of me. Last night, he even dreamed that I divorced him, waking up in a cold sweat. He only relaxed after confirming I was still “sleeping.” But the uneasiness lingered. As time passed, it grew stronger. His mind drifted so far he didn’t even hear the officiant ask if he took Nina as his wife. It wasn’t until Nina shook his hand that he snapped back. Looking into Nina’s adoring eyes, all he could see was my face, looking at him with disappointment. Startled, he shook off Nina’s hand and ran out of the church. “Mr. Vance! The wedding isn’t over! Where are you going?” He realized then that I was too important to him. How could he marry another woman behind my back? Sarah, please wait for me. Ethan rushed back to the hospital. He ran straight to my room. Seeing a figure under the blanket, he breathed a sigh of relief. He pushed the door open, a gentle smile on his face. “Babe, I’m back!” The person on the bed didn’t move. Ethan carefully lifted the blanket. His smile froze. Under the covers wasn’t me. It was a pillow. Where was Sarah?

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It was my birthday. I’d spent the entire day bustling around, decorating our apartment and preparing a table full of his favorite dishes. I was waiting for the food to cool when a text from Jerry came in: [Something came up at work. It’s an overnight trip. Don’t wait up for me, go to bed.] A moment later, I saw a new post on my feed from his old flame, Phoebe. It was a photo of Jerry in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, an apron tied around his waist, looking busy and happy. The caption read: {May this moment last forever.} Suddenly, everything felt tasteless. I tapped the ‘like’ button, reheated a plate for one, and started to eat. My phone buzzed incessantly, but I ignored it. When I finally picked it up after dinner, I saw dozens of missed calls from Jerry. He’d left one last voice message. “Cathy, I’ll explain when I get back. Don’t overthink it. We have so many more birthdays to celebrate together.” I didn’t reply. I just wondered, do we really have a future at all? 1 Jerry didn’t come home for three days. When he finally walked through the door, I was curled up on the sofa, binge-watching a new series. He looked surprised. “Didn’t you see my message?” “I saw it,” I said without looking up from the screen. “I was busy with something. It slipped my mind.” He stared at me, completely baffled. And why wouldn’t he be? In the past, a message like that would have had me bouncing with excitement, waiting for him downstairs a half-hour early. He was silent for a moment, then said, “I haven’t eaten all day. Can you just whip something up?” He was a picky eater and couldn’t stand the food on the train. Whenever he came back from a business trip, I’d always have a home-cooked meal ready to satisfy his cravings. The episode ended. I finally looked up at him and pointed to the stack of takeout menus on the coffee table. “These came in the mail. Looks like that new place has a special on.” A dark look crossed Jerry’s face. “I’m starving right now. Even if you’re mad, can you at least make some food first?” I looked at him, genuinely confused. “You can order delivery, can’t you? And I’m not mad.” He didn’t believe me, of course. “Phoebe’s all alone in the next city over. She has no one,” he said, launching into his defense. “I was just looking after her, as a friend.” “Mm-hmm.” He rubbed his forehead, looking exhausted. “Come on, that’s enough. I really don’t have the energy to coddle you right now.” I sighed. “If you’re tired, you should rest. I’m really not asking you to coddle me.” He choked on his words, his breathing growing ragged. I knew he was getting angry. After a long pause, he pulled a gift box from his suitcase and tossed it onto the sofa next to me. “Your birthday present,” he sneered. “There. Are you happy now?” I placed it on the coffee table without opening it. “Thanks.” He just stood there, his face darkening. “And?” It took me a second to remember our old agreement: for any birthday, both of us would prepare a gift for the other. “Oh, right. Sorry, sorry. I got too caught up in my show and forgot,” I said, a little sheepishly. “I’ll make it up to you later? Or I can just transfer you the money?” He was staring at me so intensely it was starting to feel awkward. I quickly sent him the money through my banking app, then glanced at my watch and went to the bedroom to change into my coat. When I came back out, he looked startled. “You’re going out? You put on makeup to go out? You didn’t get ready for me?” I gave him a strange look. “Didn’t you used to say it was a waste for me to wear makeup at home? Why would I get all dolled up just to greet you here?” Before he could stammer out a reply, I pulled open the front door. “Where are you going?” he demanded, rushing forward to grab my arm. “I have plans with Sasha and the girls.” I ignored the look on his face and walked out. 2 Jerry never liked my more boisterous friends. He thought the bars and clubs we frequented were “improper” and told me I should see them less. I was never going to abandon my friends for him, but to avoid fights, I used to schedule our get-togethers when he was out and always made sure to be home early. I could never really let loose and have fun. Now, finally, I didn’t have to care what he thought. When Sasha and the others heard my plan, they exchanged surprised glances, clearly skeptical. They knew better than anyone how head-over-heels in love with Jerry I used to be. But now that my eyes were open, it all seemed so incredibly stupid. To lose yourself completely for a man… Why didn’t I wake up sooner? We stayed out late, having a blast, and I even posted a few pictures to my story. By the time I got home, it was 3 a.m. I opened the door to find Jerry sitting on the sofa in the dark, his face a thundercloud. “Cathy,” he said, his voice cold as ice. “How old are you? Are you a teenager, throwing a tantrum out of jealousy? Running off and staying out this late just because you’re upset? Is that how a grown woman acts?” My eyelids felt like they were glued together. I was too tired to deal with him. I tried to walk past him toward the bedroom. He stood up, blocking my path. “That’s enough. Phoebe and I are in the past. There’s nothing between us now, and there never will be again. You don’t need to throw these little fits because of her.” He added, “And I don’t like you coming home this late. Don’t let it happen again.” I yawned. “You’re overthinking things. I’m not jealous, and this isn’t a tantrum. Also, from now on, I won’t be following your curfew.” His face contorted. “Haven’t you had enough? There’s a limit to these games. I’m not your father. I’m not going to indulge you forever.” I was too exhausted to even speak. All I wanted was to crawl into bed. He must have mistaken my silence for submission. He sighed and reached out to hug me. I took a step back, dodging his embrace. With the last ounce of my energy, I hurried into the spare bedroom, shutting the door and locking it from the inside. As I drifted off, I vaguely thought that if we were sleeping separately, I probably should have taken the guest room and left him the master. But before I could even finish the thought who cares, I was fast asleep. 3 For the first time in ages, I slept soundly through the night, without a single dream. When I got up to wash my face, Jerry was just coming out of the master bedroom. He walked past me with a stony expression, acting as if I didn’t exist. This time, however, I didn’t feel a surge of panic. I didn’t grab his hand and beg him to tell me what was wrong. I just went about my morning. As I headed to the kitchen, I heard the front door slam shut with a loud bang. That door, I thought, is solid, but it can’t take that kind of abuse forever. I made myself a simple breakfast and left for the office. I went straight to my boss’s office. I was about to knock when I heard a voice behind me. “Cathy, you’re in early!” It was my boss. I’d arrived before she did. Inside her office, I told her I was ready to accept the company’s overseas assignment. The opportunity had come up a while ago. My boss, seeing it as a great career move for me, had urged me to take it, but I’d refused every time because I couldn’t bear the thought of being away from Jerry for so long. She was thrilled. “That’s wonderful news! Is everything alright with your boyfriend?” I shook my head. “We’ll be breaking up.” Thank God for Phoebe. She’d snapped me out of it just in time. Starting today, my life would be about work handovers and preparing to move abroad. It was a long, busy day. By the time I left the office, the sky was already dark. I decided to grab dinner out before heading home. When I walked in, Jerry was on the phone, a bouquet of flowers in one hand. “Yeah, of course. It’s not every day the princess herself graces our city with her presence. I’ll pull out all the stops, I promise. Go ahead and order, I’m on my way out now.” Oh, right. Today was Phoebe’s birthday. His face was alight with a doting smile, an expression he had never once shown me. With me, he was always reserved. Even his smiles were faint, fleeting things. When I’d complained about it once, he’d just said calmly that he wasn’t comfortable with big displays of emotion. Apparently, it wasn’t that he was uncomfortable. It was just that I wasn’t the person he was willing to show them to. When he hung up, the smile was still on his face. But the moment he saw me, it vanished. He walked past me with the flowers, his expression flat and indifferent, and closed the door just as quietly behind him. He was still angry about my coldness the night before and was trying to punish me with the silent treatment. But he didn’t know that, just like that morning, his indifference no longer sent me into a panic. I simply ordered some takeout, and after eating, I picked up the German textbook I hadn’t touched in years. I was fluent, but it had been a while. I needed to brush up. 4 During a study break, I scrolled through my social media feed. Unsurprisingly, Phoebe had posted a new update. {Thankful to the heavens for bringing you into my life.} The comments were filled with messages from Jerry’s friends, all wishing the two of them well. His friends all adored Phoebe and couldn’t stand me. They never said it outright, but they took every opportunity to needle and undermine me. I’d complained to Jerry about it before, but his response was always the same: “Then you’ll just have to try harder to win their approval.” I refreshed the page and saw that Jerry had commented too—just a simple smiley face emoji. Suddenly, I got a notification. One of Jerry’s friends had tagged me. [Just giving you a heads-up so you don’t start a fight with Jerry again. The rest of us are here too, it’s just a normal get-together.] I found it laughable. I replied with a single “k,” then tossed my phone aside, washed up, and went to bed. I was jolted awake in the middle of the night by the bedroom light flipping on. Squinting, I saw Jerry standing over me, staring. “You really trust me, don’t you?” he demanded. “I’m out all night and not a single text from you! My friends’ phones were blowing up with their girlfriends and wives calling them home. I was the only one sitting there like an idiot, waiting for a message that never came!” I was not happy about being woken from a deep sleep. “You’re a grown man,” I said irritably. “Why wouldn’t I trust you at a party with your friends? I believe you. It’s late, you should get some rest.” In the past, whenever he was out with Phoebe, I would throw a fit. Even if I reluctantly agreed to let him go, I would bombard him with calls and texts all night. He’d once yelled at me, “This is a party for our circle of friends! What does it have to do with you? I’m begging you, Cathy, just give me some personal space!” He stood there, stunned. After a few seconds, he grabbed my arm as I was about to lie back down. “We need to talk.” I looked at him, exasperated. He took a deep breath. “That social media post was just a memento from our friends’ gathering. It didn’t mean anything else. You shouldn’t overthink it.” I was so tired. I just nodded again and again. “Okay, I get it.” A flicker of anxiety crossed his face. “What’s with this refusal to communicate? Are you still mad that I saw Phoebe? I told you, she’s just a friend from our circle. We had a past, but that’s over. If it really bothers you that much, I’ll take you with me to the next gathering.” I nodded vigorously. “I know. But I’m really tired. Can I please just go to sleep?” Jerry fell silent. He sighed and moved to get into the bed. I shot up. “What are you doing?!” He froze, then gave me a glacial look before storming out and slamming the door to the master bedroom behind him. After the interruption, I worried I’d have trouble falling back asleep. But thankfully, my head had barely hit the pillow for a few minutes before I was out again.

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We, the Merfolk, only choose our gender at the age of three hundred. My childhood friend fell for a human girl and chose to become a man. Because I loved him, I chose to become a woman. He laughed at me. “I became a man to marry a wife. You became a woman to marry whom? Surely not me?” I stayed silent, quietly preparing to become the Queen of the Seven Seas. 1 I’ve known Lucian for three hundred years. Finally, we reached the age where we could choose our gender. I swam over to him, excited to discuss choosing our genders together and becoming mates, as we had always planned. But when I found him, he was chatting with a group of friends. “I’ve fallen for a human girl. I’ve decided to become a man.” Lucian sounded happy, his voice full of laughter. “She collects seashells on the beach every day. She’s the most beautiful human I’ve ever seen, completely different from us merfolk. I’m going to go on land and be with her.” His friends sounded shocked. “You’re going to marry a human? What about Luna? Didn’t you two promise to be together since you were fry?” “Don’t you like Luna anymore?” “We were just kids back then. Who takes childhood promises seriously?” Lucian waved his hand dismissively. “I finally understand what love is. Those promises were just childish games.” I froze, hiding behind a coral reef. Our promise, a childish game? One friend pressed him, “Are you sure about this? You’ve known Luna for so long. Are you really going to just abandon her?” Lucian was silent for a moment, then said seriously, “Humans only live a few decades. Merfolk live for a thousand years. I can wait for the human girl to die, then come back and be with Luna. You guys are my friends; don’t tell her.” “That’s messed up, man.” “Don’t call me your friend!” one mermaid spat, clearly disgusted. Lucian ignored them. “Just tell her I went on a long journey. I’ll be back in fifty, sixty years. We’ll pretend this never happened. Luna loves me so much; she won’t suspect a thing.” “You’re going to regret this!” Even his friends were turning their backs on him. I felt like a knife had been twisted in my heart. I was shaking. I didn’t confront him. I just turned and swam away in silence. Three hundred years, and I never really knew Lucian. How pathetic. 2 I hid in my grotto for days, depressed. Two pieces of news reached me. First, the Royal Sea King Clan was holding a Selection for their new King’s Queen. They sent out enchanted conch shells inviting eligible mermaids from all clans to participate. Second, Lucian had chosen to be male. He had gone ashore to pursue the seashell girl. Several merfolk came to check on me, whispering about Lucian’s betrayal, warning me not to be fooled if he came back. They said Lucian made a dashing human man, and the girl was cute. Visually, they were a perfect match. Clinging to a sliver of hope, I swam to the shore near the village where Lucian had gone. From the waves, I saw them walking hand in hand on the beach. Lucian was tall and handsome, standing out among the humans. The girl was petite and lovely. They looked… perfect together. Even though I expected it, seeing it shattered me. The pain was unbearable. I didn’t dare call out to him. I was afraid to hear his voice. I truly didn’t understand. Three hundred years of companionship, a promise to be mates… how could it change so suddenly? Even through the pain, I still loved him. Not long after returning home, in my grief and humiliation, I made my choice. I became a woman. Merfolk gender is determined by the heart. You can’t lie to your own soul. 3 News of my transformation spread quickly. Merfolk are naturally beautiful, androgynous until the change. After the change, the men are striking, and the women are breathtaking. Before the change, I was already considered a beauty. Now, as a woman, I was easily the most beautiful mermaid in our clan. Many clan members looked at me with pity. They all knew Lucian and I were a pair. Now that he had chosen someone else, some took the opportunity to shoot their shot. “Luna, if you’re willing to be with me, I’ll treat you like a queen forever.” “Luna, don’t be sad. You’re so beautiful; Lucian is definitely going to regret this.” “We live for a millennium; that human girl only has a few decades. When he’s had his fun, he’ll come crawling back.” “Yeah, you’re the jewel of our clan. If he doesn’t want you, I do!” “Lucian is blind. You’re way prettier than any human.” “Luna, the Sea King is looking for a Queen. You should go! Forget that scumbag Lucian!” Some flirted, some comforted. I didn’t listen to any of it. Loving Lucian for three centuries… how could I just let it go? But I also knew that the day he fell for that human, “us” was over. His betrayal was agony. I needed time to heal. 4 I spent a month swimming wild with my girlfriends. We explored new reefs, hunted fish, collected rare shells. At night, we floated on the surface, watching the moon. I strung the shells into necklaces and wore them proudly. Thoughts of Lucian came less and less. I was starting to forget him. The Royal Sea King Clan sent a third invitation. They really wanted me at the Selection. Maybe they heard about my beauty? After thinking it over, I decided to accept. I also decided to see Lucian one last time. To kill that last bit of hope. Before leaving for the Royal City, I went to Lucian’s fishing village. I sang a low, haunting melody, a signal only merfolk can hear. Lucian heard it. He looked towards the ocean, shocked. He said goodbye to the girl and dove into the water. “Luna! How did you find me? Who told you?” He was surprised, but quickly composed himself, smiling. “Luna, you became a woman! You’re stunning!” He moved to hug me. I dodged him, smiling silently. “What’s wrong? Mad I left without saying goodbye? I came here to negotiate trade routes with the humans. I’ll come back as soon as I’m done.” Lucian swam circles around me, grinning, making up excuses. He didn’t know I knew his entire plan. “Luna, I became a man to find a wife. You became a woman… to marry whom? Surely not me?” His words were needles in my heart. He knew I loved him. He was twisting the knife on purpose. Lucian didn’t notice my mood. He kept smiling. “Be a good girl and wait for me at home. I’ll be back. Don’t listen to gossip. I’m just here for business.” Still lying. I sneered internally. If he wants to play innocent, I’ll play along. “I know. I’ll wait for you. Come back when you’re done with work.” I forced a smile. Lucian beamed, trying to hug me again. I side-stepped. “I’m going back now. Come home soon.” I turned away, holding back tears, severing the last thread of affection for this dead relationship. Lucian laughed loudly. “Luna, be good and wait! I’ll be back to marry you soon!” I didn’t respond. I dove deep. This shameless, ignorant man was not the Lucian I knew. My sisters were waiting for me. Seeing me return, they swarmed around to comfort me. “Luna, don’t waste tears on that scum. He’s changed.” “Exactly. Forget him. Let’s go to the Royal City. There are plenty of powerful merfolk there.” “Anyone is better than him. He’ll be sorry!” I knew they meant well. I smiled brightly. “Just saying goodbye. We knew each other for three hundred years, after all. From now on, we walk different paths. Let’s go to the Royal City!”

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A “system” suddenly bound itself to me, demanding that I romance the male lead and the second male lead. I asked, “As long as I conquer them, does the method matter?” The system nodded. So, I turned around and installed a fake system from the system shop on both of them. The next second, both men received a notification: [Dear Host, you have successfully bound the “Romance the Heroine” System.] [Heroine affection reaches 100: Success.] [Heroine affection drops to -100: Failure.] [Failure results in immediate termination.] [Friendly Reminder: If affection drops below zero, random punishments will be deployed.] 1 When the so-called “Romance System” bound itself to me, I had just had a massive fight with my biological parents, stormed out, and was currently homeless on the streets. Just as I was figuring out where to sleep, a cold, mechanical voice rang out. [Congratulations, Host. You have successfully bound the Romance System.] A transparent screen popped up in front of me, scrolling through the profiles of two men. That’s when I learned I was living in a romance novel about a guy realizing his love too late. I was the heroine. I was also the “real daughter” in a “switched at birth” plotline, who had been wandering the streets for twenty years. Because the plot had deviated, the system appeared, demanding I romance the male lead and the second male lead. The male lead, Julian Thorne, and the second male lead, River Thorne, were uncle and nephew. Both were very close to my “fake” sister, the girl who lived my life. On the day I returned to my biological family, they specifically came over to back her up, terrified that I, the country bumpkin, would bully their precious princess. 2 Lying on a plush hotel bed, I grilled the system about every single rule. Including the punishment for failure. The system was silent for a moment before dropping one word: “Termination.” Death. But if I succeeded, I could keep a “cheat code” item from the system shop. I had to complete the mission before the storyline ended. In the original story, the characters entangled themselves in love and hate for five years before reaching a happy ending. So, I had five years. Or I die. I thought for a moment. “So, the method doesn’t matter, right? As long as I succeed?” The system hummed a yes. I opened the system shop and searched for useful tools. “System,” I said, “I need a loan. I’m buying something.” Everything in the shop was priced in local currency, but my bank account was empty. A second later, a long string of zeros appeared in my balance. I bought a fake system. It didn’t do much—just remote monitoring and messaging. I immediately bound the fake system to both men. Then I typed in the introductory message: [Dear Host, you have successfully bound the “Romance the Heroine” System.] [Heroine affection reaches 100: Success.] [Heroine affection drops to -100: Failure.] [Failure results in immediate termination.] [Friendly Reminder: If affection drops below zero, random punishments will be deployed.] 3 Through the remote monitor, I watched Julian Thorne freeze. He looked like he had just gotten home and was changing. His dress shirt was half-unbuttoned, revealing abs usually hidden under tailored suits. I cracked open a soda, leaned back on the couch, and stared at the screen. Julian was probably trying to figure out if he was hallucinating. I typed again: [Host Mission: Romance the Heroine, Sarah Vance. Affection level 100 is considered success.] [Current Heroine Affection: 0.] I debated what number to give him, but decided to mirror their affection for me. Julian and I had only met once—the day I returned to the family. Zero seemed fair. River Thorne, on the other hand? His affection for me was -50. He was clearly a black-and-white kind of guy; if you weren’t his friend, you were his enemy. I switched to River’s feed. He was shirtless, just out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. He was towel-drying his hair, looking confused. “What the hell?” After listening to the system repeat the rules, he muttered my name. Then he cursed. “Romance? Screw that. Find someone else. I’m not doing it.” I scrolled through the system shop and selected the “Electric Shock” punishment. [System detects Host negligence. Heroine affection critically low. Initiating Random Punishment Mode.] Before River could react, I hit the button. On screen, he collapsed, convulsing and howling in pain. After the first wave, River clearly hadn’t submitted. He was spewing profanities. “I don’t accept this…” I hit the button harder. Another scream. But he was still stubborn. River was a tough nut to crack. I shocked him a dozen times. Finally, trembling with fear, he gasped, “Stop… I accept.” I tapped the button lightly one last time. This time, he let out a soft groan and panted. I rubbed my ears and duplicated the audio file of his panting. My real system watched this in silence. “What exactly are you romancing?” it asked. It probably looked more like I was torturing them for fun. “Relax,” I said. I typed again: [Host must raise Heroine Sarah Vance’s affection to a positive number within two weeks. Failure will result in Random Punishment Mode.] River, gasping on the floor, couldn’t believe it. But the shadow of the electric shocks loomed large. He could still feel the phantom electricity buzzing in his veins. He felt like he had lost control of his own body. His brain was mush. It took him a while to even remember who Sarah Vance was. Oh right. The sister of Chloe Vance. The real daughter from the boonies. At the same time, I got a notification: River’s affection for me had dropped even lower. 4 I wasn’t planning on letting Julian off easy, either. He was calmer than River. No arguing, just immediately ordering a background check on me. When I switched to his feed, he was already dressed and sitting at his computer. If he wasn’t going to make trouble, I had to make some for him. They needed to learn obedience. And obedience comes from punishment and reward. [Heroine Sarah Vance Affection: -10. Current Affection: -10.] [Detected Heroine Affection below 0. Initiating Random Punishment Mode.] Before Julian could process the random drop in affection, the punishment hit. A wave of intense heat swept through his body. I had selected [Unrelieved Desire] from the shop. Honestly? I just wanted to see the show. Julian, both in person and by reputation, was the epitome of an ascetic, untouchable “High Mountain Flower.” But the first time I saw him, I thought his eyes betrayed him. He looked cold and conservative, but he had “peach blossom eyes”—eyes that naturally looked affectionate and seductive. He wore non-prescription glasses, probably to hide that contrast. Making a man like that feel uncontrollable lust… was it torture, or was it liberation? I zoomed in on the feed. Julian froze in his office chair as the heat hit him. He was trying desperately to suppress the rising tide of desire. Sweat beaded on his forehead; his face flushed. Since he was home, the glasses were off. His eyes were misty, lashes wet with sweat or tears. His lips parted, letting out involuntary whimpers. After a while, he collapsed onto the desk, heavy pants muffled by his arms. Realizing self-control wasn’t working, he started stripping off his sweat-soaked clothes. His perfect body, usually hidden beneath expensive suits, was now on full display. Julian had incredible endurance. Even rolling around in bed in agony, he didn’t curse. He just tried to stifle the shameful sounds. He arched his back, flushed red, pain mixing with… something else. I watched the livestream. Only when he realized he couldn’t stop the torment did he start to groan in misery. “Stop… please stop…” I really wanted to say, “Beg me.” But I had to maintain the cold system persona. So I issued the mission: [Host must raise Heroine Sarah Vance’s affection to a positive number within two weeks. Failure will result in Random Punishment Mode.] Julian, drenched in sweat, agreed. I stopped the punishment. He went limp on the bed instantly. For a man whose life had been smooth sailing, this was the most humiliating, unspeakable experience. A complete violation of body and mind. Even after it ended, his body seemed to tremble with the memory of it.

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1 After the divorce, I left Karthus and started over alone in Dubai. Just as my name was rising in the Middle Eastern arms trade, news came: my ex-husband, Damian Schwimmer, was engaged to his mistress. My fingers traced the bullet pendant on my neck—the one he’d forged from the round that nearly killed me in the Golden Triangle eight years ago. “My life is in your hands now,” he’d whispered. Without hesitation, I ripped off the necklace and threw it away. Everyone said I was just a woman he’d won in a card game, that without him, I was nothing. But seven years later, I returned to Karthus to negotiate a new mining route. Across the table, the man who controlled half the Golden Triangle stared, his eyes reddening the moment he saw me. My mind flashed back to his father’s funeral seven years ago. There he stood with Jenna, his mistress, accepting condolences as if she were the real Mrs. Schwimmer. That’s when I knew—he had another life with her all along. … I calmly pushed the divorce papers across the table toward him. “Sign it.” Damian just raised an eyebrow. Beneath the agreement was a newspaper, its headlines screaming a sensationalized story of how Jenna had stolen the show at the funeral, humiliating the true lady of the Schwimmer family. “Evelyn, how many times are you going to pull this childish stunt?” “You’ve threatened divorce a hundred times in eight years. Isn’t it getting old?” Damian’s tone was casual as he pulled a black card from his wallet and tossed it on the table. “If that’s not enough, get more from Ty. The business is busy. Call if you need something.” I didn’t take the card. My gaze drifted coolly to Jenna, nestled in his arms. All the women Damian found over the years looked like her. I suppose I understood why he’d brought Jenna back to Karthus but hadn’t given her a title. The position of Mrs. Schwimmer wasn’t for the woman he loved; it was for the woman who was suitable. “Are you going to let her be the other woman forever?” I nudged the papers forward again. Jenna pouted, clearly offended by the label. “Miss Evelyn,” she cooed, “the one who isn’t loved is the real other woman.” Damian let out a soft chuckle, saying nothing. He reached out and pinched Jenna’s cheek affectionately before his gaze slowly settled on me. “We have our weekly visit to the family chapel tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.” I held his gaze until he and his shadow had completely vanished. Every week, Damian would accompany me to the old chapel on the estate, a ritual he claimed was to wash away our sins. His mother said my infertility was a sin. Damian said my lack of tolerance was a sin. Inside the incense-filled grand mausoleum, I knelt before the altar. Just as I drew a slip of paper bearing a dire fortune, Damian walked in. “Evelyn.” An inexplicable tightness seized my chest. “A mystic told me Jenna’s stars are crossed this year. There’s a curse on her,” he said, his voice flat. “The ritual to break it… it requires your father’s ashes for a cleansing.” I shot to my feet, my shock colliding with the cold indifference in his eyes. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Damian, eight years ago, I had a dark seer read our fates. I lied and told you we were a match made in heaven. The truth is, your fate is cursed. You bring ruin to your wives and children.” My voice dropped to a venomous whisper. “You dare touch a single grain of soil on my father’s grave, and I will smash your father’s memorial tablet and use it for firewood.” For eight years, I had wept and raged over his affairs. I finally understood that in the lawless world of the Golden Triangle, no man respects a woman who only knows how to yield. His face darkened into a thunderous mask. “Do it.” Two words. An order, not a discussion. “Damian!” His men seized me, their grips like iron. I could only watch, helpless, as they desecrated my father’s grave. “Evelyn, this is for your father’s own good,” Damian said, his voice a cruel balm. “The ashes are just sitting there. This ritual will earn him merit.” “Get away from him!” His ridiculous justification fueled my fury. I screamed, shoving the guards aside and snatching the urn back. Then, a sharp blow to the back of my head. Warm blood trickled down my forehead. The urn was easily pried from my weakening grasp. I fought to raise my head, my vision swimming. The last thing I saw was Damian’s face, silhouetted against the blinding sun, as cold and hard as granite. “Take it to the mystic.” A sardonic smile twisted my lips before darkness claimed me completely. I woke up in a hospital. My most trusted associate told me Damian had been in the Northern Territories with Jenna for days. Not only had he used my father’s ashes for that vile ritual, but he was also arranging to have his spirit bound in some dark magic to serve Jenna’s will. I ripped the IV from my arm and stormed their villa with my own loyal crew. Jenna was lounging on a sofa, sipping a delicate consommé. The color drained from her face when she saw me burst in. My eyes scanned the opulent room, landing on a brand-new, ornate shrine in the corner. My father’s photograph was sitting on it. Rage exploded in my chest. “Evelyn, you’re not welcome here! If you dare cause a scene, I’ll have Damian—” Before she could finish, I grabbed a fistful of her hair and dragged her toward the shrine. “It seems you still don’t understand the situation,” I hissed. “I am Damian’s wife. The one he married. I own half of every dollar his arms business makes. If I wanted to, I could make sure you never set foot in this city again.” My combat boot ground down on her wrist, twisting hard. Jenna let out a piercing shriek. “You… you old bitch! Damian will kill you when he finds out!” I laughed, a cold, sharp sound, and slammed her face against the floor. “You think you’ll be young forever? Here, youth is the cheapest currency there is.” “You want to use my father’s ashes to change your luck? Just a cleansing isn’t enough. Here, drink the water.” I had my men hold her down, grabbed the basin of ritual water, and forced it down her throat. Every drop she spilled earned her a slap across the face. By the time I let her go, her cheeks were swollen and crimson, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Hasty footsteps echoed from behind. Damian arrived like a storm, his private soldiers flanking him with rifles at the ready. “Evelyn. You’ve crossed a line.” His voice was glacial as he bent down to scoop the whimpering Jenna into his arms. I met his gaze without flinching. “And you haven’t, Damian? We’re even.” A vein throbbed in his temple. “Throw her into the snake pit in the back hills. Without my order, no one pulls her out.” It was a pit of vipers he’d had dug specifically for Jenna’s amusement. “Didn’t you say you wanted to see a show?” he murmured gently to Jenna. “Today, you’ll get your fill.” Two soldiers dragged me roughly towards the hills. In the cold, dark pit, venomous snakes slithered towards me, their fangs sinking into my flesh. White-hot pain seared through me as my clothes turned dark with blood. Just before I lost consciousness, I heard Jenna’s triumphant laughter. I pulled my lips into a silent, bitter smile. Damian, eight years ago at Crimson Ridge, you stood before all the warlords and swore I was the only one you’d ever want. But in this world, a man’s heart changes faster than the weather in the Triangle. … I spent two weeks recovering in the hospital. During that time, the story of how Damian Schwimmer had thrown his wife to the snakes for his mistress spread like wildfire across the Golden Triangle. The day I was discharged, I made good on my promise. I went to the family mausoleum and smashed his father’s memorial tablet to pieces. Only after my rage was spent did I go to see his mother. “Mother,” I said, stepping into her private prayer room. She opened her eyes, her expression a complex mixture of emotions. “Please give this to Damian.” I handed her the divorce agreement and the newspaper. “Evelyn, men like him are all the same here. Compared to power and money, what is love?” she said calmly. “The only way to truly win is to never let a man control your destiny.” She was unfazed by the news of her husband’s desecrated memorial. After decades of dealing with his countless mistresses and illegitimate children, her heart had turned to iron long ago. “Mother, I didn’t marry him because he was a Schwimmer. I married him because he was Damian.” Only I knew how the sight of him in that fighting pit all those years ago—bloodied but with eyes blazing with untamable pride—had struck me to the core. In these eight years, I had leveraged the Schwimmer family’s influence to build my own network of arms channels and contacts. I was no longer the little girl who needed his protection. I stayed only for a love that had long since spoiled. “If you divorce him, these women will walk all over you.” “If she has what it takes to take my place, then that’s her skill.” My voice was flat. But I knew Jenna didn’t have that kind of skill. No true kingpin would ever marry a woman who had nothing to offer but a pretty face. Damian’s mother was silent for a long time before having her maid take the papers. She studied me for a moment, then sighed. “So many women would kill to be in your position.” I didn’t answer. I gave a slight bow and turned to leave. Everyone envied me for standing at the apex of power in Karthus. Only I knew the truth—my marriage to Damian was like the poppy fields of the Golden Triangle: beautiful and deadly on the surface, but rotten to the core. On my way out, I ran into Damian’s cousin, Sasha. “I thought you’d put up with him forever.” “I used to think so, too,” I replied coolly. She shrugged. “I’ll admit, I never liked you much. But you’re a thousand times better than that woman he dragged out of some red-light dive in Patong.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “You were with him for eight years. Aren’t you going to take him for all he’s worth before you go? You’d be losing out.” I smiled faintly. “If I stay any longer, I’m afraid I won’t live long enough to spend his money.” Sasha snorted with laughter. “A loyal man might be hard to find, but there are plenty of men out there! Once you’re free, I’ll introduce you to someone. I guarantee he’s better in every way… and knows how to treat a woman better than my cousin.” … That evening, the signed divorce papers arrived, sent by his mother’s maid. I immediately had them sent off to be filed and was about to draw a hot bath. Suddenly, the door burst open and Damian stumbled in, reeking of alcohol. He came up behind me, bracing his hands on either side of the tub, trapping me. “Good evening, Mrs. Schwimmer.” My hand, holding a glass of red wine, froze. It seemed his mother had used some trickery. He clearly had no idea what he’d signed, or he wouldn’t still be calling me that. I rose, wrapped a robe around myself, and tried to push past him. “Still throwing a tantrum? What happened with Jenna is in the past.” He grabbed my arm. I caught sight of a bright lipstick stain on his collar and coolly shook him off. “This isn’t a tantrum. It’s disgust.” “Your taste, Damian,” I said, my voice dripping with contempt, “is as cheap as the perfume that woman wears. It makes me sick.” The next day, for the first time, we did not attend the annual Valerium Jewel Auction together. When Damian walked in with Jenna on his arm, the entire room went silent. I entered just in time to hear him instructing a business partner to call her “the lady of the house.” Someone sharp-eyed spotted me and immediately greeted me respectfully, “Mrs. Schwimmer.” “Well, if it isn’t the real Mrs. Schwimmer,” Jenna sneered, her eyes raking over my simple dress. “Looking a little… plain tonight, are we?” I raised my hand, letting the light catch the magnificent emerald ring that symbolized my status. “It doesn’t matter what I wear. What matters is who people recognize.” I smiled sweetly. “Where there’s a wife, there’s a mistress. I suppose my tolerance can’t compare to yours, Miss Jenna. You seem quite content with a lesser role.” Just then, the host invited Mr. and Mrs. Schwimmer to the stage for the opening ceremony. Damian extended a hand to me. “Come on. Don’t keep our guests waiting.” He led me to the stage, his message clear. First, he was offering me an olive branch. Second, he was declaring to the world that our marriage was as solid as ever. The unveiling, the speeches—we moved with the flawless synchronicity of years of practice. For a fleeting moment, the warm stage lights sculpted the mature lines of his profile, and I was thrown back eight years. We were just like this then, supporting each other as we took over our first smuggling route. The night we closed our first ten-million-dollar deal, he’d slipped this very ring on my finger on a boat on the Serpentine River. “Congratulations, Mr. Schwimmer,” I had toasted him, smiling. “This journey has been a glorious blaze of blood and fire.” But a man’s heart, I now knew, was more fickle than the Golden Triangle sky. I excused myself for some air and stepped out onto the balcony. Jenna followed. “Miss Evelyn,” she said, her voice laced with provocation. I turned to face her, my expression a mask of indifference. “The night you miscarried four years ago,” she began, her eyes glinting with malice, “Damian told you he was in a business meeting. He was in my bed.” She was trying to break me. My hand, holding a cigarette, was steady as a rock. “I thought you would have come up with something better by now.” Her brow furrowed. “He said he loves me! He said he’ll divorce you and marry me in a lavish wedding!” I laughed as if it were the funniest joke I’d ever heard. “Did he tell you that in bed? Darling, the promises of love he’s made to me could stretch from Aethel to the Crimson Ridge. Every woman he brings to me says the same thing. What makes you think you’re any different?” I stubbed out my cigarette, ready to leave. As I brushed past her, she grabbed my wrist. “The first time I walked into the Schwimmer estate, I knew you were the lucky one! Why you? We came from the same dirt, so why did you get to be Mrs. Schwimmer?” Her voice rose with hysteria. “I’m younger, prettier! I’m clearly the better asset!” “I’m begging you,” she sobbed, “divorce him! Set him free!” I frowned, about to wrench my arm away, when a deafening roar erupted from below. The building shuddered violently. The balcony railing groaned, then snapped. When Damian and his men rushed up, the balcony had already fractured, leaving Jenna and me stranded on opposite, teetering sections. “Boss! It won’t hold!” one of his men yelled. “We can only save one!” A second collapse was imminent. Whoever was left behind would face almost certain death. Jenna was sobbing hysterically. My own face was pale with fear. “Damian,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, “the day I lost our baby, you swore you would never fail me again.” It was my last, most pathetic piece of leverage. Damian’s jaw was clenched, his eyes a war of indecision. Just then, Jenna shrieked, “Damian! I’m pregnant with your child!” His pupils contracted. The decision was instantaneous. “Get Jenna first!” I watched as they scrambled to pull her to safety. The stone beneath my feet crumbled into nothing. As gravity took hold and I plummeted downwards, I closed my eyes. Of course, I thought. It’s two of them against one of me. How could I ever win? Luckily, I landed on a canvas awning, which broke my fall. I was found by a rescue team after being unconscious for a day and a night. By the time I woke up, the news was everywhere. [VALERIUM COLLAPSE SUSPECTED TO BE RIVAL SABOTAGE. DAMIAN SCHWIMMER FLIES TO SWITZERLAND WITH TRAUMATIZED LOVER FOR RECUPERATION AND PRENATAL CARE.] The accompanying photo showed him protectively holding Jenna’s waist. The departure time was the exact moment I was being wheeled into emergency surgery. Just like when I had miscarried—alone in a cold hospital bed, with no one by my side. While Damian was away, I recovered in silence. His second-in-command, Ty, sent a constant stream of gifts—from fresh orchids flown in from France to priceless jade necklaces. I threw them all out. The day I left the hospital, I went to our old house in the Eastwood district. I burned everything he had ever given me. As I walked out of the alley, a military-plated SUV was parked there. Damian was back, and he was waiting. “Jenna’s pregnant,” he stated flatly, leaning against the car as he lit a cigar. “As per our original agreement, the divorce settlement is sixty-forty. Your favor,” I said, my face a blank canvas. He squinted at me. “Mother will only ever acknowledge you as her daughter-in-law. Even with a baby, Jenna will never surpass you.” He took a drag from his cigar. “I can live without a mistress. I cannot run this empire without a queen by my side.” I understood. He didn’t want to divorce me because he loved me, but because I was still useful. “So? The one blocking your true love isn’t me, it’s your mother. Take it up with her.” I started to walk past him. “Mother wants you back at the estate in three days,” he called after me. “When the child is born, it will call you ‘Mother’.” I didn’t break my stride. I hitched a ride on a local’s truck back to my villa in Aethel. A quick check of my accounts showed several tens of millions of dollars, a mere drop in the ocean of Damian’s empire. They say power corrupts men, and corruption empowers women. If I could kill my feelings for him and maintain this sham of a marriage, I could live a life of obscene luxury. But I would no longer be a prisoner in this gilded cage. I bought a one-way ticket to Dubai, departing in three days. The moment the divorce was finalized, I would be gone. Three days later, the negotiation at the old estate was tense. It all boiled down to whether Jenna could use the baby to secure her position. Damian’s mother was unyielding. “The child cannot be born. The Schwimmer bloodline will not be carried by some woman of questionable origin.” Damian tapped his fingers on the mahogany table. “The child will be born and raised under Evelyn’s name. Since she can no longer bear children, this is the perfect solution.” “No,” his mother snapped. I set down my teacup. “The night I miscarried, you swore to me you would never have children with another woman.” Damian’s voice was low and rough. “Evelyn, we can’t live our lives bound by old promises.” Suddenly, a car horn sounded outside. It was a courier. I went out and signed for the document. Inside were two crimson folders. Two certificates of divorce. I took mine and placed it in my bag. When I turned, Jenna was standing right behind me, her eyes filled with venom. “Evelyn, I hate you! Why does everyone protect you?” I couldn’t be bothered. I tried to step around her, but she grabbed my arm. “I’m going to erase you from his heart completely!” With that, she snatched a fruit knife from a nearby table and plunged it deep into her own stomach. Damian and the others rushed out at the commotion, only to find Jenna crumpled on the ground, blood pouring from the wound. “Damian… she tried to kill me… she wanted to kill our baby…” she gasped, pointing a trembling finger at me. “Evelyn!” Damian roared, his eyes promising murder as he scooped Jenna into his arms. I watched the melodrama unfold, my expression cold. “If the baby is lost, she has only herself to blame.” CRACK! A vicious slap struck my face. “You bitch!” His eyes were ice. “I’ll deal with you when I get back!” I watched them speed away, wiping a trickle of blood from my lip. My phone buzzed—a reminder that my flight was boarding soon. Sasha slipped over to my side and gestured at my phone. She had sent me a text. “Evelyn, I know it wasn’t you. When you get to Dubai, if you need help, contact this person. His arms business is huge, and… he’s always admired you.” I looked at the familiar name and number on the screen and nodded. “Help me give this to him.” “And congratulate him for me. After eight years of waiting, his wish has finally come true.” I handed Damian’s divorce certificate to Sasha, picked up my luggage, and walked toward the docks without a single look back. I had to take a boat out of Aethel Port before catching my connecting flight. Standing at the railing, the wind from the mouth of the Serpentine River whipping around me, I dialed the number. A calm, smiling male voice came through the line. “It’s been a long time, Evelyn. I’ll pick you up when you land in Dubai.” “Okay.” I clutched the ticket out of Karthus, my knuckles white. Damian, it’s been eight years. I’m finally letting you go. And I’m finally setting myself free.

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On the day Julian Sterling won the Global Philanthropist Award, I was given a death sentence by my doctors because I couldn’t afford a replacement for my artificial heart. The host on TV asked Julian to call the person he regretted losing the most. Without hesitation, he dialed my number. I picked up, listening as Julian asked, “Do you regret leaving me for money back then?” I glanced at the exorbitant bill for the heart replacement surgery and chuckled softly. “Julian, since you’re so rich now, lend me twenty grand, will you?” The line went dead instantly. I watched the TV as Julian coldly stated, “I guess I don’t have any regrets anymore.” He didn’t know that when his heart was failing years ago, I secretly gave him mine. As soon as the live broadcast ended, I received a transfer of twenty thousand dollars from Julian. I stared at the notification, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. I used the money to pay the overdue medical bills. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice outside my hospital room. Looking through the crack in the door, I saw Julian. Seven years hadn’t left a mark on him. He looked sharper, more distinguished. The only thing that had changed was the person by his side. It wasn’t me anymore. The awards gala had just ended. He hadn’t even changed out of his tuxedo, rushing to the hospital because his new girlfriend had a stomach ache. I watched him tenderly hold Claire in his arms, a look of pure adoration on his face. I lowered my head, intending to close the door quietly and pretend I hadn’t seen anything. But Julian yanked the door open. I jumped, looking up to meet his gaze. His eyes swept over me, cold and piercing. “Long time no see. Not even going to say hello?” I looked at him, opening my mouth to speak. A thousand words rushed to my lips, but what came out was: “Julian, lend me another thirty grand.” Julian froze, the cold indifference in his eyes igniting into anger. He grabbed my wrist. “Seven years, and that’s all you have to say to me?” The needle marks on my wrist stung under his grip. I took a deep breath and whispered, “Mr. Sterling is so wealthy. If you don’t lend me money, I’m afraid Miss Claire might misunderstand our relationship.” Julian looked taken aback, a flicker of complexity crossing his eyes. Before he could speak, Claire latched onto his arm. “Honey, is this your ex-wife?” Claire looked at me, her tone dripping with feigned pity. “What can thirty grand even do? Julian spent fifty grand on a pair of shoes for me!” “It’s a pity Ms. Lee didn’t know what she had. If you hadn’t heartlessly abandoned Julian, I never would have met him.” I stayed silent, my mind drifting back to the past. I met Julian in college. We fell in love and spent five years together. Back then, he wasn’t a billionaire entrepreneur. And my health wasn’t failing like it is now. We were two broke students, orphans who found family in each other. We worked hard to build a tiny life of our own. Just as our careers were taking off, Julian was diagnosed with severe heart failure. The treatments and the transplant list required a fortune. We burned through every cent we had saved for our startup. To pay for his meds, I worked multiple jobs, eating one meal a day, splitting every dollar. I worked myself to the bone just to afford the cheapest generic drugs. But a suitable heart never came. I watched Julian wither away day by day, sinking into despair. Just when hope was all but lost, the doctor found me. He told me there was a match. The person whose heart matched Julian’s was me. My thoughts snapped back to the present. Julian kissed Claire’s forehead, his eyes full of tenderness. “If she hadn’t been so heartless, how would I have met an angel like you?” “That thirty-thousand-dollar bag you liked? I’ll buy it for you. Pick the expensive one next time. Your husband can afford it.” Watching them, the phantom pain in my wrist seemed to pierce straight into my heart. It hurt so much I could barely breathe. I pulled my hand free from Julian’s grip. I didn’t want to be the prop in their love story anymore. As I turned to leave, Claire “accidentally” stuck out her foot. “Oh no, Ms. Lee! Why are you so clumsy?” I fell to my knees, my medical records scattering at Julian’s feet. Seeing me fall, Julian’s expression tightened. He instinctively reached out to help. Claire grabbed his hand and gasped, “What’s this?” Julian’s gaze fell on the papers. He picked one up and scanned it. “Artificial Heart Replacement…” A flash of anger crossed his face. He threw the report in my face. “Lily, I didn’t think you’d stoop to fraud for money!” “You really haven’t changed. Seven years later, and it’s still all about the money!” I stood up, looking at Julian’s healthy, robust body. A faint smile touched my lips as I silently gathered my papers. “Since you know I love money, Mr. Sterling, why not lend me a little more?” Claire, overcome with emotion, wept and clung to his arm. But the look she gave me was full of mockery and malice. “Honey, maybe it’s true?” “Besides… if Ms. Lee hadn’t left, you wouldn’t have received that donor heart from a good Samaritan!” “Let’s help her, okay?” Her words seemed to remind Julian of the “fact” that I had abandoned him for money. The hesitation in his eyes froze over instantly. “A heartless woman doesn’t deserve the charity of strangers. She’s not worth it.” Julian turned away with Claire, who was still pretending to plead for me. But as she glanced back, the curve of her lips was pure venom. I picked up the medical report, now marred by Claire’s footprint. My mechanical heart gave a tremor that didn’t belong to it. My vision blurred as I watched them walk away. After a long time, I wiped a trace of blood from the corner of my mouth and looked at the words “Artificial Heart Replacement.” My fingers traced the seven-year-old scar on my chest. Julian still didn’t know. The heart beating in his chest was mine. Seven years ago, with no donor heart in sight, Julian was dying. Artificial heart technology wasn’t mature then. It could sustain life in theory, but the risks were massive. When I found out I was a match, I gave him my heart. I took the artificial one—a cheap model with a seven-year lifespan—to save money. Since then, my chest would often ache. Coughing up blood and sudden weakness became my new normal. And because I was broke, the surgery to upgrade the unit kept getting delayed. Now, seven years were up. The machine in my chest sent its seventh warning tremor. I knew it was reaching its limit. I left the hospital and went back to my rental. It was small, damp, and freezing in the winter. In the summer, it was an oven. But it was cheap. Julian and I used to live here. This was where we dreamed of our future. After I found out I was a match, I pretended to be a gold digger. I slapped a divorce agreement on the table. We had been together for five years. I had never complained, never left his side.

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