Category: English

The Day She Killed Me After thirty days of the silent treatment from my wife, Janet, she suddenly proposed a trip to mend our relationship. But the moment we landed, she snapped my ID card in half, smashed my phone, and stranded me on a deserted island, leaving me to my own devices. Someone asked her if she wasn’t going too far, but she just stroked her belly, a look of disdain on her face. “It’s his own fault for being so petty. I just wanted to have an IVF baby for Ryan, to leave him a child, and he started screaming for a divorce.” “The baby’s due in eight months. The island has fresh water and food. He won’t starve, it’s just a little hardship.” Eight months later, cradling her newborn son, Janet looked utterly content. She asked her assistant, for the first time in ages: “It’s been so long, hasn’t he been begging to come home?” She didn’t know I died on the very first day on that island. When I opened my eyes again, my soul was in Janet’s delivery room. Janet, her face pale, held the baby tenderly, her eyes full of maternal love. Her childhood sweetheart, Ryan, wiped the sweat from Janet’s forehead, overflowing with gratitude. “Janet, thank you. We have a son.” I felt a dizzying wave of realization. I’d been dead for *that* long. Her and Ryan’s baby was already here. As Janet was wheeled out, a crowd swarmed around her, celebrating the birth, popping confetti and showering her with gifts and cash. “Janet, this baby is so adorable, a perfect blend of you and Ryan! He’s going to be such a handsome man when he grows up!” These same people, who used to suck up to me as “Janet’s husband,” angrily claimed her IVF decision was wrong, and mocked Ryan for being a phony. Well, they only flattered me because I was Janet’s husband. A faint smile played on Janet’s lips, but her eyes kept darting to the end of the hall, a restless flicker in their depths. Distractedly, she picked up her phone and checked it. Then, she frowned, asking her assistant: “Didn’t I tell you to buy him a new phone? Why hasn’t he contacted me these past few months, or begged to come home?” Mr. Jones calmly lied: “Mr. Liam always curses you and Mr. Ryan, saying he doesn’t want any contact with you.” Janet’s frown deepened, a frustrated crease forming between her brows: “He’s so incredibly stubborn, never listens to reason.” “Tell him I’ve had the baby, my mission is complete.” “If he sincerely calls to apologize and agrees to be the child’s godfather, I’ll bring him back home.” A bitter, self-deprecating laugh escaped me. Even in death, I felt the sting of it. She had no idea I was already long gone. Nine months ago, Janet gave up on our child, just to make room for her IVF baby with Ryan. She said Ryan had a terminal illness and she wanted to leave him a child. A cold despair settled in my chest, and I suggested divorce. For that, Janet gave me the silent treatment for a month, then, uncharacteristically, approached me. She proposed a trip to repair our relationship, promising to abort the IVF baby when we returned. I believed her, only to be abandoned on that island, where I swiftly perished. Snapping back to the present, Ryan whimpered pitifully: “Janet, if Liam comes back, he won’t hit me again, right? You can hurt me, but please, don’t hurt our baby!” He lowered his head, angling it to reveal a tiny scar on his forehead. That scar was from when I found out about Janet’s IVF. Ryan had provoked me, then deliberately smashed his own head against a wall. Because of that incident, Janet hated me, believing I would even bully a terminally ill patient. Janet’s heart twisted with pain, and she snapped at him: “If he dares to lay a hand on you two, I’ll make sure he never comes back!” Everyone burst into laughter: “Janet, you’re still as protective of Ryan as ever. Now that the baby’s born, I remember you two were engaged as kids, it’s perfect!” “That’s right, Janet! A child needs a complete mother’s and father’s love! Liam’s so petty and extreme, I’m genuinely afraid he might harm the baby!” Janet didn’t respond. She just clenched her fingers, then looked up at Mr. Jones: “Did you send the message? What did he reply?” The next second, Janet’s phone, lying beside her, rang. Janet’s eyes lit up, thinking it was me. She smirked triumphantly: “Liam, you finally…” The words from the other end left her frozen: “Excuse me, are you Mr. Liam’s wife? We were wondering if you have time to pick up a rosary from the church.” Janet asked back: “What rosary?” The person on the other end sighed, a devout tone in their voice: “A year ago, Mr. Liam came to our church, praying fervently for his critically ill wife’s safety. Later, he came back to give thanks, saying his wife had recovered and was even pregnant. We specially gave him a rosary to bless his child, but we haven’t been able to reach him for months.” 2. When Janet was diagnosed with late-stage heart failure, I tried everything to cure her. I even prayed to God for blessings, bowing my head so many times I bled, all for Janet’s well-being. Later, I returned to give thanks, full of joy, believing we had overcome the ordeal. But in the end, I lost everything, left with nothing. I clutched at the sharp, aching phantom pain in my chest, a self-mocking laugh escaping me. Even an artificial heart, it seemed, could feel such pain. Everyone paused, stunned by the revelation: “I never would’ve thought Liam was so devoted. When you had heart failure, we all assumed he ran off, afraid of the responsibility. It seems we misunderstood Liam…” Janet suddenly clutched her own heart, biting her lip so hard it turned white. After catching her breath, she let out a cold laugh: “No need. What rosary? Throw it away.” With that, she hung up. She lowered her gaze, gritting her teeth: “This is the difference between Liam and Ryan.” “Liam only does superficial things, but Ryan saved me with his life! If Ryan hadn’t given me his heart, I’d be dead already!” “Ryan is dying because of it, but Liam? All he knows is being petty and jealous, even threatening divorce over a trivial matter!” My mouth felt bitter. The one who donated their heart to Janet was *me*. The doctors told me that even with an expensive artificial heart transplant, and daily medication, I’d only live another year or two with current technology. I didn’t regret it. Instead, I was grateful for the time I had left. But when I woke from my coma, I found Janet tearfully thanking Ryan for his sacrifice. I tried to explain, to tell her the truth, but she accused me of trying to steal credit. It wasn’t until Janet became pregnant that our relationship softened. That was because when Ryan visited Janet, he clutched his heart, a forlorn look on his face, and said: “It’s a shame. I don’t have long to live. I probably won’t be able to have my own child, or even see your baby, Janet.” Janet, without hesitation, decided to have a child for Ryan. That’s what led to the subsequent tragedy. Listening to Janet’s accusations, everyone exchanged glances, and the air in the room thickened with tension. To lighten the mood, someone cheerfully turned on the TV: “Janet, you just gave birth, don’t get too upset. Relax a little.” But as fate would have it, a news report came on: “A drone patrol discovered a skeletal male corpse on a deserted island in the Pacific. This is a breakthrough in drone technology’s…” Janet’s head snapped up, her eyes widening in stark horror. “Which island?” Someone meekly offered: “Janet, I heard that small island you took Liam to is somewhere around those coordinates…” Janet’s brow furrowed so deeply, you could almost tie it in a knot. A storm was brewing in her eyes. A subtle, predatory glint sparked in Ryan’s eyes. He gently stroked Janet’s back: “There are many similar islands, aren’t there? But that skeleton looks remarkably intact, almost like a model from a hospital.” Janet snapped back to reality, letting out a cold laugh: “Hmph, Liam used to fake a heart condition to manipulate people. Now he’s even found a skeleton model to scare me? He has too much time on his hands! I must have made him too comfortable!” Turning, she instructed Mr. Jones: “From now on, you are not allowed to agree to Liam’s ridiculous demands! I said to just give him basic survival supplies, you’re enabling his nonsense!” Mr. Jones’s cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and he nodded, affirming. I knew why he was guilty. After throwing me onto that deserted island, Janet flew away in a helicopter without a second thought. Physically and mentally exhausted, my artificial heart couldn’t take the strain. I had just pulled out my medication, intending to take it. It was Mr. Jones who kicked my life-saving pills, sending them tumbling into the sea, a look of utter contempt on his face. “Ms. Janet is right, you really love to act, still pretending to have heart trouble!” “You, you’ll spend the rest of your life on this island. Ms. Janet is going to have a baby with Mr. Ryan, why would she ever come back for you!” After saying that, he led everyone away from the deserted island with a sneer. Eventually, I painfully clawed at the ground. My fingertips were bloody and mangled, my heart stopped beating, and I died tragically in that foreign land. My body was left exposed to the wind and sun, torn apart by scavengers. Even now, that feeling of my heart being squeezed tight felt sickeningly real. Janet’s mood, for some reason, suddenly plummeted. Her expression was icy as she turned over and pulled the blanket over herself, dismissing everyone. “You can all leave now. I’m tired.” Everyone exchanged glances and walked out of the hospital room. Only Ryan remained, cradling the baby and gently holding Janet’s hand, which lay outside the blanket, hooked up to an IV drip. Since it was a natural birth, Janet was able to get out of bed and discharged within two days. 3. Ryan followed Janet home like a shadow, holding the baby and pleading pitifully: “Janet, I know you’ve hired a nanny, but I’m the baby’s father. I have a responsibility to care for you both.” Afraid she wouldn’t agree, he quickly added: “I’ll be very discreet. I won’t touch anything in the house, and Liam will never know I’ve been here!” Janet’s fingers, clenching her purse strap, turned white with the force, a conflicted look on her face. Ryan then clutched his chest, his voice weak and tearful: “Janet, I’m dying. I don’t have many chances left to be with you and our son. Can you please give me this opportunity?” After a long silence, Janet finally nodded slowly. Watching the sly, triumphant smirk spread across Ryan’s face, I gave a bitter, empty laugh. Janet and I once made a promise: no matter what, we would never bring outsiders into our home, our sanctuary. Yet now, she let Ryan in. He was always the exception, it seemed. As Janet opened the door, our small dog, Lucky, bounded up to greet her. But noticing a stranger, he immediately started barking defensively, shielding Janet behind him. The baby, startled by the barking, began to cry loudly. Janet frowned: “Lucky, be good!” Ryan, however, smiled warmly, though his eyes held no warmth: “It’s okay, Janet. I love dogs too.” Saying this, he crouched down and roughly ruffled Lucky’s head. Lucky was usually gentle, his barking merely a way to scare people off, so he didn’t bite Ryan’s hand. Janet couldn’t help but sigh: “Ryan, you’re still as kind as ever.” Only I saw clearly that Ryan’s palm was tightly clutching a handful of Lucky’s yellow-and-white fur. How much pain must Lucky have been in! Hearing Lucky let out a pained whimper, Janet’s expression changed, and she grew instantly annoyed: “This dog is just like its owner, always unruly and ungrateful!” She pulled Ryan away, cradling the baby, and walked inside. Lucky, meanwhile, sat forlornly by the door, chewing on a bouncy ball I used to play with him, seemingly waiting for me. My nose stung with a sudden ache. Lucky was just a rescue dog, but Janet and I had rescued him together when we were dating. He had been abandoned soon after birth, and Janet and I had taken turns staying up all night, bottle-feeding him, raising him as if he were our own child. He still didn’t know that his dad was never coming back. Upstairs, Janet handed the baby to the wet nurse, then turned to call Mr. Davies, giving him detailed instructions: “Mr. Davies, Ryan can’t handle spicy food, no onions or garlic for him. Make sure the kitchen pays attention. Also, he only sleeps on silk sheets, otherwise he’ll get a rash…” Janet rattled on, remembering all of Ryan’s preferences as if they had been married for ten years. I used to be jealous of her and Ryan’s childhood bond, but now, it seemed I had underestimated just how deep it went. Ryan, pretending not to know these things, used the excuse of going to the restroom and quietly snuck into Janet’s and my bedroom. Lucky, seeing a stranger enter his parents’ room, curiously followed Ryan upstairs. Ryan sneered at our wedding photo on the dresser, then picked up a marker and defaced my face. Noticing Lucky nipping at his pant leg, Ryan jumped in surprise. The next second, a look of brutal rage on his face, he kicked the dog with full force. Lucky, a mere ten-pound dog, was sent flying against the wall by the heavy kick, then crumpled to the floor. His limbs twitched a few times, blood oozing from his mouth, and he whimpered softly. My eyes burned with fury. I rushed to Lucky’s side, but my soul passed through his body again and again, powerless. Ryan’s pale, gaunt face was twisted with madness. He let out a mocking laugh: “A loyal pet, are we? Then I’ll send you to meet your master in heaven!” I froze. Ryan knew I was dead. Could Mr. Jones be working for him? Recalling Mr. Jones’s disgust towards me, and how he relentlessly slandered me, I clenched my fists. Just then, Janet, hearing the commotion, walked into the room. Her eyes immediately landed on Lucky, still weakly twitching by the wall. 4. Ryan immediately faked tears: “I’m so sorry, Janet! The dog bit me, and my heart suddenly ached. I accidentally kicked it. It’s all my fault for being clumsy! Lucky’s not hurt, is he?” Janet pursed her lips, forcing her gaze away from Lucky. “As long as *you’re* okay. How do you feel now? Where did he bite you?” “Pets carry germs; it’s not good for the baby. I’ve wanted to send him away for a long time. You’ve actually done me a huge favor.” With that, she ordered Mr. Davies, with a look of disgust, to take the dog to the vet. Ryan, however, wasn’t entirely satisfied, his lips twisting slightly. But he quickly composed himself, pulling at Janet’s sleeve: “It’s good the dog is okay. If Liam found out, he’d skin me alive! I wouldn’t be able to make it up to him even if I died!” Anyone unfamiliar with the situation would have thought I had abused him in the past. But Janet’s eyes filled with tenderness, and she softly comforted him: “If he dares to do anything, I’ll make sure he knows what living hell feels like.” Ryan paused, then tentatively asked: “Janet, my parents want to see Leo more often. Will you come with me to visit them tomorrow?” Janet nodded: “Of course. The child is meant to be raised by them anyway.” Ryan’s chest heaved. He reached out to grasp Janet’s hand, whining playfully: “Janet, why are you becoming so distant with me? We—” Janet, however, pulled her hand away, a hint of coolness in her voice: “The guest room is ready. You should get some rest. Leo has been fussy these past few days, and you haven’t been sleeping well either.” But it was Janet who lay sleepless through the night. Every now and then, she’d pull out her phone and open my SnapChat chat. My last message was still there, from eight months ago, my reply of “Okay” to her invitation for a trip abroad. A sudden flutter of panic seized her. I worried about Lucky’s health, but my soul couldn’t stray too far from Janet. I could only stare at Lucky’s dog food and toys, lost in thought. The next second, Janet suddenly walked beside me. My heart lurched. I watched as she crouched down and opened Lucky’s favorite dog food. Then, she opened my SnapChat chat. “Liam, I’ve handled everything. Come home, Lucky misses you.” Janet, for once, was softening. But I couldn’t instantly reply this time. I could never reply to her messages again. Just then, Mr. Davies opened the door and returned. Janet saw his empty hands and asked: “Where’s the dog?” Mr. Davies hesitated: “Six ribs broken, pierced his heart. He didn’t make it at the hospital… Miss, should we have him cremated?” A searing pain tore through my spectral chest. When we named him, Janet had said gently: “Of course, we’ll call him Lucky. We’re his mom and dad, the closest people in his tiny world. We have to protect him and keep him safe his whole life!” Lucky, Lucky… yet he couldn’t live a single safe life. Janet stood frozen, her fingertips trembling. After a long moment, she found her voice: “Okay.” “Mr. Davies, please find me an identical dog. When Liam comes home in a few days and doesn’t see Lucky, he’ll make a fuss again.” A phantom spasm seized my dead heart. She had money to burn; she could find a similar dog. But our love? That could never be replaced. The next day, Janet was somewhat distracted on the way to Ryan’s parents’ house, merely patting Leo’s crying form dismissively. She pursed her lips, sending a message to Mr. Davies: “Haven’t found it yet? Hurry up.” When she looked up again, she saw the decorations in Ryan’s parents’ house and her eyes widened in shock. I watched the scene before me, a bitter laugh on my lips. The place was festooned with streamers and decorations. A red carpet was laid on the floor. Bluetooth speakers blared “Today I’m Gonna Marry You.” Most striking of all, directly facing the front door, was a banner: “Janet, please marry me!” The house was packed with Janet’s and Ryan’s friends and family, all looking at them with eager anticipation. Janet tightened her arms around Leo, who struggled and cried out loud. Ryan’s father, however, chuckled: “Janet, you and Ryan grew up together. You and that poor Liam were never a good match. Now that you have a child, isn’t it time you married Ryan?” Ryan knelt on one knee, pulling out a sparkling diamond ring, his voice dripping with emotion: “Janet, I know I don’t have long to live, but I want to give our child a complete father’s love. I want him to know he was born out of love, not as a child with no name or status!” “Please, marry me. I want to protect you and our son until my last breath!” At this, everyone began to chant in unison: “Say yes! Marry him!” My spectral heart twisted with a bitter ache. So it had come to this day. Janet, however, scowled, slapping the diamond ring out of Ryan’s hand:

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The night before my wedding, my fiancé, Jax, suddenly claimed he had amnesia. He remembered everyone but me. That day, I finally got my hands on a drug that could restore memories, and I eagerly rushed to find him. My hand was just touching the doorknob when I heard familiar voices spilling out from inside the room. “Jax, how did you even come up with this fake amnesia stunt? It’s so messed up, it’s brilliant! Skylar will never see it coming! How long are you planning to string her along before you spill the beans?” Their cheerful laughter froze me in place, the smile on my face solidifying into a grimace. Jax was faking his amnesia?! What did all those nights of crying myself to sleep, agonizing over his supposed illness, even mean then?! A chilling dread spread through me. ### I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt, listening to Jax’s relaxed tone. “Just one more month of fun, then I’ll go back to Skylar and continue being her loving, devoted boyfriend.” His friends looked at him in disbelief. “One month? You’ve been doing this for months already! Why don’t you just break up with her? Nobody in our crowd stays with one girl for seven years! That’s unheard of for someone like you!” “Sneaking around with another woman, then putting on this whole amnesia charade just to avoid her anger? Aren’t you exhausted?” Jax’s smile slowly faded as he listened to their relentless teasing. “I will never break up with Skylar. She’s the only woman I truly love. It’s just… we’ve been together for so long, and honestly, things feel a bit stale. She’s just too reserved in bed, and I don’t want to pressure her. So this is like hitting the pause button, a little escape to let loose. After a month, I’ll go back to her, be her one and only.” “That’s easy for you to say, but she’s not the type to tolerate any nonsense. If she ever found out the truth, she wouldn’t just take it lying down. Aren’t you worried she’d break up with you and leave?” “Yeah, Brandon’s game totally backfired on him, his girlfriend ran off abroad, and now he’s chasing after her like a madman.” They spoke with such conviction, but Jax simply brushed it off. He swirled the drink in his hand, letting out a soft chuckle. “She’ll always be my woman, for life. As long as she’s called Skylar, even if she moves abroad or marries someone else, I’ll drag her back and keep her by my side forever.” At his arrogant certainty, everyone in the room cheered, “You’re the man, Jax!” and popped open a bottle of champagne. Numb and heavy-hearted, I dragged myself out of the bar, stumbling through the pouring rain. I didn’t even register the weather, just walked numbly into the downpour. The icy raindrops pelted my skin. My trembling hands could no longer hold it, and the small bottle of medicine suddenly slipped and crashed to the ground. Watching the painstakingly acquired memory-restoring pills wash away, long-dormant memories were violently reawakened. I first met Jax during my freshman year at the Winter Gala. I was the headliner, performing ‘Liebestraum,’ and I absolutely blew everyone away. Jax fell for me instantly. He showed up backstage with a huge bouquet of roses, declaring he wanted to pursue me. I’d already heard all about the school’s notorious heartthrob – the guy who’d already gone through countless girlfriends within the first month of school, his scandalous dating history legendary. I didn’t like playboys like Jax. My parents had both cheated, shattering our family, so I had extremely high standards for relationships, an intense aversion to any kind of infidelity. I ignored his advances, keeping my distance. But he clung to me like a madman, refusing to let go no matter how many times I rejected him. He even orchestrated a school-wide blackout so I could rest during my period, openly confessed his feelings in front of the entire school on the sports field, defiantly rejected every other girl’s confession… Day after day, for three years, he persisted, but I never gave in. It wasn’t until the summer after high school graduation, when a few thugs cornered me in an alley. Jax, to protect me, fought four or five of them, getting stabbed multiple times, almost losing his life for me. I cried hysterically at his hospital bedside, unable to comprehend how anyone could risk their life for another. In that moment, I thought, he’s the one. We were together for seven years, from our carefree school days to the grind of adulting. Jax always treated me with the same devotion. Everyone said he’d found true love and finally turned over a new leaf. I believed it too. Until three months before our wedding, he got into a car accident during a business trip and was diagnosed with amnesia. He remembered everyone, except me. The devastating news nearly broke me, but I held on. I scoured every possible lead, consulted countless doctors, and stayed up all night poring over every medical journal I could find, all to help him regain his memory sooner. But I never imagined this amnesia was nothing more than a carefully crafted deception. All the courage and determination that had sustained me were washed away by the downpour. Dazed and numb, I stumbled home, pulled out all my documents, and headed to the county clerk’s office. Facing the clerk’s questioning gaze, I spoke, my voice hoarse. “Hello, I’d like to change my name.” After reviewing my documents, the clerk handed me a pen. My hand trembling, I signed both my old and new names. Looking at the new name, a name no one knew, a terrible smile twisted my lips. From now on, no matter where I went, or what I did. Jax would never find me. ###

By the time I finished the paperwork, it was already dark. I hailed a cab and searched for flights on my phone. The name change application was submitted, but it would take another month for approval. So, I booked a flight to Melbourne for the first of next month and accepted the offer from the study abroad agency. Ever since graduation, I’d been preparing to study abroad for my postgraduate degree. But because Jax said he couldn’t live without me and didn’t want a long-distance relationship, my study plans had been delayed for three years. Now that I’d decided to cancel the wedding and end this relationship, everything from the past needed to be left behind. I had to start thinking about myself, about a new life. Back home, I changed out of my wet clothes, washed up, and went to bed. That night, I slept more soundly than I had in the entire past month. The next morning, I woke up, had breakfast, and then cleared out everything related to Jax. Gifts he’d given me, matching couple’s clothes we’d bought, love letters from our school days… They filled five boxes. I dragged them out of the villa, one by one, and dumped them all into the trash. As I was busy, a limited edition supercar suddenly pulled up by the curb. I heard it and turned, seeing Jax. He swaggered out of the car, an arm draped around a woman. Even when he saw me, he didn’t flinch. I knew he wasn’t avoiding me because he was banking on me being considerate, on me keeping my distance because I believed he was truly ill. From the very beginning, Jax had refused to acknowledge me as his girlfriend, even having my things thrown out of the villa. I thought I’d be out on the street, but then the owner of the house next door contacted me, saying they were moving abroad and offered to rent it to me for a ridiculously low price. I thought I’d gotten lucky then. Now, it was clear it was all just a show he’d orchestrated himself. He was afraid I’d really leave, so he used that trick to keep me close. Recalling the month I’d spent in the dark, I could only laugh at my foolishness. I didn’t care what charade he was putting on today. I turned, lifted the last box, and emptied it into the trash. Jax, walking by, glanced at the pile of things I’d discarded, and his face darkened. “Why are you throwing all this stuff away?” I shot him a sidelong glance, my voice flat. “Aren’t you supposed to have amnesia? How do you remember these things?” Jax suddenly realized he’d slipped up. He quickly recomposed his expression, feigning nonchalance. “Just asking. How could I remember? The past is the past, and now is now. Now, I only like Chloe. After all, she was the only one who came to take care of me after my car accident in South Bay.” Car accident? If the amnesia was an act, where was the car accident? I curved my lips slightly, eyeing the woman he had his arm around. Heavy makeup, a figure that screamed ‘look at me,’ and barely-there clothing. Her foxy eyes glittered with smug triumph. A new face. She was probably the most satisfying bedmate Jax had found during this ‘break,’ which was why he was parading her around so openly. I didn’t want to waste any more words on him. I just hummed in response and walked back into the villa. Watching my retreating figure disappear without a backward glance, Jax’s eyelid twitched. He’d brought someone else home. Shouldn’t Skylar be throwing a fit, getting jealous? Why was she so calm? Jax sensed something was off, but he didn’t chase after me to explain. He just watched me disappear behind the door. At eight o’clock, the doorbell rang. I put down the take-out bag I was holding and went to open the door. It was the woman Jax had brought home earlier. I lifted my hand and waved, a smile on my face that didn’t reach my eyes. “Hi, I’m Chloe. I’ll be staying at my boyfriend’s place for a while. Since we’re neighbors, would you mind adding me on SnapChat?” “No need.” I refused without a second thought, turning to leave. Chloe snatched my phone, rapidly tapping through SnapChat to add herself as a friend. Watching my face fall, she grinned like the Cheshire Cat, handed my phone back, her tone annoyingly flippant. “Come on, let’s be friends. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other! Oh, by the way, do you have any condoms? I used up the whole box I bought today. Could I borrow a few?” A flicker of pallor crossed my face, and my hand trembled slightly as I took back my phone. “No.” Chloe wouldn’t let it go, her mockery undisguised. “Right, silly me for asking. Jax doesn’t want you anymore, so why would you?” ###

I knew she was deliberately provoking me. I didn’t want to engage, so I reached for the front door to close it. Chloe grabbed the doorknob, then dramatically collapsed to the floor, tears instantly streaming down her face. “Sister, I know you don’t want to see me, but I just came to borrow some seasoning to make dinner for Jax. If you don’t want to lend it, that’s fine, but why would you hit me?” Watching Chloe suddenly put on such a show, my heart leaped. Before I could react, Jax, who must have entered the house at some point, rushed up the steps and swept her into his arms. He looked up, his eyes cold, his voice laced with suppressed anger. “Chloe has no quarrel with you. Why are you being so unreasonable? She’s my girlfriend now. Please be more respectful towards her!” After saying that, he didn’t even glance at my expression, just carried her away. Every word struck me, making my fists clench involuntarily. I stood there, watching their figures disappear into the twilight, then slowly raised my hand. Bang! The front door slammed shut. In the dead of night, my phone vibrated on the bedside table. Waking with a start, I rubbed my eyes and instinctively answered. The next second, the screen jumped, revealing a vast expanse of pale skin covered in hickeys. Intimate moans filled the air, punctuated by heavy, ragged breathing. Watching the shaky camera capture explicit, nauseating scenes, I was instantly wide awake. Realizing what the person on the other end of the line was doing, I froze like a statue. A few seconds later, Jax’s low, lust-thickened voice came through the speaker. “From now on, you’re not allowed to provoke Skylar next door.” “You’ve seen right through my little games, so why are you still on my side? Is it because you just love my body so much you don’t want to come clean to her? You want to keep enjoying this, huh?” At her seductive whine, Jax grunted, then spanked her pale ass. “Since you already know, why ask? Come on, get on top.” After some rustling, the camera focused on Jax’s face. Watching his unabashedly satisfied expression, my heart turned to ice. I bit down hard on my lower lip, the metallic taste of blood spreading through my mouth. The gasping grew more frantic. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and pressed the hang-up button. My drowsy eyes were now swimming in tears. I tilted my head back, desperate not to let them fall, as countless images flashed through my mind. During our intimate moments, he was always so careful, so afraid I’d be uncomfortable. He probably overthought everything, and was never truly satisfied, was he? Now he wouldn’t have to hold back. He wouldn’t have to scheme just to steal a moment of pleasure. From now on, I would give him his freedom. For the next few days, I stayed holed up in the house. Not until my best friend’s wedding day did I manage to compose myself enough to leave. At the hotel, before the ceremony began, I gave her the gift I’d prepared. We chatted for a while, and Maya held my hand, her eyes sparkling. “Skylar, I sent Jax an invitation, and he promised to come. When he gets here, go talk to him. Maybe he’ll remember proposing to you and his memory will come back.” I paused for a moment, then shook my head. Seeing the smile slowly vanish from my face, a flicker of worry crossed Maya’s eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you giving up?” I was about to answer when I saw Jax, with Chloe by his side, appear at the entrance. Maya followed my gaze, and seeing them arm in arm, her face flushed with anger. She was about to march over in her high heels to confront them. I quickly pulled her back, my voice heavy with exhaustion. “Forget it. Soon, it’ll all be over.” Maya didn’t understand what I meant. She was about to ask when a bridesmaid came over. “The wedding’s about to start, Maya.” After much persuasion, I finally got my best friend to go up to the stage. Listening to the wedding march begin in the ballroom, I took a deep breath and returned to the main hall. The guests had all taken their seats; only the spot beside Jax remained empty. After a moment of hesitation, I went and sat down. Throughout the wedding, Chloe clung to Jax, asking him to serve her food. He responded to her every request, pouring her wine, blowing on her soup, utterly doting. Even when I fed him a piece of dessert I’d already bitten into, he ate it without a second thought. Watching their intimate display, I looked away, towards the center of the stage. I hadn’t eaten and hadn’t touched my forks, so Maya’s mom forked some food onto my plate, urging me to eat more. I didn’t want to be rude, so I picked up a dumpling. Jax, sitting beside me, saw it and immediately reached out and took the dumpling away. “Are you crazy? That’s seafood. You’re allergic, you can’t eat that.” ###

Watching the dumpling roll several times on the floor, I looked up, giving him a long, hard stare. Jax then belatedly realized what he’d done, and his expression grew awkward as he quickly offered an explanation. “The housekeeper at home never buys seafood. I’ve told her several times. She must have mentioned it.” After that, he didn’t dare look at my face again, turning instead to peel shrimp. Chloe leaned in close to his ear, whispering something I couldn’t quite catch. Whatever she said, Jax’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He put down the shrimp and, grabbing my arm, led me out of the ceremony. I didn’t care where they went. Not until the bouquet toss was over did I get up to use the restroom. As I reached the door, I heard loud, rhythmic slapping sounds coming from inside. I stopped, holding my breath. After a few minutes of silence, a low male voice came from the innermost stall. “God, you’re so wild. You wear clothes like that to a wedding, huh?” “Don’t you like it?” A soft gasp, followed by a light chuckle. “Of course, I like it.” I looked up at the sign above the door, my fingernails digging deeply into my palms. Footsteps echoed down the hallway, and the restroom fell silent again. I took one last look at the tightly closed stall, my eyes red, then turned and left. At three o’clock that afternoon, the wedding ended. After saying goodbye to Maya, I went downstairs. Stepping out of the elevator, I saw a familiar sports car parked on the street. I pretended not to notice, about to hail a cab, when Chloe, appearing out of nowhere, grabbed my arm. “Jax had company business and left, leaving his car for me. We live close by, want a ride?” I refused without a second thought. But Chloe ignored me, forcefully pushing me into the passenger seat, locking the doors, and stepping on the gas. She drove fast, so I quickly fastened my seatbelt. All the way, Chloe, under the guise of casual conversation, constantly boasted and provoked me. “You knew Jax was faking his amnesia all along, didn’t you? Why didn’t you call him out?” My eyes narrowed for a brief moment, my face impassive. “None of your business.” “How is it none of my business? I want to stand openly by Jax’s side and be his fiancée too. Even if he doesn’t feel that way now, you know how much he loves my body. He’ll fall for me eventually, don’t you think?” I didn’t bother responding, just looked out the window. Seeing I wouldn’t take the bait, Chloe got angry and threw out a few more taunts. I simply closed my eyes, pretending she wasn’t even there. This blatant disregard infuriated Chloe. Looking at the upcoming turn, I hardened my resolve, jerked the steering wheel hard, and crashed straight into the barrier. “Bang—” Under the violent impact, I lunged forward uncontrollably. I opened my eyes to a shower of glass shards, instinctively raising my arms to shield myself. Crimson blood streamed down my arm. My head hit the side door with a violent thud, and my vision went black. I passed out. I don’t know how much time passed, but a cacophony of voices slowly reached my ears. “Both patients’ hands require immediate surgery, but the hospital only has one surgeon available. The patient who doesn’t receive timely treatment might suffer permanent disability. Mr. Sterling, who do you want us to save?” Hearing those words, I forced myself to consciousness, squeezing out a few words from my throat. “Jax, I… I still need to… to do photography. My hands… they can’t… they can’t have any problems.” The warm hand that had been holding my left hand suddenly released me when it heard my voice. I managed to open my eyes just in time to catch a fleeting look of panic on Jax’s face. He placed his hand on Chloe’s shoulder, his voice firm. “Save Chloe first.” ###

I don’t know how long I kept falling in the darkness, but finally, some consciousness returned. Perhaps it was the anesthesia, but I couldn’t open my eyes yet. All I could hear were sounds around me. It was a conversation between two people, their voices strangely familiar. “Jax, you’ve made such a huge mess. How are you going to clean it up? Skylar’s hands are more important than her life, and you chose to save Chloe first? Are you trying to kill her?” “How could I want to kill Skylar? It’s just that she happened to wake up. If I had agreed to save her first, wouldn’t the fake amnesia have been exposed? There are only twenty-something days left. I just wanted to play a little longer, Skylar won’t be hurt.” “Won’t be hurt? Didn’t you hear the doctor? Another minute late into surgery, and her hand would have been completely ruined. What if she wakes up and finds out the truth? Then you and her will have no chance left at all.” The person holding my hand seemed very nervous; their palm was sweating. A few minutes later, he pressed a kiss to my forehead, his voice filled with certainty. “She won’t know. I’ve made arrangements. In twenty-three days, the doctor will announce that my memory has returned. Then everything will be just like before.” After a long sigh, someone left the room. The other person remained by my bedside, murmuring softly. “Skylar, our wedding is coming soon. I’ve already ordered the rings. You’ll see them the day my memory returns.” “After we get our marriage license, how about I take you to see the Northern Lights? Do you remember the wish you made on a shooting star for our third anniversary?” “When you said you wanted to be with me forever, I was so happy. I want to grow old with you too.” The anesthesia was slowly wearing off. I remembered who this rambling person was. My fiancé, Jax. He seemed to care for me deeply, calling the doctor every half hour to check on me. He would thoughtfully offer me water, tuck me into bed, and stayed by my side constantly. Until I fully woke up. All the tenderness he’d poured over me receded like a tide. Watching his evasive figure leave the room, a hint of sarcasm flickered in my eyes. A few minutes later, the nurse came in to check on me. I watched as she carefully tried to conceal my medical chart, then spoke in a hoarse voice. “Who has been taking care of me here these past few days?” The nurse’s gaze darted around a few times, and she stammered in response. “I… I’m not entirely sure. It should be… a nursing aide, I guess.” I just felt tired. I picked up my phone and checked the time. December 8th. I had been unconscious for three days. My texts still only contained ads and billing notifications. I closed my eyes, silently praying for my name change paperwork to be processed quickly. For a long time after that, Jax didn’t appear. Chloe, however, sent me many messages every day. Half were various provocations and photos of her flaunting her relationship. The other half were SnapChat videos of her and Jax in bed, in various locations. I didn’t open a single one, setting her to ‘Do Not Disturb’ immediately. On December 15th, I completed the discharge procedures. I discarded everything else, carrying only my medication as I left the hospital. Just as I reached the entrance, I happened to run into Liam, a senior from college who had once pursued me. We exchanged pleasantries, and as I was chatting happily, Jax, appearing out of nowhere, grabbed my arm and pulled me away. His face was dark enough to drip ink, his eyes shadowed with anger, his voice laced with bitterness. “Who gave you permission to be so close to him?” I glanced at him, then forcefully pulled my wrist, which was already red from his grip, away. My voice dripped with sarcasm. “Aren’t you supposed to have amnesia? Aren’t you supposed to not acknowledge me as your girlfriend? I’ll chat with whoever I want. I don’t think it’s any of your business, is it?” With that, I didn’t wait for his reaction, hailed a cab, and left. Jax, speechless and cornered, could only watch me drive away. ###

After a period of rest, I slowly recovered. In my spare time, I did a rough calculation of my overseas expenses and realized the sum was quite substantial. Luckily, a loyal client referred me to a big gig, and having nothing else to do, I took it. When I arrived at the venue, I realized it was a birthday party. Seeing Jax appear with Chloe, I froze, a bad premonition gripping me. But the deposit had already been collected. I could only suppress my uneasy feelings and take out my camera. Seeing me, Chloe immediately hiked up her dress and came sauntering over, a saccharine smile plastered on her face. “So glad you’re here. For the photos, try to shoot from a low angle, upward, and dim the brightness a bit. When I get on stage, zoom in closer…” Following her long list of demands, I took hundreds of photos. But Chloe still wasn’t satisfied and insisted I reshoot them. I patiently reshot three or four versions, my injured wrist throbbing with pain. Chloe glanced at it, a mocking expression on her face. “How did they turn out like this? Skylar, the great photographer, it seems you’re not as amazing as the rumors say, huh? Let’s just use the first batch, at least a few of those are presentable.” Everyone around us stifled their laughter. I rubbed my knees, numb from squatting, and slowly stood up, letting out a soft “hmm.” Chloe grew even more smug, walking over to Jax and throwing herself affectionately into his arms. Then she turned back to me, waving her hand imperiously. “Come take some photos of my boyfriend and me.” My eyes narrowed, then quickly reverted to their usual coldness. I raised my camera, aimed the lens at them, and pressed the shutter. Chloe struck a million poses, then finally, she stood on tiptoe and kissed Jax. Instantly, the entire room erupted in cheers. “Total power couple! Watching them is just eye candy, seriously!” “Throwing such a huge party without a second thought, and Jax agrees to everything the birthday queen wants. He spoils her rotten!” At the sound of the cheers, Jax’s body stiffened for a moment. He released his arm from Chloe’s waist, looking at me with a hint of nervousness. But I showed no reaction, simply looking down at the photos on my camera. As if completely unfazed by what had just happened. At eleven o’clock, the four-hour party finally concluded. I put my camera back in its bag, pulling out tissues to wipe away the cake Chloe had ‘accidentally’ spilled on my dress. In the now-empty hall, footsteps suddenly echoed. I looked up to see Chloe, grinning, walking straight towards me. “You worked hard tonight. Are you really short on cash? I have another set of photos I’d like you to take. I can double the price. Are you interested?” Double the price? I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Chloe led me directly to the hotel upstairs, setting up the shooting angles and content first. I had just set up my camera in the corner when someone knocked on the door. Chloe didn’t rush to open it. Instead, she gave me a knowing smile. “It’s about to begin. Make sure you get everything, okay?” With that, she pulled the curtains, covering the corner, leaving only a small slit for the camera lens. I curled up in the cramped space, listening to the approaching footsteps, and hunched forward. Under the warm yellow light, Chloe, pulling a man’s tie, slowly walked into the room. Their bodies were pressed tightly together, clothes falling to the floor intermittently. Ambiguous gasps filled the air. Watching Jax, utterly lost in his passionate kiss with Chloe through the lens, my hand gripping the tripod tightened into a fist. He didn’t know I was in the room, roughly exploring Chloe’s body, eliciting a string of soft moans. “What tricks do you have planned for tonight?” “Everything you love, honey. I even have several outfits waiting for you to tear off.” “You’re so wild, you’ll be the death of me.” The surging passion in the room grew more intense. Listening to the relentless sounds, I was numb. It felt as though something was lodged in my chest, a crushing pressure that made it difficult to breathe. Time stretched, agonizingly slow. Every second felt like an eternity. ###

At three in the morning, the sounds from the room ceased. The shower turned on in the bathroom. I pulled back the curtain, dragging my numb legs out of the corner. Stepping over the scattered clothes, I placed the memory card on the table and opened the door. A soft click. From the bathroom, a low voice called out, “What was that sound? Is someone there?” “How could there be anyone at this hour? Forget it, let’s go again.” The bathroom door, which had been slightly ajar, closed tightly once more. I looked back at my reflection in the glass, then turned and closed the door behind me. The streets were empty in the early morning, not a single car in sight. I wandered aimlessly, my ears ringing, my mind blank. I don’t know how long I walked, but by the time dawn broke, I realized I had unconsciously returned to my high school alma mater. The campus was quiet at seven. I walked alone down the path, a little dazed as I looked around. Some long-buried memories slowly stirred. The track where Jax pulled me to run an 800-meter race, the small auditorium filled with roses for my birthday, the flagpole where he confessed his love in front of the whole school… Everything was just as it had been, yet my heart, standing there, was vastly different. I reached the teaching building and ran into Dean Miller, who was just coming to work. Because Jax had so openly pursued me, almost all the teachers knew me. The Dean smiled and greeted me. “Skylar? What brings you back to school so suddenly? Where’s Jax? I heard you two got engaged a while ago. Are you here to give out wedding invitations?” I forced a faint smile, changing the subject. “It’s been so long since I’ve been back. I was just passing by and thought I’d come see the teachers.” We walked and chatted, reminiscing about many old stories, filled with emotion. Before we parted, the Dean seemed to remember something. He went to his office cabinet and pulled out a yellowed diary, handing it to me. “I confiscated this from Jax during study hall back then when I was checking on discipline. Since your wedding is coming up, I figured I’d return it to you.” I paused, then took it, bowing to the teacher. On the way back, I opened the diary and saw Jax’s wild, flowing handwriting. “March 12th, Skylar didn’t say yes, but she smiled at me today. I think I have a chance.” “July 1st, summer vacation is too long. I waited four hours outside Skylar’s house just to catch a glimpse of her.” “November 23rd, someone confessed to Skylar today. It infuriated me. I beat him up and got a disciplinary warning.” “December 21st, today is my seventeenth birthday. Seventeen-year-old Jax’s only wish is to be with sixteen-year-old her, forever and always.” … Every page held the same name, chronicling a boy’s heart. As I read, my nose stung, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Drop by drop, they were both a remembrance of the past. And a farewell. By the time the cab pulled up to the villa, I had composed my tumultuous emotions. I closed the diary, opened the car door, and found myself face-to-face with Jax, who had just returned. Seeing the crimson hickeys on his neck, and recalling what had happened last night, I averted my gaze. Jax noticed my red eyes and frowned, wondering how to subtly ask about it. Chloe, nestled in his arms, also saw my red eyes and chuckled softly. “You worked hard yesterday. I already transferred the money. I’m very satisfied with the photos you took. You should be satisfied too, shouldn’t you?” Hearing her veiled remark, Jax’s heart skipped a beat. “Satisfied with what?” “The birthday photos from the first half of the night, what else? As for the second half of the night…” Seeing her blabbering mouth, Jax’s heart sank. He quickly covered her mouth with his hand. But she just gave him a coquettish wink and gently sucked on his finger. Watching their public display of affection, I was immune. I turned and walked towards my house. As I passed the trash can, I casually tossed the diary into it. Those youthful years, filled with love and sincerity, were now completely buried. ###

Before leaving, I sent a message to my landlord, informing them I wouldn’t be renewing the lease. The landlord kept asking why I was moving, and I just gave a casual excuse. They said they could extend the grace period, letting me stay until mid-next month. I knew Jax was behind it. He wanted me to stay a few more days, then he would pretend to regain his memory and bring me home. I didn’t expose their scheme and agreed. Three days before my departure, I received an unfamiliar call. “Ms. Skylar? Hello, I’m the manager of the Hilton Hotel, where you held your engagement party. Your fiancé previously booked our main hall, saying he planned to hold your wedding reception here the day after tomorrow, but we haven’t been able to reach him recently. There are some details we need to verify and finalize. Would you be free to come by and chat?” I was about to refuse, but when I heard the date “the day after tomorrow,” my eyelashes fluttered. January 1st. It was the day Jax planned to “regain his memory,” and also the day I planned to leave. I agreed and took a cab to the hotel. The moment I stepped into the hall and saw the decorations, I fell silent. From the flowers to the ornaments, everything was exactly the same as when Jax proposed to me. Standing there, I momentarily lost track of time. The manager, who had accompanied me in, was about to explain when he received a call and temporarily left. I walked alone to the second floor, looking down, and couldn’t help but recall Jax on one knee, holding flowers and a ring, promising to love only me for the rest of his life. Back then, I had eagerly anticipated our married life. Who would have thought that just three months later, everything would vanish into thin air? As I was lost in thought, the door suddenly opened. Jax, in a suit, walked in holding a bouquet of flowers. Chloe, following behind him, gasped at the dreamy scene before her, a flicker of anticipation in her eyes. “Jax, why did you bring me here?” Jax snapped his fingers, a smug, triumphant smile on his face. “This is where I proposed to Skylar and held our engagement party. The day after tomorrow, I plan to have a few of my buddies bring Skylar here. Then I can pretend that seeing the place ‘triggers’ my memories, and I’ll naturally recall everything.” “I brought you here today because I wanted to do a rehearsal. You’ll play Skylar, and we’ll see if there are any glitches.” With that, he pushed Chloe onto the center stage and began to act. A massive pillar completely hid me from view. I quietly watched their fervent performance, my eyes subtly shifting. I had to admit, Jax truly had a talent for acting. If I hadn’t known any of this, and came here in three days, I might actually have fallen for his trick. Fortunately, I wasn’t that unlucky. Downstairs, the ‘reconciliation’ part of the rehearsal had begun. Chloe stood on tiptoe and kissed Jax. The deeply romantic atmosphere slowly took a turn from that moment on. His pristine white suit was smeared with lipstick, and her pink long dress, along with his clothes, lay scattered on the floor. Jax gripped her soft waist, his voice light and languid. “Anyone could walk in here at any moment. You just can’t resist tempting me, can you?” “Only three days left. Don’t you know ‘a night of passion is worth a thousand pieces of gold’? Besides, doing it in the most important venue of your life, isn’t that exciting?” Seeing her alluring, passionate expression, Jax narrowed his eyes and chuckled softly. “So many tricks up your sleeve, huh?” “How else am I supposed to make sure you remember me, honey? If you go back to her and don’t feel satisfied, you can always hit me up.” Hearing that, Jax raised his hand, cupping her chin, a clear light in his eyes. His voice was filled with absolute certainty. “There won’t be a ‘next time.’ In three days, everything will be over. I will belong only to Skylar.” Really? I lowered my eyes, hiding the mockery within them, and answered him in my heart. Too bad, Jax. I don’t want you anymore. ### Two days before my departure, I received news that my name change application had been approved. I went out and collected my new ID card and passport.

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After my bedridden father-in-law, Mr. Sterling, shredded my and Chloe’s marriage certificate for the ninth time, something inside me just… broke. I looked down at the certificate, torn in half, the pieces still sticky with the soup Mr. Sterling had just flung at me. Every time he threw a tantrum, that damn marriage certificate was always the first casualty. “What are you looking at?” Mr. Sterling snapped from his hospital bed, his voice shrill. “If it weren’t for you, you jinx, would I be stuck in this miserable bed?” Silently, I picked up the torn fragments from the floor. A sharp edge cut my finger. I didn’t say a word, just lightly wiped the grease stain off my white shirt. “Don’t pretend to be pathetic!” Mr. Sterling grabbed the water glass from his bedside table and hurled it at me. “Get out! Just looking at you makes me sick!” **Chapter 1** The glass whizzed past my ear, smashing against the wall and scattering shards everywhere. I slowly backed out of the room, gently closing the door behind me. Leaning against the corridor wall, I took a deep, shaky breath. The scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils, reminding me of countless nights spent in hospitals over the past two years. I pulled out my phone and sent Chloe a SnapChat: “Hey, babe, maybe we should hire a nurse for Dad? He’s been acting up again…” I saw she’d read it, but no reply ever came. I stared at the screen for ten minutes before locking my phone, deciding to go to the Registrar’s Office to get a replacement marriage certificate. The Registrar’s Office wasn’t busy. I handed the damaged certificate to the clerk. She glanced at it, then checked her computer and frowned. “Mr. Miller, your divorce is in a mandatory cooling-off period for another seven days. We can’t re-issue your marriage certificate right now.” “Divorce? What divorce?” I thought I’d misheard her. The clerk turned the screen towards me: “Our system shows your wife filed for divorce. You’re currently in the cooling-off period.” My fingers clamped down on the counter’s edge, my face going pale. I suddenly remembered a document Chloe had given me to sign. She’d said it was a hospital bill. I’d been so busy taking care of Mr. Sterling that I hadn’t even looked, just signed it. The clerk looked at me sympathetically. “Would you like to withdraw the divorce petition?” The people behind me in line started whispering: “Isn’t that the guy who married into the wealthy Davis family? The one they say lives off Chloe?” “You know it. I heard if it weren’t for him, Mr. Sterling’s legs might have been saved back then.” I looked down at the ring on my ring finger, my heart twisting with pain. “No, it’s okay. In seven days, the divorce will be final, right?” I whispered. After receiving an affirmative answer, I bolted from the Registrar’s Office as if my life depended on it, but standing under the scorching sun, I felt an icy chill seep into my bones. I hailed a cab back to the hospital. On the way, Chloe finally replied: “Busy with work. Let’s talk tonight.” I repeatedly opened the chat box, wanting to demand answers, but I couldn’t bring myself to type anything. The hospital corridor was eerily quiet. As I approached Mr. Sterling’s room, I heard bursts of laughter from inside. Gently pushing the door open a crack, the sight before me froze me in place. Mr. Sterling was standing by the bed, his legs firmly on the ground, eating fruit with a fork. Leo Hayes sat beside him, peeling an apple, and Chloe, who’d claimed to be so busy, was gently massaging Mr. Sterling’s shoulders. “This faking paralysis trick was brilliant,” Mr. Sterling said smugly. “That jinx would never have guessed I could walk ages ago.” “Uncle, don’t say that,” Leo chided gently. “Alex has been working hard taking care of you.” Mr. Sterling snorted. “He owes me! If he hadn’t stopped Chloe from answering her phone, would I have been stuck in this hospital bed for so long?” My hand clenched tightly around the doorframe. I watched Chloe. Her expression was complicated, but she didn’t contradict her father. “The divorce papers are signed, why hasn’t he left yet?” Mr. Sterling suddenly asked. Chloe murmured, “We’re still in the cooling-off period, and…” “And what?” Mr. Sterling cut her off sharply. “Don’t tell me you still miss him! What does Leo lack compared to him?” “Dad!” Chloe’s voice rose sharply. “I have my reasons for the divorce. You just rest.” Mr. Sterling waved his hand dismissively. “Fine, fine, whatever. Anyway, the divorce is happening. If he wants to be a free caretaker, let him.” I slowly backed away, tears blurring my vision. So, I was the last to know about my own divorce. I turned and left, the laughter from the room echoing behind me. I stood by the window, pulled out my phone, and dialed a number I hadn’t called in a long time. “Hello, it’s me.” My voice was unnaturally calm. “Help me get out of here, as fast as possible.” There was a moment of silence on the other end. “You’ve thought it through?” “Yes.” I looked at the sycamore trees outside the window, their leaves swaying gently in the wind. “Two years. I think I’ve paid off everything I owe their family.” I hung up, glancing towards Mr. Sterling’s room. The laughter continued, a picture of warmth and joy, like a happy home. Except, I had never been truly welcomed in it. **Chapter 2** I didn’t go back to the hospital room. Instead, I hailed a cab and went home. It wasn’t until Chloe opened the door that evening that I finally snapped my packed suitcase shut. I didn’t look up. “Dad threw his bowls three times today. Said I wasn’t as attentive as Leo.” Chloe loosened her tie, a hint of impatience in her voice. “He’s been sick for two years, it’s normal for his temper to be bad. What’s wrong with cutting him some slack?” “Cut him some slack?” I suddenly laughed, picking up the soup-stained shirt from earlier that day. “This morning, I splashed that on myself on purpose.” “Enough!” Chloe snatched the shirt from my hand and threw it on the bed. “Alex, you weren’t like this before!” “What was I like before?” I shot up, my eyes burning. “Was I like the guy who woke up at 5 AM every day to make your dad porridge? Or the guy who knelt to wipe the floor while he cursed me as a jinx?” Chloe’s lips thinned, and she uncomfortably turned her face away. “You know why my dad is paralyzed in bed.” The air suddenly grew heavy. My fists clenched. That phone call. Two years ago, that night, we had just made love. Mr. Sterling’s call came in. “Don’t answer it.” I was still lost in the moment, my arm wrapped around her waist. “Tonight’s our anniversary…” Chloe hesitated, then leaned down and kissed me. “Just one minute.” “You always say that!” I snatched her phone and threw it on the floor. “How many times has your dad faked being sick? If you answer that call tonight, we’re over!” I remember Chloe’s eyes then. Shock, helplessness, and finally, resignation. She sighed, picked up her phone, put it aside, and hugged me. “Okay, I won’t answer.” But the next day, we found out Mr. Sterling had suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage the night before. Because no one answered his call, rescue was delayed, and he became paralyzed. “Yes, I owe him,” I heard my voice, hoarse and raw. “So for the past two years, I’ve been their beast of burden, deserved to have your dad spit his food all over me, deserved to be treated like Leo’s personal servant?” Chloe suddenly ran a frustrated hand through her hair. “Leo is moving in tomorrow.” “What?” “My dad likes him.” Her tone softened, as if she were coaxing a child. “Just for a few months, until his condition stabilizes, then I’ll have Leo move out.” “Chloe,” I gently interrupted. “I went to the Registrar’s Office today.” Her body visibly stiffened. “The clerk said our divorce cooling-off period has seven days left.” I watched her frozen expression. “The document you had me sign a month ago, that was actually the divorce agreement?” “You found out!” Chloe grabbed my wrist. “My dad threatened to die if I didn’t! I was just humoring him!” “Humoring him so much you couldn’t even tell me?” I yanked my hand away. “Seven years of a relationship, and I don’t even deserve to know?” Chloe was enraged. “Can you stop being so aggressive? Do you have any idea how hard it is for me, stuck in the middle?” I froze. I vaguely remembered the first time she took me home to meet her parents. Mr. Sterling had spilled soup on me in front of her. “The only son-in-law our Davis family will have is Leo.” That night, she hugged me on the balcony and apologized. “My dad has a bad temper, please bear with him. It’s so hard for me, stuck in the middle.” Later, at our wedding, Mr. Sterling refused to attend. She held my hand and said, “My dad just needs some time to accept it. Let’s give him a little more time.” And then, when Mr. Sterling was paralyzed, she knelt and begged me to quit my job to take care of him. “Alex, only you can help me now.” Every time, I softened. “Chloe,” I suddenly felt exhausted. “Do you still love me?” She paused, then blurted out, “Of course I do!” “Just don’t make things difficult for me, Alex.” I deflated. Anyway, only seven days left. Forget it. I silently nodded. “Leo will sleep in the guest room.” She finally stiffly changed the subject. “Get some rest early.” After the door closed, I slumped onto the bed. Moonlight leaked through the gap in the curtains, and I saw the dusty photo frame on the bedside table. In the picture, Chloe was holding my hand, running on the beach. Waves splashed her dress, and she turned back, laughing, shouting, “Hurry up, Mr. Miller!” Seven years of love, just a bubble. I pulled out my phone and sent a message: “In seven days, pick me up as planned.” Just as I pressed send, a loud crash suddenly echoed from downstairs. **Chapter 3** I went downstairs and saw Mr. Sterling being pushed by Leo. A group of people were bringing in boxes and bags. “Well, well, finally decided to come down, have we?” Mr. Sterling lifted his eyelids, a cold smirk playing on his lips. “I thought you were going to hide in your room forever.” Leo stood beside him, holding a cup of tea, and spoke softly. “Uncle just finished his physical therapy. The doctor said he needs to move around more.” “Physical therapy?” I looked at Mr. Sterling’s legs. He proudly patted his knees. “What, surprised? The doctor says I’m recovering well. A little more rest and I’ll be completely fine.” He pointed upstairs. “Leo’s moving in here starting today, to make it easier to take care of me. You can disagree all you want, but he’s staying.” I didn’t say anything, just curled my lips, my gaze shifting to Chloe, who was standing nearby. She pursed her lips and whispered, “Alex has already agreed.” Mr. Sterling paused, then sneered. “Finally, a sensible decision from him.” Leo immediately smiled, affectionately hugging Mr. Sterling’s arm. “Uncle, let me help you take your luggage upstairs?” Mr. Sterling patted his hand. “Go ahead, pick any room you like.” Leo’s eyes lit up, and he hurried upstairs. Not long after, a loud crash echoed from above. I looked up and saw Leo directing the staff to take down the decorative painting in the hallway. It was one Chloe and I had picked together, a painting of the beach where we had our first date. “This painting is so tacky, it doesn’t match the current decor.” Leo gleefully tossed the painting aside, then pointed to the photos on the wall. “Take these down too, they’re an eyesore.” Photo after photo was pulled down, including our wedding picture. Chloe stood at the top of the stairs, frowning slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just looked at me and said, “Let them do it. We can hang them back up later.” I just quirked my lips, saying nothing. Leo peeked his head out from upstairs, pouting playfully. “Chloe, I want the master bedroom! It’s close to Uncle’s room, which makes it easier to take care of him.” Mr. Sterling immediately nodded. “Yes, yes, Leo is so thoughtful.” Chloe instinctively looked at me, seemingly waiting for me to object. But I just calmly nodded. “Fine. I’ll move to the guest room.” I turned to go upstairs, but Chloe grabbed my wrist. “You’re acting strange.” I turned back to her. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you all want him to move in?” “But you…” Chloe frowned deeply. “You wouldn’t have done this before.” “Before?” I scoffed. “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?” I pulled my hand free and walked straight into the master bedroom, starting to pack my things. Chloe followed me in, standing in the doorway and watching me put my clothes one by one into the suitcase. Finally, she couldn’t help but ask, “What is going on with you?” I didn’t look up. “Making room for you all.” Chloe paused, then said nothing. At seven in the evening, I went downstairs for dinner. In the dining room, Mr. Sterling, Leo, and Chloe were already seated, the table laden with dishes. Leo was carefully placing a piece of fish into Mr. Sterling’s bowl, and Mr. Sterling’s eyes were crinkled in a pleased smile. “Leo is still the most thoughtful.” Chloe looked up, saw me, and motioned for me to come over. “Come eat.” I walked over. As soon as I sat down, my gaze swept across the dinner table and suddenly froze. Every single dish was something I was allergic to. Seafood, mango, peanuts… everything that could trigger my allergies. I looked up, meeting Mr. Sterling’s knowing, half-mocking gaze. Chloe seemed completely oblivious. She picked up a shrimp and placed it in Leo’s bowl. “Try this, it’s your favorite.” Leo smiled sweetly. “Thanks, Chloe.” She then served Mr. Sterling a bowl of soup. When she turned to me, seeing me still and unmoving, she frowned. “Don’t throw a tantrum. You still need to eat.” I froze. She didn’t remember. I had a severe seafood allergy; once, after accidentally eating just a tiny piece of shrimp, I was rushed to the emergency room in the middle of the night. Chloe had stayed by my side all night then, her eyes red, saying, “From now on, I promise I’ll pick out all your allergens.” But now, she was serving shrimp to Leo, soup to her father, and she didn’t even remember what I couldn’t eat. I lowered my eyes, picked up my forks, and slowly chewed on a green vegetable. Mr. Sterling suddenly spoke. “Chloe, Leo has been pursuing you for so long, asking for nothing. All he wants is a wedding, you know.” Chloe’s forks clattered slightly, and she instinctively looked at me. Leo immediately looked hurt. “Uncle, don’t make things difficult for Chloe. I… I don’t mind.” Mr. Sterling patted his hand. “How can you say that? You can’t just remain unnamed and unacknowledged.” The dining table fell silent for a few seconds. Chloe hesitated, then softly said, “Let me discuss it with Alex first.” “No need to discuss.” I suddenly spoke. Everyone looked at me. I put down my forks and said calmly, “It’s fine. You can have it.” **Chapter 4** The entire table fell silent instantly. Mr. Sterling’s eyes widened. Chloe looked up abruptly. “What did you say?” I stood up. “I’m done eating. Please, enjoy your meal.” I turned to go upstairs. Behind me, I heard Mr. Sterling mutter, “Is he losing his mind?” As I reached the stairs, Chloe caught up, grabbing my arm. “What did you mean just now?” I turned to her. “Didn’t you all want to have a wedding? I agreed.” Chloe frowned deeply. “That was just for show! My dad just got out of the hospital, I didn’t want to upset him.” “Hm.” I nodded. “Whatever you want.” Chloe stared into my eyes, as if trying to discern something, then finally whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll withdraw the divorce petition before the cooling-off period ends.” I smiled. “Good.” She visibly relaxed, reaching out to touch my hair. “Good boy.” I dodged her hand, a mocking curve on my lips, and turned to go upstairs. Chloe stood rooted to the spot, watching my retreating back, a strange, unsettling feeling bubbling up inside her. The next day, after Chloe left for work, I finally emerged from the guest room. Downstairs, Mr. Sterling was already seated at the dining table, his fingers impatiently tapping the surface. Seeing me descend, he immediately spoke in a cold tone. “What are you standing around for? Aren’t you going to get me ready?” Usually, at this time, I would immediately fetch hot water, get a towel, and squat down to wipe his face, massage him, and even kneel to put on his shoes. But today, I merely gave him a detached glance, walked straight to the kitchen, poured myself a glass of milk, and slowly toasted a slice of bread. Mr. Sterling’s face instantly darkened. “Are you deaf?” Seeing this, Leo quickly spoke in a soft tone. “Uncle, let me help you.” He knelt down, awkwardly wiping Mr. Sterling’s face, though a faint frown creased his brow. I sat at the dining table, watching the scene coldly, suddenly feeling foolish. I had waited on Mr. Sterling for two years, bringing him tea and water, wiping him down and feeding him, and even smilingly cleaning up after he deliberately spat food on me. Now, Leo was just wiping his face, and he was already showing his impatience. Mr. Sterling, however, seemed oblivious, even patting Leo’s hand affectionately. “Leo is still the most thoughtful.” After breakfast, Mr. Sterling suddenly said he wanted to go out and get some sun. “Alex, push my wheelchair,” he commanded. I put down my cup and said calmly, “Isn’t Leo quite good at waiting on people? Let him push you.” Mr. Sterling’s face stiffened, and Leo also looked stunned. “You—” Mr. Sterling was about to lose his temper, but Leo quickly offered a placating smile. “Uncle, I’ll push you.” Mr. Sterling huffed, reluctantly agreeing. The three of us went outside. Leo pushed the wheelchair, and I walked beside them. When we reached a downhill slope, Leo suddenly let out a yelp of “Oops!”, his foot slipped, and he abruptly pushed me! Caught off guard, I stumbled forward, my elbow hitting the wheelchair. The wheelchair instantly lost control, speeding down the slope! “Dad!” My pupils contracted. I instinctively lunged forward, trying to grab the wheelchair. But just as my hand was about to grasp the handle, Mr. Sterling suddenly turned his head and shoved me hard! “Get lost!” I staggered backward, directly into the middle of the road. “Bang—!” The screech of brakes pierced the air. My body was violently thrown, crashing heavily onto the ground. In the last second of excruciating pain that swept through my body, I saw Leo standing on the roadside, holding Mr. Sterling, a cold smirk playing on his lips. **Chapter 5** “You’re awake?” Chloe’s voice came from beside me. I painfully turned my head to see her sitting by the bed, her brows furrowed, a flicker of concern in her eyes, quickly replaced by anger. “Do you know you have broken bones?” Her voice was low. “The doctor said if it had been a little worse, you would have died!” I opened my mouth, my throat dry. “Leo pushed me.” Chloe’s face instantly darkened. “Even now, you’re still trying to blame others?” “I’m not!” I struggled to prop myself up. “Your dad pushed me into traffic!” “Enough!” Chloe abruptly stood up, her eyes blazing with fury. “My dad just woke up and said *you* pushed him! Leo also saw with his own eyes that *you* hit the wheelchair!” I stared hard at her. “Check the security footage.” “Check what footage?” Chloe grabbed my wrist, her voice laced with suppressed anger. “Don’t I know what kind of person my dad is? And Leo is so gentle, what reason would he have to harm you?!” I suddenly laughed, a bitter, eye-watering laugh. She believed everyone else but me. I reached out and pressed the call bell by the bed. When the nurse came in, I said directly, “Call the police.” Chloe’s face instantly changed. “Are you crazy?” The police arrived quickly. As they questioned me, Chloe coldly interrupted, “He has mental issues, depression. He often hallucinates that people are trying to harm him.” The police looked at me suspiciously. I said calmly, “I demand to see the security footage from the intersection.” Chloe lowered her voice to the police. “I apologize, his emotional state has been unstable recently. I’ll take him to a psychiatrist.” The police hesitated for a moment, then simply made a brief report and left. The hospital room door closed, and Chloe gripped my shoulder, her voice icy. “Do you really have to make a big deal out of this?” I looked up at her. “I just want the truth.” “Truth?” Chloe sneered. “You’ve been putting on this act since yesterday, all to try and frame my dad and Leo today? Alex, you’re truly ruthless.” I stopped speaking, just staring at her quietly. Chloe’s heart twitched under my gaze, but the next second, Leo suddenly pushed open the door, his eyes red. “Chloe! Uncle woke up, and he said Alex pushed him!” Chloe’s eyes turned completely cold. “I knew it.” She released me and turned to the bodyguard at the door. “Take him to the electroshock therapy room.” I was pressed onto the bed, my limbs bound tightly by restraints. Chloe stood by the door, her brows furrowed, seeming to hesitate for a moment. But Leo suddenly stepped forward and said softly, “Chloe, Uncle said he’s very unstable right now. What if he harms himself again?” Chloe closed her eyes, then said coldly, “Begin.” The moment the current connected, excruciating pain swept through my body like a tide. I bit down hard on my lip until the taste of blood spread in my mouth. “Did you push him?” the doctor asked. I didn’t answer. The current surged again, my body convulsed uncontrollably, and a painful whimper escaped my throat. Chloe stood nearby, her fingers trembling slightly. Suddenly, she spoke. “Enough!” But Leo pressed her arm, his voice soft. “Chloe, Uncle said he won’t tell the truth unless he suffers a little.” Chloe clenched her fists, finally turning her face away. During the third electroshock, I finally broke. Hoarsely, I gasped, “I pushed him.” Chloe spun around, a flicker of pain in her eyes, but it quickly turned cold again. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to admit it earlier?” She walked closer, reaching out to touch my face, but I turned my head to dodge her. Her fingers hung in the air, then she pulled them back, saying coldly, “Keep him here for two days. Let him cool down.” With that, she turned and left. Leo, however, didn’t rush off. Instead, he gave the doctor a meaningful look. **Chapter 6** After two days locked up, when the door was pushed open, blinding light flooded in, and I instinctively curled up, retreating into the corner of the wall. Chloe stood in the doorway, her brows furrowed. “What happened?” The doctor stood nearby, about to speak, but Leo had already hurried in, saying softly, “Chloe, Alex has suffered enough. Let’s take him home quickly.” He reached out to help me, but I sharply recoiled. I kept my head down, my right wrist still bandaged, my fingertips trembling slightly. Chloe stared at me, her tone somewhat displeased. “It’s only been two days, hasn’t it? Why are you like this?” The doctor hesitated, but Leo had already linked arms with Chloe, whispering, “Alex’s right hand is still injured, so he must be uncomfortable.” Chloe frowned, walked forward, and reached out to touch my hair. “Alex, let’s go home.” I trembled violently, reflexively shrinking back. Chloe’s hand froze in mid-air. On the way home, I leaned against the car window, my gaze vacant as I watched the scenery flash by outside. “Tomorrow,” Chloe suddenly spoke, her voice a little hesitant. “Leo and my wedding is just for show.” I didn’t say anything. “You know, it’s just to make my dad happy.” She glanced at me. “I’ll withdraw the divorce petition. Nothing has happened between me and him.” I remained silent. Leo, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around and said softly, “Alex, why don’t you come with me to pick out a suit tomorrow?” Chloe frowned. “He’s still recovering from his injuries.” “But Alex has been married before, he must know what styles are suitable,” Leo blinked, his tone innocent. “Besides, I’d like him to help me choose.” Chloe hesitated, then finally looked at me. “Want to come along?” “Okay.” At the bridal boutique, “This style looks great!” I smoothed the suit jacket, turning to Chloe with a gentle smile. “Chloe, I love this one.” I looked up sharply. That was *my* suit. My father, a top fashion designer during his lifetime, had personally designed this suit as his final masterpiece for me. It was the only one of its kind in the world. After my marriage, it had been stored in this very boutique for long-term care. “No,” my voice trembled. “That’s mine.” Leo looked hurt as he turned to Chloe. “But I really like it.” Chloe was silent for a moment, then finally whispered, “Alex, it’s just a suit. Let him have it.” I looked at her in disbelief. “You know what that means to me!” It was the last thing my father had left me. Chloe looked away, her tone cold. “Just order another one.” Leo was already impatiently asking the staff to take it down for him to try on. I stood rooted to the spot, my fingertips digging deep into my palms, yet I felt no pain. When Leo walked out wearing the suit, the staff exclaimed in admiration. “It looks so good!” “It’s as if it was custom-made for him!” Leo turned, triumphantly looking at me. “Alex, what do you think?” I stared at him, my throat constricted as if by something, unable to utter a single word. Chloe stood nearby, her gaze complex, but she merely said, “It suits you well.” Leo’s smile grew even wider. Suddenly, he let out an “Oops!” and tripped, falling to the ground. “Riiiiiip!” The suit jacket ripped. My mind buzzed. I rushed forward like a madman, shoving him away and pulling the jacket off him. “You did that on purpose!” Leo’s eyes instantly reddened. “I didn’t mean to, Alex. Why did you push me?” Chloe grabbed my wrist. “Alex Miller! What are you doing? Are you insane?” I looked up at her, tears splattering onto the suit. “This is the last thing my dad left me.” Chloe froze for a moment, seeming to waver, but Leo was already sobbing, leaning on her shoulder. “Chloe, it hurts so much.” She closed her eyes, then said coldly, “Don’t make any more of a scene.” With that, she turned and left. The staff exchanged glances, whispering. “How pitiful.” “I heard it’s all because of him that Mr. Sterling was paralyzed for two years.” I knelt on the floor, looking at the deliberate rips Leo had made when he took off the suit, tears falling onto the back of my hand, scalding hot. I hugged the damaged suit tightly, breaking down into sobs. Just like my love, once brilliant as a diamond, now shattered into worthless pieces. **Chapter 7** I stood in the corner of the wedding venue, my fingertips digging deep into my palms. Tomorrow. Tomorrow would be the end of the divorce cooling-off period. I could finally leave this place for good. But today, I had to witness Chloe and Leo’s wedding with my own eyes. Guests filled the seats on both sides of the red carpet. Mr. Sterling sat in his wheelchair, smiling happily. The music started. Chloe, in a white wedding gown, slowly walked down the aisle, arm-in-arm with Leo. I vaguely remembered my own wedding day. The same chapel, the same red carpet. Chloe’s palms were sweaty with nervousness, but she held my hand tightly, whispering, “Alex, I’m finally marrying you.” And now, she was arm-in-arm with another man, her gaze calm, walking the path I once walked. A tear fell unexpectedly. I quickly lowered my head to wipe it away, but then I heard the whispers of the guests around me. “Isn’t that Mrs. Davis’s ex-husband? How dare he show his face here?” “I heard he has mental problems and almost killed Mr. Sterling.” “Tsk, how pathetic.” I pretended not to hear, just staring blankly at Chloe on the stage. She seemed to sense something, her gaze searching the crowd until it landed on my tear-streaked face. She paused, her eyes complex, but in the end, she said nothing, just turned her head and continued the ceremony. *Alex, you’ll understand, right?* After the wedding, the guests dispersed. As I reached the master bedroom door, I suddenly heard intimate sounds from inside. “Chloe, slower.” Leo’s voice was like a knife, plunging savagely into my heart. My body stiffened, my fingers trembling, but then I heard Chloe’s breathless warning, “Don’t make a sound.” “What are you scared of?” Leo chuckled. “He’ll find out sooner or later anyway.” “Shut up.” “Do you regret marrying him?” Leo suddenly asked. I held my breath. Silence hung in the room for a few seconds, then Chloe’s frustrated voice came, “Yes, I regret it.” Those two words were like a brand, searing pain through my insides. I remembered our wedding day, when she solemnly told the pastor, “I will never regret this, not for a lifetime.” And now, she said she regretted it. I didn’t want to hear anymore. I turned, stumbling back to the guest room, closed the door, and sank to the floor. The sounds from next door continued late into the night: the creaking of the bed, Leo’s low moans, Chloe’s gasps… Finally, Mr. Sterling’s joyful voice came. “Have a baby soon! Dad’s waiting to hold his grandchild!” I leaned against the wall, laughing as tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. The next morning, I had already packed all my luggage. I looked down at my phone. Today was the last day. Laughter drifted up from downstairs. As I walked down the stairs, Chloe was bending over, tying Mr. Sterling’s tie. Leo stood nearby, holding a silver suitcase. The three of them, a picture of domestic bliss, looked like a perfect family. “Oh, up so early?” Mr. Sterling glanced at me, his smile instantly turning cold. “We’re going out. Remember to change the sheets in the master bedroom.” Leo feigned thoughtfulness. “Uncle, let the staff do it. Alex’s hand is still injured.” Chloe only then noticed me, frowning slightly. “Where are you going?” “Today is the last day of the cooling-off period.” I looked directly into her eyes, my voice eerily calm. “To the Registrar’s Office.” Chloe froze for a moment. “I promised to take Dad and Leo to the hot springs resort today.” The air solidified for a few seconds. “You go and withdraw it,” she suddenly said. “After I spend two days with them, everything will go back to how it was.” “Okay,” I mumbled, lowering my head slightly. Chloe visibly relaxed, then turned to help Mr. Sterling. “Dad, let’s get in the car.” I stood rooted to the spot, watching the black Maybach slowly drive out of the courtyard. Not until it was completely out of sight did I raise my hand to wipe the tears from my face, pick up my suitcase, and walk towards the main gate without looking back. The official seal clicked down with a soft sound. “Here’s your divorce certificate. Please keep it safe.” The clerk handed me a dark red booklet. “The property settlement agreement is already in effect, signed by your ex-wife.” I didn’t even look at it, just shoved the divorce certificate into a padded envelope, and filled in the address of the Davis family mansion. “Please send this to this address, cash on delivery.” Walking out of the Registrar’s Office, the car sent to pick me up was already parked by the roadside, Seeing me emerge, Jake immediately waved. “Over here!” I opened the car door, then suddenly remembered something, fumbling in my pocket for my wedding ring. Chloe had put it on my finger herself on the beach. “Forever” was engraved on the inside. I stared at the ring for two seconds, then raised my hand and threw it out the window. It landed with a faint “clink” in the middle of the road, quickly crushed by the wheels of a speeding car. “Let’s go,” I closed the car door. “Never coming back.” **Chapter 8** The car pulled away from the Registrar’s Office. I leaned against the window, watching the familiar streets recede little by little. I thought I would cry, but my eyes were so dry they hurt, not a single tear fell. “Hungry?” Jake gripped the steering wheel, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. “Want to grab something to eat first?” I shook my head, my fingers unconsciously tracing the faint ring mark on my ring finger. Where the ring had been, the skin was a little paler than elsewhere, as if it had left a permanent imprint. “Don’t look at it,” Jake reached over and covered my hand. “That kind of woman isn’t worth it.” I softly hummed in agreement, then turned my head to look out the window again. The airport was bustling with people. Jake walked ahead, dragging my suitcase, occasionally looking back at me as if afraid I might suddenly disappear. I walked behind him, my steps feeling light. “Here,” Jake tucked the boarding pass into my hand. “Get some sleep on the plane. I’ll wake you when we arrive.” I looked down at the destination on the boarding pass, a southern city I had never been to. I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, I just nodded. “Cry if you need to,” Jake handed me a tissue. “What’s the point of holding it in?” I shook my head, forcing the tears back. I couldn’t cry, at least not now. Crying would make it seem like I still cared. As the plane took off, the sensation of weightlessness made my heart plummet. I gripped the armrest, closing my eyes. “Feeling sick?” Jake asked. “No,” I said softly. “Just remembered the last time I was on a plane was with her, on our honeymoon.” Jake rolled his eyes. “Don’t even bring her up.” I stopped talking, turning to look out the window. The flight attendant brought meals. I mechanically picked up my forks, but couldn’t eat a single bite. My stomach felt heavy, and even breathing felt like an effort. “Eat something,” Jake frowned. “Look how thin you’ve gotten.” I managed to swallow a mouthful of bread, but my throat felt constricted, a painful lump stuck there. By the time the plane landed, night had already fallen. The unfamiliar city was alight with neon. I stood at the airport exit, the cold wind whipping my hair, and suddenly felt a profound sense of bewilderment. There was no Chloe here, no Mr. Sterling, no suffocating days. “My sister’s picking us up,” Jake pointed to a tall woman not far away. I looked at the unfamiliar young woman, unable to connect her with the chubby little girl I remembered. “Alex,” Maya took my suitcase. “Tired from the trip?” Her voice was gentle, tinged with concern. In the car, Jake suddenly pulled out a pair of small pliers. “Give me your phone.” “What?” “I’m taking out the SIM card.” Jake deftly removed it, opened the car window, and threw it out. “From today on, you’re free.” I watched the passing streetlights, and finally, tears streamed down my face. Maya glanced at me in the rearview mirror, saying softly, “I put an easel on the balcony for you, Jake said you used to love to paint.” I froze for a moment, suddenly remembering how long it had been since I’d picked up a paintbrush. After getting married, Chloe was always busy, and Mr. Sterling needed care. I gradually forgot that I used to be a boy who loved to sketch the world on canvas. A red light flashed, and the car stopped. A couple was arguing on the street, the boy crying, begging the girl not to leave. I turned my head away, crying harder. Jake reached over and patted my cold hand. “Don’t look, it’s all in the past.” Yes, it was all in the past. Seven years of love, two years of marriage, all that was left was this exhaustion and a heart riddled with holes. The car entered a residential area, stopping in front of a quiet apartment building. I looked up. “We’re home,” Maya said. Home? Standing in the unfamiliar hallway, I suddenly realized that from now on, I no longer had that “home” to return to. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, hurting so much that I bent over, the repressed sadness from the journey finally making me sob out loud. **Chapter 9** The hot spring mist billowed. Chloe leaned against the edge of the pool, the warm water soothing her taut nerves. Mr. Sterling, pushed by Leo, slowly approached the poolside, a satisfied smile on his face. “This place is well-chosen, much more comfortable than home.” Chloe smiled, reaching out to wipe the damp hair from his temples. “Dad, your leg just healed, don’t soak too long.” Mr. Sterling patted her hand, his tone unusually gentle. “Don’t worry, Dad knows what he’s doing.” Leo stood nearby, gently offering a towel. “Uncle, wipe your face.” Mr. Sterling nodded contentedly, then looked at Chloe. “Leo is such a thoughtful boy, much more so than some people.” The smile on Chloe’s lips faded slightly. She didn’t reply. She looked up at the distant mountains. For some reason, she suddenly thought of me. I never ingratiated myself with her father like this, but every time Mr. Sterling was sick, I would silently stay by his bedside, making medicine, wiping him down, changing his sheets, never complaining. “Chloe?” Mr. Sterling’s voice broke her reverie. “What are you daydreaming about?” Chloe came back to herself, shaking her head. “Nothing.” She paused, then suddenly spoke. “Dad, you promised not to interfere with Alex and me.” Mr. Sterling’s smile stiffened, then he waved his hand dismissively. “Alright, alright, I know you still care about him. Now that my leg is better, I can’t be bothered with your affairs.” Chloe’s heart lightened, as if a great weight had been lifted. Yes, her father’s leg was better, and the wedding was done. When they went back, everything would go back to normal. She and I could be like before. That evening, Chloe sat on the suite’s terrace, staring blankly at her silent phone on the table. Leo pushed open the door, clad only in a towel, his hair still dripping water. “Chloe, why are you out here alone?” He walked closer, his fingers gently resting on her shoulder. Chloe turned her head, her gaze falling on the red marks on his neck. She had left them there last night when she lost control. She frowned, a sudden surge of irritation welling up inside her. “Leo,” she said, her voice a little cold. “Even though the wedding happened, Alex is still my husband.” Leo’s fingers stiffened, then he nodded, feigning understanding. “I know, I won’t make things difficult for Alex.” Chloe’s expression softened slightly. “You’re very understanding, and I appreciate it.” Leo lowered his head, his bangs concealing the gloom in his eyes. “Whoever Chloe likes, I like too.” Chloe reached out and ruffled his hair, her tone gentle. “Go back, get some rest.” Leo obediently assented, then turned and left. Chloe watched his retreating back, but a strange emptiness inexplicably settled in her heart. She took out her phone, hesitated, but still didn’t send me a message. *Forget it, I’ll talk to him when we get back.* On the way back the next day, Mr. Sterling eagerly planned their arrangements for after they returned home. “Leo should just live at home from now on. The guest room is empty anyway.” Chloe gripped the steering wheel, responding with a faint “Hm.” Leo sat in the passenger seat, fiddling with his phone, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. Chloe caught a glimpse of him in the rearview mirror and suddenly felt a bit of a stranger. *It should be me, like this, by my side.* Her phone suddenly rang. She casually answered. “Hello?” “Ms. Davis, you have a cash-on-delivery package that needs to be signed for.” Chloe frowned. “What is it?” “Not sure, it’s in an envelope.” She absently replied, “Just leave it at the door. Have the butler sign for it.” After hanging up, she quickly put the matter out of her mind. As the car drove into the villa community, the sunset was perfect. Chloe’s mood inexplicably brightened. She thought, when she saw me later, she would have a good talk with me. Tell me that her father wouldn’t interfere with us anymore. Tell me that she loved me all along. Tell me that everything before was beyond her control. The car stopped. She pushed open the door and walked quickly towards the main entrance. Mr. Finch, the butler, came to meet her, holding a thin envelope. “Madam, your package.” Chloe took it casually, her fingertips brushing against a rigid edge. A bad premonition suddenly seized her. She tore open the envelope, and a dark red booklet slid out. Divorce Certificate. Date of Registration: Today. Chloe stood rooted to the spot. The sun was still warm, but she felt an icy chill spread through her entire body. *Did he not withdraw the divorce petition?* **Chapter 10** Mr. Sterling glimpsed the dark red divorce certificate, a flicker of triumphant amusement in his eyes, quickly suppressed. He feigned a regretful sigh, but his voice barely concealed his glee. “This is for the best. He finally knows when to back off.” Chloe looked up at her father. “What?” “Last night,” Mr. Sterling slowly began, “the butler said he stood outside your bedroom door for a while before leaving.” The air went still for a moment. Chloe’s breath caught, a buzzing sound in her ears, as if something had exploded in her mind. Last night. She remembered Leo wrapped around her, asking her, “Chloe, do you regret marrying him?” And she, in the haze of passion, had followed his lead, softly whispering, “Yes, I regret it.” Now, looking back, Alex must have heard! Her face instantly turned ashen, her hands clenching tightly. “Chloe!” Leo suddenly cried out, his eyes reddened. “Don’t say anymore, it’s all my fault.” Mr. Sterling sneered. “What’s your fault? If it weren’t for him—” “Enough!” Chloe sharply cut him off, her voice hoarse. “Everyone, go back to your rooms.” Her tone was icy. Mr. Sterling and Leo exchanged a glance, then finally said no more, Leo pushing Mr. Sterling away. The living room suddenly became quiet, leaving only Chloe standing there, breathing heavily. She stumbled to the sofa, collapsing onto it, her gaze fixed on the divorce certificate on the coffee table. This morning, she should have gone to the Registrar’s Office herself to withdraw the divorce petition. But she had casually said to me, “You go and withdraw it. After I spend two days with them, everything will go back to how it was.” And I had simply lowered my head, softly answering, “Okay.” Now, recalling it, my tone had been eerily calm. As if I had already planned to divorce. A suffocating ache suddenly welled up in Chloe’s chest. She remembered yesterday’s wedding, me standing in the corner, quietly watching her, tears silently falling. She remembered last night, lost in passion, she had personally told another man she “regretted” it. She remembered this morning, how she carelessly told me to withdraw the divorce petition, and I, in fact, went. But not to withdraw it. Instead, I picked up the divorce certificate. “Impossible,” she murmured, her trembling fingers picking up the divorce certificate, as if she could prove it was a lie. But the official seal was clear, the date glaring. I really had divorced her. This thought was like a heavy hammer, pounding fiercely on her heart, making it almost impossible to breathe. She abruptly stood up, grabbed her car keys, and rushed out, but then suddenly stopped at the door. *Divorce… wasn’t this what I always wanted?* **Chapter 11** Chloe sat on the sofa, staring at the divorce certificate on the coffee table. The living room lights were off. Outside, the rain was pouring heavily, the drops pounding against the window with a rhythmic clatter. She reached for the wine bottle on the table, found it empty, and casually tossed it into the trash can. In the trash can was also a half-finished, cold cup of coffee—the one I had brewed for her before she went out, she couldn’t remember which day. “Your stomach isn’t good, don’t drink too much.” I always looked at her with concern. She had drunk half of it, then poured the rest away. Now that she thought about it, I seemed to always say things like that. “Don’t stay up late,” “Remember to eat,” “Drink less alcohol.” She had gotten tired of hearing it, thought I was nagging, but now the house was terrifyingly quiet, and she suddenly wished she could hear me say just one more sentence. Just one. Mr. Sterling came out of his room upstairs, his wheelchair clattering on the floor. He glanced at the divorce certificate on the coffee table, his lips twitching, as if he wanted to smile but held it back. “It’s good that he’s gone,” he sat down, picking up a teacup. “His temperament was never suited for our family anyway.” Chloe didn’t speak. “If you ask me, he should have left ages ago.” Mr. Sterling patted her shoulder. “Look at him these past two years, always with a sour face, like someone owed him something.” “Dad,” Chloe said, her voice a little hoarse. “What? Did I say something wrong?” Mr. Sterling put down his teacup. “If he was truly sensible, he wouldn’t have stopped you from answering the phone back then, causing me to…” “Enough!” Chloe suddenly yelled. Mr. Sterling jumped, almost spilling his teacup. Chloe took a breath, her voice softening. “Please go back to your room.” Mr. Sterling glared at her, then got up and left. The house grew quiet again. Chloe leaned back into the sofa, closing her eyes. She remembered yesterday’s wedding, me standing in the corner, watching her walk down the aisle arm-in-arm with Leo. I hadn’t spoken, hadn’t made a scene, just stood there, tears silently falling. She had seen it then, felt a pang in her heart, but quickly dismissed it with other thoughts. Now, she wondered if I had already decided to leave back then. Her phone rang. It was a SnapChat from Leo: “Chloe, I’m craving porridge. Should I ask Mrs. Gable to make some soup?” She didn’t reply. In the kitchen, my apron was still hanging there, light blue, a little faded from washing. I always liked to wear that apron when making her hangover soup, because she had many social engagements and often came home drunk late at night. Once, she drank too much and threw up violently. I was kneeling in the bathroom, patting her back. She found me annoying and pushed me. I hit the sink, leaving a large bruise on my waist. The next day, after she sobered up, she noticed me wincing when I bent over and then remembered what happened last night. “Does it hurt?” she asked. I shook my head, pushing breakfast towards her. “Eat while it’s hot.” Chloe suddenly stood up, walked to the kitchen, and picked up that apron. The fabric was soft, still carrying a faint smell of cooking oil. She gripped it tightly, then loosened her hold. The rain intensified, streaking the windows with water. Outside, the trees swayed wildly in the wind. Chloe stood by the window, looking at her reflection. She suddenly remembered that I was terrified of thunderstorms. Whenever it rained, I would always curl up in her arms, burying my face in her chest. She used to find me clingy, often pushing me away, saying, “You’re a grown man, why are you still scared of this?” Now, the thunder rumbled, the house was empty, and no one was seeking comfort in her arms. She took out her phone and dialed my number. “The number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later.” The robotic female voice was cold, repeating over and over. Chloe stood there, listening to the rain and the busy signal, and suddenly felt an emptiness in her heart. She had never thought that I would actually leave. **Chapter 12** She stared at my face on the divorce certificate, suddenly recalling the first time she brought me home. Her father sat on the living room sofa, his face cold, scrutinizing me. He set his teacup down heavily on the coffee table. “Is this the boyfriend you found?” My back was ramrod straight, but my fingers secretly gripped the hem of my shirt. “Dad,” she said then, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, “I won’t marry anyone else but him.” She remembered her father was so angry he smashed his cup. She pulled me away, and we left without looking back. It was pouring rain that night. We took shelter in a small roadside shop. My hair was soaked. “Will your dad never like me?” “Who cares?” She pulled my cold hand to her face. “My liking you is enough.” Back then, I would blush at her words, sneak to her office to bring her late-night snacks when she worked overtime, and grumble while making her hangover soup when she drank too much. Chloe’s hand unconsciously traced my face in the photo. Later, everything changed. That phone call came at the wrong time. We had just finished being intimate, and I was curled up in her arms, half-asleep. When her father’s phone rang, I was unusually childish. “Don’t answer it tonight, please?” She hesitated, then put her phone on silent. The next morning, the hospital’s call was like a bucket of ice water. Her father had suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage. Because no one answered his call, the optimal time for rescue was delayed, and he became paralyzed. By his bedside, her father clutched her hand, crying, “If he hadn’t stopped you from answering the phone…” She turned, seeing me standing at the hospital room door, my face ashen. From then on, everything changed. She started working overtime frequently, because she didn’t want to go home and face the war between the two men. Every time she opened the front door, she either heard her father smashing things or saw me silently cleaning up clothes that had been spat on. “Can’t you just not argue with him?” One night, she said, annoyed. “He’s a sick man.” I was ironing her clothes. My hand trembled at her words, leaving a scorched mark on the hem of her skirt. “I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow.” She looked at my back and suddenly realized how much thinner I had gotten. The pajamas that once fit well now hung loosely on me, revealing a slender wrist. “Have you not been eating properly lately?” she asked. I shook my head, continuing to iron the clothes. “I’ve eaten.” Later, she gradually got used to this life. Used to seeing my pale face when she came home, used to her father’s endless picking on, and even used to my increasingly silent demeanor. Until the wedding day, when she walked down the red carpet arm-in-arm with Leo, and her peripheral vision caught sight of me standing in the corner. I was wearing the simplest white shirt, tears silently streaming down my face, but I didn’t raise a hand to wipe them away. At that moment, her heart twinged, but the officiant’s voice quickly broke her train of thought. Now, Chloe stared at the date on the divorce certificate and suddenly realized that I hadn’t smiled at her in a very long time. When was the last time? It seemed like half a year ago, she had come home on time, an unusual occurrence, to find me asleep at the dining table, with cold food in front of me. Hearing her voice, I groggily opened my eyes and smiled at her. “You’re home.” And then? Then her father called from upstairs, needing something. She left me and went to her father’s room. When she returned, I had already cleared the dining table and gone to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Chloe suddenly stood up and walked to the closet, pulling it open. My clothes were neatly hung. I hadn’t taken anything with me. Chloe suddenly found it hard to breathe. She remembered when Leo had asked her last night if she regretted marrying, and she had said, “I regret it.” Now she finally knew what regret felt like. The next day, Chloe prepared to drive to wherever I might be, telling Leo to take good care of her father as she left. Leo nodded obediently, then carefully asked, “Chloe, are you going to find Alex?”

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I was two minutes late and had my entire year-end bonus, a whopping ten thousand dollars, docked. Mr. Sterling, the factory director, made an example of me at a company-wide meeting, declaring it a stark warning to everyone else. I didn’t argue, didn’t make a scene. I just quietly accepted it. From that day on, I clocked in at the very last second, and the moment the dismissal bell rang, my computer was off, and I was out the door. 0 The March wind still carried a biting chill, howling through the bare branches of the trees around the factory, a desolate sound. Inside Assembly Line 3, however, it was eerily silent. All the machines had stopped, the usual deafening roar replaced by the collective breathing of hundreds of people. I, Avery Hayes, stood right in the center. Everyone’s gaze, like searchlights, converged on me—pity, schadenfreude, fear, and undisguised curiosity. On the high platform, the newly appointed factory director, Mr. Sterling, held a microphone, spitting as he spoke. His slick face flushed red, a glow born from the intoxicating rush of power. “What kind of enterprise are we? We are the group’s benchmark! And what is discipline? It is the lifeline of this company!” His voice, distorted and shrill through the loudspeaker, scraped against everyone’s eardrums like a blunt knife. “But still, there are always a few individuals, disorganized, undisciplined! Self-important, treating company rules like they’re nothing!” His hand abruptly pointed at me. “Avery Hayes! Engineer in the Technical Department! This morning, two minutes late! A full two minutes!” He emphasized the words, as if those two minutes were an unforgivable crime. “According to the newly enacted labor discipline regulations, one minute late means a hundred-dollar deduction. Two minutes late, the nature of the offense is egregious! I have decided to deduct Avery Hayes’s entire year-end bonus for this year, totaling ten thousand dollars!” “Ten thousand!” A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. That ten thousand dollars represented a year of my hard work, countless all-nighters, and overcoming endless technical challenges. Now, because of two minutes, it was gone. I stood rooted to the spot, dressed in faded blue overalls, my eyes behind black-framed glasses showing not a single ripple of emotion. I was just thinking about how I’d stayed up until 4 AM last night, poring over a German document to crack the K-factor compensation algorithm for the A-7 equipment’s servo motor. When my alarm went off, I thought I was still dreaming. Was any of that necessary to explain? To someone whose only goal was to assert dominance, there was no point in even trying to communicate. Beside me, Mark, a good-natured engineer in his fifties, was sweating profusely, secretly winking at me, his lips silently forming the words: “Just give in, Avery, quickly, just give in.” I saw him, but I simply shook my head slightly. My silence seemed to thoroughly infuriate Mr. Sterling on the stage. He felt his authority challenged—an engineer, and a woman at that, dared to be so calm in front of him. He pulled the microphone closer, his voice almost a roar: “Avery Hayes! Do you have anything to say? Do you have any objections to this disciplinary decision? If not, come up and sign the confirmation!” He wanted to see me cry, to beg, to break down. That way, his “example” would be truly made. Under the scrutiny of hundreds of eyes, I began to walk, one step at a time, toward the high platform. The steps weren’t many, but it felt like I walked for an eternity. Every step felt like I was treading on the ashes of ten years of my youth. I took the flimsy disciplinary notice from Mr. Sterling’s hand. The black words on it twisted like venomous snakes. I picked up the pen from the table. Mr. Sterling’s face was already etched with the triumphant sneer of a victor. He thought I would ultimately yield. I held the pen, my hand steady, not a tremor. In the signature box, I meticulously wrote my name. Avery Hayes. Two words, calm and firm. After signing, I pushed the notice back to him, ignoring his stunned expression, and turned to leave. Below, a dead silence. No one had expected such an outcome. No arguments, no tears, just a calm acceptance, like signing a document in someone else’s story. I returned to my workstation, ignoring the complex gazes behind me, put on my noise-canceling headphones, and opened my laptop. The unfinished algorithm model from last night immediately popped up on the screen. It was as if everything that had just happened was merely a ridiculous farce that had nothing to do with me. Kevin Sterling, Mr. Sterling’s nephew, newly transferred to the technical department and rumored to be taking my place, let out a small, contemptuous snicker not far behind me. “Who does she think she is? Without the golden child, how do you expect anything to get done? Don’t try to act so superior.” I heard it. The classical music in my headphones couldn’t drown out the ugliness of human nature. I didn’t turn around. The clock’s second hand ticked, a dull, rhythmic beat. At precisely 5 PM, the dismissal bell shrilly cut through the air of the workshop. I took off my headphones, shut down my laptop, neatly organized the blueprints on my desk, put them in a drawer, and locked it. The entire process was fluid, without a single wasted movement. I picked up my backpack and walked toward the time clock. I was the first in the entire workshop to punch my employee ID. “Beep—” A crisp confirmation tone announced the end of my workday. My war had just begun. 0

The next morning, I timed it perfectly. With ten seconds left before official start time, I rushed through the factory gates. The time clock displayed: 8:00:00 AM. Perfect. Changing into my work uniform, I walked into Assembly Line 3. Usually, I’d arrive half an hour early. That’s because the A-7, the most valuable German-imported equipment in the entire factory, had a peculiar temperament. It needed to be preheated and have several core parameters finely tuned to ensure the first batch of products after startup reached optimal yield. This was a habit passed down by my mentor, the former chief engineer, and a tacit understanding I had always maintained. But today, I decided that tacit understanding could go to hell. I walked to my workstation, took out my travel mug, and unhurriedly brewed a cup of tea. Steam clouded my glasses. David, the workshop manager, a man in his forties, frowned at my leisurely pace but said nothing. He knew my habits and probably assumed I had already finished the debugging. At 8:30 AM, the startup bell rang. The massive production line, like a slumbering steel behemoth, began to slowly awaken. Conveyor belts rolled, robotic arms swung, and everything looked as usual. Until the first batch of products emerged from the A-7 equipment. “Screech—” An incredibly harsh metal grinding sound abruptly echoed throughout the workshop. Immediately afterward, the A-7’s alarm light began to flash wildly, a dazzling red. “What’s going on?!” David was the first to rush over. He picked up a freshly produced item and his face instantly turned ugly. “They’re all defective! Scratches on the surface! This whole batch is ruined!” Everyone’s gaze, in unison, turned back to me. I slowly wiped my glasses clean, walked over, and glanced at the flashing error code on the screen. “Servo motor torque overload, causing robotic arm positioning accuracy deviation.” I calmly stated the facts. “Avery! Didn’t you debug it this morning?” David was agitated, his voice laced with accusation. I spread my hands and pointed to the “Operator’s Manual” on the wall, reading out loud, word for word: “Article 3: Equipment inspection and debugging before startup are normal work tasks and should be performed during official working hours. It’s currently just past 8:30 AM, which is official working time.” My voice wasn’t loud, but every word was crystal clear. David was choked into silence, his face turning a deep, mottled red. Of course, he knew the rules were rigid, but for the past ten years, I had “voluntarily” completed this task ahead of time. They had grown accustomed to my effort and had come to take it for granted. “I’ve got this!” A voice cut in. Kevin Sterling pushed his way through, his face alight with eagerness to impress. “It’s just a torque parameter, right? I understand it!” He pushed aside the operator and sat down at the control panel, furiously typing away. Mr. Sterling, who had somehow heard the commotion and rushed over, looked approvingly at his nephew’s initiative. He shot me a scathing glare, an expression that seemed to say: See? The world still turns without you. I hugged my travel mug, retreated to the side, and watched with cold indifference. Kevin adjusted the torque parameter upward. The alarm stopped, but the machine’s operating sound became heavier, like an asthmatic struggling to breathe. “Done!” Kevin triumphantly stood up, seeking praise from his uncle. Mr. Sterling nodded in satisfaction, patting his shoulder: “Excellent, Kevin. Young people need to be brave enough to take responsibility! Not like some, who draw a high salary but only know how to shirk duties!” His words were clearly aimed at me. I ignored him, simply watching the new products emerge on the conveyor belt. The scratches were gone, but a faint burr appeared around the edges of the products. An untrained eye wouldn’t notice, but under the high-precision instruments of quality control, this batch of products was still scrap. I didn’t expose it. Why should I? In the afternoon, a core pressure sensor on the production line required annual calibration. It was delicate work, and one of my “specialties.” When I used to do it, relying on experience and feel, I could finish it in half an hour, with precision far exceeding the standard. Today, David approached me again, his tone noticeably more polite. “Avery, about that sensor, you see…” “Understood, David.” I nodded, taking out a thick “Sensor Standard Calibration Procedure Manual” from the cabinet. I opened to the first page and began the operation, step by step, strictly following the manual. Connecting wires, checking grounding, opening calibration software, inputting initial parameters… Every step, I performed meticulously, and agonizingly slowly. Mark watched beside me, stomping his feet in frustration. “Avery, you don’t usually do it this way. For that zero-point drift, you could just feel the casing’s temperature and get a pretty good estimate.” “Mark,” I said without looking up, “The manual says to use an infrared thermometer, record three readings, and take the average. I’m just following protocol.” Mark sighed, speechless. Two hours later, as the clock struck five and the dismissal bell rang again. My calibration work was still missing the final step: “data solidification.” “Ms. Hayes, Ms. Hayes! Just one more minute, just one minute! Save the data before you go!” David was practically pleading. I took off my safety glasses and powered down the equipment. “I’m sorry, David, but it’s time to clock out. The manual states that no precision instruments should be operated after working hours to prevent safety incidents.” With that, I picked up my backpack and, under the bewildered stares of everyone, once again clocked out precisely on time. Behind me, Mr. Sterling’s voice, suppressed to its absolute limit, roared. “Avery Hayes!!!” I didn’t look back, but a cold, sharp smile curved my lips. Mr. Sterling, that was just the appetizer. That evening, just as I got home, Mark’s call came through. His voice was filled with worry. “Avery, if you keep this up… Mr. Sterling will make your life hell. You can’t fight him, he’s got family connections.” “Mark,” I opened the fridge and grabbed a cold soda, “He’s already made my life hell. What else is there to fear?” “But what about the production line? Our mentor’s life’s work, it can’t be ruined like this.” The mention of my mentor made my heart ache. I was silent for a moment, then softly said, “Mark, sometimes, to protect something, you first have to make those who want to destroy it feel the pain.” Hanging up the phone, I took a sip of soda. The icy liquid slid down my throat, but it couldn’t extinguish the fire burning within me. 0

One week. In just one week, the production efficiency of Assembly Line 3 plummeted by thirty percent. The defect rate, moreover, skyrocketed to an unprecedented fifteen percent. The workshop was plagued by constant minor issues, alarms blaring intermittently like a discordant symphony. The other engineers were frantic. They could solve some routine problems, but anything involving the A-7’s core system left them helpless. Kevin, on the other hand, was overly eager, rushing to every problem. The result was often him turning small issues into big ones, and big ones into complete shutdowns. The entire workshop was filled with complaints, but no one dared to speak up openly. Mr. Sterling’s face grew darker with each passing day. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and called an emergency meeting for all technical personnel. In the conference room, smoke hung heavy, and the atmosphere was oppressive. Mr. Sterling sat at the head of the table, his fingers drumming heavily. “Look at yourselves! Look at what our factory has become! Low efficiency, mountains of defective products! You’ve shamed this company!” His gaze, sharp as a knife, sliced across every face. “I know some people are playing dirty, that they have issues with the new company regulations! But I’m telling you, for a company to develop, there must be iron discipline! From today on, I demand that everyone embrace a spirit of dedication, willingly work overtime, and recover the lost production capacity!” He paused, his gaze finally landing on me, like two poisoned nails. “Avery Hayes! As the factory’s only senior engineer, a technical backbone, you must take the lead!” He was cornering me. All eyes once again focused on me. I met his gaze calmly, adjusting my glasses. “Mr. Sterling,” I spoke, my voice soft but remarkably clear in the silent conference room. “According to Article 41 of the Labor Law, if an employer arranges for overtime work, overtime wages should be paid to the laborers in accordance with relevant state regulations. Article 44 clearly states that for overtime work on statutory holidays, no less than three hundred percent of the wage should be paid; for overtime work on rest days, compensatory leave should be arranged first, and if compensatory leave cannot be arranged, no less than two hundred percent of the wage should be paid.” I paused, watching his face grow increasingly grim, and continued: “May I ask, Mr. Sterling, which standard will we be following? As long as the standard is clear, I am willing to take the lead.” “You!” Mr. Sterling slammed his hand on the table, sprang to his feet, and pointed a finger at my face. “Do you have any sense of collective honor?! Are you trying to negotiate with me?!” “No,” I shook my head, my words clear and resonant, “I have respect for the Labor Law, and for our factory’s own regulations. The first rule of the factory regulations is to strictly abide by labor discipline. Since being late is severely punished, then working overtime should also be compensated. This isn’t negotiating, this is following the rules. Aren’t you the one who loves talking about rules the most?” “You… you…” Mr. Sterling trembled with rage, his face turning purple, his pointing hand shaking, yet he couldn’t utter a single word. Because everything I said was reasonable, every word legally sound. The “rules” he used to suppress me had now become my sharpest weapon against him. The entire conference room was silent. Everyone was stunned by my defiant stance. Under the table, Mark quietly gave me a thumbs up. The meeting, naturally, ended badly. I became the center of attention. Some said I was crazy, some said I was foolish, and some secretly admired my courage. I didn’t care. That night, the core drive shaft of the production line began to exhibit severe periodic tremors. This was a precursor to a major malfunction; if the drive shaft broke, the entire production line could be scrapped. Kevin, again, tried to show off, bringing a few of his newly recruited “loyalists” and confidently declaring he would fix it. At eleven o’clock that night, I received a call from Mark, his voice choked with tears. “Avery, something terrible has happened! Kevin and his team… not only couldn’t they find the problem, but they accidentally… accidentally deleted the A-7’s motion compensation program!” I held my phone, standing on the balcony, the night wind stirring my hair. I simply uttered a soft “Hmm.” “You need to come quickly! If you don’t, the production line will really be finished!” Mark was practically begging. “Mark, it’s after hours.” My voice was unnervingly calm. On the other end of the line, there was a long silence, followed by a heavy sigh. The next morning, as I arrived at my office, the door was kicked open. Mr. Sterling stormed in like an enraged bull, his eyes bloodshot and furious. “Avery Hayes!” He rushed to my desk, slamming both hands down on it, making my water cup jump. “What kind of work ethic is this?! The production line is in such serious trouble, why didn’t you come in last night?! Are you deliberately trying to retaliate?! Are you?!” He roared at me, his spittle nearly hitting my face. I leaned back in my chair, watching his flustered anger, and suddenly, I smiled. It was a genuine smile, tinged with a hint of mockery and pity. I raised my eyes, looking at him calmly. “Mr. Sterling, may I ask, do I still have a year-end bonus?” He froze, clearly not following my train of thought. I continued to smile, asking word by word: “No, right?” “Then why should I work overtime?” 0

Mr. Sterling’s face instantly changed from purple to pale, then from pale back to a deep, mottled red. He gaped, voiceless, like a duck with its neck wrung. On my desk, the small cactus was an irritatingly vivid green. He glared at me, his chest heaving violently, as if he might have a heart attack any second. Finally, he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: “Fine… fine! Avery Hayes, you’ve got guts!” With that, he stormed out, slamming the door so hard that dust rained down from the ceiling. I watched his retreating, disheveled back, my smile growing colder. A man consumed by humiliation would, inevitably, resort to even more foolish tactics. Sure enough, the next day, he gave me an impossible task. He demanded that I write a complete “Production Line Optimization Report,” covering all equipment and processes, within a single day. He sugar-coated it, saying it was for me, the technical backbone, to play a core role. In reality, he wanted to force me to work overtime, or to accuse me of “neglect of duty.” I accepted the task. Then, at 5 PM, I clocked out precisely on time. The next morning, I placed a two-page report on Mr. Sterling’s desk. The report’s title: “Analysis of Core Issues Affecting Current Production Line Inefficiency.” The content was extremely concise. 1. Core Issue: Long-term inadequate maintenance leading to performance degradation of key equipment. 2. Direct Cause: Multiple recent unauthorized operations by non-professional personnel, disrupting core system stability. 3. Recommendation: Immediately restrict non-professional personnel from accessing core equipment and conduct re-qualification certification for all operators. Each point was like a resounding slap, hitting Mr. Sterling and his precious nephew right in the face. “Avery Hayes!” Mr. Sterling roared in his office, tearing the report into shreds, the paper fluttering down like snowflakes. “Is this a report?! You’re accusing *me*! I’m warning you, if you continue with this passive resistance, I will formally terminate your employment on grounds of dereliction of duty!” I stood opposite him, took out my phone from my pocket, and pressed play. “…Are you deliberately trying to retaliate?! Are you?!” “…if you continue with this passive resistance, I will formally terminate your employment on grounds of dereliction of duty!” His voice, from yesterday and today’s two咆哮 threats in my office, echoed clearly in the quiet room. Mr. Sterling’s face instantly turned ashen white. He stared at the phone in my hand, and for the first time, fear flickered in his eyes. He realized I wasn’t a docile sheep, but a hedgehog that had already laid traps, waiting for him to fall into them. Neither soft tactics nor hard tactics would work. Mr. Sterling finally quieted down for a few days. But he didn’t give up. He used his connections at Group Headquarters to poach a supposed “technical expert” named Dr. Bennett from a competitor in a neighboring city, offering him double the salary. Dr. Bennett, a man in his forties with a receding hairline and gold-rimmed glasses, arrived at the factory with the air of a savior. Mr. Sterling treated him like an honored guest, introducing him grandly in the workshop, in front of everyone. “This is Dr. Bennett, a renowned technical authority in the province! From now on, all technical issues at our factory will be fully entrusted to Dr. Bennett!” His gaze provocatively swept over me. The implication was clear: Avery Hayes, you’ve been replaced. Many people looked at me with sympathy. Only Mark, worried, whispered to me: “Avery, I’ve heard about this Dr. Bennett. His reputation isn’t great, he likes to boast.” I smiled: “Let him boast, Mark. The harder the wind blows, the more likely he is to trip over his own tongue.” On his first day, Dr. Bennett went straight to the core equipment, the A-7. He circled the machine a few times, pointing and commenting knowledgeably. “Hmm, German equipment. The design philosophy is advanced, but the control logic is too rigid, it doesn’t quite suit our operational habits. I’ll take care of this problem.” He sat down at the control panel, attempting to access the backend system. Then, he froze. He couldn’t understand some of the code comments I had left. Those comments were written in a unique style that only my mentor and I understood, mixed with our “insider language” and abbreviations. For example, “Y_Comp” stood for “Yuan-Compensation,” Yuan being my mentor’s first name. Dr. Bennett scratched his head, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he stared at the screen. Kevin, standing nearby, wanted to help but couldn’t, pacing anxiously. And the worst was yet to come. In the afternoon, Mr. Sterling’s assistant rushed in, frantic, holding an email. “Mr. Sterling, an urgent email from Bosch Group Germany! They’re asking about the latest operating data for the ‘L-W Optimization Module,’ saying it’s crucial for their decision on additional orders! They need a reply today!” Mr. Sterling handed the email to Dr. Bennett. Dr. Bennett looked at the unfamiliar term “L-W Optimization Module” in the email, completely baffled. “L-W Module? What’s this? It’s not in the equipment manual?” Mr. Sterling was also bewildered. He turned to me, demanding sharply: “Avery! What is this L-W module? Is this your doing?” I looked up, meeting their gaze calmly. “L-W, Avery Hayes. My initials.” “That module is a power optimization and precision compensation system I developed independently, based on my mentor’s original work. It’s specifically designed to match that batch of special custom products for the Bosch Group.” “Oh, right,” I added, my tone casual, yet it landed like a bombshell. “The software copyright and technical patent for this module are registered under my personal name. I merely granted the factory a royalty-free license for its use.” The entire office fell into a deathly silence. Mr. Sterling and Dr. Bennett’s expressions froze, a priceless silent movie. I saw the shock, the anger, and a hint of undisguised panic in Mr. Sterling’s eyes. A thrill of vengeful satisfaction, mixed with a sense of impending crisis, quietly rose within me. Mr. Sterling, now, you know what it feels like to hurt, don’t you? 0 Only three days remained until the German client’s final delivery deadline. And that multi-million-dollar production line, after days of “effort” by Dr. Bennett and Kevin, had not only failed to improve but had completely broken down.

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My wife has a ton of guy friends. I kept telling her to keep her distance. But she’d just say, “Why are you so petty? They’re all like brothers from the old neighborhood!” Fine. I immediately called my female friend who’d just returned from overseas. My wife wasn’t happy about that. My wife stayed out all night again. I scrolled through SnapChat and saw a new video posted by Asher Hayes, one of my wife’s guy friends. My wife was in a crowd of men, glass in hand, beaming. I didn’t feel a flicker of anger. 0I turned off my phone, didn’t call her incessantly like I used to. I slept straight through till morning. The next day, my wife came home with breakfast, her heavy, smudged makeup still on. She looked at me, trying to be sweet, and started to explain. “Darling, I’m so sorry. Asher just got back, so everyone gathered for a reunion. It got super late, and I didn’t want to disturb your sleep, so I just stayed at a hotel with them. But don’t worry, honey, I didn’t share a bed with any of them this time.” She specifically emphasized that she hadn’t slept in the same bed as Asher. Last time she stayed out, we had a huge fight. I was furious that she was a married woman, yet she had absolutely no boundaries. Out drinking with guys every other night. But my wife cried, calling me petty. She swore they were all like brothers from the old neighborhood, her “best guy friends.” Just thinking about her “best guy friends” made my blood boil. Asher Hayes was the one I resented most. Asher was Maya’s childhood sweetheart, they’d grown up together. In today’s terms, Asher was Maya’s closest male confidant, her male bestie. But to me, their relationship had no boundaries whatsoever. More than once, I’d seen a drunk Maya snuggled into Asher’s arms, playfully whining. They even shared the same drinking glass, completely unbothered. At first, My wife would patiently explain things to me. She’d reassure me, give me peace of mind. But as time went on, she grew increasingly impatient. She’d just throw one line at me. “Asher and I have absolutely nothing going on. If something was going to happen between us, it would have happened already. You wouldn’t even be my husband.” Of course, her guy friends all chimed in to “reason” with me. “We grew up together, we’ve always treated Maya like our little sister, so don’t take it the wrong way, alright?” “We’re just like family.” Family? What kind of brother and sister sit on each other’s laps and feed each other? It made my stomach churn. I told my wife countless times that I was uncomfortable. I didn’t like her going out with them at night. Later, I don’t know how it reached her guy friends’ ears. Suddenly, her “good brothers” started making snide, passive-aggressive remarks about me. “Oh, Maya, don’t drink anymore. Your husband will blame us for getting you drunk.” “Dude, Maya’s all yours now. We wouldn’t dare take her home anymore.” They said all these things right to my face. Gradually, they all started to think I was petty, Not a “real” man at all. My relationship with my wife also started to cool. Snapping back to reality. My wife handed me a freshly made coffee. She wrapped her arms around me from behind. “Husband, are you still mad? Don’t be mad, please! They’re just friends to me. You’re way more important.” I didn’t say anything. “Don’t be mad. Let’s go on a trip next week! Just the two of us, a romantic getaway. Haven’t you always wanted to go hiking? I’ll go with you.” I’m an outdoor enthusiast, I love hiking. I’d tried to get Maya to go with me before, but she had absolutely no interest in it. Her friends even laughed at me when they found out. “Hiking? Is that what old people do?” “Our Princess Maya can’t get a tan on a mountain!” Gradually, I stopped bringing it up. Now, my wife was actually suggesting it herself. A flicker of hope ignited inside me. Seeing my expression soften, my wife beamed. She immediately promised she’d arrange everything for the hiking trip. 0

My wife had been well-behaved these past few days. She hadn’t gone out to parties at night. But today, I saw Asher post his hiking photos. It was the exact mountain I wanted to climb! And in the corner of one picture, I spotted a pair of hands. The ring on one hand was unmistakably Maya’s. I grabbed my phone and confronted my wife with the photo. “You went hiking with him?” Her face immediately flushed with embarrassment and panic. “I was just scouting out the trail! I mean, I’m going with you in a few days, right?” It was the first I’d ever heard of needing to “scout” a hiking trail. Didn’t her friends call hiking “old people’s entertainment”? Why were they all so enthusiastic when my wife said *she* was going hiking? “I asked you to go before, and you refused. But now you’re all over it with Asher? Maya Harrington, how can I *not* overthink this?” Seeing me get angry, My wife’s own temper flared. “I *told* you I was just scouting the trail! If you’re so bothered, let’s go right now! You want to hike, right? We’ll go together right now!” She pulled my hand, dragging me toward the door. I yanked my hand away. “No need.” I walked into the bedroom and started packing my suitcase. My wife stared at me, shocked. “What are you doing?” I kept packing, not looking up at her. “My mom’s sick. I’m going home to see her.” I’d married Maya right after college. Since she was an only child and couldn’t leave her parents, I’d moved a thousand miles to settle in her city. But I was an only child too. Now my mom was sick, and I couldn’t even be there for her immediately. Maya froze for a moment. I saw several emotions flash across her face. A silent, suffocating tension filled the air. “Why didn’t you tell me? Honey, I’m sad that Mom’s sick too. Do you need me to come back with you?” I bent down, packed the last item, and closed my suitcase. “No need.” Anyone who truly wanted to go wouldn’t ask. That night, I took a direct flight to City B. Counting the time, it had been two years since I’d gone home to see my parents. Looking at my mother in her hospital bed, an unexpected wave of guilt washed over me. “Leo? Why are you here? Where’s Maya?” “Mom, I came to see you. Maya… she’s pretty busy with work.” My mother didn’t have many wishes, only that our family life would be harmonious. “Good, good. It’s nothing serious, you don’t need to worry about me. You didn’t have to come. What a waste of your time!” I spent the next few days taking care of my mom. Maya, on the other hand, was checking in on me constantly. Every day, she’d ask when I was coming back. After my mother recovered, she urged me to return to City A. So I told my wife the date of my return. The day I landed at City A airport, A luxury sedan pulled up in front of me. My wife sat in the passenger seat, shouting, “Honey, over here!” I looked closer; the driver was Asher Hayes. My wife naturally got out to greet me. Asher gave me an insolent smirk. “Leo Sterling, you can handle your own bags, right? I won’t bother getting out.” I didn’t reply, just put my suitcase in the trunk myself. My wife linked her arm through mine affectionately. “Honey, you’re finally back! Asher heard you were returning and offered to pick you up himself!” I opened the back passenger door, expecting my wife to join me, but she casually opened the front passenger door and got back into the front. Asher, with a cheeky grin, casually put his hand on Maya’s shoulder, then glanced at me and immediately explained, “Leo, seriously, I just wasn’t comfortable with Maya coming to pick you up alone.” *What a pathetic man, always relying on his woman. He’s totally beneath me.* My wife’s face showed a hint of awkwardness. She quickly changed the subject, opening her phone to show me a group chat. “Honey, Asher really did offer to pick you up, okay? Don’t misunderstand. I’ve been so good these past few days, waiting for you at home every single day.” That group chat had all their old neighborhood friends in it. Everyone but me. I pressed my lips together. “It’s fine.” 0

I ignored the barely perceptible challenge in Asher’s eyes. He always said he was afraid I’d misunderstand. Yet he constantly did things that *made* me misunderstand. How many nights had she stayed out? How many times had she been drunk somewhere else? Ever since news of my fight with my wife got out, Asher’s overtly inappropriate touching of my wife had turned into subtle, sneaky touching. Normally, what had just happened would have infuriated me. But now, I didn’t care anymore. I couldn’t be bothered with the two of them in the front, with their complete lack of boundaries. “Can you wait a few minutes? I’m waiting for a friend.” A stunning woman walked toward us. Chloe Vance, clicking in her heels and dragging a suitcase, hurried toward me, waving as she ran. “Leo! There you are, I finally found you!” Chloe pouted playfully at me. “You’re so inconsiderate, not waiting for me! Do you know how long I dragged this suitcase around looking for you?” Chloe opened the car door and slid onto the seat beside me, intimately linking her arm through mine. “This is my first time in City A. I don’t know anyone, so you’ll have to take responsibility for me!” This scene made Maya Harrington and Asher Hayes freeze simultaneously. They didn’t understand what stunt I was pulling. Maya immediately became alert, her brows furrowed so deeply it looked like she was trying to pinch something between them. “Honey, is this who you were waiting for?” Before I could reply, Chloe introduced herself to both of them boldly. “Hi everyone, I’m Chloe Vance, and Leo and I grew up together!” “Grew up together?” Maya’s tone was sharp. “Yep! We’re best buddies, right, Leo?” Chloe hooked her arm over my shoulder, saying it to Maya without a care in the world. I glanced out of the corner of my eye at Maya, who was in the passenger seat. Maya was completely stumped. In contrast, Chloe chattered away with me the whole ride. “Oh my gosh, Leo, it’s so beautiful! Look!” “Leo, do you remember when we were kids…” “Leo…” Compared to us, the front of the car was eerily quiet. It wasn’t that Asher wasn’t talking. Normally, whenever we went out, Asher was the most talkative person there. He’d always pull Maya into conversation, going on and on. From childhood anecdotes to the latest gossip from their old neighborhood. He’d always talk about things I couldn’t possibly join in on. But now, Asher was still trying to start conversations, but Maya’s responses were always terse. After dropping Chloe off at her hotel, Maya immediately told Asher to pull over. Then she opened the car door and joined me in the back seat. Her face was black with fury. “Why did you move to the back?” Maya snorted. “What, I’m not allowed to sit here? What exactly is that woman to you?” I closed my eyes, feigning sleep, deliberately avoiding the question. “I’m really tired. Let’s just go home.” 0

Maya walked into the house without a word. I’d just finished changing my shoes when I saw her sitting on the sofa, arms crossed, her face a mile long. I pretended not to notice and started unpacking my luggage. After a while, She finally spoke. “What exactly is your relationship with that Chloe Vance?” She stared at me intently, desperate for my answer. “I told you, she’s a buddy!” “A buddy? You’re calling a woman your ‘buddy’? That woman was clearly all over you! Were you seeing her the whole time you were home? Were you two together all those days?” Her questions came like a machine gun, and the more she talked, the angrier she got. She stood up and threw a cushion at me. I dodged it, ignoring her rage. I said calmly, “She’s a good person. As a friend, what does it matter if she’s a man or a woman?” “Of course it matters! You’re married! How can you be calling another woman your ‘buddy’?” I retorted, “Oh, really? Aren’t you married, and you’re still calling all those men from your old neighborhood ‘buddies’?” Maya was so shocked she couldn’t speak. I’d never seen so many expressions cross her face at once. Shock, shame, and regret. Finally, after a long pause, she squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth. “They’re different! I grew up with them, I know everything about them…” I cut her off directly, mimicking her usual words. “Chloe and I are childhood friends too! What’s so different about that? Can’t you trust me?” Maya was completely stumped. For days, she gave me the silent treatment around the house. I simply pretended not to notice. That weekend, We went to Mrs. Harrington’s parents’ house for dinner, as usual. At the dinner table, Mrs. Harrington noticed the tension in the air between Maya and me. “Maya, Leo moved away from his hometown for you; you can’t keep acting like a spoiled princess.” Then she looked at me kindly. “Leo, Maya’s been spoiled since she was little, she can be a bit delicate. Don’t take it too seriously. Married couples have their ups and downs, but they always work it out. You have to be more understanding.” Maya, as if begging for peace, clasped my hand. “Husband…” She was about to speak when someone interrupted her. “Maya, why didn’t you tell me you were coming for dinner?” Asher Hayes had arrived. Asher immediately hooked his arm around Maya’s neck. Maya awkwardly pushed his hand away, glancing at me with a hint of embarrassment. Asher noticed me standing there and let out a dismissive “tsk.” He said casually, “Oh, Leo’s here too!” As he spoke, a whole group of people came in behind Asher. These were all Maya’s “guy friends.” “Maya, you’re here! Why didn’t you invite us to hang out?” “It’s rare for everyone from our old neighborhood to be together like this.” Maya’s face indeed lit up with anticipation. Maya looked at me, pleadingly, hoping I would agree. The other guys also looked at me, As if they were practically glaring daggers at me if I didn’t agree. Even though Maya and I had been married for three years, I still wasn’t close to any of them. They were always somewhat distant toward me. And, of course, I couldn’t integrate into their circle. They couldn’t relax when I was around. “Husband, how about you come hang out with us?” Maya affectionately linked her arm through mine, asking sweetly. For a moment, the entire room fell silent. Everyone was looking at me. Some of the guys exchanged glances. Everyone was waiting for my answer. They didn’t want *me* there, but they desperately wanted Maya. Since that was the case, I’d give them what they wanted. I wiped my mouth and replied coolly, “Okay.” They stopped talking. The atmosphere was incredibly strange. A few minutes later, Maya cautiously spoke, “Then I’ll… be back early.” Then she added, “You don’t have to come pick me up later; they’ll take me home. I’ll definitely be home early this time.” She gave me a reassuring promise. But I just smiled, quietly eating my dinner. Maya stood up and left with them. Before they even walked out the door, I heard someone say, “Did Leo change his mind? He’s actually letting Maya go out with us?” 0 After they left, Mrs. Harrington apologetically took my hand. “Leo, please go pick Maya up tonight.”

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When I questioned Seraphina about her assistant, Caleb, for the eighth time, she just coldly pointed to the door. “It’s exactly what you think it is. If you can’t handle it, you can move out of my house.” The moment she spoke, words I alone could see flashed before my eyes. [Don’t listen to her, bro! She’s just mad you don’t trust her!] [Just tell her you’re jealous, and she’ll drop to her knees, explaining everything!] For the first time, I ignored those words. I just looked at Seraphina and said, “Fine.” I turned and walked back into my room to pack. The words in front of me started shaking even faster. [Bro, don’t be impulsive! She’s just playing hard to get, but she totally cares about you!] [If our guy just turns around and looks at her, her tears will start falling!] I paused, my hands still on my packing. I was the one who pursued Seraphina. Back then, she was our university’s most famous real-life Cinderella story. Beautiful, from a troubled family, she’d topped her major for three consecutive years and even won a national award. Guys swarmed around her, but her perpetually cold face kept them at bay. Only I persevered for three years, finally winning over that ice queen. Even after we became official, her constant aloofness didn’t bother me. I believed that if I loved her enough, the ice would eventually melt for me. Later, when I found out her parents had both cheated on each other when she was just a child, leaving her with a fractured family… My eyes welled up as I told her, “No matter what happens, I’ll always stand by you. I’ll never push you away.” That night, Seraphina clung to me, wanting me all night long. And those invisible words? They appeared after I proposed to Seraphina. They told me why Seraphina would get inexplicably angry. They taught me what to do when she was furious, her eyes red, telling me to leave. They said an ice queen like Seraphina needed someone as warm and fiery as me to melt her heart. At first, I believed it was a reward from above. Until one day, Seraphina came home with the scent of another man’s cologne clinging to her. They said: [She just wants you to be jealous, bro! It’s just a little game women play.] The first time Seraphina didn’t reply to my texts, and then hung up when I called. They said: [Keep calling, bro! She’s secretly thrilled seeing your name flash over and over!] Another time, at 2 AM, Seraphina’s phone was off. I searched everywhere she might be in the pouring rain, only to come home and see her being helped out of a car by her assistant, Caleb. They said: [What’s she doing wrong? She just wants to close this deal to travel the world with you, bro!] And finally, today, I couldn’t hold back anymore and asked Seraphina again: “Pictures of you kissing Caleb were sent right to my phone. How do you explain that?” And… that’s how I ended up here, packing my bags. But honestly, this wasn’t the first time I’d heard Seraphina say, ‘Get out of my house.’ After we got married, her favorite line was always, ‘Get out of my house.’ She knew I had no one else in this unfamiliar city, that going home by train would take 16 hours. She was aware my parents weren’t in good health, and she knew I never burdened them with my troubles. So, the moment we argued, those words would fly out. And when she said them, any big problem we had suddenly became *my* problem. I still remember the first time she said it. I was stunned, sitting in our room, feeling utterly miserable. Three hours later, she came in, knelt before me, her eyes slowly turning red, and her voice trembling as she pleaded. “Asher, I don’t know why, but when I get angry, I just think of how my mom used to treat my dad.” “For me, this place isn’t home unless you’re here.” “I’m sorry, please don’t leave me, okay?” Seeing her so fragile, as if she might break with a touch, I immediately reconciled with her. And so, we fell into a vicious cycle. She’d tell me to leave, I’d retreat to our room, and then she’d come to apologize…

I closed my eyes, and then the door behind me suddenly opened. Seraphina gripped the doorknob and began, “Asher…” Her words died in her throat when she saw the suitcase on the floor. She snapped her head up to look at me, then sneered, “Good for you. At least you’ve got some backbone this time. Pack up and leave already. Don’t waste my time.” My body stiffened, but I didn’t turn around. Instead, I sped up my packing. The words appeared again before my eyes. [Bro, just look back at her! Her tears are about to fall!] [The moment our guy turns around, she’ll hug him, kiss him, and then things will get R-rated!] [I guarantee you, her inner monologue right now is: *Please, don’t go.*] I stared at those lines, my breath growing shallow, almost suffocating. From dating to marriage, she pushed me away again and again, and I, like a fool, would stick to her like glue. I’d lived like that for seven years. During one fight, she’d scoffed at me: “Asher, do you even know how to spell ‘self-respect’?” She didn’t know that when you truly love someone, you throw self-respect out the window. But now, I was done loving. I snapped the suitcase shut, zipped it up, and pulled up the handle. I walked past Seraphina, pushed open the door, and strode out. As I headed downstairs, those words flickered across my vision again. [Oh no, bro is really mad this time! If she doesn’t sweet-talk him now, it’ll be too late!] [Why is she just standing there on the balcony like a statue? Our guy is already leaving the complex!] Just as I felt an urge to look back, my phone rang, a jarring sound. Seeing ‘Seraphina’ on the screen, my heart fluttered, but my hand automatically answered the call. On the other end, Seraphina’s voice was icy: “Do you still want that figurine on the bedside table? If not, I’m throwing it out.” Her words hit my heart like a hammer, the pain so sharp I suddenly found it hard to breathe. The figurine Seraphina mentioned was a pair of little ceramic dolls we’d made together on our first date. Our names were carved into the base, etched there by our own hands, and she’d insisted on adding a heart around them. For years, no matter how much we fought, she never touched those dolls. But now, she was saying, so coldly: *Throw them out if you don’t want them.* Those words flashed again. [Bro, she’s actually asking if you’re really going to abandon her if you don’t even want those memories!] [A conflicted person needs an unshakeable partner. She just wants to confirm you won’t leave her!] Staring at the words, I choked out a trembling sound: “Yeah, go ahead and throw them away.” Seraphina didn’t say another word before hanging up. I dragged my suitcase out of the apartment complex, then paid a hefty price to a real estate agent to find me a rental apartment within three hours. By the time I’d settled everything, it was already past midnight. I lay in bed, feeling a strange emptiness, experiencing the first night without Seraphina in seven years. The next day, I walked into the company in a daze. When I reached my desk, I saw a Starbucks Americano waiting for me. I turned around, about to ask my colleague where the coffee came from, when Seraphina and her assistant, Caleb, walked into the office together. Caleb smiled brightly: “It’s my birthday today! My boss treated everyone to coffee, and there’ll be desserts this afternoon too!” It was *his* birthday, but Seraphina was paying.

Suddenly, everyone’s eyes were fixed on me. My hands clenched at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. Then, I picked up the coffee, raised it in Caleb’s surprised gaze, and said, “Happy Birthday, Caleb.” Caleb was speechless. Seraphina, however, looked at me and suddenly spoke: “Asher, you were late today. Pay attention to your work. Don’t slack off just because you’re doing menial tasks.” At her words, the looks directed at me immediately shifted. It was pity, laced with mockery… Under that barrage of stares, I couldn’t help but feel humiliated, but more than that, my heart turned cold. I forced myself to meet Seraphina’s gaze and said, “I already informed my supervisor last night. No need for you to worry, Ms. Seraphina.” Seraphina’s lips pressed into a tight line. She gave me a deep look before turning and walking away. As soon as she left, a male colleague, who I’d always been at odds with, spoke up. “Asher, so all that happiness you post on SnapChat was fake. Your wife doesn’t even care about you.” “Well, I guess it makes sense. She makes millions now, and you’re just an admin assistant. You married up.” He smugly picked up his coffee and walked out, letting out an undisguised scoff as he passed me. I lowered my gaze to the Americano on my desk, and then suddenly remembered something. When I first joined the company, Seraphina and I were both in technical roles. But company policy strictly forbade employees in the same department from dating. To avoid suspicion, and because I thought one of us should focus on our home life, I voluntarily transferred to the administrative department. After successfully transferring, I started leaving work on time, keeping our home perfectly organized. But now, in Seraphina’s eyes, I was nothing more than someone doing menial tasks. I stood in silence, but then the words flashed again. [Bro, don’t listen to the gossip! She bought coffee for the whole company just so she’d have a legitimate reason to come see you in admin!] [Seriously, when Caleb said ‘birthday,’ her eyes lit up! Trust me, bro!] I believed what those words said was true. But Seraphina could have just come to the administrative department openly. Instead, she went to such lengths, using the most humiliating way to see me. That suffocating feeling in my chest just wouldn’t go away. The entire morning, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t focus. It wasn’t until noon that my boss, Monica, called me into her office. As soon as I entered, she pushed a file across the desk to me. “The German branch had a few key tech talents leave, taking employees with them. Compile the performance metrics from the past year and select someone to take charge.” My heart skipped a beat, a thought rushing to my mind, and the words tumbled out. “Monica, I was originally in a technical role. I volunteer to transfer and move abroad.” The moment I said it, both Monica and I froze. Before this, I had never once thought about voluntarily leaving Seraphina. But once the thought took root, it became unstoppable. Monica asked hesitantly, “Asher, this assignment requires signing a contract. You won’t be able to return to the States for at least five years. Do you want to discuss it with Seraphina?” I shook my head, my desire to go growing stronger: “No need, Monica. I can decide for myself.” “I once sacrificed my career for my family. Now that I have a chance to start over, I don’t want to miss it.” Monica’s eyes changed as I spoke. After looking at me for a long moment, she nodded: “Alright, I’ll recommend you to upper management. Don’t disappoint me.” I nodded vigorously, a sudden surge of excitement filling my chest.

Just as I walked out of the office, the words flashed again before my eyes. [Wait, bro is going abroad? What about Seraphina?] [Seraphina, come sweet-talk our guy now, or he’ll really be gone! All those nights you spent staring at his pillow won’t matter then!] This time, I didn’t pay attention to what they said. Instead, I eagerly began reviewing technical materials. Fortunately, even though I’d switched departments for the past two years, I’d maintained my good student habits, regularly reading cutting-edge industry papers. I spent the entire day recharging, until my friend, Julian, sent me a message. [Asher, it’s my birthday today. Can you make it?] I immediately remembered and quickly replied: [Sure.] After work, I walked out of the company and saw Seraphina’s silver Bentley parked across the street. I couldn’t help but stop, and the words began to flicker again. [Bro, she’s here to pick you up! Just look at her for two seconds, and she’ll come right over!] [Bro isn’t mad anymore, right? She’s not worth getting mad at, that stubborn woman!] I had just paused when someone suddenly bumped into me from behind, making me stumble. I turned around to see Caleb’s smiling face. “Oops, sorry, Asher! I’m in a hurry to celebrate my birthday with our boss. Didn’t see you standing there.” I was stunned. Caleb continued, “Oh, by the way, Ms. Seraphina said she’s taking me to Juliet’s Bistro. I saw on your SnapChat that you’ve posted dining photos from there. Do you have any dish recommendations?” At his words, my mind went blank. Because Juliet’s Bistro was the restaurant where I successfully confessed my feelings to Seraphina. I had once told her very seriously: “This is our special place, just for us. Even if we break up someday, you’re not allowed to bring anyone else here.” And she had answered just as seriously: “No one else. Only you.” My heart suddenly felt a gaping hole, and pain and coldness spread from there. I hadn’t even fully recovered from Caleb’s words when Seraphina rushed over. But she didn’t spare me a single glance. Her dark eyes reflected only Caleb, and she asked anxiously, “What happened? Are you hurt anywhere?” It was ridiculous. I had clearly decided to go abroad and leave Seraphina, but this scene still made my nose sting, weak as I was. Unable to bear the surging,暧昧 atmosphere between them any longer, I stepped back and turned to walk away. The words before my eyes flickered wildly. [Bro, don’t let her playing hard to get annoy you! She saw you get bumped and rushed over despite the red light!] [Why won’t she just apologize? Can’t she see our guy is upset? Why is she caring about someone else first?] My steps quickened, and the words in front of me grew blurrier and blurrier. It wasn’t until I turned the corner and could no longer see them that I leaned against a wall, rubbing away the blurring tears. And then I cursed myself: “Asher, you’re pathetic!” Once my emotions calmed, I hailed a taxi to the address Julian had sent me. When I pushed open the private room door, my three friends were sitting there, chatting animatedly. Jasper’s voice was filled with worry: “Do you think Asher will really come? Usually, at this time, he’d be home cooking for Seraphina, right?” Marcus scoffed lightly: “The last time we talked was two months ago, when he called me asking about a women’s perfume. He must have wanted to buy it for Seraphina.” Julian leaned his head on his hand, sighing: “I really hope Asher comes. He didn’t make it to my birthday last time. I even ordered his favorite mango cake this time.” Hearing that, my nose suddenly stung. These were my three best friends.

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At the orphanage, a wealthy couple came, looking to adopt my brother and me. My ten-year-old brother, Liam, holding my five-year-old hand, pointed to a dirty little kid with a doll who seemed a bit lost outside the door. “You go play with that kid for a bit. I’ll call you when it’s time to leave.” Watching his retreating back, a sense of fear made me chase after him. But then I saw him, standing with Daisy, pleading with Director Anne. “Daisy is so well-behaved and considerate. Please, let her take Chloe’s place and be adopted with me instead.” I stood there, stunned and disbelieving. The dirty little kid, meanwhile, ran over eagerly and pulled on my hand. “Our family needs a little sister. Come home with me.” Watching Liam’s retreating back, an unsettling feeling stirred within me. Ever since our parents passed away, we had been at this orphanage, and Liam had been my shadow. He’d always said we’d be adopted together. That way, he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone bullying me. But now, looking at the dirty little kid who only talked to her doll, I felt a shiver of fear. After a moment of thought, I turned and ran in the direction he’d gone. I found myself outside Director Anne’s office, where Liam was holding Daisy’s hand, pleading. “Daisy is so well-behaved and considerate. Please, let her take Chloe’s place and be adopted with me instead.” Director Anne looked conflicted, trying to reason with him. “Liam, you and Chloe are siblings. You’re a family. Are you sure you want to give up on her? I’m afraid you’ll regret it later.” Liam shook his head firmly. “Chloe is smart and beautiful. She’ll find another good home. But Daisy, she only has me. I need to look after her.” My nose stung, and tears started to stream down my face. But I only had him. Director Anne looked at Daisy’s face, her honesty tinged with sadness. “I’m afraid they might not agree.” Liam hugged Daisy. “They will agree. They only wanted to adopt me anyway. Chloe was just a bonus, so replacing her won’t make a difference.” Director Anne finally nodded. “Alright, I’ll ask them.” I peered through the window, watching Liam and Daisy hug each other, seemingly overjoyed. I couldn’t understand why things had suddenly turned out this way. The little kid stood by the door, studying me for a long time before finally running over. He grabbed my hand, shaking his head happily. “Our family needs a little sister. Come home with me.” My lip trembled, and I yanked my hand away from his. “Don’t touch me. My brother wouldn’t abandon me. I don’t want to go with you.” The little kid frowned, shaking his head seriously. “No, your brother doesn’t want you. I heard him just now.” I burst into tears, pushing him away. “That’s nonsense! I’m going to find out right now.”

Inside the office, Liam held Daisy’s hand, speaking softly. “Daisy, from now on, we’re family.” Daisy pressed her lips together in a joyful smile and nodded vigorously. “Yes, you’re the best brother.” Liam gently stroked her head. I shoved the door open with a bang and angrily rushed forward, pushing Daisy away. “Get away! That’s my brother!” Daisy stumbled back a couple of steps, steadying herself, and looked at me with hurt in her eyes. Liam gasped and quickly rushed over to her. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” Daisy silently shook her head, but her eyes were brimming with tears. Liam turned to me, his gaze full of displeasure. “Chloe, who told you to hit people? Is this how I taught you to behave?” I felt a surge of injustice but forced back my tears. “Why did you replace me?” Liam looked away, a flicker of guilt in his eyes. That only made me angrier. I pointed at Daisy, my voice trembling with indignation. “Replacing her with me? Is that something a real brother would do? How can you face Mom and Dad after this?” Liam opened his mouth, then finally, with a hint of exasperation, he raised his voice. “Why are you being so selfish? There are so many kids here waiting to be adopted. Are we, just one family, supposed to take up two spots?” I didn’t know how to argue back. I could only stand there, eyes wide, tears streaming down my face. Yesterday, the wealthy Thompson family visited the orphanage. They thought Liam and I were a beautiful pair, being siblings, and wanted to adopt us together. Liam had been ecstatic, saying we’d never be separated. He even excitedly packed my favorite things. Daisy was the daughter of Mom’s best friend. She and her mom were on the same flight as ours, and her mom didn’t survive either. So, she came to the orphanage with us. She always used to cling to Liam, saying how lonely it was being an only child. Liam was always kind to her, but he’d always told me that no one could ever replace me. Just yesterday, I saw him comforting Daisy. “Don’t worry, someone will come to adopt you soon too.” But when he came back, he seemed downcast. That night, before bed, he asked me, “Chloe, do you think anyone would bully Daisy if she gets adopted alone?” A sudden sense of dread washed over me. I hugged his arm tightly. “No, Director Anne wouldn’t allow it.” He was silent for a few seconds, then spoke again. “What if the people who adopt her aren’t kind?” I panicked, my voice rising involuntarily. “Director Anne would deal with it! Liam, we can’t get involved.”

Liam nodded absentmindedly, then turned over and went to sleep. But I knew he was worried about Daisy. Mom’s best friend had been a single mother. Our two families lived close by and often visited each other. Although Daisy was very clingy with Liam, he hadn’t been particularly close to her before. Liam often said that a brother’s love belonged only to his sister, and that was me. But human emotions aren’t solely determined by blood ties. When Liam was eight, he was kidnapped by traffickers. It was Daisy who discovered it and resisted with all her might to save him. She clung to the kidnapper’s car and was dragged for hundreds of feet. That’s what made the bystanders call the police. But she also sustained severe injuries, leaving indelible scars all over her body, including her face. I don’t remember the details clearly, only her terrified screams in the hospital. Despite multiple treatments, she never fully recovered. From then on, other kids often called her an “ugly freak.” Liam started taking care of her and worrying about her. Mom also used to say, “Daisy is our family’s savior; we owe her so much.” At first, I nodded, half-understanding, “Daisy is our family’s benefactor, we should be good to her.” But gradually, Liam became more and more attentive to her. Any gift he gave me, Daisy would get one too. Once, he even managed to get a limited-edition collectible, but he gave it to her. I panicked. He was *my* brother. My own brother. And so, I started to hate Daisy. I hated her for always trying to steal my brother. I waited until we were alone and warned her. “Stop bothering my brother. He doesn’t like you at all.” Daisy moved closer to me, whispering in my ear. Her words were cold and chilling, like a boa constrictor I’d seen on a nature documentary, making me shiver all over. “I won’t stop. Auntie said they’d treat me like their own daughter now. So Liam is *my* brother too! I’m going to bother him every single day.” I got angry. I lunged forward and pushed her down, raising my fist. “If you come near him again, I’ll hit you!” But she just pressed her lips together, her eyes welling up. Liam came out of his room and saw us. For the first time, he lost his temper with me. “Chloe, why are you so spoiled?” “We’ve just spoiled you rotten!”

And so, I hated her even more. She was always silent, yet she stole all the family’s attention. I didn’t know what to do; I just felt that if she left, everything would be fine. Because of this, Mom and Dad grew more and more disappointed in me, and Liam became closer and closer to Daisy. But we were family, and they just thought I needed more guidance. Who could have known there would be a plane crash, taking Mom and Dad’s lives? At the orphanage, I clung to Liam even more. He was the only family I had left in this world; no one could take him from me. Liam repeatedly promised he wouldn’t leave me, telling me to stop being mean to Daisy. But he didn’t know that ever since Daisy was injured, her personality had become a bit strange. She always walked around with her head down, looking at me with eyes full of hatred. And I also knew Liam was always secretly saving his candy and milk for Daisy. I couldn’t bring myself to like her. But I never, ever imagined he would take my adoption spot and give it to her. Maybe it was because I was crying so hard. Liam looked a little heartbroken. He came over and wiped my tears. “Don’t cry, Chloe.

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After two nerve-wracking months of watching my stock portfolio explode, I cashed out. A whopping hundred million dollars. My heart pounded with excitement as I called my wife and son, telling them I’d be home this afternoon. I had big news, the best news, to share. My wife’s voice on the phone was oddly flat. “You’re sure you’re coming home today?” “Absolutely! Sweetheart, I promise the news I’m bringing home will be the biggest surprise ever.” She chuckled. “Okay, then I’ve got a big surprise for you too.” I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face the entire drive home. I pictured my wife waiting with a huge dinner spread, just for me. They’d be ecstatic when they found out how much I’d made. But when I pulled up to the house, I saw a pile of stuff by the front door. A closer look. It was all my stuff. My son, Leo, was actually throwing my clothes out onto the lawn. “Leo, what on earth are you doing?” I asked, utterly bewildered. Leo looked up, saw me, and sneered. He even let out a cold huff. “Mom told me to throw all your junk out.” My brows furrowed at his words. I rushed inside, desperate to ask Veronica what in the world was going on. The moment I stepped in, I saw a table laden with food. And my wife, Veronica, was leaning into another man’s arms, beaming. I knew him. Damien, her supervisor from work. It hit me like a ton of bricks. My head immediately swam with rage. “Veronica! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” I roared, my voice shaking. Veronica rolled her eyes at me. “Asher, are you brain-dead? Can’t you see what’s happening?” “Obviously, I found a better man, and I’m kicking you out. “A penniless loser like you? Anyone who sticks with you is doomed! You didn’t actually think I’d be loyal to you for life, did you? “Damien is a supervisor at his company; he has a brilliant future ahead. You, a broke deadbeat, couldn’t even compare.” She finished, smug, pulling Damien even closer. Damien grinned victoriously, looking down at me with utter contempt. He looked like the cat who got the cream. I gasped for air, clenching my fists. “How long have you been cheating on me behind my back?!” “Hmph! I’ll tell you the truth. Damien and I have been together for a year. Now that he’s finally divorced, I’m divorcing you to marry him.” A suffocating feeling tightened in my chest. I’d worked so hard, all to give my wife and son a better life. I’d volunteered for a tough assignment, surveying terrain in a remote, harsh location. Day and night, I’d dreamed of making enough money to provide that cozy family life I’d always dreamed of. I’d been out there, enduring wind and sun, busting my butt. And my wife had been in here, having an affair and turning me into a complete cuckold. “Fine. If you want a divorce, we can divorce. But Leo comes with me.” I took a deep breath, forcing the words out. A woman who betrayed me? I didn’t want her anymore. But then my son, Leo, screamed at me, “No! I don’t want to go with you!” Leo was fourteen this year. I thought he was old enough to understand. “Leo, don’t worry. I promise I’ll still be a good dad to you after your mom and I split.” Leo just gave me a look of disgust. “Seriously? Who’d want to be with you? Mom’s marrying a supervisor, he makes hundreds of thousands a year! Look at you, just a pathetic nobody, barely making enough to scrape by. “Mom already said she’s taking me with her after the divorce. Uncle Damien will be my dad from now on. You’re nothing! Don’t ruin my bright future! “Right, Dad?” Leo practically fawned over Damien, calling him “Dad” with a big smile. Veronica chuckled, patting his head. “That’s my son! He knows how to play his cards right! “A broke deadbeat like him really doesn’t deserve to be your father.” I stood there, feeling like all the blood in my veins had turned to ice. I thought Leo was just upset about the divorce. But it turned out he actually looked down on me, wanting Damien as his father. It felt like a knife twisting in my chest. “Leo, I have money. I can still give you a good life too.” The moment I said that, all three of them burst out laughing. “Asher, how can you even say that with a straight face? ‘I have money’? I know exactly how penniless you are!” Veronica scoffed, a sneer plastered on her face. “Exactly! My new dad already promised to buy me the latest phone. That’s probably something you’d struggle to afford, isn’t it? But even if you did buy it, I wouldn’t recognize you anymore. Mom says you always upgrade when you can, and I’m going with her to live the good life with my new dad. Don’t be a roadblock!” Damien smirked, looking at me. “Buddy, no offense, but a man needs to be capable! “It’s only natural for an incapable man to lose his wife and child. If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself for being useless.” My wife nodded. “Damien’s right. Asher, I’ve already prepared the divorce papers. Sign them quickly. Since Leo is staying with me, the house has to be mine.” I stood there, numb. My wife and son’s faces were utterly alien and chilling. Fine! If they want a divorce, then divorce it is. I wasn’t going to fight for a woman who cuckolded me. But my son… My throat tightened. I looked at Leo, asking seriously, “Leo, are you truly giving up on your dad? Aren’t you afraid you’ll regret this later?” Leo impatiently rolled his eyes. “I said, just sign the divorce papers! I can’t wait for you to divorce! Besides, I already have a new dad. Who wants a useless dad like you? I won’t regret anything!” My heart died completely at his words. I signed the divorce papers without another thought. I looked at them. “Even if you beg me on your knees for forgiveness later, I will never forgive you.” Veronica burst into laughter. “Poor loser, always fantasizing. Begging for forgiveness? Not in a million years.” “Exactly, just get out! Don’t interrupt our family dinner.” “And those piles of junk at the door? Take them with you.” Leo smugly chased me out. I gave him one last, cold look, then turned and walked away. I didn’t want my things. And I didn’t want an ungrateful wretch of a son either. I checked into a hotel. Before the divorce was even finalized, Veronica posted a photo of herself, Leo, and Damien on Ins, captioned: “My beautiful family of three.” Relatives on Veronica’s SnapChat group started asking what was going on. She laughed and replied, “What else? I dumped my useless husband and found a man a hundred times better.” Leo also excitedly sent a voice message: “Yeah, everyone! I’m announcing that Uncle Damien is my dad now. Don’t ever associate me with Asher, that pathetic loser.” They didn’t even care that I was still in the group. Their words filled me with both coldness and fury. And those relatives? They all chimed in, laughing: “Oh, so that’s what happened. Asher was pretty much a deadbeat anyway. Veronica, you’re so capable, congratulations!” “Seriously, why is Asher still in the group? Can’t he see nobody respects him? Why doesn’t he just leave? Such bad vibes.” I watched their mocking messages, my face unreadable. Initially, I hadn’t thought about leaving. Now, I decided I wouldn’t. I wanted to see. How well Veronica and Leo would live, without me, Asher. A month later, Veronica and I officially received our divorce certificate. She wasted no time, practically dragging Damien to get their marriage license, while Leo happily cheered them on. I felt utterly ridiculous. All these years, I’d been frugal, providing Veronica and Leo with more than enough materially. Everything else, I’d poured into the stock market. I knew my job was ordinary; even if I worked myself to death, I wouldn’t make much money. So I devoted myself to studying the market. And I really did pick a killer stock, raking in a hundred million. But I felt it was mostly luck. So I decided to stop. I planned to use the money to buy houses, cars, and invest in some stable businesses. I’d originally intended for all that money to go to my wife and son. Well, now. I could spend it however I pleased, all on my own. That day, I went to the sales office of a high-end complex in our area, “Grand Manor Estates,” which offered move-in ready homes. As I walked in, I spotted Veronica, Damien, and my son, Leo, all looking at properties. I frowned. What a small world. I was about to leave and come back another time when Damien suddenly saw me. “Well, well, Asher. What are you doing here? You certainly love to crash the party, don’t you?” At his greeting, Veronica and Leo both looked my way. When they saw me, they both let out a scoff. “Asher, you poor jerk, what are you doing here? Don’t tell me you’re actually here to buy a house.” “Even the basic condos here are ridiculously expensive, like, half a million dollars for a small apartment. You couldn’t even afford a broom closet!” Veronica said, her face twisted in a mocking smile. Leo actually pulled out his phone, snapped a picture of me, and sent it to the SnapChat group, scoffing: “Everyone, come see! Some pathetic loser actually dares to come look at houses at Grand Manor!” The moment he sent it, The relatives in the group started sending sarcastic voice messages. “Asher, I told you, why don’t you just leave the group? You’re divorced from Veronica now, and she’s buying a house. Why are you tagging along? Won’t you be embarrassed when you walk around and realize you can’t even afford a down payment?” “Exactly, Asher. We get that you’re still hung up on Veronica, but a useless man can’t blame a woman for being heartless. Stop making a fool of yourself.” “Veronica, you and Damien should tell the sales staff to kick this broke jerk out. What’s the point of serving someone who can’t buy anything? It’s just wasting their precious time.” Veronica played each mocking voice message from her relatives, a triumphant grin on her face. I scoffed, pulled out my phone, and said, “Who’s still hung up on Veronica? I’m here to buy a house.” Immediately, another wave of mockery erupted. “Asher, stop bluffing! You couldn’t even get a mortgage for a place here!” “Yeah, if you can afford a house here, I’ll cut out my tongue and let you eat it!” At that moment, Damien smirked. “Veronica, relax. If he says he’s here to buy a house, let’s just pretend he is.” “Today, we’ll watch closely and see what kind of house he’s going to buy!” Veronica’s smirk turned wicked. She actually started a SnapChat group video call. “Everyone, I’m going to livestream a joke for you. Come and enjoy watching a broke guy with no shame trying to act rich.” After she spoke, the people on the video call were already roaring with laughter. The saleswoman, Sarah, looked a bit bewildered but politely turned to me. “Sir, what kind of property are you interested in?” I smiled, then looked at Veronica. “How big of a place are you planning to buy?” Veronica proudly puffed out her chest. “My husband is buying us a fully furnished, 135-square-meter, three-bedroom, one-living room apartment. That’s over three million dollars! A price you couldn’t afford in a lifetime.” Damien also smiled, looking self-satisfied. Everyone in the group was raving about how lucky Veronica was to be getting such a big, luxurious home. I turned to Sarah, the saleswoman. “Do you have any villas? I’d like to buy a villa. Money is not an issue.” At my words, the people on the video call doubled over with laughter. “Asher, you really are a show-off! How dare you say money’s not an issue and you want a villa? I’m staying right here, watching to see if you can actually afford it!” “No way, I need to record this. I’ll post it online so people can see what a failed attempt at showing off looks like.” “Veronica’s getting a bigger house, and he’s just putting on a show for his pathetic self-esteem. Poor saleswoman, she’s stuck wasting her time with this jerk today.” Veronica heard what the group said and looked at me with a smirk. My son, Leo, glared at me and yelled, “God, you’re so embarrassing! Mom and I were totally right not to stick with you!” Sarah, the saleswoman, looked a bit awkward. “Sir, are you sure you want to look at villas?” “Positive. Just show me your best villas.” Seeing my serious expression, Sarah nodded and led us to the villas, introducing the properties carefully. “Mr. Asher, this villa is top-notch in terms of both its surroundings and its interior design. However, the price is also higher, coming in at over twenty-two million dollars. What do you think, this…” Sarah hesitated, and Veronica burst out laughing. “I told you, don’t waste your breath! He’s definitely going to say he doesn’t like it or it’s not what he’s looking for.” Leo also sneered, “How else would he save face? With all those eyes watching.” The people on the video call were also laughing. They all watched me like I was a joke. “Alright! I’ll take this one.” I swept my gaze over them, a deep glint in my eyes. I’d come here planning to buy a house anyway. And this villa truly did suit my taste. Of course, I was going to buy it. The moment I said that, everyone burst out laughing even harder. Damien directly told Sarah, “Don’t get your hopes up. This guy’s just trying to look important. Forget a villa, he can’t even afford a broom closet!”

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On the fifth Christmas of my husband Liam Lopez’s affair, the system that had been unreachable finally appeared again, telling me I could go home. In those final seven days, I stopped fighting and arguing with Liam, stopped caring about him going out with his mistress and not coming home at night, and stopped caring about him giving my precious belongings to other women. The day I left was our fifth wedding anniversary. Liam burst into the house with Emma White, knocked over the meal I had prepared, then grabbed me by the throat and pressed broken glass against me, demanding to know why I had hurt Emma and his child. Liam also said, “How did you become so vicious? You even make me sick.” I smiled and didn’t defend myself at all, only saying, “I did all these things. I am that vicious. Are you only realizing this now? So, I wish you two will be together forever.” Then, under his gaze, I viciously slashed the artery in my neck, ending everything I had in this world. ***** The first time the system appeared, Liam and I had just finished fighting. The bedroom floor was in complete chaos, covered with paper scraps and glass shards. Liam had just returned home from a trip with his kept mistress, and the first thing he wanted to do was have sex with me. He held me tightly, kissing me all over my body, his hands wandering everywhere. My eyes were filled with disgust as I pushed him away, but he became like an enraged beast, his eyes turning red. Liam glared at me viciously and said, “Do you know how those women outside please me? What are you pretending? Didn’t you used to say you’d do anything just to be with me? Now you’re playing the pure woman?” I looked at him in disbelief. I never thought he would compare me to those women. Moreover, he was the one cheating, yet he still had the audacity to blame me for not cooperating with him. I couldn’t bring myself to please Liam while feeling disgusted. When he was out playing with other women, did he ever think of me? I said, “I just find you disgusting. Don’t touch me.” I was extremely emotional, resisting his advances, even wanting him to disappear from my sight immediately. Liam sneered coldly, forcefully grabbed my hands, and pressed me against the mirror on the vanity. He also reached out and squeezed my face hard, his eyes full of contemptuous mockery: “Look at yourself now, completely different from before. Do you still think you’re that most beautiful girl in school that everyone chased after? Scarlett, face reality. You’re just an old woman now, with nothing to keep me interested. Besides your body, what else is worth a second glance?” Scarlett Stewart is my name. I looked at myself in the mirror—clothes disheveled, fine lines appearing on my once-beautiful face, eyes full of sorrow. I really couldn’t compare to his young kept woman. After all, she was young and obedient, knowing how to make Liam happy. While I was like a thorny rose, unable to say sweet words, unable to please him, always making him uncomfortable. But I had always been this way from the beginning. Back then, he said he loved me just like this. Liam’s voice was like a demon’s whisper: “You’re now just a bad-tempered woman who loves to make a scene, exactly like your mother.” This last sentence Liam said shattered all my self-respect, humiliating me thoroughly before trampling me underfoot. I broke free from his restraints like a madwoman and slapped him with all my strength. Then my tears kept falling to the ground. Liam was stunned by my sudden action. He gritted his teeth wanting to hit me, but seeing me cry so heartbrokenly, he froze. I was a very strong-willed person who had never cried in front of Liam before. This was the first time he’d ever seen me cry so heartbroken. Liam and I had been together for five years, and though I’d endured countless grievances, never had there been a moment that made me feel he was this cruel. Through my sobs, I asked him, “Liam, do you dare repeat what you just said?” But Liam remained silent. I pressed him again: “Say something!” I was consumed with hatred. I hated how he ignored all the wrongs I’d suffered, hated that he’d fallen for someone else, and most of all, I hated that he said I was just like my mother. He knew perfectly well this was the one thing I never wanted to discuss, my only boundary. Yet to mock me, he’d casually thrown it in my face. Perhaps he’d been wanting to say these things all along, and now, in his emotional state, he’d finally let it all out. Liam let out a cold laugh, completely dismissing my breakdown. He thought I was just throwing a tantrum. He said, “There’s nothing left to say between us. Scarlett, what I said today wasn’t because I was emotional. Is there any difference between how you look right now and what I described?” My throat felt blocked, unable to swallow or breathe, the pressure making my chest ache. My vision began to blur, my nails digging into my palms, yet I felt no pain. The suffocating sensation threatened to drown me like a rising tide. I could no longer make out what he was saying after that. I asked him, “So what? Liam, is this your excuse for cheating? Why? Why are you treating me like this?” As I spoke, I couldn’t help but picture Emma’s youthfully vibrant face. Her eyes sparkled with life and barely concealed ambition. She truly was beautiful, radiating vitality and an irresistible charm that couldn’t be ignored. It was only a matter of time before Liam would be drawn to her. Then Liam said, “Isn’t this enough? Scarlett, if you just behave yourself, I can continue maintaining this marriage with you. After all, besides me, you have no one else to depend on. Emma may be better than you in every way, but I’m just having fun with her. She won’t affect your position. What are you worried about?” Liam moved closer, whispering gently in my ear while patiently wiping the tears from my face. He continued, “So don’t do anything excessive.” My heart felt like it was being crushed in a giant fist. Liam was such a bastard! He’d been playing with people’s emotions all along! Liam added, “Besides, being seen with her makes me look better.” After saying this, he looked me up and down, then suddenly burst into laughter. He said, “As for you? You’re not young anymore. You only embarrass me.” I kept my head down, saying nothing. Finally, just as Liam was losing patience and preparing to leave, I found my voice, hoarse and ugly. I asked, “Liam, do you really love me?” Liam paused for a moment, then without hesitation, slammed the door shut. The room fell silent. After a long while, I let out a short, mocking laugh. Even I found myself ridiculous. Finally, the emotions I’d been suppressing for so long completely erupted. I lost control, screaming and smashing many things in the house. I collapsed alone on the floor, staring at the chaos around me, letting my heart be consumed by grief and pain. Just then, the System that had been absent for so long appeared. Its voice sounded like both beautiful music that could save me and a devil tempting me to sin. It said, “Host, it’s time to go home. Your mission is complete.”

I sat on the floor, numbly cleaning up the mess around me. Even when glass shards cut my fingers, I refused to stop. When Liam and I first got together, everyone said we were a perfect match, and our relationship was the envy of everyone around us. His family background was so privileged that ordinary people wouldn’t even dare to dream of it—a height I could never reach no matter how hard I tried. I once couldn’t believe that someone as outstanding and brilliant as Liam would actually fall for a girl like me from such humble circumstances. But back then, his presence truly rescued me from my difficult situation. For someone as proud as Liam to be willing to do anything for me was more beautiful than all the love letters in the world. When I first arrived in this world, I didn’t want to pursue him as a target. I didn’t want a beautiful relationship to begin with calculation. Growing up, I was surrounded by nothing but lies and deception. I hated that world, yet I had to compromise because I wanted to survive. I locked my heart away tightly, wearing a fake mask every day. I despised myself like that, and I was sick of everything in this world. But Liam was different. He genuinely liked me, encouraged me, and gave me the love I had always craved but never received. I once looked forward to building a family with him. In this world where I had no one to rely on, I finally had a place to call home—a home filled with love. But now, the house was in complete chaos, just like my relationship with Liam—nothing but trouble. Our wedding photo still hung on the bedroom wall. In that picture, my face was filled with a happy smile, and the way he looked at me wasn’t filled with the disgust and disdain I see now. When exactly did our relationship start falling apart like this? I was consumed by anger and resentment. I slowly stood up, staring at the wedding photo on the wall, then grabbed the glass in my hand and hurled it at the picture. In an instant, the photo shattered, and along with it, my dream of spending a lifetime with Liam. I asked the system, “How much longer until I can go back?” The system replied, “Seven days. Host, you have seven days left to say goodbye to this world.” I lowered my head, understanding clearly. Though I didn’t like my original world, I had no other choice now. Liam’s betrayal made me realize that no one in this world was more reliable than myself. Rather than placing all my hopes on others, I should seize the opportunity myself. Just then, a hashtag quietly appeared on Twitter. It contained a video of Liam and Emma vacationing together in France, captured by someone. In the video, they were incredibly intimate, like newlyweds, their faces glowing with happiness. Liam’s expression was so tender, his eyes full of adoration as he watched Emma throw a tantrum beside him, unable to help but coax her gently. I don’t know what Liam said, but Emma’s angry face gradually broke into a smile, then she hugged him intimately, looking absolutely delighted. After watching the video, I felt nothing but irony, and my heart ached in waves. Once upon a time, he treated me the same way. But now, he had given all the love that was once mine to another woman. And now, I no longer expected his affection. Shortly after, Liam called me, demanding that I clarify the situation online. Liam was the company’s CEO. This kind of cheating scandal would significantly impact his company’s stock value, so he wanted me to come forward and minimize the negative impact. How ridiculous! Only when it affected his interests did he think of me. Liam said over the phone, “I already told you. Emma and I are just fooling around. If there are problems with the company’s stock, you won’t be able to live the lifestyle you have now either. I need you to help clear Emma’s name as soon as possible. She’s been crying nonstop. Remember, don’t do anything unnecessary.” His tone was still filled with impatience. Liam must be exhausted—he just finished fighting with me and now he’s off to find another woman. I replied, “I understand.” Perhaps it was because my emotions were too calm now, or maybe it was the first time I mentioned Emma without arguing with him, but he was unusually stunned and didn’t say anything. After a while, Liam said, “It’s best that you can do this. You should be sensible like you are now. If you had been this sensible earlier, I wouldn’t have fought with you. Scarlett, you should please me, just like you’re doing now.” His tone was full of smugness and satisfaction. I hung up the phone myself, not wanting to get entangled with him anymore. Now, just hearing his voice made me involuntarily think of how he looked when he was cheating, and I found it particularly disgusting. After Christmas and I got together, Liam announced our relationship to everyone. When we got married, he even gave me a sensational, grand wedding. This made many people think Liam was a rare good man—both devoted and deeply affectionate. Even I thought so. But on our first Christmas as a married couple, Emma came to find me. She looked at me smugly, with a charming smile on her face, but her eyes were full of provocation as she looked at me. She smiled and said, “Hello, I’m Mr. Lopez’s assistant. He said he left a document in the study and asked me to come get it.” Emma’s gaze looked me up and down. I frowned, then led her into the study, but she asked me to wait outside the door. She said, “Mr. Lopez said this document is confidential and can’t be seen by outsiders. Please wait outside for a moment. I’ll come out as soon as I get the document. Mr. Lopez is in a hurry.” Emma’s words made me feel a sense of crisis. When Liam came home, I couldn’t help but complain to him about this incident. He smiled and explained, “She’s the daughter of a business partner. He asked me to take extra care of her. If you mind, I can have her go back.” Liam spoke very sincerely, and since our relationship had always been good and he had never done anything excessive outside, I thought about it and shook my head. I said, “It’s okay. Replacing a business partner’s daughter might affect your business. I don’t mind.” But what I didn’t expect was that this was my first time meeting the mistress Liam was keeping outside. Later I discovered that the two of them often went out behind my back. It wasn’t until I saw them kissing passionately in the underground parking garage that I realized how foolish I had been. I had believed Liam’s lies without any doubt and even thought he was working hard for our family. That night, Liam came home drunk. When he held me tightly, he whispered in my ear, “Emma, why have you lost so much weight? Did you change your perfume?” I was tremendously shocked and couldn’t believe it. The person who once truly loved me was now intimately holding me while calling out another woman’s name. That was our first fight, and we fought so fiercely that I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life. After I discovered his affair, Liam seemed to deliberately oppose me, often texting Emma right in front of me, and he stopped hiding it afterward. He looked at me mockingly and said, “If you were as obedient as Emma, as passionate toward me as she is, I wouldn’t have cheated.” From then on, Liam completely pushed me into the abyss of pain.

Knowing I’d soon be leaving this place, I couldn’t care less about Liam’s attitude toward me, and I stopped obsessing over whether he loved me. I didn’t want to know the answer anymore. He and Emma were probably together now—he hadn’t come home in four days. Three more days until our fifth wedding anniversary on Christmas, which would also be the day I left this world. I didn’t have much stuff, and I couldn’t take it with me anyway. I still hadn’t cleared up the online scandal as Liam demanded, instead leaving it for the system to handle. When Liam left earlier, he took the necklace he’d given me for the first time. It was something I treasured deeply. When he confessed his feelings, he took me to an amusement park. Under a sky full of fireworks, he pulled out that necklace. Liam said, “Scarlett, I haven’t officially taken over the family business yet, so I can only use my allowance to buy you something that’s not too expensive. But I’ll get you better, more expensive gifts in the future. Will you be my girlfriend? “I promise I’ll treat you well and love you even more than I do now.” Back then, his eyes were sincere, full of love. That necklace had once been my comfort during the pain of betrayal, the only hope that could save my miserable life. But now, hatred spread like wildfire. All our beautiful memories had turned into thorns that wounded me. When Liam took the necklace, I said nothing. He said, “Emma likes this necklace. You know that. She doesn’t ask for much. Whatever I can give her, I will. You’ve worn this necklace for a long time, and you have better necklaces to wear.” I nodded, and the hope in my eyes completely died. Liam smiled and said, “You’re being so understanding today. I love it when you’re like this.” All my years of devotion and companionship had earned me nothing more than being called “understanding.” He claimed he didn’t like Emma, but his actions clearly told me he’d fallen for her long ago. That necklace meant everything to me. Did he really not know that? Just then, the system told me the online scandal had been cleared up. It also asked, “Do you really love Liam? When I first contacted you, you didn’t seem to want to leave this place.” The system’s words made me smile bitterly. I really didn’t want to leave back then. The feelings between Liam and me were real. The experiences we shared might not have been memorable enough to last forever, but every emotion and detail in those experiences was genuine. I’d depended on him for so many years—my life was filled with his presence. In my original world, I had no one to rely on. So I clung to the warmth he gave me. I used to deliberately ignore the problems, thinking that even if life was this miserable, I had to hold onto the little bit of happiness he’d given me in our youth. But things developed beyond my control. I cared. I really, deeply cared. If I had to live like this for the rest of my life, I would truly die. When Liam called again, his voice was furious. “Scarlett, I never thought you could be this vicious. Just you wait! If anything happens to Emma, I’ll never forgive you. “You’re just as disgusting as your mother. What good could come from someone who crawled out of the slums? Especially someone who came from your mother’s womb. “Bitch! I should have seen through your true nature long ago. When you were with me, you acted so pure and innocent, but I never realized how petty you are. “Your mother was a woman who sold her body for money—vicious and scheming—and you’re exactly like her.” I froze, my whole body trembling uncontrollably. All I could manage was a soft, “Liam.” But Liam wouldn’t listen, only saying, “Scarlett, I’m telling you—you’ll bear the consequences of this alone.” After Liam hung up, I sat there stunned for a long time before snapping back to reality. His words were like sharp daggers, piercing deep into my heart. There wasn’t an ounce of affection in them—just pure insults directed at me. I couldn’t understand why someone who once cherished me so deeply would now curse at me with such vicious words. That unbearable pain crashed over me like waves, hitting me again and again. From the System, I learned that Liam and Emma had encountered an accident while out together. Emma had been hit by a car. The driver was drunk and completely unaware of what had happened. But Emma insisted that I had bribed the driver, trying to harm her and the child in her womb. This accident had made Liam furious. Blinded by rage, he called to blame me without a second thought. The crushing blow left me dizzy and disoriented. I had been unwilling to admit that Liam’s feelings for me had long since vanished through his repeated betrayals. So I could only try to maintain this crumbling marriage through such means. I kept lowering my standards, silently accepting everything he did. I used to hate deception more than anything. But to hold onto this warmth I had longed for, I began deceiving myself and hurting myself. But now, I didn’t want to continue like this anymore. Liam had been staying out for the past couple of days and hadn’t come home. I spent time at home packing up many things. All those photos that once captured our sweet moments were thrown into the trash. My clothes and luggage were all packed. Finally, I was the only one left in the villa. Over the years, Liam had been transferring money into my bank account, but I rarely used it. Since I wouldn’t be in this world much longer, I wouldn’t need the money anyway. I donated all the money to an orphanage under Liam’s name. I had done this before. I simply hoped the children could live a little better, and that it might help his career. This would be the last thing I’d do for him. On our fifth wedding anniversary, I calmly prepared a whole table of dishes for myself. These were dishes I had specifically learned to make for Liam. I knew he sometimes had to attend cocktail parties, and I worried about his stomach, so I wanted to learn to make him some stomach-soothing food. But now, I sat alone at the dining table, eating by myself. Before I could even start eating the elaborate dishes on the table, the front door was kicked open. I saw Liam standing in the doorway with a dark expression. Seeing the food on the table, he let out a cold laugh, then flipped the entire table over. All the plates crashed to the floor, glass shards scattered everywhere, some cutting my feet. Liam grabbed my throat tightly, making it impossible for me to breathe. Behind him, Emma watched me with a smug, provocative look. He leaned in close, saying viciously, “Because of you, Emma and I lost our child. How can you be so evil? “Scarlett, if it weren’t for me, how would you have your current life? How could you have escaped your humble origins? “How did you become so vicious that you make me sick?” His grip on my throat was suffocating. I opened my mouth but couldn’t say a word. Emma smiled contemptuously and said, “Scarlett, no matter how much you hate me, you can’t take it out on a child. This was mine and Liam’s only child. Do you know how much I treasured him? “I don’t want status or money—I just wanted to give birth to Liam’s child. That was my only wish.” Emma spoke with such grievance, and I could feel Liam’s grip on my throat tightening. Just as my face turned red and I was about to suffocate, he finally let go. I coughed violently, gasping for air. It took me a long time to recover. Liam said, “Scarlett, you hurt Emma. I want a divorce.” Those words felt like being pushed into hell. I had never imagined that Liam would be the first one in this marriage to want to give up. I looked at Liam, my eyes filled with despair. I said, “You’re right. I did everything. I am that evil. You’ve known me long enough. What’s wrong? Are you disappointed? “When you first got together with me, why didn’t you notice?” He had probably long forgotten the promises he once made to me. Liam, consumed by rage, slapped me hard across the face. I suddenly felt dazed. Liam had once said, “Scarlett, no matter what you become in the future, I’ll love you. Don’t worry—I’ll take care of everything.” But now, watching him defend someone else and call me evil, I suddenly laughed—a wild, crazy laugh. I said, “Liam, my biggest regret is falling in love with you, marrying you, and believing your words.” I picked up a glass shard from the floor and pressed it against my throat. I said, “Since you love Emma so much, I wish you two eternal happiness. “Liam, wasn’t the life where I trapped you boring? “Now, you’re free.” With that, I sliced through my artery with force, blood spraying all over Liam. Emma screamed in terror. In the final moment before consciousness faded, I seemed to see eighteen-year-old Liam running toward me with a smile. He said, “Scarlett, let’s go home together.” I thought, “Yes, I want to go home.”

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The day I was exposed as the fake daughter of the Anderson family, the real daughter Anna Anderson burst through the front door and stabbed me multiple times in the abdomen, causing me to lose the ability to become a mother forever. My fiancé Weston Thompson was furious about this incident, and my adoptive parents Robert Anderson and Maria Anderson urgently declared that they would never acknowledge Anna as their daughter. To comfort me, Weston proposed to me as quickly as possible, while Robert and Maria immediately wrote a formal document severing ties with Anna, telling me to rest and recover peacefully. Later, they told me that Anna had fled abroad and been sold into trafficking. She deserved it, and I believed their words. Until our sixth Christmas after marriage, I actually saw Anna, who was supposed to be suffering abroad. She was leaning against Weston’s embrace with a pregnant belly. Anna said with emotion, “If I hadn’t lost my temper and made that mistake six Christmases ago, Harper wouldn’t have had the chance to marry you.” Harper Anderson is my name. She paused, then continued, “Fortunately, you and Mom and Dad all sided with me. Otherwise, that imposter would have sent me to prison long ago. She probably never imagined I’ve been living around her all this time, and I’m even carrying your child. “Once I give birth, you can find some excuse to adopt the child, then make her spend her whole life as my nanny. Thank you for these Christmases, Weston.” Anna looked at Weston with loving eyes, and Weston’s cheeks flushed red. He said, “Don’t say that! Only by marrying her could I let you continue living with a clean reputation. As long as you’re okay, everything I do is worth it.” So it turned out that Weston, who I thought loved me deeply, had been deceiving me all along. Robert and Maria were just covering up for their biological daughter Anna’s crimes. Since they all treated me this way, I no longer wanted these so-called “family” and “lover.” ***** After seeing Anna at the maternity hospital—a sight I’ll never forget—I stood frozen in place, feeling all the blood in my body flowing backward. The pain of that Christmas knife piercing my abdomen still lingered in my mind, while Weston, who once cried saying he felt sorry for me, was now tenderly holding Anna and gently stroking her belly. Even from a distance, I could feel the fatherly love radiating from him. It turned out that the marriage I had always considered my salvation was nothing but a complete fraud from beginning to end. Robert and Maria told me they would always stand by my side, but they had long ago secretly destroyed the evidence of Anna’s assault and forced Weston to marry me. They did this only to provide Anna with an extra layer of protection, ensuring she wouldn’t go to prison for intentional assault. How ridiculous! I suppressed my grief and avoided Weston’s gaze. Just then, my phone rang—it was Robert and Maria calling. The urgent ringtone seemed to hint at how anxious the people on the other end were. I calmed myself down and answered the call. Robert said over the phone, “Harper, where did you go? The housekeeper told me you left at noon. Did you go to the hospital? Why are you so disobedient? Your mother and I have told you many times that with your poor health, you must have someone with you when you go out. What would we do if something happened to you on the road?” I dug my well-manicured nails into my flesh, trying to stay alert. Was he asking these questions at this moment because he was truly afraid something might happen to me, or because he was afraid I might discover the truth? Robert continued, “Harper, did you hear what I said? Where are you now? Your mother and I are already at the hospital. We’ll come find you right away.” His caring inquiry cut into my heart like a knife. I thought for a moment, then responded in a gentle voice, “I’m in the restroom at the obstetrics department. Dad, you and Mom are just too worried. I’m just here for a check-up. What could happen to me? Besides, I’m an adult now—I can’t keep troubling you all the time.” I deliberately complained in a relaxed manner, which made Robert and Maria on the other end of the phone breathe a sigh of relief. A few minutes later, Maria rushed into the restroom. She grabbed my hands and looked me up and down, asking, “Nothing happened to you, right? Did you get your check-up done?” Her eyes were full of unease. Thinking about Weston and Anna who had hurriedly left earlier, I immediately understood. Robert and Maria following me around constantly wasn’t because they were afraid something might happen to me—they were afraid I might run into Anna and ruin their plan. I said to Maria, “Mom, I’m fine. I felt nauseous as soon as I got to the hospital, so I was delayed for a while and haven’t had time to get the check-up yet.” Maria instinctively responded, “That’s good.” Soon, she realized her reaction was inappropriate and immediately turned to look at me seriously. She continued, “Your father and I are both here. How could we let you face those cold machines alone? Let’s go together.” Standing at the restroom door was a kind-looking middle-aged man—Robert. Although I wasn’t his biological daughter, I had grown up surrounded by his love. I always thought he was the person who loved me most in the world. Only today did I realize that in the face of blood relations, all the love I had felt before meant nothing. Since they treated me this way, it was time for me to give them a “gift” in return.

Robert walked over to me, naturally positioning himself on my left side as he chatted with me. “Why did you come here alone? Are you okay?” Maria shot Robert a playfully reproachful look, then rested her head on my shoulder. She said, “Harper’s fine. She’s grown up now and knows how to care for us.” Robert pretended to be annoyed and gently pinched my cheek. “Either way, you can’t come to the hospital by yourself. Do you hear me?” Taking advantage of this moment, I slipped my phone, which I’d already set to record, into Robert’s pocket. I said, “I know I was wrong. I need to go for my checkup now. Dad, can you hold my phone for me?” This was something we did regularly, so neither Robert nor Maria thought anything of it. When we reached the gynecology office, I walked into the examination room alone. Robert and Maria waved at me eagerly from the doorway, their eyes full of concern. In the past, I would have felt grateful for having the best family in the world. But now, I only felt afraid. It was like countless venomous snakes were crawling all over my body, ready to deliver a fatal strike at any moment. After I finished all my tests, Maria immediately took the reports to consult with a specialist. She asked, “How is Harper doing?” Meanwhile, Robert pulled out the notebook he always carried with him. The notebook was filled with details about my preferences and dietary restrictions. If I hadn’t discovered the truth, I would have thought they were parents who deeply loved their child. I said to them, “Dad, Mom, I need to use the restroom.” I playfully retrieved my phone from Robert, then walked into the bathroom with trembling legs. Before playing the recording, I had mentally prepared myself countless times. But when I heard the first sentence, my heart still felt like it was being stabbed with needles. The recording captured my attending physician’s voice: “Mr. Robert Anderson, Mrs. Maria Anderson, Miss Anderson has been recovering quite well these past few months. All her wounds from that time have healed. As long as she takes care of herself, she should be able to get pregnant soon. Should we stop the medication she’s currently taking? “I’m afraid if she continues taking it, she really won’t be able to have children. Isn’t that too cruel to her?” He sounded somewhat guilty. Depriving a woman of the right to become a mother was inherently cruel. But the next second, Robert cut him off directly. He said, “I didn’t hire you to worry about these things. The medication cannot be stopped! “It’s just a child. We can adopt one, and it’ll save her from the pain of childbirth.” Maria chimed in, “Harper’s health has never been good anyway. Not having children is what’s best for her. We don’t need an outsider telling us what to do. You’re just a doctor. Just do what you’re supposed to do. Do you understand?” Their tone was particularly harsh, so the doctor quickly agreed. He said, “I didn’t mean to overstep. Mr. Robert Anderson, I’m just reminding you that at this dosage, I’m afraid Miss Anderson might overdose. Not only will she be unable to become a mother, but it could also harm her health.” This sounded like a serious problem, but Robert didn’t care at all. He said, “I understand. That’s not something you need to worry about. Just make sure her wounds heal properly. Everything else is none of your business.” The doctor replied, “Yes, sir.” The recording ended there. I felt cold all over. All these months, I had been feeling incredibly guilty about not being able to give Weston a child. Robert and Maria always comforted me, saying it wasn’t my fault and that having children couldn’t be forced. It turned out they were the ones in the wrong all along. My inability to conceive was fake. They simply didn’t want me to have Weston’s child. In their eyes, I wasn’t worthy of bearing Weston’s children—only their biological daughter Anna was. No wonder after all these months, I was still taking medication. Everything had been a lie. The doctor was fake, and their claims of “doing this for my own good” were fake too. Tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably. My body trembled, and I felt completely drained of strength. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Maria had noticed I’d been gone for a long time. “Harper.” Maria was particularly anxious, knocking on each bathroom door one by one, terrified that something had happened to me. I answered, “I’m in here.” After wiping away my tears, I walked out to Maria with red-rimmed eyes. Seeing me in this state, Maria was shocked. She reached out to touch my face and asked, “What’s wrong? Who upset you? Why were you crying? Talk to me, okay?” The face before me looked no different from the past, yet I felt a wave of nausea in my stomach. I told her, “I’m fine, Mom. I probably ate something bad, so my stomach’s a bit upset.” I leaned against Maria’s shoulder, hiding the hatred in my eyes. She helplessly ruffled my hair and took me back to Thompson Manor. Weston had already learned I was home, so he was waiting at the door. This man who had been touching another woman’s belly just two hours ago now tenderly embraced me, gently rubbing my stomach. He said, “I heard from Maria that your stomach was bothering you, so I rushed back to make you some soup. It’s almost ready. Have some and then rest.” Only then did I notice he still had an apron tied around his waist. If I hadn’t witnessed everything at the hospital today, I never would have believed that Weston, who took such thoughtful care of me in daily life, had always loved someone else in his heart. When we got married, he even moved near Anderson Manor specifically so I could be closer to home. Even in his midnight dreams, he would call out my name, yet he still didn’t love me. The person Weston loved was Anna. For Anna’s sake, he was willing to marry me and go through the motions with me for all these years. I truly admired his acting skills. I said to Robert and Maria, “Dad, Mom, come in and have dinner with us.” After helping me sit down on the sofa, Weston returned to the kitchen to continue his work. Robert and Maria kept remarking how lucky I was to have found such a wonderful man. But I found myself staring at a painting on the wall. I had never understood why Weston insisted on hanging this ugly-looking painting in the most prominent spot. Now, seeing Robert and Maria’s eyes drawn to this painting as soon as they entered, and noticing the letter “A” on it, I finally understood. Because the person who painted it was important to them, this painting had to be displayed in the most visible place. Weston emerged from the kitchen, saying, “Dinner’s ready.” After all the dishes were served, I suddenly realized that throughout all these years, the food Weston cooked wasn’t what I liked to eat at all. For the past six years, I had kept this question buried in my heart, thinking, “These are dishes Weston loves. He works so hard taking care of me, so accommodating his tastes at mealtime is the least I can do.” But now I realized something. Were these really dishes he liked? Or were they what Anna liked? Seeing my pale complexion, Weston worriedly placed some food on my plate. “Harper, what’s wrong?” Maria paused, her tone becoming stiff as she said, “Seeing you two so happy puts your father and me at ease. It’s just that I don’t know…” Her unfinished words referred to Anna. Throughout all these years, she would inevitably bring up Anna during happy moments. I had always been grateful that they gave up their biological daughter for me, so whenever I heard her mention Anna, I felt too guilty to speak. Robert continued, “I don’t know how that child is doing now either. After all, she’s still your mother’s and my flesh and blood. We hope she’s not suffering too much abroad and that she’s at least alive. Harper, don’t blame your mother. She is, after all, a child your mother gave birth to. She’s already paid the price for what she did. What’s past is past. You should let go of the past too.”

Robert sighed and echoed Maria’s words. In their view, Anna had already paid a terrible price, and I shouldn’t be so petty about it. So I deserved to nearly lose my life? I lowered my eyes, expressing my displeasure through silence. Weston sensed my thoughts and showed me a cold expression for the first time. He said, “Harper, Maria’s getting older, don’t be angry with her. It’s been six years since what happened. You were the one who took Anna’s place from the beginning, enjoying over twenty years of a life that wasn’t yours. You shouldn’t blame Maria. After all, blood ties create deep emotional bonds. “No matter what, a mother can never let go of her love for her child. What’s more, Robert and Maria owed Anna from the start. “Didn’t we prepare that suburban villa for Anna back then? I’ll take Robert and Maria to see it this weekend as another way to honor her memory. If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to, okay?” Though Weston’s tone sounded like he was asking for my opinion, it carried an undeniable firmness. I looked up at the three people around the table. Weston’s face was dark, and while Robert and Maria said nothing, the heavy atmosphere they radiated revealed their thoughts. Their expressions seemed to say that if I didn’t agree, I’d be an unforgivable villain. I answered calmly and obediently, “Sure. You should go. Anna was Mom and Dad’s biological daughter, after all. As for what happened back then, I bear some responsibility too. It’s right that you make this trip.” Seeing my agreement, Weston immediately brightened up. He said, “I knew my wife was the most gentle and kind-hearted. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to prepare all your favorite foods first before going out with Robert and Maria.” Maria wiped her tears with one hand while hugging me with the other. She said, “Harper has been kind since childhood. I thank you on Anna’s behalf. We failed Anna as parents.” Maria’s burning tears fell into the hollow of my neck. I trembled, burying my head in Maria’s embrace, my whole body going numb. They had wronged Anna, so they’d been brainwashing me for these six years. Now I almost believed that Anna stabbing me with a knife was justified. In my subconscious, I actually felt like I owed her, which was why she stabbed me. But the hospital mix-up wasn’t my choice. It wasn’t my sin. My biological parents, Daniel Gomez and Mia Gomez, hadn’t intentionally switched children either. I had indeed enjoyed over twenty years of a life that wasn’t mine. If Anna had wanted, I could have left the Anderson family at any time. I never wanted to compete with anyone for anything. What exactly had I done wrong to deserve their manipulation? A sharp pain shot through my chest, and I couldn’t help but dry heave before rushing to the bathroom. Weston followed closely behind, frightened, patting my back. He asked, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you just have a checkup today? What did the doctor say? Is there something wrong with your stomach? You really need to get treatment if you’re sick—don’t put it off.” Weston’s tone was gentle and caring. I couldn’t help wondering, “Is he worried about my discomfort, or afraid I might be pregnant?” Suppressing the uneasiness in my heart, I clung to Weston’s arm playfully. I said, “Weston, I’m pregnant. “You’re going to be a father soon. The doctor said it’s a blessing that I could conceive. Are you happy? We’re finally going to have a child of our own.” Weston’s smile instantly froze on his face. He stared at my expression, searching for any trace of a joke, but found nothing. He said, “Harper, don’t joke around. You can’t joke about something like this. Didn’t the doctor say your body wasn’t suitable for pregnancy?” Weston’s voice trembled, his eyes filled with panic. This was my husband. I smiled and said, “I’m not joking. Aren’t you happy?” Holding onto my last bit of hope, I waited for his answer. Weston composed his panicked expression and looked at me seriously. He said, “Honey, the doctor already said your current physical condition isn’t suitable for having children. You should get an abortion. If something happens to you, what would I do?” His “Honey” made me feel sick to my stomach—I nearly threw up. I asked, “What if I don’t want to?” Weston didn’t even blink before deciding to kill my child. I suddenly thought that maybe losing my fertility was actually lucky for me. At least my child wouldn’t have to be born into such a terrible family. Weston said, “Honey, I…” I smiled and cut him off, burying my head in his chest. “I was just kidding. The doctor said I can’t have children. Honey, thank you for staying with me all these Christmases.” In my heart, I thought: “And thank you for all the terrible things you’ve done to me these Christmases.” The weekend came quickly. Weston got up early, kissed my cheek, then made me lunch as fast as he could. Then he whispered to me, “Harper, I’m taking Robert and Maria out. Stay safe at home. If anything happens, you must tell me.” I nodded. Then I opened my phone while tears streamed down my face. Anna was right downstairs from my house. Before Weston even woke up, I’d received a photo from Anna. In the photo, Anna was sitting in a car. She kept sending messages to show off: [Harper, so what if you married Weston and became his wife? I’m the one who can give him children. You don’t really think they’re going to the villa to remember me, do you? Don’t be so naive. I’ve been living in that villa all these Christmases. Today is the day I’m going for my prenatal checkup.] [I just casually mentioned wanting the whole family to come with me for the checkup, and Dad, Mom, and Weston all agreed.] [Just like what happened six Christmases ago—I just pretended to be pitiful and shed a few tears, and Dad and Mom sacrificed you to preserve my reputation. Your life is truly pathetic.] Besides the messages, Anna also sent a bunch of photos. Over these six Christmases, Weston would always make time to travel with Anna. Sometimes they’d even bring Robert and Maria along, playing around like a family of four. But I was such a fool—I used to get happy over the little gifts Weston would casually bring me. Endless despair left my heart numb. I closed the chat window and bought a plane ticket for tomorrow. Given Anna’s temperament, she wouldn’t let Weston, Robert, and Maria come back tonight, which gave me the perfect opportunity to use the remaining time to leave this place. At noon, after eating just a few bites of food, I started organizing evidence. I really should thank Anna. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have gotten so much evidence proving how they schemed against me. With these things, I could not only divorce Weston without him getting a single cent, but also completely expose their true intentions before leaving. By the time I finished everything, it was already ten at night. Sure enough, just as I expected, Weston had no intention of coming back. He video-called me. The camera was blurry so I couldn’t see the background clearly, but I could definitely sense Anna was right beside him. But I didn’t call him out on it—I just smiled and promised him I’d take good care of myself. The next day, I got up very early. Many people came to the house—they were the renovation workers I’d called. For all the things I couldn’t take with me, I had them tear everything down. As for those little trinkets Weston used to give me, I’d seen identical ones on Anna’s Instagram, and mine were obviously the freebies. I certainly didn’t want things that others had discarded. Two hours later, the renovation workers left with all the dismantled items. I took out photos of me with Weston, Robert, and Maria from all these Christmases, then pulled out a lighter and burned them all. The fire alarm in the house went off with a piercing wail. I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the front door. This was my final “gift” to Weston. By the time he rushed back, I’d be long gone from this city.

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