Category: English

CHAPTER Is that me? Being burned alive feels exactly how you’d imagine—a scorching, all-consuming agony that burrows into every inch of my body. I should be dead. But I’m not. Not exactly. I hover, weightless, watching the scene unfold beneath me. Watching her. “Our Evelyn is so beautiful. Tomorrow is your birthday party! Mom bought you this dress.” My mother’s voice is soft, affectionate—a voice I never knew she was capable of. She holds up a shimmering dress. I’ve seen that dress before. My sister once boasted that it cost 10,000 dollars—more than my parents make in a month. Yet, they still bought it for her. They always found a way to meet her demands. When the fire left scars on her fingers, they scraped together the money to have them removed. But when I burned? I got nothing. Not a hospital visit. Not a touch of comfort. Not even a second glance. Because in this family, only one daughter mattered. This cramped, two-bedroom apartment was purchased for her. My parents took out a loan to move closer to a better school. One bedroom belonged to them. The other? Hers. I never had one. “Sis, my classmates will laugh at me if they see how small my room is. Why don’t you sleep in the living room instead?” I was twelve. She dragged me to the couch, tossed me a blanket, and slammed the door in my face. I wanted to protest. I wanted to tell my parents. But all they said was, “It’s just the living room. We used to sleep under bridges, and you can’t even handle this?” So, I stopped complaining. I slept on that couch for five years. And in that time, I learned: I was nothing more than a shadow in this house. Once, I was cleaning her room and accidentally brushed against her bed. My mother’s voice had cracked like a whip. “Your hands are filthy! Do you want to dirty my daughter’s bed?” My daughter. Not her daughters. Just one. From that day forward, I never stepped foot in her room again. And yet, standing here, looking down at the family that ignored me in life, I still hoped—stupidly, desperately hoped—that my death would shake them. That they’d grieve me. That they’d miss me. But instead— “Mom, I’m inviting my friends to celebrate my birthday at a restaurant tomorrow!” My parents exchange hesitant glances. I can see the deep lines of exhaustion on their faces, the weight of financial stress. They can’t afford this. They shouldn’t. But then my mother smiles. Soft. Loving. Indulgent. “Of course, Evelyn! Mom won’t forget your birthday. Everything’s set—you’ll be the most beautiful girl there.” The most beautiful girl. Not a single mention of the daughter they just lost. Not a single flicker of sadness. And then— “Damn it, Big Sis had to die at the worst possible time. What bad luck.” Bad luck. Not tragedy. Not grief. Just inconvenience. My chest clenches with something sharp, something suffocating. I was nothing to them. I had always been nothing. When I was little, I believed that even if my mother was unfair, she still loved me. That my father’s beatings, his cruel words—they meant he cared. “Beating is affection. Scolding is love,” he used to say. So, I endured it. I remembered every lesson. I never made the same mistake twice. The neighbors praised me for being such a “sensible child.” And sometimes—just sometimes—my parents would smile. But as I watch my sister now, dry-eyed and unbothered by my death, I finally understand. I was never their daughter. I was never anything. “Big Sis was so capable,” she sighs, voice laced with insincerity. “But she died in the fire.” Then, as if on cue, she forces out a few fake tears. I stare at her perfect, unmarked face. At those cold, soulless eyes. A surge of hatred curls in my gut. I want to reach out. I want to rip them out. ________ CHAPTER

I remember now. I remember everything. I could have escaped that fire. The flames had been closing in, smoke thick in my lungs, but I had a way out. I was almost free. But then I heard my parents’ voices in my head. “Protect your sister, no matter what.” I turned back. I found her—Evelyn—trapped in the blaze, her terrified eyes locked onto mine. I grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the exit, toward safety. We were almost there. Almost free. And then— She ripped herself away. Before I could react, she shoved the door closed and locked it. I pounded against the wood, screaming her name. She didn’t look back. She left me there to die. My sister. The one I had protected since childhood. And now, as I watch her calmly discussing my death over dinner, I wonder— Had she ever loved me at all? Had they? “That dead girl,” my mother says dismissively, scooping soup into my sister’s bowl. “If she were still alive, she could’ve earned at least 3,000 dollars a month. We could’ve used that money to buy you nice clothes.” They weren’t mourning me. They weren’t even sad. I was nothing more than lost income. Something sharp twists inside me. I think back to all the ways they had stolen from me. All the things I had given up, convinced it was my duty as a daughter—as a sister. When I finished middle school, I begged to continue my education. But my parents refused. “You’re stupid anyway,” they said. “And you already repeated a year.” But that wasn’t my fault. They had made me repeat a year so I could stay in the same class as my sister. “She’s still young,” they told me. “We don’t want to leave her alone in elementary school. Stay with her. Protect her.” And like an idiot, I agreed. I let my parents rob me of my future. I let them take away my chance to learn, to grow—to be more than a shadow. We were struggling financially back then. I did everything—tutored my sister, cooked, cleaned, helped with the farmwork. And because of that, my grades slipped. I begged for tutoring. I wanted a chance to catch up. But my parents scoffed. “The school already teaches you everything. If you’re not learning there, why waste money on extra classes?” And yet, when she struggled, they didn’t hesitate. They spent money on her tutoring. Paid for her dance lessons. Sent her to piano classes. She became refined. I remained a simple country girl. But despite it all, I worked hard. I fought for my education. And finally—finally—I became the top student in my class. For once, I thought they’d be proud of me. I held up my award, heart pounding, waiting for their approval. Waiting for them to say, “Well done, sweetheart. We’re proud of you.” Instead, they turned to her. “Don’t worry, darling,” my mother soothed, stroking her hair. “Your sister is only good at studying. But you? You have talents—dance, piano. Your grades will catch up soon.” They dismissed my success like it was nothing. As if being smart—being capable—wasn’t enough. It was never enough. Because no matter what I did—I would never be their daughter. Not like her. __________ CHAPTER

“It’s such a shame your sister died,” my father sighed, pouring himself another drink. “I had already arranged a good marriage for her. We could’ve started preparing for the wedding next month.” “What a waste,” my mother agreed, stirring her soup. “I’ll ask around about a ghost marriage. Maybe we can still make some money off her.” A ghost marriage. They were planning to sell my dead body off to a stranger. Even in death, they still saw me as nothing more than a transaction. The realization settled over me like a thick layer of ice. I was never their daughter. I was currency. And now that I was gone, they were desperate to squeeze every last bit of value out of my corpse. Tomorrow was Evelyn’s birthday party. She slept soundly, curled up in her bed, looking peaceful, unbothered—alive. I sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her. I was no longer human. I didn’t know why I hadn’t disappeared. Maybe it was unfinished business, or maybe it was pure, unfiltered hatred that tethered me here. I wasn’t sure yet. But I had time to figure it out. If nothing else, I could learn how to make her suffer. I reached out, trailing cold fingers over her cheek. She shivered in her sleep. A notification lit up her phone on the bedside table. I glanced at the screen. 【Give money!】 The message was from an unknown number. I frowned. Who was Evelyn supposed to give money to? Was she in debt? Or was she paying someone off? My mind spun with possibilities, but before I could process them, my mother entered the room. She pulled the blanket up over Evelyn’s shoulders, tucking her in with careful hands. A soft, loving gesture. The kind I had never received. I remembered all those nights I slept on the cold, hard sofa, my body trembling from the chill. No one had ever come to cover me with a blanket. I watched her move, hovering near the ceiling, unseen. “Is the air conditioner too low?” she mumbled, rubbing her arms. I smirked. No, Mother. That’s just me. The next morning, I witnessed something I hadn’t seen in years. A real home-cooked breakfast. The table was filled with steaming dishes—both Asian and Western. My mother bustled around the kitchen, her movements fluid, almost graceful. I never knew she could cook like this. When had she learned? Then, it hit me. She had to. Because after I was gone—after I was sent away to work—there was no one left to cook for Evelyn. She must have struggled at first, forcing herself to get better, to take care of her precious youngest daughter. The daughter that mattered. I watched as Evelyn stretched, rubbing sleep from her eyes before skipping over to the kitchen. “Mom, your cooking is delicious!” she beamed. “I love eating the food you make!” My mother smiled warmly, reaching up to smooth her hair. The scene before me was perfect. A cozy home. A warm meal. A loving family. Anyone would envy this life. And for a fleeting moment, I wondered— Was it my fault? Had I been too cold, too quiet, too difficult to love? Had I pushed them away? Had I done something wrong? I thought back to the younger version of myself, desperate for affection. I remembered standing in this very kitchen, eager to help, eager to please. I remembered the way my mother had shoved me aside, irritated. “Don’t bother me! You annoy me just by being here!” That was when I learned the truth. I was only welcome if I was doing something for Evelyn. That was the only way to earn their approval. And even then, it was never enough. I wanted to leave this suffocating house. To get as far away as possible. But whenever I moved more than ten meters from Evelyn— I was pulled right back. Like a leash. Like a curse. Like I still belonged to her. __________ CHAPTER

Evelyn’s birthday party was lively. My parents had gone all out, renting a banquet hall to celebrate. The room glittered with chandeliers, laughter filled the air, and the guests—most of them wealthy and influential—sipped on expensive champagne, smiling as they mingled. I floated through the crowd, unnoticed. Unseen. But I wasn’t surprised. I had spent my entire life like this. From the corner of the room, a familiar face caught my eye. Caleb Martins. He was here. Evelyn’s former classmate. One of the only people who had ever shown me kindness. I remembered the last time he attended one of her birthdays—last year. “Sis, I want a seafood feast for my birthday.” I had spent hours preparing a lavish spread for her, making sure every dish was perfect. But when we went grocery shopping, she wrinkled her nose. “The market’s selection is disgusting. Go to the supermarket instead.” And I had listened. I always listened. Because my father had said, “You’ve been working for years. Can’t you spend a little money to make your sister happy?” That year, I had paid for every single expense. But Evelyn never even acknowledged my efforts. It was Caleb who had noticed. When she cut the cake, she handed him the second slice. But instead of keeping it, he had placed it in my hands. “This should go to the one who worked so hard to make tonight special. Let’s thank her together.” He had been the only person who ever truly saw me. When I was rushing around, drowning in tasks, he had helped. And later, we had exchanged numbers, keeping in touch through quiet messages. But then Evelyn had smashed my phone. “Sis, don’t be ridiculous and try to pursue Caleb!” I never had. But she had already decided I wasn’t worthy of even speaking to someone like him. “You? A middle school dropout talking to someone from a prestigious university? Have some self-awareness!” After she told our parents, they hadn’t hesitated to take her side. “If you want to get married, we’ll find you a rich man. You’ll be set for life.” A week later, my mother dragged me to a blind date. The man was older than my father. I had fled the city after that. I never thought that the next time I returned… I would be nothing but a charred corpse. The shrill ring of a phone cut through the party’s music. “Hello, your daughter’s body—” My father hung up immediately. “What a terrible omen! Today is Evelyn’s birthday, and you’re talking about my daughter’s corpse? Are you cursing her?” The phone rang again. I wanted him to answer. To acknowledge me. But he silenced it once more. My death meant less than a murderer’s birthday. In his eyes, I was already gone. Irrelevant. I hovered near my mother, listening as she sighed. “I feel a chill, dear.” “You must not be wearing enough layers.” She had no idea I was standing inches away, watching her. The phone rang again. This time, she hesitated before picking up. “If you don’t come handle your daughter’s body in River Creek Village, we’ll dispose of it ourselves,” the voice on the other end warned. My mother’s response was instant, her voice detached. “Handle it yourselves. I’m busy.” Then she turned, beaming at Evelyn. I wanted to scream. To grab the phone and beg the person on the other end to bury me. I didn’t want to be cremated. I had already burned once. I didn’t want to go through that agony again. But when I reached for the phone— My hands passed right through it. I was nothing. And yet, they were smiling, laughing, moving on as if I had never existed. “Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend, Caleb Martins!” I turned sharply. Evelyn clung to his arm, her eyes sparkling with feigned innocence. Caleb? Her boyfriend? A strange feeling twisted inside me. I didn’t know what it was— Only that something inside me cracked. I looked down at my hands. They were fading. Then re-forming. What was happening to me? I lifted my gaze, watching my parents glow with pride. The same parents who once shamed me for even talking to him. “You? A toad trying to eat swan meat?” But now that Evelyn was with him, they adored the match. “They’re perfect for each other,” my mother gushed. “A match made in heaven.” And then— Caleb looked around, frowning slightly. “But where’s Evelyn’s sister?” For the first time that night— Someone remembered me. _________ CHAPTER

Since my phone had been broken, I had lost contact with Caleb. I never expected him to still remember me. Every year on Evelyn’s birthday, I had been there—either cooking, serving tea, or making sure everything was perfect. I had been so consumed with her celebrations that I had forgotten my own birthday. The only time I had ever celebrated it was when my grandmother was alive. She had cooked me a simple bowl of longevity noodles. That was it. And now, even in death, I was here again. Watching. “Big Sis died in the fire, and it’s so tragic that she’s no longer with us. But today is Evelyn’s birthday, so let’s not dwell on sad things.” Evelyn’s mother had tears in her eyes. Evelyn, ever the doting daughter, handed her a handkerchief, her expression sorrowful. I stared at them in disbelief. I had never seen that woman cry. She was always smiling, always cheerful. So why hadn’t she shed a single tear when I actually died? Not even a pretense of mourning. “Sis always attended my birthday parties, but this year… something unexpected happened.” The mother-daughter duo exchanged sorrowful glances, taking turns dabbing at their tears. It was picture-perfect grief. A textbook display of the deep mother-daughter bond they shared. I had never experienced it. Maybe I had been too dull. Maybe I had never learned how to please my parents like Evelyn did. Maybe that’s why they never loved me. Maybe it was because I didn’t know how to cry. Because if I had, maybe they would have paid attention to me. “The fire was too big,” my father sighed heavily. “We could only save Evelyn. Every night at midnight, I wake up, haunted by the image of Big Sis begging us for help. I’m sorry, Big Sis.” I drifted toward him, my cold, dead gaze locking onto his face. He was the one who slept the most soundly in that house. The one whose lies were always so smooth. If he had truly loved his beloved daughter, maybe he would have been heartbroken to know she was a murderer. But he didn’t care. He just didn’t want people whispering about it. Caleb wore a forced smile as he listened, pretending to be saddened by my death while also comforting my so-called grieving family. I clenched my fists, but my fingers simply passed through my dress like mist. A waiter rolled out a towering three-tiered cake, and the mood instantly shifted. Evelyn was radiant, standing in the center of her admirers. Beautiful. Elegant. Graceful. She basked in their praise like it was oxygen, her lips curling in satisfaction. I had seen this scene too many times before. From childhood to adulthood, she had always craved admiration. Always loved being flattered. I had learned early on that if I wanted to avoid a beating, all I had to do was praise her in front of my parents. They would get so distracted with their perfect daughter that they’d forget about me completely. Evelyn took the first slice of cake and held out the second piece to Caleb. But before he could take it, he turned to her with an unreadable expression. “This one should go to your sister.” The room stilled for a fraction of a second. Evelyn’s hand tightened around the cake server. Her perfect smile wavered. Then, in an instant, it was gone. “I’ll give you this first slice instead,” she said sweetly, pressing the fork into his hands. She had always liked being first. And now, she had decided he belonged to her, too. As guests enjoyed their cake, her friends continued to fawn over her. “Evelyn, if it weren’t for you, I’d never have gotten to eat at such an expensive restaurant.” “Evelyn, your family is so rich. Your parents and sister spoil you so much! This birthday party is amazing! And your boyfriend is so handsome!” Evelyn smiled, her tone light. “Yes, my sister was always good to me. Whatever I wanted, she gave it to me.” But her eyes gleamed with something else. Mockery. Yes. Whatever you wanted, I gave it to you. You even took my life. The room’s atmosphere shattered when the doors swung open. A police officer strode inside, his uniform crisp, his badge gleaming. “Evelyn Brooks,” he announced, his voice steady, “you are under investigation for murder. Please come with us.” The party froze.

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The Man I Had a Crush On Went Blind I pretended to be his fiancée and took care of him for a year. When the real one came back, I was kicked out of the villa. I went abroad to work alone. Little did I know, he was desperately searching for me back home. “Lucas, it’s time for your medicine!” I lowered my voice as I walked into the bedroom carrying a glass of water. The man sitting on the edge of the bed turned his head. The sunset fell on his handsome face, gilding it with a golden edge. However, his eyes were unfocused. “Why are you only coming now? You’re half an hour late.” Lucas complained, but smiled gently in my direction. “The company had some urgent business.” I mimicked Emma’s tone and placed the glass in his hand. Lucas was my husband, and I was playing the role of his childhood sweetheart. A year ago, Lucas was in a car accident that left him temporarily blind, with an unknown recovery time. His fiancée Emma was proud and arrogant, naturally unwilling to marry a blind man, and had fled abroad to hide. My brother had a heart attack and urgently needed surgery, with the huge medical bills weighing on me. It just so happened that the Smith family was secretly looking for someone, needing a voice actor similar in all aspects to play Emma. And I was the best candidate. I had studied vocal music and had excellent grades. We quickly reached an agreement. “Honey, what’s for dinner tonight?” Lucas smiled as he played with my fingers. He worked from home every day and only relaxed when I got off work. “The housekeeper made your favorite dishes. I’ll bring them up in a bit.” “Okay.” Lucas caressed my neck and kissed me. I blushed, unable to push him away, and instead had my wrists pinned down by him. My heart raced, even though I had experienced this many times before. But every time I would get nervous, afraid of accidentally revealing myself. Lucas’s hand stroked my waist and landed on my stomach, looking puzzled: “It’s been so long, how come there’s still no movement?” “Uh… these things depend on fate, and I’ve been quite tired from work lately. I probably need to take better care of my body first.” I lied, since he couldn’t see my micro-expressions anyway. Our relationship was just an agreement, and I always took my pills on time. “Looks like I need to try harder!” Lucas laughed and bit my ear. Seeing that he wanted to continue, I immediately pushed him away: “I-I’ll go check if dinner is ready.” I heard his light laughter behind me. I leaned against the hallway wall, my face flushed and my heart pounding. The thought that his gentleness and everything was meant for his fiancée suddenly felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over me. This man was gentle and wise, with excellent manners. It was hard not to fall for him. Moreover, I had liked him for a very long time.

Downstairs, Lucas’s mother Vivian was waiting for me at the dining table. “Perfect timing. I have good news for you. “Emma has been found, and Dr. Lee also said that Lucas’s eyes are showing signs of recovery. You’ll be able to step down soon.” Vivian smiled, obviously genuinely happy. I forced a smile: “Congratulations. It’s finally over.” Vivian noticed the kiss marks on my neck and immediately frowned. “Aria, don’t you dare get any ideas. If you slip up or have any ulterior motives in these final days, you won’t get a penny of your brother’s follow-up treatment fees.” “I understand, Mrs. Smith!” I nodded coldly, ignoring her obvious disdain. In private, Vivian wouldn’t let me call her mom. Because deep down, she always saw me as a poor knockoff, and it was my good fortune to be touched by her son. In her mind, only someone from a noble family like Emma was truly worthy of Lucas. If it weren’t for not wanting to lose face on the engagement day, she wouldn’t have let a poor girl like me set foot in the Smith family at all. On the engagement day, she made me cover my face with a veil and just go through the motions. … After dinner, I brought a glass of milk to Lucas. Walking into the bedroom, he was on the phone with his assistant, listening to a report on the company’s situation. I sat nearby, my heart pounding, repeating the script I had prepared in my head. Lucas hung up the phone and reached out to hold my hand. “Let’s go out and play tomorrow, it’s the weekend.” “But… I need to visit my family tomorrow.” He hooked his fingers with mine and smiled: “Then I’ll wait for you.” I looked at him wistfully. The agreement would end tomorrow, and tonight would be our last night together. “Lucas, drink your milk and get some rest.” I placed the glass in his hand. Lucas finished drinking, with milk residue on the corner of his mouth. I raised my hand to wipe it off. My fingertips brushed across the corner of his lips. Lucas felt a tingle in his heart and kissed me accurately. “My wife is so passionate tonight?” “Lucas…” Take care of yourself!

Early the next morning, when I went downstairs, the servants had already packed my things. Vivian stood there, staring at me with a harsh look, full of disgust. “Here’s your money. The password is your birthday.” I took it expressionlessly and walked towards the entrance. Suddenly, footsteps sounded on the stairs. Lucas had woken up at some point. “Honey, when will you be back?” My throat tightened: “Later.” “Then I’ll wait for you!” Looking at his handsome face, I steeled my heart and turned to leave. I dragged my luggage to my previous cheap rental apartment, finally feeling relieved. Even though it was very run-down here, at least I didn’t have to watch other people’s faces anymore. After my brother’s surgery, I took him abroad. This was part of the agreement. When Emma came back, I was to disappear from their sight. Before going abroad, I saw Lucas’s appearance after regaining his sight in the news. He appeared radiant at a charity gala, with the elegant and proud Emma standing beside him. They truly were a perfect match. I couldn’t help but think back to the New Year’s party in high school, where they stood gracefully on the main stage. I was a year below them, but I had known about Lucas for a long time. The hot topic among girls was always about handsome and excellent boys. I fell for him just because of a small incident. There were always beggars near the school, and everyone would walk away in fear and disgust. Only Lucas wouldn’t. He would always politely buy them breakfast. At that time, my family hadn’t fallen on hard times yet, and I could often secretly watch him at school. Later, my father lost all our family assets through gambling and jumped to his death. I was forced to transfer schools, working part-time while studying.

Life abroad wasn’t easy. Unfamiliar with the place and having to take care of William who was still recovering. It took half a year before I gradually got used to this foreign land. I worked as a vocal teacher at a small institute and played the piano at a French restaurant when I had time. Most of the money given by the Smith family was spent on medical care. There would be many expenses in the future, so I had to work harder. To my surprise, I ran into Lucas at the restaurant. With his restored vision, he looked even more handsome than on the news. He was discussing business with someone and didn’t look at me once. It was normal for Lucas not to recognize me, as he had never seen me before. But I was unsettled, and my piano playing was a mess. The restaurant manager glanced at me with a warning look. I took a break and went to the restroom to calm down. As I came out, I bumped into someone. I knocked the person’s phone to the ground and hurriedly went to pick it up. “I’m so sorry!” Looking up, I found Lucas staring intently at me. I tried to remain calm, saw that the phone was intact, and quickly returned it to him. Our fingertips touched for a few seconds, and I quickly withdrew as if electrocuted. “Please check if your phone is okay. If it is, I’ll be on my way.” “…” He didn’t say anything. I felt uneasy under his gaze, smiled politely, and turned to leave. A hesitant and probing voice came from behind. “Honey?” I paused, pretending to be surprised as I turned back. “What did you say?” “…” He fell silent, his gaze very disappointed.

Sitting back at the piano, my mind was in chaos. Why did Lucas call me that just now? Was he deliberately testing me? I continued playing, for the first time hoping time would pass quickly. The gaze from not far away falling on me made me feel uneasy. After the last piece ended, I let out a sigh. As I was about to leave, Lucas walked over to me. “You played well.” He smiled slightly and took out some tips to give me. I looked at the bills, not wanting to accept them. But the manager not far away was winking at me, afraid I would offend him. “Thank you.” I stiffly accepted. But he didn’t let go, and I looked at him in confusion. Suddenly, his hand reached out and gripped my fingers. I was startled and instinctively wanted to pull back, but he held on tighter. His long fingers swept across the back of my hand, as if searching for something. Abruptly, his fingertips paused. His gaze locked onto me, and the corners of his mouth curved up. “It really is you!” “…” I lowered my eyes guiltily and pushed him away forcefully. “You’ve got the wrong person, sir.” “Is that so? Then why are you so nervous?” He stared at me intently, excited yet annoyed. I looked at the floor helplessly, fortunately his business partner came over to find him, seeming to have an urgent matter. Taking advantage of their conversation, I quickly slipped away. “Wait!” Lucas called out urgently, only managing to grab a bit of my clothes. I was familiar with this place and nimbly escaped through the back door. Seeing that he didn’t chase after me, I finally let out a sigh of relief. I was very afraid that Lucas would come to settle accounts with me. If he knew that all his gentleness during that time was directed at a strange woman, what would he think? Feel hurt, disgusted? I clenched my fingers, my chest feeling stuffy.

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In my previous life, my sister Lily didn’t want to marry the poor boy Jack, so she begged me to take her place. Little did we know that he would eventually become a billionaire. In this life, she excitedly told me, “Sis, if you could be the billionaire’s wife, so can I!” Watching her marry him, I couldn’t help but smile. She had no idea that Jack’s rise to wealth was entirely due to my strategic planning. Without me, he would be nothing! “Sis, if you could be the billionaire’s wife, so can I!” My sister Lily looked at me, her body trembling with excitement. Greed and desire were written all over her face, not even trying to hide it. I smirked, my smile full of hidden meaning. In my previous life, Lily didn’t want to marry the poor boy, so she cried and begged our parents to let me take her place. But who would have thought that the poor boy would eventually become a billionaire? She only knew about the luxurious life I had with Jack after we got together, but she had no idea that Jack was essentially incompetent. Worst of all, Jack had a tendency for domestic violence. His rise to wealth was entirely due to my strategic planning. Without me, he would be nothing! Seeing Jack and me frequently appearing on TV, living a life better than hers, my sister was consumed with envy and jealousy. So she lured me back home under the pretext of our parents being ill, and pushed me off a tall building. As I was falling to my death, I grabbed onto her clothes, and unexpectedly, we both reincarnated to the day when Jack came to propose.

Just like in my previous life, the poor boy Jack came to propose, relying on the fact that his father once saved my father’s life. After entering our house, he immediately took a liking to the lively and bubbly Lily. Being quiet and well-behaved, I naturally didn’t catch his eye. When Jack expressed his desire to marry Lily, she excitedly said to me, “Sis, this time you can’t steal my chance at a wealthy life.” I smiled slightly, “Are you sure you won’t regret this decision in the future?” She was already overwhelmed with excitement, “This will be the best decision I’ve ever made!” After saying this, she turned to our parents and said, “I’ll marry him!” Hearing her words, our parents’ faces showed obvious concern, “Are you sure?” After all, our family was relatively well-off. Although not extremely wealthy, we never had to worry about food or clothing. Marrying Jack meant a life of poverty, possibly filled with endless hardships. My sister nodded firmly again, seemingly already fantasizing about her lavish life as a billionaire’s wife. Although reluctant, our parents could only painfully agree. After all, Jack’s father did save our father’s life, and now that they’ve come to propose, there was no reason to refuse. Moreover, Lily was willing to marry him, giving even less reason to decline. Throughout all this, I kept my head down, quietly staring at my old canvas shoes, a slight mocking smile playing on my lips. The greedy and selfish sister and the incompetent Jack were indeed a perfect match.

Originally, the wedding date was set for the tenth of next month. But my sister was so eager to become the so-called billionaire’s wife that she insisted, “I don’t care, I want to marry him next week. No! I want to marry him the day after tomorrow!” My father angrily stood up from the sofa, “Lily, do you know what you’re saying? Have you no shame?” My mother also ran out from the kitchen, trying to persuade Lily, “You’re going to have a hard life after marrying him. The later you marry, the better. Why are you so eager to bring forward the date?” Unexpectedly, my sister raised her chin proudly, like a peacock showing off its feathers. “Who says I’m going to have a hard life? I’m going to enjoy a life of luxury. Jack is handsome and gentle. I fell deeply in love with him the moment I saw him. I believe our life together will definitely be wonderful.” I smiled as I watched my sister’s animated expression, imagining her current happiness. After all, when I became the billionaire’s wife in my previous life, I had access to all kinds of luxury brands and frequently appeared on TV, becoming the so-called national ideal wife. At that time, she must have been incredibly jealous. My mother secretly tugged at my hand, signaling me to try and persuade her. I smiled faintly, “Lily is old enough to make her own decisions now. If she wants to get married earlier, let her.” My sister was so happy her eyes narrowed into crescents, “After getting married, I can start building my own family and career sooner.” Our parents didn’t quite understand. My sister smiled and said, “I believe my future will be brilliant. Just wait and see, Mom and Dad.” Seeing my sister’s radiant smile, our parents could only sigh helplessly. I just lowered my eyes, unable to suppress a sneer. My sister only saw the glorious side of my previous life, and now she’s eager to replace me and live that so-called brilliant life. I’m really looking forward to seeing how she plans to turn the incompetent Jack into a billionaire. As the wedding date approached, Jack’s side still showed no sign of preparation. According to our local customs, before the wedding, the groom’s family must give the bride some jewelry, at least a ring, necklace, and bracelet. No matter how small or inexpensive, it’s a gesture of sincerity. Seeing Jack’s lack of effort, my father was furious, “Is the Jack family treating my daughter like grass?” My mother wrung her hands nervously, “Yes, getting married without even a piece of jewelry, we’ll be the laughing stock of the neighborhood.” I calmly watched all of this from the side. Jack’s family was dirt poor, struggling even to put food on the table. How could they possibly have extra money for jewelry? My father was still regretful, “If it weren’t for the engagement, we would never let our daughter marry into that family.” Thinking about his beloved daughter going to live a life of hardship, my father was heartbroken. My mother sighed, holding Lily’s hand and trying to reason with her, “Lily, if you really don’t want to marry him, we can find another way.” Lily panicked and shook her head vigorously, “Of course I want to get married! In this life, I won’t marry anyone but Jack!” Her casual words made our parents’ eyes dim with sadness. “Looks like the wedding day will have to be a simple affair.”

Just as our parents predicted, on the wedding day, even the clothes Lily wore were hastily bought by our parents who couldn’t bear to see her so poorly dressed. Naturally, only Jack came to pick up the bride. He wore a faded jacket, rode an old bicycle, and had a big smile on his face. “Mom, Dad, I brought some firecrackers to celebrate!” As he spoke, he proudly placed the firecrackers on the ground and lit them. Amidst the crackling sounds, our parents’ faces looked extremely unhappy. This so-called wedding was pathetically shabby. Forget about a banquet, there wasn’t even a single person from the village coming to offer blessings. Even neighbor Ava, who usually gossips about everything, had gone to work in the county town as usual today. I smirked. Except for the change in the main character, everything else was exactly the same as in my previous life. The poor Jack, without any sincerity, still brazenly explained this behavior as keeping things simple. But in this miserable atmosphere, the bride was smiling brilliantly. As soon as Jack finished lighting the firecrackers, she eagerly sat on the back of his bicycle, “Mom, Dad, I’m off then.” Jack, looking at his new bride hugging his waist, was so happy he couldn’t close his mouth, “Mom, Dad, please go back inside. No need to see us off.” My mother opened her mouth, wanting to say something but holding back. Watching their retreating figures, her eyes inevitably moistened. “Lily, how will you live from now on…” My father sighed heavily and turned to go back inside without a word. Watching Jack and Lily embrace intimately, I momentarily recalled those painful memories from my previous life. My gaze gradually turned cold, then slowly returned to calmness. After all, I’ve been reborn now. I have a completely different path ahead of me. Those hardships will never happen to me again. Seemingly noticing my gaze on them, Lily thought I was jealous. She deliberately came to my side and lowered her voice, “This was originally my life. You’d better not interfere!” “Sis, remember, don’t appear in front of Jack casually in the future. All those good days belong to me.” I nodded obediently, “Mm-hmm.” I couldn’t ask for anything better. I don’t know if it was psychological, but I suddenly felt that Lily in front of me looked much more pleasing. After all, her every word and action now deeply satisfied me. Lily was very pleased with my understanding, “After all, I’m married now. In the future, stay as far away from me as possible!” I nodded seriously again, “Okay.” Looking at my excited sister in front of me, I fell into deep thought. If I remember correctly, on the first night of their marriage, Jack would reveal his abusive nature. In my previous life, it was because I fought back fiercely, willing to risk my life, that Jack had no choice but to let it go. Later, Jack needed me to strategize for him, and I controlled most of his social resources. With me holding him down, he naturally didn’t dare to abuse me anymore. In this life, I can only wish my sister good luck. Watching their gradually disappearing figures, I calmly advised my mother, “Since this is Lily’s own choice, we should just give her our blessings.” This is what she desperately wanted, so we can only wish her well. My mother wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, “Emma, you’re the only daughter left at home now.” I held my mother’s hand and turned to go back inside. But my heart felt incredibly light.

When there were two daughters at home before, our parents would always think of Lily first for everything. With Lily gone, my life will only become easier and happier. I can enjoy the happiness that should come with my age, with my father’s company, and never have to tread on thin ice like in my previous life. Moreover, in this life, without Jack, that incompetent fool, as a stumbling block, I’ll become the billionaire myself! Firmly grasping my destiny in my own hands is the most correct choice. I still set my first goal on real estate, which I saw as the most promising in my previous life. I started organizing my initial capital. Then I invested all the funds I had into a large plot of land in the county town that nobody else thought much of, buying low and planning to sell high later. This way, my capital would multiply several times over. Then, like in my previous life, I would use the capital to register an e-commerce company, as e-commerce would become the most mainstream and profitable industry in the coming years. After planning out what I needed to do next in my mind, I also prepared to start slowly putting things into action. According to local customs, the second day after the wedding is when the bride returns to her parents’ home. I was looking forward to seeing what choices my sister would make in this life. Early in the morning, our parents started preparing. My mother was busy with the food, worrying and muttering, “Prepare more meat dishes. Who knows when Lily will get to eat meat again after marrying into that family.” My father sat nearby, heavily tapping his pipe with a gloomy expression, “I’ll have someone slaughter a few chickens and ducks for her to take back.” As our parents were talking, there was a commotion at the door. Entering was my sister, with a bruised and swollen face. The moment I saw her, I understood. Sure enough, my sister ultimately wasn’t me. She had made a completely different choice from what I did. Back then, I wanted to firmly grasp my destiny in my own hands, striving with all my might to climb out of the mud. But now, my sister had pinned all her hopes on that incompetent fool, hoping that he would somehow become a billionaire overnight. Seeing my sister in this state, my mother was heartbroken. She pulled her to sit down and started crying. “Has that Jack gone mad? Doesn’t he know his own situation? I’ve already lowered myself by marrying my daughter to him, and he dares to lay hands on her?” “It’s only the second day and he’s already hitting her. How will the days ahead be?” My father was also furious, “I must teach that boy a lesson. How dare he hit my daughter? He must pay the price!” Watching my father angrily speak while going to find a hoe, looking like he was ready to fight Jack to the death, my sister panicked. She quickly got up from her seat and hurriedly stopped my father. “Dad, don’t do this. Don’t go find him. I’m not hurt at all.” My father was exasperated, “You’ve been beaten like this and you say you’re not hurt? Do you have to be beaten to death before you feel pain?” Seeing her like this, even though I already knew the outcome, I couldn’t bear to watch. So when our parents said they wanted to seek justice for her, I chose to remain silent. My sister shook her head with a smile, “Actually, Jack is quite good to me. He wouldn’t possibly beat me to death. As for why he hit me, I understand. After all, people destined for greatness have their tempers.” When my sister said this, her eyes were full of deep love. “Don’t worry, my life will only get better, not worse.” Her simple words made the air fall silent. It was the first time I’d seen someone so willing to walk into a dead end. I couldn’t help but speak up, “If Mom and Dad went to seek justice for you today, he might be a bit more restrained in the future.” She sneered, “Sis, are you jealous that I’ll have a better life in the future? Are you afraid that you’ll be forever trampled under my feet?” I pretended not to understand, but inwardly I was extremely frustrated. As parents, seeing her like this was truly heartbreaking. My parents suggested taking her to the hospital to bandage her wounds, but my sister refused. Her reason was actually, “Jack is going to be a billionaire in the future. If news of me being beaten gets out, it will affect his future reputation.” In the end, our parents couldn’t persuade her and could only buy some disinfectant to help her treat her wounds. It had been less than two days since she married, and my sister at the dining table was clearly starving. Her eyes lit up at the sight of meat, and she stuffed it into her mouth frantically. My sister, who had come back empty-handed, left with two chickens and two ducks. She even left a harsh warning, “If any of you speak about what happened today, don’t blame me for being merciless.” Seeing her like this, I was utterly speechless.

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The deadly heatwave was coming, but I had stocked up on enough supplies to last for months. My husband, however, decided to “rescue” our frail female neighbor and invited her to stay with us. “We’ve got plenty of supplies,” he said. “How much can one woman possibly eat? She’s all alone—we’re neighbors, what’s the harm in helping her out?” But later, I found out they were enjoying themselves in my bathroom, steaming it up like a sauna and taking bubble baths together. The neighbor, blushing and smiling, said coyly, “The ice cream you gave me is the best—it really cools me down.” After I caught them red-handed, they panicked and locked me out on the balcony to roast under the blazing sun. I died of dehydration in the unbearable heat. When I opened my eyes again, it was the first day of the heatwave. My phone buzzed with a heat warning: [ALERT: Temperatures in the city will reach unprecedented highs tomorrow, exceeding 108°F. Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary outings.] As I read the message, my body jolted with the memory of the unbearable pain. The dehydration, the agony, the suffocating heat—none of it was real anymore. In my hand was a cold iced Americano. Trembling, I tilted my head back and gulped it down, savoring the icy relief like someone who had been dying of thirst. In my last life, I had died of thirst. I’m a well-known risk assessor, and I had seen the warning signs of global climate change long before the heatwave hit. I’d prepared for it meticulously: our standalone villa was stocked with supplies, equipped with cooling systems, and had its own independent power grid. It was a self-sustaining fortress capable of lasting more than a year. It was supposed to be the perfect refuge for me and my husband. But last time, Ryan had a sudden, misguided sense of heroism. He took pity on our neighbor, Molly, who lived alone next door. She was frail, he said, and wouldn’t survive the heatwave on her own. So he insisted on bringing her into our house. “She’s just one person,” he said. “It’s no big deal. Her husband’s abroad and can’t help her. We’re neighbors—it’s the right thing to do!” I had been against it from the start. Molly had only moved in a few months ago, and we barely knew her. “She’s a married woman,” I said. “What would people think? If you’re worried about her, I can check on her every day instead.” But Ryan ignored me and dragged Molly into the house himself. She stood there, tears streaming down her face, pleading with me. “I’m sorry to trouble you,” she said. “I have fainting spells—I can’t handle the heat. If I pass out at home alone, no one will even find my body.” Ryan frowned and turned to me. “See? How can you be so heartless? We’ve got plenty of supplies and space. It’s just for a few days!” Helpless, I gave in. Before the water and power were cut off, Molly moved under our roof. Then came the day Ryan decided he wanted fresh vegetables. By that time, temperatures outside had hit nearly 122°F. Going out required wearing full protective gear. Ryan, claiming he was getting nosebleeds from a vitamin deficiency and might develop sepsis, begged me to make the trip. Reluctantly, I drove miles to a national cold storage facility to buy him fresh vegetables. When I returned, I walked into my house to find Ryan and Molly in my bathroom, enjoying an air-conditioned 75°F haven. They were together in the bathtub. Molly was completely naked, her hands resting tenderly on Ryan’s chest. “Where’s the cucumber I asked for?” she whined. “I need it for my face mask!” Ryan, unconcerned, stroked her arm and replied, “I sent Ann to get it. That woman’s obsessed with me anyway—she’s like a dog. Let her play housekeeper while we relax.” They were using my home, my supplies, my life—and they didn’t even bother to hide their affair. Furious, I stormed into the bathroom and caught them in the act. But the pair of them, like cornered rats, turned on me. Before I could react, they stripped off my protective gear and locked me out on the south-facing balcony. The temperature outside was over 122°F. Under the relentless sun, I collapsed, my skin burning and my throat parched. I’d never known such despair. In a matter of hours, I was reduced to a dried, lifeless corpse. After I died, Molly convinced Ryan to dismember my body and dump it down the sewer. She took over everything I had worked so hard to build. Now, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Ryan, his voice hurried and breathless: “Honey, can you bring me the valve wrench from 3044? Quick!”

Apartment 3044 belonged to none other than Molly. On a scorching 104°F day, my husband decided to skip his usual afternoon nap and help our dear female neighbor fix her air conditioner. When I got there, Molly was lounging in a skimpy crop top and shorts so short they barely qualified as clothing. Her legs were on full display, leaving little to the imagination. She was sucking on a banana-flavored popsicle, not biting it, letting it melt slowly and drip down her lips, making them glisten. Meanwhile, Ryan was standing on a chair, sweating profusely as he fiddled with the central AC unit. “So cool! But not as refreshing as having you here to fix my air conditioner,” Molly said with a bright, flirtatious smile. When she turned and saw me, she stuck out her tongue in mock surprise, pretending she hadn’t noticed me walk in. It was only in this second life that I realized her carefree demeanor was nothing but an act—a carefully crafted performance designed to lure men. I ignored her and looked up at the sweat-drenched back of my husband. “Excuse me, sir. What’s your profession again?” Ryan scratched his head sheepishly. “Oh, honey, when I was a kid back in the countryside, my dad used to fix appliances. I picked up a few tricks back then—this is nothing.” Funny. At home, he couldn’t even be bothered to change a lightbulb, always leaving it for the housekeeper. But now? Suddenly, he was eager to play handyman. Ah, the power of a pretty face. It can turn a man into the most obedient servant. “Did you bring the valve wrench?” he asked without looking at me. I shook my head. “We don’t even own one. You’ve never done a single repair at home, remember?” Molly chimed in, crossing her arms as the sheer fabric of her top clung to her skin, leaving little to the imagination. From Ryan’s angle, he had a perfect view of her cleavage. “It’s fine, big bro. You should head back with your wife. I’ll call someone else to fix it—don’t worry about me!” Years of marriage had made me an expert in reading Ryan’s body language. And as I glanced at him, I noticed it—he was turned on. He quickly averted his gaze, trying to cover it up, but I’d already seen enough. “All right,” he stammered. “If you need anything else, just let me know.” I scanned the room, taking in the chaotic scene. The dining table was covered in empty instant noodle cups, while the window sill was decorated with an elaborate dessert stand. On the old plastic clothes rack, a pair of Gucci spring collection black stockings hung delicately. The mix of sloppiness and luxury was almost comical. Molly was a private model—someone who made her living posing for exclusive clients. There was no way she could normally afford to live in a neighborhood like ours. She had only rented this apartment for her photoshoots. Her social media was filled with posts showcasing a glamorous life, paired with poetic captions meant to evoke sophistication. And Ryan? He was always in her comments, leaving little gems like “Such beauty deserves admiration.” Every single post. Rain or shine. It was so over-the-top that it practically oozed infatuation through the screen. I’d never paid attention to his behavior online, so I’d been completely unaware of his little crush until now. Molly glanced at me, then at Ryan, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “You’re so lucky, Mrs. Harris! Financially independent, with a husband who dotes on you every day. Unlike me…” Molly had been married for three years, but her husband worked overseas and rarely came back. My eyes caught on something new sitting on her table: a pristine Hermès handbag. I didn’t need to guess who had bought it for her. Molly noticed my gaze and tilted her chin up proudly. “Beautiful, isn’t it? A gift from one of my biggest fans!” “Women have to rely on themselves,” she added smugly. “You can’t depend on a husband alone. The real skill is getting other men to happily spend money on you.” Ryan stood there, perfectly composed, as if her words didn’t implicate him. “Honey, do you like that bag?” he asked me casually. “If you want one, I can get you one too.” I nearly laughed out loud. What a hypocrite. Spending my money to act generous and charming for someone else. When I first met Ryan, he was a fresh-faced college athlete, full of youthful energy. I was already working at the Social Sciences Institute and had a bit of a reputation in my field. Occasionally, I’d return to my alma mater to teach guest lectures, and that’s where I’d first seen him—on the basketball court. He was magnetic on the court, his jersey clinging to his sweat-soaked body as he dunked the ball effortlessly. His sharp abs flexed as he moved, and his fiery gaze seemed to burn through everything in its path. Whenever he saw me, his ears would flush red, and he’d stammer, “Miss Shaw.” There was a six-year age gap between us, and while I was charmed, I never took it seriously. Later, he started working part-time at the gym where I swam. He offered to coach me in diving, and one thing led to another—we ended up together. I’ve never been one to romanticize relationships. From the beginning, I was clear about what I wanted. Before we got married, I told him plainly: “As long as you keep up those abs, I’ll take care of everything else. You won’t need to work or worry about money.” I had a steady income from my work at the institute and my investments in U.S. stocks. Every month, I gave Ryan $20,000 as pocket money. My only two conditions were that he stay fit and stay faithful. But he still managed to fall for someone else. And now, a man who’s already tainted has no place in my life anymore.

The streets were already blazing at a terrifying 113°F these past few days. Like in my past life, I had meticulously stocked up on supplies, preparing for this catastrophic heatwave with calm precision. All outdoor work had stopped, replaced with remote jobs for those lucky enough to work from home. Only a few essential workers remained, gritting their teeth through the unbearable heat. The neighborhood chat group buzzed with constant anxiety. Even a one-hour water outage was enough to send everyone into a frenzy. The latest trending news told of a homeless man who collapsed on the asphalt. His skin had melted onto the pavement, and he passed away from severe burns caused by the heat. People online offered prayers and condolences, but no one used the candle emoji anymore. It was just too hot for even that. As the heatwave persisted, power grids in multiple cities began to fail. Stories of people literally dying from the heat became more and more common. Meanwhile, in my little villa, I remained vigilant despite the relative comfort of my surroundings. I saved electricity, stayed cautious, and never let my guard down. Thankfully, my parents lived up north, where the heatwave hadn’t yet spread. “Annie, it’s only in the mid-80s here,” my mom reassured me over the phone. “We’ve got enough supplies. Don’t worry about us—just take care of yourself!” I made sure they wouldn’t skimp on air conditioning by sending them $1,000 for their electricity bill. After that, I turned my attention back to my plan—my perfect plan to take revenge on my husband and his mistress. The heatwave had already caused Molly to faint several times in her home. Each time, she’d call Ryan to take her to the hospital. I didn’t stop him. Instead, I lounged on the couch with a chilled watermelon in my lap, smiling at the TV as if nothing was wrong. Finally, Ryan couldn’t hold back any longer. He came to me with a familiar request. “Annie, why don’t we let Molly stay with us? She’s not doing well on her own, and it’s not like she’ll use up much of our supplies. She’s just one person, and we’re neighbors—it’s the right thing to do.” This time, I didn’t even pretend to hesitate. “Of course, honey,” I said with a sweet smile. “Neighbors should help each other out.” Ryan blinked, stunned by how quickly I agreed. Then, looking flattered, he nodded. “I knew it—you’re the kindest, most generous wife. I knew you wouldn’t mind.” What he didn’t know was that I had upgraded the villa’s entire system. How could I possibly mind? I was counting on both of them to come here so I could send them straight to hell. On her first day in the house, Molly helped herself to my walk-in closet. When I called her for dinner, she strutted out in one of my dresses. Ryan’s eyes lit up with admiration he didn’t even bother to hide. “Why are you wearing Annie’s clothes?” he asked, though his tone was more curious than upset. “Oh, I saw her wardrobe and couldn’t resist trying something on,” Molly said with a coy smile. Ryan chuckled, his voice full of praise. “It looks great on you. Annie has so many clothes anyway—why don’t you keep it?” He didn’t even glance in my direction for permission. It was like I wasn’t there. I just shrugged. It was only a dress, after all. A good hunter knows how to be patient. Even during the heatwave, Molly refused to give up her “career.” She insisted on continuing her modeling work from home. Ryan had a hobby for photography, so of course, Molly begged him to take pictures of her. She’d even come up with a title for the shoot: #HotAndSultry: Heatwave Goddess Edition “I’m planning to submit this to Men’s Magazine,” she said smugly. “I can already tell it’s going to go viral.” I glanced at the outfit she was wearing for the shoot and realized it was one of my $2,000 dresses—now cut into a tattered, revealing mess that barely covered anything. In my past life, it was during one of these photoshoots that they ended up in the bathtub together. Ryan, thinking I had gone to bed early, assumed it was the perfect opportunity. I had even told him I wasn’t feeling well because of my period, which gave him an excuse to sleep alone. How convenient for him. That night, I sat at my desk, staring coldly at the live feed from the security cameras. Sure enough, Ryan and Molly had snuck into the largest bathroom in the house. While people outside were dying in the heat, they had the audacity to set the AC to a cool 75°F and waste precious water on a bubble bath. Ryan was gently washing Molly’s back, running his hands over her skin as he massaged in the soap. The sound of flirtatious laughter and moans echoed from the bathroom. Molly’s voice was sweet and teasing. “What if your wife finds out? She’d probably kill me!” “Don’t worry about her,” Ryan said dismissively. “That old hag’s obsessed with me. We’re just using each other—she wants my looks, and I want her money. She’s nothing to be afraid of.” He tilted Molly’s chin up and smirked. “How about tonight, you take charge? I’ll let you do whatever you want.” “Ugh, you’re so annoying!” Molly giggled, playfully hitting his chest. I could barely contain my disgust. How had I ever fallen for such a sleazy, pathetic man? Fifteen minutes later, they finished their little escapade and began rinsing off under the shower. They still hadn’t noticed that the bathroom door had automatically locked. “Still feeling hot?” Ryan asked with a grin. Molly, her face flushed, mumbled something incoherent. “…The ice cream you gave me earlier was the best way to cool down.” They turned on the rain shower, laughing as the water cascaded over their bodies. Watching them through the security feed, I smirked. The bathroom’s sauna system was controlled remotely. I could adjust the room temperature and water settings with just a few taps. The sauna mode could reach temperatures of up to 212°F. At such extreme heat, the human body couldn’t survive for long. I thought of my past life—how I had been left to die, roasting under the relentless sun. This time, it was their turn. Without a second thought, I pressed the button.

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My brother is a male mermaid. I’m a female mermaid. Since we were born with tails, our mom thought we were disgusting monsters and abandoned us without hesitation. Later, through sheer grit and working three jobs each, we became billionaires. Just when we thought we could escape and live our own lives, three domineering CEOs showed up at our door. Facing their overwhelming presence, my brother and I backed away in panic: “We can explain!” 0Our father was a mysterious merman from the ocean. After a random encounter, our mother gave birth to us. Hoping to make our father come back, she decided to keep us, even though she knew we weren’t like regular children. But three years passed, and our father never returned. As time went on, she became more impatient. Every time she saw the tails on me and my brother, her irritation turned into madness. Her hateful gaze would linger on us for hours. Overwhelmed by her growing frustration, she would sometimes lose control, grabbing us and yanking out the scales from our tails. Since we didn’t have legs, my brother and I were forced to stay in a filthy, rusted bathtub. She would scream at us, her voice filled with venom: “Monsters! You ugly little freaks—why don’t you just die already?” “I can’t believe I gave birth to you two. I should’ve strangled you the day you were born!” “You’re just like your useless, good-for-nothing father!” Eventually, she put an overdose of drugs in our food, stuffed us into a bag with rocks, and dumped us into a pond to drown. But she underestimated us. Our merfolk bodies were far more resistant to toxins than humans, and we could breathe underwater. Somehow, we survived. Despite being abandoned, my brother and I managed to grow strong on the fish in the pond and made it to the age of five. One day, we discovered that we could transform our tails into legs. Excited, we climbed onto land for the first time—only to be promptly arrested for wandering around naked. We didn’t know it was inappropriate. After all, no one ever taught us about clothing, manners, or shame. With no family to claim us and no records of our existence, the authorities sent us to an orphanage. We didn’t speak a word until we were five, so everyone thought we were dumb. And since we ate more than any of the other kids, no one wanted to adopt us. So, we stayed in the orphanage until we turned 18. My brother and I shared one dream: to buy a private island where we could live freely without constantly hiding our true selves. To achieve that dream, we each began working three jobs. My brother became a butler, driver, and something else to three separate CEOs. I, on the other hand, became a stand-in for one CEO’s lost love, a shameless simp for another, and a housekeeper for the third—a CEO who happened to prefer men. Yes, you read that right. My brother and I worked as a team. We didn’t care about love—only money. 0

My brother hurriedly changed into his butler uniform while I slipped into the signature white dress of the “lost love” I was pretending to be. We had just rushed back from another gig, and with time running out, we were both scrambling to get ready. The doorbell rang, and my brother immediately put on a stoic expression, standing stiffly to the side. I adjusted my face into a gentle, delicate expression, fully embracing my role. Zane pushed the door open and walked in. My brother greeted him with a straight face: “Welcome home, Sir.” I bit my lip to keep from laughing and pinched my thigh to stay in character. Zane stopped in front of me, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “What did you do today?” he asked coldly. From the very beginning, Zane had been upfront with me: I was hired because I looked like his ex, his “ture love.” One million dollars a month for the role. My brother, as his butler, earned half that. Facing Zane’s question, I responded with utmost professionalism, my voice soft and tender: “I read some books, cooked a meal, and… thought about you.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my brother in the corner, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter, his teeth practically bared. Zane sat down beside me, his intense gaze never leaving my face. “Jenna’s coming back soon,” he said abruptly. “You won’t be needed anymore.” My smile froze. It felt like a bucket of money—no, a bucket of gold—was slipping through my fingers. “Wait,” I said, tears welling up in my eyes as I looked at him pleadingly. “Can’t you let me stay a little longer?” If I could just finish out the month, I’d earn another $100,000. Zane mistook my desperation for genuine emotion. “She’s fallen for me,” he thought smugly. But his heart belonged to Jenna. To him, I was nothing more than a replacement. His expression remained cold as he said: “You’re just a stand-in. I’ll never fall for you. I’ve already transferred $1 million into your account as a breakup fee. Disappear before Jenna returns.” My eyes lit up like a stadium under floodlights. This man. This generous, money-throwing man. He was my favorite client by far. But I was a professional. Even at the very last moment, I stayed in character. Tears streamed down my face as I gazed at him with heartbroken devotion. “Okay,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I’ll do as you say.” Zane nodded, satisfied. He seemed almost reluctant as he added: “You should give up on any feelings you have for me. You can stay in this house—I won’t be coming back.” From his corner, my brother gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up. This house, in an upscale neighborhood, had to be worth millions. If Zane wasn’t coming back, we could rent it out for a fortune. My brother and I exchanged a glance, instantly reading each other’s thoughts. Sometimes, it felt like we shared a single brain. 0

I brought out the takeout I had already plated and walked over to Zane with a look of heartfelt devotion. “This is the last meal I’ll ever make for you,” I said softly. “Please, Zane, let me watch you finish it, just this once.” Zane sighed inwardly but eventually gave a slight nod. “Fine. Since you like me so much, I’ll eat a little.” Right on cue, my brother chimed in from the side, his voice full of admiration: “It’s been a long time since the young master has eaten this much.” The problem with working alongside my brother is that we know each other far too well. Whenever he acts all serious and composed, it just makes me want to laugh. The moment we make eye contact, neither of us can hold it in. As soon as Zane finished eating and left, I finally let myself burst into laughter. “He’s so clueless! Have you been watching too many CEO dramas? What kind of butler even talks like that?” My brother rolled his eyes and plopped down beside me. “Your acting is too good. Seriously, though, don’t get too carried away. Remember, we’re here for the money, not the romance.” The laughter faded from my face as I nodded, sobering up. “I know. Of course, I know. With bodies like ours, no one would ever truly accept us.” We only had each other. Still, I couldn’t help but warn him in return: “You should be careful too. That sugar daddy of yours doesn’t look like someone you can mess with. Don’t let him swallow you whole.” My brother shrugged, scooping up the leftover food without a care. “Not a chance. I’m just his fake boyfriend to piss off his parents. He doesn’t even like men.” I wasn’t so sure about that. From what I’d seen while working as his housekeeper, the way Peyton looked at my brother was practically predatory. But my brother, blissfully oblivious, was still playing his role with utmost professionalism. After finishing his meal, he started talking about the island again. The one we wanted to buy was a remote, uninhabited paradise surrounded by endless ocean. There, we could finally shed our human disguises, swim freely in the sea, and never have to hide who we truly were again. 0

After tidying up, I listed the mansion online for rent. Every little bit of extra cash helped, and we were still a ways off from reaching our goal. My brother changed into another outfit, this time slipping on a pair of white gloves for his role as a driver. “Let’s go. We’re meeting with Ethan Greyson next.” I nodded. This was our second gig. I played the lovesick admirer, while my brother worked as Ethan’s driver. This job came about by sheer coincidence. When we first arrived in the city, fresh from the countryside, we witnessed a young woman chasing after Ethan, begging him to give her a chance. He humiliated her on the spot, throwing a wad of cash at her before walking away. “Here,” he said coldly. “This should be enough for you. Stop wasting my time.” My brother and I were stunned. We’d never seen such a display of wealth before and were instantly mesmerized. That’s when I decided—I wanted to be a “simp” too. I tracked down Ethan’s whereabouts, orchestrated a “chance” encounter, and confessed my feelings to him on the spot. Predictably, he rejected me without hesitation. But he also tossed a designer jacket at me, muttering something about it being dirty. I couldn’t see a single stain on it, but I sold it online anyway and made my first real profit in the city. As for my brother, he became Ethan’s driver by accident. Desperate to avoid me, Ethan hailed a random three-wheeled taxi—driven by none other than my brother. That was the first time Ethan experienced the thrill of riding in the open air, and he immediately hired my brother as his personal chauffeur. My brother even got his driver’s license out of the deal, saving us the expense. None of the CEOs knew about our connection. To keep up the act, I always got out of the car early, leaving my brother to drop Ethan off alone. This time, I jumped out about 500 meters from the destination and sprinted the rest of the way. When I arrived, Ethan was already walking toward me, surrounded by his entourage. One of his obnoxious friends sneered at me, his tone dripping with mockery. “Here she comes again. Ethan, your charm really is something else. Who would’ve thought she’d show up just because you called her?” Ignoring them, I focused on Ethan with a look of genuine concern. “You shouldn’t be drinking so much. Your stomach can’t handle it,” I said softly. 0

Ethan Greyson grabbed my chin roughly, his voice dripping with mockery. “Luna, is it really that hard for you to live without me?” Tears welled up in my eyes, and I gave him my most pitiful look. “Ethan, I really do care about you,” I said, my voice trembling. Behind him, his friends burst into laughter. “A penniless orphan like you, trying to match up to the Greyson family? Luna, stop dreaming. Ethan has plenty of admirers—you’re nothing.” Ethan chuckled coldly, then shoved me away. He pulled out his wallet, took out a thick stack of cash, and tossed it at my face. “You’re so annoying. Just look at yourself—pathetic.” Right on cue, tears slid down my face as I took on the perfect expression of someone utterly humiliated. “Ethan… I really do like you,” I whispered, my voice cracking. Without sparing me another glance, he got into his car, his back radiating cold indifference. As soon as Ethan drove away, leaving only his friends behind, I caught my brother giving me a thumbs-up from a distance, his grin practically splitting his face. “This was a good haul!” his expression said. I silently wiped my tears, waiting until Ethan’s group of friends left. Then, I immediately crouched down and started picking up the cash. Not bad, not bad at all. Today’s take was pretty decent. I counted the money—$4,500. Sure, it didn’t compare to what Zane had given me, but for us, it was a small fortune. At least now, my brother and I wouldn’t have to worry about living expenses for the rest of the month. My brother wouldn’t be done chauffeuring Ethan for a while, so I decided to treat myself to a nice meal in the meantime. I went to a restaurant Zane had taken me to before. It was a bit pricey, but the food was excellent, and today I felt like splurging. I picked a table toward the back, out of sight, to enjoy some privacy. But no amount of caution could have prepared me for what happened next: I spotted my brother’s “boss” sitting at the table behind me. It was Holden Reid, my brother’s sugar daddy. To my relief, he didn’t seem to recognize me. He sat with a troubled expression, a stunning woman standing beside him. Immediately, I felt a sense of danger on my brother’s behalf. Holden Reid was, in every way, a perfect man. Polite, thoughtful, and kind. He even treated me—the “housekeeper”—with respect. But when it came to my brother? He was next level. Holden was attentive to the point of perfection. If not for the secret my brother and I were hiding, I might’ve even encouraged him to marry Holden. But right now, watching the beautiful woman beside him, I couldn’t help but wonder: was my brother wrong? Did Holden actually not like men? I perked up my ears, trying to catch their conversation. Holden sighed heavily, his tone filled with frustration. “Do you think there’s something wrong with me? It all started because I wanted to piss off my parents, so I found a guy.” He paused, his voice growing softer. “But now, every time I see him, I can’t control myself.” The woman across from him practically jumped out of her seat, her voice bursting with excitement. “Go on! What do you mean?” I leaned in closer, trying to hear every word. Holden’s voice was barely audible, almost embarrassed. “I’m… attracted to him.” My eyes widened, and I nearly bit through my chopsticks. I knew it! I knew it! Holden always looks at my brother like he wants to eat him alive. I swallowed my excitement and continued eavesdropping. The woman, clearly Holden’s sister, clapped her hands together in delight. “Well, that’s great! When are you going to introduce me to your boyfriend?” I let out a quiet sigh of relief. So, she was his sister. Good. Holden’s expression turned bitter. “Forget it. He still thinks I’m just using him as an excuse to avoid marriage. He doesn’t feel anything for me.” I nodded to myself. That sounded about right. My brother definitely believed that Holden was only with him to defy his parents. I wanted to hear more, but suddenly, my phone rang, startling me. I fumbled to answer it, embarrassed. Zane’s voice came through the line, cold and direct. “I have a gala tonight. You’re coming with me as my date. I’ll send someone to pick you up.” I blinked, confused. Weren’t we supposed to be “broken up”? He had even wired me a breakup fee and told me never to show my face again. So why was he calling me now? But hey, only a fool would turn down easy money. I quickly gave him my address. On the other end of the line, Zane stared at the address I sent, his expression smug and self-assured. “She really does love me,” he thought. “She’s so obsessed she can’t even stay away—she’s gone back to the places we shared memories together.”

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I married Declan ten years ago, and now his old flame has come back into the picture. She is gentle and considerate, even after spending a decade in a hospital bed to save Declan’s mother. Despite the years, she still enchants everyone in Declan’s family. My husband speaks with her as if they were childhood sweethearts, as if they shared innocent memories together. My mother-in-law treats her like a savior and even said in front of me, “I wish I had a daughter-in-law like you.” And how about me? I wasn’t sad or upset; I felt relieved. Finally, the tedious narrative I’d endured for ten years was reaching its conclusion. So when my mother-in-law stood before me, holding two eggs and glaring at me to make an egg pudding for her ideal daughter-in-law, Adeline, I didn’t even flinch. I just quietly tended to my wildflowers. “How can you be so inconsiderate? Adeline saved my life!” “Oh! Then perhaps you should be the one who’s considerate!” I casually replied to my “very considerate” mother-in-law. Ten years ago, when Declan’s family was struggling, she pleaded with my father for a family alliance to save them. I followed my father’s wishes and married him. Later, when she was diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer, Adeline donated part of her liver, coinciding with my marriage into Declan’s family. I provided the funds, hired caregivers, and took care of everything. Even when Adeline fell into a coma due to complications from the surgery, I covered the ICU expenses for nearly a decade! I’ve asked myself, regarding my role as a daughter-in-law to Declan’s family, I have no regrets. And now they look down on me? I glanced at the lucky charm peeking out of her pocket and felt nothing but disdain. The day after Adeline woke up, my mother-in-law brought her home, saying hospital food wasn’t good enough and that she’d be better cared for at home. Over the next month, the caregiver I hired stopped coming to my room and became her servant instead. What disgusted me the most was Declan visiting her room as well. My mother-in-law allowed it because I couldn’t have children. She called me barren and watched as Declan’s family lineage seemed in jeopardy. In this critical moment, Adeline was seen as their lifeline, the hope they desperately clung to. If that’s the case, I have nothing more to say. I’m about to return to reality anyway. Before entering this story, the system told me I could choose a role. If I lived by that role’s rules for ten years, I would receive half the bonus meant for that character. I gladly accepted. So, without hesitation, I followed my father’s advice and married Declan. This way, I’d earn more money. I figured, in less than half a month, my dream would come true. “Can’t have children, and you still pick and choose what work you’ll do?” No matter how sharp-tongued my mother-in-law is, she can’t hide her greed for that lucky charm. Then she stopped hiding it altogether and flaunted it. “Adeline is pregnant with my son’s child! Look at you, such a failure! You can’t even have a baby!” I couldn’t help but laugh at her outrageous words. Living in my house, using my caregiver, sleeping with my husband, and now carrying a child to fight me for family assets, and I have to pay for a caregiver to care for the homewrecker? I stared speechlessly at my daydreaming mother-in-law. “What are you looking at? The previous caregiver left because of you. You won’t pay for a new one and won’t care for the pregnant woman. What do you plan to do in this house?” “Yeah, I really don’t want to do anything.” For such a ridiculous mother-in-law, wasting even a word on her feels like a waste of breath. Did Auntie Iris leave because of me? Auntie Iris worked here for four or five years. I gave her bonuses during holidays and saved her the best food and drinks. She didn’t leave because she was ungrateful. I appreciated her diligent and efficient work. Why would I send her away? Even though I’m leaving soon, I refuse to swallow this bitter pill. No matter what, I was your daughter-in-law for ten years. Ten years! And you still wrong me?

Half a month ago, I heard Auntie Iris quietly sobbing in the kitchen. I was truly surprised because Auntie Iris was usually cheerful, optimistic, and sociable. I couldn’t imagine what had upset her so. I hadn’t even asked when my mother-in-law came out with Adeline from a room, standing on the second floor, looking down. “I told you not to put soy sauce in the egg pudding! Are you trying to harm her?” Her words practically crushed Auntie Iris. “It’s okay, Genevieve~” Adeline softly looped her arm through Genevieve’s, “My sister likes soy sauce in her egg pudding. Maybe Auntie Iris is just used to making it that way. I don’t mind having it with soy sauce too; I actually like it.” I wanted to gag. Look at her, just like a manipulative character from a palace drama. Genevieve smiled kindly and patted her hand, comforting her. “Don’t pretend you don’t want what you can’t have. You dare touch our Declan family heir!” I was so fed up with her nonsense that I didn’t even want to respond. I just took Auntie Iris’s hand and hugged her. “I’m sorry, Aunt Iris, for the trouble. I’ll pay your full salary for this month, plus half a year’s as a bonus, and you can work for my friend instead.” Aunt Iris looked tearfully at me, wanting to speak but holding back. I waved her off, understanding everything. How could I not understand? Later, Genevieve, seeing I ignored her, brought out her son Declan to confront me. Declan, without a word, launched into his usual routine, questioning me right away. I’ve had enough. Ten years, and he’s always been like this! Every time, without knowing the full story, he’d blame me, say I was wrong. Whenever I tried to have a proper conversation, he’d side with his mother and their family, treating me like I was invisible, just a figment of air in an unknown world. Even if I were an ancient turtle, I’d still be fed up! I stormed up to the second floor, ready to confront that manipulative woman. But before I could reach her, Declan blocked me. I hadn’t even raised my hand when he grabbed and held it tight. After struggling fiercely, I lost my balance and tumbled down the stairs. The outcome was worse than before. I broke my right leg, had multiple bruises, and although I didn’t bleed much, I’d still need a hundred days of rest, confined to a wheelchair. Genevieve, despite my condition, still wanted me to deliver egg pudding to Adeline. I quickly contacted the system, asking if it had any medicine to heal my leg fast. I didn’t want to return just to lie around.

“Did you forget, Master? You exchanged all your points for potions for Adeline. You don’t have enough points left to exchange for medicine.” Ah! I slapped my forehead, suddenly realizing my oversight. From the day I married Declan, I prepared to leave him. Because I never forgot my goal: money! But I overlooked the fact that I’m human. Humans have emotions, and even if I were an ice shard buried in the Arctic’s frigid pool, I’d still be moved by the ten years of shared experiences. Yet, in the end, I didn’t attain enlightenment. Instead, I became a resentful woman blaming the world and myself. I asked myself, I did want to leave him with a child or two, so he wouldn’t be too lonely after I left. So over the years, I took traditional medicine, consulted doctors, both traditional and modern. I even tried IVF several times, and of course, miscarried many times. But I never gave up. I heard he had a childhood sweetheart, an unrelated sister, who was perfect for him. She was the one who sacrificed her own body part to save his mother and fell into a deep sleep for ten years. I cried. It was straight out of a novel, and yet I ran into it. What a coincidence. Since this lifelong regret weighed so heavily, I’ll fulfill their wish. The system, seeing I hadn’t responded for a while, said, “Master, the Declan family fortune is ten billion. Including your share from your own family, it totals twenty billion. Hold on just a few more days, and you’ll be free to enjoy life!” Is this suggesting I go back to recover? “Nora, don’t push your luck!” Before that voice faded, another arose. Declan kicked open the door, looking furious, ready to settle the score with me. What a twist of fate. Since this lifelong regret weighs so heavily, let me fulfill your wishes. The system noticed I hadn’t responded for a while and said, “Master, Declan’s family fortune is a billion. Plus your share from the main family, it’s a total of two billion. Just hang in there for a few more days, and you can have your freedom!” Does this mean I should go back and heal? “Nora, don’t push your luck!” These words had barely left my mouth when another voice interrupted. Declan stormed through the door, looking furious and ready to confront me. “You chased away the aunt who was taking care of Adeline; fine, I’ll just hire another. You want to make a big deal out of hitting Adeline, I won’t say anything because I’m here to protect her from harm. But now, you’re even disregarding my mother. What kind of daughter-in-law are you?” Inside, I felt nothing. This scene had replayed countless times over my ten-year marriage: I just send off the old witch, and her son bursts through the door, cursing. Declan saw my indifference and, in a rage, grabbed my neck and yelled, spraying spit all over my face, “You fell down the stairs and startled Adeline, shouldn’t you apologize?” “Did we ask you to work yourself to the bone, to say three simple words: I’m sorry?” “At most, we asked you to bring a bowl of egg custard. And you can’t even do that???” Oh, so that’s what this is about! I coughed, my face flushed red, and Declan seemed to realize something and let go of his grip, deflating like a balloon. We had argued before, but this was the first time he’d gotten physical. I wiped my face with my sleeve, looked up at my husband of ten years, and said each word clearly, “I! Do! Not! Want! To!” “You did it on purpose!” Declan blurted out. He looked at me, “You intentionally drove away the aunt, fell down the stairs, upset my mom, and now you want to make my mom, me, Adeline, and her unborn child miserable.” I smiled bitterly. Living over thirty years, marrying into their family opened my eyes to a whole new world. Many suffer from delusions, but among those with persecution delusions, aside from Genevieve, Declan is quite a rising star. “Nora, Adeline is such an obedient and sensible girl, yet you can’t leave her alone. We’ve been married for ten years! Ten years! Have you forgotten what my mom taught you?” He’s still trying to persuade me! I opened my mouth, then closed it, and the breath I was holding finally escaped. I realized that explaining was unnecessary. “Yes, mutual respect can’t compete with a childhood sweetheart.” Especially when she’s the old flame. I huffed, turned my attention to my wildflowers, and said no more. He seemed to understand, taking my words as jealousy bubbling to the surface, and did not respond, “The lady is ill, very ill, and not fit to go out. Let’s wait until she’s better to meet others.”

His subtext was clear: since you don’t want us to be happy, we won’t let you be happy either. But my subtext was: Whether it’s good or bad, it will pass because I’m leaving you all! The system told me, just three more days, and when the contract expires, I can return to the real world and enjoy myself. After this, no matter how Declan or Genevieve talks about me, thinks of me, treats me, or tortures me, it has nothing to do with me. Except… my father… I still can’t let go… Ten years ago, I married Declan. To make sure I wouldn’t be mistreated, my father gave me a dowry of five billion, a car, a house, fearing that I would be bullied or looked down upon by Declan’s family. In the end, he even assigned me a bodyguard who had been with him for years. Every few days, he wanted to know if I was doing well, and every two weeks, he sent someone to bring me back to my family home for a few days. Even the traditional Chinese doctor he found to fulfill my wish of getting pregnant was personally selected after he visited all the major hospitals and clinics in New York City. Later, my father saw how painful IVF was for me. Fearing that Declan’s family would scold me for being unworthy, he even started visiting orphanages, hoping I would adopt a few children instead of suffering unnecessarily. But I refused. Because I knew with Genevieve’s personality, she would never accept a non-biological child as an elite successor for Declan’s family. And my husband Declan, being a mama’s boy, would definitely comply with his high and mighty mother’s wishes without question. I was completely alone, outnumbered and outmatched. It’s quite laughable. I took the bowl of thick herbal medicine Beatrix handed me, and the strong smell made me cough. It tasted as awful as ever. I looked at her. “They can’t stop me!” Beatrix’s words answered my current doubts. After all, Declan had gone to great lengths to trap me. “Miss! Sir said if you want a divorce, I can take you away right now!” Beatrix lowered her head, paused, then continued with a heavy tone, “Sir said if you don’t want a divorce, I can take you to live on an estate in the suburbs, far away from them.” “You can adopt a little miss and a little master, plant a whole garden of flowers and grass, have cats and dogs…” My eyes lit up. Beatrix reminded me of something I had forgotten. Adeline was allergic to pollen, so the day before she moved in, Genevieve stood upstairs giving orders, while Declan humbly obeyed. The flowers and plants I had planted in the backyard garden were pulled out one by one by Declan and sent to the waste disposal site. Yes, my flowers were trash, and so was I.

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With just one absurd comment from his little assistant, my husband impulsively decided to have one of his kidneys removed. I stared at the assistant’s latest SnapChat update with bloodshot eyes. “Getting rid of the bad to keep the good. Congrats to my boss on taking this important step in life!” In the photo, James was making a peace sign at the camera, but he couldn’t hide the tenderness and sweetness in his eyes. This time, I calmly turned off my phone without hysterically questioning him again. I knew my marriage to James was over. ……… James returned home five days later. In the past, I would have frantically called him, asking about his situation, worried he might encounter some danger outside. But now, I didn’t even look at him, just said flatly, “You’re back.” After that, I continued eating. James was clearly dissatisfied with my indifference. He stood at the door with his hands on his hips, yelling at me. He didn’t look at all like a weak patient who had just lost a kidney. “Chloe, what are you waiting for? Come here and take off my shoes!” Yes, I used to take care of James meticulously. Even for simple tasks like this, I would never let James lift a finger. But that was something the old Chloe would do. I swallowed the last bite of noodles and said calmly, “My back has been hurting lately. You’ll have to handle this yourself from now on.” “Chloe, don’t you know I’m still—” James stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing that he had voluntarily donated his kidney. I calmly glanced at his stomach without saying anything, then went straight to the kitchen to clean up the dishes. James stood at the kitchen door and asked me with a strange look, “Why aren’t you reacting at all to the fact that my kidney is gone?” “The kidney was in your body. Its existence should be decided by you. If you didn’t want it, I can’t force you to keep it.” I said it lightly, but only I knew that my heart was bleeding at that moment. James softened his voice and explained to me, “It’s not that I didn’t want the kidney. The kidney was congenitally malformed, so I had no choice but to remove it.” Chapter 2 “Mm, okay.” James became irritated. He grabbed my sleeve, forcing me to look at his face. “What’s with that attitude? Why are you angry with me?” “Don’t you know that if Amber hadn’t discovered in time that my stomach was oddly shaped, I could have become disabled!” I suddenly found it amusing. For the past few years, every check-up had been fine. Even the doctors praised his kidneys for being as healthy as those in textbooks. Why didn’t James believe the doctors, but chose to believe Amber’s unfounded and confusing statement? And how did Amber know the exact shape of James’s stomach so precisely? Since last year, when James made an exception to hire Amber, a junior college graduate, as his assistant, he had become increasingly unreasonable. From initially bringing her to family dinners, celebrating New Year’s abroad with her, to now removing a kidney for her sake, James had completely shattered our once-happy home. But now, none of that mattered to me anymore. Whatever James believed in or wanted to do was his freedom. I had no right to interfere. I pulled my sleeve out of James’s hand. “Indeed, thanks to Amber.” “Chloe, can you stop being petty? You’re really wearing me out. Amber is just looking out for us. Why can’t you appreciate her good intentions?” I looked at him calmly. “James, I’m really not angry. And I truly am grateful to Amber.” Grateful to her for completely severing the last thread of affection between you and me. James looked at me suspiciously for a while. After making sure I wasn’t just sulking, he continued, “I’m hungry. Make me a bowl of noodles.” “Sorry, I have something to do. You’ll have to manage on your own.” “What?” Ignoring James’s questioning, I pushed past him, grabbed my coat from the wall, and prepared to leave. James anxiously followed behind me. “Where are you going if you’re not making me food?” “To see Ethan.” With that, I closed the door, leaving James shouting behind me. James had never liked Ethan, simply because he thought Ethan came from a poor background. He believed it was better to socialize with wealthy elites instead, as it could benefit his company. What he didn’t know was that the person he once looked down upon was now a big boss in the company, and even his strong competitor. I met Ethan at a bar, but unfortunately, my stomach ulcer hadn’t fully healed, so I could only substitute alcohol with juice. Actually, this meeting wasn’t just to catch up, but also to discuss work. Chapter 3 Ethan had opened a branch company in the United States and was in desperate need of staff. He had wanted me to help him in the US a year ago, but I had always declined for James’s sake. When Ethan learned that I had agreed to go to the US, he was so excited that he could barely speak for a while. “No rush, no rush. You… you can go after James recovers. But… will James agree?” Of course James wouldn’t agree. He was a workaholic, but he only allowed himself to work, not me. He said the money he earned was more than enough to support me, and all I needed to do was stay at home and take good care of him. In plain words, I was his 24/7 free housekeeper. I seemed free, but in reality, I was just a guard dog kept in James’s cage, unwelcome by others. The employees at his company called me a freeloader, while his friends “praised” me for being a good housewife. In the past, I didn’t care. I naively thought that as long as James loved me, it was enough. But thinking about it now, if James had valued me even a little, these hurtful words wouldn’t have so boldly reached my ears. So this time, I wanted to live for myself. When I got home, it was already 1 AM. As soon as I entered, I saw Amber feeding James. Amber turned to greet me. She seemed polite, but the pride in her eyes was almost overflowing. “Sister Chloe, you’re back. James just had his transplant surgery and isn’t fully recovered yet. I was worried about him, so I came over to check.” Amber deliberately emphasized the word “transplant”, her tone full of arrogance. The implication was clear: “I made your husband remove a kidney with just a few words. I came here today specially to see you make a fool of yourself.” But at this moment, I felt nothing inside. I nodded calmly, “Thank you for your hard work, Amber.” As soon as I finished speaking, James grabbed the water glass on the table and threw it at my head. “Chloe! You won’t make me food and you won’t let Amber make me food either? It’s bad enough that you’re not grateful, but why are you being so sarcastic towards her!” Seeing this, Amber immediately “sympathetically” patted his back. “James, you’re not fully recovered yet. You shouldn’t get angry. If Sister Chloe doesn’t like me, I’ll just leave.” James grabbed Amber’s arm as she was about to leave. “This is my house, I make the decisions. From now on, you’ll live here. I’d like to see who dares to kick you out!” James glared at me fiercely, as if I were some unforgivable villain. At this moment, a stream of blood flowed down from my temple. Amber exclaimed, “Oh no, James, Sister Chloe is bleeding. Should we take her to the hospital?” James’s eyes softened a bit, but it quickly disappeared. “Don’t bother with her. It’s just a small wound, nothing to fuss about.” I gently wiped away the blood from my temple and said calmly, “You two carry on. I won’t disturb you.” Chapter 4 James looked at me suspiciously, but finally couldn’t help asking, “Chloe, aren’t you angry that I’m alone with Amber in the middle of the night?” I looked at him, puzzled. Angry? Why should I be angry? Oh right, if it were the old me, I would have gone crazy and kicked Amber out, never allowing her to appear in my home so late. But now, not only am I not angry, I would sincerely wish him happiness in finding his true love. After all, James’s marriage to me was just a temporary arrangement to begin with. “Ah!” At this moment, Amber “accidentally” scalded her hand while pouring water. She winced in pain. Her big eyes looked at James pitifully, making him feel extremely distressed. “Amber, don’t worry, I’ll take you to the hospital!” James grabbed Amber’s hand and left. I watched their retreating figures with amusement. We have a thermos at home that always keeps water at 55°C (131°F). How could it possibly scald someone? Indeed, men in love have no intelligence. That night, I slept very comfortably. Not having to worry about James who often didn’t come home at night felt really good. The next day, I felt refreshed and energetic. I made myself breakfast and was enjoying it when James came out of the room. “Chloe, where’s my breakfast?” He looked down at me with a royal demeanor. “Sorry, I thought Amber would make it for you.” “Chloe, that was just me talking out of anger. How could I really let an employee live in our home?” “As my wife, can’t you be less petty?” Huh, not letting Amber move in is probably to avoid ruining his reputation, while the wound on my temple wouldn’t raise any suspicions. “Okay, I understand.” James stared at me, as if trying to see through me. Suddenly, he sneered, “Chloe, you still won’t admit you’re sulking? You’re deliberately not bandaging your wound and leaving it exposed, aren’t you just trying to get back at me?” “I admit I was a bit impulsive last night, but you don’t have to use such a low-level tactic to deliberately get my attention.” As he spoke, he tried to step forward to check my wound. But I got up and went into the kitchen. “James, as long as you’re happy.” Think whatever you want of me. “Chloe!” This was the first time I had avoided James’s attempt to get close to me. He was unhappy. He had never allowed me to defy him. Seeing that I was still washing dishes without any sign of apologizing to him, James stormed out, slamming the door. Before leaving, he threw out one last sentence, “Chloe, I dare you to never speak to me again for the rest of your life!” Chapter 5 After James left, I didn’t sit idle. I packed up my documents, ready to go out and handle the procedures for going abroad. I also consulted Ethan about divorce matters, after all, he had experience. Ethan let out a sharp cry on the other end of the phone, “What? You want to divorce James?” “Did… did you take the wrong medicine? How could Chloe ever let go of James’s hand!” Indeed, how could Chloe ever let go of James’s hand? He was the boy I had loved wholeheartedly for twelve years. From high school until now, my heart had been beating for him every second of every minute. He was heaven’s favorite child, and I knew I wasn’t worthy of him. I never dared to imagine that my parallel line could intersect with his. It was a class reunion five years ago that changed the trajectory of my life. He was drunk and not very happy. I heard from a classmate that he had to get married within a year to inherit the company, otherwise it would go to his father’s son with the mistress. In the dim light of the KTV, James was drinking alone in the corner. His eyes were red, his hair a bit messy, looking extremely pitiful. I knew I couldn’t help him, but I still reached out inexplicably and took away his wine glass. “Maybe a piece of candy would make you feel better.” I held out my hand, a lone strawberry candy lying in the center of my palm, “hoping” that the goddess of fortune would favor “it” just a little tonight. James lazily raised his eyes, staring at me. Suddenly, he smiled. His cold fingertips brushed across my palm, sending an electric current through my body, making me feel a bit flustered. He leaned close to my ear and said in a husky voice, “Dare to go get a marriage license with me right now?” Fireworks exploded in my brain. The goddess of fortune had really descended. I didn’t know how much sincerity and how much playfulness was in James’s words. I only knew that I was going to marry the man I loved most, and in this life, I would die without regrets. Chapter 6 I snapped back to reality and casually told Ethan about James removing his kidney that day. This matter had been bottled up in my heart for a long time, and finally, I could release it a little. Ethan’s scream sounded again, “Chloe, don’t be afraid. I’ll recommend the best divorce lawyer for you. James, we don’t want him anymore!” I was very grateful for Ethan’s help. After all, a friend in need is a friend indeed. James didn’t come home for several days in a row, and I was happy to be relaxed and free. The next time I saw him was at our high school class reunion. As soon as I entered the private room, I saw James sitting in the seat of honor, eye-catching, and Amber by his side. I didn’t expect James to bring Amber even to this kind of occasion. They really seemed inseparable in their love. When James saw me, he arrogantly straightened his back, waiting for me to come over fawningly and sit beside him. But I ignored him and sat in the farthest position from him. When Amber saw me, she gave me a challenging look and deliberately raised her left hand, showing off the couple’s ring. I didn’t even look, turning my head to chat with the classmates beside me. James had always been aloof and didn’t have good relationships, so no one talked to him. He watched me laughing and chatting with others, his face turning blacker and blacker. During the meal, my phone kept buzzing with messages from James. “?” “Why aren’t you sitting next to me?” “I brought Amber just to broaden her horizons. Do you have to be like this?” In just thirty minutes, James sent me more messages than he had in the past five years combined. Then, another new message popped up, “Since you’re being so disobedient, let’s just get a divorce.” I caught a glimpse of the sarcasm in James’s eyes, as if he was certain I wouldn’t divorce him, certain that I would kneel down and beg for reconciliation like last time. But I quickly sent him one word, “Okay.”

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I was diagnosed with acute leukemia and couldn’t stop vomiting blood. Jack happened to pass by. Seeing me face down on the street covered in blood, he spoke with disgust. “Since you’re dying anyway, give the special medicine to Emma. Otherwise, let’s get divorced!” He then grabbed his slightly bruised first love and stole my ambulance. A kind-hearted person who couldn’t bear to watch called a taxi for me. When I got out of the car, I realized that the last fifty dollars in my phone had been used by Jack to buy a box of condoms through his credit card. Back home. Disheartened, I signed the divorce papers, but then saw my daughter’s diary entry: “I hope both mom and dad can attend my graduation ceremony.” To fulfill my daughter’s wish, I voluntarily gave up the medicine and begged Jack to attend together. As a result, on that day, my daughter hugged Emma’s legs and boasted in public: “See? I told you my mom would definitely come.” “Congratulations, Ms. Zoe. The special medicine is ready. Once the family member signs, we can arrange the surgery.” The moment the doctor announced this, I finally snapped out of my fear. Today was supposed to be my 28th birthday, but I was suddenly diagnosed with acute leukemia. Fortunately, heaven was kind, and the hospital managed to get the last dose of the special medicine. Grasping at this lifeline, I immediately dialed Jack’s number. “Honey, can you come to…” Before I could say “hospital,” our daughter Lily interrupted on the other end. “Mom, Dad and I have prepared dinner, and I even fried a heart-shaped egg for you.” “When are you coming home?” Hearing that my usually pampered daughter and husband had actually cooked for me, I felt a bit comforted despite my bitterness. “Lily, you’re so clever. Mommy will be home soon. Can you pass the phone to Daddy…” But the next words I heard plunged me into an icy abyss. “When you come back, remember to clean up the kitchen. Aunt Emma isn’t feeling well, so we need to go keep her company.” “Dad, don’t forget to pack the heart-shaped egg I fried…” Before I could respond, they hurriedly hung up. I lowered my gaze to hide the disappointment in my eyes. I arranged the surgery date with the doctor alone. When I got home, it was already 10 PM. Having not eaten all day, I suddenly remembered Lily saying she had fried a heart-shaped egg. I walked into the kitchen with anticipation. Microwave, rice cooker, fridge… Finally, in the trash can, I found 29 badly fried eggs. Only then did I realize. She and Jack had cooked for another woman – Emma. Emma lived up to her name. Although she was a rich heiress, she couldn’t bear to see human suffering and had established a charity organization. Jack was one of the beneficiaries. I once teased him: “The story of a first love and a poor boy, how romantic.” He corrected me seriously. “Don’t talk nonsense. I only respect her.” “If it weren’t for Emma’s financial support, I would have starved to death long ago. How could I have entered university, met you, and had such an adorable daughter?” So when her family went bankrupt and she was diagnosed with leukemia, Jack and I helped her with all our might. Even though there were several times when Jack would abandon me and our daughter to comfort her. But today’s situation was different. I needed someone by my side too… Just as I was feeling down, Jack’s call came through. “Zoe, Emma had an attack, so I had to rush over with Lily.” The man gently explained his absence. Clutching the hospital’s diagnosis report, I felt jealous for the first time. “She’s sick, but you’re not a doctor. What can you do there?” Seemingly surprised by my retort, he lowered his voice again. “It was sudden, and she has no family left. I was the only one the police could contact.” “I couldn’t be with you on your birthday and our wedding anniversary, but I promise I’ll make it up to you.” Realizing that Emma’s situation was serious enough for the police to get involved, I softened a bit. “Lily isn’t in good health and shouldn’t stay up late. I also have something to discuss with you. Remember to come back early.” “I’ll try my best.” They say that not giving a definite promise is a tacit admission of inability to fulfill it. Sure enough. Jack didn’t return home until the next morning. Out of spite, I didn’t prepare their breakfast. Ignoring my haggard face, Lily picked at her sandwich critically. “Mom, why isn’t there any warm milk? And where’s the egg I like in the sandwich?” No guilt, no apology. After staying out all night, her first action upon returning home was to complain. I suddenly remembered that among the eggs I threw away yesterday, several were discarded simply because they weren’t heart-shaped. “If you want to eat them, go dig through the trash can.” Only then did Lily realize we had run out of eggs. “Oh, Aunt Emma is sick, so what’s wrong with letting her eat well?” “We ran out of eggs and you didn’t buy more. Mom, you’re so lazy.” Hearing her unfair accusations, I suddenly felt so resentful. The child I carried for ten months and raised with such care was now criticizing her mother for the sake of an outsider? Before, when Emma was sick, I had to give way to her. Now that I’m sick too, why should I still give way to her?

“She needs care, but don’t I need it too?” I slapped her hand and scolded her. “Who spoiled you with such bad habits, messing up the food like this?” Lily, who had just been hit, was stunned for a moment before bursting into loud sobs. “Mom is so mean, not at all like Aunt Emma.” “Aunt Emma knows I’m not feeling well and reminds me to wear more clothes. Mom doesn’t even make breakfast for me. Mom is a bad mom, I don’t want mom anymore!” She wiped her tears and ran upstairs. “She’s just a child who doesn’t understand. Why are you arguing with her?” Jack worriedly followed her, picked her up, and patted her back to comfort her. “If we’re out of eggs, we can just buy more. What if you scare the child?” I moved my lips but ultimately said nothing. When I hit her, how could I not feel heartbroken? Lily was born premature and spent two months in an incubator. Later, she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. With her, I never dared to raise my voice and always did everything myself. She used to be very understanding, hugging me and showering me with compliments. Constantly praising me for being thoughtful, smart, capable, and gentle. Now, because of Emma, she calls me a bad mom. Looking up to meet Jack’s reproachful gaze, it felt like a thorn piercing my heart. I completely lost my appetite. After cleaning up the kitchen, I prepared to do the laundry. Unexpectedly, I found two tickets to a fireworks show in Jack’s clothes. The theme of the fireworks show was called “FOR MY LOVER,” scheduled for our wedding anniversary. “Zoe, I’m sorry for speaking harshly earlier. I was worried about Lily.” Before I could think too much, Jack stood in front of me with a bouquet of roses. “I was supposed to give these to you yesterday, but after all that happened, the flowers aren’t fresh anymore.” He scratched his head regretfully, his eyes sincere and bright. My gaze fell on the card attached to the bouquet, which had a childish handwriting: [Happy Birthday to the most beautiful mom in the world!] Instantly, my grievances burst forth like a flood. They hadn’t forgotten my birthday after all. “Silly, it’s the thought that counts.” Jack tenderly wiped away my tears as if handling a precious treasure, then placed a kiss on my forehead. “Of course, because you’re worth it.” “Oh right, you said you had something to discuss. What is it?” Tears of happiness kept rolling down. I suddenly felt that maybe I could wait a bit longer to tell Jack about the surgery. At least before our wedding anniversary, I shouldn’t make him worry. “I was wondering if you had any plans for Lily’s graduation ceremony. By the way, how’s Emma doing?” Pretending not to know, I smiled and changed the subject, putting the tickets back in his pocket. “Of course both parents will be there for Lily’s graduation ceremony.” “As for Emma, she’s out of danger and under observation in the hospital. I hired a caregiver for her.” Over the next few days. Without Emma as a topic, our home returned to normal. However, what I didn’t expect was that the onset of my illness was unpredictable. I had nosebleeds in front of Jack several times. Today, on my way to pick up our daughter from school, I suddenly felt a sweet and salty taste in my throat. The next moment. My clothes were stained with large patches of bright red. Afraid of being discovered, I had to notify Jack to pick up Lily while I secretly went to the hospital for a follow-up. The doctor frowned as he looked through the examination report. “Leukemia itself doesn’t cause vomiting blood, but you have gastritis, which can easily lead to complications like gastric bleeding. We need to move up the surgery date.” “Can’t we wait a little longer?” “The longer we delay, the more you’ll suffer.” I shook my head, “I’m not afraid of pain.” Yet tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. In fact. I’m quite afraid of pain. In kindergarten, I was punished by teachers. In elementary school, I was bullied by older kids. As I grew older, my parents’ relationship deteriorated, and they took out their frustrations on me. Long-term exposure to pain and hurt, Led me to develop a habit of crying at the slightest discomfort. Jack says I’m delicate, suited to be kept in a greenhouse, and fortunately, he can be that greenhouse. Thinking of Jack’s concerned expression and our daughter’s anxious face. My heart ached even more. After much debate, the surgery was finally scheduled for the day after our wedding anniversary. Lost in thought, I pushed open the door. Emma was hugging Lily on the sofa, showering her with kisses and embraces. Jack, busy cooking in the kitchen, occasionally chimed in. The scene was so warm that I felt out of place entering at that moment. It was Emma who reacted first, walking to the door to greet me with delight. “Oh, Zoe’s back. Why don’t you come in?” Her familiarity made her seem more like the lady of the house. “It’s good you’re back. I was planning to leave after dropping off some things for Lily, but Jack was busy cooking, so I stayed to help her with homework.” Lily clung to Emma, reluctant to let go. “I want Aunt Emma to tuck me in.” “That won’t do, sweetie. Only family can live together. Auntie has to go back to her own home.” Lily tightened her grip on Emma’s hand and turned to ask me. “Why can I only have one mom? Why isn’t Aunt Emma my family? Then Aunt Emma could live with us all the time.” Emma smiled and told me not to overthink it, so I smiled along with her. But the hand holding my medicine dug its nails deep into my flesh. “Oh, right,” she suddenly turned back before leaving. “Zoe, I saw you at the hospital.”

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My cousin Emma has an obsession with testing my boyfriends. Despite my repeated refusals, she finds great pleasure in this game. After successfully seducing them, she dumps them and then informs everyone in our family group chat that my boyfriend is no good. When she tried her old trick once again, little did she know that this time, I had set up a trap specifically designed for her. She had no choice but to fall into it. Emma has been divorced for three years now, still living a carefree life with the hefty alimony from her ex-husband. One day she’s dating male models, the next day she’s spoiling young boys – she’s extremely busy with her love life. Recently, she set her sights on a new target: my boyfriend of six months. I wasn’t surprised that she discovered Jack so quickly. My mom happened to meet him when she came to my rented apartment to pick up some stuff. My mom’s biggest flaw in life is her tendency to compare herself with others, commonly known as being “green with envy.” Emma married well, and even after her divorce, she still has an endless supply of alimony. Add to that my aunt’s relentless boasting about Emma in front of my mom. It has become my mom’s life motto to have me marry someone even better than Emma’s ex-husband. My lack of progress in this area has become her constant worry. I met Jack at a bar. I spotted him in the crowd and it took me over six months to finally win him over. He’s younger than Emma’s ex-husband, more handsome, and even richer. Isn’t this exactly what my mom wants? She immediately announced it in our family group chat and even sent out red envelopes, indicating that I would be getting married soon. When I saw this, I felt helpless and sent a waving hand emoji in the group. “It’s not that serious, family. Don’t make a big deal out of it.” My mom immediately countered with a photo in the group chat. “With his looks and that bag he’s carrying, how can you not be serious?” Emma chimed in, “Wow, where did our little Lily find such a catch? Do you want your big sister to test him out for you?” I didn’t respond, but I knew that whether I liked it or not, she would try anyway. However, this time, I was well prepared.

On the first day of our relationship, I told Jack, “I have a very beautiful and sophisticated cousin. She likes to add my boyfriends on SnapChat. If she tries to add you, please don’t accept.” Jack jokingly asked, “Are you afraid I’ll fall for her?” I smiled lightly and said, “I’m afraid she’ll bewitch you and you’ll meet a terrible end. That’s how all my previous boyfriends died.” He hugged me and comforted me for a while. “I would never do that. I’ll only marry you in this lifetime, Lily.” With my warning, when Emma first tried to add him, he consistently refused. He even complained to me several times, “Your cousin Emma is really persistent. She’s already tried to add me with over ten different SnapChat accounts.” I kissed him on the cheek to show my appreciation. “You must stand firm. Don’t accept just because she’s playing all sorts of tricks.” Without even pausing, he rejected another friend request from a new account, then turned to me and said, “My parents want to have dinner with you. They say we’ve been dating for six months, and you haven’t met them yet. They’re really looking forward to meeting you after hearing me talk about you.” I hesitated for a moment, then patted his head and said, “Let’s wait a bit longer. I’m quite busy these days. How about I treat your parents to dinner after this quarter when I’m less busy?” “There’s no need for you to treat them. They’d be overjoyed just to see you. We can eat at my family’s hotel when the time comes!” Perhaps because she couldn’t add Jack on SnapChat, Emma became a bit impatient. She suggested coming to stay at my rented apartment for a while. Of course, I wouldn’t agree, but my mom was eager to show off the new apartment Jack had gotten for me. She couldn’t wait to give Emma my address. So when I got home from work, Jack and Emma were sitting on opposite ends of the sofa, scrolling through their phones. Jack pulled me into the bedroom, looking a bit annoyed. “I really didn’t pay any attention to her. Why did she come to our place?” I shrugged it off, “My mom probably gave her the address. She’s just like that. Just ignore her.” He swore to heaven, but I felt a bit uneasy, my mind kept replaying the image of them sitting on the sofa. Jack wouldn’t, would he? I had pursued him relentlessly for half a year before succeeding. He couldn’t possibly be won over in just one evening, right? I still felt a bit anxious, partly due to my lack of self-confidence, and partly because I wasn’t sure how long Jack could resist.

Jack didn’t stay over that night. He has another apartment in the next building, so he went back there. Early the next morning, he came over to bring me breakfast. There were seven or eight dishes spread out on the table. Emma saw this and smiled smugly. “Brother-in-law, did you bring so much because you knew I was here today?” “Wow, I love the soup dumplings from this place, but they never do deliveries. Did you go and pack all this early in the morning?” Jack looked up at her, “No, I forgot you were here. I actually bought less than usual. It’s mainly because Lily doesn’t have a good appetite in the morning, so I buy more for her to choose from.” Emma let out a long “Oh,” but her hands didn’t stop fiddling with her newly done nails. This was her state when she was thinking. I figured if she was only slightly interested in Jack before, now she must be determined to have him. I unconsciously tightened my grip on Jack’s hand. Maybe feeling the pain, Jack looked at me. I hurriedly apologized and left the table. In the evening when I got off work, they were again sitting on opposite ends of the sofa. When I came back, Jack got up to greet me. He whispered to me, “Doesn’t your cousin have a job? Why is she here every day? Doesn’t she have her own place? What’s the deal with her always being at our place?” I looked up at him and said, “If you add her on SnapChat, she might leave us alone.” His expression stiffened. After a moment, he said, “I just added her. She said she’d go home tomorrow if I did.” I just said “Oh” and went into the bedroom. Jack followed me in, hugging me and asking if I was angry. “I just don’t want to see her every day. I added her, but I can block her, you know? Look, I’ve already set her to ‘Do Not Disturb’.” As he spoke, he took out his phone and held it up to my face, trying to prove his innocence. I didn’t say anything, but my disappointment must have been obvious because Jack held my hand and comforted me for a long time. At dinner, he kept trying to make conversation with me and piled food onto my plate. Emma saw this and just smiled, “Our Jack is very attentive, isn’t he?”

Jack ignored her. He was focused on discussing with me about the store layout problem for a direct-sales brand he was working on. Emma deliberately made a noise at the dinner table to get our attention. When we looked at her, she smiled and said, “Oh my, you’re talking about something I’m good at. I got a bit excited.” She turned to Jack, who looked confused, and said, “My ex-husband has a direct-sales brand that’s doing quite well. He has many channels that he could share with me. For Lily’s sake, I could help you out.” Then she went on to introduce the brand in detail. I could see that Jack was very tempted. He looked at me hesitantly, then at Emma, and asked, “If it’s your ex-husband’s, wouldn’t it be inconvenient?” “What’s inconvenient about it? A little pillow talk and everything’s solved, right? Just wait for my message.” This time, Jack didn’t refuse. I knew his ‘Do Not Disturb’ setting for her would soon be turned off. Sure enough, after entering the room, he said to me, “Your cousin Emma is very generous and straightforward.” I just looked up at him once, my eyes half red. He immediately came over to comfort me, “I was just saying. How could I be interested in a woman who’s still entangled with her ex-husband?”

Emma left my apartment the next day, and Jack didn’t come back for several days. He said he was out of town for work because several direct-sales stores were opening at the same time. A few times during video calls, I saw Emma in the background. He hurriedly explained, “Cousin Emma called to ask about the progress. When she heard I was in the neighboring city, she came over to take a look. This time, thanks to cousin Emma’s help, we saved a lot of trouble. Even my dad praised me.” Second-generation rich kids spend their whole lives wanting to surpass their parents, and Jack was no exception. His father and grandfather were both very successful entrepreneurs. Jack wasn’t bad either, but he was always overshadowed by his family’s reputation. He had always wanted to prove himself. This time, the direct-sales stores were set up in several cities at once, fast and in good locations. Even his father and grandfather praised him at the dinner table for doing a great job. Jack transferred me $200,000, saying it was to buy a bag for my cousin in my name. “I know she helped me out for your sake, so it’s better if you give it to her. I still have that much sense.” Then he added, “Choose one that your cousin likes. If it’s not enough, I’ll transfer more to you.” I took out my phone and called my sister, saying as soon as the call connected, “Thank you for helping my boyfriend. He says he wants to buy you a bag around $200,000. Do you have any preferences? Or should I just transfer the money to you?” There was a pause on the other end, then a slightly deep male voice came through, “Lily? Why is your boyfriend buying things for Emma?” Oh my god, my cousin and my ex-cousin-in-law’s contacts only differed by one character, and I had accidentally called my ex-cousin-in-law David. David, Emma, and I were all schoolmates. David was one year ahead of us, and we would run into each other during club activities. I only praised David for being considerate once, and the next day, Emma started pursuing him openly. When a girl chases a boy, success comes easily. Two weeks later, they got together. After breaking up and getting back together several times, they got married right after graduation. Three years after marriage, they divorced.

To avoid any misunderstanding from this big spender who still sends my sister a monthly living allowance, I quickly explained, “No, no, she helped my boyfriend with something big. But we should thank you too, brother-in-law. This time, my boyfriend’s direct-sales snack brand relied entirely on your resources.” “I thought she was being ambitious and planning to open her own business, but it turns out it’s for your boyfriend. She’s more attentive to him than she ever was to me.” Before I could respond, he continued, “Alright, I get it. I’ll buy the bag for her. You keep the money for yourself.” I returned the money to Jack, telling him that my brother-in-law said not to worry about it. He seemed a bit puzzled, “Isn’t he your ex-brother-in-law? Why is he still so involved?” “He’s her meal ticket. Where do you think all those designer brands and high-end lifestyle of my cousin come from?” Jack’s expression became a bit unnatural. Seeing me looking at him, he added, “I see.” That night, Emma came to my place again. She had been drinking and was sitting on the sofa with a flushed face, arguing with me. Clear-headed, logical, and articulate, she criticized me inside and out, up and down. Finally, pointing at Jack, she said to me, “You? You think you can land a rich guy? Let me tell you, don’t dream about it, Lily. You’ll never be able to live the life I have.” “You told David I’m stealing your boyfriend so he’d cut off my allowance? I bet I could find a new sugar daddy tomorrow if I wanted to. You believe that?” When Jack heard this, a spark flashed in his eyes. I suddenly felt it was all so pointless. I left them in the living room and went back to my bedroom. After this incident, Jack started working overtime and going on business trips more frequently. Even when I mentioned that I wasn’t busy recently and could have dinner with his parents, he politely declined, saying it wasn’t the right time yet. By this point, I understood. Emma had succeeded again. She had won again.

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When my wife came to visit me at the hospital, she frantically questioned me. “You knew the food was poisoned, so why did you eat it?” I shrugged my shoulders and replied seriously, “I poisoned it myself.” I still remember my previous life. Emma’s childhood sweetheart, Ethan, first deliberately prescribed the wrong medication to a patient, then stole a body from the morgue. Finally, he even poisoned the food of one of my patients, causing them to die from poisoning. At that time, I was busy performing surgery on other patients. When I came out, drenched in sweat, the police immediately put handcuffs on me. Just as I was about to defend myself, the police suddenly produced a surveillance video. It showed that I was the one behind all of these incidents. I was left speechless, unable to refute the evidence. In the end, I was stabbed to death in the hospital by the patient’s family. Even as I died, I couldn’t understand why I had become the culprit for all of these crimes. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself reborn on the day Emma’s childhood sweetheart poisoned and killed someone. “Lucas Gray, are you out of your mind?” Emma Parker stormed into the room, pointing at me angrily. “You knew the food was poisoned, yet you still ate it!” I looked up at her innocently. “How did you know the food was poisoned?” Realizing she had let something slip, Emma hurriedly explained, “I heard from the nurses that you were hospitalized for poisoning. Besides, why would you eat a patient’s food anyway?” A police officer slowly walked in. “Because he poisoned it himself,” he said. “Then, feeling guilty, he ate it. Fortunately, his stomach was pumped in time, so there’s no serious harm done. Now, we need you to come to the police station to make a statement. Due to the criminal nature of the act, you’ll need to be held in custody for five days.” Hearing this, Emma immediately panicked. “No way! Lucas, I know you wouldn’t do something like this. Please explain to the police, okay?” I waved my hand in refusal. “I did wrong, and I’m willing to go to the station and be held in custody. Emma, don’t worry about me. I’ll be out in a few days.” The officer patted my shoulder approvingly. “Good lad, owning up to your mistakes. Let’s go.” Emma was clearly unhappy. She grabbed my arm. “Lucas Gray, are you crazy? Weren’t you busy performing surgery that day? How could you have had time to commit a crime? Have you lost your mind?” Seeing her seemingly good-hearted attempt to clear my name, I remained unmoved. As I continued to stay silent, Emma spoke again. “Don’t forget, I married you despite everything! If my father finds out you’ve been in jail, he’ll definitely make me divorce you!” I glanced at her and said calmly, “If your father still can’t accept me, then so be it. I don’t want you to keep living a hard life with me. But people must face the consequences of their actions. No matter how you try to stop me, I’m going to take responsibility for this crime.” Emma was completely infuriated by my response. She angrily slapped me across the face and then turned to leave. Watching her figure slowly disappear, I let out a sigh of relief. I still remembered my previous life. Ethan Williams, who had been missing for a long time, suddenly reappeared. Emma was so excited she could barely leave his side. All our friends knew they had been childhood sweethearts and had harbored feelings for each other. When I found out about this, I didn’t confront them. Instead, I wanted to let them be together. However, on the day I was planning to propose a divorce, Ethan deliberately prescribed the wrong medication to a patient, causing them to vomit blood. He then went to the morgue to steal a body, and finally poisoned the food of my most familiar patient, leading to their death by poisoning. At that time, I was in the emergency room performing surgery on a patient. When I came out, I wanted to immediately tell Emma and ask her to persuade Ethan to stop. But what awaited me was a line of police officers who rushed forward to handcuff me. Emma stood behind them, silently watching everything unfold. As soon as I opened my mouth to explain, she immediately retorted, “Don’t try to drag Ethan into this! Take responsibility for your own mistakes! I know him better than anyone else!” I stood there, staring at her in shock. I couldn’t understand why the person I loved most didn’t believe me. “It’s him! He’s the murderer!” I turned around to see the patient’s family, the deceased’s family, and the morgue manager all appearing before me. They angrily accused me, saying I deliberately prescribed the wrong medication causing the patient to vomit blood, stole a body from the morgue, and finally poisoned someone to death. I hurriedly explained that it was Ethan who did these things, not me. Moreover, I was busy performing surgery at the time. But no one was willing to believe me. They produced surveillance video footage that clearly showed it was me doing these things. They would rather believe I had superhuman abilities to kill people than consider the possibility that the surveillance footage might be compromised. In the end, I was stabbed to death by the enraged victim’s family member. He stabbed me repeatedly, and no one was willing to help me. They unanimously believed that I, a murderer, deserved to die. After death, I couldn’t understand why the person in the surveillance footage was me. And who had the ability to tamper with the footage in such a short time? This wasn’t an easy feat. So where exactly was the problem? Given a second chance at life, I was determined to uncover the truth and clear my name! I went back to the police station with the officer. I was held in custody for exactly five days. During those five days, all I did was sleep and eat, staying obediently inside. Upon release, the first thing I did was pick up my phone and search for the top news headlines. Sure enough, there was another incident at the hospital where I worked. All the misdeeds Ethan had committed in my previous life, he had done again in this one. But I wasn’t panicked at all. Instead, I felt a sense of anticipation. I had been in custody for these five days, so surely they couldn’t implicate me again. However, to my surprise, I had barely walked five meters out of the detention center when those people found me again. They each held weapons in their hands, as if they wanted to end my life. The leader was the family member of the deceased who had stabbed me to death in my previous life. He grabbed my collar angrily and said, “It was you! You poisoned my son’s food! You killed him!” I was stunned and retorted, “I already ate that food myself. Whoever poisoned it after that, it wasn’t me!” But he didn’t want to hear my explanation and continued shouting, “My son had just been admitted to university! He was in the prime of his youth, why did you have to ruin him!” Others chimed in, “That’s right!” “You deliberately prescribed the wrong medication for my dad, causing him to vomit blood!” “You even dared to steal a body from the morgue! Do you know how heartbroken the family is?” “Her husband had already died in an accident! Now you won’t even leave his ashes, she’s been hospitalized from the shock!” Listening to their accusations, my head was spinning. Why? I had been in custody for these five days, why were these people after me again? Coming back to my senses, I calmly said, “It’s impossible. I didn’t have time to do any of this in the past few days. You must have the wrong person. You should be looking for Ethan Williams, not me. If you don’t believe me, go check the hospital’s surveillance footage!” Hearing my words, their faces didn’t show confusion but rather smugness. “Hah, I knew you’d say that, you scumbag!” “We’ve already checked the surveillance footage!” They pulled out the footage and showed it to me. I was instantly stunned. The person doing all these terrible things in the video was indeed me again! A passing social media influencer caught wind of the drama. She quickly came over and asked, “Hey everyone, what’s going on here?” They angrily recounted, “This man poisoned my son’s food and killed him!” “He deliberately prescribed the wrong medication for my dad, causing him to vomit blood!” “He stole a body from the morgue, causing the family member to faint and be hospitalized!” Their accusations, one after another, firmly nailed me to the pillar of shame. Hearing this, the influencer immediately took out her phone, pointed it at my face, and said, “Folks, did you hear that? This doctor who seems to save lives is actually a murderer!” With these words, the comment section instantly exploded. “Oh my god, this person is truly heartless!” “A doctor who’s supposed to save lives has become a murderer, how ironic!” I clenched my fists, trying hard to control my emotions. “I really didn’t do it.” At this point, my explanations were all just excuses in their minds. The father of the child directly punched me in the face, shouting, “You still dare to deny it!” “Let me tell you, a life for a life is justice, if you don’t explain yourself clearly today, don’t even think about leaving here alive!” The son of the patient who was given the wrong medication threw the prescription in my face, yelling with a red face, “Look carefully! Look at what medication you prescribed for my father!” “My dad clearly had a heart condition, yet you gave him asthma medication, he had inflammation, and you gave him supplements!” “How can you be so vicious, don’t you have a father?” Hearing this, the morgue manager also stepped forward. “That’s right!” “I’ve always looked up to you as a role model, but you did such disgusting things!” “I was truly blind, today I’m going to seek justice for the victims’ families!” They kept talking over each other, nearly drowning me out. I took a deep breath and calmly said, “I can understand how everyone feels, but the fact is, I really didn’t do these things.” “The person behind all this is Ethan Williams, my wife’s childhood friend. You can confront him. Besides, for the past five days, I’ve been in custody, I couldn’t possibly…” Before I could finish, I was interrupted. “Lucas Gray! What nonsense are you spouting!” I turned around to see Emma and Ethan walking towards us, shoulder to shoulder. I was about to speak, but Emma beat me to it. “Do you know how worried Ethan was when he found out you were in custody? He kept telling me he believed in your character. If it weren’t for the surveillance footage, I wouldn’t have known that someone who usually seems so gentle could be such a beast behind closed doors!” Ethan quickly patted her back to comfort her. “Emma, don’t be too upset. I believe my brother just had a momentary lapse of judgment.” He then turned to look at me, his eyes cunning. “Brother, I know you’ve always looked down on me at the hospital. That’s why you kept finding fault with me, telling the chief that I’m not suitable to be a doctor. But I really want to save lives and help every patient. I could tolerate everything you said before, but now you’re trying to pin a murder charge on me! I really can’t accept this. Brother, if you did something wrong, you should take responsibility yourself, not randomly frame others!” Hearing this, the people around us began to look at him sympathetically. “You bastard, how dare you falsely accuse others!” The child’s father, enraged, swung the club in his hand towards me. I couldn’t dodge in time and fell to the ground with a thud. Blood trickled down my forehead, and I saw stars. “Stop! What are you doing?” The police, out on patrol, happened to see this scene and quickly ran over. The leader was Officer Johnson, who had personally put me in custody before. He was stunned and questioned, “You just got out and you’re causing trouble again?” With these words, the surroundings suddenly fell silent. Seeing that I didn’t speak, Officer Johnson spoke again. “What’s going on? What exactly happened?” I glanced at the slightly panicked Ethan and smirked. “Officer Johnson, you must help me! I just got out, and they suddenly came after me, saying I killed someone and stole a body. How could I have had time for that?” Officer Johnson was taken aback and spoke on my behalf. “That’s impossible. He’s been in custody for the past five days.” I quickly nodded and continued to lead him on. “Right? And I’ve been staying there obediently the whole time, not leaving for even a moment!” Officer Johnson shielded me behind him and said confidently. “I think you must have misunderstood. I personally took him into custody, and there were armed police patrolling 24 hours a day. It’s impossible for him to have escaped and committed crimes.” But they clearly weren’t going to let me off. They continued, “We have surveillance footage as evidence. If you don’t believe us, we’ll show you!” The police officer took the surveillance video and immediately frowned. Because he too could clearly see that the person committing the crimes in the footage was me. “Alright, to give everyone a fair resolution, I’ll take this footage for verification right now.” Everyone nodded. “That’s fine, but we want to watch it happen. Who knows if he might try to tamper with it when no one’s looking!” To appease the public, Officer Johnson had to agree. In the police car, under everyone’s witness, the footage was proven to be authentic. There wasn’t a single trace of human tampering. Officer Johnson visibly became flustered. He took out his phone and made a call. After hanging up, he suddenly stood up and put handcuffs on me. “Everyone, please rest assured. I just called the detention center where he was held to confirm. There was a hidden tunnel dug out in the room he was in, and the exit of this tunnel is right behind our police station in the underground passage!” “Lucas Gray, I originally thought you were sincerely repenting, that’s why you were so cooperative! But now it seems you were just biding your time!” Hearing Officer Johnson’s confirmation, the smile on Ethan’s face was barely concealed. He pointed at me and shouted, “That’s right, the murderer must be severely punished! Give everyone justice!” The victims behind him all chimed in agreement. Seeing their accusations and framing of me, I wasn’t scared; instead, I felt somewhat pleased. Since I’ve been given a second chance at life, I certainly wouldn’t be as foolish as in my previous life. I took out my phone and quietly sent a text message. After sending the message, I sat in the police car and calmly said, “Don’t rush. Wait a bit longer. There might be a twist in the story.” The people around scoffed, “Oh, a twist! I’d like to see who could possibly save you now!” Ten minutes later, a young man pushed through the crowd. “Lucas Gray is not a murderer!” “I can prove it!”

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