Category: English

On our fifth wedding anniversary, Julian finally gave me a bouquet of roses for the first time. The moment their fragrance hit my nose, I nearly collapsed from the allergy. When I got home after getting my allergy shot, I found Seraphina, wearing my nightgown, curled up in Julian’s arms. Their faces were unnaturally flushed, a clear sign of what I’d interrupted, and they just looked at me with disdain. “My sister didn’t know you were allergic to pollen. She was being sweet, trying to surprise you. Shouldn’t you be grateful?” “Let’s get a divorce.” The words hung in the air. I threw the drafted divorce papers at Julian. “Just because of a bouquet of roses?” His eyes were filled with disbelief. I nodded coldly: “Yes, just because of a single rose.” “I’m hungry, go make some food.” Julian came home a month later. I thought the first thing he’d do after I suggested divorce was to actually go through with it. Instead, he placed a set of skincare products in front of me: “A gift for you. I picked them out myself.” I’d already seen those so-called gifts all over Seraphina’s SnapChat story. After all, he’d spent the entire month traveling and living it up with Seraphina. I even noticed Julian had carved Seraphina’s name into some of the gifts. They were just the leftovers Seraphina didn’t want. Just like me, I was merely what Julian had left over. Julian and I had been happily married for five years, until his father married Seraphina’s mother. Step-siblings with no blood relation, they gradually developed a bond that everyone mistook for a romantic relationship. Julian always insisted they were just family. And because they were “just family,” he’d abandon me in the middle of the night to go to Seraphina. I sat on the sofa, giving him a lazy glance. I didn’t rush towards him with a delighted cry, like I used to, nor did I immediately scramble to the kitchen to cook him a meal. Julian frowned when I didn’t move for a long time. “I said I’m hungry, didn’t you hear me?” “I’m not your chef. What do you expect me to do if you’re hungry?” My voice was steady, devoid of any emotional upheaval after so long apart. Julian’s face instantly stiffened. “Are you still being ridiculous? It’s just because Seraphina caused your allergy, isn’t it? I even bought you a gift while I was away on a business trip. Haven’t you calmed down at all in the past month?” Clearly, he didn’t understand why I was truly upset. He thought that a month was enough time for me to endure his coldness, then toss aside my dignity and resume catering to him like a desperate doormat. After all, Julian was a master of the cold shoulder. If he’d truly been on a business trip, neglecting me for work, why wouldn’t I try to win him back? But he didn’t know that Seraphina had shared their entire month’s itinerary on social media. She’d even personally sent me her social media account details from an unknown number. While they were living it up, I was alone in the hospital, suffering through my illness. I suddenly remembered that in those photos, Julian wasn’t wearing his wedding ring. Instead, he had a matching couple’s ring with Seraphina. My gaze fell on Julian’s finger. There was still a faint mark on his middle finger. He must have taken it off not long ago. “I’m not angry.” Julian looked at me twice, realizing I was genuinely calm, without any resentment. He pulled me into his embrace with his long arm. “Alright, go make dinner. We’ll just have a proper anniversary next year.” As he leaned close, the faint scent of Seraphina’s perfume on him made my breathing difficult. It was her favorite. I covered my nose and slowly said, “If you’re hungry, figure it out yourself.” Julian, who had been kneading my waist, stopped.

Julian released me and turned to throw the skincare products from the table onto the floor. Bottles shattered on the hard surface, fragments scattering everywhere. Just like our fragile marriage. He looked down at me, then asked coldly, “Last chance. Are you sure you’re not going to make dinner?” He was giving me an easy out, a chance to back down. Normally, I would never have pushed him this far. I was known in his circle as his little doormat, always ready to serve. I used to accept that incredibly sarcastic and insulting title. Julian and I were once so in love, and I honestly didn’t care about those labels back then. But now, I refused to throw away my self-respect. I glanced at Julian, who was on the verge of exploding, and quickly shook my head. “You can ask Seraphina to cook for you.” That remark lit the fuse. Julian grabbed the iced tea from the coffee table and aggressively splashed it on me. “Audrey, I think you need a wake-up call.” The cold liquid dripped down my chest, and my soaked sleeves felt extremely uncomfortable. As I rolled up my sleeves, Julian’s face froze for a moment, then erupted in fury. “Are you sick in the head? You even put scar makeup on your arm? My son’s birthday is in two days. Are you trying to use such cheap tactics to gain sympathy?” So that was it. He hadn’t come home because he was tired of Seraphina; he remembered he had a son whose mother he didn’t even know. His harsh voice made my eardrums throb, almost bursting. Or perhaps it was my heart aching, making my whole body hurt. The man who once cradled me and worried over a tiny red burn mark from cooking for him was gone. His love for me had vanished along with him. I calmly picked up a tissue and gently wiped the water from my body, wincing and drawing a sharp breath as my fingers brushed against the wound. “I don’t need anyone’s sympathy, especially not yours.” My flat statement landed in Julian’s ears like sarcastic venom. “Fine, Audrey. You want to make a scene, do you? Then you won’t be attending Leo’s birthday party.” He always did this, using our son to threaten me after a few harsh words. Leo and I had a deep bond. His cheap tricks wouldn’t work on us. “I raised that boy myself; you don’t get to make decisions for him!” It didn’t matter if Julian didn’t love me anymore. I knew Leo would want to celebrate his birthday with me. A mother’s tender affection involuntarily softened my face. Perhaps my smile was too triumphant, because Julian poured a bucket of cold water over my head. “Did you forget, Leo has nothing to do with you!” Years ago, he was set up, drugged and taken to a hotel, then extorted for a huge sum of money. He had just taken over the company and dared not investigate. A year later, an anonymous sender dropped off a baby. A paternity test confirmed it was his child. The scandal caused his company’s stock to plummet, and he lost everything. He was on the rooftop, contemplating jumping, when he ran into me taking a breather. I confessed my feelings for him, gathering the courage to hold his hand and face the public storm together. Even after we married, I poured my love for him into Leo, treating him as my own biological child. But my love and acceptance for him and Leo had now become the very weapon he used to hurt me! Was he mocking me for being so desperate to be a stepmom? “You’re right. Since we’re getting divorced anyway, why don’t you find Leo a new mom? Or better yet, find his biological mother!”

Perhaps he hadn’t expected such a fierce, sarcastic outburst from me, leaving Julian stunned. If he was going to stab at my heart, I would make him squirm. That incident from years ago was a dark stain on his past! All these years, I had carefully protected him, nurtured him with love, and never once brought it up. Now that I’d hit him where it hurt, he would surely be furious enough to divorce me on the spot. I had already imagined the storm that was coming, but Julian just bit his lip, motionless. I pointed to the divorce papers on the table, hopefully offering him a pen. He didn’t take it. He just walked towards the kitchen, annoyed. After ransacking the fridge and finding no food, Julian’s anger finally spilled over. “Audrey! What have you been doing for the past month? The fridge is completely empty! Are you deliberately trying to sabotage this marriage?” I found it a little funny. Did he still think we had a marriage to salvage? “I’ve been waiting for you to come back and finalize our divorce!” To ensure he always had food despite his busy work schedule, I used to keep the fridge fully stocked every day. Just now, when I hit a raw nerve, he didn’t divorce me. But now the fridge is empty—simply because I withdrew a tiny bit of my love—and he’s furious and disappointed. My words echoed in the silent living room. Surely, his arrogance would lead him to sign the papers now, right? Under my expectant gaze, he angrily grabbed the pen, but then hovered over the signature line for a long time. I even felt like joking, “Once we’re divorced, you can get even closer to your sister.” Julian abruptly tore the divorce papers to shreds. “So, you want a divorce because you’re jealous, huh? I’ve told you countless times, Seraphina and I are just family with no blood relation!” Just as I regretted opening my mouth, Julian’s FaceTime started ringing. “Daddy, I want a birthday present!” Hearing Leo’s sweet, soft voice, my heart instantly melted into a puddle. I craned my neck, eagerly trying to see Julian’s phone screen, but he shot me a glare and turned the phone completely away from me. During the month I was sick, I was afraid of scaring Leo, so I hadn’t dared to video call him. Now, just hearing his voice, I couldn’t resist the urge to go pick him up immediately. “Anything you want, sweetheart, Daddy will get for you!” “Daddy, I want Aunt Seraphina to be my mommy! She’s way more fun than Mom!” My soft heart instantly hardened. I almost forgot that Seraphina was the daughter of Julian’s father’s new wife. Technically, Seraphina and Julian were family. And my son was currently being raised at the Sterling mansion. Not only was Seraphina stealing my husband, now she was trying to steal my son too! “Sweetheart, you can’t just pick any mommy! In a couple of days, your real mommy and I will celebrate your birthday with you, okay?” Hearing Julian mention me as his mommy, my already wounded heart came back to life. I eagerly anticipated Leo’s joyful shout. But Leo yelled back, “No! I don’t like Mom anymore! Grandma Sterling said Mom doesn’t love me anymore, that’s why she left me with her.” I had only let the Sterling family take care of Leo while I was in the hospital for surgery, making up an excuse so I wouldn’t scare him. Now, after just one month, he didn’t even recognize me. “So, I want Aunt Seraphina to be my mommy!” Innocent words from a child, yet they froze me to the core. Sure enough, blood is thicker than water, after all. No matter how much you raise a child that isn’t yours by blood, they’ll never truly become ‘yours’. What stung even more was Julian’s smiling agreement to Leo’s request: “Since sweetheart likes Aunt Seraphina so much, then we’ll let her be Leo’s godmother!” My emotions were on a rollercoaster. And at that moment, I felt like I had crashed and burned. Julian’s peripheral glance at me was full of defiance.

After hanging up the phone, Julian crossed his arms and began to interrogate me. “Did you hear that? Even a child knows Seraphina treats him better!” “Confess, what were you doing for the past month? Why did you make Leo feel like you abandoned him?” I frowned, looking at him. For the first time, the man I’d loved for years felt so utterly unfamiliar! “Can’t you tell I had surgery?” I lifted my shirt, allowing Julian to see every scar. I wasn’t doing this to make him feel guilty, but to make him understand that I wasn’t like him. I wouldn’t abandon Leo just to go have fun. When I looked up, Julian’s hand was already reaching for my head. “I… I thought you were faking it.” “I actually received a message about your surgery from the hospital, but I thought you were just being dramatic to get attention…” I coldly pushed his hand away. Faced with my coldness, Julian suddenly changed his tone. “Does it hurt?” I nodded, then shook my head. When the doctor asked me to call family to sign the consent form, I couldn’t reach Julian no matter how hard I tried. Yet, I saw photos of him and Seraphina eating barbecue on her social media. Barbecue was something Julian always disdained as “dirty.” In the past, he’d only given me a disgusted look if I suggested it. But he could eat and drink heartily with Seraphina. He was too busy, of course, to sign my papers. He didn’t know that the reason I needed surgery was because an old wound, suffered when I saved Leo from drowning years ago, had flared up again, pressing on a nerve. “I don’t have any family. Can I sign it myself?” At that time, my head ached, but my heart ached more. My signature on the surgery consent form was like an illegible scrawl. “Audrey, do you want anything to eat?” “No, I’m not hungry.” My stomach suddenly rumbled, and Julian chuckled. I couldn’t bring myself to smile. Because at that moment, his phone rang. Julian glanced at it and hung up immediately. That simple action told me exactly who was calling. The phone kept ringing, relentlessly. Julian’s face finally changed. “You should take it.” He looked at my expressionless face, unable to discern any emotion. Finally, he hesitated, then nodded and answered the phone. He sounded a little flustered, but he took the call right in front of me, not giving Seraphina a chance to speak. “Why do you keep calling? Even if the sky is falling, it can wait until I’m free! I’m with Audrey right now!” After saying that, Julian hung up before Seraphina could say anything else. “Audrey, would you like some chicken soup?” It was the first time in almost a year that he had offered to cook for me. In the past, I would have happily dragged him into the kitchen to mess around together. Now, those cherished memories were distant, unreachable. Seeing that I wasn’t acting as intimately as usual, Julian took my hand, a gesture of great familiarity. But Seraphina was relentless, her phone still ringing persistently. His eyes were glued to the vibrating phone. Even his hand unconsciously started rubbing mine. He was rubbing the back of my hand, causing me sharp pain, yet he didn’t notice at all. This was his subconscious habit when he was anxious. He was worried about Seraphina! I pulled my reddened hand from his grasp and considerately answered the phone for him. “Julian, I’m at the hospital, I’m so…” “Hospital? What happened? I’m coming right now!” Julian’s concern was written all over his face. After hanging up, he grabbed his car keys and hesitantly asked me, “Audrey, why don’t you come with me?” I vaguely heard “OB/GYN department” from the phone. Julian was bold enough to want me to personally care for his mistress. “I won’t go. Just sign the papers before you leave. It’ll only take two seconds.” I wasn’t so pathetic as to fawn over my rival. “Audrey, can’t you be more understanding? Technically, Seraphina is your sister-in-law.” “Are you really that heartless? You’re getting angry at me and threatening divorce over your sister-in-law?” Sister-in-law? Was he referring to the “sister-in-law” who shared his bed? Did he really think I didn’t know that he and Seraphina had been staying in the same suite for the past month? Under the barrage of Seraphina’s intimate photos, my heart had died. I clearly realized that Julian and I could never go back. Julian didn’t look at me again, storming out and slamming the door behind him.

Two days later was Leo’s birthday. No matter what he thought of me as a mom, I still considered him my own. Even if we divorced, I didn’t want to hurt the child. Unexpectedly, when I went to pick Leo up for his birthday, the Sterling house was filled with laughter and joy. Seraphina was holding Leo, playing games with Julian, who was gently wiping sweat from Seraphina’s face. Leo hugged Seraphina and planted a kiss on her cheek. To anyone watching, the three of them looked more like a family. The two elder Sterlings were lounging in rocking chairs, smilingly watching the scene unfold. I felt like a voyeur peeking into someone else’s happiness, standing under the scorching sun for half an hour. Julian had already noticed me, but he pretended not to see me. Looking at the carefully chosen gift in my hand, I hesitated, then pushed the door open and walked in. “Leo! Look what Mom bought you!” Hearing my voice, Leo remained nestled in Seraphina’s arms, showing no intention of running to me. When he saw the superhero action figure set I’d bought, something he used to covet, he pouted. “Mommy Seraphina already bought me something much better.” Then, he turned away from me with a pout. Like father, like son. Their attitudes towards me were exactly the same. Even a dog you raise for years develops a deep attachment. Not to mention pouring my heart and soul into raising a baby from infancy. In that moment, Leo’s betrayal hurt more than Julian’s lack of love. For Julian and Leo, I pretended to be pregnant for ten whole months, never leaving the house during that time. Even later, when my own mother offered to help me with Leo, I politely refused, saying it was common for young parents nowadays to raise their own children. Every time I think of it, I feel guilty towards her. It seemed Grandma Margaret’s wish would be dashed today. Leo wouldn’t be coming home with me to see her. I put down the gift, attempting one last try. “Leo, Grandma Margaret misses you. Do you want Mom to take you home?” “No! Grandma Margaret’s house is so shabby! I want to stay with Mommy Seraphina!” Julian’s face was a mix of embarrassment and anger. He whispered something to Seraphina, then came over to me. “Leo is just a child, don’t hold a grudge against him.” “Seraphina even prepared an apology gift for you. When we go inside, don’t be angry and refuse to speak, or my father will be uncomfortable.” I didn’t expose the truth: that Leo not recognizing me as his mother after just a month was because someone was deliberately manipulating him. I didn’t believe Julian couldn’t see through it. He was just playing dumb. This was probably the last birthday I’d spend with Leo. At the dinner table, I felt completely like an outsider. Seraphina even held Leo, constantly interacting with him to provoke me. Several times, as they played, Leo spilled hot soup on me.

After dinner, I endured the burning on the back of my reddened hand and tried again. “Leo, come home with Mom, okay?” Leo, engrossed in his superhero play with Seraphina, didn’t even hear me. A bitter taste spread through my mouth. “Leo, give Mom a hug, okay?” Seraphina raised her chin, her eyes filled with a hidden triumph as she looked at me. “Audrey, what are you doing? Leo doesn’t seem to want to go with you. Don’t make it hard on the child.” “Some people are such failures as mothers!” Mr. Sterling had appeared beside me at some point, his words chilling. He always believed I was the one who set up Julian years ago, thinking Julian was forced to marry me because of his illegitimate child. Later, he resented me for making Julian a disgrace in his social circle. In that moment, I no longer wanted to keep Julian’s secret. “Dad, actually, I’m not Leo’s…” “Audrey! We’re going home!” Julian’s face was filled with panic. His panicked gaze wasn’t on me, but on Seraphina. How laughable. Was he afraid Seraphina would find out Leo was an illegitimate child with an unknown mother? But had he considered other possibilities? Julian held my hand until I stepped out the front door. But only I knew his grip was so tight it felt like he was crushing my hand, terrified I’d say another word about the past. As soon as we were in the car, Julian dropped the pretense of being loving. “Audrey, what were you about to say?” “What do you think?” My direct gaze made Julian’s chin retract inch by inch. “Didn’t we agree back then that we’d pretend it was your scheme?” “What good would it do to expose it now?” “Expose it, and I can divorce you!” My all-or-nothing attitude towards divorce made Julian heartbroken, as if he’d been betrayed. “I was wrong, okay? I swear nothing happened between me and Seraphina! If you really don’t like it, I’ll bring Leo back immediately. You’re his mother, and that will never change!” Yes, besides me, no one else would be willing to shoulder this burden! Except for his biological mother! “If you don’t want me to expose it, then just sign the divorce papers!” “Audrey! I’ve already apologized to you, what else do you want? Why are you escalating a small matter to divorce?” “Leo isn’t your biological child anyway. I know you’re upset that he’s suddenly not close to you, but shouldn’t you reflect on your own issues?” I pointed at myself, incredulous. “I’m a stepmom. I raised him as my own from birth, doted on him. If you hadn’t indulged Seraphina and her mother in filling his head with bad ideas, would he not recognize me?” I questioned myself. My conscience was clear when it came to Leo. Julian, on the other hand, had always been somewhat distant from Leo because of his parentage. The more he avoided Leo, the more I doted on him. And in the end, I was the fool who got stabbed in the back. “Don’t wrongly accuse innocent people! Kids are smart; do they really need us to tell them what to think?” After saying that, Julian caught himself and covered his mouth. “Audrey, that’s not what I meant. I’m not blaming you, I just… don’t want to divorce you…” “Thanks for the reminder. Otherwise, I might forget that there’s such a thing as family bond! Blood is thicker than water, after all. No matter how much you raise a child that isn’t yours by blood, they’ll never truly become ‘yours’.” With that, I opened the car door and got out, hailing a taxi. “Where are you going! I said I was wrong, okay?” Julian’s shouts echoed behind me, but I didn’t look back.

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“Professor Evans, I’ve made up my mind. I accept the invitation from the Austrian Orchestra.” Over the phone, Mr. Evans’s delighted laughter was unmistakable. “Finally came to your senses? I’ll arrange everything immediately. My students should know how to choose between love and future. You have a week to say your goodbyes.” I murmured a soft reply, then hung up. A final farewell to the Davidsons, the family I’d lived with for over 20 years, and to my fiancée. I hung up the phone and instinctively touched the watch on my wrist. Beneath the leather strap was a jagged, centipede-like scar. It wasn’t that I’d finally made a choice; it was that love and family had chosen to abandon me. A soft knock came from outside the lounge door. “Asher, can I come in?” Before the words fully left his lips, Liam Miller pushed the door open. His wide, innocent eyes, like a lost puppy, were full of a carefully cultivated vulnerability as he looked at everyone. And on his shirt collar, there was a lipstick stain. Noticing my gaze, he deliberately tugged at his collar, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oops, it’s all Isabella’s fault. She just *had* to tease me.” I couldn’t bring myself to give him a pleasant look. The “Isabella” he spoke of was once my fiancée. Now, she was Liam’s. I still remembered when Liam first returned. Isabella had taken me to the rooftop, swearing beneath a canopy of stars that she’d only ever marry me. No matter who came back, her love would always, *only*, be for me. Sadly, that blatant, passionate love lasted just one year and three months. One year and three months later, on another star-filled night, Isabella and a disheveled Liam knelt in the Davidsons’ grand living room. They pleaded with the Davidsons to change the name on her engagement contract to Liam Miller. What kind of filth and cunning lay beneath that innocent face? Good thing I was leaving. I had just agreed with Mr. Evans to go abroad and accept the consultant position with the Ryan Orchestra. After completing my final farewell performance here, I would never disturb this sweet couple again. “Asher, can you let me be the principal performer this time? Please, please, please?” Liam tugged at my hand, pouting. How many things had he stolen from me over the years using that trick? I was tired of it. I pulled my hand back forcefully. “Get out!” “Asher.” Liam stumbled backward, falling to the floor, clutching his slender hand, looking utterly wronged. Isabella Stone, who had just pushed the door open, rushed forward in two steps, shielding Liam in her arms as if he were a precious treasure. Her beautiful brows furrowed as she gently asked where he was hurt. Liam shook his head pitifully. “It’s okay, Asher didn’t mean it. I just lost my footing.” His voice was choked, not sounding “okay” at all. I instinctively frowned. I hadn’t pushed Liam. I’d only pulled my hand away. Who would believe such shoddy acting? But Isabella did. She looked at me, her eyes icy. “Asher Davidson, I thought you were just a spoiled master of the Davidson family. Even with a bad temper, I thought you at least had some integrity.” Hearing the commotion, the three Davidson sisters also rushed in. They surrounded Liam, doting on him, while their gazes at me were filled only with blame and disappointment. “Liam suffered for so many years because of you, why can’t you just let him have this? Don’t perform at this concert, let Liam do it.” Charlotte Davidson, the eldest sister, always spoke with the most authority. My heart, already simmering in pain, had its last drop of affection squeezed out by her words. This was my farewell performance. I just wanted to put a period on the music I loved and say a proper goodbye to everyone. After all, once I left the country, I wouldn’t be coming back. **Chapter 2** “You still have injuries. It’s just one time. When your injuries heal, you can play as many shows as you want.” Victoria Davidson, my second sister, frowned. Ruby Davidson, my third sister, always the most outspoken, added, “Asher, if you insist on competing with Liam, you won’t be allowed to play the piano ever again.” A bitter taste filled my mouth, but I still wanted to fight for myself this one last time. “Sisters, this performance is very important to me, I…” “You know the Davidsons’ influence. We are your family. If we don’t approve, no one will dare let you play.” Before I could finish, Charlotte cut me off with another warning. I forced a wry smile. Was the Davidsons’ most feared power play finally coming for me? “Liam, come on. Don’t you like LEGOs? Ruby finished building the set for you.” Surrounded by the comforting women, Liam finally smiled, looping his arm around Isabella. “Ruby’s the best!” “Then don’t be sad anymore, okay?” The four women left, circling Liam as if he were the sole star in their universe. I felt disoriented. These past twenty years felt like a long dream. In that dream, I, too, was once cherished by my sisters and Isabella. Back then, I was the Davidsons’ only little prince, adored by my three sisters. And my fiancée, engaged to me since childhood, revolved around me. Every morning, four plates of breakfast would be placed before me, as the four women watched me with eager eyes. I would sigh, vexed, and my parents would just laugh. Everyone told me that the Davidsons’ young master deserved all this affection. When I was six, I fell in love with a pianist performing on stage. My parents didn’t want me to suffer, so my four sisters scrimped and saved to pay my tuition and help me fulfill my dream. Ruby even took on the most ridiculous side hustles at school, even selling her cherished belongings, just to earn money for my piano lessons. Isabella rallied all her classmates to organize my first-ever concert; anyone who clapped could copy their homework. My parents and Isabella’s parents were both furious and amused when they found out. Later, as they grew up, Isabella, whenever she drank too much, would force me to repeat, over and over, that I only loved Isabella, forever and ever. I truly fell for her. I thought that among all arranged marriages, mine would be the happiest. Until Liam Miller appeared. The day I stood at the Davidsons’ doorstep with the DNA test results, Liam was skinny and small, wearing faded, worn-out clothes, looking utterly pathetic. That day, my world crumbled. I learned that I wasn’t the Davidsons’ biological son. Everyone told me that nothing would change, I would just have another younger brother. But my three sisters no longer cherished me as carefully as before. Just a pout and a few words from him, and everything instantly became his. Charlotte, usually calm and composed, would book the most luxurious hotel for him. Victoria, angelic and aloof, would fuss over him in a panic. Ruby, mischievous by nature, would spend hours building a LEGO set for him. Even my fiancée, who once backed herself into a corner, repeating over and over “I love Asher the most,” fearing she’d lose me. She now knelt with him in the Davidsons’ living room, demanding to change the name on the engagement contract. Everything I had was completely taken. Now, even my final farewell performance in this country was taken from me. I forced a bitter laugh, twisting the watch on my wrist. I should have known better. From the moment, three months ago, when the Davidsons chose to rescue Liam from the kidnappers and abandoned me, I should have known. I shouldn’t love Isabella anymore. Nor should I harbor any illusions about the Davidson sisters. I was tired. My heart was cold. In a week, I, the outsider, would leave the Davidsons forever, no longer disrupting their loving family. **Chapter 3** I closed the door, shutting myself off. Inside the lounge, I organized my belongings. Ten years in the orchestra, and the accumulated items filled the entire center of the room. I stared blankly at the expensive figurines and rare collectibles. I loved these models since childhood. Whenever a new one came out, my sisters and Isabella would find ways to buy it for me. Then they’d pat my head and say, “Our Prince Asher deserves to have everything.” Later, Liam came. New things stopped appearing in my room. Even I, it seemed, had become an old item. Now that I was leaving, these old possessions held no meaning. I called a disposal service to come pick them up for destruction. While waiting for the truck, I went to resign from the theater. The theater management, in a tacit understanding, didn’t mention the farewell concert. I didn’t say anything either. Outside these walls, the Davidsons’ influence was too formidable to challenge. I no longer wanted to bother with them. My farewell concert? I’d consider it my final payment to the Davidsons, and an apology to Liam. Leaving the theater, Isabella’s car blocked my way. “Mr. Davidson, Ms. Stone would like you to come to the Hyatt Hotel.” “No.” I turned to walk away. “Mr. Davidson, please don’t make this difficult for us.” Four bodyguards blocked every escape. I knew each of them. These were the people Isabella used to protect me. Now, they were used to coerce me just the same. I lowered my head and squeezed myself into the spacious car. Isabella’s voice, vowing she’d never force me, still echoed in my ears. But I was no longer Ms. Stone’s fiancé. I no longer had the privilege of her special affection. Good. Leaving this way, with a clear conscience, clean. The car stopped at the Hyatt Hotel. The banner in the banquet hall, “Celebrating Liam Miller’s Triumph as Principal Performer,” was particularly glaring. The private room door was open. Four women shielded Liam in the center. Liam stood exactly where I once stood, smiling sweetly. I let out a low, mocking laugh. The word “Triumph”? Truly fitting. “Asher!” Liam was the first to spot me. He ran towards me from inside the room. “I thought you wouldn’t come. It’s all my sisters and Isabella. I told them not to organize it, but they were afraid I’d feel wronged. They insisted. Asher, if you have to blame someone, blame me.” Liam looked at me timidly. I had done nothing, yet it felt as though I had bullied him. Isabella walked out from inside, shielding Liam behind her. “Liam said he’s never had a banquet before. We just found an excuse. You don’t have to blame him.” The four women stared at me as if I were a formidable enemy. Liam was incredibly good at eliciting sympathy. If it were before, I would have gone ballistic. I wouldn’t have been able to stand my honor being stolen, then flaunted in front of me. Even less could I have stood my three sisters’ and Isabella’s affection shifting to someone else. Everyone told me nothing would change, but why did *everyone* change? But now, I just offered a detached smile. “Then congratulations, little brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law.” I strode out of that suffocating circle. Since Liam enjoyed being surrounded, I would let him have it. From now on, my relationship with the Davidsons would simply be that of debtor and creditor. Once I repaid their kindness for raising me, we would be strangers. **Chapter 4** My sudden calmness made the four women uncomfortable. They wanted to call out to me, but then realized that the name “Asher” had, at some point, become bitter on their tongues. “Isabella, let’s go inside too.” Isabella snapped back to reality when Liam hooked his arm through hers. She forcefully suppressed the unspeakable emotions in her heart, then softly whispered to Liam, “Okay,” her actions intimate, like lovers whispering sweet nothings. “Isabella! Asher is still here!” Liam deliberately raised his voice. I understood his intention, but I couldn’t be bothered to respond. The banquet, from start to finish, unfolded exactly as I expected. Because for over twenty years, this was how they had organized banquets for me. My three sisters, true to their word, were giving Liam everything they had once given me, one item at a time. “Liam, look at Victoria’s gift.” Victoria opened a box. Inside was a music stand decorated with dazzling jewels. Each gem was priceless, as if a skilled artisan had secretly brought them into the human world from a fairy’s treasure chest. I stared at the familiar music stand, my fingertips unconsciously digging into my flesh. This was the one Victoria had made by hand for me two years ago when I won the Golden Award, spending months on it. At the awards ceremony that day, Victoria had told everyone that this music stand could only be used by the Davidsons’ young master. That statement had once gone viral, with netizens playfully calling them “obsessed with their little brother.” Watching Liam now, holding the sparkling, jewel-encrusted music stand, I gently pressed a hand to my chest. I thought that if I just left, if I just forgot, the pain would cease. But the dense, stabbing pain that flared in my chest was impossible to ignore. “Asher, Isabella says this music stand has a matching box. Can I borrow it from you?” “Even though I grew up away from home, I want to be the best musician, just like you, Asher.” Liam playfully extended his hand, his eyes full of unspoken accusations. Accusations that I was the thief who’d stolen his life. Accusations that my Golden Award was only because of the Davidsons. “Give it to him.” Isabella’s voice was firm, her icy gaze filled with intimidation. Her stare pierced me, leaving me feeling utterly exposed once again. That exquisite box was something Isabella had privately given me, custom-made by her own hands, engraved with both our names. My gaze fell on each of them, but not one person looked back at me. “Fine.” Since I had decided to leave, I wanted a clean break. I had intended to return the box to Isabella anyway, but hadn’t found the right opportunity. Her asking for it now was even better. I placed the box on the table. Returning what belonged. I wouldn’t cling. “I’m not feeling well, I’ll be leaving now.” I stood up. This was their family dinner, after all. As an outsider, once I’d served as a backdrop, I should discreetly leave. But I couldn’t get out of the room before my three sisters surrounded me. “Asher, what’s wrong? You’ve always had a weak constitution since childhood. Why are you still not taking care of yourself at this age?” Charlotte naturally reached out, touching my forehead. Since I was little, whenever I fell ill, Charlotte would always feel my forehead first. “You’re sick again and not going to the hospital? I’ll take you.” Victoria naturally took my wrist. To look after my health, my second sister had specifically studied traditional medicine. Even Isabella stepped forward, her face cold but filled with concern. “Don’t try to hurt yourself to get my attention. Now, go to the hospital immediately!” Seeing their concerned expressions, I forced a bitter smile. They were the ones who abandoned me, the ones who left me scarred and torn. Yet now they rushed to show concern. I sharply pulled my hand away. Before the words “No need” could escape my lips, Liam suddenly grabbed Isabella. “It must be because of me. I was too happy, I stole Asher’s spotlight, that’s why he’s sick. I won’t have the banquet, I don’t deserve it. Let’s take Asher to the hospital.” **Chapter 5** The four women instantly moved away from me. Isabella’s icy gaze softened into tenderness and pity when it fell on Liam. “Asher, you don’t seem seriously ill. How about we accompany you after the banquet? Occasionally having fun is good for your health.” Victoria delivered her verdict. Between Liam and me, they ultimately chose him. “No need.” I turned and left. I didn’t need their charity. After leaving the hotel, my phone buzzed several times. It was my three sisters, reminding me to go to the hospital, and Isabella’s hospital appointment confirmation. Looking at each word of concern, I just wanted to laugh. What were they trying to do? Isn’t it because of them that I’ve become this way? Three months ago, the ones who kidnapped Liam and me were the Davidsons’ sworn enemies. Everyone knew those people were desperate and that Liam and I wouldn’t fare well. The kidnappers left two addresses, aiming to make the Davidsons split their forces to rescue us. But they miscalculated. Everyone went to rescue Liam; not a single person came for me. The kidnappers unleashed all their rage on me. I was dragged across cold concrete, my skin sliced inch by inch with a small blade. My hands, meant for playing music, had their fingers broken one by one. From hope to resentment, then to absolute despair—it only took half a month. But that half-month felt like a lifetime to me. Half a month later, the police rescued me from the kidnappers. By then, I was tortured beyond recognition. Yet when I returned to the Davidsons’ home. Everyone was gathered around Liam, who was unharmed, merely frightened. No one even noticed I was gone for half a month. No one cared that I’d lost my chance to play the piano. I felt a sticky warmth on my face. When I reached up, I found my cheeks streaked with tears. I’d failed myself. Months earlier, I still held onto hope for Isabella and the Davidsons. But with Liam’s return, a rift had formed between us. Many coveted Isabella, but no one had made a move before because I was always by her side. Then, after a concert, Isabella drunk-dialed me. When I arrived, she was semi-conscious on the floor. The person who drugged her used something potent; there wasn’t even time to get her to a hospital. Isabella clung to me, repeatedly calling my name, repeatedly saying she loved me. I couldn’t bear it. I held Isabella’s face, and for the only time, I forced her to say: “Isabella, always love… me.” Isabella looked up, her expression hazy: “Isabella loves Asher. Always. Only. Asher.” That night, we were both completely reckless. She almost drained me. I fantasized that she would withstand all the pressure and marry me. But later, Isabella and Liam knelt in the Davidsons’ living room, saying she wanted to marry Liam. Yet I always remembered how she’d professed her love. I couldn’t believe Isabella would lie when her consciousness was hazy. I thought she had some unspeakable difficulty. Until three months later, Isabella was found to be pregnant. Judging by the timing, this child should be mine. I went to the hospital alone to get the report, overjoyed, and called her. With this child, we could marry and start our family naturally. But Isabella didn’t answer. I stood on the street, making countless calls. Until the kidnappers abducted me, my phone fell to the ground, still on the dialing screen. But when I returned, the baby was gone. Aborted. **Chapter 6** I’d never believed in ghosts, but I heard that unborn children, those who never saw the light of day, could be tormented. I pricked my fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall, and stitched a tiny protection charm thread by thread. In three days, I would leave. Before I left, I wanted to take the protection charm to the church and pray for the baby. I didn’t leave my room all day. I didn’t want to see any of the Davidsons. I also didn’t have time to go out until late at night, when I finally finished the protection charm. The next morning, I got up early. I didn’t want to disturb anyone in the Davidson household. I walked from the villa community to the subway station, then to the Administrative Services Office. The staff were just starting their day. I picked up my passport. Just as I was about to leave, someone patted my shoulder. “Asher! You’re here too!” Alex Hayes, my best friend, had two dimples when he smiled. He lived right across from the Davidsons. “Why did you cancel your farewell concert? I’d already bought tickets and was planning to cheer you on!” Alex casually slung his arm around my shoulder. We always told each other everything. But now, I didn’t know how to explain. The Davidsons had raised me; I couldn’t throw my sisters under the bus. Seeing my silence, Alex’s smile faded. “Is it because of *him*?” I gave a small smile, not replying. Alex instantly understood, his indignation rising. “I knew he was no good the moment he arrived! Claimed to be a poor, struggling kid, yet he somehow got the Davidsons’ DNA? Your Davidsons…” “Forget it.” I took Alex’s hand. “How the Davidsons choose is their business. I have my own choices too.” As for the Davidsons’ affairs, I no longer wanted to meddle. It was *their* Davidson family. It had nothing to do with me. Alex also fell silent. Big family drama was never something they could truly control. “Asher, you haven’t shown up lately, and everyone’s missed you. Our whole circle? We’re all on your side, Ash! Just say the word if you need anything.” Alex opened his arms. I accepted his hug. We patted each other’s backs, and my eyes welled up. “Don’t be sad. No matter what, I’ve always got your back.” Alex punched me lightly on the shoulder. We looked at each other and both laughed. Alex used to joke with me like this all the time. It always made Isabella fume, which was why she’d never had a pleasant word for him all these years. But now, things were different. After saying goodbye to Alex, I walked alone down the street. Isabella’s car silently followed behind me. Watching my solitary figure, Isabella felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. She felt I had changed, in a way that made her uneasy. After much hesitation, she called my number. “Get in.” I was surprised when I saw her caller ID. How long had it been since Isabella initiated a call to me? Hearing her voice from the phone, I turned around. Through the car window, Isabella waved her phone at me. At eight in the evening, the streets were bustling with people. I didn’t want to end up on social media. I walked over. As I reached for the back door, Isabella pushed open the passenger door. This used to be my exclusive seat. But now, should I still sit there? “Don’t let Liam misunderstand.” I closed the passenger door and got into the back seat. Isabella fell silent for a moment, looking at the empty passenger seat beside her. “Where to?” “The church.” **Chapter 7** Neither of us spoke during the drive, as if we were already strangers. After waiting for a red light, Isabella pressed the accelerator. “What are you going to the church for?” “To pray,” I said. Isabella asked again, “Who are you praying for?” I looked up, meeting Isabella’s eyes in the rearview mirror. I really wanted to ask her if she truly didn’t remember that night. Did she truly not care that we once had a child? “Do you remember, a few months ago, at the Royal Hotel?” Isabella frowned. She remembered. She only remembered that a small supplier had hosted the event. If it weren’t for an old family referral, she would never have gone to that party. It was also that day that Liam had supposedly “slept with her,” and out of a sense of obligation, she’d proposed changing the engagement. But why was I suddenly bringing up that day? “That day I called off the engagement, it was because of my personal issues, not you. You don’t have to…” Isabella’s phone rang mid-sentence. It was a special ringtone Liam had set on her phone. After just one ring, Isabella answered. “Isabella, are you busy right now? Can you come here? I got scratched by a Chihuahua. I’m sorry, I always mess things up and bother you.” Liam’s pathetic voice came through the phone. Isabella instinctively looked at me. “Isabella, I also have something I want to tell you. Will you listen?” My hand tightened on the protection charm. Isabella frowned. “Later. Liam’s hurt.” “Okay.” In that instant, I truly despaired. I opened the car door and got out without a word, no clinging, no argument. This, paradoxically, made Isabella uneasy. She felt that this time was different from before. It felt like I was truly about to disappear from her world. This feeling was indescribable. Isabella wanted to ask why I had suddenly brought up that day. But a thousand words reached her lips, only to turn into a single, “I’m sorry.” The black car peeled out, kicking up a cloud of dust. By the time the dust settled, I had long since left that spot. The church was on the city’s outskirts; Isabella dropped me off where no cabs would go. I walked the rest of the way to the church. After lighting the incense, I reached for the protection charm, but my whole body froze. The protection charm was gone. I was certain I hadn’t taken it out at all during the journey. If it wasn’t on the road, then it had to be in Isabella’s car. That was the only thing I could do for my unborn baby. I called her several times. Just like the day I was kidnapped, no matter how many times I tried, the calls never connected. I vaguely remembered hearing Liam say on the phone that he was injured at the Davidsons’ house. Along the way, I gave the driver countless tips, begging him to get to the Davidsons’ as fast as possible. “Isabella, give me your car keys, my…” I pushed open the garden gate. Liam was squatting on the ground, teasing a dog. The toy he was using to tease it was the very protection charm I had made for our child. “Asher, you’re back.” Liam looked up. In that moment, the challenging smile in his eyes — I didn’t believe he didn’t know what it was for. “Give it back.” I trembled, reaching out my hand to him. “It’s just a toy, Asher, why are you so tense?” “Unless… this protection charm is for some bastard child of yours?” Liam’s voice dropped to a whisper for the last few words. Seeing me rush forward, he deliberately “missed,” and the puppy bit into the protection charm, shaking its head violently. **Chapter 8** My heart clenched. I lunged for the puppy, desperate to snatch the protection charm. But my foot caught on Liam’s outstretched leg. “Ah!” The culprit behind me fell, and my hand hit a stone, a sharp, piercing pain shooting through me. Thankfully, I got the protection charm back. Baby, I’m so sorry… I clutched the protection charm tightly in my hand, pressing it against my chest. I didn’t even notice my palm was cut, blood staining the fabric. “Liam Miller!” Seeing this scene, Isabella didn’t even have time to put down her phone. She rushed over, embracing Liam who was on the ground. The phone accidentally switched to speaker, and her assistant’s voice came through. “Ms. Stone, the leads from the Royal Hotel have been compiled and sent to your email.” But at that moment, none of the three were in a state to listen. Isabella anxiously checked Liam’s injuries. Liam leaned against Isabella’s shoulder, looking utterly wronged again. “Isabella, why does Asher hate me so much? Is it because I took Asher’s place? But I didn’t want to!” “No, it’s not.” Isabella tenderly rubbed the bruise on Liam’s leg. The intense pity in her eyes turned cold and grim when she looked up at me. “Apologize.” Huh! He was the one who stole my things. He was the one who tripped me. Couldn’t Isabella see? I offered a bitter smile, looking at her deeply. For some reason, seeing me, on the verge of breaking, made Isabella’s heart clench in unbearable pain. I ultimately said nothing, just turned and walked away. “Isabella.” Just as Isabella was about to say something, Liam called out to her. “Asher Davidson, apologize!” “If you just walk away like this, you’ll never see each other again!” My steps faltered for a moment. Then so be it. Never again. I lifted my foot, walking away with even greater resolve. Watching my retreating figure shrink in the distance, Isabella suddenly felt a surge of panic. She had a sudden feeling that something precious was slipping away from her, forever. After leaving the Davidsons’ home, I only belatedly realized the piercing pain in my palm. The protection charm was soaked in blood, stuck to my wound. When I peeled it off, the wound was raw and bleeding profusely. Compared to Liam’s bruised leg, my injury was utterly insignificant. But only children who are loved have the right to cry. I just gritted my teeth and roughly treated the wound myself. Then I went back to the church. I hoped my unborn child could find peace and safety, free from harm. On my last day before leaving, I packed all my luggage and the things I intended to return to the Davidsons. It was ironic. From childhood, my Davidson sisters and Isabella had given me enough gifts to fill an entire warehouse. Yet, the things that truly belonged to *me* could be packed into a single small suitcase. I placed the warehouse keys and my bank card into a drawer. The card held all the money I’d earned playing music over the years. I wasn’t sure of the exact amount, but it was easily over ten million dollars. That should be enough to repay the Davidsons’ kindness for raising me. I stood at the doorway, looking at the spacious, luxurious bedroom. This had once been the best room in the Davidson house, aside from the master bedroom. It was originally meant for Charlotte, but my three sisters, doting on me, had secretly decorated it as my bedroom. After Liam came, he’d hinted and outright asked for it countless times. This was the only space I hadn’t lost, and to protect this one last inch of my territory, I’d been branded as unforgiving. Now, all of it. As they wished. The sky lightened. Downstairs, things were lively for a while. Today was Liam’s first time performing as the principal. My three sisters and Isabella revolved around Liam. Once it quieted down downstairs. I pulled out my suitcase and handed the bedroom keys to the housekeeper. I gave her instructions to handle everything once my sisters returned. From now on, the Davidson household would still have its three masters. No more, no less. I, the outsider, would no longer be there to disrupt their happy family. Closing the door. I didn’t look back.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298880”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

At the wrap party for my new show, I was drugged and exploited. My fiancé, Blake, disgusted with me, leaked the photos and publicly called off our engagement. When everyone was spitting venom at me, it was Caleb Blackwood who shielded me with his jacket. He paid a fortune to delete the photos and brought down Blake’s company. “You don’t deserve to marry Aurora if you can’t even trust the woman you claim to love! Aurora, I’ll protect you for the rest of your life.” His words moved me, and I agreed. Later, he was in a car accident and lost his sight. I willingly offered him my cornea. Everyone claimed Caleb treated me like the most fragile, precious gem, keeping me safe, adored. But when I secretly regained my sight, planning to surprise him, I went to find him. Instead, I heard ambiguous low moans coming from his study. “Caleb, that idiot actually believed you were in a car accident, didn’t she? If she hadn’t gone blind and couldn’t act, I never would’ve gotten her roles. But what *did* happen to her cornea?” Caleb chuckled, his movements not pausing, causing the person on top of him to giggle incessantly. “My cornea? Oh, I fed it to the stray dogs on the street.” Turns out, all that deep affection and love was just an empty dream. Yet, after I left, he broadcast across the entire city, searching for my whereabouts.

“The cornea, mixed with blood, smelled so foul even the dogs were disgusted.” “I told her not to go to the new show’s wrap party, but she insisted. I had no choice but to fake the car accident. She forced my hand.” The low, mocking voices from inside nailed me to the spot. The joy of regaining my sight transformed into a chilling dread that spread through every inch of my body. I stumbled back, my eyes falling on the countless bruises covering my hands and legs. For three years after donating my cornea, I refused to be a burden to Caleb. I stubbornly learned to navigate by memory, relying solely on my mind’s map. The long-term struggle had left my body covered in bruises, offering no benefit in return. I thought I had sacrificed my sight for the man I loved. In the end, it was just a nightmare woven from countless lies. Through the slightly ajar door, Vanessa Thorne, her dress half-slipped off one shoulder, was writhing on the chair, clearly engaged in something intimate. After a long while, she sighed, tracing Caleb’s hair, and asked curiously, “But was that ‘sleeping with someone’ rumor true?” Caleb’s eyes narrowed as he gently stroked Vanessa’s long hair, a slow, rhythmic motion. “She was so conservative, not as uninhibited as you are. How could it be true?” “I just paid her assistant a little money. Her assistant’s family was sick. Someone that desperate for cash will do anything. I didn’t even have to get my hands dirty.” I clamped a hand over my mouth, desperate to stifle my sobs. My heart felt like it had been violently hammered, a dull, aching throb. The butler called out to me from a distance, startling the people inside. Vanessa quickly slid off Caleb, their clothes disheveled as they walked out. I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat, forcing my eyes to remain vacant, and slowly walked along the wall. Vanessa kissed Caleb’s cheek; their affection seemed sickeningly sweet. As she left, she didn’t forget to roll her eyes at me. I pretended not to notice, watching her disappear into a room at the end of the hall. My blood ran cold. She had been living with us all this time. Caleb seemed to sense my stiffness. His voice was laced with concern and urgency as he helped me. “Aurora, didn’t I tell you to ring the bell if you needed anything, and I’d help you? What if you hurt yourself wandering around?” A faint floral scent clung to him, barely perceptible. The concern in Caleb’s eyes didn’t seem fake. My hands trembled as I clutched at his clothes. “Caleb, I want to accept the donation. Will you come with me?” He didn’t hesitate, embracing me with the same tender affection he had shown a thousand times before. “Aurora, donation surgery is very uncomfortable, and there will be all sorts of discomfort afterward. I don’t want to see you suffer.” “Has someone been upsetting you?” Then, his voice filled with fury, he yelled at the butler. “Replace everyone! Get me a whole new staff!” Normally, I would have begged him not to be angry, but this time, I said nothing. I simply loosened my grip on his hand. The light in my heart had completely extinguished. The idea of leaving him began to sprout within me. Caleb cleared his throat, a subtle, awkward sound, and escorted me back to my room to rest. Before leaving, he carefully pulled the covers over me. When his hand brushed against my icy cold feet, He gently cupped my feet, as if they were priceless treasures, warming them before putting on my socks. “Sleep now. I’ll be back soon.” Feeling him leave, I quietly followed. Around the corner, Vanessa was already wrapped around his waist, impatient. Caleb chuckled scornfully. “Even if she was once a celebrated actress, a blind woman is useless. Don’t worry, I won’t let her ever see again.” A buzzing filled my ears. The gentle, attentive Caleb of the past vanished in that moment. My best friend’s family had contacted me about donating a cornea. I’d asked them to keep it a secret, wanting to surprise him. If I had told him directly back then, would I have ever had the chance to see again? A rush of blood surged to my head. Dazed, I stumbled and hit the doorframe with a loud thud. Caleb’s face changed instantly. He pushed Vanessa away and rushed towards me. “Aurora, how are you feeling?!”

The worry in his eyes was like a giant wave threatening to drown me, making it almost impossible to distinguish truth from lies. I could only clearly see Vanessa, leaning against the doorframe behind him, her expression a mix of triumph and pity, like she was looking at a pathetic bug. She reached out, tracing circles on Caleb’s back, over and over. There were still red marks on Caleb’s neck, a blatant declaration of her ownership. His body visibly tensed, and in the quiet air, I heard a distinct swallow. Caleb reached back, giving Vanessa a reassuring pat, his silent lips forming a promise for her to wait. Then he turned and carried me back to the bed. His voice was a little agitated, and his movements were a bit rougher. Looking at Caleb, who was clearly eager to leave, I reached out with a final trace of longing. “Caleb, can you stay and rest with me for a bit?” Caleb’s tone was dismissive, his feet already turned towards the door. “I need to take a shower. I feel dirty.” Before I could even respond, he was gone, his retreating figure radiating an unsettling joy. I sat and waited all night. He never returned. Finally, just before dawn, I sent a message to my former agent, Ms. Miller. “My eyesight is back. We can arrange work.” After getting a positive reply, I started packing my things. While searching for my documents, I noticed my laptop glowing faintly. I meant to close it but accidentally opened it. One glance felt like a sledgehammer to my chest. The screen displayed an unknown dark website, covered in countless photos of me. They were from all angles. Though my head was deliberately obscured, the butterfly tattoo on my shoulder confirmed it was me. All sorts of vile comments were mixed together. [She acts so proper, but when she lets loose, wow.] [More views next time, show her face.] I gripped the table tightly, my knuckles white, tears streaming down my face. I froze for a long moment before finally lifting my hand to delete the webpage, then, still weeping, splashed water onto the CPU. Black smoke billowed from the computer. Caleb returned just then, his face instantly contorted with rage. I feigned panic and helplessness, using the opportunity to let my tears flow unchecked. Caleb had no choice but to force down his anger and try to comfort me. But as he came closer, The pungent perfume on him made my stomach churn. I bent over and dry-heaved. “Doctor! Butler, call the doctor!” Surrounded by people checking on me, Caleb suppressed his impatience and asked the doctor to discuss the results outside. I secretly slipped my phone, which was making a call, into his pocket. Through my earpiece, I heard his gritted teeth. “Didn’t we give her the medication?! How could she still be pregnant?!” “Give me the pills! I don’t want this baby, it’s disgusting!” Even though I had already seen his true colors, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sadness. The doctor hesitated, trying to dissuade him. “The medication given to your wife before has already harmed her body. Forcibly aborting the child now could endanger her life.” “I don’t care! The mother of my child can only be Vanessa!” I hung up the phone, my pillow already soaked with tears. After a while, Caleb brought me the bitter medicine. Numbly, I drank it down, sip by agonizing sip. My abdomen throbbed with an unbearable, dragging pain, as if countless hands were pulling me down. I didn’t make a sound, silently enduring as my child left me. My silence, however, seemed to unnerve Caleb. “Aurora, the doctor said you have a bad stomach, so he prescribed a tonic. Is it too bitter?” “Shall I get you some candied fruit?” He offered me candy coaxingly, but in my mouth, it tasted endlessly bitter. For three consecutive days, Caleb stayed by my side, personally caring for me, even feeding me himself. Only I knew that Vanessa’s shadow was always present at the dining table. My dinner plate was replaced with a dog bowl, and Vanessa, propping her chin on her hand, watched me with a smirk, her eyes glinting with amusement. The once delicious food had become unrecognizable, spoiled for days. Caleb merely frowned, offering a helpless smile, his hands doing nothing. A chill enveloped me. My nose stung, and I couldn’t help but shed tears. Caleb finally stood up in a panic, wiping my tears. “What’s wrong, Aurora? Are you feeling unwell?” “How about we go on a trip tomorrow to clear your head?”

Caleb personally packed the luggage, and I sat obediently by his side. Convinced I couldn’t see, he brazenly packed all sorts of peculiar items into the suitcase. My hands, gripping the bedsheets, gradually tightened, my breathing becoming shallow. Recalling the online comments, a chilling realization hit me: this ‘trip’ was just Caleb’s way of satisfying some sick desire to humiliate me. Caleb noticed my agitation and asked considerately, “What’s wrong, Aurora? Are you feeling unwell?” I lowered my eyes, silently shaking my head. When we left, the butler led me to the passenger seat. Caleb naturally opened the back seat door. “Sit in the back. I’ve put pillows there; it’ll be more comfortable.” I obediently sat down. The “pillows” were just a pile of Vanessa’s designer bags. Vanessa got into the passenger seat, and they held hands, ignoring me completely. They even fed each other snacks occasionally. I had no pain left, only numbness. By the sea, Caleb put his arm around me, carefully draping a coat and scarf over me. He cupped my hands in his, breathing warmth into them. Fireworks erupted across the sky. Caleb’s voice was soft in my ear. “Aurora, thank you for everything you’ve done for me all these years.” “Even though you can’t see, I still arranged these fireworks for you.” “I want you to know, you’ll always be the most brilliant firework in my life.” I looked up at the sky, and there, emblazoned in light, were words: “VANESSA THORNE, I LOVE YOU!——” His phone vibrated relentlessly. Caleb’s expression changed, and he quickly settled me on a long bench. “Aurora, I have an online meeting. Wait here for me.” Without waiting for my reply, he immediately left. Watching his retreating figure, I suddenly remembered when we first got together, before I lost my sight. Caleb had also set off fireworks for me on an island; back then, they spelled my name. When passersby secretly photographed me, he would stand up for me. When I got seasick during a boat trip, he didn’t care about the mess and even used his hands to catch my vomit. I was embarrassed, but he only worried about my health with all his heart. In the distance, under the fireworks, Vanessa stood in a pristine white gown. She was holding a bouquet of flowers. Photographers swarmed around them, instructing them to get closer, to press their cheeks together, looking like a perfect couple. Passersby beside me were excitedly discussing. “Are they taking wedding photos? They look so good together!” “Is that the famous actress who’s been so popular these past few years? No wonder she was shy when everyone kept asking about marriage; turns out they were already engaged in private!” “I envy them, standing together like that. Is the person on this bench blind? How miserable to be all alone.” I smiled sadly. The truth, it turned out, was far more unbearable than I had imagined. This “vacation” he’d coaxed me into was actually Vanessa and Caleb’s photo shoot. I was just an afterthought. Caleb had grandly proposed to me, but then he’d said, “Aurora, with all the scandal, now isn’t the right time for us to get married. I don’t want to expose you to public scrutiny again and see you hurt.” He’d smoothed my hair. “As long as our hearts are together, a piece of paper doesn’t really matter, does it?” I, foolishly, had believed him, convinced that our bond was the most sincere vow. Reality, however, had just delivered a brutal slap to the face. I stood up and walked towards the sea, step by painful step. In the last moment before the fireworks faded. I stood in the ocean, looked up into Caleb’s shocked eyes, and smiled directly at him. He dashed towards me, his hand outstretched as if to pull me back. “Aurora, don’t do anything foolish! I can’t live without you!” I slowly spread my arms and fell backward. My lips silently formed one word: “Goodbye.” The icy waves swiftly swallowed me whole, carrying me away with the current. On the distant shore, Caleb, holding the report confirming my recovered sight, looked utterly insane. “Aurora, come back! Everyone, get in there and find her!”

I swam to a dark spot, then peeked my head out, watching the frantic crowd on the beach. This was the best gift I could leave Caleb. I swam to the other side of the shore. Ms. Miller, my agent, wrapped a towel around me and ushered me into the car. Outside the car window, rescue teams passed by one after another. In the distance, Caleb was still desperately trying to rush into the sea. His distraught expression was sickening. Ms. Miller looked at me worriedly. “Are you sure you want to do this? You might offend Blackwood Group.” I took a deep breath and nodded silently. “If I want to return to the public eye, I can’t do it without a bang. He used me to elevate Vanessa; it’s time he paid the price.” The next day, my news was trending across the city. [Former Actress Announces Comeback! Tune in for Live Broadcast Today!] [Five Years Out of the Spotlight, Is She Still as Beautiful? What Led to Her Return?] [Was the Former Actress’s Scandal Real? What’s the Truth Behind the Scandal?] Along with this came an onslaught of hate comments. [She’s been out of the industry for so many years, her face must be wrinkled like an old lady’s. Why is she coming back to grab money?!] [Can she please just disappear and let my Vanessa shine alone? Is she trying to steal Vanessa’s award at the Starlight Gala?! Don’t be so obvious!] [I knew it. If there was any truth behind that old scandal, why wait until now to expose it? Don’t tell me she spent five years fabricating fake evidence?!] I calmly scrolled through the comments. Thankfully, compared to the pain of being kept in the dark all these years, I preferred to stand in front of people and reclaim my former glory. Rather than disappear from the world as a useless person. My phone rang relentlessly. Caleb Blackwood’s name flashed wildly on the screen. “You dared to fake your death and leave me?! Who gave you the guts to do that?!” “Do you know I’ve been looking for you all night! Aren’t you being a bit too much? I don’t care what you heard or found out, or who helped you regain your sight.” “You better get your ass back here and apologize! Make me happy, and I won’t hold it against you!” I didn’t hesitate to block his number and looked at the live stream studio in front of me. There were five minutes left until my stage time. The screen showed the number of scheduled viewers was already close to breaking platform limits. The waiting room door was violently slammed open. Caleb, filled with fury, pushed past the staff and stood before me. “Do you think you’re so tough now? You had the nerve to hide all this from me?” “Who performed your surgery? Do you really want to leave me that badly?” I didn’t understand why he was angry. He was the one who was so sweet with Vanessa. I calmly met his gaze. “Did you expect me to do nothing and let you deceive me for a lifetime?” Caleb’s anger vanished instantly, replaced by terror, and he reached out to grab my hand. “What do you know?” I promptly shook him off and walked towards the live stream. After the host’s smiling pleasantries, she asked the most frequently scrolled question in the live chat. “Ms. Hayes, it’s been five years since you announced your retirement. Many fans speculated you might have married and had children. Could you tell us why you decided to make a comeback now?” Having not faced a camera for so long, I forced myself to suppress my nervousness. All the past pain flashed before my eyes. I calmly laid everything bare. The host’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you saying the scandal back then was manipulated, and your subsequent blindness was also a calculated plot?” I took a deep breath and nodded, then played the recording I’d made outside the study. Caleb and Vanessa’s conniving faces were exposed for all to see. The live chat began scrolling wildly. [Is that Vanessa’s voice?! I’ve followed her for so long; I couldn’t be mistaken!] [Oh my god, I thought it was redemption, but it was a deep abyss. If it were me, I’d have completely broken down. She’s so brave to stand up and expose her wounds!] [I knew it. With Vanessa’s qualifications back then, how could she have been nominated for such a big award? So, the real star was set up with a scandal. The industry is so messed up!] [I know that guy. He was exposed a few days ago, taking wedding photos with Vanessa by the sea. Aurora Hayes is so pitiful, completely played for a fool!] “That’s not how it is!” Everyone’s attention shifted as Caleb burst in. His eyes were full of menace, but I remained calm. “If anyone is skeptical, I’m willing to publicly go to the hospital for an examination to confirm if I’ve had a recent miscarriage.” “And that abortifacient, Mr. Blackwood, you personally fed it to me.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298881”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

“Mrs. Thorne, your brain aneurysm is in a delicate spot, and there’s already been some bleeding. You need surgery as soon as possible. If it ruptures, your life will be in danger.” “How much will the surgery cost?” “A conservative estimate would be two hundred thousand dollars.” Two hundred thousand? The Vance family went bankrupt, my father had a stroke, leaving us with a mountain of debt. Everything I owned, every single valuable thing, went to fill that gaping hole. Where am I supposed to find two hundred thousand now? And here, in the Thorne family, I, their daughter-in-law, am treated worse than a dog. By the time I left the hospital, it was already dark outside. I hadn’t walked far when my phone rang. A cold male voice spoke. “Get to ‘The Nightfall’.” His tone was a command, giving me no room to refuse. I looked at the medical report in my hand, then thought about our current relationship. I bit my red lip, then nodded and replied, “Okay.” The Nightfall was Veridia City’s most infamous high-end club. When I arrived at the private room, it was packed with men and women, exuding an air of lavish decadence. The man in the center of the room swirled his drink. Seeing me enter, he snapped his fingers, and the room instantly fell silent. He lifted his gaze to me. “Come here.” I hesitated, then walked over. The moment I got close, he yanked my wrist, and the next second, I was pulled into his embrace. “Asher, let me go!” Asher held me tight with just one arm. “Mrs. Thorne, are you sure you want me to let you go? Think about how much the Vance family still owes me, and then think about your father’s medical bills.” At his words, I stopped struggling. “Can you… can you lend me another two hundred thousand?” The man looked at me as if I’d told a joke. Finally, his gaze settled on my makeup-free, gaunt face. “What part of you is worth two hundred thousand?” With that, he pinched my chin, forcing me to face the people around us. “Why don’t you pick a man, spend a night with him, treat him right, and maybe you’ll get two hundred thousand.” “Do you have to humiliate me like this?” “Humiliation?” Asher sneered, his cold lips brushing my ear, his voice like it came from hell itself. “Compared to what your Vance family did to me back then, what’s this little humiliation?” I closed my eyes in agony. **截断点** The Vance and Hayes families were old acquaintances. Asher and I were childhood sweethearts, and in college, we were *that* couple everyone envied on campus. But the year we were supposed to go study abroad together, the Hayes family suddenly went bankrupt. Asher’s father couldn’t handle it and committed suicide by jumping from a building. I went to beg my father to help the Hayes family, only to accidentally discover that my father was the real culprit behind their downfall. I didn’t know how to face Asher, so I broke up with him. Blissfully unaware, Asher couldn’t believe I would leave him at his lowest, most difficult moment. He knelt in the rain outside the Vance mansion all night, pleading with me not to go. But my father took the opportunity to finish him off for good. By the time I arrived, Asher had already been beaten unconscious. I fought desperately to protect his head, but I suffered a severe blow myself, leaving me with lasting aftereffects. To stop my father from going to extremes, I could only agree to an arranged marriage, marrying into the incredibly influential Thorne family. Who knew that six years later, Asher would return to Veridia City as a business magnate, and the first thing he did was completely destroy the Vance Corporation… Just then, someone chimed in from the side. “Mrs. Thorne, Mr. Hayes is doing you a favor! Everyone knows Mr. Thorne’s eldest son is crippled, and your children were conceived through IVF. Has he ever satisfied you in all these years?” After the man spoke, everyone burst into laughter. Amidst the laughter, I clenched my fists tightly and calmly said, “Okay, then I’ll pick one.” 2. Asher’s face instantly darkened. My gaze quietly swept over everyone present, as if I were truly making a selection. Finally, I looked at the man who had just spoken, “You’ll do.” The man was ecstatic. I was known as a great beauty in Veridia City. To have a night of passion with me, let alone two hundred thousand, he wouldn’t mind spending two million. “Then I won’t be polite.” The man stood up, walked to Asher, and tried to lead me away. The next second, he was kicked to the ground, spilling drinks everywhere. The man ignored his messy state and looked at Asher in fear, asking confusedly, “Mr. Hayes, what are you…” “Get out!” Asher’s face was grim. He abruptly stood up, grabbed my throat, and snarled, “I can’t believe how cheap you’ve become!” “Isn’t that exactly how you want me to be?” I retorted, my eyes red. Asher tightened his grip. A pure, smiling face flashed in my mind. *My Asher, we promised we’d be together forever.* But now, everything had changed. Just as I thought I was about to die, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a tall figure walked in. “Asher, let Ellie go!” Asher seemed to snap back to reality and released his hand. He grabbed a tissue from nearby, wiped his hands, and threw it to the ground with a look of disgust. I stumbled up and walked towards the door. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll come to The Nightfall to work until the Vance family’s debt is paid off.” The man’s words instantly plunged me into hell. I gripped the doorknob. “If you don’t come, you’ll face the consequences.” I pulled open the door and walked out. “Ellie, are you okay? Asher just has that temper, don’t take it personally.” The woman followed me out, blocking my path. “Oh, and I’m pregnant with Asher’s child. We’re getting married soon.” I looked at Skylar Dawson’s happy smile, feeling a bit dazed. “Ellie, you’ll bless us, won’t you? After all, we’ve been best friends for over twenty years.” Best friends? The three of us grew up together. How could I have been so blind back then not to notice that Skylar always liked Asher? Skylar looked into my eyes. “You know you and Asher can’t be together, right? After all, it was your father who ruined his family and destroyed his life. You probably don’t want him to know the truth, do you? Given his temper, your father wouldn’t just be having a stroke.” “I wish you two an eternity together, growing old side by side.” I smiled weakly. Hearing my words, Skylar’s lips curved, and she chuckled softly. “It’s best you’re sensible. I’ve been with Asher all these years, fighting alongside him. No one is more important than me in his heart. I’ll ask him to remember your old friendship and not be too harsh on you.” Returning to the Thorne family villa, it was already past ten o’clock at night. As soon as I walked in, a small figure rushed into my arms. “Mommy, I’m hungry.” I looked down at his red eyes, my heart aching as I wiped away his tears. I hadn’t eaten all day either. “Mommy will make Leo some noodles, okay?” Leo Vance nodded happily. I took him into the kitchen, found some ingredients, and cooked two bowls of clear noodle soup. Leo’s mouth watered, and he swallowed several times. Just as I was about to carry the noodles out, a figure appeared in the kitchen. Brenda Thorne, Julian’s mother, looked at me coldly. “Have I not told you that no one is allowed to cook after ten o’clock in the Thorne house?” “Mom, I know, but Leo is hungry…” “Dump the noodles!” Seeing her stern expression, Leo buried himself in my arms. “Leo is hungry, Leo wants to eat noodles!” “Eat what?” Brenda snorted. “Don’t think I don’t know you sold all your dowry to cover the Vance family’s debts. Let me tell you, you won’t get a single penny of the Thorne family’s money!” Leo cried louder for his noodles. Brenda walked over and dumped both bowls of noodles into the nearby trash can. Seeing the noodles gone, the child cried even harder. “Cry, cry, cry! All you do is cry!” Brenda snapped impatiently. “The Vance family made you cry until they went bankrupt. Are you trying to ruin our Thorne family too? Both of you are nothing but bad luck!” Leo immediately cowered in my arms, terrified. After Brenda left, I searched for a long time and finally found a bag of crackers. After coaxing the little guy to eat them, I took him back to his room. Even in his sleep, Leo was still whimpering. My heart ached as I stroked his cheek. No matter what, I had to survive! 3. After he fell asleep, I returned to my bedroom. As I switched on the light, I saw Julian Thorne sitting in the middle of the room. I gasped, clutching my chest. “Why didn’t you turn on the light?” “Where were you?” “The hospital.” “Did you go to Asher?” I didn’t answer. Julian wheeled his chair over to me, his eyes cold. “Did you go to him?” “If I didn’t go to him, he would have come to me anyway.” I scoffed. “He hates me. He’ll never let me off easy.” “That’s just an excuse. You want to rekindle your old flame with him, don’t you?” Julian glared at me furiously. “I knew it all along! You look down on me deep down!” “I don’t.” Julian’s gaze was icy. “Get into bed.” Under his intense stare, I could only close my eyes and lie down. Julian braced his hands on the edge of the bed and moved onto it. He tore at my clothes. He bit and nipped at my skin, making me wince in pain. “Can you… can you lend me two hundred thousand?” Julian’s movements froze. He looked at me with dark eyes. “Did you used to charge Asher to sleep with him too?” “I…” “You’re truly disgusting!” Julian immediately lost interest. He got back into his wheelchair and left the bedroom. I redressed myself. I never imagined I’d be stumped by two hundred thousand dollars one day. The next morning, I dropped Leo off at kindergarten, then called my mother, Martha Vance. I didn’t know what Asher had done, but any money that entered my account was immediately transferred out. All the money from selling my dowry was with Martha. As soon as she heard I needed money, Martha exploded. “What’s the situation with the Vance family now? Where am I going to get two hundred thousand? If the Thornes don’t care about the Vance family’s survival, surely they’ll care about yours?” Before I could speak, Martha was already cursing the Thorne family on the phone. I hung up bitterly, looking at the car parked by the roadside. This was the only valuable thing I had left to sell. I contacted an agent. Because I only needed cash, the car, originally worth a million, was undervalued by the buyer to two hundred thousand. After withdrawing the cash from the bank, I didn’t waste a moment and rushed to the hospital. Just as I reached the hospital entrance, Asher’s call came in. “Mrs. Thorne, your son is so cute.” I clutched my phone. The next second, Leo’s childish voice came through the phone. “Mommy, where are you? I’m scared.” “Leo!” My face instantly turned pale. “Asher, you can take whatever revenge you want on me, but please, I beg you, don’t touch my son!” “That depends on your performance.” Asher’s voice was cold. “Roll your ass over to The Nightfall in half an hour.” I dared not delay and immediately took a cab to The Nightfall. A bodyguard led me to an office. Asher was sitting in a chair, and Skylar Dawson was in his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. They were intimately close, and his face held a rare gentle smile. My heart tightened, and I clenched my fists. “Where’s my son?” “What’s the rush?” Asher’s face turned icy. Skylar slid out of his embrace. “Mrs. Thorne, you have money but you’re not paying your debt. What are you planning?” Asher looked at me with cold eyes. I instinctively hid my handbag behind my back. Skylar noticed my movement and smiled. “Ellie, you’re not thinking of abandoning everything and running away, are you?” Asher’s face darkened at her words. I shook my head. “I’m not.” “Then what’s in your bag? Take it out.” 4. I involuntarily backed away. Asher strode over to me, grabbed my throat, and pinned me against the door. “You think you can just walk away? Do you think I’d let you off that easily?!” “I… I didn’t… Asher, please, I really need this money…” I spoke with difficulty, tears streaming down my face and landing on his hand. Asher’s eyes paused. Watching me cry in pain, he felt no sense of satisfaction. Skylar’s eyes darkened. “Ellie, back then when Asher’s mom needed money for treatment, I was working at a club, earning it glass by glass. And what were you doing then? You were marrying into the Thorne family in grand style!” Asher’s expression instantly turned cold at her words. He tried to snatch my handbag. I clung to it desperately, refusing to let go. It was my only hope now. “The hardships Asher and I endured, you should taste them too, shouldn’t you?” Skylar looked at me triumphantly. Seeing me refuse to let go, Asher said coldly, “If I can’t touch you, then I’ll just have to go after your son.” At his words, I despairingly gave up struggling. Asher threw the handbag to a bodyguard. As he released me, I slumped to the ground like a rag doll. “Give me back my son.” “Whether you can take your son home safely depends on your performance tonight.” Asher looked at me with disdain and instructed the bodyguard, “Take her to work.” I wiped away my tears and followed the bodyguard out of the office. “Asher, you won’t feel sorry for her, will you?” Asher looked out at the endless dark night, clenching his fists tightly. “Why would I?” A small figure walked into the office. Leo ran to Asher’s side. “Uncle, where’s Mommy?” “Your mommy is working. She’ll take you home in a bit.” “Is this…” Skylar looked at Leo’s small face, her eyes filled with undisguised shock. “My son.” Asher picked up his jacket. “Keep an eye on him.” Skylar examined Leo again. The child’s features were indeed five or six parts similar to Asher’s. She clenched her fists tightly. *I can’t believe she didn’t get rid of that child and actually gave birth to him!* In the changing room, I put on a sexy bunny girl outfit. As I turned around, I saw Asher suddenly appear behind me. I instinctively took a step back, only to see Asher take out his phone and snap a photo of me. I rushed forward, trying to snatch the phone, but Asher deliberately raised his hand and scoffed, “What do you think Julian Thorne’s reaction will be when he sees this photo?” I struggled to grab it, but I wasn’t used to high heels. I stumbled and fell into Asher’s arms. Asher instinctively tightened his grip around my waist. The familiar scent, and the captivating softness, left Asher momentarily dazed. He lowered his head. When his gaze swept over the hickey on my collarbone, the desire in his dark eyes vanished, replaced only by endless coldness. “Mrs. Thorne, I’m truly surprised by your forwardness!” I pulled away from his embrace. “Asher, I’m the one who wronged you. Please, don’t hurt anyone else.” Asher stared at the mark on my collarbone, gritting his teeth. “Why wouldn’t I hurt the people you care about? How else will you feel pain?” I followed a group of people into a private room. I was already beautiful, and after being dressed up, I looked like an angel. Every man in the private room tried to take advantage of the opportunity to touch me. I sat next to a pot-bellied man, tugging at my skirt which barely reached my knees. The man reached out to touch my leg. I instinctively recoiled. The man’s face darkened. He directly pulled out a stack of bills and threw them on the table. “One touch, one stack for you!” That stack was ten thousand dollars. Thinking of Leo’s innocent little face, I clenched my fists tightly. I had to survive! 5. The man placed his hand on my leg through my skirt. Seeing that I didn’t pull away, he picked up the money and patted my face. “That’s more like it.” Then, the man tucked the money into my cleavage. I suppressed my revulsion and didn’t flinch. If this was what he wanted to see, then I would give it to him. Seeing my reaction, the man’s hands started to become more brazen. *Bang!* The private room door was kicked open, and the noise inside instantly ceased. Seeing the man’s hand on my leg, Asher’s face was terrifyingly cold. He took a few quick steps and dragged me out of the private room. I forcefully yanked my hand away from his, furious. “Mr. Hayes, what are you doing? Weren’t you going to make me entertain and sell smiles to pay off my debt? If you drag me out, how am I supposed to pay you back?” As I spoke, I pulled the stack of money from my cleavage. The next second, the money was snatched away. Then, my face was stung by the bills, and the scattered banknotes fell to the ground. Ignoring the pain, I bent down to pick them up. A luxurious leather shoe stepped on my hand, making me gasp in pain. Asher bent down, lifted my chin, his dark eyes glinting with malice. “Where’s your pride? Where’s your dignity? Is there anything you won’t do for money?” I looked directly into his eyes. “Isn’t this what you want?” “I should have seen it clearly long ago. You’re nothing but a gold-digging slut!” Asher pushed my face away. “You won’t get to keep a single penny you earn at The Nightfall!” Asher stood up and left. Soon, someone came and picked up all the money from the floor before leaving. I gave a bitter laugh, then changed back into my own clothes and left The Nightfall with Leo. For the next few days, I went to work at The Nightfall on time every day. Unlike the first day, the men who approached me only bought me drinks; no one dared to lay a hand on me anymore. Occasionally, I’d get a small tip, but I could only keep a tiny fraction of it. With such meager income, I couldn’t possibly raise enough for the surgery. Just then, the Thorne family hosted a grand charity gala. As Julian Thorne’s wife, I naturally had to attend. Julian personally took me to get my hair and makeup done. Dressed elaborately, I was beautiful and undoubtedly the center of attention. Until Asher arrived at the banquet hall with Skylar Dawson. Leo saw them and instinctively hid behind me. But the two walked step by step towards Julian and me. Julian’s face was livid. “What are you doing here?” Asher smiled, looking at me. “Of course, I’m here to deliver a grand gift to Mr. Thorne.” My face turned pale. Asher snapped his fingers, and countless photos rained down from the air. They showed me in various sexy outfits, drinking with different men. I instinctively bent down, pressing Leo tightly into my embrace. Everyone present gasped at the photos. Brenda Thorne trembled with rage. She took a few steps forward and *smack!* slapped me across the face. My ears rang. “You shameless woman, doing such things behind Julian’s back!” Brenda wasn’t done. She furiously pulled at my clothes and hair. “Eating our Thorne family’s food, using our Thorne family’s things, and you dare to betray my son? I’ll tear you apart today!” I instantly became disheveled and pathetic. Julian’s chest heaved with anger. He didn’t spare me another glance, turning his wheelchair and leaving the venue. The Thorne family relatives all rushed over. Some pulled Brenda away, while others took the opportunity to bully me. My expensive gown was quickly torn to shreds, and my exquisite makeup smeared. I just desperately protected my child. I looked at Asher outside the crowd, my vision gradually blurring. The boy in my memories who would love and protect me was long gone. Watching my pathetic state, Asher’s dark eyes grew even darker. Why didn’t he feel happy at all? Seeing that Asher’s expression wasn’t right, and people had vented enough, Skylar quickly went over to help me and Leo up. As she did, she whispered with a smirk in my ear, “As grand as your entrance into the Thorne family was, that’s how pathetic your exit will be. This is all your own doing.” I squeezed her arm hard. The next second, I fainted. 6. At the hospital. Seeing Skylar return, Asher’s eyes flickered. “What did the doctor say?” The doctor said she had a brain aneurysm and needed surgery urgently, or she could die at any moment. But she wasn’t foolish enough to tell Asher that. “Nothing serious.” Skylar clutched his arm, looking pitiful. “Asher, are you feeling soft towards her?” Asher’s eyes darkened a few shades. “No, I’m just afraid she’ll die too easily, and get off too lightly.” I happened to be walking past the hospital room door. Hearing Asher’s words, my numb heart still twinged with pain. Noticing my presence, Asher turned around. Seeing my body covered in injuries, his dark eyes darkened further. “If you’re not dead, get your ass back to The Nightfall tomorrow to work.” Skylar gave me a triumphant look, then walked away, holding Asher’s arm. Leo rushed into my arms, crying. “Mommy, what happened to you? I’m so scared.” “It’s okay, Leo, Mommy’s fine.” My eyes red, I hugged him tightly. Because I had no money, I dared not stay in the hospital for too long. The next morning, I took my child back to the Thorne family home, only to find our luggage already thrown outside the door. Brenda Thorne stood before us, arms crossed. “You actually have the nerve to come back! Go get the divorce papers with Julian right now. You’ve done such a disgraceful thing, you’ve completely shamed our Thorne family. Get out!” A black sedan pulled up beside us. The driver loaded our luggage into the trunk. Seeing the scene before me, I gave a weak smile, then turned and got into the car with Leo. On the divorce agreement, I left with nothing but my son. So, at the civil affairs office, the divorce was finalized smoothly. Julian didn’t say a single word to me from start to finish. My son and I stood by the roadside with our luggage. Leo held my hand. “Mommy, did Daddy abandon us?” I looked at his innocent face, my heart aching as I stroked his cheek. “Daddy, he…” Leo hugged me tightly. “Mommy, don’t cry. Daddy doesn’t like me anyway. I only need Mommy.” We found a small motel to stay in. I rummaged through a hidden compartment in my suitcase and found a diamond necklace. This was Asher’s coming-of-age gift to me, and a token of our love. I still remembered the intense look in his eyes when he gave it to me. *”Ellie, my heart for you is like this diamond—it will never change.”* Now, it was all gone, never to return. Though alone, for Leo, I had to survive! I took Leo to a pawn shop. The owner, seeing my injuries and a child with me, deliberately drove the price down. “Diamonds are supposed to hold their value, and this one’s quite old.” The owner said slowly. “I can give you ten thousand, at most.” “Twenty thousand. Not a penny less.” I took the necklace back, about to leave. The owner quickly pressed down on the necklace. “Let’s discuss it again.” The owner tried to pull the necklace, but I refused to let go. “Alright, alright, twenty thousand it is.” Half an hour later, I left the pawn shop with Leo and headed straight for the nursing home. Martha Vance was furious when she heard I wanted to temporarily leave Leo at the nursing home. “What, the Thorne family won’t even keep the child?” I didn’t answer, just said coldly, “I’ll probably be away for a week.” “I have to take care of your father! Where do I have time to take care of a child?” Martha’s face was grim. “Throw him on the Thorne family’s doorstep. I don’t believe they won’t take care of him.” Leo, hearing this, buried his head in my arms. “Mommy, Leo doesn’t want to be separated from you.” “Leaving the child here, where are you planning to go?” Asher’s voice suddenly rang out, and my face instantly turned pale. 7. Seeing Asher, Arthur Vance, who was in a wheelchair, immediately became agitated. He mumbled incoherent sounds, his eyes wanting to tear Asher to shreds. Asher smirked triumphantly. “Mr. Vance, why are you so agitated? You should have thought of this day when you stood by and watched the Hayes family fall, kicking us while we were down. You should thank me for leaving you alive.” “Asher, what do you want?” I anxiously blocked Asher’s view. Although I hated Arthur, he was still my father, and he had already fallen so far, so it was his just deserts. Asher’s face darkened a few shades. “Of course, I’m here to reclaim what’s mine.” Asher snapped his fingers, and several bodyguards stepped forward, immediately restraining Leo and me. Martha Vance quickly said, “What are you doing?” Asher said slowly, “In Veridia City, is there anyone who can stop me from doing what I want?” Leo and I were escorted back to a luxurious villa. Leo cried as he was led to a room by a bodyguard. I tried to follow, but Asher blocked my way. “He’s just a child! Take it out on me!” “Ellie, you sold the necklace Asher gave you. What were you planning?” Skylar Dawson walked over, the diamond necklace in her hand. “Were you trying to escape?” “This is my property. I can do whatever I want with it…” Before I could finish, Asher grabbed my neck, his eyes furious. “Your property? You don’t deserve it!” “This was Asher’s sincere heart.” Skylar dangled the necklace. “Is it really only worth so little?” “Where’s the money?” Asher’s face grew even darker. I shook my head. “If you don’t tell me, don’t blame me for being unkind to your son!” Asher released me and turned to walk upstairs. “No!” I clutched my neck and said anxiously, “Leo, he’s…” “Asher, why bother with a child?” Skylar quickly interrupted me. “Just keep her locked here, and with money, she can’t run away.” I was taken to a servant’s room on the first floor. Leo was also brought back to me. Skylar walked into the room, wrinkling her nose in disgust at the musty smell. “Asher and I will be getting married very soon. Don’t worry, once we’re happily married, I’ll plead with him to let you and your son go.” I held Leo, remaining silent. Skylar looked at the small face so similar to Asher’s, a cruel glint flashing in her eyes. She composed herself and lowered her voice. “Ellie, you simply don’t know how much Asher suffered all these years, how hard he worked to get where he is today. If it weren’t for your Vance family, he wouldn’t have had to endure any of it.” My eyes flickered. It was precisely because I knew, that I accepted all of his revenge. “You have to let him vent a little.” Skylar said earnestly. “Don’t complicate simple things. The child is innocent. I promise you, Asher won’t hurt the child.” After Skylar left, Leo was already asleep in my arms, exhausted. I placed him on the bed, thinking to myself, if Asher knew Leo was his child, he definitely wouldn’t let Leo stay with me. So, after Skylar interrupted me, I quickly suppressed that thought. I must get the surgery done quickly and take Leo away from here! 8. Late at night. Asher returned to the villa, drunk. From afar, he saw a figure busy inside the villa. I was carrying a bucket of water, wiping the stairs step by step. Skylar had said I didn’t need to work at The Nightfall, but I couldn’t be useless at the villa, so the cleaning duties had fallen to me. Finally, having wiped the last step, I wiped the sweat from my forehead. Suddenly, a figure hugged me from behind. Smelling the strong alcohol, I struggled in fright. Asher, however, held me tighter, softly murmuring, “Ellie…” A familiar yet distant “Ellie” made my body stiffen. “Do you know how much I missed you?” Asher inhaled my scent, wishing he could meld me into his own body. “Asher, let me go, you’re drunk.” “Only in my dreams can I miss you without restraint.” Asher whispered softly. I closed my eyes in agony, pushing him away with all my might. Asher grabbed my wrist, pinned me against the wall, and kissed me fiercely. My eyes widened. The possessive kiss gave me no room to breathe, and I couldn’t break free. “What are you doing?” Skylar’s voice rang out. The man’s movements finally stopped. Skylar rushed over, pulled Asher away, and *smack!* slapped me across the face. I covered my face. “He was drunk and harassed me.” “You slut! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning!” Skylar glared at me furiously. “I’ve given him everything all these years! No one can replace me! No one!” Skylar laboriously helped Asher to the bedroom. Asher frowned, looking very uncomfortable. Skylar poured him some water and helped him drink it. Asher mumbled something. She leaned closer. “Ellie…” *Eleanor Vance!* Skylar clenched her fists tightly. Although she didn’t want to admit it, the more Asher hated me, the more she knew it meant he loved me. If he knew Leo was his child… No, absolutely not! The next morning, I let Leo play with toys in the room. I silently cleaned the entire villa, and also looked for ways to escape. Asher had stationed bodyguards at the entrance. These past few days, my head had been throbbing. I knew I didn’t have much time left. Skylar appeared at the top of the stairs, looking at me with an unreadable expression. “Ellie, do you want to see the wedding dress Asher personally picked out for me?” I snapped back to reality, but didn’t respond. I intended to leave, but Skylar walked directly over to me. She grabbed my hand and led me to a room on the second floor. In the center of the room stood a pure white wedding dress, surrounded by many wedding photos. In the photos, Asher and Skylar posed in various ways, both smiling happily. “Are you envious of me?” I blinked my stinging eyes. “Skylar, I sincerely wish you both happiness.” “You’re such a hypocrite!” Skylar sneered. “You must be dying of jealousy inside, otherwise why would you seduce Asher when he was drunk?” “I didn’t!” Suddenly, Leo’s crying came from downstairs. I tried to leave. Skylar grabbed my wrist. “We haven’t finished talking. Where are you going?” “Mommy! I want Mommy…” Leo cried even more sadly. I pulled my hand free and rushed downstairs. Skylar chased after me. She saw the bucket of water left at the bottom of the stairs and deliberately grabbed me. In our struggle, I kicked over the bucket. Water flowed down the stairs. Seeing the bucket roll towards Leo, I quickly pushed Skylar away. “Ah!” With a scream, Skylar slipped, tumbling down the stairs.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298882”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

My boyfriend Julian claimed he loved me to death, yet he’d run from our wedding 99 times. To stall the wedding, he even staged a car accident, causing me to lose our baby. Heartbroken and devastated, I overheard Julian laughing with his best friend. “Seven years of dating was just a revenge plot I cooked up for my goddess, Chloe.” My body went cold, my mind reeling. He never loved me. But thankfully, it wasn’t too late to turn things around. I slowly regained my composure, adjusted my mindset, and then I turned around and accepted another man’s proposal. The hundredth time Julian planned to escape our wedding, I was marrying gloriously in a neighboring city. On the way to register our marriage for the 99th time, Julian, desperate to escape, drove us directly into the back of a large truck. The scene was chaotic, and we were both rushed to the hospital. Minutes later, covered in blood, I lay unconscious on a cold operating table, as doctors performed an induced termination of my seven-month-old fetus. When I awoke, the surgery was over. I quickly learned that our baby was gone, and tears streamed down my face. The doctor told me I needed to rest, but I was so worried about Julian that I secretly snuck off to his room. But as I reached the door, I heard laughter spilling out from inside. “Julian, you’re something else! You almost got yourself killed just to skip the wedding. But Stella did carry your child, and the doctor said it was a boy. Don’t you regret it?” Julian scoffed. “Regret? Don’t forget, I only got involved with Stella to help Chloe get her revenge. Forget one kid; I wouldn’t regret it even if it cost her life.” His eyes were cold, that handsome face devoid of the tenderness and affection I’d once known. My breath hitched, my slender shoulders trembling. I rubbed my eyes, trying to confirm the faces of the speakers. No matter how much I doubted, I had to admit, the two men talking were my own brother, Dominic, and the boyfriend I’d loved for seven years. “Exactly,” Dominic’s expression hardened. “If she hadn’t insisted on coming back to the Kingston family seven years ago, Chloe wouldn’t have had to study abroad and be separated from us! She’s nothing but trouble.” “Good thing Chloe said she’s coming back soon.” Mentioning her, Julian’s tone unconsciously softened. “Once I’ve escaped the wedding 100 times, I’ll break up with Stella, then bring Chloe back! Don’t worry, bro, Stella loves me to death right now. If she finds out these past seven years were all a lie, she’ll be so heartbroken she’ll never show her face again!” Hearing this, my body went limp, tears flowing like a flood. I stumbled out, leaning on the wall, and sat on a garden bench, sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard was true. I had never been lucky. I got lost as a child and was only found by my biological parents at 18. When I returned, I found my family loved their adopted daughter, Chloe, more than they loved me. The moment I stepped through the door, my own brother, Dominic, warned me fiercely: “Chloe is my only sister. You are not allowed to call me ‘brother’!” I was sent to sleep in the smallest maid’s room, forced to wear Chloe’s hand-me-down clothes, and eventually sent to work at a questionable late-night establishment to earn my tuition. After school started, many men posted revealing photos of me on the campus forum. Slut-shaming whispers spread everywhere, and I even tried to take my own life after being cornered and harassed in an alley by a perverted creep. In my darkest hour, completely despondent, I wanted to hit my head against a wall and end it all. It was Julian who appeared and saved me. He took off his jacket and gently draped it over me, arranged my transfer, and confronted those who bullied me. He sent me countless beautiful gowns, protecting me under his wing, doing everything he could for me. He slowly healed my wounds and even gave me a grand proposal ceremony. I always thought Julian was the light that pulled me out of the abyss. But only now did I understand that it was all a lie. Julian was with me because I took Chloe’s place as the Kingston family’s eldest daughter, which supposedly caused Chloe pain and made her leave the country. He had no love for me; seven years of companionship was just a twisted game of torment and revenge. First, pull me out of the abyss, then cruelly push me into an even deeper one. I sobbed, gasping for breath, finally understanding why there were always “accidents” every time we went to register our marriage. Julian never intended to go through with it. I touched my flat stomach, trembling as I dialed a number.

“Mr. Harrison, you wanted me to marry your son to bring him good fortune, didn’t you? I accept.” A surprised voice came from the other end of the line. “Good, good! Give me five days to wrap up my business abroad, then I’ll send someone to pick you up in Capital City.” “Stella, don’t worry. Whether my son wakes up or not, all of the Harrison family’s assets will be left to you!” I hummed in agreement, then hung up. The money didn’t really matter. Marrying a man in a coma didn’t matter either. I just wanted a place to call my own, a place where I could find peace. I looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, exhaling a long breath. I finally did something that everyone would be happy about! I wouldn’t cling to the Kingston family anymore. This position of “eldest daughter” — I’d give it back to your precious Chloe! The diamond engagement ring on my finger sparkled. I gritted my teeth and slipped it off. I raised my hand, intending to throw it into the nearby trash can, but Julian suddenly rushed over, panicked, to stop me. “Stella, don’t throw the ring away.” He pulled my slender body into his embrace. “The car accident was an accident. If we can’t register this time, there’s always next time.” Julian’s eyes showed concern, and his embrace was still as gentle and strong as before, but all I felt was coldness. “An accident?” I forced a bitter smile. “Counting this time, it’s your 99th time trying to escape the wedding, isn’t it?” “The first time, you said you weren’t ready, and we turned back halfway.” “The second time, you faked a stomachache and made me go to the hospital with you. The third time, you said you were tied up with company business…” I clenched my fists, recounting Julian’s “accidents” one by one. “It’s already the 99th time. When will it be the 100th? Julian, you never intended to register our marriage at all, did you? You just wanted to play a trick on me.” Julian’s pupils contracted, flustered that his plan had been exposed. “How… how could you say that? Stella, don’t you know how much I love you?” I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “But your love… couldn’t even save our child.” My face was pale, my delicate hand resting on my stomach, as if bidding farewell to my lost baby. “We’ll have other children,” Julian said, his face full of heartache. “Once you’ve recovered, we’ll register our marriage again.” The concern he showed now was a stark contrast to the Julian in the hospital room earlier. I could barely tell them apart. I looked up, tears welling in my eyes. “If you really want to register, then let’s go now.” Julian paused. He sensed something was off with me today. “Not now… your body hasn’t fully recovered. Next time.” “No ‘next time’. Now.” I stared directly at him, hoping to see a hint of sincerity. Julian frowned, not understanding why I, who was usually so docile, was being so stubborn. Was it just because I lost the baby? Just as Julian was at a loss, his phone rang in his pocket. He let out a long sigh of relief and released me. “I’ll take this call first.” “Chloe? What do you need… You’re back in the country! Good, I’ll send you the address right away.” Julian hung up, delighted. He gripped my shoulders. “Chloe heard about our car accident and rushed back from abroad because she was so worried! Aren’t you happy to have such a great sister?” My mouth twitched. I had just lost my baby; I really couldn’t bring myself to smile. But Julian was too caught up in his excitement to notice my distress. He pulled me back to the hospital room, eagerly sharing the news with Dominic. The two men laughed together. “We finally get to see Chloe!” After their excitement, Julian realized he had ignored me. He quickly came to my side to comfort me. “Good girl, we can talk about registering later. We’ll have more children too.” He said it so casually, as if I hadn’t had an induced termination of pregnancy, but had simply tripped and fallen. I lowered my gaze, a bitter smile playing on my lips. “Later? I’m afraid there won’t be a ‘later’ for us.”

Dominic frowned. “What’s with the long face? Whose fault is it that you couldn’t protect your own child?” “Bro, don’t talk to Stella like that. I’m sure she didn’t mean it!” Julian stepped in front of me. “Just keep spoiling her,” Dominic sneered. “Stella is my fiancée; of course, I’ll spoil her.” Julian turned and gently stroked my head. For a moment, I was dazed. Julian had offered this kind of protection countless times before. It had always been Dominic who played the bad guy, tormenting and scolding me, then Julian would step in to protect me. But now that I thought about it, if Julian had truly protected me, how could Dominic, as his best friend, have been so brazen in scolding me every single time? There could only be one reason: they had colluded all along, using this method to torment and get revenge. Suddenly, I felt utterly sickened. I forced a weak smile. “I’ll go back to my own room to rest first.” I slept for a long time. In between, I knew Chloe and Julian had visited, but I didn’t want to deal with them, so I kept pretending to be asleep. It wasn’t until I heard the clicking sound of a camera and various mocking laughs that I abruptly sat up. “Who are you people?” I pulled the blanket up to cover my body, my voice filled with panic. Standing before me was a group of strangers, their intentions clearly malicious. “Don’t remember us?” They raised their eyebrows and laughed loudly. “We were classmates back in the day, and we often came to patronize you at the club!” My brow twitched. I tremblingly reached for my phone, wanting to call someone for help. Unexpectedly, a short-haired girl snatched it away. “Don’t even think about calling Julian to save you. He belongs to Chloe!” “You were sent by Chloe?” I asked, incredulous. The short-haired girl slapped me hard across the face. “Pah, you little slut, you don’t deserve to say Chloe’s name!” I forcefully threw back the covers, staring at my flat abdomen. “Had an induced termination, did you? Who told you to be so cheap, going to clubs to hook up with old men, and then stealing our Chloe’s sweetheart!” The others chimed in. “Serves you right for losing the baby!” “No, I didn’t.” My face was deathly pale, and I shook my head desperately. But the short-haired girl wasn’t satisfied. She clenched her fist and punched my stomach several times. “It’s all your fault for making Chloe sad. Your womb deserves to rot, you’ll never be able to have children!” Pain surged through my entire body. I desperately tried to press the call bell, but at that moment, Chloe walked in. She was wearing a white dress, elegant and beautiful. “Stop it, Stella is my sister! I won’t allow you to bully her.” Chloe chased the group away. She walked to my bedside. “Are you okay? They were truly awful!” I curled up, weakly saying, “How awful could they be without your orders?” Chloe’s eyes welled up with tears, looking hurt. “Stella, I know you just lost your baby and then went through this, so you’re emotional. But I truly know nothing about it; how could I ever do such a thing to you?” “Seeing you like this breaks my heart. Stella, don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get justice.” As she spoke, she reached out to take my hand. “Don’t touch me!” My throat was terribly dry. I used every ounce of remaining strength to slap Chloe’s hand away. Unbeknownst to me, Julian and Dominic walked in at that exact moment and witnessed the scene. “How dare you lay a hand on Chloe!” Dominic slapped me furiously, then pulled Chloe behind him. Julian also looked at me with a cold expression. “Stella, you disappoint me greatly. Chloe traveled all this way back to care for you, and you’re so ungrateful.” My heart sank, my whole body trembling slightly. “She’s the one who had people beat me first; that’s why I wouldn’t let her touch me.” I pointed to the bruises on my stomach. “If you don’t believe me, you can check the security footage.” “Check what? Chloe would never do such a thing.” Dominic gritted his teeth. “I think you just can’t stand to see Chloe happy and don’t want her to come back!” With that, he took Chloe’s hand and walked out resolutely. Julian sighed. “Honestly, Stella. It’s one thing to dislike Chloe. But to make up such a clumsy excuse… you have no idea how much Chloe cares about you.” He pulled out a box of pastries. “She just asked Dominic and me to buy your favorite crab paste pastries for you. How could she possibly have someone hit you?” I gave a bitter laugh. I’m allergic to seafood; I’ve never eaten crab paste pastries. So this was the man I’d loved for seven years. Not only did he not know what I was allergic to, but when trouble arose, he immediately sided with someone else. I mustered what little strength I had left, got out of bed, and pulled Julian to the monitoring room. “See for yourself.” The screen displayed footage of me being beaten by a group of people, and the name “Chloe” mentioned in their mouths was clearly audible.

Julian clenched his fist, a hint of heartache in his eyes as he looked at me, yet his tone remained harsh. “This doesn’t prove Chloe hired them. Besides, she was the one who saved you.” “Stella, you should reflect on why they came to beat you, instead of blaming everything on Chloe!” The truth was right in front of him, yet Julian still protected Chloe. I found it utterly ridiculous. My heart was cold to the extreme; I was too weary to struggle. “Fine, I’ll reflect.” Julian frowned, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes. He opened his arms and embraced me. “Alright, Chloe said she’s having a family dinner with us tomorrow. Just apologize to her then, and everything will be fine. She’ll forgive you.” I rested my head on his shoulder, my nose burning, and forced back my tears. Anyway, I was getting married and moving to Port City soon. This dinner would just be a farewell meal for everyone. The next day, before being discharged, Julian carefully noted down the doctor’s instructions for my post-operative recovery. He held up the notebook, shaking it at me as if showing off. “Stella, see how much I care about you.” I nodded, saying nothing. They packed their things and went to the upscale restaurant Chloe had chosen. As soon as we entered, everyone was already there. Julian’s mother, Mrs. Thorne, was also present. “Julian, you’re here! Come, sit down!” Mrs. Thorne waved Julian to sit beside Chloe. As for me, his fiancée, she had always pretended I was invisible. It was Dominic who noticed me. “What are you standing around for? Help order food and serve everyone. A junior with such bad manners!” I had expected Julian to say something on my behalf. But to my surprise, his gaze was fixed on Chloe, not even sparing me a glance. “Okay,” I lowered my eyes, having no choice but to obey Dominic, humbly pouring water and ordering dishes for everyone. As I walked past Chloe, a foot suddenly shot out and tripped me. The drink in my hand accidentally spilled, splashing Chloe’s dress. “Ah!” Chloe gasped, and all eyes in the room instantly focused on me. “Stella Kingston, what are you doing!” This time, Julian was the first to scold me. “This dress was custom-made for Chloe by my mother. No matter how much you dislike her, you can’t keep laying your hands on her!” My eyes reddened, my hands at a loss. “I didn’t mean to.” Julian snorted coldly. He pulled Chloe up. “Come on, I’ll take you to the restroom to clean up.” After they left, it was Dominic’s turn to rage. “I told you not to bring this troublemaker along.” He grabbed my hair, forcing me to fall forward onto the table. In an instant, a large bump appeared on my forehead, and a few trickles of blood seeped out. I cried out in pain. “Dominic, I really didn’t mean to.” Dominic’s eyes were cold. He kicked my chest. “I told you, you’re not allowed to call me ‘brother.’ Chloe is my only sister!” I bit my lip tightly, tears welling up in my eyes, finally overflowing and streaming down my face. “Stop trying to gain sympathy, go clean yourself up in the restroom.” Dominic looked at me with utter disgust. I clenched my fists, my fingertips trembling slightly, and quickly ran out. I wasn’t familiar with the place and wandered for a long time before accidentally stumbling into a restroom. But as I stepped inside, I heard intimate sounds coming from within. “Chloe, your body is still as soft as it used to be…” Julian’s voice was deep, rich, and incredibly magnetic. I froze, not daring to take another step inside. “Hmph,” Chloe purred playfully. “You say that so sweetly, but you still slept with her all those years I was gone.” “I have no feelings for her!” Julian anxiously vowed. “Being with her was just to help you get revenge. Sleeping with her was just practice, so I wouldn’t hurt you later. Chloe, my sincerity to you is as clear as day and night!” Chloe curved her lips into a smile, leaning against Julian’s chest. “You really just ‘practiced’ with her? You never felt anything for her?” “Forget feeling anything, her body didn’t even attract me,” Julian declared confidently. My face was ashen white. At that moment, all my hopes shattered into dust. I remembered the first time we were intimate; Julian, surprisingly, shed tears. At the time, I thought it was because he loved me too much or was too nervous. But now, looking back, those tears weren’t for me. They were tears of regret, believing he had betrayed Chloe. So what did all those nights of desperate entanglement mean? Were they just practice? Minutes later, Julian and Chloe emerged from the restroom. Seeing me standing at the door, my face stained with tears, Julian instantly panicked.

“Stella, what are you doing here? How long have you been here?” He quickly let go of Chloe, striding over to anxiously grab my hand, his heart pounding. My lips trembled slightly. I tried hard to control my tears, not letting them fall. “I accidentally bumped my head and wanted to clean up in the restroom, but this place is so big, it took me forever to find it.” My voice was choked, my fingers weakly clutching the hem of my clothes. If anyone had been observant, they would have noticed my distress. But Julian merely sighed in relief and didn’t press further. He gave Chloe a meaningful look, signaling her to leave, then led me to the sink. “I only walked away for a moment; how did you manage to hurt yourself like this?” Julian gently cleaned my wound, then found a band-aid from the shelf and carefully applied it, his eyes full of concern. “It looks like I’ll have to stick to Stella like glue from now on. How else can I feel at ease?” He gently kissed my lips. “Come on, we’re not eating this meal. I’m taking you home.” My eyes were clouded. I desperately wanted to ask Julian if it wasn’t exhausting to act so convincingly. But the words died in my throat. Since I was leaving soon, I decided to just muddle through these last three days. Back at the apartment, Julian suddenly gently cupped my face. “Stella, your birthday is in three days. I want to register our marriage on that special day with you.” I paused, surprised. So, the day I was leaving was my birthday. Julian saw my silence and anxiously added, “Stella, are you worried something might go wrong again, like before? Don’t worry, it’s your birthday this time; I promise there won’t be any accidents!” I pressed my lips together, my heart heavy with bitterness. Registering on my birthday—so this was Julian’s plan for his 100th escape. I forced a smile, my heart filled with sorrow. “Okay.” “Then it’s settled. You should get ready.” Julian smiled, then carried me to the bedroom to rest. I didn’t resist. The next day, I organized my luggage and realized I had left the farewell gift from Director Miller, the orphanage director, at the Kingston family’s house. If Director Miller hadn’t taken me in when I was lost as a child, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. I was leaving Capital City soon, and that gift was my last keepsake. I hailed a cab and went to the Kingston mansion. As I arrived at the entrance, I ran into Chloe. Chloe looked displeased as soon as she saw me. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your wedding registration tomorrow? What are you doing here?” I sidestepped past her into the mansion, not wanting to argue. “I’m just picking up something of mine; I’ll be quick.” “I didn’t agree to let you in!” Chloe angrily chased after me, her peripheral vision accidentally catching something on the third floor. Hearing the faint laughter from upstairs, a plan instantly formed in my mind. “Ah!” Chloe faked twisting her ankle and lunged towards me. We both tumbled down the stairs, and I landed beneath Chloe, becoming her human cushion. Dominic and Julian, hearing the screams from the third floor, immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed down. “What happened!” Chloe cried, “Stella was upset with me, she wanted to pay me to leave, and when I refused, she pushed me down the stairs.” Dominic’s veins instantly bulged. He kicked me hard in the chest, sending me flying three meters away. Then, he clenched his fist and roared, “Chloe just wanted to come home and stay here; how did she ever offend you?” “I didn’t push her…” I lay on the cold floor, feeling as if all my bones were shattered. Beside me, Julian frantically helped Chloe up, carefully checking her for injuries. Seeing no severe external wounds, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Didn’t I say I’d marry you on your birthday? Why would you still bully Chloe? She’s no threat to you at all.” Julian walked up to me, his eyes full of anger and disappointment. “She pushed me. I didn’t touch her.” I clutched my chest, in so much pain that my face was pale and covered in cold sweat. “You’ve learned to lie now too!” Julian raised his hand and slapped me. At that moment, I felt like I had been struck by lightning. This was the first time in seven years that Julian had ever laid a hand on me. I looked up at him in disbelief, tears streaming from my eyes. Julian’s heart tightened, the hand that had just struck me now trembling slightly. “What are you crying for? Go reflect on your terrible actions! Otherwise, I won’t register our marriage with you.”

He forced himself to be calm, cruelly turning around to help Chloe to the hospital. Dominic followed, his face worried, leaving me alone in the mansion, gasping for breath from the pain. “Why… don’t you believe me?” I stammered, my chest heaving violently. I was clearly the one more seriously injured, yet neither my fiancé nor my own brother had shown me the slightest bit of concern. I shed tears of despair, wanting to pick up my phone to call an ambulance for myself, but as soon as I tried to get up, my vision went black, and I collapsed forward weakly. I don’t know how long I was unconscious. I woke up in a pool of dried blood. The mansion was silent, and the sky had turned completely dark. My burning body told me I needed to get to a hospital immediately. “Ugh…” I struggled to get up, every step pulling at my injuries, eliciting a heavy groan. I staggered forward, but as soon as I opened the mansion’s front door, I saw a group of people rush in like mad. “Miss Stella Kingston, are the indecent photos circulating online really you?” Reporters, carrying cameras and thrusting microphones, flashed their lights at my face, again and again. “As far as I know, you’re a socialite. But why are you engaging in power-for-sex transactions with others?” “I heard you were forced to have an induced termination by your sugar daddy a few days ago. Do you have any explanation for this?” The media’s sharp words pierced deeply into my heart, one after another. But the more terrified and panicked I became, the more excited these people got. “We heard you got lost as a child and grew up in an orphanage, and after returning to your parents, you abused their adopted daughter. Is this true?” I was pushed down into the crowd. I could only curl up, clutching my head with both hands, to avoid further harm. “We heard Director Miller, who watched you grow up at the orphanage, died of a heart attack because of the rumors about you. Do you feel any guilt about that?” My eyes suddenly widened. I grabbed a reporter’s pant leg. “What did you say? Director Miller passed away?” No one answered me. Reporters only heard what they wanted to hear. Gradually, more people gathered around. I lost count of how many times I was stepped on. Just as I was on the verge of despair, Julian rushed over, shouting loudly at the crowd. He brought bodyguards to disperse the reporters, then anxiously picked me up from the ground. “Stella, I’m so sorry I’m late. I’m taking you to the hospital right now.” I trembled, holding onto him. “Julian, they said Director Miller died. That’s not true, is it?” My body was freezing cold, my clothes stained all over. A flicker of pain crossed Julian’s eyes. He didn’t answer, only nodded with difficulty. “How could this be?” My voice choked, tears rolling down my face, one after another. The dual blow of physical and mental trauma made me faint once again. Julian arranged for the best specialist doctors to treat me. He stayed by my bedside, sleepless. “Why isn’t she waking up!” He turned and roared at the doctor, his fists tightly clenched. “Julian, why get so angry?” Dominic walked in from the doorway, speaking leisurely. “Didn’t we agree on this? Use the media to provoke her, ruin her reputation, and get revenge for Chloe.” Julian suppressed his anger. “Provoking is one thing, but look at her now. Look at how badly she’s hurt.” “Accidents happen. Nobody can guarantee absolute safety.” Dominic frowned slightly, as if realizing something. “Julian, you haven’t fallen for her, have you?” Julian’s heart sank, as if struck by something. Dominic’s tone instantly became anxious. “Don’t forget why you got together with her seven years ago! Now Chloe is still in the hospital, unable to get up because of her. If you dare to like her, don’t ever set foot in my Kingston family again!” Julian bit his lip hard. He forcibly pushed away the strange feeling in his heart and said firmly, “Being with her was just for revenge. How could I possibly like her?” “Chloe is the only one in my heart, always!” Dominic was half-convinced. “You really never developed feelings for her?” “Never,” he looked up defiantly. At that moment, no one noticed a single sparkling tear roll down my face as I lay on the hospital bed. “That’s good,” Dominic sighed in relief. “Tomorrow is her birthday. After you escape the wedding one last time, you can break up with her.” “And don’t let her go to Director Miller’s funeral either. Let her truly feel how painful it is to lose someone important!” “Don’t worry, I know better than you how to maximize the damage.” Julian stood up, his voice cold. “Let’s go outside first, otherwise she’ll wake up soon.” After the two left, I slowly opened my eyes.

Pain surged through my entire body. I licked my cracked lips, my face filled with bitterness. So, the scandalous photos circulating online and being ambushed by reporters were all Julian’s doing. Even when Director Miller, who had watched me grow up, passed away, he wouldn’t let me say my final goodbyes. He truly never had feelings for me… Soon after, Julian came in again. Seeing me awake, he immediately put on a joyful expression. “That’s great! I was worried you wouldn’t wake up in these two days and it would delay our marriage registration.” I lowered my head, a cold laugh in my heart. Delay the marriage registration? More like delay your escape plan. I took off the diamond ring and placed it in Julian’s hand. “This is the engagement ring you gave me. I’m returning it to you now… After we register tomorrow, you can put it back on me.” Julian paused slightly, then smiled. “Okay, whatever Stella wants.” I took a deep breath and asked, “Do you remember how happy you were the day I accepted your proposal? My feelings for you never changed, but I want to ask, do you still have any genuine feelings for me?” “My love for Stella is unwavering, to my dying breath,” he answered without hesitation. Suddenly, I found it all so pointless. I hummed in agreement and lay back down on the bed. “I’m tired. You can go home and rest; you don’t need to stay with me.” “Then get a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow at the registry office.” Julian tucked me in, then placed a cup of warm water by the bed, acting unbelievably gentle. The next day, I was woken by a bucket of ice water. The biting cold made me sneeze three times. I looked up in panic, seeing my own brother, Dominic, standing before me. My whole body instantly tensed. “Today, I’m sending you off to be married.” He looked down at me with a condescending gaze. “This bucket of water is to wash away your past sins. If you treat people kindly from now on, there will still be a place for you in the Kingston family.” He called two makeup artists in and produced a pristine white wedding gown. “As your older brother, I feel responsible for you. I specially prepared these things for you. After you’re done with your makeup, a driver will take you to the registry office.” I froze. He knew all about Julian’s 100-time escape plan, yet he was still pretending to send me off. “What, too happy to speak?” Dominic raised an eyebrow. “Don’t just sit there, start your makeup. Julian is waiting for you at the registry office, and Chloe and I will be there to witness your happiness.” I gave a bitter laugh internally. Witness my happiness? More like watch my humiliation. “Okay, thank you… brother.” I quietly agreed. I was too tired to expose Dominic’s lies; anyway, I would be leaving soon. Dominic frowned slightly. Normally, he would get angry and scold me if I called him ‘brother,’ but today was different. He had to let me taste some sweetness first; only then would the subsequent revenge be more effective! “Hmph,” Dominic suppressed his disgust and nodded, then turned to leave. Seeing his back completely disappear, I shivered and got out of bed, holding my soaking wet body as I spoke to the two makeup artists. “How much did he pay you? I’ll double it. You can leave now, but please keep it a secret for me.” After dismissing the two makeup artists, I gently caressed the beautiful wedding dress. “So soft, what a pity.” I picked up the dress and ruthlessly threw it into the trash can. Then, I wrote a statement of severance from my family and entrusted a lawyer to publish it. Finally, I drafted a scheduled SnapChat message to Julian, set to be sent a few hours later: 【Seven years of youth and an unborn child. Your revenge was a complete success.】 Having done all that, the people sent by the Harrison family to pick me up arrived. A valiant-looking short-haired woman stepped out of the car. She saw my sorry state but asked no questions, simply taking off her own jacket and wrapping it around me. “Miss Stella, if you’re ready, please come with me.” I nodded, thanked her softly, and followed her into the car. I didn’t look back, nor did I feel a hint of longing. Because in this city, there was no one left worth loving. In a private dining room at the restaurant, Julian was embracing Chloe, whispering how much he missed her. He was still completely unaware of my departure.

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The message from the overseas private medical facility arrived when I was glued to the live broadcast of the Global Film Awards. “Clara Davis, are you absolutely sure you want to proceed with the heart transplant for Rhys Kingston? If you change your mind now, we still have time to bring him in.” “Miss this chance, and if you regret it later, we won’t offer you any other options.” I casually typed back, “I’m sure,” and continued watching the screen, where two people who looked like a couple stood together. The award was mine, but the one on stage was my twin sister, Seraphina Davis. At that moment, the host held a microphone, questioning the tall, handsome man beside her. “Mr. Rhys Kingston, as today’s youngest Best Actor, and the lead in the film ‘The Bully,’ who do you feel you owe your greatest thanks to?” “Also, why is the lead actress not Clara Davis herself, but her sister? Is there a deeper meaning behind this?” Rhys’s deep-set eyes stared intensely at the camera, his voice low and hoarse. “The person I need to thank most for this film is Clara Davis.” The host seemed surprised, about to press for more, when Rhys suddenly shifted his tone, an oppressive fury radiating from him. “Years ago, I was the one who provoked the thugs at school. My then-girlfriend, Clara Davis, terrified of retaliation, stole her sister’s chance to study abroad.” “As a result, her sister, Seraphina Davis, looking exactly like her, was bullied at school for three agonizing years!” “Back then, I repeatedly promised Clara Davis that I would protect her, even if it cost me my life, to keep her safe from those people. But Clara Davis left without a single backward glance.” “If it weren’t for Clara Davis, this film, adapted from Seraphina Davis’s real experiences, would never exist.” “Clara Davis is one of the perpetrators! She doesn’t deserve to stand on this stage! The true victim should be the one to accept this award!” The entire studio erupted in an uproar. My body instantly stiffened. Just then, my phone rang. Rhys’s mocking voice came from both the big screen and my phone simultaneously. “Clara Davis, when you abandoned me all those years ago, desperate to gain a foothold with the Leo Corporation abroad, did you ever imagine you’d end up like this today?” “I made you act in this movie precisely so you could personally experience the pain your sister has endured all these years.” It took me a long moment to find my voice. I even managed a hollow laugh. “Rhys, did you call just to tell me all this, hoping I’d regret it?” “I wasn’t the one who bullied you two. I just went abroad. Even if I had to choose a million times again, I’d make the same choice.” My words were defiant, but my heart still throbbed with an involuntary ache. Substituting my heart for Rhys’s? No regrets. Enduring three years of physical modifications abroad for the right match? No regrets. Even being hated by Rhys like this now? I was willing to bear it all. Because my departure led to my sister being hurt, it was indeed my fault. So, whatever revenge they sought, I deserved it. I averted my gaze from the TV screen, hanging up the phone, waiting for Rhys to humiliate and punish me in front of Seraphina, just as he always did. Sure enough, a moment later, Rhys returned. But this time, he wasn’t with Seraphina. I instinctively braced myself to kneel, but he roughly pulled me up, grabbed my throat, and pressed me against the wall. His alcohol-laced kiss attacked, consuming me. Vaguely, I felt moisture. Rhys’s voice, full of resentment and powerlessness, whispered in my ear. “Clara, are you truly so heartless? Not just towards me, but even towards your own sister’s life or death.” “Today at the awards ceremony, I really wanted to ask if you felt any remorse. Now, I’m giving you one last chance.” “Seraphina is so kind; she never truly blamed you. Just say you regret it, and we can go back to how things were.” Back to how things were… such a warm phrase. I weakly turned my head away, avoiding his bloodshot eyes. Only I knew that day would never come. Even if Alistair Leo didn’t need any of their hearts, after three years of physical modifications, I wouldn’t live much longer. Chapter 2 Time ticked by, and Rhys’s expression gradually calmed. He released his grip on me, looking at me with intense sarcasm. “If you truly believe you did nothing wrong, why do you stay here, letting us torment you?” “Clara, do you have a masochistic streak?” I toyed with my hands, letting out a soft laugh. “A movie role pays tens of millions, and the only cost is being ostracized by the entire crew, occasionally kneeling, and watching you two being affectionate. Rhys, you don’t actually think this can hurt me, do you?” “Every time we filmed, you’d deliberately let others hit me hard, then secretly applied ointment to my wounds, like some persistent stray. Just seeing your ridiculous expressions is enough to make it worth my while. How could I feel like I’m being tortured?” Rhys’s face completely changed, humiliation pushed to its limit. He violently slammed a fist into the wall, his other hand, gripping my collar, trembling. “Yes, I’m a fool. To actually harbor fantasies about someone like you.” He took a deep breath, then shoved me out the door, his voice utterly cold. “Get out. I never want to see you again.” I forced a bitter smile. Just moments ago, Alistair Leo’s assistant had sent a message, giving me one month to return and prepare for the heart transplant. Now, I didn’t even need to find an excuse. I gazed deeply at Rhys, as if trying to engrave his image into my memory. “Alright, I won’t bother you again.” “I have one last request: please take care of my sister, okay?” Rhys looked at me with immense disgust. “Even now, why bother with such feigned concern?” “Don’t worry, Seraphina and I are engaged. The wedding is next month. From now on, no one will ever bully her again.” I froze. Ever since I learned that the Leo Corporation was targeting Rhys’s heart and had tried to harm him multiple times, I had resolved to replace him with my own. At that point, I had also mentally prepared myself for Rhys to spend the rest of his life with someone else. But I never imagined that person would be Seraphina, my own sister. Seeing my pained expression, Rhys’s eyes filled with even more mockery. “What, did you really think I’d keep my promise from back then? That if it wasn’t you, I’d rather die alone?” I stared blankly at Rhys’s face, my mind involuntarily drifting back to that summer. It was our two-year anniversary. He hadn’t even reached the legal marriage age, yet he couldn’t wait to plan a grand proposal. The twenty-year-old stood amidst a sea of flowers, holding a ring he’d spent three months crafting by hand. Even with a crowd surrounding us, his eyes, brimming with love, held only me. He said that even though we hadn’t officially registered, in his heart, we were already married, and I was his one and only wife. He said that once he won Best Actor, he would put me in his acknowledgments as his spouse, revealing our relationship to everyone… But now, Rhys had indeed won Best Actor, and I was in his acknowledgments, but as the enemy who had supposedly bullied his sister. And his rightful wife… was about to become someone else. I lowered my head, hiding the complex emotions in my eyes, and spoke with the same carefree tone as always. “Seraphina? You’re not just marrying her because she looks like me, are you?” “You’d better truly be good to her.” Without waiting for Rhys’s reply, I turned and walked away. I couldn’t quite make out what Rhys said behind me. I was afraid to see if Rhys genuinely had feelings for my sister, and even more afraid to see if he still held any hope for me. His hatred for me was better than his sadness, or him having his heart transplanted. Chapter 3 Rhys’s mansion was in the suburbs. It was nearly one in the morning, and I couldn’t find a taxi, so I aimlessly walked the streets. A cold gust of wind blew past, triggering a violent coughing fit. When I finally stopped, I saw my palms were covered in fresh blood. Because my heart wasn’t a perfect match for Alistair Leo’s, if I wanted to replace Rhys, I had to undergo continuous surgeries to meet the standard. Now, my body was a wreck. But thankfully, it would all be over soon. As soon as I returned to the country, Rhys had forced me into the film crew. After filming wrapped, I was kept under house arrest in his mansion. Now, suddenly free, I didn’t know where to go. After agreeing to the heart transplant, Alistair Leo had given me a staggering five hundred million in compensation. But most of that money, under different names, was sent to Seraphina and Rhys, as capital for their ventures. Rhys was arrogant and couldn’t stand the mercenary nature of the entertainment industry. When he first started, he’d signed with several crews only to break his contracts. So I gave him three hundred million, letting him invest in and star in his own films. The remaining money, I planned to give to Seraphina as a dowry on her wedding day. So, I had only bought a very small, dilapidated house nearby. I picked up my dreams again, using my remaining days to paint many canvases, each one of Rhys. Even the times he forced me to kneel before him, shining his shoes, I meticulously recorded with my delicate brush, cherishing each memory. This day, as usual, I picked up my brush, ready to paint Rhys from my memory, when the doorbell suddenly rang. A face identical to mine appeared before me. I instinctively turned sideways, trying to shield the paintings, but Seraphina sneered, pulling at the corner of her mouth. “Sister, I guessed right. You still haven’t given up.” Seraphina ignored my protests, forcefully pushing her way in. She looked at each painting one by one, then picked up the one I had poured my heart into, the one I treasured most. —The scene of Rhys proposing to me. Seraphina’s fingers dug into the painting, almost tearing the paper. She stared at me with intense resentment. “You painted this with such devotion, Sister. You truly are deeply in love.” “But no matter how much you fantasize, Rhys will only marry me! All these years you abandoned him, I was the one by his side!” I nervously looked at the painting, quickly responding. “I know, I won’t disturb you two.” “Even if it’s a fantasy, it’s just in this room. No one else will know, Seraphina, please put the painting down, okay?” Seraphina scoffed, then pulled out a lighter. “Put it down? You sounded so resolute before, and now this? Who knows what tricks you’ll try to play with these paintings?” With that, Seraphina moved to light the painting on fire. I frantically tried to stop her, but my already weakened body was easily pushed to the ground by Seraphina. I could only watch helplessly as the flames roared, instantly devouring the young man in the painting. “No… don’t…” I watched in despair, coughing up blood directly. Ignoring my inability to stand, I lunged forward, using my body to put out the fire. But immediately, Seraphina lit other paintings. With so many paintings in the room, the flames quickly spread. Without Seraphina needing to do anything further, all the other paintings were lost. The burned areas stung fiercely, but I felt as if my entire being had been emptied, staring blankly at it all. Chapter 4 Seraphina stood at the doorway, watching it all with malicious pleasure, shouting loudly: “Sister, back then I took on so much for you, I was almost surrounded and assaulted by those people! If Rhys hadn’t protected me, I might not even be alive!” “You owe me all of this.” “Rhys, he can only be mine.” The fire grew larger, and outside, people gradually noticed, a commotion beginning. Hearing familiar footsteps outside the staircase, Seraphina instantly transformed. She recklessly rushed into the flames, pulling me out. By the time Rhys arrived, Seraphina was sprawled over me, unconscious. “Clara! What did you do to Seraphina!” Rhys anxiously pushed me away, cradling Seraphina in his arms. Due to the force, my head slammed into the corner of the wall, blood pooling on the floor, yet I remained completely unresponsive, my eyes blankly staring at the blazing house. Amidst Rhys’s frantic shouts, Seraphina slowly stirred. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at me with immense disappointment. “Sister… what did I do wrong… for you to set me on fire…” “Surely this would hurt you too, wouldn’t it?” Rhys finally spared a glance for me, but by then, I had already lost consciousness. Seeing the wound on my forehead and the blood on the floor, Rhys’s furious roar caught in his throat. A terrible premonition welled up in his heart. He rushed over, intending to check on my condition. But before he could touch me, several tall, agile bodyguards swiftly arrived, pulling out sophisticated first-aid equipment to administer aid. Rhys watched the conspicuous Leo Corporation insignias on their uniforms, his heart slowly growing cold. He stepped back, helped Seraphina up, and cast an incredibly sarcastic look at me, surrounded by the bodyguards. “Let’s go. Your dear sister has quite the connections; she’s hooked up with the Leo Corporation. No need for us to worry about her.” “But Seraphina, rest assured, I will make her pay for this.” When I next awoke, I found myself in a hospital room. I instinctively touched my chest. Only when I felt the familiar touch did I breathe a sigh of relief. All the paintings that held my beautiful memories were gone. Now, the only thing I had left of Rhys was this ring, given to me during his proposal. Though the ring itself wasn’t worth much, Rhys had spent three months making it by hand; its significance was extraordinary. Noticing I had woken, Rhys, who was standing by the window, turned, his gaze fixed on me, colder than ice. Even when Rhys had trampled and humiliated me under the guise of directing a scene, he had never shown such a heartless look. Seeing Rhys like this, I felt a little lost. My heart began to throb with pain again. “Clara, are you still the Clara I once knew?” Rhys asked, his voice full of disappointment. “No wonder you dared to recklessly set fire; you had the Leo Corporation backing you up.” “But did you ever think about Seraphina? I was foolish enough to want to save you! Haven’t you hurt her enough already!” I began to cough violently again. My mouth filled with a metallic taste; without needing to check, I knew it was blood again. But Rhys was still here, so I could only endure the discomfort and swallow the blood. “Since the Leo Corporation’s people are here to save me, why are you here?” I knew the Leo Corporation’s people were only concerned I might die prematurely, compromising the effectiveness of the heart for transplant. But why would Rhys come? He seemed to hate me so much now. Rhys slowly paced over, his intimidating presence filling my vision. “I came to get an explanation for Seraphina.” “Seraphina was badly injured trying to save you. You must apologize to her and compensate her.” I numbly closed my eyes. Seraphina had burned my last sanctuary, yet I couldn’t say a word in my own defense. Because, as they said, I owed Seraphina. Even though I had anticipated all of this when I chose to return, I still jumped into the fire for a chance to see them one last time. I thought I was indestructible, but in this truly desperate situation, I was still in too much pain to breathe. But I couldn’t blame anyone, because everything was my own choice. “How do you want me to apologize?” Rhys’s deep gaze fell upon me. “Since you said my previous punishments were laughable and had no effect on you.” “Then this time, you decide.” “Starting tomorrow, you’ll return to the mansion. Use every method you can think of to appease Seraphina, until I’m satisfied.” With that, Rhys turned and left without a shred of mercy. But just as he reached the door, he collided with the doctor, who was rushing over, frowning deeply, holding test results. Chapter 5 “Utter nonsense! In your condition, even with proper rest, you wouldn’t live for six months! And you dared to throw yourself into a fire!” “If it weren’t for prompt rescue, you would have died this time!” Rhys’s departing footsteps faltered. He looked at the doctor in disbelief, his voice somewhat ethereal. “…What did you say?” I couldn’t stop it in time; the doctor tossed the report directly at him, then continued lecturing me. Rhys stared blankly at the thick stack of reports in his hand, his heart sinking with each page he turned. By the time he regained his composure and looked up, the doctor had already left. He spoke in a hoarse voice, unprecedentedly shaky. “When… when did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?” I looked at the man before me, identical to the one in my memories, and my nose involuntarily stung. For a moment, I desperately wanted to pour out all my grievances. But… it was too late. Telling him now would only add to his troubles, without any meaning. I could only grit my teeth, using every ounce of acting skill I possessed to conjure a sarcastic expression. “Rhys, I told you, you’re just a persistent stray.” “No matter how fierce you act, I just beckon, and you obediently come running.” Rhys frowned, still reeling from the shock. “At a time like this, why are you saying such things?” I burst into laughter, tears streaming down my face, until I gasped for breath and started coughing. Only then did I stop. “Rhys, did you forget? This is the Leo Corporation’s facility. The doctors are also their people.” “My sister’s apprehension of me isn’t without reason. After all, with just a little trick, I could make you forget everything that happened.” It was only then that Rhys finally reacted. He looked as if he had been slapped hard, his bloodshot eyes filled with humiliation and rage. Rhys furiously grabbed my neck, his voice trembling from being suppressed. “You’re playing me! The medical report is fake!” Even as the air was stolen from my lungs, I continued to laugh. “Rhys, if you have the guts, then truly strangle me.” “But would you dare? Admit it, you’re just a dog by my side!” The rage threatened to consume Rhys’s sanity, but he was still Rhys; he quickly regained control. Rhys stood up, looking down at my disheveled form, his cold eyes like he was staring at an irrelevant stranger. “I won’t kill you, because Seraphina is waiting for me, and I still have my career to pursue.” “I won’t waste my time on you again, or jeopardize my future.” With that, Rhys turned and walked out. This time, nothing unexpected happened. Rhys’s back receded further and further from me. I stared blankly in the direction Rhys had left, too much in pain to breathe. Just then, I heard familiar voices outside. —My biological parents. I knew they must be here to see Seraphina. But… I was about to undergo heart transplant surgery. Soon, I would no longer exist in this world. Although my family hadn’t contacted me since I went abroad, they were still the relatives who had raised me for so many years. I knew my father’s company had been under immense pressure and hidden dangers in recent years. While the Leo Corporation still needed me, I wanted to do one last thing for my parents, as a farewell. So, I forced my broken body to the door, calling out to the two people anxiously waiting for the elevator. My parents saw me and instantly froze. Tears welled up in my eyes too. But before I could step closer, my mother, who had once showered me with smiles and affection, stormed over, pointing at me and launching into a furious tirade. “You ungrateful monster! How dare you show your face to us again!” Chapter 6 “You went abroad without a care in the world! Causing Seraphina to be bullied at school for so long! Do you know, Seraphina was almost assaulted back then!” “Now that your sister is finally getting married, you actually set fire to her! Are you really that intent on seeing your sister unhappy?!” I covered my face, my heart throbbing with pain again. It was one thing for others to falsely accuse me, but this time, it was my own parents! I wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes, unable to stop myself from defending myself. “Dad, Mom… this time, it really had nothing to do with me! I never intended to set fire to Seraphina…” “I know the company isn’t doing well right now, and I came here not to argue, but to help…” Before I could finish speaking, another gust of wind whipped past my ear. A slap, harder and heavier than the last, landed on my face! This time, it was my father. He looked at me with sharp eyes, as if I were an enemy with whom he had a blood feud. “Not only do you hurt your own sister, but to lie, you actually bring up the company!” “Don’t you know, the reason our company is being suppressed is because of a subsidiary of the Leo Corporation! And now you’re staying in a hospital room prepared by the Leo Corporation, and you’re talking about the company with me!” Of course, I knew. It was precisely because the company involved was the Leo Corporation that I was confident I could help the Davis family! But before I could explain, the elevator doors opened. Seraphina sat in a wheelchair, her face pale, looking at me. She hugged her head as if startled, shrinking backward. “Sister… I’m sorry…” “If you didn’t like Rhys and me together, you could have just told me, I wouldn’t have fought you for him… Why did you…” With that, Seraphina started crying piteously. My parents immediately crowded around her, showering her with concern, and at the same time, their anger towards me intensified! Mr. Davis grabbed my hair, throwing me down in front of Seraphina, forcing me to kneel, and coldly told me: “Apologize to Seraphina!” Seraphina, seeing this, feigned fright and frantically tried to help me up. “Dad! What are you doing? Sister is about to be announced as the spokesperson for Alistair Leo’s new series. How can she kneel on the ground?” “I heard Sister is also the designer of this series. The Leo Corporation is investing heavily in its promotion.” “It’s always been my dream to represent a clothing line completely my own, but unfortunately, I’m not as capable as Sister…” As she spoke, she subtly curved her lips into a meaningful smile, visible only to me. My heart sank. A terrible premonition welled up. Just as Seraphina said, this new series by Alistair Leo was entirely designed by me, stroke by stroke, during my isolated period of modifications abroad. They were more than just clothes; they were the art I left behind to fulfill my career regrets before my departure! As if to confirm my inner uneasiness, Mr. and Mrs. Davis exchanged a look, then cornered me. “Don’t you want to help the Davis company overcome its difficulties?” “As long as you let Seraphina replace you as the face of this Leo collaboration, and help Seraphina achieve her dream. With Seraphina at the Leo Corporation, the company’s problems can be easily resolved.” My inner panic grew, and with nowhere to retreat, I shouted: “I can give the endorsement to my sister, but can the design credit remain mine!” “I can give up everything else, I just want the design credit!” The movie I had acted in had already had its award given to Seraphina due to Rhys’s public announcement of the bullying incident at the awards ceremony. Now, the only work I had left was this clothing series—three years of my heart and soul! Only with my name attached could I leave something in the world, proving I had truly existed. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to the Leo Corporation and ensure the Davis family is safe! Just leave the design credit to me!” But my parents didn’t give me that chance. “Me! How can you be so selfish? You know perfectly well that the main selling point of this promotion is the designer herself endorsing it! If we only change the endorser to Seraphina, how will netizens curse me then?!” “When you went abroad, you caused Seraphina so much injustice! Now you set fire and hurt her, this is what you owe her!” I looked at them in disbelief, feeling utterly estranged. Because of one incident where Seraphina was hurt, all subsequent harm she experienced was blamed on me, no matter how I tried to compensate or explain, it was useless. It was then that I belatedly realized that the parents I cherished and wanted to help, perhaps had never loved me at all. I laughed through my tears, and for the first time, I clenched my hands firmly. “I can accept any way you want me to compensate Seraphina, but on this matter, I refuse!” Suddenly, “Thwack!” A document landed on my head. Rhys walked over, holding an inkpad, his expression indifferent. Chapter 7 “The transfer contract is ready. Whether you agree or not, you have to.” With that, Rhys grabbed my hand and pressed my thumb onto the inkpad. I desperately tried to struggle, but my parents held me so tightly I couldn’t move an inch. I could only watch helplessly as my fingerprint was left on the contract. Having done all this, Rhys sneered, like a demon, whispering in my ear: “I told you, Seraphina’s suffering, I will make sure she gets her revenge for it.” Then, the few people who had successfully stolen my hard work immediately moved away from me, encircling Seraphina. Rhys, treating her like a precious treasure in his palm, gently handed her the document. “Seraphina, we will fulfill all your wishes. You’re not inferior to anyone.” I looked at the warm and harmonious scene before me, feeling nothing but immense irony. I had actually considered saying goodbye. Now it seemed, only my death could satisfy them all. I staggered towards the hospital room. Suddenly, a sharp pain tore through my chest. I clutched the wall, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and my body weakly slid downwards. Seeing this, the people around me quickly called a doctor, and I was rushed into the emergency room. When I awoke again, I was so weak that my breathing was barely audible. The assistant next to me frowned. “Your current physical condition is extremely poor, we can’t delay any longer! As soon as your condition stabilizes, you must immediately fly abroad to prepare for the heart removal surgery!” I numbly nodded in agreement. For me now, death was the true liberation. During my hospitalization, news of Rhys and Seraphina’s wedding spread like wildfire. The wedding preparations proceeded at a frantic pace, with daily trending topics about their wedding dress choices and venue decorations. Like a masochist, I zoomed in on each picture, examining them carefully. Finally, I couldn’t resist asking the assistant for a drawing board and design paper. I still wanted to leave something behind, even if no one would ever care. I drew the wedding dress I had fantasized about countless times in my mind when Rhys proposed to me at eighteen, and I designed a suit for Rhys. Then, on the paper, I drew the imaginary wedding scene for them, back when they hadn’t reached the legal marriage age. After finishing the drawings, I called Alistair Leo’s assistant and asked them to keep these things safe for me, ensuring no one saw them. “Make sure to burn them for me only after I’m gone.” Soon after the assistant left, the hospital room door opened. Seraphina, wearing a pure white dress, sneered. “Sister, no wonder you suddenly started talking about breaking up; turns out you really weren’t going to live much longer.” My heart tightened, and I instinctively looked behind Seraphina. Thankfully, Rhys wasn’t there. I breathed a sigh of relief, then almost pleaded. “Please, don’t tell Rhys about this.” Seraphina let out a light laugh. “If you don’t want me to tell him, then give me the ring around your neck.” I frantically clutched the ring with my hand, my eyes full of apprehension. This ring was my last keepsake; I couldn’t give it away. But… what if Seraphina really told Rhys the truth? I dared not gamble with Rhys. As I hesitated, Seraphina reached out, snatched the string from my neck, and grabbed the ring. “Sister, Rhys and I are getting married soon. Why are you still keeping the ring he gave you before? What do you intend to do?” I quickly reached out, trying to snatch the ring back, but Seraphina deftly dodged me. “Seraphina! I won’t ruin your wedding! I’ll leave! Please, give me back the ring!” Seeing how much I cared about the ring, Seraphina’s eyes filled with resentment. She directly extended the ring out the window. And beneath it, was a lake! Chapter 8 “Since Sister is so reluctant, I’ll help you break free completely.” The red string of the ring slipped little by little from Seraphina’s hand. In a moment of desperation, I lunged at her. We both fell to the ground, my head hitting the bedside, blood streaming down my forehead, a shocking sight. Thankfully, I got the ring back. Just then, Rhys, hearing the commotion, rushed in, pushing me away and cradling Seraphina in his arms. “Seraphina! Are you okay? What happened?” Seraphina shed tears, full of grievance. “Rhys, our wedding is almost here, and rather than something store-bought, I prefer something you made yourself, so I came to ask my sister for it.” “But who would have thought, she actually attacked me directly.” Hearing this, Rhys’s expression froze, and his body involuntarily stiffened. “You still have this ring?” Sensing the glimmer of hope in Rhys’s eyes, I gritted my teeth and cruelly threw the ring on the ground. My venomous words fell with the pain in my heart. “It’s just a piece of junk made of scrap metal. Seraphina can take it if she wants.” No one noticed that my hand was already bleeding from where I had gripped it so hard. Rhys gave a self-mocking laugh, putting the ring back in his pocket. “Yes, what’s this piece of junk worth?” “Seraphina, don’t worry, I’ll buy you the most dazzling diamond ring in the world, and you’ll be the happiest bride.” Seraphina was moved to tears. He helped Seraphina up, checked carefully to make sure she wasn’t hurt, then said in a deep voice. “You should be grateful Seraphina wasn’t injured this time. Otherwise, if you ruined our wedding, I would make you pay the price!” With that, he put his arm around Seraphina and left without a backward glance. I watched their retreating figures, my heart numb with pain. I just wanted to leave quickly, to accept death and end all of this. I told Alistair Leo my intentions, and after getting his approval, I began to pack my bags. My belongings were pitifully few; a small bag was enough to hold everything. I was leaving completely tomorrow, and my heart was filled with mixed emotions. Just then, I received a message from Rhys. “Tomorrow is Seraphina and my wedding day. As her sister, you should offer your blessings. If you attend the wedding, all the things you did to hurt Seraphina before will be forgiven.” I didn’t reply. Their wedding, I wouldn’t and couldn’t go. I handed the card, which still had two hundred million on it, to the assistant. “Please give this to Seraphina tomorrow. Consider it my wedding gift to her.” “From now on, I owe nothing.” With that, I deleted all my contact information in the country. The next morning, I boarded Alistair Leo’s private jet. At the wedding venue, the ceremony was about to begin, but my figure was nowhere to be seen. Seraphina said, somewhat plaintively. “Rhys, Sister hasn’t arrived so late; could it be that she’s still angry with me and isn’t coming?” Rhys frowned slightly, squeezing her hand. “Don’t worry, she wouldn’t dare. She’ll definitely come.” With that, he walked aside and sent me several texts, none of which received a reply. Annoyed, he directly dialed my number, but it went unanswered. Rhys felt an inexplicable panic, as if something was slipping from his control. The emcee beside them urged the couple to come on stage. Seraphina, holding his arm, suggested they go on stage first. Rhys could only agree, intending to deal with me after the wedding. Just as they were about to exchange rings, the assistant pushed open the grand hall doors, his voice trembling. “Young Master, it’s bad! Miss Davis… she’s been taken by the Leo Corporation!” Chapter 9 Rhys’s heart leaped, but he quickly regained his composure. “The Leo Corporation’s partner has already been switched to Seraphina. Why would they take her?”

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My life changed course at sixteen when I met Leo Hayes. By twenty-four, I was his wife. On our wedding night, we left traces of our passion everywhere—the living room, the kitchen, the bay window. My throat went raw from screaming, but he only pushed harder, refusing to let me go. For three years, Leo couldn’t get enough of me. Until one day, he was caught in a sudden fire, leaving me utterly alone. Heartbroken, I mourned him fiercely. Yet, a month later, at a grand banquet, I saw my supposedly dead husband! I’d only stepped away to use the restroom, but from inside a stall, I heard a woman’s soft moans. Peeking down, I saw men’s dress shoes and women’s high heels intertwined beneath the door. “Leo… seeing how frail Alice looks… are you regretting faking your death to run off with me?” It was meant as a question, but her low groans laced it with a seductive charm. “Baby… what are you even saying?” Leo chuckled softly, whispering, “She’s nowhere near as adventurous as you, nowhere near as uninhibited. She doesn’t have your wild, intoxicating charm.” My pupils constricted sharply, my breath caught in my throat. I stood rooted to the spot, my mind a blank. Only after they finished did the horrifying truth finally sink in. That night, I erased every trace of Leo from our home. Then, I knocked on the door of Alexander Sterling, the heir to one of the country’s most powerful empires. “I’m completely over Leo. Marry me.” The next day, news of my impending marriage to Alexander Sterling spread like wildfire across the city. The ‘dead’ Leo, upon hearing it, went absolutely insane, calling me a thousand times.

My legs felt like lead as I slowly dragged myself out of the restroom. From a dim corner, a voice I knew all too well echoed, tinged with faint mockery: “Alice still crying every day?” The man’s figure was hidden in the shadows, indistinct. Yet, the moment Jake Morgan, Leo’s best friend, spoke, I knew it was Leo—the man who had ‘died’ a month ago. “Leo, Alice has been heartbroken this past month. If we hadn’t stopped her, she probably would have followed you to the grave!” “Are you… really going to abandon Alice for Chloe Miller?” Leo’s tone was casual: “Just keep comforting her for me for now…” Another friend, Mark Evans, whispered from beside him: “Leo, you haven’t actually fallen for Chloe, have you?” “You faked your death just to chase her back from abroad, and made us all go along with your charade.” I clenched my hands tightly, my body trembling uncontrollably. Leo’s voice cut through the air again. “Whether I’ve fallen for her or not is none of your business. Just keep it from her.” Jake frowned: “But Alice, she…” “She relies on me too much,” Leo interrupted. “It’s not good for her in the long run.” Mark tentatively asked, “So when are you planning to tell Alice the truth?” “No rush,” he said, turning, his voice languid. “I’ll tell her when I get bored of Chloe.” “It’s not every day I get an opportunity like this. It would be a waste not to have some fun, wouldn’t it?” The three men exchanged knowing smiles. A chill seeped from the top of my head straight to my core, making me tremble uncontrollably. I had prayed countless times for Leo to come back to life. But never in this twisted way. I didn’t rush out to confront them. Instead, I turned and discreetly walked away. But at the corner, I accidentally bumped into a woman. She caught me before I could fall, asking softly, “Madam, are you alright?” At the sound of her voice, my body stiffened. It was her. The woman who shamelessly engaged with Leo in the restroom, the same Chloe Miller that Jake and Mark had mentioned. The moment I looked up, she visibly faltered. Then, she subtly sized me up, a faint sneer playing on her lips. I knew she recognized me. Feigning ignorance, I offered a quiet thank you and left. Back home, I stared at the woman in the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes, bloodshot gaze, utterly ravaged. I splashed water on my face, trying to wake myself up. A month ago. Leo’s company building was suddenly engulfed in flames. When I arrived at the scene, glass shards rained down from the inferno, the entire building a giant torch. I clung to the barrier in front of the blaze, watching firefighters rescue survivors batch after batch, but Leo was nowhere to be found. When Jake and Mark were finally carried out, their faces were etched with grief as they clutched my hands: “Leo… he’s dead… it’s all our fault. If he hadn’t saved us, he wouldn’t have… gone.” I tried desperately to rush into the fire, but firefighters held me back firmly. Even when they told me Leo had perished, a sliver of hope still clung to my heart. Hours later, firefighters finally found a body in the rubble. It was burned beyond recognition. But the diamond ring on its ring finger, a symbol of our love, confirmed it was my Leo. In that moment, I felt my world collapse. Overwhelmed by grief, I fainted. Now, they tell me it was all a charade. My heartbreak, from start to finish, was just a cruel joke. How utterly ironic!

Late that night, my phone suddenly rang. I stared at the unfamiliar number, already knowing the answer. But I answered anyway, and immediately heard his familiar, cloying voice. The man demanded that the woman on the other end admit he was her most beloved. Her voice grew more excited, each cry louder than the last. I listened in a daze, until after what felt like an eternity, the woman’s syrupy voice asked Leo, “Leo, who do you truly have in your heart—me or Alice?” Leo panted, “Of course it’s you… I faked my death and ran off with you, isn’t that proof enough?” My heart clenched. Even though I knew the whole truth, it was still shattered into a million pieces. Leo and I had known each other since we were sixteen. Back then, my parents had already found a suitable match for a strategic alliance: Alexander Sterling, the heir of the powerful Sterling family. But I didn’t want to marry him. My parents’ marriage had always been transactional. Growing up, I watched them feign affection in public, only to bring different partners home in private. Their rare moments together were filled with endless arguments and mutual accusations. I was sick of such a hypocritical and broken family dynamic, so I strongly resisted any arranged marriage. That year, Leo transferred to our class and became my deskmate. During my lowest moments, he approached me like a happy puppy, wagging his tail, full of boundless energy. So, when he confessed his feelings, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. We went from high school sweethearts to husband and wife, becoming an enviable couple in everyone’s eyes. They all said we were a real-life campus romance, and I immersed myself in those words, believing I had found true love. Little did I know, the person I thought would never betray me had, at some point, started another life, another home, with another woman. He even faked his death to run off with her. Sleepless through the night, I mercilessly discarded all of Leo’s belongings. Those things I once cherished now felt like garbage. Every corner of the house was meticulously cleaned, scrubbing away every trace of his existence. I used the phone number to search for Chloe Miller’s SnapChat account. Unsurprisingly, she accepted my request. Browsing her posts, I realized she had often been right under my nose. Chloe used to be Leo’s secretary. Her latest SnapChat update was from a month ago. The photo showed a pair of lovers, windswept and weary, embracing on a foreign street. The caption read: [That year, he chose true love, willing to throw everything away just to run off with me.] Jake Morgan and Mark Evans had both commented below: [Cheers to Chloe and Leo, forever and always!] [Chloe, Leo made huge sacrifices for you. You better make it up to him, big time~] Leo replied to Mark’s comment: [Her ‘repayment’ is beyond amazing, fills me up every single day.] Chloe replied with two words: [You’re awful.] The further I scrolled through her SnapChat, the more I glimpsed the intimate details of their life together. Leo often held Chloe, softly singing her to sleep. Despite a hint of reluctance on his face, his eyes were full of doting affection. His so-called business trips always included Chloe. Those nights I thought he was working late were actually spent in another woman’s embrace. Once, I’d urged him not to work so hard. He just said firmly, “I don’t want anyone thinking I’m just living off my wife’s money. I’m going to make so much money that everyone will envy you for having such a capable husband!” Five minutes before the ‘accident,’ Leo had sent me a message: [No matter what happens, I will always love you.] That message had brought me to tears every time I read it over the past month. Now, all of it burst like a bubble, gone in an instant.

I listed this house, which held countless memories of Leo and me, for sale. Less than an hour after it went up on the real estate platform, Jake’s call came through. “Alice, I heard you’re selling the house?” His voice was laced with surprise, but in the background, I faintly heard Leo’s voice: “Ask her why she’s suddenly selling… that’s our marital home.” I took a deep breath, my voice surprisingly calm: “Leo’s dead. I have to move on with my life.” A few seconds of silence followed on the other end, then I heard Jake’s voice, hushed: “What about Leo? Alice says she’s moving on.” Leo nonchalantly replied: “She loves me too much. How could she ever move on?” “If she sells the house, she sells it. We’re not short on property anyway.” Jake said, “Alright, I won’t try to persuade her then.” I heard it all, clenching my fists. Leo, I don’t need you! Jake cleared his throat, raising his voice: “Alice…” I hung up immediately. After packing my belongings, my best friend, Lucy Sterling, called a moving company for me. “Alice, are you really okay?” she asked cautiously. She still vividly remembered my heart-wrenching sobs from a few days ago. I shook my head gently. “I’m fine. I just hope to find a new place soon and get out of this dreadful house.” Suddenly, she remembered something. “My brother has a house. He hasn’t lived in it since he went abroad. Why don’t you stay there for a while?” I frowned slightly: “Alex Sterling’s house? No, thanks.” Lucy shook my arm, persuading me: “Come on. My brother went abroad after you married Leo. He hasn’t been back in years, what are you afraid of?” I looked down slightly, embarrassed to tell her. Actually, Alex had texted me a month ago. But I was so consumed by Leo’s death that I hadn’t replied. After a moment’s thought, I politely responded to his message— [The dead can’t come back to life. Take care of yourself.] [Thank you.] He replied instantly: [Don’t be too sad. He’s not worth your tears.] I paused, then suddenly remembered the day Leo proposed to me. He’d asked me to meet under the cherry blossom tree near the school building. The wind was particularly strong that day. As I brushed the hair from my face, I saw Alex. He stood in the hallway, his deep eyes fixed on me. I glanced at him, then smiled and accepted Leo’s proposal. When I looked back in his direction, he was gritting his teeth, glaring furiously at Leo, before turning and storming away. Shaking off the memories. My packing was almost done. On the bedside table sat a photo of Leo and me. I ripped it without hesitation and threw it in the trash. He might not be dead, but in my heart, he was. When Jake and Mark arrived, my last box was already loaded onto the truck. “Alice, if you ever need anything, just say the word.” I remained expressionless. “No need.” Jake and Mark argued in hushed tones. Finally, Mark spoke: “Actually, Alice, you might be right. Leo might still be alive…” “The police still haven’t confirmed that body was Leo’s. Maybe if we wait patiently, there will be good news.” I scoffed inwardly. Did Leo really think I’d be desperate enough to die for him, and send his friends to give me false hope? How ridiculous! I knew Leo’s petty games. All he wanted was for me to pine for him forever. Dream on.

I actually owned a few properties myself, but they were all currently rented out. I couldn’t just kick out tenants because I needed a place to stay. So I accepted Lucy’s suggestion and temporarily moved into Alex Sterling’s vacant house. When Lucy handed me the keys, I asked again, still a little worried, “Your brother won’t suddenly come back, will he?” “No, he won’t. I just asked him recently, and he said he has no plans to return for now.” “Besides, if he does suddenly come back, you can just move in with me back at the Sterling family estate.” That evening, Lucy invited me for a drink at a bar. A few drinks in, I spotted Jake and Mark. Chloe was with them. As for Leo, I wasn’t sure where he was hiding. I pretended not to see them and turned my head. But out of the corner of my eye, I caught Chloe raising an eyebrow, a faint, mocking smirk on her lips as she stared at me. “What’s wrong? See someone you know?” Lucy asked, following my gaze. I took a sip of my drink, calmly replying, “Nothing. Just someone I’d rather not see.” Feeling the alcohol, I rushed to the restroom. Right at the entrance, I bumped into Chloe. Her chin was slightly lifted, her eyes filled with obvious disdain, and she let out a cold snort. I walked past her without a word, but she suddenly flashed a knowing smile. As I was about to leave the restroom, the scene reflected in the crack under the door made me freeze instantly—Chloe was wrapped tightly around Leo from behind, her hands tracing over his body. “Leo, don’t be in such a hurry to leave.” Her voice was laced with seduction. Leo’s brow was furrowed: “This isn’t appropriate. Let’s go somewhere else.” But Chloe paid no mind. Instead, she took his hand, guiding it to her intimate parts. A smirk played at the corner of her eye as she stood on tiptoe and whispered hotly into his ear. “Leo, it’s much more exciting here. Don’t you want to try?” Leo’s eyes glazed over, succumbing to the irresistible temptation. In the dim light by the restroom, their entwined figures flickered in and out of the shadows, the air thick with their intimacy. Chloe savored Leo’s rising passion, her gaze occasionally flicking towards the restroom door. She caught a glimpse of my silhouette, and a triumphant smile curved her lips. I bit down hard on my lower lip, trying to compose myself. It’s just a quick fling, it’ll be over soon. Just a minute or two, I can handle it. After their footsteps faded, my phone suddenly vibrated. The screen lit up, and a line of text pierced my eyes like a needle: [He loves me so much. Can you feel it?] My heart still ached, but Chloe’s provocation, ironically, became the remedy that ripped Leo from my heart by the roots. It was excruciatingly painful, yet incredibly effective. My sorrow was slowly replaced by disgust. After a few more drinks at the bar, I returned home late. The alcohol briefly numbed my brain, making me miss the subtle changes in the house. My head spinning, I walked up to the second floor. After washing up, I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. I pushed open my room door and dove straight into bed. But the temperature under the covers felt off. Instinctively, I reached out and touched a scorching hot body. I shot upright. “Who’s there?” *Click*. The lights came on. The man squinted, his eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness. When he saw me, his gaze lingered. “Alice?” My mind felt sluggish. It took me a long moment to respond. “Alex Sterling? What are you doing here?” I rubbed my throbbing temples, trying to clear the fog from my thoughts. “This is my room,” he said, his tone flat, yet with a hint of subtle concern. “Drinking?” I nodded, explaining, “Sorry, I drank too much. I must have walked into the wrong room.” With that, I fumbled to get out of bed. But Alex suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist, his voice low: “Since you’re here, don’t be in such a hurry to leave.” “We have some scores to settle.” Hearing his words, the image of Leo and Chloe together flashed in my mind. A strange impulse surged through me, overriding my reason. “Alex, marry me.” ———-此处为截断点———- Alex’s eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting such an abrupt proposal. The grip on my wrist eased slightly, but he didn’t let go. “You’re drunk,” he said in a low voice, a hint of scrutiny in his tone.

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Ever since Asher Vance learned that a mermaid heart could cure all illnesses, he had my heart surgically removed nine times to treat his beloved Blair. The ninth time, I wept and begged him. “Please, no, I’ll die.” But he kicked me aside like I was nothing more than a stray dog, his eyes brimming with undisguised contempt. “Don’t mermaids have infinite healing? You bounced back the last eight times. Who are you putting on a show for now? And if you dare run to Grandpa Edward, you’ll regret it.” With that, he glared at me in warning, then wrapped an arm around Blair and turned, walking away, utterly uncaring if I lived or died. When Grandpa Edward found me, my entire body was slowly beginning to fade, becoming translucent. I looked up weakly at the trembling old man and whispered, my voice faint: “Your ancestors saved me nine times. I promised to protect your family for nine generations. But now, my power, built over nine lifetimes, is completely depleted, and my life is fading fast. Please, let me go.”

“Coralia, you can’t leave us! If something happens to you, what will become of our family? How will we survive?” Grandpa Edward Vance watched my body, swaying unsteadily. He immediately summoned all the family’s private medical team, instructing them to cure me at all costs. But after the last doctor finished examining me, he sighed and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Vance, but her heart has been removed. There’s nothing more we can do. It’s best to prepare for the worst.” As he spoke, Grandpa Edward looked at me as if struck by a heavy hammer, stunned. Then he fell to his knees, pleading. “Coralia, I know my wretched grandson is a monster, but please, for the sake of our family’s history, forgive him this once. You promised to protect the Vance family for nine generations, and this is only the third!” “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to rein in that ungrateful grandson of mine. As for that conniving woman, I’ll kick her out as soon as possible. I’ll set things right for you.” Listening to him, I slowly raised my arm, which was already beginning to fade. I gave a bitter laugh, Asher’s face flashing in my mind from the first time he spoke such cruel words to me. His eyes had been full of resentment and disgust. “You monster, it’s an honor for your heart to save Blair. Otherwise, I would have tossed you back into the ocean ages ago.” “Someone! Quick, put Coralia back in saltwater!” Seeing my body begin to fade, Grandpa Edward hurriedly ordered them to carry me into the water. I am a mermaid, and saltwater helps me recover. But the moment I entered the water, I felt a searing, tearing pain course through my entire body. The intense agony made me let out a suppressed moan. I knew this was freshwater. Staying in freshwater for too long would surely kill me, but I didn’t intend to call for help. Perhaps it would be better to simply die like this. I was born from the water, and I would die in the water. With that thought, I stopped resisting, letting the freshwater burn my limbs. On the shore, Grandpa Edward saw no reaction from me after a long while, and a pained expression flickered across his pale face. He suddenly felt something was very wrong. He stirred the water with his hand, then cried out in horror: “Who on earth would replace the saltwater with freshwater?! What monster did this?!”

He quickly ordered his men to pull me out of the water, but it was too late. While saltwater was a sacred balm for mermaids, freshwater was a deadly poison to me. Just a short time submerged in it, and my body’s fading had become significantly worse. I probably only had two or three days left. “Hahaha, this is fun, really fun!” A cheerful, bell-like voice drifted from not far away. Blair was skipping happily, her face alight with excitement. Asher stood beside her, stroking her head, his gaze full of doting affection! At last, Grandpa Edward knew who had swapped the water. He leaned on his cane and stormed over, slapping Asher across the face, looking at him with a mix of fury and crushing disappointment. “You ungrateful son! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Coralia is the protector of our family! If she’s gone, do you know what the Vance family will face? Even you…” But before Grandpa Edward could continue, Asher turned his head, his eyes burning with resentment. “Even I was saved by her? Enough! I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that pathetic lie. If it weren’t for Blair, I’d still be in the dark. Blair saved me, not this ugly monster mermaid.” Towards the end, Asher grabbed Grandpa Edward’s shoulders, roaring: “Grandpa, the Vance family’s success today is thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, not her, Coralia! She’s just a monster! When will you wake up?!” Finished, Asher pulled Blair and walked away. As he left, his eyes flickered towards me, full of disgust. Watching Asher’s retreating figure, Grandpa Edward wanted to say more but ultimately couldn’t. He glanced at me, his body trembling slightly, almost losing his balance. At the same time, a silent decision seemed to form in his heart. That night, Grandpa Edward had Blair tied up and placed her on a hospital bed next to mine. Blair, bound and gagged, struggled violently, but the doctors showed no intention of stopping. I finally understood what Grandpa Edward meant by “setting things right for me.” He intended to return my heart. Lying on the bed, I calmly accepted everything. But before the doctors could do much, the door was kicked open. Asher burst in, his face grim. Before the doctor could speak, Asher slammed him to the ground and cradled the terrified, unconscious Blair in his arms. “Blair, are you okay?” Seeing no wounds on her, Asher finally exhaled in relief. Then, his eyes turned terrifyingly cold as they fixed on me. “Coralia, I really underestimated you. Blair’s kidneys have been acting up; this is a good opportunity. We’ll just take yours. You won’t die, anyway!” He ordered the doctors to begin immediately. Seeing his demeanor, they dared not disobey and quietly complied. I felt the cold blade slice into my body. The excruciating pain made me cry out, then my vision went black, and I passed out. When I awoke, I found myself lying in saltwater. The soothing water gradually made my pain disappear. Then, a large hand suddenly pulled me from the pool. I looked up and saw it was Asher. But at this moment, Asher’s eyes were chillingly fierce. He gripped my neck, glaring at me savagely. “Tell me, what did you do to Blair? Why did she faint?” The intense suffocating sensation made it impossible for me to speak. I calmly looked at him, not struggling at all. This stillness made Asher pause. Then, he noticed my hand, already semi-transparent. His face instantly changed, and he gently lowered me. “Coralia, your hand…” But before he could inquire further, urgent shouts from the family’s private medical team came from outside. “Mr. Vance, Mrs. Vance’s rejection symptoms are getting worse!” Those words made Asher’s face darken again. He grabbed me and threw me into the main hall. He pressed me onto a blood-drawing table and urgently told the doctors: “Since it’s *her* heart, then use *her* blood. Keep drawing! You stop only when Blair’s rejection symptoms disappear!” Following Asher’s command, a doctor rolled up my sleeve and began drawing blood. As they continued, my blood was barely more than a pale trickle. I lay on the table, my clothes drenched in sweat. “Mr. Vance, we can’t draw any more! She’ll be in danger!” The doctor quickly stood up to dissuade him, but Asher merely glanced at me, his impatient voice coming from above my head. “Mermaid blood is regenerative. Who are you trying to fool? I said, keep drawing. Don’t stop until Blair’s rejection symptoms are gone.” Seeing Asher’s resolve, the doctor resumed. As my consciousness gradually blurred, my vision went black, and I fainted. In the last moments before my awareness dissolved, I saw a trace of panic in Asher’s eyes. “How can this be? Isn’t mermaid blood regenerative? Why is she fainting?”

When I woke up, I found myself lying on the floor. Asher was carefully holding a bowl of porridge, personally spoon-feeding Blair, his movements so gentle, afraid of scalding her. Noticing I was awake, Asher merely glanced at me, his cold voice coming from the side. “Awake? There’s porridge on the table; go eat it. You’re getting off easy.” Smelling the fragrant porridge on the table, I tried to get up but immediately lost my balance and fell to the floor. The loud crash startled Blair, and she fearfully shrank behind Asher. Asher’s face immediately darkened. “So what if we took a little blood? You gave your heart for Blair. A bit of blood and you’re acting like you’re dying? You’ll heal anyway. Who are you putting on a show for?” “Don’t worry, the Vance family is vast and prosperous; we’ll provide for you for the rest of your life.” I ignored his words, my eyes fixed on my feet. They were even more translucent than before. I probably had only one more day before my life would truly end. Seeing my lack of reaction, Asher’s face grew even uglier. He started to rush over to scold me but tripped, falling to the ground with a yelp of pain. “What’s wrong?” He stood up and touched his forehead, discovering a large gash that was bleeding profusely. Before he could speak, a violent coughing fit wracked him for a long moment. I knew. This was the Vance family’s luck running out, a karmic debt coming due. This was just the beginning. The Vance family built their fortune on the ocean, and over the years, they had plundered countless marine lives. Their luck should have run out ages ago. Asher’s previous brush with death was an example. Back then, Asher, young and impulsive, insisted on going out to sea alone but encountered an unprecedented storm and was trapped at sea for half a month. In the end, it was Grandpa Edward who begged me to save Asher’s life. At that time, I was at a critical stage of my transformation, but I still agreed to save him. When I found Asher, he was already unconscious, his boat nearly capsized by the waves. I used my nine lifetimes of accumulated power to fight the storm and ultimately brought Asher back. But because of that, I was never able to complete my transformation, remaining in this half-human, half-fish form. When Asher awoke and learned that I had saved him, he didn’t scorn my mermaid form. Instead, he knelt before me and declared: “No matter if you are human or mermaid, Coralia, I will marry no one but you in this life.” I looked into Asher’s resolute eyes, and an inexplicable emotion arose within me. It was the first time I’d felt such a thing since the day I was born. Later, I learned it was called love.

In the beginning, Asher was wonderful to me. We spent every moment glued together, and I felt that a lifetime like that wouldn’t be bad at all. But when Blair appeared, Asher’s attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. He personally tore the sweater I’d knitted for him to shreds and glared at me fiercely. “Blair was the one who saved me, but you stole all the credit for yourself. How can your heart be so malicious? A monster truly is a monster.” From that day on, Asher ignored me more and more. Blair’s health was fragile, and he somehow heard that a mermaid’s heart could cure all illnesses. That was when Asher started targeting me. For her, he had my heart removed nine times! “I hope this isn’t your doing. Otherwise, don’t blame me for what I do next.” Asher’s thoughts pulled me back to reality. He took Blair’s hand and left the room. As he went, he glanced at me, the warning in his eyes unmistakable. Watching their retreating backs, I looked at my current state. My feet were almost transparent, and even my body was slowly becoming translucent. Asher, I’m like this, and you’re *still* suspicious of me? This sudden ache in my heart was more painful than all the nine times he took my heart. I painfully crawled to the bathroom and filled the tub with freshwater. Gazing at the calm water, I knew what awaited me, but I didn’t hesitate. I plunged in. The intense burning sensation tore at my body, but my mind and soul felt an unprecedented sense of peace. I even saw my mother, who had already ascended, waving to me, a serene smile on her face. As mist rose, my body gradually dissolved into foam. The moment my body completely turned to foam, dark clouds gathered above the Vance family estate. Bolts of lightning surged within them. In a nearby wing, Grandpa Edward’s face instantly turned ashen. As if sensing something dire, his dragon-headed cane clattered to the floor. “It’s here. The Vance family’s reckoning has come.” He rushed out with a group of bodyguards, desperately searching for Asher, who was outside, asking him where I was. Asher initially didn’t want to tell him, but seeing Grandpa Edward’s face, dark as a pot bottom, he finally led them to the room. But by then, the room was empty. Asher’s face fell. Just then, the sound of water from the bathroom caught everyone’s attention. A dreadful feeling surged in their hearts. Pushing open the door, they saw the last trace of my body dissolving into foam. At this sight, Grandpa Edward collapsed to his knees, clutching the bathtub, crying out in anguish. Asher, meanwhile, stood rooted to the spot, muttering: “No… Mermaids can heal, can’t they? How could she die? This can’t be real!” At the same time, Grandpa Edward’s phone began to ring. He answered, and his secretary’s frantic voice came through—a Vance family property had suddenly faced catastrophic financial ruin, losing hundreds of millions.

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In this world, every human turns eighteen and gets to choose a Beastkin. In my last life, my parents always favored my older sister. They brought her a Merman whose tears could turn into pearls. I, on the other hand, chose an utterly ordinary white cat Beastkin. Then, the high-temperature apocalypse hit. The entire world was plunged into chaos, resources became scarce, and everyone fended for themselves. The Merman’s pearls, no matter how many there were, couldn’t buy a single cup of ice water. But my white cat Beastkin had nine lives. He braved the scorching heat, venturing out to find supplies for me. My sister, Blair, hated me with a vengeance. She killed both me and my white cat Beastkin, devouring our flesh and drinking our blood. When I was reborn, Blair immediately snatched the white cat, leaving the Merman for me. But she didn’t know this: A cat might have nine lives, but with each death, its hatred for humanity grows stronger. “I want the white cat Beastkin!” The moment my eyes fluttered open, I heard my sister Blair’s voice. Hearing her choose something completely different from my last life, I knew she had been reborn too. Last time, at the Beastkin Selection Center, Blair had her eyes fixed on the exceptionally handsome Merman. Merfolk were beautiful; they could differentiate their gender according to their owner’s wishes, their tears turned into pearls, and their scales were worth a fortune. My parents knew how many people wanted Merfolk, so they pulled some strings at the selection center, just to ensure Blair could successfully bring a Merman home. As for me? My parents didn’t even spare me a glance. In the end, I chose a white cat Beastkin nobody else wanted. Right after we’d chosen our Beastkins, the high-temperature apocalypse struck. Global temperatures soared, reaching up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). Our entire family was trapped indoors, and Blair’s prized pearls became utterly worthless. They couldn’t even buy a single glass of ice water. Moreover, Merfolk needed to live in water. Under the extreme heat, rivers dried up, tap water stopped flowing, and the Merman became nothing but a burden. Just as Blair was on the brink of dying from thirst, she discovered I was enjoying ice water and popsicles. That’s because my white cat Beastkin had nine lives. He could endure the scorching heat outside to scavenge supplies for me. She lured me and the white cat Beastkin back home, drained our blood, guzzling it down, then carved off our flesh to eat. “Why would you pick that cat? It’s useless,” my parents said, confused. Blair, however, clung to my parents’ arms, pouting playfully. “I want that white cat! Look how pathetic he is; nobody else is choosing him.” Hearing this, my parents’ faces softened with a complacent smile. “My darling is so kind-hearted.” Then, their tone shifted. “But the Merman is what we specifically chose for you, honey. Are you sure you don’t want it?” The money they’d spent pulling strings was already out. If Blair didn’t take the Merman, that money would be completely wasted, like throwing it into the ocean without even a splash. “Then give the Merman to Alice,” my dad, Richard, declared. “She hasn’t chosen yet anyway.” I quickly waved my hands. “How can I? The Merman is an S-tier Beastkin! I couldn’t possibly accept it.” Beastkins also had tiers. Rare species like Merfolk and White Tigers were S-tier, while common ones like cats and dogs were B-tier. Blair, like me, was reborn. Right now, she was probably gnashing her teeth in hatred, determined to get her revenge this time. So, today, I *had* to take that Merman. “How can you be so stupid? The best Merman, and you don’t want it? What do you want then? What if someone else snatches it away? What will you do then?!” My dad quickly chimed in. Given that, I stopped pretending to refuse and chose the Merman. Blair and I took our respective Beastkin ID cards to the registration office. A flicker of madness crossed her eyes. “Sister, this Merman is all yours. It needs a massive amount of water every day, or it will die.” I smiled and nodded. “Of course, Blair. I’ll take good care of it.” After registration, we returned home with our Beastkins. The Merman hadn’t differentiated its gender yet. It lay in a glass tank, bored, blowing bubbles. Its long, dark hair was like smooth, lustrous satin. When it saw me approach, it quickly flipped over. “Are you my owner?” I shook my head. Neither in my past life nor this one did I like the term “owner.” Even though they were Beastkins, they spoke and communicated just like us humans. Their lifespans were also much longer. In some ways, they were even more advanced than us. “Don’t call me owner. Just call me Alice. From now on, we’re friends, companions.” To survive the apocalypse, I needed a companion.

Lumi, the Merman, nodded, seeming to understand and yet not. Its beautiful fishtail reached out of the tank and hooked my hand. “Okay, Alice.” “Give me a name from your human world, please. Also, I haven’t differentiated my gender yet. Do you want me to be male or female?” I gently stroked its tail. Under the light, its scales shimmered with a pale golden glow, like the most exquisite jewels in the world. “You can be Lumi. As for gender, you decide. I won’t interfere.” In my last life, under Blair’s command, Lumi had differentiated into a female Merman. Lumi nodded emphatically at my words. “Alright, I’ll be Lumi.” Lumi retracted its tail and, pulling off a scale, offered it to me. “I see you humans have welcome gifts. This is for you.” I smiled and accepted the scale. Merfolk were rare, and their scales were priceless on the black market. However, I had no intention of selling this one. I took Lumi home. Merfolk could leave water, but they needed to stay fully hydrated and ideally shouldn’t be out of water for more than four hours. As I reached the front door, I saw my belongings strewn outside. Blair opened the door, holding the awards and certificates I’d earned from school over the years. “Oh, sister, you’re back!” A mocking smile played on her lips as she raised her hand. “Mom said your room is for Snowball now. You and your Merman can move out.” With that, she ripped all my certificates into tiny pieces. I pushed past her, my face emotionless, and walked inside. The room I lived in at home was already the smallest storage room. Now, they were taking away even my last bit of living space. And it was perfect timing, too. I was eighteen now. Even if I called the police, no one would stand up for me. Blair was clearly dead set on making me die. I walked up to my dad, Richard. “You want to kick me out? Fine. But you need to give me money for rent.” Richard looked at me indifferently, as if I were a stranger. “Want money? You’re eighteen now, you should be out making your own way.” I glanced at my mom, Susan, who was sitting on the other end of the sofa. “Is that what you think too?” The two people on the sofa, my biological parents, felt more distant than strangers at that moment. After everything that happened in my last life, I thought I wouldn’t feel pain anymore. But right now, my heart still ached. I pinched myself hard. This wasn’t the time for sentiment. “Sister, you’re an adult now. Why are you still asking Mom and Dad for money? They’ve already worked so hard to raise us. You can’t be an ungrateful wretch!” “We only had you because Blair said she wanted a little sister to play with. Otherwise, why do you think you were born? We gave you life, you should be grateful!” my dad said dismissively. How ridiculous. A human life, spoken of as if it were a toy found on the street. So my existence was merely for Blair’s amusement. “If you don’t give me money, I’ll go cause a scene at your office.” Time was tight, so there was no need to argue. My demand was simple: money. My dad had a stable government job and valued his reputation above all else. If I wrote a complaint letter, he might face far greater consequences. Thinking this, he turned back into the house, pulled out his wallet, and threw all the banknotes onto the floor. “Take the money, and get out!” I knelt down and quickly picked up the cash, not missing a single coin. The front door slammed shut with a “bang!” and I left that place with Lumi. The high-temperature apocalypse was coming soon. I needed to find a place to stay first.

I immediately found a real estate agent. The apartment didn’t need to be big, but it absolutely had to have a bathtub. Because I was in a hurry, the agent promptly took me to view properties. Since I didn’t have much money, the agent eventually showed me a top-floor apartment. The place was fully furnished, and the bathtub was large, but the price was significantly cheaper than others in the same building. I knew there was something fishy, so I kept pressing. Finally, the agent reluctantly revealed the reason: “The previous tenant had some issues with her boyfriend. She killed him and put him in the fridge. But don’t worry, the landlord has replaced the fridge. This one is brand new.” So, it was a haunted house. I understood now. I immediately put on a troubled expression. “My God, someone died here! Why didn’t you say so earlier? Are you trying to rip me off?!” I said, feigning to walk out. The agent quickly stopped me. “We just found out ourselves a while ago. The landlord even kept it from us. If the neighbors hadn’t said something, we’d still be in the dark. Now, this place has had over a dozen showings, and nobody wants it. If you rent it, I’ll go back to the landlord and negotiate the price for you.” A haunted house? What was that compared to my sister, Blair, who in my last life dared to eat human flesh and drink human blood? The most terrifying things aren’t the dead, but the living. The landlord originally wanted a security deposit equal to three months’ rent, but thanks to the agent’s gift of gab, I ended up renting it with just a security deposit equal to one month’s rent. Watching the agent breathe a sigh of relief, he collected the money and immediately left the apartment as if a ghost were chasing him. It was getting late. I filled the bathtub with water and gently placed Lumi inside. I squatted down, looking into its beautiful blue eyes. “Lumi, you might have a tough night tonight.” The little Merman nodded obediently. “What do you want me to do?” I walked to the living room, brought over a small stool, and sat beside the bathtub. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay with you. Your only task tonight is to cry.” Mermen’s tears turned into pearls. Merman pearls were different from ordinary pearls—they were richer in color, much larger, and naturally, far more valuable. The little money my dad gave me was already spent on rent. Before the apocalypse arrived, I had to save enough money, or else I’d still face a dead end. I found a few movies that had made countless netizens cry and started playing them. Lumi and I began watching. The movies brought tears not only to the Merman’s eyes but to mine as well. All night long, we watched over a dozen movies, crying harder and harder. By dawn, my eyes were swollen to mere slits, and the bathtub was filled with Merman pearls of all sizes. “Alice, do you still need tears?” After watching movies all night, Lumi was exhausted but still managed to ask, summoning its last bit of energy. “Not for now. If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep.” I splashed cold water on my face to wake myself up. “Actually, if you need money, you can take my scales. My scales are very valuable.” Saying this, it reached out to pull a scale from its tail. I immediately stopped it. “No. Unless they fall off naturally, I won’t take them.” Pulling a Merman’s scale was like tearing human muscles and stripping bones. I wasn’t that desperate for money yet. “Okay. Just tell me if you need more tears, I can still…” Before it could finish the word “cry,” Lumi rested its head on the edge of the tub and fell asleep. I found a black bag, put all the Merman pearls inside, and headed to the jewelry district. Just as humans had police departments, Beastkins had their own Protection Agency. If I suddenly produced so many Merman pearls, it would certainly cause unnecessary trouble with the Beastkin Protection Agency. Fortunately, Merman pearls were in such high demand on the black market that the supply couldn’t meet demand. They had their ways of making these items bypass investigation. The burly man with the tattooed arm, Big Mike, was inspecting the Merman pearls I brought. To prevent counterfeiting, he meticulously examined each one. “I have a Merman at home. I’ll be selling pearls frequently in the future. Just take them all right away, I won’t compare prices. I’ll only work with you from now on.” Saying this, I pulled out my ID, which showed my Beastkin was indeed a Merman. Big Mike laughed heartily. “Alright, I like straightforward people. I’ll take all these pearls. Come back to me with more.” “However, I see that Merman scale around your neck is even more valuable. Interested in working something out for that?” I had strung the scale Lumi gave me onto a necklace and was wearing it. “Big Mike, scales grow back much slower than Merman pearls. Besides, if I somehow killed my Merman, my loss would be much greater.” Seeing I wasn’t interested, Big Mike weighed the pearls and transferred the money to me.

With the money, I headed straight to the used car market and bought a car. I actually couldn’t drive before, but my parents had enrolled Blair in driving school. Blair complained about the heat, so she made me go learn instead, while she stayed home enjoying the air conditioning. Now, it worked out in my favor. Back in the car, I started thinking about the supplies I needed to prepare. Even though I’d exchanged Merman pearls for a good amount of cash, it was still a bit tight for one person and one Merman. With the high temperatures coming, water was the most important thing. In my last life, the power never went out until I died, so as long as I stayed home and kept the AC running, it shouldn’t be a big problem. But just in case, I still bought a diesel generator for the apartment. I drove straight to the wholesale market, telling the owner I was opening a convenience store and needed to buy a lot of inventory. I compared prices everywhere in the wholesale market and finally found a supplier who gave me the biggest discount. I bought a hundred cases of bottled water in one go, arranging to pick them up over five days. My neighbors knew that someone had died in my apartment, so they usually tried to avoid me. A hundred cases of water was far too much for the apartment, so I moved them to the rooftop terrace. I also replaced the lock on the rooftop door; no one but me could open it. I was busy from dawn until dusk, finally returning home. Hearing me, Lumi happily climbed out of the bathtub. It spoke first. “Alice, why did you buy so much water?” I was a bit surprised. “How did you know I went to buy water?” Lumi, with a hint of pride, tapped its tail. A water mirror suddenly appeared in the air, reflecting my face. I suddenly understood. In my last life, when the apocalypse came, I was also kicked out of the house. But because I had the white cat Beastkin, my survival wasn’t an issue. I’d always wondered how Blair knew I had supplies. It turned out the Merman told her. With this, I could keep tabs on Blair’s movements at any time. “In a while, the temperature will gradually rise. Rivers will dry up, and there’s a high chance the water supply will stop. So, we need to be prepared now.” Hearing that rivers would dry up, Lumi frowned. “Do you still need pearls then? Maybe we should buy more water.” I stroked its head. “I’ll tell you when we need them. I bought some small fish you like. Let’s eat first.” Merfolk lived in the sea and liked fish. They could also eat regular human food. While I could still get live fish, I bought a good amount. Soon, Lumi would have to eat human food just like me. Lumi took the opportunity to rub its head against my palm, like a kitten. “Alice is the best to me.” For the next few days, I was out early and back late, stockpiling supplies. My small apartment was filled with all sorts of provisions. At the same time, I didn’t forget to use Lumi’s water mirror to observe Blair’s side. Having experienced the last life, Blair had also become smarter. She started stockpiling supplies with our parents. But since my parents still had to work, they just gave her money and left the task to her. I watched as she took Mom and Dad’s cards and went to the supermarket with Snowball. She bought whatever she saw, a chaotic assortment of items, then made Snowball carry all the heavy bags back. “Hurry up! You can’t even carry this much? Why do I even keep a useless Beastkin like you?!” Blair stood on the street, barking orders at Snowball. The white cat Beastkin, small and slender, struggled with over a dozen large and small bags, barely keeping up with her pace.

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Lucien, the Alpha Lord of the Lycan territories, was an undeniable tyrant. All shifters feared and avoided him. Yet, I, the Alpha of the Rabbit Clan, seemed to constantly seek him out. Simply because we had grown up together. More importantly, I knew his secret. “Lucien, still nibbling on your tail, are we?” I grinned mischievously, but he lunged, pinning me beneath him. “Dare to speak another word, and I’ll devour you right here, right now!” Lucien, the Alpha Lord of the Lycan territories, was an undeniable tyrant. His sudden move made me laugh. My fingertip pressed against his forehead. “Still love to tussle like we did as pups?” “I am *not* playing with you!” He bared his fangs, aiming for my neck. It was then I realized he was serious. “You can’t eat me! Our two clans signed a peace treaty, remember?” Lucien’s hand stroked my ear, and he closed his eyes, inhaling my scent. When I saw the predatory gleam in his eyes, I raised my hand, ready to use my power to knock him out. But he just smirked, that wicked, charming smile twisting his lips, and a moment later, darkness swallowed me whole. “Threatening me, Hazelwood? You’re getting bolder by the day.” His hand traced my shoulder, sending shivers down my spine, before he effortlessly scooped me up and carried me to his private chambers. He tossed me onto the lavish bed, then summoned a few attendants. “Go, prepare everything needed for a wedding!” he commanded. “A wedding?! Lord Alpha, for whom are you preparing?” A flicker of displeasure crossed Lucien’s face. The other two attendants, terrified, scrambled to obey, rushing out. He, meanwhile, gazed at my unconscious form, then sharpened his fangs. Lucien rose, taking a wedding gown from an attendant. The curious attendant was about to speak again. The other two quickly clapped a hand over his mouth. Candlelight flickered, the chambers now fully adorned. Lucien had changed into his ceremonial wedding robes. But I remained in my simple blue-green dress. Each time Lucien reached for me, I somehow managed to shield myself. The talkative attendant wiped sweat from his brow, the others already cowering in the background. Lucien pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. Seeing them still there, he snapped, “All of you, out! No one is to gossip about this, and no one enters without my express permission!” Terrified, the attendants bowed low and quickly retreated. Just then, I rolled over, and the comforter fell, wrapping itself around me. He let out a frustrated chuckle, then pulled me from the covers, tearing my dress in the process. He swallowed, captivated by a figure that could rival any goddess’s, then dressed me in the wedding gown. “Hiss… my clothes! And this… this is a wedding dress!” Lucien leaned closer, but I pushed against him, struggling desperately, yet unable to move an inch. He gripped my chin, his breath ghosting against my ear. My eyes burned crimson, tears streaming down my face as I fought with all my might. But the more I struggled, the more excited Lucien seemed to become. He rested his head on my shoulder, closing his eyes, seemingly savoring my scent. 2 My fury was so intense I tasted blood. Lucien knocked me unconscious with a single blow, kissed me once, then carried me to his study. He brought me before a massive stone. Taking my hand, he cast a spell, and as he waved it, our names etched themselves onto the Stone of Fates, binding us together. “My Hazelwood, I’ve finally etched our names onto this Stone of Fates.” I immediately awoke, then slapped him. “You’re insane!” The more I protested, the more Lucien seemed to want to claim me by force. I pulled a sharp pin from my hair and lunged, but it stopped a mere inch from his chest. Lucien gripped my hand tightly, then scooped me into his arms and carried me back to the main chamber. He dropped me onto the bed, and I felt utterly drained. “Lucien, you’re despicable!” A wave of dizziness washed over me. The sweet, cloying scent of the incense burner filled the hall, and even Lucien swayed. “An extra ingredient had been added.” I quickly bit my lip, forcing myself to stay conscious. Just as I was about to run, Lucien grabbed my exposed rabbit tail. With a pull, I tumbled back into his embrace. “You’ll face divine retribution for this, Lucien!” A single tear slipped down my cheek as Lucien pinned me, savoring my taste. Dawn broke, and Lucien lay on his side, propped on his elbow, admiring the ‘results’ of the previous night. The moment I woke, I sensed a surge in my spiritual energy, and I lashed out at him with lethal intent. He wasn’t angry; in fact, he looked delighted. He entwined his fingers with mine, pinning me down. He leaned in to kiss my lips, but I turned my head away. Lucien, however, was persistent, his mouth claiming mine as his hand covered my eyes, tracing a path down to my neck. … Lucien rose, throwing on a robe, and warned me, “Stay here obediently, Hazelwood. If you dare to run, I’ll wipe out your entire clan!” At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to lunge at him and kill him, but my body felt utterly powerless. After Lucien left, I spat out a mouthful of blood, clutching the bed frame. In the royal court, the ministers buzzed with whispers. Lucien, seeing anyone who displeased him, dealt with them swiftly and brutally. The terrified officials stood silent, heads bowed low. In my private chambers, the attendants brought food. I sat cross-legged on the bed. No matter how much they pleaded, I refused to eat. Unable to complete their task, the attendants stood anxiously by. Lucien, seeing this, stomped over. He grabbed a plate of food and shoved it into his mouth. “Satisfied now? Get out!” The attendants exchanged glances, sighed softly, and left together. Once my body had recovered slightly, I began to plot my escape, remembering Lucien’s desire for my obedience. That’s when an idea sparked. The moment he opened the door, Lucien’s arm snaked around my waist. “Where is my Wolf Queen off to? Shall I accompany you, my dear?” I nodded, and he took my hand, leading me out of the chambers. All the way, Lucien’s eyes were fixed on me. Unknowingly, we arrived at the Forbidden Lands. Lucien moved to block me as I stepped towards it, but I simply smiled, speaking softly, “It’s alright. With you here, nothing bad will happen.” Lucien seemed captivated. He produced a flask of wine and offered it. I smiled, taking it, my fingertips brushing his, sending his heart racing. Then, I began to untie my robes, raising the flask to his lips. Lucien embraced me, clearly enjoying the moment. Just as things were about to escalate, Lucien suddenly collapsed. “Lucien, from this day forward, you and I shall never meet again.” I drained my power from him, condensing it in my palm. With it, I placed a binding spell on him, then erased all magical traces of my presence. I then vented my fury on him, striking him repeatedly until my hands ached. I tore the wedding gown into a thousand pieces and scattered them to the wind. Moving through the light rain, I used my magic to delve deeper into the Forbidden Lands until I vanished. Lucien, sensing my departure, jolted awake. “Hazelwood! So you still tried to escape!” He roared and immediately gave chase. 3 By the time I arrived, I had already retrieved the magical artifact from the Forbidden Lands. Lucien lunged to snatch it, but instead, he accidentally wounded me. My pale face, streaming blood, twisted Lucien’s heart with anguish. “Don’t touch that thing!” The more I tried to stop him, the more stubborn he became. Even with my last shred of strength, I reached for it. “You’ve opened a portal to another dimension!” I looked at the swirling vortex that had appeared in the sky, blasted him with a surge of energy, and then plunged into it. “Hazelwood! Fine. This is *your* doing!” He commanded his subordinates to capture the Rabbit Clan members and enslave them. Those who resisted, he ordered to be transformed into potent elixirs and artifacts. “Hiss… the power here is immense, and my body aches!” I felt as though I was being torn apart by the overwhelming force, but then a beam of light appeared, shielding me. The pain slowly receded, replaced by a profound warmth. Just when I thought I was about to die, a voice called out to me. The white light intensified, and my surroundings began to shift. … Just when I thought I was dead, a voice called out to me. “Hazelwood! Hazelwood!” “Who’s calling me?” When my vision cleared, I found myself in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by the strong, cloying scent of medicine that made me uncomfortable. “Cough, cough.” “Thank goodness, you’re finally awake, Hazelwood.” I stared at the worried man before me, confused, but then a sharp pain pierced my head, and countless images flashed through my mind. “You’re not allowed to play around with your health like this again.” “You can be discharged tonight!” I looked at the sky, then down at my own body. “To be so ethereally beautiful, she starved herself this thin? This body is so much weaker than mine.” Jasper, my assistant, heard my words and rubbed his head, wondering, “Did Hazelwood fry her brain? What on earth is she talking about? So weird!” By the time I fully reacted, I was already in the driver’s seat. In the days that followed, I cultivated my power while also filming, during which I met many friends and interacted with my fans, completely eclipsing my previous self. Night. “No! Lucien, you can’t hurt my clan!” I jolted awake from a nightmare, the painful, vivid scenes feeling terrifyingly real. I rose and walked to the window, reflecting on the dream and worrying about my clan. In the other world, Lucien had found a way to the other dimension. Just as he was about to depart, the Rabbit Clan Elder blocked him. “Lucien, what will it take for you to release our Alpha, to release our Rabbit Clan?” “Get out of my way!” Lucien’s eyes were bloodshot, consumed by animalistic rage, looking like a madman. Despite this, the Elder held his ground. Lucien blasted him with a powerful surge of energy, then tore open the portal to the other dimension. 4 On the way to the set, my heart was pounding, and my face was pale. “Hazel, are you really alright like this today? Maybe I should cancel?” I waved a hand, and Jasper had no choice but to comply. I glanced out the window. The streets were filled with things related to me. Jasper told me they were all gifts from my fans. Suddenly, I pulled over and looked back, saying, “Jasper, can you do me a favor?” Jasper nodded, waiting for my instructions. I leaned back, listening intently to what he said. Though he looked puzzled, he followed my orders. Once I’d left, he continued driving. Just as we were nearing our destination, a figure appeared, blocking the road. I slammed on the brakes. Before I could fully recover, my hands and feet were bound. Lucien slowly crawled forward, smiling as he scrutinized me. “Lucien, how are you here?! Wait, why do you have the energy of my rabbit clan?!” Lucien pinned my struggling body, then raised a hand to signal for silence. I pressed my lips together. As I tried to move, I kicked out with my leg, but he grabbed my ankle. The grip was so strong it almost brought tears to my eyes. “Does it hurt, Hazelwood? It would be so much easier if you just obeyed me, but you always have to fight me.” I snatched a stick and swung it, blinding him for a moment. I slammed the car door open and scrambled out, hiding. Lucien, not seeing me, searched frantically. When he spotted me, he ran towards me, only to fall into a trap I had set. “Well, well, my Wolf Queen’s skills have certainly improved.” I ignored Lucien, performing intricate hand seals to bind him. The more Lucien struggled to break free, the more blood I coughed up. “Heh, go ahead and try to break it. At worst, I’ll just die.” “Hazelwood, you’re insane! You’d throw your life away just to bind me?” I dropped to one knee, retching as I coughed up more blood. When I felt my power weaken, I collapsed onto the ground. Seeing this, Lucien recalled his magic. He looked down at his hands, remorse filling his voice. “Did I go too far with Hazelwood?” I regained my senses, stood up, and chanted an incantation, teleporting Lucien away. I gently touched my belly, walking forward as if lost, muttering to myself, “You shouldn’t have come, my babies… you shouldn’t have come…” Hearing Jasper call me, I quickly hid my injuries. “Everything’s done according to your instructions.” “Good. Let’s go. No time to waste.” I got into the car and leaned back, closing my eyes. Jasper looked like he wanted to say something but held it back. Lucien fell from mid-air, hitting his head on a rock. “Ugh, Hazelwood truly has a heavy hand.” Rubbing his head, the sight of blood made Lucien remember something. A cunning smile bloomed on his face. Lucien skipped off happily to find me, whining coyly, “I’m going to find my Hazelwood.” It was late by the time I returned home. I sent Jasper away. I went inside, took out a medical tome, and began to concoct a remedy. Half an hour later, I sat at the table, about to take the pill from the plate, when a kick stirred within my belly. I touched it, and it stilled. I stared at the medicine, lost in thought. Just then, my phone rang. ———-此处为截断点———- 5 It was the building’s security guard, who told me someone had been searching everywhere for me, calling my name incessantly. I knew exactly who it was. Without a word, I hung up.

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