Category: English

Sitting on the plane, I still felt dazed. I never thought that after five years abroad, I would have the chance to come back. After all, Orion had said that in this lifetime, I’d better never appear in front of him again. But it was also he who personally bought me a ticket back home, inviting me to attend his and Melissa’s wedding anniversary celebration. After two layovers, I finally landed. Uma had been sleeping peacefully on the plane, but once we got off, she started crying. “Mommy, my feet hurt,” she whimpered softly. Hearing Uma’s quiet sobs, I quickly picked her up and walked towards the exit. At the arrival gate, I turned on my phone, ready to call a cab. Just then, my phone rang. Seeing the familiar number on the screen, I fell silent, unsure whether to answer or not. In the end, I didn’t pick up. But a second call came through almost immediately. I sighed and finally answered. Orion’s voice quickly came through. After years without talking, his voice hadn’t changed. “Are you out of the airport? I sent an assistant to pick you up,” Orion said in a businesslike manner, as if we were strangers. I laughed bitterly, “I can get a cab myself.” There was silence for a second; Orion probably didn’t expect me to say that. After all, back then, I had been well taken care of by him. During my years by his side, all my needs were met – I never had to worry about transportation. After a moment of silence, Orion spoke casually, “Let the assistant come anyway. I bought a gift for Melissa on your behalf, it’s in the trunk. You can bring it directly when you come for dinner.” Orion was still so thoughtful, considering even the gift situation perfectly. Of course, when he spent millions on the venue and commissioned a limited edition diamond to create a unique wedding ring for Melissa, it was clear how much he loved her. “Alright,” I said, rubbing my forehead and responding softly. Orion didn’t say anything more, but he didn’t hang up either. After a while, Orion finally spoke: “Yara, after five years abroad, I hope you’ve really reflected on things. If you do anything to Melissa, I won’t let you off easy.” Hearing this, I was stunned. The noise around me seemed to fade away. Orion said he wouldn’t let me off easy. Before I could respond, Orion had already hung up. Actually, Orion could rest assured. I wouldn’t do anything to them. I just wanted to take good care of Uma and find a job. As I left the airport, I lowered my head. The proud 22-year-old me probably couldn’t have imagined that my life would end up in such a miserable state.

I was sent abroad by Orion on my 22nd birthday. That day, Orion discovered my diary. When I was young, my parents died in a cruise ship accident and never returned. Orion naturally took over my care. My relationship with him had always been harmonious. Until I became an adult, I realized I didn’t just see Orion as an uncle. I liked him. But I also knew very clearly that there was no future between Orion and me. So I wrote all my feelings in my diary. If Orion hadn’t seen my diary, I probably could have pretended that my feelings for him were just those of a niece for her uncle. But Orion saw it. He tore up my diary and asked me how I could have such disgusting thoughts. “Don’t you know I’m your uncle! Even without a blood relation, we can only be family!” The usually gentlemanly and refined Orion was no longer gentle, shouting at me with disgust in his eyes. At that time, I wanted to explain, but couldn’t explain anything. In the end, I could only keep bowing and apologizing, saying I was wrong, that I shouldn’t have fallen for him. But Orion didn’t calm down. The next day, he resigned from the job I had lined up, and under the guise of studying abroad, sent me to a remote university overseas. To prevent me from contacting the outside world, Orion even hired bodyguards to watch me. At first, I didn’t understand why Orion treated me this way. Until the first month after I went abroad, news of Orion’s marriage went viral. Only then did I realize that all these years, he had always had someone in his heart. I watched Orion’s wedding video over and over again. In the video, when looking at Melissa, Orion’s gaze was gentle and loving. He had never looked at me that way. From that moment on, I knew that Orion keeping me by his side for so many years was just out of sympathy and responsibility. His only love was Melissa. “Miss John, please get in the car,” the assistant’s voice brought me back to reality.

I nodded and got into the car with the sleeping Uma. When he saw Uma, the assistant’s face showed a hint of surprise: “Miss John, this is…?” I made a shushing gesture, afraid our conversation would disturb Uma’s sleep. After sitting in the back seat, I answered softly: “This is my daughter.” The assistant nodded and fell silent. When he drove to our destination, I was stunned. This hotel was where Orion and Melissa got married. Five years of marriage, he held a wedding anniversary celebration every year, and personally selected gifts for Melissa. I thought, Orion really cherished Melissa. In previous years, he didn’t allow me to enter their world. Inviting me back this year was probably just to let me witness their happiness. I numbly got out of the car and saw Melissa smiling as she walked towards me. Unlike my haggard appearance and simple clothes, Melissa wore expensive jewelry and perfume, looking well-cared for by Orion. Melissa’s smile suddenly froze. I knew she had seen Uma in my arms. Sure enough, when she came to my side, Melissa’s expression was very surprised: “Yara, how did you secretly have a child abroad without telling me? I’ve been married to your uncle for so long, you still treat me like an outsider.” Before I could speak, Melissa took Uma from my arms without asking. Uma woke up and immediately started crying, struggling not to let Melissa hold her. I took Uma back from Melissa and comforted her for a while. Actually, Melissa knew about my past crush on Orion. Returning this time, I didn’t want to get too involved with Melissa. But Melissa still stubbornly wanted to hold Uma. When Melissa and I arrived at the hotel’s private room, Uma was still crying and wanting me to hold her. Melissa forced a smile and handed Uma back to me: “Your uncle knows having children isn’t easy. We haven’t thought about having kids these past few years. Seeing you’ve had a daughter, I got too excited.” There were already several people sitting in the room. I wasn’t used to socializing, so I chose a corner seat, and Melissa sat down next to me. She enthusiastically linked arms with me, introducing me and Uma to the others. The looks others gave me were visibly teasing and probing. I couldn’t stand the strange atmosphere here and said I wanted to go to the restroom. When I came back after washing my face, I heard Melissa’s voice. Someone asked Melissa why she brought in an unlucky thing like me. “What unlucky thing, Yara is Orion’s sister. Although she went down the wrong path and tried to seduce Orion before, now that she’s had a child, she definitely won’t make mistakes again.” Hearing Melissa say this, I just quietly stood at the door of the private room. Yes, in others’ eyes, I was just a madwoman who tried to seduce her uncle, a shameless slut. Uma tugged at my clothes uneasily, and I comforted her before entering the room. Some things have to be faced eventually. I don’t know how long passed, but suddenly everyone in the room stood up. “Mr. John is here!” “Hello, Mr. John!” A group of people crowded around him, while I didn’t move, just sitting in my seat. After a long time, I finally raised my head and looked at Orion. He seemed to have lost some weight. Orion wore a suit, with Melissa leaning on him. When they looked at each other, their eyes were full of smiles. Orion was surrounded by people and didn’t notice me in the corner. All these years, he who should have been the center of attention still was, while the only one not doing well was me. Suddenly, Melissa seemed to remember something and pushed Orion with a smile: “Orion, Yara is here too. You uncle and niece haven’t seen each other for so many years, catch up a bit. Yara even brought back a surprise!” Hearing the word “surprise”, Orion remained unmoved, first helping Melissa sit down and ordering her a glass of milk before raising his eyes to look in my direction. Uma shrank into a ball, looking very wary. Orion obviously saw Uma too, his eyes widening suddenly. “Yara, what is this?” He was asking about Uma. I hadn’t told them about Uma, so when they saw me with her, their expressions were all the same – either surprised or looking like they were watching a show. Melissa spoke for me: “Orion, this is Yara’s daughter. Isn’t she cute? She looks just like Yara and seems to be a few years old already.” Orion’s gaze fell on Uma, then on me, examining me for a while. Just when I thought Orion wouldn’t pay attention to me anymore, he asked hoarsely, pointing at Uma: “During these years abroad… you got married and had a child?” I raised my head, looking directly at Orion, and nodded. “I got married a while ago. Sorry I didn’t tell you.” It was very quiet around, no one spoke. Orion stared at me, as if trying to judge whether my words were true or false. Melissa seemed about to say something, but Orion had already come to stand in front of me: “Where’s your husband?” I pursed my lips: “He’s busy recently, so he didn’t come.” Whispers and snickers sounded around the room, though these guests seemed to restrain their laughter out of respect for Orion. Orion’s face was aJohn, but in the end he didn’t say anything, just sat down next to Melissa. This meal, I ate without tasting anything. Everyone else was praising how well-matched Orion and Melissa were, while I just wanted to take Uma to rest early. The rent here wasn’t too expensive, I could still afford it. I didn’t want to go abroad again. The meal ended quickly. I wanted to leave, but Orion stopped me, saying he had something to tell me. In the end, Orion and I stayed in the private room. Melissa was there too. Orion looked at me coldly, his words as emotionless as his expression. “Yara, since we all have our own families now, I hope you won’t come to bother me in the future.” Melissa covered the smile at the corner of her lips: “Orion, don’t say that to Yara. She’s a grown woman now, she knows what she shouldn’t do.” The couple sang in harmony, looking particularly in sync. And I was excluded from this synchronization. They never believed the promises I made. But I still nodded and bowed: “I won’t in the future.” They didn’t say anything, and I had already turned to leave with Uma in my arms. Orion called his assistant to send me off, but this time I refused. After returning to the rental apartment with Uma, she suddenly asked me quietly if the uncle and aunt today disliked her. They say children are perceptive and know everything. I shook my head: “They don’t dislike Uma.” They just dislike me. Uma looked like she had many questions she wanted to ask me, but in the end she didn’t, just hugged me and said, mom, you’ve worked hard. The tears I had held back all day seemed about to fall at this moment. But I couldn’t cry in front of Uma. So I tilted my head back, holding back the tears. After putting Uma to sleep, I suddenly received a text message. The sender was Melissa. “Yara, if you have time, let’s talk.” I frowned and told her she could just text me directly. But Melissa didn’t send any more messages. Just before bed, I received a call from Melissa. “I’m downstairs at your place. I just want to ask you one thing.” “Do you have any thoughts of going abroad again recently? Orion and I actually both hope you’ll continue to stay abroad. And your husband is abroad too, right? It’s better for you to go abroad.” I was a bit confused at first, but after realizing, I found it a bit funny. The only thing that could make Melissa contact me late at night was probably just this. They both hated me to this extent. They couldn’t even stand being in the same country as me. I glanced at Uma sleeping beside me. After going downstairs, I indeed saw Melissa standing under a streetlight. Standing in front of her, I took a deep breath before looking directly into her eyes: “I don’t plan to go abroad.” Even if just for Uma’s sake, I won’t take her on such a tiring journey again. Melissa laughed lightly. With no one else around, her gaze finally showed undisguised contempt. “Yara, I know you’re very short on money now. What if I could give you a sum of money, would you be willing to go abroad?”

I was silent for a moment. The fact that I was short on money was already common knowledge. Melissa and Orion knew I had a hard time abroad, so when threatening me, they were also very clear about my weakness. But I refused. Melissa seemed a bit surprised. That night, Melissa and I parted on bad terms. For the next few days, I was busy looking for work, but I would be rejected after the first round of interviews every time. It wasn’t until a young interviewer hesitantly told me that this was Ms. Cheng’s order that I realized Melissa didn’t even want me to find a job. Melissa was determined to make me go abroad again. After being stunned for a long time, I thanked the interviewer who told me the truth. Just as I left the interview company, I received a text message from the hospital. Last night, I had made an appointment at the hospital, wanting to get some antidepressants. During the consultation, the doctor told me that my recent condition was very poor and I should consider doing more psychological counseling sessions. Back when I was abroad, doctors had given me similar advice. It seemed my depression had indeed become very serious. As I was leaving the clinic looking at the prescription instructions, I accidentally bumped into someone while passing a corner. “I’m sorry…” I apologized first, but when I looked up, I found that the person standing in front of me was Orion. And behind him was Melissa. Orion frowned, seemingly not intending to talk to me, and was about to leave directly. At this time, Orion suddenly noticed the medicine in my hand. “Yara, what are you doing at the hospital?” He seemed to want to see what I was holding, but I had already quickly stuffed the medicine box into my bag: “I just caught a cold recently, came to buy some medicine.” Melissa chimed in at the right moment: “There are indeed quite a few people getting the flu lately.” But Orion didn’t speak, still staring at my bag. I lowered my head and quickly went downstairs. The encounter with Orion was not in my expectations. In the past, I always wanted to see Orion, but he was always busy. Before going abroad, I could count on one hand the number of times I met with Orion. Most of the time, he would only occasionally send me a couple of messages. After going abroad, Orion simply didn’t contact me at all. Unexpectedly, after returning home, when I really didn’t want to run into Orion anymore, I could bump into him. I’ve had depression for a long time. At the worst times, I experienced severe somatization symptoms and even thought about jumping off a building, but I still gritted my teeth and lived on. When I got home, Uma was waiting for me in the living room. Uma didn’t sleep well last night, so I decided to take her to bed early. But just as we were finally starting to feel a bit drowsy, I smelled something burning. Uma was sound asleep, completely unaware of anything wrong. At first, I thought the neighbors had just burned their food, but as the burning smell got stronger, I finally realized something was wrong. Suddenly rolling out of bed, I stood by the window and saw thick smoke rising into the sky.

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I lost both my parents at ten and was raised by Payton. He helped me overcome my mutism and turned down every relationship for my sake. I thought this was love. On my eighteenth birthday, I gathered the courage to kiss him. But he pushed me away. “I’m your brother. Even though we’re not blood-related, what you’re doing is disgusting.” Three months ago, he brought home his arranged fiancée, Sophia They held hands. Embraced. Kissed. Right in front of me. When Sophia had an allergic reaction and was hospitalized, he accused me of poisoning her. “Go home and kneel. Give the Williams family an explanation.” I knelt in the pouring rain all night. Later I found out the allergy was her own staged performance, and her fall at the banquet was self-inflicted too. But what did it matter? By then, I’d already bought a one-way ticket to the Gobi Desert. On the night of the birthday banquet, I left him a letter. “I don’t love you anymore.” 1. Lily’s POV “Professor, I’ve made up my mind. I’m ready to go to the Gobi.” On the other end of the line, the professor’s surprise quickly gave way to relief. “Are you sure? The conditions in the Gobi are extremely harsh.” I gripped my phone, my knuckles turning slightly white. “I’m sure.” “But your brother has always doted on you. I doubt he’ll agree to let you…” I cut off the professor’s words, my voice softening. “Don’t worry, he’ll agree.” “Good. Make sure you talk it over with him properly. The departure date is in two weeks.” After hanging up, I looked at the framed photo on my nightstand. In the photo, seventeen-year-old Payton stood with ten-year-old me on his back at a mountain summit. He turned his face toward me, the mountain wind tousling his hair. Our two families had been close friends for generations. The year my parents died in a plane crash, the Sterling family took me in. But losing my parents caused me to develop mutism. I didn’t speak a single word for three whole months. The two Sterling elders were busy with official duties and had no extra time to focus on me. It was Payton who took my hand and said, “You still have me. I’ll always be here to take care of you.” And he really did. He picked me up and dropped me off at school. Always sat in the front row at parent-teacher meetings. Braided my hair, clumsy but gentle. Stayed up all night when I had nightmares. He even turned down several relationships for my sake, saying, “Lily isn’t ready to accept a new family member yet.” Under his gentleness and patience, I finally spoke again. I grew more and more dependent on him, making him my entire world. But somewhere along the way, that dependence changed its nature. On the night of my eighteenth birthday, Payton threw me a coming-of-age party that stunned the whole city. At that party, he, who never touched alcohol, broke his rule and drank. After the celebration ended, I helped the drunk Payton home. As he leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed, I leaned down and gently kissed the corner of his lips. Payton’s eyes flew open. He pushed me away, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock. “Do you even know what you’re doing?” “I know.” I gathered my courage and confessed my feelings. “I like you.” “This is absurd!” It was the first time he’d been this angry with me. “Everyone knows we’re siblings!” “We’re not blood-related. How does that make us siblings?” “I’m your brother in name!” “So what?” “Lily!” He was livid, as if I’d committed some grave sin. “I’m seven years older than you! You’re only eighteen. What do you know about liking someone?” I remained stubborn. “Eighteen is legal adulthood. I’m an adult now, so of course I know what it means to like someone!” Seeing me counter his every argument, his expression darkened. “Ridiculous!” That argument ended with Payton slamming the door and leaving. From then on, Payton’s attitude toward me grew increasingly cold. He came home less and less frequently. For matters concerning me, he no longer handled them personally but sent the butler instead. But even so, I never gave up. Every year on his birthday, I carefully prepared gifts and earnestly confessed my feelings to him. Payton never responded. I thought that no matter how cold he was or how much he refused to respond, I would keep on liking him. Until three months ago, when Payton suddenly agreed to an arranged marriage and brought his marriage partner, Sophia, home. That night at dinner, Sophia sat in what used to be my seat, gently serving Payton food. I couldn’t believe it. I questioned him privately, asking if he’d deliberately agreed to the marriage just to force me to give up my feelings for him. But Payton said coldly, “You’re overthinking it. We’re getting married because we’re well-matched, and we’ve reached the age for marriage.” “I’ve also reached the age for marriage!” For the first time, my eyes reddened in front of him. “Payton, why won’t you like me?” “Because you have no idea what real affection is!” After that, Sophia appeared at the house frequently. They held hands, embraced, kissed-intimate and affectionate. It made me feel like all my years of affection were nothing but a laughable case of unrequited love. Last night at two in the morning, I got up for water. Passing by the study, I heard faint sounds coming from inside. The door was ajar. I saw Payton and Sophia by the desk, intimately close, with ambiguous sounds spilling out. I covered my mouth and retreated to my room, sliding down against the door until I sat on the floor. I cried all night. In that moment, I finally understood-some things, if they’re not mine, I can’t force them to be. So I decided to let go of my feelings for him and leave his side. I’d clung to him for so many years. He must have been fed up with me long ago. I was about to leave for the Gobi soon. I wouldn’t bother him like I used to. He’d probably be relieved when he found out. 2. Lily’s POV I pulled my suitcase and opened my bedroom door, suddenly hearing the faint sound of a lock turning from the master bedroom across the hall. My breath caught, and I froze in place. Payton pushed his door open and stepped out. He wore a light gray cashmere sweater and casual slacks. His hair was still slightly damp, as if he’d just showered. The morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window at the end of the hallway, gilding him in a thin golden outline. For a moment, I felt like I’d returned to the past. Those mornings when he hadn’t yet distanced himself from me-he would always appear like this, fresh and clean, ruffling my hair and asking if I’d slept well. But the next second, his gaze swept over to me and landed on my suitcase. “Going somewhere?” “…Yeah.” I pressed my lips together and looked away. Payton’s brow furrowed slightly. “Where?” “Back to campus to stay for a few days.” I didn’t mention that I’d be leaving for the Gobi in two weeks. After all, he’d find out once I was gone. Payton looked me over. “Why would you suddenly want to go back to campus?” Because I wanted to make room for Sophia. I didn’t want my presence to get in their way. But before I could answer, Payton stepped forward, grabbed my suitcase from my hand, and ordered, “You’re about to start your internship. There’s no need to go back to campus. Stay home. You’re not moving out.” With that, he domineeringly placed my suitcase back in my bedroom. He looked almost afraid I might leave. I froze, but quickly dismissed it as overthinking. How could Payton possibly be afraid of me leaving? He only forbade me from returning to campus out of habit-treating me like a “little sister.” “Miss Lily, breakfast is ready.” The butler’s voice called from downstairs, breaking my daze. In the dining room, an elegant breakfast was already laid out on the long table. Payton sat at the head, a financial newspaper spread before him, a cup of black coffee at his side. He ate gracefully, his movements refined. Even the sound of turning pages was soft. I sat down diagonally across from him. “Payton!” A crisp female voice suddenly rang out from the foyer. My fingers trembled, and my spoon clinked against the bowl. Sophia walked in with a bright smile, went to Payton’s side, and leaned down to kiss his cheek. “Did I keep you waiting? Traffic was a bit heavy.” Payton set down his newspaper and naturally put his hand on her waist. “No rush. Have you eaten breakfast yet?” “Not yet. I wanted to eat with you.” Sophia sat down beside him, and a servant immediately added a set of utensils. Throughout the whole process, no one glanced at me. I sat there like a ghost in my own seat, watching their natural, intimate interactions. Sophia served Payton a piece of bacon. Payton poured her milk. They spoke in low voices, occasionally exchanging smiles. That intimacy was like fine needles piercing my eyes. I lowered my head, staring at the porridge in my bowl that had already gone cold. Suddenly, the dining room felt unbearably crowded-so crowded I couldn’t breathe. “By the way, Lily,” Sophia suddenly turned toward me, as if just noticing my presence. “We’re going skiing today. Do you want to come with us?” I froze, instinctively shaking my head. “I…” “Don’t refuse so quickly. You’d be so bored at home alone.” Sophia’s tone was light. “Payton, let’s bring Lily along, okay?” Payton looked up at me. His gaze was calm and indifferent as he said flatly, “Since Sophia invited you, come along.” One sentence-but it felt like a dull knife slowly cutting open my heart. He didn’t care whether I’d feel awkward. He didn’t care whether watching him be intimate with someone else would hurt me. I didn’t want to torture myself, so I tried to decline. But Sophia came over at that moment and enthusiastically linked her arm through mine. “Then it’s settled! Lily, you won’t refuse me, will you?” 3. Lily’s POV Sophia was too enthusiastic. The refusal on the tip of my tongue never made it out. In the end, I sat in the passenger seat of the Maybach while Payton and Sophia sat together in the back. “Payton, do you remember the last time we went skiing? I took such a bad fall, and you laughed at me.” “Yeah, I remember. Later at the hot spring inn, you complained all night about your sore knee.” “Don’t tease me about that…” Listening to their conversation from the back seat, my hands twisted together on my lap, my nails digging into my palms. So he had all these shared memories with someone else too. That tenderness, that companionship-they weren’t exclusive to me. Halfway through the drive, Sophia seemed to finally remember there was another person in the car. She suddenly asked with a bright smile, “Lily, do you know how to ski?” I tensed up and glanced at the rearview mirror. The handsome man in the back seat furrowed his brow slightly, a fleeting emotion passing through his eyes. I forced a curve to my lips. “Yes.” “Oh?” Sophia sounded interested. “When did you learn? Did you teach yourself, or did someone teach you?” I’d known how to ski since I was fifteen. And the person who taught me was sitting right beside Sophia. But after two seconds of silence, I said, “I learned from an instructor at the ski resort.” At those words, the man in the back seat frowned even more deeply, his expression darkening slightly. When we arrived at the ski resort, I was putting on my protective gear. Payton walked up to me, his tall frame bringing an oppressive presence. “Lily, since when did you learn to lie?” I looked up. “What?” “You learned to ski from a resort instructor?” His handsome face was clouded with displeasure. “Why lie?” I lied only to avoid Sophia misunderstanding anything and affecting their relationship. But I didn’t understand-this was such a trivial matter. Why was Payton so upset about it? Just as I was about to explain, Sophia’s voice called from the other side. “Payton, come help me. I think there’s something wrong with my gear.” Hearing that, Payton warned me coldly, “If you lie again and develop those bad habits, see if I don’t punish you.” Then he turned and walked toward Sophia. I watched his retreating figure. Watched him help Sophia with her gear, checking her equipment. That gentle, careful, considerate side of him-he used to show it only to me. I forced myself to stop watching them and found a gentle slope to ski on alone. “Lily!” Before long, Sophia skied over to me. I glanced behind her, but she was alone. “No need to look. Payton went to get us hot drinks.” Sophia stopped in front of me, removed her ski goggles, and revealed a face with delicate makeup. “Payton really is something, putting all his attention and energy on me and just leaving you here alone. He’s being unreasonable.” I stopped as well and smiled. “It’s fine. You’re his fiancée. It’s only right that he takes extra care of you.” “But watching him treat me well must hurt you, doesn’t it?” Sophia’s eyes suddenly carried undisguised scrutiny and provocation. I frowned slightly. “I don’t understand what you mean.” “Heh.” Sophia let out an extremely soft laugh, one laced with mockery, completely different from her gracious demeanor in front of Payton. “You understand. You understand better than anyone.” I froze. “The way you look at him-you can’t hide it.” Sophia smiled smugly. “Too bad it only makes him feel burdened. He told me himself that you’re too emotionally complicated, and sometimes he doesn’t know how to deal with you.” Emotionally complicated… doesn’t know how to deal with… So when he talked about me to others, that’s how he saw me-even as a burden. “He’s just too responsible. Because your families have been friends for generations, and he pitied you for losing your parents, he had no choice but to take care of you all these years.” My fingers curled as I pressed my lips tightly together. “But it’s just responsibility. Lily, do you understand? He takes care of you out of responsibility. Nothing more.” Sophia leaned closer, lowering her voice. “We’re getting married soon. If you’re smart, you’ll gradually learn to distance yourself from him. Leave yourself some dignity.” I listened quietly, then slowly smiled. “You’re right.” 4. Lily’s POV Sophia froze. I continued with a smile, “He’s taken care of me all these years only out of pity. So you don’t need to be threatened by my existence. After all, you’re already his fiancée.” Sophia was about to say more- “Watch out! Move!!” A terrified shout suddenly came from the steep slope in the distance. A snowboarder who’d clearly lost control was hurtling straight toward us at breakneck speed. “Lily! Sophia!!” Payton’s panicked shout rang out almost simultaneously. “Get out of the way!” Everything happened in a split second. I had no time to react. Sophia, standing diagonally in front of me, let out a scream of terror. The next moment, a figure came charging from the side, wrapped in wind and snow spray, at incredible speed. It was Payton. He rushed to Sophia’s side, extended his arm, pulled her into his embrace, and together they stumbled toward the safety zone. I stood less than a meter from Sophia, but he didn’t spare me even a glance. Then a massive force slammed into me. A muffled grunt caught in my throat. Everything spun. I was knocked off the ski run, rolled several times in the snow, tumbled into the forest barrier, and finally hit the back of my head hard against a tree trunk. In an instant, my vision went black. I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was in a hospital room. The nurse changing my IV bag glanced at me when she heard movement. “You’re awake. How do you feel?” All I felt was a dull throb in the back of my head and aches throughout my body, like I’d been taken apart. “You have a mild concussion and multiple contusions. Lucky for you, no fractures. Just lie still and don’t move around. You’ll need to stay for observation for a couple days.” After giving her instructions, the nurse turned and left the room. I closed my eyes again to rest, but then I heard the envious voices of nurses outside. “Mr. Sterling is so good to Miss Williams. She just got a little scared, and he’s been by her side the whole time…” “I heard the Sterling and Williams families are about to have an arranged marriage. Of course he’d be attentive to his fiancée, right?” “But that girl in the next room…I heard she’s Mr. Sterling’s sister? She’s injured so badly, even has a concussion, and he barely even comes to check on her…” The voices gradually faded. I sat up, pulled the needle from the back of my hand, and got out of bed. The dizziness was intense. I leaned against the wall for a while before slowly shuffling out of the room. The door to the VIP room next door was ajar. Through the crack, I saw Payton sitting by the bed, gently and attentively feeding Sophia fruit. “Payton,” catching sight of me outside the door, Sophia suddenly grabbed his hand, her eyes glistening. “I was so scared today… If you hadn’t gotten there in time, I…” “It’s okay.” Payton patted her back, his voice soothing. “It’s over now.” Sophia nestled into his arms, flashing me a victorious smile, then said as if casually, “I heard Lily woke up. Don’t you want to go check on her?” “I hired a caregiver for her. The caregiver will look after her. You were frightened and need rest. I’ll stay here with you.” As his words fell, I lowered my lashes. I didn’t go in to disturb them. I turned and walked back to my room, supporting myself against the wall. Lying back in bed, I pulled the covers over my face. I remembered when I was fifteen and hospitalized with a high fever. Payton postponed an important international conference and stayed by my bedside for two full days and nights. Delirious with fever, all I remembered was him wiping my forehead with warm water over and over, coaxing me softly, “I’m here. Don’t be afraid.” Back then, his eyes were so gentle-gentle as if he wanted to place the whole world before me. But now, I was injured and hospitalized right next door, and he didn’t even have the time to glance my way. Maybe this was for the best. He’d agreed to an arranged marriage now and had a fiancée. We should distance ourselves. My phone vibrated. I picked it up. It was a text from Payton. “You’re awake? How do you feel? Do you need anything?” I stared at the message, my finger hovering over the screen. A few seconds later, I turned off the screen without replying. 5. Lily’s POV Late at night, the hospital room door was pushed open. I heard movement through my drowsy haze. When I opened my eyes, Payton’s dark silhouette stood by my bed. He spoke. “Did I wake you?” I shook my head and said nothing. Payton glanced at the gauze wrapped around my forehead, his brow furrowing. “Does it still hurt?” “Not too bad.” Silence spread between us. After a pause, Payton said, “Lily, that situation was so sudden. I saved Sophia because…” “I understand. You don’t need to explain.” I cut him off, lowering my lashes. “Miss Williams is your fiancée. It’s only natural that you saved her.” But before, he’d always put me first. Even if it meant getting hurt himself, he’d protect me without a scratch. He couldn’t bear to let me get even the slightest injury. Payton’s feelings were unclear. I said calmly, “Did you come all the way here in the middle of the night just to say this?” “I remember you’re very good at making soup,” Payton said slowly, somewhat reluctantly. “You have your own special recipes.” That was because he worked long hours with irregular meals. I was afraid he’d develop stomach problems, so I consulted countless sources and asked several doctors. After trying countless times, I finally figured out the foods and flavors that suited his taste and were best for his stomach. “Sophia hasn’t had much of an appetite these past couple days. She’s not feeling well and wants some soup. She tried yours once before and thought it was quite good, so she asked me to come ask you…” Before he could finish, my heart sank and my chest tightened painfully. “I’m injured and still hospitalized, and you want me to make soup for her right now?” Payton paused, a flash of discomfort crossing his expression. Then he said, “Not you. Just give me the recipe. I’ll have someone make it and send it to her.” I stared at him for a long moment, then finally nodded without a word. I found paper and pen, wrote down the recipe, and handed it to him. Payton opened his mouth. “Lily…” “You should go.” I smiled. “Don’t keep Miss Williams waiting.” The next morning, when the hospital room door was urgently pushed open again, I was staring out the window in a daze. Payton strode in, his expression darker than I’d ever seen. I had a bad feeling. “What happened?” “Sophia’s in the emergency room!” he said directly, his voice ice-cold. “Full-body allergic rash, difficulty breathing!” I froze. “How could that happen?” “That’s what I should be asking you!” Before I could react, Payton threw a crumpled piece of paper at me-the recipe I’d written last night. “Why was she fine drinking it before, but this time she had a severe allergic reaction?” Payton stared at me, his gaze sharp as a blade. “What exactly did you add to this recipe?” I instinctively protested. “I didn’t add anything. This is the same recipe I always used. I don’t know why she had an allergic reaction.” “You don’t know?” Payton’s eyes simmered with barely suppressed rage. “The kitchen followed your recipe exactly. Now she’s lying in the emergency room, and the whole household is in chaos! And you think ‘I don’t know’ is enough?” “If you don’t believe me, you can test the recipe…” “But the Williams family demands an explanation now!” Payton’s face was cold and severe as he said darkly, “They say that at the ski resort, I saved her but not you. They claim you can’t tolerate her because of that, so you deliberately tampered with the recipe. They want you to pay the price! Otherwise, this won’t end!” I stiffened, understanding his implication. “So? How will you give them an explanation? Hand me over to the Williams family, or to the police?” Payton’s jawline tightened. He was silent for several seconds-seconds that felt like an entire century. “Pack up,” he finally spoke. “Go home and kneel outside the gate.” 6. Lily’s POV Payton actually wanted me to kneel? Before I could process my shock, two bodyguards in black burst into the hospital room. They grabbed my arms from both sides and roughly dragged me from the bed where I was still receiving an IV. “What are you doing? Let me go!” I couldn’t believe it. “Payton, how can you convict me without investigating first?!” I struggled with all my might, but with my strength, how could I possibly move two burly bodyguards? In the end, I was forcibly taken out of the hospital, shoved into a car, and escorted home. Outside the gates of Sterling Manor, Payton stood tall, his expression as still as a frozen lake. The Sophia’s parents stood nearby, their gazes stabbing into me like thorns. He spoke in a low voice. “Kneel.” My whole body went cold. “Why should I?” “Because you’re vicious and nearly killed Sophia!” Sophia’s mother shrieked. “Payton, this is the fine sister you raised!” Payton’s jaw tightened. He shot a look at the bodyguards. They understood. They pressed down hard on my shoulders. I fought back with everything I had, only to be restrained even more brutally. My kneecaps slammed hard into the cold, unforgiving stone pavement. Searing pain exploded through me. Payton walked up to me, looking down from above. “Apologize.” I gritted my teeth and looked up at him. “Payton, I didn’t try to harm her!” Payton’s brow furrowed deeply. He turned to the Williams parents. “You can rest assured. She’s here and will kneel until Sophia is confirmed safe. This is the Sterling family’s accountability to the Williams family.” Sophia’s mother wanted to say something, but Sophia’s father pulled her back. They had originally demanded that Payton hand me over to them, but Payton had said unequivocally that he would personally seek justice for Sophia and absolutely refused to hand me over. “Payton, Sophia is still lying in the emergency room. I hope you truly mean what you say. Don’t go soft halfway through just because she’s the sister you raised.” “You can rest assured. I’ll have someone watch her here and record everything.” With that, he clapped his hands. Immediately, bodyguards set up a tripod in the distance, aiming a camera lens directly at me. Only then were the Williams parents satisfied. Watching the Williams parents and Payton turn and get into their cars and leave, bone-deep coldness swept through my heart. I tried several times to struggle to my feet, only to be pushed back down mercilessly by the bodyguards standing watch. “Mr. Sterling said you can’t get up until you’ve knelt long enough!” Realizing resistance was futile and accepting reality, I stopped struggling. The rainstorm came without warning. One second the sky was overcast, the next second massive raindrops came crashing down, instantly turning into a torrential downpour. Icy rain poured over me, soaking through my thin hospital gown in seconds. My hair and clothes clung to my skin. Cold. Bone-piercing cold drilled into me through my knees, crawling up through my bones. I couldn’t stop shaking. My teeth chattered uncontrollably. I vaguely remembered the year I first came to the Sterling house. It had rained like this too. I was afraid of thunder and hid under my blanket, crying. It was Payton who pushed open my door, scooped me up blanket and all, gently patted my back, and said, “Lily, don’t be afraid. I’m here.” And now, the one making me kneel in the thunderstorm was also him. I pulled my lips into a faint smile.So this was what true heartbreak felt like. The sky turned from day to night. I didn’t know how long I’d been kneeling, only that my body had grown stiff and numb, like a piece of wood. My consciousness began to slip away under the assault of cold and pain. Then darkness came. Just as I lost consciousness and fell forward, I thought I heard a man’s panicked voice. “Lily.” My body didn’t hit the cold stone ground. Someone caught me. The man’s embrace was scorching hot. It carried a familiar scent. And a barely perceptible…tremble. How laughable.

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My parents teamed up with my fiancé to sue me in court. The charge was intentional assault. They wanted me locked up for ten years, plus compensation to my foster sister—my cornea for her missing eye. In the courtroom, Dad pointed at me and cursed: “Yara is an artist. Her eyes are worth more than your miserable life. Giving her your cornea is only natural!” Mom sobbed and begged the judge: “Give her the maximum sentence! This daughter of mine is pure evil. If she doesn’t go to prison, she’ll never learn!” And my fiancé, a star attorney, personally submitted falsified evidence: “Nora, go in and reflect properly. When you get out, I’ll still marry you.” They all expected me to fall to my knees and beg for mercy like before, or throw a tantrum. But this time, the defendant’s seat remained empty. My fiancé sent me an impatient voice message: “Nora, stop playing dead and dodging court. If you’re willing to sign the cornea donation form, I can file to dismiss the case.” Too bad he’d never get my reply again. Because one minute before the hearing began, the system issued its final warning: [Host Nora Pennington’s mission has utterly failed. Death confirmed…]

The gavel hung suspended, refusing to fall. The presiding judge showed his impatience, lifting his hand to check his watch. From the plaintiff’s bench, my dad, Patrick Pennington, pointed at the empty defendant’s seat, spittle flying. “Your Honor, look at this! She doesn’t even dare show up in court! This is fleeing from justice!” “She’s been jealous of her sister since childhood, completely heartless. This time she actually took a knife and blinded Yara in one eye!” “This menace—if you don’t lock her up for ten years, there’s no justice in this world!” My mom, Rachel Allen, dabbed at her tears beside him. “How did I give birth to such a monster… Yara may be adopted, but in our hearts she’s closer than blood.” Listen to that. How touching. I floated in midair, watching these two people who had given birth to me and raised me. They wanted nothing more than to grind me into the dirt and stomp on me twice for good measure. And that fiancé who’d promised to protect me for life, Adrian Vale, sat in the plaintiff’s attorney seat. His expression was cold as he submitted several documents. “Your Honor, this is surveillance footage of the defendant Nora purchasing the weapon used in the assault.” “And here are records of her repeatedly sending threatening text messages to the victim.” “I am the plaintiff’s attorney, and also the victim’s fiancé.” “I request that the court impose the maximum sentence.” The courtroom erupted. Even the judge looked momentarily stunned. Probably never seen a fiancé personally send his fiancée to prison before. I floated in front of Adrian’s face. I tried to touch his cheek, but my hand passed right through. “Adrian, look carefully—that’s my sister wearing my clothes in the surveillance footage.” “Those text messages—didn’t Yara send them herself using my phone?” Too bad he couldn’t hear me. He was staring down at his phone, brow furrowed. On the screen was the last message he’d sent me: [Nora, stop playing dead and dodging court. If you’re willing to sign the cornea donation form, I can file to dismiss the case.] [This is what you owe Yara.] Below it was a red exclamation mark. One minute ago. My body had stopped breathing on the floor of my rental apartment. The system’s mechanical voice echoed in my mind: [Host departing world… Departure obstructed, excessive resentment, soul detained for 72 hours.] Resentment? I looked at Adrian’s profile, tears silently streaming down my face. How could I not resent? I’d spent ten full years trying to win him over. In high school, when he was bullied, I stood up for him. In college, when his family fell on hard times, I worked three jobs to support him. To help raise money for his mother’s surgery, I knelt outside the Pennington family mansion in a blizzard, kowtowing until my head bled. He’d said, “Nora, when I make something of myself, I’ll give you the grandest wedding.” And the result? The moment Yara came back, everything changed. When Yara said her eyes hurt, he forced me to get tested for cornea compatibility. Never mind that I’d already been diagnosed with stomach cancer and was too weak to even walk steadily. When Yara claimed I pushed her, he backhanded me across the face. Hit me so hard my eardrum ruptured—but all he cared about was whether Yara’s hand hurt from hitting me. Now he’d personally forged evidence to send me to prison and harvest my eyes. The judge tapped his gavel. “Since the defendant has failed to appear without valid reason, this court will proceed with trial in absentia…” Just then, Adrian’s phone rang. It was the police station. “Hello, is this Mr. Vale? This is South District Police Station.” Adrian sounded extremely irritated, lowering his voice: “I’m in court right now. Whatever it is, call back later.” The officer on the other end sounded urgent. “Mr. Vale, we’ve discovered a female body in the slums.” “The deceased was clutching a business card from your law firm, with your name written on the back.” “Based on preliminary identification, we believe the deceased may be your fiancée, Nora.”

The phone crashed onto the table. The loud noise made everyone look at him. Patrick frowned. “Adrian, what’s wrong? Is that ungrateful daughter causing more trouble?” Adrian’s face had gone deathly pale. “The police said… they found a female body, possibly Nora.” The courtroom fell eerily silent. Then Yara, covering her bandaged right eye, let out a derisive laugh. “Nora is dead? Impossible!” “She was still texting me yesterday, cursing at me, saying she’d gouge out my other eye!” She trembled all over, shrinking into Rachel’s arms. “Mom, is Nora trying to scare us? Is she using death to escape legal responsibility?” Rachel immediately caught on. Disgust flashed across her face. “It must be fake! This wretched girl is the best actress around!” “Last time, to avoid a blind date, she pretended to faint—turned out it was just low blood sugar!” “Now to avoid prison, she’s stooped to this cheap trick of playing dead!” Patrick was even more furious, pounding the table. “Officers, don’t let her fool you!” “She’s a menace with the devil’s own luck! How could she possibly be dead?” “She’s just trying to blackmail us into dropping the case! Let me tell you—not a chance!” Hearing all this, Adrian’s deathly pale face gradually regained some color. Right—how could Nora be dead? She was like a cockroach that couldn’t be killed. When Patrick broke her leg, she crawled to the hospital without a sound. When Rachel locked her in the basement for three days and nights, she came out and still cooked for them with a smile. Even on the day she was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer… Wait. I floated in the air, watching Adrian suddenly freeze. Did he remember? Three months ago, I came to him with my diagnosis, hoping for a hug. Yara snatched it away and tore it to shreds. Yara had laughed and said, “Sister, you’re really going all out for sympathy, aren’t you? You’d even fake a medical report like this?” What had Adrian said then? He’d said, “Nora, are you ever going to stop? To compete for attention, you’d even lie about something this unlucky?” At this moment, Adrian took a breath and spoke into the phone: “Officer, please verify thoroughly.” “Nora is a habitual offender who’ll do anything to evade responsibility.” “If she’s faking death, please arrest her immediately.” Hanging up, he straightened his tie again. “Your Honor, my apologies. This is the defendant’s delaying tactic. Let’s continue.” I floated above his head, smiling bitterly. Adrian, you’ll never know—in my final moment, I was waiting for you to come get me. I waited until my body went cold. Until my blood ran dry. And you never came. The trial continued. With the defendant absent and given the “ironclad evidence” provided by the plaintiff, judgment came quickly. [Defendant Nora, guilty of intentional assault, sentenced to ten years imprisonment, and ordered to compensate victim Yara Pennington a total of eight hundred thousand dollars in damages.] [Further, given the severity of the victim’s injuries, the defendant is advised to fulfill her cornea donation commitment.] The gavel fell. The matter was settled. Yara threw her arms around Adrian in excitement. “Adrian, this is wonderful! Justice has finally triumphed over evil!” “When sister reforms properly in prison, she’ll come out a better person.” Rachel patted Adrian’s shoulder with satisfaction. “Adrian, we really owe you for this.” “Once we catch that wretched girl, we’ll transplant the cornea into Yara right away.” Only Adrian, though he’d won the case, never relaxed his furrowed brow. He unconsciously rubbed his ring finger. It had once worn the simple band I’d given him. But now it bore the diamond ring Yara had chosen. “Let’s go to the slums.” Walking out of the courthouse, Adrian suddenly spoke. Yara stiffened. “Go there? Why? It’s filthy and disgusting.” Adrian pulled open the car door. “If she’s alive, I want to see her. If she’s dead, I want to see the body.” “Besides…” He paused, his eyes dark. “Since judgment has been rendered, we need to bring her back to serve her sentence.”

The slums were my only shelter after leaving the Pennington house. Because Adrian had frozen all my accounts, and Patrick had blacklisted me throughout the industry. I couldn’t find work and could only live here. The black Maybach stopped at the alley entrance, looking completely out of place. Yara covered her nose, her face full of disgust. “How could my sister live in a place like this? Didn’t Mom and Dad give her living expenses?” Rachel snorted coldly. “Give her what? That jinx got your brother killed and tried to hurt you too. I wouldn’t give her a single penny!” At the mention of her brother, Patrick’s face instantly turned black as a pot. This was why they hated me. When I was five, I took my three-year-old brother out to play. He was kidnapped by human traffickers and remained missing to this day, alive or dead unknown. From that moment on, I became the Pennington family’s sinner. Everyone believed I brought misfortune to my family. So they adopted adorable little Yara. From then on, she was the pearl in their palm, and I was the mud beneath their feet. Even when I later desperately found clues about my brother, I discovered he’d already died accidentally while trying to escape. This news—before I could tell them—was stolen by Yara. She’d said, “Sister, since brother is dead, let’s not make Mom and Dad sad. Let’s bury this secret, shall we?” Then she turned around and told my parents that I’d deliberately abandoned him out of jealousy. … The group tramped through sewage water to reach the tube building where I’d been renting. The landlady was drinking tea at the entrance. Seeing the police and this group of well-dressed people, she startled. “Oh my, you’re looking for that sickly girl?” Adrian frowned. “Sickly girl?” The landlady rolled her eyes. “Of course. Coughing her lungs out all day, thin as a ghost.” “She even owed me rent a couple days ago, said she’d pay when her fiancé came to get her.” She pointed at Adrian. “You’re that fiancé, right? You look decent enough—how could you let your woman live in a pigsty like this?” Adrian’s expression turned ugly. He’d always assumed I was living comfortably out here. After all, I’d graduated from a prestigious university with excellent abilities. He never imagined I’d sink this low. “Cut the chatter. Open the door.” Patrick snapped impatiently. The landlady cursed under her breath as she fished out her keys and opened the rusted iron door. Inside was dark, the curtains drawn tight. The ten-square-meter space was crammed with junk. On the table sat a half-bowl of moldy instant noodles and a pile of… medicine bottles. Yara was so frightened she hid behind Adrian. As soon as Adrian entered, he stepped on something. Looking down, he saw a picture frame. In the photo were him and me at our college graduation ceremony. Back then, I’d been smiling brilliantly, with baby fat still on my cheeks. Now the glass was shattered. My face in the photo was scratched to pieces, covered in dark red bloodstains. That blood—I’d coughed it up in the dead of night when the pain drove me delirious. Adrian crouched down as if possessed, touching it. “Ah! Blood! So much blood!” Yara pointed at the bathroom doorway, screaming in terror. Following her finger, they looked. At the bathroom entrance was a large pool of blood that had long since turned black. And a phone with a cracked screen. Adrian instantly rushed over and picked up the phone. It was still on the text message editing page, showing an unsent message from me: [Adrian, I didn’t push her, but I’m tired. Is giving you my life enough?]

Adrian’s hands began to tremble. He stared at those words, his breathing growing rapid. “What… what does this mean?” Rachel walked over without even glancing at it. “What else could it mean? More melodramatic nonsense! Probably chicken blood or duck blood to scare people. If she was really dead, where’s the body? Did it just fly away?” Patrick sneered as well. “Exactly. She’s been manipulative since childhood. She’s probably hiding somewhere watching us make fools of ourselves. Adrian, don’t fall for it. Have the police issue an arrest warrant.” Adrian said nothing. He looked at the room full of medicine bottles and picked one up at random. The label had been torn off, but he recognized the shape of this bottle. He’d seen it when buying painkillers for Yara. This was heavy-duty painkiller, specifically for terminal cancer patients. “This medicine…” Adrian’s voice was hoarse. Yara’s eyes flashed as she quickly came over. “Oh, isn’t that just vitamins?” “Sister always loved taking diet pills and vitamins randomly, said she needed to maintain her figure to seduce men.” She took Adrian’s arm, acting coquettish: “Adrian, it smells awful here. Let’s go. Sister definitely isn’t home—she probably ran off with some random man.” Just then, Adrian’s phone rang again. Same officer. Adrian answered, his knuckles white with pressure. “Mr. Vale, after rushing the DNA comparison, we’ve confirmed the deceased’s identity.” “It’s Nora.” “The body has been transported to the city funeral home. Since the deceased signed an organ donation agreement before death, the hospital is pressing for confirmation.” “If you’re family, please come as soon as possible.” Adrian felt something explode in his brain. He swayed, nearly falling. “You said… confirmed?” “Yes. Cause of death was terminal stomach cancer with massive hemorrhaging. Time of death was approximately late last night.” Late last night. What had he been doing then? He’d been helping Yara pick out what to wear to court the next day. And sending me that cold, threatening message on SnapChat. [Nora, stop playing dead.] Turned out, I really hadn’t been playing. Adrian hung up the phone, his entire being seemingly drained of its soul. He turned to look at the three Penningtons, still complaining about this and that. Suddenly felt a wave of nausea. “The police said…” He’d barely opened his mouth when Yara suddenly clutched her eye and let out a piercing scream. “Ah! My eye! It hurts so much! So much!” She collapsed, convulsing all over, her face instantly turning deathly pale. “Mom! Help! Sister… I see sister coming at me with a knife to gouge my eye! It hurts so much!” Rachel panicked and grabbed her. “Yara! What’s wrong? Don’t scare Mommy!” “It’s Nora! That wretched girl must be hiding somewhere cursing Yara!” Patrick roared: “Adrian! What are you standing there for? Get Yara to the hospital!” Adrian stood frozen in place. On one side, police notification to identify a body. On the other, Yara writhing in pain. “Adrian…” Yara grabbed Adrian’s pant leg, looking up pitifully. “I’m so scared… Am I going blind? Is Nora refusing to give me her cornea?” Adrian looked at her, then at the phone in his hand. Even the phone still had my blood on it.

After our housekeeper Shanna threw away the ring I’d custom-made for my husband, she dropped to her knees sobbing and apologizing: “Mrs. Whitmore, I thought it was just an empty box. I had no idea there was a ring inside. I know I’m poor—my worthless life isn’t worth one of your rings. Please don’t hold this against me.” I forgave her and helped her dig through our household trash to find the ring. The next day, when my husband Blake Whitmore returned from his late-night business trip, he said he wanted to take me somewhere special and mysteriously blindfolded me. He’d always loved surprising me, so I thought this was just another one. I never expected him to use a helicopter to drop me in a landfill containing 100 tons of garbage. That housekeeper sat provocatively beside him in the helicopter. Blake glared at me coldly: “Do you realize that because you made Shanna dig through the trash, she lost the only bracelet her mother left her!” “You like digging through trash so much? Today I’ll let you dig to your heart’s content! Don’t even think about leaving until you find Shanna’s mother’s keepsake!” In the sweltering summer heat, the nauseating stench made me retch continuously. These two had really crossed the line! In fury, I fired a signal flare at his helicopter!

The helicopter was hit by the signal flare, swaying and rocking in midair, nearly losing control. Shanna almost fell out. Blake caught her in his arms, still shaken, and roared at me in the garbage heap: “Lauren Yale, have you lost your mind!” He wore a microphone headset, his tremendous rage filling the entire landfill. Under the night sky, several helicopters circled overhead—all Blake’s friends from the elite circle, men and women wearing masks and watching my humiliation from above. “Is Lauren trying to get herself killed? Even now she’s still got such a temper!” “I think she’s forgotten where she came from—a nobody who became somebody! She should take a good look at herself!” “Exactly. A scholarship student who married Mr. Whitmore, lived the good life for a few years, and now thinks she’s too good to treat the household staff decently!” “Mr. Whitmore is right to do this. If he doesn’t teach her a lesson, she’ll really believe she’s upper class!” They all wore microphones, their mocking laughter mixing with the pervasive garbage stench. I couldn’t be bothered with them. The signal flare had been sent—it wouldn’t be long before people from the organization came to deal with them. Did they really think I was just some jealous wife?! I might not be wealthy, but my authority was far above these people! By crossing me, they’d triggered a bomb! “Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Whitmore has such a delicate constitution. Let me go down and search instead. After all, she’s used to making me dig through trash anyway. I’m nobody—let someone lowly like me do the trash-digging.” Shanna put on her fake act. Blake looked at her with heartbreak, his voice tender: “You’re too kind. Kind women get bullied. I won’t let you be so understanding.” The scene pierced my heart. This housekeeper had been hired by Blake just a month ago. Five years of marriage couldn’t compete with a new housekeeper. Seeing me cover my nose and stand frozen, Blake commanded me again with finality: “Until you find Shanna’s mother’s keepsake, don’t even think about leaving!” I snorted coldly. “We’ll see if I can leave or not! I was blind to marry you! Blake Whitmore, our marriage is over!” Blake turned red with anger. “I gave you too much indulgence, and this is what you’ve become! I won’t coddle you anymore!” With that, he coldly ordered his subordinates over the phone: “Release the toads. Don’t stop until Mrs. Whitmore gets her precious hands dirty digging through garbage!”

He knew my greatest fear was toads. I had a heart condition. Two years ago, I accidentally stepped on a toad in our courtyard at home. The fright caused my heart to spasm, breaking me out in cold sweat with my pores standing on end. I nearly collapsed right there. Fortunately, I carried emergency heart pills with me. After Blake learned about this, he personally led the household security in catching toads throughout our vast estate for an entire day and night. He had people place toad repellent around the villa. From then on, there wasn’t a single toad on the property. Even though they were gone, whenever he was home, he would carry me so my feet never touched the ground. I thought he was making too much of it, but he looked at me with devoted eyes and said: “I enjoy taking care of you like this. I want to carry you for the rest of our lives, and I’ll make absolutely sure you never step on another toad again.” Those memories felt like yesterday. The sweetest promises he’d made had now become poisoned blades aimed at my heart. Soon his subordinates brought a helicopter full of toads and began dropping them one by one, aimed at my head from high above. Because I’d left in such a hurry, I didn’t have my heart medication with me. As toad after toad pelted down on me, my innate terror made my scalp tingle. My whole body froze, too panicked to breathe. The feeling was like being slowly cut apart by someone wielding a sharp knife, slicing skin and grinding flesh. Panic reaching its peak triggered my survival instinct. I began running instinctively to escape. The helicopter overhead followed me, continuously bombarding me with toads. I felt like I’d been abandoned on a deserted island, desperately trying to survive. Though toads posed no real threat to most people, for someone with an innate phobia of them, avoiding toads felt as urgent as escaping from crocodiles. “Ha ha ha ha ha…” “I told you she was all bark and no bite. What kind of future does someone who’s afraid of toads have?” “What do you mean no future? She can make housekeepers dig through trash!” “Think Lauren will beg for mercy on her knees?” “I bet she will. Lauren, I’m not trying to be harsh, but if you’d just obediently dug through the trash to find Mr. Whitmore’s sweetheart’s mother’s keepsake, this wouldn’t have happened. You’re refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!” “You don’t actually think Shanna is just a housekeeper, do you? She’s Mr. Whitmore’s precious darling now. If you’re petty about it, that’s your problem.” The rich kids and socialites overhead watched like I was a circus act, laughing mockingly. Shanna pretended to be understanding as she called down to me: “Mrs. Whitmore, stop being stubborn and just listen to Mr. Whitmore. That day when you made me dig through trash, I accidentally lost the only keepsake my mother left me.” “My mother’s bracelet is somewhere in this landfill now. If you search carefully, you’ll find it. The sooner you find it, the sooner this ends and you won’t have to suffer like this.” In the stinking landfill, there was nowhere clean to step. After running just a few steps, I tripped and fell into a pile of garbage. Toads continued raining down on me from above. By my feet, beside me, near my hands—they were everywhere. Finally, my heart seized with terror and I passed out. As my consciousness faded, I heard Blake’s subordinate report anxiously: “Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Whitmore has a heart condition. She’s collapsed and isn’t moving. What if something happens?” Blake gave a slow, cold snort. “She’s just acting! She doesn’t have any heart disease—she’s just being dramatic to make me pamper her!” “Someone who can fight off wild dogs with her bare hands couldn’t possibly be scared to death by toads!” Shanna appeared sympathetic but was actually fanning the flames as she shouted at me: “Mrs. Whitmore, stop pretending! Get up already. You’re such a germaphobe—it must be so dirty down there. The doctor already told Mr. Whitmore you don’t have a heart condition.” “Why debase yourself like this? It pains me to watch.”

Blake was indeed provoked by her and warned me: “Lauren, get up right now and stop playing dead!” Shanna wickedly suggested: “Mr. Whitmore, could Mrs. Whitmore be suffering from heatstroke? Should we send down some ice water for her?” Now Blake believed everything she said and immediately ordered his subordinates: “Get the coldest water you can find and wake Mrs. Whitmore up!” Soon his men brought ice water and poured it over me like a waterfall from the helicopter. I felt nothing except my hearing. That splashing ice water was piercingly loud and even scared away the toads. I don’t know how long passed before I groggily regained consciousness. Bone-deep cold consumed me. I felt like I was submerged in a pool, with garbage floating in the water, drifting around my nose and mouth. Water flooding my nose gave me a drowning sensation. A violent survival instinct pulled me back again. I sat up abruptly, choking and coughing violently, as if trying to cough up my lungs. I trembled all over from the cold, as if my whole body was in an ice cellar. On this September night the temperature had plummeted, cold wind rustling. I felt like I was freezing to death. “Ha ha ha! I told you she was faking it!” “See, she can’t keep up the act anymore! Women are just naturally manipulative—like onions, you have to peel away layer after layer of their pretenses!” “Look at her now—just like a drowned rat. Ha ha ha, so pathetic!” “I’ve never seen a woman more stubborn than Lauren.” The spectators in the aircraft pulled out their phones to capture my misery, their loud mocking laughter echoing as if this moment was the happiest of their lives. Shanna hypocritically shouted at me again: “Mrs. Whitmore, get out of that water—it’s too cold and will harm your health! Mr. Whitmore makes the decisions in this house. Even if you look down on me, at least make a show of searching around a bit.” “Don’t make Mr. Whitmore so angry. Have some consideration for his health—men shouldn’t get this upset.” Her cheap words touched Blake deeply. Looking up, I saw him with one arm around the housekeeper’s waist and one hand caressing her thigh through her black stockings. The way he looked at her was heavy with lust. This man who once swore to heaven that even if every man in the world cheated, he never would. Now he was openly flirting with the housekeeper right in front of me. Sure enough, a man’s promises are only true when written on his tombstone! Seeing me glare at him in fury, Blake’s flirtatious expression instantly turned to displeasure as he snapped at me: “So you do know how to be angry? When you were mistreating Shanna, didn’t you think about how unsanitary garbage is?” “Just because of a stupid ring, you made her lose her mother’s keepsake! Didn’t you consider how devastated Shanna would be?!” “I thought you could recognize your mistakes, but I see your attitude is still defiant. I’ve given you too much confidence!” “From now on, I won’t indulge you anymore!” I laughed coldly in proud anger. “Are you done spouting your bullshit!” Instantly the spectators in the aircraft erupted: “Damn, she’s got guts! First time I’ve ever seen anyone dare talk to Mr. Whitmore like that!” “Someone who dares tell Mr. Whitmore he’s spouting bullshit—I’ve never seen that in my life.” “Even at this point Lauren’s mouth is still so sharp. She really doesn’t fear death!” Blake’s expression turned severe, his eyes boring into mine: “Since you’re not afraid of humiliation, I’ll make sure you’re thoroughly humiliated!” With that, he used his radio to order the other helicopters full of spectators: “Don’t hold back anymore. Go ahead and livestream this.”

His friends got excited like they were high on drugs. They all pulled out their phones and aimed them at me in high definition livestreams. They enthusiastically discussed livestream titles: “How about ‘Mr. Whitmore’s Wife-Taming Chronicle’?” “What about ‘Mrs. Whitmore Humiliates Servant and Gets Taught a Lesson’?” “How about ‘Mrs. Whitmore Searches for Bracelet in 100 Tons of Garbage’? I think that one’s good!” Blake pretended to think and joined the heated discussion: “The last one—’Mrs. Whitmore Searches for Bracelet in 100 Tons of Garbage.’ Use that title.” He deliberately paused, looking at me like a rebellious student who’d driven the principal to fury! Once the livestream started with Mrs. Whitmore’s name attached, tens of thousands of viewers instantly flooded each person’s stream, with numbers continuously rising. They deliberately stirred things up in the livestream: “Hello everyone, good evening. We’re bringing you a live broadcast of Mrs. Whitmore personally searching for a bracelet in 100 tons of garbage.” “What you’re seeing is the usually dignified Mrs. Whitmore. She humiliated the household housekeeper and caused the loss of the only keepsake the housekeeper’s mother left behind. Now Mr. Whitmore is making her personally find the housekeeper’s mother’s keepsake.” They deliberately read the harshest livestream comments aloud to me: “Mr. Whitmore is doing the right thing! People who look down on others deserve this treatment!” “Lauren isn’t some heiress herself. What right does she have to humiliate us ordinary people!” “Look how pathetic she is—I’d love to go there in person and slap her a few times!” I was numb from the cold, using all my strength to struggle out of the ice water and stumble toward the distant exit. The helicopters’ blinding searchlights above shone directly into my eyes. Seeing I still wouldn’t submit to him, Blake played his final card: “Lauren, I’m asking you one last time—will you search for Shanna’s mother’s keepsake or not? Or would you rather have your mother’s ashes scattered in the garbage just to maintain your pride?!” My heart lurched painfully. I steadied my weakening body and looked up at Blake. He held my mother’s urn in his hands, coldly staring into my eyes as he opened the lid. The urn tilted, and I watched as my mother’s ashes were about to spill out. I gave in, screaming at him through my tears: “I’ll search! I’ll search! Blake Whitmore, we were husband and wife—I’m begging you not to be so heartless.” I was truly afraid he’d scatter my mother’s ashes. I immediately began pawing through the foul garbage heap, digging while pleading with him: “I’m searching right now. Please put my mother’s urn away safely. I’m begging you.” Shanna maliciously fanned the flames again: “Mrs. Whitmore, why do this to yourself? You said it yourself—you were husband and wife. But why did you try to blow up Mr. Whitmore’s helicopter earlier? You really hurt his feelings.” I ignored her and just kept digging through the garbage. Shanna continued stirring trouble: “Mr. Whitmore, the way Mrs. Whitmore is just randomly digging around, this will take forever. If she’s not going to search sincerely, forget it—let me go down and search instead.” Blake, provoked by her words, lost all patience. He tilted the urn downward and coldly threatened me: “Lauren, I don’t have time to waste on you. I’m setting a timer now. If you don’t find it within half an hour, your mother’s ashes will be scattered like dust across this garbage heap.” I broke down. One hundred tons of garbage—half an hour was impossible. But no matter how much I begged, he remained unmoved, constantly reminding me of the time. I could only pray for luck, but after using all my strength to dig through garbage for half an hour, I still hadn’t found Shanna’s mother’s keepsake. Just as I was about to beg Blake again, I watched him with his cold, heartless expression tip my mother’s urn and pour out the ashes. I watched my mother’s ashes scatter like dust in the air, falling downward. I completely shattered inside, desperately running over with outstretched hands: “No!” Above me came their roaring mocking laughter. Suddenly the sound of hundreds of aircraft approached from all directions, drowning out their derisive laughter. These aircraft surrounded Blake’s helicopter. I finally heard a reassuring voice: “Which bastard is bullying Lauren? Take him down!”

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Everything changed after my parents adopted Fiona Matthews. My parents, my brother, my fiancé—even my own family—they all took her side. And I went from being the beloved princess of the Summers family to someone everyone despised. All my struggles were just to get a little more love, but it was all in vain. When I finally decided to give up everything, I suddenly developed a condition—selective amnesia. This condition made me forget the painful people and events in my life. At Fiona and my fiancé’s engagement party, I forgot my fiancé. On the day I spent my birthday alone, I forgot the brother who once promised to protect me forever. On the day my parents threatened to disown me for Fiona’s sake, I forgot my parents. In the end, I left New York with nothing holding me back. And they all regretted it. “Aurora, aren’t you done throwing your tantrum yet?” Preston’s disgusted voice drifted up from downstairs. I stood on the staircase, looking down from above. My parents, Julian and Preston surrounded Fiona as they sat together. The way they looked at me was cold and full of contempt. It was as if the steps beneath my feet had created a harsh divide, splitting us into two completely different worlds. In their world, Fiona was the cherished princess everyone adored, while I was the vicious villain who bullied her—every move I made met with their impatience and wariness. But in my world, it was like an endless rain was falling. I ran frantically in all directions, but I couldn’t find a single shelter where I could rest. It didn’t used to be like this. I forced myself to maintain an indifferent expression, though my eyes betrayed my confusion. Before Fiona came to our house, I was the one who was pampered and spoiled, the princess raised in the palm of my parents’ hands. Though my parents were always busy and frequently traveling, every time Dad came home, he would catch me as I ran into his arms, lift me high in the air, his voice full of indulgent affection: “Did our Aurora miss Daddy?” If I loudly replied, “Yes!” Dad would laugh heartily and rub his stubbled cheek against mine. The gifts my parents brought back for me each time could literally bury me. Even when my parents weren’t home, I never lacked for anything. Because I had the best brother in the world, and the gentlest childhood friend. When my parents were away, Julian and Preston kept me company. Even though they were boys and Julian was five years older than me, they never minded that I was a delicate girl. They patiently played childish games with me. I grew up under their adoration until I turned seventeen—until my parents brought home a girl my age named Fiona Matthews. Everything changed. Fiona was the daughter of my mother’s college roommate, Lauren Matthews. They had been close friends in their youth and stayed in touch even after both got married. But Lauren’s family circumstances were modest, and she didn’t want to take advantage of our family, so they mostly communicated online. Until that year, when Fiona’s parents died in a car accident. My mother felt terrible for Fiona, who had lost her parents while her relatives passed her around like a hot potato. So my mother adopted Fiona. My mother told me: “Aurora, Fiona has been through so much. Be understanding with her.” That understanding cost me everything.

Fiona was nothing like me. She was always frail and delicate, her eyes perpetually misty. If anyone spoke even slightly louder, she could shed tears at any moment. On the first day, I made Fiona cry. Because I called out “Mom,” and fragile Fiona immediately thought of her deceased parents. Under my mother’s reproachful gaze, I stumbled backward two steps in panic. Within the first month, I “caused” Fiona to fall into the lake. Behind the Summers family mansion was an entire garden with a lake in the center. Beside the lake stood a treehouse my father had specially built for me when I was little. It was my favorite place. Fiona cried constantly. Mom said it was because she missed her parents too much. Mom told me to take Fiona to play in the treehouse together. I didn’t want to. In my heart, the treehouse belonged to me alone. I had too many beautiful memories there. Whenever I was unhappy, I would go to the treehouse to look at the stars, and Julian would always find me there and gently wipe away my tears. I said reluctantly, “Can’t we go somewhere else?” Fiona’s voice was soft: “It’s okay, Mrs. Summers. If Aurora doesn’t want to, I won’t go.” My mother’s voice rose, leaving no room for negotiation: “Aurora, is this how I raised you?” I had no choice but to take Fiona to the garden. By the lake, I looked at the distant treehouse, feeling unhappy, but still tried to patiently prepare to take Fiona inside. But just then, Fiona stumbled and crashed into me, and we both fell into the lake together. By the time someone discovered us, Fiona and I had struggled until we lost all strength. Through my haze, I saw Julian swimming toward me to save me. In my heart, I called out silently: “Julian, save me, please save me.” But from the shore, Mom’s voice rang out sharp as a hammer, making my head spin. “Julian! Save Fiona first! Fiona’s health is poor! If she dies, how will I answer to the Matthews family?” In my despair, I watched Julian glance at me with guilt before turning to swim toward Fiona instead. I opened my mouth, wanting to call out to my brother, but the bitter lake water surged into my stomach as if trying to fill the void left by the love I was about to lose. In all the chaos, a security guard pulled me out. Fiona woke up quickly, but because I had been submerged too long, I remained unconscious for three full days before waking. When I woke up, everything had changed. Mom looked at me with utter disgust: “How did I give birth to such a vicious daughter?” Dad was so disappointed: “Aurora, your father always taught you to be kind.” Julian looked at me with guilt and confusion: “Fiona hasn’t affected you at all. Why would you push her into the lake?” That’s when I learned that Fiona had woken up three days before me. After she woke, she tearfully claimed that I had pushed her into the lake, and said that only if she disappeared would I be happy. I protested loudly: “That’s not true!” “I didn’t push her! She pushed both of us into the lake!” But no one believed me. The more I explained, the more powerless I felt. From that day on, in everyone’s eyes, I transformed from a pampered princess into a vicious person. I don’t know why, but I kept doing things wrong. Whenever I encountered Fiona, everyone seemed to think I was targeting her. When my parents returned from business trips, they only remembered to bring gifts for Fiona, but forgot about me. After enduring six months of accumulated emotions, I finally exploded: “Mom, Dad, who’s actually your daughter? This is so unfair!” I saw a flash of guilt in my mother’s eyes, but it quickly transformed into self-righteousness: “Fiona lost her parents. Of course we need to take extra care of her. Why are you being so petty? You’re nothing like me.” Dad looked guilty: “Dad will give you a card, Aurora. Go buy whatever you like, okay?” But Fiona was crying again, her voice low but impossible to ignore. Everyone looked over. Fiona said softly: “I’m sorry, Mom, Dad. It’s all my fault. I don’t want any gifts. Give them all to Aurora.” Mom immediately grew angry: “Aurora, when did you become like this? Your father and mother are very disappointed in you!” I watched Julian wipe Fiona’s tears, and suddenly felt that something seemed to be drifting further and further away from me. I was panicked, uneasy, disappointed, and sad. But all I could do was bite my lip and say: “I don’t care anyway!” Then I ran back to my room. I wouldn’t cry. When I was little, Dad said Aurora was a princess, and Aurora’s tears were pearls—I couldn’t cry easily. I tossed and turned in my room, growing more and more confused. Why? Was Fiona really more likable than me? Sourness traveled from my chest to my nose, making it hard to breathe. But I refused to admit defeat. My pride wouldn’t let me bow my head. I thought, since Fiona had stolen everything from me, I would just take it all back.

From my seventeenth year to my twenty-third. I spent six years learning one lesson—the more you try to grasp something, the harder it is to hold onto. I became a complete failure. Family, love, career—I had nothing. All I had was my parents’ irritation and impatience, Julian’s indifference, and Preston’s hatred. I held my head high, like the princesses in the fairy tales Preston used to tell me when I was young. A princess never bows her head. My voice struggled to remain steady: “I’m done.” I looked down at the group at the bottom of the stairs—people I once thought would be my lifelong support, my family. The corners of my mouth lifted in a mocking smile: “You’re all one family now. What more do I have to make a fuss about?” Julian looked at me, his fingers suddenly twitching. He knew me best, after all. Julian was my biological brother. From the time he was five years old and watched me being born, he had watched me grow up. For some reason, Julian’s heart seized, and he felt an inexplicable panic. But the next second, my mother’s words prevented him from grasping that moment of alarm. “Aurora, I don’t care what tricks you’re planning now. I’m telling you, tomorrow is Fiona’s engagement party, and you must attend.” Tomorrow was Fiona and Preston’s engagement party. It took me a full month to painfully accept this fact. Actually, I had no choice but to accept it. I tilted my head slightly. My arm was still throbbing with dull pain. My mother must have forgotten that when I was seven, Preston had picked roses from his mother’s garden, clumsily removed the thorns, and then found me. Preston looked at me and asked quietly: “Aurora, when you grow up, will you marry me?” When Preston asked me this, my parents, Preston’s parents, and Julian were all present. Everyone laughed at the sight of us, just tiny children. Only Preston didn’t laugh. His face turned red as he stood awkwardly before me. My mother asked with a smile: “Preston, do you know what marriage means?” Preston answered seriously: “It means protecting Aurora for the rest of her life.” “Ma’am, Aurora is so delicate. What if someone else can’t take good care of her?” My father snorted lightly: “Wait until you’re grown up, then we’ll talk about this.” So every year on that day, Preston would ask everyone: “Am I big enough yet? Can I marry Aurora now?” It wasn’t until we entered middle school that Preston realized how silly his past behavior had been. But still, on that day each year, he would gently take my hand: “Aurora, when we grow up, I’ll definitely marry you.” Preston, who promised to protect me forever, now stood in front of Fiona, looking at me with hatred, as if I were about to hurt Fiona at any moment. I suddenly felt tired. I had once vowed to win back everyone’s love, and so my entire life became trapped in this mansion, obsessively calculating whether they treated me better or worse than Fiona. A little more, and I would be happy. A little less, and I would be depressed. Round and round, until I seemed to lose myself entirely. And I still ended up with the image of a vicious woman. Everyone downstairs was my closest family in this world. They didn’t love me. Did I even deserve to be loved by anyone else? But what else could I do? I had already tried my best, and they still didn’t love me. Maybe I had been too happy before, so that after seventeen, every day since has been paying back that debt. I nodded: “I understand. I’ll go.” I didn’t have the energy to look at the surprised or relieved expressions on their faces below. I returned to my room.

The moment the door closed, my straight spine bent. I slid down against the door to the floor. My mind seemed to be thinking about everything and nothing at all. The world became hazy before my eyes, as if separated from me by a layer. Only my hand unconsciously gripped the freshly scabbed wound on my arm. I had cut it with a small knife a few days ago. Starting a year ago, the thought of leaving this world became increasingly intense. With Fiona here, maybe even if I died, it wouldn’t affect those people in the slightest. But I was still struggling to stay alive. Every time I thought about ending it all, those warm moments from childhood would flood in, making the hand holding the knife lose a bit of its strength. I opened my phone. The contact list was nearly empty. Ever since Fiona came to our house, I had been forcibly bound to her. I got into New York University; Fiona didn’t, so my mother donated two buildings to get her in. After graduation, I started working at the Summers company, and immediately Fiona was placed in my department. Under Fiona’s performance, in everyone’s eyes, I was the arrogant young lady with a terrible temper. No one wanted to get close to me. She, on the other hand, was the poor little thing I bullied, easily winning everyone’s favor—not to mention she spent the Summers family’s money giving plenty of benefits to her so-called “friends.” I couldn’t even find a single outlet to pour out my pain. Those feelings of resentment, anger, numbness, and suffering crashed around inside my body, as if trying to destroy me from within. And I was completely helpless. I curled up into a ball on the soft carpet. After a long while, I couldn’t help but shed a tear. Dad, you lied to me. My tears aren’t pearls at all. No one cares about the tears I shed. I wanted to get up right now and go before that group of people who once loved me but now loved Fiona, and shout: “Tell me! What exactly do you want me to do?” But in the end, I just curled myself into an even tighter ball. Sleep, Aurora. Everything will be better after sleep. Close your eyes, and this painful day will end. I didn’t sleep well. My eyeballs kept jumping beneath my eyelids, my breathing quick and shallow, as if I were being tormented. But when dawn approached, my breathing finally steadied. It wasn’t until noisy sounds erupted outside my door that I groggily woke up. The door was being pounded loudly. I lifted my aching body from the floor and opened the door. Outside stood Julian with his cold voice: “Why haven’t you gotten ready yet? Today is Fiona’s engagement party. You’re not planning to throw another princess tantrum and refuse to go, are you?” My head still hurt. I had no energy to answer Julian’s question. Perhaps seeing how pale I looked, Julian’s voice softened slightly: “What’s wrong with you?” I stepped back, my voice flat: “Nothing.” Julian looked at me, as if angered by my coldness. His eyes filled with disappointment: “Aurora, you weren’t like this before. You used to—” “I’m sick of hearing that line. If you have nothing to say, go keep your dear sister company. If you keep wasting time, I really will miss the engagement party.” With that, I closed the door in Julian’s shocked gaze. Warm water streamed over my body. I was still thinking—engagement party? Fiona’s engagement to whom?

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I lay on the delivery bed, my husband Ethan holding my hand. “Just hang in there a little longer, Rebecca. Our baby will be born soon.” I was drenched in sweat from the pain, yet I still managed to give him a smile. Until a nurse walked in carrying a syringe. I thought it was the anesthetic for an epidural. But Ethan suddenly released my hand and said, “This is a labor-delaying drug. I need to let Scarlett deliver her child first. You’ll have to wait.” I wanted to scream, to struggle, but the medication had already been injected into my body. I never imagined that my husband would care so little about my life, all so his dead Derek ‘s wife could deliver her child first. I was wheeled into a makeshift cell in the hospital basement. Ethan’s sister Lily stood at the door, toying with a scalpel in her hands. “Don’t blame my brother. Scarlett’s carrying a boy. You’re carrying a useless girl.” I clutched my stomach as a new wave of contractions fought against the medication. The pain made everything go dark before my eyes. “Get a doctor. I’m going into labor, really…” Lily laughed. She walked in, crouched in front of me, and gently tapped my face with the scalpel. “Labor? The drugs will last another three hours. Scarlett’s already in the delivery room. Just wait here like a good girl. Once her son is safely delivered, you can deliver however you want.” After speaking, she stood up and instructed the guard at the door, “Watch her. If she dares to shout, gag her.” The door closed. The basement had only one dim emergency light. I lay on the floor, blood soaking through my dress. My phone had been confiscated by Ethan when we entered the hospital. He said it had radiation, bad for the baby. Looking back now, he was afraid I’d contact the outside world. I curled up, trying to use deep breathing to ease the pain. But my mind was full of Ethan’s expression from earlier. Cold, calculating, like he was looking at an object. Not at his wife, nor at the woman about to bear his child. Three months ago, Derek died in a car accident. He left behind his widow Scarlett, three months pregnant. At the funeral, Ethan’s grandfather wept openly, gripping Scarlett’s hand and saying, “You must safely deliver the child.” I felt sorry for Scarlett then and volunteered, “Grandpa, don’t worry. Ethan’s and my child will also be filial to you.” Ethan’s grandfather glanced at me without saying a word. Turns out from that moment on, my child had already been abandoned. “Ah…” Another wave of contractions hit, fiercer than before. The medication was weakening. The baby wanted out. I clawed at the door, pounding with all my strength. “Someone, please! I’m in labor! Save my child!” No response from outside. It wasn’t until I’d shouted myself hoarse that I heard the guard’s impatient voice, “What are you yelling about? Miss Lily said to wait.” “But the baby…” “If it dies, that’s fate. Who told you to carry a girl instead of a boy?” I collapsed on the floor, my whole body freezing. It wasn’t fate. Someone wanted my baby dead.

I don’t know how long I endured in the basement. The bleeding grew heavier, soaking everything beneath me. As my consciousness began to blur, the door suddenly opened. It wasn’t Lily, nor the guard. It was the family doctor, Dr. Morgan. When he saw my condition, his face went pale instantly. “Mrs. Grant? What are you doing here? Mr. Grant said you were resting in the VIP room?” I tried to speak but couldn’t make a sound. I could only point at my stomach, tears streaming down continuously. Dr. Morgan hurried over and crouched down to examine me. The moment his hand touched my stomach, he sucked in a sharp breath. “She needs surgery immediately!” He tried to lift me, but the moment I moved, massive amounts of blood gushed from below. Dr. Morgan’s hands were shaking. He shouted toward the door, “Someone! Quick! The patient is hemorrhaging!” The hallway was empty. This private hospital was invested in by the Grant family. Tonight, for Scarlett’s delivery, they’d cleared the entire facility. All medical staff were on standby in the third-floor delivery room. Dr. Morgan pulled out his phone to call, only to discover there was no signal in the basement. “I’ll carry you up. Hang on!” He gritted his teeth and lifted me, stumbling toward the exit. The stairway was long. Each step jolted me into agony worse than death. I could feel the baby descending, but it wouldn’t come out. The medication was still taking effect, contractions coming and going. This was the most dangerous situation. “Dr. Morgan…” I grabbed his collar, my voice barely a whisper. “Save the baby. Please.” “Don’t talk nonsense. Everything will be fine!” He finally burst onto the first floor, running toward the operating room. But when we reached the entrance, we both froze. The operating room door stood wide open. Inside was empty. Just an empty room with a few electrical outlets on the wall. Dr. Morgan stood frozen in place. “How is this possible… I checked the equipment this afternoon…” Footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway. Lily approached with two nurses. Seeing us, she raised an eyebrow. “Dr. Morgan, what are you doing here? Scarlett’s in the third-floor delivery room. Why did you come down?” Dr. Morgan pointed at the empty operating room, his voice trembling, “Where’s the equipment? Where did all the surgical equipment go?” Lily looked innocent, “We moved it to the third floor. Scarlett’s having a C-section. She needs the best equipment. What if there’s an emergency? An ordinary operating room wouldn’t be enough.” She glanced at me and smiled. “Lily, are you going into labor? You’ll have to wait a bit. Scarlett’s not finished yet. Just hold on a little longer.” I looked at her perfectly made-up face. Suddenly I remembered six months ago when she’d linked arms with me while shopping, sweetly saying, “Rebecca, you’re so wonderful.” Back then, I’d bought her bags worth over a hundred thousand dollars. Now, looking back, what a joke.

Dr. Morgan frantically searched the nurses’ station for emergency equipment. But the cabinets were completely empty. Not even basic hemostats or gauze. “Where are the medications? Hemostatic agents! Uterine stimulants!” A nurse said quietly, “They were all sent to the third floor. Mr. Grant ordered all resources to prioritize Mrs. Scarlett.” Dr. Morgan slammed his fist on the cabinet. His eyes red, he looked at me, his lips trembling, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Mrs. Grant… There’s nothing I can do…” Lily walked over and patted his shoulder, “Dr. Morgan, don’t panic. Scarlett hasn’t delivered yet, right? Once Scarlett’s done, we’ll bring the equipment back down.” She glanced at my stomach and added, “Even if she does deliver, it’s just a girl. If she’s gone, she’s gone. The Grants don’t need this one.” I stared hard at her. Stared at this person I’d treated like a sister for three years. Then, using every ounce of strength, I squeezed out two words, “Bastard.” Lily’s expression darkened. She bent down, leaned close to my ear, her voice low, “Curse all you want. After you deliver and your body’s weak, I’ll have plenty of ways to shut you up. Then Ethan will marry Scarlett. As for you…” She straightened up, her smile bright. “For Ethan’s sake, I’ll let you live as a servant.” Dr. Morgan couldn’t take it anymore, “Miss Lily! This is murder!” “Murder?” Lily scoffed. “Dr. Morgan, watch your words. A patient dying during difficult labor is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Besides, this is Grant family business. What right does an outsider like you have to interfere?” She waved at the guards, “Take Dr. Morgan to rest. I’ll personally take care of scarlett Two guards stepped forward and dragged Dr. Morgan out. Dr. Morgan struggled and shouted, “Mrs. Grant! Don’t give up! The baby can still be saved!” His voice grew fainter. Lily closed the nurses’ station door and turned to look at me. She pulled out her phone and made a video call. “Ethan, scarlett ‘s going into labor. Want to watch?” Ethan’s face appeared on the screen. He was outside the delivery room, medical staff busy in the background. “Rebecca, stop this. Scarlett’s situation isn’t good. The baby’s heart rate is dropping.” Lily pointed the camera at me, “Look at scarlett. She’s bleeding so much. Is she dying too?” Ethan frowned, glanced briefly, then quickly looked away. “Tell her to wait. Once Scarlett delivers, the doctors will go down. Rebecca, Lily will take care of you for now. I can’t leave here.” The video call ended. Lily shrugged and put away her phone. “You heard him, right? In my brother’s heart, Scarlett comes first. You’re just a breeding tool. Once the tool’s used up, it gets thrown away.” I closed my eyes, no longer looking at her. My hand secretly moved to my back, feeling for the lining of my dress. Sewn there was a device the size of a button. Alexander Sinclair had given it to me. He’d said, “Rebecca, the Grants run deep. If anything happens, press this.” I’d laughed at his excessive worry then. “Dad, Ethan treats me well. Everyone in the Grant family treats me well.” Now, thinking back, how stupid I’d been. I used my nail to pry open the device’s protective cover. I pressed it gently. No sound, no light. But I knew the signal had been sent. Alexander Sinclair had said once I pressed it, someone would come within half an hour. But half an hour… Could my child survive half an hour?

My consciousness grew hazier. Lily sat in a chair playing with her phone, occasionally glancing up at me with the look of someone observing a lab animal. “Rebecca, what did you think you’d gain by marrying into our family? Did you think my brother was handsome? That the Grants were rich? But didn’t you ever think—what right does someone from an ordinary family like yours have to enter the Grant family’s door?” I said nothing. Lily continued, “If you hadn’t gotten pregnant early, my brother never would have married you. We thought you’d at least deliver a son and be somewhat useful. But the ultrasound showed a girl. Grandpa’s face went black. Good thing Scarlett’s carrying a boy, or this generation of Grants would have no heir.” She stood up, walked over, and kicked my leg. “So you see, people need to know their place. What isn’t yours, don’t force it. Once Scarlett delivers, you’ll sign the divorce papers, take some money, and leave. Then you can find some ordinary guy to marry. Wouldn’t that be nice?” I opened my eyes and looked at her, “Does Ethan know you’re talking to me like this?” Lily laughed, “Of course he knows. My brother sent me to persuade you. He said you’re stubborn and worried you might do something foolish, so he told me to counsel you properly.” I tried to smile but couldn’t. Another sharp pain tore through my abdomen. This time fiercer than all the others. The medication had completely worn off. The baby was coming. “Ah!” I couldn’t help but cry out. Lily stepped back, frowning, “What a hassle.” She opened the door and called out, “Someone come check if she’s about to deliver.” A nurse walked in timidly, took one look, and her face went white. “The cervix is fully dilated. I can already see the head… But there’s too much bleeding. We need to assist the delivery immediately!” Lily said impatiently, “Then assist!” The nurse was nearly crying, “There’s no equipment, no medication. Delivering like this… both mother and baby are in danger…” “Then let them be in danger,” Lily said coldly. “They’re going to die anyway. Why does it matter?” After giving her orders, Lily left to find Ethan, not caring about my life or death at all. The nurse didn’t dare speak further. She could only crouch down and try to help me dilate manually. But I couldn’t push at all. Too much blood loss. My strength was completely depleted. The baby was stuck, unable to go up or come down. Time passed second by agonizing second. Each second was torture. Until the hallway suddenly filled with rapid footsteps. Many people. The sound of boots hitting the floor, crisp and uniform. The nurse’s face changed, “Who’s there?” The door was kicked open. A group of people in black tactical gear rushed in, all armed. The man leading them removed his helmet, revealing a face with sharp features. The moment he saw me, his eyes turned red. “Miss!” I opened my mouth but couldn’t make a sound. I could only reach my hand toward him. The nurse screamed in panic, “Who are you! How did you get in! Security! Security!” The man didn’t even look at her. He rushed straight to me and knelt on one knee. “We’re late. Please forgive us, Miss!” He lifted me and ordered those behind him, “Clear the area! Prepare emergency treatment!” “Yes, sir!” The black-clad operatives moved swiftly. The nurse tried to flee in the chaos but was pinned to the ground. She struggled and shouted, “You dare touch me! This is a Grant family hospital!” The man turned back and glanced at her. That look was cold as ice. “The Grants? Soon there won’t be any Grants left.”

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My wife Vivian was raped and murdered. To avenge her, I stabbed the killer seven times in the abdomen and was sentenced to ten years in prison. Three years later, I was released early. I tore up the succession contract my billionaire father handed me and chose to become a chef instead. But the address for my first order turned out to be the crime scene where Vivian was killed—our marital home. My mind in turmoil, I finished cooking. Then I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. I looked up. A figure identical to Vivian walked in with a smile. I froze in place, my heart pounding as if it would leap out of my throat. She was being led by a man, walking toward the dining table with a blissful smile on her face. I recognized that man. My defense attorney—Julian. Julian pulled her back just as she was about to sit down at the table, then smiled as he pulled a ring from his suit jacket pocket. She covered her mouth, eyes wide. Their friends whistled and cheered around them. Panic seized me, and I stood up and shouted. “You can’t marry him!” She turned her head, looking at me with confusion and unfamiliarity. Julian saw it was me and froze, his expression suddenly darkening. “Williams? What are you doing here?!” His gaze dropped to my chef’s uniform, stained with grease until it was nauseating, and a smirk played at the corner of his mouth. “So you’re out of prison. And you’re our chef for today.” People around us snickered. “Is he the guy whose wife was raped, so he killed the rapist in a rage?” “He used to be such a big shot. Everyone on the street would greet him. Now he’s here cooking for us!” Julian took her right hand and knelt down on one knee with a smile. “Williams, Georgina isn’t your dead wife. She’s my bride-to-be.” Georgina stood there, one hand covering Julian’s mouth with a smile, extending her other hand to him. “You don’t need to say anything. I do.” Vivian had loved me with all her life. If she were still alive, she would never accept another man’s proposal. Only me. But Georgina looked like her, sounded like her… I fell into endless confusion, then glanced up inadvertently. When Georgina rolled up her sleeve, I saw a small heart-shaped birthmark on her forearm! My heart trembled! This was Vivian’s unique birthmark. There couldn’t be a second person in the world with it! I rushed forward and grabbed Georgina’s hand, pointing at the heart-shaped birthmark on her arm. “This birthmark—have you had it since birth?” Julian grabbed my clothes and yanked hard, throwing me onto the sofa. He pointed at me impatiently. “Williams, you can leave once you’re done cooking.” “I’m proposing to Georgina. Try to interfere again and see what happens.” I stood up and gripped Georgina’s arm tightly. “Georgina, have you lost your memory? How could you forget me?” “Let me take you to the hospital, okay?” Georgina struggled fiercely, her face ice cold. Vivian was an only child. I didn’t believe there could be two people in the world who looked this much alike. I tried to convince Georgina to go to the hospital for a DNA test. Julian walked up to me, raised his hand, and slapped me across the face, his finger pointing at my nose. “Williams, this is my home now, not yours anymore!” This house had once been the marital home I shared with Vivian. After she died, I’d asked a realtor to sell it for me to avoid painful memories. But I never imagined the buyer would be Julian, a student I’d sponsored. Even less did I imagine that a woman who looked so much like Vivian would appear in our former marital home.

I stood in the center of the living room, covering my stinging face and looking around. All the memories that belonged to Vivian and me had been completely erased. The furnishings had all changed. Even the eternal flowers on the cabinet—symbols of Vivian’s and my love—had been removed and replaced with an object covered in red cloth. I was lost in a daze. Maybe Georgina really wasn’t my Vivian. Because Vivian had promised me that only when the eternal flowers withered would she stop loving me. But eternal flowers never wither, and Vivian would never stop loving me. I turned to leave in dejection. In the midst of cheers, Julian slipped the ring on Georgina’s finger and kissed her. My heart ached unbearably, heat rising in my back. Before leaving, I couldn’t help but look back one more time. At that exact moment, Georgina made a gesture in the dining room, and my pupils shook violently. I was convinced Georgina was my Vivian! Excited, I rushed over, grabbed the wedding ring on her ring finger, yanked it off, and threw it hard on the floor. I gripped Georgina’s hands tightly and said earnestly. “Georgina, listen to me. You really are my Vivian!” “When I used to cook this dish for you, I would always add a tiny bit of minced ginger—so small no one could see it. No one would pick it out directly. Only Vivian would know these little details. This proves you’re my Vivian!” Georgina tried to pull her hands from mine. I wouldn’t let her. After several failed attempts, she flushed with indignation, raised her hand, and slapped me. “Get lost!” I wasn’t angry. Instead, I smiled. Nothing in this world could be more joyful than someone you deeply loved, who had died, coming back to life! I pulled Georgina toward the exit. Julian rushed over again and grabbed her back. He picked up the ring and held it in front of my face. “Williams, I already told you—Georgina isn’t your dead wife. She’s my fiancée.” “It’s perfectly natural for her to wear my ring. What right do you have to break it?” I said, “How much do you want in compensation?” Julian jabbed his index finger at my chest. “This ring cost three hundred thousand dollars. It’s limited edition. There’s only one in the entire country.” “It took me half a year to get it. You need to compensate me—at least a million dollars!” I stood there and took Georgina’s hand, heading for the door. “Money’s no problem, but I don’t have that much on hand right now. Let me go home and I’ll transfer it to you immediately.” “Forget a million—I could afford ten million.” “Now get out of my way. I’m taking Vivian with me!” Julian lifted his foot and kicked me. “Williams, you really think I’m stupid?” “Three years ago when you were a boss, you didn’t even have a million in cash. Now you’re an ex-con and suddenly you do?” I was kicked into the corner. The object covered in red cloth above my head swayed precariously. Several burly men with dragon tattoos on their shoulders stood up from the sofa, cracked their knuckles, and surrounded me. I got up and said earnestly. “Julian, I’m the son of billionaire Johnson. Let me take Georgina for a DNA test first, and I’ll get you a million dollars immediately after.” I wasn’t lying to them. The billionaire really was my father. Only people in the highest echelons of society knew this secret. My relationship with my father had been extremely strained since childhood. I didn’t like anything he arranged for me. Unable to bear it any longer, I ran away from home as a teenager. When I was in prison, he used reducing my ten-year sentence to three as leverage to make me come home and take over the business. But after my release, I didn’t fulfill my promise to come home and take over. So he froze all my bank accounts.

I stood up, pulling Georgina toward the door. Julian raised his fist and punched me in the face. “Do you know what kind of big shot Johnson is in Minnesota?” “If he wants you to shut up, you’d better not even breathe too loud!” “Would his son be a pathetic loser like you? You’re just a lousy chef and you dare to lie to me? Beat him!” They raised their feet and kicked me in the head again and again. Georgina was also within their attack range. I shielded her behind me with all my strength, using my back to take all the kicks. “Williams! Georgina doesn’t need your protection!” Julian bent down, picked up an iron rod, raised it, and brought it down toward my head! I arched my back, preparing to take the hit, but Georgina suddenly pushed me away. Julian’s rod struck Georgina’s calf, leaving a massive bruise. “Georgina!” I panicked. I clenched my fists and punched Julian’s nose bridge again and again, madly. The burly men stepped back, looking at me with fear. I pinned Julian down. He couldn’t break free from my grip. Blood poured from his nose as he grew angrier and more frantic. “Stop!” Georgina’s shout rang in my ears. I instinctively turned my head. A wooden stick came flying at me! “Bang!” A sharp pain exploded in my head. Hot, sticky blood flowed down from above. Stars danced before my eyes. I staggered and collapsed by the cabinet. Georgina held Julian’s face with concern. Grief and rage filled my heart. She wasn’t calling out to me… “Crack!” The object covered in red cloth fell from above and landed in front of me. The red cloth scattered across the floor, revealing what it had been covering. It was a photograph. Georgina stood in a pool of blood, smiling. Next to her stood Julian, kissing the back of her hand. The timestamp in the bottom right corner of the frame was the exact day my wife was raped and murdered. The photo’s title read “Happy Moment.” My heart seized with terror. All the blood in my body froze. Julian extended his hand and mockingly patted my face. “Oops. Looks like you discovered the truth.” Georgina rested her head on Julian’s shoulder and said to me with a playful smile as I sat there stunned. “Williams, three years have passed and you’re still so stupid.” “You didn’t lose your memory…” The people around us burst into laughter, pointing at me in my grief and mocking me. “Look at that idiot!” “He actually believed it! Someone stole his home right from under him and he didn’t even know.” Georgina leaned her head close to Julian’s ear, her breath like orchids. “Julian, what if he finds out I faked my death? He stabbed someone to death. What if he stabs me?” Julian reached out and wrapped his arm around Georgina’s waist. “Then we’ll just send him back to prison for a few more years. Or… make sure he dies!” Julian pulled out his phone and made a call. “Parker, your father’s killer is at my place. If you want revenge, come quickly.” I crawled over and grabbed Georgina’s legs. “Georgina, what are you talking about?” Georgina lifted her leg, her high heel pressing into my face. “Williams, you killed someone’s father with a knife. We’re calling them here for revenge!” My lips trembled. “Georgina, weren’t you raped? Everything I did was to avenge you!” Georgina laughed so hard she could barely stand. Julian looked at me with amusement. “But Georgina was never raped. The truth is, you lost your mind and killed someone!” My standing body began to tremble slightly. “How could you frame me like this? I killed the pillar of a family!” Julian grabbed my hair. “Not only that. You also caused a girl who got into a top university to drop out.” I roared, “Julian, I was the one who sponsored you to get out of the mountains! I was the one who got you into the top law firm! And you repay kindness with betrayal?”

Julian narrowed his eyes and raised one hand, lightly patting my face. “Don’t talk to me about sponsorship. All my achievements are due to my excellent abilities.” “Besides, your sponsorship of me, Williams, was earned for me by Georgina.” “Georgina is my true benefactor. You’re just a piece of trash who was used.” I opened my mouth wide, a cry coming from my throat. I raised my head and tried to headbutt Julian. “You pair of adulterers! I want you dead!” “Dead? Do you have the ability to make us die?” The burly men grabbed both my arms halfway and yanked hard, restraining me in a spread-eagle position. I couldn’t move. “Ding dong.” The doorbell rang. Julian opened the door and led in a small, thin girl. Julian pointed at me and whispered in the girl’s ear. “He’s your father’s killer.” The girl raised her head. In her eyes was hatred so intense it was almost liquid. “Williams, you killed my father. I want you dead!” She aimed the knife tip at my chest. “Thunk!” The blade entered half an inch into my chest over my heart, then stopped. Excruciating pain shot through me. My face went pale. “Parker, I’m a victim too. Our real enemy is Julian.” “If you kill me, you’ll go to prison too. Don’t throw away your life for this. Julian is lying to you!” “Once I investigate everything, I’ll compensate you however you want, okay?” Julian reached out and gripped the girl’s trembling arm, gently pushing forward. The blade sank another half inch. Julian stared at my agonized expression and whispered teasingly in the girl’s ear. “Don’t be afraid, Parker. I’m a top lawyer.” “I’ll tell the judge in court that you didn’t commit intentional murder—it was self-defense.” “Don’t forget, you used to have a happy family. You got into the university of your dreams. You should have had a bright future. It was Williams who destroyed all your happiness!” I said urgently, “Parker, after the incident, I transferred all the money from selling my house to you. I never wanted to harm you.” Parker gritted her teeth and roared, “You liar! You never gave me any money!” My whole body shook. I looked at Julian, who stood there smiling silently. Back then, as my defense attorney, he’d been the one who prepared the compensation process for me. Parker’s reaction made me suddenly realize that Julian had embezzled the money from selling my house. This house—he’d bought it. He’d transferred everything from his left hand to his right hand, turning everything that was mine into Julian’s! Julian stroked Parker’s hair and laughed heartily. Parker cried out and gripped the knife in her right hand tightly, thrusting it hard into my chest. But after a long moment, no sharp pain came from my chest. I opened my eyes. Julian had collapsed on the floor, a blood-soaked knife stuck in his thigh. “Julian!” Georgina cried out and threw herself on Julian, pressing her hands over the wound that was gushing blood. Julian lay on the floor, cursing in pain. Georgina stood up furiously, grabbed Parker by the hair, and slapped her again and again. “You little bitch! Without my husband’s charity, you orphan would have frozen to death this winter! How dare you bite the hand that feeds you!” Parker spat out blood and spat. “You pair of silly dogs, you really think you can fool me?” “What charity? That was the money my father died to get for me in the first place.” “I’m not here to kill Williams. I’m here to kill you, Julian!” Parker turned her head and looked at me with complex emotions. “Williams, it’s my father who wronged you.”

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I’m a traffic cop, but my wife Alice has been trying to get her driver’s license for two years and still hasn’t passed. I always comforted her: “It’s okay if you don’t pass. I’ll be your driver for life.” One day, ten minutes before my shift started, she sent me a message saying she was going to the driving school to practice. What I didn’t expect was that during my patrol, I spotted a car illegally parked. I went over to investigate. Just as I was about to knock on the window, the car started shaking. Through the blurred window, I saw a couple having sex inside. Then the woman changed positions, pressing her hand against the glass. When I saw the ring on her hand, I froze. I recognized the engraving on that ring instantly—it was the unique design I had created for Alice. In that moment, my brain seemed to stop working. I pulled out my phone and called her. The phone rang many times, but she still didn’t answer. My eyes never left that shaking car. After seeing the tangled figures of the man and woman inside, my hand unconsciously clenched into a fist. The woman’s wild behavior in the car was completely different from the shy Alice I remembered. Finally, probably finding the ringing too annoying and disruptive to their passion, the instructor reached for the phone to turn it off, but Alice quickly stopped him. “Don’t. You can’t turn off Torres’s call, or he’ll worry about my safety. Don’t talk—I’ll just say a few words to him.” The instructor cursed unhappily: “Bastard, always interrupting my fun.” Alice covered his mouth with one hand while answering the call with the other. “Hello! We’ve only been apart two hours and you miss me already?” Her familiar voice came through the half-open window. My breathing quickened as I struggled to control my emotions. After calming myself down, I asked her: “Why did it take you so long to answer?” “Because I was practicing driving! I didn’t have time to answer!” “Okay, I need to hang up now, or the instructor will scold me again. You wouldn’t want to see the instructor waste time scolding me, would you?” Before I could speak, she said “love you” and hung up. I didn’t know what words could describe how I felt at that moment. I didn’t have the courage to go confront them, because Alice and I had come so far together—it hadn’t been easy. I didn’t want to witness with my own eyes the girl I cherished losing her pure and beautiful image. Just as my eyes were turning red, my colleague Mark arrived. “Torres, what’s wrong with you?” I smiled bitterly and shook my head: “Nothing, just got some sand in my eye.” “That’s good then. Let’s go!” “That car up ahead is illegally parked. Look how violently it’s shaking—the people inside must be up to no good.” “But it’s our duty, so we have to go check for violations.” As soon as Mark finished speaking, he smiled and his eyes lit up. “Let’s see who’s so bold.” He had already walked over, and I followed closely behind. As we got closer, familiar moans came through the slightly open window. I clenched my fists so hard, nearly losing control, when Mark knocked on the window. “Who is it! So rude.” The startled couple inside quickly separated. The instructor grabbed his jacket while cursing and covered Alice’s body with it. When they saw it was traffic police, they quickly opened the car door and stopped the curses on their lips. Alice didn’t dare look at anyone, hiding behind the instructor the whole time. “Sir, you’ve parked illegally here.” “You can’t park within fifty meters of an intersection. Besides the points deduction, you’ll also be fined.” Before Mark could finish, he smelled alcohol. “Have you been drinking?” As an instructor, he knew what drinking and driving meant. Alice quickly looked up to defend him: “We didn’t drink and drive—we just drank for fun.” “Yeah! This is one of men’s pleasures. As a man, you should understand this fun.” Mark said seriously: “Since you’ve both been drinking, you shouldn’t drive. Get out, we’re towing the car.”

However reluctant Alice was, she had to follow the rules. The moment she got out of the car, she almost screamed. Because when she saw my back, it was so familiar. Her breathing became rapid, and she stood there anxious as a startled bird. Just as she was about to call my name, the instructor suddenly picked her up. “Darling, let’s go!” “There’s a hotel nearby. We didn’t finish our fun earlier—we need to finish the story.” Alice jumped down anxiously, her face deathly pale, staring at my back. The instructor followed her gaze, first stunned, then laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, it’s not him. If it were, he would have come over to catch us already.” After hearing this, Alice’s worries disappeared. “Right! It can’t be my husband.” “He should be home resting by now.” “Send him a message saying you won’t be home tonight, that you’re staying at a friend’s place!” Alice nodded with a blushing face, then sent me a message. After Mark finished writing the ticket, he handed it to the instructor. “Fine me then! At least I have a beauty to keep me company tonight.” Watching their departing figures, Mark sighed. “Whose wife is that! Shameless, cheating behind her husband’s back.” He didn’t know that standing in front of him was the husband of that cheating woman. I chose to swallow this humiliation in silence. Fortunately, Mark didn’t know Alice, or tomorrow everyone would know about Alice’s affair. When I got home, I saw our wedding photo that once made me feel happy. I walked over, took it down, and smashed it to pieces. Glass shards pierced my flesh, but I felt no pain. Because my heart hurt ten thousand times more than my hand. Just then, my father called. I picked up the phone with my bloody hand and answered, but lost my ability to speak. My father on the other end didn’t notice anything wrong. Instead, he lowered his usual domineering tone and spoke gently. “Torres! Do you really love her that much? But I found out her family has never been satisfied with you. They think being a traffic cop is embarrassing for her. I also discovered that her whole family is materialistic and greedy. That’s why I didn’t agree to you marrying her and wanted you to hide your identity to test them for a few years!” “Anna would be a much better match for you.” “Dad, I agree to marry her now!” My words made my father freeze for a moment on the other end, his breathing heavy. “Give me three days. After I handle everything here, I’ll come home for the arranged marriage.” After putting down the phone, I received photos from Alice of her and her friend. This was to prove she wasn’t lying, to make me trust her. But now I know she’s been lying all along. These photos were arranged in advance. I suddenly realized that all those nights she didn’t come home, she must have been having an affair with the instructor. No wonder she hasn’t passed her driving test after two whole years. It’s not that she couldn’t pass—she was deliberately delaying to have an excuse to cheat. Standing on the rooftop, I smoked all night. The smoke stung my eyes painfully. The dark night seemed ready to swallow me whole, leaving me desolate with nowhere to escape. I think it’s time for our marriage to end.

The next afternoon, Alice finally came home exhausted. As soon as she saw me, she got excited and jumped into my arms like a clingy cat, wrapping her legs around my back and refusing to let go. “Did you miss me?” “It’s all Ruth’s fault. After her breakup, she kept asking me to stay with her so she could sleep. I was afraid she’d do something desperate, so I had to stay with her.” “But I was also afraid of neglecting my baby.” “Give me a kiss!” Just as her lips—those lips that had been dirtied by the instructor—were about to touch my face, I instinctively felt disgusted and pushed her away. Alice trembled violently, her face slowly turning pale. “What’s wrong with you?” As tears were about to fall from her reddened eyes, I took a deep breath. “Nothing, I have a bit of a cold. I don’t want to infect you.” When she heard the word “cold,” Alice reacted as if facing a great enemy. She rushed over, full of guilt and remorse, and hugged me tightly again. “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault for not taking care of you.” “You’re sick, and I ran off to take care of Ruth.” “I’m not going anywhere today. I’ll stay home with you.” For the rest of the day, Alice did as she promised, transforming into a caring wife, looking after me in every way. She fed me by hand, told jokes to cheer me up. If I sneezed even once, she’d rush around frantically. Watching her in the kitchen making cold medicine for me, with warm sunlight falling on her, I fell into deep thought. If only she hadn’t lied and cheated—we could have kept going like this. But love was already covered in scars. While making the cold medicine, she was secretly sending romantic messages to the instructor. I don’t know what he said, but it made her visibly restless, as if unsatisfied. After coaxing me to sleep, she quietly went out. I grabbed my jacket and followed her from a distance, watching her jump into the instructor’s arms as they kissed passionately. They immediately rolled into the bushes, using the darkness as cover. She didn’t know that I had been recording everything she did. Leaving with a heavy heart, I finally made up my mind to leave her. On the third day, it was her mother’s birthday. Alice wanted to take me home to celebrate with her mother. As soon as we entered, my mother-in-law looked at me with contempt and disdain. Even though I was carrying expensive gifts, she still couldn’t change her disgust toward me. Alice sweetly called out: “Mom.” Only then did my mother-in-law’s expression soften a bit. But just then, Alice’s brother John arrived with Alice’s driving instructor. “Sister, look who I brought—your driving instructor! You’re so bad at driving, you should get closer to your instructor. Then he’ll teach you better.” When Alice saw the instructor, her eyes lit up immediately, and the desire buried in her heart began to stir. The instructor also looked at her with heated eyes. John smiled and brought the instructor to my mother-in-law. “Mom, don’t think he’s just an instructor—he’s loaded! He has dozens of properties and an eight-figure bank balance. Being an instructor is just his hobby.” As soon as he finished speaking, my mother-in-law’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. “I didn’t expect someone so young to be so successful!” “Not like certain people, just a traffic cop with no future. How can someone like that provide for a family?” “Mom, I won’t let you talk about Torres like that.” Whenever Alice heard others humiliate me in public, she would defend me. “Everyone has their own aspirations. What’s wrong with being a traffic cop?” “If he hadn’t saved me that year, I would have died on the highway.” My mother-in-law was about to say something when the instructor played peacemaker and stopped the argument. “Auntie, you look so young and beautiful. You don’t look like you’ve had children at all. You look like you could be Alice’s sister.” My mother-in-law was so flattered that she kept serving him food and pouring him drinks, constantly pushing Alice toward him. If this were before, I would definitely feel sad and dejected. But not now, because I no longer cared. After dinner, John forcibly dragged me out for a walk. He had always mocked and ridiculed me, so this definitely wasn’t simple.

I went to a nearby restroom. When I came back to call John, I heard him on the phone saying: “Alice, just relax and make babies with George!” “You’re addicted to his wild ways! You’ve been wanting to dump that loser anyway!” The smile on my face disappeared instantly, and I turned back immediately. But outside the room door, I heard the sounds of Alice and George, while my mother-in-law had also gone out to give them privacy. I staggered backward, took off my unique wedding ring and threw it on the ground, leaving in disappointment. This time Alice didn’t call to find me because she was immersed in her love affair. Her whole family had conspired to deceive me. I couldn’t swallow this humiliation. I immediately called my father and told him to stop helping John. With his worthless abilities, he couldn’t get anywhere without backing. Until dawn, Alice still hadn’t called back. Today was the day we would part. I signed the divorce agreement and left it on the bed. Just as I walked out the door, Alice rushed back. “Why did you come back alone without telling me?” “Did Mom say something to you again? Don’t take it to heart. We just need to live our own lives well.” As she spoke, she walked over and hugged me. But all I wanted to tell her was that we would never live those so-called good days together again. Just as I was about to be honest with her, her phone rang and interrupted what I wanted to say. After taking the call, Alice smiled and pulled me out the door. “Come on, my friends are calling me to a gathering.” At the restaurant, Alice’s friend Lester came over. “Well, well, Alice, you’ve been getting plenty of action from your man lately—you don’t need me anymore, huh?” As soon as she said this, all her friends burst into laughter. They looked at me with eyes full of both sympathy and mockery. I clenched my fists tightly, and a voice in my heart told me: “You’re leaving soon anyway, so just spend one last day with her. Part on good terms!” But just as we sat down, afraid I might catch on, they started chatting about Alice’s affair history in Spanish right in front of me. “How thrilling! I thought you were really bad at driving, but turns out you deliberately didn’t want to pass.” “Hasn’t Torres ever suspected you?” “Alice, was having sex in the car unforgettable for you?” Alice laughed heartily and answered: “Of course! It was George’s idea. He said since my husband is a traffic cop, we should deliberately park illegally to see if he’d catch us. The thrill of it is something you can’t understand.” “Torres never caught me once, but that annoying Mark kept catching us.” “And you should talk—you’re no angels either.” I suddenly stood up. I couldn’t listen to such filthy talk anymore. This action scared them, thinking I might understand Spanish. But I had learned Spanish to accommodate Alice. I wouldn’t reveal this though. I just made an excuse to leave. Alice didn’t even give us a chance to part amicably. After leaving the restaurant, I walked straight out, where a Rolls-Royce was waiting for me. Before leaving, I called Mark and told him to bring the gift I prepared for Alice to my house tonight. Mark was thrilled that I was finally willing to let him visit and meet Alice. As he said I was finally not hiding Alice anymore, I had the driver start the car, threw my card out the window, and bid farewell to the past completely. When night fell, Mark arrived with the gift box. “Torres, where did you run off to? Your phone’s been off—you almost scared me to death…” Alice opened the door to find Mark’s smiling eyes. In that instant, both of them froze completely.

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When I was seventeen, my guardian, Luca Thorne, found out I had feelings for him. He called me a disgusting psycho. He burned all one hundred and eight sketches I’d drawn of him and sent me to a school for troubled youth. Five whole years. There, I learned to kneel and drink scalding water. Learned not to cry when I was beaten. Learned to close my eyes when a dozen men surrounded me. I thought if I endured, I could go home. Until he brought back a fiancée. Winona Reynolds framed me for pushing her off a horse. He made me kneel in the rain as punishment. Winona burned herself. He ordered them to take my skin for her grafts. Winona brought a group of men to violate me. He turned and left with her in his arms. I begged him one last time, kowtowing frantically on the floor. “Mr. Thorne, please save me-” But the elevator doors closed. The look in his eyes was pure disgust. The next day was his engagement party. I jumped from the top floor and landed on the hood of his wedding car. But Luca, why did you go insane after I died?

Fiona POV When I was seventeen, they discovered my secret. I had feelings for Luca. He was my father’s best friend. And my guardian. He destroyed everything with his own hands. My drawing board. My easel. Those one hundred and eight sketches I’d secretly drawn of him, all turned to ash in the flames. “Shameless.” Behind me, the iron gate slammed shut with a heavy thud that seemed to hit my spine. A black sedan pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Luca’s cold profile. The passenger door opened. A woman in a white dress stepped out, her hair pinned up, her smile perfectly measured. “You must be Fiona. I’m Winona Reynolds.” I nodded, my throat too dry to speak. “Get in the car. It’s windy out here.” She finished speaking, slipped her arm through Luca’s as naturally as breathing, and settled back into the passenger seat. I opened the rear door and climbed in. The car was spacious, yet oppressively suffocating. In the front, Winona spoke softly to Luca. He occasionally responded, his gaze always on the road ahead. In the rearview mirror, his eyes swept over me. “Did you learn the rules in there?” His voice came through the mirror, devoid of any warmth. My body trembled slightly as those days and nights came flooding back. “I learned them.” I answered quietly, head bowed even lower. “And those inappropriate thoughts-are they gone too?” My fingers twisted the hem of my clothes. Five years. One thousand, eight hundred and twenty-five days. Every single day I repeated the same words to myself: Fiona Winters doesn’t have feelings for Luca anymore. “They’re gone.” “Good.” His gaze moved away, and the car fell into dead silence. The Thorne estate looked the same as before-vast and unsettling. After the car stopped, I followed them into the main building. “Fiona, your room…” Winona turned around, an apologetic smile on her face. “The lighting was perfect in there. So I turned it into a greenhouse. You know how much Luca loves the orchids I grow.” At the end of the second-floor hallway, the door that once belonged to me now had a sign reading “Greenhouse.” I showed no reaction. “It’s fine.” I said. “You’re the lady of the house. If you like it, that’s what matters. I’ll take a guest room.” Winona’s smile froze for an instant before returning to normal. She turned to Luca, her tone carrying a hint of pride. “Luca, see how well-behaved Fiona is now.” Luca studied me. “Mm.” He responded coolly. “Show her to the guest room.” At dinner, the long table felt like two worlds stretched between its ends. Luca sat at the head, Winona beside him. I sat alone across from them, a large bouquet of flowers between us. He carefully cut Winona’s steak. Removed the bones from her fish. His movements were focused, tender, expressions I’d never seen on his face. “Fiona, try this soup.” Winona smiled as she pushed a bowl toward me. That sentence was like pressing a switch. My spine went rigid. I picked up the spoon and mechanically scooped the scalding liquid into my mouth. The burning broth scorched my mouth, but I didn’t stop. Spoonful after spoonful, I swallowed. This was the first rule they taught me in that place: Obey, then swallow everything. Winona watched me until the bowl was empty. “Luca, I told you, Fiona is very obedient now.” Luca’s brow furrowed very slightly, then relaxed. “Keep it that way. Get along with Winona.” His tone left no room for argument. “Yes, Mr. Thorne.” I answered with my head down. Back in the guest room, I closed the door and slowly slid down against it until I was sitting on the floor. I pulled out a cloth bundle from my inner pocket. Inside were several bills crumpled by sweat. This was what I’d saved, bit by bit, doing handwork in that place. I took out my old phone, my fingers trembling as I typed in a destination. A distant city in the south, where it was spring all year round. Date: Thirty days from now. Payment. Confirmation. [Purchase Successful] Thirty days. This was the countdown I’d set for myself. Night fell. I curled up on the bed without changing my clothes. This was a habit I’d developed in that place-always ready for sudden emergencies. The sound of the doorknob turning was soft, but enough to jolt me awake. My body went rigid, my breathing stopped. The door opened. A tall shadow entered, carrying something. The most terrifying memories surged up instantly. I could barely breathe. My mind went blank, but my body reacted before my consciousness could-an instinct carved into my bones through countless beatings and humiliations. I rolled off the bed and crawled forward on my knees, my trembling hands fumbling to unbutton his shirt. “Don’t hit me…” I cried. “I’ll serve you right away… please, don’t hit me…” The light came on. Under the harsh glare, Luca stood there holding a bowl of soup. He looked down at me. “Fiona,” His voice wavered unusually. “What are you doing?!”

Fiona POV His expression changed instantly. Shock, rage, and undisguised revulsion. He swung his hand and knocked the cup off the nightstand. Glass shattered everywhere. “You think you can get what you want with these disgusting tricks?” “Five years in that place, and this is all they taught you?” My body froze. The sound of shattering glass snapped me back to brief clarity. I looked at his eyes burning with fury. He’d misunderstood. He straightened the shirt I’d pulled open, the disgust in his eyes nearly overflowing. “Look carefully. I’m not one of those people from that place.” “As for you,” He paused, each word like a knife. “I have absolutely no interest.” With that, he turned and slammed the door. The loud crash dragged me back to that dark night. I curled up on the floor, my body still shaking. Sounds came from the next room. First, Winona’s tearful consolation. “Don’t be angry. She’s still young, maybe she just… likes you too much.” Then Luca’s voice, suppressing his rage. “If she’d been well-behaved, I could’ve treated her like a sister. But she had to disgust me this way.” Then came deliberately amplified sounds of intimacy. The woman’s laughter, the man’s breathing, the bed creaking… The nights in that place sounded just like this. The sounds came from all directions, inescapable. Behind those sounds were the cries of girl after girl. I covered my ears, but the sounds only grew clearer. I crawled up and knelt on the cold floor, facing that direction. Once. Twice. I slammed my forehead against the ground. The pain seemed to numb the torment inside. Blood soon blurred my vision. I chanted like someone possessed. “Fiona doesn’t have feelings for Luca anymore.” “Fiona doesn’t have feelings for Luca anymore.” I had to kill the part of myself that still held hope. At breakfast the next day, I appeared in the dining room right on time. My bangs covered the wound on my forehead. Luca frowned, about to speak, but Winona spoke first. “The weather’s nice today. Come with us to the polo club. We’re picking out the engagement venue, and you can help us decide.” I didn’t want to go out. I just wanted to hide. “I…” “Go.” Luca cut me off coldly, leaving no room for refusal. I could only nod. “…Okay.” On the club terrace, green grass stretched as far as the eye could see. Luca went to take a call, leaving just Winona and me. When the wind blew, all warmth vanished from her face. “Having feelings for your guardian, how shameless.” My body trembled. She sneered and set down her coffee cup. “You think you hid it well? Your diary, your drawings-I knew about them long ago.” She lowered her voice. “Five years ago, he could send you there. Five years later, I can too.” “Don’t let anything go wrong at my engagement party. You need to disappear.” I thought of those torments, and my teeth began to chatter. Looking at her, I used all my strength to promise. “Don’t worry…” “I’ll leave.”

Fiona POV Winona didn’t believe me. Seeing my pale face and trembling body, the smile on her lips deepened. “I don’t trust verbal promises.” She said. “I need to help you along-make sure you leave more permanently.” She walked toward the nearby stables and led out two docile horses. “Let’s go riding. Consider it clearing our heads.” I couldn’t refuse. In his world, I had to obey her every request. We rode the horses slowly across the lawn. Winona controlled her horse, approaching me at a measured pace. When the two horses were side by side, she suddenly let out a short scream and her body lurched sideways, tumbling from the saddle. Everything happened too fast. I’d just tightened the reins when she was already rolling on the ground, moaning in pain. Her horse hadn’t even been startled. Luca, who’d been on the terrace taking a call, heard the sound and whipped around. He rushed over and scooped Winona into his arms. “I was so scared…” Winona weakly clutched his sleeve, tears immediately streaming down her face. “Her horse suddenly spooked and bumped into me.” As she spoke, she glanced at me. “It’s not her fault. She definitely didn’t mean to…” “Can’t you tolerate her at all?” Luca’s voice was cold as ice. It wasn’t me. She fell off by herself. But would he believe me? I looked at Winona cradled in his arms, then at his furious face. I couldn’t say a word. “You haven’t learned your lesson at all. You really disgust me.” He said coldly as he passed me. “Wait for me at home.” The black sedan sped away, leaving me alone at the empty polo grounds. I dismounted and slowly led the horse back. The pain in my chest had already gone numb. “I really… don’t have feelings for you anymore…” I said softly, my voice so quiet only I could hear it. Night fell. I didn’t return to my room. I sat alone on the living room sofa, waiting. The first lesson I learned in that place was: Don’t make excuses. Don’t beg for mercy. The only choice was to accept quietly. At midnight, Luca pushed through the door. He saw me sitting quietly and paused for a moment. “Kneel.” He commanded. I slid off the sofa and knelt on the cold floor. He took a black riding crop from the wall. “Why did you spook Winona’s horse?” I kept my head down and said nothing. The whip struck my back, searing hot. “Why do you insist on having feelings for me?” Another lash. “Why are you so shameless?” Another lash. I bit my lip, neither crying nor screaming. Not until the housekeeper Emma rushed out to stop him. “Sir! Stop! The floor is covered in blood!” Only then did he stop. He crouched down and gripped my chin. “Why aren’t you crying out in pain?” My lips were already bitten through. “Because…” My voice was hoarse. “It doesn’t hurt.” He didn’t believe me and roughly tore open the back of my clothes. His pupils contracted sharply.

Fiona POV Luca’s hand froze in midair. Five years. He’d personally sent me to that closed school, but did he know what I’d endured there? Just as he stood frozen in shock, Winona appeared in the living room doorway. She’d changed into pajamas and draped on a cardigan, walking over gracefully. Seeing the wounds on my back, she gasped and covered her mouth in surprise. “Oh my God, Fiona, what happened to your back?” She didn’t wait for Luca to answer before offering her explanation. “I’ve heard that some girls hurt themselves to gain sympathy.” She pulled on Luca’s arm, her voice gentle. “Luca, think about it. Fiona was at school the whole time. How could she have gotten such serious injuries? Unless…” She didn’t finish, but the implication was clear enough. Luca’s gaze turned cold again. “Beyond saving!” He looked at me, the last trace of warmth vanishing. “You disgust me!” He stood up. “Basement. Two days. No food.” I felt nothing inside. At school, being locked in dark rooms was routine. No food was even more common. I almost found it laughable. He thought this was punishment. To me, it was relief. At least for two days I wouldn’t have to see him and Winona. “Okay.” I answered softly, stood up from the floor, and walked toward the basement step by step. With each step, the wounds on my back tore open. I left a trail of bloody footprints behind me. Emma came to the basement secretly with a medical kit and a bowl of hot porridge. It was damp and cold down there, with only one dim light. “Why didn’t you explain?” Emma cried. “If Mr. Thorne knew how much you suffered at that school, he’d surely feel sorry for you!” Feel sorry? I thought of many years ago. Back then, Luca would have felt sorry for me. He once cancelled important plans just to take me to see a movie and make me happy. When I couldn’t sleep, he’d rush back through the night just to tell me a story. When I was sick, he’d clumsily make soup and nearly burn down the kitchen. Those days of being cherished were as clear as yesterday. But now? He’d pushed me into hell with his own hands, and when I struggled to crawl back, he snuffed out my last hope. The contrast between memory and reality cut like a knife. I closed my eyes. “I’m tired.” She sighed, set down the porridge and medicine, and quietly withdrew. The door closed. Darkness surrounded me. A tear slid down and disappeared into my hair. In my dream, Luca lifted me high in the air, laughing as he said. “Our Fiona is the most adorable little princess in the whole world.” When I woke, there was only the cold wall and endless chill. It’s all… in the past now.

Fiona POV Two days later, I emerged from the basement. My phone screen lit up, the date on the ticket clearly visible. Twenty-one days left. Winona stood at my bedroom door holding a black evening gown. “Put this on.” She commanded. “Tonight is his birthday party. You have to attend.” I instinctively wanted to refuse. She stepped closer, her voice dropping even lower. “You’d better behave.” I silently accepted the dress and numbly walked into the bathroom. The banquet hall blazed with lights as guests mingled with raised glasses. When I appeared behind Winona, all eyes turned toward me. Whispers rose around us. “Isn’t that the girl the master adopted? How did she turn out like this?” “Compared to the radiant Miss Reynolds, it’s like night and day.” These words floated into my ears, but I had no reaction. As the guest of honor, Luca accepted congratulations alongside Winona. When it came time for gifts, Winona produced an exquisite folder. “Luca, this is the future plan I’ve prepared for you. After the engagement, let’s travel the world together, okay?” She was publicly claiming her territory. Luca took the folder, but his gaze unconsciously swept toward me in the corner. “Alright, whatever you say.” He said. The guests applauded in admiration. Winona suddenly turned to me. “Fiona, what gift did you prepare?” Under everyone’s gaze, I slowly stood up. I took out a wooden box from my small bag. Inside was a yellowed handmade sketchbook, classically bound. This was the only thing my grandmother had left me-a precious sketchbook recording scenery from various places. Years ago, I’d wheedled and begged until Luca gave it to me. Seeing the sketchbook, his pupils contracted sharply. I placed it before him and said softly. “Happy birthday.” After a pause, I raised my eyes to meet his complicated gaze directly. “I wish you happiness.” Returning what belonged to him. Also severing my last attachment. He was about to speak. Suddenly, a crisp shattering sound came from the center of the banquet hall. The decorative ice sculpture, three meters tall, was falling toward me!

Fiona POV He lunged forward and shielded me in his arms. A thunderous crash. Massive chunks of ice struck his back. Shattered ice scattered everywhere. He groaned, his body shaking, yet still held me tightly. “Luca! Are you okay?” Winona screamed as she rushed over, crying as she tried to help him up. He pushed her away and struggled to his feet. He glanced at me, then turned to Winona, his voice hoarse. “Take me to the hospital.” Winona immediately nodded and supported his arm. Almost at the door, he stopped and turned back to her. “Bring Fiona home too. She’ll be scared alone.” Winona’s expression froze for an instant. “But your injury…” “I’m fine.” He cut her off. “I raised her since she was young.” Winona bit her lip and nodded. In the car ride back to the estate, no one spoke. Heavy rain poured down, hammering the windows and blurring the world outside. Winona stared at me, her eyes ice-cold. “Stop the car.” She ordered the driver. The sedan stopped on a deserted suburban road. “Get out.” She looked at me and spoke those words. Outside was pitch black, nothing but torrential rain. “Walk back yourself.” A cold smile curved her lips. The car door opened. Cold wind and rain rushed in. She shoved me hard. The door slammed shut behind me, and the sedan sped away. I was abandoned alone in the storm. I don’t know how long I walked. The hem of my gown was long soaked in muddy water, heavy and cold. The heels of my shoes sank into the mud and broke. I could only walk barefoot, stepping on the gravel-strewn road, shuffling forward one step at a time. Rain washed away the makeup on my face and poured over the wounds on my back that had just begun to heal. It hurt. I fell into a muddy pit, soaked and freezing and wretched. I got up and kept walking. In the dim light of dawn, the estate’s silhouette finally appeared. My strength was nearly exhausted. Just as I reached the front gate, a thick burning smell hit me. One corner of the estate was ablaze, flames lighting up half the sky. Before I could react, two bodyguards rushed out from the shadows and seized my arms on both sides. “Miss Winters, you’re suspected of arson, which caused Miss Reynolds to suffer severe burns. She’s being treated in the hospital. Please come with us.” The hospital. The pungent smell of disinfectant. At the end of the corridor, Luca stood with his back to me. Hearing footsteps, he turned around. “Why did you set the fire? Why did you burn Winona?” I wanted to explain. I’d just walked back from the suburbs. There was no way I could have started a fire. “It wasn’t me…” “Enough!” He cut me off. “Are you saying Winona set herself on fire just to frame you?!” Yes. That’s exactly what she did. But he would never believe it. The operating room door suddenly opened. A doctor walked out, his expression grave. “Mr. Thorne, Miss Reynolds has extensive burns. She needs immediate skin graft surgery.” He paused. “Before Miss Reynolds lost consciousness, she said only one thing.” “She said the injuries she suffered must be repaid by her personally.” The “her” in the doctor’s words referred to me. Use my skin for Winona Reynolds’s grafts.

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I suffer from severe sun allergy. Adrian Frost raised me for ten years and built a glass dome for me. Everyone said he cherished me to the bone. Until he brought in that “psychologist,” Dr. Claire Hayes. She said I was being dramatic and insisted on desensitization therapy. The first time, they threw me on a beach. I ended up in the ICU, my body covered in severe burns. The second time, they abandoned me in the desert. I nearly died from respiratory failure on the sand dunes. The third time, she hung my parents’ urns outside a 28th-floor window and made me climb a ladder under the scorching noon sun to get them back. I used every ounce of strength to climb up. My fingertips had just touched them when the urns fell from the height and shattered into pieces before my eyes. I broke down crying, but Adrian slapped me hard across the face. “That was flour! Are you done with this act?” Kneeling on the ground, looking at that smug woman, I finally understood. He wasn’t doing this for me. He just wanted to be rid of me. His burden. That night, I sent a message to the Holt family in Northern Europe: “Mr. Holt, about that immigration plan you mentioned before, I accept.”

Stella POV Everyone in the city knew that the billionaire tycoon Adrian Frost had a delicate lover he’d pampered for ten years. That was me. Because I suffered from severe sun allergy, I could barely tolerate any ultraviolet exposure. At best, I’d break out in blistering burns all over my body. At worst, my throat would swell shut, and I’d suffocate. For my sake, Adrian spent money like water. He not only built an ultraviolet-blocking glass dome over the estate, but even created a private shopping street under its own dome, just so I could enjoy daylight like a normal person. Everyone thought Adrian would cherish me for life. Until that psychologist, Dr. Claire Hayes, appeared. She came from humble beginnings but was boldly radiant, like a wild rose blooming under the blazing sun. Even Adrian, cold as ice, melted for her. Because of Claire’s comment that “she’s just being dramatic,” I was forced to begin so-called desensitization therapy. The first time, she took me to the beach for some “sunbathing.” After just one hour, I suffered severe burns all over my body and was rushed to the ICU. The second time, Claire took me hiking in the desert but took away my protective suit midway. That time, I nearly died on the scorching sand dunes from respiratory failure. The third time… which was this time, Claire hung my parents’ urns outside the 28th-floor window, forcing me to climb a ladder under the scorching noon sun to retrieve them. I finally exploded. I slapped Claire hard across the face and made a scene in front of Adrian, firmly demanding he fire this crazy woman. “Adrian, where did you find this quack!” I pointed at him, my voice trembling. “This is a physiological condition, not a psychological one! Why are you letting a psychologist torture me? She threatened me with my parents’ ashes. Is that what a doctor does?” But Adrian completely ignored my anger. His gaze went straight past me to Claire behind me. Claire’s fair face bore five clear finger marks, already swelling. She pressed her red lips together, looking at Adrian with stubborn defiance, her eyes full of grievance yet strength. “I know this shock therapy is painful,” she spoke, her voice catching slightly. “But I’m experienced, and this will definitely help Ms. Everhart successfully desensitize. As long as she actively cooperates with me, I believe it won’t be long before she can walk normally in the sunlight.” I saw the ice in Adrian’s eyes instantly melt, overflowing with distress. “I’m sorry, Dr. Hayes. Stella wasn’t like this before. I’m sorry you had to suffer.” Claire showed an “I understand everything” smile. “It’s okay. As a doctor, being misunderstood by patients is common. But I will never give up on any patient in my care.” Adrian looked at her with growing admiration. Then he turned to look at me, his expression instantly becoming cold and disappointed. “Stella, how did you become like this? Dr. Hayes is doing this for your own good. How could you hit someone? Where did all that elite education you received go?” I shouted hysterically, my eyes red. “She threatened me with my parents’ ashes! Shouldn’t I hit her? Adrian, can you really tolerate someone desecrating my parents’ ashes like this, letting them have no peace even in death?” “Silence!” Adrian cut me off sharply. “Stella Everhart, it’s because your parents spoiled you too much that you turned out so delicate! Who’s responsible for your parents having no peace? If you could desensitize earlier and live freely, would they still need to worry about you?” His words struck like lightning. Tears rolled down from my eyes one by one. “So… you blame me?” My voice trembled. “You don’t blame Claire for abusing me, but blame me instead?” Adrian’s eyes flickered for just a moment, seemingly with tenderness, but it was quickly replaced by determination. “Stella, be good. Claire is doing this for you. Cooperate obediently and desensitize soon. Then I’ll take you skiing in Switzerland, to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.” Claire chimed in from the side, like a victor. “That’s right, Ms. Everhart. My treatment methods may be a bit intense, but they’re very effective. Look, today is the third treatment, and you’re already not as resistant to sunlight as before. That’s huge progress. If you keep it up, you’ll definitely succeed in desensitizing.” Adrian’s firmness and unquestionable tone made my heart ache until I couldn’t breathe. Before, whatever I didn’t want to do, Adrian never forced me. When had he ever yelled at me so severely? I wiped away my tears and gave up struggling. No matter what, I couldn’t let anything happen to my parents’ ashes. I obediently climbed up the ladder. Claire stood to the side, smiling encouragingly. “Come on, Ms. Everhart.” Her magnanimity only made me seem more “tyrannical” and “unreasonable.” Yet clearly, I was always the one getting hurt. My skin was already starting to burn. Today’s sun was vicious, the light so bright I could barely open my eyes. Claire wouldn’t let me wear sun protection clothing, claiming it was to let my skin “adapt” to sunlight as much as possible. So I could only wear a tank top and shorts with no coverage. I endured my fear of heights and climbed up step by step. As the height increased and I spent more time exposed to sunlight, the burning sensation on my skin intensified. I looked down at my arm. Large patches of red rashes had already appeared, with transparent blisters forming. I felt like butter thrown into an oven, ready to melt at any moment. The excruciating pain slowed my movements. Just then, Claire’s voice came from below. “Ms. Everhart, you need to hurry. To control exposure time and reduce damage, I’ve set a countdown. One more minute and the mechanical claw will automatically release.” My heart jumped in shock. How dare Claire do this? I couldn’t care about the pain anymore and desperately grabbed the ladder, climbing upward with all my might. But I was just a patient who’d lived indoors for years-how could I possibly have the skills of a professional stunt performer? One minute wasn’t enough time for me to climb the remaining distance. When I used every ounce of strength and my fingertips finally touched the endpoint, the mechanical claw released. I reached out desperately trying to grab them, but could only watch helplessly as my parents’ urns slipped from my fingertips. They fell from the 28th floor and smashed hard on the concrete, shattering into pieces. “No!” I screamed in anguish. In desperation, I jumped directly from the ladder. Fortunately, I still had a safety rope attached. When I landed in a daze, Adrian didn’t first check my injuries. Instead, he rushed over and slapped me across the face. “Stella! Have I been too lenient with you?” He roared angrily. “You have such a temper that you don’t even care about your own life when resisting? How can you face your deceased parents? Claire already said those were just prop boxes filled with flour. How could she be insane enough to actually threaten you with real ashes!” I froze, my cheek burning with pain. Claire rushed over in a panic, standing in front of me like a saint. “Adrian, don’t blame Ms. Everhart. It’s all my fault. Perhaps this aggressive therapy is still too soon for Ms. Everhart!” Before she could finish, I shoved her hard from behind. “I don’t want your fake concern!” Claire fell down on cue, her forehead hitting the steps, immediately drawing a trickle of blood. “Stella Everhart, you’ve gone too far!” Adrian scooped Claire up, his eyes stabbing at me coldly. Then without another glance at me, he turned and strode away. I knelt on the ground, tears falling one by one onto the scorching concrete. In that moment, a thought hazily emerged in my mind: Adrian no longer belonged to me. I cried as I tried to collect the fragments on the ground, attempting to scoop up those gray-white powder. As their daughter, wouldn’t I know whether my parents’ urns were real or fake? There were marks I’d deliberately carved on them to distinguish them. Flour… all lies. Before I could gather them all, a gust of wind swept through, scattering the ashes into the air. Gone. Never to be recovered. I had also stayed under the sun too long, and the severe allergic reaction finally caused me to go into shock. I couldn’t breathe. My vision went black, and I passed out completely. When I woke up, the hospital room was empty, with only the ticking sound of machines. My entire body was wrapped in thick bandages like a mummy. My throat was parched. I struggled to sit up to pour water, but faintly heard Adrian on the phone on the balcony outside the door. “I know Claire’s methods are somewhat extreme, but without doing this, Stella will never be able to walk in sunlight for the rest of her life.” His voice carried exhaustion. “Keeping her like this, raising her for ten years-I’m really tired.” “I know what my adoptive parents had in mind, but in my heart, Stella will forever only be my sister.” “I can’t spend my life being a ‘vampire’ with her. I just want to experience a normal man’s life, marry a normal wife who can walk with me during the day, vacation at the beach… am I wrong?” My heart suddenly tore open a huge hole, cold wind rushing in. Adrian was our Everhart family’s adopted son. Though nominally my brother, everyone in our circle knew what my parents had in mind when they adopted him. I couldn’t live like a normal person, so Adrian was the future husband the Everhart family had chosen for me, and also my guardian. I had always known. I’d long harbored feelings for this gentle, patient man. I thought we would naturally get married and spend our lives together. Only now did I realize Adrian never thought that way. He only saw me as a burden he couldn’t shake off. I laughed bitterly, tears sliding down silently. If he never planned to spend his life with me, there was no need to find such high-sounding reasons, or even bring in a doctor to torture me. I didn’t blame him for wanting to pursue a normal life. I only hated why he had to use this method to crush my dignity. I took out my phone and pulled up that cross-border email that had been sitting in my drafts for ages. After thinking for a moment, I finally pressed reply. “Mr. Holt, about that Northern European treatment immigration plan you mentioned before-I accept.”

Stella POV Soon, a cross-border call came through. On the other end was Mr. Holt’s excited voice. “Stella, you’ve finally come around!” “Your condition isn’t at all suitable for the domestic environment. In Northern Europe, there are countries with polar nights where you can live a normal life.” “Years ago I told you to come, but you couldn’t bear to leave. I’m really happy you’ve changed your mind.” I forced a pale smile. “Then I’ll have to trouble you with the immigration procedures.” My uncle’s voice was hearty. “Don’t worry, I’ve handed it all to Landon Holt. He said it’ll only take a month to handle all the medical visas and procedures.” “For this remaining month, just settle your affairs in the country. When the time comes, Landon will personally fly over to pick you up.” I obediently agreed. “Okay.” Just as I hung up, Adrian pushed the door open. “Stella, you’re awake? Who were you on the phone with?” I shook my head, said nothing, and silently placed my phone face-down on the bed. Adrian thought I was still angry and habitually reached out to pat my head, but I dodged by turning away. His hand hung awkwardly in mid-air. Adrian froze, then withdrew his hand, softening his voice. “Stella, are you still mad at me?” “I’m doing this for your own good. Once you desensitize early, you can live a normal life, and we won’t have to live so carefully anymore.” For my own good? I laughed coldly inside. Before, I really did think he was doing it for my own good. But I was too naive. Now I knew he wasn’t doing it for me-he was trying to get rid of me. For ten years, he felt he’d accommodated me enough. He longed to shed me, this burden who could only live in shadows. Seeing I still wouldn’t speak, Adrian’s gentle patience wore thin. “Stella, Claire has put her heart and soul into creating treatment plans for you. If you won’t appreciate it, fine, but you even pushed her and hurt her. Once you’re a bit better, I want you to apologize to Claire.” I held back the bitterness and pain in my heart, saying coldly, “You want me to apologize? Impossible.” “She destroyed my parents’ ashes and you want me to apologize to her? Adrian, you’re dreaming.” Adrian’s face instantly darkened, his voice cold as ice. “You must apologize, or you’re no longer my sister!” I turned my head, looking at him in disbelief. “Adrian, you’re threatening me with cutting ties now?” I hardened my heart, each word ringing clear. “I will never apologize to that woman in this lifetime.” Adrian laughed in anger and nodded. “Fine, very good. Since you’re so unrepentant, from today on, you’re not allowed to set foot in the estate. Don’t apologize, and you’ll never come home!” My eyes reddened as I stared at him hard. “On what grounds? That’s my home! That’s the Everhart family estate! If anyone should leave, it should be you, the outsider! I don’t need a brother like you!” The word “outsider” clearly stung him. Adrian’s face turned frighteningly dark. What he hated most was this identity as an adopted son. He looked at me darkly, said not another word, and slammed the door as he left. I stared at the closed door, my face pale. I knew those words were too harsh, but the water was already spilled. I never imagined that in the end, we’d break up over a woman he’d just met. For the days that followed, Adrian never once came to the hospital. No calls, no messages. I felt it didn’t matter. I checked myself out of the hospital alone and returned to that empty estate alone. Only twenty-five days left. Perhaps this rupture was better-I could leave more decisively, with no lingering attachments. Back home, I sat in the dark living room and accidentally came across a post Claire had just shared on social media. In the photo, on a sunlit lawn, Claire wore a pristine white wedding dress, holding onto Adrian in a sharp suit. The two smiled brilliantly in the sunlight, like a perfect couple. The caption read: “Someone’s homeless and can only be my free model lol.” “Photo shoot in progress. It’s just sample shots, but wow, getting married is exhausting!” The comments were full of congratulations and likes from mutual friends. Claire didn’t explain whether this was for work or what, only replying in the comments with a tongue-out emoji. My phone dropped onto the carpet.

Stella POV I hesitated for a long time but ultimately couldn’t suppress the unwillingness in my heart. I wrapped myself from head to toe, even put on a mask like a gas mask and goggles, and followed the location Claire had shared. It was an upscale wedding photography venue. The weather was clear and sunny, with gentle breezes. I searched for a long time and finally found them by a European-style flower garden. It happened to be during a break between shoots. I hid in the shadow of the trees, watching Adrian gently take out a tissue to wipe the fine sweat from Claire’s forehead, even unscrewing a water bottle and holding it to her lips. That deep affection in his eyes couldn’t be hidden. Claire had changed into a fiery red gown, like a delicate blooming rose, shyly leaning against him. Both were strikingly attractive. Just standing there, they were a sight to behold, drawing looks from surrounding staff and other couples. I looked down at myself. All in black protective clothing, like a monster that couldn’t see light, like a rat hiding in the gutter, only able to peek at other people’s happiness from dark corners. My heart felt like someone was squeezing it hard. The pain left me breathless. In this moment, I truly felt that Adrian really only saw me as a sister, or even… a burden. These ten years of care for me were only because of responsibility, because of my parents’ dying wishes. Not love. Never love. I’d been deluding myself. I wanted to leave, but my feet felt like they were filled with lead. I masochistically watched them constantly change poses for photos, my goggles already clouded with moisture. Claire seemed to inadvertently catch sight of me hiding in the corner. The corners of her mouth quietly curved upward, then she suddenly pretended to panic and cried out. “Oh no! My bracelet! Where’s my diamond bracelet?” “That’s… that’s a keepsake my mother left me! What will I do if it’s lost?” Her eyes reddened anxiously, on the verge of tears. The surrounding staff immediately put down their work and began helping her search. Adrian held her shoulders, constantly soothing her. “Don’t worry, Claire. It must be nearby. Security here is good-we’ll definitely find it.” Claire suddenly raised her hand, pointing in my direction, her voice sharp. “That person! That person looks so strange. I just saw her lurking around suspiciously. Did she steal my bracelet?” I was wrapped up completely, hiding in shadows-I did look suspicious. Several security guards and staff immediately surrounded me. My heart jumped in alarm. I instinctively wanted to explain, but seeing the aggressive crowd, I was terrified and turned to run. But the more I ran, the more it confirmed the suspicion. “Stop! Catch the thief!” Shouts rose behind me one after another. I ran blindly and crashed into a trash can by the road, falling to the ground. Immediately security personnel caught up and pinned me down hard. I struggled desperately. “Let me go! It wasn’t me, I’m not a thief, I was just passing by!” But no one believed me. “If you’re not a thief, why are you dressed like this? On such a hot day, wrapped up like a mummy?” “Won’t even show your face-must be guilty!” I pleaded desperately, my voice breaking. “No… I’m allergic to sunlight, I can’t be exposed. Please believe me…” Those people turned a deaf ear. Someone suggested, “Rip off her mask! Let’s see what this stubborn thief looks like, take a photo and post it online!” A wave of desperate panic washed over me. “No! You can’t! I’ll die!” But in their eyes, this was just another excuse to cover up my crime. Several rough hands pressed down on my head. Ignoring my screams and struggles, they ripped off my mask and goggles. “She’s actually pretty…” Someone was about to mock when their voice suddenly caught in their throat. Under the unshielded scorching sun, my originally fair face quickly reddened, then visibly began erupting in horrifying rashes and blisters, my skin ulcerating as if scalded by boiling water. The people around had never seen such a scene. Someone shouted in terror, “Oh my god! What kind of disease is this? Is she a drug addict?” “How disgusting! Could it be some infectious disease? Get away quick!” Everyone backed away like avoiding the plague. I struggled to crawl up, desperately covering my painfully burning face with my hands, trying to block that scorching sunlight. “No… it’s not… I’m just allergic…” A passing extremist pedestrian holding a just-bought iced coffee walked over with disgust written all over his face. “Stop pretending! I bet you’re one of those thieves who caught some disease! Don’t scare the children here!” With that, he dumped the entire cup of iced coffee along with ice cubes over my head. The sticky brown liquid mixed with ice smashed into my wounds. The pain was excruciating. Cheers actually rose around me. “That’s how you should teach these perverted thieves!” Some people even started picking up empty bottles from the ground to throw at me. I curled up on the ground, protecting my head, loudly trying to explain, but was drowned out by the crowd’s insults. Through gaps in the crowd, I looked desperately toward the distance. Adrian and Claire stood there, coldly watching this whole farce. A last glimmer of hope rose in my heart. I called out in a weak voice, “Adrian… Adrian, save me…” If he didn’t save me now, I’d be beaten to death, sunburned to death. Adrian’s expression seemed to freeze for a moment. He instinctively took a step forward, but was pulled back by Claire beside him, who grabbed his arm. “Adrian, I think I heard Ms. Everhart’s voice?” Claire said, feigning confusion. Adrian stopped, frowning. “How is that possible? Stella should still be home reflecting right now. Besides, with such strong sun, how could she possibly appear here?” “You’re right.” Claire tightened her hold on his arm, smiling. “I must have heard wrong. That seems to be some crazy person causing a scene. Let’s not go over-it’s bad luck. We still have a few more sets to shoot. After we finish, I’ll treat you to French cuisine to thank you for coming to my rescue today.” Adrian’s expression softened as he nodded. “Alright, as you say. No need to mind other people’s business.” The two turned and left, not sparing me another glance. In that moment, the last bit of light in my heart completely went out. I gave up struggling, letting the sunlight scorch my skin, letting those empty bottles hit my body. My consciousness gradually blurred. Before sinking into darkness, I thought: Maybe dying like this is for the best. Finally, I’m not anyone’s burden.

Stella POV When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in my familiar bedroom. Every inch of skin on my body screamed with pain, covered in ointment. I turned my head and saw Adrian sitting on the sofa by the bed working on his laptop, with a bowl of steaming cream of mushroom soup beside him. Sensing my movement, Adrian closed his laptop. A trace of familiar tenderness appeared in his eyes. “You’re awake? Hungry? I had the kitchen make your favorite soup.” That practiced, natural tone, as if we hadn’t broken up a few days ago, as if I hadn’t nearly been beaten to death outside. I turned my head away, not wanting to look at him. My heart ached wave after wave. Every time we fought, the next day he’d be like this-making amends as if nothing had happened. “Why are you home?” My voice was hoarse. “Are you going to have the butler throw me out again?” Adrian’s expression stiffened slightly, his tone cooling. “You’re still being stubborn at a time like this? You know perfectly well what I said that day was in anger.” “If the police hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t even know you’d run outside in broad daylight like a lunatic and been mistaken for a thief!” “Stella, if something really happened to you, how would I explain it to Mom and Dad?” At the mention of my parents, my eyes reddened again. “It would be better if I died. Then I could go be with Mom and Dad. It would also save you the trouble. Without me as a burden, you could marry and have children, live the normal life you want.” My words laid bare his most secret thoughts. Adrian’s face turned livid. “Stella! Is this what you think? These ten years, is this how you’ve seen me?” he roared. I asked back, my voice trembling. “Then how should I see you? You brought Claire in. Wasn’t it to push me out, to get rid of me?” Adrian shot to his feet, pacing back and forth in the room, extremely agitated. “Stella, I really have spoiled you these years. I should have cured you long ago! Otherwise, how could your thoughts become so dark and twisted?” The air in the room froze for a moment. Adrian rarely spoke to me like this. But since Claire appeared, his exceptions had become the norm. Just then, the door was pushed open. Claire walked in carrying a tray, gently persuading, “Ms. Everhart, you’ve really misunderstood Adrian. He’s been nothing but devoted to you. He even dreams about you being able to desensitize, to let you run in the sunlight. Saying this really breaks his heart.” Adrian looked at her, his eyes softening, throwing her a grateful glance. Their gazes met in the air, carrying some tacit understanding others couldn’t intrude upon. Watching them, I only felt my heart being pricked by needles. I laughed coldly. “What gives you the right? This is my home. When is it your turn to butt in?” The smile on Claire’s lips froze. Her face instantly turned deathly pale, looking as if she’d suffered the greatest injustice. Adrian immediately stepped forward, shielding her behind him, glaring at me with fury. “Stella! When did you become so mean and spiteful? Claire has worked so hard to put together treatment plans for you, and this is how you treat her? Looks like Claire was right, you don’t know gratitude at all!” “The desensitization therapy must be accelerated. Starting today, Claire will move into the estate and stay until you’re completely desensitized!” With that, ignoring my objections and shock, he pulled Claire and turned to leave. The instant before the door closed, Claire looked back. In those eyes that faced away from Adrian, where was there any trace of grievance? They were full of triumphant smiles and provocation. She silently mouthed to me, “Ms. Everhart, I definitely won’t let you down.”

Stella POV The day after Claire moved in, my life became living hell. She took complete control of my food, clothing, and daily life. My constitution was special, with many dietary restrictions. But in Claire’s eyes, these were all “delicate” psychological issues. With a wave of her hand, she eliminated all the special meals the kitchen had been preparing for me. So that evening’s dinner table was filled with foods I didn’t like and that would even trigger allergies. Seafood, bread with gluten, peanut butter salad… while foods I could safely eat were scarce. I took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to flip the table. Less than twenty days remained before I’d leave forever anyway. I didn’t want any more conflicts with this crazy woman. I’d just consider it a diet. Seeing me only move my fork a few times and drink a few sips of water, Claire curved her lips and asked with feigned concern, “Ms. Everhart, is it not to your taste? I see you’ve hardly eaten.” My expression was cold. “No appetite.” Claire’s eyes instantly reddened as she looked at Adrian. “Adrian, is it because I didn’t do well enough? I know Ms. Everhart has issues with me, but she can’t just joke around with her health. If my presence affects Ms. Everhart’s appetite, then from now on I’ll eat in the kitchen with the servants.” As she spoke, she made a show of getting up to take her plate. Adrian grabbed her hand. “What are you doing? You’re an honored guest I invited, the family doctor. How can you eat in the servants’ quarters? Stay right here!” Claire looked at me with difficulty. “But…” Adrian looked at me coldly. “Stella Everhart, there’s a limit to throwing tantrums. Claire stayed up several nights working on your treatment plan. She carefully selected all these ingredients. If you won’t appreciate it, fine, but who are you putting on this act for?” I didn’t respond, just put down my napkin and wiped my mouth. “I’m full. You two enjoy.” I got up to leave. As I passed Adrian, he suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip alarmingly strong. “Stella Everhart! I’m talking to you! Where are your manners?” Sharp pain shot through my wrist. I frowned and shook off his hand, looking at the red marks rapidly forming on my wrist. “You call this dinner?” I pointed at the table. “Look at this spread yourself. Which of these dishes can I actually eat? I’m allergic to seafood and peanuts. Did you forget?” Adrian froze for a moment, then his expression softened, seemingly showing a trace of guilt. But Claire immediately said softly from the side, “Adrian, this is part of the desensitization therapy. Food tolerance training is very important too. Ms. Everhart’s allergies are often caused by psychological suggestion.” The guilt in Adrian’s eyes instantly vanished. He became firm again. “Stella, Claire is right. This is a psychological issue. Once you slowly accept it, your body will adapt.” “If you don’t want to eat, then go hungry.” He coldly ordered the butler, “Without my permission, the kitchen is not to prepare any special meals for Miss. All food in the house must be inspected by Dr. Hayes. After a few days of hunger, she’ll learn to give in.” Heat rushed to my eyes. I said nothing, just turned and left, not wanting them to see the tears in my eyes.

Stella POV This time Adrian was determined to force me to be “normal.” For three days straight, the table was filled with all my primary allergens. Even when we’d argued before, there would at least be a bowl of oatmeal. Now even the oatmeal had been replaced with peanut butter toast that made me want to vomit. I didn’t touch any of it. I went on a complete hunger strike for three days. I didn’t know when my relationship with Adrian had become like this. But soon enough. I looked at the email I’d just received on my phone. Landon Holt had sent: “All procedures complete. In five days, the private jet will be at West City Airport. Stella, I’ll be waiting for you there.” I rubbed my sore eyes. Five days. After three days of eating almost nothing, I’d visibly wasted away, my face as pale as paper. Adrian came to see me. Looking at my swaying figure, his eyes were full of struggle. But Claire came too, standing right at my door, whispering in his ear. “Adrian, stay strong. This is the darkness before dawn. Once she gets through this, she’ll be reborn.” Adrian nodded through clenched teeth. Until the fourth morning, when I was going downstairs, my vision went black and I passed out. When I woke up, Adrian was holding a bowl of plain oatmeal to my lips, his face full of tenderness and compromise. “Stella, you win.” He sighed, his voice hoarse. “I just wanted you to be normal. Is that wrong? Why won’t you understand my good intentions?” Looking at this man who was so decisive in business, now showing such defeat. My heart ached sharply. I turned my head away, avoiding his gaze. “I’ll cooperate with Claire.” My voice was hoarse. “These next few days, I’ll be good.” Adrian’s eyes lit up instantly. He reached out and gently patted my head, just like before. “I knew it. My Stella is the most sensible. As long as you cooperate, everything will get better.” I smiled too. Yes. Everything would get better. Because in five days, I’d be gone from his world. Completely. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Claire standing in the doorway. Her eyes were cold, her fists clenched tight. Then she turned and left. That look sent a chill through me I couldn’t explain.

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