Category: English

At the company’s new product launch event, the massive screen suddenly started playing a video of me being sexually assaulted years ago. Whispers rippled through the crowd as I frantically snatched the remote control, only to have my husband Damian stop me. “Elara, so you do know it’s wrong to expose someone’s privacy. Then why did you post Seraphina’s nightclub photos yesterday?” Only then did it hit me: last night on Instagram, I’d shared a picture of a masked stripper dancing at a nightclub. But the dancer was wearing a mask. I had no idea who it was. Before I could explain, Damian snatched the remote from my hand. The humiliating video continued to play on the screen. Damian, meanwhile, picked up Seraphina and walked away. Watching his triumphant smirk, I knew this time, I really had to leave… Damian Corp’s exhibition hall was fully automated. Besides the remote, there was no manual switch to control the big screen. At this very moment, everyone’s eyes were glued to the screen, showing me. It was Damian Corp’s executive suite on the top floor, usually reserved for their most valuable clients. My once-neat suit jacket was now ripped to shreds, soaked in wine. My shoulders, my collarbones, were covered in the hickeys of a stranger. I huddled in the corner, trembling uncontrollably. But the drunken man seemed only more excited. He gathered his strength and lunged at me, His thick, greasy hands slowly tracing my waist… The scene before me dragged up eight years of tormenting memories. “Ugh!” I dry-heaved, completely out of control. Reporters, their eyes glued to the screen, rushed me with their cameras. One male reporter, a predatory smirk plastered across his face, grabbed my shoulder. His hands quickly slid down to my waist. “Thought Mrs. Damian was so high and mighty! Turns out you just used your body to get ahead! Mr. Damian took a piece of trash like you into his home – tell me, how do you please him? When can I get a taste of Mrs. Damian myself?” I shoved his hand off my waist. Trembling, I tried to stand up, to escape this living hell, But a dozen cameras were shoved right into my face. “Mrs. Damian, Mr. Damian chose to play your humiliation video in front of everyone. Does this mean he’s already tired of you? Or has he always been disgusted by you? You haven’t been able to conceive all these years; is it because he finds you dirty?” “Mrs. Damian, do you think Mr. Damian married you because he was impressed with your ‘special skills’?” “Please tell us, how many deals did you help Damian Corp close with these… methods over the years?” The suffocating crowd of people in front of me caused a sudden hallucination. One moment, they were beasts with gaping maws, eager to devour me. The next, they all morphed into his face, with those lewd, greasy grins, reaching out to touch my body. I completely snapped. I scrambled up from the floor, my eyes bloodshot, screaming at the people surrounding me with all my might. “Yes! I’m that dirty! I’m a piece of trash! Get out!” Then, I fled in a panicked scramble, under their gazes of disgust and contempt… The moment I ran out of the exhibition hall doors, my phone pinged with a message: [Elara, the fun’s not over yet. Look up…] I snapped my head up. On the giant screens of commercial complexes lining both sides of the road, the same video was playing. My phone rang again: [Elara, check your phone again?] I opened my social media apps and saw a photo of me, barely clothed, my neck bruised with hickeys, trending… The piercing ringtone made my soul shudder. I picked it up mechanically. First came Seraphina’s sugary giggle, then her tone suddenly sharpened. “Elara, everyone might call you Mrs. Damian, but you’re still my loser!” The call ended with a burst of wild laughter. I’d lost count of how many times this had happened. The first time, because the cat we kept at home accidentally scratched Seraphina’s leg, Damian threw me into the reptile house at the zoo. I’d been terrified of snakes since childhood; Damian knew that. Yet, that day, he just stood outside, holding Seraphina, watching with cold eyes as I screamed until my throat was raw. The second time, when I attended a gala, I tripped and accidentally spilled wine on Seraphina’s gown. Damian, in front of everyone, poured a dozen bottles of wine over me. My sheer dress was soaked, my figure exposed for all to see. After that incident, even now, when I accompany Damian to parties, people still sarcastically call me ‘the Wine Whore.’ And what else? Too many times… If not for my family’s business crumbling thirteen years ago, when Damian risked everything to save me from creditors, If not for eight years ago, when after being assaulted by that old man, Damian was the first to step forward and protect me, I would have left him long ago. But now, Damian himself had shredded the very protection he once offered, turning it into a dagger aimed straight at me. I knew there was nothing left to hold onto…

I gritted my teeth, trying to make it home. But before I could even cross the street, a wave of dizziness swept over me. Amidst blaring horns and stares of judgment, I collapsed to the ground. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. From outside the room, I heard the doctor’s concerned voice. “Mr. Damian, we agreed not to upset your wife again. Why did you…?” “Her condition was just starting to recover, and now she’s back to square one. If we’re not careful in the future…” “Will she die?” Damian’s cold voice cut off the doctor. “Not now, but if…” “If she won’t die, then don’t talk about it.” The doctor seemed to want to say more, but Damian had lost his patience. “How I treat my wife is none of your business. I know what I’m doing. Get out!” The doctor left, and the room door opened from the outside. “Elara, it’s me.” Damian leaned down and kissed my forehead, then gently brushed the hair from my face. “Wake up, you’ve been asleep for a long time.” My body fell into a wide embrace, Damian’s stubbled cheek brushing against my neck. “Elara, don’t mind what people outside are saying. What happened eight years ago never mattered to me. I love you, only you.” His familiar breathing enveloped me, Once, it was my source of strength, but now, I only felt disgust. But I had no strength to push him away. Damian seemed to think I was still as docile as before. His mood instantly brightened. He ruffled my hair a few times, then got up, scooped a small bowl of porridge, and carefully held it to my lips. “Elara, eat a little. Though the doctor says you’re fine, you still need to eat something.” The warm porridge touched my lips from the spoon. I hesitated for a moment but swallowed it. My health had to come first, after all. “Feeling better?” After feeding me a few more spoonfuls and seeing I still hadn’t replied, Damian spoke in a low voice, his tone unmistakably firm. “Since you’re feeling better, go apologize to Seraphina.” I turned sharply, meeting Damian’s cold eyes. “Why should I?” There was no emotion in Damian’s dark eyes. “That girl tried to kill herself because of your photo. If I hadn’t gotten there in time, she would have died. This is a matter of life and death, you have to go.” “Damian, what about me? She put my photos…” “Elara.” Damian frowned, slamming the porridge bowl onto the table, his voice suddenly turning cold. “I don’t have time to bicker about trivial things with you. Your mother’s doctor called again this afternoon. I’ve been arranging for a new specialist from overseas…” “I’ll go.” Getting the answer he wanted, Damian kissed me and then left. Watching his retreating back, my heart plummeted into an abyss again. Though his tone was flat, I still heard the threat in it. My mother had a rare neurological disorder. For eight years, Damian had been paying the exorbitant medical bills and constantly flying in doctors. He never made a show of it before. But today, for that woman, he was using my mother to threaten me… A bitter ache exploded in my chest. I found that familiar number and sent a message. [Come back, Caleb. I need you.] Caleb, my only living relative, had estranged himself from our family early on to pursue his directing ambitions. But for the grand play I was about to stage, to achieve the desired effect, only he could do it… [Okay, arriving in New York in three days.] [Elara, I’m taking Seraphina to clear her head. We’ll be back in three days. Prepare yourself during these days. In three days, come to the company and give Seraphina a proper apology.] Caleb’s and Damian’s messages came in at the same time. I clutched my phone tightly, sobbing aloud on the hospital bed, then a mad smile stretched across my face…

Early in the morning, three days later, Damian’s driver knocked on my door. Seeing me, the driver looked hesitant. “Mrs. Damian…” “Let’s go. I’ll come with you.” The driver’s attitude had already prepared me, But the moment I saw everything before me, I froze. The man who had assaulted me eight years ago was now sitting in Damian’s office, chatting casually. But eight years ago, Damian had told me he’d personally had him locked up… “Oh, Elara, you’re actually on time…” Seraphina, her voice sickly sweet, emerged from Damian’s office. She reached out and pulled me directly inside. The balding, greasy man extended his hand to me. I quickly stepped back half a pace, bumping into a wine cabinet behind me. A large patch of crimson wine instantly soaked through my blouse. The look the man gave me again made me dry-heave uncontrollably. I stared intensely at Damian. He was rubbing his temples, avoiding my gaze, Seemingly about to say something, but Seraphina cut him off. “Elara, we’re all old friends here, don’t be so shy…” Seraphina stepped forward, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me closer. “Damian said that making you embarrassed in front of everyone that day was a bit much, so today, we’ll just resolve this apology of yours here in Damian’s office.” She gestured with her chin towards the older man. “Mr. Hayes is a valued client of our company, and a good friend of mine. As long as you can keep Mr. Hayes happy today, I won’t hold a grudge against you…” The moment Seraphina finished speaking, The man grabbed me and pulled me next to him. His burly hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me into his embrace. “You were young back then, didn’t really satisfy me well. Now you must have been ‘trained’ quite a bit by Mr. Damian, haven’t you? Today…” The wine spilled on my back now soaked through to my front. The man’s eyes and hand simultaneously slid down from my shoulder. I bit down hard on my lower lip, the metallic tang of blood filling my mouth. Damian, sitting in the distance, looked down, silent. A massive wave of humiliation rose up from my chest, choking me. With every ounce of strength I had, I shoved the man away. Before Seraphina’s smile could even fade, I slapped her across the face, Then I grabbed her wrist and shoved her into the man’s arms. “If he’s such a good friend of yours, then you should be the one to keep Mr. Hayes happy!” The old man, clearly a man with no fear, let out a lewd chuckle, Then he ripped Seraphina’s sheer dress, picked her up in his arms, and kissed the pale skin of her chest. I watched the scene unfold, a shiver of perverse satisfaction running through me. Suddenly, someone’s hand clenched around my neck. Then I was thrown out, smashing against the wine bottles shattered on the floor. Countless shards of glass dug into my flesh. Blood and the red wine spilled earlier splattered across me like crimson flowers. In the midst of the excruciating pain, Damian had already rushed towards the screaming Seraphina. He punched the man in the face, scooped Seraphina into his arms, Then turned and grabbed my throat. “Elara, I never thought you could be so vicious! Seraphina was trying to make things easy for you with this apology, yet you’re still ungrateful! Just because you ‘serviced’ this man eight years ago, you won’t do it again?!” “Fine! Since you have no shame, then I, Damian, have nothing to hold me back! Today, I’m going to teach you a lesson you won’t forget!” Damian dragged my crimson-stained body away. It wasn’t until I saw the hospital’s outline from the car that I realized what Damian’s “punishment” would be…

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The moment the explosion went off, my wife snatched the blast shield that was supposed to be mine and turned to protect her first love. Three years of marriage. Six years fighting side by side. She never even looked back at me. She thought I was under a Curse—that I couldn’t die. She thought all my compromises, all my sacrifices, were simply my duty. She didn’t know— that in that moment, what she handed away with her own hands was the last of the lives bound by that Curse. After the bomb exploded, the entire room became an inferno, with towering flames instantly engulfing my body. The last image before my eyes was of my wife, Leah, using the blast shield that originally belonged to me to protect her first love, Justin. When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a spirit form, following Leah. At that moment, she was tenderly blowing on Justin’s hand, which had been slightly singed by the flames, her face full of concern. “Justin, your hand is all red. Let’s go to the hospital quickly to get it bandaged.” Hearing this, my heart felt as if it had been soaked in vinegar, unbearably sour. Anyone who saw this scene would comment on the deep affection between the two. But this woman was my wife of three years. She had never shown such a concerned expression for me. The redness on Justin’s palm was barely visible unless you looked closely, yet Leah was so worried. When I was engulfed in flames, she didn’t even spare me a glance. Justin looked scared. “Leah, it’s just a small injury, nothing serious. It’s a good thing you were there, or I would have been seriously hurt for sure.” Leah still looked tense: “Who says it’s a small injury? What if there’s some internal damage? I won’t be at ease until a doctor checks it out.” With that, she immediately took Justin’s hand and walked towards the exit, her usually calm face full of anxiety. Before getting into the car, Emily, a colleague from the same team, stopped her with a frown: “Lucas is still at the scene and hasn’t come out. The bomb just exploded, could something have happened to him?” Hearing my name, Leah’s expression instantly turned to disgust, her face full of impatience. “What could happen? That selfish bastard values his life too much, he’s probably hiding somewhere.” “Get out of the way quickly, Justin needs to go to the hospital, we can’t delay.” From leaving the explosion site until now, Leah hadn’t mentioned me once, hadn’t shown any concern for my safety. Even when someone else worried that something might have happened to me, she had to belittle me. I must be quite a failure as a husband in her heart. Leah pushed Emily aside and got into the car with Justin, heading straight to the hospital, ignoring Emily’s calls behind them. At the hospital, after the examination, Justin hadn’t suffered any injuries, just a small red mark on his hand where the flame had singed it. Leah, however, acted as if it was a major crisis, insisting that the doctor must bandage it well. Justin looked at her with emotion: “Leah, you’re still so good to me.” Then he hesitated before speaking again: “Without a blast shield, will Lucas be alright? After all, he came to save me. I’ll feel guilty if something happens to him.” Leah waved her hand, her words showing no concern at all. “Lucas is under a Curse, he won’t die. Your body is already not good, you can’t take any injury.” “He even tried to keep the blast shield earlier, saying he would die this time. He’s so selfish. He clearly has a Curse that can save him, yet he tried to trick me. I think he just can’t stand seeing me being good to you. When he comes back, I’m going to have a big fight with him for sure.” By the end, Leah was full of anger, as if I had committed some terrible crime. But I just wanted to live. I hadn’t lied to her either. The Curse had only given me two chances to revive, and I had already used them up.

I was a soul bound by a Curse, transported to this world. The terms of my damnation were clear: make Leah marry me. The year I met Leah, she was, like me, a newly recruited bomb disposal officer in the police force. At that time, her first love Justin had broken up with her abruptly to go abroad, leaving Leah in a daze every day. It was I who stayed by her side constantly, helping her out of the gloom. Three years later, we naturally became husband and wife, and the first seal of the Curse was lifted. The Curse, in its cruel irony, granted me a reprieve: I could stay, but with a price—two more lives, woven from the same thread of fate. At that time, I had also truly fallen in love with Leah. I believed that the most important thing between husband and wife was honesty, so I told her about the Curse without reservation. I even jokingly said, “No matter what, this Curse won’t let me die. I can stay with you until we’re old.” But I never thought that this sentence would become my death warrant. Shortly after we got married, Justin returned from abroad. Justin only shed a few tears in front of Leah, explaining that going abroad was entirely his parents’ wish, which he couldn’t disobey. Leah believed him without hesitation. She seemed to forget the pain Justin had caused her back then and started following him around, caring for his every need. She even begged me to use the power of the Curse to save Justin when he was in a life-threatening car accident. When I saw Leah crying her eyes out, I couldn’t say I wasn’t heartbroken. How could I not be sad and angry when my wife was shedding tears for another man? But I loved Leah deeply, and I couldn’t refuse her request. So, the first of my cursed lives was used up. Last year, after Leah had finished defusing a bomb and was about to return to the team, she was shot by a criminal who had fought back, right in the heart. When Leah was sent to the hospital, the doctor took one look and issued a death notice. I couldn’t accept Leah leaving me, so I resolutely offered her my own last cursed life. Before the transfer, the oppressive weight of the Curse pressed upon me, a final warning: this was the last life. Would I not regret it? I answered firmly: “I won’t regret it.” The Curse accepted the exchange, and after that, its presence faded, leaving only the cold truth of my mortality. At that time, I thought Leah’s feelings for Justin were just an obsession, and that with time, she would naturally come to her senses and return to our family. And I firmly believed that I could grow old with Leah. But now, the cruel reality had given me a harsh wake-up call. It turned out that Leah had always only loved Justin. And I was just deluding myself.

Justin looked at Leah, seeming to want to say something but holding back. Leah tapped his forehead, her tone intimate: “Justin, what is it that you can’t tell me?” Justin clenched his fist, as if making up his mind to speak. “Leah, Lucas has always been the ace bomb disposal expert in your team, and with you assisting this time, how could the bomb explode? Could it be that…” Justin didn’t continue, but left room for endless imagination. A raging fire of anger surged in my heart, my hands clenched into fists, wishing I could rush forward and give him a couple of punches. I was already dead, yet he still wouldn’t let me go, trying to poison Leah against me. As a police officer, I knew my responsibilities and never brought personal emotions into work. Although I already knew Leah didn’t love me, I thought that after working together for six years, she should understand my character. The next second, Leah’s words shattered my illusions. “I was wondering why the bomb suddenly exploded when we were defusing it so well. It must be that lunatic Lucas deliberately trying to harm you. I’m going to report him to the police force. He doesn’t deserve to be a police officer!” Leah’s face was red with anger. I had no doubt that if I appeared in front of her now, she would definitely slap me and then curse me viciously. At this moment, my heart was filled with bitterness. Had I overestimated my image in Leah’s heart, or was Justin so important to her that she would believe whatever he said? Probably both. Six years of being together couldn’t buy even a little trust from her. Now, I was probably just a despicable villain in her heart. But I still remembered what she had said at our wedding, “You’re not just my husband, but also my comrade-in-arms whom I’ll trust for a lifetime.” Now, it only took a light remark from Justin for her to forget her past promises. I suddenly wanted to know, when she learns of my death, will she regret the words she said today? Leah paced back and forth in the room, unable to vent her anger. She took out her phone and sent me messages. “Lucas, how dare you tamper with the bomb, I’ll make you pay for this!” “Don’t think I don’t know you can’t die, reply to me right now.” Leah stared at her phone intently, but after one minute, two minutes passed, there was still no reply. In the past, I would always reply to her messages within ten seconds. Leah’s chest heaved up and down with anger. “Fine, pretend to be dead then. Don’t think I can’t do anything about you.” She called a colleague who had stayed at the scene, not even waiting for the other end to speak before she shouted angrily: “Tell Lucas I know all about his dirty tricks, he’d better be prepared to face disciplinary action!” An anxious voice came from the other end of the phone: “Lucas hasn’t come out yet, the fire hasn’t been put out and we can’t get in. He might really be in trouble.” Leah sneered, her tone icy cold. “He won’t die. I think he’s just hiding because he’s afraid of being held accountable. You tell him this trick won’t work. He almost killed Justin, I will definitely get to the bottom of this!” With that, she angrily hung up the phone, still cursing under her breath. A flash of smugness passed through Justin’s eyes, but he pretended to be magnanimous. “Leah, it’s normal for men to be jealous. Lucas was probably just momentarily confused. Let it go.” But Leah glared at him with a stern face. “How can we let it go! Your body hasn’t been good since the car accident, and this time if it weren’t for the blast shield, your life could have been in danger. We can’t let him off easily!” Justin hugged Leah emotionally, the two looking like a couple who had survived a disaster together.

After leaving the hospital, Leah took Justin directly home, using the excuse that he was injured and couldn’t manage daily life conveniently. As soon as they entered, Justin took out slippers in a familiar manner, and even accurately found the location of the remote control to turn on the TV. This series of familiar actions all demonstrated that Leah had brought him to our home many times before. Leah went to the kitchen and started cooking, muttering about what Justin liked to eat. Justin looked at her tenderly. “Leah, it’s been so long since I’ve tasted your cooking.” In our three years of marriage, Leah had never cooked. She said she didn’t know how. I didn’t mind and took over all the cooking and other household chores. Now it seems, she just didn’t cook for me. During dinner, Leah’s phone suddenly rang, with a suppressed crying voice coming through. “You need to come quickly, Lucas… he’s dead.” Leah rolled her eyes, not believing a word. “Emily, I know you’re close to Lucas, but there’s no need to use such a clumsy excuse to trick me. He can’t die.” Emily didn’t expect her to respond like this. She paused, then cried even louder. “I’m really not lying, Lucas…” Before Emily could finish, Leah hung up the phone. “Lucas is really going too far, trying to use such a lie to make us forgive him. Ha, absolutely not!” “Even if something happened to him, the Curse would save him. How could he possibly die?” Justin chimed in: “He’s probably just jealous. Men understand men, Leah, don’t be too angry.” Hearing this, Leah slammed down her chopsticks, looking even more angry. “If he doesn’t apologize to you properly when he comes back, I’ll divorce him!” My heart felt like it was stuffed with a wad of cotton, unable to breathe. When I begged her not to take away the blast shield, I had already told her that I only had two cursed lives left. But she didn’t believe me at all, thinking I was just being jealous. Even now when someone told her about my death, she thought it was my lie, and even wanted to use divorce to threaten me. But this trick would never work again. After dinner, Justin directly lay down on the bed that belonged to Leah and me. The temperature in the room was rising, and the two of them were getting closer and closer. I desperately wanted to escape from here, but a force confined me to the room, unable to leave. Just as they were about to kiss, Leah suddenly sat up. She tugged at the corner of her mouth: “Justin, your hand is injured, you should focus on recovering.” With that, she fled to the next bedroom. I couldn’t quite understand. Wasn’t this what Leah wanted? Early the next morning, Leah prepared a table full of breakfast and left a note with detailed instructions and reminders before she felt at ease to leave for work. At the police station, Leah found everyone staring at her with sympathetic gazes. She didn’t understand and casually asked a colleague why they were staring at her like that. The colleague was about to speak when the chief suddenly called Leah over. Leah felt a bit puzzled: “Chief, what’s going on?” The chief patted her shoulder and led her to the door of the morgue. “Leah, my condolences.” Leah felt a bit panicked but suppressed the unease in her heart. “Chief, what are you talking about? Everyone in my family is fine, what condolences?” The chief sighed: “After the bomb exploded yesterday, Lucas didn’t manage to escape successfully. He died at the scene. His body is inside.” Leah smiled stiffly: “Chief, don’t joke with me. That explosion was Lucas’s own doing, he couldn’t possibly die. He must be hiding because he’s afraid of being held accountable.” The chief’s expression became serious when he heard Leah slandering me. “Leah! Lucas is your husband and a police officer. How can you question his professional ethics!” “The body in the morgue is indeed his. We’ve already verified the DNA. If you don’t believe it, go see for yourself.” Leah swallowed hard, hesitantly walking forward, still not backing down. “I’ll look then. It must be a fake body up there. Lucas must have used some trick to escape.” Leah’s hand hovered over the white cloth, her trembling hands revealing her unsettled heart. She slowly lifted the white cloth…

My body had been burned beyond recognition by the fire from the explosion, almost turned into a piece of charcoal. I turned my head away, unable to bear seeing my own tragic state after death. I still clearly remembered the scene during the explosion. My internal organs were shattered by the shock wave from the explosion, blood constantly flowing from the corner of my mouth. The raging fire had wrapped me into a fireball, my body had long since gone numb, unable to feel pain. At that moment, Leah was firmly shielding Justin with the blast shield that belonged to me. And I, her husband, didn’t even get a glance from her until my death. Leah’s pupils contracted, and she involuntarily took a few steps back. “This… this can’t be possible. You must have made a mistake.” “Lucas won’t die. I’m going to call him right now and make him come back immediately.” Leah took out her phone with trembling hands to call me, misdialing several times. As expected, it was still unreachable. Her lips trembled slightly, forcing out a stiff smile. “Maybe his phone was burned. Perhaps if we wait a bit longer, he’ll come back to the police station on his own.” The chief shook his head and handed her a document, his expression grave. “Leah, this is the DNA report we rushed out last night. Take a look.” Leah took the report with trembling hands. When she saw the words on it, all color drained from her face. The DNA of the deceased matched 99.9999% with Lucas’s. Leah stared at the report, murmuring, “How can this be? Lucas said he wouldn’t die. How can it be him?” Leah suddenly pounced on my remains, looking them up and down, as if searching for something. I was a bit confused. My body had been burned to this state, was there still anything recognizable? Leah seemed to discover something in my hand. She slowly pulled it out. It turned out to be our wedding ring. I remembered that at the moment the fire started, I had taken it off and clutched it tightly in my hand, afraid it would be burned. Leah collapsed to the ground, her face devoid of any color. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t die? How could you break your promise?” “I thought you would be fine. I didn’t mean to get you killed.” If Leah had just looked up at me for a moment during the explosion, she would have seen that I had already become a fireball. How could it be as she thought, that I was protected by the Curse? Moreover, I had told her that I only had two cursed lives left. It was she who didn’t believe what I said.

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The day I lost my job, I walked ten kilometers home in a torrential storm. When I pushed the door open, I saw my wife, my mother-in-law, and my daughter taking a “family photo” on the couch— with her first love. My daughter threw a cake straight into my face in front of everyone, calling me useless, saying I wasn’t worthy of being her father. They forced me to give up the bedroom, give up my place, and sign the divorce papers. What they didn’t know was— that same day, I had just won two hundred million. “Mom, let Uncle Jason sit next to you, and Grandma and I will make a heart behind you…” As I opened the door, my wife, daughter, and mother-in-law were taking a family photo on the couch with a stranger. They were all huddled together, grinning widely at the camera. When they heard the door, they finally noticed me. Their smiles froze. The atmosphere was tense for a moment. Then, the laughter continued, as if I were invisible. They changed positions and kept taking photos. Not a single person acknowledged me. It wasn’t until they finished taking photos that my mother-in-law gave me a disdainful look and said: “Oh, Ryan, you have legs, you can walk back, can’t you?” “I thought you got laid off and forgot how to walk, and that Sophia had to pick you up.” I was drenched and my hands and feet were numb from the cold. After being laid off today, a storm hit. My wife had promised to pick me up after work, but she never showed up, even late at night. I walked ten kilometers in the rain to get home. Before I entered, I heard their disdain and ridicule behind my back. I just didn’t expect that even after I returned home, they would still ignore me and laugh with another man. A bitter feeling arose in my heart, I opened my mouth to speak. Suddenly a cake was thrown at me! Splat! My face was covered in cream. I looked up. My daughter, Chloe, was hiding behind the man, looking at me with disdain: “Dad is lazy! He doesn’t work hard to earn money for me and mom, such a loser!” “Not even worth Uncle Jason’s toe!” My heart was suddenly pierced with pain. This was the daughter I had loved for ten years. Facing her mother’s first love, Jason, she was full of admiration and joy, but for me, there was only sarcasm and ridicule. At this moment, my silent wife finally spoke, frowning as she scolded our daughter: “Chloe, how can you talk to your dad like that? You’re being too rude!” She acted like she was defending me, even bringing me a towel and gently saying: “Ryan, don’t take the child’s words to heart. Go change your clothes, we can talk later.” As I took the towel, I noticed the undisguised disdain in her eyes. I felt even more desolate inside. Just as I was about to head to my room, Jason suddenly walked over to greet me: “Are you Ryan? I just got back from abroad, Sophia insisted on throwing me a welcome party, I couldn’t refuse, so I came.” “I heard you just lost your job? It’s okay, the current economic climate is tough, I might be able to help you find work.” His friendly demeanor only made me feel more pathetic. Before I could respond, my mother-in-law impatiently pushed me: “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank Jason!” “You’re over thirty, and still getting laid off, you’re embarrassing Sophia!” I was almost knocked over by the push. Yet, my beloved wife and daughter seemed oblivious, their attention entirely on the other man. This was clearly my home, yet I felt like an outsider. In the end, I didn’t say anything and went to my room to wash up. When I came back out, they were already seated at the dining table, eating. No one called me over. There wasn’t even a place set for me at the table. Sophia finally stopped eating and glanced at our daughter: “Chloe, go get your dad some dishes.” My daughter rolled her eyes at me, “I’m not going. He doesn’t even have a job to support me, mom, and Grandma anymore, why should I?” “Dad, don’t you have hands? Are you planning to be a useless bum forever?” Such sharp and cutting words, coming from my daughter’s mouth. Inside, I felt nothing but bitterness and self-mockery. Sophia glanced disapprovingly at our daughter, softly saying to me: “Ryan, you’ve spoiled this girl too much. Go get some dishes from the kitchen, come sit next to me. We’ll squeeze in…” Before she finished, my mother-in-law suddenly stood up. I thought she was going to help me get dishes, since she used to do that when I was the one earning for the family. But instead, she took the dog’s bowl and shoved it into my hands. “There are no dishes in the kitchen, wash this and use it.” At that moment, I felt deeply mocked. This was the family I had worked hard to support for ten years… “No need, I’m not eating.” I turned to leave, but Jason spoke up in surprise: “Ryan, you’re not angry, are you?” “I just asked around for you, my company is looking for a janitor, fifteen dollars an hour.” “It’s not very glamorous, but if you do well, there’s a chance to get promoted to supervisor.” I knew very well that he was trying to show off his capabilities to Sophia by belittling me. Just as I said “no need,” my mother-in-law suddenly stood up and slammed the table! She yelled at me: “Someone’s offering you a job and you’re being picky?” “Are you not going to support your wife and child? Planning to live off my daughter’s money, huh?” At that moment, I couldn’t contain my anger anymore. When we first got married, my mother-in-law had a stroke and was paralyzed, Sophia couldn’t work while taking care of her, so I supported the family. After my mother-in-law recovered, Sophia wanted to start her own studio, and I used my hard-earned savings to invest in her. But she never contributed a penny to household expenses. Now Sophia finally spoke, frowning as she reminded me: “Ryan, you’ve lost your job!” “As the breadwinner of this family, you must take responsibility.” “And by the way, Jason just returned to the country, he’ll be staying in your room for now. He’ll pay rent, which will help ease our financial pressure. You can move into the small storage room.” Her words seemed so reasonable, as if refusing was irresponsible. It finally dawned on me. They were taking advantage of my jobless and penniless situation, forcing me to accept Jason’s presence. In that moment, any last attachment I had to this family vanished. Thinking of the two hundred million about to be in my hands, I no longer held back and said coldly: “No need to worry, I’m moving out!”

“No job, out to beg, huh? What a disgrace!” “Don’t stop him, let him get lost!” My mother-in-law couldn’t help but mock me. Sophia looked at me in disappointment, ignoring me, turning her attention to serving our daughter food. My daughter rolled her eyes again, clinging to Jason’s arm, sweetly saying: “Uncle Jason, give mom some veggies, she loves them.” The harmonious scene only highlighted my role as the out-of-place clown. I decisively went back to my room, packed up, and was about to leave with my suitcase. But suddenly, my mother-in-law came over, roughly snatching my suitcase, looking at me like I was a thief. “You can leave, but let me check if you’ve stolen anything from the house!” She started to open my suitcase. I wanted to part on good terms, but I didn’t expect my mother-in-law to go so far! I grabbed my suitcase back, angrily saying: “You have no right!” Seeing this, my mother-in-law was convinced I was guilty of something, and she started cursing at me. The commotion quickly drew Sophia’s attention. After hearing both sides, Sophia frowned and stared at me for a few seconds. She suddenly dragged me into the room, closed the door. She spoke earnestly to me: “Ryan, stop making a fuss, okay?” “I know you’re upset about losing your job, and I understand you don’t want to be a janitor. I’ll ask Jason to arrange a driver position for you, is that okay?” “Now that you don’t have a job, you should at least show your worth at home, right?” Listening to her self-righteous reasoning, I felt utterly disappointed. “The worth you’re talking about is supporting you and your mom when I can make money?” “And when I can’t, just being a servant at home, watching your first love take my place?” Sophia’s face turned ugly. She snapped back angrily, “Ryan, what nonsense are you talking about?” “Which man doesn’t support his wife and kids in this world? Are you the only one suffering? I’m trying to talk to you nicely, but you’re being ungrateful!” “Don’t forget, you’re the one who’s unemployed now!” I didn’t want to argue anymore, I pushed the door to leave. But my daughter suddenly rushed over, slamming a document against me, shouting: “Loser dad, divorce mom now!” “When you’re not able to earn, you just stay home and let life pass by, watching your first love take charge, right?” Sophia looked furious. “Stop talking nonsense, Ryan!” she snapped. “Which man doesn’t support his family? You’re the only one complaining! I’m trying to have a civil conversation, and you don’t even appreciate it!” “Remember, you’re the one who’s out of a job!” I had no interest in arguing further and made my way to the door. Suddenly, my daughter rushed over, thrust a document at me, and shouted: “Dad, just divorce Mom!” “I want Uncle Jason to be my dad!” I looked at the document closely—it was a printed divorce agreement. Sophia had already signed her name in the bottom right corner. My mother-in-law stood by with a pleased expression, saying, “Smart girl! We need to get rid of this freeloader!” Pointing at me, she commanded: “What are you waiting for? Sign it!” “Sophia didn’t even want to bring up divorce out of pity for you. But now, it’s the right time!” Looking at Sophia’s cold demeanor, I hesitated no longer. I grabbed a pen, signed my name, and tossed it onto the floor. “Fine, divorce it is! See you at City Hall at 9 AM tomorrow!”

As I left the house, the rain had already stopped. I pulled out a crumpled lottery ticket from my pocket, revealing a winning amount of 200 million dollars. When I was laid off, I told my family, feeling down, and bought a lottery ticket on a whim. I never expected to hit the jackpot. I was filled with excitement, eager to share the news with Sophia. I even planned to buy a big estate for the family, expand her studio, buy luxury handbags for my mother-in-law, and a limited edition Barbie doll for my daughter… But all those dreams shattered with the recent events. At the hotel, I intended to book a room temporarily, but was informed: “Sorry, sir, your card has been canceled.” My heart sank. All the money I earned over the years went to the family, and this card was given to me by Sophia for living expenses. Before leaving home, I thought I could manage without the savings I had accumulated over the years. But I never thought Sophia would be so heartless. It’s laughable how I used to save every penny for this family, never daring to buy a $10 meal from a fast-food joint! I called my only friend and college buddy, Maya, for help. As soon as she heard I was broke, she immediately transferred six thousand to me. She even ordered food to be delivered to me. It wasn’t until that evening that I finally had a hot meal. The family I loved deeply and gave everything for couldn’t even compare to an ordinary classmate. It’s so ridiculous. The next day at 9 AM sharp, I arrived at City Hall. I immediately spotted Sophia and Jason in matching outfits, holding hands and chatting at the entrance. My mother-in-law had even gotten her hair done, looking joyful. Even my daughter, Chloe, wore a festive red dress with matching hair clips. “At least you came to your senses, not dragging my daughter and granddaughter into a miserable life with you!” “Sophia, hurry and get the paperwork done,” my mother-in-law urged. I didn’t waste words and headed straight into the hall. Sophia looked at me with a complex expression before following inside. In less than half an hour, the divorce certificate was ready. As I was about to leave, Sophia suddenly called out to me, holding out a card with a face full of pity: “Thank you for leaving Chloe’s custody and the house to me.” “There’s twenty thousand in this card. Take care of yourself.” Looking at her fake sympathetic face, I didn’t even want to speak. But I took the card anyway; after all, it was my hard-earned money, and not taking it would be foolish. Then, I went to claim my prize. After taxes, the 200 million was quickly deposited into my account. I immediately arranged to meet Maya for dinner. She was the one who helped me when I was most desperate. Not just last night, but over the years, whenever my mother-in-law was sick or there were major family expenses, Sophia would never lower her pride to borrow money. I had to repeatedly ask Maya for help to get through those tough times. So now that I’ve turned the tables, I must repay her. I arranged to meet her at a mall and headed straight for the luxury stores to pick out a gift for her. Maya was worried I was acting out of impulse and kept trying to pull me away, saying: “Ryan, it’s too expensive here. Let’s go.” Stubbornly, I continued picking out clothes and bags for her. Just then, Sophia entered the store with my mother-in-law, daughter, and Jason. Seeing me, Sophia’s smiling face instantly fell. “Ryan, are you stalking me?”

“Ryan, as a man, can’t you have some dignity? Now you’re pestering?” My mother-in-law couldn’t hold back and pointed at me, yelling. I replied calmly: “You think too highly of yourselves. I’m picking out a gift for my friend, why would I need to stalk you?” Maya stood awkwardly, holding a bag, unsure of what to say. Jason suddenly burst out laughing: “Picking out a gift? Ryan, it seems you’ve never been to a luxury store. Do you even know how much that bag costs? At least a hundred grand!” “Even I had to think twice before buying this bag, but you?” He shook his head with amusement. Sophia looked at me with disappointment, saying: “Ryan, all you have is the twenty thousand I gave you.” “Are you really going to throw away your future just for pride?” “If you find yourself with nowhere to turn, begging me won’t help!” I almost laughed out loud. I’m making over ten grand a day just in interest, matching her monthly salary. Why would I need to beg her? “Who said Ryan can’t afford it? It’s just a hundred grand. We’ll buy it!” Maya mustered the courage to speak up. While talking, she quietly slipped a card into my hand, hinting for me to use it. I knew that was all of Maya’s savings over the years. At that moment, to support me, she was willing to take it out, filling my heart with warmth. I’ve always known how she felt about me. But back then, I was in love with Sophia, so I never responded to her feelings. Now, I truly felt like I had been blind all these years. To have fallen for a woman like Sophia. I gave Maya a gentle smile, “It’s okay, I have money.” Saying that, I handed the card to the clerk. “Charge it.” As the clerk processed the card, my mother-in-law burst out laughing, amused by the situation. Sophia frowned, looking at me with disappointment. Jason, holding my daughter, leisurely observed me, as if watching a clown. Soon, the card machine beeped: “Transaction successful!” In an instant, everyone’s eyes were on me. Especially Sophia, whose eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at me. “Ryan, where did you get the money?” Jason raised an eyebrow, understandingly saying, “Oh, I get it. Ryan, you’re taking out a high-interest loan to impress a girl?” “You’re quite the character!” He sneered, smirking. I couldn’t be bothered to explain to them and was about to leave when a store clerk suddenly pointed at me, exclaiming: “Ah! I remember now, this gentleman is the one who won the 200 million jackpot yesterday!” “Two hundred million?!” The store erupted, and everyone started talking about me. My mother-in-law was stunned for a moment, then scoffed, “Him? Impossible, a loser like Ryan doesn’t have that kind of luck…” Before she could finish, Sophia, staring at her phone, interrupted with a pale face: “No, mom, something’s not right!” “The news says the 200 million winner really is…” “Ryan?!”

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The night I asked for a divorce, I walked into his room wearing lingerie. He didn’t hesitate—one hand pinned my wrist above my head, the other slid slowly down my waist, deliberate, possessive. I was forced against him, fully aware of how his body reacted, unmistakably. He lowered his head and bit my earlobe. I hooked my leg around his ankle and pulled him closer. Then he stopped. He looked at me, desire bare in his eyes, and said, “Do you know what this means?” 0I had been in a contract marriage with Noah Thorne, the incubus CEO, for three years without any real relationship. The day I proposed divorce, he calmly agreed, but suddenly pop-up comments appeared above his head: “Bro’s already got the custom-sized handcuffs in the basement and still playing gentleman? Sure.” “Girl, the second you sign, you’ll wake up next to that creep you hate.” “The kidnapping arc is here! With all that pent-up rage, it’s gonna be wild. Aren’t incubuses supposed to have barbs? Little villainess is about to pass out…” “Smh. If you’d been even slightly nice to him, this yandere would’ve worshiped you. Now love’s twisted into obsession…” My hand trembled as I was about to sign. I looked up at the expressionless man before me: “Um, maybe we shouldn’t get divorced after all.” “What?” Noah’s thin eyelids flickered slightly, his tone indifferent. His nonchalant attitude made me wonder if I had imagined those pop-up comments. I took a deep breath, put down the half-signed pen, and scrambled for an explanation: “I suddenly don’t want a divorce anymore. We’ve been together for three years, we’re used to each other’s presence. To be honest, I think I’d miss you…” As I trailed off, the man’s expression grew increasingly confused. I lost my confidence and my voice got softer and softer. My marriage to Noah had been an accident. Five years ago, ever since a poor intern named Tina Sterling joined the company, my smooth-sailing life had fallen apart. My childhood sweetheart, who had promised to take care of me for life, fell for her instead. He publicly broke off our engagement, humiliating me. Even my usually doting parents inexplicably took Tina’s side. Consumed by jealousy, I impulsively married Noah Thorne, the rumored cold and vicious incubus CEO that everyone avoided, just to prove I wasn’t unwanted. For three years after the wedding, I kept trying to get back at Tina but failed miserably each time. Either Noah would find out and stop me in advance, or my schemes would backfire spectacularly. Recently, my attempts to frame Tina were exposed. I became a social pariah, with many friends cutting ties. I knew Noah had always despised my vicious behavior and favored Tina. I figured I might as well dump him first before he could abandon me like the others. It would at least make me look more in control. When I texted about wanting a divorce, Noah was in the middle of an important meeting. But he called back almost immediately. “Reason?” His voice came through the phone. I laughed maliciously: “Last time I accidentally saw your tail when the bathroom door wasn’t closed properly. It was all slimy and gross.” So now when I said I “couldn’t bear to leave him”, it was so unconvincing that even I didn’t believe it… “You’re sure you don’t want a divorce?” Instead of the expected cold laughter, the man’s deep voice snapped me back to reality. “I don’t want to divorce for now.” I studied Noah’s expression, but saw no trace of joy on his face. “As you wish.” After a few seconds, he took the half-signed divorce agreement on the table and put it through the shredder. The pop-up comments appeared again: “What’s with the villainess? Did she finally gain a brain cell?” “Is Lila finally scheming to use Noah? Might be too late though—his hatred’s already rooted.” “Did you see his smirk when he shredded the papers? Dude was terrified she’d change her mind!” “Keep it up girl, don’t stop! Go all in! Noah’s a yandere incubus with no morals, and you’re the villainess. You two are perfect match. If you win him over, taking down Tina will be a piece of cake!” 0

It took me an afternoon to process everything. I finally understood that the world I lived in was actually a romance novel. Tina was the female lead, while I was the evil supporting character destined to be imprisoned to death by the male lead. No wonder everyone who got close to Tina was drawn to her, as if the whole world revolved around her. There was too much information to take in today. After showering that night, I opened my phone hoping to relax my mind a bit, only to see an onslaught of hateful comments. All my social media accounts had been flooded. Netizens were defending Tina and criticizing me. My ex-fiancé Ethan sent me a Snapchat message: “Lila, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’re just using these dirty tricks to try and force me to leave Tina and be with you.” “Hah, all this trouble just to see me? Fine, you win. Meet me at the usual place Friday afternoon!” I didn’t reply. I blocked him and turned off my phone screen. The pop-up comments scrolled by: “Not gonna lie, the villainess has a point. Imagine your whole world suddenly orbits around another girl—I’d snap too.” “The villainess is beautiful and rich, why does she keep losing to the female lead who can’t even tell Word from Google Docs? This stupid novel has no logic…” “If I were the author, I’d slap the heroine, punch the hero, and lock the villainess with the yandere in a basement until they pop out eight kids. Perfect.” “…” Not good at all. After calming down, I prepared for bed. Just as I took off my underwear, the bedroom door suddenly opened. Noah’s gaze traveled up and down my body. I quickly grabbed my robe and covered myself. “Sorry, you didn’t lock the door.” Noah stared at me intently, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Black scales flickered across his skin. Incubi involuntarily reveal their true form when aroused… The word “Get out” was on the tip of my tongue. But I saw the pop-up comment: “I can already see her sneering ‘Get out.’ Poor guy’s love gets eroded bit by bit.” “Be nicer to your husband, Lila! Slap him now, and your lips will pay the price later.” Warned by the pop-up comments, I quickly changed my tone and gave Noah a slight smile: “It’s okay, hon-” Noah was about to leave the room but stopped in his tracks. His eyes darkened as he waited for me to finish. Damn, it was those pop-up comments constantly saying “honey” that threw me off… “Say ‘honey’! He’d die for you. The heroine’s nothing.” “Can we not make the second male lead sound so cheap? After three years of cold violence, he definitely hates the villainess more than he loves her. Besides, didn’t you guys forget? The second male lead imprisoned the villainess to death to protect the female lead.” The pop-up comments split into two arguing factions. I raised an eyebrow, wanting to test the validity of this information. I decided to flirt a bit: “Noah, do you think I have a nice body?” “It’s alright.” The man lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable. “Playing cool, huh? That’s why you’re still single. No wonder she’s still into the hero.” “Is it just me, or does the villainess not hate him anymore? Our ship is finally sailing??” Not giving up, I took a step forward and teased: “How would you know if you haven’t looked properly?” “I don’t need to look.” Noah replied coldly, but his fingertips involuntarily curled, the joints turning slightly pink as he nearly tore holes in his pants. I never noticed before how cute this man looked when he was shy. I noticed Noah’s collar was messed up and reached out to fix it for him. “Don’t touch me.” A cold warning sounded above my head. Harsh. I froze, remembering the arguing pop-up comments from earlier. It made sense. I had never shown Noah any kindness these past three years. Meanwhile Tina was like a little sun, always warmly encouraging him to overcome his trauma. It was normal for Noah to hate me. I laughed self-deprecatingly and withdrew my outstretched arm: “Remember to close the door on your way out. I’m going to sleep.” The man closed the door, but instead of leaving, he walked towards me step by step. His breathing grew increasingly hot and heavy, his eyes reddening from the effort of holding back. I finally realized something was wrong: “Noah, what’s wrong? Do you have a fever?” Pop-up comment: “More like mating season hits hard… Noah, down bad already? She barely flirted and you’re in heat.” “Mating season?” I muttered to myself. How did I never know Noah had a mating season in our three years of marriage? Pop-up comment: “She really thought he was asexual? He’s an incubus! And you’re literally the hottest in the book—he just didn’t want to force you.” “During past ruts, he’d steal your worn clothes and hide. Couldn’t let you see him.” “Those clothes are practically threadbare now… dude’s ‘gifted’, you know.” I stared blankly at the scrolling comments, feeling like I was looking at a screen full of censored text. So earlier when he didn’t let me touch him, was it because of his rut? Noah buried his face in the crook of my neck, nuzzling back and forth restlessly. His pale skin flushed red with desire, weakening his usual aloof aura. Before, I had been so focused on getting back at Tina and trying to win back Ethan that I never really looked at Noah properly. I didn’t realize this man could be so breathtakingly handsome. His features were even more exquisite than those of TV stars. 0

“There’s… medicine and syringes in the study drawer… go get them…” Noah’s voice was broken and intermittent as he tried desperately to hide the patterns and scales emerging on his body. Looking at the man pushed to his limit, his lips bitten bloody, his clothes soaked with sweat and clinging to his body, outlining tantalizing abdominal muscles… I suddenly changed my mind. Three years of sleeping alone in an empty bed, while I may not have the intense urges of an incubus, I was still a normal person with needs. Although the first clause of our marriage contract, which I wrote myself, stated: No romance, only money. Taking advantage strictly forbidden. But I was the morally bankrupt villainess, wasn’t I? What use did I have for keeping promises… Having made up my mind, I gently patted the man’s face and whispered: “Noah, remember to be gentle.” “Don’t touch me, I’m dirty…” Noah’s whole body trembled at my touch, but he still clung to his last shred of self-control. “But I want to…” I took off my robe, used my fingertips to wipe the blood from his lips, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. Pop-up comments: “What’s going on, the villainess actually made the first move!” “That face pat, ahhhh, I’m so invested! Sister, do you need another dog?” “Love mixed with hate, perfection. Love born from hatred, even better!” “My heart is racing, my hands are shaking, are our dark couple finally going to do the deed?!” The moment our lips touched, Noah immediately took control. His large warm hands gripped the back of my head. The air was forcibly stolen from my lungs, making my legs go weak. A thick black “rope” had wrapped around my waist at some point. It was too tight, causing me some pain. I let out a muffled groan and tried to push it aside. “I’m sorry, don’t… don’t look…” Noah snapped out of his daze, his pupils contracting sharply as he desperately tried to hide the tail that had emerged due to his arousal. Before I could react, the man had already fled the room in a panic. Soon, I heard the sound of drawers being rummaged through in the study next door. The air filled with an indescribable medicinal smell. Leaning against the wardrobe, I gasped for fresh air while reading the scrolling pop-up comments: “Noah, you coward! I was ready and you just ran?!” “Enough, am I the only one who feels bad for the second male lead? He’s been bullied and humiliated since childhood for being an incubus. He was overjoyed to marry his dream girl, only for her to find him disgusting too. Of course he’d be insecure.” “Villainess, my dear child, did you really have to act disgusted by his true form at a time like this? He’s really about to break.” It’s not like that, I’ve been wronged! I really just wanted him to loosen his grip a bit… 0

The next morning, Noah was nowhere to be found when I woke up. As I ate my breakfast sandwich, I took a deep breath and opened my phone after a 3-second mental preparation. To my surprise, all the hateful comments seemed to have evaporated overnight. The media outlets that had criticized me most harshly even had their official accounts suspended. One of the few media friends I was still in contact with, Megan, sent me a photo of my parents visiting their company, with the caption: “It’s all taken care of.” I smiled. I knew my parents wouldn’t really abandon me. After all, they had always stepped in to smooth over all my big and small troubles before. Pop-up comment: “Fun fact: every time Noah helps her, he gives the credit to her useless parents…” “Noah: the CEO who stone-cold hand-washes her lingerie. Mood ring husband.” “Too bad she’s clueless. After her disgust last night, the basement ending seems inevitable.” Shocked, I shifted my gaze from the pop-up comments to my phone screen. I stared at the photo of my parents for a full ten minutes before finally noticing signs of Photoshop… I opened Snapchat and scrolled to the very bottom to find Noah: “Are you free today? I have something to discuss with you.” He replied instantly: “Wrong person.” “…” “No, it’s not~ honey~” This time he replied much slower: “I’m very sorry about last night, for letting you see those disgusting things. I’m very busy today. If you want a divorce, contact a lawyer first.” “No no no,” I quickly refuted, “It’s not about divorce.” Noah: “Alright, see you this afternoon.” Pop-up comments: “LOL. ‘Divorce?’ – Busy. ‘Not divorce?’ – See you this afternoon.” “That was close, the villainess narrowly avoided the dark room play again. Why do I feel like she’s becoming self-aware and trying to save herself?” “Bad vibes. Something’s about to go down at this plot point.”

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After work. The stunning woman I’d seen earlier that day stopped me, pouring out a heartfelt confession. I was just a cook, covered in grease, not making much money. I just thought it was a joke. Who knew she’d show up at the restaurant every single day, waiting for me? “Leo, if you don’t agree, I’m not leaving today!” I was taken aback. “But don’t you have a partner? And aren’t you still breastfeeding?” The woman in front of me was Chloe. Just like her name, she always carried a subtle, alluring scent. But thanks to my profession, my nose was incredibly keen. Even amidst the rich aromas of the restaurant’s food, I could distinguish a faint smell of breast milk mixed in with her perfume. I looked at Chloe’s tight T-shirt, which perfectly highlighted her curvaceous figure. The cartoon bear print on it was stretched into a mighty, formidable bear. Even if I tried not to, it was hard to tear my gaze away from her prominent chest. Chloe was a classic beauty. Although she’d already given birth, she had a slender, oval face with smooth features. Her eyes were large, and her lips delicate. She was nothing like those heavily filtered beauties you saw all over social media apps. Chloe was real, a living, breathing beauty standing right in front of me. As a cook, I was often messy and greasy. Standing before her, I was afraid I’d dirty her. Besides, a woman this beautiful—her partner must be pretty protective of her. Her beauty was tempting, but I wasn’t about to stir up trouble. I brought this up, hoping to get her to back off—stop showing up at the restaurant looking for me. To my surprise, Chloe’s face flushed, and she still leaned closer. “Leo, I don’t have a partner.” After saying that, her eyes welled up. It was heartbreaking to see such a beautiful woman cry. Plus, I’d just finished work, right at the restaurant entrance. If my coworkers saw us later, they’d start all kinds of rumors about me. I gently took her arm and led her to a nearby coffee shop, where we sat down for a moment. “Is something wrong? Are you in trouble?” Chloe’s eyes grew even redder. She told me she’d been naive, moving in with her boyfriend and getting pregnant. But the baby was born prematurely and was too weak. After a few days in the hospital’s incubator, they couldn’t save him. Seeing her sob so hard she could barely catch her breath, I kindly ordered her a milkshake. “What about your boyfriend?” Chloe wiped away her tears, gritting her teeth. “That man—when he saw the huge hospital bill for the baby, he just took off. Left me high and dry.” “Now I have nothing. My landlord even kicked me out; I don’t even have a roof over my head.” Her story was really sad. Chloe looked up, carefully asking if I could help her. I hesitated, wondering why she’d chosen me. Growing up poor, I’d stayed single well into my thirties—never even had a girlfriend, let alone a wife. Then I moved to the county town, landing a job at my Uncle Frank’s restaurant. Business was good, and my cook’s salary slowly increased. But it was still just a small restaurant chef’s salary; it could only go so high. I saved every penny, slowly accumulating some money, but even now, it wasn’t much. It was all for when I finally got married; I just couldn’t afford to be generous. Chloe saw my hesitation, her cheeks flushing. “Leo,” she said softly, “it’s okay. I like you, that’s why I want to be with you.” She said she didn’t need any labels, just wanted to help with chores and laundry. She only asked for a place to crash and meals, like we were just roommates. If I ever wanted to find a proper wife, she’d simply disappear. Chloe was so beautiful, and she sounded like she was hardworking and capable. To have a caring woman keep me company at night, no strings attached. It seemed like a win-win for me—no downsides. My heart was tempted. I took her soft, smooth hand in mine. “Alright, come home with me.”

Chloe was even more capable than I’d imagined. The very first day she arrived at my run-down apartment, she immediately started cleaning like a pro. It happened to be my day off, so I sat on the couch, watching her busy herself. From the bathroom to the kitchen, then to the living room and balcony. Years of grime were scrubbed away, leaving the floors so clean you could practically see your reflection. “This place really needs regular cleaning, otherwise, come summer, it’ll be crawling with bugs.” With bags of trash piled in the corner, Chloe then headed straight for the bedroom. I stood up and wrapped my arm around her waist. Even though she’d had a baby, her waist was incredibly slender—she’d clearly bounced back well. The soft skin at her waist twitched, and watching her face, flushed from the heat, my mind started to wander. “The bedroom is where I spend most of my time; it’s clean, you don’t need to bother with it.” Chloe chuckled, her arm sliding around my neck, just as I’d intended. “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Leo.” “But can I take a look inside?” We were both adults, and we both knew exactly what “living together” really meant. The atmosphere grew increasingly intimate. Chloe lowered her head, her cheeks completely crimson. My hand moved lower to her curves, and I swept her up into my arms. “Of course.” The single metal-framed bed in the bedroom was definitely not made for two. I gently laid her on the bed, looking at her delicate, pretty face, my heart racing. The bed creaked loudly for what felt like forever. Only after we’d been intimate did I fully realize my luck. I’d hit the jackpot—finding a woman so curvy and beautiful. Chloe’s soft body pressed against mine again, her breath hot against my ear. “Leo, thank you for taking me in.” Even better, this woman seemed to have no temper at all, always going along with whatever I said. I couldn’t hold back and pulled her back into a passionate embrace. Sweat poured off us, and when I finally came back to my senses, darkness had already fallen. Chloe was incredibly obedient. Despite her fatigue, she still offered to cook for me. One thing was for sure about being with me. Cooking—that was my specialty. Besides, Chloe had been drawn to me in the first place because my cooking tasted good and suited her palate. Now was the perfect time to cater to her tastes. I puffed out my chest: “Sit down, I’ll make dinner for you.” Just a simple meal—three dishes and a soup. Nothing fancy like what I cooked at the restaurant. But the most important thing was that it was clean and fresh. I watched Chloe’s reaction: “How is it? Is it to your liking?” Chloe’s face showed hesitation. She chewed for a while before swallowing. “Leo, why does it taste a little different?” “Well, it definitely can’t be the same,” I took a bite, chewed it, and indeed, it was a bit bland. “Next time, I’ll add more seasoning.” Chloe put down her fork. “It’s not just the seasoning… I think it tasted better at the restaurant, more flavorful…” A knot formed in my stomach. Chloe was a regular at the restaurant—her palate was spoiled. If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t matter, but now—she was my girl, more or less. I reminded her. “Home cooking’s cleaner. You should eat out less from now on.” Chloe’s face brightened again with a smile. “Got it, Leo. From now on, I’ll only eat your cooking.” That first night with a woman in my place, the bedroom’s single bed was way too small for two. I had no choice but to crash on the living room couch. Before turning off the light, Chloe even gave me a sweet, fragrant kiss. “Leo, I’m sorry you have to rough it.” With that kiss? What was there to be sorry about? The lights went out, and the couch was narrow. I tossed and turned for ages, couldn’t sleep. I decided to open my phone and check my bank balance. After saving every penny for so long, I only had fifty grand. If I wanted to marry a proper, respectable girl, I probably didn’t even have enough for a ring or a down payment. I looked at the dark bedroom. Maybe Chloe and I could make a life together. It wouldn’t be so bad. As I was lost in thought, the bedroom light suddenly flickered on.

My brow furrowed, and I grew alert. After all, I wasn’t a naive kid anymore—I’d been through the wringer. I still kept my guard up around women who came on that strong out of nowhere. There was nothing valuable in the bedroom. The little cash I had at home? I’d already stashed it in the bank. If Chloe had any ulterior motives, she wouldn’t find a thing. That said, I still watched the bedroom like a hawk, wondering what she was up to. Getting up in the middle of the night usually meant needing to use the bathroom. But I waited forever, and no one came out. Instead, the faint rustling sounds grew louder. The old saying was true: the prettier the woman, the more she can deceive. I was getting annoyed. What was this restless woman up to? I stood up and directly opened the bedroom door. Just as I’d thought—Chloe was standing by the dresser, all three drawers pulled open, contents strewn across the floor. I rushed over, grabbed her arm, and pushed her onto the bed. “What are you doing?” Chloe fell onto the bed, silent. It took her a minute, like she was waking up from a daze, eyes wide. “Leo, I… I… What happened to me?” Her voice was soft, childlike—way more innocent than before. I grabbed her chin, staring her down: “You don’t know what you were just doing?” Chloe stared at me blankly, big eyes full of confusion. She raised a hand to rub her eyes, but I stopped her. “I… I don’t know.” Chloe pouted, voice all hurt and委屈. I led her to the bedside, pointing at the mess on the floor. “Why were you going through my stuff?” Chloe jumped, then immediately knelt down to start cleaning up. “I didn’t mean to—I didn’t do it on purpose.” Seeing her act so docile… did I misjudge her? The items on the bedside table weren’t anything important. They were just basic ingredient recipes Uncle Frank taught me when I first started at his restaurant. I relied on these to learn from scratch, gradually working my way up to head chef. These recipes were basic—you could buy them at any bookstore. No big secret. The real important stuff wasn’t kept at home. I pulled her up, tone softening. “Chloe, do you really not know what just happened?” Chloe bit her lip, shaking her head. “I was just sound asleep in bed, and the next thing I knew—there you were.” Then it hit me—I’d read about people like this online. Sleepwalkers. Doing weird stuff in the middle of the night was normal for them, and they’d have no memory when woken up. Chloe must’ve been uncomfortable sleeping in a new place and started sleepwalking. I bent down, planning to ask her again. But Chloe pulled her hand away, shuffling back in her slippers. “Leo, I know you don’t like me—you don’t trust me. It’s fine. Tonight… I guess I got what I wanted.” She slowly took off the new pajamas I’d bought her, turning her back to me as she pulled on her own T-shirt. “As soon as it’s light out, I’m moving out.” I froze: “But you don’t have a place to stay, no money, no job.” Chloe’s voice was tearful. “I’ll find a job with room and board… Anyway, I won’t bother you anymore, Leo.” How could that be? A beautiful young woman like her—without a man to watch her back? She’d get eaten alive out there. Besides, after spending today together… I looked at her exposed, fair skin and swallowed hard. I reached out, grabbing her, forcing her to turn around. “You’re not moving out. You’re staying here with me.” Chloe still kept her head down, looking all dejected. “What if I’m home alone, and you keep being suspicious?” She suddenly looked up at me: “Or maybe I should go out and work too?” I thought about it. I only had two days off a month. She’d definitely get bored home alone. “Okay, but no need to look elsewhere. Just come work at my restaurant.”

The restaurant was owned by my Uncle Frank Miller. Besides him, his wife Aunt Carol, and their son Jason, I was the only other employee. Meaning, it was a family business through and through—they usually didn’t let strangers in. But after I talked them into it, Chloe joined the restaurant as a dishwashing assistant. My cousin Jason Miller—only a couple years older than me—was eyeing Chloe like crazy. Luckily, he was already married, and his daughter was in elementary school. Plus, on Chloe’s first day, I pulled him aside and warned him she was my girlfriend—so he better not get any ideas. Jason knew better than to mess with Chloe. Uncle Frank, though, seemed happy. He patted my shoulder, saying I was really something. “Business is booming here—I’ve wanted to hire more help forever. But your cousin Jason’s always so cautious, never wants outsiders coming in.” My hands were burning from chopping onions, so I just gave a half-hearted answer. “Jason being careful is normal. But why doesn’t Aunt Carol help out?” Uncle Frank shook his head: “She says it’s too hard.” “See? That’s why I say you’re so capable, Leo. You found a girlfriend as gorgeous as a movie star, and she’s willing to do all this dirty kitchen work.” I glanced at Chloe—bent over the sink, scrubbing a mountain of dishes—and felt a surge of pride. “Indeed, I’ve found a gem.” Dishwashing was the hardest, dirtiest job in the whole restaurant. I purposely put Chloe on this tough task, but to my surprise—this woman actually rolled up her sleeves and started washing dishes without a word. And she washed them way cleaner than Aunt Carol ever did. Chloe did her work so well no one could find fault. Uncle Frank and Aunt Carol were really satisfied. It made me look good, and I even felt more energized while cooking. After work, Chloe’s arms were so sore she could barely lift them. She sat there blankly by the sink. I felt bad for her and helped her up. “Tired? Maybe take tomorrow off?” Chloe leaned half her body against me, shaking her head. “No, I want to stay with you.” “Even if it means washing dishes?” Chloe nodded, eyes full of determination. “Even if it means washing dishes.” After a long day, her bangs were stuck to her forehead with sweat, lips glistening. I couldn’t help but lean in and kiss her. “Why do you want to stay with me?” Chloe’s face flushed bright red, all the way down to her neck. She poked my chest. “Leo, do you really have to ask?” Seeing her shy expression, my heart felt all warm and fuzzy. After these two days, I believed her—she really liked me. Otherwise, she wouldn’t put up with such hard, tiring work just to be by my side. The next day in the kitchen, even Jason came over to give me a heads-up. “Such a delicate young woman—making her do such heavy work. You’ll scare your girlfriend off.” I paused chopping. “Then what do you think she should do?” Jason thought for a second: “Let her prep ingredients.” I told Chloe about the job change, and she jumped up excitedly. “Really?” Prepping ingredients was still tough work. With how busy our restaurant was, she’d be on her feet for over ten hours a day, non-stop. But Chloe was thrilled, throwing her arms around my neck. “Prepping ingredients is great! I can stay by your side the whole time.” Chloe moved to my side, helping out diligently. I gave her all the reference materials I’d used when I was learning. Chloe picked it up super fast, and her ingredient prep was surprisingly organized. In fact, she often prepped ingredients faster than I could cook. During the lunch rush, I was swamped—feet barely touching the ground, hands glued to the wok. The dish was almost done, but someone was still standing by my side. “Chloe, is the next dish ready yet?” “The one after that’s already done too.” “Okay, then go to the front—help Uncle Frank and Aunt Carol with the customers…” As soon as Chloe walked away, I pulled open the small compartment under the counter. “Leo, someone up front says they want to add a dish…” *Clang!* I jumped, hand shaking, and the small can fell to the floor.

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Lately, my social media feed has been flooded with breast cancer awareness videos. Maybe it was just in my head, but I actually started feeling a faint ache in my chest. Being the cautious person I am, and to nip any potential issues in the bud, I immediately booked an appointment with a breast specialist. I chose the most expensive top specialist, with a $75 consultation fee. I figured the higher the fee, the more reputable the doctor. But when I arrived at the hospital, I found out it was a male doctor… At 8 AM, the breast clinic at Metropolitan General Hospital was packed. Other exam rooms had just a few stragglers, but outside my doctor’s door, a massive queue had formed. It seemed people’s disposable income had really increased. So many were willing to pay $75 for a consultation, and most of them were young women. These women were incredibly cheerful, looking less like patients and more like fans at a meet-and-greet. The women coming out of the exam room were strange too; their faces were flushed with an odd, rosy glow, like ripe peaches. What was going on? Was this some new medical procedure I didn’t know about? “I’ve been refreshing the hospital app since midnight. Persistence pays off—I finally got an appointment with Dr. Julian!” “My sister highly recommended him. She said Dr. Julian’s technique is amazing; after he examines you, you feel like you’re floating on air. I wonder if it’s true…” “It’s true. You’ll see once you try it. Besides, looking at Dr. Julian’s handsome face, even the worst symptoms just fade away.” … I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but the loud chatter of the two women ahead of me was impossible to ignore. So… Dr. Julian was a man? When I booked, I only paid attention to which doctor was most expensive; I didn’t check the details page. Seriously! I was here for a medical check-up, not to gawk at some guy. What were these women even thinking? And having a male stranger examine my chest felt incredibly awkward! I decided to sneak out and cancel the appointment before my name was called. But before I could leave, the exam room’s electronic prompt chimed. “Chloe Thompson, please come in.” Well, there went my $75 down the drain. Nervously, I knocked and entered. Inside, a man in a white coat sat behind a desk. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and was looking down, writing something. From my angle, I couldn’t clearly see his face. But his hair was thick and dark, and I couldn’t help but think he probably wasn’t a very skilled doctor. “Excuse me, Dr. Julian, I think I booked the wrong appointment. Would it be possible for you to—” “What?” He frowned, looking up and cutting me off. A striking, handsome face met my gaze. In that instant, my heart pounded, and I held my breath. Do you believe in love at first sight?

The words I’d prepared vanished the moment he looked up. I shook my head, dumbfounded. Wrong appointment? No, this was my fate! Dr. Julian asked me some routine questions, which I answered honestly. “Do you have a boyfriend?” “No.” His usually serious and professional expression seemed to soften when he heard my answer. At twenty-seven, this was the first time a man had spoken such direct words to me—especially one as handsome as him, exactly my type. “A-all of it?” I stammered, a blush creeping up my neck. “Including my bra?” “Yes.” I’d never been to a breast specialist before, so I didn’t know if this was normal. But his words sent a shiver through me, making my heart race and my hands tremble slightly. In front of him, I slowly unbuttoned my shirt, one button at a time, revealing the smooth, pale skin underneath. “Keep going.” Dr. Julian’s voice was low and calm, but his intense gaze never left my body. Maybe I was too nervous, but the bra that usually came off easily now seemed stuck. The atmosphere grew awkward. Dr. Julian crossed his arms, wearing an expression that seemed to say, “I’ve seen this before.” I gave up struggling and turned my back to him. “The clasp in the back seems stuck, and I can’t reach it. Dr. Julian, could you help me?” There was a brief silence in the exam room. Then, a pair of hands touched my back—cool, steady hands that quickly found the clasp. The familiar tightening, then loosening. I knew the clasp of my bra had been undone. I expected Dr. Julian to step back politely, but instead, he gently pulled me closer and slipped the bra off! “Ah!” His movements were so quick, I gasped and instinctively covered myself. “How am I supposed to examine you like that? Put your hands down and lie on the exam table.” Dr. Julian’s tone was completely professional, as casual as if he were discussing the weather. The more nonchalant he was, the more I felt like I was overreacting—completely missing the faint smirk on Julian’s lips.

I lay on the exam table, my hands nervously fidgeting with my skirt. The exam room was dimly lit, and I stared at the ceiling, my heart racing. The soft thud of footsteps grew closer, and I squeezed my eyes shut, too embarrassed to look at Dr. Julian. When you can’t see, your senses of touch and hearing become incredibly sharp. I heard a rustling sound beside me, then a pair of hands gently cupped my breast. I could feel his fingers—long, skilled, with a slight coolness that was surprisingly reassuring. Dr. Julian suddenly pressed down firmly, catching me off guard, and I winced in pain. “Ah—” “Don’t move. This could be hyperplasia. Let me check again.” His voice was colder than his touch. I immediately tensed up, not daring to move. I wondered if I was imagining things, but it felt like Julian was deliberately teasing me. His fingers seemed to dance across my skin—sometimes light, sometimes firm—sending shivers down my spine. The sensation was so intense that I had to bite my lip to keep from making any embarrassing sounds. I endured it, torn between discomfort and something else, just wanting the exam to end. Just when I thought I was about to give up entirely, Julian’s hands stilled. I opened my eyes and saw him backlit, slowly wiping his hands with an alcohol wipe. “Dr. Julian, is that all?” Julian paused, then leaned in suddenly, his voice low and teasing: “Are you saying you want me to continue?” His hot breath on my neck sent a shiver down my spine. I shook my head frantically, pushing him away and scrambling behind the privacy screen. He had such a handsome face, but why did he keep saying such suggestive things? “Dr. Julian, what’s my diagnosis? Is it serious?” Julian was typing on his computer. Without looking up, he said, “The exam seems fine. Go get an X-ray, then come back.” “Let’s exchange SnapChat IDs,” he called as I stood to leave. “It’s my personal account. You can message me directly if you have questions.” Julian’s SnapChat profile picture was a knitted flower, which didn’t quite match his image—it was actually kind of cute. The flower felt oddly familiar, but before I could think about it, the next patient knocked and entered, so I had to say goodbye to Dr. Julian. While waiting for the X-ray results, I received a call from my landlady, Mrs. Hayes. The moment I answered, her uncontrollable sobs filled my ear: “Chloe, dear, where are you? Can we meet up now?” Mrs. Hayes was a sophisticated middle-aged woman, always composed and rarely showing vulnerability. Seeing her like this, I didn’t even wait for my results. I quickly left the hospital and rushed to meet her. But I never expected to find my belongings scattered all over the hallway when I got home. The front door was wide open, and inside, people were roughly throwing my things out. My blood pressure spiked. My vision blurred, and I almost fainted on the spot. What was going on? Had my home been ransacked by robbers?

The men moving furniture inside were all burly and strong; there was no way I, a small woman, could confront them alone. Just as I pulled out my phone to call the police, Mrs. Hayes emerged from the elevator. “Oh, Chloe…” The tear stains on her face were still wet, and two dark circles under her eyes were prominent. She looked utterly distraught. “Mrs. Hayes, you’re here just in time. What’s going on?” Through Mrs. Hayes’s sobs, I slowly pieced together the story. Her husband had been in a car accident and needed surgery. The medical bills were astronomical, forcing her to sell her cars and properties. And the apartment I was renting just happened to have a buyer… “Mrs. Hayes, I deeply sympathize with your situation, but shouldn’t you have told me in advance? Now my things are scattered everywhere, my luggage is tossed out like trash, and it’s already so late. Where am I supposed to go?” “This is indeed my fault, Chloe. You know I haven’t raised your rent all this time. If I hadn’t been truly desperate, I wouldn’t have sold this apartment. But the buyer is in a hurry, and I desperately need the money.” Mrs. Hayes started crying again, lamenting her misfortune. Then she took my hand, her voice pleading: “Chloe, I remember your family lives nearby, right? Why don’t you go home for now? I’ll refund the rest of your rent.” There was no point arguing. I could only accept my fate. By the time I left the building, dragging two suitcases, it was completely dark. I felt like a stray cat, with nowhere to go. Of course, I could go back to my parents’ place, but every time we meet, they lecture me about being a freelancer—unstable job, no boyfriend, the whole list. Going home would just lead to another argument, so I decided to find a hotel for the night. To make matters worse, when I tried to check into a hotel, I realized I couldn’t find my ID. At the same time, a SnapChat message popped up on my phone. [Julian: I just checked the system. Your test results are in. Why haven’t you come back?] A patient’s always wary of a doctor’s sudden concern, and I was no exception. He was contacting me this late. Could it be that I had some serious illness?! I shakily called Julian on FaceTime. He answered immediately. “Dr. Julian, I had an emergency this afternoon and couldn’t wait for the report. Are you contacting me because the results aren’t good?” “Are you home right now?” My heart sank. How serious was this? He was asking if I was home—was he going to admit me immediately? “I’m at a hotel. Do I need to come back to the hospital now?” “Which hotel are you at? I’ll pick you up.” Julian’s tone sounded urgent. Fearing the worst, I immediately told him the address. Less than half an hour later, the hotel room door opened, and Julian walked in, bringing a gust of cool air with him. My anxious heart unexpectedly calmed the moment I saw him. He exhaled slowly, walking towards me. He took my suitcases and said softly: “Coming with me?” Wow, he was handsome! I was completely charmed, my mind blank. I nodded and followed him. When I came to my senses, I was already sitting in the passenger seat of his car. Julian asked why I was stranded. I explained what had happened. He listened quietly, his eyes fixed on me. “So, do you want to stay at my place?” “?” Perhaps seeing the guarded look in my eyes, Julian quickly added: “My house is big, with empty rooms. You can stay until you find a new place. And with your health situation, it’ll be easier if I’m nearby.” He was just being a good doctor, and here I was, overthinking it! Besides, what was there to worry about? If Julian and I lived together, he’d be the one at a disadvantage. “Thank you, Dr. Julian. That’s very kind of you.” I was worried about my health and asked Julian several times about the test results during the drive. He always seemed evasive, which made me uneasy. Just as I was about to burst into tears from overthinking, he finally said: “Don’t worry. The results show a bit of hyperplasia, nothing serious. I can just massage it daily, and it’ll clear up.” At the time, I had no idea that his “massages” would change our relationship forever…

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “328126”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy #现实主义Realistic #校园School #重生Reborn #惊悚Thriller

My boyfriend has a one-of-a-kind talent. He can craft dolls that look exactly like real people. A five-foot-three doll, dressed in an exquisite gown, With flawless makeup, incredibly beautiful. Displayed in a glittering glass case, it shimmered. I leaned in closer and realized it looked like a real person… Do you know how those dolls in fancy dresses at the exhibition are made? They’re not plastic. They’re made from the bodies of young girls. And I own one of these lifelike dolls. Later, I saw many more in my boyfriend’s exhibition hall. One day, while we were intimate, my boyfriend eagerly showed me how he created these “Barbie dolls.” As I was completely lost in pleasure, my boyfriend pulled a ribbon he’d carefully prepared from the nightstand. Slowly, he wrapped it around my neck, his fingers tightening, tightening, and tightening again… Watching me gasp at the brink of death, he spoke, his voice trembling with excitement. “Chloe, you’ve always been curious about how I make my dolls so perfect, haven’t you? Well, I’ll tell you now!” “This is how it’s done—they die in ecstasy.” “That mix of excitement and pain stays etched on their faces forever.” “That’s how you make the most captivating dolls.” “To set them, you have to work while their bodies are still soft.” “You pour glue over their entire skin,” “Then meticulously apply the simulated skin, piece by piece.” “Add delicate makeup,” “Dress them in luxurious gowns and display them in glass cases.” “That way, countless people can truly appreciate their beauty.” “But my Chloe, you’re naturally stunning,” “The most exquisite girl I’ve seen in years.” “You’ll be my most perfect masterpiece…” My boyfriend recounted this, his face alight with excitement as he watched my face slowly turn pale.

My boyfriend, Julian, was a toy restorer. Thirty years old this year, his hands were incredibly skilled. No matter how severely damaged a doll was, Julian could fix it quickly. Julian and I connected over dolls… I’ve been a loyal Barbie fan since childhood, obsessed with collecting princess Barbies. Especially on my twenty-third birthday, I unexpectedly received a very unique doll. Her touch felt just like real skin, incredibly pleasant. I paid a hefty price to get her, Taking meticulous care of her every day, afraid of even a scratch. But an accident still happened! My little niece, Lily, snuck into my room and knocked over my Barbie. My doll’s edges chipped in several places. Frustrated, I had no choice but to ask around for someone to fix her. Seeing me gloomy all the time, my good friend Stella recommended a toy restorer, Julian. “Chloe, I’m telling you, he’s amazing! All his customers rave about him.” “Seriously, just try him. You’ll be satisfied.” “We’ll see,” I replied dismissively. But I didn’t take Stella’s words seriously at all. After several renowned restorers examined my doll and shook their heads helplessly, I finally decided to follow Stella’s advice and visit the restorer she recommended. That was the first time I met Julian. He truly stunned me at first sight. Delicate gold-rimmed glasses, fair skin, long, slender fingers – he looked like a refined young gentleman. “Can he really do it? He doesn’t look like he can!” Stella subtly nudged me with her elbow, signaling me to keep my voice down. Just as I looked up, I saw Julian staring directly at me, his gaze eerie and sending shivers down my spine. My scalp tightened, and I could only manage an awkward smile, ducking behind my best friend. “Hello, can I help you?” Julian asked. Seeing me hesitate, Stella spoke up and started chatting with him. “Hello, my friend’s Barbie broke, and she was wondering if you could fix it.” After Julian confirmed he could, I left the Barbie at his studio. When I went to pick up my Barbie princess that weekend, I was utterly shocked. I couldn’t believe Julian’s skill was truly incredible. All the chipped edges were perfectly repaired. Even tiny scratches were gone. I was amazed, showering him with praise, thinking Stella really hadn’t lied. Julian seemed a bit shy; he just gave me a bashful smile at my compliments and didn’t say anything more. But when I got home, I noticed something: my doll seemed… strange. Her skin felt just like human skin. I asked Julian about it, and he said it was his special technique, a method he used specifically to earn money! Seeing my intense interest, he invited me to his exhibition that weekend. But I never imagined that this outing would lead me to discover something truly astonishing…

After Julian’s invitation, I decided to visit his place. Julian asked for my address and drove to my house to pick me up. He was so enthusiastic, I agreed. Julian drove me to a run-down part of town, tucked away in a corner on the west side. Looking at the dilapidated houses, I felt a pang of regret. It seemed so remote. And Julian and I had only met once. A hint of fear began to creep in. But when I stepped inside the exhibition hall, I dismissed my fears. It was absolutely worth the trip! Julian led me into his doll exhibition, and my jaw nearly dropped. The small room was filled with exquisitely dressed, life-sized dolls. They were displayed in glass cases along both walls, looking just like real people. I couldn’t resist reaching out to touch one. The sensation was exactly like real human skin. I couldn’t help but exclaim. “This is incredible! It’s exactly like a real person. I’ve never felt anything so lifelike. What material is this made of?” Seeing my shocked expression, Julian smiled mysteriously, then leaned close to my ear and whispered. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? It’s made from human skin! Hehehe, it’s fresh skin I peeled off women!” Warm, moist air sprayed onto my ear, combined with Julian’s somewhat serious face, immediately gave me goosebumps all over. Seeing that I was genuinely startled, Julian burst into laughter. “Didn’t scare you, did I? This is simulated skin I imported from Japan. I was just teasing you.” Oh, so that was it. I really had been scared. I let out a long sigh of relief. I meticulously admired every doll in the hall. Each one was truly unique. Different ages, varying eye colors, distinct skin textures… Just like categories of people: innocent college girls, sultry young women, sophisticated housewives. Everything imaginable was there, satisfying every aesthetic preference. But I was particularly drawn to a doll in a corner glass case. She was different from all the others. Not only did her skin look human, but her expression of sorrow was also incredibly lifelike. A vividly realistic look, her eyes brimming with unshed tears—it was simply captivating. The most astonishing thing was the continuous stream of tears flowing from her eyes, as if a real woman were suffering some intense pain…

Seeing my interest, Julian offered to give me one of the dolls he had made. “Pick one. It’s rare to find someone with the same passion as me! Let’s be friends.” I was overjoyed. So, I hesitantly pointed to the “lifelike” crying doll. Julian chuckled, teasingly. “You certainly don’t hold back, picking the most ‘spirited’ one in our shop.” I thought he wouldn’t part with it, but to my surprise, he readily gave me the doll. Seeing my incredulous expression, Julian’s voice, full of amusement, reached my ears again. “It’s rare to find someone with shared interests. It’s just a doll, no big deal. Besides, I’ll have an even better one soon.” He said this while looking at me, as if he was calculating something. That evening, he even personally delivered the doll to my home. But on the very first night the doll was in my house, I noticed something wasn’t right. I kept feeling an unseen gaze constantly following me, as if my every move was being monitored. But I live alone. If I had to pinpoint it, the only other presence would be the doll displayed in the living room cabinet. Half-asleep in the middle of the night, I suddenly heard a woman’s voice coming from above me. “Take me home! It’s so cold…” The female voice kept repeating. I got out of bed, but I searched every corner of the house and found nothing amiss. “Ahhh! Help me, no, no…” The woman’s voice suddenly reappeared. Goosebumps erupted all over my body, and drops of sweat trickled down my forehead. I fumbled in the dark, following the woman’s voice, And unknowingly, I walked into a room with mirrors on all four sides. The mirror in front of me showed a man and a woman entangled in a struggle. The man was thrusting vigorously over the woman, heavy gasps continuously escaping his lips. Throughout the silent room, the woman’s moans — a mix of pleasure and pain — echoed. It made me blush intensely, wishing I could leave immediately. Just then, the scene shifted. The man suddenly pulled out a black ribbon and wrapped it around the woman’s neck. Slowly tightening it, the woman whimpered and struggled, but it was useless. I wanted to warn the woman, but I found I couldn’t make a sound. I watched, wide-eyed, as the man tightened his grip, and the woman gradually stopped moving. At that moment, a terrifying scene unfolded. The man suddenly turned his head, grinning at me. Recognizing his face, I gasped, covering my mouth in shock, but still couldn’t stop myself from screaming. “Ah!” I couldn’t control my scream. Then I realized it was just a dream. I gasped for air, my heart still pounding. The dream felt so real, as if it had actually happened. I put on my shoes and got out of bed, ready to get some water. But when I looked up, I saw the crying doll standing right beside my bed. Her eyes stared directly at me, looking both terrifying and eerie. And around her neck hung a black ribbon… But how could she be here? I distinctly remembered placing her in the glass case in the living room… After a moment of thought, I shook my head, dismissing the impractical ideas from my mind. Maybe I’d just intended to put the doll in the living room display, but hadn’t actually moved it. I certainly had a history of doing silly things like that!

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Three years ago, at a product launch, I punched my ex-wife Victoria’s then-boyfriend, Blake, so hard he went deaf in one ear. I was detained. Victoria filed for divorce the next morning. From a jail cell, I learned she’d married him. My friends knew how possessive I was, and they expected me to reclaim Victoria the moment I got out. Instead, I disappeared. Until my name was called out at a bustling tourist spot. “How many skewers do you want?” I asked politely, “And do you want extra spice?” Victoria’s eyes welled up. “You…you even forgot I never eat spicy food?” … My voice remained perfectly even, a flat professional courtesy. “Apologies. We serve hundreds of people a night. Safer to ask than to assume.” For a moment, the only sound was her sharp, indrawn breath, followed by the restless shuffle of the queue behind her. “Are you going to order or not? This is the TikTok spot. Move it or lose your spot.” Victoria stared at me for a long time, her eyes aching, before she finally lowered her head and quickly ordered a few skewers. “No spice.” I offered a polite smile. “Seven to ten minutes. Please wait over there.” With that, I bent my head, focused on the grill. Every movement was precise and efficient. Victoria stared at my cracked, swollen hands, then suddenly snatched the skewer right out of them. “Alex! Stop doing this!” I snatched the skewer back, a deep frown creasing my forehead. “Ma’am, please don’t interrupt my work. There are many other customers waiting.” The customer in line behind her sounded annoyed. “Are you out of your mind? You’re stopping the owner from making a living, do you want him to starve?” Victoria looked as if she’d been stung. “What do you guys know? Alex is completely wasting his talent here! You couldn’t possibly understand his ambitions.” The customers eyed me with amusement. “What, his old flame?” “I used to have big ambitions too, but now I drive a taxi every day.” “Right? I wanted to be a billionaire, but now I’m buried under loans.” Victoria looked at these people as if they were idiots, her eyes filled with disdain. “There’s no reasoning with you people.” She turned back to me, her eyes shining with fervor. “Alex, I…I believe you’re not doing this willingly. The code and programs you developed are the most brilliant things in the world. If you wanted to, you could make millions in a snap. Why are you wasting yourself here?” Before I could answer, her eyes reddened with self-reproach. “Is it because of me?” “I know what happened back then hit you hard, but I never imagined you’d fall into such despair, to end up like this…” Her eyes were filled with pity, as if I was doing something utterly degrading. My gaze remained calm. “Ma’am, if you don’t want to eat, I can cancel your order. Please don’t interfere with my business.” Victoria froze completely, her eyes a mix of disbelief and sorrow. She sat back down, tears welling up. “Who said I’m not eating? I want to eat.” I turned and continued to finish the skewers in my hand. Victoria ate while shedding tears, her eyes frequently darting towards me, hoping I would comfort her like I used to. But I only slightly frowned, then refilled her tissue box. “Ma’am, if you need help, there’s a police station about five hundred yards away.” At my words, Victoria finally couldn’t bear my indifference. She covered her face and ran off. It wasn’t until I was about to pack up my stall. Victoria, who had been hiding in the shadows for a long time, suddenly spoke. “How long have you been doing this?” She pulled out a stack of cash and placed it in front of me. “I’m here on vacation. If you spend two hours showing me around, you’ll earn more than you do with this stall.”

My gaze landed on the thick wad of cash. Three, maybe four thousand. Enough for the doll Lily had been eyeing for weeks. The skewers were sold out. Only an idiot would walk away from honest money. “Alright, I know this place inside out.” I smiled, taking the money, not feeling any embarrassment. Victoria’s voice was unsteady. “You…you never used to care about money like this. Small money.” “There was that time…some heir tried to buy me a drink for half a million. You broke a million-dollar bottle of cognac over his head. It cost us a deal worth ten times that.” Looking at my grease-stained, cheap T-shirt, her expression was indescribable. “Your skin is sensitive. You couldn’t wear cheap polyester. You only wore tailored pure wool suits, and even a pair of plain socks cost enough to buy your entire stall.” She couldn’t understand how the once dashing, extravagant man could have changed so much. I didn’t respond, just smiled and pointed towards the building on the distant cliff, like a castle in the clouds. “That structure, built right on the cliff face, is a local landmark.” I naturally introduced the attraction to her, then turned back to ask. “Have you been up there?” Victoria had been watching me, and she shook her head blankly. “Go take a look. When you see the vast world spread out before your eyes, you’ll understand.” I once thought I could never let go of Victoria. Now, thinking back, it was truly laughable. Victoria met my honest gaze, devoid of any love, and felt a pang in her heart. “Okay.” On the way up the mountain, I acted like a dutiful guide, enthusiastically telling her about the local culture and traditions. When we passed other vendors, I’d greet them cheerfully. “Alex, moonlighting as a guide again?” “Young people certainly have stamina, working late guiding tourists up the mountain for extra cash.” Victoria looked at my slender profile and quietly asked. “Do you often work as a guide?” I answered frankly. “Sometimes I show tourists around, but none of them are as generous as you.” I flashed a wide, genuine smile. Victoria finally realized, at that moment, that I was genuinely happy about this small sum of money I would have scorned before. It wasn’t about trying to get a rise out of her. “Alex, don’t be like this.” She suddenly grabbed my hand, her voice earnest. “Even if we’re divorced, I don’t want to see you fall apart like this.” “You’re not an ordinary person. Even if you’ve been to prison, you can still make a comeback.” She pulled out her phone and quickly typed in a bank account number. “I was always afraid to contact you. I thought you were doing well, but I never expected you to…This money is what I owe you. Take it and start a new business.” Without a moment’s hesitation, she typed in the amount: five million. I just watched Victoria, silent. She thought I was silently accepting the money, but then her phone screen flashed a notification: the recipient’s bank account was closed. She was completely stunned. “Alex…do you hate me?” She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with tears. “This is the account you opened when you proposed. The number was my birthday and lucky numbers. You said you’d keep it forever, that every time you spent money, it was saving happiness for me. Don’t you want me to be happy anymore?” My gaze calmly shifted to the man behind her. “Your happiness is here.”

Victoria paused, then slowly turned her head. Blake stood quietly not far away, extending his hand to her. “Honey, I’ve been waiting for you up here.” He pulled out his phone. “I messaged you hours ago to meet at the summit. I didn’t expect you to take so long to come up. I was worried something had happened to you.” Victoria stared at me blankly, my words echoing in her mind. So brief, yet so hurtful. Seeing Victoria didn’t move, Blake walked forward and took her hand, then whispered intimately in her ear. “Who’s this?” Compared to three years ago, I had a few more lines of hardship on my face, but my looks hadn’t really changed. Blake, however, deliberately pretended not to recognize me. Victoria stiffly introduced me. “This…this is Alex.” Blake gasped dramatically, covering his mouth. “My God, Alex. What happened to you? You look…weathered.” His disgusted gaze fell on my faded T-shirt. “Adidai? Alex, really. If you can’t afford the real thing, must you try quite so hard? Wearing such an obvious counterfeit…it’s just sad.” Then he realized he’d said the wrong thing and shrank back behind Victoria, looking scared. “I’m always blunt, I didn’t mean any harm. Please don’t hit me again. Victoria spent millions getting me a cochlear implant.” Blake’s eyes were full of provocation, but I didn’t react at all. Victoria had always considered Blake’s bluntness a virtue, but now it sounded grating. “Blake, enough.” Blake rolled his eyes at me impatiently, then whined to Victoria. “Okay, my dearest wife, it’s my fault, I spoke without thinking. But Alex really has changed so much from three years ago. I was just too shocked.” Blake pulled a premium black card from his pocket. “I just heard Victoria wants to help you, but your bank account must have been frozen three years ago, right? This card has five million in it. It should be enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life.” I reached out to push the card back, but Blake sneered, then let go. The bank card slapped against the muddy ground. Blake looked at me apologetically. “Oops, my hand slipped.” “I remember you used to be a germaphobe. But I guess after selling BBQ for so long, you wouldn’t have that anymore, huh?” “I heard street food from stalls is often unsanitary and disgusting. You don’t mind selling this stuff for money, and you’re quite hardy.” The customers nearby, holding their skewers, all looked disgusted, questioning their food. My gaze instantly hardened, fixed on him. Victoria thought I was about to hit Blake, and she nervously shielded him. I picked up the mud-stained bank card and tossed it into Blake’s chest. “Every ingredient here passes inspection,” I said, my voice calm and firm. “If you have proof of wrongdoing, feel free to report it.” My response seemed to tip the scales. Customers stepped forward to defend me. “The lamb and beef skewers here are freshly cut and skewered by the owner early in the morning. We all saw it!” “He even livestreams the whole process-from buying the meat at the market to marinating it. Everything’s clean. There’s nothing unsanitary about this place!” Blake tried to say something else, but Victoria, her face hardened, pulled him back. “Blake, that’s enough.” Blake reluctantly shut his mouth, not daring to say more. Victoria looked at my eyes, devoid of any warmth, and her fingers slowly tightened. “I apologize for disturbing you today. It won’t happen again.” “You…you’ve changed so much.”

Three years ago, Victoria promised that after the product launch, she’d announce our marriage to the media. But when I changed into my clothes, I saw Victoria walk onto the stage with Blake. She not only praised him as a tech genius but also blushed and looked down when reporters asked about her love life, letting the public assume they were a couple. I wanted to suppress my anger and confront her after the press conference. But then an intimate photo of Victoria suddenly appeared on my phone. The man in it was Blake, on stage, smirking at me, as if I was already a defeated man. Back then, I was young, hot-headed, and couldn’t stand any disrespect. I stormed onto the stage and landed punch after punch on Blake’s face, beating him senseless. Victoria also recalled the scene, giving me a bitter, slightly fearful smile. “If you had been as calm then as you are now, maybe we wouldn’t have ended up this way.” As soon as she said that, Blake’s face instantly went pale. I remained silent, not responding, inwardly calculating how much time I had left. Her eyes, complex, lingered on me, then she finally sighed. “Blake’s behavior just now was inappropriate. I apologize for him.” She took the card from Blake’s hand, carefully wiped it clean, then handed it to me. “Please take it. If you don’t, I’ll feel terrible.” Blake’s eyes were red with anger, but he still pretended to be magnanimous. My gaze was calm as I looked at Victoria, then I stepped back, creating distance between us. “Since your husband is here, I won’t bother you two anymore.” “I don’t need this money.” Saying that, I pulled out a few bills from the money Victoria had just given me. “I originally planned to be your guide for two hours. It’s half an hour short, so I’m returning a quarter of the money.” I pressed the money into Victoria’s hand and turned to leave. “Alex!” She yelled at me. “Can’t you just give in a little!” “Three years ago, just because Blake went on stage before you to introduce himself, you beat him deaf and refused to apologize.” “And now, because of your pride, you’re refusing my help.” “Don’t you know you’re only hurting yourself?” “Didn’t you say you wanted to build a career, to make something of yourself? Look at you now…Your mom’s dying wish was to see you settled down with a family, have you forgotten?” Seeing the shift in my expression, Seeing the shift in my expression, Victoria pressed on. “Take this. Live a decent life. Find a wife, have a child. Consider it…my compensation.” Just as she was about to press the card into my hand, a little girl rushed into my arms. “Daddy, why aren’t you home yet? Mommy and I were so worried about you.” I broke into a wide smile, hugging my daughter and kissing her. “I’ll take you home right now.” Victoria’s expression instantly froze, and her voice trembled. “This…is this your daughter?”

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I was harassed by a stranger on the subway, almost assaulted, when he showed up. He was the guy I’d been crushing on for over two years— my best friend’s cousin. With this kind of proximity, I had the advantage, so I made my move, seducing him in every way until I finally got him into bed. “Whew… just made it!” I squeezed onto the crowded subway, panting as I sat down and reached for my phone to text my bestie. But as I glanced down, I realized something was seriously wrong. My full, pale cleavage had two obvious points sticking out! To look good for reuniting with my long-lost best friend, I’d dressed up carefully today. Wanting cute photos, I wore a low-cut halter top with nipple pasties underneath, but now somehow… The train jolted, and without any real support, they started bouncing. That’s when a sketchy guy in a face mask shuffled over from the other side and sat next to me. I quickly hunched over, trying to hide it, terrified he’d notice. But the next second, a big hand landed on my back. Then it slid down, squeezing my waist—not too hard, not too soft. “Ah…” I couldn’t hold back a soft moan. Realizing what happened, I clapped a hand over my mouth. But the guy grabbed my wrist with his rough hand and pulled it toward him. My hand was forced onto his belt buckle. “You…” I started to yell, but he covered my mouth and leaned in close to my ear, whispering slowly: “Go ahead and scream if you’re not afraid of embarrassing yourself. Better yet, let the whole train know you’re going out braless.” “You don’t want this getting filmed and posted online, do you?” He had a point. The train wasn’t empty—if things escalated and it went viral, my life would be ruined. But this was public transportation; even if he had bad intentions, he couldn’t do much. Seeing me quiet down, the creep smirked triumphantly, let go, and pulled down his mask, revealing yellowed teeth. I gagged in disgust, but that seemed to piss him off. One hand clamped the back of my neck while the other unzipped his pants! My head couldn’t resist the pressure; I was forced to bend down, inching closer to his foul-smelling crotch. That’s when it hit me—I’d been wrong from the start. Endless tolerance only gets you hurt! Better to be embarrassed than assaulted by a stranger! “Help! Help!” I screamed. As I struggled desperately, the hand on my neck suddenly went limp. Then I was yanked into a warm embrace. “Get lost now, or I’m calling the cops.” A deep, attractive male voice sounded in my ear. The pervert was all bark and no bite; hearing that, he zipped up frantically and bolted off at the next stop. “You okay?” The guy’s tone was incredibly gentle. I slowly looked up at him. The moment I saw his face, I froze. I knew him—not just knew him, he was the senior I’d crushed on for over two years in college—Michael Gao! “I-I’m fine, thank you.” I looked down, mortified, wishing the floor would swallow me. Then I felt warmth on my shoulders. He took off his jacket and draped it over me. He glanced at me thoughtfully, then held out his phone. On the screen was a photo—a selfie of me and my best friend. “Sarah Jenkins is my cousin. She mentioned her bestie was coming today—it must be you.” “I’ve been staying at her place these days. Come. Come on, let’s head back together.” The guy I’d crushed on was my best friend’s cousin! Yeah, I’d told Sarah about my crush, but never showed her his photo and always just called him “senior.” If I’d known this connection, I’d have made a move ages ago! But… it probably wasn’t too late now. I gave him a shy glance and nodded.

Besties reuniting means drinks all around. Michael drank plenty too. By the end, Sarah passed out face-down on the table. But I wasn’t drunk. I knew some things you can only pull off pretending to be wasted. So I pressed a palm to my forehead. Acted dizzy. Slumped straight into his lap. My head rested against his thigh. Warm. Firm. “You’ve had too much.” Alcohol gave me courage. I reached up. Touched his face. “You’re so handsome, Michael.” Fingers slid slow down his cheek. Over stubble. Down his throat. Felt his Adam’s apple bob. Lower still. Along collarbone. Over the hard planes of his chest. When I reached his abs, his large hand clamped mine fast. “You’re drunk.” Voice low. Rough. Sexy as sin. “Let me take you to your room.” “Okay… to the room.” I pouted. “But I can’t walk. Carry me.” He didn’t hesitate. Arms slid under me. Lifted me effortless. “Good. I’ll carry you.” Michael stared down. Desire burned open in his eyes. Dark. Hungry. My heart raced. Thought I’d won. But then his gaze cleared. Control snapped back. He carried me inside. Laid me gentle on the bed. Knelt. Slipped off my shoes one by one. Tucked the blanket over me. Stood to leave. I kicked the covers off. Whined soft. “Michael… don’t go. I’m so hot…” “These clothes… too tight. Hard to take off…” “Michael… Michael…” I sat up swaying. Grabbed his hand. Yanked hard. He wasn’t ready. Stumbled forward. Fell over me. His full weight pinned me a second. Then he caught himself on one arm. But his free hand landed perfect—right on my soft chest. Palm pressed warm through thin fabric. Nipple hardened instant under the pressure. Electricity shot everywhere. Tingles. Heat. Wet rush between my thighs. Breath caught. Body arched up into his touch without thinking. He froze. Eyes locked on mine. Pupils blown wide. I couldn’t stop now. Too far gone. My smaller hand covered his big one. Guided it. Pressed firmer. Made him squeeze. Soft flesh filled his palm. I moaned quiet. “Michael…” Voice breathy. “Does that feel good?” “Mmm, ye—” Before he finished, he pinched himself hard and jumped off me. “Sorry, I drank too much. Rest well—I’m going.” He fled the room like he was escaping. I sighed and flopped back. Was I really not attractive to him at all? Or did he prefer sweet and innocent types, not aggressive ones? If so, tomorrow morning I’d apologize! No, that would be too obvious. I’d pretend I blacked out from drinking—remember nothing. Then build a pure, sweet-girl image and slowly break down his defenses until he fell for me! Lost in thought, I heard strange noises. Listening closely, they were coming from next door—Michael’s room! I tiptoed to his door; it was ajar, a small crack open. Peeking in, my eyes widened. Michael was shirtless, leaning against the headboard, lower half covered by a gray blanket, his hand moving rhythmically under it. Guys need release sometimes—understandable. But what shocked me: as his movements lifted the blanket edge, I saw he was holding something purple. That purple was my lace thong with ties—I’d just washed it and hung it on the balcony tonight! Smiling, I gently pushed the door open.

The door slid open silently. Michael had his head thrown back in pleasure, oblivious to me entering. Seeing him like that made me itch with desire—this man was irresistible no matter what. I crept slowly toward the bed. Just as I reached the edge, he sensed something and snapped his eyes open. The second he saw me, panic hit. Michael’s face flushed; he clutched the sheet tight around his waist. He tried to stand, but the blanket was too small—if he did, his back would be fully exposed. So he stayed seated, eyes darting away, refusing to look at me. Like a kid caught misbehaving. I bent down and picked up the thong he’d dropped in his panic. “Oh! Michael, this… isn’t this mine…” I pretended to be shy, coquettishly tossing it into his lap. “You’re so bad! Stealing my panties to do naughty things! I hate you…” “Sorry, I… I…” To my surprise, Michael just apologized—no excuses. No wonder I picked him—he was a good guy! I sat on the bed and pressed a finger to his lips. “Michael, I’m not mad. I just… don’t understand.” “Understand what?” he asked. I stared intensely and leaned closer: “I just don’t get it—I’m right here. Why use my panties when you could have me?” “And if you’re using those, you need the set—can’t do without the bra, right?” As I spoke, I reached back, unclasped my bra, and slid it off my arms. Then, teasingly pinching the strap, I dangled it in front of him. If he was holding back before, he completely lost it now. His eyes burned with raw desire, ready to consume me. He flipped me onto the bed. Roughly snatching the bra, he pinned both my wrists above my head with one hand. “Michael, what are you doing?” I asked innocently. He smirked, leaning close to my ear: “You.” Then he bit my earlobe.

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Accidentally Stumbling into the Cow Herd Group, My gentle and virtuous sister-in-law is actually the top S-grade cow in there! Her job is surprisingly so thrilling! And my brother has no idea, even urging her to keep taking those supplements. Seeing her milk cravings gradually intensify, I could no longer hold back… I was playing with my newborn nephew, when a friend sent me a sleazy emoji, asking if I wanted some milk. I thought maybe my buddy Zach had a good source, perfect for buying some for my nephew, so I said sure, send the link. No link came, but an invite to join a group did. A QR code for a group called “Milk Cow Herd.” I couldn’t help but wonder, is it fresh-squeezed? Out of curiosity, I joined the chat. While waiting, I asked my friend what kind of milk it was and how the quality was. “I’m buying it for my little nephew, quality has to be top-notch!” Unexpectedly, Zach burst out laughing: “No way, no way, you really can’t tell what kind of milk this is?!” I frowned: “Stop teasing, just tell me!” Zach chuckled and dodged: “You’ll know once you join the group in a bit. Don’t blame me for not warning you—better find a private spot.” Knowing Zach’s personality, I figured it wasn’t that simple. Sure enough, after joining, it blew my mind. I went back to my room, locked the door, and as soon as I entered, a few messages popped up. “A-grade milk is pretty good, fragrant and thick.” “You’re new, right? I suggest trying S-grade—that taste is extra smooth, but S-grade is the most expensive.” “How expensive?” “One cup ten grand, direct five grand? Wait, no—$1,000 a cup, direct $5,000.” “Holy crap, but if it’s as good as you say, it’s worth it.” What the hell, milk at $1,000 a cup? The most expensive formula I’ve seen is like $100 a can. $1,000 a cup—this is sky-high! Scammers! Just as I was about to leave the group and report it, a chat log was sent. The group owner @ me: “Welcome new friend, check the chat history above for cow photos and prices. Like one, DM me.” I excitedly clicked in, wanting to see what milk was worth more than gold. What caught my eye was a photo of massive breasts! Snow-white peaks with a pink pearl right in the middle, a milky white droplet oozing from the tip of the pink pearl, making your mouth water. I sharp-eyed spotted a small star-shaped tattoo in the cleavage. This woman is so wild! Tattooing right in the middle of her chest. Below the photo: “S-grade, $1,000 a cup, direct $5,000.” Scrolling down, photos labeled A, B, C, D, all kinds. They were all stunning, but none compared to the first S-grade I saw. The round, full, perky curve really made you want to grab and knead hard. Looking at these photos had my face flushing, heart pounding, swallowing saliva repeatedly. I quickly called Zach; he seemed to be waiting, picked up in a second. “What the hell are you playing at?” My voice was trembling, body getting hotter, my lower half tightening as expected. Zach let out a wicked laugh: “Hahaha, how’s that? From your voice, I know you’re satisfied.” I was about to curse him out for this messed-up stuff—getting caught would be fun in jail. Then a door-opening sound came from outside, my heart jumped to my throat, I hung up immediately. I suddenly remembered—I came home specifically to see my newborn nephew, hadn’t told my brother yet. Hope they didn’t hear? In that moment, a sucking sound came from outside, seemed like in the living room. I held my breath, cracked the door to peek.

From the crack in my door, I saw a woman on the sofa across the hall. Her body curved in a perfect S shape. She cradled my newborn nephew in her arms. His tiny mouth latched onto her pink nipple. He sucked steadily. Each pull made her full, pale breast lift and fall in a slow, hypnotic rhythm. My gaze drifted lower without permission. Lingering on the soft swell. The way her skin flushed warm under his feeding. Then recognition hit. This was my sister-in-law. Heat flooded my face. I jerked back from the door. But my ears still burned. Pulse loud in my head. Something tugged at memory. I leaned forward again. Peeked carefully. My eyes fixed on her cleavage. There it was. A small star-shaped tattoo nestled right in the center. My stomach dropped. It matched the tattoo on the S-grade cow from the group photos. Exact spot. Same delicate lines. The curve of her breasts rose identical to those pictures. Full. Firm. Perky in the same impossible way. Skin so smooth it begged to be touched. Nipple still glistening from my nephew’s mouth. A sharp ache twisted low in my gut. Desire mixed with shock. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Every gentle bounce as she shifted sent a jolt through me. While I stood frozen, my phone rang loudly. The sound shattered the quiet. My heart slammed against my ribs.It was that idiot Zach! I panicked trying to silence it, then my sister-in-law’s voice rang out. “Who is it?” I turned off the phone, cleared my throat, and shouted out. “It’s me.” “ Ethan? You came back without saying anything.” I awkwardly replied: “Too tired, came to see the little guy and fell asleep.” Opening the door, my sister-in-law had already dressed, though a few drops of liquid still lingered on her jeans, unwiped. She’d put my nephew back in his room, asked what I wanted to eat—she’d cook. She wore tight jeans outlining perfect curves, a white blouse stretched to the limit by two massive melons, like they’d burst any second. Thinking she’s the top S-grade in the cow group, I choked. Emily was my brother’s second wife, kind, gentle, virtuous—no flaws. But if she’s doing that behind his back, I’ll find evidence and make her divorce my brother! All sorts of thoughts jumbled my mind. “There is no need, I’ll go back to sleep.” She nodded without saying more. I went to my room, opened my phone—Zach had sent several voice messages. Clicked the first: Zach still laughing. “Hey hey, you shy or what? Hahaha, didn’t think you’d be so innocent.” “I warn you, don’t report it! Heard someone did before—useless, and got a leg broken.” “Anyway, I haven’t tried yet.” He muttered low. Then Zach explained: $1,000 for fresh-squeezed to drink, $5,000 definitely direct from the source. Finally, seeing no reply, teased: “Where’d you go? Couldn’t handle it and went to jerk off?” I twitched, cursed: “You jerk off!” Ignored him after, reopened the group, found that photo again. The round curve, pink tips—identical to my sister-in-law’s. To confirm if S-grade was her, I messaged Zach to book S-grade, record the squeezing process. Then gritted teeth, transferred $1,000. Free milk—Zach happily agreed! Soon Zach said booked, time tomorrow 3 PM. Evening, my brother came home. I looked gloomy, not knowing how to speak. “Darling, remember to take the supplements I bought.” My brother set the fancy bottle on the table, eyes soft on Emily. I couldn’t help the quiet task. “She probably doesn’t need more, right?” Those breasts of hers were already massive, heavy and round, straining every button on her blouse. They looked bigger than my nephew’s head. Any more growth and the fabric wouldn’t stand a chance. Truth was, my brother looked worn out. Thinner since last time. Cheeks hollow. He was the one who needed boosting. He waved me off. “You wouldn’t understand.” I let it drop. Later that night, fresh from the shower, I collapsed on the bed. Phone lit up. Video from Zach. S-grade teaser, he wrote. I hit play. Pink sheer lingerie clung to her body. Thin fabric hid nothing. Full breasts swayed with every slow twist of her hips. Nipples dark against the pale material. Hard. Begging attention. She moved closer to the camera. Breath hitching audible. One hand slid up. Fingers hooked the strap. Pulled it down. A perfect breast spilled free. Heavy. Glistening at the tip with a bead of milk. She cupped it from below. Lifted. Squeezed gently. The pearl-hard nipple pointed straight at me. Another drop formed. Swelled. Fell. Her soft moan filled my ears. She pushed the breast toward the lens. Closer. Closer. Until the screen was nothing but soft, wet skin. Video cut to black. Heat slammed through me. Cock throbbed hard against my thigh. I pictured Emily in that lingerie. Those same full tits in my hands. Milk warm on my tongue. Imagined pinning her down. Sucking until she gasped my name. Tomorrow Zach would taste her for a thousand bucks. Direct from the source. Jealousy burned hot. Mixed with raw want. My hand moved down without thinking. Gripped tight. One stroke and I knew a cold shower wouldn’t be enough tonight. I needed her. Soon.

Next day, 2 PM. I reminded Zach to record—for evidence to show brother. But this guy no reply till 2:30. Seeing sister-in-law already out, I was antsy like on hot coals. Damn! Unreliable at crucial moment! Called Zach frantically, finally connected at 2:45. Zach weakly said he couldn’t go—got hit by a car just leaving. “What the hell, such coincidence??” Clenched fist—only me then. “Alright bro, rest; I’ll visit after.” “Wait—” Hung up, vaguely heard two words before disconnect. But anxious to reach by 3, ignored. Arrived exactly 3:01 at the door. Rushed, just threw on mask and sunglasses. Hope not recognized. Nervous, rubbing hands, rang doorbell. After a while, door opened. It was sister-in-law Emily. I lowered eyes disappointed. My brother treats her well, buys expensive supplements without question. Plus, he’s a factory owner, good salary. If in trouble, tell him—why do this? But in a flash, hid emotions, stared straight at Emily. She wore last night’s pink sheer, with her gentle calm face—made you want to hurt her bad. Wearing so little—not afraid clients go further while drinking?? “Mr. Zach, not coming in?” Sister-in-law unconsciously rubbed shoulders, her two melons squeezed together by arms. Her scent filled my nose. Entered, Emily pulled a black blindfold from bag, covered eyes. Sat on bed, lifted one side, exposed full melon. “Mr. Zach, I know you don’t want face seen—I blindfolded, come quick!” “Huh?” Her actions stunned me. Isn’t $1,000 just one cup? Her pose—like ready for direct mouth. She hesitated: “Mr. Zach, your $5,000 allows direct…” Suddenly, she smirked, grabbed me to bed, flipped and straddled. “Zach, don’t be shy.” “Once, there’ll be twice.” “I’m amazing.” She cooed, leaned down. Before I spoke, mouth blocked. Felt soft skin spreading over body, instinctively gripped her slim waist, making Emily moan. The big thing in mouth kept pushing in.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “327546”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy #现实主义Realistic #校园School #重生Reborn