Category: English

My childhood friend, Dean, always thought he could just take my things. This time, he took my custom-designed wedding gown, worth $200,000, without my permission. I called him a dozen times, but he ignored every single one. I had no choice but to head straight to his place. Pushing open the door, I saw his girlfriend, Chloe, live-streaming in my gown, her smile annoyingly. “Look, everyone,” she cooed, “only I can make this cheap piece look high-end. If anyone else wore it, it would be a total disaster.” I sharply ordered her to take it off. She just raised an eyebrow, a sneer twisting her lips. “Hah, it’s your honor that I’m wearing this cheap dress! Dean, pay her rent!” Dean chuckled and handed me twenty dollars. “Just take it, Skylar. Don’t be so petty about everything. Women age faster when they get angry, you know.” 1 I was so furious I actually laughed. “This is a custom-designed gown worth $200,000! I told you that, didn’t I?” Dean just grinned, acting like it was all a big joke. “Just head home, Skylar. It’s just a wedding dress. Is our friendship really not worth more than a gown?” The words were barely out of his mouth when Chloe suddenly slammed a glass to the floor, shattering it, and started yelling at me. “Some women are just trash! About to get married, and still trying to seduce other people’s boyfriends!” That ignited my fuse. My face went cold as I shot back: “Watch your mouth, Chloe. Don’t spread lies, or I’m calling the cops. I have a fiancé, and he’s a hundred times better than your boyfriend in terms of capability, character, and looks.” She was instantly speechless, her face draining of color, utterly at a loss for a comeback. But then, Dean suddenly grinned and winked at me. “Skylar, I was the one who bought you tampons the first time you got your period. How can you belittle me like that?” He turned, putting his arm around Chloe’s waist, and started spinning a ridiculous story. “I’ll tell you a secret. Skylar heard I got such a beautiful girlfriend, and in a fit of pique, she just randomly picked someone and announced she was getting married.” His tone and expression were filled with a smug certainty, instantly trying to tie me to him in a messy, complicated way. It was my first time experiencing his utter shamelessness, and I clenched my fists in fury. “Dean, stop spouting nonsense—” But before I could finish, Chloe’s shrill scream cut me off. “Oh, you manipulative Skylar! So you were after my boyfriend and just came here looking for trouble!” Hands on her hips, she glared at me, her eyes laced with venom. “Don’t think I’m an easy target. You’re really pushing your luck.” “I have tens of thousands of online followers backing me up. They won’t stand by and watch a ‘third party’ bully someone!” Dean’s eyes gleamed with triumph. He then looked directly into the camera and promised solemnly: “My love for Chloe is as clear as day and night. I would never give any attention to just anyone.” “Rest assured, my followers, Chloe’s position is unshakable.” He was clearly building himself up by tearing me down, painting himself as the loyal man. It was disgusting. A surge of anger went straight to my head. I took a deep breath, forcing it down, and spoke in a chilling voice: “Chloe, that gown you’re wearing is my custom design, worth $200,000. Take it off, now.” “I’ll leave immediately and never show my face again. You two can just be stuck with each other forever, for all I care.” If it weren’t for Mr. Hayes’s poor health, I would absolutely not let these two rotten rumor-mongers off the hook today. But Chloe didn’t see it that way. Her face was full of contempt and scorn. “‘$200,000 custom-designed’? You’re shameless!” “Look at how old-fashioned you are. A bridal shop custom-designing for you would be ruining their own reputation.” At that moment, Dean stared into the camera, fanning the flames. “Exactly! How could she compare to even one of Chloe’s toenails?” “She grew up trailing after me. I know exactly what kind of person she is. She couldn’t get me, so she messed around with at least ten guys in three years.” My eyes widened in disbelief. He was stooping to spreading disgusting, slanderous rumors about me just to get more views on his live stream. He had no bottom line. 2 “Dean, has your conscience been eaten by dogs?” I roared, my voice thick with fury. “Mr. Hayes has been hospitalized for years due to poor health. You lived and ate at my house throughout your childhood until you graduated high school and went to work. This very house was bought with money Mr. Hayes borrowed from my parents! How can you possibly think I’d be interested in someone like you, with no education, no integrity, and no money?” But Dean acted as if he hadn’t heard a word, only yelling excitedly: “The live stream numbers are skyrocketing! One hundred thousand viewers! This is amazing!” Chloe’s eyes instantly lit up. “Wow, really! This is the most brilliant moment since I started streaming!” “New viewers, please hit follow and join us in taking down this ‘third party’!” Her voice was high-pitched and frantic, as if she were truly on the side of justice. I couldn’t take it anymore. I lunged forward, grabbing at the gown Chloe was wearing. “Thief, take off my dress!” There was no point in wasting words with such shameless people. When it’s time to act, you act. There’s nothing wrong with reclaiming what’s yours. But Dean stood there, looking completely righteous. “Skylar, I gave you $20 for the rental fee, didn’t I? Why are you still making such a fuss?” Chloe shoved me hard, her face filled with hostility. “Don’t think I don’t know your evil intentions!” “You want to strip me naked on live stream, humiliate me publicly, ruin my reputation, so you can step over me. You’re rotten to the core!” Her twisted lies were like poisoned needles, making my teeth chatter with anger. I couldn’t tolerate such slander. Rage boiled in my chest. I pulled out my phone, ready to call the police. But Dean snatched it from my hand and slammed it to the ground. The screen shattered, rendering it useless. He scoffed, pushing me towards the door. “There are over a hundred thousand people in this live stream. If you keep acting so unreasonable, you’ll become public enemy number one.” “Then the negative impact will be huge, your fiancé will break off the engagement, and you’ll end up a lonely old woman. How pathetic!” Faced with his disgusting face, I was burning with rage. I spun around and slapped him across the face with a loud smack! “Then I’ll let you experience what it’s like to be public enemy number one!” “Smack!” Dean clutched his face, his eyes wide with shock. “You—you dare hit me?” Chloe immediately rushed over, pointing her phone at me. “Viewers, look! This ‘third party’ couldn’t steal a man, so she’s flying into a rage and attacking him!” The next second, she deliberately ripped her skirt. “With the quality of this cheap dress, she still wants to extort $200,000 from me. She must be dreaming!” “Followers, she dares to try and extort a fortune from me, so I won’t back down. I’ll expose her for the menace she is!” In an instant, The live stream chat was flooded with insults and curses directed at me. My chest heaved with anger, my voice trembling slightly. “Whether this custom-designed gown is worth $200,000 or not, we’ll know once we check with the bridal agency.” I honestly had never encountered anyone so unreasonable and was struggling to cope. “It’s best to call the police. Having them here will make it more convincing.” As soon as the words left my mouth, Dean looked down, clearly flustered. “No, no need to make such a big deal out of it.” Chloe instantly flared up. “Skylar is the one who’s in the wrong! What are we afraid of?” Just then, The door burst open, and Mr. Hayes stumbled in, yelling: “Don’t call the police!” With that, he collapsed to the ground, his whole body convulsing. “Dad!” Dean frantically rushed over, only able to sob without tears, doing nothing else. Chloe was instantly dumbfounded, her voice stuttering. “It’s not my fault! It’s that Skylar who wants to call the police!” “Call an ambulance!” In a life-or-death moment, I had no time to argue with her. I snatched Dean’s phone and dialed 91

After all, Mr. Hayes had always been kind to me; I couldn’t just stand by and let him die. 3 “Skylar, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault for not teaching Dean properly.” The first words Mr. Hayes spoke upon waking in the hospital room were an apology. “Is the wedding dress very expensive? I’ll sell my old house to pay you back for him. Dean’s career has just started, he hasn’t earned any money yet.” I’ve always been soft-hearted, especially when faced with an elderly man who’s constantly ill. I couldn’t bring myself to put more pressure on him. “Let’s forget about the money for now. Just consider it a warning, and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Your health is the most important thing.” My parents always taught me to be kind to others, but not overly kind. They had left for the countryside two days ago to pick up my grandparents for my wedding. Otherwise, Dean’s stunt today would have truly infuriated them. “However…” My voice paused, turning icy. “He *must* apologize for spreading those rumors about me.” Mr. Hayes’s old face instantly flushed red. He picked up his phone and severely reprimanded Dean. Less than half an hour later, Dean appeared, head bowed, and returned the gown. Only after Mr. Hayes’s scolding and threats did he grudgingly apologize: “I’m sorry, Skylar. I was wrong. Please, for the sake of our childhood friendship, forgive me.” I reluctantly accepted his apology on the surface, but deep down, I resolved never to have anything to do with such a person again. Walking out of the hospital, I realized it was already dark. The whole day had been wasted by those two rotten people, and I’d accomplished nothing. The next day, I took the wedding gown to the custom design agency for repairs. The consultant who greeted me seemed evasive, not as warm as before, and stammered for a long time without saying anything coherent. I instantly grew anxious. “Just tell me what the problem is. How much will it cost? Just give me a price.” It was as if she’d finally made a decision. She pulled out her phone, found a live stream replay and played it. “Ms. Skylar, please watch this first.” The video showed Chloe walking to the supermarket last night when a masked man dragged her into an alley, apparently intending to assault her. He was yelling: “You dare bully my woman? You won’t get away with it!” She screamed, “Who’s your woman?!” The man retorted, “Don’t play dumb! You just argued with my woman about a wedding dress today. Did you forget that fast?” Luckily, a passerby intervened and helped her, saving Chloe from harm. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable. After watching, My blood ran cold. My entire body felt icy. Clearly, this was a setup by Chloe, a scheme to frame me and use the public outcry to utterly ruin my reputation. “Ms. Skylar, the internet is now flooded with insults and curses directed at you.” The consultant looked troubled. “If it gets out that you had your gown made here, it would severely damage our reputation. So…” Though she didn’t finish her sentence, I understood her concerns. Businesses prioritize profit and avoid trouble; it was only human nature, and I couldn’t fault her. I swallowed my anger and turned to leave. Just as I stepped out of the shop, a bucket of cold water was suddenly thrown over me. I was instantly drenched and disheveled. “It’s this bitch! She incited her boyfriend to ruin Miss Chloe! She’s got a venomous heart, truly evil!”

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On my first day at the new job, my supervisor, Baron, hinted that new hires usually treated everyone. So I ordered a coffee for each person in the department. To my surprise, Baron’s face instantly darkened. He tossed his coffee into the trash. “The company pays you a good salary, and all you offer is a fifteen-dollar coffee? I’ll give you a chance to make it up: treat the entire company to dinner!” He finished speaking, then flung a restaurant flyer onto my desk. I glanced at the prices—it was a Michelin-starred restaurant, $1000 per person. I smiled, didn’t refuse, and immediately set up my phone, opening the camera to record a video. At that moment, I heard colleagues whispering. “Is she serious? Filming a video just to eat dinner?!” They probably just thought I was some wannabe influencer, trying to pretend I’m high-class. But they had no idea I was a blogger with a million followers, specializing in career reviews. My phone hadn’t been set up for long when Brenda, a colleague, suddenly knocked it out of my hand. “Hey! New girl, what are you filming?” Could it be… Had she found out? My breath hitched, and I quickly snatched my phone. I was about to explain: “Brenda, that…” She impatiently tossed her hair, her tone slightly smug. “Who knows who you’d send that to, you idiot… I’m so good-looking, it’d be a huge problem if some clueless creep saw me!” I immediately relaxed, putting my phone back up. “Brenda, I’m just filming a VLOG to document my life!” “I promise I won’t get anyone’s face in it!” She seemed even more upset that I wasn’t filming her. She stretched out her arm, ready to snatch my phone. “Let me see it, then I’ll know if you filmed me or not!” But the next second, Baron cut her off. “Alright, enough with the bickering at the dinner table! Can we eat in peace?” “She’s treating today, so just let it go!” I was instantly speechless, feeling utterly sick to my stomach. Before I could argue, I heard other colleagues comforting Brenda. “Don’t bother with her, girl. She’s just some small-town idiot!” Mark, another colleague, changed the subject, turning his gaze to me. “But Jade, you’re really selling this ‘fake socialite’ act!” “Where did you get your knock-offs? They’re surprisingly well-made!” Another colleague immediately chimed in. “Designer replicas with such good craftsmanship? Could she even afford them? Probably rented fakes!” “Hahahaha!” Suddenly, the private room filled with laughter. Everyone was staring at me, grinning, as if I were a clown performing to relieve their work stress. “But it’s true, if you don’t have the budget, don’t bother renting luxury items to show off…” “Renting these cheap pieces of trash, aren’t you embarrassed?!” I looked down at my brand new bag, which had a few scratches. Just because I hadn’t babied it, they called it trash? I pursed my lips and retorted: “I earned this myself, with my own hard work, and paid for it in full.” The moment I finished speaking, the guys at the table exchanged knowing glances and smirked. “Oh~ ‘Your own hard work,’ huh~ Well, you certainly have ‘talent’ then!” Their scrutinizing glances made me deeply uncomfortable. They might as well have just called me a prostitute. It was bad enough that the men twisted my words. Even the women had to adopt a condescending attitude to judge me. “Girls these days are just so vain!” “To get their hands on these material things, they’re willing to sell their own bodies!” Looking at Brenda, who was meticulously groomed, I couldn’t help but frown. As a fellow woman, she should understand me better. Instead of defending me, she chose to use the very insults that had probably been thrown at her, to stab me. I secretly clenched my fists, wanting to lash out right then and there. But seeing the continuous recording on my phone, I swallowed my anger and slowly lowered my raised hand. Then I leaned closer to my phone, ensuring my feigned distress would be perfectly captured. “Brenda, Mark, I’m just a new hire…” “Why are you all speculating about me with such malice?” I thought my reminder would make them rein it in. But they showed no shame at all. They even tried to pin the blame on me. Brenda poured me a drink, feigning generosity: “Oh, you silly girl!” “We were just kidding, and you took it so seriously!” “If you can’t take a joke, you’ll have a tough time getting by in this company!” She put an arm around my shoulder. Before I could shrug her off, I heard her ask: “By the way, Jade, where did you work before this?” “Why haven’t I heard your name in the industry?”

Meeting their curious stares, I calmly took a sip of water. “Apex Corporation.” Before becoming a blogger, I did work in a related field. At Apex, the industry leader. So I wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. Hearing my answer, Brenda’s smile froze for a second. But she quickly recovered. “No wonder you’ve got such a temper, girl!” “So you came from a big company!” She deliberately emphasized the word “big,” drawing everyone’s attention back to me. “Looks like HR is pretty impressive, managing to recruit someone from Apex for our little company~” Someone couldn’t help but scoff. “Pfft, so what if she came from Apex Corporation? She still got let go!” “Otherwise, with Apex’s great benefits, who would ever want to leave?” Their words, one after another, were all meant to maliciously speculate about me. It was as if the worse off I, the new hire, was, the happier they’d be. Even though I despised them internally, for the sake of the camera, I patiently explained. “Apex is known for being incredibly selective in hiring, but once you’re in, you’re usually set. They rarely let people go.” Mark scoffed: “Then she must have pissed off her coworkers.” “I bet you’re just too much of an idiot to fit in with the other cliques, and they forced you out.” They could slander me all they wanted, but I didn’t want to drag innocent people into this. My voice couldn’t help but rise a few octaves: “Apex has an excellent work environment; there’s absolutely no clique bullying like you’re describing!” “I left simply because the career path didn’t align with my future ambitions!” Back then, the job market was getting tougher. I watched job seekers my age on social media, barely managing to find a job they were somewhat satisfied with. But after joining, they’d discover the conditions were completely different from what they were initially told, having been scammed by unscrupulous companies. That’s why I wanted to start a social media account, to help others navigate and avoid potential traps. They all wore “I told you so” expressions. Brenda even muttered: “Pfft, nine out of ten people who get fired say that exact same thing.” “You!” I was shaking with anger, about to stop recording and go head-to-head with her… But then Baron, who had been silent for a while, stepped in as a peacemaker. The commotion finally died down. With Baron’s intervention, they suddenly lost interest and started talking about their families. Paul, the team leader, started the conversation: “My son, Tim, only got into Mississippi University this year because he wasn’t feeling well during exams!” Mississippi University is an excellent school, and anyone listening knew she was bragging about her child. Everyone was praising her son, but Brenda remained silent. I turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “By the way, Brenda, your daughter is also starting college this year, right?” “How did her exams go?” Yesterday, during introductions, I heard them mention that Paul and Brenda’s kids were the same age. Seeing Brenda’s face instantly darken, I knew I had guessed correctly. As soon as I mentioned Brenda, a colleague couldn’t help but speak up for her. “Brenda went to Mississippi, so her daughter’s bound to be brilliant!” She grew more excited as she spoke, completely missing Brenda’s thunderous expression. “What’s so great about local schools? I’m preparing her applications to study abroad!” Everyone exchanged glances. They probably understood what she meant but chose not to call her out. They just gave awkward smiles: “Y-yes, you’re right!” “Brenda is so wealthy, she must have paved the way for her daughter long ago!” Although I’m professionally trained, at that moment, I couldn’t help but laugh. A bunch of bullies, only brave when they’re picking on someone weaker! I began to wonder, when my video goes online, would they still be as arrogant and condescending as they are now? In a blink, Mark pointed the finger at me. “Jade, you’re laughing so happily, your academic background must be very impressive, right?” “What school did you graduate from?” Everyone looked at me with mocking smiles. “Come on, tell us, it’s not embarrassing to come from a regular school!” “Maybe she’s from a community college, hahahahaha!” “You know, with how diligently she runs errands, she might not have even gone to college!”

“I’m from a vocational school.” Their laughter grew even louder. “Hahahaha, I knew it!” “Thought she was so impressive, turns out she’s just some vocational school graduate!” “And *she* got into Apex? Must have pulled some strings!” “Of course! Look at her, she doesn’t seem like someone who works hard…” “She was probably having an affair with a boss, got caught by his wife, and Apex fired her to cover it up!” I hadn’t said a word, and they had already concocted a complete storyline. After their uproarious laughter died down, they had the nerve to act like moral paragons, lecturing me. “Jade, try to be a decent person!” “Hahahaha… Mark, you’re too funny, trying to reform a prostitute!” **截断点** I thought if I didn’t respond, they would get bored and change the subject. But I didn’t expect them to get worse after drinking. Mark, heavily intoxicated, wrapped his arm around me, his hand not-so-innocently wandering down to my waist. “Jade, how much for one night?” “How about I give you three hundred?” I pushed him hard, but there was a significant disparity in strength between men and women. The harder I struggled, the tighter he held me. I could only yell: “Mark, you’re drunk!” “Brenda, Paul, help me!” They all covered their mouths, laughing at me, but no one came to my rescue. “Oh, little sister, you’re pretty smart, playing hard to get!” Someone even whistled at Mark. “Mark, make sure you wrap it up!” “Wouldn’t want to catch anything later…” “Hahahahaha!” Their laughter grew louder. Mark seemed encouraged by their laughter, becoming even bolder, and started kissing my ear. His warm tongue, reeking of alcohol, wriggled like a worm on my earlobe. It made me feel nauseous, wanting to vomit! I bit hard into his arm, and after breaking free, I quickly ran towards the private room door, shouting as I ran: “Help, help me—!” But I hadn’t gotten far when Mark yanked me back. He slapped my face, twisting my head to the side. “You little bitch, you actually tried to run?” “What, my money isn’t enough for you?” “I’m already doing you a favor by not caring you’re used-up trash!” “The HR manager is my cousin, so if you annoy me, hehe, you know what will happen!” “I advise you to behave and not think about running away!” He leaned in, trying to kiss me again. Looking at the laughing faces of my colleagues around me, I struggled, tears of humiliation streaming down my face. “If you touch me, I’ll make sure you regret it!” But he just laughed more smugly. “Oh? How will you make me regret it?” “Will I die in your arms?” But before he could get closer, Baron punched him, knocking him sober. “Mark, that’s enough.” Baron took off his jacket and draped it over me. It was the first time I felt a flicker of human kindness in this team. I was disoriented and shaken, still reeling, only able to stammer: “Thank you.” “Alright, it’s getting late. Everyone should head home.” As if struck by a pang of conscience, Baron, who initially made me treat everyone to dinner, actually paid the bill for me. They had managed to turn a $1000-per-person restaurant into a $3000-per-person tab! With the 15% service charge, the entire meal came out to a shocking seventy thousand dollars. I felt a bit uncomfortable about it. So I snapped a picture of the bill. Just as I was about to post it in the company SnapChat group and ask them to pay, Baron stopped me. “Actually, asking you to treat was just a pretense today.” “I knew you were a bit introverted, so I wanted to use this to help you get closer to the other colleagues.”

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I’m an outdoor enthusiast. My wife, though, she’s a total social phobia and never wants to leave the house. Then there was this “How Lazy Are You, Really?” challenge trending on TikTok. I snapped a picture of my wife, Chloe, sprawled on the couch, and uploaded it, starting the challenge. The comments were all like: “Yep, that’s genuine laziness, not an act.” But one comment made me freeze. 【Isn’t that Chloe , the swimming sensation from back in the day?】 【She and Jake even won awards for their synchronized swimming routines. Too bad they broke up after college.】 A week later, Chloe, uncharacteristically, grabbed her swimsuit and was heading out. She said she was going swimming with a friend. But I stared at her. “That ‘friend’ wouldn’t happen to be Jake, would it?” I’d known for a while that her first love was back. Chloe’s face instantly went pale. Her hand tightened around the swimsuit. “Alex, what are you implying?” “Are you stalking me?” I looked at her, feeling a strange sense of unfamiliarity. “Do I need to stalk you? Jake’s back in the country, right?” Chloe’s eyes darted away. She threw the swimsuit onto the sofa. “Yes, Jake is back. I only found out after a class reunion. Nothing happened between us!” I picked up the swimsuit. It was incredibly sexy, barely there. Nothing like any swimsuit I’d ever bought her. “If you’re so innocent, why dress like that?” “Alex!” Chloe’s voice rose. “How can you be so disgusting!” “We were just going for a swim, having a chat!” “What right do you have to go through my things, to read my messages!” “That’s my privacy!” I tossed my phone onto the coffee table in front of her. The screen displayed the comment section of that short video. 【Swimming Sensation Chloe】 【Chloe and Jake, the Golden Pair】 Those words were like a punch to the gut. “Privacy?” “Chloe, three years married, and I didn’t even know you used to be a competitive swimmer.” “I always thought you genuinely hated working out.” “But what’s the truth? You just hated working out *with me*.” Chloe stared at the phone screen, her body starting to tremble. “Who told you to post my picture online? Why would you expose my privacy?” “I’m your husband. Don’t I even have the right to post a picture of you…?” She picked up the swimsuit from the couch. “Believe what you want.” With that, she opened the door and left without a backward glance. I stood alone in the living room. A while later, my phone rang. It was my friend, Ryan. “Alex, did your wife go to ‘The Beast’ gym? I saw her with a guy… they looked really close.”

I hung up and drove to The Riviera Club. At the entrance, I saw Chloe’s car. I didn’t go in. I just sat in my car, staring at the club’s main door. At ten o’clock that night, Chloe walked out, side by side with a man. The man was tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a simple T-shirt that showed off his strong arms. It was Jake. Chloe was smiling beside him, a joy I hadn’t seen in the three years of our marriage. She tilted her head slightly, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling. Jake said something, then reached out and ruffled Chloe’s hair. In that moment, *they* looked like a couple. And I? I felt like a pathetic fool, hiding in the shadows, watching. I started my car and quietly drove away. Back home, I deleted that short video. And I deleted my account too. I sat in the dark, waiting for her to return. At midnight, the door opened. Chloe came in, smelling of alcohol. She saw me sitting on the couch and jumped. “Why are you sitting in the dark? You want to scare someone to death?” She complained as she switched on the living room light. “Have fun?” I asked. Her expression stiffened. “It was… just okay. A class reunion, what do you expect? Dinner, drinks.” She spoke, but her eyes kept avoiding mine. “Really?” I stood up and walked closer to her. “I thought you went swimming.” “No swimming.” She was still lying. “Chloe, Jake touched your hair.” She snapped her head up to look at me, her pupils constricting. “You… you really did follow me! Alex, you’re terrifying!” I pulled out my phone and played a video. In the video, Jake was ruffling her hair, and she was on her tiptoes, straightening his collar. “My friend sent me this video. If you’re brave enough to do it, why can’t you own up to it?” Chloe’s face instantly drained of all color. She stared at the video, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. Finally, she lost control. “I was drunk! He was just helping me, what’s wrong with that!” I smiled. “Then that bracelet he bought you, did you accept it?” Chloe subconsciously touched her wrist. “How… how do you know about the bracelet?”

“Guess.” I didn’t tell her I’d seen an empty jewelry box in the storage compartment of her car. She’d deliberately hidden the bracelet before going to see him. Just so I wouldn’t see it. Chloe’s face grew even paler. “So what? It’s just a regular bracelet, a gift from an old classmate. Do you have to be like this?” I took a step closer to her. “Chloe, you wore clothes I bought you, drove the car I bought you, to go see your ex-lover.” “He buys you a bracelet, and you happily accept it. What about me? Do you even remember my birthday last month?” I stared hard at her, my mind replaying the day I’d excitedly booked a restaurant and returned home with the necklace you’d had your eye on for so long. I called you, and you said you weren’t feeling well, you’d been lying in bed all day. “I believed you then. I canceled all my plans and came home to take care of you.” “But when I got home from work, there was a takeout receipt in the trash.” I spoke slowly, each word deliberate, my voice trembling. “Chloe, you weren’t unwell. You were just too lazy to celebrate my birthday.” Chloe’s eyes welled up. “Alex, I didn’t forget…” “Yes, you did.” I cut her off. “Because you don’t love me at all. You just married me to find a safe place to heal your heart after Jake broke it. I was just some kind of landlord, providing you with a roof over your head and food on the table.” The living room was terrifyingly silent. Chloe’s tears started to fall. “No… Alex, it’s not what you think…” She tried to reach for my hand. I pulled away. “Don’t touch me.” She froze. It was the first time I’d spoken to her so harshly. She started crying even harder. “Jake and I really have nothing going on, we’re just friends from the past…” “The past?” I scoffed. “The moment he came back, you threw everything else out the window.” Chloe’s phone suddenly rang. She fumbled in her bag, pulling it out. The screen lit up with the name “Jake.” She didn’t dare answer, nor did she dare hang up. I looked at her. “Go on, answer it. Why aren’t you answering? Your old friend must be worried about you.” Chloe bit her lip until it was white. Finally, she pressed the answer button and put it on speakerphone. Jake’s voice, laced with laughter, came through the phone. “Chloe, are you home? If your husband dares to bully you, just tell me. I’m not someone to be trifled with.”

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**Chapter 1** **POV: Elara** Inside the Rolls-Royce. Alexander leaned in, kissing me deeply. “Elara, you look stunning tonight,” his voice a rough whisper. I was breathless, my eyes hazy, a soft moan escaping my lips. Suddenly, Alexander’s phone rang, jarringly loud. He glanced at the caller ID, his brow furrowing instinctively. He held up a hand, signaling me to wait, then answered. The voice on the other end spoke flawless Norwegian. My eyelashes fluttered. Alexander replied in Norwegian, “Yes, she’s right here. Don’t worry, she doesn’t understand.” A faint, bitter smile touched my lips. Every single word, I understood. Years ago, for a major Nordic cooperation project, I’d spent countless nights learning Norwegian. My proficiency was nearly native, though I’d never told anyone. I hadn’t seen the need; learning a new language was never difficult for me. But at this moment, I wished I had never understood a single word of Norwegian. The person on the phone asked curiously, “Heard you found a budget version of Violet?” Because Alexander continued in Norwegian, “She does bear a resemblance, but she’s far more obedient, easier to control, like a kitten.” The other person then said, “You know Violet’s coming back tomorrow, right?” Alexander froze. “She’s returning?” “Would I joke about something like this? Since she’s coming back, does that mean your little obedient kitten needs to make way?” Alexander’s voice was cold. “I’ll just get her some treats. There isn’t a single kitten in the world that can’t be appeased with a few snacks.” He then hung up, turned, and tried to resume our intimacy. I went through the motions mechanically, my mind already drifting. We had been together for three years, from my sophomore year of college to my first year of grad school. In those three years, he’d showered me with an unimaginable kind of affection. He once booked out an entire Michelin-starred restaurant just because I mentioned I liked their risotto. When I had cramps, he’d clumsily make me chamomile tea and heat up a hot water bottle. I always thought I was the girl favored by destiny. My heart began to grow cold, bit by bit. Violet, a rising Hollywood star, the goddess Alexander secretly adored but could never truly reach. I remembered our first meeting three years ago in the university library. I had accidentally bumped a book from his hands, and as I stammered apologies, he stared at my face for a long time. His gaze was so intense it made my heart race. I thought it was love at first sight. Now, looking back, he wasn’t seeing me, Elara, at all. He was looking *through* my face, at the shadow of another woman. Three years, over a thousand days and nights. For him, I gave up the opportunity my family arranged for me to study abroad at the University of Oslo. I hid the fact that I was a Sterling heiress, becoming, in his eyes, just a simple, obedient college girl from an ordinary background. I learned to cook all his favorite dishes. I molded myself into his ideal woman. In the end, it only earned me the title of an “obedient cat.” Alexander leaned in to kiss me, but I subtly turned my head away. His movements paused, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. “What’s wrong?” I looked up. In the dim light, my eyes shimmered. I spoke softly, “I’m a little tired. I want to go home.” My voice was perfectly calm, betraying no hint of emotion. Alexander simply chuckled. He probably just thought I was being moody and didn’t give it another thought. After all, in his eyes, I had always been docile. “Alright, I’ll take you back.” He restarted the car. The vehicle smoothly drove toward the villa in the suburbs. All the way there, I didn’t say another word. I leaned against the window, watching the streetlights rush past, my mind eerily clear. I am no cat. A Sterling daughter is never a pet to be manipulated. I pulled out my phone. The screen’s glow illuminated my bloodless face. I found an encrypted contact, labeled ‘Dad.’ I tapped open the chat, my fingertips flying across the screen, then sent the message. Just a few words. [I agree to the arranged marriage. I’m moving to France.] **Chapter 2** **POV: Elara** The car stopped in front of the villa. Alexander unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over, as usual, to give me a goodnight kiss. “Get some rest. I have some business at the office, so I won’t be staying tonight.” My gaze fell on his face, and then, I simply asked, “Alexander, do you love me?” He paused, then chuckled softly, squeezing my cheek. His tone was falsely affectionate and dismissive. “Silly girl, why ask such a thing? Go on in.” He didn’t answer. I understood. I opened the car door and walked into the luxuriously decorated villa without looking back. The living room was dark, utterly silent. I stood in the entryway until the Rolls-Royce finally disappeared into the rainy night, then slowly raised my hand and covered my face. No tears. My heart was utterly dead; there was no greater sorrow. My father’s message came back then: [Finally made up your mind? All the paperwork can be handled in a month.] I put away my phone, smiling silently, then switched on the living room lights and began to clear out my belongings. I dragged several suitcases from the walk-in closet. The designer bags, haute couture dresses, the jewelry he’d given me—I didn’t even glance at them, just tossed them aside. I only packed my own things: a few simple outfits I’d bought with my own money. I cleared out the study, packing up my research papers and textbooks. A photo frame still sat on the bookshelf. It held the first picture Alexander and I had ever taken together. In it, I was smiling brightly, and he had his arm around my shoulder, his eyes soft. I picked up the frame, stared at it for a few seconds, then, expressionless, pulled out the photo and threw it, along with the frame, into the trash can. The TV was playing an entertainment news flash. “…International superstar Violet has reportedly arrived in the city today, officially kicking off her domestic concert tour. Fans swarmed the airport; the scene was pure chaos…” On the screen, Violet, in a Chanel suit and oversized sunglasses, emerged surrounded by bodyguards. I looked at her face, a cold laugh bubbling in my chest. Not just a strong resemblance, they were practically identical. I opened Alexander’s laptop in the study. Trusting my intuition, I typed in the password—my birthday. He had once said he had no secrets from me. But I had never logged in before, out of respect for his privacy. Now, I easily logged in. His account was open, and the pinned chat was with Violet. The latest messages were from just half an hour ago. Violet: [I’m here. When are you coming over?] Alexander: [With her right now. Leaving soon.] Violet: [That replacement, you haven’t gotten rid of her yet?] Alexander: [Almost. She’s just an obedient pet, nothing to worry about.] My fingertips dug hard into my palms. My muddled mind was growing terrifyingly clear. I closed the laptop, then dragged all the packed suitcases to the front door. At 3 AM, the villa’s doorbell rang. I saw Alexander on the monitor. He seemed to have been drinking, his handsome face showing a mix of fatigue and impatience. I didn’t open the door. He started calling, his phone vibrating frantically on the living room coffee table. I ignored it. It wasn’t until the outside grew quiet that I returned to the living room, sat on the sofa, and waited for dawn. At daybreak, Alexander must have found a spare key. He opened the door. When he saw the neatly arranged suitcases in the living room and me sitting on the sofa, his face instantly darkened. “Elara, please, what are you doing now?” **Chapter 3** **POV: Elara** He walked over, pulled a velvet box from his pocket, and tossed it onto the coffee table. “Forgot to give you this yesterday. A new Cartier bracelet. Come on, don’t be silly.” His tone was like he was trying to soothe a disobedient pet. I slowly raised my head, my gaze falling on the exquisite box. I asked softly, “Is this for me, or for her?” Alexander’s face went completely cold. “What are you implying?” Just then, his phone rang again. The caller ID showed Violet. He glanced at me, his eyes full of warning, then turned and walked up to the second floor, lowering his voice as he answered the call. I heard his footsteps fade. His voice was so tender as he spoke—I only now realized that tenderness was never meant for me. Then, hurried footsteps approached. “Something came up with Violet; I need to go.” He passed me without stopping, dropping only that curt explanation. The front door opened again, then closed. This time, I knew he wouldn’t be coming back. I stood up, walked to the coffee table, and picked up the velvet box. I opened it. Inside lay a diamond bracelet of exorbitant value, glinting with a cold, expensive brilliance in the morning light. I picked it up, walked to the door, and pulled open the villa’s heavy front door. The cool morning breeze stirred my long hair. I raised my hand and tossed the brand-new diamond bracelet into the trash can by the road. Alexander left, and for five days, there was nothing. Not a single message. Yet I was unusually busy. I contacted my university, citing family circumstances, and formally submitted my request for a leave of absence. Simultaneously, I engaged Mr. Harrison’s law firm, which belonged to my father, to process my immigration to France. My properties and funds were systematically being liquidated and transferred. I was systematically erasing the past three years of my life, piece by painful piece. During this time, Violet’s presence was unavoidable. The first thing this international superstar did upon returning to the country was heavily promote herself on social media. One day, she posted a picture from a private art gallery; the next, a video of her dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. The most infuriating post was a seemingly casual selfie. In the picture, Violet wore an oversized men’s white shirt, revealing her collarbone. She held a coffee mug, and that mug, I knew all too well—it was one of the matching couple’s mugs I’d personally crafted for Alexander last Christmas. The background of the photo was Alexander’s private apartment study. Every detail was a blatant provocation. The comment section had already devolved into a cesspool. [OMG! That’s Alexander’s shirt, right? I’ve seen him use that mug!] [Just get together already! First love is true love!] [Is that college girl still dreaming? You’ve occupied her nest long enough, time to give it back?] I impassively scrolled past those vicious comments and turned off my phone. I felt no pain, no anger, because a dead heart can no longer feel anything. I just felt that this game, it was time to end it.

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“Tell Eleanor, my engagement tomorrow depends entirely on her presence.” It was an ultimatum. A concession, in Adam’s mind. A few minutes later, the assistant stammered.”Sir, She said… to go to hell.” Eleanor’s POV Three hours ago, Adam Hayes called. It was the first time he’d reached out in three months. His voice was as cool and detached as ever, brief and to the point “Eleanor, come to my villa. I need to talk to you.” Then the line went dead. No room for questions. Just an order, like calling a dog he owned. I admit, for a split second, that stagnant pool in my heart, long since silent, rippled with a pathetic hint of hope. After all, I’d been that pet for seven years. I even stood in front of the mirror, carefully covering the shadows under my eyes with my most expensive concealer. I spritzed on the woody scent he liked and slipped into the white dress he’d once said looked nice on me. Seven years of feeling, of bending and yielding, had carved this sad reflex into me. He crooked a finger, and I’d run to him like a trained thing, eager for approval. Even though I knew another carefully orchestrated humiliation probably awaited me. The car smoothly pulled up to Adam’s villa. Mr. Henderson, the butler, saw me and a complicated look flashed in his eyes. He seemed about to speak, then stopped. My heart sank, but I managed a small smile and nodded at him, walking straight inside. In the foyer, a pair of unfamiliar pink high heels lay crookedly on the floor, scattered next to a man’s suit jacket and tie. I stopped. No tears, no outbursts. My expression didn’t even flicker. I just quietly changed into slippers and walked up the stairs, one step at a time. Every corner of this villa was painfully familiar to me. I could walk to his study with my eyes closed. The study door was ajar. From inside came muffled, intimate sounds and a girl’s petulant whine. “Adam, stop…you’re crushing my dress…” I pushed the door open. Inside, Adam held a young woman against him. Her face was buried in his chest, only the pale curve of her neck visible. Three buttons of his shirt were undone, his usually immaculate hair was messy, and a smile I’d never seen before, tinged with desire and indulgence, played on his lips. He glanced up at the sound. When his eyes met mine, that smile died, replaced by a flash of impatience and distaste. “Eleanor, don’t you know how to knock?” The girl in his arms startled like a deer, lifting her head timidly. A face of pure innocence, with wide, round eyes now brimming with tears, stared pathetically up at me. I recognized her-Selena Blake, a film academy sophomore who’d recently gotten some attention from a web drama. My own social media still had traces of posts I’d written defending her from trolls. had called her a “promising talent” and asked me to take care of her.” So this was how he took care of her. “Adam, who is this?” She whispered, her voice sweet and cotton-soft, perfectly timid. Adam didn’t answer her. He slowly straightened his collar, then turned his gaze back to me. “Now that you’ve seen, I won’t bother hiding it..” He pulled a velvet box from the desk drawer and tossed it onto the coffee table between us. “This, it’s yours.” I looked down. Inside the box lay a pair of diamond rings, the ones Adam’s grandmother had given us when we got engaged. Adam’s indifferent voice sounded above me. “I want to marry Selena. So, let’s call off our engagement.” No hint of guilt, no trace of hesitation. I didn’t look at the rings. My gaze fell on my left wrist. It was a silver bracelet, the one Adam had given me for my eighteenth birthday. He’d said I should wear it forever, just as he’d be with me forever. For seven years, I had never taken it off. It had long become a part of me, more familiar than my own skin. I raised my eyes, calmly meeting his gaze. “Understood.” My calm seemed to throw him. Then he said mockingly. “What, no performance this time? I expected tears. Screaming. The usual threats. Eleanor, that act is getting stale.” I didn’t answer. Instead, I lifted my left hand and began working the bracelet loose. I’d worn it for so long the clasp had stiffened. It caught against my knuckle, grinding the skin red and raw. The harder I tugged, the more it seemed to cling. Selena covered her mouth in a show of concern. “Eleanor, please don’t. Adam didn’t mean it like that. You’ll only upset him if you hurt yourself.” Her words sounded like an act, and a challenge. Adam crossed the room and seized my wrist. “Eleanor, what’s the game now? Trying to play hard to get?” I gasped, wincing in pain, but then I laughed. “Adam,” I said. “You ended the engagement. This bracelet is yours. Why wouldn’t I give it back?” He stared intently at me, as if trying to find even the slightest trace of pretense on my face. But he failed. On my face, there was nothing but the tears brought on by the pain. It seemed a broken heart really made no sound. He finally released my hand, his gaze unreadable. With all my strength, enduring the sharp pain, I finally tugged the slender silver bracelet off my wrist. A raw, red mark was seared onto my skin, a stark sight. I gently placed the bracelet on the coffee table, next to the diamond rings. “Adam, I wish you and Selena a happy marriage.” Then I turned and walked out of the study. I didn’t look back. Driving away from the villa, I finally couldn’t hold back anymore. My tears poured down, a torrent. Seven years. It turned out to be as short as a single slap. Loud. And agonizing.

Eleanor’s POV It was past eleven when I got home. The living room lights were blazing. My ‘dear’ father, Robert Vance, and my stepmother, Brenda, sat stiffly on the sofa, clearly waiting up for me. The moment I stepped inside, Brenda spoke in that familiar, needling tone. “Oh, look who finally decided to come home. We thought you’d be spending the night at Adam’s again-forgetting where you belong.” I was too exhausted to lift my head. I walked past her without a word and headed for the stairs. “Stop!” Robert roared, slamming a tablet hard at my feet. “Look at this yourself!” On the screen was a statement just released by Hayes Group’s PR department, announcing the happy news of Mr. Adam Hayes’ upcoming engagement to Ms. Selena Blake. The accompanying picture was an intimate shot of Adam and Selena. He had his arm around her waist, smiling broadly. How fast he was, Adam. Less than three hours after we broke up, he was desperate to announce it to the world, to cut ties with me, afraid that I, his clingy little pet, might tarnish his reputation even slightly. “Eleanor! What did you do?” Robert’s face was livid. “Why has Adam called off the engagement? ” He never asked how I was. Only whether his ladder to the Hayes family had snapped. I was too drained to speak. All I wanted was my room, my bed, and silence. Brenda saw her opening. “Robert, why bother asking? Have you seen what’s being said online? They’re calling her a barren hen, saying she trapped Adam with every dirty trick in the book. Her name is mud now. And the Hayes family-what would they want with a daughter-in-law like that?” When had those rumors even started? It was probably three years ago, when I drank myself into alcohol poisoning, damaging my body, trying to cover for Adam at a crucial business dinner. The doctor said it would be very difficult for me to conceive in the future. I had only told Adam about it. I looked at the two snarling faces in front of me and suddenly found it all very laughable. “I was the one who ended the engagement,” I said, flatly. Robert looked as if he’d heard the funniest joke. “You? What right do you have? Eleanor, I’m telling you, your brother and sister’s tuition and living expenses for studying abroad this month haven’t been sent yet! If you can’t sort things out with Adam, they can just pack their bags and come home!” It was the same old trick. Threatening me with the family members I cared about most. For the past seven years, this was why I’d lived like a dog in front of my own parents and Adam. But now, it was different. I looked up, meeting his gaze calmly. “So? What do you want?” My reaction stunned both Robert and Brenda. They were used to my meek compliance and hadn’t expected such a calm retort. Brenda’s eyes flickered, then she pasted on a sweet, false smile and took my hand. “Eleanor, don’t be upset with your father. He just wants what’s best for you. Since Adam is no longer an option, we can’t let you go to waste. Do you remember the Sterlings of Virginia? Their eldest son is seeking an arranged match. We were going to send your sister Lily, but she’s still so young and silly…” The Sterlings of Virginia. The top tier, the unimaginably wealthy family rumored to have a disabled heir. Alexander Sterling, who had turned volatile and cruel after an accident in his youth. No attendant lasted more than three months. No woman dared enter that fire. So this golden opportunity fell to me. The one Adam had thrown away. The scandalous one. The one who might never bear children. It sounded like a bargain. They were selling me, wringing out every last drop of value. “If you agree, the Sterlings will give us three hundred million. They’ll also cover your brother and sister’s Ivy League tuition-everything,” Brenda’s voice was laced with temptation. Three hundred million. My high school siblings. My life. In Robert’s eyes, that was my total worth. I looked at his greedy face, my heart turning to ice. Out of the fire, straight into the furnace. But at least, Virginia was far away from here, so far that I would never have to see Adam again, never have to live in the shadow of the past seven years. At least, this time, it was my choice. My marriage for my siblings’ future and my own freedom. It was a worthwhile trade. I pulled my hand from Brenda’s grasp, looked at Robert, and clearly uttered two words. “I agree.” Robert and Brenda’s faces instantly lit up with the wild joy of immense relief. Adam Hayes. This city, this relationship, these awful people and things. I was done with them.

Eleanor’s POV Three days after agreeing to marry into the Sterling family in Virginia, I met my best friend, Chloe Miller, at a Western restaurant downtown. It was a farewell, and a change of scenery. Chloe was the only genuine friend I had in our circle. As soon as she sat down, she grabbed my hand, her eyes red. “Eleanor, I know everything. Adam, that jerk, how could he do this to you? And Selena, that little bitch, if you hadn’t spoken up for her back then, she would’ve been drowned by her haters’ comments!” I smiled, handing her a tissue. “Why are you crying? I’m not the one who should be crying. I asked you out today to tell you I’m getting married.” Chloe’s crying stopped abruptly. “Married? To whom? Did Adam change his mind? No way, if he came back, I’d break his legs first!” “Not him.” I stirred the lemon water in my glass, my voice calm as if talking about someone else’s business. “It’s Alexander Sterling from the Sterling family in Virginia.” Chloe gasped, her face instantly looking worse than mine. “Alexander Sterling? The one rumored to be crippled and have a terrible temper?” I nodded. “Yes, him.” “Eleanor, are you insane?!” She shot up, drawing stares from nearby tables. “You’re going from the frying pan into the fire! What kind of pressure did the Vance family bloodsuckers put on you? If you need money, I have it. Don’t do anything stupid!” I pulled her back down, a wave of warmth washing over me. I knew she truly cared. “Chloe, listen to me,” I looked into her eyes, earnestly. “This is my own choice. You know what my family is like. If I don’t leave, my parents will control me forever. Marrying into Virginia, far away from this city, at least I’ll be free. And… the Sterling family offered me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” I told her about the Sterling family’s promise to cover all my siblings’ educational expenses. Chloe fell silent. After a long pause, she sighed. “You’re always like this, carrying everything alone. But what about you, Eleanor? When was the last time you thought about yourself??” Myself? It had been so long since I’d asked that question. For seven years, my life had orbited Adam. I learned what he liked, shed what he didn’t. I’d nearly forgotten who Eleanor was. Maybe marrying a stranger-a disabled man-was the first real choice I’d made for myself in years. We were still talking when a familiar figure paused beside our table. It was Selena. She wore a crisp new Chanel suit, her makeup flawless, a limited-edition Hermès bag over her arm. She looked nothing like the wide-eyed girl from the villa three days before. Adam wasn’t with her. “Eleanor, what a coincidence.” She spoke with a beaming smile, but her eyes were like poisoned needles, stabbing directly at me. Chloe was about to erupt, but I held her back. I shook my head at Chloe, then looked up at Selena, forcing a small smile. “Not a coincidence. I specifically chose this restaurant, one you couldn’t afford, to avoid people like you.” Selena’s smile froze for a moment, then she recovered it. “You’re so funny. Oh, by the way, Adam and I are getting engaged next week. You absolutely have to come, you know? It just wouldn’t feel right without a blessing from the ex.” As she spoke, she deliberately tossed her hair, revealing a dazzling diamond necklace around her neck. I recognized that necklace. Adam had bought it at an auction. It was his twenty-fifth birthday gift to me. So, the things he gave me could be worn by another woman in an instant. My heart, though numb, still felt that dull ache. “Ms. Blake,” I put down my fork and knife, leaning back in my chair, looking at her languidly. “Does wearing someone else’s discarded belongings give you a sense of accomplishment?” “You!” Selena’s facade finally cracked. “What are you talking about? Adam gave this to me! He said he’d never given anyone such an expensive gift!” “Is that so?” I laughed softly. “Then do you know the name of the necklace you’re wearing? It’s called ‘Eternity.’ When he gave it to me, he said it stood for forever. It seems Adam’s forever has a rather short expiration date” Selena snapped. “What do you have to be so proud of?” she burst out. “You’re just a woman Adam grew bored with! Do you think I don’t know? You can’t even have children-a useless hen! What could you possibly have over me?” She lowered her voice on that last sentence, but it struck my most painful spot. All the blood in my body rushed to my head in that instant. She continued, her voice filled with malicious glee. “Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. Adam bought the rooftop where your mother jumped off. He said the view was nice, and he’s going to turn it into a sunroom. We can have afternoon tea there, plant flowers. Your mother’s anniversary is coming up, isn’t it? Do you want to come up and join us then?” Smack! A sharp slap echoed through the entire restaurant. I stood there, my palm stinging. Selena clutched her face, staring at me in shock. Her eyes welled up instantly. “You…you hit me?” I could stand her flaunting Adam’s affection. I could endure her taking what was mine. But using my late mother to taunt me? That was a line she never should have crossed! “That slap,” I looked at her, my voice cold, “was for my mom.”

Eleanor’s POV The commotion in the restaurant attracted the manager, and then, Adam. He arrived so quickly,  like a dog guarding its bowl. Without a glance at me, he pulled a weeping Selena behind him and turned a look of cold disdain in my direction-a look I’d never seen on his face before. “Eleanor, what is wrong with you?” Selena, still tucked against him, pointed a trembling finger at me. “Adam, I only asked her to our engagement party… and she hit me.” His expression darkened further. He stared at me as if I were some deranged stranger. “Apologize to her,” he commanded. I looked at him, and a chilling thought settled in my chest: the man before me was a stranger.. Seven years. He had never once asked why. No matter the fight, no matter the reason, he would always make me back down, make me apologize. Because in his world, I, Eleanor Vance, was meant to be the sensible, accommodating, utterly trouble-free accessory. “I won’t repeat myself. Apologize.” When I didn’t move, he warned. Chloe, trembling with rage beside me, couldn’t help but speak up. “Adam, are you blind? She was the one who provoked Eleanor with her mom’s death! She’s the one who should apologize!” Adam’s gaze swept over Chloe, and he said coldly, “This doesn’t concern you.” Then, his eyes landed on me again, filled only with impatience and disappointment. “Eleanor, don’t make me completely lose the last bit of consideration I have for you.” The last bit of consideration? So, seven years of our relationship, to him, had dwindled to this. I laughed, but tears streamed down my face. I looked at Selena, protected in his arms, at his blaming face, and asked him, word by word, “Adam, what if today, I say no?” His brows furrowed tightly. He seemed surprised by my defiance. “Eleanor, don’t push me.” Push him? What had I pushed him to do? Had I pushed him to fall in love with someone else? Had I pushed him to break off our engagement? Had I pushed him to trample on my dignity? Smack! Another sharp slap. But this time, it landed on my face. The entire world fell silent. My cheek burned, a searing pain that soon turned numb. My ears rang, making me unable to hear the gasps and whispers around me. I only saw Adam with his hand raised, a flicker of shock on his face, as if he hadn’t expected himself to actually hit me. And behind him, Selena’s lips curved into a fleeting, triumphant smile. So, this was the end. This slap, more than the broken engagement in the villa, more than seeing my necklace on another woman, finally sobered me up. I raised my hand, wiped away my tears, then looked at him and said, incredibly calmly: “Fine, I apologize.” Adam seemed to relax, believing I’d finally given in. I turned toward Selena, met her expectant gaze, and spoke slowly. “I’m sorry.” Then, under the stunned eyes of everyone, I looked straight at Adam and went on. “Adam, I’m sorry for loving you these past seven years.” “I’m sorry I gave up myself and my dignity for you.” “I’m sorry I was blind enough to mistake a stone for a jewel.” Adam’s expression turned terrifying. “Eleanor! You-” “Adam,” I cut him off, forcing a smile. “You were the one who let go first.” “I promise you. From today on, I will never appear before you again.” “Never again. Just as you wish.” With that, I picked up my bag and, leaning on a worried Chloe, walked out of the restaurant without a backward glance. Behind me, Adam’s furious shout echoed through the dining room. But I didn’t care anymore. The wind outside was bitingly cold. But that was good. At least it could freeze a person clear.

Eleanor’s POV The day after returning from the restaurant, I started packing. ‘Luggage’ wasn’t really the right word. I disdained to take anything from the Vance house, and just looking at the things Adam had given me was painful. I cleared out all the designer bags, high-end fashion, and jewelry from my walk-in closet, piling them in the center of the room. Finally, I took out a heavy red velvet keepsake box from the safe. Adam had given it to me for my twentieth birthday. He’d said that every year, he would put a piece of jewelry he thought best suited me inside. When the box was full, he would marry me. Seven years later, the box was already overflowing. Inside were the tiny diamond earrings he bought me with his bonus after he landed his first project. There was the antique brooch we found at a flea market during our first trip abroad to Paris. And his mother’s sapphire ring, meant for his future wife… Each item had once been treasured. But now, they were just a pile of cold stones. I closed the lid of the box and, along with the blank wish card he’d signed when he was younger, promising to grant my every wish, placed it into the cardboard box meant for return. That wish card was my last resort. Back when Adam’s grandfather was still alive, to reassure me, Adam had signed this card in front of both our families. He’d said that as long as I held this card, no matter when or where, I could make a request, and he would never refuse. I once believed this card would be the most romantic fulfillment of a vow when I married him. Later, I thought it would be my final card to play to win him back. But now, I just wanted to return it to him. I didn’t want to owe him anything anymore. I called Adam’s assistant, Mark, gave him the address, and told him to come pick up the items. Mark’s voice was his usual business-like tone. “Ms. Vance, Mr. Hayes is very busy these days, preparing for his engagement party with Ms. Blake. I’m afraid he doesn’t have time for these irrelevant matters.” “Irrelevant matters?” I controlled my emotions. “There are his personal belongings in the box, very important ones.” Mark’s tone grew impatient. “Ms. Vance, I know you’re upset, but Mr. Hayes is truly starting a new life. Why cling on in this way? It would be better for everyone to maintain some decency, wouldn’t it?” He thought I was playing games, trying to cling to Adam. I took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible, “The box contains Mr. Hayes’s personal insignia and important tokens. You must come and collect them before five this afternoon. Otherwise, if anything goes missing, you’ll be responsible.” There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then he reluctantly agreed. “Understood, I’ll be there this afternoon.” At four-thirty that afternoon, Mark arrived as promised. He didn’t even step inside, just stood at the doorway. I pushed the few large cardboard boxes I’d packed towards him. “Ms. Vance,” he said pointedly, while instructing his driver to move the boxes, “you need to look forward. Mr. Hayes and Ms. Blake are a perfect match, everyone knows that. You’re only making yourself look worse.” I didn’t explain, nor did I argue. Arguing with someone living in their own delusion was the most foolish thing in the world. I just looked at him and said blandly, “Check the items thoroughly. Take them back to him. From now on, we’re even.” After they loaded everything into the car, I closed the front door.

Eleanor’s POV Three days later, a black stretch limousine pulled up to my house. I wore a simple white dress, carrying a small suitcase. Under the complex gazes of Robert and Brenda, I got into the car, bound for Virginia. After a flight of over ten hours, the plane smoothly landed on a private airstrip at Virginia Airport. A middle-aged man in a black suit came forward, bowing respectfully to me. “Ms. Vance, I presume? I am Mr. Alexander Sterling’s butler, Mr. Davies. Mr. Sterling is waiting for you at the hillside villa.” “Hello, yes, thank you.” I responded with a smile. Mr. Davies seemed surprised by my polite demeanor. He paused, then offered a kind smile. “Ms. Vance, please get in the car.” The black Rolls-Royce drove smoothly along the mountain road. The scenery was entirely different from the city I had left behind. The car finally stopped in front of a white villa nestled among green trees. The villa’s design was minimalist and modern, exuding luxury in a subtle way. The butler opened the car door for me and led me into the living room. In the center of the living room, a man in a wheelchair sat with his back to me. He wore a simple white shirt, his figure slender and tall. Even seated, his excellent proportions were evident. Hearing my footsteps, he maneuvered his wheelchair, slowly turning to face me. In that instant, my breath caught. The man before me bore no resemblance to the gloomy, violent image I’d conjured of someone disabled. His features were strikingly handsome, almost perfect, and his deep eyes seemed to see right through me. He was Alexander Sterling. I instinctively clutched the hem of my dress, breaking the silence first. “Mr. Sterling, hello. I’ve arrived.” He lifted the corner of his lips slightly, and his cool demeanor softened somewhat. “I know. I’ve been waiting for you.” His gaze slowly moved from my face down to my tightly gripped suitcase handle. “Mr. Davies, show her to her room. It’s been a long flight; she must be tired,” he ordered softly, his eyes never leaving me. “Yes, sir.” Mr. Davies stepped forward, ready to take my suitcase. “No, thank you, I can manage.” I quickly refused, not wanting to seem delicate right after arriving. I pulled my suitcase, ready to follow the butler upstairs, but just as I turned to pass his wheelchair, the suitcase wheel unfortunately caught on the edge of the rug. The entire case suddenly tipped to one side. “Careful!” Mr. Davies exclaimed. I instinctively reached out to steady it, my body also losing balance. I tumbled forward unexpectedly- I didn’t fall to the carpet. My hands landed on something warm and firm. Through a thin layer of shirt fabric, I could clearly feel the smooth, powerful lines of muscle beneath my palms. My cheek was only a few centimeters from his neck. I could even smell his clean, fresh scent. I… I had practically fallen into Alexander Sterling’s arms. My hands were pressed against his chest. My mind went blank, my cheeks flushed crimson, feeling as though they could start bleeding. In all my life, aside from Adam, I had never had such intimate contact with any man. I fumbled to get up, clumsily pushing against his chest, but the more I rushed, the more my strength failed me. All the while, Alexander Sterling sat steadily in his wheelchair, without even a tremor. He didn’t push me away, nor did he help me. He just sat there quietly, letting me struggle clumsily in his arms like a startled rabbit. I could feel his steady, powerful heartbeat, tapping against my palm, a rhythmic thud, then another. My heart, however, felt like it was about to pound out of my throat. Finally, with a burst of effort, I pushed against his chest and straightened up, retreating a few steps in disarray, my head bowed so low it almost touched my chest. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” I stammered, my face so hot it felt like it could fry an egg. He still didn’t say anything. I secretly lifted my eyes, quickly glancing at him. He maintained his calm expression, as if I hadn’t just thrown myself into his arms. He slowly reached up and smoothed the wrinkles on his chest that I had caused. Then, his thin lips parted, his voice a few shades deeper and huskier than before. “Eleanor,” he said, “we’ve just met. Are you that eager?”

Adam’s POV My bachelor party took over the penthouse suite of the city’s most exclusive club. The place was packed-friends, hangers-on, top-shelf liquor, beautiful faces. The air hummed with decadence. Yet I, the guest of honor, couldn’t focus. I sat slouched on the sofa, a cigar smoldering between my fingers. My gaze drifted through the haze, seeing nothing. My friend Garrett North leaned in, offering a glass of whiskey. “Adam. You’re getting engaged tomorrow. Why are you so upset?” I ignored the drink, tugging at my tie. “Nothing.” Garrett followed my absent stare toward Selena, who was holding court across the room, laughter too loud. He snorted. “Still hung up on Eleanor? Honestly, Adam. Why trade a woman like her for someone so common? Look at her. You can practically see her head inflating.” Eleanor again. My expression hardened. “Eleanor and I are done.” “Done?” Garrett scoffed again. “Come on. It’s been seven years of this dance. When has she ever been the one to walk away for good? Give it three days. She’ll come crawling back, tears and all. That stunt at the restaurant? Just her playing hard to get. Again.” My friends were quick to agree. “Exactly. Eleanor’s crazy about you. She won’t just walk away.” “She’s jealous, that’s all. You know how women are. Just smooth things over a little.” “You’re getting engaged tomorrow, Adam. I’d bet anything Eleanor shows up to make a scene!” I took another drink. My irritation had little to do with them. It was Eleanor’s silence these past few days that grated on me. Ever since the restaurant disaster, she’d disappeared. Vanished. No calls, no texts, not a single social media post. It wasn’t what I’d expected. The script called for her to be blowing up my phone by now, pleading for another chance. But she wasn’t. And that loss of control-it churned in my gut, a blend of pure annoyance and the first cold trace of panic. I picked up my glass and downed the burning liquor. It did nothing for the tightness in my chest. I pulled out my phone and tapped Eleanor’s chat window on instinct. It was blank. “Damn woman!” I cursed under my breath and threw the phone onto the table. Garrett watched me, eyes glinting with a mischievous idea. “If you’re that worried, Adam, just call her. Make up an excuse-tell her to bring you something. If she comes, she still cares. If not…” “She’ll come,” I sneered, utterly confident. I waved my assistant Mark over. “Call Eleanor,” I ordered, sinking back into the sofa. “Tell her I’ve drunk too much. I need hangover soup. She has thirty minutes.” It was an old trick. No matter the hour or what she was doing, one call from me and Eleanor would drop everything, make the soup, and drive across the city to deliver it. Because Eleanor adored me. “Tell her,” I paused, adding, “my engagement tomorrow depends entirely on her presence.” It was an ultimatum. A concession. This was the greatest concession I’d ever grant. Mark nodded and stepped away to make the call. He returned a few minutes later, his expression strained. “Mr. Hayes,” he said, leaning in close. “Ms. Vance answered.” My brow lifted. A cold, knowing smile touched my lips. Just as I’d predicted. Eleanor couldn’t stay away. “What did she say? Is she crying? Ask her where she is now.” Mark stammered. “She… wasn’t crying, Sir. She said… to go to hell.” My smile froze.

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On the packed Amtrak train home for Christmas, a spoiled kid was in my seat. He kicked my seatback and stole my food, while his mother pointed at me and sneered, “You’re an adult. Why are you arguing with a child?” Later, she doctored a clip of me, twisted the story, and sent her followers to cyberbully me— then demanded $300,000 in “emotional damages.” She thought I was just an easy target, an ordinary corporate drone. She didn’t know— the one thing I’m best at is sending people exactly where they belong. “Excuse me, this is my seat. Could you please have your child move?” Looking at the kid bouncing on my Amtrak coach seat, I triple-checked my ticket just to make sure I wasn’t in the wrong car. Work in Silicon Valley had been insane, and I hadn’t made it home for the holidays in three years. This year, I finally snagged a ticket after a last-minute cancellation, and I was all smiles, chatting with Mom and Dad on the phone before boarding. But that smile didn’t last ten minutes before it was wiped clean off my face. I glanced around, but no one seemed to claim the kid. “Hey! Who are you? What do you think you’re doing touching my kid?!” I was just about to guide the kid’s arm, but my hand froze mid-air. I looked at the woman sitting right behind my seat. Just a moment ago, when I’d asked around, she’d been loudly munching on chips without a care. Now, suddenly, she was a fiercely protective mama bear. The kid in the seat showed no sign of fear. Instead, his eyes darted around, fast and calculating. I’m not usually judgmental, but he didn’t look like an innocent child at all. His eyes screamed ‘trouble,’ like he was already plotting something. Being able to go home for Christmas had put me in a great mood. I just pointed at the kid’s mother, not wanting to argue any further. But she wasn’t having it. “What kind of girl are you? You look so young, yet you’re trying to hit my son!” “He’s just a kid, he doesn’t know any better! Besides, it’s not your seat, is it? When you take public transport, you can’t be so picky!” Hearing that, I sized her up. “Oh, so your son gets to act like that because he’s young? Sounds like he’s pretty wild and untamed.” It took her a moment to catch my meaning. She started flailing her arms, ready to grab me, just as the Amtrak conductor came by to check tickets. She huffed and grudgingly sat down, shooting me a dirty look. Someone glaring at me isn’t going to make me lose a piece of myself. Years of corporate life had forged in me an ironclad patience. My home is clear across the country from where I work. By plane, I could be home in two hours, but of course, with the holiday storm cancellations, I couldn’t get a flight. This train ride would take me an entire day to get home. I’d barely been seated for ten minutes when my seatback started vibrating like it had an angry massage chair built into it. Kick after kick, with a relentless rhythm. I gritted my teeth, turned around, and tried to talk to the woman. “Can you please control your child? He’s constantly kicking my seatback, can’t you see that?” The woman looked up, gave me a quick glance, then went back to filming her kid on her phone. “Aww, Jaxie’s such a good boy! So full of energy!” “It’s all thanks to the organic superfood blends Jaxie’s been taking! Otherwise, where would he get all that vitality?!” Cheered on by his mom’s praise, Jax kicked even harder. He was having a blast, but I was the one suffering. “Are you going to control him or not?! If you can’t, then don’t bring him out in public!” With that, I reached out and firmly grabbed the kid’s raised leg. That finally got his mom to stop pretending to be deaf.

“Honestly, I have to say, you young girls have zero tolerance these days, don’t you?” “Energetic kids are healthy kids. You just don’t understand a mother’s heart.” “And besides, he’s so small. What’s the big deal if he kicks a few times?” I looked at Jax, sitting on the seat, his neck stiff as he glared back at me. Calling him a little Michelin Man wouldn’t be an exaggeration. “You’re saying it’s no big deal if your little Michelin Man kicks a few times? Then why don’t you switch seats and let him kick your seatback?!” As soon as that came out, some people sitting nearby couldn’t hold back their laughter. Jax’s mom, hearing her pride and joy insulted, finally snapped. “You have such a vicious mouth for someone so young! This is called a solid, healthy build, don’t you know?!” Whether he had a ‘solid build’ or not, I didn’t care to explore. Right now, this whole family just seemed… off. Especially when I heard her next line: “He’s just a child, you’re an adult, don’t stoop to his level. It’s so undignified.” “If you can’t sit there, just move.” My fists clenched. I decided the most infuriating people in the world weren’t my bosses anymore; it was these two. With this mother-son duo behind me, no one wanted to switch to my seat. I pulled out $200 in cash. The person behind her went from unwilling to swiftly moving themselves and their luggage. Jax’s mom continued to record her precious Jax on her phone, the camera briefly sweeping past my face. This time, her words were clearly aimed at me. I adjusted my posture, then started kicking my own seatback hard, making her seat shake. Before I even got to the third kick, she couldn’t take it anymore. She put her hand on the seatback and stood up, looking at me. “Are you crazy?! Don’t you know there’s someone behind you?! What are you kicking for?!” I looked up at her, but my leg didn’t stop. “Oh, Ma’am, you look older than me. Why are you being so mean to me?” “Compared to you, I’m just a kid. Don’t argue with me.” After saying that, I extended my leg to her son’s seat as well, kicking both seatbacks rhythmically and forcefully. Soon, Jax’s cries filled the air. His mom, whose name I’d later learn was Brenda, had no time to scold me; she turned to comfort her precious Jax. The conductor heard the noise and came over. Seeing it was us two again, he frowned. After learning what happened, the conductor warned Brenda. With the warning, Brenda, however unwilling, quieted down with Jax in her arms.

Since the journey was long, I took out the instant noodles I’d prepared. When I came back from the snack car, I found the contents of my backpack scattered everywhere near my seat. Suppressing my anger, I scanned the area. The guy next to me subtly gestured for me to look ahead. Jax was holding a snack and eating it, while Brenda was still on her phone, documenting their wonderful life. My backpack was full of snacks, so I’d just placed it on the overhead rack. Who would have thought that while I was just getting hot water, someone would go through my bag? “You two went through my bag, didn’t you?” Jax shoved the small, freshly opened bag of gourmet popcorn in his hand into his mouth in two bites. I watched as he almost choked. Brenda blew up first: “What are you talking about?! Who would bother going through your bag?! Don’t you dare falsely accuse good people!” As she spoke, she kicked some trash on the floor further forward. I suddenly laughed out loud and leaned closer to her little Michelin Man. “Let me tell you a story, little boy.” “Once upon a time, there was a kid who always stole other people’s food. And one day, guess what happened?” Jax looked at me curiously. “That kid died! He died a horrible, horrible death. His stomach burst open, and his intestines spilled out everywhere!” WAAAH! Jax started screaming again, crying and clinging to Brenda. He kept yelling that he was going to die, and no matter how Brenda tried to soothe him, he wouldn’t calm down. When the conductor came for the third time, he had no smile on his face. I quickly sat back down. “She scared my child!” Meeting the conductor’s gaze, I picked up my bag. “I haven’t even called the Amtrak police yet. My bag was rummaged through, and all I did was tell her child a story.” Everyone around us was craning their necks to watch. We were both escorted to a quiet compartment to speak with the Amtrak police. Brenda immediately started yelling, accusing me loudly and demanding justice. “You’re just bullying a struggling single mom and her kid! She’s been targeting me since we got on the train! Now she’s slandering my child, saying he stole her things!” I raised an eyebrow. “When did I say your child took anything? Aren’t you confessing without being asked?” Jax still looked dazed, making me wonder if there was something actually wrong with the kid. Lost items on a train weren’t just a simple disagreement, so the officers took it more seriously. I rummaged through my backpack. “Some snacks are missing, and $500 cash is gone too.” “$500 is enough to press charges, isn’t it?” I looked at Brenda’s changing expression and gave a slight smile. “I’m not great with the law, so I’m not sure about the specifics, but I guess you won’t be celebrating Christmas.” The officers conferred for a moment and asked if I wanted to file a report. I pretended to think, looking at Brenda. “Well, it’s not out of the question. No one touched my bag besides me. I think checking for fingerprints would be straightforward.” “Wait a minute!” All of us turned our attention to Brenda. “Jax might have looked in your bag, but we didn’t see any money in there!” “My kid is just little, he saw you taking snacks out of your bag and wanted some! Who knew you’d be so stingy?!” “How much can one child even eat?” I looked at the officers. “Oh, I suddenly remembered, the cash was in my coat pocket. But I can still claim compensation for my snacks, right?” The officer nodded. Brenda, hearing it was just snack money, looked scornful. “It’s just a few snacks, why are you so picky? Give me your Venmo, I’ll send you $50, that should be more than enough!” “It’s $500 in total.” Brenda’s hand froze, then she roared, “Are you crazy?! He only took a few things! How is it $500?!” I pulled a receipt from my pocket. “They’re all imported, boutique snacks. Check for yourself. The retail value is $500, if not more. Otherwise, I’ll file the official report.” When I returned to my seat, Brenda looked like a deflated balloon. I looked at the fresh $500 transfer notification on my phone, secretly pleased. Although dealing with that mother and son was torturous, I considered it a profit. Those snacks were samples from my company’s overseas gourmet line. As an employee, I got them for free. The receipt, however, reflected the full retail price. The rest of the journey was smooth. Jax, perhaps tired from playing, quieted down and didn’t cause any more trouble. It was still eight hours until I got home, and my back and legs ached from sitting in the coach seat. Hearing that two roomettes had opened up, I quickly grabbed my luggage and went to find the conductor to upgrade. It wasn’t until I lay down on the narrow bed that I felt my back and legs come alive again. Even better, I was far away from those two.

The further north the train went, the more people got off. Eventually, I was the only one left in my roomette. I had been working overtime until late last night to get home, and my eyelids were already heavy. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I vaguely heard a commotion outside. I rolled over, not thinking much of it. With so many people on the train, arguments were bound to happen. After all, I had just had one myself. The commotion grew closer, and the voices became increasingly familiar. “Come on, Jaxie, stick with Mommy. Don’t mind them. She just got her skirt accidentally lifted, what a sensitive little thing.” The voices conveniently stopped right outside my roomette door. I slid the door open, and Brenda and I stared each other down. Seriously, why did this woman feel like a bad penny that just wouldn’t go away? My fancy organic cucumber snack was still on the small table nearby, and Jax reached out to grab it. “This cucumber is expensive, you know? From a specialty farmer’s market. Do you really want to eat it?” Jax’s outstretched hand was quickly slapped down by Brenda. “Don’t eat her stuff. It’s probably stale. Mommy will buy you something delicious when we get home.” “Some people just like to hoard their things like treasures, don’t they? Hope you don’t choke on it.” Listening to Brenda’s taunts, I picked up the cucumber and took a bite. “Some people might not have any manners, but they sure have a lot to say.” “I used to hear that you could tell if someone was lacking in the common sense department just by looking at them, and I never believed it. Today, I realize it’s true.” Brenda’s eyebrows shot up, and she opened her mouth, ready to unleash a torrent of curses. I narrowed my eyes. “This roomette has a door. That’s nice. If I lock it, nobody would know if someone had a little… accident, right?” She looked at our respective sizes, snorted, and then climbed onto her upper bunk with Jax. Even with my noise-canceling earbuds in, I could still hear Jax’s racket. I opened my eyes and, good heavens, he was wearing his shoes and stomping all over the bed again. The previously clean sheets and blanket were now covered in black footprints. When the conductor came in and saw the scene, I clearly saw him take a deep breath. I asked if I could switch roomettes. “I’m very sorry, ma’am, but this is the last available sleeper accommodation on the train right now.” Desperate times call for desperate measures. This time, when I left to use the restroom, I made sure to take my backpack with me. Jax was clamoring for instant noodles, and Brenda, with no other choice, had to buy a cup from the café car for her precious boy. After I’d happily taken care of business, I hadn’t even reached my compartment when I saw two people standing by the door, pointing and talking about something inside. An uneasy feeling crept up on me. As I walked in, I saw that little Michelin Man causing trouble again. My bunk was now covered in instant noodle soup. That little Michelin Man was reaching into the noodle cup, pulling out strands, and flinging them onto the wall. And to top it all off, my prized down jacket was on the bed.

Seeing me return, he darted away quickly, immediately throwing the noodle cup on the floor and scrambling up to the top bunk. I gritted my teeth and slammed the compartment door shut. Brenda was on the top bunk, headphones on, seemingly busy with something on her phone. I wasn’t sure if she couldn’t hear her child or just chose to ignore him. Either way, my loud door slam finally got her to move. “What’s your problem? Why are you slamming the door so hard?! What’s gotten into you now?!” I took a deep breath first. “Take a look at what your son did. You’re paying for this.” I held up my down jacket, stained with oily broth. “What does this have to do with me? Why should I pay? Didn’t I just give you $500? Are you out of your mind from being broke?!” I reached out and grabbed Jax’s ankle. With a forceful tug, he slid right off the ladder. This time, Brenda couldn’t stay put. She instantly sat upright and then jumped down from the upper bunk. “What are you doing hitting my child?! I’m telling you, if anything happens to him, I’ll sue you until you’re bankrupt!” I looked at her unreasonable, nagging demeanor and felt disgusted to my core. “Your son poured noodle soup all over my down jacket and my bed. I’m saying it again: pay for the damages.” Brenda snatched her son from my hands. “It’s not like he poured it on your bed at home. The staff will clean it.” “Besides, you can just take that jacket home and wash it, can’t you? Haven’t you ever spilled anything?!” “If you keep being so unreasonable, don’t blame me for getting nasty.” I picked up the noodle cup from the floor. “So, you’re saying that because he’s young, this kind of behavior is forgivable?” Then, before she could react, I flung the tepid instant noodle soup directly at both of them. Brenda’s face and hair were instantly covered, while Jax, being shorter, only got some on his clothes. A shrill shriek was about to erupt, but I swiftly crumpled the empty instant noodle cup and stuffed it into Brenda’s open mouth. She sounded like a duck whose neck was squeezed, her voice getting cut off. I then pushed Jax’s head down and, with one hand, grabbed a clump of noodles from the floor, stuffing them into his mouth. Perhaps out of fear, he opened his mouth wide to cry, which conveniently made it easier for me to stuff the noodles in. Brenda wiped her face and charged at me, trying to rescue Jax, but I smeared another handful of noodles onto her face. “AHHHH! You little b! Do you have a death wish?!” She lunged at me viciously, her hand flying up to slap me. Instinctively, I held Jax up between us. I heard a loud SMACK, and Jax’s cries became utterly uncontrollable. “Mommy hit me! Waaah! Mommy’s a bad person!!” I looked at Jax’s face and couldn’t help but marvel internally: even though Brenda looked small, she had quite a swing. Jax’s right cheek was now completely red and swelling. From crying, noodle bits were even spurting out of his nostrils. While Brenda was busy cradling and comforting Jax, I took both their winter coats from the hook and used them to wipe the worst of the mess on my bed and the floor. The Amtrak police, arriving with the conductor and seeing the chaotic mess in the roomette, gasped. The onlookers gathered at the door also had their eyes wide open. Brenda sat on the floor, holding Jax, and started wailing. I assessed the situation; it really looked like I was bullying them. This kind of “vulnerable” scenario was definitely not in my favor, so before the officers could even speak, I directly lay down on the floor.

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My twin sister was always the “good one.” I was the failure. That’s what everyone believed. They never knew she was the one who dragged me to gaming lounges, then slipped away to study in secret. She told me grades didn’t matter, only connections—while quietly stealing every opportunity I built. In my last life, I died in childbirth. At my funeral, she cried the loudest and said, “She was smart. She just didn’t work hard enough.” This time, I’m back—six months before the SAT. I opened my eyes. I was back at the Nexus Gaming Lounge, locked in an intense gaming session with my team. I shook my drowsy head, grabbed my grimy backpack, and sprinted home. At home, Chloe was furiously scribbling notes under her desk lamp. Seeing me, she quickly stashed her study sheets. “Zoe, why are you back? Now your team is one short. How will they win without you?” It was always Chloe who dragged me to the lounge. Then, she’d yawn, fake being tired, and sneak off to study at home. I grabbed my untouched SAT prep books and taped my target, “Stanford,” on the wall. Chloe’s face darkened with rage. “You? Stanford? Who do you think you are?” Not only would I aim for Stanford, but I’d show her that natural talent could never be surpassed by hard work. The smoky, sweat-filled air of the Nexus Lounge lingered in my memory as my teammates shouted obscenities after a loss. It hit me—I’d been reborn. I was back at seventeen, just one month before the first major SAT practice test. I didn’t care about the commotion I left behind. Grabbing my filthy bag, I bolted. “Zoe, you promised to carry us to diamond rank!” they yelled after me, but I didn’t turn back. My future mattered more than their fleeting victories. When I got home, it was 1 a.m. Chloe’s light was still on, her silhouette reflected in the window. Her pen raced across the paper. I barged into her room. Chloe jumped, hastily shoving her study guide under a textbook. Smirking, I recorded her with my phone. “You said you were too tired to study. So why are you still up?” I yawned. Feigning nonchalance, she replied, “Oh, I woke up to use the bathroom and realized my backpack wasn’t packed. I’m just fixing it before going to bed.” Chloe turned off her lamp. I returned to my room, flicked on a desk light I hadn’t used in ages, and opened my blank prep books. In my past life, I barely scraped into high school by cramming during my final weeks of middle school. Chloe, meanwhile, convinced me that being friends with the “cool kids” mattered more than grades. The school’s “donation-based” Honors Track was filled with rich kids who slacked off but got in through connections. I believed Chloe and started skipping classes to hang out with them at Nexus Lounge. We measured status by gaming prowess, and I became the best of them. But I hadn’t realized they were all wealthy. By senior year, they transferred to elite private schools or left for boarding schools overseas, ready to inherit family businesses. My parents, though, were just regular workers. Without good grades, I had no future except the local factories. At Midwest Automotive, Tyler—a worker with bleached blond hair—took an interest in me. I mentioned it to Chloe, who cheered me on. “True love is priceless,” she said. “If Tyler loves you, that’s all that matters. Love conquers all.” I believed her. Tyler and I moved in together, had a baby without a wedding, and barely signed the marriage certificate. Once married, Tyler started beating me. Drunk, he’d mock me. “You and Chloe came from the same parents. Why is she so brilliant while you’re as dumb as a rock?” I cried bitterly, wondering where I had gone wrong. I used to be the smartest one—the girl who could solve problems at a glance, memorize pages instantly. My middle school teachers couldn’t believe I had failed my SATs.

My tragic fate culminated in a difficult labor. Tyler refused a C-section, resulting in both my baby and me dying. On my deathbed, I called Chloe endlessly, but she claimed she was too busy. The moment I passed, she showed up. At my funeral, people shook their heads, saying, “How did such a bright girl end up like this?” Chloe put on a show of grief. “Zoe was so smart but wasted her potential. Her downfall was her own fault. Unlike me, I worked hard and changed my fate through perseverance.” Once everyone left, Chloe gloated over her victory. Turns out, Chloe had always been jealous of me. As a child, I was the center of our parents’ attention. Her envy consumed her. She manipulated my trust and orchestrated my downfall. This time, I wouldn’t fall for her tricks. I wrote “I will get into Stanford” in bold letters and taped it above my desk. Opening my freshman-year textbooks, I started from the first page. By 3 a.m., I’d finished two books, every concept burned into my memory. I caught two hours of sleep before heading to school at dawn. By the time my classmates arrived, I’d already memorized both volumes of freshman English vocabulary. “Zoe Miller’s actually studying? That’s a first!” “Only six months until the SATs. Even if she tries, the best she can hope for is community college.” “With her grades? A state school’s out of reach. She’ll end up in some overpriced for-profit college at best.” I ignored the chatter. My scores would do the talking. Chloe showed up late as usual, barely beating the bell. “Zoe, why didn’t you wake me up this morning?” she complained. “I’ll be at school by 5 a.m. from now on. Set your own alarm if you want to join me.” Chloe looked puzzled. “Why would you get here so early? You don’t even study.” From behind me, Ethan chimed in. “Your sister’s been up since dawn memorizing vocab. She’s already gone through two books. Something’s seriously up with her.” Chloe froze, then exploded, “Zoe, we’re just here to get a degree. After we graduate, we’ll both head to Midwest Automotive. I’ve heard top workers make good money there—over $4,000 a month!” I pulled out my phone and played the video I’d recorded. “If the factory’s so great, why are you sneaking in late-night study sessions?” Chloe’s face went pale. Ethan grabbed my phone and barked, “Chloe Miller! No wonder you always ditch our games midway. You’ve been secretly studying all this time!” “All that effort, and you still only scored in the 400s? Guess your brain’s not built for this.” Chloe flushed with rage. She opened her notebook and tried memorizing vocab, but after ten repetitions, she still couldn’t get it. After school, I still went with the rich kids to the Nexus Lounge. I wasn’t about to cut ties with them. Someday, they’d be valuable connections. In my past life, Chloe snatched up all the relationships I’d worked so hard to cultivate. This time, that wasn’t happening.

After leading my team to five straight wins, I rushed home. When I walked in, my parents immediately went on the offensive. “Well, look who decided to come home early! Didn’t you say you’d rather die at Nexus Lounge than come back here?” “Why don’t you just stay there forever? Let’s see what kind of SAT scores you’ll pull off.” In my last life, my parents had tried everything to get me to study, but I blindly believed Chloe’s lies and rebelled. Eventually, they gave up on me, only making sure I wasn’t starving but otherwise washing their hands of me. After my death, though, they mourned for a long time. My mom was hospitalized from the grief. I dropped to my knees with a thud. “Mom, Dad, I’m sorry. I was so stupid before. I’ll study hard and get into a good college—I swear!” My mom turned to look at me, stunned. Then she quickly wiped her tears, pretending she wasn’t crying. My dad helped me up immediately. “It’s alright. You finally understand. I always knew you weren’t a bad kid at heart. There’s not much time left, but give it your all. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll figure something out—even if it means taking a gap year.” I nodded firmly. “Don’t worry. I’ll get in on the first try. I’m aiming for Stanford!” Chloe stepped out of her room holding her notebook. “Zoe, why are you back? Weren’t you gaming with Ethan and the others at Nexus?” She walked up to me, fake innocence dripping from her expression, before dramatically pinching her nose. “Eww, Zoe, you reek of cigarettes! The smell is unbearable!” My mom leaned in, sniffed, and instantly slapped me across the face. “I knew it! You can’t change your ways, can you? Lying about studying, coming home stinking of smoke. With grades like yours, scoring in the 200s on the SAT, and skipping class to play games, if you can get into Stanford, then pigs might fly!” Disappointed, my dad sighed and followed my mom back to their room. Alone with me, Chloe dropped her mask. “Zoe, stop wasting your time. Six months isn’t enough for you to surpass me. I’ve been holding back; I’m not just a 400-range scorer.” I laughed coldly and walked to my room. Words wouldn’t convince anyone—I’d let my results speak for themselves. Weekly tests rolled around, and while I showed improvement, my scores were still far from good. Chloe, on the other hand, dropped her façade and performed at her real level—second in the class and tenth in the grade. The homeroom teacher praised me, saying I had a shot at getting into a state college. I glanced at Chloe’s test papers. She hadn’t solved the hardest questions. Her brain just wasn’t built for it. Chloe shoved her paper in front of me, pointing at her scores. “Zoe, look! I got a near-perfect score in English and 1290 on the practice SAT. What about you?” She pretended to examine my scores. “Wow, a 590 in math? So close! If the test was out of 800, you’d be just okay. Too bad it’s out of 1600, and you’re way below average.” “Oh, and you’re so much better in reading and writing—600 in English! Your verbal scores definitely beat your math!” Ethan tried to console me. “Zoe, maybe studying isn’t your thing. You’ve stopped pulling all-nighters with us at Nexus. Without you, we’re losing ranks like crazy!” Chloe jumped in with fake scolding. “Ethan, don’t say that about my sister. She’s aiming for Stanford!” The whole class erupted in laughter. “Seriously? Zoe Miller, the future Stanford scholar?” “With a total score under 1000, she thinks she can get into Stanford? That’s hilarious!” “She must think she owns Stanford and can just waltz in whenever she wants.” Ignoring them, I pulled out a SAT prep workbook and got back to solving problems. Suddenly, my homeroom teacher, Mr. Davis, barged into the classroom, waving a stack of scratch paper. “Zoe, is this yours?” I nodded, confused. To my surprise, Mr. Davis hugged me. “You’re a genius, Zoe! An absolute genius!” “The principal always says I can’t teach beyond General Track students. But here I am, proving him wrong—teaching a future Stanford student!” Chloe froze in shock. “Mr. Davis, my sister’s scores improved, sure, but she’s still under 1000. How could she possibly get into Stanford?” Mr. Davis patted my shoulder proudly. “She’ll make it. Zoe is the smartest student I’ve ever taught.” Ethan muttered, “Is Mr. Davis losing it?” Mock exam results came out, and the school rankings were posted in the hallway. Chloe ranked 20th in the grade. I placed 98th. Chloe immediately seized the chance to mock me. “Wow, Zoe! You’ve improved so much—up to 98th! Stanford is just around the corner!” Laughter echoed through the halls. The grade director, who had been watching, muttered, “Zoe Miller could be ranked first in the grade.” Chloe’s face twisted in anger. “Zoe’s scores are pathetic. Why does everyone believe in her? There’s no way she can go from a 200-range to 1500+ in six months!” Leaning close, I whispered, “Want to know why everyone believes I can make it to Stanford?” I spread out my test papers and answer sheets in front of her. Chloe’s eyes widened as she scanned them. “This can’t be real!” “It’s impossible! You must have cheated! I’m reporting you!” My answer sheet was a masterpiece. I’d ignored all the simple, basic questions but solved every difficult one, using elegant shortcuts. Chloe had only answered half of the questions I had—and she’d gotten some wrong. Grabbing my papers, she stormed into the principal’s office, bursting in without knocking. “Principal Wilson, I’m here to report Zoe Miller from 11-B for cheating on the mock exam!” Inside, the principal sat with several teachers, analyzing my test papers. Seeing us, Dr. Wilson gestured for me to join them. “Perfect timing, Zoe. We were just discussing your results. Can you explain why you left all the easy questions blank but solved the hardest ones so well?” “I didn’t want to discourage my peers. If I went all out from the start, my scores would be too intimidating. I’ll save my best performance for the final mock and the SATs.” I glanced at Chloe, whose face darkened. Mr. Davis laughed. “Exactly as I thought! Zoe’s strategy is brilliant.” Dr. Wilson made an immediate decision. “Both Zoe and Chloe are being transferred to the Honors Track.” I refused the transfer—it didn’t matter where I studied. Chloe, however, declined for one reason: she needed to stay close to sabotage me. After school, Chloe gathered Ethan and some others to corner me. “Zoe, let’s do an all-nighter at Nexus tonight. I’ve got a big promotion match.” I agreed, leading them to five more wins before heading home. Just as I was leaving, a man, at least seven or eight years older than me, leaned over from behind and wrapped his arms around me. “Your moves are sloppy. Let me teach you.” The stink of body odor and cheap cologne made me gag as I slipped away. “Who the hell are you?” Chloe stepped forward. “Zoe, this is Ricky, the most powerful man around here. With him protecting you, no one would dare mess with you.” Ricky lit a cigarette, blowing smoke rings as if he were the star of some cheesy movie. “Zoe Miller, I like you. You’re my girlfriend now. Let’s go.” Chloe shoved my bag at me, grinning. “You’re so lucky, Zoe. I’ll cover for you with Mom and Dad.” Ricky reached for me, but I darted away. “Don’t touch me.” Ricky grinned, revealing yellowed teeth. “Quit playing hard to get. Your sister says you throw yourself at men all the time.” Ethan stepped between us, pulling me behind him. “I don’t care who you think you are, Ricky. Back off. Lay a finger on Zoe, and I’ll end you.” Ricky, furious at being challenged, lunged at Ethan, who held his ground.

The fight landed us all at the Midtown Police Precinct. Ethan sported a few bruises, but Ricky looked worse—his nose broken as he whined to the officers. When my parents arrived, they were livid. “You’re not only ruining yourself, Zoe, but dragging Chloe down with you. How many times do I have to tell you to stop being a bad influence?” My mom tried to slap me again, but an officer stopped her. “Mrs. Miller, please calm down. Things aren’t what they seem.” Before the officer could explain, Chloe burst into tears. “Mom, I’ve been trying so hard to help Zoe. She’s improved her scores recently, so I thought if I kept her away from gaming, she could do even better. I saw her at Nexus again tonight and tried to bring her home, but then she got involved with this guy, and things escalated.” “Maybe you should send her to a digital detox retreat. Once she’s better, she can take the SAT again and aim for Stanford!” My mom sighed heavily. “Maybe that’s the only way. Zoe used to be so bright, but gaming has ruined her. I’ll call the program tomorrow.” Ethan, head bandaged, rushed to defend me. “Mrs. Miller, Chloe’s lying! She’s the one who dragged Zoe to Nexus tonight. She even set Zoe up with Ricky, trying to force her into being his girlfriend. Zoe refused, and that’s why I stepped in!” Chloe’s face turned pale as she stammered, “Ethan, I know you like Zoe, but you don’t have to make up stories for her. Why would I ever associate with someone like Ricky?” “If Zoe’s such a saint, why does Ricky say she’s been hanging around him for ages?” My mom, without waiting to hear more, slapped me. “I’m so disappointed in you, Zoe. If you won’t focus on school, at least stop hanging out with these kinds of people. You’re going to the retreat tomorrow. And you’ll cut ties with Ricky.” Behind my mom, Chloe smirked triumphantly.

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Three hours after my husband’s affair went viral, he came to me with divorce papers— and asked me to cooperate. He said it was temporary. Said he needed me to step aside so the woman he loved wouldn’t break under public pressure. The only person he was willing to sacrifice was me. Last life, I screamed, begged, and fought. I lost everything. This time, I didn’t argue. I signed. He thought my silence meant obedience. He didn’t know I simply never went back. “Claire, after this is all over, will you remarry me?” I was sitting on a stone bench in the villa garden, lost in thought when Julian and Emily walked up to me. Just three hours ago, Emily was exposed by the paparazzi as Julian’s lover. The whole internet dug into her past, calling her the mistress who ruined the sweet love between Julian and me, a homewrecker. Julian’s image as the loving husband collapsed, and the Chapman Group’s stock began to tumble. In my past life, when Julian came to me with those divorce papers, I was furious. I tore up the roses he had planted for me in the yard and screamed at him, demanding to know his relationship with Emily. She was just the daughter of his mentor. There were a million ways he could have handled this. But he chose to sacrifice me. He did it only to avoid worsening Emily’s depression. What he didn’t know was that, during the media frenzy, I had been diagnosed with moderate depression. “Claire,” Julian called my name again, pulling me out of my daze. I looked down at the divorce papers on the stone table. He kneeled on one knee before me, his deep eyes fixed on mine. His warm hand gently covered my hand, his tone coaxing and gentle. “Claire, please, for me, will you? “We’ll tell everyone that our marriage was already on the rocks. We planned to divorce a year ago but just didn’t find the right time.” I stayed silent. Behind him, Emily, dressed in a white dress with Julian’s jacket draped over her shoulders, had pale lips and red, swollen eyes. “Claire, please help me,” she pleaded, her voice weak, tears in her eyes. “My mother killed herself because of online bullying and depression. I don’t want to follow in her footsteps. Please, Claire, I’m begging you…” Just as Emily was about to kneel, Julian quickly stood up, caught her, and held her close. His face darkened as he softly scolded, “What are you doing?” Emily swallowed, her voice still trembling with emotion. She looked down with her tearful eyes. “I… I just want Claire to feel better.” Julian’s expression grew impatient, and he looked at me, the tenderness in his gaze fading completely. “Claire, I didn’t come here to negotiate. “I’ve already made up my mind. If you’re unwilling to divorce, don’t blame me…” I slowly looked up to meet his gaze. His words stopped, but I knew what he was about to say. He wanted to say, “Claire, you know my methods. I have countless ways to make you sign those papers. “If we go to court, you won’t win against the Chapman Group’s lawyers.” Those were his exact words in my past life. Eventually, I was set up and sent to the beds of several male models with proof of my affair. Overnight, I became the adulterous woman, publicly humiliated, while he and Emily were seen as innocent victims. “I can sign the papers, but you have to promise me one thing,” after a long pause, I spoke.

Julian glanced at me and then nodded in agreement. He handed me the pen, and without any change in my expression, I signed my name on the divorce agreement. “Aren’t you going to look over the agreement again?” Julian asked, furrowing his brow. I smiled faintly, “No need.” He left with almost nothing, giving up all his assets to me, just for Emily, just to repay a past kindness. “Take some time tomorrow to go to the courthouse,” he said. “Okay,” I replied. Julian paused for a moment with the divorce papers in his hand. He looked at me, his eyes filled with confusion, but in the end, he said nothing. As they were leaving, Emily turned around and shot me a mocking glance, her lips silently moving. “You lost.” I did lose. I lost last time, so now I didn’t want to lose anymore. After a while, my phone lit up with a message from Julian. [I’m sorry for making you go through this today, Claire.] [Once this is all over, I’ll throw you a grand wedding, and we’ll remarry.] [I couldn’t just stand by and watch Emily’s depression worsen. You understand, don’t you?] I read his message and couldn’t help but smile, tears welling in my eyes. It was the same in my past life. To force me into a divorce, Julian had his friends come up with schemes and then got so drunk. But he forgot, his friends were also my friends. Arthur Dodson had tried to persuade Julian, telling him not to sacrifice his marriage just for Emily. Then, he came to me, trying to get me to understand Julian, saying that he was a good man. If it hadn’t been for Emily’s father recognizing Julian’s abilities, investing in him, and helping him start his business, Julian wouldn’t be where he was today. Back then, I had cried and argued back. “Julian could have cleared things up a thousand different ways. Why did it have to be a divorce?” Arthur fell silent. He had asked Julian, and Julian had replied at the time. “There has to be someone I let down, so I’ll make Claire suffer. She loves me, and she’ll understand.” Because I loved him, I sacrificed myself. Where was the fairness in that? Luckily, I still had a chance.

When it came to anything involving Emily, Julian always acted quickly. Just hours after signing the divorce papers with me, he arranged a press conference and sent his assistant to invite me to attend and clarify things. I hadn’t even said a word yet. The assistant thought I might refuse, but fortunately, he relayed Julian’s message to me. He said, “Ms. Buckley, you should attend this press conference. Even if it’s not for Mr. Chapman, at least for your reputation.” I paused for a moment and then gave a cynical laugh. Julian was threatening me. He was trying to use the same tactics he had in my past life to force me into submission, to smear my name, and let me struggle under public opinion. In the end, I would have no choice but to give in. I still couldn’t figure out whether Julian saw me as his wife or as his enemy… Now, he wanted to publicly clarify his relationship with me. I had no choice either. The press conference was held in the grand lobby of Jymara’s most luxurious hotel, with only the most influential reporters invited. When Emily appeared in a dress, arm-in-arm with Julian, the reporters swarmed them. Julian instinctively shielded Emily, stepping in front of her to block the microphones with a smile. “I’ll answer all your questions one by one. Please give us some space.” His voice was gentle, and as he looked up, he happened to meet my eyes. I was surrounded by reporters. At that moment, I actually hoped Julian would step in and help me out of this situation. But the next second… He calmly shifted his gaze away, his smile still present as he held Emily’s hand and walked onto the stage as if he hadn’t seen me at all. I gave a bitter laugh. The reporter closest to me seemed to be an intern, nervously handing me the microphone and asking. “Ms. Buckley, is it true that you’re divorced from Mr. Chapman?” “Yes,” I smiled and nodded in response. The intern adjusted her glasses. “But you met Mr. Chapman in high school, dated for seven years, and were married for five. “Mr. Chapman even bought you an island last month, spending a fortune, and named it after you.” I kept smiling, but it was not a warm one. “That’s what he owes me.” To make up for missing my birthday while caring for the sick Emily, he gave me that gift. In my past life, I had even felt proud of that gesture, only to later learn that the idea was Arthur’s, the island was picked by Julian’s assistant, and Julian didn’t even know where it was. “Do you still love Mr. Chapman?” She looked at me nervously, and the reporters around me fell silent. Even Julian, on stage, looked at me. His brows furrowed slightly. I met his gaze for a moment and then smiled and said, “Not anymore.”

I didn’t stay for the rest of the interview. After Julian clarified that our marriage had been falling apart for over a year, I left. Overnight, I became Julian’s dumped woman. Meanwhile, Emily became the only victim of this public scandal. That interview stayed pinned on social media for days, and the buzz didn’t die down. Especially the part where Julian said: [Claire and I had already planned to divorce a year ago, but it wasn’t the right time.] [We wanted to handle it quietly, but now it has affected others, so we had to clarify things publicly.] [Emily is not the cause of our breakup.] [She is the only person my mentor cares about in this world. I take care of her, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I hope everyone can look at this rationally.] Some fans, led by this, claimed that the reason our relationship fell apart was because I couldn’t stand the idea of Julian’s pure sibling bond with Emily and that I was too petty, unable to understand his deep loyalty. They said I was small-minded, and after five years of marriage, I hadn’t learned Julian’s sense of loyalty and care. The topic kept gaining traction for days. I became the target of public scorn. After getting the divorce certificate from the courthouse, I walked out. Julian stopped me. “Don’t take what’s said online to heart. It won’t be long before everyone forgets about it.” I stopped in my tracks and couldn’t help but laugh lightly. How was it that the difference was so stark, even though we were both being slandered online? “Claire, the Christmas is only two months away. “Why don’t we remarry early next year?” He looked at me, stepping closer, but I took a step back and, with a calm expression, turned my gaze to the reporters not far away, blocked by the bodyguards. Julian seemed to sense that it wasn’t the right moment and stopped in his tracks. “Julian, I’m going back to Gerelden.” “You really haven’t been back in a long time. It might be good for you to visit. When Christmas comes, I’ll come to pick you up…” “I’m not going back to Jymara,” I calmly interrupted Julian. His faint smile froze on his face, and his eyes were filled with confusion. I continued, “When I agreed to sign the divorce agreement, you promised me something. Now, it’s time to fulfill that promise.” Julian stared at me, stunned. When I first came back to life this time, it only took me a few seconds to digest my feelings of love and resentment towards Julian. The moment I saw the divorce papers, I considered going crazy and tearing them up, maybe even causing more trouble with him. But in the end, reason prevailed. After a long silence, I smiled. “Julian, I hope you never show up in front of me again.”

After Claire finished speaking and disappeared into the crowd, Julian was left frozen, unable to react. For a brief moment, he felt a strange panic, as if he were about to lose something incredibly important. It was the same feeling he had when Claire calmly signed the divorce papers, a quiet unease in his heart. She hadn’t yelled or caused a scene. It seemed as though she had already predicted the outcome. But just not long ago, Claire had been furious with him for forgetting her birthday, causing a huge uproar. He even got slapped by her. He had thought when he brought up about faking the divorce, Claire would have gone crazy, causing a scene, and he was even prepared for it. But she didn’t. She picked up the pen. Her expression was calm. At that moment, he had thought about stopping her, but in the end, he did nothing. He convinced himself it was okay, that Claire loved him. They were only faking it, and after things settled down, he would propose to her again, giving her the marriage she deserved. But Emily was different. She couldn’t be hurt because of him. If it hadn’t been for Emily’s father recognizing his talent all those years ago, taking the risk of being kicked out of the shareholders’ meeting to invest in his project, and helping him grow and rise as a new force in Jymara, he wouldn’t have achieved what he had today. He didn’t deserve Emily. Before Emily’s father passed away, he had asked him to protect Emily, to ensure she lived a peaceful life. He didn’t want to be the kind of person who betrayed his word. Arthur had once asked him, “If one day, both Emily and Claire fall off a cliff, who would you save?” At the time, he laughed, thinking the question was beneath him. He would save Emily, but he would die with Claire. Arthur laughed along but then asked, “But what if Claire doesn’t want to die? “Julian, you can’t always take Claire’s love for granted. If she can’t feel your love, she will despair.” At the time, he didn’t take his words seriously. He had never even considered them important. He didn’t expect it, but in the end, his words came true.

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Outside the exam center, she broke down crying, pointing at me and screaming: “It was him! Alex drugged me and took me to a hotel!” “I only rejected his confession—he destroyed my entire future!” Her parents rushed at me on the spot, fists flying: “You animal! We worked ourselves to death to get her into college— and you ruined everything with one sick obsession?!” “People like you deserve to rot in prison forever!” The parents waiting nearby exploded with rage: “Right before the SATs and he does something like this? Disgusting!” “Expose him online! Let his whole family pay for what he did!” But when the police pulled up the surveillance footage and played that video— The entire crowd outside the exam center fell into a dead, terrifying silence. “Alex, what’s your problem?! Can you stop being so sensitive every time a guy shows up around me?!” The familiar voice snapped me back to reality. I looked down at my hands, free of handcuffs, And at Sophia in front of me, angrily gesturing… I really had been reborn! In my previous life, I had tried to stop Sophia from going out with Chad to celebrate her birthday on this day. Sophia had gotten into her dream school as planned, But Chad had ended up in prison for killing someone while drunk. After hearing the news, Sophia had invited me over to her house and set me up, Taking off her clothes and filming a video before calling the police. I was sent to prison. My parents, devastated by the online attacks, committed suicide. When my parents were dying, Sophia was right outside the door, Coldly filming their final moments before leaving with a smile. The next day she visited me in prison, And showed me that video in its entirety, Screaming at me hysterically: “Alex, if you hadn’t stopped me, how could Chad have ended up in prison?! I’ve always had top grades, even if I had gone out with Chad the night before exams I still would have gotten into my dream school! You’re just selfish! Chad died for nothing, so I’m going to make your whole family pay!” I had a congenital heart condition, which Sophia knew about. So when I had a heart attack after seeing the video, I saw the smile lingering on Sophia’s lips… This chilling memory made my expression darken further. “Oh come on, Soph, you have to understand our valedictorian Alex here. He’s too scared to take you out partying, so of course he’s a bit jealous that Chad gets to hang out with you…” Sophia’s friend’s words pulled me back to the present. Sophia looked at me with disdain and laughed. Then she linked arms with her friend and said coyly: “Chad said he has a big surprise planned for my birthday celebration tonight. I’m so excited! Getting to celebrate turning 18 with such a hot guy, I’m sure I’ll do even better on the SATs tomorrow…” I laughed coldly to myself. Earlier that morning, I had overheard Chad talking to his friend in the bathroom: “Tonight I’m going to show that little girl a real good time, don’t any of you dare interrupt us!” “But she has the SATs tomorrow, don’t go too crazy!” “The SATs? My girl doesn’t need to worry about the SATs. Once she’s in college, she won’t have anything to do with me anymore…” It was because I had overheard this conversation that I had desperately tried to stop Sophia in my previous life. This wasn’t a birthday celebration at all, It was a plot to ruin Sophia’s entire future… But Sophia was too naive to see it. Thinking of this, I looked up at Sophia’s flushed face and smiled. “Go ahead, Sophia. I’m sure with that hot Chad by your side tonight, you’ll do great on the SATs tomorrow.”

Sophia was stunned for a moment by my response, But quickly smiled again at the thought of her upcoming date. Realizing I needed to get home to prepare for tomorrow’s exam, I picked up my backpack to leave. But as soon as I stood up, Sophia’s friend pushed me back into my chair. Sophia glared at me coldly and quickly snatched my phone and test admission ticket. “Trying to leave? I bet you just want to go home and tattle to my parents! I’ll keep these safe for you and give them back at the test site tomorrow. If you dare tell my parents, you can forget about taking the SATs!” I looked at Sophia helplessly. “Sophia, you know how important these tests are to me. I promise I won’t tell your parents, but please don’t mess with my future, okay?” Whether Sophia would even make it to the test site tomorrow was questionable. There was no way I could leave my admission ticket with her. Seeing that Sophia had no intention of returning it, I quickly stood up and rushed over to her, Grabbing the ticket that was still in her hand. My tone was icier than ever before: “Sophia, give it back.” “Oh ho, looks like our valedictorian is angry! See Soph, you guessed right, judging by his reaction he was definitely planning to go tattle to your parents! We can’t give this back to him!” Sophia’s hand, which had started to loosen slightly, Tightened its grip on the ticket again after her friend’s goading. Sophia was a girl after all, so her strength couldn’t compare to mine. I squeezed her wrist hard, and her grip started to weaken from the pain. “Soph! Think about your date with Chad, we can’t let it get ruined!” Sophia’s expression suddenly changed. She quickly used all her strength and yanked backwards! “Riiiiip…” My admission ticket tore in half… The friends who had been egging Sophia on suddenly went pale. Tears that had been welling up in my eyes for a long time finally fell. An overwhelming sense of despair and helplessness washed over me. Even in this new life, I had lost my future… Sophia’s face cycled through various shades of green and white. After a long moment, She threw the torn ticket at me. “Alex, this is your own fault for trying to stop me from going out with Chad! You brought this on yourself!” With that, she grabbed her friend and ran out like mad. As soon as the classroom door closed, I heard laughter from outside. “Soph, that Alex really is your lapdog, huh? You ripped up his admission ticket and he didn’t even dare say anything!” “Ugh, he’s always been that weak. How could he compare to Chad’s confidence and charm…” Sophia’s words pierced my heart like a needle. My tolerance for her had been mistaken for weakness… Sophia and I had studied together every day since middle school, Getting into our dream college together was the future we had promised each other. But ever since Sophia met Chad outside of school, everything had changed. Today’s Sophia clearly no longer wanted a shared future with me. Thinking of this, I threw the torn ticket in the trash. I knocked on the door of our guidance counselor’s office. “Mrs. Davis, I’ve made up my mind about that full scholarship to State University. I think it’s a better fit for me than Ivy College…” Mrs. Davis looked at me with delight. “Good, you shouldn’t have given it up in the first place. State U’s physics lab will be perfect for you to shine.” When I got home and told my parents I wouldn’t be taking the SATs, they breathed a sigh of relief. They had been worried when I gave up the sure thing at State U for Sophia’s sake. Now things had worked out the way they wanted after all…

We had just finished dinner when there was urgent knocking at the door. I opened it to find Sophia’s parents, looking extremely anxious. “Alex, do you know where Sophia went? She just sent us a message and now won’t answer her phone. The SATs are tomorrow, where could that child have run off to?” My mom chimed in, looking at me expectantly. “Alex, you’re always with Sophia…” “I don’t know,” I cut my mom off and looked up at Mrs. Rodriguez to answer her. “Alex, do you at least know where she usually likes to go?” I gave an awkward smile. “I really don’t know, Mrs. Rodriguez…” Mrs. Rodriguez shook her head helplessly and left, having gotten no leads. As soon as the door closed, my dad poked his head out from inside. “Did you and Sophia have a fight? How could you not know where she went?” I just smiled at my dad and went back to my room. Of course I wasn’t going to say anything. Let her enjoy her wonderful night with her dear Chad! My mom was on the PTA, So early the next morning she dragged me and my dad to volunteer at the test center. As soon as we got to the entrance, I saw Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez looking frantic. When they spotted me, they rushed over. Mrs. Davis hurried over as well. “Alex, Sophia didn’t come home all night. Weren’t you two together at school yesterday? Did she tell you where she was going?!” Mrs. Davis asked me too: “Alex, you know how important these tests are for Sophia. They’re about to start and there’s still no sign of her. Please think hard, where could she have gone?” I looked at Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez’s panicked faces and felt a pang in my heart. But the image of my parents’ tragic deaths in my previous life flashed through my mind. I gritted my teeth and looked up at them. “I really don’t know…” Seeing my expression, Mrs. Davis sighed and patted Mrs. Rodriguez’s shoulder. “Alex’s an honest kid. Maybe he really doesn’t know. Let’s think of other ways to find her…” But I knew they wouldn’t find her… Chad never intended to let Sophia take the test. She was probably passed out in some hotel bed right now… Sure enough, the exams started and Sophia still hadn’t shown up… Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez were ordinary working class people. To let Sophia focus on her studies, Mrs. Rodriguez had quit her job to take care of Sophia full-time. Mr. Rodriguez worked three jobs, sleeping only 3 hours a day. They had worked so hard for over a decade to give Sophia this opportunity, But their usually obedient and sensible daughter had disappeared before the most important test… The moment they closed the test center gates, Mrs. Rodriguez completely broke down. She collapsed to the ground, wailing hysterically… “Mom…” Finally, just as the first exam was about to end, Sophia appeared at the entrance, disheveled and stumbling. Mrs. Rodriguez sprang up from the ground and rushed over to Sophia. She slapped Sophia hard across the face. “You ungrateful child! Where on earth did you run off to…?!” I was sitting with my parents in the shade nearby, about to stand up, when Sophia spoke: “Mom, it was Alex! Yesterday at school he confessed his feelings for me but I rejected him. He was angry and drugged me, taking me to a hotel. I only just woke up. Alex has ruined my life…”

I froze in shock. Before I could react, Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez were charging in my direction. Sophia clearly hadn’t expected me to be there. When she saw me, she quickly lowered her head. Remembering my parents’ tragic fate in my previous life, I quickly stepped in front of my parents to shield them. Then Mr. Rodriguez’s fist slammed into my face. “You beast! Just because Sophia rejected you, you had to ruin her?! Do you know how much our family sacrificed for today?!” I wanted to explain, but Mr. Rodriguez was too enraged. Before I could speak, he kicked me to the ground. That punch seemed to have used all of Mr. Rodriguez’s strength. I felt my nose break, Blood immediately gushing out, Covering my eyes, nose and mouth. My dad saw me get hurt and rushed over like a madman, But just as he reached me, Mr. Rodriguez knocked him down with one kick. Mr. Rodriguez had worked manual labor jobs for years and was incredibly strong. “Like father, like son! I’ll kill you both right here! You’ve ruined Sophia’s future! You don’t deserve to live!” More and more parents gathered around, Many of whom knew about Sophia’s excellent grades. When they heard I had ruined her chances at the exams out of revenge, they were furious too. They all rushed forward, Raining blows down on me and my father. “The father is to blame for not teaching his son well. We’ll teach you both a lesson today! Young punks like you are a plague on society!” “Mr. Rodriguez, beat them hard! If you kill them, we’ll all be witnesses for you!” Fighting through the pain, I looked at Sophia in the crowd. Her tearful face from moments ago now bore a hint of a smug smile. The last shred of feeling I had for Sophia completely died. I finally woke up. The Sophia of today was no longer the girl who used to follow me around asking for help with math problems. Since that was the case, there was no need to preserve her dignity anymore! Summoning my last bit of strength, I pulled out my phone, Found the video Chad had sent me last night, and pressed play, Turning the volume up to maximum…

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At the press conference, my wife, Valerie, was about to unveil her new partner. But then, Liam, her newly hired male assistant, walked onto the stage holding a little girl. “Lily, Mommy’s calling for you on stage!” Immediately, the crowd erupted, reporters clamoring for details about Valerie’s love life. Valerie didn’t refute it. Instead, she dotingly embraced the little girl, placing a million-dollar piece of the company’s new jewelry on her. “Yes, we have a child.” Seeing me frozen in place, the reporters in the audience, eager for drama, pressed on. “Director Asher, you’ve worked alongside Valerie for so long, shouldn’t you have something to say on such a monumental day?” I managed a calm smile, then tossed the jewelry blueprints I’d painstakingly designed for a year to Liam. “Double the good news! These new product blueprints are a gift from me. Consider it a welcome present for your daughter!” When everyone saw me hand over the blueprints to the newcomer, Liam, they paused for a moment, then burst into a chorus of cheers. “That’s Director Asher for you, always so generous! Giving away such priceless designs just like that – those are a year’s worth of your hard work!” “Director Asher, you dote on Valerie’s daughter so much, why not just be her official guardian?” Liam’s chin lifted proudly as he shot me a triumphant smirk. Valerie, however, pressed her lips into a thin line, her deep-set eyes boring into me. Watching her squirm with embarrassment, I found it utterly laughable. We had been married for ten years, yet she always used the excuse of “impacting company development” to avoid going public with our marriage. To keep us discreet, she never picked me up or dropped me off, leaving me to brave crowded public transport every morning. At the office, she maintained a strict professional distance, forbidding me from calling her “wife,” insisting I use her full name, “Valerie.” I never complained, silently enduring our secret marriage for a decade, helping her build the company from the ground up and grow it into a powerhouse. It wasn’t until yesterday, when my new jewelry line won first place in a major design competition, worth millions and bringing in numerous partnerships, that she finally agreed to announce my identity at tomorrow’s press conference as a reward. I was so overjoyed by her concession that I didn’t sleep a wink. The next day, I woke up early, primped myself, and even spent half a year’s salary on a sharp, expensive suit, just to look the part beside Valerie. In the end, the person standing by her side wasn’t me. I was nothing but the biggest punchline. In the past, I would have thrown a massive fit. But now, I simply watched the “family of three” on stage with a serene expression. “May your family of three live happily ever after.” Valerie’s eyes hardened, and she opened her mouth to speak, but her words were cut short by the little girl’s cries. Liam tugged on Valerie’s sleeve. “Valerie, Lily seems to be scared and crying…” Hearing this, Valerie shot me a scathing look, her voice low and cutting. “Look what you’ve done!” With that, she waved her hand, pushing me aside. Then, she scooped up Lily, took Liam’s hand, and left the venue without looking back. That shove, combined with my ill-fitting dress shoes, caused my ankle to twist. I stumbled and fell to the ground, my head slamming into the champagne tower. Glass flutes rained down on me, a dull ache shot through my back, and champagne drenched my suit. Valerie didn’t even glance back. Watching her cold retreat, I felt a sharp pang of irony. She treated strangers better than her own husband and daughter. Lily was merely startled into tears, and Valerie was a mess. But when our own daughter was delirious with fever, she couldn’t have cared less. Once, Valerie and I also had a daughter, Daisy, who was five years old. One time, Daisy had a fever, and I happened to be away on a business trip, unable to care for her myself. I could only plead with Valerie to take good care of her. She promised she would, but then she just left Daisy home alone for a work dinner, letting her fever rage for three whole hours. By the time I rushed back, Daisy was gone. Valerie and I had a terrible fight that day. Later, she knelt before me, crying and repenting. But I remembered how she’d saved my life years ago, and my heart softened. I forgave her. I was so foolish back then. Not anymore. Thinking this, I pushed myself up. I didn’t stay behind to clean up Valerie’s mess, as I usually would. Instead, I turned and walked out of the venue. After leaving the venue, I hailed a cab home, planning to disinfect and bandage my wounds with iodine and gauze. The moment I walked through the door, I saw Liam and Lily laughing on the couch. Lily was holding my daughter’s favorite teddy bear. Seeing me enter, Liam’s lips curved into a smirk. “Asher, you’re back! Lily said she wanted to see your place, so Valerie just brought us over and told us to make ourselves at home!” He even took out the blueprint, twirling it in his hand, flaunting it in front of me. “I hear these are your precious designs, and the necklace Lily’s wearing? You designed it specifically for your daughter, right?” “I just had to say the word, and Valerie practically handed it all over to us, didn’t she?” “Asher, if I want something of yours, it’ll eventually be mine. So if you’re smart, just get out now! Save yourself the embarrassment of being thrown out later!” In the past, his provocations would have infuriated me. Now, I merely glanced at him indifferently, then turned to go upstairs. I was in a hurry to clean my wounds; I didn’t have time for his mind games. But Liam blocked my path. The next second, he deliberately ripped the necklace from Lily’s neck and slapped her across the face. Lily’s cheek turned crimson from the slap, and she screamed, terrified. Liam pulled Lily into his arms and deliberately shouted, “Asher, I know you’re mad at me about the press conference. Take it out on me, but Lily is just a child!” I almost laughed. This was his usual trick. Sure enough, the next second, Valerie stormed in. Seeing Lily’s swollen, red face, her expression turned dark with anger, and she slapped me across the face. “Asher, you’ve gone too far! How could you harm an innocent child?” “Lily is Liam’s niece. He was just trying to lighten the mood, playing around. Why are you always so petty?” It was a pathetic act, but Valerie fell for it hook, line, and sinker. If this had happened before, seeing her so blatantly favoring Liam, I would have been consumed by anger and jealousy. But now, my heart was still, devoid of any sadness. I calmly picked up the necklace from the floor, handed it to Liam, and smiled serenely. “You were kind enough to try and liven things up. I appreciate it, how could I blame you?” “In fact, to thank you, I’ve reserved a table at a five-star restaurant.” I opened my phone and showed them the reservation. I’d originally booked it to celebrate with Valerie after our announcement. Now, it was clearly unnecessary. Seeing I wasn’t bluffing, Valerie went silent, then mumbled awkwardly, “I’ll transfer you the money for dinner.” I waved my hand, declining her offer. Valerie’s tone softened a fraction. “Asher, you’ve become much more understanding. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely make it up to you once I announce our relationship.” But she didn’t know that a man who suddenly becomes “understanding” isn’t weak. It just means he’s stopped loving you. This time, I decided I would be the one to leave first!

After that, Valerie took Liam and Lily to dinner. I went upstairs to clean my wounds. When I took off my dress shoes, my ankle was red and swollen. My heels were covered in blisters, some of which had popped and were bleeding. As the iodine poured over them, I gasped, sucking in a sharp breath. It really stung. I’d always hated dress shoes, but Valerie loved them, especially seeing me wear them. For years, to accommodate her preferences, I’d forced myself to wear them. Even though my feet would always be rubbed raw and bleed, I endured it. Now, looking back, I realized how incredibly foolish I had been. After cleaning my wounds, I changed into comfortable slippers and tossed the dress shoes into the trash. Compared to shoes that rubbed my feet raw, I preferred comfortable slippers. This time, I didn’t want to accommodate anyone else. I wanted to live for myself. With that thought, I decisively pulled out my phone and messaged a major corporation that had long been interested in me. “I accept your offer.” They replied instantly: “Asher, you finally came around! Just name your start date; we’re ready whenever you are.” This big corporation was the leading enterprise in the state. Their CEO had always been impressed by my skills and design abilities, constantly offering me lucrative deals with amazing salary and benefits. But I’d always turned them down. Valerie needed me; most of the company’s operations were propped up by me, and all new product lines relied on my designs. I sacrificed my future, willingly slaving away for Valerie. But once the company was thriving, she discarded me like trash, kicking me aside without a second thought. It was then that I realized genuine affection couldn’t buy genuine affection. I’d forgiven her for what happened with our daughter because she once saved my life. This time, I owed her nothing. We were completely even. Thinking this, I replied to the major corporation: [I’ll report for duty tomorrow.] With that settled, I bought the earliest flight ticket for the next day and started packing my bags. As I packed, I realized my belongings couldn’t even fill one suitcase. The closet was full of Valerie’s suits and evening gowns, while my clothes consisted of only a few faded, worn-out shirts. The only valuable item was a tie clip she’d bought me. Though it was an old-fashioned design from over a decade ago, I treasured it like a precious relic. It was the first gift Valerie had bought me with her first big earnings. Her twenty-something face radiant with a gentle smile, she pinned the tie clip onto me, promising to love me forever, swearing that once she was rich, she’d buy me a whole room full of accessories. But once she was rich, she never bought me another piece of decent jewelry. On our seventh anniversary, I tentatively asked for a set of cufflinks. She got furious, accusing me of being a spendthrift, of not appreciating how hard she worked for her money. After that, to curb my “big spending” habit, she restricted my expenses. Anything over $200 had to be reported to accounting and approved. The person I loved had suddenly become a stranger. When did it change? Perhaps when Liam appeared. Ever since Liam came into the picture, Valerie’s heart had quietly flown away. She meticulously controlled every single one of my expenses, down to the last dime. But for Liam, she was incredibly generous. One casual “I want it,” and she’d splurge on a million-dollar watch for him without a second thought. She always maintained a strict hierarchy, forbidding me from too much personal interaction in the office, but she allowed Liam to jokingly call her “Valerie, sweetie.” Not only that, but she’d take Liam to lunch and the movies during work hours… Lost in thought, I accidentally dropped the tie clip. I picked it up and saw the surface was scratched, revealing the cheap black metal underneath. The tie clip was fake. I found it pathetic. This relationship had been a mistake from the very beginning, and yet I had foolishly clung to it for so many years! Thankfully, it wasn’t too late to wake up. I threw the tie clip into the trash and shredded all our photos together. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was Liam’s latest SnapChat update. The picture showed Valerie holding Lily, letting the child’s greasy little hands smear all over her designer clothes, her eyes filled with doting affection. Liam leaned close, laughing as he fed her a bite of steak, already touched by his saliva. She ate it without a hint of disgust. I found it utterly disgusting. A germaphobe like her! Once, Daisy innocently tried to make her coffee and accidentally spilled some on her expensive leather shoes. Valerie raged at Daisy for an hour, then locked her in the basement for the entire day, without food or water, as ‘punishment.’ Daisy’s health plummeted after that. She became frail and constantly sick. And I just accidentally drank from her water glass once. She smashed the cup right in front of me, her face contorted with disgust. “How disgusting!” So, it was just us, my daughter and me, that she found so “disgusting” and “unclean”! I let out a cold laugh and tapped the ‘like’ button. This only solidified my resolve to leave. I quickened my packing. Once I was done, feeling a bit tired, I took a hot shower and happily went to bed. I had barely fallen asleep when I was awakened by persistent knocking. I didn’t need to guess; it was Valerie. She found entering the password tedious and always expected me to open the door for her. In the past, she wouldn’t even have to knock; she’d just call out, and I’d immediately run to let her in. But now, I simply rolled over and continued sleeping. I was drifting off into dreamland when suddenly, Valerie burst through the door, kicking it open with a bang. She flipped on the light with a sharp click, screaming, “Asher, are you deaf? You’re clearly not asleep, why didn’t you open the door for me!”

The sudden bright light jolted me awake. I’d been sleeping too deeply earlier, so I hadn’t heard any knocking. Seeing Valerie’s sullen face, I was a little surprised. She actually came back this time? Before, every time she went on a date with Liam, she’d use it as an excuse to stay over at his place. Yet, there was a time our five-year-old daughter said she was afraid of the dark and wanted Valerie to come home and stay with her. Valerie called Daisy “dramatic,” insisting she needed to “toughen up.” Once, when I wasn’t looking, she locked Daisy in a storage closet, giving her severe claustrophobia. Every night after that, Daisy would be startled awake by nightmares, crying in terror. In the past, Valerie’s blatant favoritism and double standards would infuriate me, leading to massive arguments. But now, whatever she did, I simply didn’t care anymore. I simply mumbled “hmm” and pulled the covers over my head, determined to go back to sleep. Valerie first froze, then frowned in annoyance. “Stop messing around, I’m exhausted. Aren’t you going to run my bath for me? And wash these clothes while you’re at it.” She took off her jacket and tossed it to me. Her collar was smeared with lipstick marks, and the pungent scent of Liam’s cologne clung to it. Utterly repulsive. If this were before, I would have eagerly waited on her without her even needing to ask. Now, I just found her demanding. I tossed the clothes back. “You’re not handicapped, you can do it yourself.” Valerie was stunned for a moment, then pulled a gift box from her bag and threw it at me. “I know you’re upset about what happened earlier today. Here, this is for you.” Inside were a pair of cufflinks. But she’d forgotten that I was allergic to cheap metal, and besides, the style wasn’t even to my taste. What was even funnier was that these cufflinks were Liam’s discards. I’d seen him flaunting them on SnapChat before. I let out a cold laugh, tossing the cufflinks into the trash. “I don’t want other people’s trash.” Valerie completely lost her patience, her face turning ashen. “Asher, have I spoiled you too much?” A wave of drowsiness hit me, and I yawned. “I’m tired. If there’s nothing else, I’m going back to sleep.” Seeing my cold attitude, my repeated refusal to take her olive branch, Valerie gritted her teeth. “Fine! This is your doing, Asher. Don’t come crawling back when you regret it!” Valerie turned to leave, but I called out to her. “Wait.” Valerie’s lips curved into a smug smile, her expression screaming, “I knew you were just playing hard to get.” The next second, I pulled out a pen and some papers from a drawer and handed them to her. “Sign this.” Valerie’s eyes immediately turned cold. “You called me back just to sign some worthless contract?” I scoffed. “Why don’t you take a closer look before you speak?” After seeing the document, Valerie froze, then snapped the pen in her hand.

“Divorce papers? You want to divorce me?” Valerie narrowed her dark eyes, glaring at me. “Asher, there’s a limit to how jealous you can be.” “I’m serious,” I said calmly. Valerie slammed the divorce papers onto the table, her face dark. “I won’t sign them.” My voice remained even. “If you don’t sign, I can still get a divorce. It’s just a matter of time.” Unable to argue with me, Valerie gritted her teeth, let out a frustrated huff, and stormed out, deliberately stomping her feet as she left. I knew she wanted me to go and console her. In the past, whenever she got angry, I would immediately run to soothe her. But now, who cared about her? Sleep was more important. The footsteps outside the door gradually faded, and I fell into a deep sleep… The next day, I woke up naturally. As expected, Valerie hadn’t come home all night; she must have been extremely upset yesterday. After breakfast, I hailed a cab to the office and handed in my resignation to HR. After doing so, I pulled out my phone and messaged my collaborators. When we first signed the partnership, their one condition was that I be their direct contact. Now that I was leaving, it was only right to inform them. After completing everything, I turned to leave. Just as I stepped out, I ran into Valerie and Liam. She had indeed gone to Liam’s last night. The two of them were standing close, laughing and chatting. “Valerie, thank you for looking after Lily yesterday. She’s always been a handful, and since her parents passed away when she was little, I just feel so bad for her. I only asked you to pretend to be her mom to make her happy. Asher won’t mind, right?” Valerie snorted coldly. “What’s there for him to mind? He’s a father himself, he should be more understanding.” I found that laughable. She wanted me to be understanding, but why hadn’t she been understanding towards our daughter when she was doting on someone else’s child? Seeing me, Liam and Valerie fell silent, and the air instantly thickened. Soon, our colleagues started to playfully tease them, breaking the awkward silence. “Liam, you and Valerie really kept that under wraps! A daughter, no less!” “When are you guys going to have another one? Complete the family with a boy and a girl!” Liam chuckled softly, shyly glancing at Valerie. Valerie didn’t object, letting everyone continue to tease them. Yet, before, when my daughter and I came to the company to see her, she violently slapped Daisy’s hands ten times just because Daisy called her “Mommy,” demanding Daisy maintain discretion. Later, when rumors about Valerie and me circulated in the company, she fired the gossiping employee on the spot. But now, she remained silent amidst all the teasing, showing no discretion at all. What a hypocrite! Lost in thought, Liam had already walked up to me. “Asher, why are you just getting to the office? It’s already eleven. You’re one of the oldest employees here, you should set an example!” Valerie’s face immediately hardened. “Asher, what kind of work ethic is that?” “If you don’t want to work, just give the position to Liam. In terms of capability, he’s far above you.” I felt like I was listening to a joke. Valerie knew perfectly well that the company’s entire business relied on me. Liam couldn’t even print a document, yet she claimed he was more capable than me? I knew she was just trying to humiliate me, to force me to compromise. But I had a flight to catch. I didn’t have time for their corporate games. Thinking this, I said coldly, “No need for all that trouble. I’ve already resigned. I can vacate the position right now.” Liam feigned concern. “Asher, this isn’t the time to be stubborn. Your age is a factor now. If you quit, where are you going to find another job this good? You might not even get hired as a janitor! Besides, the company’s new product line is about to launch. Quitting now? You’d be losing out big time!” His taunts only angered Valerie further, and she said coldly, “Liam, don’t try to persuade him! Let him go. The company will manage just fine without him!” “But Asher, let me warn you, when the new product line launches, the company is going to soar. You’ll regret it then.” Who would regret it was still up in the air. They had no idea that I held all the core technical knowledge in this company. Without me, they wouldn’t even be able to produce a single sample. Launch? In their dreams! I scoffed. “I’m afraid you won’t live to see that day!” Valerie frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?” Just then, her phone rang. It was from our collaborators. Valerie’s lips instantly curved into a triumphant smile, her eyes sparkling with pride. “Our collaborators must be calling to discuss the new product launch. Now you’ll really regret it.” To provoke me, she even put the call on speaker. But the next second, the collaborator’s words poured cold water all over her. “Why haven’t the latest samples been delivered? If you don’t send them by today, your company will be liable for three hundred million in breach of contract fees!”

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