Category: English

After eight years of marriage, my husband, Robert, ignored my objections and brought his “cancer-stricken” first love, Chloe, home. “You wicked woman, you have no sympathy! You’re not even worth a single strand of Chloe’s hair!” My son, Caleb, echoed his words, threatening that if I didn’t let Chloe into the house, he wouldn’t acknowledge me as his mother. My heart completely broken, I initiated the divorce and accepted the design world’s invitation, making a triumphant return to the top. But they only started crying when they saw the fake cancer diagnosis. “Stella, my love, I was manipulated by her! You’re the only one I’ve ever loved!” “Mommy, are you abandoning Caleb? I’m your only child!” I didn’t even spare them a glance. What are these stray dogs doing? They’re blocking my path to the awards! … “Chloe’s health is very poor right now. I’ve decided to bring her home to care for her.” I lowered my gaze. Contrasting sharply with the steaming hot meal, lay a cancer diagnosis. This was Robert’s eight-year wedding anniversary gift to me. Seeing my expression, Chloe, leaning weakly in his arms, spoke delicately, “Robert, let’s not. I don’t think Stella wants me here.” “Besides, I’m practically dying. You shouldn’t worry about me.” “Don’t talk nonsense, Chloe. You’ll get better.” Then, Robert turned to me, yelling furiously, “Stella, are you even human?! You can’t even tolerate a sick person! How can you be such a cold-blooded example for Caleb?” As soon as Caleb heard his dad, he started hitting my leg with his tiny hands. “You’re mean! If you don’t let Pretty Auntie move in, I won’t want you as my mommy!” The hot soup on the table had long gone cold, just like my heart. Two similar faces, one big, one small, were righteously accusing me. One was the man I’d loved for eight years, the other the child I’d raised for seven. During Robert’s countless nights away, if I had one last glimmer of hope, it was Caleb. There was a time when he would hold my hand and sweetly call me “Mommy.” But now, for another woman, he declared he didn’t want me as his mom anymore. In an instant, disappointment outweighed anger. I let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh and turned to go back to my room. But Robert called out to me: “Stella, Chloe is sick. Let her sleep in your room.” “You pack your things now; from now on, you’ll be living in the attic.” I took a deep breath, walked straight into my room, and with trembling hands, dialed that familiar number. “Linda, I’m willing to come back to work.” The voice on the other end of the line was ecstatic. “Really? Stella, you’ve finally come to your senses! Giving up your career for your family back then was a loss for the entire design world! I’ll arrange everything for you right now!” I agreed with a bitter smile, immediately booking a flight for the next month. Linda happily posted it on SnapChat, and right below her post, I saw Robert’s. His username was “Clouds Part, Revealing the Bright Moon.” He used to tell me that it symbolized meeting me. But it wasn’t until Chloe stood before me that I realized “Bright Moon” referred to Chloe. The SnapChat story photos were of him and Caleb with Chloe at a dessert shop that afternoon. The caption read: 【Sweet treats are best shared with sweet people.】 Yet, he and Caleb usually hated sweets. Chloe’s overly radiant smile pierced my eyes. It wasn’t that they didn’t eat sweets; it was just that I was never the “sweet person” they wanted to share them with. Someone commented below: 【Mr. Robert, aren’t you worried your wife will leave you?】 Robert replied with just three words. 【She wouldn’t dare.】 He was right. I wouldn’t dare. Back then, I fell for Robert’s “I’ll love you forever” nonsense, quitting my job without a second thought. I became a homemaker, and that’s what I was for eight long years. Now, apart from him and Caleb, I had nothing. Feeling lightheaded and dizzy, Robert walked over, offering me a box of cake. “Here, I remember you used to love strawberry.” The cake had been left out for too long; the strawberries on top had already sunk into the collapsed cream. What was this, Chloe’s leftovers? I raised my hand and threw the cake directly into the trash can. Robert was furious, gritting his teeth as he yelled at me, “Stella, what the hell is wrong with you!” “Trash.” Hearing my words, his anger intensified. “And here I was, thinking it was our anniversary, going out of my way to buy you a gift! You’re so ungrateful!” “Yes! I am ungrateful. From today on, you buy one, I’ll throw one!” Robert raised his hand, but his fist ultimately didn’t land on me. Instead, it slammed down fiercely on our wedding photo. As he stormed off, the frame crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces. I knelt, silently picking up the mess. Amidst the shattered pieces, I realized something. When I cried, my tear-streaked face bore a disturbing 70% resemblance to Chloe’s. I didn’t try to pick up the photo. Instead, I simply tore it to shreds. 2. The next day, Robert woke up early. After eight years of never cooking, he uncharacteristically made a table full of breakfast. Chloe sat nearby, happily eating: “Robert, you’re so good to me.” “Silly girl, if I don’t treat you well, who will? I made your favorite shrimp omelet; you’re not feeling well, so you need to take care of yourself.” “Yes, Pretty Auntie, eat this, it’s delicious.” The three of them sat at the table, so perfectly harmonious, it was as if I were the outsider. Seeing me, Robert cleared his throat. “I made some shrimp dumplings. Have some.” “Yes, Robert’s dumplings are really good, you should try one!” Chloe said, then picked up a dumpling and placed it in my bowl. Expressionless, I dumped the dumpling into the trash. Chloe’s eyes instantly welled up. “Stella, even if you have a problem with me, you shouldn’t waste Robert’s kindness.” The moment she started crying, Robert’s heart broke into a million pieces, and he snapped at me coldly. “Stella, I tolerated it last night, but who are you pulling that miserable face for this morning? Can you stop acting out!” “I have stomach ulcers and can’t eat seafood, don’t you know that?” Robert froze. When Caleb was little, he was so fussy. To take care of him, my eating habits were always irregular. Over time, I developed stomach issues. Perhaps he didn’t even remember. There was a time when he would meticulously pick out every single piece of shrimp from my pizza for me. Chloe blinked. “Stomach ulcers are fine. I’d eat Robert’s homemade breakfast completely, even if I had to take stomach medicine.” Caleb chimed in with a sneer, “Exactly! Pretty Auntie isn’t high-maintenance like *some* people!” Robert was no longer lost in thought; he smiled, his expression full of doting affection. “Alright, my precious, your good intentions are enough. Your body can’t handle such stress right now.” I didn’t want to watch their melodramatic scene any longer, so I dropped my forks directly. “Then you’d better eat all of it. Don’t leave any of that garbage.” Back in my room, I began to focus on my old profession. After all, I’d been out of the design world for eight years, so I was bound to be a little rusty. But the laughter and noise from outside my door were so loud, I found it hard to concentrate. Chloe was outside, asking Caleb with a laugh: “What do you think of your mom?” “She’s so annoying! She’s always nagging, dresses like a beggar, and always restricts my snacks!” Chloe giggled from the side. “What about me?” “You take me out to play and buy me delicious things. You’re super nice.” “Then would you like to call me your godmother?” Caleb immediately called her “Godmother” sweetly. Inside my room, I felt a chill penetrate to my very core again. Caleb was born with a delicate constitution, requiring more meticulous care than a normal child. Robert never bothered with him due to company matters. For all these years, I had to quit my job and raise him little by little. But I never imagined that in his heart, I was worth far less than a stranger who took him out for fun and treats. The pitter-patter of rain outside the window brought me back to reality. It was raining. I suddenly remembered the flowers I’d placed on the balcony. I hurried out to bring them in, but the flowers on the balcony had already been maliciously destroyed, beyond recognition. Before I could even feel bad for them, I heard a click. The balcony door was locked from the outside. “Caleb, open the door!” I desperately pounded on the door. But I could only see Caleb outside, calling to Chloe, “Godmother, come look at the drowned rat!” Chloe laughed, tapping his head lightly. “You little rascal. Come on, Godmother will take you to buy snacks.” “Yay!” Caleb ignored me, bouncing happily as he took Chloe’s hand and left. Thunder flashed and roared in the sky, and I huddled in the corner, thoroughly chilled, from body to soul. It wasn’t until the last petal fell that Robert finally let me out of the balcony. Under the bright lights, my face was deathly pale, my hair soaked and disheveled from the rain, making me look like a ghost. Chloe covered her mouth, feigning innocence. “Oh, Stella, what happened to you?” Caleb, meanwhile, hid behind her, making mocking faces at me. And Robert, after learning what happened, merely frowned at me. “Stella, you’re a grown woman. How could you get locked on the balcony? Be more careful next time.” I didn’t speak; I just wanted to grab Caleb. Robert panicked and shoved me away. “What are you doing? Are you seriously going to argue with a child? He might not know better, but you’re an adult!” He pushed me, and I lost my balance, falling directly to the ground, utterly disgraced. Caleb instantly burst out laughing. In this twisted trial, I, the complete and utter victim, became the sole accused. 3. I looked at them, father and son, and let out a bitter laugh, then another. Then I stood up and walked towards them, expressionless. They must have thought I was coming to reconcile, because both of them, big and small, had an undeniable look of smug triumph on their faces. “Slap—slap—” I slapped each of them. Caleb’s eyes widened. He covered his face, crying and demanding to be held by Chloe. “I don’t want you! You mean mommy! You vicious woman! You deserve to be all alone!” Robert was even more furious now. He gasped for breath, glaring at me. Chloe, ever the master of playing the victim, grabbed Robert and immediately started criticizing me: “Stella, Caleb is just a child. How could you, his mother—” “Slap—” “Annoying.” I’d wanted to hit her for ages. Seeing Chloe conveniently faint, Caleb stopped his wailing in shock. Robert frantically picked her up, about to rush out, but not before giving me a warning. “If Chloe’s condition worsens, you’ll regret it!” Perhaps fearing I’d abuse Caleb at home, he dragged his son away with him. Good, they’re all gone. The house was finally quiet. After being drenched on the balcony all afternoon yesterday, I developed a fever in the middle of the night. I forced myself up, trying to find fever medicine. In a hazy, feverish state, I felt someone approaching me. I struggled to open my eyes and saw Chloe’s scornful, disdainful gaze. “Stella, you look pathetic, like a stray dog right now. If I hadn’t gone abroad, do you think Robert would have even looked at you?” As if remembering something, she giggled coquettishly. “But it doesn’t matter. Robert only loves me now, and your son only sees me as his mom.” “Honestly, a woman like you? You might as well just bash your head in and end it.” The sheer rage surged through me, and I shook my head, clearing my mind almost instantly. Seeing she was about to speak again, I raised my hand and slapped her once more. Chloe curled her lips into a smirk, then deliberately toppled backward, landing perfectly, *conveniently*, in Robert’s arms as he opened the door and walked in. In his arms, Chloe cried, tears streaming down her face like a tragic beauty. “Robert, I was just worried Stella was still angry, so I wanted to check on her, but she hit me again.” She clutched her chest. “Robert, I’m in so much pain. I’ve been hit twice in a row, I can’t bear it anymore. Am I going to die?” Robert’s face darkened, and he grabbed my throat. “Stella, do you have any idea Chloe is sick right now! You’ve hurt her again and again today, you’re trying to kill her!” Suddenly losing the ability to breathe, my head filled with a deafening buzz. Robert didn’t release me until I was on the verge of suffocation. He shot me a venomous glare. “I try to be kind, and this is what I get! Chloe just got back from the hospital, and you’re deliberately trying to make her miserable!” He finished speaking and was about to carry Chloe to the hospital again. This time, she stopped him, and after much coaxing and sweet-talking, she led him into the master bedroom. Before long, suggestive sounds began to emanate from the master bedroom. I wasn’t in the mood to care if they were having an affair. My body temperature soared, and both my heart and stomach burned with agonizing pain. I crouched down, recovering for a long time, before finally getting up to find and take the fever medicine. Fortunately, because of Chloe’s incident, Robert and Caleb didn’t come home for days, and I finally had some peace. But soon, a headache-inducing problem arose. Caleb’s school teacher called, saying he had gotten into a fight. I immediately called Robert, but he hung up on me instantly. I pursed my lips and sent a text message. 【Caleb got into trouble at school, they need you to go check it out.】 【I’m busy.】 After that, there was complete silence. Just like every time before, whenever Caleb got into trouble, his father was always expertly invisible. This time, if he wasn’t going, then neither would I. 4. But I miscalculated one thing: it was *my* phone number that the elementary school teacher had. The constant calls bombarded me to the point where I couldn’t even work on my designs, so I finally had to leave. But as soon as I arrived, I saw Chloe beside Caleb. Suddenly, two “moms” appeared, leaving the teacher looking utterly bewildered. Caleb pointed at me, loudly proclaiming in front of everyone: “She’s not my mom, she’s just our housekeeper!” Then he affectionately clung to Chloe. “This is my mom!” Chloe smiled, stroking his head, her eyes flashing with unconcealed triumph as she looked at me. “Stella, why don’t you go home? I’ll handle things here.” I stood rooted to the spot, almost numb, watching these two, so intimately close. Fine. Since he’s made his choice. From now on, Chloe would be his mother. “Caleb, you’re right. From now on, Chloe is your mom. As far as I’m concerned, I never gave birth to you.” After that, I lived like a ghost in the house, indifferent to everything. I locked myself in my room, immersing myself in design day and night. And from Linda, I received a piece of shocking news: Chloe’s medical records were fake. I closed my eyes and thought back to her behavior during this period. Her lies were actually quite clumsy, but Robert’s love had covered for her, choosing to turn a blind eye to every loophole. I quietly collected the evidence, intending to give it to Robert as a parting gift. Perhaps accustomed to my previous anger and coldness, Robert seemed unsettled by my current indifference. He uncharacteristically spared some time away from Chloe for me. He started sending me flowers and gifts, just like when we were dating. Back then, he’d sworn he’d love Stella forever. But “forever” was too short; it hadn’t even lasted eight years. And now, I no longer anticipated that ridiculous love. On my birthday, Robert said he had a surprise for me. And his gift truly was a surprise. It was a divorce agreement. Robert’s face was ashen. “Chloe’s condition has worsened. For her treatment, we need someone to make decisions. Stella, let’s get a divorce first.” “I promise you, as soon as Chloe gets through this, we’ll remarry immediately!” Afraid I wouldn’t agree, he pleaded, explained, and swore solemn oaths. But he didn’t need to do any of that. I would definitely sign those divorce papers. Of course, before I did, I demanded that all assets be transferred to my name. Robert, uncharacteristically, frowned, but fearing I might change my mind, he said nothing more and signed the papers with a flourish. I glanced at Caleb. “Who do you want to live with?” Caleb snorted, looking at me with undisguised contempt. “My last name is Robert’s, so of course I’ll stay with Dad. We’re the real family.” After saying that, he made a few mocking faces at me, then ran to Robert’s side and took his hand. I nodded. “You said at school last time that Chloe was your mom. Indeed, you finally got what you wished for. Congratulations.” I didn’t care about their reactions behind me. I put the divorce agreement in my bag and went back to pack my things. Since our marriage, I had poured all my energy into them, father and son, leaving me with very few personal belongings. In less than ten minutes, I had finished packing and left the place I had lived for eight years. Meanwhile, Robert looked at the divorce certificate in his hand, a dull ache in his chest. He felt as if he had lost something important. But as he looked at Chloe’s smiling, crescent-shaped eyes on his phone screen, he forcibly reassured himself. “She loves me so much, she’ll tolerate whatever idiotic things I do.” “This time, it’ll surely be like before. It’s just a few arguments; there’s no way she’d actually leave me.” But when he arrived home and saw the obviously cleared-out house, Robert’s face went deathly pale, his blood turning to ice in his veins. He frantically rushed into my room, only to find the divorce gift I’d left for him on the desk. The fake cancer evidence.

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At a holiday family gathering, my cousin, Mark, suddenly pulled out a deck of cards. “Let’s play for serious stakes,” he announced. A collective gasp rippled through the room as he placed his newly acquired stock dividends on the table. “Who’s in?” The relatives, knowing he was just trying to flaunt his wealth, immediately showered him with praise. Just as Mark, basking in his triumph, was about to pocket the cards, I reached out and stopped him. “I’ll play.” His eyes widened in disbelief. He probably expected me to cower in silence, just like before. But he had no idea that playing for keeps, betting everything, was exactly my kind of game. This time, he was going to lose it all. … The moment “I’ll play” left my lips, my mom, Brenda, tugged at my sleeve. “Your cousin is just joking around, Alex! What are you doing?” The other relatives chimed in, trying to talk me out of it. Everyone knew full well Mark was merely showing off his new stock shares. A bet this huge? It was clearly beyond what any of us financially struggling relatives could afford to participate in. Mark was the wealthiest person in our family, and this was his usual game. This yearly charade at our holiday gatherings was nothing more than an elaborate display of his riches. Everyone was expected to play along, offering a few compliments, and that would be the end of it. Why was I taking it so seriously? It was a holiday, and no one wanted a scene, so they all tried to smooth things over. But I stood my ground, my hand firm on the deck of cards Mark had brought out. “Still playing?” The triumphant smirk had vanished from Mark’s face. He stared at me, expressionless, and scoffed. “Alex, you’re getting bold now that it’s vacation. You were so submissive and quiet at the company, but now that you’re back home, you’re throwing your weight around! If I hadn’t covered for you, you’d be out on your ass this year!” Just like always, he loved to humiliate people, no matter the situation. We worked at the same company. He was two years older than me and had joined earlier. He’d climbed the ranks to a junior management position by sucking up to the bosses. When I first joined, he had me transferred to his department. He claimed it was because we were family, and he could look out for me. I didn’t want to go, but he called my dad and convinced him to pressure me into it. My family had no idea then that it was the beginning of my misery. In all the years I worked under Mark, he constantly undermined me. He’d dump the heaviest, most difficult projects on my plate, only to swoop in and steal them just as I was about to finish. Any mistake at work, and I was the first one to face the music. At the end of this year, he earned senior leadership’s praise thanks to a project I’d worked my fingers to the bone on. Not only did he get company stock dividends, but he was also due for a promotion. But he’d been careless after snatching my project and made a mistake on the proposal. Seeing that he was about to be held responsible, he immediately pushed me forward, then played the hero by pretending to defend me. That’s what he called “covering for me.” A cold laugh echoed in my mind as I recalled what he’d told me then. “Cousin, I know you’ve been wronged. I’ll give you a big bonus this year.” When I went home for the holidays, he did give me a bonus. Two one-hundred dollar bills and a fifty. Was he seriously trying to insult me with such a paltry sum, practically calling me a total idiot? My dad, a gentle and honest man, had always told me to keep my head down and avoid conflict. But this time, I couldn’t hold back anymore. Meeting Mark’s condescending gaze, I calmly said, “If you don’t want to play, Mark, that’s fine too.” It was the simplest form of provocation, yet the most effective. He always thought he was hot stuff and expected everyone to worship the ground he walked on. His face instantly flushed crimson. “Fine! My cousin’s getting brave, aren’t we? I’ll play with you today!” He snorted, pulling the stock dividend contract he’d just put back in his bag and slamming it onto the table. “If we’re playing, the stakes need to be equal, right? Can you even afford it?” I glanced at the contract by his hand. Those stock dividends were probably worth around three hundred thousand dollars. My year-end bonus was only eighty thousand. After a moment’s thought, I looked at Sarah. Catching my eye, she didn’t say a word. She simply turned and walked out the door. Half a minute later, she came back in, carrying her purse that had been left outside. She pulled out her Audi A3 car keys from it. She then placed her purse on the table as well. “The LV Alex bought me, new season. We’re putting that up too.”

The hand on my back gave a light pat. Feeling her quiet comfort, my heart ached. All these years, Sarah had silently supported me from behind, the only one who truly understood my grievances and my rage. I pulled out my debit card and placed it on the table. “And another two hundred thousand dollars from here.” This was my hard-earned savings from all these years. Seeing my move, Mark’s face suddenly darkened. “Don’t you dare regret this.” I wouldn’t regret it. Because this game, I was going to win. Ever since I joined Mark’s department, he’d done nothing, dumping every troublesome task on me. When I was out securing projects, trying to charm those clients, I don’t know how many times I’d ended up in the emergency room with severe stomach issues from drinking. Clients loved to play poker after a good meal and a few drinks, and I had to play along with a smile. Playing cards with clients was a skill; you couldn’t win outright, but you also couldn’t make it obvious you were throwing the game. One of the company’s long-term clients particularly loved Five-card stud, so to cater to his preferences, I had dedicated a lot of effort to studying it. Seeing Mark pull out a deck of cards and declare he was going all in, a sudden realization hit me. This might be fate’s intervention, a chance for me to turn the tables. I thought of the recording I’d kept hidden away and took a deep breath. “I won’t regret it.” But you, Mark, are you ready to lose everything? Seeing my firm resolve, Mark gritted his teeth and tossed the deck of cards to Chloe. “Fine, let’s play then!” At this point, his tone was far from his earlier composed demeanor. The pretense of nonchalance had vanished the moment real hundreds of thousands of dollars were on the line. Chloe moved her lips, knowing it was useless to argue, and lowered her head to deal the cards. Both sides were dealt a face-down card, followed by a face-up card. I had a Queen, and Mark had a King. Looking at his card, his earlier tension gradually eased. Chloe quietly asked, “Raise?” Mark hesitated. Five-card stud involved five cards – one face-down, four face-up. We couldn’t see our own face-down cards yet, and his face-up card was currently higher than mine, but it was only the second round. After a moment’s thought, Mark called out to his mother, Patricia. “Mom, take off your bracelet. It’s solid gold, worth over $40,000.” At first, he was relatively cautious, as the remaining cards hadn’t been dealt. I didn’t speak, but followed suit and raised. Sarah opened her phone and transferred forty thousand dollars via PayPal to Chloe as my stake for this round. All eyes were fixed on the next round. Four rounds later. I had a pair of Queens and a Two. He had a pair of Kings and a Ten. Mark smirked triumphantly. “Looks like my luck is much better than yours.” With three consecutive higher cards, his confidence soared, and he raised the stakes even more generously this time. “My Audi A6 parked outside, which I paid over $80,000 for, is on the table!” He looked at me with a challenging glint in his eye. “Cousin, can you still match that? If not, just fold now. You won’t lose too badly if you back out!” I looked at the cards in front of me, my face darkening. I was confident I could beat Mark, but I’d forgotten one thing. In Five-card stud, if one party couldn’t match the bet, they would be considered to have folded, losing all their chips. No wonder Mark had suddenly found his nerve. It wasn’t just because of his strong hand, but because he knew I didn’t have the money to call. Jessica, who had been a bit nervous, also smiled and looked at Sarah, tutting. “Your husband has such a temper. It’s just a holiday game, why did he have to get all bent out of shape? And you, you should have tried to stop him!”

Hearing her words, Sarah hadn’t said anything yet, but I was already seething. Jessica always lorded her family’s better financial situation over us, and with her husband as my junior manager, she hadn’t held back on showing off in front of Sarah. Sarah, for my sake, had endured years of this slight. This year, when we visited Mark’s house, Sarah had barely stepped through the door before Jessica dragged her into the kitchen to help. She’d been so busy she barely had a chance to breathe, let alone drink water, while Jessica lounged leisurely on the couch, chatting with relatives. When another relative suggested Jessica was being too demanding, her face hardened. “I treat Alex’s wife like my own sister, so I don’t stand on ceremony. What are you implying?” The relative, thus rebuffed, said no more. Thinking of Sarah’s past humiliations, I suddenly stood up and looked at my dad, David. “Dad, don’t we still have an old house in a nearby rural town? I’ll write you an IOU. Consider it a loan from me.” At these words, my dad couldn’t stay seated. “It’s just a card game, Alex, why are you playing for such high stakes?” He quickly put on a placating smile, trying to butter up Mark. “Don’t mind him. He’s had a few drinks at the dinner table and doesn’t know what he’s saying. Let’s stop the game, you two go watch TV.” Mark looked at his subservient demeanor and suddenly sneered, speaking smugly. “Uncle David, I’m about to win. What do you mean, stop playing?” “It’s not impossible for me to stop. Make Alex get on his knees and beg for forgiveness in front of everyone. If I’m in a good mood, he can take back these stakes. I don’t even care about this money.” My dad stood rooted to the spot, his body suddenly rigid. He stared directly at Mark, a flush slowly spreading across his face. “Son, I’m lending you the house. Go for it!” The room fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even I couldn’t help but look at my dad. All my life, he had been a content man, always telling me to bow down to Mark. Even this time, I thought he’d side with Mark. I never expected him to actually agree. Holding the property deed my dad handed me, I was momentarily stunned. Sarah was about to say something, but my dad quietly waved her off, pulled up a stool, and sat beside the card table. Seeing the situation, the relatives knew there was no stopping it. They held their breath and gathered around. Chloe’s hands trembled as she dealt the fourth card. I still got a Queen, and he still got a King. Now we each had four cards in our hands. Excluding the one face-down card yet to be revealed, our three face-up cards were: Mine were three Queens and a Two. Mark’s were three Kings and a Ten. He still had a better hand than me. Seeing the cards, my dad’s face turned ashen. Jessica, however, couldn’t help but let out a snicker. “Looks like my husband’s luck is holding up! Not only is he getting promoted and a raise this year, but he’s also on a winning streak at the card table!” “When money comes, you can’t stop it! Nobody leaves tonight; I’m treating everyone to a fancy dinner at a hotel!” Mark was also beaming, his lips practically stretching to his ears as he looked at his cards. “You guys probably haven’t eaten anything good, have you? Honey, book the best hotel in town later. It’ll be an eye-opener for the relatives.” He was always big-mouthed, believing himself to be the most successful among the relatives. Now, on the verge of winning, he was even more unrestrained. Chloe’s face showed a flicker of shame, but she bit her lip and swallowed her words. Before the reveal, there was one final round of betting. As the one with the stronger hand, Mark had to bet first. He glanced around, saw my dad’s ashen face, and sneered. “Since you’re putting up your property deed, I’ll put mine up too.” “My place in the city, worth over two million dollars. I’m putting it all in!”

A collective gasp echoed through the room. Two million dollars. That was no small sum. I quickly calculated my assets. Even with Sarah’s and my house on the line, it would only be a little over a million. It wasn’t enough to cover the shortfall. Mark looked at me, challenging. “Do you still have money to match? Who do you think you are, trying to take my money?” Sarah stood beside me, reaching out and gripping my hand. She spoke softly, “We’ll put up our house, and I’ll borrow some from friends and family.” Mark raised an eyebrow, a look of contempt on his face. “Who are you going to borrow from? Beggars only know beggars. How much could you possibly scrounge up?” The moment I accepted his bet, it signaled a complete break between us. Mark dropped his pretense, scrutinizing me from head to toe. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a way out. Like I said before, if you admit defeat now, and get on your knees and beg for forgiveness in front of everyone, I can stop.” He claimed to be giving me a way out, but in reality, he was trying to push me to the brink. How could I ever face anyone again if I did something like that in front of all our friends and family? Just as I was racking my brain, trying to figure out where else I could get money, Chloe suddenly spoke up. “I’ll lend it. I’ve saved up a hundred and twenty thousand dollars from working all these years. I’ll lend it all to you.” Mark suddenly froze, and Jessica’s teacup clattered to the floor. Uncle Mike quickly pulled Chloe back, rushing, “What nonsense are you talking? This has nothing to do with you!” Chloe pulled away, her voice tinged with long-suppressed anger. “I just can’t stand his arrogant attitude, looking down on everyone!” “Back then, his family couldn’t afford to send him to high school. Everyone pooled their money, emptying their pockets to make sure he could go. And what happened? Does he show any gratitude towards us?” Aunt Sharon, who had been quietly listening, also spoke up. “He had to walk three hours to school, and I felt sorry for the boy, so I let him stay at my house during the week. But then, two years ago, when my son was buying his wedding house, I asked Mark to lend me fifty thousand dollars, and he kept making excuses!” “I want to ask you today, Mark, you’re throwing hundreds of thousands, even millions, around at the poker table, but to me, your Aunt Sharon, you couldn’t even spare fifty thousand dollars?” “I… you, you guys are…” Mark hadn’t expected to suddenly become the enemy of everyone. His face went pale, and he couldn’t string together a complete sentence for a long time. “My family has another two hundred thousand dollars from a settlement!” “You can borrow my car outside!” In that moment, the relatives united, handing over what little assets they had left to me. I tapped away on my calculator, then looked up at Mark. “I have enough money now. Want to show your hand?” Mark’s expression was complex. Facing the room full of cold, hostile stares, he roared, “You’re the ones who decided to go against me first! Don’t come begging me to give your stuff back when you lose!” I smiled faintly. “Are you so confident, Mark, that you’re sure you’ll win?” He glanced at me, a cold smirk. “My face-down card is a Ten. Three Kings and two Tens, a full house! What are you going to beat me with?” At his words, the room suddenly fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Several relatives already had looks of regret on their faces. My heart, however, was calm. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, I slowly flipped over my face-down card. This game, he was going to lose! When he saw my face-down card, Mark looked like he’d been frozen in place. I had four Queens and a Two – a Four of a Kind. He had three Kings and a pair of Tens – a Full House. A Four of a Kind beats a Full House. He lost. “Mark, when you made your final bet, did you ever consider that my face-down card might be a Queen?”

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My Mom’s Secret Identity From the moment I could remember, Mom and I played the death game many times. The first time I found her lying motionless, without even breathing, I was so scared I broke down and cried. Gradually, I learned Mom was just teasing me, and I stopped being afraid. The cemetery was somber and silent. Beside a newly dug grave, a coffin lay still. Everyone was crying, except for me. I looked at the national flag draped over her coffin and thought: “She’s really going all out this time, even Dad’s putting on quite a show.” The coffin slowly descended into the grave, and uncontrollable sobs erupted from the crowd. I tugged on Dad’s hand and asked: “Is the game over? I want to go back and wait for Mom now.” Dad held me, tears streaming down his face. “Skylar, Mom isn’t coming back.” I touched the military dog tag around my neck and shook my head. “Mom said she’d be back.” But no one believed me, everyone said I was sick. Soon after, Dad brought a woman home, saying she was my new mother. But Mom was still alive, I saw her. If Dad didn’t believe me, I’d find Mom myself.

Rain tapped against the black umbrellas, a dull, continuous sound. The cemetery was a sea of solemn black. Suppressed sobs came from all directions, everyone’s eyes red-rimmed. Dad’s back had hunched significantly, his shoulders trembling, tears falling. This time, the game was a big production; even Uncle Mark, who we rarely saw, was there. Uncle Mark knelt down and put Mom’s dog tag around my neck. “Skylar, this is the only thing your mom left behind. Keep it safe.” Shovel after shovel of dirt fell, covering the flag. Everyone was immersed in grief. Except for me. I was waiting for Mom to suddenly jump out from a corner, laugh, pick me up, and spin me around, saying: “Gotcha! My Skylar is so brave!” I’d played this game too many times. Under the bed, inside the closet, and once, Mom even hid in an old trunk in the attic. Every time, I found her, and we’d roll around laughing. Mom would always say: “Skylar wins hide-and-seek again!” So, this time was no different. Even if it was all very formal, with a lot of people involved. But this had to be just part of the game, a new rule Mom set to make it more realistic. After everyone had left, I asked Dad: “Is the game over? I want to go back and wait for Mom now.” Dad pulled me into his arms, holding me a little too tightly. His voice was hoarse: “Skylar, Mom isn’t coming back.” I looked at the tombstone, stubbornly arguing: “Mom will come back when the game is over.” “There’s no game anymore…” Dad’s hands tightened abruptly, “Mom sacrificed herself! She’s gone! She’s never coming back!” I was held so tightly I couldn’t breathe. I thought Dad must have forgotten the rules of the game, so I pushed his shoulder to remind him. “But, Dad, what they buried was Mom’s uniform, not Mom herself.” Dad’s sobbing stopped abruptly, as if something had choked him. He opened his mouth, his lips trembling violently, but not a single word came out. Just then, Uncle Mark, who had given me the dog tag, called Dad aside. The rain was heavy, but I strained my ears and still heard Uncle Mark’s words. “The blast radius was too close, too fragmented. There was nothing left to put back together.” “Only her combat uniform was found, barely pieced together.” “Robert, that’s all there is. Please accept our condolences.”

I listened, stunned. I knew what death was. Mom used to say: “Death is becoming a bright star in the sky, but Mom can’t touch my Skylar, or hug my Skylar anymore.” So, death meant no longer being able to touch or hug. Dad believed Mom was dead, and from then on, he could never hug her again. That’s why, when he could barely stand, he pulled a woman into a tight embrace. Dad was sad for a month, the sorrow gradually fading from his face. One day, Michelle moved into our house with her son, Leo, who was two years younger than me. “Skylar, say Mom.” Dad took my hand, trying to get me to go closer to Michelle. I kept my mouth tightly shut, stubbornly staring at the floor, shaking my head. “I only have one mom, and she’s playing a very long game of hide-and-seek.” Michelle looked a little awkward and quickly stepped in to defuse the awkwardness: “It’s alright, it’s alright. Just call me Michelle.” Dad took me to a psychologist, who said I had PTSD. I put the pills in my mouth in front of Dad, but as soon as he left, I spit them into the toilet. “It’s the grown-ups who need medicine, not me.” I watched the swirling water, thinking, “I’m not sick. You’re all just too stupid; Mom fooled all of you. You have no idea how clever she is.” After a while, Dad found out I wasn’t taking my medicine. “Skylar Stone! Why aren’t you taking your pills!” His voice trembled with anger, “Do you want to keep living in this delusional world?” I just looked at him silently, completely unwavering. The standoff ended with Dad slamming the door and leaving. Dad’s patience, worn thin by repeated failures, increasingly turned towards Leo. Listening to Leo share stories about school, taking Leo to the company, giving Leo tasks. The plan to groom me as his successor, once showered upon me, had quietly shifted its target. I didn’t like Leo because he always ran into my room and messed with my things. When I told Dad, he just said: “He’s just a kid, Skylar. You’re the older sister; you need to be more patient with him.” Leo broke the last model Mom and I had built together, and I flew into a rage, screaming at him to get out of our house. Dad’s scolding was harsher than I’d ever heard. “Skylar Stone! How can you treat your brother like that! Go to your room! No dinner for you tonight!” It was the first time Dad had punished me for someone else. I became increasingly withdrawn. Often, I’d stay in my room alone, caressing the dog tag around my neck, staring out the window for long periods. Dad looked at my mediocre grades on my report card, and the disappointment in his eyes grew stronger. He stopped inviting me to the dinners I used to attend; only Leo’s outfits were prepared. That day, Dad came home very late. As soon as he opened the door, I heard his laughter with Michelle, and Leo’s triumphant voice. “Dad, everyone says I have your style.” Dad ruffled Leo’s hair: “Of course, you’re my son. The company will be yours someday; you’re much stronger than your sister.” After saying that, he saw me sitting silently in the living room. A flicker of awkwardness crossed Dad’s face. “Skylar, you’re still up this late?” I nodded: “Came out for water.” “Dad, I was so good today, can I have a reward?” Leo’s voice was bright and clear. Dad’s gaze immediately turned to Leo, his eyes filled with doting affection: “What do you want? Dad will get you anything.” Leo pointed at me: “That! That tag around my sister’s neck!”

Dad’s smile froze instantly. I clutched the dog tag tightly, taking a step back, watching them with wary eyes. “Leo, that’s something very important to your sister.” Dad’s tone was hesitant, “Dad will buy you the newest remote control plane, or Legos, alright?” “No! I want that! That tag is pretty!” Leo stomped his feet impatiently, running over and reaching out to snatch my dog tag. “Get away!” I shoved Leo away. Caught off guard, Leo stumbled backward, hitting his elbow on the corner of the coffee table, and burst into tears. Michelle immediately rushed forward to comfort Leo, heartbroken: “Skylar, Leo is just a child, how could you hit him?” Dad lunged forward, pointing at my nose and yelling: “Skylar Stone! What do you think you’re doing! Apologize to your brother immediately!” I glared at Dad, refusing to back down: “He’s not touching Mom’s things!” “Give it to me!” Dad was completely enraged, he commanded sternly, “Take that dog tag off and give it to Leo!” I looked at Dad in disbelief, screaming: “Why? This is what Mom left for me! Have you forgotten Mom?” “You were already holding another woman before she was even officially gone!” “Now you’re even going to give the only thing she left me to that son of yours?” “Shut up!” Dad roared. A loud slap landed heavily on my face. My cheek instantly turned red and swollen, burning with pain. A flicker of regret crossed Dad’s eyes. He stepped forward, trying to grab me. I dodged, looking at him with an utterly unfamiliar gaze. Dad’s fingers curled inward, his voice stiff: “You always live in a fantasy world. One day, you’ll regret it.” I ran back to my room, slamming the door shut. The stinging sensation of the slap still lingered on Dad’s palm; he couldn’t sit still. Michelle patted Dad’s shoulder: “If you’re worried, go check on her.” Dad shook his head: “It’s good for her to face reality; she can’t keep living in the past and in her imagination. Leave her be. A few days of cold shoulder will do her good. She’ll come back and apologize.” The next morning, I didn’t come out for breakfast. Michelle said: “Should I bring Skylar some food in her room?” “No.” Dad said sternly, “Skylar is too willful. Don’t spoil her; she needs to learn that talking back to elders has consequences.” On the third morning, I still didn’t appear. Dad thought I was still sulking and didn’t pay much attention. During a meeting, he saw my name on the caller ID. To teach me a lesson, he hung up directly. It wasn’t until the fourth day that Michelle hesitated and said: “Skylar’s room has been quiet, and her food hasn’t been touched.” Only then did Dad unlock the door. The room was empty. “She must have run off to a friend’s house! Didn’t even say when she was leaving! She’s getting more and more out of line!” Dad furiously called several of my friends, but got no information. The next moment, the school called: “Is this Skylar Stone’s father? Skylar hasn’t been to class for three days. Is something wrong at home?” Dad’s face went white, instantly panicking. After hanging up, he immediately dialed my number. The phone rang for a long time before it was answered. On the other end, a flippant male voice spoke: “Oh? Finally remembered you have a daughter, huh? Mr. Stone, you must be so busy, can’t even get through to you.” A wave of ice washed over Dad. His voice trembled: “Who are you? Where’s my daughter?”

“Your daughter, you ask?” The man drew out his words, as if savoring Dad’s fear, “Hard to say. We wanted to discuss a price, but couldn’t reach you. My buddies got annoyed, nowhere to vent their frustration, so we had to… tsk tsk.” Dad suddenly remembered that because he was angry at me these past few days, he had even hung up on my calls. Later, he was busy taking Leo to a father-son event and completely forgot about it. Dad’s vision went black, and he almost collapsed into the chair, swallowed by a massive wave of fear. “Let me talk to my daughter! I want to see her! Video call now!” Dad practically screamed, his words incoherent, “I’ll give you any amount of money! Don’t hurt my daughter! Please!” “Video call, huh? Might not be too convenient right now.” The man’s voice was like a cat toying with its prey. “Mr. Stone, just get the money ready first. We’ll be in touch…” Just then, the keypad on the front door beeped, then clicked open. Dad abruptly looked up, and there, in the hallway, I stood, disheveled. I was filthy, my clothes torn in several places. My hair was a mess, and my face was smudged with dirt and tiny scratches. The kidnapper on the phone was still saying something, but Dad couldn’t hear a word. He hung up immediately and practically lunged to embrace me. “Skylar! You scared your father to death! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did those bastards do anything to you?” He urgently wanted to check me over. The thought of the kidnapper calling Dad in front of me, only to be repeatedly hung up on, flashed through my mind. I sharply took a step back, evading his touch, my gaze cold. Dad’s hands froze in mid-air. After the initial surge of emotion, questions flooded his mind: “How did you get back?” I said calmly: “Mom saved me.” As those five words left my mouth, the excitement on Dad’s face instantly drained away. It turned cold, his eyes filled with revulsion. “Skylar Stone! How long are you going to keep this charade up?” “You staged a kidnapping! Had your accomplices make those calls to me!” “Do you think this is fun? To get back at me this way? To get my attention?” Dad looked down at me, like he was looking at trash. “I never imagined you could be so manipulative! How dare you even use your mother as an excuse for your lies!” “Aren’t you afraid she’d be heartbroken watching you from above?” “You’ve truly disappointed me.” Dad’s accusations crashed down on me, but I didn’t feel the sting or anger I once did. Even as he roared, I slightly tilted my head, distinguishing a faint sound in the distance. “Dad, I saw Mom. I even hugged her.” My voice was soft, my heart filled with surging joy, leaving no room for other emotions. Dad froze for a moment, then grew even angrier. “Get back to your room! I don’t want to see you anymore! You’re truly insane! You scare me!” Whether Dad believed me or not, it no longer mattered at all. My lips curled into a faint smile. I found Mom.

From that day on, I completely changed. I no longer showed any emotion regarding my father’s neglect or Leo’s favoritism. I became silent and focused, with a clear goal. I put away all my leisure books. My desk piled high with thick workbooks and military academy recruitment brochures. My desk lamp often burned late into the night. My grades soared at an astonishing speed, jumping from mid-class to the top ranks of my grade, eventually settling at the very top. Dad noticed the change. Amidst his surprise, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, even feeling a sense of “I knew it.” He believed that his previous neglect, and the act of funneling all resources and attention to Leo, had finally spurred my competitive spirit. Making me turn from my misguided path and realize I needed to strive for success. He was very pleased. At the dinner table, Dad began to casually bring up company matters. He even proactively asked for my opinion on certain business cases. Though he didn’t explicitly say it, his intention was clear. He had reconsidered me as a potential successor. I hadn’t expected this subtle shift to trigger Michelle’s most sensitive nerves. She had painstakingly worked to establish herself in this family, finally succeeding in getting Dad to pour all his efforts into her son. With victory seemingly in sight, she wouldn’t allow me to re-enter the race. My important study materials would mysteriously disappear, only for me to find them later in the trash can. The night before my college entrance exams, the air conditioner in my room conveniently broke. Its incessant buzzing made sleep impossible, and the repairman was unreachable. Once, the milk she brought me tasted off. I didn’t pretend not to notice; I quietly got up and poured it down the drain. I calmly avoided all these petty tricks. I didn’t tell Dad, not out of forbearance, but purely because I felt it was a waste of time. My goal was higher and further, and I had no interest in participating in such domestic squabbles. Until one day, I intercepted a recommendation letter Michelle had altered, mimicking Dad’s handwriting. The person recommended to study at a top business school abroad had been changed from me to Leo. I didn’t go to Dad to cry about it. Instead, I directly confronted Michelle with the recommendation letter. Michelle’s face instantly went ashen, but she tried to appear calm: “Skylar, what are you doing with that?” “Michelle,” I said calmly, “You don’t need to do these useless things anymore.” “I have no interest in Dad’s company; I won’t compete with Leo for anything.”

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My Mom Hated Me, Until I Saved Her My mom had just turned nineteen when a high school bully assaulted her, and she was forced to carry me to term. That same year, my grandpa accepted a hefty settlement of nearly thirty thousand dollars from the bully, dropped the lawsuit, and effectively sealed off Mom’s only path to justice. My first cry, ironically, was drowned out by the final bells of senior year, becoming the last straw that broke her spirit. That night, she sat alone, wide awake, until dawn. The next day, she left a letter severing all ties, walked out, and was never heard from again. I thought I’d never see her in my life. But eighteen years later, as I entered my senior year, a new transfer student, Chloe, stepped in to help me, then smiled and invited me to her house. The moment the door opened, I saw that face—a face I’d missed countless times in photographs—and instinctively said, “Mom…” —- Mom’s smile froze. Her face drained of color when she saw the birthmark on my hand. She pressed down on her trembling voice, suddenly pushing me away with force. “You’ve got the wrong person,” she said coldly. I fell to the ground, and my only decent school uniform, the one without any patches or wear, was ripped by the sharp asphalt. She then pulled Chloe inside, slamming the door shut with a loud *bang*. From inside, I heard the sound of a vase shattering, followed by Mom’s sobs: “Did she approach you? Drag you here? I told you to stay away from the wrong crowd! Why won’t you ever listen?” “Baby, please, stay away from her. Your mom is begging you.” Each word struck my ears, weighing more than a thousand pounds, crushing the last remnants of my surprise and hope at seeing her. Blood seeped from the asphalt cut on my hand, but the pain was less than a millionth of what I felt in my heart. Lost and unsure what to do, a gentle male voice spoke from above me: “Little girl, why are you sitting on the ground? You’re bleeding so much. Does it hurt?” It wasn’t until he took me to his house to bandage my hand that I realized he was Mom’s husband. Daniel. He immediately noticed Mom’s swollen eyes. “Ellie, why are you crying? Are you still sad about leaving our old home? Thank you both for supporting my work and moving here with me.” Mom didn’t seem to hear him. Instead, she stared at me, her expression a mix of despair and deep disgust. She collapsed to the floor, clutching her head, sobbing uncontrollably. “I knew it! You’d haunt me like a ghost, cling to me, and destroy all my happiness!” I forgot how I dazedly left. I only remembered Mom’s frantic cries: “I am not your mother!” As dusk settled, Grandpa Arthur waited for me at the door as usual. I quickly wiped away my tears with my sleeve and brushed the dust from my clothes. I forced a smile. But when he saw the bloodstains on my school uniform, his grip on his cane tightened. “Did those classmates of yours bully you again? Don’t listen to their nonsense. Your mom went out to make money for your schooling. When she comes back, she’ll go settle the score with them! She’ll let them know our Harper is loved!” The tears I’d been holding back finally broke free. I pulled away from Grandpa’s hand and sobbed uncontrollably. “You’re lying! It’s because of you Mom left! And now she’s back, but she doesn’t love me at all. She hates me!” I locked myself in my bedroom, hugging Mom’s photo, and didn’t sleep all night. When I woke up in the morning, Grandpa had already left for his stall. On the table were seventy-nine dollars, cobbled together from quarters and dimes, and a can of peaches. Next to it was a note from Grandpa: “Harper has grown up, her uniform is too small. It’s time to buy a new one. And Harper, Happy Birthday.” On my way to school, I deliberately took a detour past Grandpa’s sock stall. His deeply lined face hid his emotions, but I felt his already hunched back sag even lower. 2. Chloe didn’t come to school all day. I was terrified, afraid Mom would take her and move away today, disappearing without a trace, just like eighteen years ago. I couldn’t resist going to the office to ask the teacher why Chloe wasn’t there, but then I heard Mom’s voice. “Teacher, could our daughter be moved to a different class? That girl, Harper. I’ve heard about her family. I don’t want Chloe associating with someone raised by that kind of grandpa.” I stood frozen at the office door, my limbs felt like lead, heavy and immobile. It seemed the teacher heard a sound from outside and opened the door. Mom and I locked eyes. The instinctive disgust in hers made me tremble, and a wave of hurt and resentment washed over me. I almost ran, turning and fleeing. I ran back to Grandpa Arthur’s small stall, only to find Chloe there, skipping school. She had overturned Grandpa’s stand and cut up all the socks. Her eyes red, she shrieked, “How can there be a father like you in this world?! You don’t deserve to be my grandpa, you don’t deserve it!” Grandpa knelt on the ground, heartbroken over the shredded socks, his voice trembling uncontrollably. “Child, you can hate me, hit me, curse me, just please don’t cut them! The money from these sales is for Harper’s tuition next semester!” Chloe scoffed. “Does a scumbag’s child deserve an education? Mom told me and Dad everything yesterday. I won’t let you two, who ruined Mom, have a moment’s peace.” I rushed forward, trying to snatch the scissors from Chloe’s hand. “Don’t cut them, please…” As we struggled, Mom, who had followed me, pushed through the crowd of onlookers. She saw Grandpa kneeling on the ground, picking up the socks, and her eyes instantly welled up. She reached out, as if to touch Grandpa’s white hair, but then pulled her hand back, scoffing coldly, “Hmph. Did you blow through that settlement money already? Still living in squalor, I see. Why don’t you sell that little monster too?” Grandpa froze for a long moment at the familiar voice, but he never looked up. I saw Grandpa’s tears flow into the deep lines on his cheeks, streaking across his weathered face. However, the gasps from the crowd shattered the scene: “Blood! Oh my, those two girls are bleeding! Quick, take them to the hospital!” The moment Mom heard this, she immediately rushed to Chloe’s side. Her tension was palpable. “Baby, where are you hurt? Let Mom see!” Chloe seemed stunned,pointing at the small severed finger on the ground. “Mom, she…” Mom let out a long breath. “It’s good that you’re not hurt.” Soon, she realized something. She looked sharply at my profusely bleeding finger. A flicker of reluctance crossed her eyes, and she immediately pulled out her phone and dialed 91

It was only then that I registered the pain. The scissors had been too sharp. In our struggle, I’d been distracted, and the scissors had sliced off a third of my pinky finger. Hearing Mom’s trembling voice, I felt a perverse sense of relief. She was worried about me, right? If I got sick more often, would Mom love me again? When we got into the ambulance, I didn’t choose Grandpa Arthur, who was sobbing uncontrollably, but Mom to accompany me. And she, for the first time, didn’t refuse me. Her hand brushed mine, a touch so gentle it felt unfamiliar. “Har…per, does it hurt?” I suppressed my excitement and surprise, pushing the pain to the back of my mind. “No, it doesn’t! As long as Mom is with me…” But my words were cut off. “How much money do you want? I’ll give it all to you. Can we settle this privately? Chloe is fragile and timid, she can’t handle police questioning, nor can she handle classmates attacking her with rumors.” “She didn’t mean it. She was just so worried about me, her mom, that she acted impulsively. Can you forgive her? She’s just a child.” I froze, a bitter ache spreading through my chest. But I was suffering ridicule too. I was also her child. And I was the one who was hurt. I looked up at her, finally yielding to the plea in her eyes, and whispered, “Okay.” Then, trying to appease her, I added, “Chloe is a good person. I don’t blame her. But Mom, can you stay with me today?” Her eyes welled up, and she slowly nodded. 3. While bandaging my finger, the doctor gave Mom a reproachful look. “This severed pinky will never grow back. It will limit her opportunities in life, both personally and professionally. How can a parent be so careless?” Afraid Mom would be upset, I quickly explained, “No, doctor, my mom is really good to me. This time, it was my own fault.” But by the end of my explanation, my voice had grown smaller and smaller, laced with guilt. Mom looked at me for a long moment, then pursed her lips. “You wait here quietly while I go pay the bill.” When the bandaging was done and Mom still hadn’t returned, I didn’t want to miss a single second with her, so I went downstairs to find her myself. But to my surprise, Mom was cornered in the stairwell by a man and a woman. The man, Mason, smiled, putting his arm around the girl’s waist next to him. “Didn’t expect to run into an old acquaintance while you’re here for an abortion. “You should learn from a pro. She carried my child to term, you know.” Mom stiffened, her face pale as she retorted, “Get lost! I never want to see you, you animal, again!” Mason licked his lips, then ran his fingers through a strand of Mom’s hair, sniffing it suggestively. “You still smell so good, still so fiery. But what does it matter? I could humiliate you in front of everyone ten, a hundred times today, and it would still all be smoothed over with just a paltry settlement.” Mom couldn’t hold herself together anymore. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably. She bit her lower lip fiercely, her face deathly pale, and crouched in the corner, muttering, “No, please no, don’t come near me.” I screamed like a madwoman, running over and fiercely pushing Mason away, shielding Mom. “I won’t let you hurt Mom again!” Mason looked me up and down, then curled his lips into a smile. “Eleanor, is this our daughter? She does look a bit like you back then.” “Keeping her around, it seems you really miss our night together, don’t you? No worries, if you’re too shy to say it, I’ll just contact you myself. You know, what I want, I always get.” Mason put his arm around his companion and left, but not before whispering a few words in my ear. I tried to help Mom up from the corner, but she pushed me away with all her strength. She gasped for air, her silent tears streaming down her face. Her pale face was etched with despair. “Why? Why can’t I ever escape!” “Why do you always bring bad luck wherever you go? Please, just stay as far away from me as possible! When I see you, I remember that animal, remember the hell I went through that night! It makes me feel like I’m dying, don’t you understand?!” She shrieked, stumbling to her feet and running wildly toward the exit. Even her backpack fell to the ground. When I picked it up, I saw a small, four-inch cake hidden behind it. Even though it had been dropped, “Happy Birthday” was still clearly visible on the cake. I sniffled, holding back my tears, and smiled as I ate every bit of the damaged cake. Then I called the number written on the slip of paper Mason had slipped into my uniform pocket. 4. As Mason left, he said something that made me tremble all over. “If you don’t want another little brother or sister, come find me. If you don’t, your mom will suffer the consequences.” So that night, I didn’t go home. I went to Mason alone. I wanted to protect Mom in my own way. When I arrived at the private room, Mason was laughing with a few girls. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and smoke. He looked me up and down, a smirk on his face. “Wearing your school uniform? How tacky, just like your mom, playing innocent.” One of the girls immediately understood, tossing me a bandeau top and a mini skirt. I hesitated, reluctant to put them on, but then Mason’s words to Mom echoed in my mind. Afraid he’d go bother Mom again, I immediately obeyed and changed. He casually pointed, gesturing for me to sit next to a bald man. “Mr. Davis, don’t let her age fool you. My daughter here has a fantastic figure.” Mr. Davis’s greasy face drew closer. I sprang to my feet as if electrocuted, covering myself with my school uniform. Humiliation consumed me. I trembled, unable to speak. Mason clicked his tongue. “If you’re too scared, then get out. I’ll just get your mom to come.” I clenched my jaw. “Give me one more day to think.” Mason eventually agreed. I wrapped myself in my school uniform and walked towards school, but halfway there, Chloe and a few other students blocked my path. Her hatred was unconcealed. “What did you do to Mom? Why was she a wreck when she came back from the hospital?!” I lowered my head, guilt-ridden, and apologized. “I’m sorry, Chloe.” “Don’t call me Chloe! The biggest regret of my life was helping you out that day and bringing you back to my house!” “Because of you, our family isn’t happy anymore. Mom and Dad haven’t smiled since!” She pulled out all her pocket money and threw it at my head. “Mom said your grandpa abandoned her for money. Now I’m giving you money too. I’ll give you whatever you want if you just leave, please, I’m begging you!” Seeing me stand there with my head down, she choked back tears, pressing a small knife into my hand. “You must be angry about your finger. If it makes you feel better and you leave, it’s okay if you cut off my finger too! Do it! Do it!” “Do you even know Mom tried to cut her wrists, hiding from me and Dad?! She’s still in the hospital!” Chloe finally broke down, screaming, “Just give me back my happy family, and I’ll give you anything you want!” The moment I heard Mom had cut her wrists, I finally understood the extent of my sin. I finally made up my mind. I returned Mom’s backpack, which she’d dropped yesterday, to Chloe. “Don’t worry. I won’t let Mom get hurt again.” Almost without hesitation, I turned and ran back to the club. Suppressing immense nausea and despair, I took off my school uniform and deliberately sat next to Mr. Davis. But Mason merely quirked an eyebrow. “Now, I don’t like this game anymore.” “We need a new game.” Three hours later, Mason finally found a pretty girl. He handed me a spiked drink. “You’re a student. Getting her to drink this should be easy. Once she drinks it, just bring her over.” “It’s that simple. Do this, and I promise I’ll never bother your mom again.” I bit my lip, taking the drink. “You promise?” It was less than a hundred feet, but it felt like I was walking for an entire century. There were seven or eight men in the private room. I knew exactly what would happen to the girl if she drank this. But if I didn’t, my mom would suffer a second trauma. I had no choice. The girl unsuspectingly drank the wine. I deliberately turned my back to block Mason’s view. I quietly whispered to the girl’s friend to pretend to go to the bathroom and then sneak out the back. Three minutes later, I turned around, my mind racing with how to explain this to Mason. I couldn’t betray my conscience. If it came to this, I would just take them all down with me. The image of the cake Mom had bought me flashed through my mind. To protect Mom’s hard-won happiness, I was willing to do anything. But a slap across the face brought me instantly back to reality. The music and lights in the dance floor stopped. All eyes were on me. I looked at Mom, still in her hospital gown, bandages wrapped around her wrist. I was mortified. I pulled my uniform tighter, not wanting her to see my humiliation. But this time, Mom didn’t break down, didn’t scream, didn’t yell. She stared at the hand that had slapped me, then at me. She clutched her head, crouching down, crying as helplessly as a child. “Do you know that girl would have ended up worse than me? Do you know that girl’s family would have been ruined because of this? You knew, and you still did it.” “You truly have the genes of an animal in your bones, cold-blooded and selfish. You’ll hurt people just like him.” “What am I going to do? My womb birthed a monster who hurts others, just like I was hurt!” “Why did you have to live?! Why don’t you just die?!” 5. Her voice was calm, yet filled with deep despair. I had never been so afraid. I’d rather Mom hated me, resented me, than for her to be utterly disappointed in me, to give up on me like this. I frantically reached for her hand to explain, “Mom, I’m not… I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I’m not like them.” But Mom forcefully peeled away my fingers, one by one, from her sleeve. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “I thought my prejudice against you was too deep. I thought you were at least kind-hearted, but I never expected…” She shook her head, opened her eyes, and stared at me, her words deliberate and serious. “Harper, listen carefully. I don’t have a disgusting daughter like you. If you dare call me ‘Mom’ again and insult me, I will die immediately.” “Forever, stay out of my sight, forever!” Mom was led away by Daniel and Chloe, who had rushed after her. Chloe gave me a cold look before she left. “I deliberately let it slip. I wanted Mom to know exactly what kind of person you are.” “Someone like you doesn’t deserve to be her daughter, and Mom shouldn’t waste her emotions on you.” How I wished I could tell Mom that I hadn’t hurt anyone, that I had saved a girl from harm. But Mom wouldn’t listen to me anymore. I sat there, numb on the ground, until Mason, having enjoyed the show, walked over. He looked down at me, flicking his cigarette ash onto my head. “Harper, Harper, Daddy’s little errand wasn’t completed, was it? Now, how should I punish you and your mother for that?” Hatred surged in my eyes. Looking at his disgusting face, I only wanted to end him with my own hands. I stood up and walked out of the club without a word. With the little money I had, I bought a fruit knife from the nearest supermarket. After paying, I turned around and met Grandpa Arthur’s eyes. His gaze swept from my mini skirt to the blood seeping through the bandage on my finger, then to the fruit knife in my hand. His cloudy eyes didn’t blink, and tears pooled in his deep wrinkles. Though he leaned on his cane, his entire body was swaying precariously. In that instant, all my suppressed grievances exploded. I lunged into his arms, weeping uncontrollably. “Grandpa…” Grandpa patted my back, his lips slightly parted. He wanted to comfort me but couldn’t find any other words, just kept murmuring my name. Grandpa led me home by the hand, gently taking the fruit knife from me. I knew he knew everything. That night, Grandpa Arthur, who was usually a man of few words, talked to me at length, which was unprecedented. He told me to study hard, that there would always be someone in this world to love me. He said Harper was not wrong; the wrong ones were those who bullied others. He said he was sorry for Mom and me. I lay on his lap, sobbing, and slowly drifted into a deep sleep. But the next day, what woke me was a call from the hospital: “Hello, is this Arthur Sterling’s family? The elder is in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment. Please come immediately.” The phone slipped from my hand, the busy signal buzzing. I wiped the tears from my face and ran to the hospital like a madwoman. The moment I saw Grandpa, my heart felt like it was being ripped open, so much pain. My Grandpa, with twenty-seven fractured bones, head burns, and a ruptured liver. The nurse sighed. “The elder was found by a cleaner, discarded in an alley. He was barely clinging to life when they found him. He said he didn’t want to call the police, only asked us to contact you and another lady. But that lady only listened for a sentence before hanging up, and we couldn’t reach her again.” My tears had long since overflowed. I slapped myself fiercely more than ten times. I hated myself. I should have noticed Grandpa’s strangeness yesterday. He must have gone to find Mason with that fruit knife to seek revenge, then was discovered and tortured all night. He didn’t want to call the police because he didn’t want me to get involved in these matters again. He knew we couldn’t win against them. He also knew that after this incident, Mason wouldn’t bother us anymore. He exchanged his own life for a safe future for us. Grandpa saw me, forced a smile, and laboriously grasped my hand with his calloused fingers, his eyes burning. Like a prisoner awaiting a final verdict: “My child, you be their judge. For your mother, condemn me as a neglectful father; for your grandmother, declare me a guilty husband.” “You say it. Saying it might… make me feel better. When I go to hell, I can live with a clear sentence, rather than forever in endless self-reproach.” I choked, unable to speak, only nodding frantically and fiercely. Grandpa closed his eyes in release, his hand falling heavily. “Grandpa!” I cried hysterically, begging him not to leave, but I would never again receive his doting comfort. 6. Grandpa Arthur’s funeral was simple. I sold everything we owned and all the money Grandpa had saved for my education to buy him the best urn and a gravesite. On the last day of the vigil, Mom came. She stood outside the hall with Daniel and Chloe. Mom held her head high, refusing to let her tears fall. The neighbors around us whispered. “Poor old Arthur, he had such a tragic life.” “His daughter was ruined by that animal, and then his wife got a sudden illness.” “That animal threatened Arthur: if he didn’t take the money to hush it up, they’d find ways to prevent his wife from getting treatment.” “In the end, he took the money, but his wife didn’t get better. He was saddled with tens of thousands in debt for medical bills, and his daughter disowned him.” “He worked tirelessly, day and night, to pay off the debt. Once it was paid, he went to get revenge for his daughter and granddaughter.” “If it were me, I couldn’t make such a difficult decision, even if it killed me!” “Ah, that night, Arthur’s hair turned white. No one suffered more than him. Why does misfortune always pick on the miserable?” Every word reached Mom’s ears. She rushed over and grabbed the old lady’s sleeve. Her expression distorted with agitation. “What did you say?!” The neighbor was shocked. “Old Arthur never said anything. It’s no wonder, he wanted you to get away from this painful place.” Mom could no longer control her tears. She rushed into the funeral hall, clinging to the coffin, calling out repeatedly, “Dad, you were always so stubborn! You never told me anything, leaving me to realize things too late and live with the crushing regret!” Daniel pulled Chloe to stand before Grandpa Arthur’s memorial tablet and bowed deeply three times. “Dad, ultimately, you still hurt Eleanor. I can’t fully understand your difficulties, but I respect you.” “Rest assured, Eleanor, and…” He glanced at me, dressed in mourning clothes, my eyes swollen from crying. “Harper, I will take good care of them both.” Grandpa Arthur’s gravesite was moved next to Grandma Rose’s. Mom went to send him off, kneeling before the grave, reluctant to leave. I stepped forward to help her, but she violently shook me off. “I’d rather have hated him my whole life, but have him alive and well.” “It’s you again. You went near Mason, provoked Mason, and this is the outcome.” She let out a long sigh. “Your grandpa would have wanted me to raise you. I can let you live in my house and support your schooling, but only until you turn eighteen. After that, can you please leave?” I released my hand from hers, replying flatly, “No need, Mom… Eleanor. I’ve already found my own path for the future.” She flinched when I called her Eleanor, but quickly composed herself. A luxury car pulled up behind us. Mom’s eyes instantly reddened when she saw the person who got out. If Daniel hadn’t held her back, she might have rushed forward to kill Mason. Mason spread his hands innocently. “Why so emotional, Eleanor? I’m not here for you. After all, I made a promise to the old man.” “Speaking of which, that old man was really stubborn. I used a metal poker to stab through each of his fingers, and he endured the pain, refusing to beg. But the moment I mentioned you, his attitude softened immediately. He prostrated himself before me, begging, bowing ninety-nine times, and that’s when I finally agreed to leave you alone.” Mom was so angry she looked like she might vomit blood, and so was I. I clenched my fists, suppressing my hatred, and walked towards Mason. “Dad, no matter what, I’m your daughter. Raise me. I won’t disappoint you.” I looked back at Mom. “After all, I’m just like you, cold-blooded and selfish.” Mom looked at me in disbelief. “Harper, what are you saying?! He’s the murderer who killed your grandpa!” “How could you?!” I turned back to her and smiled faintly. “But Grandpa is dead, isn’t he? Eleanor, you might raise me, but only to survive. Dad, however, will give me a brilliant future.” Daniel tried to reason with me too. “Harper, have you thought through the consequences of living with this demon?” I ignored him. Mason, however, seemed pleased with my attitude, gesturing for me to get into the passenger seat. Mom watched me get into his car, then collapsed to the ground, a cold laugh escaping her lips. “Dad, do you see now? You raised an animal’s daughter, an ungrateful wretch, for over a decade!” I held back the tears in my eyes, recalling Mom and Daniel’s conversation I’d overheard yesterday. “Taking down the Masons won’t be easy. His family is powerful and influential. Not to mention how many lawyers would even take this case. Even if they did, we don’t have one hundred percent concrete evidence to put him away. It might just make him more vigilant. This needs a long-term strategy.” Daniel gently embraced Mom. “But right now, there’s another tricky matter. Harper, what do you want to do about her?” Mom hesitated before speaking. “I hate her. It’s a hate that, even knowing she had no choice, I just can’t bring myself to raise her without resentment. Am I a bad person? An irresponsible mother?” Daniel softly reassured her. “Eleanor, you are you, first and foremost. Only then are you a mother. No one has the right to demand that you love someone, or to judge you for hating them.” Mom’s eyes moistened, not with tears of despair, breakdown, or pain. But with tears of happiness, from being understood and comforted. Daniel is so good. Mom is so good. Chloe is good too. They are the perfect family of three. This happy family was never meant to include me. As for me, I’ll be the final chess piece to bring down the Masons.

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My Wife Cheated. Now She Begs. My wife, Chloe, had fallen for Liam Carter, the charming new colleague at her company. At our wedding anniversary gala, many of Chloe’s business partners were present. As the banquet began, the carefully crafted memory VCR I’d prepared was replaced by intimate footage of Chloe and Liam. Chloe seized the opportunity: “Everyone at the company says we’re a perfect match. Anyway, the partners don’t know you. If Liam were my husband, they’d be more willing to collaborate.” Those who knew me waited for me to throw a fit, to make a scene. But I didn’t cry or rant. I clapped, cheering them on. This marriage was a sham anyway. I was done with this wife. … I watched Liam Carter, dressed in a high-end custom suit, looking more like the man of the hour than me, the actual host. It seemed everything had been meticulously planned. I handed him the cue cards I’d prepared for my speech. Ignoring the gloating expressions of those around me, I walked straight out of the banquet hall. I left the hall and walked all the way to the parking lot. Chloe didn’t follow. It seemed my departure had truly pleased her. If that was the case, I had even less reason to object. The banquet had kept me busy since morning, and I hadn’t eaten a proper meal. As soon as I left, I headed straight for ‘The Golden Spoon,’ the most renowned restaurant in the city. It used to be my favorite. Right after we got married, Chloe would come with me every week. But I don’t know when it happened, when I disappeared from Chloe’s eyes, and with me, all the affection we’d shared for so many years. Chloe never liked managing things; she found organizing banquets to be the biggest hassle. So, I’d started planning two months ago, ensuring every detail was perfect. From the smallest things like flowers and food, to the guest list, venue, and flow of the entire event. When we first got married, we just eloped, following Chloe’s preferences. But I had always longed for a ceremony that everyone could witness. This anniversary gala was supposed to be Chloe’s way of making it up to me, a second wedding. My dedication to this event made it clear, without even thinking, that the VCR swap was no accident. I had spent ages editing that VCR, crafting it with my own hands. It contained every memory, from when Chloe and I first started dating, all the way to our fifth wedding anniversary. We had grown from innocent youngsters to who we were now, side-by-side. And now, she no longer loved me. To say I wasn’t heartbroken would be a lie. But after so much accumulated disappointment, I had grown numb. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to walk away from that banquet so nonchalantly today. I ate my last bite, digesting the last shred of my grievances. A decision had solidified in my mind. Back home, I took a shower and was about to go to sleep when Chloe’s call came through: “Noah Vance, where are you? I didn’t know the rest of the banquet’s schedule, almost made a fool of myself!” Chloe’s tone was full of disdain and impatience, as if I were just a hired hand for the event. I deliberately asked her back: “I’ve been home for a while. What’s wrong? Do you need me to come back?” Chloe was silent for a moment on the other end: “Forget it, forget it. The banquet ended perfectly anyway, you don’t need to come.” She hung up after that. Of course, I knew she wouldn’t want me there. The banquet was over. She definitely wanted to spend some quality time alone with her little fling. Why would she want me to intrude? I slept soundly at home, having missed a lot of sleep these past few days preparing for the banquet. By the time I woke up, it was already past midnight. Chloe had also returned home. Chloe had changed out of her formal gown into a casual sundress. Her cheeks were flushed, and she seemed to be in good spirits. As soon as she saw me, her pleasant expression tightened a bit: “Why didn’t you answer my calls or messages?” I stretched leisurely, replying airily: “I was asleep.” Chloe narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing me for a long time before asking impatiently: “You’re not throwing a tantrum because of what happened earlier, are you? I told you to be sensible, wasn’t I just doing my job?” “Everyone at the company knows Liam and I work well together; we’re the company’s model pair. If those partners think we’re a couple, they’ll definitely be more supportive of us.” Right, you two are the model couple. So, my wedding anniversary gala effectively turned into your engagement party, huh? 2. I sneered internally, wondering if she was so happy today that she’d lost her mind. I didn’t bother to respond, just shrugged. Chloe seemed very displeased with my attitude, and her eyes held a hint of suspicion. Just as she was about to say something more, the front door opened. Liam, as if he lived there, appeared at our bedroom door, a bag in his hand, a sly, almost bashful smirk on his face: “Chloe, you forgot your outfit. I brought it over for you.” “Noah, you’re here too? I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Chloe had even given Liam his own access code to the house; he entered as if it were his own. Chloe didn’t seem to find anything wrong with it. She gently took the paper bag: “You shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble coming over so late. You could have just waited for me to pick it up next time.” Their eyes locked, a silent, sickeningly sweet exchange passing between them, thick with unspoken affection. I felt a wave of disgust, a shiver running down my spine. Chloe seemed to find a new reason to mock me, looking even more self-righteous. “Honestly, Noah, why can’t you be more like Liam? He’s younger than you, yet so much more mature!” “Today at the banquet, he handled so many guests all by himself and did it perfectly. And you? You just run away whenever there’s a problem.” “The end of the banquet was a mess. If it wasn’t for Liam, I wouldn’t have known what to do! You just abandoned everything and went home, who knows what people would think…” Chloe paused mid-sentence, and I finished it for her: “I was wrong.” The next second, both Chloe and Liam froze. My anticipated meltdown didn’t happen. Instead, I was unexpectedly calm. I didn’t cry, didn’t yell, didn’t even argue. I just stared at Chloe, completely devoid of emotion. Everyone knew I loved Chloe to my very core. For her, I had given up everything. Before I met her, I was that gifted artist, pouring my soul onto the canvas, expressing myself freely. My work touched people’s hearts; it was my way of communicating with the world, an outlet for my deepest emotions. However, all of that quietly changed the moment I met Chloe. Back then, Chloe was just an ordinary employee at a company. But her smile, her eyes, made me feel a warmth and stability I had never known. For her, I was willing to abandon everything, including the art scene where I once shone so brightly. My family’s objections were like a tempest. They couldn’t understand why I would give up the family’s artistic legacy for an ordinary woman. But in my heart, Chloe was the one worth sacrificing everything for. So, I decisively broke ties with my family, just to be with her. Those days, we relied on each other, struggling but happy. I devoted myself to caring for her, accompanying her. I tried to build a solid fortress for her with my love, to make her feel a security she had never experienced. And with my support, Chloe bravely embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. Her company grew from nothing, steadily expanding, reaching the pinnacle of its success. I was proud of her and relieved to have been able to walk alongside her through that arduous journey. However, as Chloe’s career flourished, our relationship quietly began to change. She became busy, often working late into the night, even neglecting me on weekends. I tried to understand her hardship, giving her enough space and support. But gradually, I realized that someone else seemed to occupy her thoughts. 3. At first, Chloe would casually praise Liam’s talent and promising future in front of me: “Liam, the new guy at the company, is really capable. We get along so well, we’re going to be a great team.” I didn’t think much of it, assuming it was just her acknowledging a good colleague. But as time went on, she started frequently comparing me to Liam. Her words hinted at admiration and infatuation for him. My heart began to sink, an ominous feeling creeping in. Finally, one day, I discovered that Chloe often stayed late with Liam, sometimes even going out together on weekends. Her smile, once exclusively mine, was now more often directed at Liam. I protested, I argued, but all I got was Chloe’s annoyance: “Can’t you be more understanding? I’m just doing my job. I only see Liam as a little brother.” “Don’t be unreasonable, I’m exhausted. Noah Vance, your love is suffocating!” I knew then, her heart was no longer entirely mine. Facing all of this, I felt an unprecedented pain and confusion. I even started to question myself, wondering if I hadn’t been good enough, if I truly couldn’t compare to Liam. I tried everything to win Chloe back. But the outrageous stunt at the banquet today suddenly brought me to my senses. I had been so foolish. This relationship, it wasn’t worth fighting for anymore. Chloe clearly hadn’t expected such a calm reaction from me. She asked again, disbelievingly: “What did you say?” I adjusted my posture, sat up straight, and said, seriously and distantly: “I said I was wrong.” “I was wrong to abandon everything to love you. I was wrong to try and win back a heart that didn’t love me anymore.” “Loving you was my mistake, being with you against my family’s wishes was also a mistake. But, I’m ending all of it now.” Under Chloe’s incredulous gaze, I uttered the words: “Chloe Hayes, let’s get a divorce.” Chloe’s handbag dropped to the floor. Liam’s face betrayed a barely concealed triumph; he looked almost thrilled. I was genuinely afraid he might burst out laughing, he’d clearly been itching for this. Chloe frowned, her reaction unexpectedly subdued: “Noah Vance, are you drunk? Or did you just wake up confused? Say that again.” I worried she might be too excited to have heard me clearly, so I repeated, every word precise and firm: “I said, Chloe Hayes, let’s get a divorce.” I finished speaking and quietly waited for Chloe to agree. But Chloe just kept staring at me, her brow furrowed, as if trying to decipher whether I was serious or just throwing a tantrum. After several minutes, she uncomfortably averted her gaze, her tone softening unexpectedly: “I’ll pretend you’re just talking nonsense and being petty. I won’t hold it against you.” “Divorce isn’t something you just casually say when you’re upset; it’s hurtful.” “We’ve had so many years together, we understand each other. We won’t just get divorced like that.” “I’m going to stay at the company tonight. You go home and reflect on things. Don’t say such silly things again.” Chloe didn’t give me a chance to argue, heading straight out the door. Liam, looking utterly bewildered, followed after her. 4. Now, this baffled me. These past few days, they’d been sickeningly sweet right under my nose. Today, they even played intimate photos at the banquet. I’d thought she was eager to divorce me and be with Liam. But then I thought, maybe it’s for the best. There were still a few things I needed to handle. Tomorrow, once I drafted the divorce papers, I’d go straight to her, and she would agree then, right? I pulled the covers over my head and went back to sleep, not waking until late morning the next day. My phone was silent, no calls, no messages. Without hesitation, I called my lawyer and had the divorce papers drafted. With the papers in hand, I got up, got ready, and contacted some old friends from the art world for a meal. These friends were the confidantes I’d made back when I was pouring my soul onto the canvas. Each of them had witnessed my fervor and dedication to painting. They knew my complete immersion when I stood before a canvas. Back then, my heart was solely devoted to art. When I decided to leave the art scene for Chloe, to fully dedicate myself to her, they called me crazy. They believed I was impulsive and foolish to give up my talent and dreams for a woman. At the time, though I felt a flicker of hesitation and reluctance, The power of love propelled me irrevocably down that path of no return. So, when I decided to pick up my paintbrush again and return to the art world, these old friends gathered around me once more. “Noah, I don’t know why you finally came to your senses, but we all support you! As long as you’re back, we’re with you!” “Exactly! I’ve even planned it out. We’ll hold exhibitions together, open a studio, fulfill all our old dreams.” It was a great meal. As I stood up to pay at the front counter, I unexpectedly heard a familiar voice. I turned around to see Chloe and Liam sitting at a couple’s booth. Their behavior was intimate, feeding each other bites. They shared a small cake, even smeared frosting on each other’s mouths with theirs. That sickening sweetness and affection stung my eyes. I slowly walked over. Chloe clearly hadn’t expected me to be there; she jumped, a flicker of panic in her eyes. “Noah Vance? What are you doing here?!” Liam immediately chimed in, pretending to be startled by me: “Noah, you’re not actually stalking us, are you? Do you really not trust Chloe? First demanding a divorce yesterday, now stalking her today.” But I had no desire to argue with him. I knew this was all a coincidence. But I also knew, with even more certainty, that the thread of fate between Chloe and me had truly reached its end. I took out the divorce papers I had already prepared and quietly placed them in front of her. She looked guilty, trying to explain: “Fine, fine, you can stalk me, just don’t do it again…” “And just now, I wasn’t feeling well, so we were… feeding each other. Don’t overthink it.” I ignored her explanations, simply watching her silently. She quickly glanced at the papers. Perhaps out of guilt, or perhaps eager to escape the awkward situation, she signed her name hastily without reading carefully. Only after she had signed did I tell her it was a divorce agreement. “Were you so out of it? You signed without even looking.”

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The new intern, Chloe, was obsessed with splitting everything down the middle. I’d paid six thousand for a double room on a business trip. She volunteered to handle the reimbursement, and after her “AA” calculation, I didn’t get a single penny back. “Ashley, you went back to the hotel earlier than me, so you stayed there four more hours a day.” “You’re taller than me, so you eat more food and take up more space in the taxi.” “Plus, there’s my service fee for booking the taxi.” Later, when I brought her onto a project, all she did was print documents and order takeout. Yet, she shamelessly demanded an equal split of the bonus. “Ashley, we did this project together. It’s only fair if we AA the bonus, fifty thousand each.” My colleagues all told me she had it tough, coming from a small town, and urged me to be more understanding. Until she unilaterally altered a proposal, causing a glitch in another project, which required a thirty-thousand dollar compensation. Her eyes red, she told me: “Ashley, let’s AA the responsibility. Your salary is higher, so you take the thirty thousand, and I’ll go apologize to the client, okay?” I rejected her absurd proposal. During our argument, she pushed me off the eighteenth-floor balcony. Meanwhile, those same colleagues who’d preached generosity were on a beach in Bali, popping champagne with *my* bonus, laughing and mocking me. “Ashley doesn’t have any backbone. She jumps off a building the moment things go wrong. Good riddance, though. Her jumping to her death is probably for the best.” When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day she asked me for the expense receipts. This time, I was going to let everyone experience the joy of going Chloe’s way of “AA.” … “Ashley, I’ll handle the reimbursement for this business trip.” Chloe’s sweet voice chirped in my ear. My body stiffened. I looked up at Chloe. Seeing that familiar, hypocritical face, I realized I had been reborn. In my last life, I handed her the receipts for the six thousand dollars I’d fronted for the hotel. Every last cent went straight into her pocket. I’d pressed her multiple times, but she’d whipped out a calculator and, with her twisted logic of “AA,” managed to justify keeping every single dollar. Later, Mr. Davison put her on my new project. She was just an intern, with zero experience. Her daily tasks involved printing documents and picking up packages. While I pulled all-nighters working on proposals, she’d clock out on time and head back to her dorm to binge-watch shows. Because the first phase of the project went exceptionally well, the client unexpectedly expanded the scope, and the project bonus increased to a hundred thousand dollars. When Chloe heard the news, her eyes lit up. She practically ran to my desk. “Ashley, we did this project together, so the bonus should be AA, too. Fifty thousand each, that’s only fair.” She said it with such righteous conviction. “I put in effort too. Hard work isn’t ranked by status or skill.” “Printing documents is a technical skill. How could your project have succeeded without the documents I printed?” I was about to refuse, but those so-called “good” colleagues in the office immediately stepped in to smooth things over. I thought about her tough background; fifty thousand seemed like a donation to a good cause. So, I nodded and agreed. Then, in another project, she unilaterally altered a proposal, causing millions in losses. She was on the hook for thirty thousand in damages. The project had nothing to do with me, but she came to me, her eyes red with tears. “Ashley, it’s only because you didn’t mentor me that I made a mistake.” “Let’s AA the responsibility. Your salary is high, so you take the thirty thousand.” “I’ll just swallow my pride and bow deeply to apologize to the client, okay?” I had never met anyone so utterly shameless. Besides, this was about my career and reputation. I flat-out refused. She immediately started a fight with me. A few colleagues in the office sided with her, saying I wasn’t being generous enough, unwilling to help a newcomer. In the midst of the argument, Chloe pushed me off the eighteenth floor. And she’d dangled the project bonus in front of them, so they outright lied, claiming I’d committed suicide due to a project error. After collecting their bonuses, they popped champagne on a beach in Bali, celebrating. They sang and danced, partying for an entire week. They’d even occasionally mock me, calling me stupid and clumsy, saying my death was for the best. Thinking of this, my jaw clenched, and my face darkened. Chloe’s “AA” system wasn’t just about splitting money or credit; it was about splitting blame, and even taking a life. “Ashley, what’s wrong?” Jessica, sitting beside me, nudged me with her elbow, pulling me back to reality. “Chloe is kindly offering to help with your reimbursement, why are you frowning? Don’t always act like such a superior senior.” Megan chimed in from the side. “Exactly! She’s trying to be nice, your expression is terrible.” It was those two again. In my last life, it was Jessica and Megan, constantly whispering in my ear about Chloe being a poor small-town girl who needed extra care. They talked me into softening my stance. Not only did I overlook those small travel expenses, but I even bought Chloe several designer gifts. Now I saw clearly: these two were just sacrificing me to curry favor with Chloe, playing the good cop. They just had to open their mouths to earn a reputation for kindness and generosity, while the idiot who paid and did all the work was me. A cold laugh echoed in my mind. Too bad. This life, I would never “AA” with Chloe again. I couldn’t wait to see if they’d still be smiling when they were forced to participate in Chloe’s “AA” game. 2. I smiled and shook my head at Chloe. “No need. You’re new, and this is your time to learn and observe. I wouldn’t want such a small task to hinder your progress.” Chloe’s sweet smile flickered, then quickly returned. “It’s no trouble at all, Ashley. Just a little favor!” “Oh, no, that won’t do.” I feigned seriousness. “Your future is paramount. I’ll handle it myself.” She started to say more, but I’d already turned away, cutting off her opportunity to speak. Last life, I’d agreed to her “help” and ended up losing all six thousand dollars I’d paid upfront. This life, I flat-out refused and decided to handle my own reimbursement. I wanted to see how she’d “AA” this money without the receipts. At lunchtime, I happily ate my meal and leisurely returned to my cubicle. Chloe, on the other hand, was noticeably anxious and distracted during lunch. Back at my desk, I focused on writing my proposal, but out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Chloe fidgeting beside me. She kept stealing glances my way, clearly wanting to say something but holding back. I pretended not to notice. It wasn’t until three in the afternoon that I calmly printed out the reimbursement form, pulled out the receipts, and carefully glued them on. Chloe’s eyes followed my every move, her agitation growing visibly. When I finally stood up, ready to head to accounting, she couldn’t hold it in anymore and practically lunged in front of me. “Ashley, um… could you give me the receipts?” I raised an eyebrow. “Why would I do that?” “I just calculated it carefully. We agreed to go Dutch, so this entire reimbursement should go to me.” I let out a cold laugh. All six thousand dollars? Her audacity knew no bounds. I wondered what new trick she’d pull this time. I feigned surprise. “All six thousand to you? Didn’t we stay in the hotel together? It should at least be half each. I’ll take three thousand.” “But we agreed to go AA!” Chloe immediately perked up. I nodded. “Right, AA.” She cleared her throat and began her elaborate calculation. “On the business trip, Ashley, you went back to the hotel to rest by 7 PM every day, while I didn’t get back until 11 PM. You stayed an extra four hours a day.” “Based on usage time, you should cover two-thirds of the room fee, which is four thousand dollars.” The classic calculation, word for word from my last life. I played along. “Alright, deducting four thousand, that leaves two thousand. That should be mine, right?” “No, not even that two thousand,” Chloe immediately shook her head. “I paid upfront for all the food and taxis.” “Ashley, you know, you’re ten centimeters taller than me. You take up more space in the car.” “And you eat more than I do. You should pay more for that portion of the expenses.” She meticulously counted on her fingers, clearly enjoying herself. “Food and taxis totaled two thousand. Proportionally, you owe me one thousand three hundred.” “Also, I used my ride-sharing app account, so you need to pay me a usage fee per day.” It was the same old spiel, no new material whatsoever. I watched her coldly, saying nothing. Seeing my lack of reaction, Chloe quickly added. “Originally, I even charge a service fee for booking rides. We called twenty rides over ten days, fifty dollars each, that’s a thousand in total.” “But seeing as you brought me on the business trip, I’ll give you a 30% discount, so you only owe seven hundred.” She finished, giving me a look that implied I’d just gotten an amazing deal. “So you don’t need to transfer any money to me. The reimbursement money will be just enough for me.” The air was silent for a few seconds. I raised my hand and gently clapped a few times. Chloe was stunned by my action, frozen in place. *** [Paywall] *** 3. I chuckled softly, looking at Chloe. “You’re quite good at math.” I picked up the reimbursement form, tapping it with my finger. “However, I think you might have some misunderstandings about company policy and basic common sense.” “Hotel accommodation, taxi fares, and meal expenses are all reimbursed per person according to standard rates.” “The hotel we stayed at charges per room night.” “Whether you want to sleep in it for twenty-four hours, or go out sightseeing and not be in it for a minute, that’s entirely up to you.” “Those extra four hours I spent there weren’t me occupying *your* time; it was *you* choosing to go out and forgo your right to use the room.” She opened her mouth, wanting to argue, but I waved my hand, cutting her off directly. “When we took taxis, we rode in a business class vehicle, which is very spacious.” “The back seat was roomy enough to fit three more of you. If you wanted more space, you could have totally laid down, I wouldn’t have minded.” I paused, watching her face gradually turn pale. “You’re short and eat little, and you always left a huge amount of food unfinished every time we ordered.” “I didn’t touch your portion. It all went to waste because of you.” “Feel like you lost money? Go ask the restaurant owner if they’ll refund you for leftovers.” Chloe’s face flushed then paled, clearly not expecting me to calculate things so meticulously. Her eyes darted around, and she immediately adopted a wronged tone. “Then… then there should be a service fee for me helping to book the rides, right?” “Ashley, you know I’m from a small town. My family is poor, and I have two younger brothers still in school.” “Your salary is so high, a small service fee isn’t too much to ask, is it?” Here we go again, using emotional blackmail to appeal to my pity. “First time I’ve heard of a forced service fee.” I retorted directly. “You didn’t tell me you’d be charging beforehand, otherwise, I could have used my own account.” “Besides, the hotel front desk can book cars, so your service wasn’t even necessary.” Her voice grew frantic. “But you *did* enjoy my service!” I put on a thoughtful expression. “Indeed. How about this: in the future, I’ll book taxis for you to deduct the cost.” “Do you need a taxi to go home today? Or… should I call one for you right now?” I made to pick up my phone, and Chloe’s face completely darkened. She was so angry her lips trembled, her eyes welled up, and tears began to gather. Sure enough, the office “saints,” Jessica and Megan, immediately gathered around. “Ashley, isn’t that a bit much?” Jessica frowned. “Chloe’s family isn’t well off, and you’re being so calculative.” “Exactly! Your salary is so high, and you’re so cheap.” “It’s just a little money? Is it really worth it?” “Just a little money”? Six thousand dollars! Chloe was an intern; her monthly salary wasn’t even six thousand. Jessica glared at me, patting Chloe’s back to comfort her. “It’s okay, Chloe. Next time, I’ll go AA with you. I won’t let you take this kind of unfair hit!” I looked at these two moving statues of “saints” in front of me and almost burst out laughing. Memories from my previous life told me Chloe was not easy to deal with. She would never be content with just a verbal advantage. I waited to see their spectacular “AA” drama unfold. Hopefully, their wallets would be as tough as their mouths then. Before long, Mr. Davison specifically assigned me to the Summit Corp. project. I had ten years of experience and was recognized as the company’s ace employee. As soon as the news spread, Chloe immediately scurried over to find me. “Ashley, you’re incredible! Summit Corp. is such a huge project, and the company gave it all to you!” “Ashley, can I work with you on it? I really want to learn from you.” In my past life, I thought she genuinely wanted to learn. Not only did I teach her a lot of professional knowledge, but I also shared my experience without reservation when we did planning. But she was utterly useless, her work always sloppy. The project was urgent, so I could only assign her tasks like printing and mailing documents. Who would have thought she’d end up trying to take half my bonus just for those mundane chores? I replied coldly. “I’m too busy lately. No time to mentor you.” She immediately put on a pitiful expression. “Ashley, I truly want to learn from you.” “I admit I’m a small-town girl, inexperienced, but I really want to achieve something with my own abilities.” I didn’t even look up, my eyes fixed on the computer screen. “I really don’t have the time.” “You can find someone else.” This time, I would never give her another opportunity to take advantage. She wouldn’t even get to touch a single sheet of printer paper. With that, I completely ignored her and immersed myself in my work. Chloe turned and walked away. I secretly glanced at her. I saw her expression of injustice morph into a flicker of resentment. My heart sank. As expected, she wouldn’t give up easily. 4. I hadn’t had a moment of peace when Mr. Davison walked over, a scowl on his face. “Ashley, what’s going on with you? Are you living too comfortably?” His tone was harsh, and the office instantly fell silent, several curious gazes fixed on my back. “An intern wants to learn from you, why did you refuse? You started as a junior too, how can you lack such empathy?” “It’s not easy for a young girl from a small town to have ambition. Being so cold, aren’t you being a bit too malicious?” “Are you perhaps afraid she’ll surpass you? So petty.” He barraged me with sarcasm, and I silently rolled my eyes. Plenty of people came from humble beginnings, but I’d never seen anyone as opportunistic as her. In my last life, they were able to successfully split my bonus not just because Jessica and Megan lied, but also with Mr. Davison’s help. After I was reborn, I investigated and found out that Chloe was his son’s college girlfriend. She got the internship through him. Company policy clearly stated that relatives needed to avoid conflicts of interest, so his son couldn’t get in. That slot naturally fell to his “future daughter-in-law.” No wonder he was so quick to accuse me. I couldn’t be bothered with him, but maintained basic politeness. “Mr. Davison, I’m truly too busy and don’t have time to mentor Chloe. I’m afraid I’d waste her talent.” “It’s fine. Her talent is high, she doesn’t need you to teach her; she can learn just by observing.” Mr. Davison waved his hand, cutting me off directly. “This project is quite challenging and difficult to get a handle on. Learning also requires a gradual approach. Let Chloe start with entry-level—” “No need to say more.” He waved a dismissive hand, making a snap decision. “Alright, it’s settled. Chloe will follow you and assist you. With an extra person, work can be completed faster. This is an order.” What more could I say? He was the boss, after all. I nodded. “Understood, Mr. Davison.” Chloe thus became an inescapable fixture in my project team. She would half-ass her work daily, always cutting corners on assigned tasks, not even bothering with basic formatting. Sometimes, when I asked her to organize documents, she’d misspell client names. Still, out of professionalism, I diligently worked on the Summit Corp. project. Revenge was one thing, but Summit Corp. hadn’t wronged me; I couldn’t let personal grudges interfere with work. Soon, Phase One of the project concluded successfully, exceeding all expectations. Just like in my last life, Mr. Davison announced cheerfully in the meeting. “Great news! Summit Corp. is extremely satisfied with our proposal. Not only did they approve Phase One, but they’ve also decided to increase the budget. The boss has personally authorized a hundred thousand dollar bonus for the project team!” Applause filled the conference room; everyone was excited. My internal alarm bells, however, were ringing. The familiar script was about to play out again. Sure enough, Chloe suddenly stood up to speak. “Mr. Davison, I think the ‘AA’ system is popular now, and the bonus distribution plan should be fairer.” She cleared her throat, looking utterly righteous. “Many interns also put in work and should be included in the bonus distribution. Hard work isn’t ranked by status or skill, after all.” Mr. Davison immediately loudly agreed. “Chloe has excellent ideas! We truly should consider the contributions of all participants.” Jessica and Megan instantly chimed in to support her. “Exactly! Chloe stays late every day; we all see it.” “It’s a hundred thousand dollars! What’s wrong with giving some to the interns? Ashley, you’re not that stingy, are you?” I watched these few people playing off each other and almost applauded. Same script, same lines. Here we go again. In my last life, she used this trick to successfully snatch half of my bonus. A full fifty thousand dollars had landed in Chloe’s pocket. Reborn this time, I was prepared. Under the varied gazes of everyone, I didn’t get angry. Instead, I smiled. “Well said. Chloe’s suggestion? I wholeheartedly approve.” “I also have a suggestion, which happens to be a perfect complement to Chloe’s.” I stood up and activated the computer projector.

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My Ex-Fiancée, The Psycho, and The Woman Who Saved Me At what should have been Serena and my ninth wedding, her mentally ill ex-boyfriend, Victor Reed, showed up to cause trouble again. He held a knife to my mother Evelyn’s throat, a manic, deranged laugh echoing through the venue. “Serena, you’re not allowed to marry him!” “And you, you’d better agree to let me take over your wedding. I’m the groom. If you don’t, I’ll kill her.” Serena looked at him with an expression of deep concern, pulling off her veil and dropping it to the floor. Her eyes showed a mix of helplessness and pleading. “Alex, you see, it’s not that I don’t want to marry you; it’s that we can’t provoke Victor.” “I promised his mother I would never send him to a psychiatric facility.” Guests at the wedding started openly drinking, watching the chaotic scene unfold, gossiping about our endless drama, and shooting me looks of scorn. I clenched my fists, then unclenched them, only to clench them again. The internal battle was tearing me apart. Finally, I pulled off my wedding ring and tossed it to Serena: “Enjoy your happily ever after!” Serena, I’m truly letting you go.

What was supposed to be our wedding, I was now just a mere guest. The butt of everyone’s jokes. Serena wanted me to take off my suit for Victor to wear. It was a blatant act of humiliation. But I had no choice but to agree, because my mother’s life was still in Victor’s hands. So, under the gaze of thousands of mocking eyes, enduring the humiliation and the insults of being a fool, I took off my suit, piece by painful piece. “Ugh, he’s so useless. He’s a disgrace to all men.” “What a pathetic loser, can’t he live without a woman, for crying out loud?” These words pierced my ears. My heart felt a bitter ache and a profound helplessness. Serena had once saved my mother’s life, and I had promised her then that I would marry no one but her. For the sake of that single promise, I had waited for her every time she ran away from our wedding, only to stand by. But this time, I wouldn’t wait for her anymore. Serena walked over, picked up the discarded groom’s suit from the floor, her face tinged with guilt. “Alex, don’t worry. Once I’ve calmed Victor down and his emotions stabilize, we’ll hold our wedding.” “Just bear with it this time! You know, he acts like a child when he has an episode. Let’s just treat our wedding as a joke.” My mother looked at me, her eyes filled with sorrow. The knife at her throat had pierced her skin, drawing a thin line of blood. “Alex, stop taking it off…” I pulled off my pants and threw them at Serena. “Enough?” I looked at Victor as I said it. He was staring at me with a perfectly normal gaze, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “As long as I’m here, you’ll never marry her. She’s mine.” Before I could reply, Serena was already smiling, soothing him with a doting tone. “Yes, I’m yours. Always. Come on, put on the groom’s suit.” Only then did Victor seem satisfied. When he looked at me again, his eyes were full of blatant provocation. My clenched fists audibly cracked. I had tried to convince Serena before: if he’s truly ill, why not send him to a proper psychiatric facility for treatment? She claimed she couldn’t bear to leave him alone there; he had no family left, and he was already so pitiful. She even accused me of being heartless and calculating. Every argument we had was because of Victor. I was genuinely exhausted. I didn’t want to be entangled with them anymore. If she wanted to care for him, she could care for him all she wanted. But the people in the room had started openly laughing, pointing and gossiping about us, enjoying the spectacle. My mother, overwhelmed with guilt, began to weep, but Victor still hadn’t released her. Just then, a group of doctors in white coats rushed in through the door. “Heard there’s a mentally ill person causing trouble and threatening lives here?”

I don’t know who called the police and notified the mental health professionals. Startled, Victor tightened his grip on my mother. The sharp tip of the knife dug deeper into her skin, and my mother winced in pain. “Victor, calm down! Don’t hurt my mother!” *Smack!* Serena slapped me across the face, her eyes blazing with fury. “Alex, why did you call the police and bring them here? Didn’t I tell you? We can’t send Victor to a place like that!” I tried to explain it wasn’t me, but she wouldn’t listen. And Victor had already lost control. The scissors wildly slashed, piercing my mother’s throat. A gush of blood erupted. I froze, stunned as if struck by lightning. Then, in a flash, I lunged forward, seized the opportunity, and punched Victor to the ground. He tumbled, crashing into a nearby wine rack, bottles shattering and wine spilling all over him. Serena, who had always shown affection for my mother, completely ignored my mother’s bleeding throat. Instead, her concern was solely for Victor, who wasn’t seriously injured. I helped my mother up, pressing my hand to her neck, screaming in horror, my face ghostly pale. “Help my mother, quickly!” But Victor, enraged by me knocking him down, got back up, grabbed a piece of broken glass, and lunged. He savagely stabbed me, but I couldn’t free my hands to defend myself. The police reacted quickly, drawing their weapons and subduing Victor. What was supposed to be a beautiful wedding had descended into utter chaos, a scene of complete devastation. My mother clutched my hand, her voice weak with tears. “Don’t cry, Alex. Don’t worry about me anymore. Just live the life you want… that’s all!” As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes slowly closed. Ignoring Serena and the others, I scooped up my mother and followed the ambulance. But because her artery had been severed, they couldn’t save her. She died on the operating table. I collapsed by the door, tears of guilt and despair streaming down my face. Was this love wrong? If not, how could our wedding be stained with my mother’s blood? Serena called, but I didn’t answer. Finally, she sent me a message. “Alex, how’s your mom holding up?” “I’m sorry, I apologize on Victor’s behalf! I’ve already gotten him out of the psychiatric facility. The director tested him, and all his indicators were perfectly normal.” “As for why he stabbed your mother, it might have just been normal anger.” “I’ve also taken care of the police. This is our family matter, we can resolve it privately. Pay them off, and it’ll be fine.” I clenched my phone tightly, on the verge of exploding with rage. Why was he still free after committing murder? ‘Normal indicators’? Ha, Serena must have pulled some strings. In that instant, I sobered up completely. I picked up my phone and called her. “Why did you let him out? He’s a killer now!” “But he only kills people who provoke him, and you and your mother were provoking him. Victor doesn’t just kill anyone.” “So, if you want things to be okay, just give in to him, don’t provoke him.” “You know, mentally ill people don’t get convicted for murder…” The conversation had reached this point. Nine out of ten sentences were defending Victor. There was no point in talking anymore. I hung up, numbly dragging my heavy feet into the operating room. Taking one last look at my mother’s face, I couldn’t help but break down into tears. It was all my fault! If I had lived my life on my own terms, if I had cut ties with Serena sooner, perhaps my mother wouldn’t have died. But alas, there’s no second chance in reality, only brutal consequences. Without notifying anyone, I quietly took my mother back to our hometown for burial.

After arranging the funeral, I called my boss, Victoria. “Your proposal from last time? I accept.” “I’m leaving in three days!” As soon as I hung up, Serena called. I rejected her call without a second thought and went to a bar to drink alone. I didn’t return home until very late. The moment I walked in, I saw a man and a woman intertwined, rolling on the sofa. “Serena, tell me you love me most, quickly.” “Okay, mm! I only love you. I’ll never marry Alex.” “You have to take me everywhere, don’t you dare reject me.” If Serena didn’t agree, Victor would “punish” her forcefully in bed, coercing her into submission. They were completely lost in the moment, utterly oblivious to me standing there watching. Did it hurt? To witness my fiancée bringing a murderer back home to sleep with him? No. It didn’t hurt anymore. Only profound disgust and rage. Victor seemed to notice me. He turned, his eyes full of provocation, but his actions didn’t stop. His eyes openly mocked me: *See? As long as I’m here, you’ll never be together. I’ll make you suffer and despair, slowly.* Serena had been calling his name for a while with no response, so she involuntarily followed his gaze. When she saw me, her eyes snapped open. She quickly pushed Victor away. Her face, drained of any flushed passion, turned ghostly pale with shock. She hastily put on her clothes, her breathing ragged. Ignoring Victor, she rushed towards me. “Al-Alex, why are you suddenly back?!” Serena’s hands trembled. Before she could touch me, I violently shoved her away. I’d been gone for ten days, and she hadn’t even asked where I was, her entire focus solely on Victor. “Don’t touch me. You’re filthy. You’re covered in another man’s slobber.” My words left Serena stunned. She hadn’t expected me to curse her so openly, and she panicked. “Alex, don’t say that about me.” “You know he has a mental illness; if you don’t appease him, it’ll trigger him, and he’ll go mad and hurt someone.” I looked at her face, listening, and felt my anger flare even more. “Why do you have to appease him? Why do you refuse to send him to a psychiatric facility, even if it kills you? If he’s truly ill, then you’re no better. You’re just pathetic.” “Take him and get out of my house. I never want to see you again.” When Serena heard me tell her to get out, she quickly reached out to grab me. “Alex, please don’t be like this. You have compassion for a stray cat, so why are you so cold-hearted towards a lonely patient?” I pushed her away, devoid of any feeling. “Because when I help a cat, it shows gratitude. But him? Helping him just makes him more arrogant.” “On our dates, you brought him. When we went to bed, he’d throw a fit, and you’d go calm him, even comforting him in *his* bed. Our wedding was interrupted repeatedly. Tell me, after being in such an exhausting relationship, why should I continue with you?” “We’re breaking off the engagement immediately. I never want to see you again.” “Now take him and get out.” My yelling left Serena’s face ghostly white. And having been caught red-handed doing disgusting things with Victor, she had no ground to argue. Victor, however, panicked. He threw a punch at me. “Don’t you dare bully Serena! I’m a mental patient. If you provoke me, I can kill you and not go to jail.” That same old line again. Enraged, I lifted my leg and kicked him hard, sending him sprawling. Serena, who had initially been frozen, knowing she was in the wrong, moved the moment I struck Victor.

Not only did I not stop, I stomped on the back of his hand. “I’m acting in self-defense. I’ve studied law, I know how to deal with you.” As I pressed harder, Victor screamed in agony. Serena quickly shoved me away with force. “Enough! I know you’re angry at me, and you’re taking it out on him.” “If you have any anger, direct it at me, don’t trouble him.” Seeing that I wouldn’t release his foot, Serena grabbed a baseball bat and hit me on the head. The pain made me release my foot. When Serena saw the blood on my forehead, she froze, realizing she had hit me too hard. As she was about to come check my injury, Victor started crying, clutching his hand. “Is my hand broken?” “I knew it. Poor orphans have no one to love them, much less lonely patients with mental illness.” Those few words instantly stole all of Serena’s attention. Her tension turned into frustrated anger, and she shoved me away. “Serves you right! You started it!” “Alright, so what if you bled a little? You won’t die.” “But Victor is different! The doctor told me to watch him constantly, not to let him get agitated, or he might self-harm with a knife or even kill someone, then what?” “And tell Mother Evelyn not to be angry. Once I’ve calmed Victor, I’ll buy her favorite pastries and visit her.” “We are not breaking off the engagement. I won’t say it a second time.” After delivering that ultimatum, Serena left, taking Victor with her. As they passed me, Victor gave me the middle finger in contempt. Feeling dizzy, I had no energy to deal with him. After they left, I started clearing out everything related to Serena. Once I finished, I contacted the landlord to terminate the lease. But the next day, to my surprise, I was knocked out and taken away. When I opened my eyes again, I saw Victor, a cigarette dangling from his lips, standing with several men behind him, all glaring at me menacingly. It looked like a very dangerous situation. Dragging my bruised body, I stood up and met Victor’s gaze. I stared at him for a long time until he sneered. “Looks like you’ve figured out I was faking my mental illness. But what can you do?” “As long as Serena is involved, I’ll never admit I was faking it. You’ll never win against me.” He blew a puff of smoke into my face, and I frowned, taking a step back. “What exactly do you want?” “I want you to disappear forever. Serena is mine, but she loves you, and she just won’t let you go.” “You pathetic loser, you’re in my way. I can’t rest until you’re gone.” As soon as he finished speaking, he signaled the men behind him to act. “Throw him off the sixth floor. Kill him.” I clenched my fists and began to fight them. Victor seized an opportunity, lunged at me with a knife, and stabbed me in the chest. Just then, Serena rushed in. “Stop them!” Victor quickly pulled out the knife and stabbed himself, faking that I was trying to kill him. Seeing this, the other men quickly fled. Victor suddenly clutched his self-inflicted wound and stumbled toward Serena, blocking her path, then collapsed into her arms. His blood stained her clothes, terrifying Serena and sending her into a panic. I painfully knelt on the ground, my vision blurring. All I heard was Serena screaming at me. “Alex, you deserve to die! How could you kill Victor?!” Victor began to fake a faint, and before “passing out,” he urged Serena to rush him to the hospital. Serena glared at me ferociously, then hurried away with Victor. Finally, I lost consciousness and collapsed to the floor. Serena never once looked back at me. At the hospital, Serena sat anxiously, her mind restless. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but my pale, bloodless face kept flashing through her mind. *Had Alex been hurt too?* Just then, the doctor came out and told Serena that Victor was fine. But her heart remained uneasy. After a hasty glance at Victor, she wanted to go find me. However, Victor kept finding ways to delay her, preventing her from leaving or answering her phone. It wasn’t until the fourth day, when Serena could no longer suppress her inner dread and was about to head out, that several police officers approached. “Are you Mr. Victor Reed?” “You are charged with two major crimes: deception and murder. You falsely claimed to be mentally ill and used a knife to kill two people, resulting in their deaths.” “There were two deceased individuals: Ms. Evelyn Stone and her son, Alex Chen.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298907”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I’m a professional devoted admirer, paid to do a job – catering to clients’ every whim. A billionaire offered me $1.3 million to fawn over his son for three years. I endured humiliation and hardship, finally reaching the end of my contract. I was ready to stop the adoration. Little did I know, my “idol” would be the one to break down. “Valerie Lewis, you have ten minutes to come pick me up. Be late, and I’ll block you everywhere!” It was half past midnight, and I had just fallen asleep when I received Alexander Sinclair’s urgent call. He always called me in the middle of the night, demanding that I drive him to nightclubs. I wasn’t his personal chauffeur, but I had to be available at his beck and call. Because I was a professional devoted admirer, specifically tasked with fawning over him. Alexander’s father was a billionaire and an overindulgent parent. Three years ago, he approached me with a contract to be Alexander’s loyal admirer. I was to stick to Alexander like glue, taking care of his every need. I had to be at his disposal, attentive to every detail, and never let him feel neglected. The contract was for three years, with a payment of $1.3 million. For me, this was undoubtedly a big deal. Of course, I had to take it seriously and fulfill my obligations as stipulated in the contract. Alexander was tall, handsome, and wealthy – the epitome of a dream guy in others’ eyes. But only I knew how rotten this man truly was, how dirty his soul was. Arrogant, unreasonable, with a terrible temper. Unlike other rich young masters who excelled in arts and culture, He indulged in all vices – drinking, gambling, drugs – spending his days in nightclubs surrounded by a revolving door of women. He changed girlfriends every few days and juggled multiple relationships at once – a true player! Since I came into the picture, Alexander had developed a new hobby – tormenting his admirer. He always found new ways to torment me, his attitude towards me hot and cold. He loved to manipulate me, often slapping me then offering a small kindness. As a professional admirer, I had to play my part. Whenever I saw him with other women, I would show extreme distress. Pain, jealousy, resentment… At those times, his twisted psyche would be greatly satisfied. Then he’d say a few sweet nothings to comfort me. I would eagerly return to his side, continuing to care for his every need, complying with his every wish. His demands on me were extremely strict. I had to be available at any time he called, not a minute late. Even if he called me to drive in the middle of the night, I had to get up immediately. This led to me not having a single good night’s sleep for three whole years. As a result, I developed severe insomnia and neurasthenia. Yet I couldn’t take sleeping pills, in case he called and I couldn’t wake up. Of course, for that $1.3 million, I could endure all of this. What I found most intolerable was Alexander’s love for public humiliation, which was also his most twisted trait. For example, he’d make me kneel in front of him and his male friends, licking their shoes and barking like a dog. He and his friends would burst into harsh laughter, saying I was the most obedient admirer. Any normal person wouldn’t be able to stand such humiliation. But because I was bound by the contract, I could only swallow my anger and bear it. This life of enduring humiliation lasted for three years, but I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel! I glanced at the time – less than six hours until the contract expired. At daybreak, I would be completely free, no longer having to fawn over him. However, for now, I still had to diligently fulfill the contract, immediately heading to the location Alexander had sent. I drove a Maserati, speeding down the road. Of course, the car belonged to Alexander, but I was always the one driving him around. Looking at the logo on the steering wheel, I couldn’t help but smirk. After daybreak, when the $1.3 million was in my account, I could immediately go and buy my own luxury car. No more incessant chatter from the backseat, ordering me here and there. Just thinking about it was exciting!

Despite pushing the speed to 75 mph, I was still two minutes late. Alexander waited by the roadside with a dark face. Seeing me, he didn’t say a word, just slapped me across the face. Slap! The crisp sound broke the silence of the night. “Valerie Lewis, didn’t I warn you? Why are you still late?” “You couldn’t make it in ten minutes, you’re as slow as a turtle!” “You really need a good beating!” Alexander yelled, pointing at my nose. I lowered my head without a word. If it were before, I would definitely have bowed and apologized profusely. But now, with the contract about to expire, I didn’t need to be so subservient anymore. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Cat got your tongue?” Alexander frowned. I returned to the driver’s seat and said flatly, “Get in the car, young master. Any later and you’ll miss the party.” Alexander put his hands on his hips, displeased, “Don’t you know to open the door for me? Do I need to teach you?” I smirked, “You’re not handless, are you?” “You!!!” Alexander was about to slap me again. I quickly closed the driver’s door and locked it. After a minute of struggle, he gave up and angrily sat in the back. “Hey, how do I look today? Handsome, right?” Alexander showed off his latest outfit. To be fair, with his tall, strong build and good looks, he looked good in anything. To other women, he was undoubtedly an incredibly attractive man. But to me, he was like a dirty dishrag, filthy and disgusting. I glanced in the rearview mirror and said expressionlessly, “It’s okay.” “Just okay? That’s it?” Alexander’s face darkened immediately. If it were the old me, I would have showered him with praise, practically writing a poem about his looks. But now, I couldn’t be bothered to flatter him. Every extra word felt like a waste of breath. “Valerie Lewis, are you trying to rebel today? You dare to ignore me when I’m talking to you!” Seeing my indifference, Alexander slapped the back of my head. My head buzzed, a wave of numbness spreading. A surge of anger rose in my chest, and I had a sudden urge to hit back. But I managed to control myself. The contract would expire in five hours. I’d let him have his last bit of fun… “No, I just couldn’t think of better words to describe how handsome you are. You look good, that’s all.” I said perfunctorily. Alexander’s sour face finally softened a bit. He twisted my ear and said, “Being able to stay by my side as my admirer is your greatest fortune. Cherish this opportunity and don’t always make me unhappy, understand?” I grunted in response and suddenly slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt stop. Due to the sudden inertia, Alexander’s face smashed into the back of the front seat, leaving a face imprint. His nose was bent out of shape, and he let out a sharp cry of pain. “Valerie Lewis, do you have a death wish? Who allowed you to brake so suddenly?” After recovering, Alexander grabbed my hair and started pummeling me. Although the beating hurt, I was secretly delighted. I finally got to see Alexander make a fool of himself. He looked so ugly! I explained with a smile, “I’m sorry, I was distracted and almost missed the club entrance.” “We’ve arrived now, hurry and get out.” Alexander cursed at me again. “Useless trash, I spent so much time on my hair, and you ruined it with one brake!”

Ten minutes later, after Alexander fixed his hair, he brought me into the club. I knew without guessing it was another gathering of his fair-weather friends. The private room was filled with seven or eight people, both men and women. As we entered, the noisy chatter in the room suddenly stopped. “Oh, look who’s here – the young master Sinclair with his pet.” “Seems like you’re late today. Your admirer isn’t up to the task, huh? How should we punish them?” “Let’s have the admirer perform for us!” “Sounds good! We need a clown to liven up our drinking…” The group started making fun of me again. I was used to it by now, nothing new. Alexander naturally put his arm around a model, then beckoned to me. “Valerie, didn’t you hear? Everyone wants you to perform. What are you standing there for?” I said expressionlessly, “I have no talents. I can’t perform.” The model giggled, “Who says you have no talents? Aren’t admirers best at groveling? Just kneel down and lick our high heels clean…” Another woman glanced at her flip-flops and teased, “Oops, I almost forgot I’m not wearing heels today. You don’t mind, do you?” With that, the whole group burst into laughter. The laughter echoed in the room, sounding particularly grating. I stood still, suppressing the anger in my heart. Alexander frowned and scolded, “What’s wrong with you today? You’re not listening at all!” “Do you want to ruin everyone’s mood and embarrass me?” “Kneel down and start your performance now!” I said coldly, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have that hobby. If you want to lick, do it yourself. I won’t.” As soon as I finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room became tense. The model looked shocked, “Oh my, Mr. Sinclair, I think your pet is about to bite. It’s even talking back now.” Tonight, I had made Alexander lose face in front of his friends. He stood up and slapped me twice, trying to force me to kneel and lick the model’s shoes. But I didn’t move, and he couldn’t budge me. Enraged, he jumped up and down, spraying my face with spit as he yelled. “Alright, alright, Mr. Sinclair, calm down. Why get angry at a pet?” “How about this – for every bottle of alcohol the pet chugs, I’ll give them $1,000.” “Don’t say I’m taking advantage. I don’t mind spending on pet food.” The model took out a wad of cash from her purse and threw it at my feet. The lackeys also opened several bottles of alcohol and placed them in front of me. Alexander whispered in my ear, gnashing his teeth, “If you don’t drink tonight, you can get out of my world forever. I’ll even revoke your privilege of being my admirer!” I looked at the time – four hours left until the contract expired. Fine, I’ll help Alexander liven up the atmosphere one last time. Consider it my final service. Besides, who would turn down money? $1,000 is still money! I picked up the cash and grabbed a bottle of alcohol, downing it in one go. This foreign liquor was different from beer, with a much higher alcohol content. As the strong alcohol entered my throat, a burning sensation shot from my throat to the top of my head. I almost choked, coughing violently after finishing the bottle. “Wow, I didn’t expect the pet to have such good alcohol tolerance!” “This show is much better than shoe licking. Chug another one!” “I’ll put up the next $1,000!” The group laughed uproariously, clapping and cheering. The model took out another $1,000 in cash and threw it at my face. “Keep drinking! $1,000 per bottle, isn’t this easier than working a job?”

She had a point. $1,000 for chugging a bottle – even if I threw up, it would be worth it. I couldn’t let a little health concern stop me from making money, right? Plus, Alexander kept urging me on. I picked up another bottle of alcohol and downed it in one go. After two bottles of liquor, I was starting to struggle. This stuff didn’t hit immediately, but it had a strong aftereffect. In a short while, my head began to feel heavy and my vision started to blur. “Chug another one!” “$1,000! Keep going!” The crowd’s cheers were incessant. I thought, since I’ve come this far, why not earn a few more thousand before I go? So I didn’t hesitate and drank two more bottles in quick succession. I had earned $4,000, and I was thoroughly drunk. Leaning over the trash can, I was throwing up violently. Seeing my miserable state, the crowd’s laughter grew even louder. Alexander looked at me with disdain and kicked my butt twice. “Disgraceful thing, get out and wait for me outside.” Although these words were meant to scold me, they sounded particularly pleasant to my ears. I could finally escape. I quickly got up and headed for the door. “Stop right there! Did I say you could leave?” The model’s sharp voice stopped me. I paused, turned to look at her and asked, “Do you need something else?” The model said arrogantly, “My money isn’t that easy to earn!” “Until I say I’m satisfied, you’ll have to keep kneeling here and drinking, until I tell you to stop.” I said coldly, “What if I don’t?” The model’s eyes flashed dangerously, “You dare to say no? Who gave you the courage?” “If you don’t drink, leave the money and get out of here.” “I don’t reward disobedient dogs.” I picked up a bottle and said flatly, “Are you sure?” The model grinned, “Of course. You’re not leaving this room unless you finish drinking. Come on, don’t make your idol angry.” Alexander kissed her and shouted at me, “Don’t dawdle! If she tells you to drink, just drink!” “I didn’t bring you here to embarrass me!” Oh, so he wants me to save his face, huh? I’ll arrange that! I nodded silently, suddenly swung the bottle, and smashed it directly on the model’s head. Alcohol splashed, glass shards flew, blood flowed. Accompanied by the model’s screams and everyone’s shrieks, I sauntered out of the private room. “Valerie Lewis! Stop right there!” Alexander chased after me, grabbing my collar and glaring at me, “Have you gone crazy today? How dare you hit my girlfriend?” I swatted his hand away, straightening my collar as I said, “It was your girlfriend who offended me first. I already gave her a chance.” Alexander looked at me in disbelief, as if looking at a stranger. “Valerie Lewis, do you know what you’re saying? Who gave you the courage to talk to me like this?” I glanced at the time – only three hours left. “Alexander, I’m sorry I hit your girlfriend.” With that, I turned to leave. “Come back!” Alexander blocked my way again, “Is that it?” I raised an eyebrow and asked, “What else? I’ve already apologized. What more do you want?” Alexander pointed at the private room door and said, “Go back in there right now and kneel down to apologize to my girlfriend! And make it sincere!” “If she hits you, you can’t hit back. If she scolds you, you can’t talk back. Just take it, understand?” I laughed coldly, “You love making people kneel so much, do you think you’re a king and queen?” “Valerie Lewis!!! You… come back here!” No matter how Alexander roared behind me, I walked away without looking back.

I drove the Maserati, speeding straight to Mr. Sinclair’s company. At daybreak, I would settle the final payment with him. With just three hours left in my three-year career as a devoted admirer, I was a bit excited! I waited for three hours outside the billionaire’s company, finally making it to daybreak. During this time, Alexander called me no less than 100 times and sent countless messages, all of which I ignored. Five minutes before the contract expired, I finally answered Alexander’s call. Immediately, his hysterical roar came through the speaker. “Valerie Lewis, you dog! How dare you not answer my calls? Do you want to die?” I didn’t say a word and hung up. Two seconds later, he called again, starting with another barrage of curses. I hung up again. He called for the third time, finally improving his manners and softening his tone. “Valerie Lewis, what exactly do you want?” “If you dare hang up on me one more time, I swear I’ll never speak to you again.” “Even if you try to make up, it won’t work!” I laughed coldly and promptly hung up the phone. This time he might have really been pushed to the edge. Alexander called me for the fourth time, and I still answered. With only one minute left on the contract, I still had to abide by the agreement and fulfill my duties as an admirer. I spoke calmly and coldly, “Young Master Sinclair, you have one minute left to talk to me. Please be brief and mind your language.” Alexander started with his old routine, slapping me then offering a candy. “Valerie Lewis, I know you’re upset because you saw me with other women, right?” “I’ve smoothed over the incident where you hit someone. See how good I am to you?” “They’ve gone to the hospital for treatment now. Come pick me up and take me home immediately. I’m waiting for you at the club entrance.” I still laughed coldly, “So all those women are done playing with you, and no one’s willing to take you home? How pitiful!” Hearing this, Alexander immediately exploded. “Valerie Lewis, you bastard…” Before he could finish cursing, I hung up the phone. I decisively blocked him on all contact methods. Out of sight, out of mind. At eight in the morning, a Rolls-Royce Phantom appeared in my line of sight. The license plate had one zero and four eights – it was the billionaire’s car. I honked twice, and the Rolls-Royce stopped in front of me. The window lowered, revealing Mr. Sinclair’s plump face. “Valerie, you’re here so early? Get in, let’s talk.” I didn’t hesitate and sat next to him, getting straight to the point, “Mr. Sinclair, our contract has expired. Please settle the final payment now.” Hearing this, the smile on Mr. Sinclair’s face instantly disappeared. He sighed and said, “Ah, I didn’t expect time to pass so quickly. It’s been three years already.” Yes, three years. He didn’t know how much I had suffered at the hands of his precious son. Even $1.3 million didn’t feel like enough compensation for what I’d been through. “I’ll have the finance department transfer the final $400,000 to you immediately.” “My son has a quick temper, is stubborn, and cares about his face. Don’t cut him off abruptly, ease into it gradually, understand?” Mr. Sinclair’s commanding tone made me extremely uncomfortable. We had an equal business relationship, not an employer-servant dynamic. Moreover, the contract had expired. What right did he have to demand I ease into anything?

“I’m sorry, Mr. Sinclair, but you know your son’s temperament and character. Most people can’t bear it.” “Last night, he beat me up. I’m still bruised and swollen!” “If you want me to ease into it gradually, that’s fine, but it’ll cost extra…” I was a businessperson without sentiment. I wasn’t here to play customer care with him. My service principle was simple: money first, service later. Otherwise, get lost. Mr. Sinclair pondered for a long while, then finally nodded. “Then I’ll give you an extra $50,000 to continue for a month…” Before he could finish, I immediately interrupted, “Mr. Sinclair, a month won’t work. Three days at most.” Mr. Sinclair was stunned, “How can three days be enough? He probably won’t be able to handle it…” I smiled slightly, “Don’t worry, he will.” In the end, I reached an agreement with Mr. Sinclair. A three-day extension for $10,000. But it had to be kept secret. Alexander couldn’t know about the existence of the admirer contract. Sigh, this money was as hard to earn as if I were eating shit. I earned this $1.3 million with such bitterness! After the final payment was transferred, I immediately went to a dealership to order a Porsche. After the three-day extension period, I would throw the Maserati keys in Alexander’s face. Let whoever wants to drive that broken-down car drive it. I’ll be driving my own Panamera. However, for these three days, I still had to endure Alexander. I returned to the entrance of Alexander’s villa and honked the horn. Seeing me, Alexander rushed out as if he’d seen his mortal enemy, his eyes red with anger. Unsurprisingly, he slapped me again in public. Of course, this would be the last time I’d take a beating. There would be no more of this service in the future. “Valerie Lewis, have you realized your mistake?” Alexander grabbed my hair, questioning me fiercely. I nodded and calmly said, “Yes, I have.” “Come on, tell me clearly, what exactly did you do wrong?” Alexander pulled my hair harder, almost gritting his teeth. To earn his father’s $10,000, I endured it! “I was wrong to leave you alone.” “But didn’t you make it back by yourself? What’s the point of having me as a driver?” “Why don’t you just dump me? Let’s cut ties completely, and I promise I’ll never bother you again…” As soon as I finished speaking, Alexander was stunned, his hand loosening its grip on my hair. He couldn’t believe that after fawning over him for three years, I was now actively asking to leave. After a moment of silence, he suddenly changed the subject. “Valerie Lewis, you’ve really grown wings. You even dare to block my calls and SnapChat. What exactly do you want?” I had three days to transition from a devoted admirer to a stranger. So from now on, I couldn’t possibly indulge him anymore. I said pitifully, “To you, I’ll always be just a lowly admirer, never able to rise above that status.” “At best, I’m the least noticeable among your many lovers, insignificant and dispensable.” “If that’s the case, you might as well let me go.” “You can freely enjoy yourself with other women, and no one will cling to you anymore…” With that, I stuffed the car keys into his hand and turned to leave. “Valerie Lewis, wait…” Alexander grabbed my hand, absolutely refusing to let me go. “I admit I have a bit of a temper and I’ve been somewhat rough with you in the past. I’ll try to be better to you in the future.” “But you must stay by my side and take care of me. It’s your responsibility and mission.” “For three whole years, you’ve been inseparable from me. Now you suddenly want to quit. It’s too irresponsible. You can’t do this to me.” Oh? He’s actually comforting me for once? The once most loyal admirer says they won’t admire anymore, and the idol breaks down first. Interesting!

To be honest, I wanted to play along with him, to get back all the frustration of these three years. But on second thought, I couldn’t leave him with any hope. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn’t be able to make a clean break in three days. I knew this man’s temperament too well. Once he set his mind on something, ten oxen couldn’t pull him back. If he latched onto me, I’d be in big trouble. I might even risk him discovering the admirer contract. At that point, the penalty wouldn’t just be $1.3 million – it wouldn’t be worth it. But Alexander had a strong contrarian personality. The more I wanted to escape, the tighter he would hold on. I had to advance in order to retreat, finding a way to make him drive me away. So, I pretended to have a change of heart as an admirer, tightly grasping his hand and looking at him with deep affection. “Alexander, will you be my boyfriend?” “I’ll take care of you day and night, making you the happiest man in the world…” Before I could finish, Alexander predictably changed his tune. He pushed me away, his face full of disgust, “Valerie Lewis, I give you an inch and you take a mile. Can’t you understand your place?” “What makes you think you’re qualified to be my boyfriend?” “Do you have a car? A house? A job?” “Look at your situation. You think you can hook me like those models?” “You’re just a nobody. Being my admirer is already the best outcome for you. Others would kill for the chance!” It seems I was too soft-hearted earlier. You can’t give an inch to this kind of man. Advancing to retreat was a bit uncomfortable, so I had to change tactics. The next second, I slapped him across the face. “You… you hit me?” Alexander was stunned by my slap. He held his face, his mouth agape, his eyes full of shock. “I may not have a house, car, or money, but you have all of that!” “You don’t lack anything, and I’m not a prostitute. Why should I care about those things?” “I’m much stronger than those models. If they can sleep with you, why can’t I?” “If they can play with you in bed, why can’t I?” My words were like sharp knives, stabbing right into Alexander’s heart. He was so angry that his whole body started to tremble slightly. He raised his hand to slap me. Slap! A crisp slapping sound rang out. Alexander’s face now had five more finger marks, visibly swelling up. The moment he tried to hit me, I had caught his wrist tightly. I turned around and slapped him again. Alexander was completely stunned by my hit, tears instantly welling up in his eyes. “Valerie Lewis, you bastard, do you know what you’re doing?” “You actually hit me… wah wah wah…” Seeing his pitiful state, I burst out laughing, muttering to myself. “A man left unchecked for three days will climb on the roof and pull off the tiles.” “For someone like you, you need to be beaten eight times a day to behave.” “Go home and reflect on yourself. Goodbye!” I left him crying alone in the wind and took a cab straight to a luxury resort. I was about to be free, so I needed to treat myself better. I did a set of yoga, had a spa treatment, and then fell asleep. What I lacked most in these three years wasn’t money, but sleep. However. Just when I needed rest the most, I was always woken up by phone calls. “Valerie Lewis, where are you?” Alexander’s voice came through the speaker again. I was very irritated and wanted to jump up and beat him up. But then I thought, hadn’t I blocked him? How could he still call me? Looking closely, well well, he had called me from a new phone number. Indeed, this man had started to cling to me. It was a bit troublesome!

I asked very impatiently, “What else do you want? Haven’t you had enough of beating me?” “Well…” Alexander hesitated, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back. I became even more impatient, “If you have something to say, say it. If not, I’m hanging up and blocking you.” “Wait!” Alexander quickly stopped me, “Well… I’ve thought it through.” “I indeed don’t lack anything, except someone who truly loves me.” “Among all those women, you’re the one who’s been good to me, so…” “So, I’m only fit to be your devoted admirer, is that it?” I laughed coldly, “Alexander Sinclair, whoever wants to be that admirer can be it. I’m done with it from today onwards. Do whatever you want!” “No, no, don’t be angry…” Alexander tried to persuade me, “Valerie Lewis, come back to me, okay? I can consider being your boyfriend.” “Thanks, but I don’t need that anymore. Go find someone else.” With that, I was about to hang up again. “Don’t… don’t hang up!” Alexander panicked and said through gritted teeth, “I… I agree to be your boyfriend!” “Also, whatever my ex-girlfriends did to me, you can do too!” “Will you come back?” This time it was my turn to be surprised and caught off guard. Was this still the arrogant, spoiled rich boy I knew? He was acting just like a devoted admirer now! How the tables have turned… “Alexander Sinclair, are you serious?” “If I go over now and ask you to sleep with me, you’d agree?” I deliberately tested him, but Alexander, that little fox, started changing the subject again. “Valerie Lewis, I know you’re just playing hard to get, right?” “Stop messing around and come back to drive me. I’ll take you out to play tonight.” I couldn’t hold back my anger anymore, “Damn it! Stop pretending! You want to take me out to watch you get intimate with those women?” “I’m sorry, but I don’t have such perverted hobbies. Go play by yourself. Bye!” With that, I hung up the phone and blocked his new number too. Alexander, being both outgoing and handsome, was a catch in many women’s eyes. But I didn’t appreciate him one bit. He only made me feel disgusted. Leaving the luxury resort, I directly booked a three-day suite at a five-star hotel and slept soundly. The first day of the extension passed smoothly. When I woke up, it was already the afternoon of the second day. I was a bit hungry and wanted to go out for a meal. But as soon as I opened the door, I ran right into Alexander who was standing outside. “Why are you here?” I was very surprised. Was this man a ghost that wouldn’t go away? How did he even find out where I was staying? “I should be asking you, Valerie Lewis, why are you staying here?” “You usually spend all your money buying me gifts. Where did you get so much money to stay in a hotel?” “Did some rich guy give it to you? Are you fawning over someone else now?” Alexander became more and more agitated, gripping my arm tightly and not letting go, twisting it painfully. “Let go!” I pushed him away, impatiently saying, “Whether I have money or not, who gave me money, where I spend it – what business is it of yours?” “We have no relationship anymore. Who are you? What right do you have to question me?” Alexander suppressed his anger, blocking my way and lowering his stance to ask, “Valerie Lewis, don’t be angry anymore. Come back, okay?” “Where the hell am I supposed to go back to? Your home? Who am I? What relationship do we have? Get out of my way, don’t keep me from eating.” I pushed him aside again and walked away with a swagger. Here’s my translation of the continuation:

“Valerie, I’m sorry, please don’t be like this.” “I agree to sleep with you. Let’s go back right now, okay?” “Say something, please!” Alexander kept following me like a lost puppy, constantly chattering. I stopped and turned to face him with a grim expression. “Seriously, aren’t you tired of this?” “I’m just a worthless admirer, and you’re the golden boy that everyone adores. Can’t you at least consider your image in public?” “Stop clinging to me. People will start gossiping.” To my surprise, the more I put myself down, the more Alexander, who used to love belittling me, started to elevate me. “No, you’re not worthless at all. You’re my real girlfriend.” “If you come back to me, I’ll announce it on social media right away!” “Please? Come back…” Was he actually whining at me? Ugh~ How disgusting! “Alexander, we’re done.” “I’ve fawned over you for three years, and I’m honestly exhausted. Please, let me go.” “You have so many beautiful models waiting for you. There’s no need to waste your feelings on me.” I pushed him away forcefully and got into the elevator alone. I quickly pressed the close button, finally shaking off this man. Sigh, he ruined my dinner plans. What bad luck! But it’s only been two days since my attitude changed, and Alexander can’t handle it? This man is much more fragile than I imagined. He’s absolutely pathetic! This time, Alexander finding me at the hotel was a wake-up call. In the future, when I book hotels or buy tickets, I can’t use my real name. I’ll have to find someone to do it for me. I went out and got a new phone number right away. I deliberately let my old number run out of credit and get suspended. This way, I wouldn’t have to endure Alexander’s harassing calls and text bombardments. On the last day of the contract extension, I found a resort in the suburbs. I planned to hide there until the contract ended, easily pocketing the $10,000. Since I wasn’t short on cash at the moment, I naturally indulged in some special services at the resort. So I called for a few male models to accompany me and have some fun. I put on an eye mask, freely enjoying the massage techniques of the handsome guys, my mind dreaming of the wonderful life ahead. I have to say, once you have money, things like depression and neurasthenia heal themselves immediately, no treatment needed. “Sister, is my massage comfortable?” a sweet voice whispered in my ear. I nodded reflexively and smiled, “Of course it’s comfortable…” Wait! Why did that voice sound familiar? I hurriedly lifted my eye mask and came face to face with Alexander, startling me so much I jerked.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298908”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

On the seventh day after my daughter Anna Lawson went missing, I, Elise Lawson, took the entire kindergarten hostage. All twenty-seven children and two teachers were locked in the classroom with me. I told the police: “If you can’t find my daughter, I’ll kill one child every thirty minutes.” The kindergarten principal, Isabella Reed, knelt on the ground crying: “Your daughter’s disappearance has nothing to do with me! Why should other children pay with their lives?” I glanced at my watch and said calmly: “Twenty-nine minutes left. Please hurry and find my daughter.” I knew she was somewhere in this kindergarten. Five minutes earlier, Isabella had been arrogant outside the door. I leaned against the door as the children in the classroom continued playing, oblivious to what was happening. Only the two female teachers stared at me with terror in their eyes. Outside, Isabella pounded on the iron door, her voice shrill: “What the hell do you want? What does your missing daughter have to do with me? Open this door! Parents are coming to pick up their kids!” I said nothing, pulled an assembled gun from my pocket, turned toward the ceiling, and pulled the trigger. Isabella staggered back two steps, her lips trembling: “Are you insane? This is illegal! I’m calling the police! Don’t you know kidnapping children is punishable by death?” I sneered, running my fingers along the barrel: “Go ahead and call them, but you’re in no position to negotiate with me.” Five minutes later, sirens wailed in the distance, growing closer. A gentle male voice came from outside. I recognized him—Officer Eric Owens from the police station: “Elise, just calm down. We’re doing everything we can to investigate your daughter’s disappearance. Please let the children go first, and we can talk this through, okay?” I gripped the gun handle tighter, almost laughing out loud. My daughter had been missing for seven whole days. The police had no leads, no answers, and now they wanted to “talk this through” with me? Talk about how many years I’d spend in prison? I shouted toward the door: “I just want to see my daughter! If I don’t see her within half an hour, you’ll see the first child’s corpse!” Police tape had already been set up outside. Parents rushed to the scene, their cries rising and falling. Some beat the ground in anguish, others cursed and raged. The police tried to contain me while holding back the frantic crowd. Eric was sweating profusely. He knew this was way beyond his jurisdiction. SWAT and detectives were already on their way, but he still needed to keep me stable: “Mrs. Lawson, these children are innocent. You used to be a teacher here—can you really bear to hurt them?” I closed my eyes. The biggest regret of my life was coming to work at this kindergarten. If I hadn’t come here, Anna wouldn’t have disappeared. I checked my watch, my voice ice-cold: “Twenty-eight minutes left. You don’t want any casualties either, do you?” Eric said urgently: “We’re already searching with everything we’ve got, but how can we find someone in such a short time?” I kicked over a chair violently and screamed: “I’ve told you countless times—she never left this place! She’s in this building! Search it like your lives depend on it!” Rainbow Kindergarten wasn’t large—three two-story buildings with activity yards in front and back. The day Anna disappeared, I searched every corner of this place and couldn’t find her. I demanded to see the surveillance footage, but Isabella claimed the system had malfunctioned and all recordings were lost. I didn’t believe such a coincidence existed. I suspected Anna’s disappearance was connected to Isabella. Later, I snuck into the surveillance room at night and went through the backup footage frame by frame. The footage clearly showed Anna entering the kindergarten but never leaving. She was still here. But where exactly was she hiding? I couldn’t figure it out. Eric continued trying to persuade me from outside: “The police have conducted a new search. You have to trust us.” But I knew he didn’t believe me. The police had searched three times initially and hadn’t found so much as a strand of Anna’s hair. They’d long since concluded Anna wasn’t here. The parents outside completely lost control: “Your daughter’s missing—what does that have to do with our kids? If you’ve got guts, go kidnap Isabella!” “Please, I’m begging you, let my daughter go. She has asthma—if she gets too scared, she could die.” A mother knelt outside the police tape, tears streaming down her face. The crowd roared: “Shoot her! Take her down!” I raised the megaphone, my voice cutting through the chaos: “I don’t want to kill anyone. I just want to know where my daughter is.” I raised my hand to check the time—twenty-five minutes left. SWAT must have arrived by now. A sniper was probably already aiming at my forehead. “Isabella,” I said slowly, “you know, don’t you? Where is Anna?” Everyone’s eyes turned to her in unison. Her face went pale, but she forced herself to stay composed: “How would I possibly know? Mrs. Lawson, stop making wild accusations like a madwoman!” “Your daughter might have run away from home—maybe she went to find her father.” She paused, then suddenly added, “Oh right, her father, that convict, isn’t he getting out of prison soon? Maybe he secretly took her away!”

“Absolutely impossible!” The words burst out almost involuntarily. Eric quickly said, “We’ve already tried contacting Anna’s father, Joseph Weber, but we haven’t heard anything from him so far. Ms. Lawson, we will find your daughter. Please release the children in the classroom first, okay? I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to find Anna. Everyone is working hard on this. The way you’re acting now, even if we find Anna, how could you face her? Do you want her to know that both her parents are criminals?” My heart lurched, and I actually felt a moment of wavering. Just then, a small red ball rolled to my feet. A little girl stood not far away, looking up with bright, sparkling eyes: “Ms. Lawson, could you kick the ball back to me?” I struggled to suppress my churning emotions, bent down to gently pick up the ball, and tossed it back tenderly. The children remained innocent and carefree, completely unaware that this classroom had been shrouded in fear and confrontation. But could my Anna still play games so happily? I didn’t dare think further. I glanced at the watch on my wrist and called out coldly toward the door: “Eighteen minutes left. Have you found any leads?” The negotiation had broken down. Eric sighed, his brow furrowed with anxiety. The police had already taken their positions, and negotiation specialists sent by the state had arrived on scene, rapidly deploying tactical plans. This incident had already caused a citywide sensation. Reporters and social media crews swarmed in, cameras focused on the kindergarten’s entrance. The orders from above were clear: absolutely no child could be harmed. If necessary, the suspect could be shot and killed. But Eric still didn’t want it to come to that—he believed things hadn’t reached that point yet. Based on his years of experience handling cases, he felt that woman didn’t seem like a criminal, but more like a desperate mother. He asked, “How’s the surveillance recovery going? Did Anna actually leave the kindergarten or not?” A colleague from the tech unit quickly responded: “We’ve restored the deleted video segments. From the existing records, Anna never appeared in any exit surveillance footage, and there’s no indication she left the building.” Eric frowned deeply: “If Anna really didn’t leave, then where is she? But the entire campus has been searched three times. We’ve checked the classrooms, offices, principal’s office, kitchen, storage rooms, and activity rooms.” The police searched inside and out again, but found absolutely nothing. “Did she just vanish into thin air? There’s no other explanation!” Colin Barnes slammed his fist against the wall, his voice full of frustration. “Every corner here has cameras! There are no surveillance blind spots!” “Wait!” A flash of inspiration struck Eric. “Are there cameras installed in the restrooms? Search the bathrooms!” The kindergarten’s restrooms were indoors, and Anna had last disappeared from her classroom. But that was exactly where Elise was holding the hostages. The loudspeaker inside crackled to life again, Elise’s voice cold and mocking: “Fifteen minutes left. You police are truly useless—you can’t even find one child.”

I leaned against the wall, my voice dripping with sarcasm: “When a foreigner loses a watch, you’d turn the entire dump upside down. But when a living, breathing child goes missing for seven whole days, you have absolutely nothing?” Eric fell silent for a moment, his voice low: “Ms. Lawson, maybe your daughter is right here beside you?” I froze, unable to grasp the meaning behind his words. Anna’s last known location was indeed this very kindergarten. The lockers, the restrooms, every single corner—I’d searched through them all countless times with my own hands. Nothing. “This place has full surveillance coverage, except for the restroom—that’s the blind spot,” he continued. “We suspect your daughter might have been taken through the restroom. Ms. Lawson, it’s not too late to turn yourself in. The police will uncover the truth.” The restroom, the restroom! I mentally traced that cramped space over and over—the unisex children’s restroom, two small stalls, an inconspicuous exhaust fan in the corner, pipes stained with rust, humming constantly. I looked toward the restroom, and suddenly something strange flickered through my mind. But the feeling was too vague, like shadows underwater—impossible to grasp or articulate. I licked my cracked lips, my voice ice-cold: “Ten minutes left. I only want results. If you can’t find my daughter, I’ll make them all pay with their lives.” Eric closed his eyes, veins pulsing at his temples. Behind him, a detective quietly raised his hand, signaling the sniper—the moment there’s an opening, take the shot. I chuckled softly, my gaze sweeping across the seam between ceiling and wall: “If she really was taken through the restroom, then there must be a hidden passage leading outside. Officers, I hope you find it soon. Even if you arrest me for this, it’ll be worth it.” I’d considered before whether someone might have abducted her while she was using the restroom. But that would require a passage and would leave traces. As just an ordinary person, the clues I couldn’t find would have to be left to the professionals. I lowered my eyes, fingertips gently caressing the cold edge of the gun. Everything was proceeding according to plan. The watch’s second hand ticked forward. I beckoned to a little girl: “Ruby,” I curved my lips into a smile, speaking softly, “want to play a game with me?” With only five minutes remaining, the police continued their futile attempts at persuasion. Eric had nearly shouted himself hoarse: “Ms. Lawson! Don’t be rash! The entire city’s police force is mobilized, everyone’s helping you find your child! Not just us, but countless concerned citizens! If you turn back now, you’ll still have a chance to see your daughter again!” “Last minute, and you still haven’t found her.” As my words fell, I suddenly yanked open the curtain, using Ruby’s small body to shield mine as the blade sliced across. A line of blood bloomed across her neck. She didn’t even have time to whimper before her head drooped softly. Bright red blood sprayed across the clean glass window, blooming like flowers. I quickly retreated behind the wall as my voice, calm to the point of being mechanical, echoed through the broadcast: “The first child is dead. This is the price of your incompetence.” The parents’ wails outside were heart-wrenching. Due to the swift action, many couldn’t even tell which child had fallen. I stood pressed against the wall, cold sweat streaming down my back. Even hidden behind cover, I could feel the sniper’s scope locked dead center on my forehead. Eric roared as he smashed the megaphone to the ground, his voice trembling: “You monster! Whatever grievances you have, killing innocent children is an unforgivable crime! You’re surrounded! Drop your weapon and surrender!” So now he thinks reasoning won’t work and he’s resorting to threats of force? I remained perfectly still, my voice calm: “I’ve planted bombs throughout this kindergarten. If you don’t want to see more casualties, you’d better move faster. I swear, as soon as you find my daughter, I’ll surrender immediately and won’t harm anyone else.” The moment Eric heard the word “bombs,” his face went deathly pale. They didn’t dare take the risk. Even if they shot me down right now, I could still detonate the remote device before dying. “Who the hell is she?” a young officer asked, trembling. “How does a woman who can get her hands on guns and explosives end up working as a kindergarten teacher?” Someone nearby whispered an explanation: “She used to be a PhD in munitions engineering. After her husband was imprisoned, she returned to her hometown and took a job at this kindergarten.” Eric rubbed his temples: “What was her husband imprisoned for?” The officer replied: “Manslaughter. He was released seven days ago. His current whereabouts are unknown.” Eric thought to himself: “Seven days ago? Anna also disappeared seven days ago. Is this a coincidence? Could Joseph have taken his own daughter?” But reality didn’t allow them time to ponder. Joseph needed to be tracked down, and Anna had to be found. A new thirty-minute countdown had already begun. Just then, excited shouting came from the adjacent restroom: “There’s a hidden passage! Really! There’s a child inside!” Eric’s head snapped up as he saw his colleague crawling out of a narrow ventilation shaft, carrying a frail little body in his arms, clutching a small piece of a broken phone watch. His eyes widened—it was Anna’s watch. The crowd erupted in screams and sobs. Eric quickly removed his police jacket to cover the child and shouted at me: “Elise! We found your daughter! You can let everyone go now! She’s alive!” I held my breath, peering through the peephole. The child wrapped in the police jacket had one arm hanging limply, and on her wrist was the pink phone watch I had personally chosen for Anna. My heart pounded violently, almost bursting from my chest. I could barely control myself, my fingers already reaching for the door handle, wanting nothing more than to rush out and hold her. Just then, my phone vibrated. I glanced down at the message I’d just received and instantly regained my composure.

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The first thing I did after my rebirth was bind my daughter Zoey Morgan to a pain-exchange system with a pig that was about to die from illness. I did this because in my previous life, Zoey was born with a disease that made her skin as fragile as paper. Her entire body was covered in festering, oozing sores, and even her throat was filled with blisters. She cried in agony all night long from the pain. Back then, I quit my job and spent every day changing Zoey’s bandages, helping her eat, drink, and use the bathroom. Watching her lie in that hospital bed, suffering so much she didn’t want to live, broke my heart so completely I nearly cried myself blind. Until one day, my husband Alexander Morgan told me he’d found a pain-exchange system that could save Zoey. However, this system could only be bound to women. To save Zoey, I didn’t hesitate to bind with the system and transferred all her festering wounds onto my own body. But just as I was celebrating Zoey’s return to health, Alexander brought a woman named Bella Chavez right in front of me. He said, “The person I’ve always loved is Bella. If it weren’t for Zoey being sick and needing you to bind with the exchange system, do you think I would’ve even looked at you, let alone married you? Only bindable to women? That was all a lie I told you, you fool.” I was absolutely shocked, but I still dragged my disease-ridden body to protect Zoey, terrified that Alexander’s mistress might hurt her. But Zoey kicked me to the ground in disgust and stood alongside Alexander’s mistress. She said, “Someone with rotting, oozing skin like you thinks she deserves to be my mom? You still don’t know, do you? Your real daughter was thrown away by Dad the night she was born and replaced with me. To make you willingly bind with my system, I had to stomach calling you ‘Mom’ for over ten years.” Later, they abandoned me in an old house and left me to starve to death. Before I died, maggots crawled all over my entire body. But when I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment when Alexander was trying to convince me to bind with Zoey’s pain-exchange system. ***** That familiar voice rang in my ears: “Abigail, this pain-exchange system took me so much effort to find. This is our only way to save Zoey. It’s just that you’ll have to suffer for it.” Abigail Sanchez is my name. Alexander looked at me with fake, anxious eyes, waiting for me to nod in agreement. Looking at his hypocritical act filled me with rage. This was exactly how he’d been in my previous life. When Zoey’s critical condition landed her in the ICU, Alexander pretended to be so anxious he had a brain hemorrhage and was also hospitalized. Before going into surgery, while I was panicking, he suggested I bind with the pain-exchange system, saying it was the only way to save Zoey. Back then, to restore Zoey’s health, I bound with the system. But what was the result? I let out a cold laugh, looked at Alexander, and asked, “Zoey isn’t just my child. What gives you the right to make me bind with the system?” Alexander hadn’t expected me to refuse. After all, to care for Zoey, I’d even quit my great job as a company manager, and I usually treated Zoey like my life itself, unable to bear seeing her suffer even a little. But he quickly regained his composure and pulled out his prepared excuse: “You and Zoey are both the people I love most. I can’t bear to see either of you suffer. Do you think I want you to bind with it? It’s just that this damn system can only bind to women. I have no choice.” I said coldly, “Really? Such an advanced system would also favor men over women? Maybe it’s lying to you.” I walked to Alexander’s hospital bed and snatched the vial of blood from his hands, preparing to drip it into his mouth. The binding procedure for the pain-exchange system was simple—you just had to drink blood from near Zoey’s heart. Alexander’s face went pale with terror, and for a moment he forgot to dodge. It wasn’t until I grabbed his chin, ready to force-feed him the blood, that he suddenly rolled off the bed and frantically wiped his mouth, terrified of actually drinking Zoey’s blood. “Are you trying to kill me?” Alexander said angrily. I looked at him mockingly: “What are you afraid of? Didn’t you say this system can only bind to women?” Alexander’s face was ashen as he stammered, “I’m afraid of wasting Zoey’s blood. Zoey’s body is very weak. Her blood is precious.” Afraid I might cause more trouble, Alexander quickly scolded me: “I’ve never seen a mother like you. Zoey is lying in that hospital bed barely hanging on. Faced with the only chance to save her, you still have the heart to mess around. I think you’re deliberately trying to kill her. “I’ve long felt that you don’t care about Zoey or this family. Do you think Zoey is holding you back? Have you been wanting to find another man and have a healthy child? “Anyway, Zoey’s disease can’t be cured. If you as her mother don’t want to save her, I won’t care anymore either. When she dies from her illness, I’ll divorce you, you vicious woman. If you want to have more children, go ahead. My daughter and I won’t burden you.” In the past, when I was successful in my career, Alexander had used this kind of psychological manipulation on me. Back then, my heart felt sour and guilty, thinking I really hadn’t done enough, so I gave up my good job and quit to care for Zoey. Because of her illness, Zoey often threw tantrums. After screaming at me each time, she would hug me and cry while apologizing, saying in her sweet voice, “In this world, I love Mommy the most.” I was psychologically controlled by her sweet poison for over ten years, and I cared for her for over ten years. Thinking about it now, I realize they were both equally selfish and cruel. Alexander urgently pressed me: “Hey, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and bind with the system! Do you really want to watch Zoey die from her illness?” His voice pulled me back from my wandering thoughts. I looked at him and gave him a gentle smile: “Alright. I’ll go bind with it right now.” Alexander had just handed me the blood vial when he was wheeled into the operating room. He didn’t watch me drink Zoey’s blood, so he wouldn’t know that I immediately took the vial to a pig farm on the outskirts of town. I asked the pig farm owner, “Do you have any pigs here that are about to die from illness?”

I had just left the pig farm when I received a call from Zoey. She was crying on the phone, saying she missed me and asking if I could come back to be with her. Zoey said over the phone: “Mom, I feel so awful. Can you please come back and see me? I’m sorry, Mom. I know you’re already exhausted, and I shouldn’t be bothering you like this. But I really miss you so much. I don’t want to be separated from you. “Mom, I’m in so much pain. Am I going to die? But I haven’t been able to take care of you yet. I really don’t want to die. I want to stay with you forever and make you happy.” Hearing these heartbreakingly mature words, I took a deep breath, feeling a sharp pain in my chest like needles piercing my heart. I had raised Zoey for over ten years. She was born without intact skin, and even the slightest movement could cause her body to fester and ooze pus. I had always taken careful care of her. When she was little and couldn’t drink milk, I fed her drop by drop with a straw. As she grew older and cried in pain every day, I applied medicine to her wounds over and over again. Seeing how hard I worked, Zoey would touch my face with her tiny hands, saying she felt sorry for me and swearing that she would treat me well in the future so I wouldn’t have to work so hard anymore. I had loved and protected her with all my might. But why did I end up raising someone who didn’t know how to be grateful? Fortunately, from now on, I would never have to endure her bad temper again or suffer for her sake. When I arrived at the hospital, there was another woman standing by Zoey’s bedside. I immediately recognized her as Alexander’s mistress and Zoey’s biological mother, Bella. Seeing me walk in, Zoey, who had just been chatting happily with Bella, immediately pushed Bella away and looked at me with a few tears in her eyes. She said: “Mom, you’re finally here. Dad said you don’t care about me and don’t take good care of me, so he specifically found a woman. He also said that if you don’t work harder to find a way to cure my illness, he’ll divorce you and let Ms. Chavez be my mom. “I don’t want anyone else to be my mom. Besides, I believe you’ll definitely find a way to cure my illness. After all, you’re the person who loves me most in the world.” If this had been before, I would have been moved by Zoey’s understanding while thanking Bella for helping, just like every time in my previous life, being manipulated by these three terrible people. But this time, I just smiled coldly. I said: “Fine. Anyway, you’ve already bound to the exchange system, so you won’t need me anymore. You can let whoever you want be your mom.” Hearing my words, Zoey’s eyes widened with excitement. She asked: “Really? You really helped me bind to the system? All these disgusting ulcers and green pus on my body will transfer to you?” After saying this, Zoey seemed to realize she was too excited, so she coughed and then put on a frail appearance. She said: “All these years, you haven’t worked at all, eating my dad’s food, drinking what he provides—you might as well have been sucking his blood. If you hadn’t refused to earn money, Dad wouldn’t have been so exhausted that he had a brain hemorrhage this time. “Mom, I don’t mean anything by it. I’m also very grateful that you’ve taken care of me all these years. It’s just that I think Dad is very pitiful. I feel sorry for him.” I almost burst out laughing from anger. Alexander was pitiful? When I married Alexander, I already had a successful career and achievements. The house and car were both bought with my own money before marriage. For the following ten-plus years, I had been living off my previous savings and never asked Alexander for a single cent. But what about Alexander? He took away my healthy biological daughter and abandoned her, forcing me to quit my job to take care of the child he had with his mistress. All these years, he never took care of Zoey for even a single day. I had been too tolerant and generous with them, so much so that they ate my food, used my things, and still scolded me, saying I was spending their money. I looked at Zoey coldly and said: “The system just got bound, and you’re already feeling sorry for your dad who never did anything? Aren’t you afraid that in the end, your illness won’t be cured and you’ll be crying and begging me to take care of you?” Zoey and Bella exchanged glances, then both burst into laughter. Zoey, who had always been obedient and understanding, now seemed like a completely different person. She looked at me with a mocking expression and said: “Beg you? Don’t be ridiculous! Once the system is bound, the illness on my body will gradually transfer to yours. Me beg you? When the time comes, you’ll be the one begging me! “Mom, the person Dad likes isn’t you at all. He’s been with you all these years—that’s already more than you deserve. Why don’t you just help Dad and Ms. Chavez be together?” Bella, who had been silent until now, also said mockingly: “If you don’t divorce Alexander, he’ll be your primary guardian. When you’ve transferred all of Zoey’s illness and can only lie in bed, he won’t care about you at all—he’ll just let you die in agony. “If you don’t want to die, you’d better divorce quickly and not take any assets with you. Leave all that money to Zoey as compensation.”

I honestly have no idea what I’m supposed to compensate Zoey for. And I certainly won’t give up everything I’ve worked so hard for just to walk away with nothing. However, after binding with the system, Zoey seems convinced she’s guaranteed to win. Despite her body still being covered in festering wounds, she acts as if she’s already recovered, rushing to discharge herself from the hospital and running around having fun with her rotting skin. Bella and Alexander have stopped hiding their relationship too. Bella moved directly into Alexander’s hospital room. The two of them act like husband and wife, living it up in the ward. They’re too busy enjoying themselves to care about Zoey. As a result, on her first day out of the hospital, Zoey crashed while street racing and tore up another large patch of skin. In the past, I would have frantically applied medicine to Zoey’s wounds and never allowed her to do such dangerous things. But now, if she wants to kill herself, I’m not going to stop her. Soon enough, Zoey was covered in injuries again and back in the hospital. What I didn’t expect was that Alexander and Bella would have the nerve to come asking me for money. Alexander said, “Zoey isn’t just my child. She needs a huge sum for medical expenses now that she’s hospitalized. You need to figure out how to come up with the money.” I looked at Alexander in amazement and said, “I already helped Zoey bind with the system. I’ve done more than enough for her. What gives you the right to demand I pay her medical bills too? Besides, she deserves every one of those injuries.” After hearing my words, Alexander rolled his eyes. “You’re her mother. Isn’t it your duty to sacrifice for her? What kind of mother keeps score of how much she’s given her daughter? Abigail, if you’re going to be this selfish, let’s get divorced!” Before I could get excited about the prospect of divorce, Alexander quickly added, “Zoey says she wants to live with me. Don’t think you’ll get custody of her. And you won’t get a single cent either. Otherwise, I won’t let you see Zoey for the rest of your life.” Alexander thought this would scare me. After all, for the past dozen Christmases, my love for Zoey had run deep. But I just looked at him coldly and said, “Are you living in the house I bought before marriage and driving the car I bought before marriage, and now you’re so smug you’ve forgotten what a useless person you are? You think I won’t get a single cent? Fine by me. We don’t have any joint assets anyway.” Alexander was stunned, his expression turning ugly. He said, “You want to take back the car and house? I don’t agree. Abigail, Zoey’s condition just improved and she needs to recuperate. Do you really have the heart to make her suffer?” Now he’s trying to guilt-trip me? I almost laughed from anger and said, “You don’t seriously think Zoey can survive just because she bound with the system, do you? What right does someone so heartless and ungrateful have to live?” But as soon as I finished speaking, a slap landed hard across my face. Turns out Zoey had arrived at some point. Her previously obedient demeanor had completely vanished, replaced by eyes full of hatred and venom as she glared at me. She said, “I’m ungrateful? I’ve been forcing myself to call you mom for over a dozen Christmases despite how disgusting it makes me feel. I’m practically the kindest person in the world.” As Zoey spoke, she grabbed a fruit knife from the table and pressed it against my throat. She said, “Let me tell you something. I’m still a minor. Even if I stab you to death right now, I won’t get the death penalty. If you’re smart, you’ll hand over the car and house to me right now. Otherwise, after you’re dead, I’ll inherit them anyway.” The knife tip was sharp. Blood dripped down my neck drop by drop. My heart pounded violently from fear, but not because I was afraid of dying. It was because I saw that the festering, oozing wounds on Zoey’s body had completely disappeared. Her skin had become smooth and delicate all over, clearly showing she had recovered her health. A terrible premonition immediately rose in my heart. I quickly looked down at my arm and discovered that ulcerated wounds had suddenly appeared on my skin. But I never bound with any system. Zoey should have died from her illness long ago. What went wrong? Why did Zoey suddenly recover? Why are wounds appearing on my body? Did the disease transfer system malfunction? Could it be that once again I can’t change my fate, and I’m still destined to die for Zoey’s sake?

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