Category: English

My parents, behind my back, took out a three-million-dollar accidental death insurance policy in my name. That weekend, my dad took me fishing for the first time, out in the secluded area by the reservoir. He even bought me a hotdog, something usually only Chloe got. He knelt down, his voice heavy with emotion, as he adjusted my collar. “My little girl, don’t blame your dad.” “Your sister needs to study abroad, and we just can’t come up with that kind of money.” “Just help the family one last time, okay? Just go to sleep, and all the pain will be gone…” The words barely left his lips before he kicked me, hard, right into the reservoir behind us. 1 The icy, bone-chilling water instantly filled my nose and mouth. I couldn’t swim. Pure survival instinct made me thrash wildly, my arms and legs flailing without purpose. On the shore, my dad watched me with cold indifference, like he was looking at a dying insect. Beside him, my mom pulled out her phone, seemingly checking the time. Chloe, my sister, took out a compact mirror, meticulously touching up her lipstick, her voice laced with impatience. “Dad, why is she flailing for so long? What if someone sees?” Mom calmly reassured her. “Don’t worry, no one’s around at this hour. I checked. Adults drown in three to five minutes. She’s just a kid, it’ll be even quicker.” Dad nodded, his voice devoid of any warmth. “Just wait a little longer. Once she sinks, we’ll call 911 and say she accidentally fell in.” My strength was draining away, bit by bit. My consciousness started to fade. Why? All because Chloe wanted to go to an exclusive boarding school in the UK, which cost a million dollars a year. And the beneficiary of that three-million-dollar accidental death policy? My mom and dad. So, that hotdog I’d never been allowed to eat? It was my last supper. And my dad, calling me “my little girl” so gently for the first time? It was to send me to my grave. I hated them. A tearing pain ripped through my lungs, and I choked on several gulps of water. Just as I was about to lose consciousness completely, my body slowly sinking, a blinding light suddenly shone from not far away. Then, a man’s furious roar. “What the *f*?! Who’s out there?! Crew! Where’s the freaking crew?!” “Is someone in the water over there?! Get help, now!” I heard my parents and Chloe scream in panic on the shore. “Run! Someone’s coming!” In the chaos, something plunged into the water with a splash. I felt strong hands pulling me up to the surface. The last thing I saw was the anxious face of a young man in a black T-shirt. 2 When I woke up again, I found myself lying in a customized production van. A dry jacket, smelling faintly of tobacco, was draped over me. A gorgeous, super stylish woman with flawless makeup was gently drying my hair with a towel. “Awake? How do you feel?” I tried to speak, but my throat was burning, and no words came out. The stylish woman handed me a cup of warm water. “Drink slowly. You choked on a lot of water; your throat’s all scratched up.” I took small sips, looking around. Besides the beautiful woman, there was a man with silver hair, even more handsome than a movie star, leaning against the window, playing on his phone. And a burly guy with a buzz cut sat in the driver’s seat, his brows furrowed tightly. I remembered it was him who jumped in and saved me. The van door suddenly slid open, and a grizzled, middle-aged director with a scruffy beard and a wrinkled vest poked his head in. “She’s awake?” His voice was the same furious one I’d heard before I passed out. He sized me up, his tone impatient. “Hey, kid! Where are your parents? What are you doing by the reservoir in the middle of the night? If you’re having suicidal thoughts, don’t do it near our set! This is *so* freaking unlucky!” The stylish woman glared at him. “Director Jensen! She’s just a child!” The man, Director Jensen, grunted. He reached into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes, started to light one, then glanced at me and irritably shoved them back. “Alright, alright, Ava. Ask her for her family’s number. Get her folks to pick her up, so she doesn’t delay our shoot.” Family’s number… My body started to tremble uncontrollably. I couldn’t go home. If I went back, they’d push me into the water again, or find another way to kill me. Seeing me shake, Ava thought I was cold and wrapped the jacket tighter around me. She asked softly, “Skylar, right? Your student ID was in your pocket. Can you tell me your parents’ number?” I bit down hard on my lip, shaking my head desperately. The tears just wouldn’t stop. “I… I don’t want to go home…” Director Jensen got even more annoyed. “Hey, are you going to freeload off us now? If you don’t go home, are we supposed to feed you? I’m telling you, our crew is flat broke, we can’t afford any freeloaders!” The silver-haired man, Liam Hayes, put down his phone and spoke lazily. “Jensen, why bother getting upset with a child?” He walked over to me, knelt down, bringing his eyes level with mine. “Hey, kiddo, did you run away from home after an argument? Running away won’t solve anything. How about I take you home?” I cried, shrinking back and burying my face in Ava’s arms. “I didn’t run away… I just fell in by accident…” “My parents… they don’t know I’m here…” I didn’t dare tell them the truth. They were strangers. Why would they believe that my own parents tried to kill me? If they sent me back, it would be a death sentence. I had to lie. 3 Director Jensen looked at me, puzzled. “You fell in by yourself? What about your parents?” I clutched at the hem of my shirt, lowering my head and whispering, “They… they’re always very busy with work. I’m usually home alone.” “Then why were you out at such a secluded reservoir?” “I… I heard the scenery here was nice, so I wanted to come see…” My lies were full of holes. How could a teenage girl be out alone at a secluded reservoir in the middle of the night? Liam Hayes smiled faintly, saying nothing. Leo Stone, the guy with the buzz cut in the driver’s seat, looked back at me, his voice low. “Director, maybe we should call 911? Let the police find her family.” Call 911! The police would definitely contact my parents! I shuddered, grabbing Ava’s arm suddenly, pleading. “No! Please, don’t call 911!” My reaction was too intense. The three men in the van froze, all staring at me. Ava patted my back, soothing me gently. “Okay, okay, no 911, don’t get so worked up.” She looked up at Director Jensen. “Director, look how scared she is… How about we let her stay here for tonight? We can figure it out tomorrow?” Director Jensen’s brow furrowed so deeply it looked like he was trying to crush something between them. “This is a film set! Not a welfare center!” Though he said that, he still waved his hand, then turned and got out of the van. “Fine, fine! Just one night! But she has to be gone by tomorrow!” The door closed, shutting out the cold wind. Ava found me a clean set of clothes to change into and poured a bowl of hot porridge from an electric cooker. “Eat up. It’ll warm you.” The millet porridge was fragrant and soft. I held the bowl, and tears started to fall again. Ever since my grandma passed away, no one had made me hot porridge. Mom said cooking wasted time and interfered with her career. Meals at home were always made by the cleaning lady. The cleaning lady only knew how to make two dishes: plain steamed veggies and boiled plain veggies. Because Chloe had to watch her figure, Mom said plain veggies were best. And I just had to eat whatever they ate. Ava saw me only drinking the porridge and not speaking, and thought I didn’t like it. She dug a bag of teddy bear cookies out of her bag. “Not to your taste? Want some cookies instead?” I quickly shook my head, drinking the porridge clean, even licking the edges of the bowl. “It’s delicious! Thank you, Ava!” Ava smiled, stroking my head. “Silly girl.” That night, I slept on the long bench in the production van. Though it was narrow, I slept incredibly peacefully. But that peace was utterly shattered the next morning. I woke up to a commotion. Opening my eyes, I saw my parents and Chloe standing outside the van. Mom was holding Director Jensen’s hand, looking distraught and crying dramatically. “Director, thank you so much for saving our Skylar! We looked for her all night!” Dad’s eyes were red too, as he thanked them repeatedly. Chloe stood by, and when she saw I was awake, she immediately yelled at me. “Skylar! How could you be so thoughtless?! Threatening Mom and Dad by jumping in the water just because you don’t want me to go abroad! Do you know how worried everyone was about you?!” 4 Chloe’s words exploded like a thunderclap among the crew. Everyone looked at me with strange eyes. Turns out, I was the malicious sister who, out of jealousy for her sibling, jumped into the water to threaten her parents. Director Jensen’s face instantly darkened. Ava frowned too, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. I was ice cold, unable to speak. Mom rushed into the van and hugged me tight, but her hand viciously pinched my lower back. “Skylar, you scared your mother half to death! Come home with Mom, we can talk about anything there, don’t bother these nice people here!” The sharp pain made me gasp, and tears welled up involuntarily. To everyone else, it looked like a touching scene of mother-daughter reunion. Chloe also got into the van. She affectionately linked her arm through mine, but her nails dug into my flesh. She leaned close to my ear, whispering in a voice only we could hear, “Skylar, you got lucky. But it doesn’t matter, we have plenty of ways to deal with you at home.” “You’d better be a good girl, or next time, it won’t be as simple as pushing you into a reservoir.” I was so scared I stiffened, my legs completely unable to move. Dad walked over, a ‘kindly’ smile on his face, and said to the director, “I’m truly sorry, children can be so naughty and cause trouble. We’ll take her away now.” He reached out, trying to grab my arm. I flinched back in terror, screaming, “No! I’m not going with you!” Mom’s face hardened, her voice laced with threat. “Skylar! Stop acting up! Do you want me to discipline you in front of strangers?” Dad also lost his patience. He reached out directly, roughly dragging me out of the van. “Come on! Just wait till we get home, you ungrateful little monster!” The crew watched, but no one stepped forward to help. In their eyes, this was just a typical family dispute, parents disciplining a disobedient child. Despair instantly swallowed me. I was doomed. Just as my feet were dragged out of the van, and I was about to be shoved into my family’s car, a cool, clear voice suddenly spoke up. “Wait.” It was the silver-haired man, Liam Hayes. He leaned against the van door, slowly dangling something in his hand, a half-smile playing on his lips as he looked at my dad. “Mr. Miller, before you go, shouldn’t you explain this first?” My dad followed his gaze, and his face instantly turned chalk-white. In Liam’s hand was my dad’s car key, which he’d dropped by the reservoir yesterday. Attached to the key was a customized metal keychain. Engraved on it were the words: “Wishing Chloe success in her studies abroad and a bright future.” Liam jingled the key, smiling like a fox. “Your daughter ‘accidentally’ fell into the water in the middle of the night, and you, her parents, searched for her all night, yet you didn’t even realize your car key dropped at the scene of the incident?” He paused, his gaze sweeping over my parents, finally settling on my sister, Chloe. He spoke meaningfully, “And these words… wishing your esteemed daughter success in her studies abroad?” “Also, that three-million-dollar accidental death insurance policy, that must be for her tuition, right?” The words “accidental death insurance” dropped, and my parents and Chloe’s faces completely changed. 5 Mom shrieked, “What are you talking about?! What accidental death insurance?! We don’t know anything about it!” Dad also blustered, “Who are you? How dare you slander us! I’ll sue you for defamation!” Liam raised an eyebrow, ignoring their shouts, and turned his gaze to Director Jensen. Director Jensen understood. He cleared his throat and yelled to the surrounding crew members, “What are you all staring at?! Set up the cameras! It’d be a shame not to record such a brilliant scene as footage!” “Lights! Point the lights at their faces! Yes! I want that interrogation room effect!” The production assistants and lighting technicians immediately sprang into action. Several powerful lights instantly focused on my parents’ and Chloe’s faces. Leo, the cameraman, lugging his heavy camera, pointed it directly at my dad. “Mr. Miller, how do you manage to maintain your perfectly styled hair and spotless shoes after searching for your daughter all night? Could you share your grooming secrets?” Another PA held a boom mic right up to my mom’s mouth. “Madam, you just said you searched for your daughter all night, but your makeup is exquisite, and you don’t look like you’ve been up all night. Could you recommend the brand of foundation you use to our actresses?” My parents were stunned by this setup and couldn’t utter a single word. Chloe, being younger, couldn’t keep her composure. She pointed at Liam and shrieked, “You… you’re invading our privacy and infringing on our image rights! I’ll call 911!” “Call 911? Fine.” Liam smiled. He took out his phone and, right in front of them, dialed 91

“Hello, Officer? This is at Apricot Lake, just outside the city. Our film crew was shooting, and we’ve discovered a case that appears to be intentional homicide to defraud a large sum of insurance money…” At the words “intentional homicide,” my mom’s legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed. Dad’s face also turned from white to green, his lips trembling, unable to say a word. “Don’t… don’t call 911!” Dad finally reacted, snatching Liam’s phone and quickly hanging up. He forced a smile that looked worse than a cry. “Misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding! We were just playing a joke with our child…” “A joke?” Liam took his phone back, his eyes turning cold. “Kicking your child into a reservoir, you call that a joke?” Dad’s cold sweat instantly broke out. “How… how do you know…” “Oh, I forgot to tell you.” Liam pointed to an inconspicuous corner on a nearby hillside. “We installed high-definition night vision cameras over there for our night shoots. The kind with audio recording.” “Every word you spoke and every action you took on the shore last night has been clearly recorded.” At these words, my parents and Chloe lost their last shred of color. Mom dropped to her knees with a thud, clutching Director Jensen’s leg and wailing. “Director, we were wrong! We’re not human! We were just confused for a moment! Please, let us go!” Dad also knelt, repeatedly bowing his head. “We’ll never dare again! Please, delete the video! We’ll pay whatever it takes!” Only Chloe remained standing. She glared at me viciously, her eyes like poisoned daggers. “Skylar! You bitch! How dare you conspire with outsiders to harm your own family! May you die a horrible death!” *SMACK!* A crisp slap echoed. It was Ava. She had gotten out of the van at some point and stood in front of Chloe, her eyes as cold as ice. “Watch your mouth. Say one more curse word to her, and I’ll rip your tongue out.” 6 Chloe clutched her face, looking at Ava in disbelief. “You hit me? Do you know who I am?” Ava sneered. “I don’t care who you are. I hit you because you’re an ill-mannered brat.” Chloe trembled with rage, wanting to lunge at Ava, but Dad yanked her back. “Stop it!” Dad roared, wanting nothing more than to defuse the situation. Director Jensen waved his hand, signaling Leo to move the camera. He walked over to my parents, looking down at them. “The video can be deleted.” My parents’ eyes lit up, as if they’d found a lifeline. “However,” Director Jensen’s tone shifted, “you must agree to one condition.” “What condition? Not just one, we’ll agree to a hundred!” Director Jensen pointed at me. “From today on, this child has no more connection to your family. You are not allowed to look for her again, nor are you allowed to harm her. ” “She’s with our crew now.” Mom paused, then a look of ecstatic joy spread across her face. “Good! Good! No problem! We promise never to look for her again!” To my mom, I was nothing but a burden. Now that someone else was willing to take me, she couldn’t be happier. Dad also nodded repeatedly, afraid Director Jensen would change his mind. Only Chloe, unwilling, cried out, “Dad! Mom! Are you crazy?! What about the three million? What about my tuition?!” Dad glared at her fiercely. “What’s more important, money or jail?!” Chloe immediately deflated. Director Jensen pulled a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket, tossing them in front of my dad. “Words aren’t enough. Write an agreement, in case you go back on your word. Clearly state that you voluntarily give up your parental rights to Skylar. From now on, her life, death, and everything in between, has nothing to do with you. And I’ll delete the video in front of you.” Dad picked up the pen without hesitation and quickly wrote the severance agreement, even pulling Mom to press her fingerprint. After doing all that, Dad didn’t even glance at me, looking expectantly at the director. “Now can you delete the video?” Director Jensen pulled a USB drive from his pocket and, in front of them, burned it with a lighter. “This was the only backup.” Seeing the video completely destroyed, my parents breathed a sigh of relief. They grabbed Chloe and fled in disarray. As if chased by ghosts. Watching their heartless backs, my heart felt like it was soaking in ice water, cold and numb. A warm hand gently rested on my head. It was Ava. She knelt down, gently wiping the tears from my face. “Don’t be scared. We’re your family now.” Liam also walked over. He took off his jacket and draped it over me. “Come on, let’s go get some good food.” Leo silently brought the production van closer. Director Jensen, his face stern, stuffed the severance agreement into his pocket and grumbled, “Raising a kid is such a pain in the ass.” Though his tone was harsh, I saw that his eyes were red. That day, they took me away from the reservoir, to the best restaurant in the city. For the first time, I ate lobster bigger than my face, and for the first time, I drank sweet fruit juice. That night, Ava took me to the mall and bought me many beautiful new dresses, and a big, fluffy teddy bear. Holding the teddy bear, lying on the soft bed in the hotel, I felt like I was dreaming. A beautiful dream where I wouldn’t drown, wouldn’t be abandoned. 7 The film crew’s schedule was delayed by the incident, so they had to rest in the city for a while. I also gained a new identity – Director Jensen’s “distant niece” and the crew’s little assistant. My job was simple: serving tea and water, and handing out things. Everyone on the crew was very kind to me. Ava cooked delicious meals for me every day, and after a month, I finally gained a little weight. Leo was a man of few words, but he would quietly slip me the sweetest fruits and, when he saw I had mosquito bites, silently buy the best insect repellent. Liam was a bit of a jerk, always teasing me and calling me “little pity,” but he gave me all the expensive snacks his fans sent him and taught me how to play video games. Director Jensen always complained that I was clumsy, but he would spend an entire afternoon patiently teaching me how to read storyboards and position cameras. He said, “A girl needs to learn a skill to support herself, can’t always rely on others.” I took his words to heart. During the day, I studied with the crew, and at night, I read books in my hotel room. All my textbooks were lost when I was pushed into the reservoir, so Liam downloaded a full set of digital textbooks onto his tablet for me. I didn’t want to fall behind in my studies. Director Jensen was right; I needed my own skills. Two months of peaceful days passed. One evening, Ava suddenly received a phone call, and her face turned grim. After hanging up, she looked at me, hesitant. “Skylar, your… your parents are looking for you.” My heart sank. They found me here. Turns out, they never intended to let me go. That severance agreement was just a temporary measure to get themselves out of trouble. Sure enough, the next day, my parents, along with Chloe, stormed into the hotel where our crew was staying. Behind them were several reporters carrying cameras. As soon as Mom saw me, she rushed over, clutching me and wailing dramatically. “My daughter! My mom finally found you! You were kidnapped by these human traffickers, you must have suffered so much!” The reporters’ flashbulbs immediately started flashing wildly at us. Chloe also squeezed closer, grabbing my hand and crying to the cameras, “My sister was tricked by this film crew! They won’t let her come home and are forcing her to work! Please, everyone, help us!” Dad, with a look of indignant grief, pointed at Director Jensen. “It’s him! He tricked us into signing some contract and is holding our daughter here, not letting her leave! They’re gangsters! They’re human traffickers!” In the hotel lobby, all eyes were on us. I watched my parents and Chloe’s shameless performance, twisting the truth, and trembled with anger. Director Jensen’s face was as black as a thundercloud. Liam was so angry he actually laughed. “Holy shit, I’ve seen shameless people, but never *this* shameless.” 8 Ava shielded me, looking coldly at my mom. “Madam, you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t just say whatever you want. It was written in black and white, you voluntarily gave up your parental rights.” Mom immediately scrambled to her feet, pointing her finger at Ava. “You little slut! You’re the one who seduced my daughter! You guys used violence to threaten us into signing! We were forced!” A reporter immediately thrust a microphone in front of my mom. “Madam, are you implying that the film crew used illegal means to force you to relinquish your daughter’s custody?” “Yes! That’s exactly it!” Mom cried even louder for the cameras. “They saw that our Skylar was pretty and wanted to control her, to make her act in inappropriate films to make money! They’re a bunch of beasts!” This was a vicious and poisonous smear. “Acting in inappropriate films”—that accusation was enough to destroy the entire film crew. Director Jensen’s lips trembled with rage. “You… you’re slandering us!” “I’m slandering you?” Dad sneered. He pulled a stack of photos from his bag and scattered them on the ground. The photos showed me working on set. There was one of me handing water to Liam, one of me helping Ava with a makeup case, and one of me sitting behind the director’s monitor, learning. But these photos were taken from extremely tricky angles. The photo of me handing water looked like I was subserviently serving Liam. The photo of me carrying Ava’s case looked like I was being exploited as a laborer. And the photo of me sitting behind the monitor was blurred, the screen’s contents unclear. Combined with what my mom had just said, it easily led to wild speculation. Dad pointed at the photos, heartbroken, and said to the reporters, “Look, everyone! My daughter is only a teenager, still a student! They’re enslaving her like this! How is this any different from child labor?!” The reporters were like sharks smelling blood, turning their cameras on Director Jensen and Liam. “Director, do you have any explanation for this?” “Mr. Hayes, as a public figure, did you participate in the exploitation of a minor?” Liam’s face was incredibly grim. He was an up-and-coming star; this kind of negative news would be devastating to his career. Director Jensen was too angry to speak. They were the ones who saved me, and now, because of me, they were being slandered as human traffickers and beasts. My heart ached as if being cut by a knife. It was all my fault. I had dragged them down. Looking at my parents and Chloe’s smug faces, a huge wave of anger and powerlessness washed over me. I broke free from Ava’s protective embrace and shouted at the reporters, “No! They didn’t trick me! I didn’t want to go home myself!” Chloe immediately ran over, covering my mouth, looking at me with a ‘heartbroken’ expression. “Sister, don’t be scared. With the reporters here, they can’t do anything to you. Have they brainwashed you?” As she spoke, she whispered into my ear with a venomous voice, “Skylar, you can’t fight us. Just come back home obediently, or I’ll make sure this film crew, everyone here, is ruined.” 9 Chloe’s threat was like a poisonous snake, coiling around my heart. I looked at Director Jensen’s ashen face, at Liam’s clenched fists, at Ava’s worried eyes. I couldn’t drag them down. I took a deep breath and pushed Chloe away. Then, to everyone’s shock, I fell to my knees in front of my parents with a thud. “Dad, Mom, I was wrong.” I hung my head, letting the tears fall. “I shouldn’t have run away, shouldn’t have made you worry. I’ll come home with you.” My parents froze, clearly not expecting me to suddenly back down. The reporters were also stunned. Chloe was the first to react. She immediately helped me up, smiling ‘relievedly’ at the camera. “That’s wonderful, my sister finally came to her senses.” Mom also immediately got into character, hugging me and crying disingenuously. “It’s good you’re back, it’s good you’re back. Mom doesn’t blame you.” Only I knew what I was truly thinking. Compromise was only temporary. I was going home. Back to that hell, to find the direct evidence they wanted to kill me for. I was going to personally send them to real hell. Director Jensen and the others started to come forward, but I subtly shook my head at them. Their eyes were filled with worry and confusion, but in the end, they didn’t move. And so, I followed my parents, ‘escorted’ by the reporters, out of the hotel. The moment the car door closed, the smile on Mom’s face vanished. She delivered a stinging slap across my face. “You little slut, you’ve gotten brave, haven’t you?! Finding helpers?!” Dad also turned around from the front seat, his eyes vicious. “We’ll deal with you properly once we get home!” Chloe sat next to me, smiling triumphantly. She pulled out her phone and played a news report about the commotion at the hotel. “Sister, look, now everyone knows you’re a thoughtless, ungrateful little monster. That film crew is finished too, their movie will never see the light of day.” She leaned closer to my ear, her voice a devil’s whisper: “Forgot to tell you, that three-million-dollar insurance policy expires next month. So, this month, you *have* to die ‘accidentally’.” “Tell me, this time, should we have you fall from a high-rise? Or… maybe an electrical accident?” Outside the car window, city lights sped by. My face was burning with pain, but my heart was calmer than ever before. I looked out the window, silently saying to Director Jensen and the others:

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My roommate, Brandon, under the guise of assisting me, systematically swiped 99 of my discarded code drafts from my computer. After that, he entered various coding competitions, raking in awards left and right, quickly becoming the undisputed campus superstar. It wasn’t until he stole my very last discarded code, using it to compete in the National Collegiate Tech Competition finals. During the live final presentation, his program suddenly crashed. A massive red warning and a countdown timer exploded onto the screen. He stormed into our dorm with his advisor, Professor Hayes, and Dean Miller, accusing me of implanting a virus in his computer and sabotaging his competition. I simply presented the original logs, detailing every instance he had stolen my code. “What he submitted isn’t just a regular program. It’s a test version of my mentor’s confidential project.” “That countdown? It’s the final warning before the system self-destructs.” … The atmosphere at the live National Collegiate Tech Competition finals was electric. My roommate, Brandon, was beaming with triumph, basking in a tidal wave of adulation. The online live stream soared to nearly 200,000 viewers, the live chat a molten torrent, flooding the screen with comments. [Genius! This kid is a cross-disciplinary programming prodigy!] [Who would’ve thought an art design student could write such a sophisticated recognition algorithm? A total game-changer!] [Brandon, my heart belongs to you!] I sat calmly in the bustling audience, observing it all. In just three short months, he’d transformed from a tech novice who could barely set up a Python environment into a celebrated prodigy bathed in the spotlight – our university’s unquestionable top star. On stage, Brandon had reached the final step of his presentation. The hall erupted in thunderous applause. He nodded subtly, addressing the judges and the audience, his voice clear and elegant: “Esteemed judges, ladies and gentlemen, I will now fully demonstrate the real-time recognition and tracking capabilities of my ‘Falcon’ system on complex dynamic images.” His fingertips gracefully tapped the Enter key on the keyboard, his posture utterly composed. On the massive main screen, a CG animation simulating a rescue operation in a complex urban environment began to play. Dozens of drone models weaved, flipped, and dogfought at high speed through intricate building complexes, their trajectories chaotic and almost impossible for the naked eye to follow. Yet, the “Falcon” system, within moments of activation, precisely locked onto each drone with different colored tracking boxes, flawlessly planning the optimal search and rescue paths and directing them to execute their tasks in perfect order. “Oh my God!” “This… this already surpasses most commercial recognition systems on the market!” “Unbelievable! The logic of this algorithm is simply flawless!” On the judges’ panel, several well-known professors and corporate executives from the industry could no longer maintain their composure. They rose to their feet, their faces etched with shock and disbelief. Brandon’s chin lifted slightly, relishing every moment. His gaze cut through the cameras, past the sea of bobbing heads, finally landing on my quiet corner. I knew he was flaunting his success at me. Declaring his victory to me, the stepping stone he’d used to climb to the top. The very next second. The colossal demo screen on stage flickered, a momentary freeze. Then, all the dazzling tracking boxes, the intricate CG animation, vanished instantly. In their place was a dead, unsettling blue screen. A line of white error code flashed briefly across the top of the screen. The applause and cheers in the hall abruptly ceased. Everyone froze. Murmurs rippled through the crowd. “What’s going on? Did it crash?” Brandon’s smile froze. He frantically tapped the keyboard, trying to restore the program, but it was all in vain. Then, the blue screen disappeared. A massive, pixelated red skull, grinning mockingly, dominated the center of the entire screen. Below the skull, a line of equally blood-red, constantly flashing giant numbers abruptly popped up. **[60]** Gasps swept through the audience, a commotion spreading like ripples in water. “What the hell is that?!” **[59]** The live chat instantly exploded. [OMG! What is this? A virus?] [The finals system got hacked?!] **[58]** Brandon was in full panic mode. He stared at the grinning skull on the screen, his body involuntarily stepping back. He stammered incoherently into the microphone: “No… no, it’s not that, this… this is just an accident, the program… the program just had a tiny bug…” His voice trembled, utterly unconvincing. The judges’ panel was in disarray. Staff members rushed onto the stage, clumsily trying to control the screen, pulling out power cables, but that blood-red countdown stubbornly pulsed on the dark screen. **[22]** **[21]** … In the midst of the extreme chaos, Brandon furiously rushed off the stage, heading straight for me. He abruptly raised his hand, his trembling finger pointing directly at me. “You did this, didn’t you?!” Countless eyes turned to me. The students around me whispered. “He’s Brandon’s roommate, isn’t he?” “How despicable, to pull such a dirty trick behind his back.” I just smiled faintly, saying nothing. He mistook my silence for guilt. He spun around, went back to the stage, grabbed the microphone, and yelled. “It’s him!” His voice, amplified by the microphone, shrilly echoed through the entire venue. “It’s my roommate, Asher, who planted a virus in my program!” Under the gaze of everyone present, I calmly closed my laptop and slowly stood up. All eyes in the audience snapped towards me, filled with scrutiny. I walked calmly onto the stage with my backpack. The moment Brandon saw me, it was as if he found an outlet for all his emotions. He pointed at me, sobbing hysterically: “It’s him! Professor Hayes, it’s him! He’s jealous I won the championship, jealous everyone’s paying attention to me! So he wants to ruin me! He’s ruined our school’s reputation!” His advisor, Professor Hayes, rushed onto the stage, his face ashen, and demanded in an undeniable, stern tone, “Asher! Why would you do this?!” “This competition is a testament to our school’s honor! This malicious act of sabotage is extremely serious! Do you have any idea how much negative impact you’ve caused the school?!” Dean Miller, one of the competition judges and our department head, now stepped forward, his face etched with heartache. He placed a hand on Brandon’s shoulder, comforting him in a paternal tone: “Brandon, don’t be afraid, we’ll get justice for you!” Then, he turned to me, his voice even graver: “Now is not the time to pursue motives, but to solve the problem! Asher, I order you to immediately hand over the virus you planted and explain how you did it! Cooperate for leniency! Otherwise, the most severe disciplinary action from the school awaits you!” On this nationally live-streamed stage, I was unequivocally branded as someone who had maliciously sabotaged the competition and tarnished the school’s reputation. Meanwhile, the live chat was in a frenzy. #AsherMaliciouslyPlantedVirus #ProdigyBrandonSabotagedByRoommate #ComputerScienceDepartmentDisgrace These hashtags instantly went viral. Countless uninformed viewers subjected me to online harassment with the most vicious language. On stage, three pairs of eyes glared at me, filled with anger and disdain. Brandon’s sobbing continued. He cried while accusing me of my “crimes,” portraying himself as a pure, innocent victim cruelly wronged. “Professor Hayes, Dean Miller, you must stand up for me! I sacrificed so many sleepless nights, so much effort for this competition… I was so close to success, and he ruined it all… I… I don’t want to live…” His performance was tearful and utterly convincing. Facing this overwhelming wave of slander and curses, I remained unusually calm. My composure seemed to infuriate them further. Professor Hayes’ face darkened even more: “Asher! What kind of attitude is that?! Do you think staying silent will get you off the hook?!” A staff member handed me a microphone. I took the microphone, feeling its cold metal. My gaze bypassed Professor Hayes and Dean Miller, falling directly on Brandon, who was still sobbing on the floor. I looked at him, a faint, almost imperceptible curve playing on my lips. Then, I spoke softly, my voice carried clearly through the microphone to every corner of the venue. “Brandon, I just have one question for you.” “What was the original filename of the program archive you submitted, as it appeared on my computer?” Brandon’s sobs abruptly stopped. His body stiffened instantly, a flicker of extreme panic flashing in his eyes. He opened his mouth, emitting a guttural “Uh… uh…” sound that, amplified by the microphone, sounded particularly harsh. Yet, he couldn’t utter a single word in response.

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My husband’s sister, Chloe, went for a swim in the ocean and accidentally drowned. My husband, Asher, a senior lifeguard who’d saved countless lives, instead sent his fragile female intern, Luna, to retrieve her. Dressed in a revealing bikini, she pouted at him, batting her eyelashes. “Oh, Asher,” she whined, her voice small. “I’m such a coward~ What if I’m too scared to go in?” Asher wrapped an arm around her slender waist, completely ignoring Chloe, who was desperately fighting for her life in the churning waves. He then meticulously re-tied Luna’s safety rope, *again*, before finally allowing her to enter the water. But Luna didn’t even swim five yards before she violently yanked the safety rope, screaming and crying for Asher to drag her back to shore. To calm her down, Chloe lost her critical rescue window, drowning in the unforgiving ocean. Asher pulled Luna behind him, shielding her, then glared at me, his eyes sharp with warning. “When the police arrive, you’ll tell them your sister died in an accident. You’ll sign the death certificate, no fuss.” “There were warnings issued, and she still went swimming. Wasn’t she practically asking for it? Everyone has to pay the price for their mistakes, and Luna just graduated. She can’t have a blemish on her record.” “Luna?” I echoed, my voice laced with disbelief. Seeing the impatient scowl on Asher’s face, a sudden, chilling realization hit me. He actually thought it was *my* sister, Clara, who had drowned. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “That’s a document, I’m afraid, I simply cannot sign.”

Brandon shot me a furious glare. “Why can’t you sign it? It was an accident!” “I’m warning you, don’t even *think* about trying to turn this into some big payout scheme. Remember, I own half of this rescue company. If things get messy, we’ll both go down.” Chloe wriggled free from his embrace, sobbing pathetically. “Harper, I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault. I couldn’t save your sister.” “Brandon, please don’t fight with Harper because of me.” Brandon pulled her into a comforting embrace, his expression filled with concern. “Chloe, this has nothing to do with you. Her sister just *had* to go swimming at this exact time. Who can you blame when someone goes looking for trouble?” Then he turned to me. “Harper, Chloe is crying like this, and you can’t even offer a single word of comfort?” “You *have* to sign this document. If the police ask, you tell them Chloe did everything she could, but the ocean waves were too strong, and she couldn’t save her.” This man was truly hopeless. When I found Kimberly drowning, I remembered that Brandon’s company was responsible for rescue in this area, so I quickly called him. Seeing him arrive with Chloe, I thought he’d personally dive in to save her. I never imagined he’d send an intern who had only recently learned to swim. It was their delay that caused Kimberly’s death by drowning, and now he wanted me to admit it was an accident? But since Brandon was Kimberly’s only living relative, if he agreed, I wouldn’t argue. I scoffed. “I’ll do whatever you want, but I doubt the police will accept *my* signature.” “How about this: you write out a confirmation yourself first, and we can hand it to them together when the police arrive.” Brandon looked at me with contempt. “You’re so ignorant. That’s *your* sister. Only you, as a direct relative, can sign the confirmation. Anything I write has no legal effect, okay?” “Besides, I’ve told you before, don’t bother me with your family’s problems.” He had indeed said that. A few days ago, I received a strange package. When I opened it, I found a swimsuit. Kimberly claimed it was hers and threatened me not to tell Brandon. She said the waves had been strong recently, making it dangerous to swim, and Brandon didn’t want her going. Later, when I was washing and hanging it, Brandon saw it anyway. Seeing Kimberly’s warning glare, I had to tell him I bought it for my sister, Skylar, who was planning to go swimming in the ocean. He just coldly said, “Go ahead, I don’t care. Just don’t come crying to me if anything happens.” It seemed he was a man of his word today.

Seeing I was unmoved, Brandon scooped Chloe into his arms and said impatiently, “Wait here. I’ll go to the rescue station and write it for you. It’ll also give Chloe a chance to change, so she doesn’t catch a cold.” With that, he ignored me, carrying Chloe with long strides towards the rescue station. Chloe looked up, a smirk playing on her lips as she met my gaze. I hoped Brandon would be just as calm when he found out the one who died was his own sister. After he handed me the handwritten confirmation, the police car arrived. Since the body had already been washed away, and there was no surveillance footage or other witnesses, the officers looked at me hesitantly. Before they could say anything, I directly handed Brandon’s handwritten accidental death confirmation to the police. “The search and rescue company here is owned by my husband, he also led the rescue, and the drowning victim was his sister. With this accidental death confirmation, there shouldn’t be any problem, right?” The police probably didn’t expect things to go so smoothly. After asking Brandon a few simple questions about the rescue, they left. I didn’t want to stay there either. After picking up Kimberly’s changed clothes on the beach, I prepared to leave. But I hadn’t walked more than a few steps before Brandon stopped me. He held out his hand. “Give them to me.” “What?” I looked at Brandon, puzzled. He pulled a lighter from his pocket, threatening to set the clothes ablaze. Even though Kimberly and I rarely got along, seeing this, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. “Brandon, don’t you know the custom here? Even if we can’t find her body, we’re supposed to bury her last worn clothes as a symbolic grave, a cenotaph, so her spirit can rest.” “If you burn these clothes now, do you want her to never find peace even in death?” Chloe looked at me mockingly. “A cenotaph? Harper, are you okay?” “I heard people say that only those who’ve done too many bad things end up drowning in the ocean.” “Someone like your sister, a real menace, doesn’t deserve a peaceful end even in death, let alone a cenotaph.” Brandon nodded in agreement. “Your sister was always defiant, and she’d give me attitude every time I asked your dad for some money. What a piece of work! If you ask me, even in death, she won’t settle down. To avoid trouble, I have to burn her clothes today.” “To make sure her spirit is gone for good, so she can’t cause any more trouble.” Their synchronized cruelty made my heart pound furiously in my chest. Even if it was *my* sister, he couldn’t be this vicious. I pointed a finger at his face and yelled, “Isn’t she your sister? Aren’t you afraid of karma for talking about her like that?” I clutched the clothes and turned to leave, but Brandon clamped his hand around my throat. He stared at me with chilling malice. “Don’t push your luck, Harper. You’re leaving those clothes here today.” I glared back at him. “Brandon, if you touch me again, my dad will never give you another dime.” At that, Brandon violently shoved me into the ocean. “What else does your dad have besides his dirty money? What kind of man can’t even have a son?” With that, he snatched the clothes and then kicked me hard. I struggled out of the water, staring blankly at Brandon. The man who had pursued me for ten years, from high school until now, had changed completely just one month after our wedding? And was now even physically abusive? Chloe whined playfully at Brandon. “Brandon, be careful, you almost fell after that kick.” Brandon pulled her into his arms, comforting her softly. “Don’t worry, your man here is agile. Hitting a woman is a piece of cake.” “Alright, let’s go burn those clothes.” Chloe giggled. “You carried me all that way, you must be tired. Just sit back and watch, I’ll burn them.” Brandon sat on the sand, filming her with his phone. Chloe pinched Kimberly’s tank top, her face full of disgust. “This girl dressed pretty provocatively, didn’t she? That low cut, like she *wanted* men to stare.” She then picked up Kimberly’s skirt, sniffed it, and sneered, “Ugh, there’s even a man’s scent on this skirt. How many times must she have been with someone?” She said, holding the clothes up to the camera. Brandon played along, praising her. “Chloe, you’re so smart. You notice even the smallest details.” “We need to film all this. If Harper, that bitch, tries to cause trouble, we’ll post it all online and ruin her and the Davis family’s reputation.” Chloe smiled at me. “Harper, Brandon is just worried about being taken advantage of. You understand, right?” It was Brandon’s own sister. If *he* understood, that was all that mattered. While they weren’t paying attention, I subtly sent my location to my bodyguards. Just as Chloe was burning Kimberly’s clothes, a bright light shone from the distance. “What are you doing?” Seeing the large and imposing bodyguards approaching, Brandon recoiled in terror. I looked down at him, my voice cold. “Brandon, we’re getting a divorce.”

The words had barely left my lips when Brandon jumped up. “Harper, you’re divorcing me over a dead person?” “I’m a lifeguard, not the Grim Reaper. Isn’t it normal not to be able to save everyone?” I replied calmly, “I’ll have my lawyer contact you. Let’s part ways amicably.” Brandon glared at me, his teeth clenched. “Chloe and I both tried our best. I know you’re upset, but after ten years, can you really just throw it all away?” Chloe dropped to her knees, repeatedly bowing her head and pleading with me. “Harper, I don’t want to ruin your relationship with Brandon. If you don’t divorce him, I’ll let you hit me, yell at me, whatever you want.” Brandon pulled her up, his heart aching. “Chloe, don’t beg her.” Then he looked at me again, his tone turning harsh and icy. “Chloe is just an intern. If you have a grievance, take it out on me. Why are you trying to scare her?” “Harper, your family doesn’t have a son, and one of your two daughters is already dead. Your father still relies on me, his son-in-law, for appearances. Aren’t you afraid of being looked down upon if you divorce?” I scoffed. “Brandon, ever since we got married, your living expenses, your clothes, even the money to start your company—none of it came from anywhere but my family.” “You’re like a leech, clinging to the Davis family and sucking us dry. And now you’re claiming *you’re* holding the Davis family together? I don’t know where you get the nerve.” Brandon’s face flushed, then paled, then flushed again at my words. Catching Chloe’s gaze, he finally exploded in anger. “Fine! I’ll give you what you want.” “But don’t expect me to ever help your family with anything again.” With that, he set the half-burnt clothes on fire again, unleashing all his resentment towards me onto Kimberly’s remains. By the time my bodyguards rushed over, only half a shoe was left of the pile of clothes. I could only take that half-shoe back and buy a burial plot, preparing to make a cenotaph for Kimberly. The day before the funeral, I sent the location to Brandon, asking him to come and say his final goodbyes to his sister. To my surprise, the first person to arrive wasn’t Brandon, but Chloe. She stormed in furiously, armed with a baseball bat, smashing everything. Even the tombstone was shattered into four pieces. I stared at the scene, my heart heavy with grief. Just then, Brandon finally strolled in, a smug look plastered on his face as he surveyed the scene. “Excellent. A slut like that deserves this fate.” Chloe’s eyes glinted mischievously, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “Oh, yes. A slut certainly can’t stand loneliness. Let’s give her something a little more stimulating.”

With that, she pulled a tablet from her bag, cued up an adult film, and placed it in front of the grave. “Harper’s sister must have loved watching these. Think of it as her final send-off.” I struggled to control my burning rage, asking Brandon in a cold voice, “Are you just going to stand there and watch your sister’s grave be desecrated? Watch her be shamed even in death?” Brandon replied dismissively, “What shame? This is just catering to her preferences.” “Catering to her preferences? Who told you my sister liked this?” “This is a cemetery. Respect for the dead, Brandon. No matter how much you hate me, you should show some respect to the deceased.” “Putting a pornographic film in front of a grave? Is that something a decent person would do?” The last few sentences were shouted so loudly that my voice was starting to crack. Chloe’s eyes welled up instantly, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Brandon, what do I do? Harper is mad at me, she’s yelling.” Brandon pulled her into his arms, glaring fiercely at me. “That kind of trash your sister was, if her death can make Chloe happy, then it was worth something.” If he knew he was entertaining his mistress at the funeral of the sister he cherished most, I wondered if he’d still be so calm. Thinking this, I couldn’t help but let a cold smile play on my lips. “Fine, just have fun.” Brandon looked at me suspiciously, about to say something, but Chloe cut him off. “Harper, as women, we should listen to our husbands. Don’t always act so high and mighty just because your family has money. It’s not a good look.” These words made Brandon nod in agreement. “Chloe’s right. If you just change those awful habits, we don’t have to divorce.” At that moment, other families holding funerals began to arrive at the cemetery. They all looked surprised when they saw our area, and some even called the cemetery administrator over directly. “What are you doing here?” The elderly administrator yelled furiously. “This is a cemetery, not some illicit place! Aren’t you afraid of retribution for disturbing the spirits of the dead?” Brandon shoved the administrator to the ground, looking at him contemptuously. “You’re just like my wife, you don’t know what’s good for you.” “The one who died here was promiscuous in life, always messing around with men. We’re just trying to make her happy, what’s wrong with that?” “Besides, I bought this plot, and the deceased is my wife’s sister. I can do whatever I want with it. If you have an opinion, keep it to yourself.” I chimed in, smiling. “I did buy this plot, but whose sister is buried here, I wouldn’t know.” Chloe tugged on Brandon’s sleeve, feigning surprise. “Brandon, has Harper completely lost her mind? She’s actually fantasizing that her sister isn’t dead.” Brandon gently stroked her back. “Perhaps, but the dead cannot come back to life…” “Sis!” His words were cut off by a familiar female voice. Brandon froze the moment he saw who it was. I smiled sweetly and walked forward. “Skylar, you’re here to say goodbye to Kimberly too?”

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After seven years of practically worshipping Julian, he finally agreed to be with me. Everyone said Julian only kept me around to kill time, a mere distraction. Even he believed it. So, when he abandoned me again to face three drunk men, rushing off to meet the one who truly held his heart, something inside me snapped. I was done chasing him. His voice was a dark, menacing growl as he warned me, “Don’t play games with me. I hate women who do that.” He was so sure I’d never leave him. But that arrogant heir to a powerful family, he knelt before me, time and again, crying and begging me not to leave when I was about to go abroad. Our first kiss happened one night when he was drowning himself in booze. The proud scion was absolutely hammered, sitting alone in a private room at a bar. I heard him call out Serena’s name, asking why she had left him. Julian, Serena, and I had practically grown up together, but I was always the one everyone overlooked. Outsiders always whispered that Julian and Serena were childhood sweethearts, practically inseparable. I was just a perpetual third wheel to their perfect story. Julian had burst into my orphanage when I was a child, saving me just as the abusive director was about to lay hands on me. After that, the Preston family adopted me, and I’d always been incredibly grateful for their kindness. At the tender age of first love, meeting the boy who once saved me inevitably sparked something. Like any heroine in a teenage romance novel, I fantasized that Julian was the lead in my world. But when I saw Serena, I finally understood. I was nothing but an ugly duckling; Julian’s true leading lady was someone else entirely. I forced myself to bury my feelings for Julian, doubling down on my efforts to be good to him, hoping to repay their kindness. Three years ago, Serena went to study abroad, leaving just Julian and me from our trio. We started spending more time together, getting closer. But I always knew that a part of his heart would forever belong to Serena. Just like now, even drunk, he still called out her name. Silently, I helped him up, spoon-feeding him a special hangover remedy I’d brought. After a while, Julian seemed to improve, stirring awake from his stupor. He watched me clean up without a word, sitting quietly like a child who had done something wrong. “Cassie,” he suddenly said, “will you ever leave me?” I didn’t know how to answer, so I stayed silent. Julian suddenly reached out, pulling me into his arms. He stared at me intently, his eyes holding an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher. I finally managed to speak, “If I could, I hope we never have to be apart.”

I whispered it, so softly. Maybe Julian heard me, his eyes shining intensely in the dark room. What happened next was a blur, a natural progression. Lips met, teeth grazed. He held me fiercely, as if trying to merge me into his very bones, yet his kisses were incredibly gentle. I stayed with him in that private room, drinking all night. His eyes, still hazy with drink, traced my face. His fingers, surprisingly rough, brushed over the beauty mark near my eye. He just stared at me for a long, long time. Suddenly, a smile touched his lips, as if he’d remembered something amusing. “You like me that much, huh?” he chuckled. “Is this your first kiss? Be my girlfriend.” I agreed. No flowers, no grand confession. Just like that, we were together. A month passed, and my relationship with Julian felt unchanged. I still went through my daily routine of classes and studying, and Julian still frequented the same party spots. Then, one day, Julian stopped me after class. He stood there, hesitating for a long moment, before finally telling me, “Come to a party with me tonight. I want to introduce you to everyone.” “And make sure you wear that white dress I gave you.” My fingers brushed the smooth, elegant fabric of the white dress, and I felt a pang of emotion. The girl staring back from the mirror didn’t quite suit this dress; she wasn’t poised or tall enough, and she certainly lacked that innate elegance and air of superiority. I sighed, but remembering Julian’s instruction, I reluctantly put it on. I stepped into the waiting car, heading to the party. Like Cinderella at midnight, riding in a pumpkin carriage to meet her cherished Prince Charming. But how could reality ever be like a fairy tale? It was a chilly autumn night in the city. I wore the thin white dress, feeling utterly out of place in the decadent VIP lounge of the upscale club. The air was thick with smoke, expensive liquor, and designer perfumes, suffocating me. I sat beside Julian, feeling like a carefully dressed doll. He casually draped an arm behind me, lazily introducing me to his friends as his “official” girlfriend. The others snickered, their gazes unsettling. Julian didn’t say anything, just lifted his eyes to me with a bored look, as if I were an insignificant object. But his fingers gently hooked the hem of my dress, tightening as if testing my reaction. I lowered my gaze, picked up the lemonade on the table, and took a few sips. Then, slowly, I refilled Julian’s glass with liquor, my movements so practiced it was as if I’d done it a thousand times. I had long anticipated a scene like this. Over the years, I’d been mocked behind my back countless times by these “friends,” yet Julian had never once intervened. I could only try my best to suppress my emotions. But a heart is made of flesh and blood, and a dense, prickly ache spread through me. Unaccustomed to the environment, I excused myself to the restroom. When I returned, I heard a burst of laughter erupting from the private room, some of it clearly directed at me. “Hey, Julian, you’re something else! Did you actually convince her to wear Serena’s dress?” “Don’t be ridiculous, that’s not Serena’s dress. Julian takes such good care of Serena’s clothes. That’s just a cheap knock-off. Look at that poor girl, so thrilled with it, it’s hilarious!” Through the crack in the door, I saw a new girl had taken my seat. Julian didn’t object, just casually smoked. “Alright, enough. Watch what you say.” “Remember not to let Serena hear about this.”

The laughter around them grew louder. Someone bolder asked, “What if this… devoted follower… hears us and runs off, Julian? Aren’t you worried?” I watched Julian slowly take a drag from the cigarette offered by the girl next to him, then slowly exhale. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for me to hear: “Don’t worry. You couldn’t get rid of her even if you tried.” My heart plummeted. He was right. How pathetic I was, sacrificing my dignity to repay some old kindness. I pulled out my compact mirror, seeing the slight redness in my eyes, and tried to compose myself. Pushing the door open, I found an empty corner and sat down. No one noticed me. The center of this party would always be Julian and Julian alone. As the party ended, Julian suddenly called out to me, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “Cassie, go grab me a pack of cigarettes from the convenience store, would you?” I nodded, more than eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere. Next to the club was a deep, narrow alley, often where drunk people passed out. On my way back, I ran into a few drunk men emerging from the alley. I tried to avoid them, to walk around, but one of them grabbed my arm anyway. My body trembled slightly, and I instinctively slapped his hand away. A powerful wave of nausea churned in my stomach, and for a moment, I was back in the orphanage, pinned against the wall by the director. The stench of alcohol wafted over me, making me wrinkle my nose, and my legs trembled even more. I yelled out, “Don’t come near me! I’ll call someone!” But the drunk men didn’t care, still trying to lay their hands on me. “Look at this little slut, coming out of the club. What, you can serve the rich but not us? How much for a night?” As they shoved me, I used my bag to push the three men away and ran into the alley. But they followed close behind. I quickly pulled up Julian’s contact on my phone. The ringing tone sounded like a countdown to my doom. *Please, Julian, pick up my call.* Just as the call was about to disconnect, Julian finally answered. From the other end of the line, I heard the whistling of wind and the distinct giggling of a woman. That familiar giggle immediately brought her owner to mind: Serena. She was back. *Julian is with Serena right now? But she wasn’t at the party earlier?* Before I could process the chaotic thoughts in my head, Julian spoke first, cutting me off: “You’re taking too long. We already left. Forgot to tell you.” “As my girlfriend, you should be more understanding, shouldn’t you?” I didn’t answer Julian’s question. Instead, my voice choked with tears, “Julian… help me… I’m being…” Julian scoffed, “Alright, Cassie, what are you trying to pull? That trick doesn’t work on me.” “You’re just mad I didn’t take you along, right? Do you really need to be so dramatic?” “If you want to stay my girlfriend, don’t annoy me. My patience has limits.” With that, he hung up, not giving me a chance to reply. The abrupt dial tone buzzed, sending a chill through my fingers. My limbs remained stiff, stuck in the position of holding the phone, but my hand slowly dropped, powerless. Serena was back. I was no longer needed. That was Julian’s answer. Despair seeped into me. Looking at the dress I was wearing, I suddenly had an urge to rip it to shreds. I hid in a cardboard box next to a trash can in the alley, surrounded by garbage and debris. Stains smudged my pure white dress. Terrified, I huddled in the dumpster, fearing they would find me any second. The narrow alley echoed with the three drunk men’s lewd jokes about how they would “split” me once they caught me. I don’t know how long passed before they finally left. Curled up, I spent the night there. The intense focus of my fear finally relaxed, giving way to extreme exhaustion. At dawn, I dragged my weary body back to my apartment, covered in the stench of rotten garbage. Lying in bed, I sobbed uncontrollably. This time, the person who saved me from my childhood trauma wasn’t someone else. It was me.

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My husband, Julian, and I had been together for ten years—six years dating, four years married. We were a DINK couple, our combined income easily hitting seven figures. To everyone looking in, we were the ultimate power couple, a match made in heaven. But on a flight, I bumped into a complete stranger, and in that instant, a torrent of *her* memories, vivid and raw, showing *her* intimate moments with *my* husband, flooded my mind. In the dim light, two bodies tangled together. Julian’s agonizingly familiar face, pressed against hers, was kissing her with a passion I thought was reserved only for me! His breathless murmur echoed in my head, “Valerie, you captivate me more than Elara ever could.” I snatched my hand back, as if I’d been burned. The woman smiled at me. I stiffened, adjusting my seat, my fingers trembling uncontrollably. For ten years, Julian had been nothing short of devoted, attentive to my every need. Everyone always said we were the model couple. Who would’ve thought I’d run straight into his mistress on my flight home from a business trip? The second the plane landed, I powered up my phone and called my lawyer. “Mark, I need you to draw up divorce papers for me.”

“Ms. Stone, are you sure?” Mr. Harrison, my lawyer, replied almost instantly. “Absolutely.” My fingers trembled slightly as I typed, but I sent it anyway. Stepping out of the jet bridge, my eyes immediately found Aaron. He was holding a bouquet of my favorite champagne roses, standing right at the front of the arrivals crowd. “Jasmine, over here!” He waved, his smile radiant. Ten years. He was still incredibly handsome, impossibly charming. Dressed in a sharp suit, standing tall, his gaze on me was as focused and loving as ever. If I hadn’t just seen intimate images of him with another woman, I might still be unwavering in my belief in our relationship. I took a deep breath, plastered on an impeccable smile, and hurried towards him. “Didn’t I tell you not to bother picking me up? You’re so busy with work.” “No matter how busy I am, I always have time for my queen.” He naturally took my suitcase, wrapped an arm around my waist, and pressed a kiss to my forehead. Normally, I would have sweetly kissed him back. But now, I just felt a wave of nausea. I pretended to fix my hair, subtly evading his kiss. My fingers brushed his hand, accidentally activating my touch memory ability. In the airport parking lot, that woman was sitting in the passenger seat. Aaron had barely buckled his seatbelt before he was passionately kissing her. “God, I missed you so much,” he panted. “After she’s asleep, I’ll meet you at our usual spot.” I yanked my hand back, my heart pounding. “What’s wrong?” Aaron asked, noticing my sudden shift, his voice laced with concern. “Nothing. Just didn’t get much rest on the plane.” I forced a smile. “Let’s just go home.” In the car, Aaron enthusiastically recounted amusing anecdotes from the past few days, as attentive and thoughtful as always. It was laughable. I’d always clung to the principle of mutual trust, never once digging into his memories. Back home, Aaron mysteriously produced an elegant gift box. “Honey, guess what I managed to snag? Memory Bites!” I raised an eyebrow and took the box. These new Memory Bites from a tech company had absolutely blown up online. They claimed to use cutting-edge tech to store snippets of memories, letting you relive precious moments with every bite. Even at a staggering $1500 a box, they sold out within minutes of hitting the shelves. “Candy that stores memories? That’s a bit far-fetched, isn’t it?” I deliberately scoffed, a plan already forming in my mind. “It’s just a gimmick, but it’s kind of fun, right?” Aaron chuckled. “It’s the holiday season, so it felt right.” I opened the box. Inside were six intricately shaped candies, each inscribed with the word “Memory.” “Well, should we try them?” I picked up one, offering it to him. “You go first. Really concentrate on your happiest memory.” Aaron laughed. “Jasmine, you actually believe this stuff?” “Just for fun,” I insisted. He reluctantly took the candy, closed his eyes, and a blissful smile slowly spread across his face. In that moment, I almost believed he was reliving some sweet memory of us. I reached out, my fingertip lightly brushing the hand holding the candy. My mind was flooded with images of a strange kitchen. Aaron and the woman from the plane. All their tender moments together. Cooking and eating, feeding a cat, walking a dog. Under a snowy mountain, they cuddled, watching the sunrise. In a bedroom, two bodies intertwined. He whispered, calling her Vivian. I snatched my hand back. Even with the psychological preparation, seeing those images firsthand still twisted my gut, making it almost impossible to breathe. “So? See anything?” Aaron opened his eyes, asking with faux concern. 2. I swallowed the pain, forcing a weak smile. “Nothing at all. Told you it was just a marketing gimmick.” I took the candy he had used and bit into it. “The taste isn’t bad though.” Aaron visibly relaxed, pulling me into a hug. “Right? I told you it wasn’t that magical. But if you like them, I’ll try to snag more next year.” I leaned into his embrace, feeling the familiar yet now alien warmth of his chest. Ten years of a child-free marriage. We were both executives at a publicly traded company, earning millions a year, the envy of everyone – a perfect power couple. Ha, how utterly ridiculous. The next morning, Aaron woke up. “Hey, babe, I have a business trip today.” For ten years, he’d gone on a business trip every month or two, and I’d never once suspected a thing. “Okay, I packed your suitcase already.” I handed him his luggage, feigning reluctance as I hugged him tight. “How many days this time?” “About three days.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll miss you.” As we embraced, I deliberately prolonged the contact, wanting to see what was truly going on in his mind. The train station exit. The woman named Vivian Lee threw herself into Aaron’s arms, and they kissed passionately. Next, a supermarket. They pushed a cart together, like a typical couple, picking out groceries. Finally, a bedroom floor, their clothes scattered everywhere. I pulled away, suppressing the rising bile, and smiled. “Text me when you arrive.” After seeing Aaron off, I immediately put on a hat and a face mask, rushing to the ticket gate. “Ma’am, your ticket?” The ticket agent asked politely. I showed my e-ticket on my phone and walked through. To avoid Aaron spotting me, I waited until the very last minute to board, choosing a seat where he wouldn’t see me. All the way, my mind was a chaotic mess. Touch memories couldn’t be used as court evidence. I needed solid proof of his infidelity. I contacted a private investigator. “Hello, I’m on train G761. Please have a car ready at the destination exit. I’ll send you the target’s photo.” “Got it, Ms. Stone.” After exiting the station, I quickly got into the back seat of the waiting car, buckling my seatbelt. Aaron soon appeared at the exit, standing by the roadside, seemingly waiting for someone. A short while later, a black Honda pulled up in front of him. He smiled and got in, his movements natural and practiced. “Follow that Honda,” I instructed. “Be careful not to be seen.” Mr. Miller, the detective, was an experienced pro, expertly weaving through traffic, always maintaining a safe distance from the target. Eventually, the Honda pulled into an upscale gated community. “This community has tight security. It’ll be hard to get in,” Mr. Miller said. “It’s fine. Knowing the location is enough.” I snapped a photo of the community name and building number. “For the next few days, please keep an eye on them and gather evidence.” “Don’t worry, Ms. Stone.” Over the next three days, the photos and videos Mr. Miller sent showed Aaron and Vivian living like a married couple—cooking, taking walks, shopping, intimately. The most ironic part was a photo of Aaron taking Vivian’s picture, that same focused expression that had once belonged solely to me. The third day, Aaron suddenly called. “Jasmine, why haven’t you called me these past few days?” I immediately switched to a sweet, clingy tone. “Oh, I’ve been a bit busy, you know. When are you coming back?” “Tomorrow,” he said. However, that same afternoon, I saw Vivian dropping him off. A flicker of confusion hit me. If he’s not going back until tomorrow, why is he leaving so early today? 3. The same car-following routine, but Aaron didn’t go home. Instead, he went to another gated community. My heart sank. Was this man seeing *another* woman? The door opened, and out stepped my mother-in-law. I froze. Wasn’t she supposed to be back home? Then, a little girl, around seven or eight years old, ran out, sweetly calling, “Daddy!” My world spun. I had to clutch the wall to keep from falling. A daughter? Aaron Davies actually had a daughter? Ten years of a child-free marriage, and he’d never once shown any desire for children. And all this time, he already had a child outside our marriage! I stumbled back to the car, my whole body shaking. Ten years of marriage. I thought we truly loved each other, that our choice to be child-free was for us, for our careers. Turns out, he just didn’t want to have kids *with me*? I went home early, pretending to know nothing. Aaron arrived on time, bringing me a gift – a Tiffany necklace. “How was your trip?” I helped him take off his jacket, asking casually. “It was okay, just tiring.” He massaged his temples. “What about you? You didn’t call me at all these past few days. That’s not like you. Don’t you love me anymore? Tell me, do you? Do you?” He wrapped his arms around my waist as he spoke. “Of course not… The merger case has been really tricky lately, I’ve been swamped. Of course, I love you the most.” I leaned in and purposefully kissed his cheek. “And you? Did you miss me?” “Of course, I did.” He leaned in to deepen the kiss, but I deftly turned away. “Hungry? I’ll make you something to eat.” That night, Aaron tried to get intimate, but I pushed him away, citing exhaustion. He looked displeased but didn’t force it, only complaining about how our married life wasn’t as passionate as before. I turned my back to him, biting my lip hard, terrified that if I opened my mouth, I’d blurt out every accusation. A few days later, the detective called me. He said only my mother-in-law picked up and dropped off the child every day; he’d never seen Vivian or any other woman. This didn’t make sense. Where was the child’s mother? Just as I was puzzling over this, the Memory Bites suddenly hit the trending topics again. A quirky online influencer, a month after the candies were released, crunched the numbers and discovered that divorce filings had spiked dramatically, showing an unprecedented surge compared to the previous month. Suddenly, the internet went wild. Some claimed they really saw hidden memories of their partners through the candies, while others firmly believed it was just a coincidence. That evening, Aaron came home looking somewhat uneasy. “Jasmine, when you tried the Memory Bite that day, you really didn’t see anything?” he asked, testing the waters. My heart skipped a beat, but my face remained calm. “No, why? Wasn’t it just a gimmick? Now that the holiday season is over, and sales for Memory Bites are slowing down, they’re just trying to clear inventory, right?” He didn’t look entirely convinced. “How about you try again? Inject a memory into one for me?” I smirked internally, but on the surface, I agreed. “Fine, I think it’s silly, but if my husband wants to play, I’ll humor you.” I picked up a Memory Bite, pretended to focus intently on injecting a memory, then handed it to him. Aaron nervously took a bite, savoring it carefully, then visibly relaxed. “Okay, I was silly too. There’s really nothing.” He put his arm around me and whispered in my ear, “Honey, your birthday is coming up. What do you want this year?” I suppressed a wave of disgust and deliberately asked, “Aaron, we’ve been child-free for ten years. I’m suddenly thinking I might want a child now. What about you?” He froze for a moment, then chuckled. “Why the sudden thought? I think our life together is perfect, just the two of us. I don’t want anyone disturbing that.” The words almost stole my breath. He didn’t want a child with *me*, but he had one with someone else? 4. I wasn’t playing his game anymore. I took action immediately. The next day, I went to the girl’s school entrance, pretending to accidentally bump into her. “Oh, I’m so sorry, sweetie, are you okay?” I steadied the girl, quickly and subtly taking a strand of hair from her head, carefully placing it into a pre-prepared sealed bag. “I’m fine, ma’am,” the girl said with a sweet smile, then ran towards her waiting grandmother – my mother-in-law. That night, I secretly took a few strands of Aaron’s hair. The next day, I delivered both samples to a paternity testing center. Three days later, the results came back: the test confirmed Aaron was the girl’s biological father. The evidence was irrefutable. It was time to confront him. I arranged to meet Aaron at an upscale restaurant. This was the very place he had proposed to me ten years ago. “Why did you pick this place for dinner tonight?” Aaron asked, smiling, clearly in a good mood. I directly pulled out the paternity test report and slid it across the table to him. “Your daughter is very cute.” Aaron’s smile froze instantly, his face turning ashen. “Jasmine, I… this…” I sat opposite him, watching him with a cold smirk as he struggled to string together a coherent sentence. “Ten years of marriage. I thought we truly loved each other, that our choice to be child-free was for us, for our careers.” I spoke with a calmness that even surprised myself. “Turns out, you just didn’t want to have kids *with me*?” “That’s not it!” Aaron desperately grabbed my hand. “I love you, Jasmine! I really do! I just didn’t want you to suffer, having a child is so painful!” “So you chose to have a child with someone else?” I pulled my hand away, crossing my arms over my chest. “That was an accident!” He lowered his voice. “I was drunk, I really didn’t know. By the time I found out, she was already pregnant. It was my mom who insisted on keeping the child.” “And Vivian Lee? Was that an accident too?” I asked coldly. Aaron’s eyes widened. He clearly hadn’t expected me to know so much. “Jasmine, let me explain…” “Go ahead, explain.” I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed. “I’d love to know how you manage to love so many women at once. Does it make you feel accomplished?” Aaron took a deep breath. “Vivian was my first love; we were together in college. We broke up, and then I met you. But we reconnected a few years ago…” He reached for my hand again. “But I truly love you, Jasmine! You’re my wife, the one I chose to spend my life with!” “So she was just a fling?” “I’m sorry, I admit I love her too, but it’s different!” Aaron’s words were unbelievable. “She needs me; she can’t live without me. But you’re so strong and independent, I know you can understand.” I couldn’t believe my ears. Yet, he really did know me well, knowing that hiding anything now would be pointless. After seeing so many men who, upon being caught cheating, threw all the blame onto the woman, I felt a strange, grudging respect for his honesty. But I continued my questioning, because I still needed more recorded evidence. “Understand what? Understand your bigamy? Understand that you’ve been deceiving me for ten years?” “I wasn’t deceiving you!” he said urgently. “I just wanted both of you to be happy. Vivian lacks security, I just wanted to reassure her. But I truly can’t live without you, Jasmine. I admit I’m greedy; I cherish the different needs and satisfactions you both bring me.” I was shaking with anger, yet I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “How can you be so utterly shameless?” 5. “Jasmine, I know I messed up,” he suddenly dropped to his knees, drawing curious glances from other diners. “But I genuinely love you. You are the most important person in my life! I’ll break things off with Vivian, just please, please forgive me this one time!” I looked at the man I had loved for ten years, feeling an overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity. “Let’s get a divorce, Aaron. Let’s end this cleanly.” “No! I absolutely won’t agree!” He suddenly stood up, his face turning dark. “Jasmine Stone, think this through. A divorce won’t benefit either of us. You’re a CEO of a publicly traded company. Once news of our divorce gets out, the stock price will plummet! Your reputation will also suffer!” Ha! He was actually trying to threaten me? I sneered. “Fine. Go ahead and try me.” I immediately moved into an apartment near my company, beginning our official separation. Aaron sent countless messages every day, ranging from apologies and repentance to threats and warnings, trying every trick in the book. During a get-together with friends, I confided part of the truth to my best friend, Chloe Bell. “Oh my God! Aaron actually has a secret child outside?” Chloe gasped, covering her mouth. “I never would have pegged him for that kind of man!” “And even more ridiculous, he also has a college ex, and he used our shared assets to buy her a house.” I wore a bitter expression, waiting for her comfort. But Chloe’s reaction was completely unexpected. “You know, to be honest, I’m actually a little envious of you.” I stared at her, dumbfounded. “Envious of what? Of him cheating and having a child with someone else?” “Honestly, a man like Aaron is hard to come by these days,” Chloe shrugged. “He’s rich, handsome, treats you well, and you don’t even have to go through childbirth.” I looked at her in disbelief. “Are you saying I should just accept my husband’s cheating and his secret child?” “Not accept, but I mean, at least he puts you first, right?” Chloe chose her words carefully. “Some things, you just pretend not to know. Look at me, I know Mark sometimes strays, but we have two kids, a mortgage, car payments… What would I do if we divorced? As for things like those Memory Bites, real or fake, I’d never try them. Why bring myself unnecessary heartache?” I fell silent. Chloe continued, “You two don’t have kids tying you down, so divorce is easier. But will you really find someone better? At least Aaron is still willing to treat you well. And as for men outside, which one doesn’t cheat?” That night, I couldn’t sleep. Was I really being too dramatic? I posted a brief summary of my situation on an anonymous forum, and the replies only confused me further.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298714”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

I was Skylar Adams, the illegitimate daughter my family kept hidden away. My only purpose was to take my sister’s place and marry the notorious Damian Thorne – a powerful magnate, rumored to be ill-tempered and confined to a wheelchair. At the wedding, when the minister asked if I was willing, I grabbed the microphone, right there in front of all the city’s elite. “I am not.” The entire room erupted. My father, Mr. Adams, was shaking with rage, his finger jabbing furiously as he screamed that I was insane. But they had no idea. A voice in my head had just spoken. [Congratulations, Host, for rejecting the arranged marriage! The Single Survival System is officially activated. Day one of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1.] “Skylar Adams, say that again, I dare you!” My father, Mr. Harrison Adams’s, roar threatened to blow the roof off the chapel. My sister, Amber, standing beside me in her bridesmaid’s dress, hissed under her breath. “Are you insane? If you dare ruin this marriage, Mom and Dad will kill you!” I looked at her calmly, then at the stunned guests below. Finally, my gaze settled on Damian Thorne, sitting in his wheelchair. He was a business titan, a man who commanded an empire and could practically rule the city. An accident six months ago had left him wheelchair-bound, transforming his already formidable personality into something even darker and more ruthless. Everyone said the Adams family was pushing me, their illegitimate daughter, into a living hell. But they had no idea. The Adams family securing this connection to the Thornes? My parents had practically begged, pulling out every desperate plea they had to land this unimaginable fortune. Damian Thorne’s face was expressionless, his deep-set eyes watching me from several feet away, as if observing a drama that had nothing to do with him. His assistant, Liam Stone, behind him, looked furious and was already preparing to intervene. “I am not willing,” I repeated, my voice not loud, but clear enough to echo through the entire chapel. SMACK! A stinging slap landed across my face. It was my mother. She stormed onto the stage, trembling as she pointed at me. “You ungrateful wretch! You’re absolutely insane! You’ve completely shamed our family! Apologize to Mr. Thorne right now!” I licked the metallic taste of blood from my lip and smiled. “Apologize? Why? My marriage is *mine*. If I don’t want to go through with it, does someone else get to force me?” My father’s lips quivered with fury. “You… you bastard! You *will* marry him today, whether you like it or not!” He started to lunge for me. “Enough.” Damian Thorne maneuvered his electric wheelchair slowly to the front of the stage, his gaze calm as he looked at me. “Give me a reason.” I looked at him, this man rumored to be so brutal. There was no anger in his eyes now, only a piercing curiosity. I took a deep breath and delivered the line I’d rehearsed. “I don’t like you. And I certainly don’t want to marry someone who’s… disabled.” The words were harsh, venomous, even to my own ears. As expected, the entire room gasped. Mr. Harrison Adams’s face went completely white; he looked like he was about to faint. Amber stared at me as if I were already dead. Damian Thorne’s gaze finally darkened. Liam Stone, his assistant, stepped forward, his voice cold. “Miss Adams, words have consequences. You can’t just insult the Thorne family like that.” The atmosphere plummeted to a freezing point, but in my head, I silently chanted, “System, settle up!” [Ding! Day one of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1. Cash has been transferred to your anonymous account.] The system’s cold, robotic voice was my only comfort. With money and more life, what did I have to fear? I straightened my back, meeting Damian Thorne’s icy stare. “I’m telling the truth. You can’t force happiness. Mr. Thorne, this marriage? It’s off.” With that, I lifted the hem of my expensive wedding dress and, to everyone’s disbelief, turned to leave. I didn’t make it out of the chapel. Two bodyguards in black suits blocked my path. My father, Mr. Adams, his voice trembling, pleaded with Damian Thorne, “Mr. Thorne, please don’t be angry. This girl isn’t thinking straight. I’ll tie her up and send her to you right away…” “Dad!” Amber quickly grabbed his arm, her eyes darting to Damian Thorne. “Mr. Thorne, my sister is just being childish. Please don’t take her seriously.” Damian Thorne ignored their little performance. He just watched me, his gaze unreadable. “Miss Adams, you agreed to this wedding yourself. Now you’re publicly backing out, just playing games with me?” I clenched my fists. “I wasn’t playing games. I just realized that I want a life of my own, not one dependent on anyone else.” “Is that so?” Damian Thorne let out a soft chuckle, though no amusement reached his eyes. “Miss Adams, I admire your pursuit of independence. However, everything comes at a price.” The moment he finished speaking, Liam Stone stepped forward and addressed Mr. Harrison Adams. “Mr. Adams, according to the agreement, a failed alliance requires Adams Holdings to pay Thorne Industries a breach of contract penalty of one billion dollars. Furthermore, Thorne Industries will withdraw all investments and project collaborations with Adams Holdings.”

“One billion dollars!” Mr. Harrison Adams’s eyes rolled back, and he nearly collapsed. Amber’s face went white too. The Adams family’s total assets, combined, barely amounted to two or three hundred million. A billion dollars? That would drive them to ruin! Mr. Harrison Adams dropped to his knees with a thud, facing Damian Thorne. “Mr. Thorne, please have mercy! This rebellious girl is solely to blame. Punish her, but leave the Adams family out of this!” I watched his pathetic display with cold disdain, feeling nothing but disgust. This was my father, ready to throw me under the bus without a second thought for his own gain. My mother started wailing. “Mr. Thorne, we’ll send her back to her room immediately. Tonight, she’s yours! Please, spare us!” Watching my family’s ugly charade, my stomach churned. I turned to Damian Thorne. “This was my decision, and I’ll bear the consequences alone. Let my parents go. Let the Adams family go.” Damian Thorne raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused. “You’ll take responsibility? With what? A billion dollars? Do you even have that kind of money?” “I will repay it,” I said, my voice firm and unwavering. A wave of scoffing spread through the room. An illegitimate daughter, discarded by her family, how could she possibly repay a billion? It was pure fantasy. Amber’s taunt was particularly sharp. “Skylar, stop spouting nonsense! How will you pay it back? With your worthless life?” I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Damian Thorne. “Give me three years.” Damian Thorne looked deeply into my eyes, and then, surprisingly, he smiled. “Alright, I’ll give you three years.” He waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards to step aside. “From today onward, you, Skylar Adams, owe me, Damian Thorne, one billion dollars. Interest will be calculated at the highest bank rate.” He paused, then added, “Don’t even think about running. You know what I’m capable of.” With that, he maneuvered his wheelchair and left the chapel without looking back. My parents lay sprawled on the floor, their eyes fixed on me, looks that could have devoured me whole. “You wretch! You absolute wretch! You’ve ruined the Adams family!” I didn’t spare them another glance. Clutching the hem of my priceless wedding dress, I walked out of that cage-like chapel. The sunlight was blinding, but I felt a freedom I’d never known. [Ding! Host has successfully escaped the toxic family environment! Reward: one luxury apartment, Life Points +5.] Standing on the street in a wedding dress, I felt like a living, breathing joke. Passersby stared and pointed, but I didn’t care. My phone vibrated. A bank alert: $1,000,000 deposited. I smiled. Having money felt good. Immediately after, another message came in from an unknown number. [Bellagio Heights, Unit A-3201. Passcode: your birthday. -Liam Stone] It was Damian Thorne’s assistant. I was surprised. He actually gave me an apartment. Was he trying to keep an eye on me, afraid I’d run? Whatever. A place to live was better than being homeless. I hailed a cab and gave the address. The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, looking like he wanted to say something but held back. When we arrived at Bellagio Heights, I realized it was a renowned upscale neighborhood, with extremely strict security. My wedding dress made me far too conspicuous, and a security guard stopped me. I gave him the apartment number and my name. After checking, he respectfully waved me through. I swiped the card for Unit 3201 and was stunned by what I saw. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist modern decor, top-brand furniture and appliances. The walk-in closet even had a selection of seasonal designer clothes, shoes, and bags, still with their tags on. The refrigerator was stocked with fresh produce and imported fruits. On the table sat a black card and a new phone. A bold, flowing signature on the card read: [Stay put. -Thorne] This didn’t look like something prepared for someone owing a billion dollars. It was more like a gilded cage. What exactly did Damian Thorne want? I shook my head, pushing the thought away. First things first, a shower, a change of clothes, and a good meal.

Soaking comfortably in the bathtub, the system’s voice chimed again. [Day two of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1.] [Current Life Points: 7.] [Current Account Balance: $2,000,000.] I looked at my pale face in the mirror, a faint smile on my lips. Before the wedding, I had a sudden acute heart failure. The doctors said I wouldn’t live more than a month. It was this [Single Survival System] that had suddenly appeared, giving me hope. As long as I stayed single, I could live, and I could have immense wealth. Chase after guys? No thanks. I’d rather get rich, extend my life, and thrive all on my own. Just then, the doorbell rang. I was puzzled. Who would come looking for me here? Wrapped in my plush robe, I peeked through the peephole. It was Amber. How in the world did she find me here? I opened the door. Amber stood there, looking utterly condescending. She gave me a once-over, her gaze lingering on my robe, eyes brimming with a venomous mix of jealousy and scorn. “Skylar, you really have some nerve! You broke off your engagement and now you’re living in a place like this? Who’s the old man you’ve hooked up with now?” I leaned against the doorframe, lazily looking at her. “Something you need?” My nonchalant attitude infuriated Amber. “Something I need? Of course I do! Mom and Dad are furious, the company’s on the verge of bankruptcy, and here you are, living it up!” She started to push her way inside. I held out a hand to stop her. “This is my home. You’re not welcome.” “Your home?” Amber sounded like she’d just heard the funniest joke. “Skylar, don’t you forget, you have Adams family blood running through your veins! You ruined us; you have to take responsibility!” “Responsibility? How? By going back and marrying Damian Thorne in your place?” I scoffed. “Amber, you were the one crying and screaming that you wouldn’t marry him. Now you’re blaming me?” Originally, the marriage contract between the Adams and Thorne families had specified Amber, the eldest daughter. But she despised Damian because of his disability, throwing such dramatic tantrums and threats that my parents finally set their sights on me, their illegitimate daughter. They promised me that if I just married him, they’d give my mother a large sum of money to live out her golden years comfortably. For my mother, I agreed. But just a week before the wedding, my mother suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away. And at that very time, I was diagnosed with the same heart condition. Not a single person from the Adams family came to see me. They only cared if I would show up on time for the wedding. From that moment, I completely gave up on the Adams family. “You… you’re talking nonsense!” Amber’s eyes darted away. “That was… I had someone I loved! Not like you, who’s promiscuous and shameless!” She grew more agitated, her voice rising several octaves. “Skylar, I’m warning you, you’d better go apologize to Mr. Thorne and beg him to spare the Adams family! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in this city!” “Oh? Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’d like to see you try.” With a loud BANG, I slammed the door shut. Amber’s frustrated screams echoed from outside, but I ignored them. Wasting another breath on someone like her was a waste of my precious Life Points. The next morning, my name was trending online. #AdamsIllegitimateDaughterPubliclyBreaksEngagementInsultsDisabledMagnate# #UngratefulSkylarAdams# #AdamsGroupOnTheBrinkOfBankruptcy# Clicking on them, it was all hate comments about me. They called me a gold-digger, saying I dumped Damian Thorne because he was disabled, a complete opportunist. There were even so-called “insiders” who claimed I had a chaotic private life and had already hooked up with other men. Attached were several blurry photos of a girl with a similar build to me, intimately close with different men. I recognized her immediately: it was Amber. How ruthless could she be? To ruin me, she’d even released her own scandalous secrets and tried to pin them on me. The comments section was a cesspool of insults. “Women like her deserve to be canceled!” “Feel bad for Mr. Thorne, tricked by such a despicable woman.” “The Adams family must have done something truly awful to raise such an ungrateful ingrate.” I looked at the comments, not angry at all, but rather amused. These netizens were certainly easily swayed. I ignored the online storm, calmly making myself a lavish breakfast.

Just as I finished eating, my phone rang. It was an unknown number. I answered, and a haughty female voice came through. “Is this Skylar Adams? I’m Brittany Hayes.” Brittany Hayes? I thought for a moment. Amber’s rich, spoiled friend. “What do you want?” “Skylar, you really outdid yourself, daring to offend Mr. Thorne. Now the Adams family is ruined. Are you happy?” Brittany Hayes’s tone was dripping with schadenfreude. I couldn’t be bothered to waste words on her. Just as I was about to hang up, she spoke again. “However, I’m in a good mood today, so I can show you a way out.” “What way out?” “Tonight at eight, Regal Club, Mr. Albright’s party. Mr. Albright loves your type – innocent with a hint of wildness. If you please him well, he’ll give you twenty billion, not just one.” The Regal Club was a notorious den of indulgence in the city. And Mr. Albright, I’d heard whispers about him. A fifty-something, sleazy old man known for his scandalous escapades. Amber and Brittany Hayes were trying to throw me into a living hell. “What’s wrong? Scared to come?” Brittany Hayes taunted. “If you still want to survive in this city, you’d better show up. Otherwise, face the consequences.” With that, she hung up. I looked at my phone, my eyes turning cold. Did they really think I was still the old Skylar, easily manipulated? I originally didn’t want to bother with these clowns, but their repeated provocations made me wonder if they thought I was made of mud. Eight PM, Regal Club. I changed into a little black dress, put on exquisite makeup, and arrived promptly. Just outside the private room, I heard Brittany Hayes’s voice. “Don’t worry, Mr. Albright, that little bitch will definitely come. She’s desperate now; what else can she do but cling to a big shot like you?” A vulgar male voice chuckled. “Good, good, Brittany, you’re so smart. You’ll be well rewarded when this is done.” “Thank you in advance, Mr. Albright.” I pushed open the door and walked in. The room was smoky and chaotic. Besides Brittany Hayes and the corpulent Mr. Albright, there were a few other scantily clad men and women. Amber was there too, and she froze when she saw me. “Oh, she actually came?” Brittany Hayes said mockingly. “Come on, quickly, come toast Mr. Albright.” Mr. Albright’s lecherous eyes raked over me, making my skin crawl. “Nice, nice, even prettier than in the photos.” He rubbed his hands together, his smile obscene. I didn’t move, just stared at them coldly. “Skylar, what are you waiting for? Come on over!” Amber urged, clearly worried I’d ruin her plans. I picked up a glass of red wine from the table and slowly walked toward Mr. Albright. He thought I was going to toast him and chuckled, raising his own glass. Just as he was about to clink glasses with me, I flicked my wrist, and the entire glass of red wine splashed across his greasy face. “Agh!” Mr. Albright cried out. The entire room fell silent instantly. Everyone stared at me, wide-eyed. Brittany Hayes reacted first, screaming, “Skylar! You’re crazy!” Amber’s face paled with fright. “You… what are you doing!” Mr. Albright wiped the wine from his face, trembling with rage. “You dirty bitch! You dared to throw wine on me! Grab her! I’m going to make you regret this tonight!” Several men immediately lunged at me. But I was ready. Grabbing an empty wine bottle from the table, I smashed it against the edge with a sickening CRACK! The bottle shattered, and I gripped the remaining half, its sharp, jagged end pointed at the man in front. “Who dares come closer?” I spat, my voice cold. The men were stunned by my ferocity and hesitated to advance. Mr. Albright yelled furiously, “Useless! You’re all useless! Go get her! I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens!” Just then, the private room door was kicked open from the outside. “I’d like to see who dares touch her,” an icy voice cut through the room. My gaze snapped to the sound, and I froze. Damian Thorne? What was he doing here? He was still in his specialized wheelchair, followed by an expressionless Liam Stone and several black-suited bodyguards. His appearance instantly dropped the room’s pressure to zero. Mr. Albright saw Damian Thorne, and the anger on his face instantly transformed into a fawning smile. “Mr… Mr. Thorne? What brings you here?” He stammered, frantically wiping the wine from his face.

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My girlfriend got into a car accident and lost her memory. My brother, Liam, pretended to be me and became her new boyfriend. Watching Liam’s sweet smile in the photo, I couldn’t help but curl my own lips. He had no idea that woman was a cage I had personally designed. And I? I was the only hunter. Liam just posted a new update on SnapChat. No caption. Just a picture of him with a woman, against a backdrop of vibrant Globe Amaranth flowers – the kind that symbolize eternal love. I stared at the photo, the screen’s light casting a cold, hard glint in my eyes. The woman in the picture was my girlfriend, Celeste. But she’d lost her memory in a carefully orchestrated car accident. She’d gotten into that accident because she was trying to catch me. Celeste and I met during summer break. The salty air of the coast, the sun-drenched paths of an old resort town. She smiled at me, backlit by the setting sun, and said it was love at first sight. I once believed it was destiny. Later, I learned that “destiny” was just the beginning of another hunt. Celeste was a possessive, controlling fanatic. Just because I wanted to cut our trip short and go home, she saw it as betrayal. She locked me away. Like training a disobedient beast, she chained me to the bed with cold metal, leaving me at her mercy. That month, I lived like something less than human. I found a way to escape. I thought that out-of-control car would end the nightmare. I never expected she’d only lose her memory. Now, this amnesiac lamb has caught the eye of my foolish brother.

He somehow found out about Celeste’s incredible family fortune and brazenly wormed his way into her life, taking advantage of her vulnerability. But he was still my brother. I couldn’t let him fall into a trap I’d personally dug. The moment Liam came home, I cornered him. The faint, unfamiliar scent of his cologne still hung in the air. “You know that’s my girlfriend,” my voice was flat, devoid of emotion. When I first ‘escaped’ home, nightmares haunted me every night. I’d scream Celeste’s name in my sleep. It was terror, a shiver etched deep into my bones. Liam, though, mistook it for profound love. He rushed forward, slapped me hard a few times, his eyes red as he grilled me about every single detail of my time with Celeste. “Julian, just let me have her,” he suddenly changed his demeanor, blinking with wide, wet eyes, like an innocent puppy. “You’ve always been the best big brother to me.” Always the same. Ever since we were kids, our parents always favored him. They always told me, as the older brother, to take care of Liam. We were twins; I was only born a few minutes before him, yet I was expected to bear the responsibility of looking after him for his entire life. My favorite toys, the candy apples I loved, the drawings I saved up for – if he so much as hinted he wanted them, they were his. He’d been raised with a spoiled, selfish streak. “Do you even know what kind of person Celeste is?” I asked him. Just thinking of that woman made my throat tighten, a lingering physical memory. “The Blackwood heiress? You think I don’t know that?” His eyes gleamed with astonishing brightness. “I know a lot more than you think.” “Now that Celeste lost her memory, I’ve been pretending to be her boyfriend and taking care of her for days.” Liam couldn’t hide the smug satisfaction from his lips. He’d always dreamed of marrying into a wealthy family, and now, opportunity had practically landed in his lap. My eyes widened instinctively. I thought he was just helping out. I never expected him to steal my identity. “Don’t you know you’re going to get yourself killed?” My voice held a tremor I hadn’t even realized was there—a mix of anger and a secret thrill. His stupidity would only drag him into the abyss. A thin layer of anger flushed Liam’s face. He suddenly lunged, grabbing for the chain on my wrist. The bracelet Celeste had given me, the one I hadn’t had time to take off. “Give it to me!” he snarled, using all his strength, yelling at the top of his lungs. “This was never yours to begin with!” Mom and Dad were traveling overseas, but I still worried his piercing voice would be heard by the neighbors. And if it was, I’d be the one getting yelled at. I let go, watching him snatch the silver bracelet. If he wanted to be Celeste’s boyfriend so badly, then let him. “This bracelet, and Celeste, they’re both mine now.” Liam put on the bracelet, swaggering as he flashed it at me. His eyes crinkled with a smile, like a child who’d gotten the whole world, already deeply immersed in the beautiful dream he’d woven for himself.

I dreamt of Celeste again. One moment, we were sitting side-by-side by a quiet lake, her eyes looking at me, filled with crushed starlight and intense, almost possessive affection. “I’ll wait for you forever,” she said, gripping my hand, her voice soft yet firm, like a vow carried on the wind. But the next second, the scene shifted. In a dark room, she was fiercely choking my neck, her cold lips pressed against my earlobe, her breath reeking of blood. “Why did you run away? Why did you leave me?” In the endless darkness, her face was shrouded in a sinister gloom, her gaze fierce and fixated, like a dying beast. “I wasn’t leaving you, I just wanted to go home.” Tears streamed down my face, the air slowly draining from my lungs. “I won’t run away. Can you… can you please not lock me up again? I’m scared.” Celeste let out a soft chuckle. Her hand finally moved from my vulnerable neck, and instead, gently stroked my hair, over and over. Like calming a frightened pet. “Julian, I know you’re the goodest boy,” her voice was hypnotic. “Just stay here with me, don’t go anywhere.” “If you don’t answer me again…” she paused, her tone suddenly chilling, “I’ll turn you into a beautiful dried corpse, to keep you by my side forever.” I shivered, then, with all my might, I trembled out those words. “I’ll… I’ll stay with you forever.” “Good boy.” … I woke from the nightmare, cold sweat soaking my back. Celeste’s scorching, possessive breath seemed to cling to me, branded onto my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I was terrified she would regain her memory and drag me back into that hell. That month was a gaping, bloody wound in my life, and I never wanted to look back. Thankfully, in just one more month, I’d be off to college in another city. I would leave this place forever and never cross paths with her again. I clutched my pounding heart, gasping for air. But then I looked up, and my eyes slammed into a pair of dark eyes silently watching me from the shadows. I instantly lost my voice and screamed.

“My fault,” a soft female voice said. “I accidentally came into the wrong room and scared your brother.” Celeste was wearing cotton bunny pajamas, her bangs falling over her eyes, concealing any emotion, making her look delicate and harmless. She offered a perfectly pitched apology, nodding slightly at me. Liam rushed in, pulling her protectively behind him, gripping her hand tightly, like a possessive wolf pup, terrified I’d snatch her away. “It’s fine, just go.” I avoided Celeste’s gaze. I couldn’t bear to look into those eyes. Those eyes, they seemed to pierce through my skin, seeing every hidden thought, leaving me nowhere to hide. Liam actually dared to bring her home to stay, without even telling me first. A surge of anger, like my territory had been invaded, burned in my chest. “Where’s your girlfriend staying? Why did you bring her home without telling me?” I stepped out of the room, lowering my voice to question him. “We only have a few rooms. How could she ‘accidentally’ get lost?” My tone was stern, my brows furrowed. He really was destined for a drama major. Liam’s eyes welled up instantly, long lashes glistening with tears, making him look like a frightened fawn. He looked as if he’d suffered some monumental injustice, a sight designed to provoke anyone’s protective instincts. “Julian was sleeping so early, I was afraid of disturbing him, so I didn’t get a chance to say anything.” He choked out his words, making me sound like a cruel, malicious older brother. Ever since we were kids, his best trick was crying. The loudest one always got what they wanted. He effortlessly reaped all the attention and affection that was always denied to me. And I, with my stubborn pride, always unwilling to back down, was forever the one being blamed. “It’s my fault,” Celeste gently raised a hand, wiping away Liam’s tears, her face full of self-reproach. “My memory hasn’t fully returned since the accident, and I keep forgetting things. I just accidentally came into the wrong room. I’m so, so sorry.” The light spilled into her bright, clear eyes, making her appear even more gentle and charming. But I knew what kind of obsessive, twisted heart lurked beneath that beautiful exterior. I involuntarily took a step back. “Then you two should go. Leave my room.” “Are you Liam’s brother, Julian?” Celeste’s voice was soft, yet it felt like a needle pricking my ear. She looked at me intently, her gaze filled with a probing curiosity, then quickly withdrew it, as if talking to herself. “I must have been mistaken. You’re twins, it’s normal for you to look alike.” Liam quickly pulled her arm and led her away. He didn’t want Celeste to spend another second with me, terrified her damn memory might suddenly return. As they reached the doorway, Celeste looked back and said softly, “Your brother seems a little afraid of me. I must have scared him. I’m truly sorry.” “Julian’s just a bit timid, it’s fine,” Liam reassured her, but shot me a warning look. After they left, I frantically locked my bedroom door. That night, I huddled with my blanket, leaning against the cold door, and slept there. Terrified she’d reappear like a phantom, silently at the foot of my bed.

Celeste completely dominated my dreams. Ever since she locked me up, I was constantly plotting my escape. She was incredibly attentive, gentle as water. If not for the cold metal touching my wrists and ankles, I would have truly believed I’d found love. “I’m saving you, not hurting you,” I once cried, my voice raw and hoarse. “How could you do this to me?” I first met her on a cliffside trail. She slipped, and I caught her just in time. She insisted on treating me to dinner. During the meal, we were amazed to discover how remarkably similar our tastes were – from movies to our plans for the future. I admitted I liked childish things, like having my entire room filled with plush toys. Celeste did too. Just like now, this soft, large bed was piled high with all sorts of bunny plushies. Their glass-bead eyes watched impassively as she pinned me beneath her, unable to move. “I only want what’s best for you,” her dark, deep eyes were like bottomless pools, locking onto mine. “Just be a good boy, stop thinking about running away, and I’ll let you go.” To escape, I retracted all my claws, becoming utterly obedient to her. “Good boy.” She finally revealed a satisfied, brilliant smile, then lowered her head and bit my neck. It didn’t hurt, but it carried the humiliation of a declaration of ownership. I could clearly feel the surge of her obsessive passion, her burning breath on my skin, an suffocating aggression. I felt nauseous. It was a primal revulsion, mixed with fear and disgust, churning in my stomach. She gently unlocked my chains, then brazenly began to toy with my body. The chains clicked open, a sound that should have been the gospel of freedom, but now it felt like the prelude to hell opening. The cold of the metal had barely receded from my wrists when her fingertips covered them. It wasn’t a caress of desire, but more like… an appraisal. She was like a calm artisan admiring a masterpiece nearing completion. Her fingertips traced my collarbone, my chest, my waist, with an irresistible pressure, as if branding her mark onto my skin. The air was thick with her cool perfume, mingling with the cold sweat of my fear, transforming into a sticky, oppressive scent. I was forced to tilt my head back, looking at the dim light on the ceiling, feeling less like a person and more like an object laid bare, stripped of all dignity and the right to resist. Her kisses were cold and damp, falling on my eyelids, my lips, my jaw. Each kiss was like a mark, an occupation. She whispered in my ear, those gentle words now more chilling than the most malicious curse. “Julian, you’re mine.” “Every inch of your skin, every breath you take, is mine.” My body trembled almost imperceptibly, not from excitement, but from extreme humiliation and fury. I clenched my teeth, swallowing every protest and scream. Because I knew that any hint of disobedience would only result in a longer, more desperate confinement. She handled my limbs as if I were a cherished piece of porcelain, exploring every corner of my body. In her eyes, there was no lust, only a near-insane obsession and possessiveness. I felt my soul being slowly peeled from my body, floating in mid-air, coldly observing this shell endure everything. That night was absurd and endless. I quietly put on my clothes, tightly clutching the car keys I’d stolen from her jacket pocket. Like a startled rabbit, I fled desperately from that cage. But I never expected her to wake up so quickly. Another black car blocked me on the winding mountain road, like a silent beast. Celeste got out of the car, her dark hair glowing softly in the morning sun. She looked at me quietly, a gentle, almost resigned smile on her face. “You lied to me,” she said softly, her voice scattered by the wind. In that moment, every nerve in my brain snapped. I slammed on the accelerator, driving straight at her. I’d rather be a murderer than return to that hell. There were no cameras here. Let her rot. But I never thought she’d still be alive. Not only alive, but brought into my home by my foolish brother. I couldn’t imagine how she would drag me back into the abyss once her memory returned.

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. When I stepped out of my room, Celeste and Liam were sitting at the dining table. She considerately handed Liam a napkin, her face adorned with a doting, unblemished smile. Those gentle, water-like eyes seemed to forever hold boundless affection. “Thanks,” Liam’s face flushed, his eyes cast down like dewy grapes. “It’s nothing,” Celeste looked up, her gaze bypassing him and settling on me, a smile playing on her lips. “It’s what I should do as your girlfriend.” Her gaze felt like feathers, yet also like barbed whips, slowly tracing my exposed neck and arms. I shivered, then hurried into the bathroom, head down. When I came out after washing up, Celeste was in the kitchen washing dishes. The sunlight outlined her slender back, that picture of domestic tranquility, enough to deceive anyone. Who could imagine the obsessive, rotten core beneath that facade of false warmth? “Julian,” Liam’s voice chimed in my ear. He sat down beside me, grinning, but his hand unceremoniously pinched my arm. “You deliberately wore so little. Don’t think I don’t know you’re trying to seduce Celeste.” A sharp pain shot through me. I yanked my arm back, then grabbed his wrist. I stared at him coldly. “Liam, get this straight. You’re the one who stole my identity and took my girlfriend.” “If you want my trash, and you treat it like treasure, then keep it safe.” “But as your brother, I have to warn you,” I watched his face instantly drain of color, speaking each word slowly. “How could a car accident only result in superficial injuries? She’s been amnesiac for so long, not bothering to look for her family or regain her memory. Instead, she’s happily living in a stranger’s house. You know exactly what you’re thinking.” Our family was just a regular, ordinary working-class family. Between us and the Blackwoods, a prestigious old-money family, there was a whole galaxy. Liam was just taking advantage of her amnesia, trying to stage a cheap drama of “Billionaire Heiress Falls for Me.” Seeing his guilty face, I released his hand and turned to the kitchen. I took a plate of sliced watermelon from the fridge, and when I turned around, I bumped right into Celeste’s smiling eyes. She was standing right behind me, silent as a shadow. I tried to walk around her, but she reached out, placing a light but firm hand on my shoulder. “Can I have a slice of watermelon?” Her voice was soft, but her eyes were fixed on me, as if trying to see through my soul. I slapped her hand away fiercely, my heart skipping a beat. Every cell in my body screamed: kill this woman, kill her. I forced down the fear and the surging killing intent, managing to squeeze out a smile. “Go ahead.” Celeste naturally picked up the largest slice of watermelon, chewing it slowly. The bright red juice trickled down the corner of her lips, a sight that made it seem as if she were chewing my very flesh. I pressed my lips together, carrying the remaining watermelon, and fled back to my bedroom. *Click.* I locked the door. For the next month, I had to keep my distance from her. Just under a month. If I could just hold on for one more month, I’d be free. Not long after, the lock on my door clicked. Liam swayed the spare key in his hand and swaggered in. “Julian, you’re not going to stay in your room all day, are you?”

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Fourteen years of marriage. I thought our days would drift by, peaceful and steady, but fate had a cruel twist in store. Julian Thorne actually brought his first love, the one he had always pined for, into our home. And she was pregnant with his child. He stood before me, his expression disturbingly calm, almost cold. Yet his words were like a blade, stabbing directly into my heart: “Cassandra, I need a child. But don’t overthink this. Nothing between us will change because of it. Everything will remain just as it was.” Later, something happened that completely shattered me. Elara Jenkins, the woman who had loved me like her own daughter, was brutally pushed down the stairs by Veronica Reed. She died on the spot. My grief was overwhelming. I desperately yearned for Julian to give me justice, to punish the murderer severely. But he only frowned, dismissing it with a casual wave: “Cassandra, she’s carrying my child. Just bear with it.” In that moment, my heart plummeted into an endless abyss. And our little dog, Buddy, the one we adopted together. He was so adorable, so utterly dependent on us. But he ended up cruelly served on our dinner table. When I confronted Julian, he maintained that same indifferent demeanor, brushing me off with, “Cassandra, just hold on a little longer. Everything will be fine once the baby is born.” However, even before the child arrived, something far more horrifying occurred. Julian actually tricked me into drinking a sterilization elixir. He held me close, whispering in my ear, “Cassandra, I’ll love you forever. Believe me.” Those tender words, now sounded so fake, so utterly nauseating. From that day on, I became a different person. Each day, I acted docile and obedient. Whatever he asked, I never refused. He believed I had accepted my fate, that I would continue to endure everything with quiet submission. Until one day, I silently blocked and deleted every single contact related to him. I packed my bags and left that heartbreaking house without a backward glance, clean and gone, not a single shred of attachment remaining. But I never imagined he wouldn’t let me go. One rainy day, he appeared by my car, drenched to the bone, frantically banging on my window. I slowly rolled it down. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse and desperate: “Cassandra, are you leaving me?” I gazed at him quietly, my heart unmoving. Then I rolled up the window again and drove away, leaving him to cry alone in the rain.

Julian Thorne returned, his cherished first love, Veronica Reed, trailing behind him. He stood in the doorway, a flustered look on his face. His lips parted slightly, then closed, hesitating for a long moment before he seemed to steel himself, gritting his teeth. “Cassandra, this is… Veronica. She’s pregnant with my child, and I can’t leave her alone out there, without anyone…” I froze, my mind blank for a split second, completely failing to grasp the true meaning behind his words. Before I could even react, Veronica, who had been hiding behind Julian, stepped forward as if summoning all her courage. She grabbed my arm tightly, her eyes welling up with tears, saying pitifully, “Sister, I didn’t mean to come between you two. It’s just that I desperately needed the money. I had nowhere else to turn, so I resorted to this…” A wave of disgust washed over me. Instinctively, I recoiled, yanking my arm free. Seeing this, Julian immediately lunged forward, pulling Veronica close into his embrace. His eyes were sharp with警惕, and he exclaimed, “Cassandra, if you have an issue, direct it at me. She’s pregnant; she can’t handle stress!” After saying that, he seemed to realize his tone had been too harsh. He paused, then quickly explained, “The pregnancy is unstable. The doctor said she can’t endure any stress, or it could be dangerous.” I lowered my gaze, looking at the red marks Veronica had left on my wrist. A sharp pain pierced my heart, and I remained silent. Seeing my prolonged quiet, Julian finally looked down at me, only then noticing my wrist was completely red. Veronica, noticing this, immediately put on a pained expression. Her voice was laced with tears as she whimpered, “Oh, sister, I didn’t mean it. I really didn’t use much force…” Her voice trailed off, becoming an almost inaudible murmur between the two of them. Julian, worried that Veronica might feel guilty, quickly turned to her, explaining gently, “It’s nothing. Her skin is just like that, it reddens with the slightest touch. It has nothing to do with you, don’t take it to heart.” Listening to their back-and-forth, my mind was a tangled mess. I struggled to extract the key information from their conversation and asked, “What child?” Julian’s face instantly became awkward. His eyes darted around, unable to meet mine, and he stammered, “Cassandra, she’s just staying here temporarily. It won’t affect your life. Once the child is born, nothing will change. We’ll go back to how things were.” My heart ached so much I could barely breathe. Each word felt squeezed through clenched teeth as I demanded, “If you want a child, we can adopt one from an orphanage. Why did you have to find someone else to have a baby for you?” Julian frowned, a flicker of impatience crossing his face. He snapped, “Cassandra! A child from an orphanage wouldn’t be my blood! How could that be my child? It’s not the same!” I looked at his expression, which didn’t seem like a lie. A sudden, immense sense of absurdity washed over me, as if everything before my eyes was a ridiculous farce. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and said, “But you didn’t discuss this with me beforehand. You only told me after she was pregnant. What kind of arrangement is this?” Julian seemed provoked by my words. He loudly cut me off, “Isn’t it all your fault for not being able to have children!” After saying that, he seemed to realize he had gone too far. He added, irritably, “I’m sorry, Cassandra. I didn’t mean it that way. Don’t take it to heart.” I stared at this man, familiar yet so strange, a mix of emotions churning inside me. We hadn’t been together for a day or two; he wasn’t learning about my condition for the first time. Yet now he was using it to blame me. I bit my lip, enunciating each word: “Julian Thorne, in this house, it’s either her or me. Not both.” With that, I stopped looking at his face, turned, walked into the bedroom, and slammed the door shut. After a while, the conversation in the living room gradually quieted down. I didn’t know how he had settled Veronica. Not long after, the bedroom door behind me gently opened, and Julian walked in. He softly pulled me into his embrace, his voice low: “Cassandra, I’m sorry, but I really need a child. This is the only way my mom would agree to our marriage. Don’t worry, we’ve already discussed it. After she gives birth, she’ll disappear. She won’t come between us.” I looked at him, full of questions and confusion. He sighed and continued, “My mother never accepted us. Then, she somehow found out you couldn’t have children and absolutely refused to let us marry. I had no choice but to come up with this plan…” He didn’t finish, but I understood everything. I looked at him coldly and said, “Julian Thorne, you shouldn’t have lied to me. And you definitely shouldn’t have waited until Veronica was pregnant to tell me. Did you even consider my feelings?” Julian quickly said, “I’m sorry, Cassandra, I promise it won’t happen again! I, Julian Thorne, swear to God, if I ever deceive Cassandra Hayes again, may I be struck by lightning…” I quickly covered his mouth, completing his unfinished oath for him: “May I never see Julian Thorne again, and lose the one I love forever.” Julian listened, a hint of confusion on his face, as if he didn’t understand why he was making the oath, but the consequence would fall upon me. Veronica was temporarily settled in our guest bedroom. At first, she would cautiously watch my every move, timid in everything she did. It wasn’t until she realized I didn’t pay much attention to her that she slowly began to assert herself. In the past, Julian would leave for work without breakfast, and our housekeeper would only prepare meals after I woke up. But after Veronica arrived, she insisted that skipping breakfast was unacceptable and started preparing breakfast for Julian where I couldn’t see. Elara, our housekeeper, tried to warn me several times, but seeing that I seemed indifferent even after accidentally witnessing it, she eventually gave up. Perhaps my indifference emboldened Veronica, as she began to meddle in our household affairs. Initially, it was small things, like which brand of laundry detergent to use. She claimed that a certain brand was better for pregnant women and replaced all the detergent we had used for years. Then came the daily meals; she started making occasional requests – no cilantro, she loved winter melon, and so on. To me, these were minor matters, so I let her have her way. But I never imagined she would dare to lay her hands on someone close to me. Recently, wanting to avoid seeing Julian and Veronica, I confined myself to my room. Elara Jenkins, the housekeeper, brought my three meals upstairs. Elara had been with me since I was a child; in my heart, she was like family. Besides Julian, she was the person I trusted most. Yet, when I saw her again, she was lying in a pool of blood. The sight was a blinding red. Elara lay on the ground, bleeding profusely; the scene was horrifying. My mind went blank. I violently shoved Veronica, who was standing by the stairs, and frantically rushed downstairs, cradling Elara tightly in my arms. My voice trembled as I cried, “Elara, hold on, I’m taking you to the hospital right now!” Hearing the commotion, Julian rushed out of his study. Seeing the scene, he gasped, “What happened?!” A large pool of blood had gathered at the bottom of the stairs. Upstairs, Veronica clutched her stomach, slowly crouching down, moaning in pain. I desperately yelled at Julian, “Julian! Drive Elara to the hospital, now!” But I saw his eyes fixed on Veronica, filled with worry. He quickly ran upstairs, helped Veronica down, and said, “Cassandra, Veronica is pregnant. I have to take care of her first.” “Go, now!” I shouted at Julian again, my voice sharp with urgency. The 911 ambulance would still be a while, and I wanted Julian to rush Elara to the hospital, but he refused. He frowned and said, “Cassandra, you should stay here and wait for the ambulance. Their equipment is better, and if anything happens to Elara on the way, they can handle it.” “No! Julian Thorne, Elara’s situation is critical. Drive us, please!” Tears streamed down my face, my voice choked with sobs. Veronica clutched her stomach, crying out in pain. Julian roughly shoved my hand away and helped Veronica into the car. I clung to the car door, pleading desperately, “Julian Thorne, I’m begging you. Elara is bleeding so much, please.” “I’ll kneel for you, Julian Thorne, if that’s what it takes.” I said, slowly bending my legs, kneeling on the ground. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. “Please, Julian Thorne, save Elara.”

My tears, uncontrollable, dripped onto Julian’s hand. He flinched back as if seared by hot coals, his movement startlingly swift. “Cassandra, don’t do this…” His voice held a mix of panic and helplessness. “Julian darling, my stomach really hurts. Is something wrong with our baby?” I clutched his sleeve tightly, my eyes filled with fear and vulnerability. At her words, Julian’s gaze instantly hardened. He no longer hesitated, turning back to the driver’s seat, closing the car door, and stomping on the accelerator. The car shot away like an arrow from a bow, vanishing from my sight. “Cassandra…” A weak voice called from behind me. It was Elara. “Elara!” I crawled to her side with difficulty, holding her tightly in my arms, as if that could lend her some strength. “Cassandra, Elara might not be able to walk with you much longer.” Elara’s voice was faint and trembling. “Elara wanted to see our Cassandra in a wedding dress, getting married and having children, what a shame…” Her eyes shimmered with tears, filled with regret. “Elara, hold on! The paramedics will be here soon, you’ll be fine!” I desperately tried to reassure her, and myself. “Elara, don’t sleep, please don’t sleep…” I squeezed her hand tightly, terrified that if I let go, she would leave me. “Elara!” No matter how I called out, Elara slowly closed her eyes in my arms, and her hand gradually grew cold. By the time the ambulance sirens wailed to a stop outside our house, Elara had already stopped breathing. The paramedics quickly checked her vital signs, then shook their heads at me, their eyes full of sympathy. “I’m sorry, Ms. Hayes…” The doctor’s words were like cold blades, piercing my heart. I couldn’t accept the truth. I grabbed the doctor’s sleeve, tears gushing like a broken dam: “Please save her, Doctor, please! She was just talking to me! She was fine!” “Please, hurry and save her! She’s always been so strong, there has to be hope, right?” I knelt on the ground, repeatedly bowing my head, begging them to save my Elara. “Ms. Hayes, I’m truly sorry. If we had been half an hour earlier, there might have been hope…” The doctor sighed helplessly. “Ms. Hayes, the deceased is gone. Please accept our condolences.” Another paramedic gently comforted me. “Elara is just sleeping. She’s just mad at Cassandra, she’ll wake up…” I held Elara’s body, refusing to let go, as if my warmth could make her feel it, make her wake up. “Elara, Cassandra will be good, Cassandra won’t be naughty anymore, please wake up?” I murmured, tears constantly falling onto Elara’s face. “Elara, you said you hadn’t seen Cassandra get married and have children yet, how could you leave first?” I held Elara tightly, just as she had held me when I was little, giving me endless warmth and comfort. The paramedics stood silently to the side, watching my last moments with Elara, unwilling to disturb the peace and sorrow. With the help of the paramedics, I took Elara’s body to the hospital and obtained the death certificate. At that moment, I felt as if all my strength had drained away, and I completely collapsed. “Hello, yes, I want to report a murder!” I dialed 911, my voice trembling. The police were efficient. In no time, they brought Veronica, who was at the maternity ward entrance, to Elara’s side. “Ms. Hayes, someone has reported a murder.” Officer Miller looked at me sternly. “Our investigation shows that Elara Jenkins’ death was due to a cranial cerebral injury and intracranial hemorrhage from falling down the stairs.” Officer Miller continued. “According to Ms. Hayes, you were standing at the top of the stairs at the time of the incident.” Officer Miller’s gaze was sharp and calm. Veronica’s face was pale, whether from fright or some other reason, she bit her lower lip tightly, saying nothing. “No… no, Officer,” I quickly argued. “Officer, Ms. Hayes must have mistaken what she saw.” Julian suddenly stepped forward, shielding Veronica behind him. “I was also present at the time. Veronica did not touch Elara Jenkins.” His tone was firm and resolute. “Elara Jenkins simply lost her footing and fell down the stairs by accident.” He added, as if that could clear Veronica of suspicion. I stared with wide eyes at this man, once so familiar, now so utterly foreign, my heart filled with disappointment and sorrow. Elara had been with us since I was a child; even now, she was like family. But now, Julian Thorne was willing to protect someone he barely knew, abandoning any pursuit of the person who had killed Elara. “Officer, they’re lying!” I shouted back, my voice brimming with fury and indignation.

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My fiancé was drugged. As he burned up, completely out of his mind, clinging to Seraphina, I didn’t stop him. It was only because, in my past life, I was his ‘cure.’ And we were caught in a compromising position, entwined together. Against our will, our engagement was rushed. But after we married, Julian’s childhood sweetheart left the country, and he grew increasingly cold towards me. After using my family’s resources to climb the social ladder, he locked me in a basement, letting people torment me day and night. “Elara, you love to seduce men, don’t you? Well, I’ll let you have your fill!” I was brutalized in that lightless basement. After I got pregnant, he beat me until I miscarried, then bled to death. This time, I chose to watch, cold and detached. I turned and walked away, leaving the room behind me a scene of absolute debauchery. Stumbling, I reached my parents, tears welling in my eyes. “Mom, I don’t feel well. I want to go home, fast!” Seeing my state, Mrs. Sterling asked worriedly, “Elara, what’s wrong? Where’s Julian? Where did he go?” “Please don’t ask, just take me home quickly. I never want to see him again!” My voice was choked with sobs, a mix of sorrow and resentment. My distressed appearance drew the attention of everyone around us. “Oh, look, the young couple’s having a spat!” “It’s the Harringtons’ birthday gala today, you can’t cause a scene here!” “That’s right, Elara, Julian’s usually so good to you. Don’t be so dramatic!” Those who usually crossed me were now desperate to pin the blame on me for ruining Mrs. Harrington’s birthday gala. I couldn’t help but sneer, “He’s getting hot and heavy with another woman. Is that me being ‘dramatic’ too?” The crowd gasped in shock! My parents were furious. “Elara, what are you saying!” “That Julian dared to betray you? Where is he?!” I didn’t speak, just stared up at the second floor. My mom, agitated, immediately grabbed my hand. “Come on, take me up there!” “Mom, forget it. Let’s just go home!” “Absolutely not! Julian practically begged us for your hand. How long has it been, and he’s already with another woman? Where does that leave our family’s reputation?” Without another word, she dragged me forward. We ran into Mrs. Harrington, who saw red, absolutely furious that someone would be so brazenly intimate at her family’s birthday gala. She marched upstairs with her bodyguards. I protested out loud, but inside, I was practically cackling with glee. If Mrs. Harrington knew that the woman Julian was messing around with was her beloved niece, Seraphina, I wondered how utterly enraged she’d be! By then, a crowd was following. I kept pulling on Mrs. Harrington’s arm. “Mrs. Harrington, please, let’s just drop it. Julian’s family can apologize later. Let’s not go up!” Before Mrs. Harrington could speak, my mom tightened her grip on my hand and snapped, “Elara, what have I taught you? Are you always going to be so soft-hearted?” “It’s just Julian! There are plenty of other men. Our family doesn’t need trash like him!” Mrs. Harrington scoffed. “Mrs. Sterling is right. Miss Sterling, your taste in men is truly dreadful!” At her words, I had no choice but to shut up. Mrs. Harrington, I truly hope you can maintain that high-and-mighty attitude for a little while longer. Just as we reached the second floor, we heard loud, piercing screams from a woman echoing down the hallway. Everyone around us instantly flushed crimson. “Tsk, tsk, how shameless! Who is that tramp?” “Young blood, eh? Julian’s really something, isn’t he?” Mrs. Harrington’s face was dark with fury. “Go, kick that door open!” At her command, the bodyguards brutally kicked the door wide! The people inside hadn’t even reacted. The woman was still violently writhing on top of the man, and torn clothes were scattered all over the floor. Seeing this, Mrs. Harrington pointed at them. “Drag them out for me!” “Let me see which shameless hussy this is!” A bodyguard stepped forward and grabbed the woman’s hair, yanking her off the man. But she just shrieked, clutching Julian’s hand, refusing to let go. “No!” “I want more! You guys should join us too!” Her coquettish wails made everyone sick to their stomachs and even made the bodyguard pause. I stood to the side, clearly seeing the look of horror on the bodyguard’s face. Yes, horror. He clearly recognized who the woman was. “Utterly shameless!” “Still clinging on like that? Utterly depraved!” Mrs. Harrington was even more enraged. “What are you all standing around for? Go on, drag her off!”

The moment she spoke, the lead bodyguard sighed. Gritting his teeth, he brutally pulled the woman’s arm and literally threw her onto the floor! On the bed, Julian’s face was flushed crimson. He then scrambled off the bed, still trying to crawl back onto the woman, but a bodyguard kicked him away! He cried out in pain, then pounced and hugged the bodyguard, starting to thrust against him. The sight made everyone around them visibly nauseated. “My God, what’s wrong with Julian?” Mrs. Harrington trembled with rage. “Go, pin him down in the bathroom! Get him to sober up, fast!” Several bodyguards forcefully dragged Julian into the bathroom. My mom was yelling furiously, “That animal is behaving like a rabid dog!” “And this woman, she has no self-respect!” I quickly pulled my mom back. “It’s fine, stop yelling.” “Why not yell? You’re too soft-hearted! A woman like this deserves a good lesson!” With that, she grabbed the woman’s hair, raising her hand to strike. I was about to shout, but my mom froze. “This…” She looked up at Mrs. Harrington, then at me. Mrs. Harrington was utterly confused. “Mrs. Sterling, why are you looking at me like that?” “Don’t tell me this woman belongs to your family?” My mom sneered. “I wouldn’t dare to speak carelessly. A rotten, depraved, filthy woman like that isn’t worth dirtying my hands with. Mrs. Harrington, you should deal with her yourself.” Though Mrs. Harrington was confused, she still ordered her bodyguards to pull the woman up. At this point, Seraphina finally seemed to fully regain her senses. Seeing the crowd around her, she quickly grabbed a nearby bedsheet, wrapped it around her face, and shrieked, “Get out! All of you, get out!” Mrs. Harrington sneered, “Weren’t you so promiscuous just now? Now you suddenly feel shame?” “Throw her out!” The bodyguards hesitated, but Mrs. Harrington snapped, “Just do as I say! Or do you want to lose your job?!” The next moment, the bodyguard took a deep breath, grabbed Seraphina, and started to drag her out. Seraphina shrieked, “Auntie! Auntie, it’s me!” Hearing that voice, Mrs. Harrington’s face went from pale to ashen. Her hands trembling, she immediately yanked the bedsheet away. When she saw that familiar face, Mrs. Harrington stumbled back several steps, collapsing onto the floor. And I exclaimed, “Seraphina, how could it be you!” “Mrs. Harrington, isn’t this your niece? So, so it was *her* who seduced Julian!” “Your family, the Harringtons, are truly too much!” I covered my face, though in reality, I was almost laughing out loud. I pinched my mom’s arm hard, and she also caught on. “Fine, Mrs. Harrington! This is your family’s upbringing? Rather than behaving like a respectable young lady, she chooses to act like a common tramp!” Mrs. Harrington’s face instantly darkened. Before, she had always been high-and-mighty, looking down on us. But now, she was in this state. By now, everyone else had gathered around. “So it’s Mrs. Harrington’s niece!” “Didn’t Mrs. Harrington herself sleep her way to the top back in the day?” “Mrs. Harrington, what a role model! Leading by example, teaching her niece how it’s done!” Mrs. Harrington’s face was livid, and Julian was now completely sober. When he saw the scene, Julian’s face turned beet red. I rushed forward and slapped him hard, twice! “You animal! You scumbag! Our engagement is off!” Julian stared at me, his face a mask of disbelief. It took him a long moment to react. “Elara, you…” “Shut up! Julian, you’ve ruined Mrs. Harrington’s birthday gala, and you’re utterly shameless! From this moment on, we walk separate paths!”

Julian roared, “No! It’s you, Elara, you set me up!” My mom, enraged, stepped forward and slapped him hard! “You beast, you’re the one who debased yourself! How dare you blame us?” “If the Harringtons don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll immediately contact the press!” “Mrs. Harrington, you should check the surveillance to see who drugged Julian!” “After all, this animal didn’t even spare a man earlier!” Thinking of how Julian had been thrusting against a man earlier, Mrs. Harrington was beside herself with rage. Her face pale, she glared at Julian with venomous eyes. Seraphina whimpered, “Auntie, it’s all my fault, but I really love him. Why don’t you let him and I…” “Shut up!” Mrs. Harrington cut her off without hesitation. “Your marriage is *not* up to you!” I understood. Mrs. Harrington had married into the Harrington family herself, and Seraphina was her carefully groomed protégée. Naturally, she wanted to make the best use of her. All these years of pampering her like her own daughter, wasn’t it all in hopes of selling her for a good price? She at least expected Seraphina to marry someone of equal social standing. What was Julian? Mrs. Harrington wouldn’t even deign to look at him. Mrs. Harrington took a deep breath. “Check the surveillance!” Seraphina, still wrapped in the bedsheet, stood up. “Don’t check! I did it willingly!” “Auntie, I want to marry him! Elara just broke off her engagement anyway!” Julian, hearing this, immediately grew excited. “Yes, I made a mistake, and I’m willing to take responsibility! I’ll marry her!” “You’ll marry her?” Mrs. Harrington was so furious she clutched her chest, as if she might faint any second. With things escalating to this point, Mrs. Harrington was in a bind. Mr. Harrington arrived. Seeing the scene, his face darkened. He ordered the guests to disperse, leaving only our two families and Julian. The surveillance footage quickly emerged. It showed a servant from the banquet, but surprisingly, Seraphina was directing her. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but say coolly, “Miss Seraphina, quite the talent! Today has certainly been an eye-opener!” Mr. Harrington looked at me. “This is Seraphina’s fault. To make amends, you can name your price!” My heart leaped at his words! Alexander Harrington was not like his wife, Sarah. He was cunning and deeply calculating. If not now, when would be a better time to profit? “The Quantum Pharmaceuticals contract. Our Sterling family wants it.” Hearing me say this, my parents clenched their fists. Alexander merely pondered for a moment, then agreed. “Alright, I’ll arrange it. However, Miss Sterling, about today’s events, I hope you’ll keep it under wraps!” “Mr. Harrington, rest assured, we’re not gossips.” With Alexander Harrington’s promise, my parents and I left. Before leaving, I glanced at Julian. I hoped he’d be lucky! As we stepped outside, I could still hear screams echoing from within. My mom was still shaken. “Elara, how could you dare to ask him for that contract? It’s worth two billion!” “They owe me this!” Seraphina caused such a scandal, and at the Harrington’s house no less. If word got out, it would only bring shame upon their family. He used two billion to buy our silence. Someone would still have to take the fall for today’s mess. That unlucky scapegoat could only be Julian. But judging by Seraphina’s attitude, she wouldn’t let him down. However, a Seraphina who had lost her usefulness would never get another penny from the Harringtons! In my past life, Julian always blamed me, saying I made him lose the chance to climb higher. He wasn’t satisfied with just using my family’s resources and connections; he was foolishly ambitious, trying to latch onto the Harringtons. This life, I’m giving you the chance. Let’s see if you can seize it! Too bad Alexander Harrington came along. Julian, your good days are over! I promised Alexander Harrington I wouldn’t say anything, but there’s no such thing as a completely soundproof wall. Especially with so many people there that day, even if the Harringtons tried to seal it up, the rumors still got out.

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That night, my biological parents finally found me. Isabelle’s fiancé, Caleb Blackwood, had gone out to battle. He returned with his legs shredded by zombies, leaving him paralyzed. Doctors had delivered a grim verdict: he’d never stand again. My parents, utterly devoted to Isabelle, forced me into a proxy marriage, tying me up and dragging me to the altar. But Isabelle wasn’t one to give up easily. She caused a dramatic scene on our wedding night, crying to Caleb that I had usurped her place as his fiancée. Caleb, swayed by her poisonous whispers, gripped my chin. “A useless nobody with no abilities? You think you’re fit to be my wife?” After injecting me with a potent zombie virus strain, he ordered me to be thrown out to the zombie dogs. From then on, torturing me became his twisted pleasure. He claimed his legs were useless, yet his thirst for thrill drove him to force me to leap into deep ravines to dig for zombie cores with my bare hands, or throw me into clusters of mutated flora to retrieve antidotes. He’d only crack a faint smile when he saw me, battered and bruised, collapsing to my knees. Isabelle would feign concern, “Sister, don’t blame Caleb. His legs hurt, that’s why he’s so irritable.” But still, I stayed by his side, unafraid of death. All because I’d signed a secret pact. Until one day, ignoring my desperate pleas, he tied me to an armored vehicle and careened through a raging zombie horde. After a barrage of reckless, bone-jarring maneuvers, I collapsed, unconscious, my body already betraying the life within. I found Eleanor Blackwood, Caleb’s grandmother, my voice flat, empty. “The term is up. Please, let me live.”

“Eleanor Blackwood, you promised that if my life were ever threatened, you would let me go.” My face was a ghostly white, my body desperately weak after the miscarriage. My voice was barely a whisper, a fragile thread of sound. Eleanor, still unaware of the full truth, couldn’t hide her dismay at Caleb’s increasingly deranged behavior. Her tone was filled with a mix of helplessness and an attempt to soothe me: “Seraphina, deep down, Caleb isn’t a bad boy. It’s just losing his parents so young, and now his legs… it’s made him bitter and volatile. We’ve been so fortunate to have you by his side all these years.” As she spoke, she rose and walked to a strongbox, retrieving a metallic case. Inside, a single energy core glowed with a pure, high-purity blue luminescence. “Seraphina, this miscarriage has taken a heavy toll on your body. I’ve cultivated this core for ten years. Consider it compensation.” I stood my ground, silent, then simply held out my phone to her, playing a secretly recorded video. Caleb’s chilling conversation with Captain Rex echoed clearly from the device. “Warlord, all your orders have been carried out. As you saw from the surveillance, the armored vehicle’s brutal impact and jostling in the wasteland caused the lady to bleed uncontrollably. The baby inside her certainly couldn’t have survived.” Caleb’s icy voice responded: “Well done. Her terrified, near-death expression was incredibly satisfying to watch. And the child inside her was never meant to be. This outcome is nothing less than she deserves!” Isabelle nestled against Caleb, her voice barely concealing a triumphant laugh: “Does that mean you didn’t want this baby, Caleb dearest?” Caleb sneered: “I only want *our* child. No other woman is worthy of bearing my offspring.” Immediately after, the two embraced, entangled in a frantic, sickening kiss. Their sounds were utterly unbearable. Eleanor Blackwood’s face flushed with fury. The hand gripping her cane trembled as she took several deep breaths, trying to compose herself. “Caleb… how could he become like this? This is simply outrageous!” Her voice was laced with an incredulous, heartbreaking pain. “Even the most savage beast doesn’t turn on its own offspring! How could he do something so monstrous?” I closed my eyes, my heart aching so fiercely I could barely breathe. That nightmare was etched deep into my mind, refusing to fade. After Caleb’s injury, with hordes of zombies amassed outside the city, panic had gripped everyone. That day, Captain Rex had unveiled his new, heavily modified armored vehicle, a true engineering marvel. Caleb pulled me into his arms, whispering in my ear: “With danger looming, the Warlord’s wife must stand united with her husband, and selflessly serve the people in their time of need.” I had no time to react, a potent wave of unease washing over me. A cruel smile twisted his lips, and then he announced to the gathered crowd: “My leg injury hasn’t healed, so my wife has bravely volunteered to personally accompany the armored vehicle out of the city to scout the dangers ahead.” Panic seized me. I frantically tried to refuse: “I can’t. I’m pregnant. This mission is too dangerous, I can’t risk it.” Hearing my refusal, his face instantly turned cold. His hands clamped down on me, pinning me, making it impossible to move. I struggled with all my might, but he still dragged me towards the armored vehicle. His men held me down in the passenger seat, my hands tied behind my back. Caleb then cinched my seatbelt impossibly tight. I shook my head violently, pleading with Caleb, desperately hoping he wouldn’t completely disregard the child in my womb. “Caleb, please, let me down. The baby… something terrible will happen.”

“Shut up! Who are you putting on this pathetic act for? What could possibly happen?” Caleb’s face showed not a flicker of concern. Instead, he watched my distress with open contempt. “Let’s roll out!” Captain Rex, hearing the command, slammed his foot on the accelerator. A powerful jolt threw me back. I felt as if I were flying. My tied hands were useless, and my voice, broken and fragmented by the speed, tried to cry out: “Please, slow down…” The zombies lurking outside the city, drawn by the noise, surged towards the armored vehicle from all directions. Captain Rex, visibly thrilled, accelerated further, utterly ignoring my pleas. The world spun around me. The vehicle’s full-throttle charge transformed the zombies into a mangled pile of flesh and bone. Then, with an abrupt screech, it reversed dozens of meters, only for Captain Rex to drive it forward again, like a madman possessed. My fear intensified, rendering my pleas unspoken. My heart hammered against my ribs, lodged in my throat. As the vehicle climbed over the zombie pile, the violently jolting chassis suddenly launched into the air, landing with a deafening crash on an open patch of ground ten meters away, kicking up a storm of dust. At that exact moment, a heavy, dragging sensation tore through my lower abdomen. A gush of warm liquid spilled from beneath me. My brows furrowed, my face instantly draining of color, pale as parchment. I looked at the remote camera mounted in the cockpit, shaking my head violently, begging for mercy. I knew Caleb was watching my pathetic, tortured state, taking it all in. But the armored vehicle continued its wild rampage, circling again and again, showing no signs of stopping. My throat burned from screaming, my cries for help torn apart by the wind. The tearing pain in my lower abdomen sapped every ounce of my strength. On the other end of the surveillance feed, Isabelle had appeared beside Caleb. They were both laughing, watching me transition from frantic screams to a deathly pale silence, until I finally succumbed, collapsing into unconsciousness. When I was carried out, my lower body was a bloody mess. “Barely lasted this long? Useless.” Caleb didn’t spare me a single second of his gaze. “Oh, Caleb dearest, that armored vehicle is amazing! Isabelle hasn’t had enough fun yet!” Isabelle cooed, playfully fawning over him. Caleb looked at Isabelle with doting affection, leaning in to whisper in her ear: “I’ll show you some real fun later.” His eyes briefly swept over me, then he gave a cold command: “Drag this dead woman away. Don’t let her taint everyone.” I completely lost consciousness. Under the dim surgical lights, blurry images of the past flickered before my eyes. Three years ago, I was nothing more than a nameless, lowly slave in this city. When my biological parents found me, I was already bruised and battered, barely clinging to life in an iron cage. It turned out I was the real destined one, swapped at birth. My biological father was Reverend Silas Sterling, the Patriarch of the Purity Doctrine, revered by the people of this ravaged world. I appeared before them, trembling, hoping I’d finally found loving parents, a warm home. Instead, I saw my mother gently soothing Isabelle, who was weeping inconsolably in her arms: “Don’t cry, Isabelle, darling. How could you not be your father’s and my daughter? You’re our only precious one, our treasure.” My father sat silently at the head of the table. Everyone else cast unfriendly, sidelong glances at me, whispering amongst themselves. I stood there, enduring their stares, my hands twisting the blood-stained fabric of my clothes, utterly an outsider. Finally, my father slowly spoke: “Seraphina, we brought you into this world. Now that you’re grown, it’s time you repaid us.” They weaponized the fact of my birth, twisting it into an inescapable obligation, commanding me to marry Warlord Caleb Blackwood in Isabelle’s place. This was because Caleb had been severely wounded in battle, and Isabelle, in a dramatic display, declared she’d rather die than marry a cripple. It became painfully clear: my parents’ search for their lost child was merely a cynical ploy to mask their sinister agenda. I wiped away a humble tear from the corner of my eye and said: “I agree. But first, delete my slave genetic coding.” “From this day forward, we will have no further ties.” They agreed. And so, I married Warlord Caleb Blackwood. Standing before Caleb, he never once looked at me directly. After the wedding, I learned of his isolated upbringing, devoid of parental love, and I felt a pang of pity for him. In public, he used a mask of cold detachment to uphold his pride. But when I caught him alone, in despair, impotently striking his own useless legs, my heart inexplicably ached for him. I foolishly believed that two people starved of love could find solace in each other. I wanted to heal his scarred soul, to pull us both from the shadows that had defined our miserable lives. I poured every ounce of my effort into being a dutiful wife. But the deeper I went, the more I lost myself. Until, tragically, I couldn’t even protect myself, letting the life within me be cruelly extinguished before it even had a chance to breathe.

Eleanor Blackwood sighed deeply, her eyes filled with regret. “Seraphina, our family has wronged you terribly. I will handle all the divorce proceedings. However, I have one last, difficult request.” “Could you… wait until Caleb’s surgery is done before leaving?” She seemed to realize the unfairness of her plea and quickly added: “Just three days. I’m afraid if he wakes up and finds you gone, he’ll become unstable and refuse the surgery.” I looked at her pleading expression, silent for a long moment. In the end, my soft heart prevailed, and I nodded. “I was wrong. You are a good girl, and I shouldn’t have forced you to endure more suffering by Caleb’s side.” As she spoke, Eleanor took off her necklace and placed it in my palm. The rose-shaped pendant glowed with a faint pink luminescence as it touched my skin. “This is the only untainted seed from the ravaged world, infused with half a lifetime of my own abilities. With it, you can cultivate your own powers and nurture many plants now thought extinct. I believe in your hands, it will unleash its true value.” “In three days, I will send people to escort you to a safe place. Go far away this time, where no one can ever harm you again.” Eleanor caressed the back of my hand. My nose stung, and tears welled in my eyes. It was like a child, long enduring pain in silence, finally breaking down. Without anyone to care, they bite their lip and hold on. But once someone shows concern, the brave facade crumbles, and a torrent of suppressed sorrow overwhelms them. Exhausted from crying, I drifted into sleep. Somewhere in the hazy depths of my slumber, a powerful force yanked at my wrist. Caleb’s furious voice ripped through my ears: “Seraphina Sterling, you dared to complain to Grandmother? You truly never learn, do you? Did you forget how I warned you last time?!” Caleb violently dragged me from the bed, throwing me onto the cold floor. My stomach slammed against the sharp corner of a chair, and a soft groan escaped my lips. Caleb, consumed by his rage, simply pointed a furious finger at me: “No one is allowed to bring her food! Spend these next few days reflecting on what you’ve done!” In the past, I would have meekly obeyed, apologizing and trying to explain. But now, I felt like a still pool of water, my voice utterly devoid of emotion: “Do with me what you will.” Caleb’s eyes suddenly darkened. My attitude had clearly enraged him. He then scoffed, a cold sneer on his face: “You really think acting like this will make me go easy on you?” No one knew Caleb’s methods of torment better than I did. The first time, Isabelle had deliberately provoked me at a dinner party. I lost my temper, spilling wine over her head. Before she could lunge, I slapped her hard across the face. The next second, Caleb’s face went cold. He barked at me to kneel, then grabbed my neck, slamming my head against the nearby fish tank. Water streamed over me, soaking my clothes, and a large shard of glass lodged itself deep in my thigh. I was a pathetic, trembling mess. Caleb stood by, watching with cold indifference, refusing to let anyone approach me. I struggled in the pile of broken glass for what felt like an eternity, unable to move. Finally, biting back a scream, I ripped the glass from my flesh, slowly pushing myself upright. Blood gushed from the wound. The zombie fish on the floor, driven into a frenzy by the scent of blood, thrashed and snapped at me. In my panic, I tried to swat them away, only to stumble and fall heavily back onto the shattered glass. Caleb and Isabelle’s mocking laughter echoed in my ears. From that day forward, no matter how Isabelle humiliated me, I endured it in silence. Caleb’s face loomed closer, that familiar, cruel smile close enough to touch. His cold breath ghosted my neck. “Your pain is my stimulant.” “From now on, you’d better pray hard. My legs will be restored after surgery, and then we can continue our little games.” He spoke with a tone of smug triumph and eager anticipation. His smile twisted into something increasingly sinister as he stared at my eyes, expecting to see the fearful, cowering look he so enjoyed. Instead, my expression was lifeless, my eyes vacant. This clearly bored him. He dropped his smile, turned his wheelchair, and left. As his silhouette vanished through the doorway, I softly uttered: “Caleb, there will be no ‘after’ for us.”

On the day I was discharged, the doctor repeatedly stressed the importance of rest and recovery. After much hesitation, I returned to the Blackwood estate. Stepping through the front door, I saw Caleb with Isabelle in his arms, his cold, mocking eyes filled with a tender affection I had never known. “Sister is out of the hospital! Caleb dearest and I should have gone to pick you up!” Caleb frowned in annoyance at her words. “Don’t mention that wretched woman and spoil our mood.” Then he playfully tapped Isabelle’s nose, and their poison-laced lips met in a passionate, wild kiss. I felt no anger, no sadness. And certainly no desire to witness their intense display. I simply quietly took off my shoes, walked upstairs, and burrowed into the blankets, wanting nothing more than to sleep. Three days left. Soon, everything would be over. When I woke, the empty rooms echoed with their unrestrained laughter from the living room. Their laughter, sharp as fangs, betrayed the endless malice festering within them. Seeing me emerge, Caleb’s lips curved into a playful smirk. He beckoned me over with a flick of his wrist. I calmly walked towards Caleb, then looked up at the large screen on the wall. It was playing videos from years past: Caleb forcing me to dig for zombie cores with my bare hands, throwing me into clusters of mutated flora for antidotes, leaving me suspended over a thousand-foot cliff while zombies gnawed at me. My screams, my terror, my frantic struggle for survival, my desperate pleas—they had always been nothing more than entertainment in their eyes. In the video, a thick rope bit into my waist. I clung desperately to Caleb’s wheelchair, my legs like jelly. Suffering from severe acrophobia, I was ghostly pale, staring at the bottomless abyss before me: “Caleb, please, let me go!” Caleb glanced at me indifferently: “Then kneel. Kneel and apologize to Isabelle, tell her your deceitful schemes prevented her from marrying me.” I didn’t hesitate. I instantly dropped to my knees, begging humbly, apologizing frantically: “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have married you. I’m shameless, I’m despicable.” Caleb’s lips curved in satisfaction. He pushed his wheelchair closer and extended a hand. My tear-streaked face was covered in wild strands of hair. A flicker of hope ignited within me, and I quickly reached out, allowing his hand to help me up. Before I could even discern the expression on his face, I felt a violent shove. I looked at Caleb in shock. He was smiling as he personally pushed me off the cliff. In those fleeting seconds, I finally saw his treacherous, true nature. The sensation of freefall threatened to drag me straight to hell. My screams echoed through the valley, disturbing the zombies lurking in the darkness. Their agitated roars grew closer, more numerous. I could already picture myself being torn apart, not even bones left. The rope suddenly went taut, leaving me dangling precariously over that valley of death. I gripped the rope tightly, swallowing my fear. The rumbling of the earth below reminded me to hold onto this lifeline and escape immediately. My feet scrambled against the loose, crumbling earth of the cliff face. The rope chafed my hands raw, turning them bloody. When I finally reached the ground, I collapsed, utterly drained, my face devoid of color. I lay at Isabelle’s feet, too weak to struggle, watching her double over with laughter: “Sister, you’re so resilient! I can’t believe we’re seeing you alive again. Come and see how scared you were, your mouth was wide open!” I clenched my fists tight, the biting pain of my nails digging into my palms was the only thing keeping me from screaming, keeping me from collapsing into tears. If my suffering brought them such joy, then I would absolutely deny them that satisfaction!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298709”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic