Category: English

Amidst the clinking glasses and celebratory chatter of the success party, Brandon, my fiancé, stood by as his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra, “accidentally” spilled an entire glass of red wine all over my design blueprint. That wasn’t just any blueprint. It was the final draft for the ‘Skyway Haven’ project, a masterpiece I’d poured three months of my life into, working endless nights. It was the design that had just clinched the Pritzker Prize. The crimson liquid spread across the paper like a gaping, hideous wound, instantly seeping into every fiber. The air went dead silent. Every eye in the room pivoted to me, eager for the drama to unfold. Before I could even open my mouth, Brandon moved. He strode forward, not towards me, but to shield a seemingly flustered Cassandra behind him. He didn’t even glance at the ruined blueprint that held my heart and soul. He looked at me, his brows tightly furrowed, his voice laced with annoyance and a hint of accusation. “Sera, what’s the big deal? It’s just a blueprint. You can just draw another one when you get back.” “Cassandra just got back to the country, she doesn’t understand anything. Don’t scare her.”

I laughed. Seriously? Scare *her*? I hadn’t said a single word. How was I scaring her? I looked at Cassandra, nestled behind him. Her face wore a perfectly crafted mask of panic and innocence, but I saw a faint, triumphant smirk hidden in the corner of her eye. Such a flawless act. Then I looked back at Brandon. This man, whom I’d stood by through thick and thin, from nothing to founding ‘Brandon Architecture.’ This man, who’d built half his empire on my designs. Right now, all his protection and concern were focused on another woman. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an icy hand, tightening inch by painful inch. “Brandon,” I heard my own voice, eerily calm, “you know what this blueprint means.” “It means our company can secure that multi-billion dollar prime land in the city’s South District. It means your ‘Brandon Architecture’ can leapfrog to become an industry leader.” “And you say, ‘just draw another one’?” My question choked him. His face turned ugly. “Sera, don’t throw a tantrum out here. I’ll explain everything to you when we get home.” He lowered his voice, as if he was bestowing a great favor on me. I just felt sick. The whispers around me buzzed like flies in my ears. “Tsk, Designer Sera is just too aggressive. She doesn’t give Mr. Brandon any face.” “Exactly! Designer Cassandra is so gentle. She looks like the kind of woman who truly knows how to elevate her man’s career.” “Men, they prefer a woman who knows how to soothe and charm. Who wants a workaholic who just draws blueprints all day…” My head buzzed, a sharp cramp in my chest coupled with days of sleepless fatigue washed over me. My vision started to black out. My last conscious thought was seeing Brandon pat Cassandra’s shoulder reassuringly, then looking at me with an expression that screamed ‘trouble.’ That look, like a steel needle, pierced through all my illusions. The next second, I completely lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes again, I was staring at a strange ceiling, and the air smelled of cheap air freshener. I wiggled my fingers, feeling light as a feather, yet incredibly heavy. No, this wasn’t my body. I shot upright and rushed to the bathroom. The mirror reflected a young, unfamiliar face. Delicate, with a hint of timidness. It was Chloe, Brandon’s new assistant. How was I here? In her body? Where was my body? A bizarre and terrifying thought exploded in my mind. Soul swap. Damn it. I didn’t have time to think. One thought consumed me – my body! I grabbed the keys and phone from the table and bolted out of the tiny rental apartment like a madwoman. It was already late at night. Relying on memory, I used Chloe’s fingerprint to unlock the door and burst into the home Brandon and I shared. No one was home. My body wasn’t here. Brandon wasn’t here either. A massive wave of panic gripped me. I could barely stand. Where were they? What was happening to my body right now? I forced myself to calm down. Brandon. Yes, find Brandon. I used Chloe’s phone to dial his number. It rang for a long time before he picked up. The background noise was loud, like he was in a bar. “Hello? Chloe? What’s up this late?” Brandon’s voice was slurred with alcohol and impatience. “Mr. Brandon, Designer Ser… Designer Sera?” I pinched my voice, trying to sound like the timid little assistant. “She collapsed. She’s at the hospital, I had a nurse look after her.” He answered carelessly. Hospital. My heart eased slightly, then immediately clenched again. He said… he had a nurse look after me? He wasn’t with me? “Then… where are you, sir?” I asked, trembling. From the other end, Cassandra’s sweet, soft voice chirped, “Brandon, who is it? Come drink with me!” Brandon immediately responded in a gentle, soothing tone, “Just an assistant. You enjoy yourself, I’ll be right there.” Then, he turned back to the phone, his voice dropping eight degrees, instantly cold. “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Do your job. I’m hanging up.” The call disconnected. I stood in the empty living room, phone in hand, feeling utterly chilled. I collapsed from exhaustion for his business, ended up in the hospital. And he was out, partying with his ‘one that got away’ at a bar. “Do my job?” Hah, what a joke. I opened Chloe’s SnapChat. Pinned at the top was the company’s core project chat. Brandon had just sent a message to the group. “@everyone, tomorrow morning at 9 AM, an emergency meeting for the ‘Skyway Haven’ project will be held. Designer Cassandra will be joining us as a special consultant to discuss the subsequent design plans.” My pupils constricted sharply. Special consultant? Cassandra? An interior designer who only handles soft furnishings, consulting on a world-class architectural project? What kind of freaking consultant? Brandon, what exactly are you trying to do? I clenched the phone tightly, my knuckles white from the strain. No. I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. I had to figure all of this out. Under Chloe’s identity, I took a taxi to the company. The office building was pitch black at night, save for the lights on in ‘Brandon Architecture’s’ CEO office on the top floor. My heart sank. Who would be at the office this late? I quietly took the elevator up, using the assistant’s access card to swipe open the glass door. The CEO’s office door was ajar, and I heard hushed voices from inside. It was Brandon and Cassandra. I held my breath, pressing myself against the door like a ghost. “Brandon, are you really going to do this? Change Sera’s name to mine? If she finds out…” Cassandra’s voice held a hint of false hesitation. “She won’t know.” Brandon’s voice was cold as ice. “She’s in the hospital right now. By the time she gets out, the project contract will be signed, and it’ll be a done deal.” My blood, at that moment, froze completely. He was going to… change my name on the blueprint? He was going to hand over my painstaking work, my life’s blood, to this woman? “But it’s Sera’s hard work after all. That design concept…” “What concept of hers?” Brandon scoffed, his voice filled with disdain. “That entire concept, wasn’t it just an extension of your university concept draft from back then? At the end of the day, you’re the original creator. I’m just giving you back what should have been yours.” “Besides, while Sera’s design is good, it’s too focused on the technicalities, completely lacking your commercial savvy and market appeal. Having you sign it, using your reputation as a brilliant, internationally-trained designer for promotion, will be much more beneficial for the company’s IPO.” *Boom!* Something inside me just *snapped*. So that’s how it was. In his eyes, I was just a tool, too focused on craftsmanship. All my talent, all my efforts, were just stepping stones for him to package the company and pursue its IPO. And Cassandra, she was the truly talented “original creator” in his mind, the one who could bring him greater benefits. “Trading my talent for love.” The belief I once held so firmly now seemed like a colossal joke. I clung to the cold door, trembling like a leaf. My stomach churned, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, desperate not to throw up. Inside, Cassandra let out a satisfied sigh. She pressed against Brandon, her voice soft and alluring. “Brandon, you’re so good to me. I knew it, you always had feelings for me.” “Silly girl.” Brandon’s voice held a hint of tenderness. “If your family hadn’t insisted you go abroad back then, we would never have separated. Now that you’re back, I won’t let you suffer a single grievance.” “What about Seraphina? You two…” “Sera and I, that was nothing more than a business arrangement. Her technical skill, my market, that’s all. Once the company goes public and stabilizes, I’ll tell her everything.” “Don’t worry. The position of Mrs. Brandon will only ever be yours.” Every single word, like poisoned blades, slowly tearing my heart to shreds. A business arrangement… that’s all… I accompanied him through the toughest times, I let him use all my patents for free, I poured myself into building his business empire. In the end, all I got was “that’s all.” I couldn’t listen anymore. I was afraid I’d kick down that door and drag that despicable pair down with me. I stumbled back, fleeing into the adjacent breakroom, my body sliding down to the floor against the cold wall. I hugged my knees, burying my face. No tears came. There’s no grief like the death of hope. I just felt that the past ten years had been an intricately orchestrated scam. And I, was the most ridiculous, most foolish clown. I don’t know how long passed, but the office door opened. Brandon and Cassandra walked out, intimately embracing. Through the crack in the breakroom door, I saw Cassandra stand on her tiptoes and press a kiss to Brandon’s lips. “I’ll head back now. See you at the meeting tomorrow.” “Okay, be careful on your way.” Brandon watched her leave, then turned and went back into his office. I heard the clicking of a mouse and the tapping of a keyboard from inside. What was he doing? He was changing the designer’s name on my blueprint! A metallic taste rose in my throat. I pushed myself up against the wall, a towering hatred igniting in my chest. Brandon. Cassandra. You thought I was a fool. You treated everything I had as spoils of war, to be plundered at will. You thought I was lying helpless in a hospital bed, at your mercy? Good. Oh, so good. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, looking at Chloe’s timid face in the mirror. From today onwards, things would be different. What you owe me, I will collect every single penny, with interest! I wasn’t Seraphina anymore. I was… a vengeful spirit.

The next day, 9 AM. The meeting room at ‘Brandon Architecture’ was thick with tension. Under Chloe’s identity, I stood in the corner, head bowed, holding a cup of coffee, like I was invisible. Brandon sat at the head of the table, looking smug and triumphant. Cassandra sat beside him, dressed in a custom-tailored suit, her makeup flawless, clearly embodying the role of a hostess. In her hand was a document—my ‘Skyway Haven’ design proposal. But the designer’s name on the cover now boldly read: Cassandra. That was quick. In just one night, she’d fully usurped my spot. The executives in the room were all seasoned professionals. Seeing the situation, no one dared to speak first. Brandon cleared his throat. “Everyone, Designer Sera is temporarily unable to participate in the project due to health reasons. But the project schedule cannot wait. Therefore, I specifically invited Designer Cassandra to be our special consultant and lead the upcoming work.” He paused, then picked up the proposal from the table. “This final proposal for ‘Skyway Haven’ actually has its core concept rooted in Designer Cassandra’s early creative vision. One could say, she is the soul of this project. It is only fitting that she takes over.” I almost threw up on the spot. I’d seen shameless people before, but never this shameless. To describe theft so eloquently, Brandon, you’re truly a piece of work. The executives exchanged glances. Finally, the company’s technical director, Mr. Hayes, who had worked with me for years, couldn’t help but speak up. “Mr. Brandon, isn’t this against protocol? Designer Sera’s proposal…” “Mr. Hayes.” Brandon’s eyes instantly turned cold. “Are you questioning my decision?” Mr. Hayes’ face paled. He dared not say another word. Brandon seemed pleased with this ‘setting an example’ approach. He turned to Cassandra, his tone softening again. “Cassandra, why don’t you share your ideas with everyone?” Cassandra stood up, a perfect business smile gracing her lips. She turned on the projector and began to speak fluently. Every word she uttered was something I had painstakingly articulated to Brandon, night after night. From design inspiration to structural mechanics, to the application of environmentally friendly materials. She recited it all flawlessly, as if it were her own. Shameless. Absolutely freaking shameless. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. Calm down, Seraphina, calm down. You are Chloe right now. You cannot act impulsively. I took a deep breath, my gaze sweeping across everyone present. Those executives who once smiled at me, calling me the “company’s anchor,” now had their heads bowed, pretending to take notes diligently. Not a single person stood up to say a word on my behalf. Fine. This was all just fine. I saw their true colors clearly now. Fair-weather friends, quick to curry favor. A company built on plagiarism and lies, does it really deserve to go public? In their dreams. Halfway through the meeting, Cassandra started discussing the project’s core technology—my exclusively developed ‘Suspended Seismic-Resistant Structure.’ This was core confidential information I hadn’t yet patented, only discussed with Brandon. “…So, this suspended structure will be the biggest highlight of our project, and our ultimate trump card to surpass all competitors.” Cassandra spoke with passionate fervor, as if she were the inventor of the technology herself. Brandon nodded in satisfaction. Just then, I moved. Holding the coffee, I pretended to slip, my body “accidentally” bumping into the projector’s power cord. *Click.* The screen instantly went black. The entire conference room plunged into darkness and chaos. “What happened?!” “Ouch! Who did that?!” Under the cover of darkness, I quickly, with lightning speed, plugged the USB drive I had been clutching into the main conference computer’s USB port. Inside was the “gift” I had prepared overnight. A tiny virus program. It wouldn’t destroy the computer. It would only, at a specific time, send a specific file to specific people. Having done all that, I immediately pulled out the USB drive, scurried back to my corner, and feigned panic. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” I shrieked in Chloe’s voice. The lights were quickly turned back on. Everyone glared at me, the “culprit.” Brandon’s face was as black as a thundercloud. “Chloe! What are you doing?! You can’t even handle such a small task!” I lowered my head, my shoulders shaking, looking like I was about to cry. “I’m sorry, Mr. Brandon, I… my legs just went weak…” Cassandra walked over, feigning concern and helping me up. In a voice only we two could hear, she whispered: “An assistant should act like an assistant. Things that aren’t yours to touch, you’d best leave them alone.” Her eyes were full of warning and disdain. I sneered inwardly. Things not mine to touch? Cassandra, you’ll soon find out whose things you’re touching right now. The meeting ended abruptly due to this small incident. Brandon called me into his office and gave me a furious dressing-down, finally punishing me by “deducting my entire bonus for the month.” I meekly accepted it. Walking out of the office, I glanced back at the closed door. Brandon, Cassandra. Enjoy your stolen victory. Because the countdown has already begun. For the next few days, I lived a double life. By day, I was the timid, clumsy little assistant, Chloe, in the CEO’s office. Serving coffee, making copies, being ordered around, and constantly enduring Cassandra’s sarcasm and deliberate provocations.

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My first night in Vegas, fresh off the plane, I thought I’d flex a little, being the former King of Gambling and all. Just a few quick rounds. But as I was leaving, some jerk insisted I cover his massive losses. “One hundred ninety-nine million, not a penny less!” The front desk girl looked up at me, startled. I quickly shook my head, saying I didn’t know him. That only made him bolder. “You know Stella Vance, right? She owns the casino next door, and she’s my wife! We’re all outsiders here, so helping me out is a compliment. Don’t push your luck!” I paused for a few seconds, then pulled out my phone and called Stella. “Heard you’ve got a gambling addict husband here in America?” … Seeing me dial, the guy probably thought I was calling the cops. He immediately yelled for his goons to snatch my phone. “Damn it, you dare call the cops? Believe me, even if they show up, you’ll still pay me, nice and easy!” I looked at him, puzzled. Did he really have connections at the precinct? Just a few days ago, I’d had dinner with the Governor. Could his connections really be higher than the Governor’s? While I was lost in thought, his crew had already surrounded me. Every one of them was in a sharp suit, dark shades, looking like a bunch of bodyguards. Before I could speak, Liam Sterling, who’d come with me, couldn’t hold back. “You’ve got some balls, huh? Do you even know this place belongs to the Sterling family? You dare mess with Mr. Sterling’s son?” Liam was the casino owner’s son, but this guy didn’t even flinch. “So what if he’s Mr. Sterling? I’m Stella’s damn assistant! Go ask around, who in this town dares disrespect me, Mick Reilly?” “Me asking you to pay is a chance for you to get on my good side. Can’t believe you two morons didn’t know a good thing when it smacked you in the face. Less than two hundred million to get in my good graces? You missed out on such a golden opportunity.” I actually laughed. “Randomly get blocked by a gambling addict, who then demands I pay hundreds of millions for his losses? Here, you can have that opportunity, you want it?” “Ignore him, Liam. Call Stella right now. I want to see how she explains this to me.” Stella had made a fortune over the years, all riding on my name. So many gamblers traveled from afar to her casino, just to catch a glimpse of me, the youngest King of Gambling in history. It brought in a ton of silent profit. But now, she was secretly shacked up with this lowlife gambling addict of an assistant, and it absolutely infuriated me. But just as Liam pulled out his phone, one of the bodyguards stepped up and slapped him! Then, they snatched his phone, quickly threw it to the ground, and stomped on it repeatedly until it was utterly smashed. “What are you doing?!” Liam never dreamed anyone would be so arrogant on his own father’s turf. But Mick Reilly just smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. “Still trying to call for help? I already told you, if you don’t cough up the money today, you won’t see tomorrow’s sun!” “Since you two are so disobedient, let’s teach you a lesson.” He gave a signal to his bodyguards. They immediately grabbed us, forcing us to the ground, and started mercilessly beating us, aiming for our vital spots. I’d been through a lot, traveling the world, so I could take it better. Liam, being a rich kid, nearly passed out on the spot. “Stop it! How much do you want? I’ll pay!” Seeing him about to be beaten to death, I grit my teeth and yelled for them to stop. After so many years of friendship, I couldn’t let him get beaten to death by a few thugs here. Mick Reilly, thinking I’d caved, swaggered over, knelt down, and viciously slapped me twice across the face. “See? If you were just cooperative from the start, you wouldn’t have had to suffer all this.” “Three hundred million. Not a single cent less.” My eyes widened instantly: “How did it become three hundred million? It’s only been a few minutes!” He roughly grabbed my hair, then punched my already bleeding left eye. He looked at his blood-stained fist, disgusted, and shook it off. “See that? Just because I had to teach you two idiots a lesson, now I’m hurt.” “This extra cash? One, it’s for my boys, their hard work educating you. Two, it’s for my medical bill.” “What, you got a problem with that? Too bad, swallow it. In this city, I, Mick Reilly, am the law. Go on, try and find someone who dares to say a word.” He glanced around casually. The gawking gamblers quickly lowered their heads. “Those two are out of luck. Of all people to cross, they had to cross this absolute tyrant.” “Mick Reilly is notorious for preying on people he sees as vulnerable, especially those new to the city, easy marks. If you run into him, you just have to accept your fate.” “Keep it down. His wife is Stella Vance, the casino owner. It’d be nothing for her to deal with a couple of tourists. Blame these two for being blind. They’re lucky if they walk out of here alive, let alone in one piece.” But three hundred million was something I couldn’t just pull out right away. I had no choice but to temporarily suppress my anger. “Mick Reilly, I advise you to know when to stop.” “I’m Stella Vance’s legal husband. We’re officially married. I’m also the World King of Gambling. Treating me like this won’t end well for you.” “Liam Sterling’s father is the owner of this casino. I suggest you take him to the hospital now. Otherwise, when Mr. Sterling comes back and sees his son this badly hurt, you won’t be able to escape.” I thought Mick Reilly would listen to reason, but instead, he burst out laughing, grabbed my neck again, and slammed my face into the floor, grinding it hard! “What are you, some nobody, daring to even *think* about my wife?” “And this punk kid, he looks like a broke loser. You two together can’t even cough up three hundred million, and you dare impersonate the owner’s son?” The casino floor wasn’t smooth. The rough surface had already carved several deep, bloody gashes into the side of my face. It was a bloody mess. Liam, enraged, yelled, “My dad really is Arthur Sterling! If you don’t believe me, call the casino manager, he knows me!” Chloe, the front desk girl, froze for a moment. Liam’s expression didn’t look fake. Better safe than sorry, she quickly dialed the manager’s number. A few minutes later, the portly manager, Frankie Costello, appeared at the entrance, hurried and flustered. Liam finally breathed a sigh of relief. “You still have time to let me go. Otherwise, when my dad actually gets here…” “Forget three hundred million, not even three *billion* will save you!” Liam’s attitude was so firm that Mick Reilly seemed momentarily flustered. His head bodyguard cautiously approached. “Mr. Reilly, I just did a quick search. Arthur Sterling does seem to have a son back home, who rarely shows up here.” “The kid’s age matches too. Could he actually be his son?” Mick Reilly looked at Liam, who was beaten beyond recognition. The more he thought about it, the more scared he got. He quickly told his bodyguards to release us. “That’s more like it.” Liam scoffed, struggling to his feet. Frankie Costello had already walked up to them. Recognizing the manager, Liam forced a smile. “Uncle Frankie, I didn’t expect you to be on duty today.” “It’s these guys. Not only did they block our way and rob us, they also beat me and Mr. Thorne here for no reason. How do you plan to handle this?” Mick Reilly watched, growing increasingly alarmed, silently cursing his luck. Who would have thought this bleached-blond punk was actually the owner’s son? He was absolutely doomed. The gamblers who had been keeping their heads down now craned their necks. “Looks like a twist! That kid is really Arthur Sterling’s son?” “Then Mick Reilly is completely finished. He’s Stella Vance’s assistant, sure, but Mr. Sterling’s son is way higher up. Beating him up like this? Money won’t solve it.” “Exactly. There’s no way he’s walking out of here in one piece. Knowing these guys, a broken arm or leg would be getting off easy.” Mick Reilly listened, growing more and more terrified, even starting to consider apologizing proactively. Liam glanced back at him, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt. But when Frankie Costello actually reached them, the first thing he said left Liam completely stunned. “Who are you? How dare you impersonate our boss’s son?” Liam froze, immediately pointing at his own face. “Uncle Frankie, did you not recognize me for a second? It’s me, Liam Sterling! I even hosted you a year ago when you went back home to visit relatives.” Frankie Costello, however, maintained a cold expression, walked straight past Liam, and came to Mick Reilly’s side, instantly plastering on a fawning smile. “Mr. Reilly, don’t listen to this kid’s nonsense. Our Mr. Sterling’s son is still studying back home. How could he suddenly appear at the casino?” “This guy is probably just impersonating Liam to swindle people here. Don’t pay him any mind.” Liam watched them converse, fuming with rage, shouting about how his dad would punish them when he returned. My face darkened. Seeing Liam’s outburst, I instantly understood what was going on. Liam’s father was busy setting up his fifth casino branch and wouldn’t be back here anytime soon. Liam’s phone was also destroyed, so he couldn’t contact his father. Naturally, Frankie Costello would choose to side with Mick Reilly, who was more beneficial to the casino’s immediate development. This meant we were in serious trouble. As expected, Mick Reilly let out a sigh of relief. The anger in his heart surged, and he kicked Liam squarely in the knee, actually causing his leg bone to visibly deform! “You pathetic dog! You almost tricked me!” “What Sterling heir? I knew you, you bleached-blond punk, couldn’t be some rich kid. Begging from the wrong side of the tracks is more like it.” After cursing at Liam, he turned back to me, eyes filled with malice. “I did hear that my wife has a useless ex-husband back home. She said you kept hounding her, always finding ways to extort money. Is that true?” I froze. “I never divorced Stella back home. She…” My response was met with Mick Reilly’s merciless slap. “Don’t keep saying Stella, Stella! My wife’s name isn’t for the likes of you to utter!” I could only smile bitterly to myself. The legendary King of Gambling, brought low by his own wife’s side piece, and humiliated like this in public. But Mick Reilly still didn’t seem satisfied. Hitting me didn’t seem to vent all his anger. The next second, my head was forcibly yanked back, and a dog leash was brutally snapped around my neck. I struggled fiercely but only earned myself a more severe beating. Finally, I was forced to my knees, coughing up blood. Mick Reilly leaned in, grinning, close to my ear. “Your wife just used this dog leash last night.” “Now it’s on your neck, consider yourself lucky, Jax Thorne.” “Oh, right, one more thing.” He pulled out several round, spherical glass beads from his pocket, right in front of my face. I knew these things all too well. Stella had practically begged me to custom-make them last week, claiming these special round chips were needed for new slot machines to better attract gamblers. “You still don’t know what these are for, do you?” Mick Reilly smugly brought the beads closer to my nose. A foul, indescribable odor immediately assaulted my senses. “I don’t care if you’re divorced or not. Even if she’s still your wife back home, listen carefully.” “Last night, she was on her knees, just like this, practically begging me to *use* these on her.” My rage instantly hit its peak. My entire brain felt like it was about to explode. Stella was my college classmate. All these years, she had cultivated an innocent, pure-as-snow persona in front of me. Even after we got married, she was incredibly reserved in bed, always lying there like a statue, barely responsive, and would rush off afterward, never giving me a chance for intimacy. But now, she was willing to wear a dog leash for an assistant. As for what those beads were used for, any normal person could figure it out. In that moment, my heart turned to ash. I lost all will to resist, letting him tighten the leash around my neck. “Alright, since you know everything now, keeping a former husband like you around is indeed annoying.” Mick Reilly chuckled, increasing the pressure in his hand. I could feel my breath growing shallow. Death was beckoning. “Don’t even think about marrying into money in your next life. Look at you now, with that wild dog face. How could you ever be worthy of a big shot like my wife?” But just as I was about to be choked to death, a gasp suddenly came from the entrance. “Stop it right now!” In my fading consciousness, I recognized Stella’s voice. My heart, which had already died, finally flickered back to life. Good, she had finally come. Even though she’d cheated to this extent, if we could talk things through today, and Mick Reilly received his due punishment, maybe parting ways amicably wouldn’t be impossible.

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I was talking to my online girlfriend. During a boring meeting, feeling drowsy, I sent her a flirty text to perk myself up: “Man, I can’t even sleep well now. How am I ever gonna sleep *with* you?” The next second, that very message was projected onto the PPT screen in front of everyone. The worst part? The contact name at the top of the chat box read, ‘My Hubby.’ The whole room exploded. And the cool, reserved beauty pushed up her glasses, a slight smirk playing on her lips. “Sorry about that,” she said, her voice smooth. “My husband can be a little mischievous.” Lately, my boss has been in a foul mood. Everyone sensed it, working diligently, barely even slacking off. She was working crazy overtime, and no one dared to leave before her. So we all stayed until eleven or midnight, leaving me with dark circles and even worse skin. Honestly, I think I was the only one in the entire company who knew why she was so agitated, but I couldn’t say anything. Because she’d just gone through a breakup. Unfortunately, that “ex” was me. She just didn’t know it yet. It all started when my online girlfriend of two years wanted to meet up in person. We met on some online forum. She posted a desperate plea, titled ‘Why Can’t I Find a Date?’ I clicked it open. The post read: “I’m a 25-year-old female, 5’9″, 99 lbs, with a Master’s from a top-tier university in Management and Engineering. Currently a VP at a listed company, earning at least a million a year. I own a car and a house. I’m drop-dead gorgeous, but I’ve never dated anyone. What’s wrong with me?” The comment section was brutal, filled with sarcastic jabs. “Definitely a bait post. Confirmed.” “Is the OP living in a dream? A Master’s from a top-tier university, only 25, and a VP at a listed company? Please, before you brag, at least make it sound plausible.” “It’s common knowledge that someone so young becoming a VP usually means it’s a family business. And unfortunately, those trust fund kids usually go to college overseas.” With nothing better to do, I commented, “Maybe it’s your looks? Post a picture.” Then I closed the post. Not long after, the OP messaged me privately. “Hello, can I send you a private message?” Me: “?” I was curious, but I’m all for a good laugh, and drama’s my jam. “Sure.” Then she sent me a picture. I spat my coffee all over my desk. Seriously? 5’9″? I’d believe 5’0″. It was a mirror selfie, a third of her face covered, and the angle made her head look huge and her body tiny. She wore thick-rimmed black glasses that made her look dowdy and unattractive. But I had to admit, her face itself was flawless. Even with most of it obscured, those lips, that nose, those eyes—they screamed one thing: “I’m a beauty.” And yet, she looked strangely familiar. My mind was roaring, *Is there really a woman in this world who doesn’t know how beautiful she is?* At the same time, driven by my helpful nature, after zooming in and out like four times, I went all out, “Your styling and photo angles are all wrong! Ditch those glasses, get some frameless ones, or better yet, contacts! Never take pictures from that angle! Tilt your phone slightly, charger port facing you, and swap that dress for a slightly shorter black one…” She replied with a “Thank you very much.” After that outpouring, I didn’t pay much attention, but the next day, she sent me her “homework” based on my advice. I coached her, and she did the same on the third day, then the fourth, then the fifth. Just as I was getting impatient, she proactively asked to add me on SnapChat and even offered to pay me for my help. Thinking, ‘Only a fool turns down easy money,’ I gave her my private handle. Then, a familiar profile picture popped up, adding me as a friend. My junior boss? My hands trembled, and I accidentally hit ‘Accept,’ my blood ran cold. I quickly changed my settings to ‘limited chat.’ My brain raced, trying to figure out if I’d accidentally put my private handle anywhere in the company system. She was typing for ages, then sent, “Thank you so much for all your guidance and help these past few days. Here’s a small token of my appreciation.” Then came a transfer of fifty thousand dollars, with the note “Voluntary gift.” I froze. I took a screenshot, compared it to the SnapChat account, and confirmed it. It was indeed the beautiful woman from online, and it was indeed my junior boss from the company. My mind screamed ‘Whoa’ for ages, but I shamelessly accepted the money. Anyway, this was my private handle; she had no idea it was me. In the days that followed, I continued to help her improve, and she made rapid progress. Soon, she was fully able to showcase her beauty. However, just as I was ready to bow out gracefully, she confessed her feelings to me. I skipped over the emotional novel she wrote—I hadn’t written one of those since high school—and just flipped to the end: “Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to say for a long time. I like you.” Me: “…” My silence was deafening. Me: “Thank you so much!” Her: “Huh???” Then: “I really like you!” “I *really* appreciate it!” “No, I’m serious.” I replied: “I *really* appreciate it!” My teeth clenched. Was this girl okay? She seemed stunned for a moment, then said, “Regardless, can you give me a chance to pursue you?” I didn’t reply. That night, I had trouble sleeping for once. The next day, she started sending me messages every morning, noon, and night, along with “I’m going to work,” “I’m leaving,” “I’ve arrived,” “I’m starting work,” and so on. Yep, that’s how this girl tried to pursue people. I’d occasionally throw her a bone, and she’d be over the moon. Things took a turn a month later. I was scrolling through beautiful women, having a blast, and casually shared a picture with my best friend. But my finger slipped, and I sent it to *her*. Me: “Phew, she’s gorgeous, I’m obsessed.” Me: “Video.” Her: “?”

By the time I saw the message, it was too late to unsend. While appreciating beauty is human nature, I felt inexplicably guilty. Just then, she suddenly messaged: “You like this kind?” Then she sent a video. It looked like it was shot in a gym. Not perfectly defined muscles, but very fair skin. A beautiful M-line flowed down, disappearing into her athletic shorts. As for above… Yeah, very pink! The owner of the video seemed shy; her face was flushed red at the end of the clip. I was officially hooked. Me: “Got more? Send more!” Then she shyly sent a few more videos. I admit, I was completely corrupted by beauty. I never thought my usually prim and proper boss was so… well. How do I describe it? It was strangely stimulating. I was enjoying myself when she suddenly sent a message. “If you agree to be my boyfriend, I’ll record videos for you every day. As much as you want.” Most people in life pursue four things: money, power, fame, and pleasure. The first three didn’t concern me, so the last one was incredibly tempting. Me: “…Well… I guess that’s not impossible.” It was just an online relationship, after all. Of course, I had conditions. No public announcements, no changing profile pictures, no video calls, and no meeting in person. She wasn’t thrilled but agreed anyway. And that’s how we dated for two years. As she got better at dressing up, I also enjoyed the perks, with her pulling off all sorts of stunning looks. Just when I thought these days would last forever, she proposed meeting up. Me: “Didn’t we agree not to meet? Just an online relationship, nothing in real life.” She sounded really upset: “I know, I’m sorry, but I really want to see you.” I knew what she was up to. A couple of days before, I had a college reunion, and afterward, a classmate confessed her feelings to me. I rejected her once, and she started sending me all these creepy, disgusting messages. So I blasted her on Ins, then blocked and deleted her. Since we were dating, Amelia saw it. She was probably thinking of meeting up and then openly declaring her claim on me. I knew exactly why I didn’t want to meet her, so the answer was definitely no. After she pestered me for a week, I got annoyed and broke up with her. That scared her straight. She looked like a wilting flower, utterly deflated. My phone displayed an incoming call for the umpteenth time. I sighed and silently flipped my phone face down on the table. Just then, my direct boss, Richard, called out to me. “Leo, can you take this proposal to Amelia?” Richard’s crush on Amelia was an open secret in the company. Normally, he’d jump at any chance to interact with her. But lately, she’d been in a bad mood. Last time, he’d tried to ‘comfort’ her, assuming too much, and got chewed out, which was incredibly embarrassing. So he stopped trying any of his little tricks. I winced, a wry smile on my face. “Richard, I’m a level below her. Isn’t going over your head a bit… much?” Amelia was my online girlfriend. While I had her contact info on my work phone, I’d never actually interacted with her professionally. Plus, this proposal had been dragging on forever, and Amelia was still unhappy with it. Even if she were in a good mood, I’d still get criticized, let alone now. This was clearly him trying to throw me under the bus. Richard rolled his eyes. “Just do what I tell you. Why all the questions?” …Fine. Even though I’d practically seen everything online, I was still a bit nervous about meeting her in person. Especially at work, she was notoriously strict, incredibly strong-willed. —And incredibly sharp-tongued. Hesitating for a moment, I pulled out my phone. After I broke up with her that day, she’d been constantly apologizing, clearly panicking, but I hadn’t replied. I’d just impulsively broken up with her and hadn’t really checked since. First, I was afraid I’d go soft, and second, I wanted to take her down a notch. Meeting was out of the question, but breaking up was fine. After thinking it over, I sent a message. “We don’t have to break up, but can you be good? I really don’t like people who don’t keep their word.” She replied instantly: “Baby, you finally replied to me! I know I was wrong, I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again.” Then came a crying puppy emoji. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The person inside startled, then cleared her throat. “Come in.” As soon as I entered, my gaze was drawn to Amelia’s slightly red nose. Had she been crying? Noticing my gaze, she seemed a bit embarrassed and tapped on her desk. “Proposal? Put it here. You can go back now.” Her temper was clearly better. Otherwise, she would have already chewed me out for bypassing protocol. There was a colleague who got fired for bypassing protocol. While he also had issues with his work ethic and refusing assignments—and he did get a severance package—bypassing protocol is still a major workplace no-no. But the proposal was still no good; it eventually got sent back, and Richard put it back in my hands. No choice, I had to work overtime to revise it. But Amelia was in a good mood today and left on time. Plus, it was Friday, so the other colleagues, who had been working overtime for ages, also left early. Soon, it was just me and Sarah, the front desk admin. I had no idea when I’d finish this proposal, so I assured the admin I’d lock up and turn off the lights, letting her go home first. I don’t know how much time passed when I heard a sound from the facial recognition lock at the door. I froze, a little scared. Checking the time, it was already ten o’clock at night. Who could it be at this hour? All sorts of horror movie scenarios set in office buildings replayed in my mind. I comforted myself that ghosts weren’t real, while instinctively holding my breath, too nervous to move. A familiar figure approached. As I clearly saw her face, I let out a sigh of relief. It was Amelia. “Why are you here alone? Aren’t you going home?” Amelia seemed surprised I was still working overtime. I secretly gritted my teeth: *It’s all your fault!* “This proposal is urgent. I’m afraid it won’t be viable even tomorrow, so I thought I’d work overtime tonight to refine it.” “Oh, *that* proposal.” Amelia paused, then actually walked straight towards me. “Let me explain it to you in more detail; it’ll be easier to revise that way.” My heart tightened—since we’d made up, I had to reply to her messages, and I hated constantly opening my phone, so I’d switched my computer to my private handle. What was I going to do? Amelia walked closer. “Open it up, let me see.” My brain spun frantically, but my hands moved slowly. Just as she was about to adjust it, Amelia said, “Move over a bit, I’ll…” “Wait!”

I got so excited I slapped the desk, making her jump. Amelia’s expression was clearly bewildered, and in that dazed state, she actually looked kind of cute. It was only then that I belatedly realized that the person online and the person in front of me were the same. I cleared my throat. “…Sorry, Amelia, uh, I suddenly have a stomachache. I need to use the restroom. You can look at it first.” With that, I grabbed my phone from the desk and rushed to the bathroom. Amelia looked bewildered. “…Oh, okay.” There was a quick exit button on my phone, which I quickly tapped, letting out a sigh of relief. —Mainly because Amelia would talk about *everything*, even the smallest things, and those notifications would flash in the corner of my screen. Even accidentally hovering over them could give me away, let alone clicking. I replied to each message, then dragged my feet for a while before going back. When I returned, Amelia had finished looking it over and gestured for me to start revising the proposal. After telling me all the parts that needed modification, she went to her office. “I’m just going to grab something; I’ll be right back.” *She’s coming back?* My heart wept internally, and I buried myself in the work. I had to say, my junior boss really was a workaholic. Under her “guidance,” it was almost midnight by the time the proposal was done. “That’s about it. We’ll leave it at that.” Amelia nodded. I let out a sigh of relief. “Alright, good then.” Though I felt pretty resentful inside. Just then, Amelia suddenly asked, “You live in the employee dorms, right? Want me to give you a ride back?” “Huh?” I froze, quickly waving my hands. “No, no, that’s okay, I’ll just walk back, it’s pretty close.” “It’s not safe for you to walk alone.” Amelia was insistent. Unable to refuse, I agreed. At the same time, she sent me a message: “Giving a male colleague who worked overtime a ride home. Didn’t let him sit in the passenger seat.” Me: “OK.” Once in the car, neither of us spoke. I felt a little awkward, but it wasn’t appropriate to play on my phone in the car, so I just stared out the window like an idiot. “Oh, right,” she suddenly asked. “What kind of gifts do you guys, as guys, hope your girlfriends give you?” I froze—she was right, my birthday was coming up soon. I stammered, “Uh… well, actually, the gift doesn’t matter, the thought counts.” “…Mainly, I’ve given my boyfriend some gifts before, and he really disliked them and returned them, so I don’t know what to do.” She seemed troubled, but I wanted to curse. *Seriously?* My family is just average. She gave me high-end watches; I didn’t even have the clothes to match them. If I wore them, people would just think they were fakes. Why wouldn’t I return them? After a moment, I said, “You could make some small crafts or something. They’re not expensive, but since they’re handmade, they show the most thought.” She seemed speechless. “…Oh, you look pretty young. How old are you?” My heart tightened. “I’m one year older than you.” She: “What month?” Me: “August.” She made an “Oh” sound, then seemed a bit awkward. “Um… I still don’t know your name—you are?” Me: “…” “Leo Carter. Carter with a C.” Online, I’d told her my last name was “Grey.” Neither of us spoke after that. When we arrived at the dorm building, I politely said goodbye. “Thanks, Amelia.” “No problem. Go on in.” I nodded, ready to leave. “Leo Carter!” Amelia suddenly called out to me. “Hm?” I turned around, looking at her with a hint of confusion. “What is it?” “…Nothing. Just go back early.”

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

I was sent abroad by Orion on my 22nd birthday. That day, Orion discovered my diary. When I was young, my parents died in a cruise ship accident and never returned. Orion naturally took over my care. My relationship with him had always been harmonious. Until I became an adult, I realized I didn’t just see Orion as an uncle. I liked him. But I also knew very clearly that there was no future between Orion and me. So I wrote all my feelings in my diary. If Orion hadn’t seen my diary, I probably could have pretended that my feelings for him were just those of a niece for her uncle. But Orion saw it. He tore up my diary and asked me how I could have such disgusting thoughts. “Don’t you know I’m your uncle! Even without a blood relation, we can only be family!” The usually gentlemanly and refined Orion was no longer gentle, shouting at me with disgust in his eyes. At that time, I wanted to explain, but couldn’t explain anything. In the end, I could only keep bowing and apologizing, saying I was wrong, that I shouldn’t have fallen for him. But Orion didn’t calm down. The next day, he resigned from the job I had lined up, and under the guise of studying abroad, sent me to a remote university overseas. To prevent me from contacting the outside world, Orion even hired bodyguards to watch me. At first, I didn’t understand why Orion treated me this way. Until the first month after I went abroad, news of Orion’s marriage went viral. Only then did I realize that all these years, he had always had someone in his heart. I watched Orion’s wedding video over and over again. In the video, when looking at Melissa, Orion’s gaze was gentle and loving. He had never looked at me that way. From that moment on, I knew that Orion keeping me by his side for so many years was just out of sympathy and responsibility. His only love was Melissa. “Miss John, please get in the car,” the assistant’s voice brought me back to reality. I nodded and got into the car with the sleeping Uma. When he saw Uma, the assistant’s face showed a hint of surprise: “Miss John, this is…?” I made a shushing gesture, afraid our conversation would disturb Uma’s sleep. After sitting in the back seat, I answered softly: “This is my daughter.” The assistant nodded and fell silent. When he drove to our destination, I was stunned. This hotel was where Orion and Melissa got married. Five years of marriage, he held a wedding anniversary celebration every year, and personally selected gifts for Melissa. I thought, Orion really cherished Melissa. In previous years, he didn’t allow me to enter their world. Inviting me back this year was probably just to let me witness their happiness. I numbly got out of the car and saw Melissa smiling as she walked towards me. Unlike my haggard appearance and simple clothes, Melissa wore expensive jewelry and perfume, looking well-cared for by Orion. Melissa’s smile suddenly froze.

I knew she had seen Uma in my arms. Sure enough, when she came to my side, Melissa’s expression was very surprised: “Yara, how did you secretly have a child abroad without telling me? I’ve been married to your uncle for so long, you still treat me like an outsider.” Before I could speak, Melissa took Uma from my arms without asking. Uma woke up and immediately started crying, struggling not to let Melissa hold her. I took Uma back from Melissa and comforted her for a while. Actually, Melissa knew about my past crush on Orion. Returning this time, I didn’t want to get too involved with Melissa. But Melissa still stubbornly wanted to hold Uma. When Melissa and I arrived at the hotel’s private room, Uma was still crying and wanting me to hold her. Melissa forced a smile and handed Uma back to me: “Your uncle knows having children isn’t easy. We haven’t thought about having kids these past few years. Seeing you’ve had a daughter, I got too excited.” There were already several people sitting in the room. I wasn’t used to socializing, so I chose a corner seat, and Melissa sat down next to me. She enthusiastically linked arms with me, introducing me and Uma to the others. The looks others gave me were visibly teasing and probing. I couldn’t stand the strange atmosphere here and said I wanted to go to the restroom. When I came back after washing my face, I heard Melissa’s voice. Someone asked Melissa why she brought in an unlucky thing like me. “What unlucky thing, Yara is Orion’s sister. Although she went down the wrong path and tried to seduce Orion before, now that she’s had a child, she definitely won’t make mistakes again.” Hearing Melissa say this, I just quietly stood at the door of the private room. Yes, in others’ eyes, I was just a madwoman who tried to seduce her uncle, a shameless slut. Uma tugged at my clothes uneasily, and I comforted her before entering the room. Some things have to be faced eventually. I don’t know how long passed, but suddenly everyone in the room stood up. “Mr. John is here!” “Hello, Mr. John!” A group of people crowded around him, while I didn’t move, just sitting in my seat. After a long time, I finally raised my head and looked at Orion. He seemed to have lost some weight. Orion wore a suit, with Melissa leaning on him. When they looked at each other, their eyes were full of smiles. Orion was surrounded by people and didn’t notice me in the corner. All these years, he who should have been the center of attention still was, while the only one not doing well was me. Suddenly, Melissa seemed to remember something and pushed Orion with a smile: “Orion, Yara is here too. You uncle and niece haven’t seen each other for so many years, catch up a bit. Yara even brought back a surprise!” Hearing the word “surprise”, Orion remained unmoved, first helping Melissa sit down and ordering her a glass of milk before raising his eyes to look in my direction. Uma shrank into a ball, looking very wary. Orion obviously saw Uma too, his eyes widening suddenly. “Yara, what is this?” He was asking about Uma. I hadn’t told them about Uma, so when they saw me with her, their expressions were all the same – either surprised or looking like they were watching a show. Melissa spoke for me: “Orion, this is Yara’s daughter. Isn’t she cute? She looks just like Yara and seems to be a few years old already.” Orion’s gaze fell on Uma, then on me, examining me for a while. Just when I thought Orion wouldn’t pay attention to me anymore, he asked hoarsely, pointing at Uma: “During these years abroad… you got married and had a child?” I raised my head, looking directly at Orion, and nodded. “I got married a while ago. Sorry I didn’t tell you.”

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My parents, to try and straighten me out, faked a DNA test. They said I wasn’t their real son.   My sister, ignoring my pleas, was determined to throw me in a mental hospital. “You’re a menace, why don’t you just die?” And my beloved fiancée?She not only watched with cold eyes but used her connections to make sure I suffered every kind of torment inside. Five years. Five years and I finally learned my lesson. So, why do they suddenly want me to go back to being the spoiled, arrogant brat I used to be? ***** “Ryan, what’s with the Mr.Big Shot act again?It’s late, why aren’t you home?Are you trying to make us all worry about you on purpose?” My sister, Ashley’s voice blasted from the phone. After five years, the Miller family finally arranged for me to be released. Because today’s Brandon’s birthday. He said he was willing to give me a chance to apologize. Then, Dad took the phone. “I know you resent us putting you in the crazy house, but who told you to be such a bully to Brandon?We did it for your own good!”Ashley chimed in. “Exactly, and we got you out now, didn’t we?What more do you want?”They kept nagging me. Half an hour later, after they finished lecturing, they started asking where I was. “Where are you right now?We’ll send a car to pick you up!This time, be good.Don’t go wandering around again!” I swallowed hard, my voice extremely hoarse. “The hospital.”Yeah.I’d been waiting here, from day to night, without moving. There was a pause on the other end. Then, they yelled at me, even louder than before. “At the hospital?Can’t you get yourself home?Do we really have to come get you?It’s not like you don’t know the way back!” “Who are you trying to fool with this act?Are you still resentful of us? I knew you hadn’t learned anything.I knew we shouldn’t have gotten you out!”But they seemed to forget. They were the ones who told me to wait here and not move in the first place. “S-sorry, Mr.and Mrs.Miller, Ashley.I didn’t mean to.”I apologized without thinking. They were stunned. Maybe they were shocked by my obedience, or maybe they were surprised by how I addressed them. Five years ago, we were a close family. If it hadn’t been for that DNA test, I never would’ve believed I wasn’t their real son. Not when I looked so much like my parents. “Whatever!”They seemed to have lost their temper. “I’ll have Ashley pick you up!” I sat there quietly, letting the cold wind and hunger wash over me. “Need a ride, buddy?”A cab stopped in front of me. I shook my head. “Waiting for someone.”Taxi after taxi left the curb. It wasn’t until after 10 pm, when the hospital was almost closed, that I still hadn’t heard from the Miller family. Not a single message on my phone. The security guard took pity on me. “You’ve been waiting all day. Why aren’t they here yet?I’m about to get off work, and it’s pretty isolated out here. It’s dangerous for you to be alone at night!”I just tugged at the corner of my mouth and didn’t say anything. I’d waited five years. What’s one more day?The guard sighed. He got some water and a sandwich for me. Seeing I was alone and in danger, he stayed late to keep me company. “Thanks, man!”I ate the sandwich obediently. This was the best birthday I’d had in five years.   In the end, the Miller’s car never came. The security guard gave me a ride. It was after midnight when I got back to the Miller’s house. My phone still had no messages. The lights of the house were shining bright, and you could hear the laughter and chatter from outside. I didn’t question them. If the maid hadn’t opened the door, I might have stayed outside forever. “Wow, what happened to you?You look terrible. Your clothes are all dirty. “Ashley burst out as soon as she saw me. Mom didn’t seem to believe it either. “Ryan, have you lost a lot of weight?” Why, in just five years, had I gone from a somewhat beefy young man to someone who barely weighed 80 pounds?Dad’s eyes showed a hint of pity.

He immediately told the housekeeper to cook something for me to eat. “We were going to pick you up, but Brandon wasn’t feeling well, so we…”I knew. This was their special way of making amends. They could neglect me, put me down, and not have to worry about whether I was sad. Afterwards, they’d give me a treat to make me forget the pain. In the past, I would’ve been ecstatic. But now, I didn’t care. I was about to say something when Ashley interrupted. “It’s just a guilt trip.He’s probably pretending to be pitiful so you feel bad for him.Then he can stay here!” Mom huffed and turned to me with a kind and gentle look. “Anyway, we haven’t found your real parents, so you can live here.You can call me Mom, just like before.I still think of you as my son!” “It’s okay, Mrs.Miller. I’m grateful that you’re taking me in!” That polite form of address was more than just words. It had placed a chasm between the two of us, people who had once been as close as a person could be with their mother. Mom couldn’t hold back. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes. I wasn’t the arrogant son she once knew. I should complain. I should rant about how they’d abandoned me all these years. Anything would have been better than this pathetic and meek version of myself.   Brandon visibly trembled when he saw me, as if he’d seen something terrifying. After a while, Brandon finally gathered the courage to hold out his hand. “Ryan, let’s shake on it!”I stood there, stunned.I’d never argued with him, so why would we “shake on it?”Five years ago, I’d just started college. Like always, whenever I was in a new place, I would stake my claim on Emily. Emily was my fiancée. I loved her, and, being the Miller family’s oldest son, I’d always been arrogant. Naturally, I couldn’t stand any guys who looked at her the wrong way. Brandon was one of them. Brandon had grown up in an orphanage. For some reason, the cold and aloof Emily always seemed to pay special attention to him. Even my sister, who was always on my side, turned against me. I confronted Brandon once. After that, Brandon started facing various forms of bullying at school. Everyone said that I couldn’t stand him. Near the end of the semester, Brandon finally snapped and jumped from the top of the school building. They saved him. He wasn’t hurt. But he left a suicide note. It was full of accusations against me!No one believed me. Emily broke up with me. I thought that was the worst it could get. Then, they announced that I wasn’t the Miller’s real son. The real son turned out to be Brandon. As for where my real parents were?No one told me!In one night, I fell from heaven to hell. In the end, the family I’d known for over twenty years sent me to a mental hospital. A place worse than prison. “I don’t want to worry the family. I don’t care what you did to me. It’s all in the past.” “If you promise not to upset Mom and Dad, I can treat you like a brother!”Brandon smiled. He was well-behaved and generous. Anyone would praise him, saying he was the Miller’s first son. Everyone around him looked at him with approval. Dad nodded. “That’s right. If you’re willing to change, you’ll always be the Miller’s oldest son!”Ashley scowled. “I’m only forgiving you for Brandon’s sake. You better thank him. If you bully him again, I’ll make you pay!”Five years ago, I would have tried to explain myself to everyone. I didn’t bully Brandon. He staged all those things himself. But now, I wasn’t going to act like a clown, explaining myself to people who didn’t care about me. “I’m sorry.I came back mainly to get my ID…”Everyone’s face darkened. They all thought I was ungrateful. “Why are you always stuck on small things?If you’re so difficult, do you want to go back to the mental hospital?” “We raised you for so long. Why can’t you be good like Brandon?Why are you always disobeying your parents?”Mom seemed a bit out of control. I didn’t understand why she was overreacting. “But… I’m not your real son!”Wasn’t it normal for me to leave and take my ID?Mom froze. She looked at me blankly. I guess I looked like a stranger.

Ashley scoffed. “You’re dreaming if you think you can just leave after living the high life at the Millers’ for over twenty years. Do you think you can ever repay all that?”I lowered my head. I couldn’t understand these people. They hated me. I wasn’t even a Miller. Now that I was leaving, wouldn’t that make them happy?In the end, I stayed at the Millers’ for the time being. My old master bedroom had become Brandon’s room. Now, I was in the maid’s room, a place I’d never set foot in before. I didn’t complain. I went to bed early. Even in that soft bed, I still had nightmares. I dreamt of my days in the mental hospital. Those terrible people didn’t care about my cries and tore at my clothes. I begged them, telling them that my family and my fiancée would never let them get away with it!But my resistance only made them more violent. They laughed at me for daydreaming. They laughed that I thought I was still the Millers’ oldest son. They laughed at my stupidity. Because everything that had happened to me was approved by the Miller family and Emily!Again, I woke up from a nightmare. I felt cold all over.   When I went to the living room to get a glass of water, I saw Ashley sneaking out of her room. She had a helmet in her hand, like she was going racing. I pretended not to see anything and kept pouring my water. Ashley paused. Then, she came over. “Don’t you have anything to say to me?” “Say what?”I asked. Ashley was the Miller’s daughter, but she loved riding motorcycles. I remembered Ashley had been in an accident before. Every time she snuck out to ride her motorcycle, I would curse her and tell her to be careful. Ashley always acted like I was a pain in the ass. “Why are you being so annoying?I’m riding a motorcycle, not going to war, so chill out!You’re not my brother, Brandon doesn’t even say anything, so why should you?”Even though I knew she was annoyed, I would still tell her to be careful before she left. But all those times I’d cared about her vanished with the unanswered cries for help over the past five years. Ashley’s face darkened. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll crash if I drive too fast?”I shook my head. “I don’t know about that. Isn’t the thrill what it’s all about?” “If you don’t have anything else to say, I’m going back to my room?”Ashley blocked my path. I tried to go around her, but she stopped me. “So, we sent you to the crazy house for five years.Are you going to hold a grudge forever?If you hadn’t been bullying Brandon, would we have sent you there?”She smiled coldly. Every time we argued, she would accuse me of bullying Brandon. Then, she would watch me break down. But this time, I just shook my head calmly. “I’m not angry.Really.”She seemed very angry and kicked the table.   When I saw Emily again, I thought I would be emotional. I thought I’d tell her about the pain I’d suffered all these years, but nothing happened. Not even a ripple in my heart. She and Brandon stood together, a perfect match, and she looked at him with a tenderness I’d never seen. When she saw me, she frowned. I’d always thought of myself as Emily’s fiancé. Out of all my dreams of being a scientist or a doctor, I wrote that I wanted to marry Emily. Now that I think about it, I was probably always chasing after Emily. And Emily never said anything. People said that Emily was only nice to me because of the Miller family. Now, Emily had probably gotten her wish. “Ryan, I saw that your clothes were all dirty yesterday. I got you a few things. Don’t worry, I’ve only worn these once, so you’ll be fine, right?” Brandon pulled out his old clothes like he was trying to get a reward. Everyone’s eyes were on us. I remembered how embarrassed I’d felt so many times in the past when I’d lost to Brandon. But all that embarrassment was nothing compared to the hell I’d been through for five years. “Thank you, Brandon!”I took the clothes obediently. I could sell them for money when I left the Miller’s house. The once-proud son was now so humble. Even the maids couldn’t help but whisper to each other. The Millers looked displeased. “Ryan, are you kidding me?”Ashley seemed to be losing it. She threw the clothes on the floor. “How can you wear other people’s clothes?Don’t you know that you’re part of the Miller family……”

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My sister, Alexis, was straight-up obsessed with me. When I was ten, some dirtbag tried to snatch her. I ended up in his car instead. They got their ransom, and I came home, but my face was sliced up pretty bad. My legs were broken, too. Alexis went into overdrive. She took over Dad’s business and turned it into a freakin’ empire. I became the center of her universe. Also, her untouchable nerve. Some jerk at school called me “scarface”. Alexis shoved his head into a trash can full of rats. He was barely recognizable. Another kid whispered I was a cripple. Alexis ran him over with a steamroller, turning his legs into hamburger. Alexis was a stone-cold killer to everyone in town. Except me. She spoiled me rotten. She dropped a ton of cash on reconstructive surgery, fixed my legs, and sent me to college overseas. Right before I came home, I got a wedding invitation from her. She was so excited. Said I was getting a new brother-in-law who would love me just as much. She even sent me a picture of the lucky dude. I walked into the house, and this guy, her fiancé, busted in with a bunch of goons. He thought I was the boy toy Alexis was keeping on the side. He started beating the crap out of me. Alexis finally showed up, and he pointed at me, lying on the floor, and whined:“Am I not good enough for you? Is he better than me?” Alexis’ eyes went red:“You don’t have enough lives to be compared to him.” “BANG!” The sliding glass door exploded. A bunch of tough-looking guys stormed in. I was still trying to figure out what was going on when I saw the dude in the lead, the one from Alexis’ picture, my future brother-in-law, Jason. Before I could even say hello, he swung a metal baseball bat straight into my face. My nose exploded in pain. Warm liquid trickled down. Blood. The blow caught me completely off guard, and my head was spinning. “So, I finally caught your ass, boy toy? Thought you could hide overseas forever?” Jason screamed. He raised the bat again, aiming for my head and body. I scrambled back, trying to protect my head, and tripped, landing hard on the floor. “You’ve got this all wrong, I’m…” Before I could finish, Jason jammed the bat into my mouth, shoving it back and forth. Pain shot through my face. A metallic taste filled my throat. I choked, spitting out a mouthful of blood. “Wrong, my ass! Don’t think I don’t know you manipulated Alexis into buying you this house!” “You knew I was marrying Alexis, so you wanted to come back and interfere. Even if you’re not successful, you can still be a sugar baby, right?” “Today, I’m gonna show you what happens to homewreckers!” He kicked me, sending me sprawling. The back of my head slammed against the edge of the coffee table. My scalp split open. Desperate and angry, I swallowed the blood and said:“You’ve got this completely wrong! I’m Alexis’ brother!” “She sent me a message a few days ago, telling me to come home for the wedding…” Jason froze. One of the goons stepped forward and whispered. “I did hear the boss had a brother who’s been living overseas for years. But we’ve never seen him. I heard the boss has a twin brother.” Jason glanced at my face. “Twins? This boy toy doesn’t look anything like Alexis.” Just then, another guy walked in, his face was all scarred up. It was Danny, Alexis’ right-hand man. He’s been with Alexis forever. He should recognize me! “Danny, it’s me, Frankie!” I barely got the words out, and Danny looked over, confused. “Who the hell is this guy? How does he know my name?” Danny was suspicious, but Jason swung the bat at my mouth, hitting me hard. I couldn’t talk anymore. “He’s the boy toy I was telling you about. He must have heard us talking.” Danny shook his head. “That’s not right. He said his name was Frankie, and Frankie is the little boss’ name! No one knows that.” He rushed over, grabbed my face, and started looking me over. “This face doesn’t look anything like the little boss’ face.” My heart sank. I’ve had so much work done; he wouldn’t recognize me. “Wait a minute! The little boss was sent out to get plastic surgery. Did you get your face done?” Danny was starting to remember. I nodded, pleading with him. Yes, I’m their boy! Jason didn’t believe it. “A pretty boy who lives off his face? Of course he’s had work done.” Danny held up his hand. “Faces can be faked, but not identity. Let’s check his ID.” Two goons grabbed me and started to search me.

  I twisted, trying to get away, and Jason slapped me hard across the face. “Hold still! Tie him up.” The goons tied me up tight. I was searched. Danny was getting worried. “Why’d you beat him up like this? What if he really is the little boss?” Jason laughed and offered him a cigarette. “What’s the problem? I’m marrying Alexis. If I beat her brother by mistake, it just proves I love her, and she’ll forgive me!” Danny took a drag. “Good point.” They found my ID in my pocket. Jason snatched it and burst out laughing. “See? I told you he was lying!” Danny leaned over and slowly read the name: “Jack Smith.” Then, he opened my diploma. “John Smith.” “He’s a fake. The little boss’ name is Frankie Miller. He went to Korea, not England.” My heart dropped. After what happened, Alexis took me out of the system. She changed my last name to my mom’s name. She didn’t want me to be kidnapped again, so she kept it a secret from everyone. Did Alexis do it to protect me? Alexis, you’re going to get me killed! I was panicked. Danny’s eyes turned cold. “This punk is pretending to be the little boss? Get him!” They knocked me to the ground and started kicking me. My phone fell out of my pocket. When the screen lit up, Danny saw my wallpaper. His face changed. “Wait!” The wallpaper was a picture of me and Alexis. Danny picked it up, his hand shaking. “Is this your phone?” I nodded frantically. Jason rolled his eyes. “Danny, it’s just a picture! He probably Photoshopped it!” I made wild gestures, trying to get Danny to open the phone. He understood. He put the phone to my face to unlock it, and pulled up the texts between me and Alexis. “His contact name for the boss is ‘Sister’!” Danny was shocked. Jason grabbed my phone. “This boy toy is the type to call everyone ‘Sister’, that’s how he manipulates them! Don’t fall for it!” He swiped up a few times and exploded. “She didn’t just buy you a house, she called you ‘Baby,’ and said she never wanted to be apart from you again?” I wanted to explain, but my mouth was too damaged. Alexis is my only family. She doesn’t want me overseas forever. No one’s ever laid a hand on me before, and now I was beaten by her fiancé and gagged. Her own man didn’t recognize me. Alexis, it hurts so much! I started crying, and Danny frowned. “He’s got the same personality as the little boss. Can’t take any kind of hardship. Loves to cry.” “Should we double-check? The boss is obsessed with the little boss. If it’s really him, we’re screwed!” Jason nodded. “Fine. I’ll call and ask. If he really is Alexis’ brother, I’ll take the fall. But if he isn’t…” His face twisted. “I’ll make this boy toy wish he’d never been born!” He had the goons gag me and dialed Alexis. “Hey, babe, you said your brother was coming for the wedding, right? What day does he get in?” “I want to get him a gift.” Alexis sounded happy. “That’s so sweet of you! He said he’d be there tomorrow night.” I felt a chill run down my spine. I changed my ticket to today to surprise Alexis. Jason stared at me, his eyes narrowing. If he hung up, everything would be over! I bit down hard on the goon’s hand. He yelled and let go. “Alexis, help me!” I shouted. Jason’s face went red. He kicked me to the ground and stepped on my mouth. Alexis sounded worried. “I think I heard someone say, ‘Help’?” Jason forced a smile. “It’s just the TV. My brother is coming home, so I need to get a gift ready. I’ll talk to you later.” He hung up. Despair washed over me. Jason pressed down harder. “You tricked me, almost fooled me!” I cried harder. He still wasn’t satisfied. He stared at my tear-streaked face. “You’re the reason Alexis likes you! She was going to marry me, but she still bought you a house.” One of the goons told him:”It’s not that surprising, bosses like to keep people on the side. Since she likes him, should we let him go?” “You’re the one marrying her anyway, it’s fine if you turn a blind eye.” Danny agreed:”Yeah, you’re the primary partner, it’s not a big deal.” Jason wavered. The injustice of it all overwhelmed me. I was Alexis’ brother, treated like a boy toy! She has terrible taste in men. I’m making her cancel the wedding! Jason saw my anger and flipped out. “You dare glare at me? I’ll ruin you!” He stepped back and pulled out a knife, going for my face. “No!” I screamed.

Jason kept going. “After you’re ugly, Alexis will love me!” The pain kept coming. I almost passed out. Alexis spent a fortune finding doctors to fix this face. It’s over now, Alexis won’t let him live! “You’re dead…” I said to him, and Jason exploded. “What did you say?” He slashed at my lips. “Curse me now!” I couldn’t speak anymore. Jason was about to keep going when they heard high heels. “Boss, why are you here?” Alexis! I struggled, trying to get up, and pain shot through my leg. Jason broke my knee. Danny’s face changed. He told Jason to hide me. “She can’t see him. She’ll get angry!” Jason and the goons dragged me into the kitchen, and Alexis walked in. “Danny, didn’t I tell you to start decorating? Where’s everything?” “I just got here. It’s in the car. I’ll get them to unload it.” Danny and the goons left. Alexis walked around the house. “It looks good, he’ll like it.” “Is this the kitchen?” She asked the designer and went for the door. I saw her shadow through the glass and started crying. Alexis, save me! Alexis opened the door. She saw Jason and me on the floor and was shocked. “Jason, what are you doing here?” “Who is that?” She said, pointing at me. Alexis, it’s me! Recognize me! I crawled towards her. Jason kicked me in the face. “Shut up!” I tried to say something, but Jason hit me again. “Don’t call her ‘Sister’ in front of me!” Alexis froze. She knelt down and stared at me. Jason spoke first. “Babe, I know. He’s your boy toy, right?” “You bought him this house. I’m fine with that, you’re successful, it’s normal.” Jason started to cry. “I just wanted to see what makes you like him.” “I can copy him, so you’ll love me more…” Alexis hugged him. “What are you saying? I only love you. I wouldn’t be marrying you otherwise.” “Honey, this house is for my brother. He’s coming home tomorrow. I wanted to surprise him. You must have misunderstood.” “Who is he? I don’t have a boy toy!” Jason realized what happened. His face went white. “He…he offended me. I was teaching him a lesson…” Alexis frowned. “He offended you? Okay. But you shouldn’t have brought him to my brother’s house. How unlucky!” “We have bad luck before we have the blessing from God!” Jason said:”I get it. I’ll have him taken care of right away. We’ll get a priest to ward off the bad luck.” “Tomorrow, I’ll apologize to your brother. He won’t be mad, right?” Alexis smiled:”He won’t blame you.” I was dragged out, panicking. He was going to have me killed. He knew who I was! He wasn’t taking any chances. I fought and got slapped. “You’re dead. Now, take him away!” Jason rushed them. Danny walked in with the god of the Kitchen. He saw Alexis’ face and said:”Boss, we didn’t want to spill blood, but he pretended to be your brother…” Jason tried to stop him, but it was too late. Alexis pounced on it. “He pretended to be Frankie?” Danny nodded: “Yeah, it’s not believable. We checked, his ID is the wrong name!” He showed Alexis the IDs. Alexis’ face went white. “What’s going on?”

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I walked away from a multi-billion-dollar inheritance, publicly severing ties with the Thorne empire. My ex-girlfriend coughed up blood, my best friend had a meltdown, but I just smiled, moving my ‘home’ under a bridge. All because, in my past life, that ex-girlfriend and ‘best friend’ had colluded, using a ‘Life-Exchange System’ to siphon away my good fortune. The better I lived, the worse my body became. The healthier and longer they lived. I inherited billions. But I contracted an incurable illness, sought doctors everywhere to no avail, and died young at 35. My ex-girlfriend and friend, meanwhile, had it easy, not only securing my inheritance but living to a ripe old age. When I opened my eyes again, I was back – three days before I was set to inherit everything. The crystal ashtray overflowed with cigarette butts. My gaze was locked on the signature line at the end of the will. My pen hovered, and a drop of ink fell, blooming into a menacing, spider-like stain. I snapped my head up, gasping for air. A sharp pain lanced through my temple, and dying memories flashed before my eyes: The acrid smell of disinfectant. I was lying in an ICU bed, tubes snaking into every part of my body. My once muscular frame was now just pale skin stretched over bones. Tiffany leaned in, her freshly manicured acrylic nails tracing the hollow of my cheek. “The doctors say your liver is still good, you know.” Her sweet voice was like a viper’s hiss. “Sterling will put it to good use.” I tried to struggle, but I couldn’t even lift a finger. The heart monitor on the screen flatlined. Sterling stood in the shadows, the cold gleam of a scalpel in his hand. One second I was in that tube-ridden ICU, the next, I was back in the Thorne family study. The ominous flatline of the heart monitor still echoed in my ears. Was this… a do-over? A second chance? “Mr. Thorne?” The lawyer adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. “Mr. Richard Thorne said once you sign, you’ll have access to the trust fund.” The reflection in his lenses hid his quick glance at the surveillance camera. My body tensed. This was… the day I inherited everything, seven years ago? Suddenly, lines of translucent text flickered into existence before my eyes. [DON’T SIGN IT! That’s the contract that killed you last time, Alex!] [The male lead’s girlfriend and friend tied him to a ‘Life-Exchange System.’ The better the protagonist lived, the worse his body became, and the healthier and longer they lived. The more miserable the protagonist was, the better his body became, and the more agonizingly they suffered.] [He’s been reborn, but is the protagonist really going to repeat his mistakes?] I stared, transfixed, at the words, my fingers trembling uncontrollably. In the reflection of my pen’s metal cap, Tiffany was in the hallway, meticulously wrapping a red string, adorned with an old copper coin, around a small wooden doll. The heavy, cloying scent of her expensive perfume wafted faintly toward me. “No rush,” I said, sliding the pen back into the lawyer’s chest pocket. “Don’t I have three days?” The ink cartridge suddenly burst, staining his three-million-dollar custom suit black. In the hallway, Tiffany gasped. The red string snapped, and the copper coin slowly rolled to my feet. I picked it up. The coin felt cold in my palm, etched with a grotesque, gaping maw. I handed the will back to the lawyer. “Let me think about it.” A life exchange, huh? This time, I’ll make sure you exchange more than you bargained for!

Tiffany practically ran to help me to my bedroom, a faint jasmine scent clinging to her. She reached out to touch my forehead, her fingertips chillingly cold, not like a living person’s. “Alex, you look terrible.” Her worried frown was Oscar-worthy. “Do you want me to call Sterling to check on you?” I shook my head weakly, observing her reaction. In my past life, it was this seemingly caring suggestion that led to weekly health check-ups, secretly accelerating the system’s siphoning of my life. “I’ve prepared a potent health tonic for you.” She hurried back with a bone china bowl, expensive slices of wild ginseng floating on the surface. “Drink it while it’s warm, it’s good for you.” [This ‘healing’ brew had a double dose of something extra.] [The harder she tries to ‘care’ for the male lead, the faster he dies.] I pretended to take a sip, letting the liquid dribble down the corner of my mouth. Tiffany quickly wiped it with a handkerchief, a flicker of excitement in her eyes, barely discernible. “Let me feed you.” She scooped a spoonful, blowing on it gently. That gesture, which once charmed me, now only revealed her calculating nature. Every spoonful meant the system would steal more of my vitality and funnel it to them. Suddenly, Tiffany’s hand trembled, and the tonic splashed onto the silk sheets. As she frantically wiped it away, I noticed a tiny cut on her left ring finger. In my last life, her hands had been flawless. “What happened to your hand?” I asked, feigning concern. She quickly hid her hand behind her back. “Just a small cut while preparing the tonic… it’s nothing.” But her voice was noticeably weaker. [The system is starting to backfire!] [Every time the male lead refuses their ‘care,’ they weaken a little.] [Spilling the tonic means a failed feeding!] I coughed violently, this time not faking it. A metallic taste flooded my throat, but the blood on my handkerchief was at least half the amount it had been at this point in my previous life. My strategy was already working. “Sleep, I’ll watch over you.” She tucked me in, her movements impossibly gentle, like someone meticulously preserving a precious artifact about to go up for auction. Once she thought I was asleep, she left the room and immediately called Sterling. “Alex just coughed up blood! Yes, exactly as predicted… Good, I’ll bring him over first thing tomorrow.” In the moonlight, her profile glowed with a sickly flush – health stolen directly from me. The next day. Tiffany insisted on taking me to Sterling’s private clinic for a check-up. “You trust Sterling, don’t you? We’ve been friends since childhood.” Sterling’s private clinic stood in the city’s most exclusive medical district, its glass facade gleaming coldly in the sun. Inside, it was furnished like a high-end club, the air a mix of antiseptic and expensive essential oils. Sterling stood behind a marble reception desk, his white lab coat spotless, but the pen clipped to his pocket was now solid gold. “Alex!” He opened his arms to greet me, and I caught the scent of his freshly applied cologne. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Sterling led me into the consultation room. “How’s your sleep lately?” Sterling’s pen scratched softly on the patient chart. “Always nightmares,” I said, staring at the imitation starry sky lamp on the ceiling. Sterling claimed it helped patients relax. “I dream of lying in an ICU, someone sticking tubes all over me.” Sterling’s pen tip paused, accidentally tearing the paper. But he quickly pasted on a professional smile. “Too much stress. Want to try my newly imported sedative?” [Alex, be careful!]

I coughed violently, looking at the deliberately faked blood streaks on my handkerchief, and hoarsely said, “Tiffany makes me health tonics every day, why is it getting worse?” “She’s just too worried about you, actually…” He suddenly lowered his voice. “Some tonics shouldn’t be mixed, or they can do more harm than good.” “Really?” I feigned surprise. “Let’s get you checked out first.” “We just got a new German-imported full-body scanner.” The exam room was intentionally set to a low temperature. I lay on the cold examination table, my peripheral vision catching Tiffany in the corner, her fingers unconsciously stroking the copper coin bracelet on her wrist. Her complexion was better than yesterday, her skin exuding a healthy glow. “Blood pressure’s a bit high, heart rate’s unstable, quite a few issues,” Sterling said, frowning at the monitor, his voice filled with concern. “You’ll need regular nutrient injections to regulate.” “Alex, as your brother, I have to be honest. Your father is getting old, the corporation needs you, but your current health…” [He’s lying! The data is all fake!] [Alex, find a way to refuse!] “It might hurt a little.” Sterling smiled, holding up the syringe, its needle gleaming coldly. “Wait.” I suddenly clutched my chest, coughing violently. “I… I can’t breathe…” Sterling immediately rushed over, anxiously steadying me. “Alex! What’s wrong?” I seized the opportunity, gripping his wrist and squeezing hard. He winced in pain and let go, the syringe clattering to the floor, the liquid spilling everywhere. “Sorry, I’m just so nervous,” I panted, apologizing, but my eyes were fixed on Sterling’s reaction. His expression twisted for a moment before quickly resuming a facade of concern, but fine beads of sweat had already broken out on his forehead. “It’s okay, we can do it another day,” he forced a smile, but couldn’t help rubbing his own chest, where a sharp pain was flaring. [Hahaha, serves him right!] [Sterling is also suffering system backlash!] [Alex, you rock!] As we left the clinic, Tiffany’s face was noticeably paler. She was clutching the wall, her steps unsteady, like a puppet whose strings had been cut. And I, though still feigning weakness, was breathing much more easily than when we arrived. That evening, I went out alone for a walk to clear my head. My phone vibrated in my pocket. It was a voice message from Tiffany, the faint clinking of glass in the background. “Alex, I’ve brewed some… bird’s nest soup for you… *cough cough*… When are you coming back?” Her coughing was three times more frequent than yesterday. I didn’t reply. Instead, I opened my stock trading app. Thorne Pharmaceuticals’ stock chart today looked like a dying snake, struggling near its rock-bottom limit – exactly what I wanted. In my past life, on this very day, my father announced my entry into the board of directors, and the stock soared 7%. [Tiffany’s tonic is going to get cold.] [Alex is playing a big game.] The cross-river bridge, after a heavy downpour, reeked of damp rust. I loosened my tie, my expensive dress shoes sinking into the muddy riverbank. Underneath the bridge, a hunched figure was rummaging through a dumpster, his movements as practiced as if he were shopping at a supermarket. “Hey, buddy, got a light?” I crouched down, pulling a crumpled pack of imported cigarettes from my suit jacket. The homeless man recoiled abruptly, his eyes, under a tangle of dreadlocks, darting like a startled animal. His left hand clutched a half-eaten piece of moldy bread, his right gripped a rusty umbrella spoke. The cigarette pack arced through the air. He instinctively snatched it. “Premium cigarettes?” His voice rasped like sandpaper on rust. “You rich kids, even your charity has to be fancy.” But his trembling fingers were already tearing open the foil impatiently. I sat directly in the mud, my expensive suit pants instantly soaking up dark stains. “Teach me,” I said, the lit cigarette flickering in the dim light. “How do you live like a human being under a bridge?”

He burst out laughing, revealing a gap where a front tooth should have been. “Mr. Thorne the big shot wants to experience life?” So he recognized me. Of course, every ad screen downtown was constantly playing our family’s pharmaceutical commercials. “I’m on the run,” I whispered, like sharing a dark secret. “Someone wants my liver, my kidneys, and this heart that’s beating too fast.” Maybe it was the cigarette, or maybe I was just too convincing. The homeless man’s eyes changed. He tossed me half a bottle of cheap whiskey he’d found, still bearing a ‘Happy Birthday’ sticker. “I can teach you,” he said, flicking the bottle neck with his grimy fingernail. “Just talk with me, and I’ll tell you.” So I learned how he’d been swindled out of his military pension by unscrupulous partners after leaving the service. How he’d had three ribs broken while trying to collect unpaid wages. And how, outside the courthouse, he’d discovered the opposing lawyer was his own brother. Every wrinkle on his face hid the city’s dirtiest secrets. He blew a smoke ring that dissolved in the river breeze. “Damn!” The homeless man’s cigarette butt fell into a puddle, sizzling. His calloused hand suddenly clapped me on the shoulder. “Kid, you should see my spot. Even debt collectors can’t find that place.” I chuckled. “Mind if I get a roommate?” [Divine teammate online!] [This homeless guy is not simple.] [Male lead found a treasure!] The sight of us, arm in arm, heading deeper into the bridge’s archway, was captured by a jogger on their morning run. In their lens, my expensive dress shoes were gone, replaced by a pair of beat-up canvas sneakers Gus had scrounged up. Their toes curled upward, making them look almost… hopeful. The next morning, the headlines exploded: /SCION OF THORNE EMPIRE SPOTTED UNDER BRIDGE WITH MYSTERY MAN!/ /BILLIONAIRE HEIR’S UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP?/ /SHOCKING DISPLAY OF… HUMANITY?/ When Tiffany called for the twelfth time, I was learning from Gus how to start a fire with old newspapers. As my phone screen lit up, the fire in the bridge arch flickered, dancing in the river breeze. Tiffany’s face on screen was deathly pale, as if all the color had been drained from her. Strands of hair clung to her forehead, and her carefully sculpted eyebrows were twisted into a mask of rage. “Alex Thorne! Have you lost your mind?!” Her voice was sharp, piercing, and in the background, I heard the sound of porcelain shattering. “Why didn’t you sign?! Do you have any idea how furious your father was this morning when he found out you hadn’t signed? He practically demolished his study!” I adjusted the angle, letting the bonfire’s glow illuminate my face. After a night under the bridge, the stubble on my chin and the soot-stained collar of my shirt created a perfect, gritty composition with the crumbling bridge wall behind me. “Tiffany, why do you look so bad?” I leaned closer to the camera, feigning concern. “Didn’t sleep well last night?” She instinctively touched her thinning hairline, then burst into a violent cough, a stark crimson stain appearing on her handkerchief. When she looked up, I saw that the capillaries in her right eye had burst, the whites now a terrifying bloodshot red – the system’s backlash was faster than I’d anticipated.

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My husband, Damian, obsessed with filling our home with children, had built a private island. Not for us, but as a secret haven for scores of women, all meant to bear his heirs. And the cruelest twist? He named it after me: ‘Chloe’s Haven.’ On our wedding anniversary, he even presented it to me as a gift. But the moment six heavily pregnant women suddenly appeared, all calling me ‘Mrs. Thorne,’ I completely broke. One of them was even Skylar Hayes, my college roommate. She claimed she’d been on the island for five years. In that instant, my heart ripped to shreds. Damian rushed to hold me, his eyes overflowing with feigned concern. “Chloe, don’t cry… you always wanted our home to be lively, didn’t you? Even though you can’t get pregnant, once they give birth, you’ll be the mother of these six children. We’ll never be lonely again, Chloe Reed…” “I told you, anything you want, I’ll give it to you…” Damian stared into my eyes, his affection disturbingly deep. But after seven years of marriage, I finally saw how truly sick he was. Tears streamed down my face in utter despair, and I desperately pounded on him. “…Get them out of here… Make them leave…!” Damian choked out a weak, “Okay.” But at that moment, all I wanted was to escape him.

“…Chloe…I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” I was decisively packing my suitcase when Damian, his eyes red-rimmed, burst in and frantically pushed my luggage away. He grabbed my wrist, his voice trembling. “I’ll send them all away… just don’t leave me, Chloe, I’m begging you!” “Believe me! Those women are just tools for having children. As soon as the babies are born, I’ll send them away. We’ll go back to how we were before…” Before? I didn’t answer. I closed my suitcase, ready to leave, but Damian stubbornly refused to let go. As we struggled, his large hand cupped my face, and a torrent of panicked kisses rained down. “Chloe… tell me, what can I do to make you stay…?” “Please, just say something…” His voice cracked with a sob, his hands frantically gripping me, trying to reignite my love with passion. But he was wrong. He couldn’t keep me. Just this morning, when I saw him circling those pregnant women, kissing each of their swollen bellies… My once vibrant, beating heart had turned into a pool of stagnant water. “Damian, I’m tired…” The moment he pushed me onto the bed, I whispered, barely audible, and reached out to push him away. “Mr. Thorne…!” The door burst open with a crash. Skylar, caught off guard, stumbled into the bedroom, shattering the fragile intimacy Damian had tried to create. “Get out!” A glass cup shattered at her feet as Damian roared, his voice hoarse with rage. “Mr… Mr. Thorne, Lily and Dawn went into labor early!” Skylar stammered, trembling. At that, Damian’s expression changed instantly. He pulled away from my lips but didn’t leave right away. Instead, he grinned at me, full of excitement. He grabbed my forehead and kissed it hard. “Chloe! Our home is going to be lively now!” “I’m going to check on them. If you’re tired, rest well. I’ll be back!” He quickly got up and left, but my heart suddenly clenched in pain, and cold sweat instantly broke out on my forehead. My heart condition was flaring up again. “Damian!” I bit my lip and called out to him, my voice trembling like a leaf. But Damian didn’t seem to hear. He didn’t look back and just walked away. My lower lip was bitten through, and I curled up in pain, but then I smiled through my bloodied mouth. I smiled, and then I cried… After stumbling to take my medication, I silently wiped the blood from my mouth, called my lawyer to draft a divorce agreement, and drove to the hospital. There, I learned that the two pregnant women’s premature labor was due to an accidental overdose of oxytocin. “Mr. Thorne… it was Mrs. Thorne! We drank the soup she sent, that’s why this happened!” The two pregnant women pointed at me, accusingly, their eyes glinting with cunning calculation. I looked at Damian, not defending myself with a single word. The next second, two sharp slaps rang out. Damian’s voice was icy. “Shut up! Chloe is not someone you can slander! Now that the babies are born, you two can leave.” The two women’s screams as the bodyguards dragged them away made Skylar’s face turn pale. After Damian left to see the babies, I turned to Skylar, getting straight to the point. “You put the oxytocin in, didn’t you?” Hearing my question, Skylar’s eyes instantly reddened, and she feigned innocence. “Mrs. Thorne, what are you saying?!” She choked, her shoulders trembling, as if she had suffered some immense grievance. But after four years of college together, I knew exactly how many little tricks Skylar had up her sleeve. Too lazy to watch her act, I directly handed her an agreement. “Want to be Mrs. Thorne?” “Get Damian to sign this, and I’ll give you this position…” At the sight of ‘Divorce Agreement’ on the paper, Skylar’s tears instantly dried on her face. She bit her lip in humiliation and glared at me. “Give it? Chloe Reed, you’re truly shameless! Why would I—” I started to pull back the agreement. “Forget it, then. As long as I’m here, Damian will never get a divorce, and you’ll never get your chance…” I made to retract the agreement, but Skylar anxiously snatched it from me. After confirming the divorce agreement was legitimate, she cast an uneasy glance at me. “…I’ll help. Anyway, you can’t have kids, so it’s only right for you to make space.” My heart suddenly throbbed with a dull ache, and every breath felt heavy with pain. “Then… I wish you both well. Have plenty of children.”

Back at the ocean-view villa, I hired a professional organizer online to sort out my house in the city. Anything related to Damian, I instructed the organizer to throw it all away. The first thing was the photo album, filled with memories from when we were five until twenty-eight; The second was the school uniform button Damian had forcefully given me as a keepsake during graduation photos; The third… the fourth… Love letters, stuffed animals, luxury jewelry… everything, absolutely everything, went into the trash. I looked down at the diamond ring on my hand, took it off, and flushed it down the toilet. By the time I was deleting couple photos of Damian and me from my phone, night had fallen. That’s when he returned with the baby and Skylar. Still holding my phone, I walked downstairs and saw the housekeepers carrying boxes of baby supplies into the living room. Baby formula, bottles, baby rockers, maternity clothes… There was even maternity underwear custom-made for Skylar… The instant she saw the underwear, Skylar suddenly tiptoed to peck Damian’s chin, her face flushed. “…The baby and I thank Daddy…” The sudden kiss made my eyes darken, but Damian merely frowned and chastised her. “You’re heavily pregnant, don’t be so jumpy in the future. What if you hurt the baby…?” Seeing this, I scoffed softly, selected all photos, and deleted them. The moment I closed my phone, only a pool of stagnant water remained in my heart. When Damian turned and saw me, his eyes suddenly lit up. He carried the baby over, eager to show off. “Chloe, this little one’s eyebrows are like mine, and the mouth is like yours. Look, don’t you like him?” He had a child with another woman, yet he claimed it looked like me… How absurd was that? I remained expressionless. “No, I don’t.” Damian’s smile faltered. “It’s okay if you don’t like these two. There are four more due soon. You can pick your favorite one to raise then.” But I still didn’t speak, and the air grew instantly awkward. Just then, Skylar spoke softly. “Mr. Thorne, stop teasing Mrs. Thorne with the baby. I’ve already prepared a gift for her, she’ll definitely love it.” With that, she walked towards me, her belly protruding, and handed me a gift box. I opened it suspiciously, only to find it contained the divorce agreement, signed by Damian. My eyes suddenly felt hot. Skylar had actually done it. I should have been happy, but my heart felt a bitter ache, like a wet cotton ball was stuck in my chest. “Chloe, what gift do you like so much?” Damian suddenly leaned over, his brow furrowed. “How come I didn’t know?” He reached out to take it as he spoke, but I quickly closed the gift box. “It’s nothing.” Damian raised an eyebrow. “You have secrets from me now?” Meeting his probing gaze, I glanced at the baby in his arms, my voice cold. “Didn’t you also keep secrets from me, having children with six women before I even found out?” His face instantly changed, and he panicked again. “I only kept it a secret because I wanted to surprise you… Chloe, I never meant to hurt you…” With that, he immediately handed the baby to a housekeeper, his tone cold. “Get rid of it. Don’t let it dirty Mrs. Thorne’s eyes.” Seeing that he wasn’t joking about getting rid of the baby, I frowned and stepped forward to stop him. “They’re already born, just raise them.” Anyway, I was leaving. Nothing mattered anymore. As I turned to leave, I heard Damian’s cold voice behind me, instructing the housekeeper. “Listen to Mrs. Thorne. Keep them for now. If they survive, fine.” My steps faltered, but I said nothing, only quickened my pace upstairs. However, that night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Worried the babies might be hungry at night, I mixed some formula and decided to check on the two little ones. But as soon as I pushed open the nursery door, I was stunned by the sight before me. Skylar was trying to smother the babies with a pillow.

The babies’ weak whimpers echoed through the dark night, like ghostly wails. “Skylar! What are you doing!” My pupils constricted, and I lunged forward, snatching the pillow from Skylar’s hands, my heart surging with furious anger. “No matter how much you want to rise to the top, you can’t be so cruel as to harm children!” Discovering that both babies had been smothered to death, a wave of rage consumed me. I slapped Skylar across the face twice like a madwoman. But the next moment, Skylar collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach in terror, screaming for mercy. “Ah—!” “Mrs. Thorne, I didn’t mean to see you smother the babies! Please, spare my life!” My head buzzed as I saw the sudden gush of thick blood beneath Skylar. Just then, the bedroom door was kicked open, and Damian rushed in. “What happened?!” “Mr. Thorne, Mrs. Thorne is too jealous! She tried to smother the babies with a pillow! When I caught her, she tried to kill me to silence me! Mr. Thorne, please save me and my baby!” Her voice was shrill, almost piercing the air. Then she frantically cowered at Damian’s feet, begging for help, a triumphant smirk in her peripheral vision as she looked at me. “Jealous?” Hearing Skylar’s words, Damian looked at me, his eyes unreadable. I met his suspicious gaze without flinching. “I didn’t—” But the next second, Damian smiled. He seemed to have heard something that genuinely delighted him, and his laughter grew louder and louder. “Chloe, I knew you still cared about me! You’re jealous of the babies, you even wanted to kill them, so you love me!” Damian pulled me into his arms, his voice overjoyed. “I’m so happy… Chloe Reed, I’m so happy!” His eyes burned with an intense heat, seemingly uncaring of the two babies’ lives, or even Skylar, who was covered in blood on the floor. Skylar was shocked by his reaction, her head snapping up to look at Damian, her eyes full of disbelief. “Mr. Thorne, Mrs. Thorne pushed me… my stomach hurts so much…” Skylar seemed to try one last desperate plea, but Damian merely gave her a cold glance and had Alfred send her to the hospital. As she was being carried away on the stretcher, her eyes burned with resentment as she looked at me. But I didn’t care. After we finalized the divorce tomorrow, those two lunatics could be locked together forever. The next day, I sent Damian to the divorce registry office. On the way, I received a text from Skylar, asking to meet. Thinking the hospital was on the way, and that she had barely saved her baby last night and probably wasn’t strong enough to cause trouble, I went. After all, we had been college roommates for four years; it was a farewell of sorts. But as I pushed open the hospital room door, I saw Skylar’s sinister grin, a terrifying, twisted smile. “Chloe Reed, this isn’t over!” I frowned, realizing her words held a hidden meaning. Just as I was about to ask what she meant, a hand clamped over my mouth and nose, and my vision went black. When I regained consciousness, I felt a violent collision in my lower body, a tearing, agonizing pain. Opening my eyes, I saw a strange man, pressing down on me, biting and tearing at my body. I was completely naked. “Get away—! Don’t touch me!” My mind instantly cleared. I frantically shoved the man off me, screaming in horror. Then, the door was kicked open again, and Damian burst in, his eyes bloodshot, with a feigning Skylar right behind him. “Mrs. Thorne, I’m so sorry! I was stupid, I couldn’t stop Mr. Thorne. He found out about you eloping with your first love!” Skylar knelt before me, putting on a dramatic show, but Damian had already pounced on the man, raining furious punches. He roared like a completely enraged lion. “Bastard! How dare you touch her! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!” “Chloe is mine! She’s mine! She’s the one I cherished, how dare you!” Skylar frantically tried to intervene. “Mr. Thorne, stop! Please, just let them be! If you kill him, Mrs. Thorne will be heartbroken!” But her words seemed designed to provoke Damian even further. He hit harder, blood splattering across his face. The man on the floor was already a limp mess. Any more, and he would die. “…Damian… stop hitting him…” Shrinking under the covers, my voice was hoarse and trembling. Hearing me, Damian’s veins-popping hand finally let go of the man. He pulled me tightly into his embrace, breathing heavily. After a long silence, I waited for his accusations, but Damian asked nothing. He picked me up, still wrapped in the blanket, and strode out. “Chloe, let’s go home…” As he spoke, Skylar, her hands clenched into fists, tried to say something, but Damian’s icy glare silenced her instantly. The car was dead silent, the ride wordless. At home, Damian ignored Skylar, carrying me directly into the bathroom. He meticulously washed every stain from my body himself, with endless patience. It seemed he hadn’t believed Skylar’s words at all. My heart quietly relaxed; I just worried Damian would make a scene and affect my divorce proceedings. After changing, I was about to go find Skylar for my revenge. But Damian gripped my hand tightly again, his voice soft. “Chloe, I have a gift for you. Come with me.” I didn’t think much of it and obediently stepped into the elevator, following him deep underground. Then, we walked into a giant, deep-sea aquarium. But the moment I saw the golden chains, my temples throbbed, and I instinctively wanted to run. However, the heavy door behind us instantly shut, and Damian scooped me up, carrying me to a bed. He started to shackle my leg with the golden chain.

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The ninety-ninth time my wife missed my chemotherapy, I stumbled upon a burner Ins account. **[The love bought with a kidney must surely last until death.]** The post featured a photo of a couple kissing passionately on a street in Turkey. The woman had a small, heart-shaped scar on her neck. What a coincidence. It was exactly like my wife’s. The woman who almost died for me had so easily fallen for someone else. The comments below were full of encouragement from strangers. **[So brave, brother. Wishing you two forever and always.]** **[If I were the girl, I’d be head over heels for him.]** I commented below: **[May you two burn in hell. This husband is clearing the way for you.]** A minute later, the post disappeared. No worries. I just posted on my own account. **[Three years fighting cancer, but my wife fell in love with my kidney donor.]** The post included a picture of our marriage certificate and that kissing photo. … After doing everything, I dialed my wife, Chloe Miller’s, number. “What is it?!” Her impatient voice blasted through the receiver. I suddenly remembered Chloe’s breakdown the day I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She had held me, sobbing uncontrollably, wishing she could trade her life for my health. To find a matching kidney, she even offered 30% of her company’s shares as a gratitude fee. But once the kidney donor was found, Chloe’s heart changed. I gave a bitter laugh. “When are you scheduling the surgery?” Chloe clearly got flustered. “Alex, are you really that desperate to take Liam’s kidney?!” Her harsh interrogation left me feeling dazed. Liam Davis was the one who initially volunteered to donate. Now that he’s stolen my wife, shouldn’t he at least give me a chance to live? “Chloe, I’m so scared. Can you please beg Alex for me, so I can have a little more time to prepare?” A wronged voice chimed in, and Chloe’s tone instantly cooled. “Alex, don’t pressure him anymore. When he’s no longer scared, I’ll naturally arrange the surgery!” My heart ached. Three years ago, when Liam first approached me, offering his kidney, I thought I was saved. But he was afraid of pain, afraid of needles, afraid his weight wasn’t enough… He was afraid of too many things. Suddenly, I didn’t want his kidney anymore. I hung up the phone and pressed the power-off button. Who would have thought that same night, Chloe would storm into the hospital with Liam? “Alex! Who gave you permission to start looking for a new kidney match?!” “Where do you have the time to wait around?!” I didn’t say anything. Instead, I stared at the fresh, crimson love bite on her neck. It was so glaring. My heart felt both sour and bitter. Just as I was about to explain, Chloe continued, “I’ve already transferred that 30% of the shares to Liam.” “Don’t even think about taking it from him!” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. So, she wasn’t worried I wouldn’t find a new kidney. She was afraid Liam’s interests would be harmed. It was so laughable. I looked at Liam, wanting to ask him how much longer I had to wait. But then I caught sight of the multi-million dollar jade pendant on his neck. It was my wedding gift from Chloe, the only one in the world. I reached out, wanting to confirm it. However, before I even touched Liam, he cried out in pain and stumbled backward. “Alex, I told you I’d donate my kidney when I was ready. Why do you hate me so much?!” Liam looked at me, his face full of false victimhood. Chloe’s face instantly darkened. She tenderly pulled him into her embrace and glared at me. “Apologize!” I scoffed, pointing at Liam’s neck. “It’s tainted!” Then I looked at Chloe. “You’re the same. So dirty!” “Now get out, you and your lover!” Chloe instantly flew into a rage, raising her hand and slapping me across the face. “Alex! Your mouth is so vicious! You deserve this cancer!” I collapsed to the floor, my face etched with disbelief. I deserved it? Chloe probably forgot that a huge reason I got kidney cancer was from the insane amount of drinking I did to close deals for her company. “You go reflect on yourself. When you’ve come to your senses, come grovel and apologize to Liam!” With that, Chloe embraced Liam and left. Watching her disappear, my heart felt like a lump of cold ash. I sat there on the floor, stunned, until my attending physician, Dr. Reid, walked in. He helped me up, sighing, “Chloe has completely lost her mind.” “You’re her husband, yet she laid a hand on you for an outsider.” “It’s so damaging to your marriage.” I gave a bitter shake of my head. The moment Chloe cheated, any feelings between us died. I looked at Dr. Reid and asked, “If I don’t get a transplant, how much longer do I have?” Dr. Reid pressed his lips together, his brows furrowed. “About a month.” That’s enough. A flicker of determination flashed in my eyes, and I declared, “I’m not getting treated. I’m checking out today.” **2** After completing the discharge procedures, I returned to what used to be our home. Pushing open the front door, the lively little figure that usually greeted me wasn’t there. Could it be… even Buddy doesn’t love me anymore? A wave of sadness washed over me as I walked towards the bedroom. Passing through the living room, I heard a muffled whimper. “Buddy?” I called out tentatively, walking towards the sound. I found Buddy tied by the neck with a rope to the leg of the dining table. The rope was so tight, it made his eyeballs bulge. His snowy white fur had been shabbily shaved, and his two hind legs lay lifelessly on the floor. Burns, knife wounds, and even several gaping holes were gushing blood. My blood ran cold. I screamed, rushing to him. “Buddy!” My hands trembled uncontrollably from the shock as I tried to untie the rope. Just then, a voice came from behind me. “Alex, what are you doing back here?” I twisted my head to look. Chloe stood there, one hand intertwined with Liam’s, the other holding many baby supplies. I froze. My gaze instinctively dropped to Chloe’s abdomen. Chloe frowned. “Alex, why aren’t you at the hospital receiving treatment? What are you doing back here?!” I gave a self-deprecating laugh, my heart aching even more. “If I didn’t come back, you’d probably be due to give birth soon, wouldn’t you?” My gaze lingered on Liam meaningfully. Chloe’s face stiffened, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. “Alex, listen to me. That night…” “Enough!” I cut Chloe off directly. There was nothing to hear. It was probably just “getting carried away” after too much to drink. No wonder Chloe had found so many excuses to delay the transplant surgery; they’d already had a child! But for me, none of that mattered anymore. I looked at her. “I just want to know why Buddy is like this!” “You promised me you’d make him the happiest dog in the world.” Chloe looked at Buddy, her expression filled with shame. “Alex, actually, this is all my fault.” Liam suddenly interjected, “Buddy almost bit me that day. That’s why Chloe punished him like this.” Liam said ‘sorry,’ but his eyes were full of triumph. I couldn’t control the rage boiling within me anymore. My hand flew out, slapping him across the face. “Alex, are you crazy?! You hit Liam for a dog!” Chloe roared. I scoffed. “He’s not even worth a single hair on Buddy.” Buddy was the birthday gift my father gave me when I turned 20. And, of course, he was the only thing my father left behind. He was more important than anyone or anything else. Sensing Liam’s hostility, Buddy in my arms bared his teeth and barked at him. However, Liam immediately clutched his head and crouched down. “Chloe, my head hurts so much.” Chloe instantly panicked. “I’ll take you to the hospital, Liam.” Liam shook his head, looking wronged. “You should just let me leave this house. Alex doesn’t like me, and I’m a little scared of this dog.” “It’s okay, baby. Don’t be scared.” Chloe gently stroked Liam’s head and continued, “I’ll go deal with that little animal right now.” With that, Chloe forcibly snatched Buddy from my arms. “Chloe, you can’t do this! You know how important Buddy is to me!” My voice trembled, my eyes filled with pleading. “He’s not as important as my Liam!” Chloe held Buddy over her head. My heart leaped into my throat. As Chloe was about to throw Buddy to the ground, I threw away all my dignity and immediately knelt at Liam’s feet. “Please, tell Chloe to let my Buddy go.” “I’ll give you anything. Please.” I kept groveling, banging my head on the floor. However, Liam just said, “Chloe, hurry up!” His tone was gleeful, sending a shiver through me. The next second, Chloe violently slammed Buddy onto the floor. Warm blood splattered on my face, and my complexion instantly turned ashen. **3** “Buddy!” I scrambled to the small figure. Blood flowed across the entire floor, and Buddy didn’t make a sound. I completely broke down, holding his lifeless body and weeping. Why?! Why are you so cruel to me?! I looked at Chloe and Liam, my eyes swirling with hatred. I charged at them. However, before I could even touch their clothes, Chloe kicked me away. I slammed against the wall, blood profusely oozing from the corner of my mouth. It hurt so much. It felt as if every bone in my body had shattered. “I hate you, Chloe!” Chloe froze in place. “Alex, how could you hurt Chloe so much over a dog?” Liam grumbled. I ignored him. I forced my body up, holding Buddy, and walked towards the door. “Alex, where are you going?!” Chloe yelled. She tried to follow me, but Liam stopped her. “Chloe, Alex must be going back to the hospital.” “Don’t worry about him.” I buried Buddy in the backyard of his favorite dog park. I hoped he wouldn’t meet me again in his next life. Then, I walked towards the cemetery where my father was buried. Before leaving, I wanted to see him one last time. However, my father’s gravestone was gone. Looking at the unfamiliar name before me, my pupils constricted sharply. Arthur Davis? Who was this? My mind was in turmoil, a mix of confusion and urgency. I found the cemetery administrator, but he said, “Mr. Miller’s grave was moved a long time ago.” “Who allowed you to do that?!” I roared, enraged. The administrator looked indifferent. “Why are you getting angry at me? Mr. Miller’s daughter-in-law personally handled this.” Chloe? I was stunned. I looked at the photo of Arthur Davis on the tombstone; his features seemed a little familiar. A terrible premonition instantly crept into my heart. I rushed back to Chloe’s family home as fast as I could. “Chloe! You bastard! Where did you put my father’s ashes?!” I yelled for a long time before Liam slowly walked out, holding a broken box. “Where’s Chloe?” I asked coldly. “She went to Cloud Street to get me wontons. You know, my taste is quite…” I turned directly and walked towards the main door. “You don’t want your dad’s ashes?” My steps faltered. I turned to look at Liam. “Where is my father?” Liam didn’t answer me. Instead, he opened the box in his hand and poured the powder inside into the trash can. Watching his actions, my breath hitched. “What is that?” “Your dad, of course,” Liam said with a gleeful laugh. I felt like a lightning bolt had struck me, freezing my blood. “Chloe said your dad’s burial plot was the best feng shui spot in the entire city of A. Such a prime location naturally had to be for my family.” “But I never thought that after I just mentioned it, the very next day Chloe would have your dad’s grave dug up.” Liam was still talking, but I couldn’t listen anymore. I rushed to the trash can, knelt on the ground, and plunged my hands into it. Banana peels, leftover tea leaves, even used condoms… They were all covered with my father’s ashes. No matter what I did, I couldn’t separate them. Helplessness and despair spread through my entire body. Chloe’s voice suddenly rang out behind me. “Why are you back again?!” I turned to look at her, my eyes bloodshot. “You animal! How dare you disturb my father’s grave?!” I roared, my hands flailing wildly. In an instant, several bloody scratches appeared on her face. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” Chloe erupted in fury. Liam looked even more wronged. “Chloe, you have to help me! Alex is making me eat all that trash on the floor!” Hearing that, Chloe’s face instantly darkened. “How can you be so vicious?!” “Since it’s your idea, you can suffer it yourself.” With that, Chloe forcefully pinned me to the floor. I struggled desperately, but it was useless. All that trash, mixed with my father’s ashes, went into my stomach. After forcing the last condom into my mouth, Chloe released me. I immediately gagged, trying to force it out, but nothing came up. I hated them so much! I wanted to kill these two bastards. Then I picked up a nearby fruit knife and, without hesitation, plunged it into Chloe’s body.

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My girlfriend, Chloe, was cornered by some rough types, clearly in distress, but all I did was quietly flip open my textbook and review. In my past life, I couldn’t stand by. I stepped in, and I ended up hurting one of those guys. The next day, Chloe framed me, claiming *I* had assaulted her. I lost my chance at a scholarship, a direct path to a prestigious university. Eventually, the police let me go due to lack of evidence. But when I walked out, I saw Chloe nestled in that thug’s arms, giggling, “Honey, this nerd doesn’t get our fun. He actually thought you were assaulting me, hahaha, it’s so hilarious!” Chloe then added, “Good thing we set him up to take the fall. Otherwise, that scholarship wouldn’t have been mine.” “Since he loves meddling so much, I’ll just break an arm and a leg,” the thug sneered. They beat me, left me crippled, and dumped me in a saltwater tank, where I suffered agonizing, bone-rotting torture every day. My Nana Sue, who came looking for me, was drowned in a tub by those same thugs. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on that very day Chloe was being cornered.

“SLAP!” A loud, stinging slap. My left cheek burned instantly. “Jason, are you even a man? Just watching your own girlfriend being… You, why didn’t you save me last night?” Chloe’s voice trembled, her tears streaming down her face. I pressed my tongue against my throbbing cheek, suppressing the rage churning in my chest. “Chloe, weren’t you having a blast? I thought you were really enjoying yourself,” I said, my voice cold. “Besides, we broke up. Do whatever you want. I have no right to interfere.” I turned to leave, but she grabbed my sleeve. Her attitude suddenly softened. “I don’t agree to the breakup. You haven’t tutored me for today’s class yet, have you?” I almost burst out laughing. Chloe, the girl who hadn’t opened a textbook once in three years of college, was now using “tutoring” as an excuse to keep me around? I knew her too well – she was only sticking to me because of next week’s midterms, and she needed my notes and tutoring to pass. “Let go.” I peeled her fingers off, not looking back. Last night, at eleven, I was in my dorm, rushing to finish a paper when my phone buzzed. “Chloe” flashed on the screen, and my fingers froze. She’d changed her number after we broke up, and I’d deleted all her contacts. “Jason… help… help me…” Chloe’s slurred voice came through, background noise a chaotic mix of music and laughter. “Golden Horizon Hotel… they’re forcing me to drink…” My heart just *clenched*. Chloe and I had grown up together; I’d always looked out for her like a little sister. Even after all the times she’d messed up, my family did owe hers a debt of gratitude for their past help. After a tough internal debate, I decided this would be the last time. I grabbed my jacket and rushed out. Chloe loved to party, but her alcohol tolerance was terrible. When we were together, I never let her drink outside. When I finally, breathlessly, knocked on room 1818, the sight before me chilled me to the bone. The door was ajar. Chloe, her clothes disheveled, was straddling Blake’s lap – that trust fund kid whose family owned a chain of hotels. He was bringing a drink to her lips. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glazed, but a smile played on her lips. She didn’t look forced at all. “Well, well, if it isn’t Jason, the top student,” Blake grinned, his arm tightening around Chloe’s waist. “Looking for your ex-girlfriend? Too bad she prefers playing with me now.” Chloe turned, saw me, and her expression stiffened for a split second, but then she quickly smiled. “Jason? What are you doing here… Come have a drink with us…” I stood there, feeling my blood turn to ice. So, the “cry for help” was just her drunken whim, or part of some twisted game she was playing with Blake. I’d rushed over like an idiot in the middle of the night, only to witness *this*. “My apologies.” I turned and left. Behind me, I heard Chloe’s cackles and Blake’s mocking voice, “Poor guy’s always poor. Can’t even afford a hotel room, still trying to get a girl?” Stepping out of the hotel, the night wind cut through me. I stood by the road, suddenly feeling utterly pathetic. Twenty-two years of friendship, of shared life, and in Chloe’s eyes, it was nothing more than a transaction – me providing academic help in exchange for her company, and now she’d found a wealthier buyer. “Jason! Wait!” Chloe chased after me. I quickened my pace, but she still managed to block my path. “What do you even want?” I couldn’t help but raise my voice. “Wasn’t last night clear enough?” Chloe bit her lower lip. “I was drunk… I don’t remember anything…” Her eyes darted away. “Blake said he’d help me with my failing grades for the finals, so I…” “So you exchanged your body for grades?” I scoffed. “What a noble transaction.” Her face flushed crimson. “How can you say that?! If you hadn’t insisted on breaking up, I wouldn’t have…” “I insisted on breaking up?” I cut her off. “You were the one who said, ‘Jason, we’re not from the same world. You can’t give me what I want.’ Remember?” That was three months ago, on Chloe’s twentieth birthday. I’d worked three jobs, saved up to buy her a fancy necklace, while her friends showered her with designer bags and perfumes. That night, in front of everyone, she threw the necklace back at me. “Jason, let’s break up. You can’t even afford a decent birthday dinner. We’re not from the same world.” I remember standing at the restaurant entrance, clutching that “cheap” necklace, watching her and her friends drive off in Blake’s Porsche. “I was just… upset at the time,” Chloe now explained, reaching for my arm, but I pulled away. “I know you’re the best to me, Jason. See? I came back for you.” Watching the calculation in Chloe’s eyes, impossible to hide, I suddenly realized I’d never truly known this person. For over two decades, I might have been in love with nothing more than a carefully constructed illusion. “Chloe,” I took a deep breath. “We’re done. Truly done. I won’t write your papers anymore, I won’t cheat on tests for you, and I certainly won’t continue to be your on-call backup.” Her expression instantly twisted, the sweet facade crumbling to reveal something ugly underneath. “Who do you think you are? A poor student with nothing but good grades! I’m giving you face by even looking your way!” “Then please take that ‘face’ back,” I said calmly. “I don’t need it.” As I turned to leave, I heard her scream hysterically behind me, “You’ll regret this, Jason! Without me, you’re nothing!” My phone vibrated. It was a message from my advisor: “Jason, your MIT exchange application has been approved. Congratulations.” I stopped, and then I smiled. The world, it turned out, was so much bigger than I’d ever imagined. And my worth? It never needed Chloe’s approval to be proven.

I never thought Blake would personally seek me out. “Heard you were peeping on Chloe and me getting cozy yesterday? That desperate?” People around us had already stopped, pulling out their phones. “Move.” My voice was low as I tried to walk around them. “Chloe told me you’ve been harassing her, refusing to let go,” Blake said loudly, making sure everyone could hear. “Broke bookworms are always broke bookworms, can’t even keep a girlfriend. Know what she said on my bed last night? She said you—” I didn’t wait for him to finish. I punched him square in the face. Blake, caught off guard, clutched his face, staring at me in disbelief. His two goons instantly lunged. “Jason! Are you crazy?!” Chloe’s voice suddenly cut through the crowd. She pushed her way to the front, glanced at the bruise on Blake’s face, then turned to me, her eyes filled with accusation. “How could you hit him?” I looked at her, suddenly feeling an absurd hollowness. For over twenty years, I hadn’t even raised my voice at her, and now she stood beside the man who had humiliated me, demanding answers. “Chloe,” I wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of my mouth. “Last night, you called for help. Was *this* the kind of ‘help’ you were calling for? Blake’s bed?” A ripple of whispers broke out among the onlookers. Chloe’s face went white, then quickly flushed crimson. “What are you talking about?!” she shrieked. “I never called anyone!” Blake’s eyes glinted maliciously. “I’ll make sure you can’t stay in this school. My dad’s a board member. Who do you think the Dean’s office will believe?” I met his gaze head-on. “What else do you have besides your daddy’s money?” Blake stumbled back, falling onto the ground, his face a grimace. His two goons started forward but were held back by my stare. “Jason!” Chloe suddenly rushed over and grabbed my arm. “Do you know what you’re doing? Blake’s family—” “I know,” I shook off her hand. “He’s rich and powerful. So what? Is that why you chose him?” Chloe’s lips trembled. “You just don’t understand…” Her voice suddenly dropped. “The life I need, you can’t give me…” “And are you getting it now?” I scanned the growing crowd, then looked at Blake, still sitting on the ground. “Being with someone like this, is *that* the life you want?” Chloe didn’t answer, but her eyes flickered. Just then, the piercing whistle of campus security echoed from a distance. Dean Miller, without asking questions, sternly reprimanded me, “Jason. You assaulted a fellow student without provocation. According to school regulations, that’s a disciplinary strike.” “Without provocation?” I couldn’t help but retort. “He started it—” The Dean cut me off. “Considering your otherwise good record, if you’re willing to apologize publicly, we can go easy on you.” I looked at Blake. A triumphant smirk played on his lips, his eyes practically screaming, “You’re done for.” “I won’t apologize.” I met the Dean’s gaze directly. “He provoked and insulted me and my family first.” The Dean’s face grew even sterner. “Jason, think carefully. A disciplinary strike will affect your MIT exchange qualification.” My heart sank. The MIT exchange was a goal I’d worked for two years, my only chance to escape my current situation. I looked at Blake, his smile widening, clearly knowing this was a sore spot. The room fell terrifyingly silent. I thought of my parents, working overtime in the factory, of them scrimping and saving every penny to send me to college, of the light in my father’s eyes when he said, “Son, our family is counting on you.” Then I remembered Blake’s sneering face as he insulted my parents, and Chloe standing by his side. “I’d rather take the disciplinary strike than apologize to someone like him,” I said, every word deliberate. The Dean shook his head in disappointment, picking up his pen to sign the document. Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open. “Wait!” A familiar voice rang out. I turned in surprise to see my roommate, Sam, standing in the doorway, breathless, holding up his phone. “I have video evidence! Blake provoked him first! And his two goons started the physical contact!” The Dean frowned, taking the phone. The video clearly showed the entire incident. The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted. Blake suddenly stood up. “That video’s edited! My dad—” “Enough!” The Dean sharply cut him off. “Mr. Blake, we will handle this matter fairly. Now, please go back to your room.” Blake’s face was ashen as he glared at me, then slammed the door shut and left. The Dean tiredly rubbed his temples. “Jason, while your actions were understandable, hitting someone is still wrong. Write a statement. This matter ends here.” Walking out of the Dean’s office, Sam punched my shoulder. “You’re a wild one, man!” My phone buzzed. It was an email from my advisor: “Final confirmation for MIT exchange. Please submit your visa documents as soon as possible.” I took a deep breath and replied, “Already prepared. Will submit tomorrow morning.”

On the weekend break, I went back to my old place to visit Nana Sue. I didn’t expect to run into Chloe at the edge of town. Nana Sue warmly took Chloe’s hand. “Came from the city? Had dinner yet? Why don’t you come eat at our place?” I was about to object, but Chloe already smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Nana Sue, I haven’t eaten yet. I’m here for a community project, and I didn’t expect to run into Jason.” Community project? I scoffed inwardly. Chloe hadn’t completed a single volunteer hour without paying someone off in three years of college. How could she possibly be doing a community project? On the way home, Nana Sue and Chloe chatted animatedly. Chloe was uncharacteristically well-behaved and attentive, asking Nana Sue about everything. Nana Sue beamed, praising her, “This girl is so thoughtful.” “Jason,” Chloe suddenly said after dinner. “I have a research report for this community project that I need to write. You’re a great writer, could you take a look?” I was about to refuse, but Nana Sue spoke first. “Jason, your classmate came all this way, it’s not easy. Help her out.” Seeing the expectant look in Nana Sue’s eyes, I had no choice but to nod. A flicker of triumph in Chloe’s eyes confirmed my suspicion: this was a trap. I led Chloe to the small table in the backyard and asked coldly, “What do you really want?” Chloe’s expression immediately changed, her earlier sweetness gone. “I just wanted to see the famous Nana Sue,” she said, glancing around the modest yard, a hint of disdain in her eyes. “So this is where you grew up.” I clenched my fists. “If you’re here to insult me, you can leave now.” “Don’t be so tense,” she suddenly smiled again, pulling a USB drive from her bag. “I really do need your help. Blake is forcing me to submit an economics paper, due next Monday. You know I can’t write it. Please help me, just this once.” “Why don’t you ask Blake for help? Isn’t he so capable?” I sneered. A shadow crossed Chloe’s eyes. “He… he’s in a bad mood lately. Jason, just for Nana Sue’s sake? She was so happy just now, if she knew you were so cold…” She was using my Nana Sue against me! I took a deep breath, weighing my options. If I refused, she might cause a scene in front of Nana Sue. If I agreed… this was clearly a trap. “Just this once,” I finally conceded. “Leave the files, and I’ll give it back to you tomorrow.” Chloe flashed a triumphant smile, pressing the USB drive into my hand. “I knew you were the best.” She leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Don’t tell Nana Sue about our ‘little secret,’ okay?” The next morning, I finished revising the paper and was about to head to the local library to email it to Chloe. As I stepped out, I saw a black Mercedes pull up at the edge of town. The window rolled down, revealing Blake’s detestable face. “Nana Sue,” Blake suddenly said, “Jason and I have a small academic disagreement. He thinks data can be freely altered, but I believe academic integrity is more important. What do you think?” I stared at him in shock. What was he babbling about? Nana Sue looked at me, puzzled. “Jason never lies, does he? Is there some misunderstanding?” Blake sighed, pulled out his phone, scrolled a bit, then handed it to Nana Sue. “See, this is a paper Jason ghostwrote for someone else, and he even got paid for it. That’s a serious disciplinary violation in college.” I leaned closer and saw it: on the screen was the very paper I’d revised last night, complete with my name as author and a screenshot of a transaction record! This was a complete frame-up! “That’s not true!” I snatched the phone. “Nana Sue, he’s lying!” Nana Sue looked at me, then at Blake, her eyes filled with confusion and worry. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Sam: “Emergency! Someone posted on the campus forum accusing you of long-term paid ghostwriting, with ‘evidence’ attached. The Dean’s office is already investigating. Your MIT qualification might be canceled!” I felt like I’d fallen into an ice abyss. So, this was their real objective. Blake stood up, feigning concern.

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